How to make snow ear fungus dessert soup

• You need a pressure cooker. Snow ear fungus is very fibrous and takes a long time to become soft and tender.
• Pressure cook the snow ear fungus and water for about 30 minutes. Cook the other elements separately on the stove.
• While the snow ear fungus is pressure cooking, simmer the Asian yellow pear, dried goji berries, dried jujubes, and rock sugar.
• Cool down the pressure cooker by putting it under your kitchen sink and running it under cold water with your faucet. Once it is depressurized, open the lid and combine snow ear fungus with the Asian pear mix.
• Turn off all heat, then add honey to taste.

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Snow Ear Fungus Dessert Soup

A healing sweet dessert soup of snow ear fungus, Asian yellow pear, goji berries, jujubes, and honey.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Chinese

Keyword Asian dessert soup, snow ear fungus dessert soup

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

For the pressure cooker

• 2 quarts water
• 1 bunch snow ear fungus
• 1/4 cup rock sugar

For simmering on the stove

• 3 quarts water
• 2 Asian yellow pear peeled, cored, and quartered
• 1 handful goji berries drinsed
• 10 dried jujubes rinsed
• 1/2 cup honey

Instructions

For Snow Fungus

• Take 1 bunch/handful of dried snow ear fungus. Soak it in drinking water for 10 minutes, submerging it completely in the water.
• Once snow ear fungus is rehydrated, cut the stem off the bottom and discard. It is the darker orange base at the bottom of the bunch of snow ear fungus. Then add the remaining snow ear fungus into the pressure cooker and add 2 quarts of drinking water and rock sugar.
• Closed the lid of the pressure cooker following the instructions of your pressure cooker. Then boil on high heat until the pressure cooker begins to whistle, about 15 minutes. At that point, reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Allow the simmer in the pressure cooker for a total of 25 minutes.
• After 25 minutes, remove pressure cooker from stovetop, and rinse the top with cold water. When the pressure cooker depressurizes, you may remove the lid safely.

For Asian pear dessert soup

• Place a large stockpot on the stove to boil on high. Add in 3 quarts of water. Then add in Asian pear, rinsed jujubes, and rinsed goji berries.
• Bring the water to a boil, then simmer on medium low for about 30 minutes, until the Asian pear is fork tender.
• Turn off the heat for the Asian pear dessert soup.

Combining the two

• Combine the snow ear fungus mixture with the Asian pear mixture. Make sure that the heat is off. Then add in honey to taste. The dessert soup should be just slightly sweet and not overly sweet.

  Optional: add in agave

How to Make the Perfect Flan

• use a water bath
• use gentle heat to cook the flan
• cover with foil
• check for the jiggle and make sure it is still there when you take the flan out of the oven

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The Perfect Flan

A creamy and jiggly flan that melts in your mouth.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Mexican, Spanish

Keyword caramel flan, flan

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Servings 6 people

Ingredients

Caramel

• 1 cup sugar

Custard

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 2 quarts water for water bath

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Caramel

• Make caramel by heating sugar in a medium saucepan on medium high heat for 5-7 minutes. As you see the sugar browning, swirl the pan to allow the melted sugar to touch other sugar crystals. This will help with even caramelization. When sugar is completely liquid and golden brown, turn off heat. Immediately drizzle evenly into 6-8 ramekins. Allow to sit for 5 minutes.

Custard

• Make custard by beating together heavy cream, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla bean paste, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat until well incorporated.
• Boil 1 quart of water. Set aside.
• Then evenly distribute custard mixture into the ramekins. Place ramekins onto a baking sheet. Then cover the ramekins with foil. After placing the baking sheet into the oven, carefully pour the boiled water into the baking sheet so that the ramekins are sitting in hot boiled water.
• Bake flan at 325 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until eggs have a slight jiggle.
• Then remove from the oven, allow to cool completely. When it is cooled, remove the ramekins from the water bath and refrigerate overnight. Serve cold the next day.
• To release the flan from the ramekins, run a clean sharp knife around the edge of the inside of the ramekin to loosen the flan. Jiggle the flan around the ramekin to loosen it. Then flip the ramekin onto a plate in one swift motion. The flan should release with the caramel side on top.

