Brookie

Brookie – an American dessert that combines a brownie and a cookie. A perfect mix of a rich chocolate cake and crispy cookie with chocolate chips. Not very healthy, but incredibly delicious!

Here’s my version of this treat: a little less sugar and salt, and the chocolate part is very tender—just like my favorite French chocolate cake.

Brookies

Natalija
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 personnes

Ingredients
  

Brownie Batter

  • 100 g dark chocolate (60% cacao)
  • 75 g butter
  • 3 eggs
  • 100 g sugar
  • 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour (sifted)

Cookie Dough

  • 115 g softened butter
  • 40 sugar
  • 50 g brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 165 g all-purpose flour (sifted)
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp liquid vanilla (1/2 packet of vanilla sugar) optional
  • 175 g chocolate chips

Instructions
 

Brownie Batter

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a baking pan.
  • Melt the chocolate and butter using a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth.
  • Add the powdered sugar and mix well.
  • Incorporate the eggs one by one, stirring thoroughly after each addition.
  • Add the flour and gently mix it in.
  • Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking pan.

Cookie Dough

  • In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the butter, brown sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until creamy.
  • Add the egg and mix again.
  • Gradually incorporate the flour mixed with baking soda and salt
  • Stir in the chocolate chips and mix well with a spatula
  • Evenly spread the cookie dough over the brownie batter in the pan. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 20 minutes.
  • Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 20 minutes. Check for doneness: insert a knife into the center – it should come out slightly moist but not liquid. The surface should be golden brown and slightly crispy.
  • Allow to cool before removing from the pan and cutting into portions.Enjoy your brookie!
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French Chocolate Mousse

Only 2 ingredients are needed to prepare this delicious French chocolate mousse. No dairy products and no sugar added; all you need is dark chocolate and eggs. So simple and so tasty! The only downside is that you should allocate about 4 hours to chill the mousse before serving.

In small individual glasses, the chocolate mousse will be perfect for a cafe gourmand!

Шоколадный мусс

French Chocolate Mousse

Natalija
Use very fresh eggs and do not refrigerate the mousse for more than 24 hours. I recommend keeping the mousse in the freezer if it needs to be stored for an extended period of time.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 17 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g dark or milk chocolate chips or break chocolate into small pieces
  • 6 fresh eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions
 

  • Melt chocolate in a microwave (or use a double boiler) until the chocolate is completely melted. If you use a microwave: put the chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl, microwave for 25 seconds, then stir. Microwave for 25 more seconds and stir again. Continue microwaving and stirring until the chocolate is liquid, smooth, and shiny.
  • Separate egg yolks from the egg whites. Add egg yolks in melted chocolate and mix well.
  • Whisk egg whites with salt until stiff.
  • Carefully fold the egg whites into chocolate using a spatula.
  • You should have a smooth and fluffy mousse.
  • Divide the mousse among individual glasses. Refrigerate your dessert for 4-6 hours.
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Easy French Chocolate Tart

You don’t have to be a famous chef or spend days in your kitchen to make a delicious dessert. You can make this amazing, stress-free chocolate tart in no time, especially when using a ready to bake pie crust. The hardest part is to wait for chocolate to firm up, then you can finally try a piece…. or two 🙂

Easy French Chocolate Tart

Natalija
Higher quality chocolate makes a better tart. Decorate the tart with nuts or raspberries.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 sheet ready to bake pie crust
  • 360 ml heavy whipping cream ( 35%)
  • 300 g dark chocolate (60-70% cacao)

Instructions
 

  • For easy removal, grease the bottom of the tart pan with butter or line the bottom with parchment paper. Roll the dough out, transfer to the tart pan, trim the excess dough and prick all over with a fork. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the tart in the oven for 20 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the oven and set aside on the serving plate.
  • Meanwhile, bring the heavy cream to a boil, then pour over the chocolate. Let stand for 1-2 minutes. Stir until the mixture becomes smooth and dark.
  • Pour chocolate ganache into crust to the top. Cool completely.
  • If you made this dessert during the hot summer, it will be the best to refrigerate it. If it's not too hot in your kitchen, let it stand on the counter top at room temperature.
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Chocolate pear tart

Incredibly delicious tart from my favorite chef Philippe (Meilleur du chef). This chocolate pear tart is a little long to prepare, but without a doubt, worth it!

At the request of friends, my translation from French with slight deviations from the original recipe.

if you like it, please try my other desserts.

