partydessert Archives - Cook By Book

Tag: partydessert

12
Apr
2017

2-Layer Rose Coconut Cake ~ Mini

categories: Baking, Cake, Cakes, Desserts, Spring, Summer

RoseCoconut-2

Spring is a time for rebirth and renewal, a time for change. I decided make a change this year with finally reviving this space of mine (yeah, not that profound I know) and in a world where we hardly have control over anything, changing up this little thing makes me super super happy. We have so much to catch up on and gazillion delicious recipes coming your way! But first, THIS! ☝

So end of last year, I bought myself a set of 6-inch cake pans and these are game changers (should have got them sooner!). Small batch baking has always been my thing (here, here and some more) so the smaller size pans were way overdue. I have baked at least 7 layer cakes in these not-so-new-pans-anymore this past 3 months (not hard to believe right?!). It’s just 2 of us in the house and I do like to eat everything I make (you bet it shows) hence small batch baking wins big time in my book so this was definitely long time coming. Not that we I need any occasion to eat cake around here but guys, these 6-inch layer cakes are so very perfect for small gatherings. Not to mention but they look so dang cute. If you are baking for more people then no problem. Just double the recipe and make 4-layers instead, tall cakes are in and they are here to stay! Well, you certainly don’t need to wait for any gathering to make this one right here. It can totally be you+couch+fork situation, demolishing the whole thing by yourself. Believe me, you would want to!

Rose Coconut Cake 4

So let’s talk about this particular cake here. This elegant looking, mildly flavoured, rose scented cake. The flavours will totally make you reminisce about the sweet smell of rose garden. The minimalist, semi-naked look is pristine for the spring season and is bound to make any brunch-table look chic and gorgeous. I have paired three different flavours for this cake but none overwhelms the other and are rather in complete harmony, even complimenting each other. Rose, coconut and cardamom seems to be a match made in spring heaven. So lush! I hope you enjoy this cake as much as we did!

Rose Coconut Cake 3

2-Layer Rose Coconut Cake

Prep time: 20 minutes | Bake time: 20 minutes | Total active time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
Pinch of salt
3 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp rose extract or 1 Tbsp organic rose water
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 cup coconut milk, room temperature

Coconut Buttercream Frosting:

1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
4 Tbsp coconut milk, refrigerated
1 cup confectioners sugar
Pinch of salt
1/4 tsp rose extract
1/4 tsp coconut extract (optional)

Directions:

Grease 2 6-inch round cake pans with flavourless oil and line the bottom with parchment paper. Preheat the oven at 180°C/350°F.
In a small bowl, sieve all purpose flour, baking powder, ground cardamom and pinch of salt. Give it a whisk.
In another mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add vanilla extract, rose extract, egg and whisk very well until incorporated.
Now whisk in dry ingredients to wet ingredients alternating with coconut milk in 3 additions, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Be careful not to overmix.
Divide the batter in to the cake pans and bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool on wire rack for about 5 minutes before demoulding. Let the cakes cool completely on wire rack and meanwhile get on the frosting.
Coconut Buttercream Frosting: In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and coconut milk using electric mixer until smooth. With the mixer on low-speed, add confectioners sugar and salt and beat until just combined. Once incorporated, turn up the speed to medium-high and beat until fluffy (about 5 minutes). Adjust the sugar until your desired consistency achieved. Briskly whisk in rose extract and coconut extract (for like 10 seconds).
Assembly: Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer of the cake onto the serving plate (bottom side up). Spread about 3 Tbsp of frosting on this layer, spread it uniformly and top it with the second layer (bottom side up). Spread about 2 Tbsp of frosting on top, spread uniformly and crumb coat the sides. Let the cake rest in refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes. Frost with the remaining buttercream frosting and decorate as desired. I topped mine with fresh figs and fresh strawberry slices. The cake stays fresh for 4 days, stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Rose Coconut Cake 1

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05
Apr
2017

No Churn Strawberry Cheesecake Icecream

categories: Desserts, Ice-creams, Summer

strawberry icecrem-2

Hello everyone,

About 30 months ago, I took a break from blogging to pursue my dream of a Master’s degree in London. After returning to India and back to the nitty-gritty of life, the thought of reviving this space has crossed my mind every single day but I have been lazy procrastinating because Instagram made sure that I was still posting pictures, sometimes even recipes; of all the baked goods and smoothies (my new love) being whipped in my kitchen.

