Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

This cookie might sound like a typical Christmas cookie but orange and cranberry is such a good combination that you would probably want to make not only Christmas time but whenever you want!
The ingredients are simple and it will take your only 10 minutes to prepare the dough.So let's start!

Ingredients
1 stick unsalted butter,room temperature
1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp confectioner's sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/2 tbsp finely grated orange zest
1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp of baking powder
pinch of salt (creates miracle)

Preparation

• Cream the butter until creamy and smooth,about 2 to 3 minutes.Add the powdered sugar in several batches,beating until smooth after each addition.Add vanilla extract,almond extract,orange zest and dried cranberries.Mix just until well combined.
• In a separate bowl mix together flour,baking powder and salt.Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix gently until the dough comes together.I used my hand in here!
• From dough into 2 logs ,each about 1/1,2 inches in diameter,warp in parchment and refrigerate until firm(at least couple of hours)up to couple of days.I waited for one night.
• When you are ready to bake preheat the oven to 170 C.Remove parchment.Slice logs into 1/4 inch thick rounds and space about 1 inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment. Bake until pale golden about 13-15 minutes.Let cool and enjoy!

 

Chocolate Cupcake With Vanilla Frosting

  I can not believe it's been months since I last updated! Life has been full  of numerous blessings and they are keeping me busy lately but one should always have to find a time for these delicious chocolate cup cakes!
  I really loved the flavor and texture of the cupcakes and found they baked up beautifully!

Ingredients

For the cupcake

175 gr unsalted butter
175 gr caster sugar
175 gr self-raising flour
50 gr cocoa powder
3 large eggs
1 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp milk
2 tbsp runny honey

For the frosting

125 gr unsalted butter
350 gr icing sugar
2 tbsp runny honey
2 tbsp milk

Preparation -Cup cakes

• Preheat the oven 180C and line a cup cake tray with 12 cupcake liners.In a large bowl sift together the self raising flour ,cocoa powder and baking powder.Set aside.
• Mix butter, sugar and honey with electric mixer for about 5 minutes until light and creamy.Add the eggs one at a time,mixing well between each addition.Add the  flour to the mixture in one go ,combine the ingredients thoroughly before stirring  through the milk.
• Using an ice cream scoop, fill the cupcake liners until they are two thirds  full.Bake for 20-25 min until they feel light and spring to the touch.
• Leave to cool before icing.

Preparation Frosting

• Place all the ingredients for the frosting in the bowl and mix until light and fluffy.If your frosting is too stiff add a touch more milk .To loose,add a touch of icing sugar .
• Fill bag with the frosting and pipe large on top of cakes and top with candies .Enjoy!

Lemon Curd

I have never tried curd before, so I was not  quite sure what to expect but at the end, it looks and tastes perfect .It is really so easy to make.If you have 15 minute, make this lemon curd;you will be licking the spoon in no time :)

Ingredients
2 cups of sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice
2 table spoon lemon zest
4 large eggs
4 large egg yolks
3/4 cup butter

Preparation

• Place sugar in a pan over a pot of simmering water in a double boiler.Gradually whisk in fresh lemon juice.
• Add eggs and egg yolks and continue to whisk in high heat about 10-15 minutes or until mixture thickens if it is not thickening you can add cornstarch or increase the heat and continue to whisk.
• Add butter and continue to whisk remove pan from heat and stir in lemon zest transfer to a bowl and place plastic wrap over it .
• The lemon curd will continue to thicken some as it cools.
• Store refrigerated couple of  weeks.Enjoy!

Heart Shaped Pie Pops

The pie lollipops are delicious warm,cold or at room temperature and great for birthdays,Vdays or dinners parties with friends .Easy and an attractive recipe so I tried ..and  i have to admit the results were pretty.You will love the look of golden baked dough.

Ingredients

Two sheets pie dough
Apricot jam (optional)
Lollipop sticks
Heart shaped cutters

Preparation

• Roll out pie crust and cut out 20 hearts by using the heart shaped cookie cutter
• Place filling on one heart,you can use whatever you want .I prefer jam but  chocolate crusts,Nutella,honey,almond,tiny apple pieces can be used as well..

• Place the stick pressing down and press the other heart on top .Press borders to seal .You might decorate the borders by pressing fork .
• Bake at 350F at about 10-15 minutes.
• Let cool and serve!

Classic Cherry Cake

  This is one of the cakes I made in the beginning of my baking.I am really  surprised that i have not post this recipe for such a long time ..Well,easy ,yummy perfect with a cup of tea :)

Ingredients

200 g unsalted butter
100-150 g glace cherries quartered
50 g ground almond

200 g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
3 large eggs
1 lemon juice

For topping icing sugar and water (optional)

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 180 C.Grease and line your cake tin.
• Stir together the cherries,almonds and 1 table spoon of the flour.Sift the remaining  flour into  a separate bowl with the baking powder.
• Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.Gradually, add the eggs,beating hard,until they evenly mixed.
• Add the flour mixture and fold lightly and evenly into the creamed mixture with a metal spoon.Add the cherry mixture ,fold in evenly,then fold in the lemon juice .
• Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and bake in the preheated oven for an hour or until risen and golden brown and shrinking from the sides of the tin .
• Leave to cool in the tin for about 15 minutes .

Cut into slices and serve as a mid-morning treat!

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

    A delicious and healthy ,richly- chocolatey and guilt-free dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth.I know,i was suspicious as you are right now when i came across with this recipe ,actually i have seen the recipe for chocolate avocado mousse floating around for the last few months and after mixing and matching a few that looked promising settled on the recipe below.I have to admit it was amazing and no,you do not taste avocado ..:)

Ingredients
1 large Haas Avocado(ripe and creamy)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 tea spoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Preparation

• Place avocado ,maple syrup and vanilla in food processor bowl.Process until smooth about 30 sec stopping once to scrape the sides of the bowl with spatula.
• Add cocoa powder,sifting it with a mash strainer to prevent lumps.Process about 1 more minute.Stopping once to scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula.,until very smooth and creamy.
• divide between 4 individual dessert bowls.Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Do not forget the cocoa powder should be high quality and use real maple syrup...

Plum Cake

This is a wonderful cake recipe ,comes together quickly and absolutely perfect for plum lovers!

Ingredients

60gr butter at room temperature
112 gr sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
2 eggs
170gr self raising flour
1/4 cup milk
5-6 plums ,halved and pitted
Caster sugar for sprinkling on top of the plums

Preparation

• Pre heat the oven to 350F
• Butter an 8"square baking tin
• with electric beaters,cream butter sugar and lemon zest
• Add the eggs one at a time,beating well after each addition
• Add half the flour and continue to mix with a wooden spoon.
• Add half the milk gradually and continue to mix until well combined.
• Add the rest of the flour and mix well.

• Add the rest of the milk and mix until well combined
• Pour the batter into the cake tin.
• Place the plum halves ,cut side up,on top of the cake batter
• Sprinkle the plum halves with a caster sugar
• Bake for 45 min until the cake is golden brown up on top.
• Serve warm.

Adopted by Mardi Michels Nana's plum cake