Month: February 2016

Pizza Slice Sugar Cookies

pizza shaped sugar cookies

These pizza slice sugar cookies are a simple and delicious sweet treat. They can make a great baking project to enjoy with your kids.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

Being a nice and whimsical twist on old plain sugar cookies, I am sure they will bring a lot of fun into your kitchen and on your table.

Here’s how to make them…

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

To cut out the dough you will need an 8-inch (20 cm) round cutter (or a bowl) and a 6-inch (15 cm) cutter or bowl. You will also need a wooden skewer and a knife.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

1. In the bowl of your electric mixer, mix butter and sugar until fluffy.

2, Add the flour, a few tablespoons at a time.

3. Add the vanilla extract and salt.

4. Using your hands, form a ball.

5. Place the dough ball in a medium bowl (or on a plate), cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

6. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

7. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about 0.2-inch (0.5 cm) thickness.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

8. Use an 8-inch (20 cm) round cutter or a bowl to cut out a round shape.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

Just like this.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

9. Place a 6-inch (15 cm) cutter or a bowl over the cut out round and lightly press it into the dough just to trace its edges.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

Just like this.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

10. Using a wooden skewer, make dots in the center of the inner round.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

11. Using a knife, make dents around the larger round’s edge.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

12. Using a pizza cutter or a knife, cut the whole round into 6 triangles.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

13. Carefully, transfer the triangles onto the lined baking sheet.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

…

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

14. Sprinkle each triangle with caster sugar (optional).

15. Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for about 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.

 

pizza shaped sugar cookies

Enjoy!

With lots of love,
Petra

 

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Pizza Slice Sugar Cookies
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6 slice cookies
 
Ingredients
  • ¾ cup + 2 tbsp (200 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup + 2 tbps (100 grams) confectioners' sugar
  • 2 cups + 2 tbsp (275 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • caster sugar for garnish (optional)
Instructions
  1. In the bowl of your electric mixer, mix butter and sugar until fluffy.
  2. Add the flour, a few tablespoons at a time.
  3. Add the vanilla extract and salt.
  4. Using your hands, form a ball.
  5. Place the dough ball in a medium bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  7. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll it out to about 0.2-inch (0.5 cm) thickness.
  8. Use an 8-inch (20 cm) round cutter or a bowl to cut out a round shape.
  9. Place a 6-inch (15 cm) cutter or a bowl over the cut out round and lightly press it into the dough just to trace its edges.
  10. Using a wooden skewer, make dots in the center of the inner round.
  11. Using a knife, make dents around the larger round's edge.
  12. Using a pizza cutter or a knife, cut the whole round into 6 triangles.
  13. Transfer the triangles onto the lined baking sheet.
  14. Sprinkle each triangle with caster sugar (optional).
  15. Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for about 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
  16. Tip: Re-roll any scraps of dough and cut out smaller shapes. Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) until the edges are lightly golden brown.

 

(This lovely recipe was adapted from here.)

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Raw No-Bake Date And Coconut Energy Bars

raw no bake date and coconut power bars

I have made a decision.

A firm one.

After making these bars a few days ago I am now sure that I feel no need to go back to the store bought ones. These homemade energy bars are perfectly delicious. Containing wonderful natural ingredients like dates, coconut, cocoa powder, oats and coconut oil they are packed full of nutrients. And I know what went into every single bite… and that sure is a good feeling.

Another plus is that there’s no added sugar, all the sweetening job is done by the dates. These bars are just finger-licking good, very easy to make, and – needless to say – they are much less expensive than their store counterparts.

 

raw no bake date and coconut power bars

I am really looking forward to making many batches of this healthy snack in the future.

And here’s how…

 

raw no bake date and coconut power bars

1. Place all the ingredients in your food processor and mix for about 5-7 minutes until all is combined (reserve a little coconut to sprinkle on top).

2. Line a square baking pan with parchment paper – cut a length of parchment paper long enough to line the bottom of the pan with extra hanging over the sides (I used a 8 x 8 x 2-inch / 20 x 20 x 5 cm baking pan).

3. Pour the mixture into the pan and press it firmly to the bottom of the pan (you can use the bottom side of a glass to help you with that).

4. Cover the pan with a plastic wrap a place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours (or overnight).

 

raw no bake date and coconut power bars

6. Use the overhanging part of parchment paper to remove the mixture from the pan.

7. Cut into bars (I made 4 x 1 1/2-inch /10×4 cm bars).

 

raw no bake date and coconut power bars

Yum!

 

raw no bake date and coconut power bars

We loved these a lot!

Enjoy!

With lots of love,
Petra

 

4.0 from 1 reviews
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Raw No-Bake Date And Coconut Power Bars
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 10 bars
 
Ingredients
  • 7 oz (200 grams) pitted dates
  • 5¼ oz (150 grams) old fashioned rolled oats
  • 5 tbsp (70 ml) coconut oil, melted
  • 1¾ oz (50 grams) unsweetened desiccated coconut
  • ½ oz (15 grams) unsweetened flaked coconut
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)
Instructions
  1. Place all the ingredients in your food processor and mix for about 5-7 minutes until all is combined (reserve a little coconut to sprinkle on top).
  2. Line a square baking pan with parchment paper - cut a length of parchment paper long enough to line the bottom of the pan with extra hanging over the sides (I used a 8 x 8 x 2-inch / 20 x 20 x 5 cm baking pan).
  3. Pour the mixture into the pan and press it firmly to the bottom of the pan (you can use the bottom side of a glass to help you with that).
  4. Cover the pan with a plastic wrap a place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours (or overnight).
  5. Use the overhanging part of parchment paper to remove the mixture from the pan.
  6. Cut into bars (I made 4 x 1½-inch /10x4 cm bars). Enjoy!
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Hot Buttered Fluffy Pretzels

hot buttered fluffy soft pretzels

Soft pretzels are a wonderful thing. If you crave one (or two) right now, the good news is that they can be on your table in less than one hour. And you will need just a few ingredients (…it always amazes me how something so simple to put together can turn out so special).

