Tag: baking

Thumbprints

Thumbprints

Looking for something new to bring to this year’s holiday cookie exchange? These chocolate thumbprints with Irish cream ganache will win everyone over. They look great with their contrasting white filling and chocolate-brown cookie shell, and they taste even better. Prep: 30 minCook: 10 min./batchYield:3-1/2 

Banana Bread Scones with Toasted Sesame Icing

Banana Bread Scones with Toasted Sesame Icing

These flaky banana bread scones are soft and tender, packed with ripe banana flavor. They’re finished with a nutty sesame icing while they’re still warm, helping to keep them moist. Prep Time: 20minutes minutesCook Time: 22minutes minutesServings: 8 scones Ingredients Sesame Icing Instructions For the scones For the toasted sesame icing 

Rum Crumb Cake

Rum Crumb Cake

Why choose one sweet treat when you can have the best of two, combined? This rum crumb cake takes the rich, luxurious flavor of rum cake and tops it with the sweet coffee cake-inspired crumb topping, drizzled with a simple rum glaze. The addition of dark rum into the cake and glaze introduces a warm, complex flavor that goes way beyond your classic coffee cake. This cake was made to be served for weekend brunch, as an indulgent afternoon snack with coffee, or, let’s face it, eaten in the kitchen at midnight as the ultimate late-night treat.

Yields:10 serving(s)
Prep Time:20 mins

Ingredients

Crumb Topping

  • Cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup (110 g.) packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (60 g.) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 4 Tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into 1″ pieces
  • 1/2 cup chopped raw walnuts

Batter

  • 2 cups (240 g.) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 cup (200 g.) granulated sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (160 g.) packed light brown sugar, divided
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 Tbsp. dark rum
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup chopped raw walnuts
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Rum Glaze

  • 1/2 cup (60 g.) confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. dark rum or milk

Directions

Crumb Topping

Step 1

Arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°. Grease a 9″ round baking pan with cooking spray.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Add butter and, using your hands, work butter into dry ingredients until mixture holds together. Add walnuts and squeeze with your hands into mixture. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Batter

Step 1

In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.

Step 2

In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat granulated sugar, butter, and 1/2 c. brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating to blend after each addition. Add rum and beat until combined.

Step 3

Add dry ingredients and beat on medium-low speed until a few dry streaks remain. Add sour cream and beat until just combined.

Step 4

In a small bowl, combine walnuts, cinnamon, and remaining 1/4 c. brown sugar.

Step 5

Spread about half of batter in prepared pan in an even layer. Sprinkle walnut mixture over in an even layer. Top with remaining batter. Sprinkle crumb topping over.

Step 6

Bake cake, covering pan with foil if crumb topping is browning too quickly, until topping is deeply golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Let cool.

Rum Glaze

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar and rum, adding 1 tsp. water at a time if needed until mixture is smooth and easily drizzles.

Step 2

Transfer cake to a platter. Drizzle rum glaze over.

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