Chocolate pear tart

Natalija
The dough can be prepared by hand, in a food processor or using a mixer.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

Almond Shortcrust Pastry

  • 200 g flour
  • 120 g softened butter
  • 75 g powdered sugar
  • 30 g almond flour
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp liquid vanilla (or 1 packet of vanilla sugar or 1 vanilla pod)

Almond Cream

  • 50 g almond flour
  • A dash lemon juice
  • 45 g sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 egg whiltes
  • 3-4 ripe pears

Chocolate Ganache

  • 150 ml heavy cream (35%)
  • 210 g chocolate chips 60 % cocoa
  • 50 g grated dark chocolate

Instructions
 

Almond Shortcrust Pastry

  • Sift the flour and powdered sugar into a bowl or onto a work surface. Add almond flour and butter cubes. Rub with your hands until it becomes crumbly.
  • Add the egg and liquid vanilla. Mix everything quickly. Once it forms into a ball, the dough is ready.
  • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Roll out the dough thinly between parchment paper or plastic wrap.
  • Transfer the dough to a tart pan, pressing it against the bottom and sides. Trim off any excess dough. (In the example, a baking ring is used.)
  • Poke the entire surface with a fork.
  • Bake in the oven for 15–20 minutes until golden. Remove and cool.

Almond Cream

  • Mix sugar with egg yolks. Add lemon juice and almond flour.
  • Beat the egg whites into stiff peaks.
  • Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the almond mixture.
  • Peel the pears, cut them in half, and remove the cores. Slice them very thinly.
  • Spread the almond-egg mixture evenly over the cooled tart crust. Arrange the pear slices decoratively on top.
  • Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes. Remove the tart from the oven and let it cool.

Chocolate Ganache

  • Carefully remove the tart from the pan. Cut a long strip of parchment paper about 5 cm wide. Wrap it around the tart and secure it with tape.
  • Heat the cream to a boil and pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for 1–2 minutes.
  • Stir until smooth to create a thick ganache.
  • Pour the ganache over the tart and smooth the surface.
  • Sprinkle with grated chocolate.
  • Let it set at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Once the ganache is firm, remove the parchment strip.
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Pastry Cream

Pastry Cream (Crème pâtissière) is a delicate cream for custard cakes (eclairs, petits choux, religieuse), Napoleon, mille-feuille, meringue and other sponge cakes.

After trying many options, I settled on this recipe from French chef Johan from Toulouse (Johan Le Meilleur Patissier M6).

Here is my translation from French of the Vanilla Crème Pâtissière recipe. The original link is Recette de la Crème Pâtissière à la Vanille (in French).

Pastry Cream

Natalija
Pastry Cream is a delicate cream for custard cakes (eclairs, petits choux), Napoleon, mille-feuille, meringue and other sponge cakes.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 10 middle size puff pastries

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 vanilla bean
  • 250 ml whole milk
  • 55 g egg yolk (approximately 3 yolks)
  • 50 g sugar
  • 25 g cornstarch (maizena)
  • 25 g butter

Instructions
 

  • Pour the milk into a saucepan. Split the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape out the tiny seeds with the tip of a knife. Add the pod and seeds to the milk.
  • Whisk the yolks with the sugar until well combined.
  • Add the cornstarch and mix thoroughly.
  • Bring the milk to a boil. Gradually pour 1/3 of the hot milk into the yolk-sugar mixture, stirring vigorously.
  • Pour the mixture back into the saucepan.
  • Cook the cream over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes after it starts boiling. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
  • Immediately transfer the cream to a cold bowl (previously chilled in the fridge or freezer). Add small pieces of butter and mix until smooth. Cover the surface of the cream directly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely cooled.
  • Before serving, whisk the cream thoroughly. This is the moment to add rum or other flavorings, if desired.

Notes

Pastry Cream is a delicate cream for custard cakes (eclairs, petits choux), Napoleon, mille-feuille, meringue and other sponge cakes.

Nutrition

Calories: 1kcal
Keyword french dessert, Napoleon, pastry cream
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Cranberry Cake

This homemade cranberry cake is perfect for the winter season. Its bright red color brings holiday spirit to your family dinner or friends party. Easy to make and delicious!

Cranberry Cake

Natalija
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4 eggs
  • 220 g granulated sugar
  • 115 g melted butter
  • 150 g all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 380ºF. Grease and flour a cake pan.
  • Beat eggs and sugar with mixer until slightly thickened.
  • Add melted butter and mix well.
  • Stir in the flour and baking powder.
  • Add the cranberries and stir gently.
  • Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool. If desired, dust with confectioners sugar.
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Poached pears in red wine

A perfect seasonal recipe! These beautifully red-colored pears are delicious after being poached in red wine with spices.

