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Apple Cardamom Trifle

I thought I would do a bunch of desserts for the upcoming holidays.. this is one of my favorites…

Apple Filling

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 large apples, Pink Lady and Honey Crisp, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 cardamom pods, seeds taken out and crushed
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup apple cider
  • Juice of half a lemon

Place the butter in a large frying pan. Add the apple pieces, cinnamon stick, cardamom seeds and sugar. Stir constantly until the butter melts on a medium heat. Add the cider and lemon juice and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and cover with lid for ten minutes or till the apple pieces are soft but not mushy. Bring to room temperature and refrigerate. Take out of fridge a few hours before assembling. Divide into two portions.

Vanilla Custard (Gale Gand Recipe)

  • 2 cups 2% milk
  • ½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and vanilla bean to a boil over medium heat. Immediately turn off the heat and set aside to infuse for 10 minutes. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the cornstarch and whisk vigorously until no lumps remain. Whisk in ¼ cup of the hot milk mixture until incorporated. Whisk in the remaining hot milk mixture, reserving the empty saucepan.
Pour the mixture through a strainer back into the saucepan. Cook over medium high heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and slowly boiling. Removed from and heat and stir in butter. Transfer to a storage bowl. Cover with plastic wrap to eliminate skin forming. Refrigerate overnight. Divide into two portions.

Cinnamon Whipped Cream

  • 8 oz Mascarpone cheese
  • 1 cup whipped cream
  • 2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1-2 teaspoons powdered cinnamon

Whip the mascarpone cheese, whipped cream, sugar and cinnamon till stiff peaks form.

One pound cake, sliced, divided into two layers
One trifle bowl

Assemble the trifle by starting with a layer of pound cake at the bottom. Cover with one portion of the apples and then the custard. Repeat the process one more time and top with cinnamon whipped cream. Refrigerate for at least 4 to 5 hours before serving.

Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake with Cardamom

My blood orange obsession continues with this yummy cake- I love citrus with cardamom, so I tried it in this recipe and it was a big success!

  • 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup raw sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Juice and zest of 1 large blood orange
  • ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Confectioners sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease, line with parchment paper, grease again and flour a 9- inch round cake pan.

Blend sugar and eggs in a standing mixer on medium speed until blended and light- about 2 to 3 minutes. Add olive oil, vanilla extract, blood orange juice and zest. Blend until light and smooth. Whisk together the flour, cardamom powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in another bowl. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the mixer and mix on low to incorporate. Pour into the cake pan and bake for 30 minutes. Let cool and dust with confectioners sugar.

Blood Orange Compote

  • 4 blood oranges, peel and supreme (section into segments), juice included
  • 1 teaspoon honey

Add the orange segments, juice and honey to a small bowl. Let sit for an hour.

  • 1 cup whipped cream

Serve the cake with some blood orange compote and a dollop of whipped cream.

 

Orange Pumpkin Trifle

This is a delicious dessert to make for the holidays!

Orange Curd (Recipe from Food and Wine)

  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons

In a small heavy saucepan, whisk together the eggs and egg yolks. Whisk in the sugar, then whisk in the citrus juices and zests. Add the butter and whisk constantly over moderately low heat until the mixture thickens, about 8 minutes; do not let it boil. Immediately strain the curd into a bowl. Press plastic wrap directly on the surface of the curd and cut 6 small steam vents in the plastic. Refrigerate the curd overnight.

Pumpkin Bread

  • 1¼ cup white whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon fine salt
  • ½ teaspoon powdered cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup turbinado sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup extra light olive oil
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree

Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt into a medium bowl, set aside. Lightly brush a 9X5X3 inches loaf pan with butter. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the oil and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add one egg at a time mixing in between. Add 1 cup pumpkin puree and mix for about 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the mixer. With a rubber spatula, mix in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Fold the batter to the prepared pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Cool the bread in the pan for 5 minutes before taking it out. Cool completely before serving.
Slice the bread into ½ inch slices.

  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 1 cup mascarpone cheese
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar

Whip the cream, mascarpone cheese and sugar with an electric beater till the stiff peaks are formed while being careful not to over whip.

  • Segments of 3 large navel oranges plus a few more for garnish
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice

Assemble the trifle by starting with lining the bottom of the bowl with one part of the cake slices (divide the cake slices into three parts). Drizzle the layer with some orange juice. Divide the orange curd into three parts and spread one part onto the cake. Divide the orange segments into three piles and add the first pile onto the curd. Repeat twice more and top with the whipped cream. Garnish with a few orange slices. Chill in the fridge, preferably overnight.

