Desserts, Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Chocolate Glaze

Makes about 1 1/2 cups, or enough to glaze a 9-inch cake This chocolate glaze stays shiny but soft and is a perfect topping for cream puffs or éclairs. Use it to glaze a cake or to drizzle into vanilla ice cream for a chocolate ripple effect. Ingredients 1/2 cup […]

Desserts

Chocolate Mousse

Makes 4 to 6 servings Heating the egg whites and egg yolks not only pasteurizes them, making them safe to eat without further cooking, but it also dissolves the sugar and denatures the proteins. This creates a smooth and strong structure in your egg foams that helps to keep your […]

Cakes, Desserts

Chocolate Sabayon

Makes about 4 cups, or enough to fill a 9-inch cake This filling is featured in Chocolate Sabayon Torte. You can also use it to make a dramatic version of a chocolate cream pie: pipe or spoon the sabayon into a fully baked pie or tart crust. Or, serve it […]

Cakes, Desserts

Chocolate Sabayon Torte

Makes one 8-inch torte Tortes usually require some planning. You can bake the cake layers in advance and keep them well wrapped in the refrigerator or freezer. Simple syrup and soft ganache also hold well, so that you can make them when you have time. But, the sabayon filling must […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Choosing a Filling for the Best Layer Cakes

You may have tried and true, favorite cake recipes. But once you get the hang of the cake and the fillings, you can mix and match to make dynamic flavor combinations that are uniquely yours and suited to your mood or special event. Two important criteria to consider when choosing […]

Breakfast and Brunch, Pantry

Classic Puff Pastry

Makes 4 lb Use this dough to make folded pastries, like turnovers, or as the base for a freeform tart. To save extra for later, wrap it up tight and freeze. Defrost in the refrigerator the night before you want to use it again. If it’s your first time, this […]

Pies and Tarts

Coconut Cream Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie Ingredients Single crust recipe Pie Dough 3 cups whole milk 1 1/4 cups sweetened shredded coconut, plus 1/4 cup, toasted 1 cup sugar 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped 1/3 cup cornstarch 2 eggs 3 egg yolks 2 tablespoons butter 1 cup whipped cream Directions […]

Desserts, Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments

Coffee Ganache

Makes 3 cups Ingredients 1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons powdered instant espresso 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 2 2/3 cups finely chopped dark chocolate Directions Bring the water to a boil and stir in the instant espresso until smooth. Set aside. Combine the cream and […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Conquer Pie Dough

For many home bakers, creating a flavorful, tender pie or tart crust is a fearful and challenging process filled with questions. How is it that some home bakers consistently produce flaky, crispy, and tender crusts or shells while others consistently find this task so daunting? As pie and tart dough […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Cooling Cakes

In baking, every step matters—from mixing to baking, but just as importantly, cooling! While we often romanticize baked goods fresh from the oven, most baked items like cakes (and yes, breads!) are best once cooled. Baking is a series of chemical and physical reactions spurred by the heat of the […]

Desserts, Pies and Tarts

Cream Cheese Dough

Makes 2 discs Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt 8 ounces cream cheese, cold, cut into 3/4-inch cubes 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold, cut into 3/4-inch cubes 1 tablespoons ice-cold water 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice Directions In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted […]

Breakfast and Brunch

Cream Scones

Makes 12 scones These scones develop a wonderful texture if the dough is frozen overnight. Freeze individual scones, and then bake as many as needed straight from the freezer to accompany breakfast, brunch, or dinner.