Category Archives: Other desserts and treats

Easy Creme Brulee (without a blow torch)

Leave a reply

Whether you like the creamy custard or the crunchy sugar on top, creme brulee is sure an irresistible delicacy, and you maybe surprised how easy it is to make.  Most of us don’t have a blow torch at home, but you don’t need one to make this tasty dessert.  All you need is an oven with the broiler setting.  As for the crunchy sugar on top, after a few experiments, I found that caramelized sugar (recipe below) works the best.  Regular sugar takes longer to brown and may cause the custard to overheat and crack. 

Makes about 4-6 servings

For the custard

  • 2 cups half and half cream or heavy cream
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • pot of hot water
  1. Preheat oven to 325ºF
  2. Cut and scrape vanilla beans out of bean pod
  3. In a non-stick pot, heat cream, vanilla beans and bean pod over low to medium heat until just starting to boil, stirring occasionally
  4. Remove pot from heat, remove bean pod, let sit for about 15 minutes
  5. Beat egg yolks and sugar until light and pale
  6. Slowly add the cream, a little at a time, stirring continually 
  7. Pour mixture through strainer twice to get a smooth mixture, skim off bubbles on top
  8. Pour mixture into ramekins, place ramekins in baking dish filled with hot water, water should be about halfway up side of ramekins
  9. Bake for about 30 minutes until custard just set
  10. Let cool completely, cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight

For the caramelized sugar top

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  1. Place sugar and water in a small non-stick pot over medium heat
  2. Stir slightly until sugar dissolves, after that, do not stir anymore, swirl the pot gently, otherwise crystals will form
  3. Sugar will bubble and change from clear to caramel colour, keep a close eye on it, be careful not to let it burn
  4. Remove from heat, pour onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
  5. Let cool and harden, it will form a sheet of caramel  
  6. Break sheet into small pieces, then pulverize in a food processor or a chopper
  7. Store in dry, air-tight container

When ready to serve

  1. Take custard out from fridge, sprinkle evenly with caramelized sugar
  2. Adjust oven to broiler setting (usually at about 450ºF – 500ºF), place ramekins on top rack, heat until sugar start to brown, about 1 to 2 minutes, do not heat more than 2 minutes, custard may start to crack and melt
  3. Cool slightly and is ready !

 

Mocha Shake

Leave a reply

I am a fan of coffee and chocolate. This is just perfect for me !

Makes 2 servings

  • 1 cup vanilla ice cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons instant coffee
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 4 ice cubes
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients in blender.  Top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.  Enjoy!

Homemade Berry Sorbet (without ice cream maker)

Leave a reply

I have been using my blender a lot this summer, making juices, smoothies, popsicles, etc. Here is another great summer treat we can do at home, even if you don’t have an ice cream maker !

Makes about 4 cups of sorbet

  • 32 oz (4 cups) of fresh or frozen berries
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  1. Dissolve sugar in water over low heat to make simple syrup, set aside to cool
  2. Blend berries, 1 cup of simple syrup, and lemon juice together
  3. Press puree through strainer to remove skins and seeds
  4. Add about 2 tablespoons more of syrup if needed, mixture should taste slightly sweeter than you would like as a juice
  5. Pour on a baking sheet or a shallow pan
  6. Cover and freeze until frozen (at least four hours or overnight)
  7. Remove from freezer, break the frozen mixture into chunks and blend again until smooth
  8. Serve right away or put in an airtight container and return to freezer until serve

Use fresh fruits if available, it tastes better. I use a hand blender and a large mixing bowl when blending the frozen mixture, it’s easier than using the tall blender.

Watermelon Popsicles

Leave a reply

One thing I love about summer is the variety of fruits. Watermelon is one of our favourites. These popsicles are super easy to make and is much healthier than those artificial freezies. 

Makes about 4 popsicles

  • 400 g watermelon, cut in pieces
  • 2 tablespoons honey to sweeten if needed

Blend them together and freeze for about 4 hours

Very Berry Popsicles

Leave a reply

This is a great cool treat on hot summer days ! My kids love them ! 

