baking Archives - thedancingcucumber.com thedancingcucumber.com Thu, 14 Dec 2023 14:18:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 This South African Dessert is Perfect for Your Next Tea Party https://thedancingcucumber.com/this-south-african-dessert-is-perfect-for-your-next-tea-party/ Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:58:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8215 When the Dutch landed at the tip of Africa in the 17th century, they brought with them recipes that became forever ingrained in South African cuisine. Amongst them was milk tart which is a fan favorite at every local tea party. Milk tart—or melktert, as it is known in Dutch and Afrikaans—is reminiscent of a […]

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]]> When the Dutch landed at the tip of Africa in the 17th century, they brought with them recipes that became forever ingrained in South African cuisine. Amongst them was milk tart which is a fan favorite at every local tea party. Milk tart—or melktert, as it is known in Dutch and Afrikaans—is reminiscent of a Portuguese custard tart, but with a sweet, cinnamon twist. Here’s how to make it.

Ingredients:

For the crust
• 125 grams butter, softened
• ½ cup of castor sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cups of cake flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder

For the filling
• 2 ½ cups of milk
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 egg
• ½ cup of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla paste
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Cream the softened butter and castor sugar together before adding the egg and beating it well to combine.
  2. Add in the cake flour, baking powder, and salt, and mix thoroughly to form a stiff dough.
  3. Press the dough evenly into a tart tin and prick holes using a fork.
  4. Blind bake the pastry at 350 F for 30 minutes or until golden and crispy.
  5. Place the milk and cinnamon stick into a pot and bring to a boil.
  6. Remove the cinnamon stick, and in a bowl whisk together the eggs, flour, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla.
  7. Pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking continuously. Then return the milk mixture to the pot and cook on medium heat until thickened. Stir through a spoonful of butter.
  8. Pour the milk mixture into the baked pastry shell and sprinkle over the ground cinnamon. Let the tart cool completely before serving.

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]]> What’s Easier for Beginners: Cooking or Baking? https://thedancingcucumber.com/whats-easier-for-beginners-cooking-or-baking/ Thu, 16 Nov 2023 16:55:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=9146 When young chefs first start out on their culinary journey, they may wonder whether or not they should start off with baking or cooking. Sure, you’re more than welcome to do both, but you obviously have to start somewhere. The question is, which one is easier? If you’re contemplating this very question, let’s dive into […]

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]]> When young chefs first start out on their culinary journey, they may wonder whether or not they should start off with baking or cooking. Sure, you’re more than welcome to do both, but you obviously have to start somewhere. The question is, which one is easier? If you’re contemplating this very question, let’s dive into this murky topic and discuss the right answer.

It Depends on Your Preference

The truth is that whichever one is easier will be based on your personality. At first glance, we feel compelled to say that cooking is easier because it’s a lot less rigid with its rules. You can break the mold of the recipe you’re following, and more often than not you’ll probably be good to go. So in that sense, perhaps cooking is easier for beginners. However, there’s also something comforting in following a recipe exactly the way it is, and there are many chefs who find it much easier to do that.

What Do You Love More?

But ultimately, what it really comes down to is which of the two you enjoy more. When it comes to baking or cooking, which of the two excites you more? Each of these paths will be full of obstacles, so the “easier” one will be the one that you love doing!

The post What’s Easier for Beginners: Cooking or Baking? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> This Raspberry Coulis Will Improve Every Dessert https://thedancingcucumber.com/this-raspberry-coulis-will-improve-every-dessert/ Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:41:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=9096 If you’re a fan of full-flavored, fruity desserts, then this coulis recipe will elevate your dessert game. Pour it over a dark chocolate cake, or a creamy cheesecake, or simply have it over ice cream. It’s easy, delicious, and full of flavor!  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jacinda 🪶 Northern Nester […]

The post This Raspberry Coulis Will Improve Every Dessert appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> If you’re a fan of full-flavored, fruity desserts, then this coulis recipe will elevate your dessert game. Pour it over a dark chocolate cake, or a creamy cheesecake, or simply have it over ice cream. It’s easy, delicious, and full of flavor! 

