Baking

Bourbon Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cookies

July 19, 2019 by Sylvia Rose 4 Comments

These bourbon vanilla chocolate chip cookies are almost cake-like in texture, but in the best possible way. Learn how to bake these soft, chewy treats to brighten your day or to stash away for a rainy day.

plate of bourbon vanilla chocolate chip cookies

SOFT AND CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES (WITH BOURBON AND VANILLA)

Anyone who knows me well, knows I’m a dessert fiend. I don’t know who I inherited my sweet tooth from, but if there’s a homemade treat lurking nearby, it’s not safe. My husband is aware of the problem. His portion of dessert has disappeared on more than one occasion all because he took too long to get to it. You snooze, you lose, right? Needless to say, cookies don’t last long around me either, especially when they’re soft and chewy. How long do they last around you?

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Spiced Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

July 12, 2019 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

When it’s too hot outside to function, ice cream sandwiches are a delightful treat. Learn how to make this homemade spiced oatmeal cookie ice cream sandwich recipe to beat the heat!

presenting spiced oatmeal cookie ice cream sandwiches

MONSTER OATMEAL COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

I’ll admit it. It was Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Creme Pies that inspired these. I never buy them because, well, look at the ingredients, but I have fond childhood memories of them. I partially blame the blatant product placement in 1989’s Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Does anyone recall the scene where they’re feasting on a giant oatmeal creme pie that one of the kids dropped in the backyard? Those treats always haunt me at the store, but I know if I give in, I’ll only be disappointed. Full disclosure: my cookies are nothing like Little Debbie’s, so if that’s what you want, proceed to aisle 5, please.

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How to Make a Layer Cake from Scratch

June 14, 2019 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Layer cakes are the favourite go-to for birthdays and special occasions. Learn how easy it is to make your own layer cake from scratch. All you need is a few ingredients and a couple of hours!

MAKING A LAYER CAKE FROM SCRATCH

Every June in Québec, people go crazy over les fraises du Québec. They’re these beautiful small strawberries that are full of flavour and seem to be everywhere you look. If you go into a bakery, they advertise that their strawberry tarts are made with Québec strawberries. Anyone who uses them basically shouts into a megaphone that their strawberries are local. It’s madness, but as the days get warmer and my own strawberry plants start developing, I find myself excited for the approaching season.

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Pastry Cream for Beginners

June 4, 2019 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Pastry cream is a breeze to make, but most people shrug their shoulders and pick up a box of instant vanilla pudding instead. Not in this kitchen! Ditch the box and learn how to make your own pastry cream from scratch.

WHAT IS PASTRY CREAM?

I realize that not everyone goes around calling it pastry cream.

The French call it crème pâtissière and the popular North American term is pudding, but in my circle, it’s called pastry cream, so that’s what I’m going with.

It’s a simple concoction of milk, eggs, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla.

Some recipes call for butter to give it an added richness, but it’s completely optional.

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How to Make Choux Pastry (and what to do with it)

May 31, 2019 by Sylvia Rose 2 Comments

Choux pastry (a.k.a. pâte à choux) is a wonderfully light dough that’s used to make gnocchi, cream puffs, and éclairs. Learn how to make it yourself and dazzle everyone at your next party!

CHOUX PASTRY: YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND

Choux pastry is one of my greatest allies in the kitchen.

It’s a versatile recipe that can be turned into savoury appetizers or classic desserts that most folks just can’t get enough of.

Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to shy away from attempting to make their own because it looks intimidating.

What this means for you is that when you give this a go yourself, you will wow your family and friends, impressing them with your kitchen prowess.

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Flavoured Simple Syrups Made Easy in 5 Steps

May 21, 2019 by Sylvia Rose Leave a Comment

Why buy simple syrup when you can make your own at home? Learn how to make this artisanal strawberry simple for summer and never spend a dime on store-bought syrup again.

MAKING SIMPLE SYRUP FROM SCRATCH

Flavoured simple syrups are just about the easiest thing in the world to make.

If you can boil water, you can make a simple syrup!

If you can make a simple syrup, then you can make a flavoured simple syrup.

The worst that can happen is that you forget your pot on the stove and return to a burnt caramel mess.

That won’t happen because we always remember to put on a timer, right? Right.

Simple syrup is so easy to make that it’s even in its name.

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