Tag Archives: dessert recipes

Apple Walnut Crumble

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September has been pretty busy, school has started, so does hockey, piano, drawing class…..etc.  And I want to go back to my running routine…… just wish there was more time to bake and blog ! September also means it’s apple season, there are so many varieties.  My favourite kind is Gala.  They are sweet, juicy with medium firmness.  They are excellent for both eating and baking. Other good choices for baking are McIntosh, Golden Delicious and Fuji.  A lot of recipes use Granny Smith, but I found them too tart and hard.  The crumble tastes delicious on its own, I had it with yoghurt.  You can also use Vanilla Ice Cream or Creme Anglaise. 

Makes about 4 servings 

For the fillings

  • 2 medium-sized apples (peel, core and cut into chunks)
  • 50 g chopped walnuts 
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice 
  • Zest of 1/2 lemon 
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar 
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup 
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

For the toppings

  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/4 cup flour 
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar 
  • 45 g unsalted butter, melted 
  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF 
  2. To prepare the fillings, mix apples with walnuts,lemon juice, lemon zest, brown sugar, maple syrup and cinnamon, set aside 
  3. Prepare crisp toppings by mixing oats, flour, brown sugar and melted butter together 
  4. Put apple mixture into 4 baking dishes, top with crust mixture
  5. Bake for about 30 minutes until top is golden and apples are soft 
  6. Serve warm with Vanilla Ice Cream, Creme Anglaise or yoghurt

 

 

Raspberry Swiss Roll

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The other night, my daughter said,”mom, I want some cake ! ” , but I didn’t have any at home and it was a little too late to bake.  So the next day, I decided to make a Swiss Roll, using some fresh raspberries that I had.  The first attempt……not so good, I put too much filling in and did a bad job in rolling, so it looked more like a Halloween cake with “blood” all over.  Lucky the cake tasted pretty good, so my daughter could at least have some tasty cake.  The second time around, much better.  I tried not to use my electric mixer and do everything by hand. It came out perfect! I actually learned that when making meringues, you can get more volume whisking it by hand. Also you don’t need to worry about overbeating, cause you sore arms will tell you to stop! I used raspberries as the filling, you can switch it up easily with other fruits, whipped cream, Nutella, even peanut butter.

Makes one log (about 6-8 slices)

For the raspberry filling

  • 350 g fresh raspberry
  • 60 g granulated sugar (adjust to your own taste)
  • 15 mL lemon juice

For the sheet cake

  • 4 eggs (separated)
  • 120 g granulated sugar (20 g is used for the meringue)
  • 75 g cake and pastry flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • icing sugar for dusting

Meringue

  1. Prepare raspberries by heating them together with sugar and lemon juice in a non-stick pot over medium heat
  2. Turn heat down to low when liquid starts to bubble
  3. Gently mash raspberries with a wooden spoon, cook until thickened
  4. Strain seeds, let cool
  5. To make the cake, preheat oven to 350ºF
  6. Lightly grease a 8″ x 10″ baking tray and line bottom with parchment paper 
  7. In a mixing bowl, beat together egg yolks and 100 g of sugar until pale
  8. Add vanilla and the flour, mix until blended
  9. In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites, and cream of tartar until frothy, then add sugar slowly, a little at a time, and whisk until medium peak is formed
  10. Gently fold meringue into batter, do not over mix 
  11. Pour into baking tray and bake for about 15 minutes until golden
  12. Let cool, but still a little warm to touch
  13. Gently invert cake and place on top of another piece of parchment paper
  14. Carefully remove top sheet of parchment and trip sides of cake
  15. Spread a very thin layer of raspberry sauce on top
  16. Gently roll cake up
  17. Dust with icing sugar

Raspberry Swiss Roll

 

Oreo Cookies and Cream Cups

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Oreos! One of kids’ favourite cookies! Actually they are one of my favourites too. They are super yummy and they make great desserts like these little cookies and cream cups. Great easy idea for pot luck or kids’ parties !  And I think they would taste extra yummy when the weather is so warm and nice !  

Makes about 10-12 cups

  • 20 Oreo Cookies
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 100 g soft cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup icing sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup whipping cream
  1. Crush about 15 Oreo cookies into fine crumbs
  2. Mix crumbs with melted butter
  3. Put into silicone baking cups and press firmly to form base
  4. Using an electric mixer, cream icing sugar and cream cheese until fluffy
  5. Add vanilla, mix well
  6. In a separate bowl, using an electric mixer, beat whipping cream until stiff peak is formed
  7. Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture
  8. Spread on top of cookie base
  9. Coarsely crush remaining cookies and sprinkle on top or you can decorate them with mini Oreos
  10. Freeze for at least 3 hours or overnight

Peach Frozen Yoghurt

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I finally got an ice cream machine! Now there are so many more recipes I can do! This is my first one using my new toy. My friend and her kids taste tested it for me and they all like it!

Makes about 1 L
Total time: 30 minutes (for soft serve )

  • 250 g frozen peaches
  • 600 g full fat plain Greek yoghurt
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon pure extract
  1. Blend peaches,100 g of yoghurt and lemon juice into a puree
  2. Whisk remaining yoghurt, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth
  3. Add puree to yoghurt mixture, mix well 
  4. Mixture should be cold, if not, you can put it in the fridge for 2-3 hours before churning
  5. Put into an ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s instructions
  6. Serve right away as a soft yoghurt or put in air tight container and keep in freezer for up to 1 month

Tools I used and you may like 

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Cuisinart ICE-21C Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream and Sorbet Maker

You can get this ice cream machine through the Amazon website by clicking the above link.  I will receive a small compensation if you purchase the item.