Ingredients (to make 1 cup):

  • 1 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of corn flour
  • 1/2 cup of water 

Instructions:

  1. Heat the water in a pan.
  2. Stir in the sugar and cornflour, allow the mix to thicken
  3. Add the raspberries and cook for 10 minutes, until the liquid has reduced and the raspberries are entirely soft.

The post This Raspberry Coulis Will Improve Every Dessert appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Three Ways To Use Nuts In Baking https://thedancingcucumber.com/three-ways-to-use-nuts-in-baking/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 16:09:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8845 Nuts are healthy, tasty, and add plenty of texture and crunch to baked goods. Check out these three easy ways to include them in your baking. Walnut and Pecan Frosting Ingredients Instructions View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charlotte Oates (@charlotteslivelykitchen) Nut Brittle Ingredients Instructions View this post on Instagram A post […]

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]]> Nuts are healthy, tasty, and add plenty of texture and crunch to baked goods. Check out these three easy ways to include them in your baking.

Walnut and Pecan Frosting

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of mixed walnuts and pecans
  • 3/4 cup of butter
  • 1 cup of icing sugar

Instructions

  1. Combine the ingredients in a food processor and blend until well mixed.
  2. Use to frost a cake, cookies, or even a dessert like a crumble.

Nut Brittle

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of mixed nuts
  • 1 cup of golden caster sugar
  • 1/2 cup of butter

Instructions

  1. Heat the butter in a pan, as it melts add the sugar.
  2. Stir well, until a caramel starts to form.
  3. Add the nuts, coat them in the caramel, then remove from the heat.
  4. Allow to set in the fridge.
  5. Once the brittle is set, you can break it over a cake as decoraton, set it into chocolate as a crunchy treat, or even use it as a pie topping for a sweet bake.

Pistachio Nut Dusting

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of ground almonds
  • 1/2 cup of pistachio nuts
  • 1/2 cup of butter
  • 3 tablespoons of golden syrup

Instructions

  1. Heat the butter and golden syrup in a pan.
  2. Stir the ground almonds through the mix, then remove from the heat and allow to cool.
  3. Mix the pistachios through the cooled mix.
  4. Sprinkle over a cake, pie, or pastry for a pretty, tasty effect.

Nuts have been used in baking for centuries, due to their rich taste and delicious crunch. If you haven’t used them in your baking before, give it a go with one of these easy recipes.

The post Three Ways To Use Nuts In Baking appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Baking Tips For Beginners https://thedancingcucumber.com/baking-tips-for-beginners/ Sat, 16 Sep 2023 12:39:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8801 In the world of baking, there’s something called baking from scratch and baking not from scratch. The former involves following a specific recipe, where the baker is required to do the majority of the work. The latter involves buying a ready-made cake mix powder from a company like Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines and adding […]

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]]> In the world of baking, there’s something called baking from scratch and baking not from scratch. The former involves following a specific recipe, where the baker is required to do the majority of the work. The latter involves buying a ready-made cake mix powder from a company like Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines and adding in a few basic ingredients. Many scoff at baking something not from scratch, but if you’re a beginner, we believe it’s the best thing you can do.

Baby Steps Are Perfect

What’s the point of going all out when you’re not ready? When you’re first starting out in the world of baking, the best thing you can do for yourself is to try to figure out whether or not you love it. You shouldn’t be taking on any crazy complex recipes, which is often required when making something from scratch.

Take it Easy

But if you buy a cake mix from Duncan Hines, all you really have to do is deal with a few easy measurements, which is perfect when you’re first starting out. If you fall in love with baking a not-from-scratch cake, then you can start to move on to the real stuff. Ultimately, don’t let anyone else shame you for going the “easy” route, because taking it easy is exactly what you should be doing at this stage in the process.

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]]> These Chocolate Puffs Will Satisfy Your Croissant Craving https://thedancingcucumber.com/these-chocolate-puffs-will-satisfy-your-croissant-craving/ Sun, 03 Sep 2023 10:09:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8172 Croissants are pretty much the best thing to come out of France. Buttery, flaky, and light—they are the perfect complement to a cup of coffee and a good book in a café. Pastry chefs train for years to get croissants just right, but we have a fabulous method for getting your flaky fix without all […]

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]]> Croissants are pretty much the best thing to come out of France. Buttery, flaky, and light—they are the perfect complement to a cup of coffee and a good book in a café.

