Heather Baird's Blog, page 50

Whipped Shortbread

I recently had a  wow moment when I first sampled whipped shortbread. It has the buttery flavor you'd expect from Scottish shortbread, but none of the denseness. These cookies are much more delicate with a texture that practically melts in your mouth. After making my first batch I kept urging anyone in close proximity 'YOU HAVE TO TRY THESE' which was really bossy but I felt it was in their best interest.
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Black Forest Bûche de Noël

Bûche de Noël is one of my favorite traditional Christmas cakes to make because it is equal parts delicious and beautiful. It's a holiday centerpiece you can eat! I've made a few different versions over the years including 2015's Mulled Wine Stump de Noël, a Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Yule Log in 2013, and as far back as 2009 (my first year blogging!) with a step-by-step version that still sees a lot of traffic each December.

I'm happy to add another flavor to the list with this Black Forest Swiss roll. Tart black cherry plays well with dark chocolate sponge cake, and whipped vanilla buttercream tips to lighter side and gives the cake balance.
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Chocolate Pfeffernüsse Biscuit Cake

Bags of pfeffernüse cookies start appearing in the seasonal aisle at my local grocery store around December 1st, and it's a welcome sight. I've yet to try a scatch-made version of the cookie (it's on my list) because I always go a little overboard purchasing my favorite ready-made variety. This year I bought a literal armload , so with such a surplus I've been incorporating them into some of my favorite recipes. Like this one!
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Green & Red Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Sandwiches

My little cousin Hannah is participating in a 4-H Christmas cookie competition, so she came over last Saturday and we had a baking day. We put our heads together and came up with these eye-popping green and red sandwich cookies, which I think is a winning recipe no matter the official outcome.

During assembly, Hannah commented 'they kind of look like macarons except these are waaaay easier to make!'   Never a truer word spoken, my friends.
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Eggnog Panna Cotta with Spiked Cranberry Sauce

I look forward to holiday entertaining all year long, but the stress that sometimes comes with being the hostess with the mostest is very real. That's why I rely on recipes like panna cotta which you can throw together in minutes and store in the refrigerator until party time. This eggnog version could not be easier because it's made with your favorite prepared eggnog!
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Old Danish Christmas Kringle (Dansk Smørkringle)

This was my first time making kringle. The recipe I bookmarked included a headnote explaining how it symbolizes Danish hygge - the comfortable, good life. This intrigued me. Doesn't everyone want to taste the comfortable, good life? (Yes!) The recipe was spare with instruction and offered no step pictures, so I almost didn't make it. I didn't know what kind of end result to expect! After researching many different kringle recipes online, I decided that I could read between the lines well enough. I'm so glad I forged ahead!

Say hello to my new favorite Christmas tradition. It is a glorious pastry that makes a nice breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up. It has several steps but it's not too hard to make, and I'm including all kinds of instructions and visual cues (a video!) so you can make it at home, too.
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Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Fudge

Like clockwork, December arrives and the desire to make fudge is almost as strong as my craving to eat it. I think fudge is a perfect metaphor for December: intense, sweet, rich. M ultum in parvo , translated ' a great deal in a small space '.

That's exactly how I'd describe this cranberry-orange fudge which is packed with strips of fat sticky orange peel and tart dried cranberries. The fruit is suspended in creamy white chocolate candy, and slicing it into squares is real neat. You get a different cross-section design of orange peel and cranberry with each piece.
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Pretty Pink Gingerbread Shop with Wilton's Gingerbread House Kits

My list of treasured Christmas traditions is extensive to say the least and probably reads something like Buddy the Elf's to-do list, so thank heavens I don't have to choose a favorite. However, I'll admit that gingerbread house-making is waaaay up there, near the top!

This year Wilton invited me to create a gingerbread house using their ready-made gingerbread kits and decorations. What a treat! Having all the pieces ready to assemble made the process so efficient and I could focus all my creativity on decorating, which is my favorite part.
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Smoked Brown Sugar Gingersnaps

'Tis the Season to be Jolly!

And 'tis the season for the annual Sprinkle Bakes Advent.  That means 24 consecutive days of treats, which always makes December a little more special here than any other month. This year I'm focusing on beloved Christmas traditions. Going forward you can expect to see delicious treats inspired by seasonal flavors, with a little winter folklore in the mix.

I'm kicking things off with a cookie that very well may be Santa's favorite - gingersnaps! This version is crisp around the edges, chewy in the center and it has a secret ingredient that makes it absolutely crave-worthy.
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Chocolate Honey Pecan Pie

November is officially pie month at my house which means I'm testing new recipes and putting a fresh spin on old favorites, like pecan pie! It's always the first to yield an empty pie pan at our Thanksgiving dinner. This version is my favorite so far, and if you're a pie purist it could be your new favorite, too.
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