Tag: baking

Carrot Cinnamon Rolls Cake

Carrot Cinnamon Rolls Cake

These soft and fluffy cinnamon rolls have sweet carrots folded into the dough, with a cream cheese frosting on top and toasted pecans. Their gooey texture is unmatched, and each bite packed with flavor. Prep Time: 20minutes minutesCook Time: 30minutes minutesResting Time: 4hours hoursServings: 12 rolls Ingredients Sweet Dough Filling Icing Candied Pecans 

Hot Cross Muffins

Hot Cross Muffins

Hot Cross Muffins are a sweet, spiced treat inspired by the classic Easter favorite. Soft and tender with a hint of cinnamon and warm spices, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack, offering all the comforting flavors of the season in a convenient, 

Nutella Rolls

Nutella Rolls

These Nutella scrolls are made with homemade dough and filled with Nutella instead of the classic cinnamon, giving them a slightly more indulgent twist. Trust me, it’s like HEAVEN. Easy to cook and great to enjoy with the kids!

Prep Time:25minutes mins
Cook Time:25minutes mins
Servings:12 rolls

Ingredients

Dough

  • ▢1 cup milk warmed to 110°F (44°C)
  • ▢2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • ▢2 large eggs room temperature
  • ▢4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ▢1 tsp salt
  • ▢1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • ▢10 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature and cubed

Filling

  • ▢1 1/4 cups Nutella

Topping

  • ▢1/2 cup melted nutella extra, optional

Instructions 

  • Heat the milk until it reaches 110°F. Stir in the yeast and 1/2 tbsp sugar, then let it sit for 10 minutes until foamy.
  • In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour, then add salt and sugar. Add the cubed butter and work it in until it resembles small pea-sized pieces.
  • Lightly beat the eggs, then add them along with the yeast mixture into a stand mixer. Mix with a dough hook on low speed until the dough forms, then increase to medium and knead for 5 minutes.
  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm oven (turned OFF) for about 1 hour, or until doubled.
  • Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.
  • Warm the Nutella for about 15 seconds, then spread it evenly over the dough.
  • Roll the dough from the short side into a log, then cut into 12 rolls using a serrated knife or dental floss.
  • Place the rolls in a greased 9×13-inch pan, cover, and let rise again for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Bake at 375°F for 23–27 minutes until lightly golden brown.
  • Spread or drizzle melted Nutella over the warm rolls.

Notes

This recipe is pretty forgiving, but a few small details can change how the rolls turn out.

Making the dough from scratch gives you more control over the texture. It might feel like an extra step, but it’s what keeps the rolls soft without turning dense or dry.

The milk temperature is one of the most important parts at the beginning. You’re aiming for around 110°F (43–44°C). If it’s too hot, it can kill the yeast, and if it’s too cool, the dough will take much longer to rise.

The flour also makes a difference here. If you can, weigh it (562 g) instead of using cups. It helps keep the dough consistent and prevents it from turning too dry.

Butter should be soft at room temperature, not melted. When you mix it into the flour, it creates a better texture in the dough and helps keep the rolls tender after baking.

The Nutella is what makes these different, so how you handle it matters. Slightly warming it helps it spread evenly, but if it’s too runny, it can start leaking out as you roll the dough.

The rise time is one of the most important parts. If the dough hasn’t fully doubled, the rolls won’t have the same texture after baking.

A few extra things to keep in mind:

  • The dough should feel soft before rising. If it feels too firm, the rolls will bake up heavier
  • If the dough sticks a little, that’s normal. Adding too much flour is what usually makes them dry
  • The filling will shift slightly as you roll, that’s okay as long as it’s mostly even
  • The rolls will continue to set slightly after coming out of the oven
  • They reheat well and soften again with a few seconds in the microwave

Once you’ve made them once, it’s easier to understand how the dough should feel and how the rolls should look before baking. After that, it becomes much more straightforward.

If you want them extra soft, let the rolls sit for about 5–10 minutes after baking before adding the Nutella on top. They’ll finish setting inside, and the heat will melt the Nutella just enough to spread smoothly without making the tops too messy.

Nutrition

Calories: 585kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 237mg | Potassium: 293mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 471IU | Vitamin C: 0.002mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Ferrero Rocher Brownie Cookie

Ferrero Rocher Brownie Cookie

Fudgy on the inside; crispy on the outside! A deep dish brownie/cookie full of crushed hazelnuts, stuffed with melted Nutella, hazelnut wafers and whole hazelnuts to recreate the Ferrero Rocher flavours. Prep Time:15minutes minsCook Time:25minutes minsServings:16 slices Ingredients Skillet Brownie Cookie: Additional for Topping: Instructions  Notes Serve with 

Madeleines

Madeleines

These little brown butter bourbon madeleines are the cutest. They’re rich and satisfying despite being only a bite or two, and every single morsel is loaded with flavor- first butter and then bourbon, followed by rich chocolate and pecans. These treats are entirely decadent to 

Baked Pears with Almonds, Honey and Ricotta

Baked Pears with Almonds, Honey and Ricotta

Baked Pears scented with cinnamon, nutmeg and clove are dressed up with toasted almonds, a drizzle of honey and just a touch of ricotta. This baked pears recipe is so easy to make and works for breakfast or dessert. 

