Showing posts with label Dessert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dessert. Show all posts

Monday, October 12, 2026

Almond and Orange Seed Cake With Berries And Greek Yogurt. ~. Vegetarian

Orange And Almond Seed Cake 
With Berries And Greek Yogurt
Add more plant varieties to your day in the most delicious way, with a slice of vegetarian cake.Ingredients:150ml / 5/8 cup olive oil, plus extra for greasing2 oranges, scrubbed, zest of 1, juice of both1 unwaxed lemon, zest and juice3 medium free range eggs100g light brown sugar150g ground almonds75g polenta1 tsp baking powder2 tsp ground cinnamon25g chia seeds25g poppy seeds1 tbsp flaked almonds2 sprig/s rosemary, leaves only200g raspberries200g strawberries, hulled and halved100g blueberries, to serve2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, to serve200g Low Fat Greek Style Yogurt, to serveDirections:Preheat the oven to 170ºC, gas mark 3, then oil a 20cm loose-bottomed, deep round cake tin and line the base with baking parchment. Mix the orange and lemon juices together and set aside. Whisk the eggs with the sugar until pale, then gradually whisk in the oil and continue whisking for 2 minutes.
Fold in the ground almonds, polenta, baking powder, cinnamon, chia and poppy seeds and citrus zests with 3 tbsp juice until evenly combined. Pour into the prepared tin. Scatter with the flaked almonds and rosemary.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, until risen, golden and a skewer emerges clean when inserted into the centre. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then pour the remaining citrus juice over the top and leave to cool slightly. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 
Mix the fruit and vinegar together, then serve the cake in slices with the fruit and yogurt. 
Cook’s tip:  Vary the seeds – use caraway or sunflower, instead of, or as well as, poppy seeds. The cake is best left for at least 24 hours before cutting to let the flavors develop. It keeps well in a tin for up to 5 days. Try the fruit by itself, with fresh mint, as a quick and different fruit salad.

Friday, September 25, 2026

Individual Apple Duffs With Molasses Caramel Sauce


Individual Apple Duffs With Molasses Carmel Sauce
This scrumptious dessert is a spin on Newfoundland's classic figgy duff, a bread like, raisin studded boiled dessert.  Individual-sized puddings are cooked in a water bath resulting in a moist, tender mixture.  Served warm, they are drizzled with a rich molasses-kissed caramel sauce and sprinkled with toasted nuts for crunch.
Ingredients:
Apple Duffs:
2 1/2 cups AP flour
2/3 cup sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup salted butter, melted
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 medium unpeeled Royal Gala apple, halved and cored
Molasses Caramel Sauce:
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon fancy grade molasses
1/4 cup salted butter
Chopped toasted pecans or walnuts and
Flaky sea salt for serving (optional)
Directions:
Set rack in middle of oven. Preheat to 350*F.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Lightly grease a 12 cup muffin tin.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar cinnamon, baking powder, and salt until combined.  Stir butter, milk, and vanilla into dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.  Divide mixture between prepared muffin cups.  Using a spoon lightly press down to spread dough to edges and level.

Using a mandolin, thinly slice apple halves.  Insert apple slices along one side of duffs. skin side up, tucked between dough and edge of pan, until all apple slices are used up.   Makes 12 cakes

Set muffin pan in a large deep roasting pan .  Edges of roasting must be higher than muffin pan.  Slowly pour hot water onto roasting pan, being careful not to splash water onto dough.  Add enough water to come halfway up the muffin pan.  Tightly cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil.  Cut a few slits in the top to vent.  Carefully place pan on middle rack.  Bake until puddings are puffed and a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 40 minutes.  Remove muffin pans from water bath and set on cooling rack.  Cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

While duffs are baking make the caramel sauce by stirring sugar, cream, molasses and butter, in a medium saucepan.  Place over medium heat and cook until butter is melted and mixture is combined.  Bring to a boil and cook until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.  Scrape mixture into a bowl-- it will thicken as it cools.

To serve, carefully lift duffs out of muffin cups and place on individual cups and place on Individual plates.  Spoon sauce over still warm cakes and sprinkle with nuts and flaky salt if using.  Makes 12 duffs.


