Recipes

Subterms

    consigliato per te

    • in Recipes

      Cheerwine Chocolate Cupcakes

      ha scritto per te

      Chocolate cupcakes get a boost of cherry flavor from Cheerwine, a unique southern soft drink. A tall swirl of cherry-Cheerwine buttercream gives these cakes a grand finish.

      My recent cake baking has been inspired by fizzy beverages. I’m not sure why. Maybe because summer makes me crave my favorite chilled drinks. Cheerwine is one of those favorites that has a cult following. It was born in North Carolina in 1917, is nonalcoholic despite its name, and tastes like a cross between Cherry Coke and Dr. Pepper. It was once little-known outside its region, however, thanks to the internet (and a NY Times article) today it’s more widely available.
      It’s a regular fixture at barbeque joints in North Carolina, but I like it with just about anything. However, I may nominate these cupcakes for dessert at our next family barbeque.

      First, you’ll start with a good amount of butter, white and brown sugars, and a generous addition of cocoa powder in a saucepan. My favorite chocolate cakes usually start out this way.

      Next, add in a whole cup of Cheerwine. All of this goes on the stovetop over medium heat. Whisk it all together until the butter and sugars are melted. The mixture doesn’t have to be super hot or boiling for this to happen. Just heat it long enough for the ingredients to marry.

      Then, let the chocolate mixture cool in the pan. When it’s just barely warm, whisk in an egg.

      Pour the chocolate mixture into the dry ingredients and stir together. You don’t even need an electric mixer for this, really. Hand-mixing is best for most small yield cake batters because it prevents incorporating too much air or over-mixing. As a result you’ll have less tunnels (air holes) in the baked cakes.

      The baked cupcakes are slightly domed and crackled on top. Just perfect, if you ask me!

      The buttercream formula is a simple confectioners’ sugar and butter mixture with the additions of Cheerwine, maraschino cherry juice, and a few drops of black cherry flavoring. The latter is available for purchase online (right here). You can make these cupcakes without the flavoring, but without it the cherry flavor is subtle.
      White nonpareils are the unsung heroes of the sprinkle world. I adore them on any baked good I want to make look bubbly or fizzy (these NYE treats come to mind). I think they work really well on these little cakes.

      The only thing left to say is – YUM! The soda gives the cakes subtle black cherry flavor. Nothing here is too bossy or overpowering, but I will offer one suggestion. For those averse to tall frosting on cupcakes, halve the buttercream recipe.

      Cheerwine Chocolate Cupcakes

      Heather Baird

      These soft chocolate cupcakes are infused with delicious dark cherry Cheerwine soft drink. Use a 1/4 cup measure to accurately fill the cupcakes, and use a small rubber spatula to effectively scrape out the batter from the measuring cup into the liner (you should get an even dozen this way). If you’re not a fan of a tall serving of buttercream, halve the frosting recipe.

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 15 minsCook Time 20 minsTotal Time 35 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 12

      EquipmentClosed star piping tip, such as Ateco #855Piping bag
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Cupcakes1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder4 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into pieces1/2 cup granulated sugar1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar1 cup Cheerwine soft drink1 egg1 cup all-purpose flour1/2 tsp. plus 1/8 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon saltCheerwine buttercream and garnish1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature4 cups confectioners’ sugar3 tablespoons Cheerwine soft drink1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice5-7 drops black cherry flavoring oil or 1/2 teaspoon cherry extract1/8 teaspoon liquid red food color optional2 tablespoons white nonpareils12 maraschino cherries with stems
      Instructions CupcakesPreheat the oven to 350F. Line a cupcake pan with baking papers.To a small saucepan, add the cocoa powder, butter, and sugars. Pour in the soft drink. Place over medium heat and whisk until the butter is melted, the sugar is dissolved, and the ingredients are well mixed, about 5-7 minutes. Let cool until barely warm. Whisk in the egg.In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together. Gently stir the flour mixture into the cocoa mixture.Use a 1/4 cup measure to pour batter into the cupcake papers. Bake cupcakes for 20-22 minutes or until cakes spring back when pressed in the middle. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.ButtercreamIn the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment, cream the butter and confectioners’ sugar together until crumbly. Dribble in the Cheerwine soft drink one tablespoon at a time while beating at medium speed. Add the cherry juice and cherry flavor. Whip on high speed until light and fluffy. If mixture is too thick to spread, beat in additional Cheerwine one tablespoon at a time. The froting should be pale pink after whipping. Beat in food color if desired.Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large closed star tip. Pipe a generous double swirl of frosting on top of each cupcake, sprinkling with white nonpareils after each cupcake is piped. Garnish each cake with a single maraschino cherry.Serve as the perfect ending to a southern dinner, especially a barbeque dinner. However, these need no special occasion.
      NotesThe chocolate cupcake recipe was adapted from Baked! New Frontiers in Baking (2008, Stewart, Tabori & Chang).
      Increase the frosting’s cherry flavor to taste by adding more drops of flavoring oil or more cherry extract.