Pastry chefs train for years to get croissants just right, but we have a fabulous method for getting your flaky fix without all the hassle. Only three ingredients are needed to make the super simple Choc Bar Puffs, and an hour later you can be indulging in a pastry that oozes chocolate at its center. What could be better?!

Ingredients:

  • 2 sheets of defrosted puff pastry
  • 8 chocolate slabs
  • 1 egg
  • Sea salt
  • Cocoa powder, for dusting
  • Flour, for dusting

Instructions:

  1. Dust your rolling pin with a little flour. Roll out one of the sheets of pastry, keeping it on the backing paper, and pop it onto a baking sheet. Have another baking sheet ready close by.
  2. Have the chocolate bars and place evenly in line on the pastry—5 across, 3 up—making sure to leave a good gap between the pieces of chocolate. Feel free to eat the extra piece!
  3. Take the second sheet of pastry and roll it out to ½ inch longer and wider than the other sheet. This has to go over the chocolate, so it needs a bit more give.
  4. Beat the egg and brush all the edges of the first sheet of pastry around the chocolate with most of it. Place the other piece of pastry on top. Using the side of your palm, press down gently around the cubes of chocolate to attach the top to the bottom. Once it is all sealed, pop it into the fridge for 5 minutes.
  5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C. Take the pastry off the sheet and cut out the little chocolate-filled cubes. Brush with the leftover egg. If you want a slightly more grown-up taste, you can sprinkle them with sea salt flakes.
  6. Divide them between the two sheets and pop them into the oven for 30 minutes, switching the sheets around halfway so they get an even bake and even golden-ness.
  7. Once they are out of the oven, dust them with a little cocoa powder. If you are planning to freeze some, don’t dust those with cocoa. Let them cool, then freeze in a freezer bag.

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]]> 3 Useful Cookie-Making Tools Every Baker Needs https://thedancingcucumber.com/3-useful-cookie-making-tools-every-baker-needs/ Fri, 08 Jul 2022 08:42:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=7694 Baking cookies is one of the best hobbies that literally everyone can master. When it comes down to mastering this art, you really just need a few great recipes and the right baking tools. Check out three must-have tools that will make cookie baking easier and more fun! Cookie Scoops Cookie scoops are very useful […]

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]]> Baking cookies is one of the best hobbies that literally everyone can master. When it comes down to mastering this art, you really just need a few great recipes and the right baking tools. Check out three must-have tools that will make cookie baking easier and more fun!

Cookie Scoops

Cookie scoops are very useful because they’ll help you bake a perfect batch of cookies that are all the same size and shape. These scoops are also very versatile and you can use them for ice cream, muffins, cupcakes, and even for making meatballs.

Cookie Sheets

Investing in quality cookie sheets is the first thing every aspiring baker should do because not all cookie sheets are created equally. For example, dark cookie sheets absorb more heat and that’s why they can easily over-bake cookies.

Cooling Racks

The way you cool-baked cookies is also extremely important, even though many people underestimate this step. Leaving cookies on a baking sheet will probably cause them to be soggy, but you can avoid this mistake by using a cooling rack that will allow air to circulate and keep your cookies crispy.

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]]> Baking Vs. Cooking: What’s Easier for Beginners? https://thedancingcucumber.com/baking-vs-cooking-whats-easier-for-beginners/ Wed, 15 Jun 2022 16:25:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8157 Baking and cooking are both two very expansive branches of the culinary arts, and neither of them should be taken lightly. However, if you’re a beginner in the kitchen and you don’t know where to start, there are easy recipes you can make in both avenues. So which one is easier to start with? There […]

The post Baking Vs. Cooking: What’s Easier for Beginners? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Baking and cooking are both two very expansive branches of the culinary arts, and neither of them should be taken lightly. However, if you’re a beginner in the kitchen and you don’t know where to start, there are easy recipes you can make in both avenues. So which one is easier to start with? There is an obvious answer… but it depends.