An easy dessert to prepare, perfect to finish a year-end meal.

Poached pears in red wine

Natalija
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 4-8 pears (firm)
  • 750 ml red wine
  • 150 g powdered sugar (or brown sugar)
  • 1 bean vanilla split lengthwise
  • 1 zeste orange
  • 5 black peppercorns
  • 1-2 clove(s)
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 1 star anise

Instructions
 

  • In a saucepan, combine the sugar, peppercorns, orange zest, and the vanilla bean split lengthwise. Add the cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise.
  • Pour in the red wine and bring to a boil.
  • Meanwhile, peel the pears, leaving the stems if possible.
  • When the wine reaches a boil, reduce the heat and submerge the pears in the liquid. Let them cook for 20 to 50 minutes, until the pears are tender. Cooking time varies based on the firmness of the pears.
    Turn off the heat and let the pears cool in the wine.
  • To serve, place the pears in small dishes or bowls and drizzle with the spiced wine.
    Poached pears in red wine
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Basque Cheesecake

Basque cheesecake is a popular recipe in Spain, where it is called ‘torta de queso.’ The big difference from the classic cheesecake is that it’s simpler, with no crust underneath and no topping on top.

Cheesecake basque

Basque Cheesecake

Natalija
Important tip: the batter should be mixed at low speed to avoid adding air bubbles.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling 1 hour
Servings 8 persons

Ingredients
  

  • 900 g softened cream cheese (such as Philadelphia)
  • 3 pinches of salt
  • 220 g granulated sugar
  • 450 ml heavy cream
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon liquid vanilla (or paste, or 1 vanilla pod)
  • 30 g sifted flour

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 190°C (thermostat 6).
    Line a large pan (24 cm) with 2 layers of parchment paper.
  • In a mixer bowl, beat the Philadelphia cheese at low speed with the sugar, adding the salt.
  • Add the heavy cream and vanilla. Continue mixing at low speed.
  • Add the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition, still on low speed.
  • Add the flour and mix once more.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  • Bake in the oven for about 60 minutes. The cake will rise, develop a nice golden crust, but remain slightly wobbly in the center.
    Cheesecake basque
  • Remove the cake from the oven. Let it cool for about 2 hours, then unmold it onto a serving plate. As it cools, the cake will deflate.
    Cheesecake basque
  • Serve at room temperature with syruped cherries or enjoy it plain.
    Cheesecake basque
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Walnut and Almond Cake

If you like almonds and walnuts, you will love this savory cake. Crush up walnuts and use almond flour to make this easy, quick, and delicious dessert.

Gâteau aux noix et aux amandes

Walnut and Almond Cake

Natalija
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 125 g walnuts
  • 5 eggs
  • 230 g sugar
  • 125 g melted butter
  • 125 g almond flour
  • 80 g all purpose flour
  • Some walnuts halves
  • Some powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper.
  • Grind the walnuts in a blender. (Keep few walnuts halves to decorate the cake.)
  • Using a mixer beat the eggs with sugar.
  • Add the butter. Mix.
  • Add the walnuts and almond powder. Mix.
  • Add the flour and mix last time.
  • Pour the batter in the pan. Lay slices the walnuts halves on top of the cake.
  • Bake for about 40 minutes or until а toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Once the cake cools off, then transfer to plate.
  • Dust it with powdered sugar before serving.
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Puff Pastry Apple Tart

Very simple puff pastry apple tart recipe with minimum ingredients and maximum flavor. You don’t even need a mold for it. Sour apples work the best. I use brown sugar, it gives the apples that caramelized taste. Can be served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or cold with some powdered sugar on top.

Puff pastry apple tart

Natalija
Taste first your apples, then add more or less sugar to make tart perfect to your taste.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 sheet all butter puff pastry
  • 3-4 apples Granny Smith
  • 1-2 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 30 g unsalted butter
  • confectioner’s sugar (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 380 degrees F. Place the dough on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Poke all over with a fork.
  • Peel the apples, core and cut into wedges. Slice the wedges thinly and arrange the slices on the pastry, overlapping as you go. Dot apple slices with butter.
  • Fold the edges of the pastry.
  • Bake for 35-45 minutes, until the pastry is golden and apples are tender.
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