      Keyword american buttercream, Cheerwine, maraschino cherries, unsweet cocoa powder

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Pull-Apart Scones with Grilled Nectarines

      ha scritto per te

      Grilled nectarines with pull-apart scones. These no-fuss pull-apart scones have a golden, tender crumb thanks to the unparalleled richness of Kerrygold Unsalted Butter. The perfect balance of crisp on the outside and moist on the inside, these scones might just become your new go-to quick bread. Want to take them to the next level? Fire […] LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Cold Strawberry Soufflé

      ha scritto per te

      Cold Strawberry Soufflé gets its lift and airy texture from beaten egg whites and whipped cream. Make it ahead for a chilly summer treat or an elegant dinner party dessert.

      If the word soufflé brings up some hesitancy, it’s no wonder. Hot soufflés in French fashion have only a handful of ingredients, but they must be handled just so. Immediately after baking they’re whisked to the table for the best presentation of their height. Cold soufflés are a different story. Unlike hot soufflés they can be made well ahead of time and kept chilled until ready to serve. I find them enjoyable to make, and a simple foil collar gives them stately height, just like a hot soufflé.

      Make the base.
      Begin with two pints of strawberries. These can be fresh or frozen. I used frozen berries (thawed). Puree them and measure out 1 1/4 cups of puree. I had about 3 tablespoons of leftover puree and used it as an ice cream topping.

      Next, in a saucepan you’ll bloom gelatin in a little of the puree. Place the saucepan over heat just long enough to melt the gelatin, then combine it with the rest of the puree.

      After the gelatin/puree mixture cools, you’ll whip it in a standing mixer. It will gain loads of volume, and look like a big weird pile of pink marshmallow. This is the base of the soufflé.

      Lighten the base.
      Immediately after the strawberry base is whipped, fold it into the whipped cream. Do this with gentle folding motions. As a result it will retain volume. At this stage I added 2 drops of liquid red food color, just to increase the pink intensity (recommend!). Finally, fold in the egg whites, just as gently as before.

      To make a cold soufflé look like a hot soufflé which rises above the top of its dish, add a foil collar. It should extend a couple of inches over the top of the dish, and it will support the soufflé mixture during setting. Use tape or rubber bands to secure the collars around the ramekins. Pipe the mixture into the collared ramekins and smooth the tops with a spatula.
      I made this recipe into individual servings, but you can also make it into one big soufflé (or even molded into a pan, like this one!). Same collar technique applies, but use a 1 quart soufflé dish.

      For the neatest collar removal, freeze the desserts and unmold them while they are still frozen. As a result, you’ll have smooth edges that won’t ding easily if you accidentally stick your thumb into it (I learned the hard way!). Thaw them in the refrigerator before digging in.

      This dessert is a pink cloud! Sweet and gossamer light, it refreshes and won’t weigh you down. It’s a wonderful, classic dessert to learn, and good any time of year (but especially on a hot day).

      Cold Strawberry Soufflé

      Heather Baird

      This recipe yields about 4 servings if divided between collared 6 oz. ramekins. This is a generous serving size, and even though this dessert is light it is deceptively rich. Consider using collared 4 oz. ramekins for more servings. Or, collar a 1 to 1.25 quart soufflé dish for one large dessert that can be portioned onto dessert plates. This recipe was adapted from The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook, circa 1980.