Friday, September 11, 2026

Dubai-Style Chocolate & Pistachio Tart

Dubai-Style Chocolate & Pistachio Tart
The Dubai chocolate bar is a pistachio and chocolate confection that’s been one of the biggest viral hits of 2025, and made this combination of flavors one of the hottest food trends around. Try the pairing in this indulgent dessert from the development & innovation chef Will Torrent. Serves 8
Ingredients:
For the pastry
75g pistachio kernels                                    2/3 cup
125g caster sugar                                          2/3 cup
300g plain flour, plus a little for dusting      2 1/2 cup +
225g Butter with Sea Salt Crystals, cold     1 cup
1 medium Egg
For the pistachio layer
70g Nestlé Shredded Wheat                        1 1/2 cup
Pinch sea salt flakes
200g Creamy Pistachio Spread                   5/8 cup
1½ tsp vegetable oil
For the ganache
150ml whipping cream  5/8 cup or       1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon
25g No.1 French Butter with Sea Salt Crystals.       2 Tablespoons
2 x 100g packs No.1 Dark Chocolate 65%.   1.14 cups or 1cup + 1 T 
75g No.1 Milk Chocolate 49%                       3/8 cup
25g pistachio kernels, chopped                       1/4 cup
Directions:
Make the Pastry by grinding the pistachio kernels in a food processor until fine. Take care not to overwork them!  Pulse in the sugar and flour. Add the cold butter in cubes, then pulse until the mix resembles fine crumbs. Beat the egg and pulse into the crumbs until a dough forms, adding 1 tbsp water if required to help it come together. Shape into a disc, wrap and chill for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight.

On a work surface dusted with flour, roll the pastry out to about 0.5cm thickness and large enough to line a 23cm loose-bottomed fluted tart tin with some excess. Prick the base with a fork, then chill for 30 minutes, or until firm.

Preheat the oven to 190ºC, (375F) gas mark 5. Line the pastry with baking parchment, fill with baking beans, then bake for 15 minutes until the pastry is pale and set. Remove the beans and paper, then cook for 5-10 minutes more, until the edges are golden. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely. Using a sharp knife, carefully trim any excess pastry from the edges and top of the tin.

Using your hands, crush the Shredded Wheat and salt into a large bowl. Mix in the pistachio spread, then gradually add the oil to loosen slightly. Spread over the base of the cooled pastry case, then set aside.

For the Ganache, warm the cream and butter in a small saucepan over a low heat. Meanwhile, finely chop all the chocolate and put into a separate bowl. Pour the cream mix over the top into the centre of the chocolate bowl, then leave for 1 minute to rest in the warm cream. 

Stir with a spatula from the middle to gently mix together until smooth, melted and combined. Pour over the pistachio layer, then swirl attractively from the centre. Sprinkle the chopped pistachios around the edge of the tart.

Chill for 1-2 hours, then remove from the fridge 20 minutes before serving. A spoonful of crème fraîche or Greek yogurt to cut through the richness of the tart makes a tasty addition, if liked, as do some raspberries on the side.

Cook’s tip
If the ganache seems a little split, add about 1 tbsp cold milk, then whisk thoroughly to bring it together again.
Recipe from Waitrose Grocery Market,  London England

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Pistachio Torte

 
Pistachio Torte
Adapted from Chez Panisse Desserts by Lindsey Shere
This is a version of a recipe that has been in the repertoire of the Chez Panisse pastry kitchen for decades. It was developed in the tradition of European torten, a family of cakes based on ground nuts and containing little flour or other fat. This cake may be prepared ahead and kept at room temperature for a few hours, but it is best served the day it is made.

