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Homemade Simple Vanilla Macarons Recipe

I’ve recently been introduced to macarons, and I loved them! The nice crispy shell texture with a soft centre make an amazing treat! Not only do the ones at the store taste good – they look amazing! So, I figured I’d try my hand at making a simple batch of Vanilla Macarons as it appears I have all the ingredients in my pantry! Of course my batch didn’t look great – but tasted wonderful!

Ingredients: Makes about 12
1/3 cup finely ground almond
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 egg whites
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Filling
2 egg yolks
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Let’s get started on my first batch of shells! First, we gather all our ingredients so we have everything ready and preheat the oven to 300F.

Then we grind the almonds until they’re fine and then we grind it with the powdered sugar! I figured we do this so that the ground almond is coated with the powder sugar so it doesn’t lump!

Lots of recipes call for sifting the mixture a few times. I tried and I guess my strainer is too fine… it separates the powdered sugar from the ground almonds. The end results wasn’t rough or anything but it’s got some texture as I had to omit the step. So, we go to beating the egg whites until the mixture starts becoming airy and bubbly. At which you will add the 2tbsp of sugar and continue to beat until soft peaks form. Once you got the soft peaks, beat the vanilla extract in.

From here, mix half of your egg white mixture into your almond mixture and mix until they’re incorporated. Then, fold in the rest of the egg white and put into a piping back or a ziploc bag. Then, you can cut out a corner and pipe onto a lined cookie sheet of circles. Then you let them dry for about 30 minutes (or until a hard layer is made)

Once the hard layer is formed by drying it, you can pop them in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until they move off the parchment paper easily. At this point, you can take them out and let them cool while you make the filling.

For the filling…
You can start by taking out the ingredients that you need.

Start with the egg yolks, and beat together the ingredients until it’s even and smooth.

Then, move it to the stove top and cook it until a custard texture

From here, I removed it from the heat and returned it to a bowl and let it cool to room temperature.

When it has cooled, I arrange the macaron shells so that they kind of match each other in relative shape and size. I put a dollop of the butter cream on one side and put the other side on carefully. Once they’re assembled, I put them in the fridge to set. When you’re ready to eat, take them out a few minutes ahead to take the chill off of them. They apparently last up to a week in an air-tight container in the fridge. Ours are often gone way before then!

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Homemade Blueberry Pancakes

Well, this sounds a little strange but I’ve never tried to make my own pancakes before, let alone Blueberry Pancakes. I just realized it’s such a simple recipe as my co-workers told me if I want it more runny and thin, add more water. If I want it thicker and fluffier, add more flour. So, I made the fluffy version!

Ingredients: (makes 4 pancakes)
1 cup of flour
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 large egg
1 cup milk
blueberries
oil

This recipe is so simple, I actually just mixed all the dry ingredients in a bowl and then mixed the wet ingredients in… all in the same bow. I mixed until it was smooth, and let it sit to rest for a bit.

From there, I heated up my frying pan with a thin layer of oil. I made sure it gets nice and hot. Once the bubbles start forming and come to the top, you know you’re ready to flip!

Then, I just made it toasty in colour, served hot, topped with some butter and maple syrup! It’s delicious for you and your family to enjoy!

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Homemade Simple Vanilla Creme Brulee

Home Made Crema Catalana

I’ve always loved Creme Brulee for any part of the day – dessert, snack with coffee/tea, and sometimes, even breakfast! I use to buy the pre-made ones, where you pour some sugar on top and burn the sugar with a torch. Then, recently, I started ordering them for dessert at restaurants, and realized it’s just not the same!! It’s suppose to be creamier and lighter and more “mousse” like than “pudding” like. So, I found a simple recipe which is slightly modified from Anna Olson’s show “Bake With Anna Olson” on Food Network.

Ingredients: (Serves 2)
1 cup cream
1 tbsp of vanilla paste
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar

First, preheat the oven to 325F, and place some ramekins in a heat safe pan with sides – so we can give the creme brulees a water bath when we’re ready to bake. Also, set a strainer with cheese cloth on stand-by as we will use them!

