Baking Bootcamp: Chocolate Hazelnut Rolls with Quick Puff Pastry

Hello hello!

Joy the Baker and King Arthur Flour have teamed up again to create another baking bootcamp!  Last year I found out about it too late and was only able to make one of the recipes: Triple Berry Cinnamon Swirl Bread.  It was absolutely delicious!

When I heard another bootcamp was starting up, I couldn't wait!  This time they are focusing on techniques.  The first recipe focuses on a quick puff pastry.  I have to admit, I was a little nervous at first, but once I began making it, the nerves disappeared.

And can I just say, as a side note here, that anything with hazelnut is right up my alley.  Right?!

So...let's get started!

America, America!

Time to celebrate our Independence!

It feels good to finally be back in the kitchen, whipping up some delicious treats, especially when it came to whipping up some fresh cream.  Today's freshly baked sweet is a pan di spagna (sponge cake) layered with fresh whipped cream and topped with the American flag (strawberries and blueberries).

Dutch Baby

It is a snowy day here in New York.  There is about a foot of snow on the ground and it is still snowing!  Time to hunker down, relax under the blankets, and make a breakfast that makes you feel all warm and cozy inside.

While the snow was falling last night, I was researching for a yummy breakfast.  I already knew I wanted something pancake like and I came across this Vanilla Dutch Baby recipe from Food Network.  You can top this off with anything!  Fresh whipped cream, maple syrup, powdered syrup, etc.  The list goes on.

Since I'm working on a healthier me, I made a couple changes.  I swapped out whole milk for almond milk and a 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour for 1/4 cup of hazelnut meal/flour.  Best thing I ever did!  It gives the pancake a nice, subtle, nutty flavor.

The recipe makes 8 servings, each serving at 126 calories (without toppings.)

Chocolate Lava Cake

The hubby loves chocolate lava cake.  Any time we go out for dinner, I know it will be followed by chocolate lava cake.  I made this once for his birthday a few years back and never made it again.  How dare I?!  It is so easy to make and doesn't take a long time to bake.

By the way, I'll be making this for Valentine's Day <3

Tiramisu Crepe Cake

A coworker tagged me in a picture, asking if I can make this cake for her.  Crepe cake and tiramisu, how could I say no?!  Once I knew I was going to work with cognac and rum, I couldn't wait to begin.

She sent me the recipe from Tasting Table.  I made a few adjustments due to availability of ingredients.

Salted Caramel Cheesecake

I signed into my Facebook account one day and saw a message.  It was one of my friends requesting a cheesecake for her husband's birthday.  Of course it wasn't just any cheesecake, it was a salted caramel cheesecake.  Ummm...YES!!

The cheesecake recipe I use is from Food for A Hungry Soul.  Each time I make it, I experiment, making my own tweeks to it, and so far, I have not been disappointed.

One of the most important things about making a cheesecake is making sure the cream cheese, eggs, sour cream, and butter reach room temperature.  I didn't let my cream cheese get to room temperature once and I had a nice, lumpy cheesecake (it was still delicious.)

Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

Autumn, my favorite time of the year.  I know we are still in summer, but here in New York, we hit a high of 78 degrees yesterday.  When I stepped out of the house, it was actually a bit cool.  I loved it!  With this crisp air comes feelings of comfort.  Comfort = dessert, and today, dessert = cookies.