Christmas cake Repost

 CHRISTMAS CAKE 

Not all Christmas Cakes are loaded with sugar if try and make it at home. Here’s a Simple Easy Christmas Cake recipe with little healthier version.

Pre heat the oven at 180C.

Ingredients and Procedure

Mix dry fruits( I used mixed dried berries, chopped dates, chopped almonds, black raisins and cherries)soak them  overnight in grape juice

Ingredients 

2 cups of all purpose flour/ cake flour

1 &1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1& 1/2 tsp mixed spice

1/2 cup oil/ unsalted butter (melted)

1/2 cup coconut sugar / jaggery sugar

1 tsp mixed fruit jam( optional) or 1tsp molasses 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1 tbsp grape juice

3 eggs ( if without eggs substitute with 1/2 cup curd)  

Pre heat the oven at 180 C 

Sieve the dry ingredients first and keep them aside

In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer mix the sugar and oil/butter till well mixed

Gradually add the eggs one at a time at medium speed for 1 min and increase the speed.

Mix till it looks light and fluffy

Add the dry ingredients in batches adding gradually the grape juice.

Stop the mixer when all are well incorporated. Do not over mix the batter. 

Using a spatula combine everything well and add the soaked fruits. 

Bake in a pre heated oven for 50 to 60 minutes at 180C or check with a skewer till it comes out clean. Let it cool and enjoy. Will share a gluten free Christmas cake recipe soon.

Chocolate-Cake-recipe

Chocolate  Cake Recipe

Chocolate Coconut Cake

I made this Chocolate Coconut cake with two most beautiful things Chocolate and Coconut. I found this recipe from a Facebook video and it is amazing.  I am not a professional pastry chef but to create a gorgeous layer cake you need to follow few tips and tricks. Lets start

Ingredients

Eggs 4
Sugar 1cup
Vegetable oil 1/4 cup
Flour 1cup
Chocolate powder 1 cup
Boiling water 1/2 cup
Vanilla essence 1 teaspoon
Baking soda 1and 1/2 teaspoon
A pinch of salt
For frosting
Sweetened condensed milk 2cans(790gms)
Butter 50gms
Dry coconut flakes 1 and 1/2 cup
Chocolate ganache 300gms
Dry coconut flakes for decoration

Directions

Take a mixing bowl, mix the eggs, sugar and oil.
Mix flour, chocolate powder and salt. 
Add the boiling water into the flour mixture and mix well.
Now add the egg mixture, vanilla essence and mix.
Add baking powder.
Fold gently.
Bake it in a preheated oven at 180C for 40mins.
In a saucepan add the condensed milk and butter.
Stir in medium heat constantly.
Now add the Coconut flakes and mix.
Allow it to cool and make the ganache.
For chocolate ganache melt semi sweetened chocolate and cream together.
Mix until smooth and glossy. Put it in the refrigerator to set for 10 to 15 mins.
Now when the cake is ready let it cool and cut it in half.
Apply the coconut mixture on the cake base and cover with the other part.
Cover the cake with the ganache.
Garnish with coconut flakes.

Have Chocolate Cake with coconut flakes….:)

Chocolate Fudge

 Chocolate fudge

Chocolate Fudge

This is a very easy method of preparing fudge with only few ingredients. I have used condensed milk,chocolate, butter and dry fruits.

You can  make plain fudge without any dry fruits. If adding cashews or almonds then dry roast them first.

Ingredients

Chololate( semisweet and chopped) 1 cup

Condensed milk 2/3 cup

Butter 1/2 tablespoon

Almonds and cashews chopped 1/4 cup

Vanilla essence 1 teaspoon

Directions

First dry roast almonds and cashews and chop them

Now line an aluminum foil in a 6x6 inch square pan.

Take the chopped chocolate in a bowl.

Add condensed milk.

Now heat water in a pan.

When the water is boiling place the chocolate pan on top of the heated water pan.

Stir continuously till the chocolate melts and becomes a smooth mixture.

Add the chopped dry fruits, mix and add vanilla essence.

Then pour the chocolate fudge mixture in the lined pan and let it cool at room temperature.

Once the fudge has cooled put the pan in the refrigerator to set completely.

After 1/2 hour remove the fudge along with the foil and place it in chopping board.

Slice into squares

Chocolate-Cake

Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake

This chocolate cake recipe is just perfect for birthdays.It is easy, moist and fudge and will keep well for 4 to 5 days.