Then, place the cream in a pot and heat it up really slowly. Add the vanilla paste in to infuse the cream. You can use the actual vanilla seeds if you have the vanilla pods. Stir gently and wait until it’s hot – but not boiling over.

Next, in another bowl, cream the 2 egg yolks together with sugar. Then, slowly combine the cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Be sure to go slow so you don’t cook the eggs!

Now, pour the mixture through the strainer with the cheese cloth so it’s strained into the ramekins! Use a spoon to take out all the air bubbles that you see on top! Then, place this in the oven and pour some boiling water into the deep dish that holds the ramekins – making sure you fill up to at least half way up the ramekin dish itself to gently cook the creme brulee.

Now, bake for about 20-25 minutes in the oven. I set my oven too high, and caused the egg to cook on the top – but it still tasted great! 🙂

Let the creme brulee chill completely, and then place into the fridge for at least 3 hours. When you’re ready to enjoy, sprinkle a layer of sugar on top and use a torch to burn the sugar!! It’s done and you’re ready to eat!

Sit down anywhere, anytime to enjoy this delicious and somewhat refreshing dessert as it’s creamy and decadent with a hint of sweetness!

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Homemade Nutella Cookies

Easy Nutella Cookies

So, I guess there’s something called International Chocolate Day, and once I heard that, I went through my pantry to see what I had… so, I found enough ingredients to make a small batch of Nutella Cookies that are quick and simple! I must say, the house smells absolutely amazing right now!

Ingredients: (Makes about 18 cookies)
1 cup Nutella
2/3 cup All Purpose Flour
1/3 cup Wheat Flour
1 egg
1/4 cup sugar
splash of milk

First, preheat the oven to about 350F, you have to do this right away, since preparing the batter is quick and easy! Then, just mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl and mix lightly.

Once all the dry ingredients are incorporated, add the egg and nutella into the mixture. This will make a super sticky batter – but try to mix well. If you need the batter to be less thick, add about a tablespoon of milk. If it’s still really sticky, add more until the cookie dough combines into a nice consistency.

Then, I like to line my cookie tray with parchment paper, and I spoon out little cookie dough balls about the size of a ball that fits into a tablespoon. I roll these balls lightly and just place onto the cookie tray. As the cookie bakes, it will flatten itself, so you don’t need to flatten it – unless of course you want to! After all, they are YOUR cookies!

Now, you just place in the oven for about 10 minutes, and they should be a little lighter in colour and should be even colouring. You can always do the toothpick test if you want. But, remember it will continue to cook a little as you’re they’re resting on the cooling rack. So, this means you need to cool your cookies first on the cooling rack!

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Homemade Panna Cotta

Home Made Panna-Cotta

I was wanting a quick and easy dessert that was refreshing and cold. So, I made myself some Panna Cotta which of course is one of the simplest desserts out there! Panna Cotta is a basic ratio to make, and of course, I made the most basic one. You can add flavours and other things to it to make it your own!

Ingredients (Serves 2):
1/2 Cup Sugar
2 Cups Milk
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1 1/2 tsp gelatin (Half Package)

This simple recipe starts off with dissolving your gelatin in some milk. I just put a slash of milk and let the gelatin dissolve and swell up while preparing the rest of the ingredients.

In a small pot, I dissolve the sugar in the milk and bring the milk up to a slight boil.

Then, I mix the dissolved gelatin solution into the pot and stir until it’s well incorporated. Here, I add my splash of vanilla. Usually, I strain the solution before pouring into the molds, but I forgot to strain it today. I pour the solution into my ramekins, and place in the fridge for about 3 hours or until it sets.

After the Panna Cotta has set, submerge the ramekins into boiling water (or hot water) and it will loosen up the panna cotta so you can pour it out on to a plate.

After you’ve turned the Panna Cotta out, you can add some fruits if you want to decorate and make it more flavourful. As this is my basic recipe, I left it as is.

This delicious dessert is very velvety, soft and smooth – yet it is refreshing! If you’re using the basic recipe as I did here, it’s probably important that you use good quality vanilla! Citrus or berries are a good addition to add to this recipe, and some even say Rosemary! Can you imagine infusing the panna cotta solution with Rosemary? It should be soo good!