Chocolate Ganache Brownies

Brownies are often classified as fudgy or cakey, my favourite brownie is thick, fudgy, chewy, chocolaty, and rich. This recipe is so easy to make and taste wonderful, I have frosted the brownies, if you are a chocolate lover you will love these ganache brownies…

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

2 cups white granulated sugar

3 eggs

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder

1 ½ cup all purpose flour

 1cup unsweetened coco powder

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Ganache frosting:

½ cup cream

 1 cup chocolate (you can use chocolate chips, or any chocolate of your choice) 

Method:

1) Preheat oven to 180 C, Grease and flour a 9x13 baking dish.

2) Sieve the flour, baking powder and cocoa powder in a bowl, add in the salt and mix nicely.

In a large sauce pan melt the butter over low heat, combine the butter sugar and vanilla in large bowl, beat in the eggs one at t a time, mixing well after each addition, until thoroughly blended.

3) Now gradually stir in the flour mixture in to the egg mixture until well blended but do'nt over mix it, stir in the chocolate chips. Spread the mixture in to baking dish and bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes.

 4) It’s done when a toothpick inserted in the tallest part comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs sticking to it. Do keep in mind we have added chocolate chips in it, if you hit one with the toothpick it will have melted chocolate on it, so poke a couple of spots to make sure you are not hitting the chocolate chips. Remember not to over bake the brownies.

 For Frosting:

While the brownies are baking you can make the ganache frosting for brownies.

 Add cream in to sauce pan and bring to boil over low heat, as soon as the bubbles starts to appear, take the pan off the stove,  add in the chocolate chips add whist until smooth.

Let it cool down until it gets slightly thick, Pour over brownies after brownies are cooled slightly. Let sit for about 1 hour, or in refrigerator until set, then cut and serve

Nan Khatai

Nan Khatai is a desi delicacy with a melt in mouth texture.  These shortbread biscuits are equally popular both in Pakistan and India. I have wanted to bake and share this recipe since long, finally today was that day and trust me it will give you the taste just like the ones bought form bakery.  Hope you will enjoy baking and eating these biscuits as much as I did!!!

Ingredients: 

1 & ½ cup (195 gm) all purpose flour

½ cup (60 gm) gram flour (baisan)

¼ tsp salt

1 cup (120 gm) icing sugar

1 cup (227 gm) ghee (clarified butter)

1 cup coarsely crushed roasted almonds

1 tsp green cardamom powder

½ tsp baking soda

1 & tsp baking powder

1 egg yolk

Method:

1) Melt the ghee in a pan, and then put it in the freezer for ½ an hour.

 2) In a bowl sift all purpose flour, gram flour, baking powered and baking soda so that there is no lump, mix it all nicely.

3) In a another bowl beat together the ghee, cardamom powder, salt and icing sugar until light and smooth (for 2-3 minutes)

3) Now gradually add in the flour mixture to the ghee mixtures and mix it, rubbing with your hands until incorporated.  Add in the crushed almonds and mix together.

4) Preheat oven to 180-190 C, place rack in centre of oven.

5) Make equal size balls out of dough and flatten slightly, beat the egg yolks and brush the dough balls.

 6) Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the top of the cookies t start to brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 3-5 minutes.

Chocolate Glazed Doughnuts

Doughnuts are popular all over the world; nothing is more scrumptious than a homemade doughnut. While not a healthy dessert but it sure is a wonderful occasional treat. My favorite is chocolate glazed doughnuts with a steaming cup of tea...

Ingredients For Doughnuts

2 &1/2 cups flour

3 tbsp milk powder

1/2 tsp salt

3 tbsp caster sugar

1 & ½ tsp instant yeast

3-4 tbsp melted butter or oil

½ cup warm water

For Chocolate Ganache:

¾ cup semi sweet chocolate chips

½ cup cream

Method:

1) Mix all these ingredients and knead it with warm water till the dough forms. Dough should be soft. If the dough is sticky, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together in a solid ball. If the dough is too dry, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time.

2) Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes or until smooth, rub a bit of oil all over the dough, place dough in bowl and cover it.

3) Cover it with a kitchen towel and put it aside for an hour or till it doubles in size.

4) Turn the dough out on to a floured surface, now roll out the dough in to ½ inch thickness, cut with a floured doughnut cutter, set them aside and let them rise until they rise again , cover loosely with a cloth.

