Cookies, Desserts

Turtle Bars

Makes one 9-in by 13-in pan You can use any nuts to finish this bar—pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, or even a mixture.

Desserts

Turtles

Makes 60 pieces These classics can be made using cashews or pecans. Soft caramel is the glue that cements the turtle into shape, and chocolate makes the shell. Coat just the tops in chocolate if you know you are using them right away, or dip them entirely in chocolate if […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Using Malt in Breading Baking

Malted barley is called for in many of our bread recipes (as malt syrup) because of its impact on the dough. Malt is made by separating the enzymes that break down starch into sugar from cereal grains, usually barley. Many flours are treated with malts at the mill, but organic […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Using Meringue Powder for Royal Icing

Royal icing is a decorative icing made from egg whites and confectioners’ sugar. In professional bakeshops, it is used to decorate cakes, pastries, and candies, but at home, it is primarily used to decorate rolled out sugar or gingerbread cookies. We explain how to make and use traditional royal icing […]

Cakes

Vanilla Sponge Cake

Sponge cake, whether you know it as génoise or pan di Spagna, is a light, sweet, delicate cake rich in eggs. These cakes are made from egg foams with very little or no added fat. To add moisture, sponge cakes are often liberally brushed with sugar syrup. Fill the cake […]

Desserts

Warm Gingerbread Pudding

Makes 8 servings Sweet, warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and allspice give gingerbread and many other baked goods their unmistakable aromas. Spices are generally understood to be dried aromatic ingredients, typically the bark or seeds of a plant; they are sold whole or ground. Whole spices may be toasted, […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

What is Gluten?

Gluten is a popular topic when it comes to diets and nutrition, but what is gluten exactly? Or, more importantly, what is its role in the kitchen? Gluten is formed by the proteins present in wheat flour (wheat is the only grain that forms measurable amounts of gluten, making it […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Why Do Cakes Fall in the Center?

Sometimes a cake “falls,” or sinks in the middle during or after baking. Assuming the recipe you’re using is accurate and otherwise “good,” there are several reasons that a cake may not achieve expected volume. Inaccurate measuring of ingredients may affect the structure of a cake. Or, the leavener used […]

Cakes

Yellow Sheet Cake

This recipe makes a perfect classic sheet cake, which you can pair with any of your favorite frostings or chocolate ganache. Makes one 9- by 13-inch cake