White Chocolate Roll Cake

3 stars (on a scale to 3). That is the level of difficulty that I decided to take on this time (and yes, because this is the type of cake that my babe really enjoys - white and in a roll... ah, the things we do for our men). It does look easier than it is, yes, but it is actually not that difficult, so long as you take your time, manipulate with care, and are not in a rush. My first attempt: didn't look all that great, but tasted good :)

Go ahead, take on the challenge...but do it when you have some time to enjoy the process.

This recipe was inspired by Coup de Pouce. Although it is a great recipe for a Christmas log, I find it perfect on a hot, sticky, spring/summer afternoon. It is yummy and fresh...and great to eat with (or replace the garnish with) ice cream.

What you'll need for the cake:
3 egg whites

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (in case you're like me and don't know what it is, or what it looks like, here it is: )

3/4 cup sugar

6 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup flour 

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoon powdered (confectioner) sugar

For the syrup

1/4 cup sugar 

1/4 cup water

1 tablespoon orange liqueur (or orange blossom extract)

White chocolate filling

4 oz (125g) chopped white chocolate

1 cup 35% cream

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First things first. Line a 15 x 10 in baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and the cream of tartar until you get soft peaks.

Add 1/4 cup of the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until you get stiff peaks.

Set aside.

In another large bowl, using the electric mixer (with clean whips), beat the egg yolks with the rest of the sugar for about 3 minutes, or until light. Add the vanilla while beating. 

In another bowl, combine flour and salt. Incorporate the egg whites mixture to the egg yolks mix in 3 times, alternating with the dry mix, gently folding the ingredients. 

Pour the mixture onto the reserved lined baking sheet. 

Bake into 375°F preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes.

Reserve 2 teaspoon of the powdered sugar. Sprinkle (spread evenly) a kitchen towel with the rest of the powdered sugar. *Make sure there is enough so the cake won't stick when you unroll.

Immediately loosen and turn the cake over the kitchen towel. Gently peel off the parchment paper. Cut and even the sides with a sharp knife.

Roll up the cake and towel together (starting with the short end). Place on a wire rack and let cool.

Syrup

In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring, until sugar has dissolved. Add the orange  liqueur and set aside (let cool). 

White chocolate filling

In a large saucepan (placed on top of another filled with hot (not boiling) water), melt the white chocolate with 3 tablespoon of the cream, stirring from time to time.

Once melted, remove and set aside to let cool.

In another bowl, using an electric mixer (with clean whips), beat the rest of the cream until you get stiff peaks.

Using whisk, incorporate 1/4 of the whipped cream to the cooled white chocolate mixture. 

Using a spatula, incorporate the rest of the whipped cream, gently folding. Refrigerate for about 1 hour or until firm.

Assembling the cake

Gently unroll the cake. Using a pastry brush, spread the syrup over the cake. 

Add the chocolate filling (you can always use ice cream instead).

Starting with the short end, roll up the cake (without the towel, of course)...and voilà!

*small confession. As mentioned, mine didn't look great in the end (beginners learn!). My chocolate filling was not hard enough, so it leaked...here is what it looked like. Therefore, make sure your gently fold the whipped cream, that your white chocolate is completely cool before combining, and that it is hard enough. However, when you cut the end, it's all good :) It is still very yummy :)

Good luck...and bon appétit! 

Simple, Classic Moist Carrot Cake

Am back ! It's been a while, but I am happy to see that many of you have still visited ;-) I see that my Middle-Eastern recipes are the most popular. I will definitely be sharing more, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, I was in the mood for a good, simple carrot cake. Joanne Chang has a wonderful recipe - the real deal, two-layered with icing and all. I just wanted something comfy, simply, like a good'ol, ya know, carrot cake, (or muffin)... one that is moist, and perfect to enjoy with a cup of tea (especially given this cool wave..at the end of May!).

You will see, simple, quick and easy...perfect for an afternoon snack (midnight craving or early breakfast) :-)

What you'll need for the cake:
2 eggs

1 cup light brown sugar

3/4 cup canola oil

3 tablespoons nonfat buttermilk (don't forget, if you don't have any, you can substitute by using 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and filling up the rest of 1 cup with milk ...and let stand 5 minutes)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (unbleached if you have)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

2 cups shredded carrots

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup  walnuts, toasted and chopped (if there are allergies, no worries, the recipe without the nuts is also very good)

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Ok, first things first. Using a stand mixer, beat up the eggs together with the sugar on medium-high speed, for about 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture is light and thick.

 In a small bowl, sift together the flour, the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger.

Using a rubber spatula, fold the flour mixture into the egg-sugar mixture. 

When most of the flour mixture has been incorporated, add the carrots, raisins, and walnuts (if using), and continue to fold until the batter is homogeneous.

You are now ready to pour the batter into the prepared cake pan  (or divide evenly into the muffin cups). Note that I actually used a bunt cake pan...still works :)

Bake for about 1h20 min. (or 50 min. using a bunt cake pan or muffin cups)...or until the top is golden brown.

Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. *If you are up for it, once cool, split the cake into two layers and spread some frosting (half onto the layer, half on top) 

*Here are the ingredients for the cream cheese frosting:

12 ounces (340 grams) cream

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 2/3 cup (230 grams) confectioners' sugar  (icing sugar)

Enjoy, with a cup of tea (-:

Maple Frosted Walnut/Almond SCONES

Also as promised, here is the Walnut and Maple Scones recipe from Coup de Pouce... that I have actually modified a little (I did say that I will try new things) and so decided to modify the recipe (slightly) ...who knows, maybe it will taste better? Or not...but hey, if you don't risk things,you'll never discover anything! I must admit though, swapping maple extract with almond extract isn't a big risk...but nonetheless for an amateur like me, not following the recipe could potentially mean disaster :-)

In any case, this is a great, not-too-sweet afternoon snack (midnight craving or early breakfast), that any carb/bread/not-too-sweet sweets lovers will enjoy :-)

Here is what you'll need :

For the Scones:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

1 cup buttermilk (don't forget, if you don't have any you can substitute by using 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and filling up the rest of 1 cup with milk ...and let stand 5 minutes)

1 egg
2 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon maple extract OR almond extract (this is what I tried today)

3/4 cup walnuts, chopped

For the Maple Frosting:
1 cup icing sugar

1/4 maple syrup

1 1/2 teaspoon maple extract (no worries if you don't have any, the sugar and the maple syrup will work just fine!)

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ICING

Start by preparing the frosting so it has time to set (I always do it at the end, and then can never wait for it to set). Simply whisk together the icing sugar, maple syrup and maple extract. Let stand for about 1 hour or until it has set. 

SCONES

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and the salt. Add the butter, and using 2 knives (or a pastry cutter if you have), work the preparation until lumps of butter the size of pecans are visible.

In a another small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, brown sugar and almond or maple extract.

Pour over the dry ingredients. Add the chopped walnuts.

 

Mix everything together using a fork, until you get a soft dough mixture.

Dump the dough on a floured counter and with floured hands (and clean, please! :-)) , knead the dough 10 times. 

Flatten the dough in a 10" x 7" (25cm x 18 cm) rectangle.

 Cut the borders to get even edges.

 Cut the dough into 6 squares.

And each square in half.

Place on a baking sheet, covered with parchment paper. 

Bake in pre-heated oven at 400°F for about 18-20 minutes, until the scones are golden brown.

Let cool on a wire rack.

Then pour over the icing.

Finally, devour! Perfect with a nice cup of tea during a frisky Fall afternoon.

 Hope you enjoy! Keep me posted ...let me know how it turned out for you. :)