Ingredients
Cake
11/2 cups pistachios, shelled
1/4 cup cake flour
7 egg whites
6 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar, granulated
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon orange rind, finely grated
1 teaspoon orange flower water
Topping
1 cup shelled pistachios
6 tablespoons apricot jam, heated and strained
1/4 teaspoon orange flower water
Pinch of salt
Citrus Compote
2 oranges
6 –7 kumquats
A few drops of orange flower water
Vanilla whipped cream, not too stiff

Directions:
For the nicest possible green color in the finished cake, blanching the pistachios, or removing their inner dark-colored seed coat, is a necessary step. Bring a small pot of water to a boil and add a handful of nuts at a time. Once water returns to a boil, remove nuts with a slotted spoon and rub off seed coat. Dry nuts on a towel, then transfer to a baking sheet and toast in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes; don't let them brown. Prepare nuts for both the cake (1 1/2 cups) and the topping (1 cup) at the same time.

Butter a 9-inch springform pan; line bottom with a circle of parchment; butter the parchment and dredge with flour, tapping the pan to shake out excess.

Heat the oven to 325°F.

Using a food processor, grind 1 1/2 cups of prepared nuts with flour to a fine meal. In a small bowl, beat egg yolks with half of the sugar until thick and lightened in color. In a large bowl, beat egg whites with salt and cream of tartar into stiff peaks; slowly beat in remaining sugar until they hold stiff peaks again.

Drizzle egg yolk mixture into the bowl with egg whites; grate orange rind over yolk mixture; and drizzle in the orange flower water. 

Sprinkle in 1/4 of pistachio-flour mixture and partially fold everything together. Add another 1/4 of nut mixture and partially fold in; continue until all the nuts are used and the batter is just uniform. Gently scrape batter into prepared pan. 
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until cake is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove pan and cool completely on a rack.
Topping, 
Chop 1 cup of nuts carefully into about 1/8-inch chunks. Stir orange flower water and salt into the warm jam and paint the top and sides of the cooled cake. Pat chopped pistachios into the jam in an even layer.
Citrus Compote, 
Finely grate the zest of one orange into a bowl. Using a small, sharp knife, peel the oranges and release the sections from their membranes into the bowl with the zest, squeezing all juice from the membranes. 
Trim stem ends of kumquats, and slice thinly, discarding seeds as you go. Stir kumquats and a very few drops of orange flower water into the oranges.
Serve slices of cake with a spoonful of the citrus compote on the side and a dollop of softly whipped cream on top.

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Rose Farm Lemon Cake

Rose Farm lemon cake recipe using lemons picked from their citrus trees is baked fresh the night before for guests in a rose shaped bundt pan.
Ingredients:
Cake Mix
3 cups flour, sifted
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons fresh grated lemon rind zest, packed
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Lemon Glaze Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh grated lemon rind, packed
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Directions:
Cream 1 cup of butter until light and fluffy. Slowly add 2 cups 
sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy. Blend in 3 eggs, 
one at a time.

Sift together 3 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 
teaspoon of salt. Add the flour mixture alternately with 1 cup buttermilk to the creamed mixture, beating after each addition.

Mix in 2 tablespoons of fresh grated lemon rind and 2 tablespoon 
fresh lemon juice. Pour batter into greased and floured bundt pan.

Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

To prepare the glaze, blend together 2 tablespoons butter, softened with 1 cup powdered sugar and lemon zest.  Add up to 2 tablespoons lemon juice stirring to desired consistency.  

Or sifted powdered sugar sprinkled atop cooled cake. also is very pretty.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Roasted Hazelnut Creme Brûlée

                                                  
Roasted Hazelnut Crème Brulée
This recipe is finished with a classic bronzed sugar topping. Crack it open joyfully at the table to reveal the luxurious custard below. Combining the chocolate spread with warmed cream adds a caramelized sugar and toasted hazelnut flavor. 
* Create the topping with an Air Fryer. Set the temp at 400*F with a careful eye.
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup double cream
3/4 cup whole milk
5 medium free range egg yolks
1/4 cup caster sugar, plus 2 tbsp for topping
1/3 cup Nutella Spread
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 300*F. Heat the cream and milk together in a saucepan until almost boiling. Remove from the heat and set aside for 10 minutes. 

Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar together, then mix in the Nutella spread until combined. Gradually whisk in the cream and milk mixture, then pour into 3 oz small ramekins. 

