Makes about 1 1/2 cups A curd is a fruit juice-based custard. Though lemon is popular, you can replace the lemon juice in this recipe for lime juice, clementine juice, or any other slightly tart fruit juice. Ingredients 6 large egg yolks 3/4 cup sugar (divided use) 3/4 cup (1 […]
Making Chocolate Curls to Dress Up Dessert
Chocolate shavings and curls are the simplest way to finish a show-stopping cake or other special occasion dessert. To create chocolate shavings and curls, you need a good-sized block of chocolate at room temperature. You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate for your curls. Look for larger […]
Making Marzipan Shapes
In many parts of the world, sweet shops produce dazzling marzipan confections shaped and colored to look like fruit fresh from the tree and an array of other tempting shapes. Although the town of Lübeck in Germany is credited with making some of the best marzipans in the world, it […]
Matcha-Swirled Pound Cake
Makes one 8 1/2-inch loaf Unsweetened matcha powder is bitter, so if you prefer a milder matcha flavor, use less matcha powder. The matcha is not structural, so you can use as little as none (for just a great pound cake!) or as much as 1/3 cup. Ingredients 3 tablespoons […]
Mocha Torte
Makes one 8-inch torte A torte is a European-style pastry typically made with layers of sponge cake, a jam or cream filling, and a frosting. These rich and complex desserts are often enjoyed in the middle of the afternoon, served with coffee or tea, rather than as a dessert following […]
No Bake Icebox Cakes for the Fourth of July
It’s hot, but you need dessert. What do you do? Sure, you could scoop ice cream or break out the popsicles, but the 4th of July calls for something special, and when we think special, we think cake. And not cake that you have to bake. No no no! July […]
Old-Fashioned Cake Donuts
Makes 1 dozen plus 24 donut holes
Peanut Butter Banana Bread Muffins
Makes 12 muffins These muffins are the perfect way to showcase the ideal flavor partnership of bananas and peanut butter. They still satisfy the banana bread spot, with just the right amount of peanut butter flavor peeking through. The streusel topping adds a little sweetness and texture, but they are […]
Pear Cake
Makes 10 to 12 servings This is a simple cake that is good for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Bosc pears are a good choice because of their lower water content. Make sure they are perfectly ripe. Consider swapping out the cinnamon for ground cardamom for a variation. Ingredients 1 […]
Pear Skillet Cake
Makes 12 servings Ingredients 2 cups cake flour 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground mace 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 2 Bartlett pears, peeled and cored 2 egg […]
Piping with a Pastry Bag and Tips
Pastry bags and tips are great tools to have in the kitchen. They make it easy to add fillings to pastries and cakes as well as to shape doughs like pâte à choux uniformly. Cloth and vinyl bags can be washed and reused. Disposable bags are inexpensive and work equally […]
Polenta Cake with Grappa, Berries, and Minted Mascarpone
Makes 6 servings This cake is dense and not too sweet, almost like a sweet cornbread. I like to use coarse polenta so that it also has an interesting texture, but if you have to use regular cornmeal, that works as well. Ingredients Polenta Cake 1/4 cup unsalted butter, at […]