This recipe results in the classical kind of pretzel with coarse salt on top, but you can try other variations too – cinnamon sugar, Parmesan Cheese or minced garlic with oil to name just a few.

You can find all the details on making these cuties below…

 

hot buttered fluffy soft pretzels

In the bowl of your electric mixer, combine all the dough ingredients and knead with the dough hook on medium low for 5 minutes. The dough should feel soft and smooth, not sticky to the touch.

 

hot buttered fluffy soft pretzels

Place the dough ball in a lightly greased bowl, dust with flour, cover with a plastic wrap and let rise for about 30 minutes.

 

hot buttered fluffy soft pretzels

Preheat the oven to 450 °F (230 °C) and lightly grease a baking sheet with vegetable oil. Remove the dough from the bowl and place onto a very lightly oiled countertop. Divide the dough into 8 pieces (just cut it with a knife). Form a ball out of each piece.

 

hot buttered fluffy soft pretzels

Roll each of the eight pieces into a long rope.

 

hot buttered fluffy soft pretzels

Then shape each rope into a pretzel.

 

hot buttered fluffy soft pretzels

Whisk to combine the warm water and baking soda and cook in the microwave for 1 minute. The alkaline bath of baking soda and water essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique “pretzel” flavor.

Dip each pretzel in the soda wash and place onto the greased baking sheet.

Sprinkle with coarse sea salt, then let them rest for 8 minutes.

 

hot buttered fluffy soft pretzels

Bake for 9 to 10 minutes until the pretzels are golden brown. Brush the pretzels with the melted butter while they are hot out of the oven.

Enjoy!

With lots of love,
Petra

 

5.0 from 1 reviews
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Hot Buttered Fluffy Pretzels
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8 pretzels
 
Ingredients
  • FOR THE DOUGH:
  • 12.5 oz (2.5 cups, 350 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp instant quick rise yeast
  • 1 cup warm water (110 °F/43 °C)
  • ...
  • FOR THE TOPPING
  • 1 cup (230 ml) warm water
  • 2 tbsp baking soda
  • vegetable oil for greasing the baking pan
  • coarse sea salt for sprinkling
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
  1. In the bowl of your electric mixer, combine all the dough ingredients and knead with the dough hook on medium low for 5 minutes. The dough should feel soft and smooth, not sticky to the touch.
  2. Place the dough ball in a lightly greased bowl, dust with flour, cover with a plastic wrap and let rise for about 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat the oven to 450 °F (230 °C) and lightly grease a baking sheet with vegetable oil.
  4. Remove the dough from the bowl and place onto a very lightly oiled countertop. Divide the dough into 8 pieces (just cut it with a knife). For a ball out of each piece.
  5. Whisk to combine the warm water and baking soda and cook in the microwave for 1 minute.
  6. Roll each of the eight pieces into a long rope, and shape each one into a pretzel. Dip each pretzel in the soda wash and place onto the greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt, then let them rest for 8 minutes.
  7. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes until the pretzels are golden brown. Brush the pretzels with the melted butter while they are hot out of the oven. Enjoy!

 

This recipe was adapted from FifteenSpatulas.com.

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Spicy Cheddar Crackers

spicy cheddar crackers recipe

Have you ever made your own crackers? I definitely recommend trying it. They are so easy to make! Not only will your effort be rewarded with a couple batches of wonderfully crunchy cheese crackers but your home will smell like heaven too.

This recipe is structured in a way that it gives you measures to spice up half of the dough while leaving the other half just ‘plainly’ cheesy. So yes, you will actually end up with two kinds of delicious crackers, cheesy ones and chili ones.

Divine!

You can find all the details below…

Happy baking!

With love,
Petra

 

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Spicy Cheddar Crackers
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 70 crackers
 
Ingredients
  • ½ stick (55 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 8 ounces (230 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1 cup (130 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp cold water
  • ...
  • For Chili Cheese Crackers (these amounts will spice half of the cracker dough) :
  • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon sweet paprika powder
Instructions
  1. In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat together the butter, cheese, salt and pepper. It will come together in a soft ball. With the mixer on low-speed, slowly add flour. Mixture will become dry and crumbly. Add two tablespoons of water and beat until the mixture just comes together - the dough should be moist but not wet. Use your hands to form a dough ball.
  2. Divide the dough in half and add chili seasoning to half of the dough. Knead the spices into the dough. Wrap each disk of cracker dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  3. While the dough chills, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  4. On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough out very thin, about an eighth of an inch (3 mm) thick. Cut out rounds of dough with a 1¾-inch (4.5 cm) round cutter dipped in flour. Place a portion of the crackers on the prepared baking sheet and dot the center of each cracker with a fork. The pieces can be close together as they won’t expand much when baking. Bake for 12 minutes until fragrant, golden brown and crisp. Allow to cool before serving.

 

This lovely recipe was adapted form JoyTheBaker.com.

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