#BLOG_INDEX

[helenfletcher]

With Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the rest of the holidays just around the corner, here are some ideas to start you thinking about them. This roundup includes sweet as well as savory and some of the most popular recipes of the season. Be sure to see the Cookie Roundup of 45 Cookies and Bars where you're sure to find a new cookie or two for the season. [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="13419" summary="Babka is a sweet bread from old-world Poland or at least central Europe. It is usually filled with cinnamon but the chocolate version takes this to another place taste wise. There is an easy way to get the dough twisted without the mess. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="9845" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="Chocolate Cranberry Curd had become an absolute favorite for the holidays at the bakery. Besides its vibrant color, the taste and texture are outstanding. We used it in tarts, cakes and petit fours. The tart itself is easy to make with its press in crust which means no rolling and the glaze is a simply two ingredients."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="24097" summary="These Pumpkin Dinner Rolls Two Ways with their subtle spicing are an easy recipe that take no time to make but yield great taste. This make ahead, foolproof dough can go from dinner roll to breakfast roll with the addition of one ingredient."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="16998" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="Quick breads are great because they come together in minutes. This chocolate cranberry version is just the thing to start celebrating the holidays since it can be stashed in the freezer and just thawed. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="14099" summary="This Torta Rustica belongs in your repertoire when it comes to savory dishes. Layers of spinach filling, red peppers, artichokes and provolone are enclosed in an Italian butter pastry that is foolproof and so distinctive on its own. It's very accommodating and can be eaten hot, warm, or at room temperature for brunch, lunch or dinner."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="17866" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="Sausage and cheese highlight these breakfast scones. To turn these Breakfast Scones into a breakfast sandwich make an egg omelet adding peppers, onions, or anything else you want. The scones can be made and frozen ahead of time. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="21125" summary="This spectacular Orange Chiffon Cake is filled with cranberry curd and chocolate ganache then finished with whipped cream. The filled cake without the finish can be frozen then finished the day before. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="16956" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="This Salted Macadamia Rum Toffee is simply a matter of adding a few ingredients at a time and taking the mixture to a stated temperature.  Stir in a couple of more ingredients and pour it into a prepared pan. In a matter of minutes, it’s cool and ready to finish."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="15434" summary="The Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart has a graham cracker crust that is pressed in and filled with a cream cheese mixture alternated with a pumpkin mixture which are swirled together. The baked tart can be frozen if made ahead. The simple Caramel Rum Sauce can be made weeks ahead and refrigerated."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="21043" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="This Cranberry Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake is a breeze to make and is tart from the cranberries balanced by the pecan streusel. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="24459" summary="These updated, super-fast, and easy Brioche Rolls are the perfect complement to any special dinner and never more so than during the holidays.  When I say super easy, I mean super easy.  Just a quick turn in a food processor and the dough is are ready to rise."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="18067" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="Pumpkin Mousse Torte is an easily made dessert that can be made ahead and frozen.

 This was, without question, the most popular dessert we made for the fall months including Thanksgiving.  A crumb crust, cheesecake layer topped with a light, but intense pumpkin mousse soon became everyone's favorite."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="19511" summary="This frozen Reine de Saba cake is the perfect dessert for a busy schedule as the entire thing can be done a month ahead.  If you do freeze it ahead, keep it in the pan so the filling doesn’t get smooshed."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="13893" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="These pecans are a standout. Heat Alert -  they are hot!!  So if you don't favor a lot of heat, tone down all the pepper and the hot pepper sauce. Start with half and go from there. These make a great gift for anyone who loves snacks. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="21133" summary="These Three Appetizers including spicy meatballs, artichoke croustades and sesame salmon are all make-aheads that allow you to enjoy your guests."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="16781" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="This Pumpkin Cheesecake is highlighted by an out of this world Salted Caramel sauce.  As if that weren't enough it is easy to put together with all the flavors of the season."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="11912" summary="The Buche de Noel is a spectacular extravaganza from France. While it looks complicated, it can be done over several weeks.  I have posted a schedule.  Buche de Noel translates to Yule Log.  It is basically a jelly roll with the ends cut off and decorated to look like a tree trunk lying on the ground."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="19341" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="This modern Mincemeat is meatless and easily made.  Coming from England, it essentially consists of cutting up a lot of fruit and letting it age with citrus, spices, rum, and brandy. It is important if you are going to use Mincemeat to start it now. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="18139" summary="Cranberry Linzer Tart with its bright deep red, vibrant,  cranberry filling is a variation of the Viennese Linzer Tart with raspberry filling.  The spiced Linzer pastry is a perfect partner with the cranberries.   It is best made ahead so the flavors can blend making this a natural for the holiday season.  It can also be baked and frozen until needed."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="4539" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="These are particularly good for entertaining as they must be frozen solid -  so you can make them a month in advance, wrap well and tuck away in the freezer.  By freezing them solid, the salmon won't  overcook in the time it takes to bake the puff pastry.   It makes a perfect entrée for entertaining."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="21111" summary="Dates and oranges used two ways make this a great winter dessert when so many fruits are not back until spring. Easily made, these are perfect for a casual or formal dinner. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="23370" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="This Hazelnut Gianduja Cake is the perfect celebration or holiday cake and the updated methods and instructions make it completely approachable and doable for the home baker. The cake recipe consists of several component parts and three of the four can be made ahead. Actually, the entire cake can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen if desired."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="11804" summary="Cranberries, fresh pineapple and a hint of orange made this one of the most popular recipes from my take out shop and we featured it every year for Thanksgiving. I still do. I think if you try it, it will become one of your traditions also. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="11904" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="I don't know about you, but last minute everything seems to happen at my house and these Puff Pastry Crackers take care of that. With little time to plan or think ahead, it makes it difficult sometimes when your guests expect something a bit out of the ordinary."]

[wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="7064" summary="This Apple Crisp cheesecake is perfect for Thanksgiving.  It can be frozen and thawed for several days in the refrigerator, or for a day at room temperature with no harm."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="10481" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="At the bakery we were known for our chocolate. These Chocolate Chocolate Truffleswere the same ones we made - hundreds and hundreds that were hand dipped."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="34808" summary="Really Easy Pumpkin Muffins with pecan streusel couldn't be any easier. Two bowls and a few measuring utensils, a whisk and, a rubber spatula are all that are needed. Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl, the liquid ingredients in another, mix them together, plop them in the cups and into the oven they go."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="23695" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="This quick, easy Pumpkin Cake Donut Recipe doesn't get any faster. With no yeast to wait for, these are ready in no time. They stay fresh for days. No cake donut pan? No problem. There's a work around below."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="21810" summary="I came across Tourte Milanase years ago.  It’s a spectacular tour de force. And, as with most spectaculars, it requires a bit of preparation to get it finished.  But when it’s done and you cut into it, the striking layers of green, red, pink and white are dramatic."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="7123" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="This Cranapple Pie was one of of the favorite dessert combinations at the bakery.    This pie uses a galette style crust which is a  usually freeform and  finished in one piece, without an upper crust.  This leaves the filling exposed and makes a beautiful presentation."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="31780" summary="Dazzle your friends and family with these classic Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes. Fruity, gooey, and caramelly this is one of America's favorite cakes."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="10201" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="The greatest thing about these is how easy they are to prepare. Be sure to make this Hot Curried Party Mix a minimum of one day ahead – a week is better. Stored in an airtight container, this will last a month, if you can keep out of it."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="15335" summary="Caramel Apple Tart is everything you would want in an apple dessert.  Full of apples, spices, brown sugar and brandy, it's covered with walnut streusel and caramel. This was a fall favorite with my clientele at the bakery."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="15391" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="The scones are easily made and the jam requires no canning if kept in the refrigerator or freezer.  The combination of the cranberries and strawberries makes a sweet-tart topping for the scones, toast, biscuits, or pancakes and waffles. A jar of the jam makes a perfect hostess gift."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="16616" summary="These make a stunning finish to a meal. Not to big but loaded with flavor these Brown Butter Tarts feature an easy press in crust, brickle (think toffee) filling and a unbelievable brown butter topping. The best part is that these can be frozen for a couple of months. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="13783" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="They are perfect for the holidays as they can be kept in an airtight tin for weeks or in the freezer, unbaked for months. This makes a lot which is good because they are eaten quickly. These make a great gift also. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="10475" summary="This unusual carrot cake consists of two layers of carrot cake sandwiched with a creamy cheesecake and finished with the traditional cream cheese frosting."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="21019" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="This is a fun apple pie with the top crust made to look like cinnamon buns. The use of undiluted frozen apple juice concentrate ups the flavor."]

[wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="19771" summary="Nut rolls are especially popular during holidays and celebrations in Central Europe. This yeast dough is the easiest dough of its kind I have ever worked with.  When you roll it out there is absolutely no recalcitrance or spring back. I recommend you make the dough a day, or several days, ahead and work it cold.  It truly is a joy."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="8958" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="The title, "60 Second Brioche" (pronounced BREE-ohsh) comes from my article title as it appeared in Bon Appetit Magazine.  While it takes a few minutes to prepare the ingredients, it does indeed come together in about sixty seconds in the food processor, making it the fastest brioche around."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="11732" summary="Easy, quick and absolutely delicious. How can you go wrong with oreos, peanuts, almonds, toffee bits and pretzels. Sweet and salty all at once."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="14033" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="Garmisch is another wonderful yeasted coffeecake as only the Germans can make them. Superb bakers, their products not only look beautiful but are luxurious tasting. The original filling was walnuts and while delicious, the chocolate cherry almond filling adds a note of excitement."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="14739" summary="This Chocolate Raspberry Marzipan Gateau is a prime example of French baking. Many of the component parts of this Marzipan Gateau can be made well ahead, in fact all of them. Assembly is quick and easy."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="21065" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="An easy pressed in pecan crust is filled with brown sugar, rum and more pecans. Perfect for a holiday dessert. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="7893" summary="This Ultimate Chocolate Fudge Cake naturally gluten free and is ultra-smooth and has a deep, intense chocolate taste without being bitter or overwhelming."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="19883" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="Conchas are a not overly sweet roll often served at breakfast with coffee or hot chocolate in Mexico.  Also known as Pan Dulce and Sweet Bread this buttery yeast dough is flavored with cinnamon, vanilla and anise."]

[helenfletcher]

This spectacular Lemon Cheesecake Bread Pudding is based on the Lemon Cheesecake I make at the restaurant. It is extremely popular and very unusual. This version of a bread pudding is very quick and easy to make. The ingredients take a few turns in the processor, are poured over the bread cubes, and into the pans it goes. Not much work at all for this uncommon bread pudding. While I've chosen to show it with the Blueberry Sauce from the Lemonade Cake, a couple of others would be perfect to serve with the warm Lemon Cheesecake Bread Pudding. The Lemon Soaking Syrup from the Lemon Strawberry Cake or the Lemon Rum soaking syrup from the Lemon Rum Bundt Cake would make an ideal accompaniment to this remarkable dessert.   Why you'll love this recipe It's really easy and quick to make. This bread pudding can be in the oven baking in about 30 minutes. The ingredients are all readily available with the exception of the citric acid which is optional. There is no water bath needed for this dessert. This is packed with lemon flavor with lemon zest, lemon juice and citric acid which adds a bit of the tartness that make lemons so appealing. These can be made ahead and frozen, thawed and reheated for a quick dessert. Recipe ingredients FRONT ROW: Lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla MIDDLE ROW: Granulated sugar, sour cream, cream cheese BACK ROW: Bread, eggs, half and half Key Ingredients Either Brioche or Challah that has been purchased work well in this recipe. Citric Acid powder is used to add the tartness of lemons to the bread pudding. It can be omitted if desired but it does up the flavor. While not commonly found on store shelves it can be found on line including Amazon or just google "food grade citric acid powder" for more choices. Make sure you get food grade. Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients & instructions. Step by Step Instructions Step 1. Slice the bread about 3/4" thick if the loaf is whole. Dry the slices until it feels stale but not dry. This can take 4 to 6 hours depending upon the bread. I place mine on cooling racks so both sides can dry at once. Once dried, stack several slices up and cut them vertically. Step 2. Cross cut them into about 3/4" cubes. There should be about 8 cups. Set aside. Step 3. Place the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of a processor. Step 4. Process until completely mixed. Scrape down and into the corners of the processor bowl to make sure it is all combined. Step 5. Add the eggs, lemon zest, vanilla, sour cream and citric acid to the processor bowl. Step 6. Process until smooth, scraping as necessary. Step 7. Add the half and half and lemon juice. Process again to complete the mixture. Step 9. Pour the liquid over the bread cubes making sure to stir it well so the liquid is contacting all the cubes. Step 10. Let it sit 15 to 30 minutes until the bread is soaked through and no liquid is sitting on the bottom of the bowl. Stir several times to make sure it is evenly soaking. The bread should not be mushy. Step 11. Spray a 9" pan with a non-stick baking spray and pour the mixture into the pan. Step 12 . Or, for individual servings, spray six 6-ounce ramekins or a Jumbo Muffin tin with a non-stick baking spray and divide the mixture between the cups filling them all the way to the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. They will most likely rise during baking but will deflate as they cool. Recipe FAQS What constitutes bread pudding A custardy base is combined with stale, cut up bread to which many different ingredients can be added depending upon what is wanted. The bread should be soft having absorbed the custard. How do you know when the bread pudding is done baking? There are a couple of ways. One, insert a cake tester in the middle of the pudding. If it comes out clean it is done. The second method is to press the center of the bread pudding and if liquid comes up it needs to bake longer. When was bread pudding first made? English cooks in the 11th century repurposed stale bread.

In later centuries it became known as "poor man's pudding" because food was scarce at times and the pudding was made only with boiling water sugar and spices. Today's version is much richer with eggs, milk or cream, spices and any number of additions. Expert Tips The bread used should be stale but not hard or completely dried out. While any bread can be used, Brioche and Challah are often used for their taste. The liquid base can be made in a mixer by following the same steps as for the food processor. Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature so it mixes without lumps. If another type of bread is used, it may require more or less liquid so add 3/4 of the half and half first. If the bread is not completely coated, stir in the rest of the half and half. While citric acid powder is listed as an ingredient, it can be omitted. Other scrumptious desserts If you love this Lemon Cheesecake Bread Pudding, It would be hugely helpful and so appreciated it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you. Lemon Cheesecake Bread Pudding This spectacular Lemon Cheesecake Bread Pudding is based on the Lemon Cheesecake I make at the restaurant. It is extremely popular and very unusual. This version of a bread pudding is very quick and easy to make. 9x9 square pan or6 cup Jumbo Muffin Pan or6 ounce ramekins 3/4 pound Brioche or Challah (340 grams)4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (114 grams)1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)2 large eggs2 tablespoons lemon zest1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon citric acid powder, optional1/3 cup sour cream (75 grams)1 cup half and half1/3 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed If the bread is whole, slice abut 3/4" thick. Dry the slices on cooling racks for 4 to 6 hours until stale but not dried out. This can take 4 to 6 hours. Once dried, stack several slices up and cut them vertically. Cross cut them into 3/4" cubes. There should be about 8 cups. Place them in a large bowl. Set aside. Place the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth, scraping as necessary. Be sure to get to the bottom of the bowl and into the edges so there will be no lumps. Add the eggs, lemon zest, vanilla, citric acid, and sour cream processing until smooth. Add the half and half and lemon juice. Process until smooth and all is combined.Pour the liquid mixture over the bread cubes, stirring well to make sure all the bread is coated with the liquid.Let the bread mixture sit for 15 to 30 minutes until the bread is soaked through and no liquid is sitting on the bottom of the bowl. The bread should not be mushy but wet all the way through. Stir several times to make sure the liquid is evenly soaking the bread.Preheat the oven to 350°F. For a single bread pudding, pour the mixture into a 9” square pan that has been very well sprayed with a non-stick baking release.For individual bread puddings:  Use six 6-ounce ramekins or Texas muffin cups.  Spray very well with a non-stick baking release and divide between the ramekins, filling them all the way to the top.Bake 30 to 35 minutes until set and a tester comes out clean.If using the individual ramekins or muffin pans, cool for about 10 minutes and turn out. Serve warm with the one of the following sauces: The Blueberry Sauce from the Lemonade Cake, the Lemon Soaking Syrup from the Lemon Strawberry Cake or the Lemon Rum soaking syrup from the Lemon Rum Bundt Cake Serves 6 individual bread puddings or 6 to 8 from the 9" pan. There is always an abundance of photos to guide you in the post above. As always, I recommend using a scale for accuracy and consistency.  Flour, in particular, is difficult to measure by volume.  For my recipes, I use 140 grams per cup of unsifted  all-purpose, bread or whole wheat flour and 125 grams of cake flour. Others may use different weights so use whatever they suggest. _____________________________________________________ The bread used should be stale but not hard or completely dried out.