Place the ramekins into a roasting tin and pour enough cold water into the tray to come two-thirds of the way up their sides. Carefully put the roasting tin in the oven and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until just set with a little wobble, then leave in the turned-off oven with the door ajar to cool for 2 hours and set.

Preheat the broiler to high. Put the ramekins onto a baking tray, then sprinkle 1 tsp caster sugar in an even layer over each brulée. Broil – or use a blowtorch – until the sugar melts and caramelized to a golden brown colour, 2-4 minutes. Leave to cool until the sugar has set, then serve immediately.  Or use your Air Fryer at 400*F. with a watchful eye.


Monday, June 1, 2026

Almond Croissant Blondies

                                          

Almond Croissant Blondies

This almond croissant blondies recipe combines the buttery,
chewy blondie bar experience with the almond croissant flavors.
Ingredients:
Blondies
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup lt. brown sugar packed
1 large egg at room temp
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup almond flour
1/2 cup sliced almond
Powdered sugar for dusting
Frangipane
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon orange zest optional but helps elevate the croissant 
   blondies
2/3 cup almond flour
pinch of salt
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350*F.  Line an 8X8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.

Frangipane,
Cream the butter and white sugar together. 

Mix in the egg yolk and orange zest, vanilla extract, and almond extract together.

Fold the almond flour and salt until a paste forms.  Set aside.

Blondies:
In a large bowl, mix the softened butter and brown sugar until well combined.  Add the egg and vanilla extract.  Mix until smooth.

Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and almond flour, and stir just until smooth.  Do not over mix.

Spread the batter into the prepared baking pan.  Top with the frangipane then swirl with a wooden skewer.  Top with sliced almonds.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is slightly firm.  Allow the blondies to cool in pan before dusting with powdered sugar and slicing into 16  2"x 2" squares. 












Monday, April 20, 2026

Key Lime Pie

Key Lime Pie
This classic key lime pie recipe follows the traditional technique of not baking the filling. The acidity in the lime juice cooks the eggs as the fillings chill. Pasteurized egg yolks are best for this recipe, but if fresh eggs are used bake the pie at 325ºF (160ºC) for 30 minutes to set the eggs.
Ingredients:
Crust
3 cups (750 mL) chocolate cookie crumbs 
1 cup (250 mL) sweetened coconut 
½ tsp (2 mL) fine salt 
¾ cup (175 mL) unsalted butter
Filling
Two 300 mL tins condensed milk 
12 pasteurized egg yolks 
1½ cups (375 mL) fresh lime juice 
4½ tsp (22 mL) lime zest
Candied Lime Slices
2 limes 
1 cup (250 mL) sugar 
1 cup (250 mL) water 
Sugar for sprinkling
Directions:
Crust, preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC).

Combine chocolate cookie crumbs, coconut and salt. Stir in melted butter and blend to an even, crumbly texture. Press crust into an ungreased 9-inch (23-cm) springform pan. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, until coconut browns. Allow to cool.

Filling, whisk together all ingredients until smooth and pour into baked pie shell. Chill for at least 4 hours before slicing.

Candied Lime Slices; slice limes into thin rounds Blanch first in a pot of boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain. In a saucepan, combine sugar and water, bring up to a simmer and add lime slices. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until white pith of limes looks translucent. Drain and spread out on a cooling rack over a baking tray to dry for about an hour. Coat limes with sugar and store in an airtight container, layered between parchment or plastic until ready to use.

Top cake with candied lime slices and serve.  Serves 10 to 12

Monday, March 16, 2026

Banana Biscoff Pudding

Banana Biscoff Pudding
Popularized by New York City’s Magnolia Bakery, banana pudding traditionally encompasses layers of vanilla pudding, fresh bananas, whipped cream and vanilla wafers. In our decadent spin, we’ve made a banana pudding enriched with brown butter, swapped out wafers for Biscoff cookies and subbed in sour cream for whipped cream. If you prepare the pudding element in advance, the rest comes together in a snap.  Serves 6 
Ingredients:
3 ripe bananas, divided
1/4 cup (60 mL) unsalted butter
2 cups (500 mL) whole milk
3 egg yolks
1 egg
1/4 cup (60 mL) cornstarch
1/2 cup (125 mL) sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
3/4 cup (175 mL) heavy cream
1/4 cup (60 mL) full-fat sour cream
3 tbsp (45 mL) icing sugar
18 Biscoff cookies
Directions:
Peel and slice 1 banana into 1/2-inch- (1-cm-) thick coins. Heat
butter in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. When melted,
add sliced banana. Cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon to
ensure nothing sticks, until caramelized and fragrant, about 7 minutes. Add milk and stir until hot—do not let boil. Remove from heat. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth.

