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Mafroukeh – Pistachio Dessert with Cream

Mafroukeh – Pistachio Dessert with Cream

Mafroukeh – Pistachio Dessert with Cream

 

⅔ cup sugar

⅔ cup water

1 T. orange blossom water

1 T. fresh lemon juice

 

½ cup shelled, raw pistachios

½ cup coarse semolina

2 T. ghee or butter

¼ cup sugar

1 cup water

 

1 cup milk

½ cup whipping cream

2 T. all-purpose flour

2 T. cornstarch

1 T. orange blossom water

 

Start by making the simple syrup: dissolve the sugar and water in a saucepan on the stove. Bring to a boil and add the lemon juice, stirring until it thickens, then add in the orange blossom water and set aside to cool. To make the ashta, whisk together all the ingredients in a small pot (except the orange blossom water) until the dry ingredients have dissolved. Set the mixture on medium-high heat on the stove and whisk consistently until it starts to boil and keep whisking until it starts to thicken. As soon as it starts to get very thick, add the orange blossom water, give it a mix, and transfer to a bowl to cool. Cover with plastic wrap. To make the semolina base, start by grinding the sugar and pistachios in your food processor and set aside. Melt the ghee in a pan on the stove and fry the semolina in it until golden, then add the water and mix consistently until it thickens significantly. Let it cool for a couple of minutes, then place the semolina mixture into the food processor with the pistachios and pulse until fully incorporated.

Press the semolina dough into a 9-inch springform pan, then top with your cooled ashta and garnish. Let it set in the fridge for a few hours. Pour some simple syrup on top as desired when ready to serve

Blender Lemon Loaf

Blender Lemon Loaf

Blender Lemon Loaf

 

3 large Eggs

3/4 C. Cane Sugar

1 ½ C. AP Flour

1/2 C. melted Coconut Oil (not hot)

1 C. Greek Yogurt

1/4 tsp. Salt

2 tsp. Baking Powder

Zest from a Lemon

2 T. Fresh Lemon Juice

2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

 

1 CUP Powdered Sugar

1/4 CUP Maple Syrup

1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

1/2 tsp. Lemon Zest

 

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9×5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray. In a bowl, combine flour, salt and baking powder. Add eggs, sugar, coconut oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, vanilla extract and lemon zest to a blender and blend until smooth. Add flour and pulse a few times to combine. Do not over mix. Pour batter into the pan and bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden and toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let bread cool inside the pan for 5-10 min. Then remove and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Whisk ingredients for the glaze together. Drizzle over the bread. Slice and serve

Pears & Cream

Pears & Cream

Pears & Cream

 

1/3 cup cashews, soaked in water (2-3 hours minimum to overnight)

Juice of 1 lemon

1/2T. water

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

4 pitted Medjool dates (or 1 T. maple syrup)

 

2 sliced pears

2 tsp. maple syrup

 

Blend all the cashew cream ingredients in a blender until smooth. Combine the cashew cream with the pears, drizzle with maple syrup, and enjoy!

Banana Pudding Cookie Sandwiches

Banana Pudding Cookie Sandwiches

Banana Pudding Cookie Sandwiches

 

1 box Nilla Wafers

1 (3.4 ounce ox) instant banana pudding

2 cups heavy whipping cream

¼ cup powdered sugar

Sprinkles as desired

 

Pour heavy whipping cream into mixing bowl and mix, starting on low speed, then as it gets thicker, increase the speed until it is almost the consistency of whipped cream. Add in the instant pudding and the powdered sugar. Continue to mix on high speed until fully combined and the mousse is the consistency of a thick whipped cream. Add the banana mousse to a piping bag and pipe onto the Nilla Wafers. Sandwich the Nilla Wafers together to create a cookie sandwich with the banana mousse as the filling. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Lemon Icebox Pie

Lemon Icebox Pie

Lemon Icebox Pie

 

2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk, divided

3 large egg yolks

¾ cup plus 2 T. lemon juice (5 lemons)

1 Graham Cracker Crust, baked and cooled

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

 

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Set aside 3 T. condensed milk. Whisk egg yolks and remaining condensed milk in bowl until smooth. Slowly whisk in lemon juice. Pour filling into cooled crust. Bake until edges are beginning to set but center still jiggles when shaken, about 15 minutes. Let pie cool on wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate until chilled and set, at least 3 hours or up to 24 hours. Using stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whip cream, vanilla, and reserved condensed milk on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase speed to high and whip until stiff peaks form, 1 to 3 minutes. Spread whipped cream attractively over pie before serving.

Frozen Grammy Sammies

Frozen Grammy Sammies

Frozen Grammy Sammies

 

3.5 oz pkg instant pudding

15 sheets graham crackers

toppings: candy bits, sprinkles, drizzle, etc optional

 

Make the pudding according to the instructions on the box. Chill pudding in refrigerator until it is set up (5-30 minutes depending on pudding type). Cover a pan or baking sheet with wax paper. Break graham cracker sheets in half and place on the pan or sheet. Spoon pudding onto one half of the graham cracker. Cover with other half of cracker to make a sandwich. Freeze sandwiches for at least an hour.

Red Velvet Brownies

Red Velvet Brownies

Red Velvet Brownies

 

For the frosting:

1 cup powdered sugar [120 g]

4 oz cream cheese [115 g], at room temperature

2 T. unsalted butter [30 g], at room temperature

2 tsp. vanilla extract [10 g]

1 pinch salt

 

For the brownies:

Butter for greasing the pan

1¼ cup flour [160 g]

3 T. cocoa powder [20 g]

½ tsp baking powder [2.5 g]

3 large eggs [150 g]

1⅔ cup sugar [335 g]

½ tsp salt [5.5 g]

⅔ cup canola oil [140 g]

2 T. liquid red food coloring* use less if gel coloring

2 tsp vanilla extract [10 g]

1 tsp white vinegar [5 g]

 

 

Make the frosting: Combine the powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment (or a stainless-steel bowl with a hand mixer). Mix at very low speed until the powdered sugar incorporates, and then increase the speed to medium-high and beat for about 3 minutes, until there are no more lumps and it’s very light and fluffy. Chill the frosting for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator, until it’s stiff enough to hold its shape, but still very spreadable.