While any bread can be used, Brioche and Challah are often used for their taste. The liquid base can be made in a mixer by following the same steps as for the food processor. Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature so it mixes without lumps.  If another type of bread is used, it may require more or less liquid so add 3/4 of the half and half first. If the bread is not completely coated, stir in the rest of the half and half.  While citric acid powder is listed as an ingredient, it can be omitted. Bread PuddingAmericanbread pudding, easy to make, Lemon Bread Pudding

[helenfletcher]

These Apricot Pistachio Biscotti are festive looking with the green pistachio nuts and vibrant orange apricots.  An uncomplicated recipe with easy to obtain ingredients, these biscotti last a long time in an airtight container. They also ship well. I've made them in a large size as well as mini's which are perfect with a cup of coffee or tea on a cookie tray. The use of olive oil instead of butter or other oil keeps these very Italian. Extra virgin olive oil will give the best taste. The apricots are also soaked in brandy to keep them moist when baking. If brandy isn't an option, water can be substituted. By quartering the apricots and using whole and half pistachios, it makes them very visible adding to the appeal of this unique biscotti. Be sure to check out the Chocolate Spice Olive Oil Biscotti for another cookie of the same type. The spice mixture comes from the Honey Diamonds which are an unusual cookie in there is no shortening. They are also diametrically opposed in texture to the biscotti as they are very soft. Also, Double Panning the cookies while they bake prevent them from over browning or burning. It is a technique I use for a lot of cookie recipes and one I think you might find interesting. Biscotti - What is it? The word “biscotti” is derived from the Latin word “bis,” meaning “twice,” and “coctus,” meaning “cooked,” referring to the fact that the dough is baked twice to create a hard, dry texture, according to Bruno of the Biscotti Company. Biscotti is an ancient Roman cookie that accompanied soldiers on their missions much like hardtack as they were made with flour, water, and sometimes honey or nuts - a far cry from the modern version - and I daresay a better version. In time, the biscotti traveled to varied parts of Europe and came to the town of Pardo in Tuscany where their version included almonds and was served with sweet dessert wine like Vin Santo. It is still often served in this manner, especially high end Italian restaurants. Fast forward to today where is is a traditional Italian cookie that is crunchy, dry and oblong in shape. To achieve this they are baked twice which dries them out and gives them a long shelf life. Modern biscotti have morphed into lightly sweetened cookies with any number of add ins including dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, citrus and can be plain or dipped in chocolate. They can be big or little, chocolate or not and almond flour can be substituted for wheat flour to make them gluten free in some recipes. Why You'll Love these Biscotti They are super easy to make. This cookie lasts forever because it has been dried out. The variations are endless using easily obtained ingredients such as dried fruit, citrus peel, candied citrus, nuts, chocolate chips as well as white or milk chocolate or even crushed candy. Softer versions can also be made by simply baking them once. Variations Any type of dried fruit or nut can be substituted. White chocolate chips can be added for part of the fruit and nuts. Another liqueur such as Amaretti, or Pernod can be used instead of brandy The cookies can be drizzled with or half dipped in melted white chocolate after toasting. Recipe Ingredients FRONT ROW: Baking powder, brandy, vanilla MIDDLE ROW: Eggs, granulated sugar, pistachio nuts BACK ROW: Olive Oil, all-purpose flour and dried apricots. Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients & Instructions. Step by Step Instructions Step 1. The easiest way to cut dried fruit is with scissors. Cut the apricots into quarters so they remain visable. Step 2. Place the cut apricots in a small saucepan with the brandy or water. Bring to a simmer over medium low heat and simmer until the liquid is gone. Step 3. Combine the flour and baking powder and set aside. Step 4. Combine the olive oil and sugar in a mixing bowl. Step 5. Beat the olive oil and sugar until combined. Step 6. Add the eggs and beat to mix completely. Step 7. Mix in the vanilla and brandy or water. Step 8. Add the flour.

Step 9. Blend in the flour. Step 10. Add the apricots and pistachio nuts. Step 11. Mix the fruit and nuts in on medium low. The dough will be a bit sticky. Refrigerate for several hours to make it more workable. Step 12. Divide the dough into 2 to 4 pieces depending upon if you are making the large or mini size. On a floured surface, roll either of the logs into into 12" logs. Step 17. Brush the flour off the roll. Step 18. Place the roll on a parchment line baking sheet and flatten it to about 1/2" deep. Step 19. The large and small flatten rolls are placed on the sheet. Step 20. Double Pan the baking pan by placing a second baking sheet under the one holding the logs. Step 21. Bake the logs as directed. Cool slightly. Step 22. Using a serrated knife cut the logs into about 1/2" sllices. Step 23. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Step 24. Bake as directed for the second time to toast them. Recipe FAQS How are biscotti served? Because they are a dry cookie, in Italy they are served as a dessert with Vin Santo wine into which they are dunked. Outside of Italy they are often served with coffee or tea. For an elegant dessert, serve biscotti alongside fresh fruit, gelato, or a simple drizzle of melted chocolate. What is the best way to cut biscotti? A serrated knife is essential to cutting the dry biscotti so the edges don't fall off. Why are biscotti so dry? Originally, they were meant to last on long trips for travelers or soldiers. Romans bragged that their biscotti would last forever - in a way they did. They are still a much loved cookie. More Cookies to Enjoy If you love these Apricot Pistachio Biscotti, It would be hugely helpful and so appreciated it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you. Apricot Pistachio Biscotti These Apricot Pistachio Biscotti are festive looking with the green pistachio nuts and vibrant orange apricots.  An uncomplicated recipe with easy to obtain ingredients, these biscotti last a long time in an airtight container. They also ship well. 3/4 cup dried apricots (140 grams)3 tablespoons brandy or water2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (385 grams)1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/2 cup olive oil, extra virgin preferred2 tablespoons vanilla extract1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)3 large eggs1 cup pistachio nuts, whole and halves preferred (114 grams) Cut the apricots into quarters with a pair of scissors. Combine them with the brandy or water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and let them simmer until the liquid has been absorbed. Set aside to cool while the rest of the recipe is prepared.Combine the flour and the baking powder. Set aside.Combine the olive oil and sugar in a mixing bowl fitted with the paddle attachment.  Beat to mix.  Add the flour mixture and mix well; add the pistachios and apricots.   Mix well and then chill for several hours.  Add the eggs, one at a time just until just mixed.  Add the vanilla.  Mix well.  Add the flour mixture and mix well; add the pistachios and apricots.   Mix well and then chill for several hours.The dough weighs abut 1120 grams. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  For the larger size biscotti: Divide the dough into 2 pieces (about 560 grams each); roll each piece into a log about 12” inch log.  Place on the baking sheet, spacing well apart.  Flatten the logs to about 1/2 inch deep.   DOUBLE PAN and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until firm.  Cool slightly; cut into 1/2” slices, place on baking sheet and toast for 12 to 16 minutes until lightly browned.Yield:  Approximately 33 to 40 biscotti or about 2 pounds.For them mini size biscotti: Divide the dough into 4 pieces of about 280 grams each. Roll each into a 12 inch log.  Place on a parchment lined baking sheet well apart. Flatten to about 1/2 inch. DOUBLE PAN. Bake for 25 to 28 minutesCool slightly, cut about 1/2 " thick and toast for 10 to 14 minutes.Yield:  70 to 80 depending upon how they are cut or about 2 pounds.

There is always an abundance of photos to guide you in the post above.   As always, I recommend using a scale for accuracy and consistency.  Flour, in particular, is difficult to measure by volume.  For my recipes, I use 140 grams per cup of unsifted  all-purpose, bread or whole wheat flour and 125 grams of cake flour. Others may use different weights so use whatever they suggest. ____________________________________________________ They are super easy to make. This cookie lasts forever because it has been dried out. The variations are endless using easily obtained ingredients such as dried fruit, citrus peel, candied citrus, nuts, chocolate chips as well as white or milk chocolate or even crushed candy.�� The biscotti can be drizzled with or half dipped in white chocolate after toasting. A softer versions can also be made by simply baking them once.  Any type of dried fruit or nut can be substituted. White chocolate chips can be added for part of the fruit and nuts. Other liqueurs such as Amaretti, or Pernod can be used instead of brandy. It is easiest to cut the biscotti when they are slightly warm. Always use a serrated knife and a sawing motion to cut the cookies. A straight knife has a tendency to crumble the ends of the cookies. Toast the cookies until they are lightly browned for the best toasted flavor. These last forever in an airtight tin.  These are good for shipping.    CookiesItalianBiscotti, cookies, Italian Biscotti

[helenfletcher]

Really Easy Pumpkin Muffins with pecan streusel couldn't be any easier. Two bowls and a few measuring utensils, a whisk and, a rubber spatula are all that are needed. Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl, the liquid ingredients in another, mix them together, plop them in the cups and into the oven they go. A few minutes later - hot Pumpkin Muffins - perfect for breakfast, brunch or anytime of the day. And they freeze well. What more can you ask of a muffin? This is the perfect recipe for a beginning baker or to make with a child. And what memories that will create! Leftover pumpkin puree This is always a question that is asked. Here are some suggestions: Pumpkin Dinner Rolls Two Ways where one simple ingredient changes these from a dinner roll to a breakfast roll, super easy, quick and delicious Pumpkin Cake Donuts, and Pumpkin Cheesecake with Salted Caramel Sauce and the ever popular Updated Pumpkin Mousse Torte which removed the uncooked egg yolks in favor of a safer but no less fantastic dessert with the mousse sitting on top of a cheesecake layer. Why you'll love these These muffins use pantry ingredients. They can literally be made in 20 minutes or less if you toast the pecans ahead. They are not too sweet and are perfect anytime of the day. I can't even tell you how simple these are to make. Last but not least, they taste incredible. Recipe Ingredients Pecan Streusel Topping FRONT ROW: Cinnamon, unsalted butter BACK ROW: All-purpose flour, brown sugar, toasted pecans Pumpkin Muffins FRONT ROW: Cloves, baking powder, cinnamon, salt,nutmeg MIDDLE ROW: Granulated sugar, egg, oil, pumpkin puree BACK ROW: All-purpose flour, toasted pecans, milk Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients & instructions. Step by Step Instructions Step 1. Place all of the ingredients for the pecan streusel in the bowl of a processor. Pulse until crumbs form. Step 2. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate while preparing the rest of the recipe. Step 3. Whisk the dry ingredients to combine them and set aside. Step 4. Place the liquid ingredients in a bowl. Step 5. Whisk the liquid ingredients together Step 6. Add them to the flour. Step 7. Mix together with a rubber spatula. The mixture will be on the thicker side. Do not over mix. Step 8. Add the toasted pecans. Step 9. Have the muffin batter and streusel together. Step 10. Fill the paper cups a scant 3/4 full. Step 11. Cover the tops of the muffins with the streusel. Step 12. Press it into the muffins lightly to make sure it adheres. Recipes FAQS What happens if you over mix muffin batter? Muffins are part of the family of quick breads such as breads and pancakes made with baking powder or baking soda. The items usually require a couple of bowls and are mixed by hand. If over mixed, the texture can change and they can become dense. Mix the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula and a folding motion only until you can't see any dry flour. Common mistakes when making muffins or quick breads. 1. Over mixing the batter, 2. Over filling the muffin trays causing the muffins to overflow their cups and now rise straight up. 3. Soggy muffin bottoms can be caused by leaving the muffins in the muffin trays to cool. They should be taken out after about 5 minutes of cooling and put on cooling racks to prevent them from sweating in the trays. What are the 3 traits of a good muffin? 1. They should be moist. 2. They can be cakey or have an uneven crumb with holes and tunnels throughout the muffin. 3. The muffins should have a peaked or risen crown. Expert Tips Toast the nuts for the maximum flavor. Cool completely before using them.  Don't cut the nuts into really small piece. They can be place in the processor first thing and pulsed to chop them coarsely. Remove them and continue to make the streusel. There will be pumpkin puree left over. What to do with it is always one of the questions I get. See above in the header of the article for some great ideas.

Freeze the extra puree for later. Thaw in the refrigerator. Don't over fill the muffin cups. While the muffin cups can be sprayed and the batter added to the without the paper cups, I prefer the paper cups because they help keep the batter from spreading over the top or sticking.  Make sure the butter is cold when making the streusel and refrigerate it while preparing the batter. More Quick Breads You'll Enjoy If you love these Pumpkin Muffins, It would be hugely helpful and so appreciated if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you. Really Easy Pumpkin Muffins Really Easy Pumpkin Muffins with pecan streusel couldn't be any easier. Two bowls and a few measuring utensils are all that are needed making this a perfect recipe for novice bakers or children. Regular size muffin tinsJumbo size muffin tins Pecan Streusel Topping1/3 cup brown sugar (65 grams)1/3 cup pecans (40 grams)3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (20 grams)1/2 teaspoon cinnamon2 tablespoons unsalted butter, refrigerator cold (28 grams)Pumpkin Muffins1/2 cup pecans (58 grams)1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (175 grams)2/3 cup granulated sugar (130 grams)1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder3/4 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon cinnamon1/2 teaspoon nutmeg1/4 teaspoon cloves1 large egg1/2 cup milk1/2 cup pumpkin puree1/2 cup canola oil or vegetable oil Pecan Streusel ToppingPreheat the oven to 350°F. Line 12 regular size or 6 jumbo size muffin cups with paper liners. Set aside. Place the pecans on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 5 to 7 minutes until fragrant and slightly browner. Cool completely before using.Cut the cold butter into 6 to 8 pieces. Add all the ingredients to a processor bowl. Pulse to form coarse crumbs. Do not over processor a paste will form. Refrigerate until needed.if making by hand, cut the nuts into very small pieces. Combine everything in a bowl and cut the butter in to make coarse crumbs. Refrigerate until needed.Pumpkin MuffinsWhisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves in a medium size bowl.  Set aside.Whisk together the egg, milk, pumpkin and oil.  Fold into the flour mixture with a rubber spatula just until no flour is visable. Add the nuts combine with a few strokes. Do not over mix. Spoon into muffin cups a scant 3/4 full.  Divide topping among the muffins.  Lightly press the topping into the muffin so that it adheres.  Bake the regular size muffins for about 15 to 18 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.Bake the jumbo muffins for about 25 to 27 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.Cool for about 5 minutes in the muffin pans and then remove them to a cooling rack. When removing the muffins, keep them right side up so the topping isn't disturbed. Store, covered at room temperature for several days or freeze, well wrapped for several months. That at room temperature. They can be freshened by heating for 5 to 10 minutes in a 350°F oven. There is always an abundance of photos to guide you in the post above. As always, I recommend using a scale for accuracy and consistency.  Flour, in particular, is difficult to measure by volume.  For my recipes, I use 140 grams per cup of unsifted  all-purpose, bread or whole wheat flour and 125 grams of cake flour. Others may use different weights so use whatever they suggest. _________________________________________________ Toast the nuts for the maximum flavor. Cool completely before using them.  Don't cut the nuts into really small piece. They can be place in the processor first thing and pulsed to chop them coarsely. Remove them and continue to make the streusel. There will be pumpkin puree left over. What to do with it is always one of the questions I get. See above in the header of the article for some great ideas. Freeze the extra puree for later. Thaw in the refrigerator.  Don't over fill the muffin cups. While the muffin cups can be sprayed and the batter added to the without the paper cups, I prefer the paper cups because they help keep the batter from spreading over the top or sticking. 

Make sure the butter is cold when making the streusel and refrigerate it while preparing the batter. Here are some suggestions for the leftover pumpkin puree:  Pumpkin Dinner Rolls Two Ways where one simple ingredient changes these from a dinner roll to a breakfast roll, super easy, quick and delicious Pumpkin Cake Donuts, and Pumpkin Cheesecake with Salted Caramel Sauce and the ever popular Updated Pumpkin Mousse Torte which removed the uncooked egg yolks in favor of a safer but no less fantastic dessert with the mousse sitting on top of a cheesecake layer. It can also be frozen for later use.  Thaw in the rerigerator.   MuffinsAmericaneasy muffins, Easy Pumpkin Muffins,, Pumpkin Muffins

[helenfletcher]

These Halloween Cookies are easier than they might appear and add that special touch to his popular holiday. The fact the rolls can be made ahead and frozen at your leisure makes these even more appealing. Just slice and bake for a cookie sure to please. An added bonus is there is no colored icing or piping to apply. I used my simple shortbread recipe because it's not only buttery but really easy to make. Because this is butter forward, European butter is a good choice here. When I first saw this idea on Smitten Kitchen's site I knew I had to try it. Two doughs are used - a full portion of the outer cookie and a half portion of the inner cookie that makes the design. Be sure to check out the Neapolitan Cookies, substituting orange for the red in the cookie and the Almost Oreo's which I made for another Halloween. Why You'll Love This Recipe It's a stunner of a cookie sure to elicit praise Everyone will wonder how you got the cookie inside of the cookie The cookie isn't difficult to make - it just looks that way It can be made way ahead and frozen, thawed, cut and baked. Or, it can be baked and held in an airtight tin for a week. Either way, it's one less thing to do on Halloween. Besides their interesting look, they really are tasty. Variations The great thing about this recipe is that it can be used for any holiday by changing out the colors and the inside cookie. For instance, white and a green shamrock for St. Patrick's Day, a red heart inside a pink, white or chocolate outer cookie for Valentine's day, a Christmas tree or Santa for Christmas - you get the idea. Recipe Ingredients Orange Dough FRONT ROW: Red and yellow gel colors, unsalted butter BACK ROW: All-purpose flour, granulated sugar Chocolate Dough FRONT ROW: Cinnamon, instant coffee or espresso, vanilla extract MIDDLE ROW: Black cocoa, unsalted butter, Dutch cocoa BACK ROW: Granulated Sugar, All-purpose flour, semisweet chocolate Applying the Sugar Left to Right: Sanding Sugar and beaten egg white Key Ingredients European Butter is a good choice here for it's added butterfat which makes it more "buttery" and a firmer butter. Regular American butter is fine also. In either case it should be unsalted. Instant Coffee or Espresso adds a depth of flavor to chocolate which I almost always include it in chocolate recipes. The Vanilla Extract can be McCormick imitation as it is a waste to use pure vanilla in a heavily chocolate or spiced item. See my post on The Making of Vanilla for an indepth discussion of vanilla, the different types, pure or imitation, which imitation and much more. Black Cocoa is the most extreme Dutch cocoa there is. It's what makes Oreo cookies so black. However, it's best not to use all black cocoa as it can impart a bitter taste. It is usually used 1/4 to 1/3 black to 3/4 or 2/3 Dutch cocoa for the best effect. There are several online, I use Black Onyx but any good black cocoa is fine. My preferred chocolate is Callebaut #811 Semisweet chocolate callets. It can be found online. When using dyes for coloring food, it is best to use Gel Dyes as they are thicker, less runny, and the color are more intense. Also, when using a lot of color such as making the orange which requires both red and yellow, they don't add another liquid to the batter. Sanding Sugar is a special type of larger sugar crystals that won't melt in heat or cold. They come in different colors and are used for decoration.Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients & instructions. Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and instructions. Step by Step Instructions The photographs show each of the doughs being made. The mini orange pumpkins inside the chocolate dough are shown in the step by step photographs. A whole recipe of chocolate dough is needed + 1/2 of the orange dough. To make the mini chocolate bats inside the orange dough the doughs are reversed but the same technique is followed.