Prep – 20minutes mins
Cook – 30minutes mins
Serves – 12

Ingredients

For the Baked Pears

  • ▢6 medium Bosc pears
  • ▢1/4 cup brown sugar
  • ▢1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ▢1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ▢1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • ▢1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ▢Juice from half a lemon
  • ▢1 teaspoon almond extract

For the Candied Nuts (optional)

  • ▢2 teaspoons honey
  • ▢1 1/4 teaspoon olive oil
  • ▢1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ▢1/2 cup slivered almonds

To Serve

  • ▢Whole milk ricotta cheese
  • ▢Honey

Instructions 

  • Heat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F
  • Prepare the pears: Slice the pears in half and use a spoon to scoop out the tough core and seeds in the center.
  • Prepare the sauce: In a 9×13 baking dish add brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, juice from half a lemon, and almond extract. Stir to combine. Do your best to push it along the bottom off the baking dish so you have a thin layer on the bottom of the dish.
  • Bake the pears: Place the pears cut side down into the brown sugar mixture. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the pear meets little resistance.
  • Make the candied nuts: While the pears bake, place a small skillet over medium heat and add the honey, olive oil, and salt. Swirl the pan around a couple of times then add the almonds. Use a rubber spatula to stir the almonds around and coat them. Let them cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are fragrant, and a deep, golden brown. Keep an eye on them as they can go from toasted to burnt in an instant. Transfer to a parchment-lined plate and let cool.
  • To serve: Spoon some ricotta into a shallow bowl and spread it around a little bit. Place one or two pear halves cut side up, spoon some of the sauce from the baking dish over the pears, sprinkle the candied almonds on top and finish with a drizzle of honey.

Notes

  • I used 6 medium size Bosc pears in this recipe, and they fit snugly in the baking dish. It’s a bit like playing Tetris but you want to make sure the cut surface of each pear is resting on top of the sugar spice mixture. Use two baking dishes if needed.
  • This recipe is pretty simple as it is, but you can simplify it further by skipping the nuts. 
  • I used ricotta cheese because it’s not too sweet and balances the sugars with a little fat and protein, but you can just as easily use a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, or sweeten some Greek yogurt with honey.

Nutrition

Calories: 103.3kcalCarbohydrates: 20.2gProtein: 1.3gFat: 2.8gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.7gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.8gTrans Fat: 0.001gSodium: 99.3mgPotassium: 145.6mgFiber: 3.5gSugar: 14.3gVitamin A: 22.9IUVitamin C: 3.9mgCalcium: 26.4mgIron: 0.4mg

Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake

The most amazing, ONE BOWL, Best Fudgy Chocolate Cake is rich and decadent, with the perfect balance of fluffy and fudgy! Prep Time:25minutes minsCook Time:50minutes minsServings:16 people Ingredients CHOCOLATE CAKE: CHOCOLATE GANACHE: Instructions  CHOCOLATE CAKE: CHOCOLATE GANACHE: Notes BAKING POWDER: This cake is meant to be super moist and 

Orange Olive Oil Cake with Cardamom

Orange Olive Oil Cake with Cardamom

A simple dessert that only requires a few baking staples, oranges and cardamom. The star ingredient here is a high-quality extra virgin olive oil, which not only creates a moist texture, but also adds a rich, slightly fruity flavor to this orange olive oil cake. 

Heart Thumbprint Cookies

Heart Thumbprint Cookies

Looking for the sweetest Valentine’s Day treat? You might just break some hearts with these. Forget the laborious chocolate-covered strawberries (that aren’t even in season!), and make these adorable cookies instead.

Prep Time:10 mins
Total Time:35 mins
Yields:24

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups (180 g.) all-purpose flour
  • 6 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (100 g.) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup raspberry or strawberry jam

Directions

Step 1

Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 350°. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

Step 2

In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed (or in the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment), beat butter and sugar until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla, then add dry ingredients and beat on medium-low speed until just combined.

Step 3

Using a small cookie scoop (about 1 1/2 Tbsp.), portion dough onto 2 parchment-lined baking sheets. Roll each piece into a ball, then press your pinkie into ball at a slight angle. Press your pinkie in at the opposite angle to create a heart shape. Fill each heart with a scant teaspoon of jam.

Step 4

Bake cookies, rotating sheets top to bottom halfway through, until edges feel firm to the touch and have puffed slightly, 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 5

Transfer sheets to a wire rack. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Notes:

To make the hearts, simply press one of your fingers (my pinky is the right size for me) into the unbaked cookie at an angle, then go in the other direction to create a “v” or heart. You can then fill your hearts with whatever type of jam you prefer. I like raspberry and strawberry, but cherry would also be so good in these, too.

These cookies don’t require any chill time, which means you can have something sweet to share with your loved ones in under an hour.

Cranberry Muffins

Cranberry Muffins

These Cranberry Muffins are the perfect blend of tart and sweet, light, fluffy and perfect for your morning breakfast. All you need is one bowl and 30 minutes to whip these babies up from start to finish. Prep Time:10minutes minutesCook Time:20minutes minutesServings:12 muffins Equipment Ingredients Instructions  Nutrition Serving: 1muffinCalories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated