Tiramisu

Tiramisu

Tiramisu

  • Servings: 10
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Ingredients


6 Egg yolks
½C Granulated sugar
3C Heavy Cream
2T Confectioner’s sugar
2t Vanilla extract
½C Kahlua
24oz Mascarpone cheese, room temperature
9oz Ladyfingers
2T Unsweetened cocoa
1oz Semisweet chocolate, grated

Directions

Set a double boiler on the stovetop. Add about 1 inch of water to the lower section and turn the heat on medium. Add egg yolks and sugar to the top of the double boiler. Vigorously whisk the mixture for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth, thick and lighter in color. Remove from heat and let cool.

In a large bowl, whip heavy cream until peaks are just about to form. Add confectioner sugar, vanilla and half of the Kahlua and continuing mixing until stiff peaks form.

Add mascarpone cheese to the egg yolk and sugar mixture. Mix until well incorporated and mixture becomes smooth.

Carefully, fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture with a spatula. Continue to fold until the mixture is well combined.

Mix remaining Kahlua with the espresso. Working in small batches, dunk the Ladyfingers into the espresso mixture. Remove them immediately, do not let them soak. Arrange the Ladyfingers in a single layer, in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.

Spread half of the macroscope cream over the Ladyfingers in the dish and sprinkle with coco and grated chocolate. Then repeat with a second layer of Ladyfingers and a second layer of mascarpone cream Top with cocoa and grated chocolate. Place the tiramisu in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours prior to serving.

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie

The most delicious pumpkin pie! Homemade pie crust with a light and fluffy pumpkin filling made with brown sugar, vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spices.

The best pies always begin with a good homemade pie crust. Pie crust recipe here.

Pumpkin Pie

  • Servings: 1
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Ingredients


1 Pastry for single crust pie
30oz Pumpkin purée
6 Eggs, lightly beaten
1c Heavy cream
1c Golden brown sugar
1t Vanilla extract
1t Allspice
1t Cinnamon
1t Ground ginger
1t Salt

Directions

Preheat oven 375°

Line an 9-inch pie dish with the rolled-out pastry and trim it even with the pie dish and save any extra trimmings.

In a large mixing bowl combine the pumpkin purée with remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl until well blended. Pour into the prepared pastry and bake for 60 – 75 minutes. Let cool before serving.

Nutella Gelato

Nutella Gelato

My love affair with Nutella began about 25 years ago on my first trip through Europe. I fell in love with this ingredient and now my children share the same love. So what better then making it into a gelato?  

Gelato in Italian literally means “frozen,” but it is used to indicate the Italian version of ice cream. The difference between ice cream and gelato is gelato has a higher proportion of milk and a lower proportion of cream and eggs resulting in less calories and fat and more flavor. Another difference is that gelato is churned at a slower speed than ice cream, which means less air is whipped into the mixture creating a dense, velvety texture. It is also typically stored at 15°F whereas ice cream is stored at 0°F. Because it’s not quite completely frozen, gelato tends to be softer and silkier.

Nutella® Gelato

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Ingredients


2 ⅔C Organic whole milk
1 ½C Heavy Cream
1t Vanilla extract
⅛t Salt
½C Sugar
3T Cornstarch
1 Egg, yolk
3T Nutella


Directions

Put 2 cups of milk, cream and vanilla into a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edge of the saucepan and mixture is about to boil. Stir frequently and do not let it come to a boil.

Meanwhile, put remaining milk, sugar and cornstarch into a small bowl and stir until well combined. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in milk and sugar mixture. Return to heat and cook, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens slightly, 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Put egg yolk into a small bowl and whisk until slightly thickened. Pour 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into the yolk, whisking constantly then gradually add mixture back into the hot milk mixture in the saucepan. Add Nutella and stir until well combined. Set aside and let cool, stirring often. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Stir and churned at lowest setting in an ice cream maker.

Zeppole

Zeppole

Zeppole is a light and fluffy Italian style doughnut perfect to server for breakfast or dessert. This recipe does not call for yeast, making it a quick and easy version of the Italian classic.

Zeppole

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Ingredients


1C Water
8T Salted butter
3T Brown sugar
¼t Salt
¼t Vanilla extract
1 ¼C Flour
1T Mascarpone
4 eggs
Vegetable oil, for frying
Powder sugar, to dust zeppole

Directions

In a large pot heat oil to 375°.

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, sugar, salt and vanilla. Cook over medium-low heat until butter melts.

Lower heat and add the flour and mix vigorously with a wooden spoon until flour is well combined. Remove from heat and stir in mascarpone.

Let it cool off slightly, about 3 minutes, then add eggs, one at a time. Mix the eggs into the dough until you have a smooth silky consistency.

Spoon out the dough and then use another spoon to scrape the dough into the oil. Cook in batches of 4-5 and fry for 3-5 minutes for each batch or until they are golden brown.

Remove Zeppole from oil using a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel lined plate.

Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm.

Cheesecake

Cheesecake

Cheesecake

  • Servings: 12
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Ingredients


For the crust:
1 ¾C Graham cracker crumbs (from about 15 Graham crackers)
2T Brown sugar
6T Salted butter, melted

For the filling:
32oz Cream cheese, room temperature
1C Granulated sugar
¼C Brown sugar
½t Salt
2t Vanilla extract
4 Eggs, beaten and room temperature
2/3C Sour cream
2/3C Heavy whipping cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°

Process graham crackers and brown sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Slowly pour in butter and pulse until well combined.

