Serves: 12

Cakes can be filled with chocolate butter cream, Mocha butter cream or chocolate mousse filling.

• Ingredients

3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
3 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/3 cup almonds, ground
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons butter

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Line 2 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper. Butter and flour bottom and sides.
Whisk whole eggs and sugar in an electric mixer. Beat until triple in volume. In another bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar to form soft peaks. Add sugar while beating. Fold egg whites into whole egg mixture. Fold in ground almonds, flour and butter. Distribute batter between the two pans. Bake 15 to 20 minutes until lightly brown and springy to touch. Cool in pans and unmold over racks.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

3/4 cup slivered almonds
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
For filling:
2 pints strawberries
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon gelatin powder
1 tablespoon water
3 large egg whites
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• preparation

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Lightly oil a 9-inch springform pan. Dust pan with flour, tilting to coat evenly and tapping out the excess. Line bottom with parchment or wax paper. Lightly oil paper.
Spread almonds in a shallow pan and bake for 4 to 8 minutes, until light golden. Let cool.
In a food processor or blender, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and toasted almonds. Process until almonds are ground. Set aside.
In a measuring cup, combine buttermilk, oil and vanilla and almond extracts. Set aside
In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, egg whites and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer at high speed until mixture is thick and pale, about 5 minutes. The beaters should leave a ribbon trail when lifted.
With a rubber spatula, alternately fold reserved dry ingredients and buttermilk mixture into egg mixture, making 3 additions of dry ingredients and 2 additions of liquid.
Gently spread batter in prepared pan and tap the pan once on the counter to release air bubbles. Bake for 45 minutes, or until top springs back when lightly touched and cake shrinks away slightly from sides of pan.
Place on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Loosen edges of cake from pan, remove pan rim and invert cake onto rack. Remove pan bottom, peel off paper and let cool completely.
To prepare berries: In a large bowl, toss strawberries with sugar. Set aside.
To make vanilla cream: Chill a mixing bowl. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water; let stand for 1 minute.
In a large saucepan, bring about 1 inch of water to a simmer. Adjust heat so water barely simmers. In a heatproof mixing bowl large enough to fit over the saucepan, combine egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and softened gelatin. Set the bowl over the simmering water and beat with an electric mixer at low speed until an instant-read thermometer registers 140 degrees F. Increase mixer speed to high and continue beating over the heat for 3½ minutes. Remove bowl from heat and beat meringue until completely cooled, about 4 minutes more.
In the chilled bowl, combine cream and vanilla and beat with electric mixer at medium speed until soft peaks form. Fold one-fourth of the meringue into the cream. Gently fold in remaining meringue.
To assemble cake:
No more than 2 hours before serving, place the cake on a serving plate. Using a serrated knife, slice cake horizontally into 2 layers.
Carefully lift off top layer. Spoon half the berries and all the juices onto the bottom layer. Spread with half the vanilla cream. Cover with the top layer. Spoon remaining vanilla cream on top and arrange remaining strawberries over cream. Refrigerate until serving time.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cake flour, sifted
12 egg whites (1 3/4 cups) (at room temperature)
1/3 cup warm water
1 teaspoon orange extract, or extract of your choice
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift half of the sugar with the salt and the cake flour, setting the remaining sugar aside.

In a large bowl, use a balloon whisk to thoroughly combine egg whites, water, orange extract, and cream of tartar.
After 2 minutes, slowly add the sifted reserved sugar, beating continuously at medium speed.
Once you have achieved medium peaks, sift enough of the flour mixture in to dust the top of the foam. Using a spatula fold in gently. Continue until all of the flour mixture is incorporated.

Carefully spoon mixture into a 10-inch (4L) ungreased tube pan. Bake for 35 minutes before checking for doneness with a wooden skewer. (When inserted halfway between the inner and outer wall, the skewer should come out dry).

Cool upside down on cooling rack for at least an hour before removing from pan.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 angel food cake
1/2 gallon strawberry ice cream or 1/2 raspberry and 1/2 strawberry ice cream
For meringue:
3 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

• preparation

Remove the inside of angel cake leaving one inch thick sides and bottom to form a trench. Fill with ice cream. Freeze until ready to use.
For meringue: In an electric beater, whisk egg whites with cream of tartar until meringue is firm. Add sugar and vanilla.
Beat for 2 more minutes. Cover cake entirely with meringue using a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tube. Bake at 450 degrees for 1 to 2 minutes to brown. Decorate with whole berries and serve.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

1 1/4 cups oil
2 cups sugar
2 eggs beaten
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 large apples, grated
1 cup nuts, chopped

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour a large tube pan.
In a mixing bowl, mix first 3 ingredients well.
Add dry ingredients, then apples, nuts and vanilla.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes,
or until skewer inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool in pan on rack for 15 minutes.
Remove from pan and cool completely on rack.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

1 1/4 cups chopped dates
1/2 cup Calvados or apple cider
3/4 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups grated peeled apples
3 cups flour
4 teaspoons cinnamon
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves


Hot Butterscotch Sauce

Makes 2 ½ cups

1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup corn syrup
1/3 cup butter
1 1/3 cups light cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 13x9-inch cake pan. Heat dates and Calvados, covered until bubbly; simmer for 1 minute. Let cool.
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
Beat in eggs, one at a time: stir in apples and date mixture. In separate bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and cloves; gently stir into apple batter just until mixed. Spread evenly in prepared pan.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched in centre.
Serve cake warm with Hot Butterscotch Sauce. Recipe adapted from Canada Living October 1990 Georgian Bay restaurant The Spike & Spoon.

Hot Butterscotch Sauce

In saucepan, bring sugar, syrup and butter to boil; stirring; boil for 3 minutes. Stir in cream and bring back to boil. Remove from heat; add vanilla.

• Ingredients

For topping:
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Batter:
2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup peeled grated apple

• preparation

In a mixing bowl, combine the topping ingredients, mix well and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder,
baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Beat eggs, sour cream, and melted shortening in a small bowl.
Stir into dry ingredients and mix just until blended. Stir in apple.
Spread evenly in a greased 9-inch-square pan. Sprinkle topping over batter.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

Topping:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons chopped pecans
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons butter
Cake:
2 cups chopped peeled apples
1/2 cup raisins
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
3 eggs
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 2/3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/3 cup orange juice

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter a 10-inch springform pan.
Topping:
Mix together brown sugar, pecans, flour and cinnamon; blend in butter.
Cake:
Mix together apples, raisins, 1 tablespoon sugar and cinnamon. Beat together brown sugar, sugar and oil. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in orange rind and vanilla. Mix together flour, baking powder and soda. Mix together sour cream and orange juice. Add flour mixture and sour cream mixture alternately to egg mixture, mixing just until blended. Stir in half of apple mixture.
Spread batter into pan.
Top with remaining apple mixture and sprinkle with Topping. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool on wire rack. Cake can be frozen.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 cup molasses
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup apple sauce
3/4 cup raisins

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream butter and egg. Add molasses. Stir in dry ingredients, apple sauce, and raisins.
Bake in a buttered-floured 8-inch square dish 40 to 45 minutes.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup rum
1 tablespoon yeast
1/3 cup warm milk
1 cup flour
2 eggs
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
pinch salt
1 teaspoon sugar

SYRUP:
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup dark rum
3/4 cup apricot glaze
2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
1 cup strawberries, cleaned and sliced
1 cup whipped cream

• preparation

In a small bowl, soak raisins with 1/4 cup rum and set aside.
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast with milk. Let rise in a warm place for 10 minutes.
Mix in the flour and eggs, beating well until dough is smooth. Cover the bowl, and let rise at room temperature for 45 minutes. Mix the softened butter, salt and sugar in the dough, slapping it against the sides of the bowl. Mix in the rum-soaked raisins.
Fill individual buttered molds 2.5 inch high by 1.75 inch diameter about half full. Let rise until molds are full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
For syrup: Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat, and cool until lukewarm. Add the vanilla and rum.
Soak the babas in the syrup to absorb as much of the syrup as possible. Heat the apricot glaze, and brush over the babas. Place the soaked babas on plates. Pipe rosettes of whipped cream on plates. Decorate with kiwis and strawberries.
SAVARIN is a ring-shaped cake made with the above recipe.

Serves: 10

the recipe uses honey and applesauce instead of sugar and oil or shortening. Bread keeps, wrapped in plastic wrap, at room temperature 3 days or frozen 1 month.

• Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup honey
2 eggs, beaten
3 mashed overripe bananas

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt.
In a separate bowl, mix together applesauce and honey. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Serves: 16

• Ingredients

1/2 cup shortening
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup yogurt
2 1/4 cups flour, all purpose
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups banana, mashed

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream shortening and sugar.
Beat in the eggs vanilla and yogurt.
Crush the bananas. Sift the remaining dry ingredients. Add to batter. Mix in the bananas.
Grease and flour 2 (9-inch by 3-inch) loaf pans.
Bake for 40 to 50 minutes.
A cake tester inserted in center of cake should come out clean.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

2 1/4 cups cake flour
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups banana, mashed
2/3 cup walnuts, chopped

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour baking pans, one (13-inch by 9-inch by 2-inch) or two 9-inch, or 3 8-inch round layer pans.
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Beat 3 minutes scraping bowl occasionally.
Pour into pans. Bake 35 to 40 minutes.
If desired, frost with cream cheese frosting.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1-1/2 cups sifted flour
2/3 cup sugar
2-1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup uncooked oats
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup melted shortening
1 cup mashed ripe banana
1 cup chopped nuts

• preparation

Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of flour over the blueberries.
Sift remaining flour with sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in oats.
Blend eggs, shortening and banana.
Combine with dry ingredients. Stir in nuts. Fold in blueberries. Pour into greased and floured loaf pan.
Bake in 350 degree oven for one hour. Let cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool before slicing.

Serves: 8

The base of this cake is an airy, buttery brioche. With a rich custard topped with honey glazed almonds similar to the Tropezienne, a specialty from the French Riviera.

• Ingredients

2 tablespooons dried yeast
1/4 cup (55g) fine sugar
3 cups (450g) plain flour
5 large eggs
300g unsalted butter, cut into pieces and softened
Creme patisserie - pastry cream
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup (75g) sugar
1 tbs cornstarch
600ml whole milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp powdered gelatin or 3 gelatine leaves
Topping

70g unsalted butter
1/4 cup (55g) caster sugar
60g runny honey
100g slivered almonds

• preparation

Place yeast and 1 tsp sugar in a bowl with 200ml lukewarm water. Stir to combine and set aside for 5 minutes or until frothy.
Place flour and remaining 50g sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook and make a well in the centre of the flour mixture. Whisk eggs into yeast mixture, pour into the well and stir to combine. Knead on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until a dough forms. With the motor running, add butter, 1 piece at a time, until fully incorporated. Knead for a further 8-10 minutes until dough is smooth.
Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour 20 minutes or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 170°C. Grease a 20cm round cake pan and line the base with baking paper. Deflate the risen dough to release the air and knead into a smooth ball. Sprinkle the work surface with flour, roll out the dough using a rolling pin. Form a disc of 20 cm and 2 cm thick.
Place dough in the centre of the prepared pan and set aside for 20 minutes to proof. Bake for 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Combine the gelatin powder with 2 tablespoons of cold water. If using gelatin sheets, soak in cold water.
Meanwhile, for the creme patissiere, whisk egg yolks, sugar and cornstarch in a heatproof bowl until smooth. Place milk and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to just below boiling point, then remove from heat. Pour hot milk mixture over egg mixture, whisking slowly until combined. Return mixture to the saucepan and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, for 5-6 minutes to get a thick custard. Add the dissolved gelatin powder or the gelatine sheets without the water to creme patissiere and whisk until completely dissolved. Strain into a clean bowl, cover surface directly with plastic wrap and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold.

Whisk crème patissiere until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a wide fluted nozzle and chill until ready to use.
For the topping, combine butter, sugar, honey and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until melted and combined. Stir in almonds, then set.
To assemble, use a large serrated knife to slice brioche in half horizontally. Pipe crème patissiere over the cut side of one half of brioche, then top with other half.
Reheat the topping over medium heat until almond are golden brown at which time, pour over the surface of the cake. serve immediately.

