Checkered Cookies- A Christmas Treat!!!!

My friends came over for a Christmas party and we had a potluck lunch, then we made ugly sweaters together and did white elephant by stealing and keeping the gifts. It was so much fun with them. While they were leaving I wanted to give them some christmasy gifts and cookies, so I wrapped snow globes and I was googling for cookies. I wanted to make some cookies which I never posted in my blog and so I made these checkered cookies which is very different from the normal cookies and which will be liked by all because of the cakey texture of the cookies.

I got the recipe from here and I double the ingredients as I have to make a big batch to give to my friends and save some for my kids. These cookies look tedious to make but it can be done within no time if you make these with your friends or family. My kids were helping me in making these and it was so much fun. These cookies are buttery, festive, delicious and a simple one with a choice of chocolate or vanilla. Try this out and let me know.

Ingredients:

1. Butter- 2 Cups
2. Sugar- 1 1/2 Cups
3. Eggs- 2 
4. Vanilla Essence- 2 tsp
5. Baking powder- 2 tsp
6. All purpose Flour- 4.5 Cups
7. Cocoa powder- 1/3 Cups

Method:

1. Cream the butter along with sugar and add the eggs one by one and mix well. 
2. When they are combined add the vanilla essence, mix then add all purpose flour and baking powder in small quantities and mixing in between. 
3. When everything gets combined well, divide the dough in half and in one half add the cocoa powder and give it a nice mix.
4. Form each dough in a square log and wrap both the dough in cling film and place it in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Make sure both the cookie dough should be of the same shape and length.
5. After 30 minutes, take it out of the refrigerator, using sharp knife slice the dough into thirds longwise, turn it ones and cut into thirds again. We will get 9 strips.
6. Repeat the process with the other dough. Whole together we will have 18 strips of dough.
7. Place one stripe of vanilla dough, chocolate and then vanilla on a flat surface. On top alternating with the strips and then on top repeat the same process till we get a square log. Press this dough together tightly, keeping the square shape.
8. Meanwhile place a parchment paper on a baking tray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
9. Refrigerate again for 15 minutes. Take it out and slice into 1/4th inch pieces. You can see nice checkered pattern. 
10. Place them on a parchment paper and bake for 12- 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy!!!

Opera Cake- A scrumptious French Dessert

I made an Opera Cake!!!! I was thinking of making this cake from many months and I thought our anniversary is a perfect occasion to bake this cake. This cake surprisingly came out perfect though this was a little time consuming. The delicious taste of coffee and chocolate make this opera cake recipe well worth the time investment. 

This cake has different layers of almond Joconde with buttercream and chocolate ganache which is topped with chocolate glaze. The effort you put into this showstopper is well worth the result. Authentic opera cake has opera piped on top of the cake but as this was our anniversary, I left it plain. This cake is a super hit among my family and friends and can be made in any occasion. This cake would be liked and loved by all. Here is the recipe, try this out and please let me know.

Ingredients:

For the Almond Cake:

1. Eggs White- 4
2. Sugar- 2 tbsp
3. Almond Flour- 2 cups
4. All Purpose Flour- 1/2 Cup
5. Sugar- 2 Cups
6. Whole Eggs- 3
7. Butter- 3 tbsp

Method for Almond Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat the egg whites slightly and add the 2 tbsp sugar. Beat till they form creamy and holds stiff peaks.
3. In another bowl, beat the almond flour along with the whole eggs and confectioners sugar till they become creamy.
4. Add this into the above made egg mixture, gently fold and add the melted butter at last. Mix and pour this in a greased square baking pan and bake till done, for about 30 minutes or a skewer inserted comes out clean.

Coffee Syrup:

1. Instant Coffee Powder- 4 tbsp
2. Sugar- 3 tbsp
3. Water- 1/4 Cup

Method:

• Add the coffee to the boiling water and add sugar. Mix well to incorporate. Keep this aside.