Bake the brownies: Preheat the oven to 350° F [180° C]. Butter or grease an 8×8-inch pan (20×20 cm), and line with parchment (all the way around if you’d like, or just the bottom). Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda. Set aside. Combine the eggs, sugar, salt, oil, liquid food coloring, vanilla, and vinegar in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together slowly, just until it’s fully incorporated and no longer streaky. Do not incorporate air by beating it. Once combined, add the flour/cocoa mixture, and fold together until there are no large clumps of flour (don’t over-mix). Pour into the pan, smooth out the top, and bake for about 40 minutes, until a toothpick or paring knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan at room temperature for about 20 minutes, then trace around the edge with a knife to loosen it. At this point you can freeze it for about 1 hour in the pan, until the entire thing is chilled (but not frozen). This will help it slice more cleanly, but you can skip this and just let it cool to room temperature instead. Remove from the pan by gently inverting it, remove the parchment, and place right-side-up on a serving dish.**

Decorate the brownies once they’ve cooled: Dump all of the frosting into the center of the brownies. Use an offset spatula to work the frosting almost to the edges. Then make a few swoops in it with the spatula. Slice into 16 pieces.

notes

** If you let it chill for too long, it’ll stick to the pan a bit when you try to remove it. If so, just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes until it’s easier to remove from the pan, and re-trace around the edges.

 

Easy Cherry Skillet Cake

Easy Cherry Skillet Cake

Easy Cherry Skillet Cake

 

2 T. butter, at room temperature

6 T. butter, melted

1 cup sugar, divided

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1½ tsp. pure vanilla extract

1½ cups all-purpose flour

¾ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

¾ cup whole milk

1½ cups cherries, halved and pitted

Confectioners’ sugar, for serving

 

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 10-inch oven-safe skillet with the 2 T. of room-temperature butter. In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter with ¾ cup of the sugar to combine. Add the egg and egg yolk; mix to combine. Whisk in the vanilla extract. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; mix to combine. Add the milk and whisk until the batter is thick and smooth. In a separate bowl, toss the remaining ¼ cup sugar with the cherries and then set aside. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Sprinkle the cherries on top. Bake the cake until it is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before cutting and serving. Dust the cooled cake with the confectioners’ sugar.

Pistachio Rice Krispie Treats with Dark Chocolate

Pistachio Rice Krispie Treats with Dark Chocolate

Pistachio Rice Krispie Treats with Dark Chocolate

 

¼ cup salted butter

10 ounce bag mini marshmallows

5 cups rice krispies cereal

3.5 ounce box instant pistachio pudding mix

½ cup dark chocolate, melted

 

In large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add marshmallows and continue stirring until completely smooth. Remove from heat. Add dry pistachio pudding mix. Fold in with spatula. Add in cereal. Mix completely. Pour into a parchment paper lined 9-inch square baking dish. Allow treats to cool and set at least one hour. Remove from dish, remove parchment paper. Cut into 16 squares. Drizzle with melted dark chocolate, allow to set, about 15 minutes. Enjoy (these are great in the fridge)!

Raspberry Chia Yogurt Pops

Raspberry Chia Yogurt Pops

Raspberry Chia Yogurt Pops

 

1 C. Raspberries

1 ½ T. Honey

1 T. Chia Seeds

1 ½ C. Whole Milk Vanilla Yogurt

½ C. Plain Greek Yogurt

 

Put the raspberries and honey into a small saucepan over medium heat. As the berries warm and the honey melts, give it a stir with a fork. Continue to cook, stirring regularly and mashing the raspberries with the fork. After about 3 minutes, the berries will be melted and the liquid will begin to boil. Once it boils, remove the pan from the heat, add the chia seeds, and stir. Put the pan into the fridge to cool completely, about 1 hour. Put the vanilla yogurt and Greek yogurt into a medium bowl, ideally one with a spout for pouring, and stir with a whisk until smooth and well combined. Spoon the chilled raspberry sauce over the yogurt and stir gently several times to mix it into the yogurt. It doesn’t need to be completely incorporated, just stirred enough so that the raspberries are distributed throughout. Pour the yogurt mixture into pop molds and freeze.

Skillet Blackberry Cobbler

Skillet Blackberry Cobbler

Skillet Blackberry Cobbler

 

1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter

4 cups fresh blackberries

1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling on blackberries if they’re a little too tart

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

Pinch of fine sea salt

1 cup whole milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Ice cream or whipped cream (optional)

 

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Melt the butter in a large cast iron skillet or a 9×13 inch baking dish. Takes about about 5-7 minutes. Meanwhile, using a potato masher, mash the berries in a large bowl to release some of their juices. If the berries taste too tart, sprinkle on a little bit of the sugar. In another large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add in 1 cup of the sugar, the milk and the vanilla and stir until well blended. Once the butter has melted, remove the skillet or pan from the oven and pour the melted butter into the batter. Stir to mix. Then pour the batter all at one time into the skillet and add the blackberries into the center. Do not spread out. Bake for about 1 hour until the cake is golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the cake part comes out clean. Serve immediately or let cool to room temperature. Tastes great on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Glazed Apricot Twists

Glazed Apricot Twists

Glazed Apricot Twists

1 frozen puff pastry sheet (from a 17 1/4-ounce package), thawed according to package instructions

1/2 C. apricot jam (6 ounces), melted

1/4 C. confectioners’ sugar

1 T. heavy cream or milk

2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

Special Equipment

parchment paper

 

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface into a 12- by 10-inch rectangle, then cut in half lengthwise. Cut each half crosswise into 4 (5- by 3-inch) strips (for a total of 8 strips). Spread each strip with 1/2 T. jam, then fold strips in half lengthwise to form 1 1/2-inch-wide strips. Twist each strip 3 times and place on baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer twists to a rack set over a sheet of parchment. Stir together confectioners’ sugar, cream, and lemon juice until smooth, then brush over warm twists. Serve warm.

Daniel & Joyce’s Broccoli Fudge Balls

Daniel & Joyce’s Broccoli Fudge Balls

Daniel & Joyce’s Broccoli Fudge Balls

 

2 cups White Chocolate

1 cups Sweetened Condensed Milk

4 tbsp Salted Butter

1⁄4 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 drops Green Food Coloring

3 tbsp Broccoli

 

Melt white chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and vanilla over a double boiler, fold as needed. Add a drop of green food coloring if using.  Finely chop raw broccoli. Dry toast broccoli to desired doneness in a pan on low heat. 2-5 minutes just to remove the raw flavor. Fold in broccoli bits as desired. Pour fudge into molds or chill and scoop into balls. Place in a parchment lined container, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use. Allow to come to room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

Rhubarb Cake with Butter Sauce

Rhubarb Cake with Butter Sauce

Rhubarb Cake with Butter Sauce

 

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

4 cups rhubarb diced

2 cups milk

6 T. butter melted

 

1/2 cup 1 stick butter

1 cup sugar

3/4 cup heavy cream

 

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the diced rhubarb, milk and melted butter. Stir just until combined. Pour the batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool. To make the butter sauce, combine the butter sugar and cream in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 1 minute stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. To serve, cut pieces of cake and serve with a generous amount of warm butter sauce. The sauce can be gently reheated on the stove or in the microwave if necessary.