Serves: 14

• Ingredients

1/4 cup sugar
1 cup cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon cocoa
1/3 cup butter, melted
3 8-ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/4 cup strong coffee
8 ounces chocolate, bittersweet
1/2 cup sour cream
4 ounces chocolate, bittersweet
1/2 cup heavy cream

• preparation

CRUST:
Combine first 4 ingredients. Press mixture on bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. Refrigerate.
FILLING:
Beat cream cheese with sugar. Add the eggs. Stir in the strong instant coffee, chocolate and sour cream. Pour into pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 40 to 50 minutes or until center is barely set. Refrigerate.
GLAZE:
Shave a few curls of chocolate for garnish. Heat the cream with remaining chocolate until melted and smooth. Spoon over cake. Garnish with curls.

Serves: 8

cold butter, grated on a box grater makes the mixing process easy.

• Ingredients

2 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh blueberries
2/3 cup cold butter, grated
2 eggs
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
½ cup milk
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind
1/4 cup lemon juice

Glaze:
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the butter and combine mixture until crumbly. Add fresh blueberries.
Whisk together eggs, buttermilk or yogurt,milk, lemon rind and juice; drizzle over dry ingredients, tossing with a fork until mixture clumps together. Turn out onto floured surface. With floured hands, form into ball, kneading about 8 times.
Place on parchment paper-lined lightly floured baking sheet. Pat into 3/4-inch thick circle; cut into 8 wedges. Do not separate.
Glaze: Brush with lemon juice; sprinkle with sugar.
Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden. Serve warm with Wild Blueberry Preserves and Devon Cream.
Variation. Blueberry Scones:
Gently toss 1 cup fresh blueberries with dry ingredients just before adding egg mixture. Increase lemon rind to 1 tablespoon.
Adapted from Canadian Living Magazine

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

6 cups fresh mixed berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup rum
1 tablespoon finely grated orange peel

For topping:
2 1/4 cups cake and pastry flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons finely grated lime peel
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cold vegetable shortening
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons brown sugar

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Grease an 8-inch baking dish and set aside. If using strawberries, slice in halves. Place berries in a large bowl.
In a small bowl, using a fork, stir sugar with cornstarch until blended. Add to berries along with rum and orange peel. Stir gently until mixed. Turn into prepared baking dish and spread out evenly.
Topping:
Using a fork, stir flour with baking powder, lime peel, salt and sugar. Cut shortening into flour mixture until it resembles oatmeal.
Make a well in dry ingredients and pour in milk. Mix just until a wet dough forms. Do not overmix.
Drop spoonfuls of dough randomly on top of berry mixture. Use back of a spoon to spread a little dough just over open spaces.
Sprinkle dough evenly with brown sugar. Place baking dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips.
Bake until topping is golden and cooked through, from 50 to 55 minutes. Insert a skewer into centre of cobbler. If it comes out fairly clean except for berries, it is done.

Serves: 12

Delicious and rich chocolate cake. Definitely worth to splurge on good chocolate!
This mousse-like cake really does melt in your mouth. It can be baked up to a day before serving and stored lightly wrapped at room temperature.

• Ingredients

11 oz. semisweet good quality chocolate, chopped
6 oz. (12 Tbs.) unsalted butter
6 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 oz. (1/4 cup) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup bourbon
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. kosher salt

For serving:
1 cup heavy cream
1 to 2 Tbs. granulated sugar
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

• preparation

Position an oven rack on the middle rung and heat the oven to 350°F.

Butter a 9×3-inch round cake pan. Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment and butter the parchment. Set the cake pan in a roasting pan large enough to accommodate it.

Melt the chocolate and butter over a double boiler. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
With an electric mixer (a stand mixer with the whip attachment or a hand mixer), beat the egg yolks with the brown sugar on medium speed until very pale, thick, and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed, add the chocolate mixture, and mix just to combine. Add the flour, mixing just to combine and scraping the bowl as needed. Blend in the bourbon and vanilla. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and set aside.
In a clean mixing bowl with clean beaters, beat the egg whites with the salt on high speed until they hold soft peaks, 1 to 2 minutes. With a rubber spatula, fold one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it, and then gently fold in the remaining whites. Scrape the batter into the prepared cake pan.
Set the roasting pan on the oven rack and add enough warm tap water to come halfway up the sides of the cake pan. Bake until the top feels set, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the cake pan from the water bath and run a paring knife around the inside of the pan (or the inside of the parchment collar) to loosen the cake and then let the cake cool completely in the cake pan on a rack. When the cake is completely cool, loosen the sides once more with a paring knife. Cover the cake with a serving plate and invert the cake onto the plate. The bottom of the cake is now the top. Peel off the parchment. (Don’t worry if the surface looks a little ragged; you’ll be dusting with confectioners’ sugar).

To serve: In a chilled bowl, beat the cream and sugar to medium-soft peaks. Dust the top of the cake with confectioners’ sugar, slice, and serve each slice with the whipped cream.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

For crumble:
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup hazelnuts, chopped coarsely

For filling:
3/4 cup sugar
6 teaspoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup lime juice 6 medium bananas, peeled, cut into 3/4-inch thick slices
2 teaspoons Frangelico or amaretto
10 sheets phyllo dough
3/4 cup unsalted butter
For white chocolate sauce:
6 ounces white chocolate
1 1/2 cups whipping cream.

• preparation

For crumble:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a saucepan, combine butter and sugar. heat to melt. Remove from heat.
Mix in flour and hazelnuts. Spread on baking sheet. Bake until dry and golden, about 30 min. Cool. Break into small pieces. (can be made a day ahead).
For filling:
Stir sugar, butter and lime juice in a non stick skillet. Heat to dissolve. Increase heat to high. Stir to brown around edges of pan. Add bananas and liqueur. Stir until bananas are coated.
Transfer to a large bowl and cool. Mix 1 cup hazelnut crumble into banana mixture. Brush a phyllo sheet with butter. Fold in half crosswise. Brush with butter. Fold in half again, forming square.
Place phyllo in large muffin tins. Spoon 1/4 cup filling in center of square. Bring edges together.
Squeeze firmly at top, forming purse. Repeat with remaining phyllo forming 10 purses. Bake at 350 degrees until golden.
Serve with white chocolate sauce.
White chocolate sauce:
Boil cream. Pour over chocolate. Whisk until smooth.

Serves: 8

This recipe is adapted from Fine Cooking

• Ingredients

2 ounces unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces (4 tablespoons)
about 1 pound medium firm-ripe Bosc pears

For the Cake:
6 3/4 ounces unbleached all-purpose flour (1-1/2 cups)
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/2 cup whole milk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 ounces unsalted butter, softened (8 tablespoons)
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs

Basic Caramel:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

• preparation

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x2-inch round cake pan (don't use a springform pan, as the caramel might leak out during baking). Line the bottom of the pan with a round of parchment and butter the top of the paper.
Make the Topping:

1. Peel, core, and cut the pears lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange the pear slices on the bottom of the pan in a circle around the edge, overlapping them slightly, with the pointed ends towards the center. If necessary, cut a little off the pointed ends to make the slices fit better. Or if the pear slices don't reach all the way to the middle, arrange a few of the shorter slices in the center to cover the bottom of the pan.
2. Make the Basic Caramel according to the directions. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the 4 tablespoons of butter one piece at a time, until they are completely melted. Carefully pour the hot caramel evenly over the pears (it should spread over the pears and onto the bottom of the pan).

Make the Cake Batter:

1. Sift the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, and salt into a medium bowl. Stir to combine. In a small bowl, stir together the milk and vanilla.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Turn the mixer to medium and slowly add the brown sugar. Increase the speed to high and continue to mix until lightened in texture and color, 2 to 3 minutes total. Reduce the speed to medium and add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Reduce the speed to low and alternate adding the flour mixture and milk mixture in five additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix each addition just enough to incorporate, as overmixing will lead to a tougher cake. Scrape down the sides of the bowl one last time and mix briefly to blend well.
Bake the cake:

1. Spoon the batter in large dollops over the pears and smooth it into an even layer with an offset spatula. Bake the cake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan. Turn a cake plate upside down on top of the cake pan and, using pot holders, carefully invert the cake pan onto the plate.
Basic Caramel:

1. Fill a cup measure halfway with water and put a pastry brush in it; this will be used for washing down the sides of the pan to prevent crystallization. In a heavy-duty 2-quart saucepan, stir the sugar, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup cold water. Brush down the sides of the pan with water to wash away any sugar crystals.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook, occasionally brushing down the sides of the pan, until the mixture starts to color around the edges, 5 to 8 minutes.
3. Gently swirl the pan once to even out the color and prevent the sugar from burning in isolated spots. Continue to cook until the sugar turns medium amber, about 30 seconds more. (Once the mixture begins to color, it will darken very quickly, so keep an eye on it.)

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

4 eggs
1 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup canola oil
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups carrot, shredded
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In an electric mixer, beat eggs well. Add sugar, oil, flour, soda, salt, baking powder and cinnamon.
Add carrots, pineapple and nuts.
Pour into well greased 9 inch square pan.
Bake 40 45 minutes. Frost with a vanilla cream icing or a cream cheese frosting.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

for the COCOA SPONGE CAKE:
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon all purpose flour
4 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup all purpose flour sifted together with 1/4 cup cocoa powder
for the cocoa syrup:
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cocoa powder

for the chocolate mousse filling:
10 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2 cups heavy cream, whipped until stiff
1/2 cups sliced almonds, toasted
3 ounces chocolate for curls

• preparation

the cocoa sponge cake:
Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-inch springform pan. With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites, slowly adding the sugar, and continue to whip until stiff.
Beat in the egg yolks, then gradually fold in the flour sifted together with cocoa powder. Pour the batter into the cake mold and bake for 15 to 18 minutes Remove from heat and unmold on a pastry rack to cool.
For the cocoa syrup:
Bring 1/4 cup of water, sugar, and cocoa powder to a boil in a small pot. Remove from heat and set aside.
For the chocolate mousse filling:
Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Cool until warm to touch. Fold in the whipped cream until smooth.
To assemble:
Place the cake on a round cake circle.
Split the cake horizontally into 2 equal disks with a serrated knife. Brush the bottom disk with half of the cocoa syrup.
Spread half of the chocolate filling over the cake, then sprinkle with half of the almonds. Cover with the top disk.
Repeat the same process with the syrup, filling, spreading some filling around the sides.
Decorate the sides with almonds, and the top with chocolate curls.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/3 cup superfine sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup cake flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 large egg whites, at room temperature
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon white vinegar
2/3 cup superfine sugar

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Sift sugar, cocoa, flour and salt together in a bowl.
Beat egg whites, cream of tartar and vinegar until medium stiff. Add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at the time. Beat until soft peaks form.
Fold in the dry ingredients.
Spoon into a 10-cup angel food cake pan. Smooth the top. Tap the pan on work surface to release any air pockets.
Bake about 35 minutes. Test the center of cake with a tester.
Invert cake to cool for an hour. Loosen cake with a thin spatula or a knife. Unmold and cover with egg white frosting. Decorate with chocolate shavings.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs, beaten
3 bananas, mashed
1/2 cup cocoa
2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup boiling water

Frosting:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

• preparation

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In an electric mixer, cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs and bananas.
Mix well. Sift cocoa, flour, soda and salt. Add alternately with buttermilk while whisking.
Mix in boiling water. Bake in a 13 by 9-inch ungreased pan 50 to 60 minutes.

Cool and cover with frosting.

Frosting:
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until sauce comes to a boil.
Remove from heat. Add vanilla, and frost cake while icing is hot.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

For the cake pans:

1 tablespoon soft butter
2 tablespoons flour

For the cake:
1 cup milk, divided
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, grated
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1. Butter and flour 2 9-inch cake pans.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat 1/2 cup of the milk and the grated chocolate. Stir until chocolate is melted. Set aside to cool then add the vanilla.
3. Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer. Separate the eggs. Keep the whites in a mixing bowl, and stir the yolks into the butter-sugar mixture, and beat until mixture is light and fluffy. Stir the baking soda into the remaining 1/2 cup milk. Whisk into the butter-sugar mixture until creamy.
4. Combine flour and baking powder in a bowl.
5. Beat the egg whites in an electric mixer until they hold stiff peaks. Fold the egg whites alternately with flour into the butter mixture. Finally fold in the melted chocolate-milk mixture. Pour half of the batter into each of the two prepared pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until the center springs back when pressed lightly.

Serves: 16

Recipe by Philadelphia Original Brick Cream Cheese.

• Ingredients

18 vanilla creme-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, finely crushed (about 1-1/2 cups)
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
3 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 pkg. (4 oz. each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, broken into pieces, melted and cooled
3 eggs
1-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

• preparation

Heat oven to 325°F.
Combine cookie crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Bake 10 min.

Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add chocolate; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Pour over crust.

Bake 45 to 55 min. or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; cool before removing rim.
Refrigerate cheesecake 4 hours. Top with strawberries just before serving.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

3 tablespoons (42 grams) hot melted unsalted butter
1/2 cup (65 grams) cake flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup (30 grams) unsweetened regular or Dutch-processed cocoa powder
4 large eggs
2/3 cup (135 grams) granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Butter, or spray with a non stick spray, a 9 inch (23 cm) round cake pan and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.

Sift the flour with the salt and cocoa powder.

In a heatproof bowl whisk together the eggs and sugar. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Whisking constantly, heat the eggs and sugar until lukewarm to the touch (this will take about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and transfer the mixture to the bowl of your electric mixer. Beat on high speed (about 3-5 minutes) until the egg mixture has cooled, tripled in volume, and looks like softly whipped cream (the batter will fall back into the bowl in a ribbon-like pattern). Beat in the vanilla extract.
Then sift about one-third of the flour mixture over the whipped eggs and gently fold in using a large rubber spatula or whisk. Fold in half of the remaining flour, and then fold in the rest. (Do not over mix or the batter will deflate). Take about 1 cup of the batter and fold it into the hot butter mixture.
Then, with a spatula, gently fold the butter mixture completely into the egg batter. Pour into your prepared pan, smoothing the top. Bake until the cake shrinks slightly from the edges of the pan and the top springs back when lightly pressed (about 20 - 25 minutes). (A toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.) Cool on a metal rack.
When the cake has cooled completely, run a small knife around the edges to release the cake. The genoise will keep two days in the refrigerator or it can be frozen for a couple of months.

Serves: 14

• Ingredients

Cake:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups strongly brewed coffee
1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp. Irish whiskey
1 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the sauce:

1/2 stick (2 oz) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup 15% light cream
1/4 cup Irish whiskey

• preparation

The cake
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl; set aside.
In a medium saucepan, add coffee, whiskey, butter, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. Place over moderate heat and whisk until butter has melted. Remove from heat and add the sugar. Whisk until incorporated. Pour mixture into a large bowl and let cool slightly.
Whisk together eggs and vanilla extract and gradually pour into chocolate mixture. Add flour mixture and whisk until just combined. Mixture will be very thin.
Pour batter into a greased and floured bundt pan.
Bake for 45-55 minutes.

The sauce:
In a heavy saucepan combine butter and brown sugar. Bring to a boil for 3 to 5 minutes until thick and bubbly. Add the cream, boil while stirring about 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove pan from heat and stir in Irish whiskey . Sauce keeps, covered and chilled, 1 week. Reheat sauce before serving.

Turn the cake out and poke holes all over the surface and very slowly drizzle 1 1/2 cups of the sauce over the cake . Wrap in foil and let cool completely. Store in an air-tight container.

Serves: 14

• Ingredients

For the pecan layer:
2 1/2 cups pecan pieces
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

For the chocolate fudge layer
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons light corn syrup

For the mocha layer:
5 eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
5 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons instant coffee powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted soft butter

Frosting:
2 1/2 cups heavy cream
3 ounce package instant vanilla pudding
2 tablespoons instant coffee powder
3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
Chocolate coffee beans

• preparation

the pecan layer:
Butter the bottom and sides of a 10-inch spring form pan.
Chop pecans finely in a food processor. Combine with sugar, salt, and butter. Press the mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for an hour.

The chocolate fudge layer:
Melt chocolate and cream over a double boiler. Stir in the butter and corn syrup. Transfer mixture to a bowl.
Allow to cool, then spread over the pecan layer. Cover and refrigerate for an hour.

The mocha layer:
Combine eggs, sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
Remove from heat. Add the chocolate, and stir to melt. Dissolve the coffee in a tablespoon of hot water.
Add to the chocolate mixture. Blend in the butter. Spread mixture over the fudge layer. Cover and refrigerate for an hour or until very firm.

Frosting:
Whip the cream with the instant pudding until thick and firm. Gradually mix in the confectioner's sugar.
Dissolve the coffee in a tbsp of hot water. Cool coffee and blend in the whipped cream.

Remove the sides of the spring form. Frost the sides of torte with the mocha cream. Using a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip (such as ateco #4), pipe the remaining whipped mocha cream over the cake. Decorate with chocolate coffee beans

Serves: 12

Makes 1 12-inch cake or 2 9-inch cake
To make 2 8-inch cakes, use half of the recipe
Fill the cake layers with Chocolate mousse filling and glaze top with Ganache

• Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups boiling water
1 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• preparation

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
Mix cocoa in boiling water. Cool. Sift dry ingredients.
Beat soft butter with sugar. Add eggs one at the time. Add cocoa mix and flour mix to butter mixture.
Blend at low speed while alternating cocoa and flour. Mix until batter is smooth, scraping edges and bottom of bowl with a spatula.
Line the bottom of one 12-inch cake pan or 2 9-inch pans with parchment.
Grease and flour. Pour batter in mold. Bake 30 to 40 minutes until center is cooked. Cool 10 minutes. Unmold on a rack. Cut in layers.
Fill with the chocolate mousse filling recipe.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

Crust:
1 1/2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons sugar

Cake:
3 cups chocolate ice cream
2- 10 oz (300g) packages frozen raspberries
1/4 cup raspberry liqueur or schnapps
2 tablespoons sugar
6 cups vanilla ice cream
chocolate curls

• preparation

Crust:
stir together crumbs, chocolate, butter and sugar until well moistened. Press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
Bake in 350 F. (180 C.) oven for 10 minutes. Let cool. Line inside of pan above crust with double thickness waxed paper extending 2 inches above pan and overlapping by 1 inch. Tape or staple edges together. Let chocolate ice cream stand at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes or until softened; stir until smooth. Spread over crust and freeze. Meanwhile, reserve 24 raspberries in freezer for garnish.

Cut 1 cup of the remaining berries in half; set aside in freezer. Thaw remaining berries and puree in food processor; press through sieve into bowl to remove seeds. Stir in raspberry liqueur and sugar.
Soften 3 cups of the vanilla ice cream; stir in halved raspberries and 1 1/2 cups of the puree.
Spread over chocolate layer and freeze for 1 hour. Soften remaining vanilla ice cream; spread over raspberry layer, smoothing top.
Freeze for 15 minutes.
Spread remaining puree over top; freeze until solid. (Can be wrapped and stored in freezer for up to two weeks.)
Garnish with chocolate curls and reserved frozen raspberries. Let stand in refrigerator for 1 1/2 hours before serving.
Making chocolate curls:
Melt chocolate and spread evenly and thinly with palette knife onto clean baking sheet. Refrigerate until set but not hard, about 5 minutes, letting warm again at room temperature if necessary. Scrape a knife or scraper across chocolate in opposite direction, forming curls of desired width.

Serves: 15

• Ingredients

6 oz (175 g) pitted prunes
6 oz (175 g) dried apricots
4 oz (125 g) dried pineapple
4 oz (125 g) dried black Mission figs,
hard stem ends removed
4 oz (125 g) dried cherries
4 oz (125 g) Thompson raisins
4 oz (125 g) golden raisins
3/4 cup (175 mL) port
1/2 cup (125 mL) dark rum
1/2 cup (125 mL) brandy
1 tbsp (15 mL) honey
1 cinnamon stick, 3 inches (8 cm) long
2 tsp (10 mL) grated lemon rind
1½ cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour
2 tsp (10 mL) baking powder
1¼ tsp (6 mL) salt
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp (1 mL) cinnamon
1/8 tsp (0.5 mL) ground cloves
1/8 tsp (0.5 mL) ground allspice
1 cup (250 mL) unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups (375 mL) demerara sugar, packed
4 large eggs, at room temperature

• preparation

Cut prunes,apricots, pineapple and figs into small pieces (smaller than ½ inch/1 cm). Put in a Dutch oven or large heavy pot along with cherries, raisins, port, rum, brandy, bitters, honey and cinnamon stick. Place pot over medium-low heat and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes or until fruit mixture is plump and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in grated lemon rind. Scrape into a large glass or ceramic bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let stand for a few days, or ideally a week, stir ring every few days.
2 Preheat oven to 275°F (140°C). Grease 5mini loaf pans, 5 x 2 x 2 inches (13 x 5 x 5 cm) approx., and fully line with parchment paper.
3 Combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and all-spice in a small bowl and stir with a fork until uniform.
4 Beat butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating really well between additions and scraping down sides as needed to keep batter from separating. Add flour mixtureand beat until just combined (batter will be on the thin side). Scrape in dried fruit mixture and any syrupy liquid and stir until just combined.
Divide batter between prepared pans and bake for 2 hours 20 minutes or until cakes are deeply golden and a cake tester comes out with crumbs clinging to it.
5 Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully turn out ontowire racks, peel off parchment paper and let cool fully. Wrap cooled cakes well and keep in airtight containers until ready to eat or share. No aging necessary.

Serves: 16

Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F if using a dark nonstick springform pan.

Top with fresh fruit just before serving.

• Ingredients

1 ½ cups Graham Cracker Crumbs or Oreos/ginger snaps cookies
3 tablespoons sugar
⅓ cup butter or margarine, melted

Filling:
4 (8 ounce) packages Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs

• preparation

Heat oven to 325°F.
Mix graham crumbs or Oreos or ginger snaps cookies , 3 Tbsp. sugar and butter; press onto bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
Beat cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Mix in lemon juice and sour cream or Greek yogurt. Pour over crust.
Bake 55 min. or until center is almost set. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hours.

When searching for a simple, delicious dessert that's sure to impress, look no further than this traditional cheesecake.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 teaspoon sweet butter
1 teaspoon all purpose flour
4 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup all purpose flour sifted together with 1/4 cup cocoa powder

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Brush an 8-inch springform cake mold with the butter and dust with flour.
With an electric mixer, whip the egg whites with the cream of tartar, slowly adding the sugar, and continue to whip until stiff.
With a spatula, fold in the egg yolks, then gradually incorporate the sifted cocoa/flour mixture.
Pour the batter into the cake mold and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from heat when done and unmold on a pastry rack to cool.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

1 1/2 cups fine vanilla wafer crumbs
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
5 eggs
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup dark rum
1 envelop unflavored gelatin
3 8-ounce packages cream cheese (light or regular)
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup cranberry sauce

• preparation

Combine crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar. Blend well with a fork. Stir in butter. Press evenly into bottom and partway up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Refrigerate.
Separate 3 eggs, placing whites into a clean large bowl and yolks in a small dish.
Pour orange juice and rum into a heavy bottomed saucepan. Sprinkle gelatin over top. Let stand to soften, about 5 minutes.
Whisk in remaining 1/2 cup sugar, 2 whole eggs and 3 egg yolks.
Stir constantly over medium low heat until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens a little. Remove from heat. Beat cream cheese until smooth.
Beating at high speed, gradually add orange mixture, about ½ cup at a time, until smooth. Beat in vanilla and nutmeg. Beat remaining egg whites until they hold soft peaks.
Place egg whites on top of cheese mixture. Gently fold together, until no lumps of egg white remain.
Pour into chilled shell. Break up cranberry sauce. Dot sauce on surface of cheesecake, then swirl slightly by drawing knife in gentle circles through the sauce.
Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours. Cheesecake will keep well for 2 days.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 cup wild blueberries

• preparation

Heat the oven to 325 degrees.
Spray a loaf pan that's about 8x5x3 inches with a nonstick coating. Combine together the flour, baking power, and salt until well blended.
With an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter until pale. Sprinkle in the sugar and beat well until slightly fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl well. Add the eggs one at a time beating well until blended. With the mixer on low, add the flour, vanilla and lemon zest and mix well. Fold in the blueberries.
Transfer the batter into the loaf pan and bake until the cake is golden brown, and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the cake, about an hour.
Let the cake cool for about 15 minutes and then invert the pan on a cake rack and tap to release cake. Cool completely on a rack before serving.

Serves: 12

Making cream puffs is easy. The dough comes together quickly on the stovetop, so be sure to have all of the ingredients ready before you start. For a splash of colour, you can garnish the wreath with fresh bay leaves and sugared cranberries (made by tossing fresh or frozen berries in egg white then granulated sugar).
Recipe adapted
from The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

• Ingredients

1 cup (250 mL) water
1 tsp (5 mL) granulated sugar
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
1/2 cup (125 mL) unsalted butter, cubed
1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
4 eggs
2 tbsp (30 mL) icing sugar

Peppermint Filling:
1-1/3 cups (325 mL) whipping cream, (35%)
10 oz (283 g) white chocolate, chopped
1 tsp (5 mL) peppermint extract

• preparation

Peppermint Filling:
In small saucepan, bring cream to boil; pour over chocolate in heatproof bowl,
stirring until melted. Stir in peppermint extract. Loosely cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 2
hours. Using electric mixer, whisk until thickened and soft peaks form (do not overbeat).

Cream puffs:
In saucepan, bring water, granulated sugar and salt to boil over medium-high heat, stirring. Stir in
butter until melted. Reduce heat to medium-low; add flour all at once and beat with wooden spoon
until dough comes cleanly off side of pan but lightly films bottom of pan.
Transfer to stand mixer with paddle attachment; beat on medium speed for 30 seconds. Beat in
eggs, 1 at a time, beating each until thoroughly incorporated. (Or remove saucepan from heat; with
wooden spoon, beat in eggs, 1 at a time.)
Using piping bag fitted with 3/4-inch (2 cm) star tip, pipe dough, 2 inches (5 cm) apart, into 1-1/2-inch
(4 cm) circles, about 1/2 inch (1 cm) high and dragging tip toward you to create tip of leaf, onto 2
parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
Bake in top and bottom thirds of 400ºF (200ºC) oven, switching and rotating pans after 8 minutes,
until golden, 14 to 16 minutes.
Reduce heat to 350ºF (180ºC); bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Turn off heat; open door
slightly and let dry in oven until cool enough to handle. Remove to racks; let cool completely.
Cut each leaf in half horizontally. Spoon filling into each bottom; replace top. To serve, arrange leaves
on large platter with points facing outward to resemble wreath. Dust with icing sugar.

Serves: 16

This rich, creamy cheesecake with crème de menthe and mint candies will impress everyone. You can even make it a day ahead!

• Ingredients

Crust Ingredients:
2 cups finely crushed chocolate graham crackers
1/2 cup butter, melted

Filling Ingredients:
1 cup sugar 3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
4 eggs
1/3 cup green or white creme de menthe liqueur*
1 (4.67-ounce) package creme de menthe chocolate mint candy thins, chopped (reserve 6 for garnish)
1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
Whipped Heavy Cream, if desired

• preparation

Heat oven to 375°F. Stir together all crust ingredients in large bowl until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of lightly greased 9-inch springform pan; set aside.
Combine sugar and cream cheese in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Continue beating, adding eggs one at a time, until well mixed. (DO NOT OVER BEAT.) Stir in liqueur by hand. Stir together 1/2 cup chopped mints and 1 teaspoon flour in small bowl; gently stir into cream cheese mixture.
Pour filling onto crust. Sprinkle with remaining chopped mints. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes or until firm to touch. (Cheesecake surface may be slightly cracked.) Loosen side of cheesecake by running knife around inside of pan. Cool 1 hour. Cover; refrigerate at least 3 hours.
Garnish top of cheesecake with whipped cream and top with reserved mints, if desired. Store refrigerated.
*Substitute 1 teaspoon peppermint extract plus 6 drops green food color.

Serves: 16

• Ingredients

1 large egg plus
2 whites
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup canola oil plus extra for preparing pan
2 cups all purpose white flour
2/3 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
3 cups fresh apples, peeled
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Granulated or confectioners sugar for dusting cake (optional) Caramel Sauce. Recipe follows.

Caramel Sauce

Makes 1 1/2 cups

1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon butter
3/4 cup evaporated skim milk
1 teaspoon molasses
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush oil over the inside of a 10-inch bundt pan. Dust with flour and tap out the excess.
In a mixing bowl, whish together eggs, sugar and oil. In another bowl, stir together flours, cocoa, salt, cinnamon and allspice.
Using a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon, add the dry ingredients to the oil mixture alternately with the grated apples. Dissolve baking soda 1/4 cup hot water and stir into the batter. Stir in the raisins and nuts. The batter will be thick.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 1 hour 10 minutes, or until the top springs back when touched lightly and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before unmolding from the pan. Let cool. Sprinkle with sugar or serve with caramel sauce.
Caramel sauce:
In small heavy-bottomed pot, combine sugar and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Cook, without stirring, for about 15 minutes, or until the syrup turns amber. (Take care not to burn it.)
Remove from heat and cool 2 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in butter. Gradually stir in milk. Return to the heat and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute, or until caramel has dissolved. Stir in molasses and vanilla.
Serve warm. ( The sauce can be cooled, then stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Warm slightly before serving.)

Serves: 8

Try our PHILADELPHIA 3-STEP Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake this Thanksgiving. In one layer, you get the fabulous classic flavor of cheesecake, and in the other, you get the sweet flavor of pumpkin and spices. This 3-step double layer pumpkin cheesecake takes 10 minutes of prep.

• Ingredients

2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
dash of ground cloves
dash of ground nutmeg
1 ready-to-use graham cracker crumb crust (6 oz.)

• preparation

Heat oven to 325°F.
Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with mixer until blended. Add eggs; mix just until blended. Remove 1 cup batter; stir in pumpkin and spices.
Pour remaining plain batter into crust; top with pumpkin batter.
Bake 40 min. or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

6 tbsp (100 ml) water
5 oz buttermilk (150 ml) (at room temperature)
1 egg, beaten (at room temperature)
2 oz (57 g) butter, melted
16 oz (454 g) all-purpose or bread flour
2 oz (57 g) sugar
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp (3.5 g) quick-rise yeast (one and a half teaspoons)
oil for frying (sunflower oil)
sugar for coating the doughnuts
jam, Nutella and or real whipped cream for filling, if desired

• preparation

Place the water, buttermilk, beaten egg and melted butter in the bread machine pan or stand mixer bowl, then add the dry ingredients, except for the yeast.
Make a small indentation in the dry ingredients, then add the yeast.
Set the bread machine on the ‘dough’ setting.
If using a stand mixer (see directions in printable recipe below, as steps with the yeast are different), run it with the dough hook, until a soft dough is formed, then cover and set aside until at least doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, place it on a floured surface and knead lightly.
Divide it in half, keeping half the dough covered, so it doesn’t form a skin.
With a rolling pin, roll out half of the dough to about 1/2″ thickness.
Cut with a round, sharp doughnut cutter (about 3″ diameter). Or use a sharp cookie cutter, then make the holes with a smaller cookie cutter (about 1″ diameter), saving the holes.
Place each doughnut on a piece of parchment or waxed paper, then place on a cookie sheet.
Put the tray in the oven (turn it on for 1 minute, SET A TIMER, then turn it off again, just to make it barely warm).
Next, boil some water and pour it into a measuring jug. Place the jug of water in the oven with the tray of doughnuts (this will create steam will keep a skin from forming).
Roll each piece of dough into a smooth ball, and place on parchment or waxed paper pieces and place on a cookie sheet; place in the oven with the other doughnuts to rise until doubled in size.
Heat the oil to about 350ºF (180º). If you don’t have a thermometer, test the oil with a doughnut hole: if it doesn’t start frying immediately, the oil is too cold, if the hole turns brown right away, the oil is too hot. Adjust the heat accordingly.
Drop the doughnuts into the hot oil using the paper to carefully lower them into the oil.
Turn them over as soon as they become golden brown on the underside, then remove and place on a paper towel lined plate once they are ready.
When the doughnuts have cooled, roll them in sugar to coat evenly.
If you choose to fill the large doughnuts, push a skewer into the center of the doughnut to make a hole, then place some room temperature jam, or slightly warmed Nutella into a piping bag and pipe the filling into the doughnut.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 package Yellow Cake
1 cup water
1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
3 large eggs

Butter Cream Frosting (recipe below)
2 cups coconut
Red licorice strips
Jelly beans



Butter Cream Frosting
4 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 to 6 tablespoons milk

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer combine powdered sugar, shortening and vanilla. Slowly blend in milk to desired consistency.
2. Beat on high for 5 minutes, or until smooth and creamy.

• preparation

1. HEAT oven to 350°F.
Prepare cake according to package directions using the water, oil and eggs.
Pour into two 8-inch round cake pans. Bake as directed. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely.

TURN one cooled cake layer upside down. See image sketch for details:
Mark center of cake with toothpick. Measure about 2-inches in from two sides of cake lining up the toothpicks. Using the tip of a sharp knife, lightly draw a 2-inch wide x 6-inch long oval, football shape, to make the ears. Cut with a serrated knife. The middle part of the layer will be the "bow tie" for the bunny.



PLACE whole cake layer in center of large tray. Place ears and bow tie, rounded side up, to make bunny. Frost entire surface and sides of cake, connecting the pieces together with frosting. Sprinkle with coconut. Cut licorice pieces for mouth and whiskers. Cut jelly beans in half for eyes, nose and bow tie.
TIP To make green "grass" around bunny, toss an additional 1/2 cup coconut with a few drops of green food coloring until desired color. Place around base of bunny.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

3 medium green apples
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Rum sauce:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons dark rum

• preparation

Preheat oven at 400 degrees.
Core apples (do not peel). Put through food processor.
Cream butter, sugar and egg. Add apples and mix well. add dry ingredients.
Spoon into buttered glass dish or souffle glass dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes in a water bath.
Serve with rum sauce.


Rum sauce:
Combine butter, sugar and cream in a saucepan.
Cook over low heat 8 to 12 minutes, then add vanilla and rum.
Cool and serve with cake.

Serves: 6

this cake and variants of it are commonly found throughout parts of the Pacific and Southeast Asia

• Ingredients

2 packages grated cassava* (2 lbs total; can be found in the frozen sections of Asian/Latin grocery stores; common Filipino ingredient)
1/3 cup of honey or coconut sugar, or 1/2 c maple syrup
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup coconut cream

• preparation

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into greased 9x9 pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 40-50 minutes or until brown on top and tester comes out clean.
Enjoy with afternoon or morning tea.

* If you have cassava root, grate it in a food processor and boil it for about 5 minutes to be able to use it in the recipe.

Serves: 6

Because this is served in the skillet in which it was made, it's better to make the cobbler the same day it will be served.

• Ingredients

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
4 cups fresh or defrosted fruit, such as blackberries, peaches, raspberries, blueberries, plums, cherries or apricots
1 cup sugar, or more as needed1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch fine salt
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Place the butter in a large (10- to 12-inch) cast-iron skillet (you could also use a metal or ceramic casserole or gratin pan) and place in the oven so the butter melts; this should take 5 to 7 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the fruit in a mixing bowl. Use a potato masher to mash it just enough so that the pieces release some of their juices. If the fruit is tart, sprinkle a little sugar on top.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add the cup of sugar, the milk and vanilla extract, stirring to form a smooth batter.
Remove the skillet from the oven. Carefully pour the melted butter from the skillet into the batter, stirring to combine, then pour the batter all at once into the skillet (it should begin to puff and set around the edges). Add the fruit and its juices to the center of the batter.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the crumb comes out mostly clean. Serve warm, straight from the skillet.

Serves: 6

This is traditionally eaten around Epiphany in France, where you can get it in all bakeries. A small porcelaine figure (the 'fève') is placed in the frangipane and the person who gets it becomes king and wears a paper crown

• Ingredients

1 pound puff pastry

Filling
4 ounces ground almonds
4 ounces icing sugar
4 ounces butter at room temperature
4 large eggs
2 oz flour
1 tablespoon dark rum
1/4 cup slivered almonds

1 fève (optional)

• preparation

For the filling: Combine the ground almonds, sugar and butter until smooth.
Add three of the eggs, flour and rum: mix until combined.
Stir in slivered almonds.
Preheat oven 375°F (190°C).

To assemble, divide the dough into two equal parts.
Roll out one part to form a 10 inch circle and place on a baking sheet.
Spread the filling on the pastry leaving a rim, about half an inch wide, all the way around. Put in a porcelaine figure (feve) if you have one. Brush the rim with egg.
Roll out the rest of the dough to form a 9 inch circle. Place on top of the filling.
Pinch together the pastry at the edges, making sure that it is well sealed. Brush the top with the remaining egg. Make a few slits in the center of the pastry.
Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
Serve warm.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

Genoise Cake:
- 1 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, preferably clarified
- 6 large eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Grand Marnier Berries:
- 1 lb strawberries, sliced
- 1/3 cup Grand Marnier®
Mascarpone Whipped Cream:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 (8-oz) package mascarpone, softened with 1 tbsp of cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons orange zest

• preparation

For cake: Grease and flour the bottom(s) of two 9x2-inch pans or one 9-inch springform pan; line with wax or parchment paper. Sift together cake flour and 1/4 cup sugar twice; set aside. Melt butter in a small saucepan; off the heat and let sit for 4 minutes. Once cooled, remove the film from the top; carefully pour into a heatproof bowl, leaving the solids behind - set aside.