So you may ask why now? Well, there are few recipes which absolutely require they be documented because they’re too legendary to be forgotten as a mere Instagram post. They need to be made multiple times to be shared with your loved ones. Turns out I have accumulated tons of such recipes so it’s about time they get the recognition they deserve. Also, I am not a fan of long Instagram posts so I can’t bear my soul to you guys like I can here on the blog (think long future blog posts, not this though). For now nothing has changed around here as I am still clicking my pictures with iPhone (5s now, ancient I know!) and still want to share good food and things with you all. ❤

I posted a picture of this icecream on my Instagram and Facebook page and got so many requests for the recipe so this is the first recipe I chose to blog about. It’s summer and because last of the strawberries are still gracing the market, I don’t want you guys to not make this recipe at least once! This ice cream is THE BEST I have ever made and doesn’t require churning or icecream maker. It stays creamy and ice-free for about 5 days. The sweetest of strawberries give it an intense berry flavour without adding too much flavouring or colour (you could skip both). So get to it now, quick!

strawberry icecrem-3

No Churn Strawberry Cheesecake Icecream

Yields: 1 litre icecream | Serves: 6-8 people

Hands-on time: 20 minutes | Chilling time: 6-8 hours | Total time: 7-9 hours

Ingredients:

1 cup (250 ml) whipping cream, chilled in the refrigerator (not freezer) at least overnight
1 cup (225 gram) cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1 1/4 cup powdered white sugar
Pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp strawberry extract (optional)
Couple of drops pink colour (optional)
1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
Digestive biscuits, to serve

Directions:

Put one large mixing bowl and whisk of your electric mixer in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. In the chilled bowl, add the whipping cream and whip with the electric mixer on medium high speed until the soft peaks form (about 5-7 minutes). Keep it in the refrigerator till you finish next step.
In another large bowl, whisk together cream cheese and powdered sugar until light, creamy and thick. On a low speed, whisk in pinch of salt, vanilla extract, strawberry extract and pink colour for about 30 seconds. Then whisk in strawberry pieces for another 10 seconds.
Slowly fold in whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and transfer the icecream mixture to loaf pan. Let it set in freezer for about 8 hours at least. Serve it scooped as is or topped with some digestive biscuit crumbs.

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30
May
2014

Fudgy White Chocolate Lemonies {Lemon Brownies}

categories: Baking, Brownies, Spring, Summer

Lemonies… It sounds so exotic and poetic. Some genius thought of this cool name for lemon brownies, I am not sure who did but genius, nonetheless! A simple reason for not calling them brownies has something to do with their color (They are not brown!!). These are pale yellow beauties adorned with bright yellow zest and white chocolate chips in each bite. They are so fudgy and buttery, dense yet light, just how I like my brownies.

These are the perfect treats for summer (or round the year, who am I kidding!?!) and totally irresistible. The lemon flavor really shines through and pairs wonderfully well with all that white chocolate. Be sure to use a white chocolate bar and not white chocolate chips for the batter. It makes all the difference! And have them chilled, straight from the fridge. You’re welcome. 🙂

Have a fun weekend!
xx

Fudgy White Chocolate Lemonies {Lemon Brownies}

Yields: 12-16 slices | Prep time: 15 minutes | Bake time: about 35 minutes| Total: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

9-oz block of white chocolate, roughly chopped
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
1 Tbsp lemon zest
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup + 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp salt
2 Tbsp white chocolate chips, to sprinkle on top (optional)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 180ºF / 350ºC. Grease an 8×8-inch square pan; line base and sides with parchment paper and grease with butter/oil (I used foil).
In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate and butter in a microwave for 1-2 minute, stirring every 30 seconds. The mixture should be lump-free and glossy. Rub lemon zest and sugar together with the fingers and whisk in to the chocolate mixture. Set aside and let cool for about 5 minutes.
Once chocolate mixture is cooled down, whisk in eggs (one by one) and lemon juice until well combined.
In a separate bowl, sift together flour and salt and fold into chocolate mixture with wooden spoon or rubber spatula until just combined. Pour the batter in a baking pan, sprinkle chocolate chips on top (optional) and bake for 33-35 minutes until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let cool completely in pan over a cooling rack. (If you’re in a hurry, throw it in a refrigerator or freezer for a while for easy cutting.)
Lift up the ends of parchment or foil liner, transfer the brownies to cutting board and cut into 9 or 12 squares. Store it covered in an air-tight container for a week in refrigerator. It tastes best chilled.

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31
Jul
2013

No-Bake Kiwi Cheesecake with Oreo Crust

categories: Cheesecakes, Summer

Yesterday was a National Cheesecake Day and this is my 50th post on the blog! So let’s combine this two very important occasions of my life and celebrate! With cheesecake!! Now you’re talking! 😉

I have a confession to make! I made this cheesecake more than a month ago and totally forgot to blog about them.. Yesterday when National Cheesecake Day tweet was doing rounds, this is the cheesecake which came to my mind instantly… and this too! Sincere apologies for forgetting such an important thing.

Now that this is off my chest let’s move on..

So let’s talk about cheesecake! Cheesecake!! You want it! Really really crave it and then you think of all the extra calories eating one slice or half slice of it entail and then you either eat it anyway and feel guilty or don’t eat it and deprive yourself from this decadence.

I say you can not be making such appalling sacrifices. It’s against the law, you see! So being a smart one here always presenting you guys with skinny treats, I have a solution. Simple… Make mini-cheesecake!!! I’m on a mini-dessert frenzy nowadays… I simply adore them. One thing they are too cute and another is the amazing portion-control you get without making yourself or others feeling culpable for the indulgence.

So here I present you today kiwi cheesecake with Oreo crust… I have tried and kept the sugar as less as possible. The cream used here is not full-fat whipping cream instead I have used medium fat cream. So I have done my best to bring you a slightly low-cal version.

Hubby & I got to eat cheesecake for 3 days in a row. So we were a happy bunch! I hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

No-Bake Kiwi Cheesecake with Oreo Crust

Yields: 6 mini cheesecakes

Ingredients:

For Oreo crust:

6-7 Chocolate Oreos
1 Tbsp melted unsalted butter

For the cheesecake:

1/3 cup fresh cream (medium fat 40%), chilled
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1/4 cup caster sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 kiwi, peeled and diced

For kiwi jelly:

1 Tbsp agar agar
1/4 cup hot water
1 kiwi, peeled and smoothly pureed
1 Tbsp caster sugar

For garnishing: Sliced or diced fresh Kiwi fruit

Directions:

Blend Oreos and melted butter in a food processor till fine crumbs form. Place 1 Tbsp of crumb at the base of the each shot glasses and press down firmly. Place glasses in refrigerator till you prepare cheesecake filling.
Whip cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract till soft peaks form. Whip the cream in a separate bowl till the soft peaks form. Fold in together gently.
Remove shot glasses from the refrigerator. Equally divide cheesecake filling in all the glasses throwing in 2-3 pieces of diced kiwi in between the layers. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours.
In a microwave safe bowl, heat the water for 30 seconds and add agar agar to it. Mix thoroughly till agar agar dissolves completely. Add sugar and kiwi puree. Whisk till a thick paste forms. Top the shot glasses with approximately 1 Tbsp of jelly mixture and chill again for 2-3 hours or till jelly has set completely.
Serve chilled, each glass garnished with sliced or 2-3 diced cubes of fresh kiwi.