Baking is Precise

Most people veer towards the idea that baking is definitely harder than cooking. This is because when it comes to measurements of ingredients, baking requires a lot more precision and attention to detail. In that vein, baking is definitely harder. However, there are not-from-scratch options such as Duncan Hines and Pillsbury that allows you to bake cakes with extraordinary ease. And yes, even easier than most dishes that you’d normally cook.

Cooking Has More Leeway

As we mentioned, from a very basic standpoint, cooking is easier than baking. For most dishes that you throw into the oven, even if the recipe looks super complicated, it can be hard to really “mess something up”. You have a bit more freedom to be an artist, if you will, and have some fun with the seasonings—as opposed to baking, where if you mess up the amount of baking soda, your cake is pretty much a goner.

However, the reason we say that it “depends” is strictly because there are very easy instant cakes that you can make, such as the aforementioned Duncan Hines and Pillsbury brands, that taste pretty good. So go with what speaks to you!

The post Baking Vs. Cooking: What’s Easier for Beginners? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> What If You Accidentally Put Too Much Baking Soda In Your Cookies? https://thedancingcucumber.com/what-if-you-accidentally-put-too-much-baking-soda-in-your-cookies/ Mon, 10 Jan 2022 06:14:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8029 Forgetting to add baking soda in your cookie recipe results in flat, dense cookies. Most of us have made that mistake before and now know better. But what happens if you accidentally put too much baking soda in the dough? Baking soda is the ingredient that makes cookies fluffy and chewy. Contrary to what you […]

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]]> Forgetting to add baking soda in your cookie recipe results in flat, dense cookies. Most of us have made that mistake before and now know better. But what happens if you accidentally put too much baking soda in the dough?

Baking soda is the ingredient that makes cookies fluffy and chewy. Contrary to what you may think, more baking soda doesn’t mean better cookies. Adding too much of it will make your cookies lose the right texture and taste. Baking soda is an active ingredient, because it releases carbon dioxide and spreads the dough, which is exactly why you need to put the right amount in every recipe.

What if you already put too much baking soda? First, see if you can get some of it out. If that’s impossible and if you know how much more you’ve added, try increasing the amount of the other ingredients. This can work if you mixed up the measurements, for example, if you put a tablespoon of baking soda instead of a teaspoon.

If your dough is already mixed, if you don’t know how much more baking soda you’ve added, or if your cookies are already in the oven, we don’t really have good news. You can wait and see how they turn out but chances are you’re going to have to start the whole job over.

The post What If You Accidentally Put Too Much Baking Soda In Your Cookies? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Do You Make This Common Egg Mistake? https://thedancingcucumber.com/do-you-make-this-common-egg-mistake/ Mon, 27 Dec 2021 08:15:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8024 Eggs are one of the most common cooking and baking ingredient, but it’s also too easy to make a mistake when using them. Adding too few or too many can ruin a dish, as well as not mixing them properly. Many egg mistakes can be fixed along the way, but sometimes you’ll just have to […]

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]]> Eggs are one of the most common cooking and baking ingredient, but it’s also too easy to make a mistake when using them. Adding too few or too many can ruin a dish, as well as not mixing them properly. Many egg mistakes can be fixed along the way, but sometimes you’ll just have to give up and start over. There’s one common egg mistake many of us make when baking chocolate chip cookies, so here’s how to prevent it.

People typically keep the eggs in the fridge, so when it comes to using them, we don’t always remember to take them out in advance. You probably didn’t know this, but the egg temperature can affect the baking process, and using cold eggs from the fridge is really not a good idea.

If you want to make the fluffiest, lightest cookies, you want to use room-temperature eggs. It’s really that simple, and this little hack can make the whole difference in the final result. Unlike cold eggs, room-temperature eggs will mix better with the other ingredients. If you plan to bake in advance, take the eggs out of the fridge the night before. If you didn’t do that, letting them sit in warm water for a few minutes will also do the trick.