What spices should I use for the easiest apple spice cake?

• clove
• cinnamon
• optional: nutmeg

If you can get these spices whole and then ground them yourself, the flavor will be even better. But buying ground should be just fine as well. Having just clove and cinnamon will be enough. It’s more about the quality of your spices and using enough of them. Luckily this recipe has plenty of cinnamon and clove to pack a punch!

For some of the best quality spices you can find, check out Penzey’s! They have changed my cooking with their super delicious and fragrant spices.

How do I keep my apples from falling to the bottom of the cake?

Cut your apples into small cubes and toss in all purpose flour to help them stick to the cake batter. This will prevent them from falling to the bottom of the cake.

Serve with my bourbon salted caramel sauce and a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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The Easiest Apple Spice Cake

A super easy apple spice cake using store-bought vanilla cake mix. Hello fall!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword apple spice cake, easy cake

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Servings 8 people

Equipment

• 1 9-inch cake pan
• 1 9-inch diameter circular piece of parchment paper

Ingredients

• 1 package vanilla cake mix
• 1 egg
• 1 stick butter melted
• 2 tbsp all purpose flour
• 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tbsp ground clove
• 2 apples cored, peeled, and diced
• 1 tsp canola oil

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit.
• Follow directions for cake mix: mix melted butter, egg, and cake mix into a batter.
• Toss diced apples into all purpose flour.
• Add apples, cinnamon, and clove into the cake batter. Fold in gently until just incorporated.
• Take out a roll of parchment paper. Trace the underside circle of your cake pan onto the parchment paper. Cut out the circular pattern. Lay the circular piece of parchment onto the bottom of the cake pan. Then, using a brush or paper towel, grease the entire inside of the cake pan with oil.
• Add cake batter into the cake pan.
• Bake cake according to package instructions, approximately 50-60 minutes. The cake is done when you stick a toothpick into the middle and it comes out clean.
• Serve with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce.

For other easy dessert recipes, check out my passion fruit panna cotta and fresh peach crisp.

This passion fruit mango tart is a celebration of summer, tropical flavors, and just true deliciousness. It involves multiple steps, so it is definitely a labor of love. But it is so worth it. Everyone who has ever had this tart has loved it. And I hope that your loved ones also appreciate the time and effort that went into your passion fruit mango tart. 

I have to acknowledge that I borrowed heavily from the talented Dominique Ansel for his vanilla sable recipe as my tart crust and tweaked it just a little.

You should probably make the different components of the tart the day before you intend to serve it. Creme patissiere and passion fruit curd need time to cool and to set for structural integrity.

How do I prevent my tropical passion fruit mango tart from becoming soggy?

Assemble the tart right before serving for best results. Otherwise, you can add a layer of white chocolate to the base of the tart crust and allow that to set before layering in your creme patissiere and passion fruit curd.

What kind of mango should I use?

Kent mangoes are one of the most delicious mangoes out there, with limited veins and tons of sweet fragrant flesh. If you cannot find those, then I would recommend using Champagne mangoes.

How do I make a smooth creme patissiere?

Make sure not to overcook your custard, because it will lead to curdling and lumps

Use butter to finish to ensure smoothness

Always always run your creme patissiere through a sieve after cooking. There are bound to be some lumps in the cooking process. Passing it through a sieve will get all those minor lumps out.

How long does creme patissiere need to set?

At least 4 hours, but for best results, overnight is best.

For other passion fruit recipes, check out my passion fruit panna cotta.

