Heather Baird's Blog, page 25

Dark Chocolate Sumac Brownies

Ground sumac is the surprising magic ingredient in these rich chocolate brownies. It adds tang and enhances dark cocoa notes with new depth of flavor.  

If you had asked me two weeks ago what to do with ground sumac, I would have rattled off a list of savory recipes and handed you my favorite kofta kabob recipe. It held no place in my mind as an ingredient for sweet things, but I'm not sure why. One sniff of the crimson powder reveals notes of tart raspberry, red florals, something lemony; a host of opportunity for the sweet kitchen.
While I'm still exploring the possibilities of ground sumac in sweets, there's one place where it clearly belongs. Paired with dark chocolate, it punches up the flavor and brings forward hidden subtleties. You won't be able to identify the spice on its own in these brownies, but you'll know it's there by the intensity of the chocolate flavor. 
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Classic Opera Cake

This classic French cake is made with layers of almond sponge, potent coffee syrup, French buttercream, and chocolate ganache. It's worthy of any special occasion.

Ah, Opera Cake . This coffee lover's dream-come-true is a six layer affair, stacked with three layers of almond sponge, soaked with espresso syrup and alternating layers of French buttercream and butter ganache. 
It has been described as 'elaborate' which is true. Its preparation calls for your time, patience, and a candy thermometer, but the end result is so worth the effort. It is one of my favorite cakes of all time, and it's certainly one to try if you're looking to hone your skills in patisserie. Continued, click to read more...

Perfect Baked Oatmeal

Breakfast is ready when you are with this make-ahead pan of lightly sweet baked oatmeal. Toppings can be endlessly varied to suit your morning cravings. 

I skip breakfast all too often, and most of the time my morning begins with a cup of coffee and whatever is closest to hand - a cookie or whatever sweet baked thing I've made the day before. This year I'm making an effort, or at least leaning into, a more nutritious way to start the day.

This baked oatmeal has been a real game-changer. I can make a pan on Monday and enjoy breakfast all week long, varying toppings along the way to change the flavor so it doesn't get boring. And oats are so filling and packed with good vitamins, minerals, and fiber - I'm not starving by lunchtime.

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Old Fashioned Chocolate Cobbler

Made with mostly pantry staples, this chocolate cobbler comes together quickly for a warm and comforting dessert. Serve with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream.

Chocolate cobbler is one of those old-school recipes that has endured for decades because of its genius simplicity and seemingly magical transformation in the oven. It is also one of the most deliciously warm and comforting desserts you'll ever find. It's easy enough to throw together on a weeknight, but you'll want to make it for company. It's good any time of year, but it's especially good to tuck into on a cold winter's night.Continued, click to read more...

Lightened Up Mini Cheesecake Cups

These small bites are just the right size to satisfy sweet cravings, and they're made lighter with fat-free ingredients. A simple kitchen trick transforms crisp pizzelle cookies into cookie cups.

Many people use January to rethink their eating habits and reduce indulgences. I personally think that 2021 is not the year for reducing any small pleasures we can come by (so far). Here, dessert is - and will always be - on the menu.
However, the holidays brought many rich things to our plates in the form of stately layer cakes, decadent chocolate, and so much candy . A few lighter desserts are in order, I think. These small cheesecake cups are made with creamy fat-free yogurt and cream cheese, so they taste absolutely indulgent but won't weigh you down.  Continued, click to read more...

Fancy Chocolate Covered Strawberries

 Who doesn't love dipped strawberries? Here are five easy ways to make them fancy.

Dipped strawberries are so simple to make yet they feel like an extra-special treat. I'm not sure why I don't make them more often, and this year I'm making it a point to enjoy them whenever I can find good berries. They can be quite pricey to buy ready-made from a chocolatier, and especially if you buy them for a Valentine's Day gift. I've put together an easy how-to so you can make your own version at home. 
I wrote and photographed this tutorial a while back for HGTV.com, but I never got around to sharing it here. Now feels like the right time with January's days already passing quickly, but really there's never a wrong time to eat dipped strawberries!  
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3 Ingredient Butter Me Not Muffins

Deliciously rich and intensely buttery, these muffins are made to satisfy. Just three ingredients makes a plentiful batch for snacking or they can be served with dinner.

I had considered a lofty baking project for my first post of the New Year, but ultimately decided there will be plenty of time for that later. I'd rather ease into things with something simple and delicious, and this recipe is both. 

I found this recipe while digging through a stack of old community cookbooks. I'd never heard of Butter-Me-Nots, and I was intrigued by the incredibly short list of ingredients. 

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White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Champagne Spiked Coulis

This toast-worthy dessert is a wonderful ending to Christmas or New Year's Eve dinner. Tart champagne-spiked red berry coulis is the perfect foil for ultra-rich and creamy white chocolate panna cotta. 

I've often talked about my love of holiday traditions here, and obviously most are food related. I've noticed a new one has developed quite accidentally: I love to ring in the New Year with panna cotta. It's so easy to make and even easier to dress up with a delicious spirit. It's a little bit fancy and looks beautiful in stemware or little dessert cups.
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Toasted Sesame Peanut Butter Balls

Toasted sesame seeds and ancho chile powder give this classic holiday candy a new twist. 

Tradition dictates that I make some kind of peanut butter and chocolate confection each year for Christmas. Sometimes it's Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Fudge, other times it's Buckeyes. This year I came across a new recipe that intrigued me with its simple ingredients and complex flavors. It incorporates benne seeds - a southern strain of sesame seeds - and ancho chile powder into a well-known classic candy.
The benne seed is an heirloom variety derived from the same plant as modern-day sesame seeds. They are scarce, but can be procured at specialty markets. Since sesame seeds are their relative and more widely available (although flavor-wise, benne is more nuanced) I decided to use them in this recipe. It gave this candy a whole new personality!Continued, click to read more...

Black Bottom Eggnog Pie

Make spirits bright with a slice of eggnog pie! A layer of rich chocolate covers the pecan cookie crust for a delicious twist on this quintessential holiday flavor.  

Eggnog is a mainstay of the season and I miss it when the holidays are over. Come January, it slowly disappears from the dairy case, not to return until Santa does next year. We've been relishing this treat nightly with gingersnaps around a cozy fire. It's like our own tiny celebration of the season. 

This pie offers a different way to celebrate with eggnog  - a sliceable version wrapped in a pecan cookie crust. It's rich with a bottom stripe of chocolate and lots of whipped cream on top.

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