Apple Spice Cake

Apple Spice Cake

Apple Spice Cake

 

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups of sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

¾ tsp. salt

3 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. ground ginger

½ tsp. cloves

1/4 tsp. allspice

1/3 cup warm milk

1 cup of melted butter (or coconut oil)

3 cups grated apples)

½ T. of vanilla

Optional: caramel sauce (recipe below)

 

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup of sugar (coconut sugar works)

3/4 cups of heavy cream +2 T. divided (coconut cream works)

2 T. butter (vegan butter works)

¼ tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

 

Preheat oven to 325°F and lightly spray and line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment. In a medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Add in the warm milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Combine. Add in this grated apple and mix until it is well combined and the apple is evenly distributed. Pour batter into the pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Add apple slices if you choose. Bake for 65-75 minutes until the center is cooked through. Allow to cool for 5 minutes and remove from springform pan and if using caramel, pour over cake while it is still warm.  Over medium heat in a medium pot, combine maple syrup, honey, sugar, ¾ cup heavy cream, salt, and butter.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat to med-low, making sure to keep it at a low boil. Watch it closely as it will boil up as it heats.  Once it reaches about 235°(softball stage and will just barely start to turn golden), remove from heat, add vanilla and 2 T. of heavy cream. Store in an airtight container for about two weeks in the refrigerator. If the sauce gets too hard in the fridge, gently warm it in the microwave 20s at a time, and it will become pouring consistency again.

“I Want Chocolate Cake” Cake

“I Want Chocolate Cake” Cake

“I Want Chocolate Cake” Cake

 

6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup (145 grams) firmly packed dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

3/4 cup (175 ml) buttermilk (see Notes for other options)

1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

1/2 cup (41 grams) Dutch cocoa powder

1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon table or fine sea salt

 

2 ounces (55 grams) unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

1 1/2 cups (180 grams) powdered sugar (sifted if lumpy)

1/2 cup (4 ounces or 115 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature

Pinch of fine sea salt (optional)

1 tablespoons cream or whole milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Make the cake: Heat oven to 350°F (175°c). Line the bottom of an 8-inch square cake pan with parchment paper, and either butter the parchment and exposed sides of the pan, or spray the interior with a nonstick spray. In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the butter and sugars until fluffy; scrape down bowl. Add the egg, yolk and vanilla and beat until combined, then the buttermilk and mix again. Scrape the bowl down well and don’t worry if the batter looks uneven. Place your flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a sifter (I find this step necessary because my cocoa is very lumpy) and shake it over the batter bowl. Stir on low until just combined; scrape down bowl a final time. Scoop batter into prepared pan and smooth flat. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes (updated, based on feedback) 25 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes in cake pan on cooling rack, then flip out onto rack or serving plate to completely finish cooling before frosting. Speed this up by placing it outside for 10 minutes (thanks, winter!).  Make the frosting: Place frosting ingredients in a food processor and run machine to mix. Scrape down bowl then process for another 1 to 2 minutes (updated based on feedback) just until smooth and somewhat fluffed. [Don’t have a food processor? Beat butter, powdered sugar and salt, if using, in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Pour in chocolate, milk and vanilla, beat until combined, then one more minute to whip it further.] Scoop the frosting onto the cooled chocolate cake and swirl it around. Finish with rainbow sprinkles; don’t even fight it. Cut into squares and prepare for your family/roommates to completely freak out when they spy it on the counter. (But only share if they offer to do dishes.) Cake keeps at room temperature for a day or two, or in the fridge up to a week, or so I’ve heard but never tested out. Notes: Red wine chocolate cake, mocha chocolate cake: You could replace the buttermilk in full with yogurt or sour cream thinned with a little milk or water, with red wine or replace 1/2 cup of it with strong coffee. (Keep 1/4 cup buttermilk so you’ll have an acidic ingredient to wake up the baking soda.)

Lemon, Coconut, and Pistachio Cake

Lemon, Coconut, and Pistachio Cake

Lemon, Coconut, and Pistachio Cake

 

1/2 cup Unsalted Butter , room temperature

1 1/4 cups Granulated Sugar , divided

3 Large Eggs , room temperature

1 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

1/4 tsp Baking Soda

1/4 cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

1/3 cup Shelled Unsalted Pistachios

1/2 cup Full-Fat Coconut Milk

1 T. Lemons , zested (about 2 lemons)

1/3 cup Lemon Juice , freshly squeezed, divided

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

2 T. Full-Fat Coconut Milk

1 T. Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan, line the bottom with parchment paper, then grease the paper and flour the pan. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup) and Granulated Sugar (1 cup) . Beat on medium speed for 3-5 minutes, until light and fluffy. With the mixer on medium speed, add the Large Eggs (3) one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Beat for one more minute, until the batter is pale and thick. In a medium bowl, sift together the All-Purpose Flour (1 1/4 cups) , Baking Powder (1/2 tsp) , Kosher Salt (1/2 tsp) , and Baking Soda (1/4 tsp) . Add the Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (1/4 cup) and set aside. Place the Shelled Unsalted Pistachios (1/3 cup) in the bowl of a food processor and process until coarsely chopped. Remove 1 1/2 T. and set aside for garnish. Continue processing until the pistachios are very finely ground. Measure to make sure you have 1/4 cup, and add it to the bowl with the dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine Full-Fat Coconut Milk (1/2 cup) , zest of the Lemons (1 Tbsp) , Lemon Juice (3 Tbsp) , and Vanilla Extract (1/2 tsp) . Add the wet and dry mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Do not overmix. Transfer to the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a rack set over a tray to continue cooling. In a small saucepan, combine the Granulated Sugar (1/4 cup) , Full-Fat Coconut Milk (2 Tbsp) , and Lemon Juice (2 Tbsp) . Bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar, then remove from the heat. While the cake is still warm, slowly pour the syrup over the top of the cake. Sprinkle with the reserved pistachios and Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (1 Tbsp) , cool completely, and serve.

