Linzer Cookies Baking Partners Challenge!

Hello Friends~!!!

Herewith I made Linzer cookies for the Valentine's Day..thanks a lotz Swathi of Baking Partners Challenge.It was so tricky to get into shapes and overall the taste was lovely.... We enjoyed it..I  took heart shaped cookie cutter to get into heart shaped cookies. It was so good with strawberry jam and its best for valentine's day 

Linzer cookies is made with pure almond flavored cookies and makes a sandwich them together with layered strawberry jam

Here are the ingredients for this recipe 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup  + 2 Tbsp of All purpose flour
• 1/2 Cup Ground Almond powder 
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1/8 Tsp salt
• 1/4 Tsp ground cloves 
• 1 1/4 Tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/8 Tsp almond extract
• 1 Tsp of grated lemon zest or 1/4 tsp of  lemon extract
• 1 Tsp of grated orange zest or 1/4 Tsp of orange extract

For Filling:

• Strawberry jam or Fruit Spread or Fruit perserves

For Dusting:

• Powdered sugar

Method:

For the Cookie batter Process

1. Soak the almonds in water for atleast 30 mins.Peel off the skin and let it dry.Once dried,blanch almonds into fine powder along with 1 Tsp of Powdered sugar
2. Sieve twice of the almond powder to get fine powder.
3. In an electric stand mixer with paddle attachment,add all the ingredients as given.Mix everything
4. Mix well and scrap all the sides to get the dough.
5. Continue mixing till it gets to form the dough
6. Knead the dough for few times to get sure that all the mixture gets incorporated.
7. Form the dough into 1 flat patty.
8. Wrap the dough with cling wrap and refrigerate it for about 2 hours or overnight.
9. Preheat the oven to 325 F .

For Roll and  cut the cookies with the help of any shape as you like.I used small heat cookie and medium cookie cutter.

1. Allow the cookie dough to be set at room temperature.
2. Take wax paper or plastic wrap make a length of rectangle shaped 
3. On a working surface place the lined wax paper,put the dough on it and keep the lined wax paper on the top.
4. Using rolling pin roll the dough  gently to get thin rectangular.
5. Peel off the top of the wax paper gently.
6. Dip the medium heart cookie cutter with flour and press it into the dough to get the desired shape.
7. Again take the small heart cookie cutter,press it to get small heart out from the medium heart shaped.
8. Remaining dough take out the medium heart cookie cutter and press it to get medium cookie heart shaped 
9. Place the medium heart cookie on ungreased baking sheet and bake it for about 10 to 12 mins and Allow to rotate half of the time  or you see the edges of the cookie get light brown. 
10. Allow it to cool on the cooling rack
11. Again place the medium with heart cut on the center of the cookie and allow it to bake for about 5 to 8 mins or the edges gets brown.
12. Allow it to cool.
13. Reheat the jam to  the microwave oven for about  30 seconds
14. Take a medium cookie ,spread the jam on the later of single cookie.
15. Place the medium cut out cookie on the layered jam of the medium cookie.It is sandwiched between the cookies.
16. Dust it with powdered sugar(I didn't use it )
17. It is best served as a snack or have a cup of tea

Enjoy!!

Happy Baking

Linking this to Swathi  of Baking partners challenge - Cookies for Valentine's Day!!!

Labongo Latika/Lavang Latika Bengali Sweet

Hello Friends!!!

Iam a member of South and North Challenge.Here I belong to South and have to make variety of recipes given by members who belong to North and vice versa..It is simple and interesting.

Sanoli of North group  hosted this month as Bengali Sweet Labongo Latika which is famous for Durga pooja..I missed many challenges and this is first time for me to participate..It is fun and very challenging.Thanks to Sanoli of Sanoli's Kitchen for the wonderful recipe of this month and Heartfelt thanks to Divya Pramil who is the creator of SNC(South North Challenge)

Labong/Lavang means cloves.Its pastry dough with khoya stuffing and after making shaped and insert it with clove .It is deep fried,drained and coated with sugar syrup.

Here is the recipe as follows!

Ingredients:

For the Dough

• 2 Cups of All purpose Flour
• 3 Tbsp Powdered sugar
• A pinch of saffron soaked in warm water (About a Tbsp)
• 1/2 Tsp salt
• 3 Tbsp of Ghee
• A pinch of Baking soda
• Warm Water to knead the dough.
• Oil- To deep  fry
• 15 to 20 cloves

For the Filling

• 200 gms of Khoya
• 4 Tbsp of Sugar
• 1/8 Tsp Nutmeg powder
• 1/3 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup raisins

For Sugar Syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 Cup water
• 1 Tsp Rose water.

Method:

For the dough:

• In a wide bowl,add all the ingredients as listed as above the ingredient box of dough.
• Knead gently to get soft dough like poori dough.
• Let it rest for about 20 mins

For making the filling

• Take a medium frying pan,add the grated khoya with sugar on medium heat.
• Keep stirring continuously
• Add warm water and nutmeg powder and keep stirring it with wooden spoon
• Stir well and let the mixture gets thickened.
• Once the mixture gets thickened and leave the sides of the pan.
• Let it cool.
• Make into balls.

For Making Sugar syrup

• Add he sugar and water into the medium sauce pan on medium heat
• Allow it boil till your thumb and forefinger gets 2 string consistency.
• Add rose water
• Stir well.
• Let it reduce the flame to low.and make sure it is warm

To Assemble:

1. Make the lemon sized balls from the dough
2. Fill it with rolling pin to make a circular shaped.
3. Place the stuffing ball on the center of the circle shaped dough.
4. Place the little water with index finger over the circular dough to avoid the fall or opening while deep frying.
5. Fold inside from the two opposite sides and repeat again the other 2 sides to form a pocket
6. Seal the pockets with clove.
7. Set aside till you get the stuffing and dough done.
8. Make sure the oil is hot,put the prepared dough into the oil 
9. Cook till it gets golden brown in color
10. Drain it with tissue paper.
11. Put the labong latika into the sugar syrup till it is absorbed for about 4 to 5 minutes
12. Transfer the sugar coated labong latika on the cooling rack.
13. Make sure its coated well with sugar 
14. Allow it cool.
15. Transfer it into the serving plate.
16. It can be stored in an air tight container.

Enjoy!!!

Linking this entry to SNC :)

Creme Au Chocolat! A French Dessert!

Hello Friends!!!


Herewith For Home Bakers Challenge Priya has given her French Desserts.I choose Creme Au Chocolate/Baked Chocolate Cream.It tasted so heavenly and the rich flavor of chocolate!!!I added orange zest and it is called as Orange Chocolate Cream.
Thanks a lots Priya!! :)

Recipe Source: Cusine-Facile


Ingredients:

• 100 gms of Dark chocolate(roughly chopped)
• 3 Egg yolks
• 1 Cup Fresh Cream
• 1/2 Cup milk
• 
  
• 1 to 2 Tablespoons of Grated Orange Zest from 1 Orange.
• 2 Tbsp Powdered sugar

Method:

• Take a saucepan pour the milk and cream and stir together and place it on the stove on medium heat.Allow it to boil
• Once it started to boil,remove it from the flame.
• Add the chopped chocolates into the milk cream mixture and allow it to stir.
• Once the chocolates are melted.Give it a quick stir.
• Meanwhile in a wide bowl,add the powdered sugar and egg yolks.Whisk it well until it gets pale yellow in color.Add grated orange zest to it.Mix well.
• Slowly pour the cream milk chocolate mixture into egg mixture and stir gently.
• Strain this mixture.
• Take the 4 to 5 ramekins or small bowl(convection oven and microwave safe)
• Pour the creamy mixture to it.
• Boil 3 cups of water in sauce pan.
• Preheat the oven to 340 F
• Pour the boiling water into the rectangle pan and place the ramekins in it.Make sure the water does not disturb or pour over the ramekins 
• Bake it for about 30 to 35 mins or until each and every center of the ramekin is set.
• Allow it to cool on the cooling rack.
• Allow it to keep in the fridge atleast for about 2 hours.
• Serve chilled with whipped cream or caramel bites or sliced strawberries

Enjoy!!!

Happy Baking!!!

Biscuit Sables

Hello Friends!!!

Herewith Home Bakers Challenge Priya has announced for Jan Month.Am sorry for posting it very late due to internet down!! :

I love french desserts and it has very rich and gives best taste..I choose among 4 which are Biscuit  sables and Creme Au Chocolat!

Biscuit Sables!

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/4 cups All purpose flour
• 1/2 cup  Softened Butter
• 1/4 cup Powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp Milk or water

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 350 F or 180 C
• In an wide bowl using hand mixer or electric mixer,Beat the butter and sugar together until they turns light and fluffy.
• Add in the vanilla extact,milk or water, beat for few minutes.
• Now add the flour and mix well to form a smooth dough.
• Dust it with few tablespoon of flour,place the dough and roll it gently by using rolling pin.
• Using any desired cookie cutter shape,press the dough by using cookie cutter ( i used heart shaped ones)and place it on the ungreased baking sheet
• Bake it for about 15 to 18 mins or until it is set once it gets brown edges on the sides.
• Allow it to cool on the cooling rack.
• Store in an air tight container! 

Enjoy!!

Happy Baking 

Surprise Cake (Polka Dot Cake)

Hi Friends!!!!

Here with I have made Super Moist vanilla cake and gave it to my dear friends for their baby shower theme party.. They were so happy and got more surprising by seeing inside the cake while they cut the cake...I made cake pops one is blue and other one is pink.It is tricky one and they laughed at seeing it :)  :)  They had fun and totally loved the cake..It goes great for any party or any other function and Am sure kids will love it :)  Here goes the recipe as below.

Ingredients:

For Cake Pop :

• 1 1/2 cups of All purpose Flour
• 1 Tsp Baking powder
• 1/4 Tsp salt
• 1/2 Cup Butter softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 Tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk
• A few drops of Pink color and Blue color(I used Wilton)

For Cake Batter (8 inch cake )

• 1 1/2 cups of All purpose Flour
• 1 Tsp Baking powder
• 1/4 Tsp salt
• 1/2 Cup Butter softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 Tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk

For Whipped Cream:

I used store bought whipped cream 

• A few drops of Pink color and Blue color(I used Wilton)

For Fondant :

I used Ready-made rolled fondant

• A few drops of Pink color and Blue color(I used Wilton)

Method:

For Making Cake pop.

1. Combine the flour,baking powder and salt.Set aside.
2. In a wide bowl using an electric mixer or hand mixer,beat the butter and sugar together to get creamy and light
3. Add eggs one by one at a time.
4. Add vanilla extract.
5. Alternatively blend in flour mixture and milk into flour mixture,beginning and ending with the flout mixture.
6. Divide the batter into 2.Add pink color to one cake  batter bowl and other blue into another cake batter bow.
7. If you have cake pop maker,then add 1 Tablespoon of batter to it.Bake it about 4 to 5 mins Follow the instructions given in cake pop book.
8. Allow the cake pops to cool down.and remove the edges and set aside.
9. Preheat the oven to 350 F or 180 C.Line the  parchment paper into 6 inch pan.
10. Those who does n't have cake pop maker then bake the pink batter  for about 15 to 20 mins into 6 inch cake pan .Insert the tooth pick to the cake pan and once it comes out clean.allow it to cool. Repeat one more time for blue cake.
11. Once both cakes are cooled down.
12. Scramble one pink cake at a time with your hands into a wide bowl and add 2 Tablespoons of whipped cream to make into balls.
13. Repeat the same as above step 12 for blue cake.
14. Once pink and blue balls are ready.

For Cake batter

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F or 180 C.Line the  parchment paper into 8 inch pan.
2. Combine the flour,baking powder and salt.Set aside.
3. In a wide bowl using an electric mixer or hand mixer,beat the butter and sugar together to get creamy and light
4. Add eggs one by one at a time.
5. Add vanilla extract.
6. Alternatively blend in flour mixture and milk into flour mixture,beginning and ending with the flout mixture.
7. Transfer the 1/2 cup of batter into greased 8 inch cake pan.
8. Place the baked cake pops one by one alternative colors ( i placed 8 cake pops into each 8 inch cake pan.)
9. Pour the remaining cake batter on the top of cake pops and spread evenly...Take extra careful not to disturb the balls in a place.
10. Bake it for about 20 to 25 mins or until the tooth pick comes out clean
11. Allow it to cool on the cooling rack
12. Once cooled, Apply the butter cream or whipped cream all over the sides and top
13. I used store bought whipped cream and divide the cream into half.
14. Put pink color in the whipped cream bowl and other blue into another bowl.
15. Spread the whipped cream on your own design.
16. Take out the ready-made rolled fondant.Grease the shortening with your hands,Take out the fondant and divide into 2.
17. Take a drop of each pink into the one fondant ball and roll it well till the ball is covered in pink.Put in ziplock over till you need it.
18. Take a drop of each blue into the one fondant ball and roll it well till the ball is covered in blue .Put in ziplock over till you need it..
19. Once the cake has been frosted and take out the pink fondant ball,Roll it on the work surface by using rolling pin.Take out the heart cut out shape and press into the fondant to get desired shape.Do the same for blue color fondant 
20. For making gum paste glue, take the small portion of gum paste ball,take out the smallest gum paste and put into water.once the gum paste dissolved then it is ready for use.It helps in sticking the fondant on the cake.
21. Stick the fondant heart shaped by applying glue gum paste into the cake and design it on your own.
22. If you got the remaining frosting whipped cream of 2 colors,transfer one sided of pink and other side of blue color into the piping bag. you ll get 2 tone color and make it on the border of the cake or do it on your own design as the way you like.
23. You can use your creativity on the cake especially for baby shower cake.I used my own creations for dividing the color of the cake into two.