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 20 minsCook Time 5 minsTotal Time 25 mins

      Course DessertCuisine French

      Servings 4

      Equipment4 ramekins, 6 oz. each, or 1 quart souffle dishaluminum foil
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric 2 cups heavy whipping cream1 1/4 cups strawberry puree from about 2 pints of berries2 envelopes powdered unflavored gelatin .25 oz. each2 drops liquid red food color6 egg whites from pasteurized eggs1/4 teaspoon fine grain salt1/2 cup granulated sugar4 fresh whole strawberries1/2 cup whipped cream for piping optional
      Instructions Prepare four 6 oz. ramekins with foil collars, or a 1-quart dish. (See notes for instructions.)In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the cream to stiff peaks. Cover and refrigerate.In a saucepan, stir the gelatin with 3 tablespoons of the strawberry puree. Mixture will thicken and set. Place over medium heat and stir until gelatin melts and dissolves. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining puree. Cool completely, about 15 minutes. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, whip the gelatin and strawberry puree mixture on high speed until the mixture gains volume and lightens. Immediately fold the strawberry mixture into the whipped cream mixture. Do this gently to retain volume and lightness.In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites and salt to soft peaks with an electric mixer. Gradually add in the sugar and beat to stiff peaks. Fold into the strawberry whipped cream mixture. Do this gently to retain the volume and lightness.Spoon or pipe the soufflé mixture into the prepared dishes and smooth the tops using an offset spatula. Freeze until firm, about 4 hours. Remove collars while the desserts are still frozen. Thaw them in the refrigerator, about 2 hours. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.Before serving, garnish with sliced fresh berries. Pipe stars of whipped cream around the top edge of the soufflés, if using.
      NotesHow to make a foil collar: Cut a piece of 12-inch-wide foil to fit around a 1 quart soufflé dish or cut four pieces to fit around four 6 oz. ramekins and overlap about 2 inches. For one large soufflé, fold the foil in half lengthwise, for ramekins fold into thirds. Carefully wrap around the outside of the dish so that the collar stands about 3 inches above the rim. Secure with rubber bands or with short pieces of cellophane tape.
      For the optional piped whipped cream, beat 1/4 cup of heavy cream with 1 teaspoon granulated sugar in a bowl with an electric hand mixer. Beat to stiff peaks. Place in a piping bag fitted with a small open star tip. Pipe whipped cream around the top edge(s) of the soufflé.

      Keyword egg whites, heavy cream, powdered gelatin, strawberry puree

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Red White and Blue Firecracker Cake

      ha scritto per te

      Celebrate Independence Day with this colorful Red, White, and Blue Firecracker Cake. It’s patriotic inside and out!

      Summer is in full swing, and July Fourth is just around the corner. I’m always looking for new ways to make the holiday special. This year I dreamed up a fun way to decorate a cake for the occasion. It’s so festive and extremely simple using candy from the grocery store. Anyone can do it!

      Batter up!
      This cake is patriotic inside and out! Start by whipping up the cake batter. It’s a tangy and thick with buttermilk and Greek yogurt, and it’s pale enough to take food color well. For the colorful interior, three shades of food color does the trick! Use red, sky blue, and navy blue or royal blue gel food colors. I’ve been using Chefmaster gel food colors for a few years now, and this is a good starter set if you’re looking to try it out. Tint three bowls of batter with the food color and leave one plain.

      After the colorful cake batters are baked into 6″ cake layers and cooled, stack them and coat with good old fashioned American buttercream. (Was there any other choice for this cake?). I almost left the frosting white, but at the last minute I decided on pale sky blue. I l love this color with the red firecracker decors.

      Piping fun!
      The rope of multicolor frosting on top is a fun and really eye-catching element. The most labor intensive part of this process is tinting the frosting with food color. The rest is easy!
      First, divide and tint the frosting red, sky blue, and royal blue. Transfer each to a piping bag. Place some untinted frosting in a fourth piping bag. Next, lay a sheet of plastic wrap out on a work surface. Pipe a fat line of royal blue frosting on the center of the plastic, about 8 inches long. Pipe the light blue color frosting right next to the royal blue frosting. Follow with the white frosting, the red frosting, and another line of white. After the piping is done, fold the plastic over the frosting to roll it together.

      Next, squeeze out a some of the icing in a circular motion on a piece of scrap parchment. This will give you some practice piping the rope, and sometimes it takes a few passes for all of the colors to extrude together.Now you’re ready to pipe on the cake!