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Tropical Passion Fruit Mango Tart

Crispy tart with passion fruit curd, creme patissiere, and fresh mango

Course Dessert

Cuisine French

Keyword fruit tart, mango passion fruit tart

Prep Time 1 hour hour

Cook Time 1 hour hour

Servings 8 people

Equipment

• 1 food processor
• 1 whisk
• 1 tart pan

Ingredients

Vanilla Tart Shell

• 185 g all purpose flour
• 45 g confectioner's sugar
• 50 g corn starch
• 1 g salt
• 3 g vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
• 130 g unsalted butter
• 1 egg

Passion fruit curd

• 180 g strained passion fruit juice
• 1/8 c granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/2 tbsp corn starch

Creme Patissiere -Vanilla Pastry Cream

• 2 cups milk
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 1/2 tbsp corn starch
• 1 vanilla bean seeds scraped
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter

Fruit Topping

• 1 Kent mango thinly sliced

Instructions

Vanilla Tart Shell

• Combine flour, confectioners' sugar, cornstarch, salt, and butter into a large food processor. Pulse for about 30 seconds or until butter becomes pea sized clumps. Scrape the bowl as needed.
• Beat egg and combine with vanilla paste. Then add into the butter/flour mixture. Pulse until just combined and a dough ball begins to form.
• Scrape the edges of the bowl and turn mixture onto a clean surface. Mix residual flour into the dough. Then form into a flat disc and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before use.
• Before baking, thaw for at least 10-15 minutes to allow dough to be pliable enough to roll.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Sprinkle a clean surface with flour. Roll dough until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Place onto your tart shell, pushing the dough onto the edges of the pan. Remove excess dough. Refrigerate dough for another 15 minutes to allow it to hold shape. Then line the top of the tart shell with parchment paper and fill with beans.
• Bake tart shell at 350 degrees 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Remove parchment paper and beans from tart shell and check for doneness. The bottom of the tart shell should be golden brown and crisp. If it is still soft, turn oven to 300 degrees, and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the bottom is golden brown and crisp.
• When tart shell is golden brown and crisp, remove from the oven and allow to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.

Passion Fruit Curd

• Mix passion fruit juice, granulated sugar, egg yolks, salt, and corn starch with a whisk.
• Heat mixture in a large saucepan over medium heat, constantly whisking.
• When you see ribbons appear from whisking, turn off the heat.
• Whisk in butter. Then place mixture into a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, making sure that the wrap covers and makes contact with the surface of the passion fruit curd. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Creme Patissiere-Vanilla Pastry Cream

• Split vanilla bean in half length-wise and use a knife the scrape the seeds off. Place into a large saucepan. Add milk and vanilla bean paste to saucepan. Heat on medium heat until just about to boil.
• Mix together sugar, salt, corn starch, egg yolks, and egg. Whisk until well mixed.
• When milk is heated, slowly add milk into the egg mixture allowing it to slowly warm up/temper the egg mixture. Whisk constantly.
• Then add the egg and milk mixture back into the saucepan and heat on medium heat. Whisk constantly while heating. Cook on medium heat until ribbons begin to appear in the pastry cream. Then turn off heat and whisk in butter.
• Strain pastry cream through a sieve. Cover the pastry cream with plastic wrap, allowing the plastic to touch the top of the pastry cream. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.

Cutting Mango

• Standing mango up, cut the mango length-wise on either side of the seed, removing the seed. Using a knife, peel the mango and thinly cut mango segments into thin slices. Slices should resemble half-moons. Separate mango slices by size.

Tart Assembly

• Place tart shell on serving platter.
• Add passion fruit curd onto the bottom of the tart shell, spreading into an even layer.
• Then fill the tart shell with pastry cream until it reaches the top of the tart shell. Spread evenly.
• Then top with mango. Starting with the outer perimeter of the tart shell, place the largest mango slices in circular pattern. Once that layer is set, move inward and start placing mango slices into another circle. Repeat until you have reached the middle.

Life is short. Eat dessert first, right?! I like to make bourbon salted caramel sauce to cook my apples in. That becomes a delicious base for apple pie and fruit crisp filling.

One of my favorite Food Network stars is Sandra Lee. She hosted a show called “Semi-Home Made.” I loved how she was a realistic cook in knowing that very few people have time and energy to cook everything from scratch. Sometimes you need help from the store, but there are ways to play things up and to put your own spin on prepared foods. I made this bourbon salted caramel sauce to go with brownies that were made from a Ghirardelli brownie mix. Sorry not sorry.