Pudding Cake in a Mug for One

Pudding Cake in a Mug for One

Pudding Cake in a Mug for One

 

2 T. (28 g) butter

2 T. (10 g) cocoa powder

1 1/2 T. (22 g) erythritol blend

1 pinch of salt

1 egg yolk

2 T. (30 ml) heavy cream

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

12 pieces Lily’s sugar-free chocolate chips (optional)

 

Coat a mug with cooking spray. This cake doesn’t rise much. A shallower mug might work better. Put the butter in it and microwave for 30 seconds to melt it. Add the cocoa powder, erythritol, salt, egg yolk, heavy cream, and vanilla and use a whisk or a fork to stir it all up until you have a uniform batter. If you’re using the chips, sprinkle them over the top and let them sink in a bit. Microwave on High for 90 seconds. Let it cool until you can handle it safely, then tip it out onto a plate.

Roasted Sugar Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Fresh Cranberry and Salted Caramel

Roasted Sugar Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Fresh Cranberry and Salted Caramel

Roasted Sugar Pumpkin Bread Pudding with Fresh Cranberry and Salted Caramel

 

1 small sugar pumpkin, halved, seeds scooped, roasted until tender and puréed (about 1½ cups prepared pumpkin)

1½ cups heavy cream

½ cup whole milk

⅓ cup sugar

3 large eggs

2 egg yolks

⅛ tsp. salt

⅛ tsp. ground allspice

⅛ tsp. ground ginger

⅛ tsp. ground cinnamon

1 T. vanilla extract

10 cups (from 1 loaf) country-style bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

3 T. butter, melted

1 cup fresh cranberries, halved

 

1½ cups granulated sugar

10 T. unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes

1 scant cup heavy cream

2 tsp. kosher or sea salt

 

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan. Whisk together prepared pumpkin purée, cream, milk, sugar, eggs and yolks, salt, spices and vanilla until smooth. Add cubed bread, butter and cranberries and stir to coat bread. Allow to soak for 30 minutes. Transfer to the baking pan. Bake, uncovered, on middle rack until custard sets, about 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to sit and cool slightly before cutting. Salted Caramel Sauce: In a heavy-bottom 4-quart saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue stirring and melting sugar until sugar begins to turn a light to medium amber color, then stop stirring. When sugar is reddish brown, carefully add butter and whisk together. Sugar will bubble up, so use caution and a long whisk. Add cream and continue to whisk over medium-low heat until smooth. Add salt and whisk again until smooth and creamy. Reserve to cool slightly or make ahead and microwave to reheat. Drizzle bread pudding with caramel sauce before serving.

Lemon-Honey Tea Cakes with Buttermilk Glaze

Lemon-Honey Tea Cakes with Buttermilk Glaze

Lemon-Honey Tea Cakes with Buttermilk Glaze

 

1 lemon, zested

3/4 cup granulated sugar

7 T. butter

7 T. honey (1/4 cup plus 3 T.)

1 egg

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/8 tsp. lemon extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 T. buttermilk

A pinch of salt

1/4 tsp. lemon extract

Up to 1 T. fresh lemon juice

 

Preheat oven to 300’F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick baking spray with flour. You can also butter and flour each well in the tin. Rub the lemon zest and sugar together in a small saucepan until the mixture is fragrant and looks like wet sand. Add the butter and honey and stir over low heat until the butter is melted, the sugar is dissolved, and the mixture is smooth except for the lemon zest. Remove from heat and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk, and lemon extract. In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Add half of the flour’ mixture to the buttermilk mixture and whisk until just combined. Do the same with half of the butter mixture. Repeat until all the ingredients are added, whisking just until the batter is smooth. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, and bake 22-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin for 5-10 minutes then take them out and let cool completely on a wire rack. If they don’t easily pop out of the muffin tin, run a small paring knife around the edge of each cake to loosen. While the tea cakes cool, make the glaze. Combine the powdered sugar, buttermilk, salt, and lemon extract in a medium bowl and whisk until completely smooth. Whisk lemon juice in, a little at a time, until the glaze is just barely thin enough for dipping. When the tea cakes are cool, dip the top of each in the glaze. Let the excess glaze drip back into the bowl then turn the cakes right side up and place back on the cooling rack. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Triple Ginger Snaps with Sorghum

Triple Ginger Snaps with Sorghum

Triple Ginger Snaps with Sorghum

 

2 1/4 cups unbleached flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. ground ginger

2 T. finely chopped candied ginger

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup sorghum

2 extra-large eggs

1 T. freshly grated wild gingerroot

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

About 1/3 cup sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350º F. In a bowl combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, ground ginger and candied ginger; toss well to mix. In a food processor or a mixer, pulse or cream butter with the brown sugar until fluffy. Add the sorghum and mix until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, until mixed; add the gingerroot and vanilla extract and pulse or mix until combined. Add the dry ingredients and pulse or mix until just blended. Place the sugar in a saucer. Scoop the dough by the heaping tsp. and roll into balls. Roll each ball in the sugar to coat and place them on a baking sheet at least 2-inches apart. Bake in a preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until flattened and cracked on top. Remove the pan from the oven and let the cookies stand for about 2 minutes. Remove cookies from the pan onto baking racks to cool. Store in a tightly closed tin for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Peach Melba Popsicles

Peach Melba Popsicles

Peach Melba Popsicles

 

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup whole raspberries

2 C. peeled chopped peaches in small/medium chunks

1/8 tsp. almond extract (optional)

1 1/2 C. vanilla ice cream, frozen yogurt or non-dairy vanilla ice cream of your choice, slightly softened (think: soft-serve consistency)

 

Combine sugar and water in a small-medium saucepan (intentionally larger than it requires) and bring to a simmer; stir until sugar dissolves. Pour 1/4 cup syrup (just eyeball it — it’s 1/3 of mixture) over raspberries in a bowl. Add peach chunks to remaining syrup in saucepan and bring back to a simmer, cook for 1 to 2 minute, until they soften. Let both raspberries and peaches cool in syrup. The raspberries will quickly but you can hasten the peaches along by setting them in a larger bowl of ice water for 10 to 15 minutes. In a blender or food processor, puree peaches and their syrup first, then scrape into a measuring cup with a spout and stir in almond extract, if using, then puree raspberries and place in a smaller spouted cup. (The raspberry color would muddle the peach puree much more than vice-versa, hence blending peaches first.)  Pour a tiny splash of raspberry (you’ll only want to use half of your total sauce) in the bottom of each popsicle mold or small glass that you’re using as a mold (I like champagne flutes, for this and really everything), following by a larger splash of peaches (again, using about half the puree) and dolloping in a little softened ice cream. Repeat with remaining raspberry, peaches and ice cream. Use a skewer to lightly marble the mixtures together — I get the best swirls by swiping the skewer right along the inside of each mold. Freeze popsicles according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Danish Rice Pudding with Cherry Black Pepper Sauce