A whole recipe of orange dough + 1/2 recipe of chocolate dough is needed. The exact amounts are in the recipe card. Each of these combinations makes 45 cookies. Orange Dough Step 1. The butter should not be rock hard from the refrigerator but slightly softened to the point that it leaves an indentation when your finger is pressed in. It can be cut before or after it is slightly softened. The easiest way to cut the butter is to cut it in half legnthwise. Then cross cut it 8 or 9 times. Step 2. Add the flour to the processor bowl. Add the cut butter. Step 3. Process until the butter is indistinguishable. Step 4. Add the sugar. Step 5. Add red and yellow gel dyes to the ingredients in the processor. Step 6. Process to complete the dough. If it is not orange enough add more dye and reprocess. Step 7. Roll the dough out. The depth doesn't make a difference as long as your cutter is a bit deeper. Cut the mini pumpkins out. Chill the dough in the fridge or freezer. The pumpkins should pop out if you press on them. Step 8. Line them up so they match and press them together so they stick. It is important to do this while they are cold and hard so they don't get out of shape. Press from each end. They should make a solid block of pumpkin shaped dough. Freeze until hard while making the chocolate dough. If using the mini bat cutter, do the same thing. Step 9. Add the dry ingredients to the processor bowl. Step 10. Process to mix. Step 11. Add the slightly softened butter (see above Step 1). Process until it is indistinguishable. Step 13. Mix the coffee and vanilla together. Melt the chocolate but do not let it get really hot. Cool it if it does. Add these to the dry ingredients. Step 14. Process until the dough mostly forms a ball. Empty the processor and knead the dough into a solid ball. Step 15. Remove the log of frozen pumpkins. Step 16. Shape a rope of chocolate dough about 1" to 1 1/2" round the length of the pumpkin roll. Press it onto the side of the pumpkins. Repeat for the top and other side of the dough, pressing the ropes together to cover the pumpkin log. Step 17. Gently turn the chocolate encased pumpkins over. Roll another rope of dough, cutting it to the length of the roll. Step 18. Place the roll on top of the pumpkins. Step 19. Press it down to cover the bottom, pressing the pieces of chocolate dough together. Step 20. Roll the dough back and forth lightly to smooth it out. Step 21. Place the shaped dough at the end of a piece of parchment paper. Roll the shaped dough back and forth gently to further smooth out. Place on a baking sheet and chill until hard if baking immediately or wrap well in several pieces of foil and freeze. Step 22. When ready to bake, place sanding sugar on a large piece of parchment paper. Step 3. Beat the egg white with a fork until broken up and frothy. Lightly brush egg white onto all sides of the cold chocolate roll and roll in the sanding sugar. Step 24. Slice the rolls into 1/4" to 1/3" cookies and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. If using a half sheet pan place 3 across and 5 deep on the tray. Bake as directed. Recipe FAQS What does the short in shortbread cookies refer to? "Short" refers to the texture of the pastry or cookie - it has a tender, crumbly texture and will break apart into chunks Wbecause a high volume of fat in the pastry keeps the gluten strands short, creating a flaky or crumbly item. What is the key ingredient in shortbread? Unsalted butter. It provides the fat that coats the gluten strands to keep them from stretching - hence short. The higher the fat content, the more crumbly and tender the cookie. What is the formula for shortbreads? One, two, three by weight not volume. One part sugar, two parts butter, three parts flour. Expert Tips When making the whole batch of dough, it can be a lot for a normal size processor. Be sure to follow the instructions for the butter. Slightly soft but not completely softened.

Also, rearrange the dough in the processor if it stalls. It will take several minutes to completely mix it. Make the orange whole and half recipe of dough first and then the chocolate. No need to clean the bowl in between. If you don't have black cocoa, just use all Dutch cocoa for the darkest color. Be sure to work the doughs cold when rolling, cutting and stacking the pumpkins and bats. Make sure the rolls of pumpkins and bats are frozen when wrapping them in the outer dough. When applying the sanding sugar, do not use a lot of egg white. A light brushing should be enough for the sugar to stick. The rolls can be frozen without the sanding sugar, well wrapped, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then slice and finish with the sugar. Bake as called for. If you love this Halloween Cookie Recipe, It would be hugely helpful and so appreciated it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you. Some other Cookies for your Consideration Halloween Cookies These Halloween Cookies are easier than they appear and add that special touch to his popular holiday. The fact the rolls can be made ahead and frozen at your leisure makes these even more appealing. An added bonus is there is no colored icing or piping to apply. Food ProcessorMini Cookie cutters Orange Dough - Whole Batch1 cup unsalted butter (225 grams or 2 sticks)2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (315 grams)1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)Yellow gel food colorRed gel food colorOrange Dough - Half Batch1/2 cup unsalted butter (114 grams or 1 stick)1 1/8 cup all-purpose flour (155 grams)1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 grams)Yellow gel food colorRed gel food colorChocolate Dough - Whole Batch2 ounces semisweet chocolate (60 grams)1/2 teaspoon instant coffee or espresso2 teaspoons vanilla extract2 cups all-purpose flour (280 grams)1/4 cup Dutch Cocoa (22 grams)2 tablespoons Black cocoa (11 grams)Chocolate Dough - Half Batch1 ounce semisweet chocolate (30 grams)1/4 teaspoon instant coffee or expresso1 teaspoon vanilla1 cup all-purpose flour (140 grams)2 tablespoons Dutch cocoa1 tablespoon Black cocoa Orange DoughRoll the half batch of which dough goes in the center, cut out the mini cookies, form into a roll and freeze first. Make the opposite color dough for the outside of the cookie while it is freezing. The proceed as below.Both the whole and half batch are made the same. The half batch will go together quicker than the whole batch. The whole batch may stall when processing. Break it apart into smaller pieces and re-process. It will take several minutes to completely mix.The butter should be slightly softened but not as much as when creaming. Cut the butter in pieces as shown in the photos.Place the flour in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 2 or 3 times to mixAdd the butter to the processor and process until it is indistinguishable. Add the red and yellow gel food colorings.Process until the dough comes together in a ball or at least large chunks that are evenly colored. The color should be more intense than desired as some of it will lighten when it is baked. Add more color as necessary.Chocolate DoughThere is no reason to clean the processor between the two doughs. Just wipe it out with a paper towel. Both the full batch and half batch are made the same.The butter should be slightly softened but not as much as when creaming. Cut the butter in pieces as shown in the photos.Place the chocolate in a small bowl and microwave at half power until most of it is melted. Stir and set aside. The rest should melt. If it doesn't in a few minutes, microwave again briefly. The chocolate should be cooled before adding it.Combine the instant coffee and vanilla in a small bowl and set aside.Place the dry ingredients in the bowl of the processor. Pulse several times to mix. Add the butter and process until it is indistinguishable.Add the melted chocolate and vanilla and coffee mixture. Process to form a ball.

Shaping the CookiesYou need 1 full recipe of the dough for the outside + 1/2 recipe of the opposite color for the inside of the cookie. Please refer to the photos which makes this easy to understand. Each of these combinations makes about 45 cookies. Each cookie takes a larger amount of dough for the outside of the cookie and a smaller amount of the opposite color for the inside. Roll the smaller amount of dough out between wax paper. It doesn't matter how thick it is as long as it doesn't come to the top of the cookie cutter. I rolled mine about 1/4" to 1/3". Chill the dough if it is really soft, otherwise continue.Cut the mini cookies out. Freeze them. When they are hard they will pop out with a gentle push. Make sure they stay frozen. Stack the up as you go along making sure the match perfectly. Once in a stack, push them together to make a solid cookie roll. Freeze solid before proceeding.Shape a rope of the outside dough about 1" to 1 1/2" round the length of the inside frozen cookie roll. Press it onto the side of the frozen cookie roll,. Repeat for the top and other side of the dough using as many ropes as needed to cover it, pressing the ropes together to cover the frozen inside cookie log.Gently turn the whole thing over and cover the bottom with another rope or as necessary. Briefly roll the log to smooth it out.Place it on parchment paper and roll it in the parchment to further smooth it. place it on a baking sheet and chill it if cutting immediately or chill it, wrap it well in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before preparing for baking.Pour sanding sugar on a piece of parchment paper the length of the log of dough. Beat the egg white until foamy. Very lightly brush it onto the whole of the cookie roll. Roll the log in the sugar. Cut the cookies 1/4" thick and place on parchment line baking sheets. If using a half sheet pan place them 3 across the short side and 5 down the long side. Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on the parchment before removing. Store in an air tight container for 7 to 10 days. There is always an abundance of photos to guide you in the post above. As always, I recommend using a scale for accuracy and consistency.  Flour, in particular, is difficult to measure by volume.  For my recipes, I use 140 grams per cup of unsifted  all-purpose, bread or whole wheat flour and 125 grams of cake flour. Others may use different weights so use whatever they suggest. ____________________________________________________ When making the whole batch of dough, it can be a lot for a normal size processor. Be sure to follow the instructions for the butter. Slightly soft but not completely softened. Also, rearrange the dough in the processor if it stalls. It will take several minutes to completely mix it. Make the orange whole and half recipe of dough first and then the chocolate. No need to clean the bowl in between.  If you don't have black cocoa, just use all Dutch cocoa for the darkest color. Be sure to work the doughs cold when rolling, cutting and stacking the pumpkins and bats. Make sure the rolls of pumpkins and bats are frozen when wrapping them in the outer dough. When applying the sanding sugar, do not use a lot of egg white. A light brushing should be enough for the sugar to stick. The rolls can be frozen without the sanding sugar, well wrapped, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then slice and finish with the sugar. Bake as called for.   CookiesAmericancookies, Halloween cookies

[helenfletcher]

This truly Amazing Pastry Dough Recipe is a type of easy laminated dough made with sour cream that is a close relative to puff pastry requiring only two turns for a tender, flaky crust enclosing all sorts of goodies sweet and savory. In the past, this has been referred to as Mock Puff Pastry. This pastry is not only easy it is flaky but more tender than normal puff pastry. I have filled mine with the easy but really flavorful prune filling from the Gateau Breton and the Solo Apricot Filling. I usually have a couple of different kinds of their pie and pastry fillings in my pantry as they are so much better than jams or preserves which can leak when heated. The Solo Fillings, which come in different flavors are bake-proof. In the professional world we know that means they will not leak when baked. The Solo Fillings can be found on Amazon as well a grocery shelves. I haven't used all of them, but those I have I like with the exception of the Almond Filling. What is Laminated Dough Laminated dough (think puff pastry, croissant, cronuts, and kouign amann to name a few) consists of very thin layers of dough alternating with butter. The key with lamination is to keep everything really cold. Really cold butter, and sour cream in this case, water in others will keep the layers separated. In addition the butter needs to be in fairly large pieces before adding the sour cream so the butter pieces stay large. My post on Laminated Doughs has a wealth of information. American vs. European Butter is an indepth look at the differences between the two. To achieve the desired multi layer of dough and butter, the dough is rolled out and then folded upon itself several times. Usually, the more folds, to a point, the more layers and the flakier the dough. In the oven, the heat melts the layers of butter creating steam which then pushes the dough up to make the layers that define this type of pastry. Laminated doughs made with water will be crisper than those made with sour cream but both will rise beautifully as long as the butter does not become one with the dough. If at any time it starts to soften when working with it, place it on a pan lined with parchment and refrigerate or freeze to firm. This is a fast version that doesn't require butter blocks but still keeps the dough and butter separate. This Sour cream version is a joy to work with, rolls out easily and bakes to many layers as seen in the photo below with only two turns of the dough. Had another one or two been made, there would be even more layers. Variations There are so many ways to fill these turnovers. The Solo fillings are quick and easy but any of the many fillings used in the Marvelous Variable Kolache will work very well. Almost any filling will work as long as it is thick and bake proof. The turnovers are generously filled with 1/4 cup each so jams or preserves won't work here. In addition to those, check out the Apple Carmel Handpies which use Werther caramels and a spiced apple filling. Recipe Ingredients FRONT ROW: Salt, baking powder MIDDLE ROW: Unsalted butter BACK ROW: Bread flour, sour cream Key Ingredients Unsalted Butter is called for and and I prefer regular American butter when making laminated doughs. This butter stays harder than the higher fat European butter which softens much faster when rolling out. Bread Flour is used for its stregnth and crispness. All things being equal, I find it rises higher than all-purpose flour and produces a crisper, flakier pastry. Salt enhances the taste of the baked pastry. Sour cream sometimes has liquid in it. Make sure to pour that off and only use the firm part. Fillings for Turnovers Prune Filling from Gateau Breton - 2 1/2 times for 8 turnovers Pineapple Filling from Kolache - 2 times for 8 turnovers Apricot Filling from Kolache - 2 times for 8 turnovers Cream Cheese Filling from Kolache - 2 times for 8 turnovers (may have some left) Cherry Filling from Kolache - 3 times for 8 turnovers

Fig Filling from Kolache - 2 times for 8 turnovers Solo Fillings - 2 cans for 8 Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients & instructions. Step by Step Instructions If at any point the dough begins to soften, chill it in the refrigerator or freezer before moving on Step 1. Cut the very cold butter in about 8 pieces per stick. If prepping the remainder of the recipe, refrigerate the butter. Step 2. Place the dry ingredients in the bowl of a mixer. Step 3. Add the cold butter. Step 4. With the mixer set on low, but the butter in leaving large pieces. Step 5. Add the sour cream to the mixer. Step 6. Add 2 tablespoons of water and beat on low to form a large crumbly dough. Step 7. Pour the dough onto a work area. Step 8. Push it together to form a cohesive block of dough. Step 9. To make rolling out easier, flatten the dough in about 3 or 4 places with the rolling pin. Step 10. Roll the dough out to about 16" x8". Step 11. Fold the top and bottom to the center, leaving about a 1/2" gap. Step 12. Fold the top down to make a neat package. Step 13. Turn the pastry 90° with the open side to the right and repeat the rolling and folding above one more time. Step 14. Divide the dough in half (about 300 grams each). Roll one half into a 12 1/2"x 12 1/2" square. Step 15. Using a 6" circle cut 4 rounds out of the dough. Step 16. The cut rounds.

