Monday, December 14, 2015

Chocolate Drizzled Shortbread Cookies



Today's recipe for Bake-A-Thon is a simple yet crunchy short bread cookies drizzled with chocolate.I tried this recipe for April Mega Marathon,but due bad weather the pictures were dull,couldn't share it.
Here I drizzled the cookies with semi chocolate and sprinkled it with colorful sprinkles.In original recipe half of the cookie is dipped in the melted chocolate also the dough is rolled and cut with a cookie cutter.Since I don't have a nice cookie cutter I made the dough to a log and slice it with knife.As my kiddo wanted the chocolate to be drizzled and topped with some colorful sprinkles.Lets move on to the recipe....









                                                                        
                                                                 Chocolate Drizzled Shortbread Cookies


                                                                  
   Basic Information
   Preparation time 15-20 minutes
   Cooking time 12-16 minutes
   Resting time 1 hour
   Recipe Source  Foodnetwork
   Makes 16-17 cookies
    


   Ingredients


  
Ingredient
Quantity
All purpose flour/maida
 1 cup
Butter/vennai
1/2 cup+1 tbs
Sugar/sakkarai
1/2 cup
Baking powder
1/8 tsp
Salt
a generous pinch
Vanilla1 tsp
Semi sweetened chocolate1/2 cup
Colorful sprinklesas needed

  

    Method 
  • Mix in all purpose flour,salt and baking powder,keep it aside.Beat together butter and sugar till it becomes creamy.Add in the vanilla and mix it well.Add in the flour to the mixture.

  •  Now gently mix it well with the spatula to a dough.Shape it to a rectangular or round shaped log and wrap it in a cling wrap.Refrigerate the dough for an hour.

  • After an hour take the dough and slice it and arrange it on a lined baking tray.Preheat the oven at 350 F and bake it for 12-14 minutes.

  • Meanwhile melt the chocolate in the double broiler and fill in a piping bag.Once the cookies are done transfer it to a cooling rack.After it cools down completely drizzle the melted chocolate and top it with the sprinkles.Let it dry.

  • Store it in an airtight container.

                                                                       
                                                                                      




      • Drizzle the melted chocolate once the cookies are cool down completely.
      • The amount of sugar given is for a perfect sweet,if not drizzling with melted chocolate add another 2 tbs of sugar.



      Enjoy...............................................



      Bake-a-thon 2015 











      Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

      Friday, December 11, 2015

      Cinnamon Bun/Cinnamon Roll


      Today I am sharing a flavorful cinnamon bun for Bake-A-Thon.I have already shared cinnamon bear claw.A friend and reader of my blog requested for for the bun/roll,so decided to bake and share.Also my kiddo was craving for cinnamon flavor and suggested to make cinnamon bun.
      Coming to the recipe,its almost similar to the cinnamon bear claw,except the shaping.Here I used both all purpose flour and bread flour.The buns were so soft with the flavor of cinnamon and the caramelized sugar.My 3 years lil one enjoy 2 buns as soon as I finished the glaze.Off to the recipe........................




                                                                            
                                                                                     Cinnamon Bun/Cinnamon Roll


                                                                        
         Basic Information

         Preparation time 30 minutes
         Proofing time 1 1/2 -2 hours
         Cooking time 30-40 minutes
         Makes 12-13 (medium size buns)
          


         Ingredients


        
      Ingredient
      Quantity
      All purpose flour
      1 cups+2 tbs
      for dusting
      Bread flour
      3/4 cup
      Instant yeast
      11/2 tsp
      Unsalted butter
      3 tbs
      Sugar
      1 tbs
      Lukewarm milk
      1/2 cup+2 tbs
      Salt
      1/2 tsp
      Milk /butterfor brushing


         For the filling
      Ingredient
      Quantity
      Light brown sugar
      1/2 cup
      Unsalted butter
      2-3 tbs
      Cinnamon powder
      1 tbs

        For the glaze
      Ingredient
      Quantity
      Powdered sugar/
      confectionery sugar
      1/2 cup
      Butter
      2 tbs
      Vanilla extract
      1/4 tsp
      Milk
      1 tsp


          Method 
      • Take all purpose flour,butter,instant yeast,salt and sugar in a bowl,mix it well.To this add the lukewarm milk and mix it to a soft dough.Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes till it becomes smooth and elastic.Shape the dough and keep it in a warm place for 11/2 hours or the volume of the dough doubled.
      • Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes till it becomes smooth and elastic.Shape the dough and keep it in a warm place for 11/2 hours or the volume of the dough doubled.
      • Meanwhile mix the sugars and cinnamon powder in a bowl and line the baking tray with parchment paper.Keep it aside.
      • After the dough has risen well,pinch it down and roll it.Smooth the dough and roll it to a 12 x 15 inch sheet.