Coffee Buttercream Frosting:

Ingredients:

1. Confectioners Sugar- 1 1/2 Cup
2. Butter- 2 sticks (1 cup)

Method:

• Beat the butter and sugar with a tbsp of coffee syrup. Beat till smooth, fluffy and well incorporated. Add little cream or milk if the buttercream is thick.

Chocolate Ganache:

1. Chocolate- 1 Cup
2. Cream- 1 Cup

• Heat the cream and pour this onto the chocolate chips. Keep this for 5 minutes and stir well to form ganache. Keep this refrigerated until lightly set.

Method for assembling the cake:

1. Cut the cake horizontally into 3 thin layers of cake using a floss thread.
2. Separate the layers. place the bottom layer on a cake board, soak the coffee syrup all over the cake using a brush, so that the cake layer absorbs the syrup well.
3. Spread the buttercream on top of the layer using a spatula, Place the second layer on top of the buttercream and soak it with coffee syrup, spread the chocolate ganache in a smooth layer.
4. Place the last layer of cake over the chocolate ganache, soak this layer with the remaining coffee syrup, spread a thin layer of  buttercream frosting properly . Even if it drips to the sides no need to worry.
5. Chill the cake till you make the chocolate glaze.
6. For Chocolate Glaze, melt 1/4 cup of butter and pour this into the remaining chocolate ganache. Mix well.
7. Take the cake out of the refrigerator and pour the chocolate glaze on top of the cake. Spread evenly and refrigerate again for 30 minutes.
8. After 30 minutes, take the cake out of the refrigerator, cut the side using a warm knife and enjoy a rich and delicious opera cake.

Best Chocolate Babka Recipe

The first time I heard about Babka was at my friend's place during Christmas. It was store bought and I tasted it for the first time and fell in love with the layers of chocolate and dough, which was a perfectly amazing combination. From then on it was in my mind that I should make this chocolate babka one day. But the process seemed tiring so where ever I found babka, I used to buy.

My kids love this and so I thought this is the best time while staying at home, to make the kids involved in baking and so here am today with this babka post. They enjoyed melting the chocolate, spreading the filling on the dough and last but not least licking the bowl of filling.

Babka is a sweet buttery yeast bread which has swirls of chocolate running through the layers. Those swirls pull apart into delectable, irresistible layers.We can make it the same day. But usually it is made in two days, to proof the dough and to bake the dough. The process of making babka is not difficult but it is time consuming.

With the measurements I gave we can make two big loaves of babka, but I made it into a huge one. This is a hit in my family. I am assuring that this will be everyones favorite dessert. Hope you will try this and let me know how this turned.

Ingredients:

1. All Purpose Flour- 2 Cups
2. Egg- 1
3. Yeast- 1 1/2 tbsp
4. Sugar- 1 tbsp
5. Salt- as required
6. Milk- 1 Cup
7. Butter- 4 tbsp

Chocolate Filling:

1. Chocolate Chips- 1 1/2Cup
2. Butter- 4 tbsp
3. Cocoa Powder-3tbsp

Method:

1. In a stand mixer, drop all purpose flour, egg, sugar, yeast, salt and milk. Mix on low speed until mixture comes together, scraping down the edges add the butter 1tbsp at a time until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and knead the dough for about 10 minutes. We will get a soft dough.
2. Place this dough in a well oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and keep this overnight in refrigerator.
3. The next day remove the dough and prepare the chocolate filling.
4. meanwhile line a baking tray with parchment paper and grease with oil. Keep this aside till everything gets ready.
5. Place the butter, chocolate chips, cocoa powder and melt on a low flame. Stir in between. Once the chocolate chips start melting take it off from the stove and stir well till everything gets melted well.
6. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle. Spread the chocolate filling evenly on the surface and start rolling tightly from the closest end. Cut the roll lengthwise into half, dividing the log into two long even halves, with the layers of dough and filling visible.
7. Cross the one half over the other and holding one end of the dough in each hand, start twisting tightly and nestle into the prepared tray.
8. Keep this covered for about 30 minutes and meanwhile preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
9. Place the proofed dough into the oven and bake for 30- 40 minutes or a skewer inserted comes out clean.
10. When done, take it out and let it cool and cut into desired pieces and enjoy with evening tea.