5) Heat oil in a deep fryer, now slide doughnuts in to hot oil, one at a time, turn them over as they rise to the surface, fry the doughnuts until golden brown, about a minutes on each side.  Remember not to over crowd the fryer, removes from oil and drain on paper or a wire rack.

6) While the doughnuts are cooling, make ganache by heating the cream in a small sauce pan over medium heat, put chocolate chips in a bowl,  once the cream gets heated pour it  over chocolate  chips and let sit for a couple minutes, and then stir until chocolate is fully melted, and the ingredients are combined.

7) Dip one side of the doughnut into the ganache, and set on a cooling rack, chocolate side up. Dip the remaining doughnuts, and then sprinkle with sprinkles of choice or you can also leave them plain. Enjoy!!!

.

Apple Hand Pies

 Apple pies are one of my absolute favorite, no matter if they are McDonald’s fried apple pies or homemade apple pies. These sweet, crunchy and buttery hand pies are wonderful to make and share with friends and family...

Ingredients for pastry:

2 cups plain flour

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup butter chilled and diced

1/2 cup water

Method:

1) Combine flour and salt in a large bowl, cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse bread crumbs.

2) Now start adding in water, a tablespoon at a time until mixture forms a ball, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for an hour or overnight preferably.

For Filling:

2 large green apples

2 tbsp butter

¼ tsp salt

¼ cup white sugar

2 tbsp brown sugar

1&1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp water or more if needed

Method:

1) Peel and dice the apples, melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat, let it brown to a light golden color (about a minute).

2) Add in the apples, add in the white sugar, brown sugar and salt, cook and stir apple mixtures until apples are soften, mix in the water and cinnamon powder, continue to cook for 2-3 more minutes until apples are soft and sticky. Turn off the flame and let it cool down completely.   (if you like you can slightly mash the mixture to get thick apple sauce.

To make pies:

1) Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface; roll the dough out to ½ inch thick and cut rounds with a large cookie cutter (4 inches in diameter).

2) In each round add about a tablespoon of the filling, moisten edges with cold water, fold in half and press edge with a fork to seal.  Repeat with the remaining pastry and filling. You can use a pie cutter if you have one, that’s what I used as it makes it much easier to shape and close the pie.

3) Now you have two choices you can either fry the patties of bake them in oven, I have tried both and both ways the pies taste awesome. If you want to fry the pies heat oil in a deep fryer and fry the pies a few at a time, 2-3 minutes on each side or until the crust gets golden brown.

4) To bake the pies you have to follow 2-3 extra steps, first preheat the oven to 200 degree C and mean while prepare the pies. Take an egg and whisk it nicely then brush the top of each pie with egg and sprinkle ¼ tsp sugar on each pie, cut 3 small vent holes on top of each pie. Bake until pies are golden brown and filling is bubbling, 30 minutes, let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.  

Peanut Butter Cookies

A delicious teatime snack, but difficult to limit yourself to just one. Without a doubt these cookies will leave everyone wanting more. You can make them as outlined in the recipe or try adding in some chocolate chip for an extra kick of flavor. I personally made half of them plain and in the remaining half of the dough I added some chopped chocolate bits…

Ingredients:

100 gm butter (room temperature)

130 gm crunchy peanut butter

100 gm caster sugar

100 gm brown sugar

115 gm flour

1 egg

½ tsp baking powder

¾ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

2-4 drops of almond essence (optional)

Method:

1) Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.

 2) In a separate bowl cream together the butter, brown and white sugar. Beat in the egg and essence.

 3) Now gradually add in the flour mixture to the butter mixtures and mix until incorporated  together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 1 hour.

4) When ready to bake preheat to 190 degrees C. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.  (If you only have 1 baking sheet, let it cool completely between batches.) 

5) Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are nicely browned. Take them out of the oven, let them cool down slightly then remove on wire rack. 