[helenfletcher]

This incredibly easy Outback Steakhouse Bread dark with honey, molasses, whole wheat and bread flour has become a staple in my house due to its fantastic flavor and soft texture. So often bread has a reputation of being finicky or difficult and this is anything but. In my experience, this bread is like no other and a great place to start if bread isn't your thing. Basically you just put everything in the mixing bowl, mix for 3 to 4 minutes and it's done. Bread doesn't get much easier. While I free formed the rolls and buns, I used small individual pans to shape the twisted bread and the triple roll bread. Individual bread loaves are a great accompaniment and who doesn't like their own loaf of bread? Before you ask, the pans are made by Tiawudi 6 Pack Mini Loaf Pans, Non-Stick Baking Bread Pan, Carbon Steel Bakeware and can be found online. Some other favorite yeast breads include: Wine and Cheese Baguettes with their silky texture tasting of both wine and cheese, Sweet and Hot Red Pepper Bread, No Knead Bread, No Knead Sicilian Olive Bread, and Garlic Oregano Cracker Bread which is positively addictive. Perfect for Experienced or Novice Bread Bakers This is an uncomplicated mix, rise, shape and bake recipe. The dough is flexible and can rest in the fridge for up to 3 days after rising before shaping and baking. Honey and molasses while imparting phenomenal flavor guarantee a soft dough that rises easily. Shaping it is easy and quick. Run out of time before shaping and baking? Simply freeze the dough after the first rise. Thaw in the refrigerator, shape and bake as desired. Recipe Ingredients FRONT ROW: Cocoa, instant yeast, salt MIDDLE ROW: Unsalted butter, molasses, honey BACK ROW: Whole wheat flour, bread flour, water Key Ingredients Cocoa can be natural or Dutch process. While it is only used to deepen the color of the dough, it can omitted but the bread won't look as good. Dutch process cocoa will yield a darker color.  Whole Wheat Flour - Either regular or white whole wheat flour can be used. I prefer the regular for its stronger taste. If using the white cocoa is a must to color it.  Bread Flour is used with its higher gluten percentage that gives more lift to yeasted breads both sweet and non sweet. Instant yeast is preferable but active dry may be substituted. The rising time will increase. Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients & instructions. Step by Step Instructions Step 1. Add the yeast to lukewarm water. I do this whether the yeast is instant or active dry yeast because I have found it incorporates better. There have been times I have seen the little yeast granules unincorporated. Step 2. Stir in the honey and molasses. Step 3. Add both flours, cocoa and salt to the mixing bowl. Step 4. Add the softened butter. Step 5. Fit the mixer with a dough hook if possible. Mix on low until everything is moistened. Raise the speed of the mixer as recommended by your machine and mix for 3 or 4 minutes until the dough forms. It will be soft and a bit sticky. That is how it should be. Step 6. Shape it into a ball. Step 7. Spray a container at least three times as big as the dough with a non-stick baking release and place the dough in the container. Cover directly with plastic wrap and place the lid on. Mark the time on the lid. Allow it to rise and either shape it at once or deflate the dough, recover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Step 8. Shape a portion of the dough into a log. Step 9. Place the log of dough into a sprayed mini pan. Step 10. Shape two pieces of dough into ropes. Step 11. Pinch the ends together. Step 12. Twist them together. Step 13. Place the twisted loaf in an individual pan that has been sprayed with a non-stick baking release. Step 14. Divide the called for amount of dough into 3 equal pieces. Step 15. Shape them into balls and place them in a sprayed pan. Press them down to fill the pan. Step 16.

Let the baked bread cool for about 10 minutes and then turn out of the pans onto a cooling rack. Recipe FAQS Why is my bread dense? There are several things that can cause this. Not enough liquid. Tacky or slightly sticky doughs make a softer crumb. The second reason is the dough has not be beaten or kneaded enough resulting in under developed gluten in which the dough cannot rise enough. Last, old yeast that has lost some of it's power. How can I tell if my yeast is good? Stir a teaspoon of yeast and a pinch of sugar into 1/4 cup lukewarm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. It should have lots of bubbles on top look foamy and frothy and smell a bit of wheat or beer. How should yeast be stored? After opening, keep yeast in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 months. It can also be kept in the freezer indefinitely. Expert Tips This is a somewhat sticky dough. Don't add additional flour which will make it dense and not soft. Beat the dough at least 3 to 4 minutes if using a mixer. Do not under beat or the gluten won't be developed enough and the dough will not be as soft. I have started adding instant yeast to my water or liquid even though I know most people don't. I notice every once in a while, small granules of instant yeast were showing in risen dough. I use Grandma's Molasses because it isn't sulphured. If using another, use the dark molasses but not blackstrap. To make it even tastier, refrigerate the dough at least overnight or up to 3 days. The cold dough is also easier to shape. Double Pan the rolls when baking to prevent over browning of the bottoms. Sweet and Savory Yeast Breads Outback Steakhouse Bread This incredibly easy Outback Steakhouse Bread dark with honey, molasses, whole wheat and bread flour has become a staple in my house due to its fantastic flavor and soft texture. This is an uncomplicated mix, rise, shape and bake recipe. Great for experienced as well as novice bread bakers. 1 1/3 cups water, warm2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast1/4 cup dark molasses1/4 cup honey2 1/3 cups bread flour (330 grams)1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (220 grams)1 tablespoon Dutch-process cocoa2 teaspoons salt4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (60 grams) Spray pans or mold if using. Stir the yeast into the warm water. Add the molasses and honey, stir well. Let sit while you assemble the rest of the ingredients.Add the bread flour, whole wheat flour, cocoa and salt to a mixing bowl. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients.Add the softened butter and mix on low until everything is moistened. Raise the speed of the mixer to whatever your machine calls for when kneading and beat for 3 to 4 minutes until the dough is completely mixed. It will be soft and a bit sticky.Spray a container at least twice the volume of the dough and place the dough in it. Cover directly with plastic wrap and put a lid on it if there is one. Mark the time. Let it rise for about 2 hours until doubled in bulk. Either use it immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days. It will be easier to shape if cold.To shape the dough into a plain loaf, weigh out 140 grams of dough and form it into a log shape. Roll it back and forth under you hands until it is smooth and slightly longer than the pan you are using. Place it in a sprayed pan and flatten it slightly. To shape the dough into a twist. Weight 140 grams of dough and divide it in half (70 grams each). Roll each piece into a rope, slightly longer than the pan. Pinch the two pieces of dough together at the top and twist the ropes together. Place in a sprayed pan, tucking the top and bottom under. Flatten slightly.To Shape the triple roll bread, divide the 140 grams into three balls (about 45 grams each). Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place them in a sprayed pan touching each other. Flatten slightly.If making plain rolls, divide the dough into 12 pieces of 85 grams each. Shape them into round rolls. Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and let them rise for about 2 hours.

Place the pans on a sheet pan and cover with a cloth. Allow to rise until doubled, about 2 hours. About 15 minutes before they are done, preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake about 20 to 25 minutes until lightly colored. A digital thermometer will read 200°F when done. The rolls should be double panned to prevent the bottoms from over browning. There is always an abundance of photos to guide you in the post above. As always, I recommend using a scale for accuracy and consistency.  Flour, in particular, is difficult to measure by volume.  For my recipes, I use 140 grams per cup of unsifted  all-purpose, bread or whole wheat flour and 125 grams of cake flour. Others may use different weights so use whatever they suggest. ________________________________________________ This is a somewhat sticky dough. Don't add additional flour which will make it dense and not soft. Beat the dough at least 3 to 4 minutes if using a mixer after the initial mix. Do not under beat or the gluten won't be developed enough and the dough will not be as soft. I have started adding instant yeast to my water or liquid even though I know most people don't. I notice every once in a while small granules of instant yeast that were undissolved.    I use Grandma's Molasses because it isn't sulphured. If using another, use the dark molasses but not blackstrap.  To make it even tastier, refrigerate the dough at least overnight or up to 3 days. The cold dough is also easier to shape. This is an uncomplicated mix, rise, shape and bake recipe. The dough is flexible and can rest in the fridge for up to 3 days after rising before shaping and baking. Honey and molasses while imparting phenomenal flavor guarantee a soft dough that rises easily. Shaping it is easy and quick.  Double Pan the rolls when baking to prevent over browning of the bottoms. Run out of time before shaping and baking? Simply freeze the dough after the first rise. Thaw in the refrigerator, shape and bake as desired.  

[helenfletcher]

These Carrot Cake Baked Doughnuts are a quick treat for anytime of the day. Light, moist doughnuts are loaded with flavor and have three different finishes or none to choose from. You can serve them as is, with a pecan topping, dipped in cinnamon sugar or fill the hole with cream cheese - your choice. Top doughnuts: Plain and with pecan topping. Bottom: Dipped in cinnamon sugar and a plain doughnut filled with cream cheese. Completely made in the processor, you don't even have to grate the carrots. Just whiz it all together, fill the pans, bake and you're ready to finish them as you choose or not. Here are a few other quick treats: Pumpkin Cake Doughnuts, Apple Fritters with Speculaas Spice, Apple Cake Doughnuts, A Perfectly Easy Basic Muffin Mix, Crumb Topped Orange Date Muffins, and the always popular, Easy PBJ Muffins. Two Types of Doughnuts There are basically two types of doughnuts although fritters are sometimes considered doughnuts. Cake Doughnuts are just that. They are often miniature cakes made in doughnut pans as is this recipe. I simply cut down the carrot cake my bakery made and baked it in the doughnut pans. We used the same recipe to make adorable little carrot cake petit fours that people loved. Yeast Doughnuts use yeast to rise and are generally fried quickly in oil but can also be baked. They are lighter in texture but take longer due to having to rise. There is an interesting article, Baked or Fried Doughnuts which is based on my Fresh as a Daisy Doughnuts. The doughnut pan or not There is a special pan for cake doughnuts made by Wilton. It has six doughnut cavities and comes 2 tins to a package. They are most reasonably priced on Amazon. However, if you don't have these or there is extra batter, I just put it in standard size muffin pans and it works fine. See the bottom photo. What makes these so appealing Easy is the word made for this recipe. Flavor packed and fun to make. Great for beginners to baking. Fun for children to help with (they can grate the carrots) Recipe Ingredients Pecan Filling FRONT ROW: Melted unsalted butter, vanilla BACK ROW: Granulated sugar, pecans, all-purpose flour Carrot Cake Doughnuts FRONT ROW: Cinnamon, baking soda, honey, salt MIDDLE ROW: Vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs BACK ROW: Carrots, all-purpose flour, brown sugar Cream Cheese Filling FRONT ROW: Unsalted butter, vanilla BACK ROW: Cream cheese, powdered sugar Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients & instructions. Step by Step Instructions Pecan Topping Step 1. Place the pecans, sugar and flour in the bowl of a processor. Step 2. Process until very fine. Step 3. Transfer to a bowl and add the melted butter. Step 4. Toss the butter and pecan mixture together to make small crumbs. Refrigerate while preparing the remainder of the recipe. Step 5. Place the cut carrots in the food processor. Step 6. Process until finely cut. Step 7. Without cleaning the processor bowl, add the dry ingredients. Step 8. Process until completely mixed. Step 9. The eggs, oil, buttermilk, and honey are added to the bowl. Step 10. Process to form the batter. Remove to a bowl and stir in the carrots. Step 11. Spoon the batter into the cups filling almost to the top. If you aren't using the pans, these can be made in standard muffin cups. They just won't have the doughnut shape. Step 12. Bake until set. Cool for 5 to 10 minutes and turn out of the pans. Step 13. Combine the ingredients for the cream cheese filling in a mixing bowl. Step 14. Beat until light and completely combined. Step 15. Fit a bag with a # 3 or 4 star tip and pipe the filling into the hole of a plain doughnut. Step 16. Or roll the outside of the doughnut in cinnamon sugar. Recipe FAQS Why are they called cake doughnuts? They are often small version of cakes or have a cake like texture when baked. Are cake doughnuts or yeast doughnuts easier to make? Cake doughnuts are generally easier and faster to make and go from mixer to pan to oven very fast.

Yeast doughnuts require rising, rolling out and cutting before frying. Is a cake doughnut better for you than a yeast doughnut? It depends upon the batter for the cake doughnut and how it is finished. While the yeast doughnut is usually lighter in texture, it is fried which adds a lot of calories. It can also be finished and filled added more calories. These were made in standard muffin tins. Other Quick Recipes for You Carrot Cake Baked Doughnuts These Carrot Cake Baked Doughnuts are light, moist doughnuts loaded with flavor and have three different finishes or none to choose from. You can serve them as is, with a pecan topping, dipped in cinnamon sugar or fill the hole with cream cheese - your choice. baked doughnut pansregular size muffin tin if not using doughnut pans. Pecan Topping1/2 cup pecans (58 grams)1/4 cup all-purpose flour (35 grams)1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 grams)2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (30 grams)1 teaspoon vanilla extractCarrot Cake Baked Doughnuts1/2 pound carrots, peeled1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (175 grams)1 1/4 cup brown sugar (250 grams)2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon1/3 teaspoon salt3/4 teaspoon baking soda2 large eggs1/4 cup + 1 T vegetable oil1/4 cup + 1T buttermilk2 tablespoons honeyCream Cheese Frosting2 tablespons butter, softened (60 grams)4 ounces cream cheese, softened (114 grams)1 3/4 cup powdered sugar (225 grams)1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Pecan ToppingPlace the pecans, flour, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor. Process until everything is finely cut together. Remove from the processor bowl and add 2 tablespoons melted butter. Mix with a fork until it forms crumbs. Add a bit more butter if necessary.Carrot Cake Baked DoughnutsPreheat the oven to 350°F. Cut the carrots into 1/2" pieces. Without cleaning the bowl of the processor place them in the food processor and process until very finely cut into very small pieces. Remove from the processor.Without cleaning the bowl, place the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda in the processor bowl. Pulse several times to mix. Add the eggs, oil, buttermilk, and honey to the bowl. Process to mix everything well. Return the carrots to the processor and pulse several times to mix everything completely.Spray the baked doughnut pans with a non-stick baking release. Spray 5 muffin cups. If using the pecan topping, add it to the pans first. Make sure the pans are well sprayed or the topping will stick. Spoon the carrot cake mixture almost to the top of the doughnut pans. Fill the muffin tins about 3/4 full. Bake the doughnut pans 13 to 15 minutes until they are set and spring back when lightly touched. Bake the cupcake pans for 15 to 17 minutes.Cool for about 5 minutes. Remove from the molds, turning the doughnuts upside down.This makes about 17 doughnuts.Cream Cheese FrostingCombine all in the bowl of a mixer. Beat on low until combined. Raise to medium speed and beat until smooth and the volume increases.Finishing the DoughnutsIf finishing with cinnamon sugar (combine sugar and cinnamon to taste), coat them immediately while the doughnuts are warm. After a few minutes, repeat the cinnamon sugar.For the cream cheese frosting, fit a pastry bag with a #4 open star tip. Fill the bag with the cream cheese frosting and pipe a swirl into the hole of the doughnut or on top of the ones baked in the muffin cups. There is always an abundance of photos to guide you in the post above. As always, I recommend using a scale for accuracy and consistency.  Flour, in particular, is difficult to measure by volume.  For my recipes, I use 140 grams per cup of unsifted  all-purpose, bread or whole wheat flour and 125 grams of cake flour. Others may use different weights so use whatever they suggest. _____________________________________________________ The pans for cake muffins are from Wilton.  They come packed 2 tins (12 muffins) together. Amazon. has the best price I saw. The batter should cover the top of the pan enclosing the hole in the center.

 I love this because it allows me to put something delicious in the hole instead of glazing them.  Standard size muffin tins can also be used.  The yield will be less. Cut the peeled carrots into about 1/2 inch slices before processing. This seems like a lot of cinnamon, but the doughnut is very balanced in flavor.    DoughnutsAmericanBaked doughnuts, donuts, doughnuts,

[helenfletcher]

This Orange Almond Tea Cake is one of the simplest, easiest cake you'll ever make. Redolent of almond paste and orange rind with few other ingredients, this cake has incredible flavor like no other. This marvelously moist and flavorful cake was inspired by a recipe from the late Flo Braker’s book, The Simple Art of Perfect Baking - one of the earliest and best books on baking to be found.   Oranges and almonds have an affinity for each other.  I first used this flavor combination in my first book, The New Pastry Cook and it remains one of my favorites.  I have included a processor version and a mixer version – both work equally well.   Be sure to take a look at How to Make Almond Paste to make your own. There are two recipes. My favorite is the one with the simple syrup. If you are a lover of almond paste, be sure to check out: Apricot Crumb Coffee Cake, Orange Almond Petit Fours, Almond Macaroons, Blueberry Crumb Muffins, Caramelized Peach Tart, Brandied Chocolate Cherry Almond Garmish, A Quick and Easy Summer Teacake, Twice Baked Brioche, Amaretti Cookies. Why is it called a Tea Cake A Tea Cake is what it sounds like. In the olden days when the pace of life was a lot slower, afternoon tea was often served. While English tea cakes include buns of some kind, the cake version is usually a single layer of a straight forward cake simply finished which is why it needs to be perfectly balanced and packed with flavor, which this cake is. Now it is, most likely, a snack or dessert cake. Why You'll Love This Tea Cake It is super simple and fast to make, especially in the food processor. The depth of flavor is amazing. It stays moist for days and days if it lasts that long due to the almond paste It has only a few ingredients. It makes a great gift sure to please. Recipe Ingredients FRONT ROW: Baking Powder, unsalted butter MIDDLE ROW: Almond Paste, orange zest BACK ROW: All-purpose flour, eggs, granulated sugar Key Ingredients The almond paste can be purchased or easily made at home. My post on How to Make Almond Paste - or Not shows you two ways to make it. My preference is the simple syrup method. Finely grated zest of an orange gives this tea cake a deeply satisfying flavor. Unsalted butter gives the purest taste and is recommended. Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients & instructions. Step by Step Instructions Step 1. Spray the center only of a 9" round cake pan with a non-stick baking release. Step 2. Line it with parchment paper and spray the center of the paper. For a complete explanation of how to bake flat cake layers, please see my post on How to Bake a Flat Cake. Step 3. Tear the almond paste in pieces and place it along with the sugar and orange zest in the bowl of a processor. Step 4. Process until it is very fine. Step 5. Cut the butter into pieces and add it to the processor. Step 6. Process until the butter is completely mixed in. Step 7. Add the eggs. Step 8. Process to incorporate. Step 9. Add all of the flour and baking powder to the processor bowl. Step 10. Process to combine. Step 11. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Step 12. Some of the batter will want to remain in the bowl. Step 13. To easily remove the batter, place the top back on the processor and pulse several times. The batter will be slung off the blade. Remove the blade and add the remaining batter to the cake pan. For more really useful information see my post on Food Processor Tips When Baking. Step 14. Using a small, flexible metal spatula go around the edge of the baked cake being careful to keep the spatula to the edge of the pan so it doesn't tear the cake. Release the cake onto a serving dish keeping it upside down. Step 15. For a pretty finish to the top of the cake, a cake stencil can be used. I have a set of Kaiser stencils that can be found on Amazon. Step 16. Place the stencil on top of the cake, dust powdered sugar fairly heavily covering the stencil.