Lightly butter a 9” springform pan and gently press the graham cracker crumbs into the bottom of the pan.

Place the pan in a large roasting pan and bake the crust at 350° for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.

In an electric mixer, mix cream cheese until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar, mix for an additional 5 minutes. Add salt, vanilla, eggs, sour cream and heavy cream to the cream cheese. Mix until well incorporated.

Boil 4 cups of water over high heat. Meanwhile, wrap the bottom of the springform pan with heavy duty foil a couple of times. Be sure that your pan is completely sealed so that water cannot penetrate.

Pour the cream cheese filling into the springform pan over the crust.

Place into roasting pan and carefully pour boiling water into the roasting pan.

Bake at 325° for 1 ½ hours.

Turn off heat to oven and open oven door. Let the cheesecake gently cook in oven for 1 hour. Cover and chill in refrigerator for a minimum of 3 hours or overnight to fully set before slicing.

Stracciatella Gelato

Stracciatella Gelato

This Stracciatella Gelato might just be my new favorite gelato. Silky, smooth and refreshing! 

Gelato in Italian literally means “frozen,” but it is used to indicate the Italian version of ice cream. The difference between ice cream and gelato is gelato has a higher proportion of milk and a lower proportion of cream and eggs resulting in less calories and fat and more flavor. Another difference is that gelato is churned at a slower speed than ice cream, which means less air is whipped into the mixture creating a dense, velvety texture. It is also typically stored at 15°F whereas ice cream is stored at 0°F. Because it’s not quite completely frozen, gelato tends to be softer and silkier.

Stracciatella Gelato

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Ingredients


2 ½C Organic whole milk
1C Heavy Cream
2t Vanilla extract
¼C Sugar
1 Whole vanilla bean, split and seeded
¼C Good quality dark chocolate, finely chopped
2T Cornstarch
1 Egg, yolk


Directions

Put 1 ½ cups of milk, cream and vanilla into a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edge of the saucepan and mixture is about to boil. Stir frequently and do not let it come to a boil.

Meanwhile, put remaining milk, sugar, vanilla bean and cornstarch into a small bowl and stir until well combined. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in milk and sugar mixture. Return to heat and cook, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens slightly, 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Put egg yolk into a small bowl and whisk until slightly thickened. Pour 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into the yolk, whisking constantly then gradually add mixture back into the hot milk mixture in the saucepan. Stir until well combined. Set aside and let cool, stirring often. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Stir and churned at lowest setting in an ice cream maker.

Espresso Gelato

Espresso Gelato

This espresso gelato is silky, smooth and refreshing!  

Gelato in Italian literally means “frozen,” but it is used to indicate the Italian version of ice cream. The difference between ice cream and gelato is gelato has a higher proportion of milk and a lower proportion of cream and eggs resulting in less calories and fat and more flavor. Another difference is that gelato is churned at a slower speed than ice cream, which means less air is whipped into the mixture creating a dense, velvety texture. It is also typically stored at 15°F whereas ice cream is stored at 0°F. Because it’s not quite completely frozen, gelato tends to be softer and silkier.

Espresso Gelato

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Ingredients


2 ½C Organic whole milk
1C Heavy Cream
1t Vanilla extract
¼C Sugar
2oz Espresso, cooled
1T Finely ground coffee
2T Cornstarch
1 Egg, yolk


Directions

Put 1 cup of milk, espresso, cream and vanilla into a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edge of the saucepan and mixture is about to boil. Stir frequently and do not let it come to a boil.

Meanwhile, put remaining milk, sugar, coffee grounds and cornstarch into a small bowl and stir until well combined. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in milk and sugar mixture. Return to heat and cook, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens slightly, 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Put egg yolk into a small bowl and whisk until slightly thickened. Pour 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into the yolk, whisking constantly then gradually add mixture back into the hot milk mixture in the saucepan. Stir until well combined. Set aside and let cool, stirring often. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Stir and churned at lowest setting in an ice cream maker.

Coconut Gelato

Coconut Gelato

This coconut gelato is silky, smooth and refreshing!  

Gelato in Italian literally means “frozen,” but it is used to indicate the Italian version of ice cream. The difference between ice cream and gelato is gelato has a higher proportion of milk and a lower proportion of cream and eggs resulting in less calories and fat and more flavor. Another difference is that gelato is churned at a slower speed than ice cream, which means less air is whipped into the mixture creating a dense, velvety texture. It is also typically stored at 15°F whereas ice cream is stored at 0°F. Because it’s not quite completely frozen, gelato tends to be softer and silkier.

Coconut Gelato

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Ingredients


1 ½C Organic whole milk
8oz Coconut milk
¾C Heavy Cream
1t Vanilla extract
¼C Sugar
2T Cornstarch
1 Egg, yolk
½C Unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)


Directions

Put 1 cup of milk, coconut milk, cream and vanilla into a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edge of the saucepan and mixture is about to boil. Stir frequently and do not let it come to a boil.

Meanwhile, put remaining milk, sugar and cornstarch into a small bowl and stir until well combined. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in milk and sugar mixture. Return to heat and cook, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens slightly, 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Put egg yolk into a small bowl and whisk until slightly thickened. Pour 1 cup of the hot milk mixture into the yolk, whisking constantly then gradually add mixture back into the hot milk mixture in the saucepan. Stir until well combined. Set aside and let cool, stirring often. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Stir in shredded coconut and process in an ice cream maker.