Ingredients for the cake

Plain flour 225g
Sugar 300g
Cocoa powder 80g( I use Hersheys cocoa powder)
Baking powder 1 teaspoon

Baking soda 1 teaspoon
Eggs 2
Milk 250ml
Butter/ vegetable oil 125ml
Vanilla essence 2 teaspoon
Hot water 250 ml

For frosting

Plain chocolate 200gms
Fresh cream 200 ml

Directions

Pre heat oven to 180C.
Line two 20cm baking tins.
Now in a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar and butter till smooth.
Gradually add the eggs.
Add vanilla essence and beat till smooth.
Sieve flour, cocoa powder and all the dry ingredients.
Mix them with the egg mixture and beat until well combined.
Now add the hot water to the mixture and mix well( at this stage the mixture will be little liquid but that is fine)
Divide the cake batter between the tins and bake them for 35 to 40 mins.
Insert a toothpick into the center and check if it comes out clean then the cake is done.
Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool.
Prepare the icing.
Heat the cream and chocolate in a saucepan over a low hate until the chocolate melts.
Remove the pan and whisk till the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Set aside for 1 hr until thick enough to spread over the cake.
Carefully remove the cakes.
Spread the chocolate icing over the top of one of the chocolate cakes and then carefully top with the other cake.
Cover the cake all over with the icing using a palette knife.
Decorate the chocolate cake with cherries and serve.

Chocolate Cake

Vanilla-Ice-Cream-with-MIxed-Fruits

Vanilla Ice cream with Mixed Fruits

Fruit and Ice Cream

Fruit salad is a delicious dessert but if combined with ice cream it becomes YUM. Kids and adults both will love to have this dessert after dinner. Its a super easy dessert so lets learn how to make it

Serves 1

Ingredients:

Vanilla ice cream 2 scoops
Mixed fruits 1 cup ( Apple, kiwi, strawberries and cherries chopped)
Hershey's syrup for decoration.

Directions
In a bowl mix all the chopped fruits.
You can add roasted nuts if you like.
Now in a serving glass put one scoop of ice-cream.
Top with fruits.
Put another scoop of Ice Cream.
Add Hershey's syrup.
Serve chilled.

Rava-Kesari-Dessert-recipe

Rava Kesari

Rava Kesari

Rava kesari is a popular South Indian sweet dish prepared during festive season. It is made from semolina and sugar syrup. A slightly different version of rava kesari is made in North India which is known as sooji halwa ( only Kesar) is not added in this version. Rava kesari is a simple recipe with very few ingredients. So lets start with the ingredients

Ingredients

Semolina/ sooji/ rava 1 cup( use fine rava)
Ghee 5 tablespoon
Sugar 1cup
Saffron or food color only a pinch
Cardamom  2 to 3 crushed
Cashews  5 to 6

Direction

First start with the sugar syrup.
Take sugar and water in a pan.
Boil the solution on high flame.
Add saffron to the sugar solution.
When it has start boiling, lower the flame and let it simmer.
Now in another pan put ghee.
Once the ghee is heated add semolina and stir.
 After 2 to 3 mins add the cashews and stir.
When the semolina starts changing color( light golden) add the sugar solution.
Now quickly start mixing the whole thing.
Keep stirring till the mixture thickens and starts to leave the edge of the kadhai.
Add crushed cardamom.
Switch off the flame and cover with a lid, allow the rava kesari to steam for 5 mins.
Remove the lid and serve the rava kesari hot.

Gulabjamun-with-vanilla-ice-cream

Gulab jamun recipe

Gulab Jamun WIth Vanilla Ice cream

This is a simple recipe but not quick. This time you need little patience. You don't need khoya or paneer for this recipe. Milk powder, sugar, little yogurt and water….that's it. Traditionally gulab jamuns were fried in ghee but I used oil and little ghee. You can skip ghee if you want.

Serves 2 to 3

Pre time 30 min

Cooking time 20 to 25 min

Ingredients for gulab jamun recipe

Milk powder 1 cup

All purpose flour 1/4 cup

Baking soda 1/2 teaspoon

Oil 1 teaspoon/ghee

Yogurt 1 tablespoon

Grated fresh coconut for decoration

For sugar syrup

Sugar 1.5 cups

Water 2 cups

Cardomom 3 to 4 crushed

Rose water (optional) 1 teaspoon

Directions

First we will prepare the sugar syrup. 

In a heavy bottom pan mix sugar, water and cardamom.

Now keep the sugar solution on fire and boil till you get syrup consistency. 

Mix little rose water and keep aside.

Now lets make the jamuns. 

Mix milk powder, all purpose flour, baking soda and yogurt in a bowl. 

Add 1 tablespoon oil.

Make a dough( it will be sticky and smooth). 

Make small or medium balls.

Now heat oil in a nonstick kadhai or wok. 

Let the oil heat. Reduce flame and put the balls into the oil.

Fry till golden. 

Now add them in the sugar syrup. 

Let them soak in the syrup for 2 to 3 hours. 

Now you can serve them with vanilla ice-cream  or topped with sugar syrup.

Garnish with grated coconut.

Festive Recipes- Simple Chocolate Recipe

Simple Chocolate Recipe

 Chocolate with Peanut Cream

Chocolate with Peanut butter

I believe that this combination is divine. A person who hates peanut butter ( like my husband ) have fallen in love with these chocolate cups. Try this simple tasty  recipe . Its a easy recipe and delicious also. All you need is a good quality peanut butter and a package of milk chocolate.

Ingredients:

Milk chocolate chips 1 package( 11.5 ounce)

Peanut butter 1 cup

Salt 1/4 teaspoon

Confectioners sugar 1/2 cup

Directions:

Both paper muffin cups or silicon moulds are fine for these chocolate cups. 

