Chef's Notes Plus

Troubleshooting: Powdery Film on Chocolate

You’ve had that bar of baking chocolate in the pantry for months, and maybe you’ve just grabbed it for a recipe and noticed it looks a little… off. Maybe there’s a powdery film on the surface, or the whole thing looks a little cloudy. Not quite like the creamy chocolate […]

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. Ingredients Shortbread Crust 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar 7 oz (14 tablespoons) unsalted butter 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt Brownie Filling […]

Desserts

Vanilla Fudge

Makes one 9-inch square slab A vanilla bean cooked with the batch gives this fudge an ethereal vanilla fragrance, with the added bonus of tiny black vanilla seeds throughout the fudge. It is like perfect vanilla ice cream transformed into candy. Ingredients 2 lb (4 cups) sugar 6 oz (1/2 […]

Desserts

Vanilla Sauce

Makes 8 servings This all-purpose sauce is our favorite over bread pudding, but it’s also perfect alongside a hot soufflé or for dunking churros. Ingredients 1 cup whole milk 1/2 vanilla bean 1/3 cup sugar 3 egg yolks Directions Bring the milk, vanilla bean, and half of the sugar to […]

Desserts

Vanilla-Scented Pear Strudel

Makes 12 servings The unbaked strudels can be made in advance. Immediately store wrapped in the refrigerator for 2 days or in the freezer for 3 months. The strudel does not have to be thawed before baking. Ingredients 2 cups crushed sugar cookies (from about 8 oz cookies) 1 1/4 […]

Desserts

Vanilla-Scented Pears

Makes 3 lb The pears can be prepared in advance. Rapidly cool, then immediately store wrapped in the refrigerator for 3 days or in the freezer for 3 months. You can also process this mixture with a blender or food processor to make pear sauce. Ingredients 6 tablespoons (3 oz) […]

Allergen Friendly, Desserts

Vegan Blueberry Buckle

Makes 12 servings Buckle Filling Ingredients 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons evaporated cane sugar 4 tablespoons unsalted margarine or coconut oil 1 teaspoon starch-based egg replacer 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup almond milk, or other non-dairy […]