      Sprinkle now, not later.
      Immediately after piping the fat rope of frosting, add sprinkles. Have them ready to hand because this buttercream crusts in just a few minutes. If you wait too long the sprinkles will bounce right off! I used a combination of white confetti, white nonpareils and gold dragees.

      The firecrackers are TOO EASY to make. Just get yourself some SweeTarts Ropes in Cherry Punch flavor and black licorice laces. Trim the ropes down to about 2-inches and insert a small length of licorice into the cream center. I used a toothpick to remove a little of the cream filling to make room for the licorice. That’s pretty much it for assembly!

      By the time all of the firecrackers are assembled, the buttercream frosting on the cake will be well set. Use a little leftover buttercream to attach the firecrackers to the cake. I used a toothpick to apply a little to the backs of each candy.

      Because this cake requires quite a few of the firecracker decors, enlist some help! Kids can help put them together.

      This was a fun little bake, and it’s 6-inch size makes it small yet tall. A slice is a tower of color!

      This cake recipe was new to me. I found it in a community cookbook and decided to give it a spin. It has the tightest crumb and yet it is moist with all that yogurt in the batter. It’s tangy and relies on pure vanilla extract for its bakery-made flavor. I think it would be the perfect consistency to hold chunks of fresh fruit throughout, so I may try a summer peach version with it next!

      Red White and Blue Firecracker Cake

      Heather Baird

      This is the perfect party cake for a July Fourth party or cookout. The frosting recipe provides the large quantity needed to fill, frost, and make the rope border for the cake. You will have a little frosting leftover. Use it to attach the firecrackers to the outside of the cake. SweeTarts Ropes candies were used for the firecrackers can be found at most US grocery stores. You could also use strawberry licorice ropes or Twizzlers.

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 40 minsCook Time 40 minsTotal Time 1 hr 20 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 8

      Equipment6 inch cake pans, 4Kitchen scissorskitchen dedicated tweezers
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Cakes4 1/2 cups cake flour1 tablespoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature2 cups granulated sugar4 eggs1 egg white1 cup Greek yogurt1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract1 1/4 cups buttermilkRed sky blue, and royal blue (or navy blue) gel food colorAmerican buttercream and decors2 cups unsalted butter softened2 lb. confectioners’ sugarMilk or cream to thin1 tablespoon pure vanilla extractRed sky blue, and royal blue (or navy blue) gel food color2 tablespoons white confetti sprinkles2 tablespoons white nonpareils1 tablespoon gold drageesFirecrackers3 SweeTarts Ropes in Cherry flavor1 licorice lace about 12 inches long1 tablespoon white confetti star sprinkles
      Instructions CakesPreheat the oven to 350F. Coat four 6-inch round cake pans with flour-based baking spray.In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time until combined. Add the egg white and beat again. Add yogurt and vanilla extract.Add the flour and buttermilk alternately; begin and end with flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and fold together by hand until all the ingredients are well incorporated.Divide the batter evenly into four bowls (slightly more than 2 cups per bowl). Leave one bowl untinted. Mix red food color into one of the bowls; begin with 1/2 teaspoon and increase amount until the desired vibrant red hue is achieved. Tint another bowl with the sky blue food color, and the last bowl with the royal blue food color. Mix well until no streaks of white remain. Transfer batters to the prepared pans and bake for 40 minutes, or until cakes are completely set and a toothpick tester comes out clean.Remove cakes to a wire rack to cool completely. Trim domes from the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife to level.ButtercreamIn the bowl of an electric mixer with the whip attachment, beat butter until creamy. Add half of the confectioners’ sugar. Beat until combined. Add the remaining confectioners’ sugar and beat on low speed. Add milk or cream a little at a time until mixture whips and is of spreading consistency. Add the vanilla extract and beat again. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy.Remove about 2/3 cup of white frosting to a piping bag.Place 1/3 cup in each of three bowls. Cover remaining frosting in the bowl with a damp towel to prevent drying.Tint one bowl with red food color, one with sky blue, and one with royal blue. Transfer each to their own piping bags. Lay a piece of plastic wrap on a work surface and pipe a line of royal blue frosting 8-inches long. Pipe a light blue line alongside it, followed by a white line, and red line, and another white line of frosting, all touching each other. Roll the frostings up together in the plastic and twist the ends. Snip one end. Place the snipped end into a piping bag fitted with Ateco #824 open star tip. Set aside.Tint the remaining frosting with a small amount of sky blue food color and beat until a light blue color is achieved.AssemblyPlace the royal blue cake layer on a serving plate. Cover with a thin layer of buttercream. Stack the light blue layer on top; cover with a thin layer of buttercream. Continue with the with the white layer and frosting. Top with the red cake layer. Crumb coat the outside of the cake and refrigerate until set, 15 minutes. Coat the cake with a final layer of sky-blue buttercream. Use a bench scraper or cake smoother to smooth the edges of the cake. Refrigerate until firm, 15 minutes.Use the reserved bag of multicolor frosting to pipe a fat rope of buttercream along the top edge of the cake. Immediately add white confetti, white nonpareils, and gold dragees while the buttercream is still tacky. Reserve any leftover frosting.FirecrackersCut SweeTart Ropes int 1 1/2 to 2-inch pieces. Snip the licorice lace into small pieces using a kitchen-dedicated pair of scissors. Use a toothpick to make holes in the cream centers of the rope pieces. Insert a piece of licorice lace into the holes to make a firecracker ‘wick’.Using a toothpick place small dots of buttercream on the backs of each firecracker and attach to the outside of the cake. Repeat with star confetti sprinkles. Use a pair of kitchen dedicated tweezers to apply them to the outside of the cake. Refrigerate cake. Bring to room temperature before serving.
      NotesThe cake’s texture improves after a night in the refrigerator. Consider making the layers a day ahead. After they cool, wrap in plastic and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. 
      If you can’t find SweeTarts cherry ropes, try using red licorice ropes or Twizzlers.