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]]> ersion="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> baking Archives - thedancingcucumber.com thedancingcucumber.com Thu, 14 Dec 2023 14:18:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 This South African Dessert is Perfect for Your Next Tea Party https://thedancingcucumber.com/this-south-african-dessert-is-perfect-for-your-next-tea-party/ Tue, 12 Dec 2023 12:58:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8215 When the Dutch landed at the tip of Africa in the 17th century, they brought with them recipes that became forever ingrained in South African cuisine. Amongst them was milk tart which is a fan favorite at every local tea party. Milk tart—or melktert, as it is known in Dutch and Afrikaans—is reminiscent of a […]

The post This South African Dessert is Perfect for Your Next Tea Party appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> When the Dutch landed at the tip of Africa in the 17th century, they brought with them recipes that became forever ingrained in South African cuisine. Amongst them was milk tart which is a fan favorite at every local tea party. Milk tart—or melktert, as it is known in Dutch and Afrikaans—is reminiscent of a Portuguese custard tart, but with a sweet, cinnamon twist. Here’s how to make it.

Ingredients:

For the crust
• 125 grams butter, softened
• ½ cup of castor sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 cups of cake flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder

For the filling
• 2 ½ cups of milk
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 egg
• ½ cup of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of flour
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla paste
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Cream the softened butter and castor sugar together before adding the egg and beating it well to combine.
  2. Add in the cake flour, baking powder, and salt, and mix thoroughly to form a stiff dough.
  3. Press the dough evenly into a tart tin and prick holes using a fork.
  4. Blind bake the pastry at 350 F for 30 minutes or until golden and crispy.
  5. Place the milk and cinnamon stick into a pot and bring to a boil.
  6. Remove the cinnamon stick, and in a bowl whisk together the eggs, flour, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla.
  7. Pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking continuously. Then return the milk mixture to the pot and cook on medium heat until thickened. Stir through a spoonful of butter.
  8. Pour the milk mixture into the baked pastry shell and sprinkle over the ground cinnamon. Let the tart cool completely before serving.

The post This South African Dessert is Perfect for Your Next Tea Party appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> What’s Easier for Beginners: Cooking or Baking? https://thedancingcucumber.com/whats-easier-for-beginners-cooking-or-baking/ Thu, 16 Nov 2023 16:55:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=9146 When young chefs first start out on their culinary journey, they may wonder whether or not they should start off with baking or cooking. Sure, you’re more than welcome to do both, but you obviously have to start somewhere. The question is, which one is easier? If you’re contemplating this very question, let’s dive into […]

The post What’s Easier for Beginners: Cooking or Baking? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> When young chefs first start out on their culinary journey, they may wonder whether or not they should start off with baking or cooking. Sure, you’re more than welcome to do both, but you obviously have to start somewhere. The question is, which one is easier? If you’re contemplating this very question, let’s dive into this murky topic and discuss the right answer.

It Depends on Your Preference

The truth is that whichever one is easier will be based on your personality. At first glance, we feel compelled to say that cooking is easier because it’s a lot less rigid with its rules. You can break the mold of the recipe you’re following, and more often than not you’ll probably be good to go. So in that sense, perhaps cooking is easier for beginners. However, there’s also something comforting in following a recipe exactly the way it is, and there are many chefs who find it much easier to do that.

What Do You Love More?

But ultimately, what it really comes down to is which of the two you enjoy more. When it comes to baking or cooking, which of the two excites you more? Each of these paths will be full of obstacles, so the “easier” one will be the one that you love doing!

The post What’s Easier for Beginners: Cooking or Baking? appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> This Raspberry Coulis Will Improve Every Dessert https://thedancingcucumber.com/this-raspberry-coulis-will-improve-every-dessert/ Fri, 10 Nov 2023 08:41:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=9096 If you’re a fan of full-flavored, fruity desserts, then this coulis recipe will elevate your dessert game. Pour it over a dark chocolate cake, or a creamy cheesecake, or simply have it over ice cream. It’s easy, delicious, and full of flavor!  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jacinda 🪶 Northern Nester […]

The post This Raspberry Coulis Will Improve Every Dessert appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> If you’re a fan of full-flavored, fruity desserts, then this coulis recipe will elevate your dessert game. Pour it over a dark chocolate cake, or a creamy cheesecake, or simply have it over ice cream. It’s easy, delicious, and full of flavor! 

