Russian Tea Cake

These snowball cookies taste just like Christmas.

Things you will need to make this delicious cookies :Almonds,All purpose flour,Butter,Powdered sugar,Salt and Vanilla extract.

 Spread 1/4 cup Almonds in a single layer on a baking pan and bake at 400 degrees F for 7 to 8 minutes.

Throw the toasted nuts into a blender or food processor

Measure 1/2 cup All purpose flour and from that take 1 Tbsp of flour ..

and add it to the food processor

and grind them up in until they have become smooth and fine powder.

Next, in a medium bowl beat 1/4 cup room temperature butter.

To this add 1 1/2 Tbsp Powdered sugar

Mix it until they are thick and smooth.

To this add the measured All purpose flour

1/2 tsp Vanilla extract

1/8 tsp Salt

Mix everything together.

Finally add the powdered almonds.

Once again mix everything together until they are nice and moist and ready to roll.

Roll mixture into quarter size balls.

You should get 12 out of it.

And bake it at 350 degrees F for 12 minutes.

Cool slightly on a wire rack .The cookies will be slightly brown on the bottom.

Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar to give them a nice coating.

A perfect cookie to include on a Christmas party menu.

RECIPE (Taken from www.allrecipes.com )

Ingredients:

• Almond - 1/4 Cup
• All purpose flour - 1/2 Cup
• Butter - 1/4 Cup
• Powdered Sugar - 1 1/ 2 Tbsp
• Vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - 1/8 tsp

Directions:

• Powder the almond with 1 tbsp all purpose flour in food processor.
• In a medium bowl , cream butter, vanilla and salt  until smooth.
• Add powdered sugar and flour and mix until blended.
• Mix in almond powder.
• Roll the dough into 1 inch balls.
• Bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees F
• When cool, roll it in powdered sugar.

Tiramisu

 

 

 

Tiramisu !! An Italian dessert,light and smooth with full of intense coffee flavor. 

 

Things you will need to make this seductive dessert : Espresso or very strong coffee,Eggs,Sugar,Marsala wine,Mascapone cheese,Heavy cream,SavoiardiLady fingers and Cocoa powder.

 

 

Let's start by making the strong coffee.
Grab 5 tsp of instant espresso and add it to 2 cups hot water.1 1/2 cups was a little less for me.

While its still hot, dissolve 2 tsp of sugar in it and let it cool at room temperature.

 

Meanwhile seperate 2 Eggs

Next pour some water into a sauce pan and boil it .Then place a bowl on top of the pan and add the egg yolks and whisk it until light and fluffy.

To this add 1/4 cup Sugar

and whisk it until pale yellow.

Next add 1/4 cup Marsala wine

and whisk until the cream thickens.Remove the mixture from heat and cool it for half an hour.

Take a clean bowl and pour 3/4 cup cool heavy cream

and whip to soft peaks.

Now take 8 oz room temperature Mascarpone cheese.

By hand, beat the mascarpone until lump-free.

Add it to the whipped cream

and fold it gently.

To this add the cooled egg yolk mixture

and fold it again.

Next line an 8inch square pan with aluminum foil.Do this only if you want to cut this dessert into perfect squares, like how you get in restaurants.Or else don't line it with aluminium foil.

Pour the coffee into a flat bottomed bowl and add 1 Tbsp Marsala wine

Now let's begin to assemble the tiramisu

Quickly dip a savoiardi (both sides for 2 seconds) in the espresso bowl.The savoiardi will quickly absorb the espresso. If you soak the savoiardi in the espresso, you will end up with soggy savoiardi instead of moist savoiardi.

Build a layer of dipped savoiardi across the bottom of the pan.

Spread half of the mascarpone- egg mixture over the first layer.

Dip the remaining ladyfingers as before, making a second layer.

Spread the remaining mascarpone - egg mixture.

Cover it with aluminium foil and refrigerate it 5-6 hours or overnight.

Just before serving take small amount of Cocoa powder in a seive and gently tap it to spread the cocoa evenly over the top

Slowly remove the foil from the pan.

transfer it to a bigger pan and remove the foil from the edges.

Now for a perfect slice, you will need a long knife,hot water and a towel

Dip the knife into hot water and dry the knife using the towel.

It will help the knife to glide easily through the dessert as you slice.

Wash and dry the knife between every slice to ensure a smooth cut every time.

 

This layered dessert makes an exciting and flavorful ending for any meal.
Enjoy !

RECIPE (Taken from www.annamariavolpi.com )

Ingredients:

Instant coffee or expresso powder – 5 tsp

Hot water – 2 Cups
Sugar – 2 tsp

Egg yolk – 2
Sugar – 1/4 Cup
Marsala wine – ¼ Cup + 1 Tbsp
Heavy cream – 3/4 Cup
Mascarpone cheese – 8 oz
Savoiardi (ladyfinger biscuits) - 32

Direction:
Prepare a strong espresso coffee
While it’s still hot, dissolve sugar in it.
Let cool to room temperature

Beat the egg yolks and sugar until they become light and fluffy in a double boiler

Add the Marsala wine and whisk until the cream thickens.
In a bowl beat the mascarpone cheese until smooth and creamy.
Whip the cream. Fold the mascarpone cheese into cream until smooth.
Add the egg mixture into the mascarpone cheese and mix very well.
Pour 1 Tbsp. Marsala wine into espresso.
To assemble the tiramisu, quickly dipped each ladyfinger into espresso.
Build a layer of dipped savoiardi across the bottom of the pan.
Evenly distribute half of the cream over the ladyfingers.
Repeat the step with a second layer of ladyfingers and top with the rest of the cream.
Refrigerate for about 3 – 4 hours
Sprinkle with the cocoa powder just before serving.