Whisk the eggs and 3/4 cup sugar in a large heatproof bowl; set over a pot of barely simmering water - whisk constantly until the mixture is warm to the touch (about 110 degrees F). Remove the bowl from the heat and beat on high speed until the mixture is lemony-colored, has tripled in volume. - like a continuous flat ribbon when dropped from a spoon (5 minutes in a heavy-duty mixer with the whisk attachment, 10 - 15 minutes with a hand-held mixer).

In 3 additions, sift the flour mixture over the top and fold in very gently with a rubber spatula. If the butter has become to solid, reheat briefly and transfer to a medium bowl. Fold about 1 1/2 cups of the egg mixture into the butter until completely incorporated, along with the vanilla extract. Bake until the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan(s) and the top springs back when lightly pressed, about 15 minutes in cake pans, 30 minutes in a springform pan. Let cool in the pan(s) on a rack for 10 minutes. Slide a thin knife around the cake to detach it from the pan(s); remove the side of the springform pan, if using. Invert the cake and remove the paper liner(s). Let cool right side up on the rack.

For berries: While the cake is baking, place the berries in a glass bowl and pour Grand Marnier on top. Allow 30 to 40 minutes for the berries to macerate and thaw.

For the mascarpone whipped cream: whip the heavy cream in a large metal bowl, then (using the same hand mixer), whip the mascarpone, sugar and orange zest into a smaller separate bowl. Fold mascarpone into the whipped cream.

Slice the cake into 3 layers. spoon berries with juice between cakes layers, then spread over whipped cream. Decorate top with mascarpone whipped cream.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

3 tablespoons Grand Marnier
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
4 egg yolks
5 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
2 1/4 cups chilled whipping cream
1/4 cup icing sugar

• preparation

Combine Grand Marnier, lemon juice and gelatin in a bowl. Allow to set for 5 minutes. Heat in double boiler to dissolve gelatin. Heat orange juice.
In a large bowl, beat yolks, sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in orange juice. Stir over medium heat to thicken. Do not boil. Strain in large bowl.
Add gelatin mixture and orange peel. Let stand until cool but not set, stirring occasionally. Beat cream with icing sugar to soft peaks.
Fold in gelatin mixture. Use for orange mousse Grand Marnier cake, or pour into a decorative mold or individual cups to set. Unmold before serving.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

Crust:
2 cup crushed coconut cookies
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
1/2 cup melted butter

Filling:
2 grapefruits
3 eggs
2/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup grapefruit juice from the fresh fruit
1-1/2 tablespoons gelatin
1/4 cup water
1 pound cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1-1/4 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
2/3 cup whipping cream

• preparation

Mix together the crushed cookies, lemon rind and melted butter. Firmly press on the bottom of a 9 inch spring form pan.
Peel the grapefruits and cut the segments into small pieces. Drain juice and reserve for filling.
Separate 2 eggs and combine the egg yolks, the remaining whole egg, sugar, salt and 1 tablespoon of the juice in the top of a double boiler. Place over simmering water and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat.
Soak the gelatin in the water for 5 minutes. Stir into the warm custard until dissolved.
Beat cream cheese with remaining grapefruit juice, lemon juice and rinds (zest) until smooth. Beat into the custard. Fold in the grapefruit pieces. Lightly whip the cream.
Beat the egg whites in an electric mixer until they form soft peaks. Fold the cream and egg whites into the cheese mixture.
Pour into the prepared spring form pan and chill for several hours or overnight.

Serves: 24

Keep the pastillage in a sealed bag as it dries rapidly

• Ingredients

2 packets unflavored gelatin I used Knox gelatin
1/3 cup water
6 cups powdered sugar lightly spooned into cup
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
2 tbsp corn syrup

• preparation

Combine the powdered sugar and the cream of tartar in a mixing bowl.
Place the water into a 2 cup heatproof glass and sprinkle the gelatin. Let it stand until the gelatin blooms (about 5 minutes), then place in the microwave for about 2 minutes. Stir until the gelatin is dissolved. Then add the corn syrup and continue to stir until no lumps appear.
Make a well in the center of the powdered sugar and add the gelatin mixture. Mix slowly until everything is incorporated. Turn off the mixer and knead by hand for a few minutes. If it is too dry add a few drops of water and continue to knead. When the pastillage is pliable, wrap in plastic and place into a zip lock bag. You should be able to use immediately.
To make the pastillage workable heat small pieces in the microwave for 10 seconds or less. Be careful, if you heat it up too much it will become soft and sticky and/or too hot. If this happens, just let it sit for a few minutes.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

Crust:
1 cup wafer crumbs
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

Filling:
3 8-ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1/3 cup Irish cream
3 ounces white chocolate, melted

Topping:
whipped cream
chocolate shavings

• preparation

Preheat oven at 325 degrees.
CRUST:
Combine wafer crumbs, pecans, sugar, and butter. Press mixture onto bottom of 2 inch by 9 inch springform pan. Chill.
FILLING:
In an electric mixer, beat cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at the time, until just blended. Beat in liqueur and white chocolate. Pour into pan. Bake 50 min. or until center is just set. Remove from oven and run knife around sides of pan to prevent cracking. Cool.
TOPPING:
Top cheesecake with whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired.

Serves: 16

Based on a recipe from Downey's restaurant in Philadelphia.

Note: Since Meg Downey shared this adaptation of the family recipe in 1982, most boxed cake mixes have been reformulated to yield moister (pudding-in-the-mix type) cakes. For that reason, the original amount of pudding mix has been reduced by half.

• Ingredients

one 18.5-ounce package yellow cake mix
1 (3 5/8-ounce) box vanilla instant pudding mix (see note)
1/2 cup whole or low-fat milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup Irish whiskey
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup (4 ounces) coarsely chopped black walnuts
FOR THE GLAZE
4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup Irish whiskey
1 tablespoon water

• preparation

For the cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease a 10-inch tube pan, preferably nonstick, or bundt pan with nonstick cooking oil spray.

Combine the cake and pudding mixes in a small bowl.

Combine the milk, oil and whiskey in the bowl of a stand mixer or hand-held electric mixer; beat on low speed until mixed well. Add the dry ingredients and beat until smooth, then add the beaten eggs in several additions until well combined. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes until slightly thickend. Turn off the motor and add the walnuts, stirring by hand. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 75 to 90 minutes, being careful not to let it get too brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool in the pan.

For the glaze: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar, whiskey and water, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Pour one-third of the glaze over the hot cake in the pan. Let cool on the wire rack for 1 hour, then remove from the pan and invert so the cake is upside down on a plate; pour one-third of the glaze over the cooled cake, then cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 days. The next day, unwrap the cake, invert onto a second plate and pour half of the remaining glaze over the cake; recover tightly with plastic wrap; this process allows the glaze to flavor the cake evenly. On the next day, repeat the process, using the remaining glaze.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

For the cake:
¾ pound dates, pitted and chopped
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1½ tablespoons baking powder

For the sauce:
10 oz (2½ sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 cup heavy cream
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 tablespoons Irish whiskey
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 cups Sweetened whipped cream, for serving

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9 x 2-inch round cake pan.

Place the dates in a deep saucepan with 1¾ cups of water. Bring to boil, stirring a little to break up the dates. Allow to simmer 1 minute. Off the heat, stir in the baking soda (it will bubble up!). Set aside.

Meanwhile, in an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, add the eggs, one at a time, and then the vanilla, scraping down the mixing bowl. (It may look curdled.) Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer still on low, slowly add it to the batter. With the mixer on low, add the hot date mixture in two batches to the batter, scraping down the bowl. The batter will be runny but don't worry! Stir in the baking powder, which will also bubble up. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Meanwhile, combine the butter, brown sugar, heavy cream and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 minute. Off the heat, stir in the bourbon and vanilla and pour into a 2-cup heat-proof glass measuring cup. Set aside.

As soon as the cake is done, poke holes all over it with a toothpick. Pour one cup of the sauce evenly over the cake while still warm and allow it to soak in for 30 minutes. Turn the cake out bottom side up onto a flat serving plate and pour one more cup sauce on top. Cool completely.

Serve at room temperature with sweetened whipped cream and remaining whiskey sauce.

Serves: 6

Small bananas wrapped in French crepes.
A French carribbean recipe known as TI FIGUES EN PYJAMAS

• Ingredients

12 tiny bananas
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup dark rum
12 small crepes
1 teaspoon butter
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 cup chocolate sauce

• preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Peel the bananas. Saute in butter until evenly brown but firm. Sprinkle brown sugar over bananas. Continue cooking to make a caramel with the sugar. Pour dark rum over the bananas. Ignite the rum. Transfer the bananas to a platter. Save the cooking juice.
Roll each banana in a small crepe. Cut the ends of crepes extending beyond the bananas.
Butter an oven-proof baking dish. Line the banana crepes in the dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
Bake for 10 minutes. Arrange the bananas in a serving platter. Combine the chocolate sauce with the pan juice. Serve with the banana crepes

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

Crust:
1 1/4 cups sugar cookie crumbs
1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted

Filling:
5 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon peel, grated
6 ounces cream cheese, soft
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup water

• preparation

Crust:
Mix ingredients for crust. Press on bottom and sides of a greased 8-inch spring form mold.
Filling:
Combine egg yolks, sugar, and lemon juice in a double boiler. Whisk until hot and thick. Add lemon peel.
Mix the remaining ingredients, and stir in egg yolk mixture. Dissolve gelatin in cold water. Let stand for 5 minutes.
Melt over low heat and stir in cream cheese mixture. Spread in mold. Refrigerate to set.

Serves: 12

Very moist pound cake that comes out right each and every time. To make super fine sugar, mix regular granulated sugar in a blender until fine.

• Ingredients

3 1⁄2 cups cake flour
1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1 1⁄2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
2 1⁄4 cups super fine sugar
6 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon lemon zest, finely grated
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

FOR THE HOT SYRUP TOPPING
1⁄2 cup granulated sugar (Yes, this much more!)
2 teaspoons lemon zest, finely grated (Yes, this much more!)
1⁄2 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed

• preparation

FOR THE CAKE:
Making sure there is a rack in the middle of the oven.
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F, then butter and flour a 10" (12-cup) Bundt pan.

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together TWICE.
In a large bowl and with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter until light & fluffy.
Gradually beat in 1 3/4 cups of sugar, about 3 tablespoons at a time, and continue beating until light & fluffy.
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture alternately with the milk, in batches, beginning & ending with the flour.
Stir in 1 tablespoon of the zest & both extracts.
Transfer batter to prepared pan and smooth top with a rubber spatula, and bake for 1 1/2 hours or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove from oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

FOR THE HOT SYRUP TOPPING:
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring 1/2 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons lemon zest & lemon juice to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved.
Turn cake out onto the rack and brush the hot syrup over the hot cake.
Let brushed cake cool to room temperature, then cut into wedges

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
grated rind of 2 lemons
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup milk
Glaze:
juice of 2 lemons mixed with
1/2 cup icing sugar

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter and flour two 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pans.

In an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add lemon rind.
Combine flour, salt and baking powder. Mix into creamed mixture alternately with milk.
Transfer to prepared pan.
Bake 40-45 minutes.
Prick holes in top of hot loaf and pour glaze over. Cool 10 minutes in pan.
Unmold on platter.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup flour
2 eggs, large
2 tbsps lemon zest
2 tbsps lemon juice
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

For the tart lemon glaze:
4 tbsps lemon juice
8 tsps lemon zest
1 rounded cup powdered sugar

• preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease an 8×8 inch baking dish with butter and set aside.
3. Zest and juice two lemons and set aside.
4. In the bowl of an electric mixture fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the flour, sugar, salt, and softened butter until combined.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice until combined.
6. Pour it into the flour mixture and beat for 2 mins at medium speed until smooth and creamy.
7. Pour into baking dish and bake for 23-25 mins, should turn golden around the edges.
8. Allow to cool completely before glazing. Do not overbake, or the bars will dry.
9. Filter the powdered sugar and whisk with lemon zest and juice.
10. Spread 1/2 the glaze over the brownies with a rubber spatula and let glaze set.
11. Spread 1/2 the glaze over the bars, and let it set.
12. Cut into bars and serve.