Danish Rice Pudding with Cherry Black Pepper Sauce

Danish Rice Pudding with Cherry Black Pepper Sauce

 

1 cup (185 grams) short-grain white rice, such as Arborio

3 cups (710 ml) water

1 1//2 cups (355 ml) milk

1 vanilla bean, split

A pinch of salt

1 cup (140 grams) chopped almonds, toasted (well chopped but not powdery)

1 whole skinned almond

 

24 ounces sour cherries (about 5 cups or 680 grams), pitted (frozen are fine)

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (125 grams total) granulated sugar

2 tablespoons (15 grams) cornstarch

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons (150 ml total) water

A few grinds of black pepper

 

2 cups (475 ml) heavy cream

2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar

 

Bring the rice, water, milk, and vanilla bean to a simmer, then cook at a low simmer, stirring frequently, until the rice is very tender, and the mixture is thick but loose, like a risotto, another 20 to 25 minutes. A spoon dragged across the bottom will clear a brief path in the rice. Remove the vanilla-bean pod and save it for another use, such as infusing vanilla sugar. Cool the mixture completely and press a piece of plastic film against the surface so no skin is formed. Chill it in the fridge for several hours—ideally, overnight. make the cherry sauce Place the cherries and sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of the water together until smooth, then pour this into the pan, along with the remaining V2 cup water and a few grinds of black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and, stirring frequently, cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes (the sauce should be served hot). finish and serve Shortly before serving the pudding, whip the cream with the sugar to soft peaks. Fold the whipped cream, along with the chopped almonds and one whole almond, into the cold rice. It will be stiff at first but will eventually lighten and become fluffy. Serve in big scoops, and ladle with warmed cherry sauce.

Lemon Sponge Cake with Pear Marmalade

Lemon Sponge Cake with Pear Marmalade

Lemon Sponge Cake with Pear Marmalade

 

Pear Marmalade needs to sit at least 3 hours; Make the day before.

 

Unsalted butter, for greasing the cake pans

2½ cups cake flour

½ tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking powder

5 T. extra virgin olive oil

¾ cup granulated sugar

3 large eggs

Grated zest of 6 lemons

½ cup whole milk

¾ cup pear marmalade

Confectioners’ sugar, for garnish

 

Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter and flour two 8­inch round cake pans. In a medium bowl, toss the flour, salt, and baking powder with a fork to mix well. In a large bowl, beat the olive oil & sugar together with an electric mixer until well blended. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Put the dry ingredients in a sifter & sift about one third onto the egg mixture. Add the lemon zest & fold in the flour and zest, then stir in about one third of the milk. Add the remaining flour and milk in two additions each, blending well. Turn batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25 minutes, or until cakes are beginning to pull away from sides of the pans & spring back when pressed lightly in the center with a finger. Turn the cakes out onto a rack, & invert onto another rack to cool. To assemble, place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread marmalade over the top. Place the second layer on top and gently press the layers together. Sprinkle the top of the cake with confectioner’s sugar.

 

For Pear Marmalade

 

2 lbs. firm unripe pears, peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces

1 ½ C sugar

3 cloves

1 T freshly ground black pepper

 

In a large bowl, mix the pears, sugar, and cloves together. Cover with a kitchen towel and aside for at least 3 hours to let juices start to run. Transfer the pear and juice to a large nonreactive saucepan, bring to a simmer, and simmer gently, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking, until the pears are tender. Remove from the heat, stir in the pepper, remove the cloves, & allow to cool.

Sheet Pan Vanilla Sheet Cake with Sprinkles

Sheet Pan Vanilla Sheet Cake with Sprinkles

Sheet Pan Vanilla Sheet Cake with Sprinkles

 

Cooking spray

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

4 large eggs

3/4 cup canola oil, or melted and cooled unsalted butter

1 cup whole milk

1 T. vanilla extract

 

8 T. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 T. whole milk

Disc sprinkles (optional)

 

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F. Coat a 13×18-inch rimmed baking sheet (also known as a half sheet pan) with cooking spray; set aside. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Add the eggs, oil or butter, milk, and vanilla and mix with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Pour the batter into the baking sheet. Bake until the cake is lightly browned and springs back when gingerly pressed with a finger, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool the cake on a wire rack while preparing the frosting. Make the frosting: Beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla and milk and beat until smooth and fluffy. Spread the frosting right on top of the cake and use the tip end of a small spoon to work the frosting back and forth, creating a striped pattern. Decorate with sprinkles if using. NOTES: Storage: The cooled cake can be covered with plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 7 days.

Peach Upside Down Mini Cakes

Peach Upside Down Mini Cakes

Peach Upside Down Mini Cakes

 

Non-stick cooking spray

1 T. unsalted butter cold

6 tsp. light brown sugar

For cake batter:

3 fresh peaches (Note 1)

1 ½ C. (190g) all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

2/3 C. (130g) granulated sugar

1/3 C. (90g) unsalted butter at room temperature

1 large egg at room temperature

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

½ C. (120ml) buttermilk at room temperature (Note 2)

 

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177° C). Spray muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. To prepare the topping: Cut 1 T. of butter into 12 equal parts. (TIP: cold butter is easier to cut.) Place each butter piece in 12 muffin C.. Sprinkle ½ tsp. of brown sugar into each muffin C.. Slice 1-2 peaches into thin slices. Arrange about 3 slices into the bottom of each muffin pan. To make the cake batter: Cut the remaining peaches into small cubes. You should get about 1 C. of cubed peaches. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a mixing bowl with paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract and beat it for another 2-3 minutes, or until well combined. The mixture should be fluffy and white. (Note: It’s totally normal for the mixture to curdle right after adding egg, but keep mixing and it’ll turn nice and fluffy!) Add half of the flour mixture into the batter, beat for 1 minute on low speed. Stir in the buttermilk and beat for another minute. Add the remaining flour mixture and beat just until combined. Don’t overmix the batter, or it’ll make tough cake. Fold in the cubed peaches. Divide the batter into 12 muffin pan C..  Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pan for 5 minutes. Then carefully run a butter knife around the edges to release the cake from the sides. Now, place a wire rack over the muffin pan and carefully turn the pan upside down to remove the cakes. Place an empty baking sheet to catch any juice, if needed. Cool the cakes completely before serving.

