Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Hazelnut Butter Cookies




Hazelnut Butter Cookies
Adapted from Bon Appetit
Makes about 4 dozen cookies

Somewhat crumbly dough (probably depends on consistency of hazelnut butter).  A light cookie with a nice chewiness in the center.  Moderate hazelnut flavor.  These overbake quickly so start checking a few minutes early.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened but still cool
1 cup creamy unsalted hazelnut butter*
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

Directions
Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugars in large bowl for 3 minutes at medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in hazelnut butter until smooth, then beat in egg and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture just until combined, scraping down the sides to ensure complete mixing. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a small cookie scoop (about 2 teaspoon), drop the dough 1 inch apart onto baking sheets. Don’t bother trying to shape them, as the dough is a little crumbly. Bake 1 sheet at a time until cookies are lightly golden around the edges, set on top but still soft to the touch, about 12 minutes. Let cool on sheets on racks 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks and cool.

*To make your own hazelnut butter, toast 2 cups of hazelnuts in a 350 degree oven until fragrant, about 10-12 minutes.  Grind it in a food processor until it forms a paste.  Continue to run the processor as you drizzle in vegetable oil until you have a creamy consistency.  You'll need 2-4 tablespoons of oil.  This makes about 1 cup of hazelnut butter.
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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Almond Cake with Strawberry-Cranberry Compote


A feather-light almond cake accompanied by a sauce of fresh strawberries and cranberries. 

White Bread


Simple white bread, soft, slightly chewy interior, a hint of bran and flax seeds sprinkled over a golden top.

Blueberry Muffins Take 2


Want some muffin with these blueberries?  These are chock full of blueberry explosions nestled in a soft, subtly sweet and mildly flavored muffin background.   Large Muffin Tops. 

Bagels


Dense and chewy molasses-flavored bagels.

Challah

Rich, golden honey challah.

Southern Biscuits


TALL, fluffy buttermilk biscuits.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Milonga 10/29/2011

Sarita and Dancing Chef Dessert's Carolyn Merritt are co-catering Masquerade Milonga.


Menu
Caprese Empanadas (S)
Almond Cake with Strawberry-Cranberry Compote (S)
Dark Chocolate with Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes (DCD)
Pumpkin Cheesecake (DCD)

Event Details
Date: Saturday October 29, 2011
Event: Masquerade Milonga hosted by Philadelphia Argentine Tango School
Location: 2030 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia PA 19125
Time: 9:30pm-3am

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Pe-caaaan Pie!


Toasted pecans, orange zest and a splash of bourbon in a flaky, golden pie crust.  

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Blueberry Muffins


Again demonstrating my love for little blueberry explosions.

Bagels


Dense, chewy, soft on the inside, crispy on the outside bagels.

Vanilla Cupcakes


Rich, velvety cupcakes with Swiss Vanilla Buttercream frosting.

Carrot Bread


Moist, soft, not overly sweet carrot bread.

Brioche


Comes in many shapes and sizes.  This beauty happens to be braided, plump, buttery, flaky and soft.  Yum.

Hazelnut Brown Butter Cake

A feathery-light cake that spotlights crushed hazelnuts and the nutty flavor of browned butter.

Goat Cheese, Black Olives and Fresh Basil Pizza



A buttery golden crust, crispy on the outside, a softie on the inside, topped with homemade tomato sauce and generous splotches of goat cheese.

Raspberry Topped Lemon Muffins


These sweet-tart muffins pack a powerful punch of flavor.

Buttermilk Biscuits


Buttermilk Biscuits

Chili and Buttermilk Biscuits


Chili and Buttermilk Biscuits (Sriracha to taste)

Blueberry Buttermilk Scones

Tender buttermilk scones with pockets of blueberry explosions!

Super Creamy New York Cheesecake


A New York Cheesecake for those who love their cheesecakes dense, moist and creamy.  A buttery smooth texture is the highlight of this recipe.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Honey Ricotta Cheesecake

Honey Ricotta Cheesecake with Lemon-Orange Biscotti Crust and Strawberry Topping

Cranberry Orange Muffins


 
Fresh Cranberries and Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice Muffins topped with an Orange Glaze

Braised Beef Potstickers

Soy Braised Ribs and Brisket Potstickers

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Nutella Cake


Nutella Cake with Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache and Toasted Hazelnuts

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

A Thing of Beauty

Sarita's first stand mixer has arrived!  It is a gorgeous Kitchenaid Artisan 5 quart stand mixer in green apple.

First task: beat egg whites for the Nutella Cake

Tilt back head

Egg whites whipped until stiff!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Milonga El Arabesco 7/23/11

Sarita will be catering Milonga El Arabesco on July 23:

Menu
Honey Ricotta Cheesecake with Orange-Lemon Biscotti Crust and Strawberry Topping
Cranberry-Orange Muffins
Braised Beef Potstickers

Event Details
Date: Saturday July 23, 2011
Event: Milonga El Arabesco hosted by Philadelphia Argentine Tango School
Location: Symmetry Dance Wellness at 1923 Chestnut St, Philadelphia