Serves: 8

Refreshingly tart and fragrantly lemony all the way through from the moist rich crumb to the hard lemony drizzle on top.

• Ingredients

1 cup butter (227g)
1 cup sugar (215g)
2 lemons, zest of
3 eggs
1 3/4 all purpose flour (218g)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
6 tbsp milk

Lemon Sugar Syrup
1/2 cup sugar (100g)
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Lemon Zest Drizzle
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar (180g)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
zest of one lemon,

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Butter a 9-inch by 4-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on both sides to allow you to pull cake from pan when done.

Add cubed butter, sugar and zest of two lemons to mixing bowl and beat at high speed until very light and fluffy. Add in eggs, one at a time, beating in thoroughly each time.

Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Add the half of flour mixture to butter egg mixture and mix at low speed until just combined. Add in milk and mix in. Add in the rest of the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Pour into pan and smooth top. Bake 45 mins or until a knife stuck in comes out clean.

While cake is baking make the Lemon Sugar Syrup. Combine sugar and water in small pot and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Let cool to room temperature, then add in fresh lemon juice.

Leave the cake in the baking pan once out of the oven. Use skewer to poke holes through to cake bottom at 2" intervals. Pour about 1/2 -3/4 cup of sugar syrup over the cake, using a brush to help the syrup settle evenly. Let the cake sit in the pan until completely cool and syrup absorbed.

While cake is cooling make the Lemon Zest Drizzle. Shift powdered sugar into mixing bowl. Add lemon juice and zest and whisk until smooth.

Use a sharp knife to loosen cake from sides of pan and lift out using parchment paper overhang. Remove paper and place on serving plate. Pour drizzle evenly over cake and let set for 10-15 mins or until hardened.

Serves: 8

cocoa sponge cake

• Ingredients

1 recipe cocoa sponge cake
1/4 cup Grand Marnier liqueur
1 pint fresh sliced strawberries
1 quart strawberry ice cream
6 egg whites
1 cup confectioners' sugar

• preparation

Slice the prepared cocoa sponge cake in two horizontally. Sprinkle cakes with Grand Marnier.
Place one cake on a heatproof plate or platter, arrange strawberries over cake, top with remaining cake.
Soften ice cream slightly, spoon onto cake, shape into a dome, cover, freeze until firm.
Beat egg whites in a medium bowl with an electric mixer. until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar while beating.
Spoon meringue into a large piping bag fitted with a tube. Starting with the base of the cake, pipe mixture evenly around cake and ice cream until completely covered.
Bake in a 500 degree oven for about 3 minutes or until meringue is lightly brown.
Serve immediately.

Serves: 12

This fine dessert can be prepared a day ahead, or can be frozen in airtight container for up to 10 days.

• Ingredients

For crust:
1 cup sugar cookie crumbs (Chefdecuisine uses shortbread cookies)
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter

For filling:
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
4 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1 pound Mascarpone cheese
2 cups whipping cream

For garnish:
fresh raspberries or strawberries
lemon zest
red raspberry and strawberry sauce

• preparation

Fit the bottom of a 9-inch spring form pan with a circle of parchment paper.
Combine cookie crumbs, sugar and butter in a bowl. Spread evenly into bottom of pan and refrigerate for about 15 minutes or until firm. To make cheese cake, combine sugar and cornstarch in a stainless steel saucepan.
Dissolve unflavored gelatin in 1/4 cup of the lemon juice. Whisk remaining lemon juice and beaten eggs in sugar and cornstarch mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring until mixture thickens to a medium-thick consistency. Remove from heat.
Stir in gelatin and lemon zest. Transfer to a large bowl, and let cool at room temperature.
Whisk in Mascarpone until smooth. Beat whipping cream in a bowl until stiff. Fold mascarpone mixture into whipped cream.
Spoon cream mixture into prepared pan and smooth top with spatula. Seal top with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.
Run a small sharp knife along the edge of the inside cake pan rim to loosen cake.
Remove sides of pan. Transfer dessert from metal base to a serving plate.
To serve, garnish with fresh berries, lemon zest and a red berry sauce.

Serves: 16

For 1 10-inch cake.

This recipe for New York-style cheesecake, adapted from "Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook," makes a smooth and creamy dessert that everyone will love.

• Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pans
One 9-ounce package chocolate wafer cookies, finely crushed (about 2 cups)
2 ¼ cups sugar
3 tablespoons sugar
3 pounds (six 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, room temperature
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sour cream, room temperature
1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
5 large eggs
4 blood oranges
2 tablespoons orange liqueur

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter the sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Wrap exterior of pan (including base) in a double layer of foil. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Place crushed wafer cookies and 3 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl; stir until well combined. Pour melted butter over cookie mixture and mix until evenly moistened. Press mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake until crust is set, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down sides as needed. In a large bowl, whisk together remaining 2 1/4 cups sugar and flour. With mixer on low speed, gradually add sugar mixture to cream cheese; mix until smooth. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just combined; do not overmix.

Pour cream cheese filling into prepared pan. Set pan inside a large, shallow roasting pan. Carefully ladle boiling water into roasting pan to reach halfway up sides of springform pan. Bake 45 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Continue baking until cake is set but still slightly wobbly in the center, about 30 minutes more. Turn off oven; leave cake in oven with door slightly ajar, 1 hour. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let cake cool completely. Refrigerate, uncovered, at least 6 hours or overnight. Before unmolding, run a knife around the edge of the cake.

Slice the top and bottom of 1 orange with a paring knife. Set one of the flat sides on your work surface. From top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit, cut away peel and white pith. Trim off any remaining pith. Holding the orange over a bowl, cut along both sides of each segment, staying close to the membrane, to release. Repeat with remaining oranges. Pour in liqueur and toss to combine. Serve over cheesecake.

Serves: 8

you can make your own crust using chocolate wafer cookies or graham cookies and melted butter, instead of buying a ready made crust.

• Ingredients

2/3 cup Nutella
8 oz Cream Cheese at room temp
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 8 oz container non-dairy whipped topping (defrosted)
1 Oreo Cookie Pie Crust
1 bar chocolate (optional)

• preparation

In a large bowl, mix Nutella and cream cheese together until well blended and smooth. Add vanilla extract. Fold in whipped topping until no white streaks are left. Pour into Oreo Pie crust. Refrigerate or freeze at least 2 hours to overnight.
Remove cheesecake from the fridge, slice and serve immediately. If removing from the freezer, allow the cheesecake to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before slicing & serving.
Optional: Shave chocolate with veggie peeler on top of pie for garnish.

Serves: 8

Soft, moist and simple to make, this no fuss pumpkin olive oil bread is completely inviting!

• Ingredients

Cooking spray
3-1/4 oz. (3/4 cup) whole wheat flour
3 oz. (2/3 cup) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. table salt
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin purée
1/3 cup light olive oil
1/3 cup honey
2 Tbs. unsalted pumpkin seeds

• preparation

• Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, eggs until well combined. Add in the olive oil, pumpkin puree and honey and whisk again until well combined.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix until just combined (don’t over-mix!). Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle with the pumpkin seeds pressing down lightly.
• Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean. (If the bread begins to brown too much before it is fully baked, lay a piece of aluminum foil on top)
• Set the pan on a wire rack and allow to cool for 15 minutes and then transfer the bread to a rack to cool completely before slicing.
Original recipe inspired from The Taunton Press and fine cooking

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

6 ounces butter
6 ounces sugar
3 eggs
6 ounces all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 ounces concentrated orange juice
3 ounces water

ICING:

6 ounces icing sugar
3 ounces concentrated orange juice
3 ounces water

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter and flour a 9-inch mold. Cream butter and sugar.
Whisk in the eggs one by one. While beating the cake batter, gradually add the flour mixed with the baking powder, alternating with the orange juice and water.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Unmold on platter.

ICING:

Mix all ingredients in a saucepan.
Boil, and pour over hot cake.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

2 cups flour, all purpose
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup orange juice

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease two 8 inch round layer cake pans.
Line bottom with wax paper. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
Cream shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs. Add dry ingredients alternating with orange juice to obtain a creamy texture batter.
Turn into prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until center is set. Cool 5 minutes then remove from pans.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

2 cups all cakeflour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
5 egg yolks
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon orange rind, grated
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

ORANGE FLUFF ICING

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup egg whites
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch

• preparation

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, blend flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Add oil, egg yolks, water, orange juice, rind, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
Beat egg whites with cream of tartar. Gradually add sugar, and beat to form soft peaks. Fold egg whites into batter.
Pour into a 10-inch ungreased tube pan. Bake for about 1 hour. Test with a cake tester. Invert until cold. Loosen cake with knife. Unmold. Cover with orange fluff icing.

ORANGE FLUFF ICING

Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Beat with a whisk over adouble boiler until peaks start to form.
Remove from heat, beat for 2 to 3 more minutes or icing is at a spreadable consistency.
Cover chiffon cake.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

1 recipe Grand Marnier orange mousse
1 recipe almond genoise cake
2 large seedless oranges
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons Grand Marnier
1/4 cup apricot jam
1 ounce sweet chocolate

• preparation

Slice oranges thinly.
Boil water and sugar. Steep oranges in cold syrup for an hour.
Make Grand Marnier syrup with remaining sugar, water, and Grand marnier. Cool.
Slice genoise into 2 layers.
Line a 9 inch springform pan with wax paper and arrange sliced oranges on paper. Save a few slices. Spoon 1/2 mousse into pan.
Top with a genoise half. Brush with 1/2 of syrup. Press orange slices into sides of pan, rounded sides down.
Spread remaining mousse over cake.
Top with other genoise. Brush with syrup. Refrigerate 4 hours.
Invert cake on platter. Heat and release pan sides. Peel off wax paper. Brush with top with melted apricot, and decorate with chocolate.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

Meringue shell:
3 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch

Orange mousse filling:
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 1/2 cups orange juice
3 egg yolks
2 teaspoons grated orange rind
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup chilled evaporated milk

• preparation

FOR MERINGUE SHELL:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
Gradually beat in the sugar, 1 tablespoon at the time until stiff glossy peaks form. Blend in cornstarch.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread with meringue to make 9-inch circles, forming 1-inch high rounded rim.
Bake in center of oven for about one hour or until crisp. Turn oven off and let meringue dry 2 to 3 hours.
Remove from oven and gently peel off paper. Place on serving plate.

FOR ORANGE MOUSSE FILLING:
Sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup of the orange juice. Set aside.
In a heavy bottom non aluminum saucepan, whisk egg yolks lightly. add rind, remaining juice, and sugar.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 5 to 10 minutes or until thick enough to coat the back of spoon.
Remove from heat. Stir in the gelatin mixture to dissolve. Cover and refrigerate for about 15 minutes or until slightly thickened.
In a bowl, beat evaporated milk for minute or until thick and foamy; fold into gelatin mixture until combined. spoon into meringue shell. Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until set.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 large orange, unpeeled
3/4 cup boiling water
1 large egg
1/2 cup canola oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup nuts, chopped (walnuts or pecans)

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut orange into pieces. Remove seeds.
Put in blender with boiling water. Blend until smooth. Add egg and oil. Blend a few minutes more.
Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and stir well.
Add liquid from blender to the dry ingredients. Stir until just blended.
Pour into greased 9-inch by 5-inch by 3-inch loaf pan or into 3 mini loaf pans. Bake about 50 minutes. Unmold on cake rack.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

For the cake:

1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
10 oz. (2-1/4 cups) all-purpose flour; more for the pan
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup canola or other mild-flavored oil (check for freshness before using)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
6 oz. (12 Tbs.) unsalted butter, softened; more for the pan
1-1/2 Tbs. finely minced lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
3/4 cup strained fresh orange juice
5 large eggs


For the syrup & glaze:
1 cup confectioners' sugar, divided
1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed


2 Tbs. dark rum
1 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

• preparation

Heat the oven to 350F. Butter and flour a 10-inch tube pan or 12-cup bundt pan.

