Category: DESSERTS

BAKING PARTNERS – Tomato, Thyme, Sage and Double Cheese Tart

This month we are making savory tart and scones. I agree that we are on  sugar over load for last few months and we badly need something more savory.

These recipes  are suggested and tried and tested by Archana of The Mad Scientist’s Kitchen.


Tomato, Thyme, Sage and Double Cheese Tart
Serves 4
Time needed: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Recipe Source: BBC Good Food issue Mar’14


The original recipe called for mustard which I had to eliminate so I could continue living.
 
For the Pastry:
3 cups all purpose flour, sifted
2/3 cup butter, Chilled and diced
1/3 cup grated gruyere
1 large pinch red chilli powder (I used about ½ tsp)
½ teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoons pepper
10 tablespoons water, chilled


For the Filling:
2 cups cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoon olive oil (I used Avocado oil)
¼ teaspoon salt
A pinch pepper
1 ½ tsp mustard
1/2 cup grated gruyere
1 ½ tablespoon thyme
1 ½ tablespoon sage (I used 2 teaspoons)

Method:
  • Preheat the oven to 190°C. 
  • Halve the tomatoes and transfer to a tray. 
  • Drizzle with the oil and season with salt and pepper. 
  • Bake for 10 minutes. Cool.


To make the pastry:

  • Add flour to a big bowl.
  • Add the butter gradually and knead with your fingertips till the flour resembles bread crumbs. 
  • Blend in the cheese and chilli powder. 
  • Mix the salt and pepper. 
  • With the chilled water bring the dough together. 
  • Wrap in saran and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. 
  • Line a rectangular tin with foil. Set aside. 
  • Roll out the pastry line it in the tin. 
  • Using a fork make holes in the pastry at regular intervals. This prevents the pastry from puffing up. 
  • Now smooth a parchment paper or foil on top of the pastry and add beans.  
  • Blind bake at 200°C for 15 minutes. Take out the paper/foil and cook for another 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

To assemble:
  • Mix the mustard and cheese. 
  • Spread over the tart. 
  • Place the tomatoes on top and sprinkle with thyme and sage mixture. 
  • Bake @ 180°C for 40 minutes then at 220°for 15 minutes. 
  • Remove the tin from the oven to a wire rack.
  • Let it cool for 10 minutes. 
  • To remove from pan lift the entire tart to by just lifting the foil. 
  • Let it cool on a wire rack. 
  • Cut in desired sizes and serve warm.


Cheddar and Sage Scones
Makes 8
Time needed: 45 minutes
Recipe Source: bbcgoodfood.com
  


NOTES:

The original recipe asked for fresh sage 10 leaves, 2 chopped fine and rest whole. I used dried sage and reduced it – A LOT. We’re not very fond of sage around here. The original recipe says baking time is 12-14 minutes I need 20. 

Also you can roll the dough out in a square then cut it in quarters then the quarter in can be cut diagonally to get 8 triangles. I suggest you shape out the dough in the tin or the tray you will be baking the scones in so they don’t go wonky as you transfer them.
1 cup self rising flour + extra for dusting
1 ½ tsp english mustard powder also omitted so I can continue living!
A pinch salt
A pinch pepper
1/4 cup butter, chilled and cubed
1 cup grated cheddar
1 tablespoon dried Sage + ½ tablespoon
6 3/4 tablespoons curds*
3 1/3 tablespoons water*
1 tablespoon oil, for greasing
*I used  5 ounces of buttermilk


Method: 
  • Preheat oven to 220°C. 
  • Grease and flour the baking tin. 
  • Whip the curds and measure.  Adjust the water and whip it to get a smooth mixture. This will give you 150ml of buttermilk. 
  • Set aside 1 teaspoon of buttermilk. This is for brushing on the scones. 
  • Mix flour, mustard powder, salt, pepper in a bowl. 
  • Blend butter till the mixture resembles fine crumbs. 
  • Stir in ½ the cheese and 1 tablespoon sage. 
  • Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the buttermilk.
  • Quickly stir and mix well till the mixture forms soft and spongy dough. 
  • Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead to get smooth dough.  
  • Roll in to 3 cms thick circle.  Cut in quarters then the quarters again to get 8 sectors. 
  • Transfer to a baking tin. 
  • Brush the remaining buttermilk. 
  • Sprinkle the remaining cheese and top with sage. 
  • Bake for 20 minutes until they are well risen, golden and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. 
  • Serve warm with butter.