Without further ado, I hope you enjoy this recipe. Caramel is actually really easy to make at home if you have the know-how and a little bit of patience.

Cooking Equipment Needed for Bourbon Caramel Sauce

If possible, use a sauce pan that is lighter in color when you’re making caramel sauce or caramel. Dark pans make it more difficult to tell if the sugar has gotten to the perfect level of caramelization, which is crucial for making a successful caramel.

Do not use plastic cooking ware (e.g., plastic ladle) to stir the caramel. It will melt and ruin your caramel and cooking ware. Instead, use silicone or wooden spoons for the job.

Safety First

Caramel requires that you heat sugar until it melts and then browns. Be VERY careful when melting any sugar because you need to heat sugar to very high temperatures to melt it. NEVER dip your finger in to have a taste when you’re making this sauce or any candy because you will burn yourself.

Secrets to the Perfect Caramel: Don’t Look Away!

Caramelized sugar goes from perfectly golden brown to very dark/burnt in seconds. Watch your melted sugar very carefully and do not let it leave your sight once it starts turning brown! Fun fact: this is the same process that you will have to undergo to make the caramel sauce for flan.

How much salt do I put in salted caramel?

Just a pinch. Maybe two. Don’t overdo the salt. Always taste for flavor. Of course, wait until the caramel sauce cools a LOT before putting it in your mouth. Please, no burnt tongues please!

Price Comparison

A jar of Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce from Trader Joe’s will rack you up approximately $11 and has about 10-15 servings in it. In making this caramel sauce, the sugar costs about $.20, the heavy cream is $1, the butter is $.20 worth, and the Bourbon is about $.20 worth. I made this for about $1.60 and it was about 4 servings worth.

Store-Bought ($.73) vs. Home-made ($.40).

Even though price difference looks relatively small, the difference in flavor is definitely worth it to me! But let’s be honest. Life is really busy. Since the savings are not as stark in this one and the jarred sauce is perfectly tasty, feel free to buy your own caramel sauce if you don’t have the time. It’s important to budget your time for home-made food where it really matters in terms of flavor and your wallet.

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Bourbon Salted Caramel Sauce

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword caramel sauce

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp or splash of Bourbon
• 1 tbsp butter
• pinch of salt to taste

Instructions

• Place the sugar in a saucepan and allow to heat on medium high heat. Allow the sugar to begin melting. If necessary, use a spoon to mix the remaining sugar crystals with the melted sugar for even melting.
• Once sugar is all melted, turn fire to medium or medium-low heat and allow the sugar to slowly brown, approximately 3-7 minutes depending on your pan and stove settings. Watch very carefully.
• Once sugar is light brown in color (the color of light brown sugar), immediately add in heavy cream. Slowly stir until the chunks of caramelized sugar have fully dissolved into the cream. Then add splash of Bourbon.
• Continue stirring and cooking on medium heat until sauce just coats the back of a spoon or until it reaches its desired thickness. At the end of cooking, add in butter and salt to taste.
• Allow to cool and then taste for seasoning. Add additional salt to taste. If it needs thickening, add additional brown sugar.

Can I use a substitute for gelatin in almond panna cotta?

Gelatin is made of animal collagen, and thus, is not a plant-based food. Some people may wish to substitute for agar-agar or other plant-based products. You will have to experiment to find the right proportions to achieve the right texture. This recipe was written for gelatin. Best of luck!

How long does almond panna cotta need to set?

At least 4 hours, but for best results, overnight is best. The more ingredients you add into your panna cotta (e.g., fruit pulp), the more time it needs to set. Since this almond panna cotta recipe has no extra fruit in it, you can get away with a 4 hour set time.

How do I achieve the perfect sweetness in desserts?