Holiday Eggnog Cake with Apricot Filling

Holiday Eggnog Cake with Apricot Filling

holiHoliday Eggnog Cake with Apricot Filling

 

1 package (18.25) yellow or vanilla cake mix, plain or with pudding

1 1/4 cups eggnog

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

4 large eggs

3 T. bourbon (optional), for brushing the tops of the cake layers

 

1 jar (10 ounces) apricot all-fruit spread

1 T. bourbon or water

Spiced cream cheese frosting:

4 T. (1/2 stick) butter, at room temperature

4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature

3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

Heaping 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

 

Place rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly mist three 9-inch round cake pans with vegetable oil spray, then dust them with flour. Shake out the excess flour; set pans aside. Place the cake mix, eggnog, oil, vanilla, nutmeg and the eggs in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are incorporated, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase mixer speed to medium and beat for two minutes longer, scraping down the side of the bowl again, if needed. The batter should look well blended. Divide the cake batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans, about 11/2 cups of batter per pan, smoothing the tops with the rubber spatula. Place the pans in the oven. If your oven is not large enough to hold three pans on the center rack, place two pans on that rack and one in the center of the rack above. Bake the cake layers until they are golden brown and the tops spring back when lightly pressed with a finger, 18 to 20 minutes. The cake layer on the higher rack may bake faster, so it for doneness first. Transfer to wire racks and let cool for 5 minutes. Run a sharp knife around the edge of each cake layer and give the pans a good shake to loosen the cakes. Invert each layer onto a wire rack, then invert it again onto another rack so that the cakes are right side up. If desired, brush the cakes with the 3 T. of bourbon, using 1 T. for each; set aside to cool, 15 minutes longer. Meanwhile, make the filling: Place the fruit spread and 1 T. of bourbon or water in a small bowl and stir until well combined.  Make the spiced cream frosting: Place the butter and cream cheese in a medium-size bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until well combined, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the confectioners’ sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon and beat with the mixer on low speed until the ingredients are well incorporated and the frosting has a spreading consistency, 1 to 2 minutes. To assemble cake, transfer one layer, right side up, to a cake plate. Spread half of the filling to the edge of the first layer, about 1/2 heaping cup. Place a second cake layer, right side up, on top of the first and spread the remaining filling over it. Place the third layer on top, right side up, and frost the top and side of cake, working with smooth, clean strokes. To make slicing easier, place the uncovered cake in the refrigerator until the frosting sets, 20 minutes. Store in a cake saver or loosely covered with waxed paper in the refrigerator for up to one week. Freeze the cake, wrapped in aluminum foil, for up to six months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Rhubarb and Spruce Tip Galette

Rhubarb and Spruce Tip Galette

Rhubarb and Spruce Tip Gazette

pastry for a single crust pie

4 C. (550gms) rhubarb, cut in ½ inch (1cm) pieces

2/3 cup (140gms) + 1 tsp. sugar, divided

1/8 tsp. salt

¼ cup (4 T.) chopped spruce tips (*or see variations below)

3 T. cornstarch

1 T. butter

2-3 tsp. almond milk, dairy milk, or water

 

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the pastry dough between two sheets of parchment paper, into a 12″ (30cm) circle. (See the bottom of this post for a good tip on how to roll between paper.) Peel off the top layer of paper and discard it. Transfer the bottom layer of parchment, with the pastry circle still attached, to a baking sheet – a pizza pan works really well for this. Set the pan with the pastry crust into the fridge to chill while you make the filling. Cut the rhubarb into ½ inch (1cm) slices. Clean the brown papery husk off the spruce tips and chop the spruce tips coarsely. Place the rhubarb and spruce tips into a bowl. Add the salt, cornstarch, and sugar. Toss to combine everything well. Scrape the mixture into a pile on top of the pastry circle in the pan. The sugar and cornstarch will settle between the rhubarb chunks. Level the rhubarb chunks into a neat circle, leaving a 2 inch (5cm) border of pastry uncovered. Very carefully fold up the pastry border, pulling up on the parchment paper to help lift the pastry. Pleat the pastry and press the folds gently down onto the rhubarb filling as you go around the circle. Dot the filling with little bits of the butter. Brush the pastry border with the milk and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tsp. of sugar. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the pastry is golden. Remove the galette from the oven and leave it to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Leaking bits of filling are normal with galettes, and add to their rustic charm. If there’s a big puddle of liquid that has leaked out, try to scrape some of it up with a tsp. and drizzle it back onto the center of the galette. Gently slide the galette with the paper onto a cooling rack. Serve warm or let cool completely.  If letting the galette cool, remove it from the paper to the cooling rack. To do this, slide a thin metal spatula between the galette and the paper and run it all the way around the galette to make sure it isn’t sticking to the paper anywhere. Then slightly lift one side of the galette with the spatula and pull the parchment paper out from underneath, leaving the galette resting on the cooling rack. Leave it there until it is completely cool. This helps the bottom crust to stay crisp. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream, if desired.

 

*Rhubarb Basil Galette: replace the spruce tips with 2 T. chopped fresh basil. Another winning combination.

 

*Plain Rhubarb Galette: replace the spruce tips with 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract. Simple and delicious.

Banana Bread Sheet Cake

Banana Bread Sheet Cake

Banana Bread Sheet Cake

 

3 – 4 ripe bananas (mashed about 1 1/2 cups)

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup butter (at room temp)

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

3 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup milk

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 baking dish. Set aside. With a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, mixing in one at a time. Then add the vanilla and mix until smooth. In a separate large bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a separate small bowl mix together the milk and sour cream. Add 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, followed by 1/3 of the milk/sour cream mixture and repeat until it is all combined. To this batter add the mashed bananas and mini chocolate chips, then combine. Pour the batter into your 9×13 baking dish. Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. (Check your cake after 30 minutes to see how it is baking.) Cool and enjoy!

For no chew diet, break into small pieces or dip into milk before eating.