      • Brush it with the butter and sprinkle  the sugar-cinnamon mixture.Now carefully roll from the one end and roll it to a log and pinch the ends and seal it.Slice the roll into 11/2 inch thickness.Arrange it on a lined baking tray and cover with a foil,keep it in a warm place for second rise for 30 minutes.

      • Meanwhile mix the butter,icing sugar,vanilla and milk in a bowl.After the second raise brush it with the rest of the butter and pre heat the oven at 350 F.Bake the rolls for 30-40 minutes or until golden.Remove it and cool it on a cooling rack.After its completely cool down,mix the powdered sugar,vanilla and milk in a bowl.Drizzle it on the top the rolls using a spoon or a piping bag.

      •  Serve it warm.




        • The dough should be slightly stick,don't add too much of flour while kneading.
        • The rolls taste better when it is served warm,just microwave it for 5 seconds and serve. .
        • The sweetness was just perfect if you want it a bit sweeter version then add another tbs of sugar.
        • The amount of cinnamon powder can be increased according to personal preference.I reduced the amount from the original recipe.
        • The buns can be made with all purpose flour only.
        • I used my 9 X 9 square pan and it was just perfect to bake the 12 rolls.



        Enjoy...............................................





        Bake-a-thon 2015 











        Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

        Wednesday, December 9, 2015

        Ghee Cake


        Ghee cake is a popular cake available in Cochin Bakeries in Kerela.As the name indicates,its made with ghee instead of butter.The cake is very flavorful with ghee and extremely soft with a very nice texture.
        Originally its a pound cake can be made in a loaf pan but I made it in 2 small bundt pans and one ramekin.The recipe is given makes a 8 inch loaf.
        I bookmarked the recipe from Uma's blog long time but never got a chance to attempt as we always prefer eggless bakes.
        After so long time I tried a bake with egg and the cake came out so soft and my kiddo enjoyed it to the core.Lets move on to the recipe........................................................








                                                                                
                                                                                                                                   Ghee Cake


                                                                          
           Basic Information

           Preparation time 20 minutes
           Cooking time 30-40 minutes
           Makes 8' round cake
            


          Ingredients


          
        Ingredient
        Quantity
        All purpose flour
        1 cup
        1/2 cup +1 tbs
        Powdered sugar
        1/2 cup +1 tbs
        Baking powder
        1/2 tsp
        Baking soda
        1/8 tsp
        Egg2
        Salta pinch
        Vanilla1 tsp
        Granulated sugar1 tbs
        Milk1/2 cup+1 tbs



            Method 
        • Take all purpose flour,baking soda,powder and salt and mix it well.Sieve it for couple of times.Grease the baking pan with baking spray or oil and dust some flour.Separate the yolks and white,keep it in a separate bowl.Preheat the oven in 350 F
        •  Now in a bowl take the ghee and powdered sugar,whisk in an electric hand blender or whisker until it becomes creamy and smooth.Once the mixture becomes creamy add one egg yolk at a time and blend it well.Add another yolk once it gets blend well.

        • Now to this mixture add in the sieved flour and milk alternatively,mix it well.Start with the flour and end with flour while doing it alternatively.

        • Now take the egg whites in a bowl and beat it well till frothy.To this add the vanilla and granulated sugar.Mix it well,now add it to the cake batter and slowly incorporate well.If you are using electric beater,beat it in a slow speed.

        • Pour the batter to the prepared cake pan and bake it for 30-40 minutes in a preheated oven or until a tooth pick comes out clean.Transfer it to a wire rack cool it after few minutes.

        • Slice it and store in an air tight container.





        • The milk should be in the room temperature.
        • Sieve the flour for couple of times,its necessary to get a nice texture.
        • In the original recipe,the sugar is powdered and used but I used as such,but powder is recommended .
        • Baking time varies from oven to oven,mine was done in 40 minutes.
        • The sugar given is for a perfect sweetness,it can be increased if you want slightly sweeter cake.

        Enjoy..................................................