Have you noticed that many dessert or baking recipes you find have way too much sugar in them? I find that a good rule of thumb is to reduce the amount of sugar in any given recipe by at least 1/4 – 1/2. The only exception here is chewy American cookies, brownies, and meringue. These recipes need lots of sugar to achieve the proper texture, so there is no skimping there. However, for most dessert recipes, you can do your own spin and reduce the amount of sugar yourself. It will still taste delicious, and you will not be ingesting crazy amounts of sugar.

What kind of almond extract should I use in almond panna cotta?

Always use the best quality spices and flavorings that you can use in your cooking. For almond extract, look for a natural rather than artificial product. I highly recommend the pure almond extract from Penzey’s! It has a strong and pure natural flavor that is unparalleled.

For another delicious take on panna cotta, check out my passion fruit panna cotta recipe.

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Almond Panna Cotta

A silky and creamy almond panna cotta recipe

Course Dessert

Cuisine Italian

Keyword almond panna cotta, easy panna cotta

Prep Time 8 minutes minutes

Set Time 4 hours hours

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tsp almond extract

Instructions

• Mix gelatin and water in a saucepan until gelatin is moist. Heat on low heat until mixture becomes liquid. Set aside.
• Heat heavy cream, milk, sugar, and almond extract in a large saucepan on medium heat. When you begin to see small bubbles just begin to form, turn off the heat.
• Add liquid gelatin mixture into milk mixture. Whisk thoroughly until well incorporated.
• Place mixture evenly into 8 ramekins. Cover with foil and place in the refrigerator to set for 4 hours, or overnight.
• Optional: top with toasted almonds

The Secret to the Perfect Passion Fruit Panna Cotta

Have the best quality passion fruit juice you can find. Fresh is always best, but frozen is also good.

Use a high quality cream and milk. Organic dairy from grass-fed cows will give you a cleaner flavor.

Use enough passion fruit. Do not be stingy with your passion fruit. If you are serving a passion fruit panna cotta, then it should be packed with passion fruit flavor.

Keep whisking after mixing your milk mixture into your passion fruit juice. The acidity of the passion fruit will make your milk curdle. Just keep whisking continuously and you will end up with a smooth mixture and panna cotta.

Can I use a substitute for gelatin?

Gelatin is made of animal collagen, and thus, is not a plant-based food. Some people may wish to substitute for agar-agar or other plant-based products. You will have to experiment to find the right proportions to achieve the right texture. This recipe was written for gelatin. Best of luck!

How long does panna cotta need to set?

At least 4 hours, but for best results, overnight is best. The more ingredients you add into your panna cotta (e.g., fruit pulp), the more time it needs to set.

For other tropical dessert ideas, check out my strawberry coconut chia seed pudding.

Can I use a non-dairy substitute?

Absolutely! Coconut cream would be a great option instead of cream. And almond milk or oat milk would be a good substitute for cow’s milk. However, using coconut milk may change the overall flavor of this passion fruit panna cotta. Passion fruit goes well with coconut, so you’ll be making a very tropical tasting dessert.

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Passion Fruit Panna Cotta

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword panna cotta, passion fruit panna cotta

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Setting Time 8 hours hours

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup passion fruit juice

Instructions

• Mix gelatin and water in a saucepan until gelatin is moist. Heat on low heat until mixture becomes liquid. Set aside.
• Heat heavy cream, milk, and sugar in a large saucepan on medium heat. When you begin to see small bubbles just begin to form, turn off the heat.
• Add liquid gelatin mixture into milk mixture. Whisk thoroughly until well incorporated.
• Then whisk in passion fruit juice into milk mixture. You will see the milk begin to curdle. Continue whisking vigorously until the mixture is smooth again.
• Place mixture evenly into 8 ramekins. Cover with foil and place in the refrigerator to set for 8 hours, or overnight.

Most Chinese and other Asian families usually have a large tin of store-bought Chinese almond cookies in their homes at all times. They are buttery, nutty, and yummy. But most store-bought almond cookies lack the almond flavor and rely too heavily on copious amounts of sugar. 

