Tag Archives: Christmas foods

Ginger Spice Cake

The taste and aroma of the holiday season is delivered with this easy and delicious spice cake, perfect to add to any menu during the holiday season!  It’s moist from buttermilk and the taste of gingerbread.

From by the bay wishing you ginger filled holiday food memories!

Maryann

blog spice cake

Ginger Spice Cake
From Tyler Florence’s Real Kitchen
(Makes one cake; serves 8)

Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 egg
1/2 cup molasses
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup buttermilk

 

1 cup whipped cream, for garnish
Confectioners’ sugar, for garnish

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Coat a 9-inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray. Cut a circle of parchment paper to fit the pan bottom and place it inside; then spray the paper. Set aside.

Sift the dry ingredients into a large bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg, molasses, sugar, and melted butter until thick. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients in 3 batches, alternating with the buttermilk. Beat for 1 minute after each addition to incorporate the ingredients and strengthen the cake’s structure. Mix until the batter is smooth.

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth down the top of the batter until even. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool completely before removing it from the pan, and then slice it in wedges. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve with whipped cream.

blog spice cake 2

Chocolate Fudge with Bourbon Sugar

I love to give the gift of food, this is a perfect gift – chocolate bourbon sugar and if you happen to have bourbon sugar already around it’s even easier to make.  It’s  a combination of sweet and salty , the fudge enhanced with coarse sea salt such as Maldon Sea Salt my favorite! I keep this stored int he freezer over the holidays , not need to defrost , just cut and serve. Perfection!

From by the bay wishing you visions of bourbon fudge food memories!

Maryann

blog fudge

Chocolate Fudge With Bourbon Sugar

Published December 2014 Bon Appetit recipe by William Werner
The exceptional texture and glossy sheen of this fudge result from the way you mix it. Make sure the chocolate and condensed milk are barely hot.

Ingredients
SERVINGS: MAKES 32
Bourbon Sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 cup demerara sugar
2 tablespoons bourbon
Fudge
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
10 ounces bittersweet chocolate (preferably 72%), coarsely chopped
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
10 tablespoons (1¼ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons bourbon
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
¼ teaspoon kosher or fine grey sea salt
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise or 1 teaspoon vanilla
Flaky sea salt (such as Maldon)

Directions

Bourbon Sugar
Preheat oven to 150° or as low as yours will go. Scrape vanilla seeds into a small bowl; stir in demerara sugar and bourbon. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let dry out in oven overnight, leaving door slightly ajar. Mixture should feel like demerara sugar again in the morning.
Do Ahead: Store bourbon sugar airtight at room temperature up to 2 months.

Fudge

Line an 8×8” baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a generous overhang on 2 sides; lightly coat with nonstick spray. Heat chocolates in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water (do not let bowl touch water), stirring occasionally, until almost completely melted. Set aside.

Combine condensed milk, butter, bourbon, corn syrup and salt in a small saucepan; scrape in vanilla seeds and add pod. Heat over medium until barely hot (same as the chocolate). Gently stir one quarter of the milk mixture into the chocolate with a rubber spatula. Add another quarter of the milk mixture , stirring to incorporate (it might look broken and greasy; don’t worry it will come back together). Continue with remaining milk mixture in 2 additions, stirring vigorously until fudge is very shiny and almost elastic, about 5 minutes. Scrape into prepared pan and smooth top. Sprinkle with bourbon sugar and sea salt. Let cool, then cover and chill at least 4 hours.

Turn fudge onto a cutting board and slice in squares.

Do head : Fudge can be made 1 week ahead , wrap tightly and chill or store in the freezer wrapped in foil, no need to thaw.

Hazelnut Crescent Cookies

This delicious cookie is one of those special family recipes shared and enjoyed from generation to generation. I remember my grandmother making this cookie and keeping it in her special tin, bought out whenever someone would visit for coffee. I couldn’t find the recipe and then not too long ago I was able to spend some time with my Tante Hetty, who was kind enough to send me the recipe. So happy to share with you to enjoy this holiday season!

From by the bay, wishing you soft and buttery cookie food memories!

Maryann

blog hazelnut cookie

Hazelnut Crescent Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1/4 pound unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus extra 1 cup to coat hot cookies
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cup ground hazelnuts
  • 1 egg , plus 1 yolk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

Use an electric mixer to beat butter until fluffy. Add sugar and beat well until combined , add eggs one at a time , then vanilla. Gradually add flour and nuts and combine well. Put dough in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Set aside to silpat lined baking sheets. Remove dough from fridge and  shape into small half moon crescent shapes. Place back in the refrigerator another 10 minutes. Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes, until slightly golden on bottom. While hot toss gently with granulated sugar and cool. Store in an airtight container until ready to use. Will last for about 5 days.

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Gingerbread Muffins

 

Welcome your holiday with these easy and delicious gingerbread muffins. I can’ t think of a better way to wake up on Christmas morning then to the aroma of these muffins. It’s a special way to start the day. I suggest measuring out all your dry ingredients the night before or in advance and set aside in plastic storage bag until you are ready to make the muffins. It makes for an easy breakfast. The cinnamon and spices will make your home smell of Christmas!

From by the bay, wishing you special holiday food memories!

Maryann

blog christmas muffins

 

Gingerbread Muffins (Feast by Nigella Lawson)

Makes approximately 12 muffins

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 egg
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
6 tablespoons vegetable or corn oil
4 tablespoons dark corn syrup (I used light corn syrup and it was still fine)
4 tablespoons molasses

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease or line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper muffin cups. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices in a large bowl. Whisk the egg in another bowl, then add the brown sugars, making sure to break up any lumps.

Add the milk and vinegar to the egg-brown sugar mixture then measure in the oil with a tablespoon. Use the same oily spoon to add the corn syrup and molasses so they don’t stick to it. Whisk the mixture to combine and add to the flour and spices.

Stir until mixed but still fairly lumpy-the mixture may be more runny than you expect for muffins- but you need the dense stickiness of gingerbread, rather than a cakey crumb. Spoon or pour the mixture into the muffin cups and bake for about 20 minutes until the tops are dry.