Chocolate Truffle Cake- A birthday treat...

Chocolate Truffle cake is the birthday cake which I made for my husband's birthday. We all like chocolate a lot and so I planned to make this. This cake was pending from so long and because of  my busy schedule I couldn't try it out. Birthdays are best to try new cakes and so here it is today in my blog for all my dear readers.

A chocolate layer cake is a dense and moist cake with a silky whipped ganache filling. this cake is to die for. Totally melts in your mouth. This chocolate cake is perfect for the chocolate lover in your life. It is seriously so good, nicely balanced and not super sweet. this cake is ultra chocolaty. Head on over to bake this cake.

Ingredients:

1. All Purpose Flour- 2 cups
2. Baking Soda- 1 1/2 tsp
3. Baking Powder- 1 1/2 tsp
4. salt- a pinch
5. Cocoa Powder- 3/4 Cup
6. Sugar- 2 Cups
7. Milk- 1 Cup
8. Egg- 2 nos
9. Oil- 1/2 Cup
10. Instant Coffee- 1 Cup
11. Sugar Syrup- 1/2 cup water and 4tbsp sugar.

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9" round cake pan.
2. Make instant coffee by adding 1 cup warm water and 1 tbsp of coffee. Keep this to cool.
3. In a bowl add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt along with cocoa powder. Mix well.
4. In a mixing bowl, crack the eggs and blend it well. add the wet ingredients like the oil, cooled coffee, milk and mix well till everything gets well blended.
5. Add the sugar and let it mix till dissolved. Pour this into the flour mixture little by little and fold well using a spatula.
6. When everything gets mixed well pour this in the greased baking pan and bake for about 20- 30 minutes or till a skewer poked comes out clean. Let the cake cool.

For the Whipped Chocolate Ganache:
Ingredients:

1. Chocolate Chips- 1 cup
2. Whipping cream- 1/2 Cup

Method:

1. Heat the cream on a low flame and pour this hot cream onto the chocolate chips and after 5 minutes mix well till everything gets blended.
2. Let it cool for an hour. Blend the mixture using a hand blender till the mixture doubles.

Assembling the cake:

• Take out the cake from the cake pan, Place the cake layer on a serving plate, spread with half of the filling and top with the remaining cake half. spread ganache on top and sides of the cake
• Decorate it as you like. I have used roasted almonds.

German Chocolate Cake

The German Chocolate cake is a classic. For so long, I was thinking of baking this German Chocolate Cake and I made this for my Husband's birthday and it was a super hit. My husband is not a big fan of coconut. Surprisingly, he liked it because the coconut flavor was not too overpowering and the pecans added the crunch.

It is said that the name, "German" for the cake is not because of the country "Germany", it's because of the use of German chocolate, and the chocolate is named for the man "Samuel German" who specifically blended dark chocolate.

No German chocolate cake would be complete without the coconut- pecan filling!! Evaporated milk, egg yolks, butter, and sugar are cooked and the addition of coconut and chopped nutty pecans, in the end, gives a nice filling for the cake which tastes heavenly.

You don't need to frost the cake with chocolate. We can just fill the cakes with the coconut- pecan filling and leave it without frosting. That gives a naked look. As I made this cake for a special occasion, I made a light chocolate frosting.

Here for making this cake, I have separated the eggs and added the egg whites in the last, by folding the peaks little by little into the cake batter.

This is the best homemade German chocolate cake which is very addictive and will be liked by all. Hope you will try this cake and let me know.