For more of my reduced sugar dessert recipes, check out my dessert recipes. In general, I try to put just enough sugar in my recipes. Overly sweet foods are not yummy and are bad for our health. We want to avoid demonizing any particular food group or ingredient, but there is a large body of scientific research showing the harmful impacts of high sugar consumption on health. Does that mean we should avoid sweets altogether? That would be a sad life, don’t you think? Instead of swearing off all sugar, it is important to balance your diet and choose to eat sweetened desserts that you truly love only once in a while. And maybe pick desserts that have reduced sugar rather than an overwhelming amount of sugar.

How to get almond flavor in Chinese almond cookies?

Ground almond flour and a good quality almond extract in the dough. Penzy’s Spices tends to have very high quality spices and extracts. I’ve found that the almond extract from here has been the tastiest and richest I’ve ever used. Additionally, use more sliced almonds on the top of the cookie. It adds a rich and delicious true almond flavor to your cookie.

How long can I keep Chinese almond cookie dough?

You can freeze the dough and keep it for at least 3 months if it is wrapped and stored well.

Do I have to chill the dough before baking?

Yes! Always chill your cookie dough before baking. The chemistry of it all is too complicated too explain here, but chilling your dough lets some of the water dry out and your ingredients to mix better, creating the optimal texture and flavor for your Chinese almond cookies. 

Can I use foil instead of parchment paper to bake cookies?

No. Please never use foil to bake cookies, cakes, or any pastry. The foil changes your bake and will cause it to burn rather than become golden brown. Always use parchment paper instead of foil when you are baking. Foil is fine for roasting veggies and meats, but it will ruin your baking almost every time.

How to make Chinese almond cookies

Measure out flour, salt, baking soda and mix together, whisking to break up clumps. Set aside.

2. Add cubes of cold butter to sugar and ground almond flour. Mix in a food processor until well combined and there are no more chunks of butter.

3. Then add in eggs and almond extract and pulse until well combined.

4. Slowly add flour mixture into the butter mixture. Mix in the food processor until well combined.

5. Form dough into a tight flat disc and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

6. Take dough out to thaw. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. When dough has slightly warmed and is pliable, break into small pieces and roll into even sized balls. Flatten the balls into 1/4 inch thick disks onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet, spacing them at least 1/2 inch apart.

7. Top cookies with several slivers of sliced almonds. Then brush generously with egg wash (1 beaten egg).

8. Depending on the size and thickness of your cookies, bake for 12-17 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown on top. Then turn off your oven, leave the door slightly open, and allow cookies to sit in oven for another 10-15 minutes to allow them to dry out and become crispy in the middle.

9. You may need to turn lower your oven to 300 degrees F and continue to bake them for another 3-5 minutes to dry out the middle.

10. Your cookies are done when they are crispy in the middle and the tops are golden brown.

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Chinese Almond Cookies

Nutty, buttery, Chinese almond cookies with the perfect amount of sweetness.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Asian, Chinese

Keyword almond cookies, Chinese Almond cookies

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

1 hour hour

Total Time 2 hours hours

Servings 48 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/3 cup ground almond flour
• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 3 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced almonds
• 1 egg beaten for egg wash

Instructions

• Mix together all purpose flour, salt, and baking soda. Whisk to break up clumps. Set aside.
• Add cubes of cold butter to sugar and ground almond flour. Mix in a food processor until well combined and there are no more chunks of butter.
• Then add in eggs and almond extract to the butter/almond flour mixture and pulse until well combined.
• Add flour mixture into the butter/almond flour mixture. Mix in the food processor. Wipe down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and mix again. Mix until the ingredients are well combined. It should look crumbly.
• Form dough into a tight flat disc and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Take dough out to thaw. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. When dough has slightly warmed and is pliable, break into small pieces and roll into even sized balls. Flatten the balls into 1/4 inch thick disks onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet, spacing them at least 1/2 inch apart.
• Top cookies with several slivers of sliced almonds. Then brush generously with egg wash (1 beaten egg).
• Form dough into a tight flat disc and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Take dough out to thaw. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. When dough has slightly warmed and is pliable, break into small pieces and roll into even sized balls. Flatten the balls into 1/4 inch thick disks onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet, spacing them at least 1/2 inch apart.
• Top cookies with several slivers of sliced almonds, gently pushing the almonds into the cookies to help them stick.. Then brush generously with egg wash (1 beaten egg).
• Depending on the size and thickness of your cookies, bake for 12-17 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown on top. Then turn off your oven, leave the door slightly open, and allow cookies to sit in oven for another 10-15 minutes to allow them to dry out and become crispy in the middle.
• You may need to turn lower your oven to 300 degrees F and continue to bake them for another 5-10 minutes to dry out the middle.
• Your cookies are done when they are crispy in the middle and the tops are golden brown.