BROWN SUGAR CRUMB CAKE

BROWN SUGAR CRUMB CAKE
CAKE
1/2 cups flour, sifted
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 JUMBO egg
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Prepare baking dish with cooking spray and a light flour dusting.
  • Sift together dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
  • In a large mixing bowl whisk together the milk, egg and vanilla until well blended.
  • Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients JUST until combined. DO NOT OVER MIX!
  • Spread batter into pan.

TOPPING
1 1/4 cup flour, sifted
1 cup packed dark brown sugar**
2 teaspoons cinnamon, sifted
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

  • In a medium bowl sift together the dry ingredients.
  • Pour melted butter over dry ingredients and stir gently until crumbs form.
  • Sprinkle the crumbs over the batter.
  • Use a knife to swirl some of the crumb mixture down into the cake.
  • Bake 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
**With the move coming up I’m not replacing food and I was OUT of brown sugar!  Then I remembered I had cut out an article on making your own brown sugar.  I have to say that in the future I may always make my own brown sugar – the flavor was so deep and rich.
HOMEMADE BROWN SUGAR
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon Grandma’s molasses for light brown sugar 
2 tablespoons Grandma’s molasses for dark brown sugar

Combine together in a large mixing bowl starting with a low speed and gradually increasing until well blended.  This can take as long as 10 minutes.

CHOCOLATE GLAZED CHEESECAKE GINGER BARS

I tried a new cooking method and wasn’t happy with it so these are not great pictures this week, but that sure doesn’t affect the taste. Hubby has already eaten half of them. I wrote the recipe here like I normally do it.

CRUST
2 1/2 cups ginger snap crumbs
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
PURE
FILLING
2 large eggs
2~8 ounce softened cream cheese
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1/3 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 can sweetened condensed milk
optional: 3 Tablespoons dutch cocoa~using this makes them very rich!
GLAZE
6 tablespoons butter
1 cup milk chocolate chips

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Generously spray 9×13 pan with PURE
  • Finely grind gingersnaps in food processor. Add melted butter and pulse until evenly mixed. Press into bottom of pan. Bake 1 minutes and then cool 5 minutes before filling.
  • Sprinkle gelatin over milk and mix well. Beat together softened cream cheese, eggs, salt and gelatin mixture at medium speed until smooth.
  • Pour sweetened condensed milk into a tall bowl and microwave for 3 minutes in 3 minute increments. Allow to cool slightly. Fold in sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
  • Pour over cooled crust.
  • Bake 45 minutes or until center is set.
  • Cool on rack 2 hours.
  • After 2 hours, melt butter and chocolate chips together until smooth. Pour over cheesecake layer. Chill overnight before serving.

With a thin knife cut into squares. Be sure and wipe knife clean after each cut.

SOUR CREAM MEATLOAF, COUNTRY BOB’S INCREDIBLE EDIBLE FUDGE and an Original Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce Product Review

Back in 2009 I was contacted by a nice man from Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce and asked if I would be interested in doing a product review. I said I’d love to. In just 2 days time a box was on my stoop with bottles of sauce and recipe brochures. I had this little niggling in my brain though. I could not figure out why the name of this sauce sounded so familiar. I tried to find the sauce locally and failed until I finally found it at a Walmart store 30 miles away. You have to remember I live rurally for the moment. That is when it occurred to me where I had heard the name before. I had won a cookbook awhile back over at Forgetfulone, but was never able to prepare any of the recipes because I couldn’t find the sauce.
As you can see from all the slips of paper sticking out of the top of the book I had marked a multitude of recipes to try and now I finally can. I found 2 meatloaf recipes, 1 from the brochure which is extremely similar to hubby’s favorite one that I have made for years and years and a sour cream recipe from the book that I decided to try. In the end the recipe I made was a combination of both recipes and hubby all but licked his plate. He kept telling me to find out where to get more of this sauce. He even put it on his mashed potatoes and thought that was just scrumptious. Normally he would use ketchup on his meatloaf, but tonight he used Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce. He decided Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce is our new ketchup.

The true test came when I made dessert with the sauce. It was the most unusual group of ingredients I had ever mixed together. I have to admit I had my doubts that we were going to like this recipe, but I also thought it would be a good test of the versatility of an all purpose sauce.
All I can say is that I was sooooooooooooooooo pleasantly surprised by the flavor. Hubby can’t say anything, he’s too busy licking the bowl. You have to try Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce and start with this fudge recipe.
Justify Full

One of the greatest things about this recipe besides the awesome flavor is the consistency. How many times have you made fudge and weren’t sure it would set up okay or it turned out dry? That will never happen with this recipe. This recipe is truly foolproof.

