Opera Fudge
Opera Fudge
Makes 3 pounds
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, room temperature, plus more for baking sheet
4 cups granulated sugar
2 cups light cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound unsweetened baking chocolate
1/2 ounce food paraffin
Butter a rimmed baking sheet; set aside. Mix sugar and cream together in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan. Place over medium-low heat and bring to a boil. Add butter, and cook, without stirring, until mixture reaches 240 degrees on a candy thermometer, 50 to 60 minutes.
Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Let cool 2 hours. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and stir in vanilla. Using your hands, begin to pull and press the mixture. Keep pulling and kneading mixture until it lightens in color, loses its shine, and no longer sticks to your fingers, 15 to 45 minutes. Roll mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Place on a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet and refrigerate until firm and cold, about 10 minutes.
In a heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water, melt chocolate and food paraffin, stirring until smooth and well combined. Using a toothpick, dip each ball into chocolate mixture, and return to baking sheet. Refrigerate until fudge is chilled and chocolate has set, about 30 minutes. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Chrusciki Leaves (Fried Cookies)
Chrusciki Leaves (Fried Cookies)
Makes 9 to 10 dozen
1 tablespoon unsalted butter , melted
2 large eggs
10 large egg yolks
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
3 tablespoons Cognac or brandy
1/2 cup sour cream
4 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour , plus more for work surface
Sifted confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling
Put butter, eggs, yolks, granulated sugar, salt, vanilla, zests, Cognac, and sour cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment; beat on medium speed until pale and thick, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce speed to low; gradually add enough flour to form a fairly stiff dough. Turn out dough onto a floured work surface; knead until dough blisters, becomes elastic, and can be handled easily, 6 to 8 minutes, adding flour if needed.
Divide dough into 4 pieces. Keep dough under an inverted bowl to prevent it from drying out. Working with 1 piece at a time, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thick. If dough becomes too elastic while rolling, cover with plastic, and let rest 15 minutes. Cut out leaves with a leaf-shape cookie cutter; transfer to a tray lined with parchment paper. Repeat with remaining dough, layering leaves between sheets of parchment paper. Collect all scraps, and let rest 20 minutes before rerolling.
Heat oil in a medium-heavy saucepan until it registers 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Stretch leaves slightly so they will curl while frying. Fry in batches of 12, turning occasionally, until pale golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to baking sheets lined with paper towels to drain and cool. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Store in airtight containers at room temperature up to 2 days.
Coconut Cream Pie
Coconut Cream Pie
Serves 12
1 large whole egg, lightly beaten, plus 4 large eggs, separated, plus 3 egg whites
All-purpose flour, for dusting
Pate Brisee (Pie Dough) (recipe follows)
1 1/4 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
2/3 cup cream of coconut
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
In a small bowl, whisk together whole egg with 2 teaspoons water to make an egg glaze; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pie dough to a 1/8-inch thickness. Transfer the crust to a 9-inch-round pie tin, and press it into the bottom edges and up the sides. Using scissors or a sharp knife, trim the dough so it overhangs the tin by about 1 inch. Turn overhanging dough under, forming a rim, and crimp the edges of the pastry. Lightly prick the bottom of the dough with a fork; brush the rim with the beaten egg. Transfer crust to freezer for 30 minutes.
Heat the oven to 375 degrees; with rack positioned in the lower third. Remove crust from freezer, and carefully line it with parchment paper, gently pressing the parchment into the edges of the crust; weigh down parchment with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until the edges of the pastry begin to turn golden, about 15 minutes. Carefully remove the pie weights and the parchment paper. Continue to bake until crust is golden brown in color, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer the crust to a wire rack to cool completely.Place 1/4 cup of the unsweetened coconut flakes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until light golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
To prepare the filling: Combine cornstarch, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk in milk and cream of coconut. Set over medium heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until bubbling and thick, about 5 minutes.
In a medium bowl, whisk 4 egg yolks. Slowly whisk hot milk mixture into egg yolks. Return mixture to saucepan, and continue cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture returns to a boil, about 1 minute more. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and butter. Fold in remaining 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes. Transfer custard to a medium bowl, place over an ice bath, and cover the surface of the custard with a piece of plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Set aside.