Carefully, lift the stencil, leaving only the design on top. A paper doily can also be used. No stencil? Just dust it with powdered sugar. Recipe FAQS When were Tea Cakes served? In the 1840's simple cakes known as tea cakes which were served with tea, hence the name, were served in the afternoons to keep hunger at bay until the dinner meal. What's the difference between Tea Cakes and regular cake? Tea cakes are generally more dense than regular cakes and made in single layers. What are some other versions of Tea Cakes? The name tea cake is also given to cookies, small cakes, buns or simple sweet rolls. Storage and Freezing The cake, without the powdered sugar, can be frozen, wrapped well and kept frozen for several months. Thaw at room temperature, then apply the powdered sugar. The cake can also be held, covered, for several days at room temperature. Expert Tips The cake can be made in a food processor or a mixer. For the mixer version, follow the same directions as for the processor but in a mixer. Either purchased or homemade almond paste can be used. The cake can be served as is or with fresh fruit. More simple but delicious cakes If you love this Orange Almond Tea Cake, It would be hugely helpful and so appreciated it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you. Orange Almond Tea Cake This Orange Almond Tea Cake is probably the simplest, easiest cake you'll ever make. Redolent of almond paste and orange rind, this cake has incredible flavor like no other. 1 cup +2 T almond paste (290 grams)1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)10 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature (140 grams)4 large eggs1/2 cup +2T all-purpose flour (85 grams)1/2 teaspoon baking powder1 orange zest Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray the center bottom of a 9x2 inch round cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment; spray the center only and set aside.Processor MethodPlace the almond paste, sugar and orange rind in the processor bowl.  Process until mealy.  Add the butter; process until mixed.  Add all the eggs at once and process until smooth.  Lastly add the flour mixture and process until completely combined.  Pour into the prepared pan, level and smooth the top. Mixer MethodPlace the almond paste and sugar in a mixing bowl fitted with the paddle.  Beat until large crumbs form.  Add the butter and orange rind beating until well combined.  Add the eggs, one at a time and beat until smooth.  Combine the flour and baking powder whisking to mix.  Add all at once to the above and mix on low just until completely combined.  Pour into the prepared pan, level and smooth the top.Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a tester comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes, release edges and remove from the pan.  Place on a rack, bottom side up to cool completely.  Place a stencil or doily on top of the cake and sprinkle with powdered sugar fairly heavily.  Carefully remove the stencil or doily to retain the design. There is always an abundance of photos to guide you in the post above. As always, I recommend using a scale for accuracy and consistency.  Flour, in particular, is difficult to measure by volume.  For my recipes, I use 140 grams per cup of unsifted  all-purpose, bread or whole wheat flour and 125 grams of cake flour. Others may use different weights so use whatever they suggest. ____________________________________________________ The cake can be made in a food processor or a mixer. For the mixer version, follow the same directions as for the processor but in a mixer. Either purchased or homemade almond paste can be used. The cake can be served as is or with fresh fruit. This cake will keep well at room temperature if covered for 30 or 4 days.   It can also be frozen and then wrapped without the powdered sugar for several months. If you don't have a stencil or doilie for the powdered sugar decoration, just sprinkle it  lightly with powdered sugar.  This is a simple, unfussy cake. CakeAmericancake, easy to make,

Tea Cake

[helenfletcher]

How to Make S'mores Tart is more than just one more no bake recipe. It comprises some basic baking elements that you can use over and over. The graham cracker crust and the marshmallow cream (creme or fluff whatever you call it) is so simple to make from scratch you'll wonder why you haven't done it before. The crust can be used in many no bake or baked options, think cheesecake, as a base for mousse cakes or as a part of cold desserts. The marshmallow cream can be sandwiched between cookies, added to hot chocolate and used as a finished on other cakes and pie. It can be spoon on or piped on. In any case it will hold its shape. As one of the favorites of summer, especially when camping, this easy tart is one you'll want to put on your dessert menu over and over. It's a great way to start getting children interested in the kitchen. Let them try their hand at piping - I can guarantee it will be interesting. Amazingly, this S'mores Tart is not too sweet which allows all the flavors to come through. Here are a few cookies that would be fantastic with marshmallow cream sandwiched between them: Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies (sub for the filling or add it as a second filling), Fudgy Chocolate Cookies with Variations, Almost Oreos, Very Lemon Butter Crisps, Best of All Spiced Molasses Cookies, Base Recipe for Cookies with 8 variations, Flourless Chocolate Raspberry Cookies with or without the raspberry, Oatmeal Cookies, and while we're at it why not the really fast Cocoa Brownies. What's Not to Like About this Recipe It's another no bake recipe that is quick and easy. Simple ingredients are used so there's no chasing something down. It's super kid friendly as long as the sugar syrup is supervised. How neat would it be to make your own marshmallow? Because it is not overly sweet all the flavors of the milk chocolate, graham cracker crust and marshmallow cream come through. Variations I know traditional S'mores don't include nuts but I think they are perfect in this tart. Don't like peanuts? Use toasted pecans....or a nut you do like. Stir rice krispies into the marshmallow cream as soon as it is finished for a quick, low fat version of Rice Krispy Treats. Add nuts, chips, dried fruit, etc. as desired. Thin the marshmallow cream with a little water and use it to top ice cream. Recipe Ingredients Graham Cracker Crust FRONT ROW: Unsalted Butter BACK ROW: Graham crackers, powdered sugar Milk Chocolate Filling FRONT ROW: Honey roasted peanuts BACK ROW: Milk chocolate, heavy cream Marshmallow Cream FRONT ROW: Water, vanilla extract BACK ROW: Granulated Sugar, egg whites, corn syrup. Key Ingredients Any plain graham cracker will due but be aware that different brands may take more or less butter to bind them. So start off with 3/4 of the butter and if the crumbs don't stick together well when a small amount is pressed between your fingers, add the rest. Powdered sugar is used to avoid a grainy textured crust. Milk Chocolate is the traditional choice for S'mores. I use Trader Joe's Pound Plus Milk Chocolate for it's depth of flavor and caramel overtones. Any good milk chocolate will due though. I don't recommend milk chocolate chips or Hershey's milk chocolate. Honey Roasted Peanuts are a great addition as I believe any nut would be - salted or unsalted. Other nuts such as toasted pecans would be great or use the nut of your choice or omit it. Corn Syrup seems to be a problem with some people. There is some confusion between corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup.  Karo Corn syrup as found on grocers' shelves, either clear or dark, is 100% glucose (sugar) and is not the same as the high fructose variety used in commercial products. Years ago Karo changed their formula for consumer corn syrup to no longer include the offending high fructose corn syrup. I don't know about other brands. Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients & instructions. Step by Step Instructions

Graham Cracker Crust Step 1. Crush the graham crackers between your hands and place them and the powdered sugar in the bowl of a processor. Step 2. Process to make fine crumbs. (If you aren't using a processor, place the crackers in a plastic bag and roll over them with a rolling pin to crush them. Put them in a bowl with the powdered sugar and continue as in the directions.) Step 3. Add 3/4 of the melted butter to the processor. Step 4. Pulse the machine until all the crumbs are uniformly moistened. Take a small amount crumbs and squeeze them between your fingers. If they hold firmly together you're done. If they don't add the additional butter. Step 5. Spray a 9x1" tart pan with a removable bottom with a non-stick baking release. Steo 6. Arrange 2/3 if the crumbs around the inside edge of the tart pan. Step 7. With your hand or a measuring cup, press the crumbs very firmly against the side of the pan. Step 8. Go around a second time to make sure they are evenly pressed in. Step 9. Distribute the remainder of the crumbs evenly over the bottom of the pan. Step 10. Press them firmly into the shell. Step 11. Place the nuts in the processor (no need to clean it) and pulse to coarsely chop them. Step 12. Spread the nuts evenly over the crust. Milk Chocolate Filling Step 13. Chop the chocolate so it will melt uniformly. Step 14. Heat the cream until steaming hot but not boiling. Add the chocolate and submerge it under the cream. Let it sit for a few minutes to melt the chocolate. Step 15. Whisk the mixture until it is smooth and no lumps remain. Be sure to get into the edges of the pan. Step 16. Pour it into the crust. Set aside for the chocolate to firm up. To speed it along, place it in the refrigerator. Marshmallow Cream Step 17. Place the egg whites and vanilla in the bowl of a mixer. Step 18. Beat just until very soft peaks form. Then start adding the sugar as called for a little at a time. When the whites form soft peaks, reduce the speed of the mixer to it's lowest point and keep moving them around. Do not turn the machine off while making the syrup or the texture of the whites will change and they could become unusable. Step 19. In the meantime as the whites are beating, put the water, corn syrup and sugar in a smallish saucepan. Bring it to a boil and continue cooking until the temperature reaches 245°F. Step 21. Increase the egg whites to medium low. Pour the syrup slowly into the whites. After all the syrup is in, increase the speed of the mixer to medium and then medium high and beat until it is very stiff and holds sharp peaks. Allow it to cool. Step 22. Fit a piping bag with a 1/2" or 3/4" plain tip and pipe "kisses" all the way around the outer edge. Keep moving inward until the tart is completely covered. Don't want to pipe? Spoon it on and make pretty swirls with the back of the spoon. Step 23. Using a small blow torch or propane tank, lightly toast the marshmallow to color them. Step 24. Remove the side of the tart pan. To take it off the bottom, slide a metal spatula between the bottom of the tart and the tart pan. Go all around the tart. Slide it off onto a serving dish. Recipe FAQS Why are they called S'Mores? The first recipe was found in the Girl Scouts of America Handbook published in 1927. The term s'more is first found the 1938 guide “Recreational Programs for Summer Camps,” by William Henry Gibson. It is a contraction of "some more". Where did marshmallows come from? Ancient Egyptians. It was only eaten by gods and royalty because it was deemed so special as early as 2000 BC. How did marshmallow get its name? The marshmallow was originally made from the mallow plant (Athaea officinalis) that grows wild in marshes....hence marsh mallow. Expert Tips When adding the butter to the crumbs withhold about a quarter of it. Different graham crackers absorb more or less butter. More can always be added. If it does become too wet, add more crumbs.

Press the crumbs into the pan very firmly or it will crumble when cut. For the best cuts as seen in the photos of the completed tart, use a hot, dry knife. Run the knife under really hot water and quickly wipe it dry. Cut straight down on the tart, do not use a sawing motion. When making the syrup for the marshmallows, use a saucepan that holds about 6 cups. The mixture rises up as it boils. However, do not use a large pan or the ingredients will spread out too much making it difficult to use the thermometer. Chopping the chocolate helps to melt it quickly and evenly. Whisk it smooth but don't be too enthusiastic or there will be a lot of air bubbles. More Lucious Tarts If you love this S'Mores Tart, It would be hugely helpful and so appreciated it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you. How to Make A S'mores Tart As one of the favorites of summer, especially when camping, this easy tart is one you'll want to put on your dessert menu over and over. It's a great way to start getting children interested in the kitchen. Let them try their hand at piping - I can guarantee it will be interesting. tart pan with removable bottomThermometer Graham Cracker Crust1 1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs (170 grams)1/3 cup powdered sugar (34 grams)10 tablespoons unsalted butter (140 grams) Milk Chocolate Filling12 ounces milk chocolate (340 grams)1 cup heavy cream1/2 cup peanuts or other nuts, optional (60 grams)Marshmallow Cream3 tablespoons water2/3 cup corn syrup1/3 cup granulated sugar (65 grams)2 large egg whites (64 grams)2 teaspoons vanilla extract Graham Cracker CrustPlace the graham crackers and powdered sugar in the processor bowl and process to make crumbs. If not using a processor, put the crumbs in a plastic bag and roll over them with a rolling pin to make the crumbs. Continue as below.Add 3/4 of the butter and pulse until the crumbs are evenly coated. Press a small amount of crumbs between your fingers to make sure it will stick together firmly. If not, add the remainder of the butter.Spray the 9x1" tart tin with a non-stick baking release. Arrange 2/3 of the crumbs evenly along the inside edge of the pan. Using your hand or a measuring cup, press the crumbs firmly into the side of the pan. Place the remainder of the crumbs evenly on the bottom of the pan and press in firmly. Set aside.Milk Chocolate FillingWithout cleaning the processor bowl, add the nuts and pulse to chop coarsely. Distribute evenly over the crust. Set aside.Put the cream in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Do not boil. Remove it from the heat. Submerge the chocolate under the cream for a few minutes.Stir, or gently whisk the mixture together until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is combined. Make sure to get into the edges of the pan.Pour it into the shell and let it set up at room temperature or speed it along by refrigerating it.Marshmallow CreamIn a small saucepan, bring the water, cornsyrup and 1/4 cup (50 grams) of sugar to a boil. Continue to boil hard until a candy thermometer reaches 245°F.In the meantime, place the egg whites and vanilla in a clean mixing bowl fitted with a whisk. Beat the egg whites to the soft peak stage.  Slowly add the remaining sugar and return to the soft peak stage.  If the whites get done before the syrup, reduce the speed to the lowest and keep mixing.  Do not turn the mixer off.When the syrup comes to temperature, raise the speed of the mixer to medium and slowly drizzle it into the whites.  Turn the mixer to high and beat until thick and lukewarm.   Fit a piping bag with a 1/2" to 3/4" plain tip and pipe "kisses" around the outer edge of the tart. Continue piping moving in towards the center until it is completely covered. Not into piping? Spoon on the marshmallow cream and make pretty swirls with the back of a spoon.With a small blow torch or a propane tank, lightly toast the topping.To make perfect slices, heat the knife under really hot water, dry it quickly and slice straight down.

Do not use a sawing motion. Store the tart in the refrigerator. But serve it at or near room temperature. There is always an abundance of photos to guide you in the post above. As always, I recommend using a scale for accuracy and consistency.  Flour, in particular, is difficult to measure by volume.  For my recipes, I use 140 grams per cup of unsifted  all-purpose, bread or whole wheat flour and 125 grams of cake flour. Others may use different weights so use whatever they suggest. ___________________________________________________ When adding the butter to the crumbs withhold about a quarter of it. Different graham crackers absorb more or less butter. More can always be added. If it does become too wet, add more crumbs. Press the crumbs into the pan very firmly or it will crumble when cut. For the best cuts as seen in the photos of the completed tart, use a hot, dry knife. Run the knife under really hot water and quickly wipe it dry. Cut straight down on the tart, do not use a sawing motion. When making the syrup for the marshmallows, use a saucepan that holds about 6 cups. The mixture rises up as it boils. However, do not use a large pan or the ingredients will spread out too much making it difficult to use the thermometer. Chopping the chocolate helps to melt it quickly and evenly. Whisk it smooth but don't be too enthusiastic or there will be a lot of air bubbles. Store in the refrigerator but serve at or near room temperature.   DessertAmericanHow to Make S'mores, S'Mores,, Tart,

[helenfletcher]

I wanted to highlight some of the best Sweet and Savory recipes on this site for the summer months. Many are no bake recipe, others feature the abundant fruits and vegetables coming from gardens or markets. I trust you will find a few to perk up your summer meals. [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="20324" summary="This amazing Caramelized Peach Tart combines a creamy pastry cream, caramelized peaches, and a brown sugar crumble made with almond paste in an easy pastry crust. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="33314" template="plp---roundup-summary---green"] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="19103" summary="The thing I most like about this Vegetable Tart is how easy it is to put it on the table. It can even sit in the refrigerator fully made for a day until it is heated and served.  After the vegetables are sautéed, a splash of balsamic vinegar boosts their flavor while a sprinkling of hot pepper flakes leaves a nice tingle when eating."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="17828" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="Layers of coffee liqueur soaked almond sponge cake, chocolate ganache, and coffee ice cream are the component parts of this exquisite ice cream cake.  It definitely conjures up thoughts of something special and it won’t disappoint.  While this may look formidable, every part is made ahead and can be done at different times so it is very doable."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="32673"] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="28642" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="What if I told you this cool, creamy Easy Pina Colada No Bake Cheesecake can be made with no water bath, sour cream, eggs or condensed milk. Well, it can! It has all the flavors of a pina colada in a smooth, velvety dessert that can quickly be whipped up in the processor in a matter of minutes."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="20240" summary="This Caramel Cone Ice Cream from Häagen-Dazs® instantly became my favorite ice cream.  Caramel ice cream, swirled with caramel and then loaded with chocolate sugar cone bits, is my idea of a summer dessert."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="31867" template="plp---roundup-summary---green"] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="17535" summary="Fresh summer peaches just beg to be made into this amazing looking Dutch Peach Pie, which is one of the most sensational tasting pies around. While this is not a recipe that you'll make in twenty minutes, it's worth every second it takes."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="18828" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="Spring greens, fresh strawberries, pungent bleu cheese, and chunky pecans make this one of the most flavorful summer salads to be found.  The basil vinaigrette dressing originally came from the Missouri Governor's kitchen.  This is not only an unusual vinaigrette but one of the best if you love basil."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="8906" summary="If you love chocolate covered strawberries (and who doesn't) this Chocolate Strawberry Pie is for you. Gorgeous looking and delicious, it's a snap to make."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="29019" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="This Peach Amaretto Jam is the perfect recipe if you've never made jam before. I've reduced the sugar to allow the peach flavor to come through and added a bit of amaretto to enhance it. This is a refrigerator or freezer jam that doesn't require canning with the large pot of boiling water and all that comes with it. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="28529" summary="As much as I love cooking, the summer months of high 90's have me looking for easy options to feed us. This Smoked Turkey Salad, which came from my take out shop, fills that need. A few easy to get ingredients with the star being the smoked turkey are easily assembled into this winner of an entree salad."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="31546" template="plp---roundup-summary---green"] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="14941" summary="A biscuit bottom with a juicy blueberry filling topped with a walnut streusel is as good as summer desserts go with a minimum of effort. "]

[wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="20810" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="This summer delight (which I make all year) takes summer veggies and turns them into dinner in a matter of minutes. This recipe is my adaptation of a dish I had at one of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurants one hot summer day. You won't believe how fast and fantastic this is. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="19007" summary="These Skillet Turtle Brownies are a fun way to make a decadent turtle brownie. The caramel is made using purchased caramels After the caramel has been made in the skillet, a simple brownie batter is whisked together and poured over the caramel.  No need to break out the mixer. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="29875" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="With tomatoes practically falling off the vines, this is the perfect time to make aFrench Onion Tart which is a cousin to the French Pissaladiere. When I had the take out shop, this was a huge hit.  Fresh tomatoes, caramelized onions, guyere cheese, calamata olives and basil nestle in an easy yeast dough crust for the best of summers bounty."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="29672"] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="28037" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="A tart lemon curd is tempered with whipped cream and a meringue and poured over a vanilla wafer crust. And that blueberry sauce is one you will make over and over to serve with pancakes and waffles as well as over ice cream. As I said, just made for summer!!"] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="17783" summary="This is super easy salad to put together and while, best the first day, I have been known to eat leftovers a couple of days later. The feta cheese and calamata olives give it a distinct Greek influence and the simple dressing doesn't overtake the other ingredients. It's just made for those abundant tomatoes of summer."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="11007" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="If you've ever had a soft serve ice cream dipped in chocolate that forms a hard shell, magic shell is it. Two ingredients and 5 minutes makes this perfect addition to ice cream. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="27412"] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="11108" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="Granita is an Italian specialty and is simply an ice that is scraped with a fork to fluff it up and make it melt in your mouth. Frozen strawberries on a hot summers day. What could be more comforting? How about an easy strawberry granita with a bit of black pepper and balsamic vinegar to add a bit of zip to it."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="22383" summary="There's a funny story attached to this recipe. One of my sons was visiting and I had this in the freezer. After dinner, he asked what was for dessert, a carry over from childhood when there was always dessert. I told him peach ice cream. His reaction was muted, definitely not excited. He told me peaches weren't his favs but he'd have a little. Well, long story short, a little turned into several more trips to the freezer as he magically turned into a peach lover - or at least a Peach Swirl Ice cream lover."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="1564" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="An asiago cheese crust holds roasted red and yellow peppers topped with a basil pesto goat cheese and cream cheese filling. It's simplicity emphasizes the fresh flavors. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="13227" summary="This simply couldn't be easier. Peach halves are roasted and filled with a crisp made of amaretti cookies, almonds, a bit of butter and brown sugar for one of the fastest, easiest desserts around."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="16515" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="With its mere four ingredients this No Churn Nutella Ice Cream is a snap to make and a treat to eat.  "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="18122" template="plp---roundup-summary" summary="Mayfair Salad Dressing has long been a favorite in St.

Louis where it was the house salad dressing for the Mafair Hotel.  Think of it as a better version of Caesar dressing.  It is thick and creamy, encasing the ingredients so every bite includes the dressing. Celery thickens it and anchovies are the ingredient most people can't identify but make all the difference in the world. "] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="8725" template="plp---roundup-summary---green" summary="What could be better than this No Bake Snickers Pie in a chocolate graham cracker crust filled with caramel, a peanut butter mousse loaded with snickers pieces and topped with a whipped ganache. To make this easy, it can be made in stages or the entire pie can be made and frozen."] [wprm-recipe-roundup-item id="17613" summary="This Easy Hawaiian Sundae, is a special  endding for a grilled dinner.  Fresh pineapple and a coconut cream chocolate sauce are topped with salted, toasted macadamia nuts which can be found in the snack aisle of my grocery store."]

[helenfletcher]

What if I told you this cool, creamy Easy Pina Colada No Bake Cheesecake can be made with no water bath, sour cream, eggs or condensed milk. Well, it can! It has all the flavors of a pina colada in a smooth, velvety dessert that can quickly be whipped up in the processor in a matter of minutes. The Caramelized Pineapple Sauce that goes along with it is the final touch to a quick and easy dessert. This sauce can also go on pound cake, ice cream, or just eat it by te spoonful. Ever wonder where they come from? The first cheesecakes are thought to be from Samos in Ancient Greece where they were served at weddings. A far cry from modern cheesecakes, these consisted of wheat flour, pounded cheese and honey. Along the years, it has been refined and remade and today it's at the top of the list of favorite desserts. The graham cracker-coconut crust can be used without baking but I highly recommend that you bake it so it stays firm even if refrigerated for several days. If you've always wanted to know how to make a cheesecake, this is the easiest and best around. Why You'll Love this Recipe It's super easy for little effort. It's an easy dessert that's perfect when you don't want the oven on for hours. It tastes incredible and like you have spent the day making it. It's rich flavor is very balanced both sweet and a bit tart from the sauce. It's simple but elegantly sophisticated. Perfect after barbecue. Substitutions If you don't wish to use alcohol, add the gelatin to 1/4 cup water and increase the coconut extract to 1 tablespoon. Recipe Ingredients Coconut Graham Cracker Crust BACK ROW: Powdered sugar, unsweetened coconut FRONT ROW: Unsalted butter, graham crackers Cheesecake Filling BACK ROW: Powdered sugar, coco lopez, heavy cream MIDDLE ROW: Coconut extract, cream cheese, crushed pineapple FRONT ROW: Malibu rum, gelatin Caramelized Pineapple Sauce BACK ROW: Fresh Pineapple chunks, golden syrup FRONT ROW: Brown sugar (light or dark), unsalted butter Cream of Coconut Do not confuse this with coconut milk – they are vastly different. One cannot be substituted for the other. There are several brands and the one above it the one I use. I have seen it have a heavy white semisolid mixture at the top of the can with a dark, translucent liquid at the bottom.  When whisked together it becomes an off white liquid.  There might even be a few shreds of coconut.  It can also be just the translucent liquid. Either is fine as long as it is cream of coconut. Golden Syrup Lyle's Golden Syrup is a staple in English Baking and I can tell you it’s amazing. I can literally eat it by the spoonful.  It can be used where ever corn syrup or honey is used and it's great on pancakes and waffles.  It can be easily found online or stores that sell international items and brings a taste that substitutes simply can’t.  However, if you have to substitute I have seen clear corn syrup used. Malibu Rum This is a popular, combination of Caribbean rum with coconut liqueur.  It can be bought in small airline or single serve bottles that can be found in some grocery stores or liquor stores for sure.  The bottle contains 1/4 cup which is perfect for this recipe. If you can't find it, use 3 tablespoons light rum, 1 tablespoon water and 2 teaspoons coconut extract. The Coconut Unsweetened coconut, also known as dessicated coconut is important in this crust. Without the sweetening it is just pure coconut that has a more impactful flavor. Powdered Sugar Powdered sugar is used because it will dissolve instantly into the other ingredients. Granulated sugar has the chance of remaining grainy. Cream Cheese Low fat cream cheese can be substituted if desired. Either should be room temperature when used. Crushed Pineapple Canned crushed pineapple is used in the filling of the cheesecake. It should be drained and squeezed dry before adding to the rest of the ingredients. Fresh pineapple should not be used because there is an enzyme in it that prevents gelatin from setting.

Whipped Heavy Cream Heavy cream refers to cream that has at least 35% fat as opposed to regular whipping cream that has about 30%. The heavier fat content makes a thicker whipped cream that doesn't water out after beating and needs no stabalization. While I don't normally like to whip cream in the processor because it doesn't become very light, it is perfect in this application. The lack of air in the whipped cream adds to the smooth, velvet, dense texture of the cheesecake. Caramelized Pineapple For this, fresh pineapple is used for it's taste. It is important to use somewhat under ripe pineapple so it doesn’t turn to mush when caramelizing. Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions! Step by Step Instructions Coconut Graham Cracker Crust Step 1. Spray a 9x3 inch a cheesecake pan with a removable bottom with non-stick baking spray. A springform pan can also be used. Set aside. Step. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the unsweetened coconut in a single layer on a baking sheet. Keep it together so stray strands don't burn. Step 3. Toast the coconut for about 5 minutes, stir and toast until the coconut is a golden brown. Cool. Step 4. Process the graham crackers and powdered sugar to make crumbs. Step 5. Add the toasted coconut to the processor and pulse several times to combine them. Remove to a bowl. Step 6. Add the melted butter to the crumbs and mix with a fork to form larger crumbs. Step 7. Press the crumbs evenly into the bottom of the pan and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned. Step 8. The edge of the crust will, most likely, pull away slightly from the pan which can allow the liquid cheesecake to run down it. Step 9. Press the crust that has pulled away back to the edge of the pan with the back of a soup spoon. At the bakery, we referred to this as "spooning the crust". Step 10. The edge is sealed tightly again so no liquid can slip down the opening. Cheesecake Filling Step 1. Place the gelatin in Malibu rum or water to bloom or soften. Step 2. Stir immediately to make sure all of the gelatin is wet making a gelatinous blob. Step 3. Whisk the coco lopez together to make sure it is completely combined. Measure 1 cup. Step 4. Add the cream to the processor bowl and process until whipped and thick. Remove to a large bowl. Step 5. Without cleaning the processor bowl, add the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Process until smooth, scraping to make sure there are no lumps left. Step 6. Heat the gelatin (either in the water or Malibu rum) in the microwave just long enough to liquify it. Add this, the cream of coconut, and coconut extract. Process until smooth, scraping several times. Step 7. Add the cream cheese mixture and pineapple which has been squeezed dry to the whipped cream and fold everything together. Step 8. Pour the mixture over the coconut-graham cracker crust and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight. Caramelized Pineapple Sauce Step 1. Place the butter, brown sugar and golden or corn syrup in a saute pan large enough to hold the pineapple. Step 2. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Skim the foam from the sauce. Step 3. Add the fresh pineapple to the syrup and continue cooking at a boil until the sauce reduces and coats the pineapple. Step 4. Serve slightly warm along side the cheesecake. Recipe FAQ's Is cheesecake best baked or unbaked? They are two different desserts. The former is denser due to added ingredients such as sour cream and eggs and is usually baked in a water bath. The unbaked cheesecake is usually lighter in texture with fewer ingredients and depends upon gelatin to set it. Neither is better than the other. They are both delicious. Should I leave the cheesecake in its pan? Yes, since either baked or unbaked the cheesecake needs to chill in the refrigerator to firm it up. It should be released after setting up. Why do baked cheesecakes crack in them middle? There can be several reasons.

It could be the recipe. It could be baked too long. Normally, they are taken out of the oven when they are slightly jiggly and then cooled to room temperature before being refrigerated to set up competely. If they are put directly into the refrigerator, they may also crack. Expert Tips When adding gelatin to anything, the mixture to which it is added should be room temperature to ensure it combines smoothly. If a mixture is cold and the gelatin is introduced, it can become stringy and not set up. Two kinds of pineapple are used. Fresh pineapple for the sauce and canned crushed pineapple for the filling. Fresh pineapple has an enzyme that prevents gelatin from setting up. Under ripened fresh pineapple should be used for the sauce to keep it from becoming mushy when cooked. The Malibu Rum can be bought in small airline or single serve bottles in grocery or liquor stores which are perfect for this cake. 5 whole graham crackers can be processed to make the crumbs. More Inviting Cheesecakes If you love this Easy Pina Colada No Bake Cheesecake or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating in the recipe card and let me know how it went the 📝 comments below. I appreciate you reading this post! Easy Pina Colada No Bake Cheesecake What if I told you this cool, creamy Pina Colada No Bake Cheesecake can be made with no water bath, sour cream, eggs or condensed milk. Well, it can! It has all the flavors of a pina colada in a smooth, velvety dessert that can be whipped up in the processor in a matter of minutes. Coconut Graham Cracker Crust1 cup unsweetened coconut (40 grams) 2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs (85 grams)1/2 cup powdered sugar (65 grams)6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (85 grams)Cheesecake Filling1 cup cream of coconut1 tablespoon gelatin1/4 cup Malibu Rum or water1 cup heavy cream16 oz. cream cheese (454 grams)1 cup powdered sugar (130 grams)2 teaspoons coconut extract8 oz can crushed pineappleCaramelized Pineapple3 tablespoons unsalted butter (45 grams)1/3 cup golden or corn syrup3 tablespoons brown sugar, packed (25 grams))3 cups fresh pineapple chunks Coconut Graham Cracker CrustPreheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x3 inch cheesecake pan (or springform pan) with a non-stick baking release. Set aside.Spread the coconut on a baking sheet, making sure to push the eges together so there are no stray pieces of coconut that can burn. Toast for about 5 minutes until medium brown. Stir and toast briefly if needed. Cool.If using whole graham crackers, break them into pieces and process them to make crumbs. Add the toasted coconut and powdered sugar to the processor bowl and process to make crumbs. Remove to a bowl.Add the melted butter to the crumbs and mix with a fork until completely combined. Press evenly into the bottom of the pan.Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned. If the crust has pulled away from the side of the pan, using a soup spoon, press it against the side of the pan so there is no gap. Set aside.Cheesecake FillingHave all the ingredients except the cream at room temperature. If you don't wish to use alcohol, add the gelatin to 1/4 cup water and increase the coconut extract to 1 tablespoon.Pour the contents of the cream of coconut into a bowl and whisk to combine completely. Measure 1 cup for the recipe.Stir the gelatin into the Malibu rum or water. Set aside.Whip the cream in the processor fitted with the S blade until fairly stiff. Remove to a large bowl. Without cleaning the processor bowl, add the cream cheese and powdered sugar. Process until smooth, scraping down as necessary.Micowave the gelatin briefly to liquify it completely. Pour this along with the cream of coconut and coconut extract into the processor. Process to mix.Pour the contents of the processor over the whipped cream in the bowl.. Squeeze all of the liquid from the crushed pineapple and add it to the bowl. Fold all together and pour it over the crust. Smooth it out.