COUNTRY BOB’S INCREDIBLE FUDGE
12 ounces Velveeta cheese*
2 sticks butter
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce
2 pounds powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (optional)**

  • In a microwave safe bowl combine the Velveeta, butter, Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce and chocolate. Microwave on high 2-4 minutes, stirring every minute until mixture is smooth and well blended.
  • Pour the powdered sugar into a large mixing bowl. Add the chocolate mixture gradaully while beating with an electric mixture until well blended.
  • Beat in the vanilla.
  • Stir in the nuts.
  • Pour into a greased 9×13 pan.
  • Cover and chill until firm.
  • Store in the refrigerator.

*When I made a second batch of this recipe. it worked better cubed before microwaving
**I exchanged this for Heath Bar bits and loved it

COUNTRY BOB’S SOUR CREAM MEATLOAF ala TAMY
3 pounds ground beef
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/2 cup + Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce
1 sleeve crushed saltines
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon white pepper

  • Mix all together.
  • Pour additional sauce over the top.
  • Bake 1 1/2 hours.
  • Pour off any excess moisture.
  • Let stand 5-10 minutes.
  • Serve.
♥♥final blog signature. ♥♥

ALMOND WALNUT DANISH

ALMOND WALNUT DANISH
1 cup butter
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups warm water
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons yeast
4 eggs, beaten
7 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup + walnut crumbles

  • In a saucepan melt butter.
  • Add milk and water whisking until smooth consistency and JUST boiling.
  • Cool 5-10 minutes so you don’t kill the yeast.
  • Add the sugar, salt and yeast to form a sponge like blob.
  • Add the eggs until uniform consistency.
  • In a mixer with a dough hook attached, combine flour and yeast mixture.
  • Knead well. Put in refrigerator for at least several hours, but overnight is better.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Roll a ball of dough the size of a golf ball into a rope and coil into a circle. Make sure the center is thinner than the outer edges to hold the filling in. Sometimes I prefer squares, but you just have to work with your dough after you have it coiled.
  • Fill with a heaping tablespoon of filling per danish (recipe below).
  • Let rise an hour in a warm place.
  • Bake 15 minutes.
  • Frost with drizzle.

ALMOND DRIZZLE
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoons butter, melted

  • Whisk together butter, milk, almond extract and orange peel until well blended.
  • Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until desired consistency.
  • Drizzle all over danish, sprinkling with walnut pieces.

BANANA PINEAPPLE RAISIN NUT BREAD

BANANA RAISIN NUT BREAD OR CAKE
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, 1/2 soft & 1/2 melted
2 jumbo eggs
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 cup golden raisins, currants or craisins
1/2 cup crushed walnuts
2 large, RIPE bananas
1 small can pineapple, well drained BUT RESERVED
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • Combine the melted butter, brown sugar and bananas in a sauce pan.
  • Cook until smooth and then add pineapple, nuts and raisins.
  • Stir until well coated & set aside to cool.
  • Cream softened butter, sugar and eggs until fluffy.
  • Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.
  • Add this to the creamed mixture gradually until well blended.
  • Add cooled banana mixture.
  • Pour into greased and floured pan(s)*
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 45+ minutes.

*This recipe will make 2 large loaves or 1 cake. If making bread, skip the frosting.









FROSTING
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
juice of 1 small lemon
1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

  • In a medium bowl beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  • Add lemon juice and vanilla. Beat until blended.
  • Add powdered sugar gradually until well blended and smooth.
  • Refrigerate 1 hour to set icing before serving.

ORANGE CARROT CAKE with ORANGE CREAM CHEESE FILLING and PINEAPPLE CREAM CHEESE ICING

I made this for Christmas dinner’s dessert, but it should have been a meal in itself. DEFINITELY making this one again and again!!
ORANGE CARROT CAKE with ORANGE CREAM CHEESE FILLING and PINEAPPLE CREAM CHEESE ICING

CAKE
4 eggs, room temperature
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup spiced rum
1/2 cup golden raisins
2 cups finely shredded carrots
1 cup flaked coconut
1 – 11 ounce can mandarin orange sections, drained WELL and coarsely chopped

  • Pour rum over raisins and set aside for at least an hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Line pans with waxed paper and grease and flour the paper in 3-8 inch cake pans.
  • In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, orange peel, salt and sugar.
  • In another bowl cream together the canola oil, vanilla and 1 egg. Add additional eggs and beat until well creamed.
  • Add dry ingredients gradually until well blended.
  • Fold in carrots and coconut blending well.
  • Drain raisins and oranges WELL and fold in last.
  • Spoon batter into prepared pans.
  • “drop” pans to settle batter evenly.
  • Bake 30-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool 10 minutes.
  • Remove layers from pans and remove wax paper.
  • Invert cakes onto rack and cool completely before assembling.

*As an option you could soak the raisins in orange juice instead and then substitute 1 teaspoon maple flavoring for the rum. But my favorite way is to use Parrot Bay Coconut rum.

ORANGE CREAM CHEESE FILLING
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/2 cup powdered sugar

  • In a medium mixing bowl beat cream cheese until fluffy.
  • Add orange marmalade and powdered sugar.
  • Spread half the filling between each layer.
  • Frost top and sides of cake.

PINEAPPLE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons pineapple juice
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar

  • In a medium bowl beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
  • Add lemon juice and vanilla. Beat until blended.
  • Add powdered sugar gradually until well blended and smooth.
  • Ice first layer and then add 2nd cake top and ice again including sides of cake.
  • Refrigerate 1 hour to set icing before serving.

BREWED CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

BREWED CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES
1 cup butter, softened
2 1/4 cups King Arthur all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon Baker’s Brew Coffee Spice
2 extra large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup C&H blue agave amber nectar
1 teaspoon PURE Madagascar Vanilla
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup Black Walnuts chopped fine

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and Baker’s Brew Coffee Spice. Set aside.
  • In the base of your mixer cream together the butter, sugar, vanilla and amber nectar until well blended.
  • Add eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition.
  • Add flour mixture gradually, beating to incorporate after each addition.
  • Add nuts and chocolate pieces until evenly distributed.
  • Drop by spoonfuls into cookie sheet.
  • Bake 10 minutes or until golden.
  • Rest 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheet.
  • Cool on wire rack.

LEMON BARS & CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY BARS

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HedLhhfB-7Y/U2XOZY8C3-I/AAAAAAAASiY/OFbPJbDMomU/s1600/LEMON+BARS.jpg

This month our Baking partners challenge is “Bar” recipes.  The recipes are for Lemon Bars, an all time favorite! and I adored the Chocolate Raspberry Walnut Bars too.

This month’s challenge was suggested by Suja from Kitchen Corner Try it!

Lemon Bars

Recipe source The Secrets of Baking, Sherry Yard and The Good Cookie by Tish Boyle

Basic short crust recipe:

All Purpose flour- 1 1/4 cup

Confectioner’s sugar- 2/3 cup

Pinch of salt

Cold unsalted butter cut into half inch cubes- 10 tbs  (1 1/4 stick)

For the filling:

Sugar- 3/4 cup

Lemon zest- 1 tablespoon

Eggs-4

Lemon juice-1 cup

Condensed milk- 1/2 cup (or milk 1/2 cup. Milk or condensed milk is optional it gives the bars a custard flavor and firmer texture)

All purpose flour- 3 tablespoons

Salt- 1/8 teaspoon

Yellow food color- 2-3 drops (optional)

Powdered sugar for dusting

To make the crust

  • Pre-heat oven to 325 degree F and position rack in the center of the oven.Butter 9inch square baking pan and set aside (you can also line pan with aluminum foil)
  • Using a food processor,mix flour,sugar and salt.
  • Add pieces of butter and pulse 8-10 times till the mixture resembles coarse meal. Process until the mixture forms large clumps and holds together when pinched between two fingers (around 15-20 seconds).
  • Scrape dough into prepared pan and pat it into an even layer.
  • Using a fork prick the dough at one inch intervals.
  • Bake the crust for 20 minutes till the edges become golden brown.
  • Allow this to cool in the pan on a wire rack.

To make the filling

  • Pulse sugar and lemon zest in a processor till it is fragrant.
  • Beat eggs and mix the sugar and whisk till it is pale yellow color.
  • Add the condensed milk, lemon juice, flour and salt.
  • Pour over the baked crust.
  • Bake at 325 degree F for18-20 minutes or until just set and firm to touch.
  • Cool in room temperature and the place in the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour before cutting into bars.
  • To finish dust the top of each bar with powdered sugar and serve.
  • Store lemon bars tightly warped in room temperature for two days or in the freezer for one week. (I store in the fridge)

Chocolate Walnut Raspberry Bars

Recipe source Faye Levy’s Chocolate Sensations

Walnut cookie dough

Walnuts- 1 cup (3-3/4 0z.)

Egg yolks-3

Sugar- 1/2 cup

Salt- 1/4 teaspoon

Vanilla extract-2 teaspoon

Grated lemon zest- 2 teaspoon

Chilled Unsalted butter- 1 cup ( 8 oz.)

All purpose flour- 1 3/4 cups

Chocolate Raspberry filling

Raspberry preserve- 1/2 cup

Semi sweet chocolate cut into chunks- 6 oz.

Nutty crumble topping

Sugar- 2 tablespoons

All purpose flour- 1/4 cup

Walnuts- 1/4 cup

 

To make the dough

  • Finely process nuts in a food processor and set aside.
  • Combine egg yolks, sugar,salt,vanilla,lemon zest and butter in the food processor.  Start with 10-12 pulses and the continuously pulse for 5 seconds until combined.
  • Add flour and walnuts and process for five seconds.
  • Scrape down and continue processing till the dough begins to form sticky crumbs but does not come together as a ball.
  • Put dough in a plastic bag or a wrap and press together to form a ball. Chill for one hour.
  • Pre heat oven to 350F (175C).
  • Cut out 1/4 of the dough and set aside in the refrigerator.
  • Pat the remaining dough in bottom of an unbuttered 13″x9″ pan.

Filling

  • Stir preserve, using a rubber spatula.
  • Gently spread over the dough.
  • Sprinkle chocolate over the jam.

Topping

  • Cut reserve dough into small pieces. In the food processor process flour, walnuts, sugar and the cut dough till it resembles a crumbly mixture.
  • Spread this evenly over the chocolate.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crumbs are firm and light brown.
  • Cool in pan over a rack till it is lukewarm.
  • Using a sharp knife slice into bars.
  • Store in airtight containers (up-to three days in room temperature) (I store in the fridge)

Save

LEMON BARS & CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY WALNUT BARS ~ BAKING PARTNERS

This month our Baking partners challenge is “Bar” recipes.  The recipes are for Lemon Bars, an all time favorite! and I adored the Chocolate Raspberry Walnut Bars. 

This month’s challenge was suggested by Suja from Kitchen Corner Try it! 
Lemon Bars
Recipe source The Secrets of Baking, Sherry Yard and The Good Cookie by Tish Boyle

Basic short crust recipe:
All Purpose flour- 1 1/4 cup
Confectioner’s sugar- 2/3 cup
Pinch of salt
Cold unsalted butter cut into half inch cubes- 10 tbs  (1 1/4 stick)

For the filling:
Sugar- 3/4 cup
Lemon zest- 1 tablespoon
Eggs-4
Lemon juice-1 cup
Condensed milk- 1/2 cup (or milk 1/2 cup. Milk or condensed milk is optional it gives the bars a custard flavor and firmer texture)
All purpose flour- 3 tablespoons
Salt- 1/8 teaspoon
Yellow food color- 2-3 drops (optional)
Powdered sugar for dusting

To make the crust

  • Pre-heat oven to 325 degree F and position rack in the center of the oven.Butter 9inch square baking pan and set aside (you can also line pan with aluminum foil)
  • Using a food processor,mix flour,sugar and salt.
  • Add pieces of butter and pulse 8-10 times till the mixture resembles coarse meal. Process until the mixture forms large clumps and holds together when pinched between two fingers (around 15-20 seconds). 
  • Scrape dough into prepared pan and pat it into an even layer.
  • Using a fork prick the dough at one inch intervals. 
  • Bake the crust for 20 minutes till the edges become golden brown. 
  • Allow this to cool in the pan on a wire rack.

To make the filling

  • Pulse sugar and lemon zest in a processor till it is fragrant. 
  • Beat eggs and mix the sugar and whisk till it is pale yellow color. 
  • Add the condensed milk, lemon juice, flour and salt. 
  • Pour over the baked crust. 
  • Bake at 325 degree F for18-20 minutes or until just set and firm to touch. 
  • Cool in room temperature and the place in the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour before cutting into bars. 
  • To finish dust the top of each bar with powdered sugar and serve. 
  • Store lemon bars tightly warped in room temperature for two days or in the freezer for one week. (I store in the fridge)

Chocolate Walnut Raspberry Bars
Recipe source Faye Levy’s Chocolate Sensations

Walnut cookie dough
Walnuts- 1 cup (3-3/4 0z.)
Egg yolks-3
Sugar- 1/2 cup
Salt- 1/4 teaspoon
Vanilla extract-2 teaspoon
Grated lemon zest- 2 teaspoon
Chilled Unsalted butter- 1 cup ( 8 oz.)
All purpose flour- 1 3/4 cups
Chocolate Raspberry filling
Raspberry preserve- 1/2 cup
Semi sweet chocolate cut into chunks- 6 oz.
Nutty crumble topping
Sugar- 2 tablespoons
All purpose flour- 1/4 cup
Walnuts- 1/4 cup

To make the dough

  • Finely process nuts in a food processor and set aside.
  • Combine egg yolks, sugar,salt,vanilla,lemon zest and butter in the food processor.  Start with 10-12 pulses and the continuously pulse for 5 seconds until combined.
  • Add flour and walnuts and process for five seconds.
  • Scrape down and continue processing till the dough begins to form sticky crumbs but does not come together as a ball. 
  • Put dough in a plastic bag or a wrap and press together to form a ball. Chill for one hour.
  • Pre heat oven to 350F (175C). 
  • Cut out 1/4 of the dough and set aside in the refrigerator.
  • Pat the remaining dough in bottom of an unbuttered 13″x9″ pan.

Filling

  • Stir preserve, using a rubber spatula. 
  • Gently spread over the dough.
  • Sprinkle chocolate over the jam.

Topping

  • Cut reserve dough into small pieces. In the food processor process flour, walnuts, sugar and the cut dough till it resembles a crumbly mixture.
  • Spread this evenly over the chocolate.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes until the crumbs are firm and light brown. 
  • Cool in pan over a rack till it is lukewarm. 
  • Using a sharp knife slice into bars. 
  • Store in airtight containers (up-to three days in room temperature) (I store in the fridge)

Cinnamon Chocolate Babka Muffins

Cinnamon Chocolate Babka Muffins

DOUGH

1/2 cup whole milk, warmed 110 degrees

1/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons instant rapid rise yeast

1 large egg at room temperature

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature

  • Using a stand mixer, use a paddle to combine the milk, sugar and yeast, stirring to blend.
  • Add the egg, flour and salt mixing on low until a sticky dough begins to form.
  • Mix in the butter until well blended with no remaining chunks.
  • Switch to a dough hook and knead on low for about 10 minutes. The dough will be loose and sticky.
  • Butter a large bowl.  Add dough, cover with tea towel and let rise until doubled in a warm place. This will take 1-2 hours.

FILLING

3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

pinch of salt

3 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature

  • Chop chocolate pieces in a food processor until small coarse pieces.
  • Add brown sugar, cinnamon and salt and pulse until coarse crumbs.
  • Set aside.

EGG WASH

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon heavy cream

  • Whisk together until well blended.

STREUSEL TOPPING

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup all purpose flour

3 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature

  • In a small bowl combine the brown sugar and flour.
  • Cut the butter in with a pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Set Aside.

ASSEMBLY

  • VERY GENEROUSLY butter 12 muffin tins OR use muffin papers for easier clean up.
  • Turn out the dough onto a floured work surface.  Gently depress the center to deflate.  Let rest 5 minutes.
  • Roll the dough into a 12×20 rectangle.  (flour as needed to prevent sticking)
  • Sprinkle the filling evenly over the dough.
  • Roll the dough into a tight log.
  • Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces (HINT: I now use dental floss for all this type of cutting.  You get a good clean cut every time.)
  • Place each piece into you prepared tin or papers.
  • Cover with your tea towel and let rise 30 minutes or so.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • After 30 minutes, brush tops with the egg wash.
  • Sprinkle each with the streusel topping.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until puffed and brown around the edges.
  • Cool completely on wire racks in the tin. (I use the papers because I like them warm, but the come out of the tins better cool).

 

 

LEMON DOODLES

When I try a new recipe for the first time I make it EXACTLY as it is written.  Sometimes that makes for some seriously bad recipes.  The beauty of a cookie recipe is that you can make just a few to try them and then add to the recipe to change it, which is exactly what I had to do with these cookies.

LEMON DOODLES

2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup flaked coconut

1 cup LAND O LAKES butter, softened

2 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel

*1 tablespoon lemon emulsion

*cinnamon sugar

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients, beating at low speed and scraping bowl often until well mixed.
  • Drop rounded teaspoons of dough 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  • Bake 7-10 minutes or until edges are golden.
  • Remove immediately.
  • Cool completely.
*Now these were a bit lacking in flavor for us.  So I added a tablespoon of lemon emulsion.  They were a bit better, but still needed something so I then thought about the name and thought about Snickerdoodles and decided to roll them in cinnamon sugar and now we have a cookie!