posted by Carol on Dec 28
Makes about 20 - If you have an electric mixer, meringue is very easy to make but looks impressive.
posted by Carol on Nov 27
Oatmeal is good for you, chocolate is delicious and these cookies don’t need baking in the oven, so what is stopping you trying the recipe?
Ingredients
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3 cups quick cooking oats
2 cups sugar
1/4 pound butter
1/2 cup milk
3 tbs cocoa
1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
1. Put the sugar, butter, milk and cocoa in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil and continue to boil for about one minute.
2. Remove from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract and peanut butter. When these are well combined, add the oatmeal and mix together thoroughly.
3. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture on to waxed kitchen paper. Put them in the refrigerator for about and hour until firm.
posted by Carol on Nov 27
These are very pretty cookies and quite easy to make, why not have a go?
Ingredients
2 cups of all purpose (plain) flour
4oz butter
1/4 cup castor (fine grained) sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 oz cornflour (cornstarch)
Decoration
6oz melted white chocolate
6oz melted plain (semi-sweet) chocolate
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 350 deg F (180 deg C) and grease enough cookie trays to accommodate 40 cookies.
2. Put the butter and sugar into bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla essence and egg and beat until well blended.
3. Sift the flour cornflour into the mixture and mix until a soft dough forms. Wrap in clingfilm (Saranwrap) and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch and then use cookie cutters to cut out about 40 cookies, rerolling the dough as necessary.
5. Place on the prepared cookie trays and bake for about 15 minutes. When they are ready, remove them from the oven and allow to cool on the sheets until firm enough to move, then place them on cooling racks.
6. When the cookies are cold, dip half in white chocolate and half in dark chocolate. Place on non-stick kitchen paper until the chocolate sets then decorate with piped contrasting chocolate.
posted by Carol on Nov 27
These cookies look impressive but are quite easy and, best of all, they are great to eat.
Ingredients
2 cups wholemeal cake flour (self raising)
1 egg
4oz butter
1/2 cup soft brown sugar
4oz melted plain (semi sweet) chocolate
Topping
1 egg white
a little icing (confectioners) sugar
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 350 deg F (180 deg C) and line cookie trays with non stick baking parchment.
2. Put the butter and sugar into a bowl and cream until light and fluffy then beat in the egg and chocolate.
3. Sift in flour and stir until well mixed and forming a soft dough. Wrap in clingfilm or Saranwrap and refrigerate for about an hour.
4. When the mixture has chilled, break off small pieces and roll into thin ropes about 10 inches long. To make the pretzel shape, make a circle with the centre, crossing the ends over and then bringing the end up to the top of the circle, just off centre. (Look at a pretzel and this instruction will make a bit more sense!)
5. When you have formed about 40 pretzels, put them on the prepared cookie trays. Refrigerate again for about 30 minutes then bake for about 15 minutes.
6. Allow to cool on the trays until firm then put on cooling racks. Whisk the egg white and then brush the pretzels with it and sprinkle with icing sugar.
posted by Carol on Nov 27
Chocolate Chip Cookie Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
Ingredients
1 cup of all purpose (plain) flour
1/2 cup packed soft brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
4oz softened butter
1-1/3 cup of chocolate chips
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla essence
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking (bicarbonate) soda
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 350 deg F (180 deg C).
2. Put the softened butter into a large bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Add the brown and white sugar, vanilla essence and salt and beat until well blended. Lightly beat the egg into the mixture.
3. Sift the flour and baking soda together then stir into the butter and sugar mixture until a dough forms, then stir in the chocolate chips.
4. Drop a couple of tablespoonfuls of the mixture on to a baking sheet to make each cookie spacing them well apart. You will probably need at least two baking sheets for this. Bake until golden brown.
5. When they are ready, remove them from the oven and allow to cool on the sheets until firm enough to move, about 3 or 4 minutes. Then place them on cooling rack.
posted by Carol on Nov 27
These bars are quick and easy to make and are ideal to pop in the lunchbox or with a cup of coffee.
Ingredients
2 cups of all purpose (plain) flour
4oz butter
1/4 cup castor (fine grained) sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 oz cornflour (cornstarch) Decoration
6oz melted white chocolate
6oz melted plain (semi-sweet) chocolate
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 350 deg F (180 deg C) and grease enough cookie trays to accommodate 40 cookies.
2. Put the butter and sugar into bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla essence and egg and beat until well blended.
3. Sift the flour cornflour into the mixture and mix until a soft dough forms. Wrap in clingfilm (Saranwrap) and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch and then use cookie cutters to cut out about 40 cookies, rerolling the dough as necessary.
5. Place on the prepared cookie trays and bake for about 15 minutes. When they are ready, remove them from the oven and allow to cool on the sheets until firm enough to move, then place them on cooling racks.
