Tag Archives: baking

Tangerine Bundt Cake

tangerine bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures

I love bundt cakes.

It seems that I tend to celebrate the arrival of each season with them.

Somehow, it always works.

 

To welcome this year’s spring and Easter, I decided to go for a wonderful, fresh and invigorating citrus flavor.

And here it is.

 

In fact, the big clever books of baking would call this cake a chiffon cake.

Chiffon cakes are light and moist cakes that use vegetable oil instead of butter. That is the main reason why these cakes do not tend to harden or dry out as traditional butter cakes might.

That is positive, I think.

 

Frankly, this cake tastes just lovely.

Plus, there’s this delicious citrus glaze that increases the whole fresh experience immensely.

Here’s how you can make it too…

 

tangerine bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures, ingredients

These are the ingredients that will come in handy.

 

tangerine bundt cake recipe with step by step pictures, preheat the oven to 325 F - 165 C, wash one tangerine under running water thoroughly, pat it dry with a kitchen towel, grate one tablespoon plus one teaspoon peel for cake and for glaze respectively

1. First, preheat the oven to 325 °F  (165 °C).

 

2. Wash one tangerine under running water thoroughly.

Pat it dry with a kitchen towel.

Then grate one tablespoon plus one teaspoon peel. We are going to need one tablespoon for the cake and the remaining teaspoon for the glaze.

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Molten Lava Cakes

molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial

I love these little babies.

Surprisingly, this has been the first time I’ve ever made them myself.

 

While preparing these Chocolate Lava Cakes I learned that they are super-fun to make.

They are also surprising. That is what you find out when you dig into them.

And, with the generous amount of chocolate they contain, I’m sure they are just super seductive.

That all makes them the perfect dessert choice for Valentine’s Day, don’t you think?

 

Now, let me invite you to my kitchen and show you how I prepared my version of these adorable sweet cakes…
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, ingredients

Here’s what we need.

Couldn’t be simpler.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, preheat the oven to 400 F - 200 C, butter 4 ramekins, 6-ounce - 180 ml ramekins

1. First, preheat the oven to 400 °F (200 °C).

 

2. Butter 4 ramekins.

I’ve used 6-ounce (180 ml) ramekins.

 

3. Then dust the ramekins with some confectioners’ sugar.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, eggs, sugar, coffee, and salt

4. Now we need the eggs, sugar, coffee, and salt.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, eggs, sugar, coffee, salt in a bowl

5. Throw them all into one bowl and mix them for about 2 minutes.

6. Break the chocolate into pieces. Place the butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, microwave on high in 20-seconds increments, stirring after each, until melted, let cool slightly

7. Microwave on high in 20-second increments, stirring after each, until melted.

Let cool slightly.

And be strong!
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, add the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, whisk to combine

8. Add the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture. Whisk to combine.

9. Then add the flour, and whisk just until combined (do not overmix).
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, pour the batter into prepared ramekins

10. Pour the batter into prepared ramekins.

I only have two, so I had to bake in two batches.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, place the ramekins on a baking sheet

11. Place the ramekins on a baking sheet.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial, bake for about 11 minutes

12. And bake for about 11 minutes.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial

13. These babies were baked for about 14 minutes.

Too long.

 

molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial

Although nice and tasty, they weren’t that ‘molten’ in the center.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial

I baked the second batch for only 10 minutes.

That was much better.

I really like the moist center.
molten lava cakes recipe with step by step picture tutorial

Aah, I love this game.

 

But, if I had another chance, which I think I am going to give myself soon, I’d try baking these for exactly 11 minutes.

11 minutes would make them absolutely perfect.

 

Enjoy, dear friends!

 

(This recipe makes 4 cakes and was loosely based on Molten Mocha Cakes from www.delish.com.)

 

 

Plum Cake

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial

When I was a kid, cakes like this one were on our table very often.

My lovely Mom used to make them.

They were filled with any fruit that was in season. And during the months of winter, Mom would use just about any canned fruit she had on hand.

So, whether you use plums, cherries or any kind of berries to make this sponge cake with fruit, you’ll be amazed by a very nice flavor it has and how surprisingly easy it is to prepare it.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, ingredients

Here’s what we need.

 

1. First, preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C).

 

2. Separate the eggs placing the yolks in one bowl and the whites in another.

Use larger bowls.

 

3. Pour the sugar into the egg yolks and beat until thick and pale in color.

 

Try your best not to eat this all.

Oh my gosh, it’s so good.

Or is it just me?

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, add the butter and mix until fluffy

4. Then add the butter and mix until fluffy.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, in a small bowl, combine the flour and baking powder, add it to the egg-yolk mixture, mix to combine

5. Next, in a small bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Add it to the egg-yolk mixture. Mix to combine.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, using a cleaned whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites

6. Then, using a cleaned whisk attachment, whisk the whites…

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, whisk the egg white until they hold stiff peaks

…until they hold stiff peaks.

 

7. Add the whites into the egg-yolk batter.

Small lumps of egg whites in the batter are okay.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, spray a baking pan with cooking spray and dust it lightly with flour, scrape the batter into the prepared pan

8. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray and dust it lightly with flour.

 

9. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan.

I used a 13 x 9-inch (33 x 22 cm) baking pan. This cake will rise a lot, so if you are going for a less tall version, use a larger baking pan.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, spread out the batter evenly

10. Spread out the batter evenly.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, cut the plums into halves, or if you are using canned plum, drain them

11. Now cut the plums in, halves. Or, if you are using canned plums, drain them.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, evenly arrange the halved plums on top of the batter

12. Evenly arrange the halved plums on top of the batter.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, bake at 350 F - 175 C for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean

13. Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial, remove from the oven and let cool, then dust with a little confectioners' sugar and cut into squares

14. Remove from the oven and let cool.

 

14. Then dust with a little confectioner’s sugar and cut into squares.

 

plum cake recipe with step by step picture tutorial

And most importantly, enjoy, dear friends!