      Keyword buttermilk, cake flour, candy ropes, greek yogurt, licorice laces

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Italian Cream Cake

      ha scritto per te

      Italian Cream Cake is a classic! Three soft cake layers are loaded with pecans and coconut. Rich cream cheese frosting is the true hallmark of this cake.

      This is my family’s recipe for Italian Cream Cake. Years ago my mom gave me a book of hand-written family recipes. It’s something I treasure, and it’s extremely useful, too! This recipe comes from those pages. You probably know by now that I love a good homestyle cake. This one is a classic, known and loved by many. I made it for our Father’s Day luncheon last Sunday because it’s my father-in-law’s favorite cake.

      My mom included tips, tricks, and stories with each recipe in the book. Here is what was written alongside the cake entry.
      “Our family discovered this recipe in the 1970’s. We loved it. My recipe card has spots all over it where I made it so much. I once made it for a co-worker. He paid me $20 for it. I thought that was outrageous.”-mom
      Haha! Who else thinks $20 sounds like a steal? You can almost spend that on a bag of good pecans.

      The batter comes together quickly, even though there’s the task of dividing the eggs and whipping the whites separately. It’s an extra step but so worth it. The cream cheese frosting in this recipe is probably my favorite of all time. It’s so easy, so smooth, and pipes well. It tastes great and performs – what more can you ask for?

      Let’s just take a moment to look at that interior. The cake layers stay moist because the smooth cream cheese frosting seals all that moisture in.

      The rolled wafer cookies on top were my addition. They’re optional, but they make a quick and easy final flourish – and they’re tasty, too!

      Italian Cream Cake

      Heather Baird

      Italian Cream Cake’s beginnings are murky, but it is said to originate from an Italian baker that moved to the southern US. This is our family recipe, passed down to me from my mom. It’s a delicious classic cake that everyone should try at least once. (I’m certain you’ll be hooked!)Make sure the cake layers are completely cool before frosting them. Cream cheese frosting is soft and easily meltable.

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 20 minsCook Time 25 minsTotal Time 45 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American, Italian