Spruce Chocolate Mousse

Spruce Chocolate Mousse

Spruce Chocolate Mousse

5 ounces unsweetened chocolate chopped

1 ounce unsalted butter

3 large eggs separated

8 ounces heavy cream

¼ cup plus 2 T. caramelized spruce syrup

1/8 tsp. salt

 

Whisk the egg yolks and ¼ cup of the spruce syrup over a double boiler until doubled in volume, then reserve. Combine the whites with the 2 T. of syrup and whisk in a double boiler until soft peaks form, then remove from the heat and whisk to full volume by hand. In a separate bowl, whip the cream to soft peaks and reserve. Melt the chocolate and butter in a double boiler, then mix with the egg yolk mixture. Fold ¼ of the beaten egg whites into the egg yolk-chocolate mixture until combined, then mix in the rest. Finally, gently fold in the cream until just incorporated. Put the mixture into a piping bag with a fluted tip, then pipe into dishes and chill until ready to serve. It can also be scooped with a disher or scoop dipped in hot water. Notes: Yield: roughly 4 C., enough to serve 8-10 people a small scoop. This is rich stuff.

Almond Flour Sponge Cake

Almond Flour Sponge Cake

Almond Flour Sponge Cake

 

Makes 2 sheet cakes (13 BY 17 BY 3⁄8 INCH), 1 sheet cake (13 BY 17 BY ¾ INCH), or 2 round cakes (9 BY 1 INCH). Butter and flour if using round pans.

 

1½ cups almond flour

½ cup plus 1 T. cake flour

¾ cup granulated sugar

4 eggs

6 egg whites

Pinch of cream of tartar, unless using a copper bowl

Confectioners’ sugar, if making a sheet cake

 

If you are making round cakes, preheat the oven to 350°F and butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. If you are making sheet cakes, preheat the oven to 375°F and line two 13 by 17-inch sheet pans with parchment. Combine the almond flour, cake flour, and ½ cup of the granulated sugar in a food processor. With the motor running, add the eggs, 2 at a time, until the mixture is smooth. Transfer the mixture to a bowl large enough to hold all the batter. Beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar (if using) on medium-high speed in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment for about 2 minutes or with a handheld mixer for about 3 minutes, or until medium peaks form. Add the remaining granulated sugar and beat on high speed for 1 to 5 minutes longer (depending on what kind of mixer you are using), until stiff peaks form. Mix one-fourth of the egg white mixture into the almond mixture until smooth, to lighten the mixture. Using a rubber spatula, fold this mixture with the remaining egg white mixture. Transfer the batter to the cake pans or sheet pans. If you are using sheet pans, spread the batter with an offset spatula and run your thumb around the edges to make a small moat to keep the edges of the cakes from sticking to the pans. Bake round cakes for about 25 minutes, or until they bounce back to the touch. Bake sheet cakes for about 15 minutes, or until firm and they bounce back to the touch. If you are baking sheet cakes, sprinkle 2 sheets of parchment paper as large as the sheet pan with confectioners’ sugar. Run a knife around the edges of the cakes to make it easier to get them out of the sheet pans. Quickly flip out the cakes over the parchment paper as soon as they come out of the oven by placing the cakes right next to the parchment. Peel away the cooked parchment from the bottoms of the cakes. Cut the cakes into rounds or rectangles and layer them with the same fillings you’d use for a sponge cake. If you are baking round cakes, let them cool for 5 minutes in the cake pans and then turn out onto cake racks.

Apple Yogurt Cake with a Cinnamon-Sugar Streak

Apple Yogurt Cake with a Cinnamon-Sugar Streak

Apple Yogurt Cake with a Cinnamon-Sugar Streak

 

Cooking spray or olive oil

1 1/2 cups whole regular or Greek yogurt, well-stirred

1 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup olive oil

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

3 large eggs

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 pounds apples (preferably tart, such as Granny Smith)

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Pinch freshly ground nutmeg

2 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided

1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar

2 T. unsalted butter, at room temperature

 

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with baking spray or olive oil. Place the yogurt, granulated sugar, oil, lemon juice, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Peel and core the apples, then chop into rough 1/2-inch chunks. (Do not grate the apples or the batter will be too wet.) You should end up with 4 to 4 1/2 cups of apples. Add the apples to the yogurt mixture and stir to combine. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp. of the cinnamon. Stir just until no dry pockets of flour remain; set aside. Place the remaining 2 tsp. cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter in a small bowl and smash with a rubber spatula to combine.  Pour 1/2 of the batter into the pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture on top, dropping it on the batter in small lumps. Spread the rest of the batter over the top, then sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon-brown sugar. Bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, covering with aluminum foil toward the end if the top is browning too much, 45 to 55 minutes. Place the pan on a wire rack and let it cool for at least 1 hour. Cut and serve the cake warm or at room temperature. Storage: This cake can be covered and stored at room temperature for up to 4 days, and it gets even more moist as it sits, due to the apples.

Quick Caramelized Spruce Tip Syrup

Quick Caramelized Spruce Tip Syrup

Quick Caramelized Spruce Tip Syrup

This is not true mugolio, but it only takes a few minutes to make, instead of a month. Use it to flavor ice cream, panna cotta, cheesecake, a mousse, Italian meringue, there’s plenty of possibilities. One of my favorites is the way the French serve their fresh cheese-with a little drizzle on top.

 

4 packed C. spruce tips

2 C. sugar

2 C. water

Instructions

 

Grind the spruce tips and sugar in a food processor, then mix with the water, bring to a rolling boil, turn off the heat and allow to sit overnight. The next day, strain the syrup, then return it to the pan, cooking until it takes on a light amber color and the consistency resembles warm honey. Transfer the syrup to labeled, dated container and refrigerate until needed. If the syrup becomes very thick when it’s cold, thin it with a bit of cold water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Vitamix Green Apple Ice Cream

Vitamix Green Apple Ice Cream

Vitamix Green Apple Ice Cream

 

6 ounces (180 g) frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed

2 banana, peeled, halved

1½ cup (60 g) fresh spinach

4 cups (520 g) ice cubes

 

Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid. Select Variable 1. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High. Use the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades. In about 40 seconds, the sound of the motor will change and four mounds should form. Stop machine. Do not over mix or melting will occur. Serve immediately.

