Showing posts with label Cake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cake. Show all posts

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Banana Bread

Info
Prep Time: 20 min
Baking Time: 1 hr
Makes: 10 servings
Freezes
Source: Ricardo Cuisine

What You Need
3 ripe bananas (375 ml / 1 1/2 cups)
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
2 cups (500 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon
2 tsp (10 ml) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) baking soda
1/4 tsp (1 ml) salt
2 eggs
1 cup (250 ml) sugar
2 Tbs (30 ml) molasses
3/4 cup (180 ml) walnuts, toasted and chopped

Make It
1. With the rack in the middle position, PREHEAT the oven 180°C (350 °F). Butter and flour a 23 x 13-cm (9 x 5-inch) loaf pan.
2. In a bowl with a fork, coarsely MASH the bananas with the lemon juice. ADD the oil. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, COMBINE the dry ingredients. Set aside.
4. In a third bowl, BEAT the eggs with the sugar and molasses with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. At low speed, ADD the dry ingredients alternately with the bananas. With a wooden spoon, STIR in the nuts. 
5. SPREAD in the prepared pan. BAKE for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Let cool and unmould. 



Note
*Bananas
Freeze very ripe bananas directly in their skin. Before preparing the recipe, thaw in the microwave oven for a few seconds at a time. Cut one end of the bananas and press to extract the flesh.
*Flour
You can substitute 125 ml (1/2 cup) of the flour for 125 ml (1/2 cup) of ground flaxseed.
*Step 2
Mash the bananas with the lemon juice to prevent the flesh from browning.
*Step 4
At this stage, do not overbeat.

My Comments
Yummy! This is my favorite recipe for banana bread.

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Cheesecake (The Ultimate)

Info
Prep Time: 25 min
Cooking Time: 2 hrs
Cooling: 6 hrs
Makes: 16 servings
Source: Ricardo Cuisine

What You Need
> Crust
1 1/4 cups (310 ml) Graham  cracker crumbs
2 Tbs (30 ml) sugar
1/4 cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted
Aluminum foil, 18-inch (46-cm) wide

> Filling
1 1/4 cups (310 ml) sugar
2 Tbs (30 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tbps (15 ml) baking powder
4 packages 8 oz (250 g) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup (180 ml) sour cream
4 eggs
2 egg yolks
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract

Make It
1. With the rack in the middle position, PREHEAT the oven 180°C (350 °F). Line the bottom of a 20-cm (8-inch) springform pan with parchment paper. 


> Crust
2. In a bowl, COMBINE all the ingredients. PRESS lightly onto the bottom of the springform pan. Bake for about 12 minutes. Cool completely and generously butter the inside walls of the pan. 
3. Tightly wrap the base and outer side of the pan with aluminum foil, letting it extend upward. Double the foil.
4.Reduce the oven’s temperature to 170 °C (325 °F). 

> Filling
5.In the food processor, COMBINE the sugar and flour. ADD the remaining ingredients and process until the mixture is just smooth. Pour over the crust.
6. PREPARE a water bath: Place the cake in a large baking dish and pour boiling water into the dish halfway up the pan. 
7. BAKE in the oven for about 1 hour and 50 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the centre of the cheesecake reads 65 °C (150 °F). Remove the cake from the water bath and aluminum foil. Let cool for about 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours or until completely chilled. Run a knife between the pan and the cake, then unmould. 



My Comments
I used 3 packs of regular cream cheese and 1 pack of light cream cheese. The cake was cooled overnight. The quantity of filling was enough for one 8-inch cake and one 7-inch cake.

Friday, August 12, 2016

Banana Bread

Info
Prep Time: 5 min
Cooking Time: 1 hr
Servings: 8
Freezes
Source: Ricardo Cuisine

What You Need
2 cups (500 ml) pastry flour
2 tsps (10 ml) baking powder
1/2 cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (250 ml brown sugar, lightly packed
2 eggs, beaten
2 tsps (10 ml) vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups (310 ml) banana (about 3), mashed
1/2 cup (125 ml) milk

Make It
1. With the rack in the middle position, PREHEAT the oven to 180 °C (350 °F). BUTTER a 23 x 13-cm (9 x 5-inch) loaf pan.
2. In a bowl, COMBINE the flour and baking powder. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, CREAM the butter and brown sugar for about 1 minute until light and fluffy.
4. ADD the eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. ADD the mashed bananas and beat with a wooden spoon.
5. ADD the dry ingredients alternately with the milk.
6. Spread the batter in the prepared pan. BAKE for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
7. Let cool before unmoulding and slicing.

