The cupcakes at Two Little Red Hens were one of the first I ever tried when I moved to New York City in 2012. I’ll be honest; ‘normally’ I’m not a big cupcake fan. A lot of the time they have way too much buttercream frosting, and are too sweet for my liking. Which is why…
Archives for 2016
Maple Cinnamon Christmas Cookies
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you’re all enjoying some quality time with loved ones. For those back home in New Zealand, it’s already Christmas Day & here in New York City, it’s Christmas Eve. This year in New Zealand, my family will all be gathering at my cousin’s farm. She has two children, and I’m going to miss not seeing their faces light up when they open gifts. And of course, it goes without saying I will really miss the delicious feast, which usually involves a roast lamb with all the trimmings, and my favourite pavlova for dessert. For those not familiar with pavlova, it’s a meringue cake that has a hard shell and is soft and fluffy on the inside. It’s then topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit. Since it’s Summer there, strawberries are a popular topping.
Christmas Tree Brownies
This past weekend I had a Christmas party at my place and I wanted to make a dessert that was festive and easy for people to grab and eat. These adorable brownie trees are perfect for placing on a platter. The brownies are rich and fudgy, with chocolate chips and miniature marshmallows to take them to a 10 out of 10. The green swirl is created using candy melts, sprinkles are the trees decorations, and the candy cane serves as the trees trunk.
Spiked Eggnog Cake with Rum Glaze
A cake that not only has rum in it, but rum in the glaze also? Yes please! Plus eggnog? Sign me up! I’m a huge eggnog fan. Which wasn’t always the case, as you can’t buy it in New Zealand, and I never knew anyone who made their own. Now that I’m living in New York, I’ve really gotten a taste for eggnog during the holidays, and I like to have it as a treat after dinner. Or whenever I want something sweet. I was very surprised when buying the eggnog at my local supermarket, that 5 out of 6 varieties contained high-fructose corn syrup. This is a nasty replacement for sugar, but it’s cheap so that’s why companies use it. I had to pay a bit extra to get the natural eggnog that has real sugar & no artificial ingredients, but at least I feel better about drinking it. The brand I got is called Organic Valley, and I can highly recommend it as one of the best tasting eggnogs I’ve tried. Of course, one of these days I’ll have to make my own.
Chocolate-Raspberry Croissant from Épicerie Boulud
Colored croissants are not as common in the US as they are in Europe. This beautiful, striking Chocolate-Raspberry Croissant ($4) from Daniel Boulud takes 3 days to make. It is unique in the fact that the layers are so precise, you could count them, and the outside is crunchy, with a sweet, buttery inside. But be fair warned: this croissant is not for the faint of heart. It is sinfully rich and decadent. The brains behind this candy-striped creation is Francois Brunet, who is in charge of the bread and viennoiserie at all of Boulud’s restaurants across the city.
Apple Crumble
Apple crumble (aka apple crisp) is a dessert that has always been close to my heart. My mother would often prepare one to have after a roast dinner. There was nothing more satisfying on a cold night than to relax with a plate of warm apple crumble and whipped cream. I like to make mine with granny smith apples so the apples have a tartness to them which pairs perfectly with the sweet crumble. This recipe is highly adaptable: use a sweeter apple if you prefer, and maybe include walnuts in the crumble topping. If cooking for a larger group, you can double the recipe to fit a 13×9 inch pan.
Pecan Pie
Pecan Pie. I first tried this special dessert when I came to New York a few years ago. I fell in love with the strong flavor of the toasted nuts, mixed with the deliciously rich, sweet, chewy filling. But let me tell you: I am no expert when it comes to making pies! Pies and cakes are two totally different animals. But for anyone out there who, like me, is more accustomed to making cakes than pies, this pie crust recipe is great for beginners. It contains cream cheese, which gives the crust a slightly tangy flavor and rolls out quickly and smoothly. I think this pie is best made with a mixture of chopped pecans for the filling and halved pecans for the top of the pie. It is even more decadent served with a side of whipped cream or ice cream. You can also add maple syrup (1 & 1/2 tablespoons) to your whipped cream for a taste sensation. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!
Cotton Candy Creations at Ruimilk
Fans of cotton candy (or candy floss as it’s also known), can’t go past these adorable creations at Ruimilk in Flushing, Queens. First you choose your soft-serve flavor, vanilla or chocolate, or you can get a twist of both like I did. Then choose your cotton candy ‘rui’. As well as the super cute panda ($5.75), there’s…
Raspberry & Chocolate Energy Balls
When I was last back home in New Zealand I was introduced to a product called ‘Frooze Balls’, a healthy snack that is made up of fruits and nuts, and nothing else. They are also known as ‘Bliss Balls’ at some cafes. I was going to the gym regularly during this time, and would often…
Fudgy Halloween Cookies
Happy Halloween everyone! I love Halloween. Over the years I’ve always had a lot of fun dressing up in different costumes and baking Halloween treats. This year is going to be a bit more subdued: no costume party but a pumpkin carving party instead. I’ve actually never carved a pumpkin in my life, so it…