Coconut Sweet Potato Cake
  • 1 cup pureed sweet potatoes
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup extra light olive oil
  • 1 cup turbinado sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup white whole wheat flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/3 teaspoon powdered cloves
  • 1/3 teaspoon powdered cardamom

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease and flour a 9” round pan.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. In a large bowl of a mixer, add the sugar and oil. Beat till the mixture is creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add the sweet potatoes and vanilla and mix well. Stir in dry ingredients and pour into the round pan.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until tester is clean. Let cool and then top with the coconut and pecan icing.

Toasted Coconut and Pecan Icing

  • 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted
  • ½ pecans, chopped and toasted

In a small mixing bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon and milk. Whisk well until all ingredients are incorporated and smooth. Add the coconut and pecans. Mix well and pour the mixture on top of the cake. Let it set for at least an hour before serving.

Sweet Potato Cake

Mango Raspberry Pavlova

This is an amazing dessert to enjoy in the summer. It looks a bit hard but it really isn’t.. just a few steps including making the meringue.. Definitely worth a try!!

  • 6 egg whites
  • 1¼ cups fine sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

Trace an 8 to 9 inch circle onto parchment paper. Place the parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Transfer the egg whites to an electric mixer and beat the eggs till soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, vanilla extract and cornstarch and beat till firm peaks form. Transfer the beaten egg whites onto the traced circle, carefully spreading the mixture inside the circle. Create a slight depression in the center for the filling. Bake in the oven for an hour, or till the meringue feels firm to the touch. Leave the oven door open and cool the meringue in the oven.

  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 1 cup fresh mango
  • 2 tablespoons raspberry liquor
  • Juice of half a lemon

Whip the cream till stiff peaks are formed. Blend fresh mango, raspberry liquor and lemon juice till smooth. Fold the mango mixture into the whipped cream. Refrigerate.

  • 1 cup fresh mango, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Juice of half a lemon

Transfer the mango and raspberry to a small bowl. Add the sugar and lemon juice. Mix and let sit for an hour. Right before serving, place the meringue onto a serving platter. Add the mango whipped cream and then place the fruit on top. Serve immediately!

Hazelnut and Cherry Italian Cookies

These are absolutely yum!

  • 1 cup soft unsalted butter (2 sticks)
  • ½ cup evaporated cane sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups white whole-wheat flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup dried cherries, chopped
  • 1 cup hazelnuts, chopped fine
  • ½ cup hazelnut liquor
  • ½ cup confectionery sugar in a small bowl

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Mix the butter and sugar until fluffy in a mixer. Add the salt, vanilla extract, flour and liquor. Mix well and add the nuts and cherries.
Mix with both hands until well incorporated. Form a ball and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for half an hour.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls and place on the cookie sheets. Bake for 15 minutes. Let cool and roll in confectionery sugar.
Hazelnut and Cherry Italian Cookies

Gingerbread Cake with Whipped Cream and Candied Ginger & Chocolate Ganache

Here are some dessert ideas for the holidays…

  • 2½ cups white whole-wheat flour
  • 1½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup extra light olive oil
  • ½ cup evaporated cane juice
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 cup molasses mixed with 1 cup hot water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease and line two 9 inch round pans.

Combine the flour, baking soda, spices and the salt in a medium bowl. Whisk and keep aside.
Beat together the oil and sugar with an electric mixture for a minute. Add the egg and beat for 2 to 3 minutes. In 3 batches, alternately bean in flour mixture and molasses mixture on a low speed. Beat till smooth and pour batter into the two pans dividing equally. Bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
Take out and let cool.

Filling

  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
  • 2 tablespoons candied ginger, chopped

Beat the cream with an electric beater till stiff peaks are formed. Add the sugar and ginger and mix well.
Place the first layer of cake onto a cake stand and add the filling, smoothing it all over. Place the second layer and gently press down, cleaning up any filling spilling out of the cakes.

Topping

  • 6 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips
  • ¾ cups whipping cream

Heat the cream in a small saucepan on a medium heat. Once bubbles begin to form on the edges, turn the heat off and take the pan off the stove. Add the chocolate and stir until it melts. Let cool and pour the ganache over the cake covering the sides evenly.
Top the cake with candied ginger for decoration.

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