Refrigerate to set, about 6 hours or overnight.Release by heating the sides of the pan with a hair dryer on high. See my Lemonade Cake with Blueberry Sauce. for complete instructions and photos. Keep the cake refrigerated until serving.Caramelized Pineapple SaucePlace the butter, golden syrup or corn syrup and brown sugar in a skillet large enough to hold the pineapple.Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Skim off the foam. Add the pineapple chunks and return to a boil. Continue to cook until the sauces reduces and coats the pineapple. Serve warm over the cheesecake. The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to a week. Warm when serving. Lyle's Golden Syrup is a staple in English baking and I can tell you  it’s amazing.  It can be used wherever corn syrup or honey are used and it's great on pancakes and waffes.  It can be easily found online or stores that sell international items and brings a taste that substitutes simply can’t.  However, if you have to substitute I have seen clear corn syrup used. When adding gelatin to anything, the mixture to which it is added should be room temperature to ensure it combines smoothly. If a mixture is cold and the gelatin is introduced, it can become stringy and not set up. Two kinds of pineapple are used. Fresh pineapple for the sauce and canned crushed pineapple for the filling. Fresh pineapple has an enzyme that prevents gelatin from setting up.  Under ripened fresh pineapple should be used for the sauce to keep it from becoming mushy when cooked. The Malibu Rum can be bought in small airline or single serve bottles in grocery or liquor stores which are perfect for this cake. Five whole graham crackers can be processed into crumbs if not using purchased crumbs.  If you don't wish to use alcohol, add the gelatin to 1/4 cup water and increase the coconut extract to 1 tablespoon. DessertAmericaneasy cheesecake recipe, No-Bake Cheesecake, pina colada cheesecake,  

[helenfletcher]

The only baking needed for this No Bake Strawberry Pie is about 13 minutes for the crust. The really wonderful thing about this recipe is the fresh strawberry filling thickened with Instant Clear Jel. If you've never used it, it's a game changer. It keeps the fruit fresh without cooking which alters the flavor.....and it's super easy to use. It's important to use Instant ClearJel and not just plain ClearJel which requires cooking to set. Fresh strawberries are cut into bite size pieces and combined with sugar, instant ClearJel, water and lemon juice, then poured into a vanilla wafer crust for that easy summer dessert you've been looking for. For more information on thickeners see my post, Thickeners as Used in Baking and Pastry. Other Strawberry desserts you might enjoy include: the elegant Chocolate Strawberry Mousse Torte, Strawberry Verrines, Unbelievable Cheesecake, and the really quick Strawberry Bread. What is ClearJel Types of ClearJel There are two types of ClearJel and each has it's own special uses. ClearJel (sometimes referred to as Cook Type) is activated by heat and liquid. It works well with acidic ingredients, tolerates high temperatures, and doesn't cause pie fillings to weep" during storage. It is especially good if canning pie fillings and is the only thickener recommended by the USDA for home canning. You can also use ClearJel to thicken sauces, stews, pot pies, etc. One downside is that recipes thickened with ClearJel break down if they're frozen and thawed.  ClearJel can be substituted in equal parts with tapioca starch, corn starch or arrowroot. Products using ClearJel can be heated twice. Instant ClearJel is often referred to as the secret ingredient in uncooked recipes. It requires no heat, sets up as soon as it comes in contact with liquid, and is not adjustable. Instant ClearJel is used in uncooked fillings, such as mousses or creamy cake or pie fillings. It needs to be mixed with sugar, then with the wet ingredients, and added to the rest of the filling at once. It is particularly good when used with fresh fruit for pie fillings. While Instant ClearJel can be heated, it is not primarily used this way and can only be heated once. One of its best properties is that it can be used when freezing and thawing. Why You'll Want to Make this Pie It's sooo easy to make and beautiful. Fresh strawberries come through in every bite. It uses simple ingredients for the most part. It uses minimal ingredients for maximum flavor. Recipe Ingredients Vanilla Wafer Crust FRONT ROW: Unsalted butter BACK ROW: Vanilla Wafers (Nilla wafers suggested), powdered sugar Strawberry Filling FRONT ROW: Granulated sugar, Instant ClearJel, lemon juice BACK ROW: Fresh strawberries, water Waterproofing the Crust LEFT TO RIGHT: Semisweet chocolate, unsalted butter (white chocolate may be substitued for the dark). Whipped Cream Finish LEFT TO RIGHT: Powdered sugar, heavy cream. Variations Blueberries can be substituted for the strawberries. Mixed berries such as blueberries, red raspberries, strawberries and blackberries can be used. Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients and instruction. Step by Step Instructions Vanilla Wafer Crust I recommend using Nabisco Nilla Wafers because not all vanilla wafers absorb the same amount of butter. If using another brand, withhold part of the butter and add as needed. You may need more or less. Step 1. Add the wafers to the processor bowl. Step 2. Process to form crumbs. Step 3. Add the powdered sugar. Step 4. Pulse to blend completely. Step 5. Add the butter to the crumbs. Step 6. Toss the crumbs and butter with a fork until the crumbs are uniformly coated. Step 7. Pour them into the pie pan, evening them out. Push the crumbs up the side of the pie plate as well as the bottom. Step 8. Press the crumbs firmly in place by hand or using a measuring cup. Bake as noted. Step 9. Place the pie crust on a baking sheet and bake as directed.

This makes it easier and safer to remove from the oven. When it is cool, waterproof the shell with either semisweet or white chocolate melted with a bit of butter and spreading it over the bottom particularly and sides of the shell. This keeps the bottom of the crust from becoming soggy. Chill the shell briefly to set the chocolate while preparing the rest of the recipe. Step 10. Add the Instant ClearJel to the sugar. Step 11. Whisk together. Step 12. Whisk together the lemon juice, water and red food coloring if using. Step 13. Add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients for the filling and mix well. Immediately pour over the strawberries making sure all of them are well coated. Pour the strawberry filling into the crust, evening it out. Step 14. Add the powdered sugar to the cream in a mixing bowl. Step 15. Whip the cream until stiff. Step 16. Fit a piping bag with a #5 open star, fill the bag with the cream and pipe a wreath around the edge of the strawberry pie, leaving the center exposed. Chill the pie until serving. Why is using Instant ClearJel better than cornstarch? First, there is no need to puree strawberries or cook them with the cornstarch. It's one less step. Also, the ClearJel is just that - a see through clear, shiny mixture that envelopes the strawberries for their best look and taste. Can cornstarch be used instead of Instant ClearJel. It can, but that's not this recipe and it won't result in the same clean taste as will ClearJel. Why use red food coloring? Using red food coloring enhances the looks of the strawberries. The Instant ClearJel is transparent and can sometimes be seen surrounding the fruit. However, it is completely optional and the pie looks fine without it. Storage While it's true that recipes made with Instant ClearJel can be frozen, I don't suggest freezing this strawberry pie. The texture and looks of the pie can be altered when thawed. It is best to eat this pie the day it is made. Expert Tips If a food processor isn't available, place the wafers in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin. You may need to do this several times for the amount of the crumbs. Simply stir in sifted powdered sugar, then add the butter as called for. Be sure to waterproof the crust. It can become soggy from the filling which is off-putting. Use either semisweet or white chocolate for the waterproofing. Make sure the pie plate is sprayed with a non-stick baking release or the crust can stick making it difficult to remove. Do not use regular ClearJel which is sometimes referred to as Cook Type to differentiate it from the Instant version. I used Nabisco Nilla Wafers as they are readily available. The amount of butter is geared towards these cookies. Other brands may need more or less butter so I would start with less if using a different brand and increase as needed. More Easy Summer desserts If you love this No Bake Strawberry Pie, It would be hugely helpful and so appreciated it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you. (Almost) No Bake Strawberry Pie Looking for that spectacular summer pie with practically no work?  Well, this No Bake Strawberry Pie is it! Easy, delectable and made in minutes, this will have you out of the kitchen in no time. Vanilla Wafer Crust60 vanilla wafers (215 grams)1/4 cup powdered sugar (30 grams)6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (90 grams)Waterproofing the Crust4 ounces semisweet or white chocolate (114 grams)1 tablespoon unsalted butter or shorteningNo Bake Strawberry Filling6 cups fresh strawberries (2 poundds or 910 grams)3 tablespoons Instant ClearJel1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar (100 to 150 grams)2/3 cup water1/3 cup lemon juiceRed food coloring, optionalWhipped Cream Wreath1 cup heavy cream1/4 cup powdered sugar (35 grams) Vanilla Wafer CrustPreheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9" standard pie plate with a non stick baking release. Set aside.Place the vanilla wafers in the bowl of a food processor.

Process to make crumbs. There should be 2 cups. Add the powdered sugar and pulse to mix in.Remove to a bowl and add the butter tossing with a fork to coat all of the crumbs.Pour into the pie plate and press the crumbs up the side of the plate as well as the bottom. The sides should be a bit thicker than the bottom. Bake for 13 minutes. It will be lightly browned and firm up when cooled. Cool completely.Waterproofing the CrustCombine the white or semisweet chocolate and butter or shortening. Microwave briefly to melt or place over simmering water to melt.Coat the sides and bottom of the crust with the chocolate. Refrigerate until needed.No Bake Strawberry FillingWash and pat the strawberries dry. Remove the tops and cut into bite size pieces. Whisk together the Instant ClearJel and sugar in a large bowl. Mix the water and lemon juice together and add it to the dry ingredients. Add the red food coloring at this point if using. Whisk together and immediately pour over the strawberries. Stir to coat all the strawberries and distribute the liquid ingredients.Pour into the prepared shell and even the filling out. Set aside.Whipped Cream WreathCombine the cream and powdered sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Whip until stiff peaks form.Fit a piping bag with a #5 open star tip and add the cream. Pipe a wreath around the edge of the pie.Refrigerate until serving. This is best served the day it is made. There is always an abundance of photos to guide you in the post above. As always, I recommend using a scale for accuracy and consistency.  Flour, in particular, is difficult to measure by volume.  For my recipes, I use 140 grams per cup of unsifted  all-purpose, bread or whole wheat flour and 125 grams of cake flour. Others may use different weights so use whatever they suggest. ___________________________________________________ If a food processor isn't available, place the wafers in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin. You may need to do this several times for the amount of the crumbs.  Simply stir in sifted powdered sugar, then add the butter as called for. Be sure to waterproof the crust. It can become soggy from the filling which is off-putting. Use either semisweet or white chocolate for the waterproofing. Make sure the pie plate is sprayed with a non-stick baking release or the crust can stick making it difficult to remove. Do not use regular ClearJel which is sometimes referred to as Cook Type to differentiate it from the Instant version. I used Nabisco Nilla Wafers as they are readily available. The amount of butter is geared towards these cookies. Other brands may need more or less butter so I would start with less if using a different brand and increase as needed. Place the pie crust on a rimmed baking sheet to make it easier to remove from the oven when hot.   PieAmericaneasy to make, No Bake Strawberry Pie,, Strawberry Pie

[helenfletcher]

These Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies are loaded with peanuts used three ways for the most peanuty cookie ever! A peanut butter cookie is rolled in peanut sugar and filled with a Reeses type peanut butter filling. These are the perfect end to any meal or as a snack. This easy to make cookie dough makes great cookies by themselves also. The peanut sugar adds a crunch not usually found in peanut butter cookies. In any case, these are a not-to-be-missed cookie. What Kind of Peanut Butter to Use While chunky can be used, a better choice is smooth, commercial peanut butter for both the filling and the cookie. Regular or low fat can be used. Natural or homemade is not the preferred choice here. Why use Bread Flour in the Cookies Bread flour is a stronger flour than all purpose. As, such is makes a chewier cookie. The other thing that helps a lot is to put the prepared dough in the fridge overnight. That allows the cookies to more evenly absorb the liquid. All purpose can be used but bread flour is my preferred choice. To learn more about flours see my post Flour as Used in Baking and The Frustrating Facts about Measuring Flour. Butter, Shortening or Both Unsalted butter is used for flavor. Shortening (think crisco) is used to stop the cookies from spreading too much which is what will happen when all butter is used. There is some controversy over using shortening. Historically Crisco was used as a replacement for. It used partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil which was high in trans fats. Trans fats — also called trans-fatty acids raises bad cholesterol and lowers good cholesterol. From January 24, 2007, all Crisco shortening products were reformulated to contain less than one gram of trans fat per serving.  It no longer uses partially hydrogenated oils which were the problem and now uses only hydrogenated oils which are what gives shortening its semisolid consistency and high performance cooking attributes without the trans fats. While the company touts no trans fats, there is actually .05 grams per serving which allows it to claim there is none.  But it is a much better product than was the original. Used judiciously and in small amounts, I think the benefit is great and use it where no other product is suitable.  Why You'll Love This Recipe This recipe is really easy. Basically the dry ingredients are combined with the wet ingredients, then shaped. These sandwich cookies are the most peanut laden cookies around. The ingredients are probably in your pantry now. Chocolate is added to the filling to intensify the flavor. If there are children around, let them help roll the dough into balls. Recipe Ingredients Peanut Butter Cookie Dough FRONT ROW: Salt, unsalted butter, vanilla, baking soda MIDDLE ROW: Eggs, peanut butter, shortening BACK ROW: Brown sugar, bread flour, granulated sugar Peanut Sugar LEFT TO RIGHT: Salted peanuts, granulated sugar. Chocolate Peanut Butter Filling FRONT ROW: Milk, unsalted butter, vanilla MIDDLE ROW: Peanut butter BACK ROW: Powdered sugar, semisweet chocolate Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients and instructions. Step by Step Instructions Step 1. Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Set aside. Step 2. Add the peanut butter, shortening, butter, both sugars and vanilla to the bowl of a mixer. Step 3. Beat until well combined. Step 4. Add the eggs and beat until blended. It may curdle at this point. If it does, raise the speed of the mixer and continue beating. If that doesn't take care of it, the next step will. Step 5. Add the dry ingredients and mix completely . Step 6. Beat on low until the dough is completely mixed. If resting in the fridge overnight, transfer to a storage container. Step 7. Place the peanuts and granulated sugar in the bowl of a processor. Step 8. Process until the peanuts are finely chopped. Do not over process and turn it to a paste. Step 9. Place the peanut sugar in a bowl.

Add a rounded cookie, scoop up some of the peanut sugar and a peanut butter cookie and roll them around in your hands so the sugar attaches. Step 10. Here are the steps to the final shaping of the cookie. From left to right, the cookie dropped from a #40 disher/scooper (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each). The cookies rolled into balls between your hands. The balls covered in the peanut sugar and finally placed on the parchment then flatted to about 1 1/2 " thick. Bake as called for. Step 11. Place the cookies, 3 apart and 4 down on a half sheet pan. Double pan the cookies to prevent the bottoms from over browning. Step 12. Pair the cookies and arrange them bottom side up. Step 13. Place all of the filling ingredients except the milk in the bowl of a mixer. Step 14. Beat until smooth, adding the milk a bit at a time until the filling pipeable. Step 15. With a 3 5 open star, pipe or spoon the filling onto the bottom of the cookies to within about 1/4"of the edge. Step 16. Place the top cookie on the filling and press down lightly to bring the filling to the edge of the cookies. Recipe FAQS What peanut butter should I use? Commercial creamy works best for these cookies. Natural or homemade not so much. What if I don't have bread flour? All purpose flour can be substituted. Do I have to use the peanut sugar? No, but the cookies will lack the texture of the crunchy peanut sugar. Expert Tips The bread flour is important, but all-purpose can be subbed if necessary. Chilling the dough overnight makes a better cookie. The shortening is important to keep the cookies from spreading excessively when baked. Make sure to pair the cookies before filling for the best looking sandwich cookies. Use salted peanuts for the peanut sugar to give an extra flavor boost. These keep well for days in a covered tin. Cookies You're Sure to Like If you love these Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies, It would be hugely helpful and so appreciated it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you. Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies These Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies are loaded with peanuts used three ways for the most peanuty cookie ever and are the perfect end to an all American barbecue. Peanut Butter Cookies2 1/2 cups bread flour (350 grams)1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup peanut butter (225 grams)1/2 cup unsalted butter (114 grams)1/2 cup shortening (114 grams)3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 grams)3/4 cup brown sugar, light or dark (150 grams)2 teaspoons vanilla2 large eggsPeanut Sugar3/4 cup salted peanuts (100 grams)1/3 cup granulated sugar (65 grams)Chocolate Peanut Butter Filling1 cup peanut butter (225 grams)1/3 cup unsalted butter (75 grams)2 cups powdered sugar (260 grams)5 ounces semisweet chocolate (150 grams)2 teaspoons vanilla4 to 5 tablespoons milk as needed Peanut Butter CookiesPreheat the oven to 350°F if baking immediately.  Line several baking sheets with parchment.  Set aside.Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl.  Set aside.  Beat the peanut butter, butter, shortening, sugars, and vanilla in a mixing bowl until well combined.  Add the eggs and beat well.  It may curdle at some point.  If it does, raise the speed of the mixer and continue beating.  Add the flour and beat until everything is completely combined.Place in a container and refrigerate overnight.When ready to bake, remove from the refrigerator and room temp for about 20 minutes to make the cookies easier to shape.Drop the cookies with a #40 disher/scooper (about 1 1/2 tablespoons). Roll the cookie between your hands into a smooth ball. Roll in the peanut sugar by scooping some of the sugar and the ball and roll between your hands so the sugar adheres to the cookie. Place the balls 3 across and 4 down on a parchment lined baking sheet. These will spread quite a bit. Press the balls down lightly with the palm of your hand to about 1/2" thick. Bake for 13 minutes, turn the sheet and bake for 3 to 4minutes more.

