Desserts

Sponge Candy

Makes one 9×13-inch slab Sponge candy enjoys regional popularity in the United States, and there are at least two candy bars made of sponge candy sold mainly in the United Kingdom. With a little practice, you can make sponge candy every bit as light and airy as these.

Pies and Tarts

Strawberry Balsamic Pie

Makes one nine-inch pie Filling Ingredients 4 cups (1 quart) strawberries, fresh, hulled and halved (or frozen, halved) 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/3 cup cornstarch Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tsp water and a pinch of salt) Sanding sugar or granulated sugar, as needed […]

Chef's Blog

Sunday Meal Prep: Cookie Edition

This week, we’re borrowing some time from our Sunday meal prep to sneak a few treats into our cookie jars and freezers. Follow our lead and load your freezer with your family’s traditional can’t-miss cookies. Be sure you make your to-do list now so you can relish in the satisfaction […]

Cakes, Desserts

Sweet Coffee Chiffon Roulade

Makes 16 servings This is a big recipe. A proper pastry! But we know you have it in you, so give it a try. The key to handling a multi-part recipe like this is to read everything first. The main recipe (Sweet Coffee Chiffon Roulade, right below) will tell you […]

Desserts

Swiss Meringue

Makes about 6 cups With this meringue method, warming the egg whites and sugar dissolves the sugar to create a smooth texture and heats the eggs for a food-safe and stable meringue. For a common (or French) meringue, use the same ingredients and whip without heating. Add 1/8 teaspoon of […]

Desserts

Tarte Tatin

Makes 6 servings Although Tarte Tatin seems quite elegant and, in some restaurants, liberties have been taken to fancy it up, it is really just a simple apple tart. Though fancy versions exist, we think that simpler is better. Remove all the bells and whistles and keep it simple—a good […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Tempering Chocolate for Homemade Candy

Tempering chocolate is the process of heating and cooling chocolate to ensure that it will set with a proper gloss and snap. Tempered chocolate will set quickly and will not show streaks or spots as it sets. Once set, properly tempered chocolate will harden and have the desired snap and […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Tempering Eggs for Smooth Custards and Creams

Tempering is a technique that allows you to add eggs to a hot liquid without scrambling them. We see tempering in recipes for crème brûlée, vanilla sauce, pastry cream, and some savory cooked egg dishes. The technique itself is simple but fast-moving, and it requires some preparation before beginning to […]

Pies and Tarts

The CIA Apple Pie

Makes one 9-inch pie They say if you love somebody, you give them diamonds—but we think if you truly love someone, you bake them a pie. This classic apple pie is a crowd-pleaser no matter what table it lands on, and friends and family will taste the love in each […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

The Full Scoop on Vanilla

When you’re making a simple dessert, like vanilla ice cream or crème brûlée, you have very few ingredients to distract from the flavors of the raw ingredients. For that reason, the best outcomes will come from the best ingredients. We know a lot these days about sourcing high quality milk […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Troubleshooting: Powdery Film on Chocolate

You’ve had that bar of baking chocolate in the pantry for months, and maybe you’ve just grabbed it for a recipe and noticed it looks a little… off. Maybe there’s a powdery film on the surface, or the whole thing looks a little cloudy. Not quite like the creamy chocolate […]