To make the cake:
Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and soda into the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
Add the butter and mix on low speed until fine crumbs form. Change to the whisk attachment.
With the machine running on medium speed, whisk in the oil, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and orange juice.
Whisk in the eggs one at a time and then increase the speed to high and whisk the batter until light, about 3 minutes,
scraping the sides of the bowl if necessary.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes.

To make the syrup and glaze:
While the cake bakes, whisk together in a small bowl the orange juice concentrate, butter, rum, and 1/2 cup of the confectioners' sugar.
When the cake is done, set the pan on a rack to cool for 5 minutes. With a thin skewer,
poke the cake all the way through to the bottom of the pan in several places.
Pour 1/3 cup of the syrup over the cake and let stand for 1 hour before removing the cake from the pan.
(At this point you can wrap the cake in plastic and hold for up to 3 days at room temperature; in fact, the flavor only improves.)
Cover the remaining syrup with plastic and store at room temperature.

When ready to serve, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar into the remaining syrup.
Set the cake on a rack over a baking sheet and pour the glaze over the cake.
Let stand for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Serves: 10

This typical Italian dessert would have been the creation of a young baker whose name was Tony. To charm his Milanese girlfriend, he invented this dessert, that became "pan di Toni", the panettone

• Ingredients

1 package (1 tablespoon) dry yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup water
1 pound all-purpose flour
4 ounces sugar
6 ounces unsalted butter, softened
6 eggs
1/4 cup lemon peel, diced
1/4 cup orange peel, diced
1 cup raisins

• preparation

In a small mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water and sugar. Stir well and allow to raise in a warm place. In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, combine flour, yeast mixture, sugar, butter, eggs. Mix dough at low speed until it becomes elastic and smooth and does not stick to sides of bowl.
Shape dough into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until triple in volume. Punch the dough. Again shape into a ball.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
To bake the panettone, I use an empty 2 pound coffee can lined with buttered brown paper.
On a floured surface, work the lemon and orange peel and raisins into the dough.
Drop dough in the prepared mold. Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Let dough rise at room temperature until triples in volume. Brush dough with warm milk.
Bake about 55 minutes to 1 hour.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2 cans (1-lb, 14-oz size) pear halves
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon butter
1 9-inch puff pastry circle
1 cup whipping cream
2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar

• preparation

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Drain pears. Caramelize sugar with ¼ cup water until golden brown.
Pour caramel into the bottom of an 8½-inch round baking dish. Arrange pears, rounded side down on caramelized sugar.
Top with a second layer. Dot with butter. Bake 25 minutes. Bake pastry circle for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Place circle over pears.
Place serving plate over the top of pastry circle. Invert; remove baking dish.
Whip cream with sugar until firm. Garnish pears with whipped cream rosettes.

Serves: 8

Recipe can be doubled.
Bring all your ingredients to room temperature or even a little warm (eggs, milk, butter, ) to ensure your batter does not break or curdle.
Use a scale to weigh your ingredients for accuracy.

• Ingredients

4 oz (125g) unsalted butter room temp
7 oz (200g) sugar
3 large egg whites room temp
7 oz (200 g) All Purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
5 oz milk room temp
1 oz vegetable oil

• preparation

Preheat your oven to 335ºF. Cover the bottom of one 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper. Butter and flour bottom and sides of cake pan.
Combine milk, oil and extracts and set aside
Combine flour, baking powder and salt and set aside
Place butter in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment and cream until smooth. Sprinkle in sugar and then mix on high until light and white (about 5 minutes).
Add the egg whites at room temperature one at a time to the butter mixture while mixing on low and let fully combine after each addition before adding the next.
Add in 1/3 of the dry ingredients to the egg/butter mixture and mix on low until just combined. Then add in 1/2 of the liquids, then dry, then liquids and the rest of the dry.
Mix until just combined.
Add batter into prepared cake pan and bake at 335º F for 25-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center.
Let cool ten minutes then turn out cake onto a cooling rack. Wrap warm and place into the freezer to flash chill. This locks in the moisture. Once cool but not frozen you can then trim off the brown edges of the cake and frost as desired. Chill cake.

Serves: 12

Prekmurska gibanica a layered pastry that contains poppy seeds, walnuts, apples, raisins and quark fillings. Although native to Prekmurje, it has achieved the status of a national specialty of Slovenia.It's so popular that it appears on one of the country's stamps!

• Ingredients

For the strudel dough:

300 g flour
3 tablespoons lukewarm water
2 tablespoons wine
1 tablespoon sugar.
salt to taste
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing dough

(You can also substitute store-bought filo pastry or strudel dough.)

For the fillings:

The poppy seed filling:

400 g poppy seeds, ground with a mortar and pestle or very briefly whizzed in a food processor with the steel blade
200 g sugar
cinnamon to taste
1 cup hot milk

The apple filling:

500 g apples, grated
200 g sugar
cinnamon to taste
1 lemon rind, grated
1 tablespoon lemon juice

The cottage cheese filling:

500 g cottage cheese
3 dl (deciliters) sour cream: about 1 1/2 US cups
1 egg
200 g sugar
2 tablespoons raisins, soaked in rum
vanilla to taste

The walnut filling:

500 g ground walnuts
200 g sugar
cinnamon to taste

Optional topping: 1 cup sour cream

• preparation

Separately for each filling, mix the ingredients well. Grease well (butter is best) a square or oblong ovenproof baking dish or pan.

For the strudel dough: Mix the ingredients in a bowl, knead thoroughly (ten minutes at least) and let stand to relax for one hour. Then roll out and cut into thin sheets the size of the baking container. (Alternately, purchase large sheets of strudel dough or filo pastry to suit your baking dish.)

Place a layer of strudel dough / filo pastry in the bottom of the baked dish. Brush lightly with melted butter. Spread half the poppy seed filling evenly over it. Cover this layer with another sheet of strudel dough and brush the dough with melted butter. Spread this layer with half the apple filling. Cover with another sheet of dough: brush with melted butter. Spread with half the cottage cheese filling: cover with a sheet of dough, brushing with melted butter. Spread with half the walnut filling: cover with dough and brush dough with melted butter.

Repeat this process with the remaining poppyseed filling, apple filling, cottage cheese filling and walnut filling, making sure to brush each layer of strudel dough with the melted butter as you proceed.

Top with a final layer of strudel dough: brush with melted butter. If you like, spread this last layer with 1 cup sour cream (thinned a little with milk, if necessary, to make it easier to spread).

Bake for about 1 hour in a medium oven (350F / 175C). Cut into squares and serve.

Serves: 10

The rich flavors in this moist cake intensify with a little bit of age. Though the Armagnac toffee sauce and Armagnac ice cream make festive partners, leftover cake is excellent served plain with tea or coffee.

• Ingredients

1 3/4 cups packed pitted prunes (about 14 ounces)
1/2 cup Armagnac
1 1/4 cups water
6 kumquats
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Garnish: kumquats (preferably with leaves)

Accompaniments:
Armagnac toffee sauce
Armagnac ice cream

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F and generously butter an 11-cup Kugelhopf pan or 11-cup bundt pan.
Halve prunes and in a small saucepan simmer with Armagnac and 3/4 cup water, uncovered, 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon transfer prunes to a shallow dish to cool. Boil Armagnac mixture until reduced to about 1/2 cup and add to prunes.
Halve kumquats lengthwise and thinly slice crosswise. In a small saucepan bring remaining 1/2 cup water with 1/4 cup granulated sugar to a simmer, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add kumquats and simmer 10 minutes. In a fine sieve drain kumquats and add to prunes.
Into a bowl sift together flour, baking soda, ginger, allspice, and salt. Resift mixture into another bowl.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter, remaining 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and beat in vanilla. Add flour mixture and prune mixture alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating until just combined.
Spoon batter into pan (pan will be almost full) and bake in middle of oven 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a rack 10 minutes and turn out onto rack to cool completely. Cake keeps, wrapped in plastic wrap, at room temperature 1 week.
Garnish cake with kumquats and serve with warm toffee sauce and Armagnac ice cream

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

Crust:
3/4 cup Graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup pecans, ground
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Filling:
3 8-ounce cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups pumpkin, canned
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoons ginger
2 teaspoon milk
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon bourbon
Garnish:
Whipped cream pecan halves

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Crust:
Combine the crust ingredients. Press firmly onto greased 9 inch spring form pan. Chill.
Filling:
Beat cream cheese with sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs one at the time.
Stir in pumpkin, spices, milk, cornstarch, and bourbon until thoroughly combined. Pour into pan.
Bake 50 to 55 minutes, or until center of cake is just set. Remove cake from oven and run a knife around sides of pan. Chill.
Garnish cake with whipped cream and whole pecans.

Serves: 16

The chocolate Mousse Cake is a stunning 4-layer dessert

• Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake:
• 2 oz soft butter
• 1/4 cup (1.75 oz) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (1.75 oz) brown sugar
• 1 egg at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (4 fl oz) buttermilk at room temperature
• 2/3 cup (2.66 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup (1 oz) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
For the Pumpkin Cinnamon Mousse Layer:
• 9 oz cinnamon chips
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream divided
• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree
• Pinch salt
• 2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Pumpkin Butterscotch Mousse Layer:
• 9 oz butterscotch chips
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream divided use
• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree
• Pinch salt
• 2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
• 2 tbsp water
For the Salted Caramel Mousse Layer:
• 9 oz salted caramel chips or white chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream divided use
• 1/3 cup thick salted caramel sauce
• Pinch salt
• 2 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Ganache on Top:
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate finely chopped
To Decorate:
• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon
• Candy of your choosing

• preparation

To Make the Chocolate Cake:
1. Line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment, and spray it with non stick cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Add the butter and both sugars to the bowl of a large stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat them together on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract, and beat well until they’re fully incorporated.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer running on low, add a quarter of the sifted flour mixture. Add a third of the buttermilk to the mixing bowl. When that’s incorporated, continue to add the dry and wet ingredients in an alternating pattern, ending with the dry ingredients.
4. Finish mixing the cake by hand. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Bake the cake for 22-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool the cake completely before using.
To Make the Mousse Layers:
1. Prepare your pan. You need a 9-inch pan with sides at least 3 inches tall, and the ability to remove the bottom. Either a cake pan with a removable bottom or a springform pan will work. Line the inner wall with a 4-inch high acetate cake collar or a strip of aluminum foil or waxed paper. Make sure the acetate or waxed paper is long enough so that it overlaps itself, and if you are using foil/waxed paper, make sure you cut the strip tall enough to extend at least an inch over the pan’s sides, since the cake is about 4 inches tall.
2. Place a cake cardboard in the bottom of the pan, then carefully place the baked cake on top of the cardboard. This is optional, but it makes it easy to transfer the cake cleanly and neatly to your serving plate.
3. Prepare the cinnamon mousse layer: combine the cinnamon chips, pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup of cream, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring every 30 seconds, until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour it into a large bowl, and let it cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
4. While you wait for the cinnamon mixture to cool, prepare the gelatin. Whisk together the gelatin and the cold water in a small bowl, and set it aside to let the gelatin absorb the water. When the cinnamon is at room temperature, microwave the bowl of gelatin for 15 seconds, until it is melted. Whisk the melted gelatin and cinnamon mixture together, and whisk in the ground cinnamon.
5. Whip the remaining 1 cup heavy cream to firm peaks. Fold half of the whipped cream into the cinnamon, and once it’s incorporated, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream. Scrape the mousse on top of the cake, and spread it into an even layer. Refrigerate the cake for 25 minutes, until the mousse has started to set and is firm enough that a second layer can be added.
6. For the pumpkin-butterscotch mousse, combine the butterscotch chips, pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Continue to make this layer the same way you made the cinnamon layer, by melting and cooling the butterscotch mixture, whisking in the melted gelatin, and folding in whipped cream. When the pumpkin-butterscotch mousse is ready, pour it over the cinnamon mousse layer. Spread it into an even layer, and refrigerate again.
7. Finally, prepare the salted caramel layer. Combine the salted caramel chips (or white chocolate chips), 1/2 cup heavy cream, salted caramel, salt, and vanilla in a microwave-safe bowl. Continue to make this layer the same way you made the previous two layers. Pour it over the pumpkin-butterscotch mousse, and refrigerate to set the mousse layers for at least 30 minutes.
8. Make a quick chocolate ganache by putting the chopped chocolate in a small bowl and heating the cream to a simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and whisk gently until the chocolate melts and you have a smooth, shiny mixture. If it is very hot, let it cool slightly so it’s still warm and spreadable, but not so hot that it will melt the mousse. Pour the ganache over the top of the cake, and use a spatula to nudge it right to the edge and spread it in an even layer. Refrigerate the cake for at least 4 hours or overnight, so that the mousse layers can be very firm when slicing.
9. To finish the cake, push the bottom out from the pan, or unhinge the sides, and unwrap the acetate strip. Transfer the cake to your serving platter. Pipe rosettes of whipped cream around the edges, and sprinkle the cream with a bit of cinnamon. Top the rosettes with chocolate candies or chocolate curls, or leave them plain.
10. For the cleanest slices, cut the cake when it is well chilled. Use a large sharp knife, and wash it frequently between cuts. For the best taste and texture, allow the cake slices to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1/2 cup each chopped rhubarb and chopped apples
1/2 cup each raspberries and blueberries
3/4 cup white sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon each salt and nutmeg
1/4 cup each butter and shortening, cubed
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
2 eggs
1 cup plain Balkan style yogurt
2 tablespoons butter, melted

• preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Lightly grease 9-inch springform pan; line bottom with parchment or waxed paper.
Mix together rhubarb, apples, raspberries, blueberries and 2 tablespoons of the sugar.
Stir together flour, 1/2 cup of the remaining sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.
Cut in butter and shortening until fine crumbs form. Stir in lemon rind. Make well in center.
Beat eggs with yogurt; pour into well and stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.
Spoon half of the batter into prepared pan.
Arrange fruit over top, leaving 1-inch border uncovered. Spoon remaining batter evenly over top, spread to cover fruit.
Brush with butter; sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake on baking sheet in center of oven for about 1 hour or until golden brown. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. Remove side of pan and cool completely.