Place half of the chocolate chips in a microwave safe container. 

Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

Take out and stir for a while until smooth. 

Fill melted chocolate into muffin cups( filling halfway). 

Cool them in refrigerator until firm. In a bowl mix peanut butter, sugar and salt. 

Melt the remaining chocolate.

 Now spread a smooth layer on top of the chocolate cups and  pour rest of the melted chocolate in the cups.

 Put them again in refrigerator. 

When firm take out and garnish with roasted nuts( powdered). 

Have fun.

Chocolate recipe- Christmas Recipe

CHOCOLATE RECIPE

HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE

Preparation time 10 minutes ( specially for Halloween and Christmas). 

Make these chocolates for the little ones and gift them on the Halloween day.

Cooking time 5 minutes

Makes 15 -18 pieces

Ingredients:

Milk powder 1 and 1/4 cups
Cocoa powder 4 cups 
Butter 1/4 cup
Sugar 2/3 cup
Water 1/2 cup
OR 
you can use dark chocolate bar (50gms) and milk chocolate bar (150 gms)

Method 1. ( With cocoa powder)

Sieve cocoa powder and milk powder. Keep aside. 
Heat water in a nonstick pan, add sugar and stir. 
Let it boil till the syrup reaches one string consistency. 
 Now add butter and mix well so that lumps are not formed. 
Blend nicely and turn off the heat. 
Add milk and cocoa powder to the sugar syrup. Make smooth mixture. 
Pour the mixture in the chocolate moulds. 
Put it in the refrigerator till it is set properly. 
With a clean knife or toothpick take out the chocolates and serve. 
You can also wrap them in colorful wrappers for children.

Method 2 (Without Cocoa Powder)

Break the dark chocolate and the milk chocolate in medium pieces. 
Melt the butter and both the chocolates in microwave for 5 minutes. 
Stir nicely so that it forms a smooth texture. 
Pour them in chocolate moulds for 10 to 15 minutes and yippee…:) your chocolate is done. Happy Halloween; 

In the next few days I will post some more easy but delicious mouth watering chocolate recipes.

Payes Recipe-dessert

Payes Recipe

Payas (Bengali)----- Payasam(Rice based)

Payes

Serves 2 to 3

Ingredients:-

1/2 litre milk(doubled toned)
4 to 5 tablespoon of basmati rice
200gms of Amul Mithai Mate
3 to 4 almonds
Desiccated coconut (optional)
Few cherries and Apple slices(optional)for garnishing.

Method:-

Bring milk to boil. 
When milk is boiled add the washed rice and put the flame low. 
Cook for 5 to 6 minutes stirring occasionally so that the rice doesn't form crumbles or sticks to the bottom. 
Now switch off the gas and let it rest for half an hour. 
After half an hour again switch on the flame and stir for few minutes. 
At this stage add Amul mithai mate and cook for 5 minutes stirring continuously. 
Remove from gas and add the desiccated coconut, mix well with the payasam. 
Let it cool. 
When it comes in the room temperature put it inside the refrigerator. 
Serve cold with few chopped almonds and cherry and sliced apple.
Enjoy after Dinner….

Dark Chocolate with Vanilla Cream

Dark Chocolate with Vanilla Cream

Chocolate recipe

Dark Chocolate

This is one of the super easy yet yummiest recipes. Ideal for a weekend evening party.You can prepare it and keep it in the refrigerator.

Ingredients:

50 gms of dark chocolate
30 gms of milk chocolate
1/4 cup melted butter
Chilled vanilla cream.

Method:

Make small pieces of the dark and the milk chocolate.
Put it in microwave with the melted butter and heat for 1 min. 
Take out and stir the mixture till smooth. 
Prepare the muffin cups. 
Brush the muffin cups with butter and pour the mixture in the muffin cups(fill half). 
Put them in the refrigerator and chill. 
Now beat heavy cream with 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla essence till peaks are formed. 
Before serving put the cream on top with a cherry and serve. 
Enjoy your Sunday :)

DESSERT RECIPE- HOME MADE COCONUT LADDOO

Dessert Recipe

Coconut Ladoo 

Coconut laddoo

A quick delicious treat to make for any occasion, festivities or as a sweet end to your dinner.  Try this easy but simple dessert recipe- home made coconut laddoos.                                   

Ingredients:- (for 20 pieces- dia 2" each)

1.5 cups of fresh grated coconut
1/2 tsp of cardamom powder
1 tsp ghee
3/4 cup of condensed milk (i used Amul mithai mate)
1/3 cup desiccated coconut for rolling

Method:-

Heat 1 tsp ghee in a frying pan
Add 1.5 cups of grated coconut and stir the coconut on a low flame for 3 to 4 minutes. 
Now add 3/4 cup of the mithai mate, cardamom and cook this mixture on a low flame. 
Stir regularly when the mixture begins to thicken. 
After 3 to 4 minutes switch off the flame and allow the mixture to cool.
When the mixture has cooled, make small balls, each around 2" diameter and roll them in the desiccated coconut.
Serve the coconut ladoos hot or refrigerated.