My Comments
Yummy!!!

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Genoese Sponge Cake

Info
Prep Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 25 min
Makes: 2 round cakes or 1 jelly roll
Source: Ricardo Cuisine

What You Need
1 cup (250 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup (250 ml) sugar
6 eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
1/4 cup (60 ml) unsalted butter, melted

Make It
1. With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F). Line two 23-cm (9-inch) round or springform pans with parchment paper. Do not butter the sides.
2. In a bowl, combine the flour with 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of sugar. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, beat the eggs, the remaining sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, triples in volume and forms a ribbon when falling of the beaters, about 10 minutes. Gently fold in the melted butter.
4. Sift the flour mixture over the egg mixture and fold it delicately using a spatula.
5. Pour the batter into the pans. Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.
6. Let cool for about 10 minutes. Run a thin knife blade around the cake to detach it from the pan. Unmould and cool on wire rack. 



Note
1. Flour:
For a chocolate sponge cake, substitute 60 ml (1/4 cup) of flour with 60 ml (1/4 cup) of sifted cocoa powder.
2. Eggs:
You can temper the eggs (in their shells) by placing them in a bowl of hot water for 5 minutes.
3. Step 2:
The surface of the cake will be more even and the sides are less likely to collapse if the pan is not buttered.
4.  Step 5:
When ready, the cake gives off a scrambled eggs aroma.
5. For a jelly roll:
Line a 43 x 30-cm (17 x 12-inch) baking sheet (jelly roll pan with high edges) with parchment paper, letting it hang over two sides. Spread the sponge cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 12 minutes or until the cake is lightly browned. Sprinkle sugar on a sheet of parchment paper. Unmould the cake on the parchment paper and remove the backing that has baked with the cake. Roll the cake in the new parchment paper. Leave to cool. Unroll the cake and cover it with jam, buttercream, ganache, whipped cream, or other fillings. Roll the cake onto itself and sprinkle with icing sugar.

My Comments
I baked the round cake version. Yummy! Very simple, easy and quick recipe.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Vanilla Cake (The Ultimate)

Info
Prep Time: 35 min
Cooking Time: 55 min
Cooling: 2 hrs
Makes: 12 servings
Freezes
Source: Ricardo Cuisine

What You Need
3 cups (750 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tbps (15 ml) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) salt
4 eggs
2 cups (500 ml) sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) vanilla extract
3/4 cup (180 ml) canola oil
1 1/4 cup (310 ml) milk

Make It
1. With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F). Butter two 20-cm (8-inch) springform pans and line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer for about 10 minutes or until thick, pale and triple in volume. Drizzle in the oil while beating.
4. At low speed, add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk until the batter is smooth. Divide the batter into the pans and bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes. Remove from the pans and let completely cool on a wire rack. If necessary, cut and remove the cake tops to level each cake before frosting.

My Comments
I did not have canola oil and replaced it by vegetable oil. I baked for 50 min.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

The Best-Best Chocolate Cake

Info
Prep Time: 45 min
Cooking Time: 50 min
In the fridge: 1 hr
Makes: 8-10 servings
Freezes
Source: Ricardo Cuisine

What You Need
- Cake:
 2 cups (500 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking soda
 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking powder
 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
 2 eggs
 2 cups (500 ml) sugar
 1 cup (250 ml) buttermilk
 1/2 cup (125 ml) canola oil
 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract
 3/4 cup (180 ml) cocoa powder
 3/4 cup (180 ml) strong coffee, warm

- Ganache:
 1 3/4 cups (430 ml) 35% cream
 2 tablespoons (30 ml) corn syrup
 16 oz (450 g) dark chocolate, chopped

Make It
- Cake:
With the rack in the middle position, PREHEAT the oven to 180°C (350°F). BUTTER and LINE two 20-cm (8-inch) springform pans with parchment paper.
In a bowl, COMBINE flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In another bowl, COMBINE eggs, sugar, buttermilk, oil and vanilla with a whisk. Set aside.
In a small bowl, COMBINE cocoa powder and coffee with a whisk. ADD to egg mixture. ADD dry ingredients and STIR until smooth. SPOON batter into pans. BAKE for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Let COOL completely before unmoulding.