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27
Jul
2013

Brownie Bombs

categories: Baking, Cake Pops

I personally adore cake pops. They are pretty, deceptive and delicious little things. They look easy to make… In fact they are easy to make. Just a wee-bit time-consuming but easy.

This is my first post writing about them so I would like to be more elaborate. If we talk structurally, cake pops are nothing but the crumbled cake mixed with frosting that can be rolled into balls or formed into any imaginable different shapes. They are then placed on a lollipop stick or wooden skewers, dipped in chocolate and topped with decoration of choice.

Cake pops rage is still catching up in my part of the world and quickly! I have gobbled up plenty of chocolate cake balls in my lifetime while growing up (I mean it!) and they are my favorite till now. Now cake pop is something very similar to cake ball concept sans the outer chocolate layer. I can totally relate to them.

I instantly fell in love with the idea of making a bite-sized cake, decorated for individuals which is mess-free and gives complete portion-control! They’re perfect for parties. I had one such potluck to attend last Sunday and I was asked to bring a dessert for obvious reasons! I immediately knew cake pops would be perfect for that as it’s something which can be made ahead and I wanted an excuse try them at home anyway!

I didn’t have to do much of a research as in what type of cake-pop to make as I had a professional help. I recently bought a book from The Australian Women’s Weekly ~ Cute Cake Pops. What an amazing little book! It had plenty of inspiration and fantastic ideas for making cake pops for every occasion! I wanted a crowd-pleasing chocolate and something simple for my first attempt hence I chose to make these brownie bombs from scratch. Yes, no cake-mix involved here. So I made some brownies and turned them into gorgeous cake-pops! Simple, no?!

I had some extra melted chocolate after all the cake-pops were done dipping. Wanna know how I used the left-overs? That’s going to be a post for another day.. Stay tuned! 😉 Meanwhile enjoy these!

Brownie Bombs

Recipe adapted from Cute Cake Pops

Yields: 25-30 cake pops

Ingredients:

75 gm butter, chopped coarsely
100 gm dark eating (semi-sweet) chocolate, chopped coarsely
1/3 cup (75 gm) caster sugar
1 egg
2/3 cup (100 gm) all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp dark rum (I omitted it)
200 gm dark chocolate melts
30 lollipop stick or toothpicks with sharp edges trimmed
Chocolate sprinkles, to decorate

Directions:

Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F. Grease a deep 7-8 inch square cake pan; line base and sides with baking paper.
In a medium bowl, melt butter and chopped chocolate in a microwave for about 1 minute stirring after 30 seconds. Stir till smooth and let cool for 10 minutes.
Stir sugar, egg and flour into chocolate mixture. Spread into a cake pan; bake about 20 minutes. Cool in pan.
Once cool, cut cake into large pieces; using a food processor, process cake with rum (if using) until mixture just comes together. You can do this step with hand also. Shape rounded teaspoons of the mixture into balls. Place on a baking paper-lined tray. Freeze for 1 hour or refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight, until firm.
Stir chocolate melts in a medium heatproof bowl over a medium saucepan of simmering water until smooth (don’t let water touch base of bowl).
Dip the end of one stick into the chocolate, then push it about halfway into a ball of brownie. Return to tray. Repeat with remaining sticks and balls of brownie. Freeze for about 5 minutes to set.
Dip one cake pop into the melted chocolate or with the help of a spoon coat a cake pop, rocking back and forth to coat; do not swirl the pop, or it may break. Allow excess chocolate to drip back into bowl. Stand on a baking paper-lined oven tray; sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles before chocolate sets. Repeat with remaining cake pops and sprinkles. Stand at room temperature until set. Serve.

*Store cake pops in an airtight container at a cool room temperature until ready to serve. They will keep for up to a week.

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