Ingredients for the Cake:

1. All Purpose Flour- 1 1/2 Cups
2. Sugar- 2 Cups
3. Cocoa Powder- 3/4 Cup
4. Eggs- 2 no
5. Vanilla Essence- 1 tsp
6. Oil- 1/2 Cup
7. Boiling Water- 1 Cup
8. Buttermilk- 1 Cup
9. Baking Powder- 2 Tsp
10. Baking Soda- 2 Tsp
11. Salt- a pinch

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat the eggs along with vanilla essence, buttermilk using a blender. Add the sugar, beat well till all the sugar gets dissolved.
3. In a mixing bowl, sieve the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cocoa powder. At this, fold the above egg mixture till everything gets mixed well. Pour this in a greased cake pan and bake in an oven for 30- 40 minutes or a skewer inserted comes out clean. 
4. Cool the cake on a cake rack.

Ingredients for Coconut and Pecan Filling and topping:

1. Shredded Coconut- 1 Cup
2. Pecans (chopped)- 1 Cup
3. Evaporated Milk- 3/4 Cup
4. Egg Yolks- 3 nos
5. Butter- 1/2 Cup
6. Sugar- 1 Cup
7. Vanilla Extract- 1 tsp

Method:

• Pour all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat on a low flame till all the ingredients, mixes and reduces to become a slightly thick batter.
• Take it off the flame and let it cool.

Ingredients for Chocolate Frosting:

1. Butter- 1/4 Cup
2. Cocoa Powder-1/4 Cup
3. Sugar- 1 Cup
4. Vanilla Essence- 1 tsp
5. Milk- 2 tsp

Method:

• Beat the butter along with other ingredients till they become soft and smooth. If you feel the frosting is thick, add little milk and beat well.

Assembling the cake:

• Cut the cooled cake in two layers, using a serrated knife. Spread half of the coconut- pecan frosting on one cake layer, top it with the other cake layer and cover the cake with the chocolate frosting and spread the remaining coconut- pecan frosting on top and enjoy.

Caramel Apple Cake- A simple cake for special occasion....

Caramel apples are fall's greatest pleasures. I always thought of trying them, but thinking about the calories never dared to taste them. As today is our wedding anniversary, like every year, this year too, I thought of baking a cake. I always have a batch of homemade caramel in the refrigerator. My daughter drizzles them on ice creams, or on toast and so on. I wanted to make a cake using caramel and so this caramel apple cake clicked in my mind.

This is a super soft, moist, delicious cake which will be finished within no time. The addition of apple sauce, caramel sauce gives a light and fluffy texture.

Every year for our anniversary, I will be baking different varieties of cake with varieties of frosting. This year I wanted a simple cake without any frostings. I decorated the cake with powdered sugar and drizzled with caramel.

I got the recipe for the cake from the blog "Sugarhero", which has got some amazing dessert recipes. I modified the quantity accordingly and baked a soft, moist cake which we all enjoyed and shared with our friends.

This cake looks tedious but can be done within less time. This will be a perfect cake for birthdays or any other occasions. You can decorate this cake with your choice of frosting. In anyways, this cake will taste delicious. Try this out and let me know how it turned out.
Adapted from Sugarhero:
Ingredients:

1. All Purpose Flour- 2 Cups
2. Baking Soda- 1/2 tsp
3. Baking Powder- 1 1/2 tsp
4. Cinnamon powder- 1 tsp
5. Salt- a pinch 
6. Sugar- 1 Cup
7. Apple Sauce- 1/2 Cup
8. Caramel Sauce- 1/2 Cup
9. Eggs- 2 nos
10. Vanilla Essence- 1 tsp
11. Buttermilk- 1 Cup
12. Apple- 1 no (Peeled, cored and finely diced)

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking pan with oil and dust with flour. Keep this aside.
2. Beat the sugar along with eggs, till light and fluffy, add the applesauce, caramel sauce, vanilla essence, and buttermilk. Beat well using a hand blender or a stand mixer.
3. Sieve the all purpose flour, salt, cinnamon powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Add this slowly in the wet ingredients and fold using a spatula. Meanwhile, mix the diced apples with 1 tbsp of flour and add them to the above batter.  Pour this mixture in the greased pan.
4. Bake for about 30-40 minutes or till a skewer inserted comes out clean.
5. Sprinkle the top of the cake with powdered sugar and decorate using caramel sauce.

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