- Ganache:
 In a saucepan, BRING cream and corn syrup to a boil. In a bowl, POUR hot cream mixture over chocolate. Let MELT for 2 minutes. WHISK until ganache is smooth. REFRIGERATE for about 1 hour or until it has thickened and is spreadable, STIRRING 4 or 5 times.

- Assembly:
On a work surface, CUT and REMOVE the rounded top of each cake. CUT cake in half horizontally to make 4 slices. SPREAD ganache evenly over the entire surface of the cake slices with a spatula. LAYER 4 slices and PLACE on a cake stand.


Note
1. This cake keeps well for up to 3 days at room temperature under a cake dome.
2. If you buy a quart of buttermilk, remember that the leftover can be frozen for another recipe.
3. If you don’t have buttermilk, replace it with milk with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) white vinegar added per cup (250 ml).

My Comments
I'm not too crazy about sweets. However, this is the best chocolate cake I ever have eaten. The dark chocolate maybe helps. My presentation is not similar to Ricardo's image, but it is still 4 layers. The cake definitively serves more than 10 portions. =)

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Low-Fat Vanilla Cake

Info
Prep Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 50 min
Makes: 8 servings
Source: Ricardo Cuisine

What You Need
1 3/4 cups (430 ml) all-purpose flour
5 teaspoons (25 ml) baking powder
1 egg
2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter, softened
1 cup (250 ml) sugar
2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract
1 cup (250 ml) milk

Make It
With the rack in the middle position, PREHEAT the oven to 180°C (350°F). BUTTER and FLOUR the sides of a 20-cm (8-inch) springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
In a bowl, COMBINE the flour and baking powder. Set aside.
In another bowl, BEAT the egg, butter and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes. Add the vanilla.
With the mixer on low speed or using a wooden spoon, add the dry ingredients alternating with the milk. Mix only until the ingredients are combined; do not overmix.
POUR the batter into the pan and BAKE until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, about 50 minutes. Let COOL for a few minutes. REMOVE from the pan and let COOL to room temperature. SERVE with fresh fruits or fruit coulis.

My Comments
I did not use parchment paper and flour the sides of the springform pan. I only buttered it. I made double portion.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Carrot Cake

What You Need
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup olive oil
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 cups grated carrots
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

Make It
PREHEAT the oven to 350°F. Grease 9" X 13" pan.

COMBINE sugar and oil in a mixing bowl. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add next 4 ingredients. Stir in the carrots. Mix in the flour. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan.

BAKE for approximately 35 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Source: http://www.muchmenus.com/Carrot_Cake_Recipe.htm

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Banana Cake

Info
Prep: 15 min
Total: 1 hr 15 min
Makes: 10 servings
Source: cooking.com

What You Need
4 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 large ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 cup ground almonds

Icing
8 oz cream cheese
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 large ripe banana
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Make It
- For The Cake:
PREHEAT the oven to 375 degrees F. Butter a 4 x 8-inch loaf pan.

BEAT the cream cheese, butter, and sugar together until creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well. Stir in the bananas, then mix in the flour, baking powder, and nuts. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan.

PLACE in the oven and bake for 1 hour, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Turn out onto a rack to cool completely.

- For The Icing:
BEAT together the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth and ice the cake. Peel and thinly slice the banana. Toss the slices in the lemon juice, then arrange over the top of the icing. Serve immediately.

My ModificationBanana cake is one of my favorite snacks. I omit the icing part. I find it too fat. For the cake, I also omit the cream cheese.