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have been a die-hard chocolate chip cookie fan ever since I tasted them for the first time. From past 2 years I was looking for a recipe that brings out the exact taste I like in cookies and finally I have found one, I have made many changes to the original recipe to bring out the taste I was looking for, I am adding two different shapes, once where I dropped spoonful ls on the baking sheet, and the 2^nd where I made round balls from batter and slightly pressed them before putting on baking sheet…

Ingredients:

125 gm plain flour

30 gm oatmeal (ground)

1/ 2 tsp baking soda

125 gm salted butter (at room temperature)

60 gm brown sugar

60 gm white sugar

30 gm milk powder

30 gm vanilla custard powder

1 egg (at room temperature)

½ tsp vanilla extract

185 gm semi sweet or milk chocolate chip cookies

65 gm chopped nuts (you can use, walnuts, pecan nuts, or hazel nuts)

Method:

1) In a bowl sift together all purpose flour, baking soda, milk powder, and vanilla custard powder, add in the oatmeal and mix nicely,  In a another bowl beat the butter, white sugar and brown sugar and egg until light and smooth (for 2 minutes), stir in the vanilla extract.

2) Now gradually add in the flour mixture to the butter mixtures and mix until incorporated, add in the chopped nuts and chocolate chips and mix together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 1 hour

 3) When ready to bake preheat to 180-190 degrees C. (If you only have 1 baking sheet, let it cool completely between batches.)

4) Drop large tablespoon full 2 inches apart on to un-greased cooking sheet. (Use tbsp full for bigger and chewier cookies and tsp full for smaller and crisper cookies)

5) Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the edges are nicely browned. Take them out of the oven, let them cool down slightly then remove on wire rack. (I bake my cookies for 18-20 minutes as i like them to be crunchy)

Tips:

If you are not able to find oatmeal then increase the quantity plain flour instead. (125 gm +30 gm)

If available use 60 grams of instant vanilla pudding instead of using milk powder and custard powder.

You can bake then straight away, skip the step of putting them in to refrigerator.

Start by baking a few cookies to see what size you exactly want to keep.

Chocolate Mug Cake

Satisfy your sweet tooth instantly with a mug cake. All you need is a microwave oven, a mug, a mixing bowl, and a few simple ingredients. Microwave mug cakes may not be as good as the real cakes but they are awesome in a different way…well they are so quick to make, it hardly takes 3-4 to satisfy your dessert cravings.

Ingredients:

3 tbsp self-rising flour

1 & tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tbsp caster sugar

2 tbsp brown sugar

3 tbsp milk

2-3 tbsp oil (or melted butter)

¼ tsp vanilla extract

2-3 tbsp chocolate chips

Method:

1) Add all the dry ingrednts  accept chocolatechips in to a mug and mix well.

2) Add in the milk, oil and vanilla essense and mix well, add in the chocolate chips and stir it nicely.

3) Microwave it on high for 1 minute or until puffed, and it’s done, let it stand for couple of minutes and just dig in and enjoy while it’s still warm.

Notes:  this cake can be tricky due to microwaves being different; it can take less than a minute or a few more seconds to get done. Check the cake by carefully touching the top. It should be firm and springy, not at all doughy. If it’s not done, keep cooking it in 15-second intervals.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

We All love chocolate chip cookies, no matter what age or what race we belong to..every one has their own favourite recipe, some like them crispy while others want their cookies to be soft and chewy, here's how i make these cookies, its a very basic recipe but comes out great every time i make it...

Ingredients:

150gm all purpose flour

112 gm melted butter

1 egg

82 gm brown sugar

75 gm white sugar

½ tsp salt

½ tsp baking soda

½ cup chopped nuts (nuts are optional and u can use any nuts you like)

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ cup to 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Method:

1) In a bowl mix together all purpose flour, baking soda and salt. In a another bowl beat the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until light and smooth (for 2 minutes), beat in the egg and vanilla extract

2) Now gradually add in the flour mixture to the butter mixtures and mix until incorporated, add in the chopped nuts and chocolate chips and mix together.Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for a minimum of 1 hour 

 3) when ready to bake, preheat to 180-190 degrees C. (If you only have 1 baking sheet, let it cool completely between batches.) 

4) Drop large tablespoon full 2 inches apart on to un-greased cooking sheet. (Use tbsp full for bigger and chewier cookies and tsp full for smaller and crisper cookies)

5) Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the edges are nicely browned. Take them out of the oven, let them cool down slightly then remove on wire rack. ( I bake my cookies for 20-25 minutes as i like them to be crunchy)

Banana Crumb Muffins

If you like the flavor of bananas then this recipe is surely for you, best part is the crumb topping that melts in your mouth. These muffins are easy to make and great for morning tea.

Ingredients: 

1 &1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla essence (optional)

¾ tsp cinnamon powder

3 bananas (mashed)

½ cup caster sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/3 cup melted butter

For crumb topping:

 1/3 cup brown sugar

 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

 1 tbsp butter

Method:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.

2) In a large bowl, mix together cups flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon powder and salt.

3) In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. fill the muffin cups with the help of spring-release ice cream scoop. Don’t over fill the liners, fill them about 2/3.

4) In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles, sprinkle topping over muffins.

5) Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let them cool down for 5 minutes in tray before transferring muffins to cooling rack to cool completely.

Melting Moments

These cookies are so light and lovely and will literally melt in your mouth. They contain just a few ingredients and are great fun to make, perfect for a cosy afternoon tea. I have added pistachios in but you can totally skip them....

Ingredients:

1 & ½ cup (195 gm) all purpose flour

½ cup (60 gm) corn starch

¼ tsp salt

½ cup (60 gm) icing sugar

1 cup (227 gm) butter

1 cup coarsely chopped pistachios

1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Method:

1) In a bowl mix together all purpose flour, corn starch and salt

2) In a another bowl beat the butter, vanilla extract and icing sugar until light and smooth (for 2 minutes)

3) Now gradually add in the flour mixture to the butter mixtures and mix until incorporated, add in the pistachios and mix together. Cover and leave it in fridge for an hour.

4) Preheat oven to 350 degrees (177-180C), place rack in centre of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

5) When batter is firm, form into 1 inch balls and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the edges of the cookies just start to brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 3-5 minutes. 

 6) If you want you can dust some icing sugar on top of cookies too once they cool down. 

Fudgy Chocolate Brownies

A quick an easy recipe to make soft and gooey brownies, and take my words, “it tasted way better then the brownies you would get from bakeries around Islamabad”.

Ingredients:

¾ cup cocoa powder

3 eggs

 ½ tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp espresso powder (optional)

1 tsp vanilla essence

½ cup unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

¾ cup all purpose flour

1 cup chocolate chips

 Zest of one orange (optional, I used it)

Method:

1) Preheat oven to 350 F or 180 C, slightly grease an 8 by 8 inch square pan or line it with aluminum foil.

2) Take a bowl and add coco powder, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla essence along with the creaked eggs, and mix them till it gets smooth.

3)  Set a saucepan over low heat, add in the butter and sugar and stir until butter is melted and the mixture is hot (make sure its not bubbling), it will become shiny looking as you stir it.

4) Add the mixture to the egg and coco mixture and stir until it gets smooth.

5) Add the flour, orange zest, chocolates chips and stir until smooth.

6) Pour the batter in to the pan and bake for about 30-35 minutes. It’s done when a toothpick inserted in the tallest part comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs sticking to it. Do keep in mind we have added chocolate chips in it, if you hit one with the toothpick it will have melted chocolate on it. So poke a couple of spots to make sure you are not hitting the chocolate chips. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before cutting.

Eggless Orange Muffins

These orange muffins are packed with zesty orange flavor. You can make them plain and if you like you can also add in some chocolates chips, raisins, nuts, or any fresh or dried berries. I never like that peculiar smell of egg which often comes from cakes or muffins at times, so I haven’t used any egg for now and they turned out great…

 Ingredients:

1 cup all purpose flour

3 tbsp sugar

1 tsp baking powder

¼ tsp baking soda

A pinch of salt

½ tbsp orange zest

½ cup orange juice

2 tbsp oil or melted butter

1 tbsp yogurt or apple cider vinegar)

1/3 cup chocolate chip/blue berries/raisins (optional)

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit or 190 Celsius.  Grease 6 muffin cups or line with muffin papers. Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda together and add in the salt, mix well and keep aside. In another bowl, mix together sugar, orange juice, oil and yogurt), mix it well then add in the flour mixture, stirring only until just blended (do not over mix). Add in the orange zest; mix it and lastly stir in the chocolate chips or blueberries or any other berries or nuts you like. Fill the muffin cups with the help of spring-release ice cream scoop. Don’t over fill the liners, fill them about 2/3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Let them cool down for 5 minutes in tray before transferring muffins to cooling rack to cool completely.