      Servings 10

      Equipment8 inch cake pans, 3
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Cake layers1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature1/2 cup vegetable oil2 cups granulated sugar5 eggs yolks and whites divided2 cups flour1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup buttermilk1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 cup sweetened flake coconut1 cup chopped pecansCream cheese frosting and décors16 oz. cream cheese at room temperature1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature7 cups confectioners’ sugar 2 boxes, 1 lb. each2 teaspoons vanilla extract1/3 cup ground pecans8 pecan halves8 striped rolled wafer cookie I used Pirouettes
      Instructions Cake layersPreheat oven to 350F. Generously coat three 8-inch cake pans with flour-based baking spray (or grease and flour pans).In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter, oil, and sugar. Add egg yolks one at a time, beat well after each addition.In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Beat the flour mixture into the creamed butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk; begin and end with the flour. Add vanilla, coconut, and pecans.In a separate bowl, beat together egg whites to stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.Cream cheese frostingCream together the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer. Add the powdered sugar in two additions. Beat until smooth. Add vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat again until combined. Cover frosting with a damp towel to keep it from drying out while you work.Remove about 1 cup of the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large closed star tip. Set aside.AssemblyPlace a cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Top with a thin layer of frosting; stack another layer and frost. Top with the third cake layer. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting to the outside of the cake. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Cover the cake with the remaining frosting. Smooth top and sides using a cake smoother or bench scraper. Immediately press the ground pecans onto the lower edges of the cake.Pipe eight large swirls of frosting on the top edge of the cake using the reserved piping bag of frosting. Immediately sprinkle swirls with leftover ground pecans. Place a pecan half between each swirl. Top each mound with a rolled wafer cookie.Refrigerate cake. Bring to room temperature before serving.

      Keyword chopped pecans, cream cheese frosting, sweetened flake coconut

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Cinnamon-Vanilla Sugar Pretzels

      ha scritto per te

      A sweet twist on a classic, these vanilla bean seed-speckled soft pretzels are coated in a crunchy sugar blend punctuated with the aromatic flavors of cinnamon and Heilala Pure Vanilla Bean Paste. ¾ cup (150 grams) plus 3 teaspoons (12 grams) granulated sugar, divided 1⁄4 cup (55 grams) plus 1 tablespoon (14 grams) firmly packed […] LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Coconut Butterfly Pea Flower Boba Tea

      ha scritto per te

      Ice cold, brimming with coconut flavor and eye-popping color, this Coconut Butterfly Pea Flower Boba Tea is summer’s best refresher!

      I’ve been so eager to try butterfly pea flower tea for months now, but I didn’t know where to start. I’ve seen it used by pastry chefs in cakes and mousses with beautiful (naturally blue!) results. However, since I’m a butterfly pea flower tea newbie, I started with its intended purpose. Which is herbal tea. Paired with sweet coconut milk and boba (bubble) tea pearls, it makes a lovely sippable dessert.

      A magic ingredient.
      The butterfly pea flower plant is native to most South East Asian countries, but has only recently been introduced outside its natural territory. You won’t find it at the grocery store (but I hear Whole Foods is trying to procure some). Instead you’ll have to purchase it online.  Aside from being used for tea or as a food ingredient, it’s been used as a popular plant dye for centuries. One of the neatest things about the tea is its color-changing properties. In its brewed state it is vibrant blue. Change the pH level with a little lemon juice and it turns bright purple!  

      Wow! SO pretty. The brewed tea has a slightly wheat-y flavor that I think has the aroma of whole grain cereal. Other people have described it as earthy and grassy, but it’s not as assertive as, say, matcha green tea (which is my measuring stick for ‘earthy and grassy’). It’s so light, and hides itself behind other bolder flavors easily.

      Bubble love.
      You may remember my first boba tea post (here) from years ago. For those uninitiated, “Bubble tea” or boba originated in Taiwan in the 1980’s. It first came to the states through Asian American communities. Now boba enthusiasts are everywhere! (Including right here, hi!). Reportedly, boba tea shops are in the midst of a boba shortage due to supply chain issues, but smaller packages seem to still be available for purchase online. However, if your local bubble tea shop is experiencing a shortage, you can still support them by purchasing their other menu items. It’s the least we can do to keep these shops alive and well!
      So. The very first order of business is cooking up some boba. You can usually find a small bag at international markets and online. This is the kind I used, which cooks quickly. Use the 5-minute variety for this recipe.

      Next, brew up the tea. Let it stand for about 10 minutes. It will go through several beautiful color intensities as it steeps. You’ll know it’s ready when the color is deep sapphire blue.

      Strain the flowers out and press with the back of a spoon to remove as much liquid as possible. Let it cool down before you use it.

      Next – the sweetest part! Combine coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk in a glass measure. Whisk together until no lumps of coconut milk solids remain.

      The serving size of this recipe is variable depending on your glass size. Poured in 12 oz. glasses you’ll get about 5 servings. Layer in as much boba as you’d like (I like a lot!) and fill each glass about 1/3 of the way up with the milk mixture. Fill up the glass to the top with crushed ice.