Add in a delicious cinnamon apple compote, and who can resist?

This cinnamon apple yogurt parfait can be a part of a delightful brunch spread or an easy make-ahead breakfast.

What Types of Apple Should I Use for Apple Compote?

Using only Granny Smith apples is not recommended because they fall apart when cooked. You will be left with a mushy mess. The same goes if you are making apple pie or apple desserts. You should try apple varieties with more bite and texture to them:

• Honey Crisp Apples
• Fuji Apples
• Pink Lady Apples

What Spices to Use for Cinnamon Apple Yogurt Parfait?

You can use a variety of spices. Most recipes call for just cinnamon, but adding a variety of spices can really add richness and depth to the flavor of your compote.

• cinnamon
• allspice
• pumpkin pie mix
• nutmeg
• cloves

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Cinnamon Apple Yogurt Parfait

cinnamon apple compote with a lightly sweetened creamy yogurt

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword cinnamon apple yogurt, yogurt parfait

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

Apple Compote

• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 apples peeled, cored, and cubed
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/4 cup water

Yogurt

• 2 cups full fat plain yogurt
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or paste

Instructions

Apple Compote

• Add apples, lemon juice, pumpkin spice, brown sugar, salt, and water into a medium saucepan. Simmer on medium for 15-20 minutes.
• Stir apple compote occasionally for even cooking.
• When apples begin to soften, but still hold their shape, remove from heat and allow to cool at least 10 minutes.

Yogurt

• Mix together yogurt, vanilla extract/paste, and sugar until well incorporated. Set aside.

Assembly

• Add in 1/4 cup of the prepared yogurt into a glass cup. Then add a layer of apple compote. Top with another 1/4 cup of prepared yogurt. Add another layer of apple compote. Optional: top with pre-made granola.

Price Comparison

If you order a yogurt parfait at a restaurant it will cost you $7-8 in the Los Angeles area. What did I spend to make 2 servings of this yogurt parfait? Yogurt ($1), strawberries ($.50), dried coconut ($.25), coconut milk ($.10), honey ($.10), oat milk ($.10)

Restaurant ($7-8) vs. Home-made ($1.03)

If you buy a yogurt parfait at a restaurant, you are paying 7x-8x the price! For the sake of your wallet and your health, try making it on your own. The best part is you can choose the freshest, tastiest fruit. You can also control the sugar, which is essential for a healthy life.

Easy Chocolate Truffles: The Origin Story

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a true omnivore. Seriously, I eat almost anything! I am not a strict vegetarian or vegan. And I definitely do not pretend to be. But, believe me, no one….I mean NO ONE….will be able to tell that these are vegan chocolate truffles. These easy chocolate truffles are so decadent, rich, and creamy, that everyone will assume that they are loaded with heavy cream.

So let me ask you this: if you can eat make delicious homemade chocolate truffles and still help the planet by not consuming animal products, wouldn’t you?

Now if you feel really strongly about it, please go ahead and use heavy cream instead of coconut cream. They will be delicious either way.

I think that I made these truffles vegan because I was lazy one day and didn’t want to run to the store for cream. I am generally not a huge milk or cream consumer. But I remember wanting to make truffles for some friends. And all I had at home was coconut cream. I always have a box or two lying around for Thai curries. Since I was too lazy to run to the grocery store, I decided to just go with it. And thus, was born my vegan chocolate truffle!

