Homemade Nutella

Homemade Nutella
The original recipe instructs to strain the spread at the very end.
1 1/2 cup whole hazelnuts
1 1/2 cups whole milk
3/4 cup powdered milk
1 Tbsp. mild-flavored honey
pinch salt
1 heaping cup chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, or chips
1 scant cup chopped milk chocolate, or chips

On a rimmed baking sheet, toast the nuts in a 400ºF for 10 minutes, or until fragrant and their skins begin to pop. Transfer to a tea towel, gather into a bundle and rub together to remove as much of their skins as possible. While warm, transfer to the bowl of a food processor and blend until they go from finely ground to pasty and thick, like natural peanut butter.
Meanwhile, warm the milk, powdered milk, honey and salt in a small saucepan just until it starts to boil. Remove from heat. In a glass or stainless steel bowl set over a pan of simmering water (or in the microwave), melt the chocolates, stirring occasionally until smooth.
Add the melted chocolate to the ground nuts and continue to process the mixture, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the warm milk mixture and process until everything is well blended and as smooth as you can get it. Makes about 2 cups.

Pig Cake by The Pioneer Woman ( my personal hero )

Recipe: Pig Cake by Ree Drummond Pioneer Woman

I saw Ree's recipe and by it's name I thought okay, I like pigs. Well this is one of the best of the bestiest pot luck kind of recipes I have used and tasted. I did not change a thing in this recipe It was absolutely perfect. I am even posting Ree's format and a link to her gorgeous, funny and outrageously tasty blog. CLICK HERE Ree has photo by photo instructions which is something I want to start but feel really silly taking pictures of me doing the baking. (silly huh) Cake mix, yeah, how about that I like those cake mixes when you add to them. Thanks Ree for the yumminess today.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 30 Minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy  

Servings: 16

Print Recipe 3"x5" Cards 4"x6" Cards Full Page

Ingredients

• FOR THE CAKE:
• 1 box (18.25 Oz. Box) Yellow Cake Mix
• 1 stick Margarine (softened) Ree says NO BUTTER!
• 1 can (14 Oz. Can) Mandarin Oranges, Drained, 1/2 Cup Juice Reserved
• 4 whole Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• _____
• FOR THE TOPPING:
• 1 package (4 Oz. Box) Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix
• 1 can (20 Oz. Can) Crushed Pineapple, Juice Reserved
• ½ cups Powdered Sugar
• 4 ounces, fluid Frozen Whipped Topping (such As Cool Whip)
• Extra Mandarin Orange Slices, For Garnish

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For the cake, combine cake mix, margarine, 1/2 cup juice from the mandarin oranges, eggs, and vanilla. Beat for four minutes on medium-high. Add drained oranges and beat again until pieces are broken up and small. Pour batter into greased and floured 9 x 13 inch baking pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Remove from oven and cool completely. If desired, turn out cake onto a large platter.
Once cake is cool, blend juice from drained pineapples with the vanilla pudding mix. Add powdered sugar and mix, then mix in whipped topping. Stir in drained pineapple. Spread on cooled cake and refrigerate several hours.
To serve, cut cake into squares and top each square with a mandarin orange slice.

Chocolate Sheet Cake

Chocolate Sheet Cake



FOR THE CAKE
1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup + 3 tbsp brute cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
1 cup hot water
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup buttermilk (or 2 tablespoons powdered buttermilk, plus 1/2 cup water) I prefer the powder as it has a more defined taste
2 eggs
1 tbsp Vanilla bean paste

For cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in the cocoa powder, until incorporated and shiny (this was a brownie technique from Home Ec that has stuck with me) Whisk in the sugar and add the hot water, mixing until combined taking care not to splash yourself with eager whisking.
In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the saucepan, whisking until fully combined.
In a medium bowl  and your mixer on low with the whisk attachment gently whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Slowly pour the chocolate mixture into the buttermilk mixture, whisking constantly. Continue stirring until the mixture is fully incorporated.
Pour the cake batter into a lightly sprayed rimmed sheet pan. Bake for 20-22 minutes.