They will be puffy but will fall as they cool. Don't over bake them. They will be crisp after cooling but will soften after filling. Peanut SugarCombine the peanuts and sugar in the bowl of a processor. Process until the peanuts are finely chopped. Remove to a bowl.Chocolate Peanut Butter FillingCombine all but the milk in the bowl of a mixer. Mix until it come together. If too stiff to pipe, add the milk a little at a time. Pair the cookies for size and shape. Place the cookies, bottom side up, keeping the pairs together. With a #5 open star tip, pipe the filling onto the bottom cookie to within about 1/4" of the edge. Place the top cookie on the filling and gently press down to take the filling to the edge. Let the cookies set up and dry for several hours then place them in an airtight tin where they will last for days. There is always an abundance of photos to guide you in the post above. As always, I recommend using a scale for accuracy and consistency.  Flour, in particular, is difficult to measure by volume.  For my recipes, I use 140 grams per cup of unsifted  all-purpose, bread or whole wheat flour and 125 grams of cake flour. Others may use different weights so use whatever they suggest. _________________________________________________ The bread flour is important, but all-purpose can be subbed if necessary. Chilling the dough overnight makes a better cookie. The shortening is important to keep the cookies from spreading excessively when baked. Make sure to pair the cookies before filling for the best looking sandwich cookies. Use salted peanuts for the peanut sugar to give an extra flavor boost. These keep well for days in a covered tin. These can be made smaller by using a smaller disher/scooper.  Reduce the baking time. The cookies can be made without filling and stored in an airtight container for a week before filling. The peanut butter cookies great by themselves. CookiesAmericanPeanut butter cookies, Peanut butter Sandwich Cookie, sandwich cookies

[helenfletcher]

This make ahead, amazingly easy Lemon Strawberry Cake is naturally gluten free which makes it a treat for almost anyone. Despite it's sophisticated look it's really doable. The cake takes minutes in the processor, is liberally soaked in a lemon syrup and the shiny strawberry filling is a juicy, no cook recipe that will enlarge your idea about thickeners. This cake started out as a simple lemon cake soaked in lots of lemon syrup for my gluten free son. When I needed a quick birthday cake, I simply added whipped cream and fresh strawberries set with Instant Clearjel. If you haven't used this before, I can almost guarantee you will use again and again. It is so simple and so much better than cooking them down to hold their shape. I'll show you how in the step-by-step photos. Ingredients that make this gluten free cake Almond flour is the substitute for flour. My favorite brand of almond flour is Blue Diamond Almond Flour which I buy from Amazon. It comes in 3 pound bags which I keep frozen. What I like is that is is finely ground and scoopable. If yours isn't, just run it through a food processor. The xanthan gum provides body and structure in baking to gluten free recipes. I have seen this product in my grocery store. Bob's Red Mill has it as well as other brands. Without it cakes tend to cave in from lack of structure and the overall texture is not the same as with flour. Instant Clearjel is pure magic. There are two kinds of Clearjel. The regular one requires heat to jel but the instant does not. It is mixed with the sugar, water is added and it thickens instantly. Just add the strawberries or other fruit and use as directed. I love using it because fresh fruit retains all of its flavor and color, unlike cooking it to reduce the juices. Products made the instant clearjel can also be frozen. The last ingredient that adds texture to the cake is yellow cornmeal which can be found on grocery shelves. Other strawberry recipes to add to your collection include: Chocolate Strawberry Ruffle Cake, Strawberry Bread, and the simple as can be Chocolate Strawberry Pie. What Makes This So Interesting It's so easy. Yes, there are several parts but each one is simple. For something so easy, it has tons of flavor. The cake can be made ahead including being soaked and frozen to be finished later. The cake, in its entirety can be made a day ahead. A no cook, fresh strawberry topping over whipped cream makes this Lemon Strawberry Cake full fresh flavor. Recipe Ingredients Gluten Free Lemon Cake FRONT ROW: Baking powder, salt, xanthun gum MIDDLE ROW: Butter, eggs, cornmeal BACK ROW: Almond flour, sugar and lemons Lemon Soak FRONT ROW: Unsalted butter BACK ROW: Lemon juice, granulated sugar Strawberries and Cream Topping FRONT ROW: Granulated sugar, Instant Clearjel, red food coloring (optional) and powdered sugar. BACK ROW: Strawberries, water, heavy cream NOTE: Please follow the ingredients on the recipe card as some in the photo are different. Please be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients and instructions. Step by Step Instructions Step 1. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl of the processor. Step 2. Process to combine them. Step 3. Add the softened butter. Step 4. Process until it comes it comes together. Step 5. Add the eggs to the processor bowl. Step 6. Process until it is completely mixed and forms a ring around the blade. Step 7. Remove as much of the batter as possible with a hard plastic spatula to the prepared pan. Step 8. Put the top back o the processor and process briefly. The remainder of the batter stuck to the blade will be flung to the side of the bowl by centrifugal force of the blade going around at high speed. Remove the blade and scrape out the remainder of the batter. For more tips when using the food processor see my post on Food Processor Tips When Baking. Step 9. Spread the batter evenly in the pan. Using a small offset spatula makes this easier.

Step 10. Bake the cake as called for and turn upside down after briefly cooling. Step 11. Place the lemon juice and sugar for the lemon soak in a small saucepan. Step 12. Add the butter. Step 13. Bring the soaking syrup to a hard boil. Step 14. Remove it from the heat and let the bubbling subside.Step 15. Brush it on the cake using it all. It will seem like a lot but it's important. Brush the outer sides of the cake also. Step 16. The cake after all of the the lemon soak has been brushed on. Step 17. Add the instant clearjel to the sugar. Step 18. Add the water and whisk together. Step 19. Add coloring if it is being used. Step 20. Stir in the strawberries. Set aside. Step 21. Add the powdered sugar to the cream in a mixing bowl. Step 22. Whip the cream until stiff. Step 23. Spread half the whipped cream over the cake layer. Step 24. Pile the strawberries about 1 1/2" in from the edge. Fit a piping bag with a #5 open star and pipe a wreath around the edge of the cake to finish it. Recipe FAQS What is Clearjel made of? Instant ClearJel is made of a single ingredient: modified food starch. ClearJel is made from corn that has been ground and processed to sort out specific starches with certain sought-after gelling properties. Is Sure Jell the same as Clearjel? No. Sure jell is based on pectin which is a different type of thickener. What is Xanthan gum made of? Although it sounds like something made in a laboratory it's acutally made from fermented corn sugar that has been broken down by a plant bacteria called Xanthomonas campestri. What remains is dried and turned into a powder known as the food additive xanthan gum. How do you pronounce Xanthan? Zan-thun. As with other words starting with an X,they are pronounced as though the X is a Z. Expert Tips I use the term "softened butter" where others use room temperature because everyones kitchen is not the same temperature. The ideal temp for creaming butter or mixing in is between 72°F and 74°F. This is where the butter and sugar can beat to their fluffiest. As unusual as this seems, slightly underbaking this cake is preferable to overbaking. Make sure to use instant clearjel as the regular will not work here. It seems like a lot of liquid for one layer of cake but it will absorb it all as there is no flour in this cake. Make sure to use the measurements for the clearjel thickener on the recipe card as they are different from the ingredients in the photo. Looking for More Luscious Desserts? If you love this Lemon Strawberry Cake, It would be hugely helpful and so appreciated it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you. Lemon Strawberry Cake This amazing Lemon Strawberry Cake is naturally gluten free which makes it a treat for almost anyone and despite its sophisticated look it's really easy to pull off. Lemon Cake2 large lemons, zested and juiced2 1/2 cups almond flour (250 grams)*3/4 cup yellow cornmeal (115 grams)1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon xanthan gum1/4 teaspoon salt14 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (205 grams)3 large eggsLemon Soaking Syrup1/4 cup fresh lemon juice from above1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)3 tablespoons unsalted butterStrawberry and Cream Topping1 quart strawberries1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 grams)4 teaspoons instant clearjelRed food coloring, optional 1/4 cup cold water1 1/2 cups heavy cream1/3 cup powdered sugar (45 grams) Lemon CakePreheat the oven to 350°F.  Line the bottom of a 9x2” round cake pan with parchment.  Spray the paper and sides of the pan with a non-stick baking release.  Set aside.If not weighing the almond flour, stir and spoon it before lightly spooning it into the cup. I encourage you to weigh for the best results. Zest the two lemons and squeeze the juice for the lemon soak.Combine the almond flour, cornmeal, granulated sugar, baking powder, xanthun gum, salt and lemon zest in the bowl of a processor.

  Process to combine the ingredients and grind the almond flour and cornmeal smaller.  Add the softened butter and process until it comes together.Add the eggs and process until the batter circles the steel blade and the batter is completely mixed..Remove as much of the batter as possible with a hard plastic spatula. Replace the top on the processor and process briefly to sling the batter to the side of the bowl and off the blade. Remove the blade and add the batter to the pan. Smooth the top of the batter.Place the pan on the center rack of the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a tester comes out cleanly. Slightly underbaked is preferable to overbaking. Cool the baked cake in the pan for about 15 minutes. Turn the cake out onto a cooling rack leaving it upside down. Place a piece of waxed paper under the cooling rack. Lemon Soaking SyrupWhile the cake cools in the pan, combine the lemon juice, sugar and butter in a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil and brush or spoon onto the cake, including the sides, using all of it.  Allow the sauce to soak in if it pools or puddles on top.Cool the cake completely.Strawberries and Whipped Cream ToppingWash the strawberries and dry them. Cut them into medium size pieces.  Set aside. Whisk the Instant Clearjel and sugar together in a large bowl.  Whisk in the water.  If using the food coloring, add it now. If the liquid seems overly stiff, add a bit of water to dilute it. Add the strawberries and stir to coat all of them.  Set aside.Combine the whipped cream and powdered sugar in the bowl of a mixer.  Beat until stiff peaks just start to form.  Top the cake with half of the whipped cream.  Place the strawberries about 1 to 1 1/2 inch inside the top edge of the cake.  Place the remainder of the cream in a piping bag fitted with a # 5 open star tip and pipe around the edges of the cake, enclosing the strawberry filling.Refrigerate until serving. This may be made the day before. Remove from the fridge while having dinner or a bit before serving. There is always an abundance of photos to guide you in the post above. As always, I recommend using a scale for accuracy and consistency.  Flour, in particular, is difficult to measure by volume.  For my recipes, I use 140 grams per cup of unsifted  all-purpose, bread or whole wheat flour and 125 grams of cake flour. Others may use different weights so use whatever they suggest. _______________________________________________________ The cake can be made ahead including being soaked and frozen to be finished later. Freeze the cake layer, wrap well in foil and freeze for several months.  Thaw to use. The cake, in its entirety can be made a day ahead. I use the term "softened butter" where others use room temperature because everyones kitchen is not the same temperature. The ideal temp for creaming butter or mixing in is between 72°F and 74°F. This is where the butter and sugar can beat to their fluffiest. As unusual as this seems, slightly underbaking this cake is preferable to overbaking. Make sure to use instant clearjel as the regular will not work here. It seems like a lot of liquid for one layer of cake but it will absorb it all as there is no flour in this cake. Make sure to use the measurements for the clearjel thickener on the recipe card as they are different from the ingredients in the photo.  CakeAmericaneasy to make, lemon cake, Lemon Strawberry Cake

[helenfletcher]

By far and away this is the most flavorful Homemade Pizza Dough I have ever found. It takes minutes to make in the processor, rises in jiffy quick time and makes, pizza and flatbread crusts as well as an outstanding pocket bread discovered by accident. This is a great start for novices and not to be missed by any baker. I wish I could take credit for this wonder but Erin McDowell came up with this recipe. Fine semolina flour is used which gives the crusts their marvelous flavor. To say this is easy is an understatement. Quickly made, this pizza dough rolls out like dream without the spring back that is so noticeable in many yeast doughs. Need some inspiration as to how to top these? See my International Flatbreads featuring Italian, Greek, Southwestern and French toppings. The Summer Vegetable Tart filling works well also. Why You Need To Make this Recipe This is the fastest yeast dough I've ever made. It takes minutes to assemble and make and then just 45 minutes to rise. Despite the fact it rises really fast, the taste of the crusts is outstanding. So many pizza crusts are flavorless carriers of pizza and flatbreads. Not so with this one. The crusts can be frozen and kept at hand in the freezer for really quick work night meals. Just shape and freeze or parbake (my favorite) to make things easier and quicker to make that meal. Homemade Pizza Crust Ingredients FRONT ROW: Instant yeast, olive or canola oil, salt BACK ROW: All-purpose flour, semolina flour, water Fine Semolina Flour is normally used for pasta or couscous in Italian and middle easternrecipes. It is golden colored flour and very high in gluten which also explains the quick rise and increased flavor of the dough. Olive Oil or Canola Oil can be used. Olive oil provides the most taste. Instant Yeast is preferred but active dry yeast is fine also. As a normal practice, instant or active dry, I add it to the liquid ingredients to give it a head start while I prep the rest of the ingredients. I started doing this because I once made a dough where it had all these tiny bumps all over it. I later realized that was undissolved instant yeast. The water should be about 90°F for the best results. Be sure to see the recipe card below for the exact ingredients and instructions. Step by Step Instructions Step 1. Combine the flour, semolina flour, and salt in the bowl of a mixer. Step 2. Combine the water, oil and instant yeast. Step 3. Mix the liquids and yeast together and let it sit for a few minutes. Step 4. Give the liquids a good mix and pour over the flour in the mixing bowl. Step 5. Mix slowly with a dough hook if available until all is moistened. Raise the speed to 3 or 4 or as called for by your mixer and beat for 3 minutes. Remove the dough, place the top of the dough in the bottom of the mixer and mix again for a minute. Step 6. Spray the container in which the dough will rise and set aside. Remove the dough and knead it once or twice to make a smooth ball. Place it in the container and flatten it. Step 7. Cover the dough with plastic wrap. Mark the time on top. Step 8. Let it rise until it has doubled in bulk. Step 9. If using later, deflate the risen dough, recover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Step 10. When ready to use, turn out. Here I have turned it out without deflating because I wanted you to see the dough will rise again in the fridge. Step 11. Shape into a round if rolling out into a circle. Step 12. Shape into an oval if rolling into an oval. Step 13. Roll the oval into a long oblong. I generally divide the dough into 4ths, using one each for the flatbread or pizza crust. It will be thin. However, any amount of dough can be used. If you like a thick crust, divide into 3, thinner, divide into 5 or 6. Step 14. Prick the dough with a fork. After doing several this way, they seem to rise anyway so I guess it doesn't really matter. Step 15.

For a pizza crust, roll a quarter of the dough into circle. Step 16. I discovered that rolling 75 grams of the dough into a 7" round and baking yielded a perfect "pita pocket". After baking, it will be quite high. As you can see it makes a perfect pocket. Recipe FAQS Should pizza or flatbread crusts need to be par baked? Not necessarily but it's a great when topping and finishing baking. By baking the crust halfway through, it only needs to be topped and baked to heat everything through. What does the oil in the pizza dough do? The oil helps the crust roll out easily and also keeps the finished crust moist if using a thick crust. What flour should be used for the crust? All-purpose flour is fine, adding semolina makes it better. Bread flour because of it's higher protein count is ideal. Expert Tips While the type of oil used, olive or canola, is not a big factor, using it is. It adds elasticity to the dough and allows the dough to stretch and not spring back. Semolina flour adds a dimension to this dough that other crusts do not have. However, if you can't find it, substitute all-purpose flour in the same amount. Unbaked or par baked crusts can be frozen. Freeze the crusts until hard and wrap well in foil. They will last for several months. Thaw at room temperature, top and bake. Sea Salt is ideal but table salt can be substituted by reducing it to 1 1/4 teaspoons. Other Interesting Breads If you love this Homemade Pizza Dough, It would be hugely helpful and so appreciated it if you would take a moment to leave a rating below. Thank you. Homemade Pizza Dough By far and away this is the most flavorful Homemade Pizza Dough I have ever found. It takes minutes to make in the processor, rises in jiffy quick time and makes, pizza and flatbread crusts as well as an outstanding pocket bread discovered by accident. This is a great start for novices and not to be missed by any baker. 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (480 grams)1/3 cup semolina flour (60 grams)1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt1/3 cup olive or canola oil1 1/2 cups warm water (90° F) *If using table salt, reduce to 1 1/4 teaspoonsFit the electric mixer with a dough hook if available. Add the all-purpose flour, semolina flour and salt to the bowl. Mix the water, oil and yeast together. Let sit for a few minutes. Add it to the flour mixture. Mix on low to moisten the flour. Raise the speed of the mixer to 3 or 4 as your mixer suggests and beat for 3 minutes. Stop the mixer and remove the dough. Turn the topside of the dough to the bottom of the mixer and mix for another minute. Spray a container at least twice the size of the dough with a non-stick baking release. Set aside.Remove the dough from the mixer and knead several times. Shape into a round ball. Place it in the sprayed container. Cover with plastic wrap and place the top on the container. Let rise for about 45 to 60 minutes until doubled. Use immediately or place in the fridge up to 3 days.Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place the oven rack on the lowest rung. Divide the dough into 4 pieces about 230 grams each. For flatbreads roll into a 12" x 6" oval. For pizza crusts roll into a 10" round. Do not let them rise. To par bake, place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for about 8 to 10 minutes. They most likely will have some really puffed up areas. They should only be about half baked and without much color. Immediately cover with a folded tea towel until cooled. This keeps the crusts pliable. If they are still puffed up, gently deflate them so the crust is even.These can be cooled, wrapped well in foil and frozen for several months. To use, position the oven rack in the middle. Simply top them as desired, finish with cheese and bake in a 400°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes. If the crusts are frozen when thawed, add addtional time. Additional sizes are 6 crusts at 155 grams each for 10" x 5" ovals or 8" crusts. 200 grams makes a 12" crust. Last but certainly not least use 75 grams rolled into 6" rounds to make the "pita pockets" .

There is always an abundance of photos to guide you in the post above. As always, I recommend using a scale for accuracy and consistency.  Flour, in particular, is difficult to measure by volume.  For my recipes, I use 140 grams per cup of unsifted  all-purpose, bread or whole wheat flour and 125 grams of cake flour. Others may use different weights so use whatever they suggest. ___________________________________________________________ This is the fastest yeast dough I've ever made. It takes minutes to assemble and make and then just 45 minutes to rise. Despite the fact it rises really fast, the taste of the crusts is outstanding. So many pizza crusts are flavorless carriers of pizza and flatbreads. Not so with this one. The crusts can be frozen and kept at hand in the freezer for really quick work night meals. Just shape and freeze or parbake (my favorite) to make things easier and quicker to make. Wrap well in foil. They will last for several months. Thaw at room temperature, top and bake.  While the type of oil used, olive or canola, is not a big factor, using it is. It adds elasticity to the dough and allows the dough to stretch and not spring back when rolled. Semolina flour adds a dimension to this dough that other crusts do not have. You are looking for fine ground.  However, if you can't find it, substitute all-purpose flour in the same amount.  Semolina flour can be found in Italian markets, Bob's Red Mill is the brand often found in grocery stores and, of course, Amazon. Sea Salt is ideal but table salt can be substituted by reducing it to 1 1/4 teaspoons.   PizzaAmericanFlatbread crust, Homemade Pizza Crust, pizza