        Bake-a-thon 2015 











        Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

        Monday, December 7, 2015

        Parker House Roll/Parker House Dinner Roll


        Parker house rolls are invented in 1870's in Parker House Hotel,Boston.These rolls are soft,buttery with a slight sweet taste.The shape of the roll is quite interesting and made by folding the circle or oval shaped,flattened dough in half.
        I have seen these rolls in television cookery shows but never attempted to try.When I wanted to make a roll for Bake-A-Thon,the first thing came in my mind was this one.Since it was my first trial I made it in a very small quantity.The rolls are so soft and vanished as soon as I clicked.Off to the recipe.........





                                                                              
                                                                                          Parker House Roll


                                                                          
           Basic Information

           Recipe Source  Taste of home
           Preparation time 30 minutes
           Proofing time 1 1/2 -2 hours
           Cooking time 20-25 minutes
           Makes 6-7 rolls

            


           Ingredients


          
        Ingredient
        Quantity
        All purpose flour
        1-1/2 cups+2 tbs
        for dusting
        Instant yeast
        1 -1/4 tsp
        Neutral oil or olive oil
        3 tbs
        Sugar
        2 tbs
         Luke warm Milk
        1/2 cup+2 tbs
        Salt
        1/2 tsp
        Melted butter3 tbs


           

            Method 
        • Take all purpose flour,instant yeast,salt,sugar and oil in a bowl.mix it well.To this add the milk,knead it to a soft dough.

        •  Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes till it becomes smooth and elastic.Shape the dough and keep it in a warm place for 11/2 hours or the volume of the dough doubled.After the raise,punch down the dough and roll the dough to  a smooth ball.Now on a floured surface,roll the the dough to 1/4 inch thickness.Cut with a round shape cookie cutter.

        • Brush the cut dough with butter,with a help of dull edge knife crease the center slightly and fold at the crease.Gently press the edge and arrange it on a lined baking tray.Cover it with a cloth and keep it in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled.After the second raise brush it with butter.
        • Preheat oven to 375F and bake it for 20 minutes or until golden brown.Cool it on a wire rack.

        • Serve it with butter or jelly




        • I used a smaller baking tray to keep the rolled dough but after the second raise there were no space,so I changed it to large baking tray
        • The rolls taste better when it is served warm,just microwave it for 5 seconds and serve. .
        • The sweetness was just perfect if you want it a bit sweeter version then add you can increase the amount of sugar while kneading the dough.



        Enjoy...................................






        Bake-a-thon 2015 












        Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com

        Friday, December 4, 2015

        Nankhatai /Indian Short bread Cookies



        Nankhatais are mouth melting short bread cookies popular in India and Pakistan.There are so many versions of nankhatais available and already I have shared a version here.

        Coming to the recipe it uses ghee and flavored with cardamom powder.These cookies are so yummy and mouth melting,perfect with a cup of tea.This recipe is off to Bake-A-Thon .



                                                                                
                                                                         Nankhatai/Indian Flavored Cookies


                                                                          
           Basic Information

           Preparation time 15 minutes
           Cooking time 12-14 minutes
           Makes 15 cookies
            


          Ingredients



        Ingredient
        Quantity
        All purpose flour/maida
        1cup
        Powdered sugar
        1/2 cup
        Ghee/Nei
        1/2 cup
        Baking powder
        1/4 tsp 
        Salt1/8 tsp
        Cardamom powder/ellakai1/4 tsp
        Pistachios(coarsely powdered)4-5 (for granishing)

          
          Method 
        • In a bowl take the all purpose flour,powdered sugar,salt,baking powder and cardamom powder,mix it well.

        • To this add the the ghee and mix it well.Now it looks crumbly.

        • Now with hands gently knead it well to dough without adding any water or milk.Now divide the dough to 15 equal portions.Smooth out each portion and slightly flatten it, arrange it on a lined baking tray.With a knife make a cross on the flatten dough.

        • Meanwhile preheat the oven at 375F.Keep the pistachios on top of the cross.Bake it in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or till the cookies become nice and golden color at the top.

        • After cooling store it in an air tight container.Serve with tea.



        • Do not add any water while mixing the flour,if you feel the dough is slightly loose keep it in the refrigerator for 10 minutes
        • Here I didn't flatten the dough much,if you want you can flatten it and make.
        •  Finely chopped almond or cashews can be topped..


        Enjoy......................................................



        Bake-a-thon 2015 












        Sumber http://www.naliniscooking.com