 

(This cake takes about 45 minutes to prepare.)

 

Rolls with Poppy Seed Filling

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

I am making loads and loads of these delicious rolls for this year’s Christmas.

There are many poppy seed addicts in our family and I’ll try my best to satisfy them all.

 

These rolls are amazing and fun to make yeast-based pastries filled with a scrumptious poppy seed filling.

If you are still looking for a nice Holiday recipe then you should definitely give these a try.

They’ll make you happy.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

Here’s what we need to prepare them.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

Let’s start with the dried yeast.

Dried instant yeast is an awesome thing! Your baking will always be a success if using this kind of yeast.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

1. Mix the yeast, warm milk and sugar in a bowl.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

2. Place the flour, salt and butter into a large bowl.

 

3. Pour in the yeast mixture.

 

4. Using your hands or an electric mixer, combine the ingredients and then knead until you form a ball. You should knead until the dough ball is no longer sticky. It should be nicely smooth and elastic.

If you think that your dough is a little too dense to work with, add a little more milk. Start with one tablespoon of milk and if that’s not enough, add some more.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

This is the kind of dough that likes a lot of attention (read: kneading). I love kneading dough – it’s the most wonderful way of relax for me.

 

5. Place the dough into a bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

In the meantime, we can prepare the poppy seed filling.

Of course, you can replace this filling with the canned, store-bought one.

But why would you?

Okay, I may know why… it’s simpler. But still – making your own filling will be a lot more fun!

 

6. So, for the adventurous ones – grind the poppy seeds.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

7. Combine the sugar with hot water. Stir until the sugar dissolves.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

8. Then stir in the ground poppy seeds, lemon zest and vanilla extract.

And that’s it – your poppy seed filling is done and ready to be used.

 

9. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

10. Turn the risen dough onto a floured surface.

 

11. Using a sharp knife, divide the dough into four (4) equal parts.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

12. Take one of the four parts…

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

13. And roll it out into a circle.

The circle should be about 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

14. Cut the circle into 8 equal triangles.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

15. Arrange 2 teaspoons of the filling crosswise at the wider end of the triangle.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

16. And roll it up, starting at the wider end.

 

17. Pinch the edges to seal.

 

18. Let the rolls rise for another 10-15 minutes.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

19. Then transfer them onto the lined baking sheet.

Work in batches here.

 

20. Beat the egg lightly. Brush each roll that you’ve transferred onto the sheet with the egg mixture.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

Just like this.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

21. Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for 16 minutes.

Then repeat the process with the rest of the rolls.

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

Yum!

 

sweet rolls with poppy seed filling recipe with step by step pictures

Double yum!

 

Enjoy, dear friends.

This is very, very good.

 

(This recipe makes 32 rolls and takes about 2 1/2 hours to prepare.)

Bowtie Cookies

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures

I am sending you warm greetings from my kitchen.

Because I luv ya!

And because the running oven makes it really, really warm in here.

 

The time before Christmas has a sweet and magical impact on me. I find myself in the kitchen even more often than usual.

Which actually means that instead of 14 hours a day I spend 20 hours here now.

Like yesterday, for example, I made 82 cookies and I don’t even know how that happened to me.

Strange.

 

Anyhow, these lovely Bowtie Cookies were one of those I made yesterday.

The dough has cream cheese in it. It remotely resembles puff pastry, but it is less layered and less fatty. And oh so delicious!

The dough is filled with jam. You wouldn’t believe how gorgeous that combination is.

Let me show you how I prepared them…

 

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures, ingredients

Here’s what we need.

 

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures

1. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, butter, sugar, and salt on medium speed until light, about 2 minutes.

 

2. Then on low speed, gradually beat in the flour just until mixed. A crumbly mixture will form.

 

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures, using your hands, pat the crumbly mixture together to from a dough ball

3. Using your hands, pat the crumbly mixture together to form a dough ball.

Oh, and the face – I had to. Again. It’s addictive. Sorry!

 

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures, preaheat the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, on a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a square or rectangle, cut the dough into even square

4. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

 

5. Now, on a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a square or rectangle about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick.

 

6. Cut the dough into even 2.5 x 2.5 inch (6 x 6 cm) squares.

 

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures, cutting dough with pizza cutter

I’ve found out that my pizza cutter works best when it comes to cutting pastry.

It’s perfectly sharp.

And pink.

I’m in love with it!

 

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures, place 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each square

7. Place 1 teaspoon of the filling in the center of each square.

Use a really thick jam. There are even jam brands out there that are meant for baking. Get one of those, preferably.

Also, when I was making the first batch of these cookies I was a little too generous and placed a little more than one teaspoon of the filling in the center. And I also spread it.

 

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures

I don’t recommend that.

 

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures

Although the cookies looked amazing before baking, if there’s too much jam, it has a tendency to leak while baking.

 

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures

In the second batch I was less generous.

 

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures, bake

And the cookies leaked less, they almost didn’t leak at all.

7. Back to the instructions… pull 2 opposite corners of the square into the middle, and pinch the edges together to seal.

Pinch the edges well, don’t give them a chance to open back into the square shape while baking.

 

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures

8. Place the cookies on the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) apart.

 

9. Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for about 12 minutes or until lightly golden.

 

Christmas Bowtie Cookies recipe with step by step pictures

10. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.

 

11. Dust the tops with sifted confectioner’s sugar while still warm, then let cool completely.

 

Enjoy, dear friends!

 

(This recipe was loosely adapted from Epicurious.com and makes 40 cookies.)

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