Ingredients (to make 1 cup):

  • 1 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of corn flour
  • 1/2 cup of water 

Instructions:

  1. Heat the water in a pan.
  2. Stir in the sugar and cornflour, allow the mix to thicken
  3. Add the raspberries and cook for 10 minutes, until the liquid has reduced and the raspberries are entirely soft.

The post This Raspberry Coulis Will Improve Every Dessert appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Three Ways To Use Nuts In Baking https://thedancingcucumber.com/three-ways-to-use-nuts-in-baking/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 16:09:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8845 Nuts are healthy, tasty, and add plenty of texture and crunch to baked goods. Check out these three easy ways to include them in your baking. Walnut and Pecan Frosting Ingredients Instructions View this post on Instagram A post shared by Charlotte Oates (@charlotteslivelykitchen) Nut Brittle Ingredients Instructions View this post on Instagram A post […]

The post Three Ways To Use Nuts In Baking appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Nuts are healthy, tasty, and add plenty of texture and crunch to baked goods. Check out these three easy ways to include them in your baking.

Walnut and Pecan Frosting

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of mixed walnuts and pecans
  • 3/4 cup of butter
  • 1 cup of icing sugar

Instructions

  1. Combine the ingredients in a food processor and blend until well mixed.
  2. Use to frost a cake, cookies, or even a dessert like a crumble.

Nut Brittle

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of mixed nuts
  • 1 cup of golden caster sugar
  • 1/2 cup of butter

Instructions

  1. Heat the butter in a pan, as it melts add the sugar.
  2. Stir well, until a caramel starts to form.
  3. Add the nuts, coat them in the caramel, then remove from the heat.
  4. Allow to set in the fridge.
  5. Once the brittle is set, you can break it over a cake as decoraton, set it into chocolate as a crunchy treat, or even use it as a pie topping for a sweet bake.

Pistachio Nut Dusting

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of ground almonds
  • 1/2 cup of pistachio nuts
  • 1/2 cup of butter
  • 3 tablespoons of golden syrup

Instructions

  1. Heat the butter and golden syrup in a pan.
  2. Stir the ground almonds through the mix, then remove from the heat and allow to cool.
  3. Mix the pistachios through the cooled mix.
  4. Sprinkle over a cake, pie, or pastry for a pretty, tasty effect.

Nuts have been used in baking for centuries, due to their rich taste and delicious crunch. If you haven’t used them in your baking before, give it a go with one of these easy recipes.

The post Three Ways To Use Nuts In Baking appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Baking Tips For Beginners https://thedancingcucumber.com/baking-tips-for-beginners/ Sat, 16 Sep 2023 12:39:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8801 In the world of baking, there’s something called baking from scratch and baking not from scratch. The former involves following a specific recipe, where the baker is required to do the majority of the work. The latter involves buying a ready-made cake mix powder from a company like Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines and adding […]

The post Baking Tips For Beginners appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> In the world of baking, there’s something called baking from scratch and baking not from scratch. The former involves following a specific recipe, where the baker is required to do the majority of the work. The latter involves buying a ready-made cake mix powder from a company like Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines and adding in a few basic ingredients. Many scoff at baking something not from scratch, but if you’re a beginner, we believe it’s the best thing you can do.

Baby Steps Are Perfect

What’s the point of going all out when you’re not ready? When you’re first starting out in the world of baking, the best thing you can do for yourself is to try to figure out whether or not you love it. You shouldn’t be taking on any crazy complex recipes, which is often required when making something from scratch.

Take it Easy

But if you buy a cake mix from Duncan Hines, all you really have to do is deal with a few easy measurements, which is perfect when you’re first starting out. If you fall in love with baking a not-from-scratch cake, then you can start to move on to the real stuff. Ultimately, don’t let anyone else shame you for going the “easy” route, because taking it easy is exactly what you should be doing at this stage in the process.