6. When the cookies are cold, dip half in white chocolate and half in dark chocolate. Place on non-stick kitchen paper until the chocolate sets then decorate with piped contrasting chocolate.
posted by Carol on Nov 19
Serves 6 - 8 This might not be a dessert for cheesecake purists, but take my word, it is delicious.
Ingredients
50g/2oz butter, melted
120g/4oz digestive biscuits (graham crackers)
150g/5oz castor (fine grained) sugar
3 large eggs
3 egg yolks
500g/16oz cream cheese (something like Philadelphia)
175ml/4 fl oz sour cream
1/2 tsp (approx) of lime or lemon juice
150g/5oz plain (semi-sweet) chocolate
Method
1. Preheat oven to 180 deg C/350 deg F. Line the outside of a 20cm/8 inch cake pan with a removable bottom (Springform are best) with two layers of foil to make it waterproof.
2. To make the base: crush the biscuits into crumbs then mix with the melted butter. A quick way to do both, is to put the biscuits in a food processor, then, when the biscuits have been reduced to crumbs, pour in the butter. Press the mixture evenly across the bottom of the cake pan. Refrigerate.
3. Beat the cream cheese and then when it is smooth add the sugar. Add the eggs and extra yolks individually, beating between each one. If you are using an electric mixer on a stand, you can add them while the mixer continues to beat.
4. Add the sour cream and lime or lemon juice and continue to beat until the mixture is smooth.
5. Fold in the melted chocolate. Be careful not to mix it too well because you want a marbled effect.
6. Put the cake pan in a larger roasting pan and pour boiling water into the roasting pan to a depth of about 1 to 2 inches.
7. Pour the cheese and chocolate mixture into the cake pan on top of the biscuit base.
8. Cook for about 1 hour. When it is done, it will be firm on the edges, coming away slightly from the sides of the pan, but still soft in the middle.
9. Remove the foil from the pan and allow to cool, still in the cake pan. Then refrigerate for an hour or two. Remove from the cake pan and serve at room temperature. This cheesecake will walk right off the plate!
posted by Carol on Nov 19
Serves 6 - In the UK, a Christmas Yule Log is a traditional cake. If you have never eaten it, try this recipe and I am sure you will put it on your list of family favourites for Christmas food.
Chocolate Christmas Yule Log
*Picture of Yule Log: Copyright © Jsh3d used under a GNU Licence.
Ingredients
5 eggs, separated
115g/4oz caster (superfine) sugar
50g/2 oz cocoa powder
1 tsp warm water
Filling
475ml/16 fl oz double (heavy) cream
200g/7oz white chocolate
90g/3oz caster sugar
2 tbs brandy (or other flavouring)
Ganache to Cover (Optional)
250ml/8 fl oz double (heavy) cream
225g/8oz plain (semi-sweet) chocolate
Method
1. Preheat oven to 180 deg C/350 deg F. Grease and flour a 13 inch x 9 inch (33cm x 23cm) Swiss (jelly) roll tin (pan) and then line it with greased non-stick paper. Prepare another piece of non-stick paper, the same size as the cake tin and sprinkle it evenly with 2 tbs of the caster (superfine) sugar. Put that paper to one side for now.
2. Put the egg yolks and remaining caster sugar into a bowl and whisk until it thickens enough to leave a trail. Then sift the cocoa and fold into the egg yolks
3. Whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Add one tbs to the egg yolks and fold in, then add the rest of the egg whites and fold in carefully.
4. Tip it into the Swiss roll tin and spread evenly all over the tin, right up to the edges and into the corners. Cook for about 20 minutes until firm to the touch and the cake springs back when pressed.
5. Turn the cake out on to the sugar covered non-stick paper prepared earlier. Carefully peel off the paper used to line the cake tin then cover with a clean damp cloth.
6. Filling: break up the chocolate in to small pieces then put it and 120ml/4 fl oz of cream into a saucepan. Heat slowly, stirring continuously until the chocolate melts. Put it to one side to cool to room temperature.
7. Whip the remaining cream and brandy (or other flavouring) until it reaches the soft peaks stage then fold it into the cooled chocolate mixture.
8. Cover the cake with the filling and then roll up. Don’t worry if it cracks. If you don’t want to cover it with the chocolate ganache, just dust it with a little sifted icing sugar (confectioners sugar).
9. Ganache: Just melt the chocolate in a saucepan with the cream, stirring continuously. When it is melted, pour into a bowl and leave to cool then whisk until the ganache thickens.
10. Completely cover the Yule Log with the ganache and, with a cocktail stick, draw lines in the ganache to imitate wood grain. Sprinkle with a little sifted icing sugar and decorate with holly or other Christmas decoration.
posted by Carol on Nov 19
Makes about 20 - 30 truffles, depending on size. Although you and your family will love to eat these, they also make ideal gifts. Put them in a pretty box and anybody will be pleased to receive them.