White Chocolate Cranberry Tart

White Chocolate Cranberry Tart

White Chocolate Cranberry Tart

 

crust

1 1/2 C. gluten-free oats

1/2 C. almonds

5 tbsp coconut oil (melted)

2 tbsp maple syrup

 

cranberry layer

2 C. cranberries (fresh or frozen)

1 C. water

1/4 C. maple syrup

1 tsp agar agar

 

white chocolate layer

â…” C. coconut milk

â…“ C. cashew pulp (optional)

1 C. cashews (soaked overnight)

¾ C. cacao butter

¼ C. maple syrup

Pinch of salt

Optional: 4 tbsp vegan white chocolate

 

For the crust add oats and almonds into a food processor. Pulse until combined and add maple syrup and coconut oil. Process into a moist mixture. Firmly press dough into the tart and press up on the sides as well. Bake at 350F for about 10-15 minutes until crust appears golden brown. Let sit for about 5-10 minutes and then transfer onto a cooling rack.  In a small saucepan add cranberries, water and maple syrup. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes over low-medium heat until cranberries have broken down. With a hand mixer puree cranberries and add a little bit of water if sauce is too thick. Add 1 tsp of agar agar powder and simmer for another 5 minutes over low-medium heat. Set aside to cool for a couple minutes, then spread cranberry jam/sauce into the crust (½ way full) and let set in the fridge for another 15 minutes. In the meantime prepare the white chocolate layer. Melt white chocolate and cacao butter in a small saucepan over low heat and set aside.  In a food processor or high speed blender add cashews, maple syrup, coconut milk and cashew pulp. Process until completely smooth. Add melted chocolate/cacao butter and process until combined. Pour white chocolate mixture into the tart and let set in the refrigerator for about 2-3 hours. Garnish with cranberries and white chocolate chips and serve immediately. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

 

Cast Iron Peach Upside Down Cake

Cast Iron Peach Upside Down Cake

Cast Iron Peach Upside Down Cake

 

1stick butter

2 eggs

1½ cups sugar

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 cup milk

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

 

Cream butter, eggs, sugar, and salt together. Add flour, baking powder alternately with milk; beat until fluffy. Add vanilla. Put a layer (¼”) of brown sugar in cast iron skillet. Lay peach halves over brown sugar (round side up). Pour batter over and bake in oven at 350°F for 55-60 minutes. Insert toothpick to check for doneness. To remove from pan, lay a flat plate over top of baked cake and flop cake onto platter. Any kind of fruit can be used.

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Cinnamon Roll Cake

 

3 C. all-purpose flour

1 C. white granulated sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

2 large eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 C. milk

1/2 C. salted butter (1 stick) melted

 

3/4 C. (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter softened to room temp (1/2 C. will be lighter and still taste yum)

1 C. packed light brown sugar

2 T. flour

1 T. ground cinnamon

 

2 C. powdered sugar

5 T. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

 

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray (I like the kind that has flour in it.) In a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), combine ingredients for cake (except melted butter). While your mixer is running, slowly add the 1/2 C. melted butter. Mix just until combined (overmixing flour in baked goods can make it tough and rubbery.) Spread this batter evenly into your baking dish. In a small bowl, combine all your filling ingredients: softened butter, brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Stir until combined well. Drop the cinnamon filling by spoonfuls onto the cake batter. Take a butter knife and make swirly, marble-effect patterns all around the cake. Drag the knife through both the cinnamon and cake batter. Bake the cake for about 35-40 minutes (it took about 40 minutes in my oven), until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Whisk together powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract in small bowl. Pour the glaze over the warm cake.

Vanilla Pudding

Vanilla Pudding

Vanilla Pudding

 

⅓ cup granulated sugar

3 T. cornstarch

⅛ tsp. salt

2-¼ C. whole milk

2 large egg yolks

1 T. unsalted butter

1-½ tsp. pure vanilla extract

 

In a medium saucepan whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt, milk, and egg yolks. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking occasionally (every minute or two), until the mixture is bubbling all throughout (this took 7-8 minutes for mine). Once bubbling, continue cooking for one to two additional minutes, whisking once or twice, but not too vigorously (this can break down the binding properties). At this point the pudding should be thickened but still pourable, it will thicken more as it cools. Remove from heat and whisk in butter and vanilla extract.  OPTIONAL, to remove lumps: Place a fine mesh strainer over a large heatproof bowl. Pour the mixture through the strainer and into the bowl. Skip this step if you don’t notice any lumps in your pudding. Transfer the pudding into a large bowl or into individual serving bowls. Cool until it is lukewarm, then cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for several hours or until chilled.

Green Apple Gelato

Green Apple Gelato

Green Apple Gelato

 

3 Granny Smith Apples (cored and grated, with skin on)

2 cup ml Cream

1 cup Milk

4 Egg Yolks

1/2 Caster Sugar

2 tablespoons Lemon Juice

 

Place the cream and milk in a saucepan, heat until just below boiling point. In a mixing bowl, beat together the egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale. Whisk 2 tablespoons of the hot cream and milk into the egg mixture. Slowly add the rest of the cream and milk, whisking as you go. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over a low heat, stirring for 8 minutes or until the mixture coats the back of the spoon. Pour into a bowl and refrigerate until cool. Place the lemon juice in a bowl and combine with the apple. Add the cooled cream mixture, ensuring it is well combined. Pour into an ice-cream maker and make according to manufacturer’s instructions. Alternatively, pour mixture into a metal bowl and place in the freezer for 2 hours or until set around the edges, but soft in the middle. Beat with an electric mixer and return to the freezer until firm.

Fluffy Banana Cake

Fluffy Banana Cake

Fluffy Banana Cake

 

1 ⅓ cup mashed bananas

2 ½ T. lemon juice divided

1 ½ C. milk

3 C. flour

1 ½ tsp. baking soda

¼ tsp. salt

⅔ cup butter softened

1 cup white sugar

½ cup brown sugar

3 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

 

8 ounces cream cheese

⅓ cup butter softened

3-3 ½ C. powdered sugar

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 ½ tsp. lemon zest from 1 lemon

 

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan. Place 1 ½ T. lemon juice in a measuring cup. Top to 1 ½ C. with milk. Set aside. Mix together mashed banana with 1 T. lemon juice, set aside. Beat together butter, brown and white sugar until combined. Add in eggs one at a time and vanilla. Mix on high until light and fluffy (almost the texture of frosting). Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to egg mixture stirring just until combined. (Do not overmix). Fold in bananas. Pour into prepared pan. Put into the oven and reduce heat to 300°F. Bake 60 – 70 minutes (see note below) or just until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (do not over bake). Remove from oven and place in the freezer for 45 minutes to make the cake extra moist. Cool completely before frosting. FROSTING: Cream together butter & cream cheese until fluffy. Add in lemon zest and juice. Add powdered sugar a little at a time until you reach desired consistency. Spread over cooled cake.  Note: The cooking time on this cake can vary! Mine takes about 60 minutes. Check your cake at 55 minutes, if it isn’t ready, continue cooking until a toothpick comes out clean (this can be up to an additional 20-30 minutes depending on your oven).