In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk yolks, egg, cornstarch,
sugar, vanilla and salt until smooth. Slowly stream 1/2 cup (125 mL) hot milk mixture into the egg mixture while vigorously whisking. Repeat with another 1/2 cup (125 mL) milk mixture, then whisk egg mixture into pot with remaining milk mixture.

Return pot to medium heat. Whisk gently but constantly until
mixture thickens to a pudding-like consistency, 5 to 6 minutes. Pass
through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding any solids.

Place a piece of plastic wrap against surface of pudding. Cool 30
minutes then refrigerate until completely cool—about 3 hours, or up
to 3 days in advance.

When ready to serve, peel and slice remaining 2 bananas into 1/2-inch- (1-cm-) thick coins.

Place heavy cream, sour cream and icing sugar in bowl of a stand
mixer with whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high until stiff peaks
form, about 3 minutes.

Break cookies into 1/2-inch (1-cm) pieces, reserving any crumbs.

Place 2 tbsp (30 mL) pudding into six 8-oz parfait glasses, or other
glass of choice. Layer bananas, cookie pieces and cream mixture on
top, so you have two layers of each and saving six slices of banana to
garnish top along with cookie crumbs. Serve immediately or
refrigerate up to 1 hour in advance.    Serves 6

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Hot Fudge Rye Pudding.Cake

                               Hot Fudge Rye Pudding Cake                                                                                        For this magical cake, the sauce is poured over the batter before baking. In the oven, they switch places, creating moist chocolate cake floating in rich chocolate sauce. The maltiness of rye flour works well with chocolate, while the whisky brings its caramel sweetness.  Serves 8 to 10.

Ingredients:

Sauce
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 mL) fine sea salt
1 cup (250 mL) water
1/2 cup (125 mL) heavy cream
1/4 cup (60 mL) unsalted butter, diced
1/3 cup (80 mL) rye whisky

Cake
1 1/4 cups (310 mL) medium rye flour (see TIP) 
1/2 cup (125 mL) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking soda
1 tsp (5 mL) fine sea salt
1 cup (250 mL) 2% milk
1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup (60 mL) rye whisky
1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing pan
3/4 cup (175 mL) sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature                                        
1 teaspoon (5ml) fine sea salt                                                         1 cup (250 mL) 2% milk                                                     1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract                                                   1/4 cup (60 mL) rye whisky                                                     1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing pan                                                                           3/4 cup (175 mL) sugar                                                         2 large eggs, at room temperature

Ice cream of choice to serve


Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Butter a metal 8-inch (20-cm) square baking dish.


For the sauce, combine sugar, cocoa and salt together in a medium-size pot. Whisk in water then heavy cream until smooth. Add butter and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, whisking often. Remove from heat and whisk in whisky. Set aside.


For the cake, whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium-size bowl until combined. Set aside. In another bowl, mix milk, vanilla and whisky. Set aside.


 In a stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes; stop and scrape down sides of bowl at least once. Reduce speed to low and add eggs one at a time. Gradually add half the flour mixture then slowly add half the milk mixture until just combined. Stop and scrape down bowl. Repeat with remaining flour and milk mixtures.


Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Place baking dish on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Carefully pour sauce over a large spoon over cake batter to help distribute it evenly.


Bake on middle rack until cake looks dry on top and bounces back to touch with sauce bubbling around edges, 35 to 40 minutes. Carefully remove from oven.


Cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Plate cake slice first then spoon sauce generously overtop. Serve with ice cream or Whisky Whipped Cream (recipe follows).  Serves 8 to 10