Serves: 8

Rhubarb and strawberries are a great match. You can substitute half the rhubarb with an equal weight of quartered berries.
Recipe adapted from http://www.marthastewart.com/ using double the amount of rhubarb.

• Ingredients

FOR THE STREUSEL
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus room-temperature butter for pan
1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
FOR THE CAKE
1 pound rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon light-brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides. Butter and flour parchment and pan, tapping out excess flour.
2. Make streusel: Whisk together butter, brown sugar, and salt. Add flour and mix with a fork until large crumbs form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Make cake: In a medium bowl, combine rhubarb, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup flour. In another medium bowl, whisk 3/4 cup flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy; beat in eggs, one at a time. With mixer on low, beat in vanilla, then flour mixture. Spread batter in prepared pan. Sprinkle with rhubarb and top with streusel.
4. Bake cake until golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool completely in pan. Using paper overhang, lift cake from pan. Cut into 16 bars.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

2 cups rhubarb, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup sugar

FOR CAKE BATTER:
1 3/4 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

• preparation

For Rhubarb:
In a small saucepan, combine rhubarb and sugar. Cover and cook over very low heat until rhubarb is tender.
Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Drain, discarding liquid. Let cool to room temperature.
For Cake Batter:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan. Sift flour, salt and baking powder together.
Beat butter until creamy. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Whisk eggs and vanilla together and add to butter mixture. On low speed, add flour mixture. Using a rubber spatula, fold in rhubarb. Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth with a spatula and make a lengthwise split i inch deep to minimize splitting.
Bake until cake is browned and a tester comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Unmold and let cool right side up on a wire rack.
(Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Taste)

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at
room temperature
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup sour cream
1 egg
1/2 cup chopped pecans

• preparation

Preheat an oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour a loaf pan 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/4" high also called 1lb loaf pan

In a small bowl, stir and toss together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a bowl, using a whisk, beat the butter until smooth, then slowly add the maple syrup, whisking constantly. Whisk in the sour cream and egg. Stir in the pecans. Add the flour mixture and stir until just blended.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes, then turn the loaf out onto the rack and let cool completely.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

For the sauce:
3 1-pint baskets strawberries, hulled, halved
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

For the crust:
1/4 cup dried apricots
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
2 large egg whites
2 1/4 cups shredded unsweetened coconut, toasted

For the filling:
1 1/2 pounds cream cheese, soft
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon dark rum
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 1/2 pints fresh strawberries, hulled, halved lengthwise

• preparation

Sauce:
In a heavy large saucepan, bring all ingredients to a boil. Simmer to a thick syrup consistency, about 30 min. Cool.
Crust:
Boil apricots and water. Remove from heat. Let stand until fruit is soft. Drain apricots and pat dry. Place in food processor. Add sugar and egg whites and process apricots are minced. Add 1/2 cup coconut and process until minced.
Transfer mixture to a medium bowl. Stir in remaining coconut. Freeze until firm.
Wrap heavy-duty foil around outside of 9-inch springform pan with 2 3/4-inch high sides. Spoon coconut mixture into pan. Spread over bottom and 2 inches up sides of pan to form crust. Bake crust until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Filling:
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar and salt in large bowl until smooth. Add sour cream, rum, lemon juice, and vanilla and beat until well blended.
Add eggs and beat until blended. Transfer to crust.
Bake cheese cake until brown, and firm in center, about 1 hour. Cool cake in pan on rack 10 minutes
Cut around pan sides to loosen cake. Release pan sides. Arrange berry halves over top of cake. Garnish with mint, if desired.
Serve with strawberry sauce.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

almond génoise (see recipe)
For syrup:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice

For mousse:
1 1/2 cups hulled and cleaned strawberries
2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups whipping cream
1 cup halved strawberries
1/2 cup currant jelly

• preparation

Prepare almond genoise.
Syrup:
In a medium saucepan, combine syrup ingredients. Heat to dissolve sugar.
Mousse:
Puree strawberries in food processor. Strain through fine sieve to make 1 cup.
Dissolve gelatin in 1/4 cup of the puree. Heat remaining puree with sugar to dissolve. Add gelatin to melt. Let mixture stand until cool but not set.
Whip the cream to form peaks. Fold into strawberry mixture.
Cut the two cakes in halves lengthwise. Line bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with cardboard. Line with 1 cake layer. Brush with syrup. Spread with 1/4 of the mousse. Continue with remaining layers. Decorate top with strawberries.

Serves: 10

• Ingredients

For compote:
3 1-pint baskets strawberries, hulled, washed
3/4 cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick

For shortcakes:
2 3/4 cups flour
1 1/4 sticks unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons minced orange peel
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups whipping cream

• preparation

Compote:
Slice berries; combine in a medium saucepan with sugar and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until compote thickens, stirring occasionally. Cool.
Shortcakes:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend first 6 ingredients in a food processor until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 1 cup cream and process until evenly moist. Transfer to a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup cream.
Knead gently until dough forms. Roll out dough on floured surface to a thickness of 3/4 inch. Use 2-inch round cutter to cut out dough. Gather dough. Roll and cut more to make 20. Place on heavy baking sheet. Brush top with 1/4 cup cream. Sprinkle with additional sugar. Bake until brown about 35 minutes.
Whip remaining 1 1/2 cups cream to firm peaks.
Spoon 1/3 cup compote in shallow plates. Cut shortcakes horizontally in half. Arrange two shortcake bottoms on each plate. Spoon dollop of cream on each bottom half. Press tops over.

Serves: 4

A recipe from Restaurant Daniel in New York City.

• Ingredients

3 sheets of phyllo dough, 12 by 17 inches
1/4 cup melted butter
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
4 slices pound cake, 2 inches squares by 1/2 inch thick
20 strawberries, hulled
8 mint leaves, 4 chopped and 4 reserved for garnish

For sauce:
1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon peppermint liqueur or drops of peppermint extract
4 chopped mint leaves

• preparation

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Brush the sheets of phyllo with melted sweet butter.
Dust sheets with 3 tablespoons confectioner's sugar, and stack the three sheets.
Quarter the phyllo sheets.
Place a 2 inch square, 1/2 inch thick slice of pound cake on each square. Arrange 3 to 5 hulled clean strawberries on each cake square, stem down.
Brush strawberries with melted butter, sprinkle each square with 1/2 teaspoon chopped mint.
Gather the edges of each phyllo quarter to encase the strawberries, leaving a 2-inch opening in center of phyllo purse. Brush the outside with melted butter.
Dust with confectioner's sugar.
Bake at 450 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes until purses are golden brown.
Sauce: Combine vanilla ice cream, heavy cream, peppermint liqueur or drops of extract, and 4 chopped mint leaves. Stir until soft and creamy. Refrigerate.
Spoon the mint sauce on plates. Place a purse on each plate. Garnish with mint leaves.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

3/4 cup sugar
4 egg yolks
4 tablespoons milk, warm
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder

For the filling:
1 cup strawberry jam
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon instant vanilla pudding
2 cups cleaned strawberries, hulled and sliced

• preparation

More presentations

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In bowl of an electric mixer, beat sugar, egg yolks, milk and vanilla until light and creamy. Set aside in a separate bowl.
In bowl of the electric mixer, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until medium firm.
Combine flour and baking powder. Fold and sift flour in egg yolk mix alternately with egg whites.
Cover the bottom of a 9-inch round pan with parchment paper. Grease and flour the bottom and sides of pan. Spread cake mixture over the bottom of pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes. Cake should be springy and seet in center.
Unmold cake over a wire rack. Cool.
Garnish the cake:
Slice into two layers.
Whip the cream with icing sugar and vanilla pudding until thick.
Spread strawberry jam over cakes. Top with sliced strawberries and whipped cream.
Stack layers together. Decorate top with berries.

Serves: 14

• Ingredients

For the crust:
2 cups chocolate graham crackers crumbs
6 tablespoons (85 grams) unsalted butter, melted

For the filling:
8 ounces (227 grams) semisweet chocolate, chopped
24 ounces (680 grams) full fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup (200 grams) super fine sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup (21 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
4 large eggs, at room temperature

For the topping:
5 oz (150 grams) semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy cream

• preparation

For the crust:
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Process the cookies in the bowl of a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until moistened. Press into the bottom and halfway up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool slightly.

For the filling:
Melt the chopped chocolate until smooth. Let cool.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the sugar, cream, and cocoa powder and beat** until well combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating just until smooth. Beat in the melted chocolate until just combined. Do not to overbeat.

Pour the batter into the cooled crust. Place the springform pan on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for about 50 minutes, or until the top looks slightly dry and the middle is slightly wobbly. Turn off the oven and crack the oven door open and allow to cool for 10 minutes as this helps prevent cracking. Remove the cheesecake from the oven to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.

Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 4 hours. Release the cheesecake from the pan onto a cake stand or serving plate.


For the topping:
Place the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, heat the cream just until simmering. Pour over the chocolate. Let sit for 3 minutes before stirring until the mixture is melted and smooth. If needed, allow to cool and thicken. Pour over the cheesecake.

** Do not overbeat the batter as it adds air which causes the cake to crack in the center when cooked as it cools.

Serves: 8

   

• Ingredients

8 ripe peaches (fresh, canned or frozen)
3 teaspoons soft butter
1/2 cup sugar
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) soft butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch salt
melted apricot glaze or strawberry jam

• preparation

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
Blanch and peel 8 ripe peaches. Cut in halves. Or use canned or frozen peaches. Slice 1 inch thick.
Butter a 9-by 1 1/2-inch round cake pan with 3 tablespoons soft butter, and sprinkle with 1/2 c. sugar over butter. Arrange peaches close together in a circle in the pan.
In an electric mixer, cream 3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) soft butter with 1/2 cup sugar. Beat in 1 egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Sift together 1 1/4 cup cake flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and a pinch salt and combine into butter sugar mixture.
Gradually stir in flour batter over peaches, smoothing top.
Bake cake 55 minutes to 1 hour, or till brown.
Cool on rack for 10 min.
Invert on a platter. Brush peaches with melted apricot glaze or strained strawberry jam. Serve with whipped cream.

Serves: 12

• Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling:
5 cups wild fresh or frozen blueberries
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
2 cups sour cream
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

• preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat butter and sugar until blended. Beat in egg and almond extract. In separate bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt; pour over batter and stir until blended. Pat over bottom and 2 inches up side of greased 10-inch springform pan. Set aside.
Filling:
Toss together blueberries, liqueur and lemon rind; scrape over crust. Whisk together sour cream, egg yolks, sugar and almond extract; scrape evenly over blueberries. Bake for 1 1/4 hours or until crust is golden and crisp. Let cool in pan on rack. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until chilled. Remove side of pan.
Cut into wedges to serve. For an added touch, pipe whipped cream over tart and decorate with thin candied orange strips and almond slivers