To prepare the meringue: Combine 7 egg whites and remaining 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar in the heat-proof bowl of an electric mixer. Set bowl over a pan of simmering water. Whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the whites are hot to the touch, 5 to 7 minutes.
Transfer the bowl to the electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat, starting on low speed for 1 to 2 minutes and gradually increasing to high speed, until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 10 minutes.
Heat the broiler with the rack positioned in lower third of oven. Transfer the custard to the cooled crust. Using a large spatula, pile the meringue onto the center of the custard. Lightly spread the meringue over the custard so it touches the edges of the piecrust, sealing well to avoid shrinkage. Transfer assembled pie to broiler; broil until meringue turns golden brown, just a few seconds, watching constantly. Transfer pie to a wire rack to cool, at least 2 hours. Sprinkle with reserved 1/4 cup toasted coconut. Slice, and serve. Refrigerate any leftover pie.
Pate Brisee
Makes 1 double-crust or 2 single-crust 9- to 10-inch pies
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add butter, and process until the mixture resembles coarse meal, 8 to 10 seconds. With machine running, add ice water in a slow, steady stream through feed tube. Pulse until dough holds together without being wet or sticky; be careful not to process more than 30 seconds. To test, squeeze a small amount together: If it is crumbly, add more ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Divide dough into two equal balls. Flatten each ball into a disk, and wrap in plastic. Transfer to the refrigerator, and chill at least 1 hour. Dough may be stored, frozen, up to 1 month.
Boston Creme Pie
Boston Creme Pie
Prep: 50 minutes; Total: 6 hours
Serves 8
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for pan
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 recipe cooled Vanilla or Chocolate Pudding (recipe follows)
1/4 cup heavy cream
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Combine milk and butter in a small saucepan; set over very low heat.
With an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar on high speed until thick, lightened in color, and mixture holds a trail for several seconds when beater is lifted, 4 to 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in dry ingredients just until incorporated.
Bring milk and butter to a boil. With mixer on low speed, add hot milk mixture to batter; mix just until smooth. Mix in vanilla; transfer batter to prepared pan, and smooth top.
Bake until golden and pulling away from sides of pan, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool cake 10 minutes in pan; remove from pan, and transfer to a rack to cool, right side up.
Fill cake: For easy cleanup, place a piece of waxed paper under rack. With a serrated knife, split cooled cake horizontally (leave bottom half on rack). Spread bottom half with Vanilla Pudding to within 1/2 inch of edge; gently place top half of cake on pudding layer.
Make Chocolate Glaze: In a small saucepan, bring heavy cream to a boil. Remove from heat, and add chocolate; stir until smooth.
Set aside to cool to room temperature and to thicken slightly, about 10 minutes. When glaze has thickened, pour over filled cake. Using a small metal spatula, spread glaze to edges of cake, allowing it to drip down sides. Let glaze set, 15 to 20 minutes. Leftover cake can be refrigerated, loosely covered, up to 2 days.
Vanilla or Chocolate Pudding
Prep: 20 minutes; Total: 3 hours 3 minutes
Serves 4
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, (if making Chocolate Pudding)
2 1/2 cups milk
4 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Place a fine-mesh sieve over a medium bowl; set aside. In a medium saucepan, off heat, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. If making Chocolate Pudding, add cocoa powder. Very gradually (a few tablespoons at a time) whisk in milk, taking care to dissolve cornstarch. Whisk in egg yolks. Whisking constantly, cook over medium heat until the first large bubble forms and sputters. Reduce heat to low; still whisking, cook 1 minute. Remove from heat; immediately pour through sieve into bowl. Stir butter and vanilla into hot pudding. Place plastic wrap directly on surface of pudding (to prevent skin from forming); chill at least 3 hours and up to 3 days. Before serving, whisk pudding until smooth; divide among four serving dishes.
Almond Petits Fours
Almond Petits Fours
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus more for baking sheet
1 1/4 cups cake flour (not self-rising), plus more for baking sheet
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup almond paste
4 large eggs, separated
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup cherry preserves, processed in a food processor
Sugar Glaze (recipe follows)
Gum paste cherry blossoms (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 12-by-17- inch rimmed baking sheet, and line with parchment paper. Butter parchment, and dust with flour, tapping out excess; set aside. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl; set aside.