Makes about 6 servings

  • 1 cup vanilla flavour yoghurt
  • 200 g fresh or frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries… or a mix of all of them !)
  • 2-3 tablespoons honey to sweeten if needed

Blend ingredients together and pour into popsicle molds or small paper cups. Insert popsicle sticks. Freeze for about 4 hours or until frozen

Mango Smoothie

Leave a reply

Making fruit smoothies is an excellent way to give the picky eaters their vitamin needs and of course for their busy moms too!

Makes 2 to 3 servings

  • 200 g fresh or frozen mangoes
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup mango juice 
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • Honey to sweeten if needed

Blend all ingredients together. Enjoy!

Kale Smoothie

Leave a reply

This healthy smoothie is packed with nutrients and taste!

Makes about 3-4 servings

  • 100 g fresh kale leaves
  • 100 g fresh or frozen mangoes
  • 1 banana
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 cup apple juice
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 3 tablespoons honey

Blend everything in a blender and that’s it !

Chocolate Pudding

Leave a reply

So rich and creamy……I licked my whisk and spatula so clean that they didn’t really need washing  🙂

Makes 4-6 servings

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  1. Mix cocoa powder, sugar, cornstarch and salt together in a non-stick pot or pan
  2. Mix in 1/2 cup of milk, place on low to medium heat
  3. Slowly whisk in remaining milk, stirring constantly
  4. Cook until thickened, do not boil
  5. Add in chocolate chips,  stir until melted
  6. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract
  7. Pour in ramekins or containers of your choice
  8. Serve warm or cold (chilled in fridge )

Mini Cheese Cake

Leave a reply

This is a great dessert.  You can add your favourite toppings or make it into a marble cheesecake. They are so yummy that my daughter ate 3 of them in a day !! 

Makes about 12

For the crust

  • 3/4 cup honey graham crumbs
  • 1 + 1/2 tablespoon of brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter,  melted
  1. Line muffin tray with muffin liners
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F
  3. Mix graham crumbs and brown sugar together
  4. Add butter and mix well
  5. Put one heaping tablespoon of mixture into each muffin cups and press firmly
  6. Bake for about 8 minutes, set aside to cool

For the filling

  • 1 package (8 oz) of plain cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg
  1. Reduce oven heat to 325°F
  2. Using an electric mixer with paddle attachment,  beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed until light and smooth
  3. Add vanilla,  flour and egg, mix until blended
  4. Put about 2 tablespoons of cream cheese mixture in each muffin cup and bake for about 18-20 minutes until set
  5. Cool in muffin tray,  then on rack
  6. Refrigerate for about 4 hours
  7. Top with your favourite syrups or fruit jams

For the marble cheese cake

  1. Melt about 1 oz of semi-sweet chocolate in a double boiler or microwave
  2. After putting cream cheese mixture in muffin cups, put 1 to 2 drops of melted chocolate in centre (before baking)
  3. Swirl chocolate around with a small knife

Little Palmiers

Leave a reply

This is one of my favourite pastry treat.

Makes about 30

  • 1 box store-bought puff pastry
    (Two 10 inch x 10 inch sheets ), thawed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F
  2. Sprinkle some sugar evenly on a work surface
  3. Place 1 sheet of pastry on top of sugar, press gently
  4. Sprinkle with more sugar on top
  5. Fold 2 opposite sides to meet in the middle, press gently, fold each side towards centre again, then fold 2 sides together, it will form a log.  Repeat with other sheet of pastry
  6. With a sharp knife, cut dough crosswise into 1/2 ” thick pieces
  7. Dip the cut side of each piece in sugar
  8. Place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper about 2 inches apart (no sugar side down)
  9. Bake for about 15 minutes or until slightly golden
  10. Cool on baking sheets for about 5 minutes then transfer to racks until completely cooled

If dough is too soft to cut after roll up, wrap and put in freezer for about 30 minutes before cutting