Do home-made truffles need to be refrigerated?

Yes! Especially if they have diary in them! Store-bought truffles most likely have preservatives in them or contain tons of corn syrup, which is why they are shelf-stable. But if you are making them at home, you should be refrigerating them.

Chocolate Truffle Fillings

• Dried fruits: cherries, strawberries, raspberries
• Nut butters: peanut, almond, cashews
• Home-made caramel and nougat
• Flavored liqueurs: vanilla extract, rum, almond extract
• If you’re feeling spicy: chile powder, curry powder

Chocolate Truffle Toppings

• Nuts (topping): toasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews
• Melted chocolate
• Cacao powder
• Flaked salt

How to Roll Truffles in Melted Chocolate

1. Make your ganache: heat coconut cream to just before boiling temperature. Then pour in an equal amount of chopped dark chocolate. Allow to sit to allow chocolate to melt.
2. Once chocolate is melted, mix thoroughly into coconut cream to incorporate evenly.
3. Freeze your truffle ganache mix until firm.
4. Using a melon baller, scoop small balls of chocolate ganache.
5. Freeze the ganache balls again for 5-10 minutes.
6. Quickly roll the balls with your hands until they are round and even.
7. Freeze the balls again.
8. Melt chocolate for your outer coat.
9. Temper the melted chocolate by mixing it around after melted.
10. Once melted chocolate has an increased glisten, take your frozen ganache balls out.
11. Using 2 spoons, dip the balls in the melted chocolate. Roll around until evenly coated.
12. Allow excess melted chocolate to drip off.
13. Place dipped chocolate truffles onto a lined baking sheet and let sit in the refrigerator to set.

Best Chocolate for Making Truffles

Trader Joe’s Pound Plus 75% Dark Chocolate

Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate

Please no Hershey’s! It’s really subpar chocolate with mostly sugar and milk. Yuck! Your tastebuds and body deserve better.

Other Sweet Treats

Fresh Peach Crisp
Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies

Print

Easy Chocolate Truffles

Irresistable Easy Chocolate Truffles

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword best chocolate truffles, chocolate truffles, easy chocolate truffles

Prep Time 40 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 24 truffles

Ingredients

• 1 cup 75% dark chocolate
• 1 cup coconut cream
• 1 tsp almond extract

Topping Options

• 1 cup toasted almonds finely chopped
• 1/2 cup cacao powder
• 1 cup dark chocolate
• 1/2 tsp flaked salt

Instructions

Ganache Balls

• Make your ganache: heat coconut cream to just before boiling temperature. Then pour in an equal amount of chopped dark chocolate. Allow to sit to allow chocolate to melt.
• Once chocolate is melted, mix thoroughly into coconut cream to incorporate evenly.
• Freeze your truffle ganache mix until firm.
• Using a melon baller, scoop small balls of chocolate ganache.
• Freeze the ganache balls again for 5-10 minutes.
• Quickly roll the balls with your hands until they are round and even.
• Freeze the balls again.

Rolling truffles in cacao

• Roll formed truffle balls into cacao powder until they are completely coated with cacao.

Rolling truffles in chopped nuts

• Roast nuts at 350 degrees Farenheit for 20 minutes. When they have cooled, chop them finely.
• Roll truffles into chopped nuts, pressing nuts into the truffles until they are completely covered in chopped nuts.

Dipping truffles in melted chocolate

• Microwave dark chocolate 30 seconds at a time until it just begins to melt.
• Mix chocolate around with a spoon for 3-5 minutes to temper and cool chocolate.
• When melted chocolate begins to glisten, start dipping truffles into the chocolate using 2 spoons. Make sure that all surfaces are covered in a thin coat of melted chocolate.
• Drip off excess chocolate and then set on a lined baking sheet. Top with a small pinch of flaked sea salt.
• Once the chocolates are all dipped, place into the refrigerator to set. Truffles are ready to eat once they are set. Leave them at room temperature at least 15 minutes before eating.