 

Easy Raspberry Trifle

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Trifle is a dessert that usually consists of pound cake, fruits, jam, custard and whipped cream.  I changed it to a healthier and easier version by using yoghurt. For the cake base, I used a microwaved mug cake. You can bake your own cake or use a store-bought one.

Makes 3-4 servings
Total time: 30 minutes

For the mug cake

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 60 mL milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup self-rising flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  1. Coat inside of  mugs with 1 tablespoon melted butter
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, milk, 2 tablespoons melted butter, vanilla extract and egg until blended (butter may still be warm, add egg at the end to prevent curdling)
  3. Add flour and salt, whisk until smooth
  4. Pour into mugs, no more than half full
  5. Microwave for about 90 seconds

For the trifle

  • 300-400 g mug cake or store-bought cake
  • 100 g fresh raspberries
  • 1/4 cup pure raspberry jam
  • 200 g vanilla flavoured Greek yoghurt
  1. Coarsely mash raspberries with fork, add jam, mix until blended
  2. Layer cake, raspberry mixture, yoghurt in desired container…..Dig in!

Vanilla Cream Pastry Puffs

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This is a dessert that has been in my mind ever since I took the pastry course in September. The original recipe uses a choux pastry.  I used a store-bought puff pastry instead. The textures of the two pastries are quite different, but they both go really well with the vanilla cream. 

Makes about 8 puffs

For the vanilla cream

  • 500 mL milk (preferably full fat, but 2 % works too)
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 to 1 vanilla bean
  1. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch and 1/2 cup of milk together until no more lumps
  2. Cut vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape seeds out of bean pod, do not throw away bean pod
  3. In a pot, heat remaining milk, vanilla beans and the pod over medium heat until just boiled
  4. Whisk 1/2 of boiled milk slowly into egg mixture to temper, then pour everything back into the pot
  5. Heat until just starting to bubble, whisking constantly
  6. Take pot off the heat, remove vanilla pod 
  7. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool

To make the pastry puffs

  • 1 box frozen puff pastry (two 10 inch x 10 inch sheets), thawed
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 -2 tablespoons granulated sugar or vanilla sugar 
  • Icing sugar and fruits for toppings
  1. Preheat oven to 375ºF
  2. Spread two sheets of pastry flat on a floured surface separately (if your pastry comes in a block, cut and row into 2 sheets of about 1/8 inch in thickness)  
  3. Brush one sheet with egg wash, then sprinkle evenly with granulated or  vanilla sugar
  4. Place the other sheet on top, pressing gently
  5. Cut with a round cookie cutter into circles, about 2 -3 inches in diameter
  6. Prick a few times with a fork in the middle, so they won’t puff up too much
  7. Bake for about 15 minutes until golden
  8. Let cool, then gently cut puffs in half horizontally
  9. Spoon or pipe vanilla cream in the middle
  10. Top with icing sugar and fruits

 

Original recipe of vanilla cream by Chef Marco Ropke at Vancouver Pastry Training Centre

Pear Cobbler

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You may have noticed, I like to make my desserts or cakes into individual servings. Instead of making a big cake, I would make 12 minis. The main advantage, especially for baking, is that you can control your baking time and temperature much better. You would need less time, and your goodies would be baked more evenly. There is also more room to play around with your toppings and decorations! This cobbler is another mini version. Top it up with ice cream or a vanilla sauce like Creme Anglaise…..A great dessert on a cold day ! 

Makes about 8 servings

For the pear fillings

  • 400 g Bartlett or Anjou pear chunks (washed, peeled cored and cut)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 4 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  1. Coat pear chunks with lemon juice and zest
  2. Mix with brown sugar, cinnamon and melted butter

For the topping

  • 1/2 cup quick oats
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  1. Mix oats, flour, sugar and cinnamon
  2. Add melted butter, mix until blended

To make the cobbler

  1. Preheat oven to 375ºF
  2. Spoon pear fillings into ramekins, add topping
  3. Bake on a tray for about 25 minutes, serve warm
  4. Top with ice cream or a vanilla sauce like Creme Anglaise

Coconut Milk Pudding

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This is a very yummy Asian dessert, especially if you are a fan of coconut ! You can usually find it at Chinese Restaurants.  But often, too much gelatin or cornstarch is added which makes the pudding too chewy or powdery.  This recipe is silky smooth and soft.  Super yummy !! 

Makes about 4 servings

  • 1 + 1/2 cups milk 
  • 165 mL coconut milk (1 small can)
  • 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 envelope or tablespoon unflavoured gelatin powder
  1. Sprinkle gelatin over about 1/2 cup of milk, let sit for a few minutes
  2. Heat remaining milk, coconut milk and sugar in a non-stick pot over medium heat
  3. Stir until sugar all dissolved (doesn’t have to boil)
  4. Turn off heat, add gelatin mixture, stir until dissolved
  5. Strain and pour into bowls 
  6. Cool, then refrigerate until set, at least about 4 hours or overnight

Cream Cheese Whipped Cream

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This can be used as a fruit dip or topping for your pancakes, waffles, pies and crepes.  The cream cheese makes it extra creamy and tasty!

Makes about 3 cups
Total time = 15 minutes

  • 1 cup whipping cream (cold)
  • 100 g cream cheese
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons icing sugar (adjust to your own taste)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  1. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese,  sugar and vanilla until fluffy
  2. Whisk whipping cream until thick and creamy
  3. Gently mix whipped cream and cream cheese until smooth
  4. Keep in refrigerator