Tempering chocolate is the process of heating and cooling chocolate to ensure that it will set with a proper gloss and snap. Tempered chocolate will set quickly and will not show streaks or spots as it sets. Once set, properly tempered chocolate will harden and have the desired snap and […]
Tempering Eggs for Smooth Custards and Creams
Tempering is a technique that allows you to add eggs to a hot liquid without scrambling them. We see tempering in recipes for crème brûlée, vanilla sauce, pastry cream, and some savory cooked egg dishes. The technique itself is simple but fast-moving, and it requires some preparation before beginning to […]
The CIA Apple Pie
Makes one 9-inch pie They say if you love somebody, you give them diamonds—but we think if you truly love someone, you bake them a pie. This classic apple pie is a crowd-pleaser no matter what table it lands on, and friends and family will taste the love in each […]
Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Galette
Makes one 9-inch galette A galette is a free-form, rustic version of a tart with a savory or sweet filling. One of its main advantages is the ease and simplicity of preparation. For a particularly lovely and tasty presentation, select heirloom tomatoes in a variety of colors. Tomato and Goat […]
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 […]
Try New Things: Rhubarb
There is a lot to love about spring: spring break, warmer weather, flowers (maybe not the allergies!), but most of all, the food! Spring is one of the best times of year for fresh produce, mostly just because we’ve been missing it so badly all winter. Sweet green peas, asparagus, […]
Turkish Delight
Makes one 9- by 13-inch slab In the classic children’s books The Chronicles of Narnia, a little boy loves Turkish Delight so much that he trades his family for it. No need to swap your family or friends—they will surely thank you for sharing this delight with them. Any manufactured […]
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 […]
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 […]
Vanilla Icing Glaze
Makes about 1 cup An infinite variety of flavors can be created by adding extracts, liqueurs, or fruit juices to this simple and easy-to-make recipe. For a vanilla dairy-free or vegan version, substitute any unsweetened milk alternative.
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 […]
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 […]