Chocolate Truffles
Ingredients
250g/10oz good quality plain (semi-sweet) chocolate
250ml/8 fl oz double (heavy) cream
40g/1-1/2oz unsalted butter
3 tbs brandy, rum or other liquer to flavour
Coatings
You use one of these:
Chocolate vermicelli (sprinkles)
Cocoa powder
Finely chopped hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios or almonds
Icing (confectioners) sugar
Method
1. Break the chocolate into small pieces. Bring the cream to the boil in a saucepan then remove from heat and add the broken chocolate. Stir until it melts, then stir in the butter and allow it to melt completely. Add the brandy or other liquer and make sure it is well mixed.
2. Pour the mixture into a bowl and, when cool, cover with clingfilm (Saranwrap) then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
3. Line a baking sheet with non-stick paper. Using a teaspoon or a melon ball maker if you have one, make 20 to 30 balls from the chilled chocolat mixture, placing each one on the baking sheet.
4. Put the cocoa, icing sugar, cocoa powder, vermicelli or nuts on to separate plates, if you are using more than one kind of covering. Roll the truffles in whichever you choose. Doing a variety looks very good.
5. You can also dip the uncovered chocolate in melted chocolate (use a skewer or cocktail stick) instead of the other coverings to give a smooth chocolatey appearance. For best results, freeze the truffles before coating them in melted chocolate.
6. Allow the truffles to chill.
7. Present them in little truffle paper cases or piled up in a dish or on a plate. They keep in the refrigerator for about 10 days or you can freeze them for about 8 weeks. This usually isn’t a problem because 20 or 30 can be eaten by a family of four in about 2 hours normally!
posted by Carol on Nov 19
Serves 6 - you need to make this at least one day before you serve it and finish it off just before serving. It would be far better, though, to make it well in advance.
Ingredients
350ml/11 fl oz milk
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 stick on cinnamon
4 egg yolks
95g/3-1/4oz soft brown sugar
200ml/6-1/2 fl oz chilled cream
2 tbsp brandy (optional)
105g/3-1/2oz fruit cake, broken into 1 or 2 inch chunks
45g/1-1/2oz chopped marron glacé
45g/1-1/2oz chopped glacé cherries
45g/1-1/2oz amaretti biscuits (cookies), broken into large pieces
Topping
185g/6oz good quality plain (semi-sweet) chocolate
30ml/1 fl oz oil (not olive oil)
50g/1-3/4oz white chocolate
Method
1. Put the milk, vanilla essence and cinnamon stick into a saucepan and bring slowly to the boil, then remove from heat.
2. In a bowl, cream the egg yolks and sugar together until thick, then, after removing the cinnamon stick, add the hot milk and mix until all ingredients are well combined.
3. Put the mixture into a fresh saucepan and very slowly, over a low heat, stir it continuously until it thickens enough to coat a spoon. Do not allow it to boil.
4. Using a sieve (strainer), strain it into a clean bowl and put aside to cool completely.
5. When it is completely cold, add the cream and brandy. Stir them in then put them in a container and freeze until just firm to the touch, about 3 hours.
6. Take the mixture out of the freezer, put into a bowl and beat until the it is thick and creamy.
7. Repeat the freezing and beating twice more but on the final one, add the marron glacé, fruitcake, glacé cherries and amaretti biscuits (cookies) and put in a 2 pint or 1 litre pudding basin to produce the traditional Christmas pudding shape. Cover with clingfilm (Saran wrap) and return to freezer. Check after 30 minutes and stir if the cake, biscuits and fruit have sunk to the bottom. Cover again, and freeze overnight.
8. Remove from freezer and then turn it out onto a plate. Flash the basin in and out of very hot water to loosen the ice cream, if necessary.
9. To make the topping, melt the plain (semi-sweet) chocolate (see techniques). When it is melted, add the oil, stirring it in well and until chocolate is cool but still melted.
10. Take the pudding out of the freezer and put in on a wire rack. Now pour the chocolate smoothly and evenly over the pudding so, except for the bottom, is completely covered. Put it back in the freezer for about 2 hours.
11. Melt the white chocolate (see techniques). Take the pudding out of the freezer and put on a serving plate. Pour the white chocolate over the top of the pudding. This time it should not be completely covered. The white chocolate is supposed to resemble cream poured over a pudding. Decorate with a sprig of artificial holly.
12. If you finish this off just before serving, put in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to set the white chocolate. It would be much better to make it in advance, wrap it well in clingfilm and keep it in the freezer. Take it out about 30 minutes before serving.
