Thursday, December 26, 2013

Panettone



I’ve been wanting to make a panettone forever.  But I wanted something easy enough that I could make a few of them without too much trouble.  Since I have a bread machine, I thought the easiest thing would be to make the dough in the machine.
This recipe is for making the dough in your bread machine, then baking in the oven.
panettone1 (2)b
To make your panettone even more authentic, bake it in a panettone paper mold. They bake up perfectly and are perfect for giving as gifts.  If you can’t find any at your local baking supply store you can get some on amazon.
panettone paper mold
With my first attempt I waited to put the raisins in, but I discovered that my bread machine didn’t have a fruit/nut cycle so all my raisins sat on top. 
panettone4
So, despite what I’ve read about adding fruit or nuts in a bread machine, I just added mine at the beginning and it turned out perfect.
Panettone 1a
Ingredients:
(In the order that I put them in the bread machine)
1/2 cup milk (room temperature)
2 eggs (room temperature)
2 egg yolks (room temperature)
4 tablespoons soft butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup candied peel
2 3/4 cups of bread flour
2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
DSCN7675
Preparation:
Follow your bread machine manufacturer’s directions if it differs from mine.  Check to see if you have a fruit/nut cycle on your machine.
Once all your ingredients are in set your machine to the dough cycle.
panettone7a


When your dough is done, transfer to a paper mold.   At this point you can use the left over egg whites and brush some on the top of your dough to make the top a nice shiny brown when it’s baked.






Bake for 35-45 minutes at 350. 

Insert a long skewer into the center and make sure it comes out clean to ensure it is completely done in the center.

I let my panettone cool on a wire rack for about 15 mintues.  While it’s still warm, I wrap it loosely in a plastic bag to keep the moisture in.

When completely cool, wrap it up, give as a gift and impress your friends!

panattone2a
Enjoy !

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Berry Trifle


We all know trifle can be done a million and one ways.  There really is no right and wrong.
Here is a simple version of fruit trifle.
Mmmmm… soo good.
Trifle1a
Ingredients:
Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
Angel Food cake ( we used about 1-1/2 ready made cakes)
1 pkg ( 135 g) Vanilla Cook and Serve Pudding
Light Cool Whip
Trifle2
Preparation:
Prepare your cook and serve vanilla pudding as per package instructions.   You’ll need to do this ahead of time as the pudding needs to cool completely before assembling in the trifle.  As it cools place a piece of wax paper or parchment paper over the pot or bowl to make a creamier pudding as well as prevent the top from getting hard. Stir periodically to allow steam to escape.
Wash all your berries and allow to dry.
You can cut your angel food cake or just rip into bite sized pieces.
Start with cake on the bottom of your dish, layer with some pudding then cool whip and berries.  Layer in that order so that the pudding can soak into the cake.  Keep layering and arranging. 
Arrange the top any way you like.  Be creative!
trifle3
Enjoy!
 

Coconut Macaroons & Treat Skewers


My daughters love to be in the kitchen.  They’ve become amazing cooks.  I believe their interest might branch out to baking very soon.  My youngest, Nadia, loves coconut macaroons, so today we made them together.
coconut macaroon2a
Personally I’m a fan of a simple macaroon recipe, no eggs, no fancy stuff.  Lightly browned on the outside and moist and chewy on the inside.
You just can’t get any simpler than this.  This makes about 48 macaroons.
coconut macaroon1
Ingredients:
6 cups flaked coconut
1 can (300 gr) Eagle Brand Condensed Milk
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine coconut, condensed milk and vanilla in a large bowl.  Mix until all coconut is moist with condensed milk.
Using a teaspoon, place rounded spoonful onto baking sheet.
Bake for 12- 15 minutes or until browned around the edges.
Do not remove from baking sheet for at least 5 minutes.  Then place on wire rack for cooling.
coconut macaroon3
Since she was taking these for an occasion, she paired them with some sweet skewers that she saw on Pinterest.  They were fun to make and totally delicious.
Sweet strawberries, marshmallows, 2 bite brownies and some drizzled chocolate. 
Easy to make, fun to eat.
coconut macaroon4
Enjoy !