Enjoy!!!

Happy Baking :)

Linking this entry to Preeti Garg's 2^nd Blog-ivrsary Event & Giveaway announced by Simply Tadka

Dutch Apple Pie for Baking partners

Hello Friends!!!!

Herewith I had selected Dutch Apple Pie in the Baking partners challenge.It was so tasty and rich in texture.Among the recipes are Kofieebroodje (Dutch Coffee Buns) And Traditional Dutch Apple Pie.

It was fun and everyone in my family loved it.Thanks to Swathi of zesty south indian kitchen for this challenge and suggested by Kaveri of Palakkad Chamayal

You can also join the baking partners Challenge here it is the link as given :)

Here goes the recipe which is egg less one.You can follow the recipe as given link if you want to add eggs. :

Traditional Dutch Apple Pie

Recipe Source: The Dutch Table

Ingredients:

For the crust/base:

• 2 Cups of All Purpose flour
• 1 1/2 Sticks of cold unsalted butter cut into cubes
• 3/4 Cup of sugar
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 4 Tbsp of Milk(cold)

For the Filling:

• 2 Big Granny Smith Apples( I used green ones)
• 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1 Cups of raisins soaked in 1/2 cup of apple juice
• 1 Tbsp Speculass Spices**
• 2 Tbsp Cream of semolina rava
• 1.4 cup of sugar

**Speculaas spice mix:

• 15 grams  cinnamon
• 5 grams  cloves
• 5 grams nutmeg
• 2 grams white pepper
• 2 grams coriander seed
• 2 grams aniseed

Method

For Preparing the base crust.

• Mix the flour with the sugar, salt and cut in the butter. Rub gently and quickly with your hands. It is fine to have pea sized pellets.
• Add the cold milk one by one at a time and knead gently.
• Refrigerate the dough at least for half an hour or until the dough is firm and pliable.
• Take a Spring foam pan or pie pan of size 8 or 9 inch.

For Filling

• Peel and core the apples.
• Cut the apples and slice into big ones.
• Toss it with the rest of the ingredients, except the bread and keep aside.
• Grease and dust a springfoam pan with butter and flour.
• Take the dough out of the refrigerator, keep aside 1/5th of the dough.
• Press the remaining dough onto the base and ¾ the height of the sides of the springform pan.
•  Cut the edges of the bread and cut them into small cubes. Place these bread cubes all over the base
• Now add in the apple raisin mixture, press lightly to fit in.

For the Top of the pie.

You can do lattice or any design as you like.I had chosen Heart shaped cutter for the remaining dough as my own design.

•  Take out the remaining dough
•  On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough using rolling pin.Take the heart shaped cutter and press into the dough to get the desired shape and place it on the pie one by one till it is covered.
• Arrange it as you like.Arranging the hearts design gives the better look
• With the last bit of dough, roll into a rope like and place around the circumference of the pie.
• Brush the top with 2 Table spoon of milk and sprinkle 1 Tblspoon of sugar.
• Bake at 350 F for 75 minutes.
• Allow it to cool on the cooling rack.
• Take out the pie and transfer to the serving plate.Slice it and It is best to serve warm along with dollop of ice cream or serve it as a snack!!!

Enjoy!!!

Happy Baking!!!!

.Linking this entry to Swathi of Baking Partners!

Jewish Apple Cake

Hello Friends!!!

Here I made Jewish applw cake and it is traditional one for Christmas.Thanks to Priya Ranjit of Home Bakers Challenge.It was so taste and divine. 

Ingredients:

• 3 cups All purpose flour
• 2 cups Sugar
• 2 and 1/2 tsp Baking powder
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1 cup Vegetable oil
• 4 Eggs, beaten 
• 1/4 cup Orange juice
• 2 Tsp Vanilla extract
•  3 peeled, cored and chopped Apples
•  2 Tsp ground cinnamon
• 5 Tblspoon Sugar 

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 10 inch tube pan. Combine the ground cinnamon and 5 teaspoons of the sugar together and set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder and 2 cups of the sugar. Stir in the vegetable oil, beaten eggs, orange juice and vanilla. Mix well.

3. Pour 1/2 of the batter into the prepared pan. Top with 1/2 of the sliced apples and sprinkle with 1/2 of the cinnamon sugar mixture. Pour the remaining batter over the top and layer the remaining sliced apples and cinnamon sugar.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 70 to 90 minutes. 

Happy Baking!

Linking this entry to Priya's Home Bakers Challenge