FROSTING
3/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup cocoa powder
4 tablespoons cream
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 cups confectioners’ sugar

Beat butter and cocoa then stream in cream on low mixer setting. Stream in vanilla and optional chocolate or raspberry extract. (We have also used hazelnut extract yummie) Beat in salt and make sure everything is very smooth. Beat in 2 cups of confectioners sugar until fluffy and add sour cream. Then beat in final sugar measurement until smooth and fluffy. You will use a spatula to spread on warm cake so add ins can be used at this time. (marshmallows, bits of quality street hazelnut triangles, pecans, English black walnuts, cherries or whatever you want really) Just be sure your add ins match your flavourings. The frosting should be light and fluffy so it melts nicely on your cake, it reminds me of a very rich ganache. Enjoy

Cream Cheese Cookie Bars

YIELD Makes about 2 dozen bars

INGREDIENTS

2	packages (18 ounces each) refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
2	packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2	cup sugar
2	eggs

PREPARATION:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 13X9-inch baking pan. Let both packages of dough stand at room temperature about 15 minutes.
2. Reserve three-fourths of one package of dough. Press remaining 1-1/4 packages of dough evenly onto bottom of prepared pan.
3. Combine cream cheese, sugar and eggs in large bowl; beat until well blended and smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture over dough in pan. Break reserved dough into small pieces; sprinkle over cream cheese mixture.
4. Bake 35 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Simple Butter Cake

Simple Butter Cake

from Modern Classics Book 2: Cookies, Biscuits, Slices, Small Cakes, Cakes, Desserts, Hot Puddings, Pies and Tarts (Morrow Cookbooks)

Cake
½ cup + 1 tablespoon (127g) unsalted butter, very well softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup + 1 ½ tablespoons (218g) berry sugar
3 eggs
1 ½ cups + 1 ½ tablespoons (225g) all purpose flour, sifted
½ teaspoon baking powder, sifted
¼ teaspoon baking soda, sifted
pinch of salt
½ cup (120ml) whole milk, room temperature

Icing:
1 cup (140g) icing sugar, sifted
1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Preheat the oven to 160°C; butter a 20cm (8in) round cake pan, line the bottom with baking paper and butter the paper as well.
Place the butter, vanilla, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and milk in the large bowl of an electric mixer and beat on low speed until combined.
Scrape the sides of the bowl, then beat in high speed until the mixture is just smooth.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour or until risen, golden and cooked through when tested with a toothpick. Allow to cool in the pan, on a wire rack, for 5 minutes, then carefully unmold onto the rack. Let cool completely.
Make the icing: place the sugar in a small bowl and gradually add the juice/water, mixing until smooth (add more liquid if necessary). Drizzle over the cake.

Serves 8

Cherry Almond Cheesecake No Bake

Cherry Almond Cheesecake No Bake, Sweet Cuppin Cakes Bakery 

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 digestive biscuit broken into bits or crushed hob nobs (you can also use Mcvites chocolate digestives which is my fave)

1/2 soft butter

1 1/2 cups cream cheese 

1/2  cup icing sugar 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 tsp almond extract

1 tsp teaspoon lemon juice 

1 cup whipping cream

1 10 oz jar Black Cherry Jam (St Dalfour Rhapsodie de fruits; try to be brand name specific it counts)

mixed with 1 cup thawed dole black cherries

clotted cream to taste

1/2 cup finely chopped and lightly toasted almonds

optional 1/4 cup finely grated milk chocolate as garnish when using Mcvites or 3 crushed Penguins wafers

Method:

• Whirl the biscuits in a food processor until beginning to turn to crumbs, then add the butter and whirl again to make the mixture moist and hold together lightly
• Press this mixture into a 8 inch springform tin; press mixture up the sides one inch as best you can
• Beat together the cream cheese, icing sugar, vanilla and almond extracts and lemon juice in a bowl until smooth.
• Lightly whip the whipping cream, and then fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
• Spoon the cheesecake filling on top of the biscuit base and smooth with a spatula. Put it in the fridge for 3 hours or overnight.
• At the time to serve the cheesecake, unmould it and spread with the cherry topping. **

Serves: 6-8 

** Cherry topping, fold thawed cherries into your French black cherry preserves, use immediately when serving. Top with 1 tbsp clotted cream per slice and finish with 1 tsp toasted almonds finely chopped and chocolate bits

Trompe l'oeil Cookies

Orange Slice Cookies 

By The Canadian Living Test Kitchen and adapted by Lyndsay Zoratti

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Photography by Rachel Singer

Ingredients

3/4 3/4cup cup(175 mL) (175 mL) unsalted butter
1/2 1/2cup cup(125 mL) (125 mL) icing sugar
1/2 1/2cup cup(125 mL) (125 mL) granulated sugar
1 1eggeggs
2 2tbsp tbsp(25 mL) (25 mL) finely grated orange rind
1 1tsp tsp(5 mL) (5 mL) vanilla + ** my add ins 1 tsp orange blossom water and 1 tablesoon lemon juice
2-1/2 2-1/2cups cups(625 mL) (625 mL) all-purpose flour
1/2 1/2tsp tsp(2 mL) (2 mL) baking soda
1/2 1/2tsp tsp(2 mL) (2 mL) cream of tartar
1/4 1/4tsp tsp(1 mL) (1 mL) salt
1 1jar jarorange paste food colouring * I removed liquid food colour to avoid too much liquid with my changes to the recipe
1/3 1/3cup cup(75 mL) (75 mL) pine nutpine nuts
Icing:
1/2 1/2cup cup(125 mL) (125 mL) icing sugar
1 1tbsp tbsp(15 mL) (15 mL) orange juice

Preparation:

Line 2 rimless baking sheets with waxed paper; set aside.

In large bowl, beat butter with icing and granulated sugars until fluffy; beat in egg, orange rind and vanilla. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt ; stir into butter mixture in 3 additions.

Tint dough with food colouring to desired shade. Divide in half; shape into discs. Wrap each and refrigerate for 1 hour. (Make-ahead: Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)

Dust each disc with flour. Between waxed paper, roll out to scant 1/4-inch (5 mm) thickness. Using 2-1/2-inch (6 cm) round fluted cutter, cut out shapes, rerolling scraps. Place on prepared pans. Cut cookies in half; press 3 pine nuts into each to resemble orange seeds. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes.

Line 2 rimless baking sheets with parchment paper or grease. Transfer cookies to prepared pans, arranging 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Bake in top and bottom thirds of 350°F (180°C) oven, rotating and switching pans halfway through, until lightly coloured on bottom and edge, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to racks; let cool.

Icing: In small bowl combine icing sugar with orange juice, adding up to 2 tsp (10 mL) water to thin if necessary. Using paper cone or plastic bag with corner snipped off, pipe thin lines to resemble citrus segments on each cookie. Let dry completely. (Make-ahead: Store layered between waxed paper in airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 weeks.)

**It did not take long for these to become a very fave of mine! The only slight change I made was I added 1 tsp of Neilsen Massey orange blossom water to the cookie dough to tame down the tart of the orange zest, and added 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to citrus it up a bit. 

Little Bitty Bakes (Liz) Dark Chocolate Dipped POM Orange Cocoa Cupcakes

Dark Chocolate Dipped POM-Orange Cocoa Cupcakes

Before I lose you in a sea of melted chocolate and pomegranate juice… I need your help!  I entered these cupcakes in the POM Wonderful Valentine Cupcake Contest.  To vote for my recipe, all you need to do is click this link and “like” my cupcakes. 
Since you can only vote once, I encourage you to spread the word.

***

After getting permission to link this to my blog I figured after you link up to the recipe HERE You could go to the top link above these gorgeous cupcakes and Vote for my pal Liz! Afterall she is sharing her delightful recipe with all of us. =o) Good Luck Liz, this is an awesome recipe xox

Valentine’s Mini Suksesskake

Valentine’s Mini Suksesskake

My darling friend Manuela in Norway always delights me each day with a new recipe and photos! I am not sure how she does it, but I am so grateful to her to try her Norwegian culinary expertise. The translation is quite simple but you do have to be aware of the deciliter =o) Happy Valentines day!

The recipes that Manuela makes are often very versatile and this one is fabulous for cake truffles or pops on a stick. Look at those roses LOVE!

Sugar Cookies by the Busy Baker Bunny and my daughter Jen aka "Cookie Face"

 We ordered these cookie cutters and can hardly wait to make them, I think they are perfect for weddings what do you think?

Sugar Cookies by the Busy Baker Bunny and my daughter Jen aka "Cookie Face"

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (190 degrees C). Sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder on parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and place onto parchment paper covered cookie sheets. OR divide dough in half and flatten into 2 disks easy for quick chilling and rolling.
3. Roll dough out to 1/4 inch think no thinner or the cookie edges will burn and you will be sad =o(  The high heat allows the cookie to "puff" and the crumb is very tender and flaky and that is a good thing.
4. Bake 5 to 8 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light golden. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.
5. Decorate using your favourite technique or just use sprinkles on balls rolled before baking.
6. Be certain to have all your frosting tubes, tips, colours ready before you start to decorate or it just won't be fun =o)