Put 3/4 cup sugar and the almond paste into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until mixture resembles coarse meal, about 2 minutes. Raise speed to medium-high. Add butter; mix until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Mix in egg yolks and vanilla. Add flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the milk. Transfer to a large bowl; set aside.
Put egg whites into the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment; beat on medium-high speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Fold one-third of egg-white mixture into batter with a rubber spatula. Gently fold in remaining egg-white mixture.
Spread evenly into prepared sheet. Bake until a cake tester inserted into center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to wire rack; let cool completely. Unmold; remove parchment. Cut cake in half crosswise. Spread one half with preserves; top with remaining half. Refrigerate 1 hour. Trim cake, and cut into 11/2-inch squares. Transfer to a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Pour glaze over each petit four, spreading over top and sides to coat completely. Reuse glaze, straining to remove any solids, if needed. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes. Garnish with blossoms. Cakes can be refrigerated up to 2 days.
Sugar Glaze
Makes 4 1/2 cups
12 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 cup whole milk
Pink gel-paste food coloring
Put sugar into a large bowl. Gradually add milk, whisking until mixture is consistency of heavy cream. Tint with food coloring. If glaze becomes too thick, add more milk; if it becomes too thin, add more sugar. Use immediately.
New York Crumb Cake
New York Crumb Cake
Recipe courtesy of Sara Foster
Makes one 9-by-12 1/2-inch cake
2 tablespoons canola oil, plus more for pan
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Place rack in center of oven, and heat oven to 325 degrees;. Lightly brush a 9-by-12 1/2-inch baking pan with canola oil, dust with flour, and tap to remove excess. Set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a second bowl, whisk together egg, milk, canola oil, and vanilla. Using a rubber spatula, fold dry ingredients into egg mixture.
Spread batter evenly into prepared pan, and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine remaining 2 1/2 cups flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour melted butter over flour mixture, and toss with a rubber spatula until large crumbs form. Sprinkle crumbs over batter.
Transfer pan to oven, and bake, rotating pan after 10 minutes. Continue baking until a cake tester comes out clean, about 10 minutes more. Transfer baking pan to a wire rack to cool. Dust with confectioners’ sugar. Using a serrated knife or bench scraper, cut into 3-inch squares. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Apple Puffed Pancake
Apple Puffed Pancake
Serves 6
6 large eggs
1 1/2 cups skim milk, preferably organic
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
4 apples, such as Gala or Red Delicious, peeled, quartered, cored and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon light-brown sugar
Confectioners' sugar, optional
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine eggs, milk, and vanilla in the jar of a blender. Blend until well combined. Add flour, granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Blend until dry ingredients are well incorporated; set aside. Place butter in a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. Transfer dish to oven and heat until butter has just melted. Carefully remove from oven and place apples in a single layer in baking dish. Return to oven and cook until butter begins to bubble, about 4 minutes. Pour batter over apples, sprinkle with brown sugar, and continue baking until puffed and golden, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, if desired; serve immediately.
Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Edges should be golden brown.
Coconut Cookies
Coconut Cookies
½ Cup Butter
½ Cup Crisco
1 Cup brown sugar
1 Cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ Cup coconut
1 ½ Cup oatmeal
1 ¾ Cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Add coconut, oatmeal, and flour, mix well. Add baking powder and baking soda. Mix well and drop by spoonfuls onto un-greased (preferably parchment paper lined) baking pans. Bake at 350 degrees until cookies just barely begin to brown. Let cookies rest about 3-5 minutes before removing.
French Butter Cookies
French Butter Cookies
Makes about 5 dozen
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup turbinado, (unrefined) or granulated sugar
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter and light-brown sugar; beat on high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, and mix to combine. Add flour and salt, and mix on low speed until flour is incorporated. Roll dough into three 1 1/2-inch-diameter logs. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour or overnight.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat. Roll cookie log in sugar, coating it evenly, and slice into 1/4-inch rounds. Place cookies on baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Using a cake tester or toothpick, make four decorative holes in each cookie. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool completely on wire racks.
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