      Tea time!
      Pour in the steeped tea to the top of the glass. The milk and tea will slightly swirl and intermingle but they’ll stay mostly separated because the sweetened milk mixture is heavier than the tea. They’ll stay beautifully semi-swirled until you decide it’s time to mix it all up!

      This drink is sweet and creamy with refreshing coconut flavor. The soft, chewy tapioca pearls make this half beverage, half snack. The butterfly pea flower tea is present more in color than flavor, but it’s more than just a novelty to me. It’s a whole new sandbox to play in! The color is so beautiful, it reminds me of ocean water and I just want to dive into it head-first. And I pretty much did just that (yum!)!

      Coconut Butterfly Pea Flower Boba Tea

      Heather Baird

      This beverage is like a cool breeze on a hot day! So refreshing and more than just a drink – it’s sippable dessert.
      This recipe will yield about 5 servings if portioned into 12 oz. glasses. Simple syrup, butterfly pea flower tea, and sweet coconut cream can all be made one day ahead and chilled, if desired. Boba pearls are best eaten the same day they are made.

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 20 minsCook Time 7 minsTotal Time 27 mins

      Course Dessert, DrinksCuisine South East Asia, Taiwainese

      Servings 5

      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Simple syrup1 cup sugar1 cup water1 teaspoon coconut extractBoba10 cups water1 package 8.8 oz. dried boba tapioca pearls quick cooking 5-minute typeButterfly pea flower tea1 cup dried butterfly pea flower buds2 cups boiling waterSweet coconut cream1 can coconut milk well shaken2/3 cup sweetened condensed milkCrushed ice for serving
      Instructions Simple syrupMake the simple syrup: Combine the water and sugar in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes at 100% power. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. If granules remain, heat at full power in 1-minute intervals thereafter until the sugar is melted. Stir in the coconut extract. Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator to cool. If you don’t have a microwave, the simple syrup can be made in a saucepan on the stove top.BobaBring the water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Add the boba and cook for 7 minutes, stirring gently until the pearls float to the surface of the water. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 3 more minutes. Remove the pot from the heat source and let it stand for 5 minutes. Drain the boba with a colander, and rinse them in cool water for 20 seconds. Remove the simple syrup from the refrigerator and transfer the boba to the simple syrup. Let stand until completely cool, about 1 hour. Or, speed cooling in the refrigerator, about 30 minutes.Butterfly pea flower teaPlace the buds in a large glass bowl or container and pour over the boiling water. Stir the buds around and then let steep uncovered for 10-15 minutes. When the liquid is deep sapphire blue, strain out the buds using a sieve and transfer the tea to the refrigerator to cool.Sweet coconut creamCombine the coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk in a large glass measure. Whisk until completely smooth.AssemblePut as little or as much boba as you like in the bottom of a 12-ounce glass (I used about 1/4 cup per glass). Pour sweet coconut cream about 1/3 of the way up the glass. Add crushed ice and fill to the top. Pour the butterfly pea flower tea over the ice to fill to the top of the glass. Serve immediately with bubble tea straws or with spoons. Stir together before enjoying. Assemble more glasses as needed. Store the boba tea in its syrup in the refrigerator. Also store the coconut cream and butterfly pea flower in the refrigerator until ready to use.
      NotesI cook the boba slightly longer than the package directions. This seems to keep them softer a little longer.
      Boba pearls are best fresh. Leftover boba should be tossed at the end of the day.

      Keyword boba tea, bubble tea, butterfly pea flower tea, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, tapioca pearls

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread

      ha scritto per te

      This cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread is a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Use ready-made pizza dough from the grocery store and you’ll have this on the table in a snap!

      I’m squeezing in a savory bake this week because this one was such a winner from the test kitchen. I simply could not wait to share. Plus, it’s something that a deserving dad might love for Father’s Day on Sunday. But honestly, I’d make it for no other reason than it’s totally perfect for snacking. Each little nugget of pizza dough holds melty mozzarella cheese and a single pepperoni slice. Get yourself some marinara for dipping and you’re all set!