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]]> These Chocolate Puffs Will Satisfy Your Croissant Craving https://thedancingcucumber.com/these-chocolate-puffs-will-satisfy-your-croissant-craving/ Sun, 03 Sep 2023 10:09:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8172 Croissants are pretty much the best thing to come out of France. Buttery, flaky, and light—they are the perfect complement to a cup of coffee and a good book in a café. Pastry chefs train for years to get croissants just right, but we have a fabulous method for getting your flaky fix without all […]

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]]> Croissants are pretty much the best thing to come out of France. Buttery, flaky, and light—they are the perfect complement to a cup of coffee and a good book in a café.

Pastry chefs train for years to get croissants just right, but we have a fabulous method for getting your flaky fix without all the hassle. Only three ingredients are needed to make the super simple Choc Bar Puffs, and an hour later you can be indulging in a pastry that oozes chocolate at its center. What could be better?!

Ingredients:

  • 2 sheets of defrosted puff pastry
  • 8 chocolate slabs
  • 1 egg
  • Sea salt
  • Cocoa powder, for dusting
  • Flour, for dusting

Instructions:

  1. Dust your rolling pin with a little flour. Roll out one of the sheets of pastry, keeping it on the backing paper, and pop it onto a baking sheet. Have another baking sheet ready close by.
  2. Have the chocolate bars and place evenly in line on the pastry—5 across, 3 up—making sure to leave a good gap between the pieces of chocolate. Feel free to eat the extra piece!
  3. Take the second sheet of pastry and roll it out to ½ inch longer and wider than the other sheet. This has to go over the chocolate, so it needs a bit more give.
  4. Beat the egg and brush all the edges of the first sheet of pastry around the chocolate with most of it. Place the other piece of pastry on top. Using the side of your palm, press down gently around the cubes of chocolate to attach the top to the bottom. Once it is all sealed, pop it into the fridge for 5 minutes.
  5. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C. Take the pastry off the sheet and cut out the little chocolate-filled cubes. Brush with the leftover egg. If you want a slightly more grown-up taste, you can sprinkle them with sea salt flakes.
  6. Divide them between the two sheets and pop them into the oven for 30 minutes, switching the sheets around halfway so they get an even bake and even golden-ness.
  7. Once they are out of the oven, dust them with a little cocoa powder. If you are planning to freeze some, don’t dust those with cocoa. Let them cool, then freeze in a freezer bag.

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]]> 3 Useful Cookie-Making Tools Every Baker Needs https://thedancingcucumber.com/3-useful-cookie-making-tools-every-baker-needs/ Fri, 08 Jul 2022 08:42:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=7694 Baking cookies is one of the best hobbies that literally everyone can master. When it comes down to mastering this art, you really just need a few great recipes and the right baking tools. Check out three must-have tools that will make cookie baking easier and more fun! Cookie Scoops Cookie scoops are very useful […]

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]]> Baking cookies is one of the best hobbies that literally everyone can master. When it comes down to mastering this art, you really just need a few great recipes and the right baking tools. Check out three must-have tools that will make cookie baking easier and more fun!

Cookie Scoops

Cookie scoops are very useful because they’ll help you bake a perfect batch of cookies that are all the same size and shape. These scoops are also very versatile and you can use them for ice cream, muffins, cupcakes, and even for making meatballs.

Cookie Sheets

Investing in quality cookie sheets is the first thing every aspiring baker should do because not all cookie sheets are created equally. For example, dark cookie sheets absorb more heat and that’s why they can easily over-bake cookies.

Cooling Racks

The way you cool-baked cookies is also extremely important, even though many people underestimate this step. Leaving cookies on a baking sheet will probably cause them to be soggy, but you can avoid this mistake by using a cooling rack that will allow air to circulate and keep your cookies crispy.

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]]> Baking Vs. Cooking: What’s Easier for Beginners? https://thedancingcucumber.com/baking-vs-cooking-whats-easier-for-beginners/ Wed, 15 Jun 2022 16:25:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8157 Baking and cooking are both two very expansive branches of the culinary arts, and neither of them should be taken lightly. However, if you’re a beginner in the kitchen and you don’t know where to start, there are easy recipes you can make in both avenues. So which one is easier to start with? There […]

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]]> Baking and cooking are both two very expansive branches of the culinary arts, and neither of them should be taken lightly. However, if you’re a beginner in the kitchen and you don’t know where to start, there are easy recipes you can make in both avenues. So which one is easier to start with? There is an obvious answer… but it depends.

Baking is Precise

Most people veer towards the idea that baking is definitely harder than cooking. This is because when it comes to measurements of ingredients, baking requires a lot more precision and attention to detail. In that vein, baking is definitely harder. However, there are not-from-scratch options such as Duncan Hines and Pillsbury that allows you to bake cakes with extraordinary ease. And yes, even easier than most dishes that you’d normally cook.

Cooking Has More Leeway

As we mentioned, from a very basic standpoint, cooking is easier than baking. For most dishes that you throw into the oven, even if the recipe looks super complicated, it can be hard to really “mess something up”. You have a bit more freedom to be an artist, if you will, and have some fun with the seasonings—as opposed to baking, where if you mess up the amount of baking soda, your cake is pretty much a goner.

However, the reason we say that it “depends” is strictly because there are very easy instant cakes that you can make, such as the aforementioned Duncan Hines and Pillsbury brands, that taste pretty good. So go with what speaks to you!

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]]> What If You Accidentally Put Too Much Baking Soda In Your Cookies? https://thedancingcucumber.com/what-if-you-accidentally-put-too-much-baking-soda-in-your-cookies/ Mon, 10 Jan 2022 06:14:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8029 Forgetting to add baking soda in your cookie recipe results in flat, dense cookies. Most of us have made that mistake before and now know better. But what happens if you accidentally put too much baking soda in the dough? Baking soda is the ingredient that makes cookies fluffy and chewy. Contrary to what you […]

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]]> Forgetting to add baking soda in your cookie recipe results in flat, dense cookies. Most of us have made that mistake before and now know better. But what happens if you accidentally put too much baking soda in the dough?

Baking soda is the ingredient that makes cookies fluffy and chewy. Contrary to what you may think, more baking soda doesn’t mean better cookies. Adding too much of it will make your cookies lose the right texture and taste. Baking soda is an active ingredient, because it releases carbon dioxide and spreads the dough, which is exactly why you need to put the right amount in every recipe.

What if you already put too much baking soda? First, see if you can get some of it out. If that’s impossible and if you know how much more you’ve added, try increasing the amount of the other ingredients. This can work if you mixed up the measurements, for example, if you put a tablespoon of baking soda instead of a teaspoon.

If your dough is already mixed, if you don’t know how much more baking soda you’ve added, or if your cookies are already in the oven, we don’t really have good news. You can wait and see how they turn out but chances are you’re going to have to start the whole job over.

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]]> Do You Make This Common Egg Mistake? https://thedancingcucumber.com/do-you-make-this-common-egg-mistake/ Mon, 27 Dec 2021 08:15:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8024 Eggs are one of the most common cooking and baking ingredient, but it’s also too easy to make a mistake when using them. Adding too few or too many can ruin a dish, as well as not mixing them properly. Many egg mistakes can be fixed along the way, but sometimes you’ll just have to […]

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]]> Eggs are one of the most common cooking and baking ingredient, but it’s also too easy to make a mistake when using them. Adding too few or too many can ruin a dish, as well as not mixing them properly. Many egg mistakes can be fixed along the way, but sometimes you’ll just have to give up and start over. There’s one common egg mistake many of us make when baking chocolate chip cookies, so here’s how to prevent it.

People typically keep the eggs in the fridge, so when it comes to using them, we don’t always remember to take them out in advance. You probably didn’t know this, but the egg temperature can affect the baking process, and using cold eggs from the fridge is really not a good idea.

If you want to make the fluffiest, lightest cookies, you want to use room-temperature eggs. It’s really that simple, and this little hack can make the whole difference in the final result. Unlike cold eggs, room-temperature eggs will mix better with the other ingredients. If you plan to bake in advance, take the eggs out of the fridge the night before. If you didn’t do that, letting them sit in warm water for a few minutes will also do the trick.

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