      You could make your own pizza dough for this (I like this one) but ready-made refrigerated or frozen pizza dough is a terrific shortcut. You’ll need 2 lbs. of dough, so pick up a couple of bags from grocery store. Don’t go for anything in a can – we’re looking for true yeasty-stretchy pizza dough for this recipe.

      Roll & shape.
      Roll out the dough to a rough 13×9-inch rectangle. Cold dough will want to snap back when you roll it, but don’t let it boss you around! You’re the boss of it. Pick it up and stretch it to size with your hands. See the video at the end of this post for a few visual cues.
      Use a pizza wheel to cut the dough into 1 1/2- inch x 2-inch squares. It doesn’t have to be exact because the dough can stretch if needed. It should be large enough to fit a standard size pepperoni slice on a square.

      Cube up a block of mozzarella cheese to about 1/2-inch square pieces. Place a pepperoni and a cheese cube on top of a dough square pinch the dough around it tightly. Repeat, repeat, repeat! This part went faster than I expected. There are a lot of dough squares to fill, but the end result is totally worth it!

      Dress it up!
      Mix up some olive oil, Italian herbs, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl, then toss in the filled dough pieces. Mix ’em around to make sure they’re coated on all sides.

      Layer the pieces in a lightly greased bundt pan. When the pan is all filled up, lightly tamp them down with your fingers. Into the oven it goes!

      After about 5-10 minutes, turn the bread out onto a large plate. Add your favorite marinara sauce and start dipping! The bowl of sauce in the center is pretty, but this bread gets eaten so fast it didn’t stay put for very long! As a result, you may prefer it on the side.

      I opted for a simple sprinkle of Italian flatleaf parsley on this pepperoni pizza monkey bread, but you could load it up with more mozzarella, parmesan, black olives, – heck, anything! Pieces can be pulled off with appetizer picks, or pulled apart with fingers.

      This ended up as our lunch instead of being an appetizer. One pan will feed about 6 very hungry adults, or 10-12 as a party appetizer. I imagine this would be perfect as a game day snack, or even make-ahead tailgate party food. Actually, I can’t think of an occasion that I wouldn’t make this for. I kind of want it for my birthday next month. Enjoy!

      Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread

      Heather Baird

      This cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread is a true crowd-pleasing appetizer. Use ready-made pizza dough from the grocery store deli and you’ll have this on the table in a snap!

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 40 minsCook Time 40 minsTotal Time 1 hr 20 mins

      Course Appetizer, BreadCuisine American, Italian

      Servings 10

      Equipment10 cup bundt pan
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric 1/3 cup olive oil1 tablespoon garlic powder2 tablespoons Italian seasoning1/2 teaspoon fine grain salt2 lb. frozen or refrigerated pizza dough thawed if frozen5 oz. package pepperoni slices8 oz. block low moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese cubed to 1/2 inch pieces2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf Italian parsley optionalMarinara sauce for serving
      Instructions Lightly coat a 10 cup bundt pan with cooking spray.In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Set aside.On a floured work surface, roll out 1 lb. of pizza dough using a rolling pin to roughly a 13×9 –inch rectangle. Cold dough will want to snap back, so pick up the dough and stretch it with your hands, working it to form the rectangle. Or, let the dough stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to loosen.Cut the rectangle using a pizza wheel or large chef’s knife into 1 1/2-inch x 2-inch squares (or thereabouts).Place a single pepperoni and a single cheese cube on top of dough square. Fold (and stretch if needed) the dough edges inward and pinch the edges together tightly. Repeat with remaining dough squares.Toss the stuffed dough pieces in the olive oil mixture and layer into the bundt pan.Repeat the rolling/shaping, cutting, and filling with the second 1 lb. pizza dough. Toss in the remaining olive oil mixture and transfer the pieces to the bundt pan. Tamp the pieces down gently with your fingertips.Preheat the oven to 350° F. Let the bread stand in the pan at room temperature while the oven preheats.Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes, or until it is well-puffed, fragrant, and golden brown on top. Let the bread cool in the pan 5-10 minutes before turning it out onto a large serving plate. Serve with marinara sauce on the side.
      NotesUse a bundt pan that doesn’t have a lot of detail. This recipe works best in a standard ridged pan (as pictured).
      If you don’t have a bottle of Italian seasoning on hand, you can make your own blend using 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried marjoram, 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme. This will equal the 2 tablespoons needed for this recipe. 

      Keyword italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, pizza dough

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO