If you are into baking then you will enjoy cooking this baked chicken pasta. It's a complete meal and it will make you fuller when you have it for dinner. This meal is juicy and saucy and is loaded with different toppings.

Ingredients

Chicken

• Chicken thighs - 500 gm, cut into small pieces
• Salt – ½ teaspoon
• Garlic powder – ½ teaspoon
• Black pepper – ¼ teaspoon
• Italian herb – 2 teaspoon

Pasta bake

• Pasta (rigatoni, penne, macaroni, or shell) – 300 gm
• Salt- 2 teaspoon
• Bacon – 5 slices
• Onion – ½, finely chopped
• Garlic cloves -2, minced
• Dried oregano – ½ teaspoon
• Tomato paste – 2 tablespoon
• Chilli flakes – ½ teaspoon
• Tomato puree – 700 gm
• Water – ½ cup
• Salt – to taste
• Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
• Tomatoes – 3, cut in small wedges
• Baby spinach – 2 handfuls
• Mozzarella cheese – 2 cups, finely shredded
• Parmesan cheese – 2 cups, finely shredded

Cooking method

Prepare the chicken

• Take chicken thighs and season them with Italian herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Sear the chicken till it turns golden in color. Leave the fat in the pan.
• Saute garlic, onion, dried oregano, and chili flakes. This will bring out excellent flavor.

Cook pasta

You should cook pasta according to the packet instructions. Boil water and add some salt. After the pasta is done, drain and rinse with water. Let it cool while you make the sauce.

Make the tomato pasta sauce

You need to use tomato puree, garlic, onion, oregano, and chili. Put the chicken into the sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Prepare the add-ins

• Cook the bacon until it is crispy and chop it into small pieces.
• Then add the tomato chunks to the pasta bake.
• Add baby spinach and cheese.

Prepare chicken pasta bake

Mix well and transfer to a baking pan (9 X 13 inches). Make sure to level the surface. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and then parmesan cheese. You will get a beautiful golden crust due to the parmesan cheese. Bake for 25 minutes at 180 degrees C. Take it out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then serve hot!

Storing

You can make the pasta and sauce beforehand and store it in the fridge by covering it with a plastic wrap. Just make sure that you don't mix them. Take them out the next day and put them in the oven to bake.

Cooking tips

• Put salt in the boiling water before adding the pasta. It will not only cook the pasta fast but will also add flavor to it.
• Do tasks simultaneously to save time. For example, while your pasta is cooking on one stove, prepare the chicken and bacon on the other stovetop. That way you will save a lot of time.
• Don't make your sauce watery by adding extra water.
• Add veggies of your choice, like bell peppers, broccoli, or mushrooms.

Health benefits

This pasta dish will give you a lot of energy. Your fiber intake will increase. It will lower the risk of high cholesterol levels. The recipe includes lots of vegetables, herbs, meat, and cheese giving you balanced nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fat. You will feel energized after eating this delicious meal. Also, baking is a healthy cooking method that reduces the intake of oil which might have adverse effects on your heart.

Baked chicken pasta is a very healthy meal for the entire family. You can customize this meal with your preference for pasta, meat, vegetables, herbs, and cheese. As it requires a number of steps to make it, you can invite your family members to help you so that you can have a fun time preparing. After eating you can store the leftovers in the fridge.

Craving some Krispy Crème donuts? With this recipe, you can make your favorite full-proof donut at home. Donut is the perfect dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth. Eating a soft and fluffy donut is a delightful experience to brighten up your day. Donuts go with any occasion. It is also the best indulgence for regular moments. It is a family dessert item that everyone loves. The best part of donuts is that you can create varieties of them with the same batter. All you need to do is change the flavors, colorings, and toppings.

Ingredients

Dough

• Whole milk – 1 cup, warm
• Instant dry yeast – 2.25 teaspoons
• Granulated sugar 1/3 cup
• Eggs – 2, large
• Unsalted butter – 85gm
• Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
• Ground nutmeg – ¼ teaspoons
• All-purpose flour – 4 cups
• Vegetable oil – 1-2 quarts
• Salt- ½ teaspoon

Glazing

• Confectioner's sugar – 2 cups, sifted
• Heavy cream or whole milk – 1/3 cup
• Vanilla extract – ½ teaspoon

Cooking instructions

1. Warm the milk.
2. Add yeast and one tablespoon of sugar to the milk.
3. Whisk them together with a spatula in a mixing bowl.
4. Cover and let it sit for some 10 minutes till the top becomes frothy and foamy.
5. Add the rest of the sugar, butter, eggs, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix. Then add flour. Beat using a beater for 1 minute at low speed. Make sure the scrape down the bowl's sides with a spatula.
6. Pour the rest of the flour and now beat the mixture on medium speed.
7. After beating for about 2 minutes, you will notice the dough coming together and pulling away from the bowl's sides. If it doesn't then add more flour, a small amount at a time until it comes off the sides of the bowl. Alternatively, you can knead the dough on a lightly floured surface. You need to press hard using your hand muscles.
8. Grease a large bowl with oil. Put the dough in the bowl making sure to coat it on all sides with the oil. Cover the bowl and leave it for 2 hours in a warm place. Wait for it to double in size.
9. Once the dough rises, punch the dough down to get rid of the air. Flour the rolling surface and put the dough there. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough. Make it ½ inch thick.
10. Use a dough cutter (3 to 3.5 inches) to cut the dough in shape. Don't throw away the scraps. Re-roll them to make more shapes.
11. Line baking sheets and place your doughnuts there. Cover them loosely and let them rest so that they rise a bit.
12. You can either fry or bake the donuts. For frying, add oil to a heavy-duty pot. Heat the oil and put a few doughnuts at a time. Cook each side for one minute. Then take out the doughnuts and place them in a rack.
13. To make the glaze whisk the ingredients. Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar if it's watery and adding water if it's too thick. Place them in different bowls and add different food colors if you want to make colorful donuts. After you add the food color whisk again to mix the color in each bowl. Dip the warm doughnuts into the glaze. Wait for the glaze to set.

Storing

You can freeze the doughnuts for up to 3 months. If you want to serve them then keep the doughnuts at room temperature for about 5 days.

How to knead the dough perfectly

The purpose of kneading is to incorporate air into the dough. You also need to stretch out the gluten strands to build strength and structure. If you don't knead properly, the donut won't rise and it won't be soft or fluffy. You can use the dough hook attachment of the stand mixture to knead the dough. First, run it on low speed. When you decide to use your hand instead, make sure you don't add more flour. Just use enough to prevent sticking it on your work surface and hand. When you feel that the texture of the dough is smooth and feels soft to the touch, you know that it's done. Another way to test it is to poke it with your finger. If it bounces back without sticking to the finger then you know that your kneading has been perfect. If it doesn't then continue kneading for a bit longer.

Frosting ideas

Strawberry donut frosting

Take 5 strawberries and blend them in a food processor. Add confectioner's sugar, strawberry jam, and vanilla extract.

Vanilla donut frosting

Whisk together melted butter, confectioner's sugar, milk, salt, and vanilla extract.

Chocolate Donut Frosting

Melt a chocolate bar, either sweet or dark. You can use chocolate chips as well. Add butter, corn syrup, and water.

You must remember to dip warm donuts into the frosting. Keep the frosted donuts on a cooling rack. Place the baking sheet below to catch any dripping.

Frosted Donut Toppings

• Ice Cream Sundae
• Marshmallow Glaze
• Caramel
• Cookies 'n Cream
• Cream Cheese
• Blueberry Cheesecake

If you have kids at home, try to make donuts with them. It's really fun to make colorful soft donuts. Your kids will love the experience.

We tend to feel hungry in between meals. It is not healthy to buy snacks from the store every time. Knowing how to make some quick snacks at home can be very helpful. Here are some easy snack recipes that you can try.

1. Cottage cheese snack jar

You can easily create this cheese jar by mixing cottage cheese with cubes of peaches or other fruits. You can add some cinnamon and vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.

2. Cucumber salmon bites

Who says you can only serve salmon at meal times? You can also have salmon as a snack. Just be creative and make this snack. You can put a small slice of sandwich over sticky rice. You can top it with herms and cream cheese.

3. Yogurt with blackberries and honey

This is a very yummy snack-time dish. Mixing plain yogurt with berries and honey improves the taste of yogurt many times. It is a super healthy food as well.

4. Boiled egg with sauce

It's probably the easiest to make, yet will keep you healthy. Boil an egg in water. When cool peel off the skin. Cut the egg vertically in half. Then add some sauce and herbs.

5. Tortilla pinwheels

The tortilla is made with tortilla flour, cream, jalapeno pepper, onion, and lime juice. Make the cheese filling and chill. Wrap it up with a tortilla.

6. Caramel-coated popcorn

This snack is ideal when you are watching a movie at home or having a good time with your friends. To make this you need to bring sugar and water to boil. Then place popcorn on a baking tray along with the caramel sauce and put it inside the oven. Your popcorn will be ready within a short time.

7. Savory cookies

These delicious cookies are packed with butter, cheese, and herbs. You can quickly make the batter and put it in the oven for a quick snack before dinner.

8. Cauliflower wings

Take out the cauliflower florets and boil them with some salt. Fry these with a batter mixture and enjoy this healthy snack with your choice of sauce.

9. Chicken strip fry

Cut chicken breast into thin slices. Add seasonings and fry. Make sure they are crispy and cooked. You can have it with chili sauce or sour cream. Coleslaw will be a wonderful addition to this snack.

10. Cheese straws

These are super addictive snacks that you can't get rid of. These are made from green onions, cheddar cheese, and sesame seeds. You can have them with or without sauce.

11. Roasted chickpeas

Chickpeas are very energetic. You can roast chickpeas with some seasoning and enjoy a handful of them during your snack time. You won't realize that you just ate all in the bowl.

12. Strawberry shortcakes

You can bake this super yummy shortcake with a few ingredients. White chocolate along with rice krispies make a wonderful blend. The fresh fruit gives this dish another dimension.

13. Fig bar

The soft cake with fig jam inside will melt in your mouth. It's a very nutritious classic snack that has a burst of flavors of spices and zesty orange.

14. Homemade cheese crackers

You can make these delicious crackers easily at home. You can customize it with your choice of cheese and herbs. You can also two or more cheeses for an enhanced flavor.

15. Avocado hummus

Hummus is full of nutrition and will give you energy. Avocado is also a very healthy food and the combo is a good snack dish. Drizzle some hot sauce over it and enjoy!

16. Cherry-almond granola bar

It is a very nutritious snack that can replace any big meal. It has fiber and vitamins. You can put some chocolate over it and enjoy eating every bite of it.

17. Mini yogurt cheesecake

This mouthwatering dish requires no explanation; the name says it all. You can make the crust from crackers. Then mix yogurt and cream cheese to fill out the top. Bake it and then refrigerate it.

18. Jalapeno poppers

It is a very interesting snack that is made using minced meat, cheese, and herbs. You cut the jalapenos in half and stuff them with these ingredients for a meaty and cheesy experience.

These snacks are healthy and tasty. It takes very little time to make these at home. You can use fresh ingredients and make healthy snacks instead of ordering from the fast food shop all the time.

Have you ever tried fish pasta? Well, it might be rare in your neighborhood restaurants, but it's very common in Italian restaurants. Fish pasta like the calabrian fish ragu pasta is equally popular just like the traditional ones. It is a quick meal that you can cook for your family in busy weekdays. The name 'calabrian' comes from the seasoning that is inspired by flavors of Calabria, like chillies, salami paste, and others. These seasonings give a bold flavor to this pasta.

Preparing the fish

It is convenient to buy fish fillets from the supermarket to save yourself from the hassle of cutting the whole fish. However, making the pasta with freshly cut fish is a different story. If you are opting for the second option then you first need to clean the fish properly. Take off the scales and cut the fins. Then remove the head. Make an incision from the belly. They cut the fish in half to get the fillets. Remove the skin using your knife. Get rid of the bones with the help of tweezers. Don't throw away the scraps as you need them to make the fish stock.

Ingredients

Calabrian fish

• White fish fillets – 250 gm, skinless and boneless (you can choose cod, snapper, or barramundi fish for this dish)
• Fennel seeds – 1 teaspoon
• Smoked paprika – 1 tablespoon
• Black peppercorn – ¾ teaspoon
• Chilli flakes – ½ teaspoon
• Nutmeg power – ½ teaspoon
• Fine sugar – ½ teaspoon
• Salt – to taste
• Tomato paste – 2 tablespoon
• Extra virgin olive oil – 3 tablespoons

Pasta

• Pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine pasta) – 250 gm
• Salt – 1 teaspoon
• Extra virgin olive oil – 1.5 tablespoon
• Garlic cloves – 3
• Tomato puree – ¾ cup

Garnish

• Parsley – 1 tablespoon, finely chopped
• Parmesan cheese – ¼ cup, grated

Pangrattato

• Stale bread (like ciabatta or sourdough with crusts removed and bread chopped into irregular pieces) – 1 cup
• Salt – a pinch
• Extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoon

Cooking instructions

1. Place the pangrattato in the oven. Toss olive oil and salt, then bake at 180°C for 10 minutes or until they become crispy.
2. Place a deep pot on medium flame. Toast fennel seeds and black peppercorn for a few minutes without any oil. When you start getting fragrant and the spices become slightly brown, remove them from the pan and transfer to a mortal. Crush and make powder using a pestle while still hot.
3. Mix this spice with the Calabrian fish ingredients using a spatula and set them aside.
4. Place the fish scrapes, head, and bones in a pan. Add fennel seeds, peppercorns, bay leaf, and water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes. Your fish stock will be prepared.
5. In another stove place a frying pan and warm the oil. Add chopped onions and cook for 10 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, and some fish stock. Cook for a few minutes.
6. Add the fish fillets and cook thoroughly. Turn the fish.
7. Take another pan and pour the rest of the fish stock. Put the pasta now and add more hot water if needed according to the pasta packet instructions. Drain the water and keep it aside.
8. When it's done, add parsley and parmesan; the pasta is complete!

Tips

• The following fishes are ideal for this dish: cod, snapper, john or silver dory, varramundi, bream, tilapia, flathead, perch, bass, hake.
• Avoid using fish like swordfish, bonito, tuna, marlin, or kingfish and they tend to dry out quickly when cooked. You must also avoid thin-filleted fish like turbot, sole, or plaice as they will blend completely into the dish. You shouldn't use mackerel or sardines as well because the taste of these fishes won't match your recipe.
• Instead of using ready-made powdered spices, grind whole spices.
• You can store the leftovers for up to 3 days inside the refrigerator.
• You can add vegetables like onion, garlic, parsley, and carrot in a food processor s as needed. Saute the vegetable mixture in oil and put the tomato paste as well. Simmer for some time. Add blended tomatoes, fish sauce, and sugar.

If you enjoy fish dishes then you will love Calabrian fish ragu pasta. It may be a bit difficult to remember the steps when you cook for the first time. But you will get hold of it soon. It is not a very common item to serve the guests. So, you can be the one to serve it as a unique dish when you host any occasion at home.

If you are looking for a vegan dish then you might like this healthy dish. Though it's meant for vegan people, anyone can have it. The tricky question is that vegans don't eat any animal product but the name of the dish indicates that there is chicken. So, what's the catch?

These are tofu nuggets which are cooked in the air frying. Thus, they are a healthier choice than the chicken nuggets that you find in stores. These nuggets are crispy, juicy, and delicious. The main ingredients include tofu, dill pickle juice, and soy sauce. Tofu is used here as it gives the firm structure that chicken nuggets have. You must wash the tofu and press it for 20 minutes to remove water. Tofu is soft and can retain water easily. So, removing water this way ensures that the dish's flavor is not affected. The pickle adds tanginess and sweetness to the diet.

Ingredients

● Extra firm tofu – 1 block
● Dill pickle juice – 2 tablespoons
● Tamary soy sauce – 2 tablespoons
● White sugar – ½ teaspoon
● Extra virgin olive oil – 2 tablespoons
● White flour – 1 tablespoon
● Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon
● Black pepper – ½ teaspoon
● Smoked paprika- ½ teaspoon
● Salt – to taste
● Oil spray

Process of making vegan chicken nuggets

1. Get rid of the water from the tofu by pressing hard. Use a paper towel to clean them.
2. Using hand break the tofu into nugget-like pieces.
3. Combine dill pickle juice, oil, sugar, and soy sauce. Toss the tofu into this paste. Marinade in the fridge for an hour.
4. Put garlic powder, salt, pepper, flour, and smoked paprika in the air fryer, and then add tofu.
5. Air fry for 20 minutes. Make sure you flip the tofu halfway through.
6. You can spray some olive oil to ensure they don't stick to the surface.
7. After air frying if your nugget is not yet crispy then air fry again for some time.
8. If you don't have an air fryer you can bake the tofu in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees C.

Variations

● You can make a dish with oyster mushrooms or cauliflower instead of tofu.
● You can use flour of your choice to coat the nuggets. For example, instead of wheat flour, you can use chickpea flour.
● Instead of dill pickle juice, you can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

Preparing dill pickle juice

You can easily prepare this pickle using cucumber. Slice Persian cucumber lengthwise into quarters. Fill up a jar. Add fresh dill, garlic cloves, peppercorns, and mustard seeds. Next, you need to make brine. Mix white vinegar, sugar, water, and salt. Heat brine on the stove till sugar and salt dissolve. Pour it over the jarred cucumbers. Let the jars come to room temperature and then chill in the fridge.

Health benefits of tofu

● Contains essential amino acids
● Good for bones
● Supports heart health
● Helps in weight loss
● Maintains blood sugar level
● Lifts mood
● Reduces the chance of cancer

Tofu nugget is an excellent alternative to chicken nuggets. You will get a similar taste. If you don't have an air fryer you can fry. But baking would be a healthier option. Enjoy these vegan nuggets with your favorite sauce and pickles!

Have you tried any Cambodian dishes before? If not, then it's an opportunity for you to experience the best of Cambodian cuisine. Beef skewer is a very fancy dish. On top of that, you get to experience local Cambodian flavor. It is a wonderful combination of lemongrass and different aromatic leaves.

Ingredients

Lemongrass – 4 tablespoons, minced
Bay leaves – 2
Thyme leaves -2 teaspoons
Lime zest – 1 teaspoon
Lemon zest – 1 teaspoon
Ginger – 2 teaspoons, diced
Garlic cloves – 8, crushed
Turmeric powder – 1.5 teaspoons
Lemon juice – 1.5 teaspoons
Salt – 1 teaspoon
Sugar – 1 teaspoon
Cinnamon – 1 teaspoon
Beef – 1 pound, sliced
Vegetable oil – 1 tablespoon
Fish sauce – 2 teaspoons

Method

● You need to make a paste of lemongrass and all the leaves like thyme, bay, lemon and lime zest, ginger, and garlic.
● Add lemon juice, turmeric, cinnamon, salt and sugar. Mix everything well.
● Place beef in a bowl; add fish sauce and oil.
● Stir in the aromatic paste that you just created and coat the beef evenly.
● Put the beef strips onto the bamboo skewers.
● Use your grill machine to grill beef. Alternatively, you can use your grill pan.
● Once the meat is tender you can serve it with pickles.

Variations

● You can use chicken instead of beef.
● Add oyster sauce instead of fish sauce.

Storing

● You can store the paste that you have created of different aromatic leaves in the refrigerator for some days.
● You can put beef onto the skewers and put the tray in the freezer by covering it. You can later take it out and grill it.

Tips

● Marinade the beef with spices and leaves for a long time to get juicy grilled beef. As the beef is cut into thin slices, the marinade will easily seep in and make the beef tender. This way it won't take much time to cook.
● Use a mortar to crush the leaves and spices to a coarse paste. This process will bring out the best flavors from the ingredients.
● Invest in a good grill machine. Buy the one that uses charcoal to get a smoky taste every time you cook something. Buying a portable machine will be helpful.
● Wash the skewers well before inserting beef in them.

The grilled lemongrass dish is now popular in other Asian countries as well. If you have a good grill machine then the beef will turn out to be outstanding. You can have rice and vegetable platter with it. It's a very fulfilling dish with lots of flavors and distinct smells. It's a very inviting dish and you must try it today!

Health benefits

Beef is nutritious. Your body needs it, though in a limited amount. Lemongrass and different herbs are sources of vitamins, minerals, and fibers. The leaves can boost the immune system. It's a light meal and will help you to keep your weight in check.

Serving

You can serve this dish with your choice of veggie saute and different types of sauce. It is a full platter meal and will satisfy your taste buds. Use a big platter to incorporate everything. You can sprinkle some dry herbs on top too for more aroma.

2-Ingredient Ice Cream Sandwiches - A Favorite Dessert

Category : Dessert

Just by hearing the name '2-ingredient ice cream sandwich' you will feel like trying it out today! Ice cream itself is everyone's favorite dish and when you have something to make it a sandwich things get even better. So, how do you make this interesting dessert at home?
You can make a variety of 2-ingredient ice cream sandwiches. Here we will share a few recipes. You can buy the ice cream from the shop or even make the ice cream at home using ice cream powder.

Gluten-free ice cream sandwich

Ingredients

● Oats chocolate
● Vanilla ice cream

Method

1. Line a dish (8X8 inch) with aluminum foil.
2. Crush oats chocolate ( half a cup) by putting them in a plastic bag.
3. Spread half of the crushed oats chocolate at the bottom of the dish.
4. Take out your vanilla ice cream and scrape a thin layer over the cereal layer.
5. Press with a spatula so that the ice cream sets on the oats.
6. Cover it with another foil and freeze for 30 minutes.
7. After 30 minutes take out the tray from the freezer and flip the contents on a plate. Cut in squares with a knife.

Oreo ice cream sandwich

That's right, you have guessed well. As the name suggests this sandwich contains the original Oreo biscuit.

Ingredients

● Oreo
● Vanilla ice cream

Method

● Take some Oreo biscuits in a plastic bag and seal the bag. Use a bread roller or some other tool to crush the Oreos smoothly.
● Buy soft vanilla ice cream from the market. Pour the ice cream into a bowl.
● Add the crushed Oreos to the ice cream and stir well.
● Put the mixture of ice cream and Oreo in the tray lined with a baking sheet. Use the back of a spoon to smoothen up the surface.
● Then refrigerate it overnight or at least for 30 minutes. The more you refrigerate it the better the ice cream will settle down.
● Take a few Oreo cookies and open them up revealing the two biscuit sides.
● Take out the ice cream tray and using an appropriate cutter, cut small circular sections of the ice cream.
● Take one side of the biscuit and put in the ice cream mixture. Over it place the other side of the Oreo making it a sandwich.
● Repeat this procedure with more Oreo biscuits.
● Freeze them in an airtight container.

Classic chocolate ice cream sandwich

Ingredients

● Vegetable oil cooking spray
● All-purpose flour – ½ cup
● All-purpose flour – ½ cup
● Salt – ¼ teaspoon
● Baking soda – ¼ teaspoon
● Cocoa powder – 1/3 cup
● Unsalted butter – 3 tablespoons, softened
● White sugar – ¼ cup
● Brown sugar – 2 tablespoons
● Vanilla extract – ½ teaspoon
● Whole milk – ½ cup, at room temperature
● Vanilla ice cream – 6 scoops

Method

● Line the baking tray with a liner and spray the cooking spray.
● Preheat oven to 150 degrees F.
● Whisk the flour, baking soda, cocoa, and salt in a bowl.
● Mix butter, sugar, and vanilla extract in another bowl.
● Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture.
● Pour milk and stir till smooth.
● Put 12 scoops of batter on the tray using a cookie scoop.
● Bake for 10 minutes
● Let the cookies cool and then put them in the freezer for 15 minutes.
● Take out the cookies and ice cream from the freezer.
● Place one cookie upside down, then add one scoop of ice cream on top. Make a sandwich with another cook. Repeat the process for the other cookies.

Tips

● You can use any flavor of ice cream to make the sandwiches.
● Make sure that the ice cream is softened before you make the sandwich. That way other ingredients will squeeze in between the ice cream properly.

This 2-ingredient ice cream sandwich is a very refreshing dessert. It's fun to make it, so you can involve your kids in the process. Enjoy a mouthwatering ice cream sandwich on a hot summer day.

When you go on vacation and stay at a nice hotel, you cannot imagine your breakfast without having croissants. In fact, in the hotel, you will find a variety of croissants. So, does it mean that you have to go to hotels or stops to eat croissants? not! You can bake croissants at home.

Ingredients

● Large croissants – 6-8, a day old
● Almonds – 1 cup, dried
● Icing sugar – powdered, for dusting

For the syrup

● Granulated sugar – 2 tablespoons
● Water – 1 cup
● Almond extract – 1 teaspoon

For the almond cream

● Granulated sugar – ½ cup
● Almond flour – 1 cup
● Salt – ¼ teaspoon
● Unsalted butter – ½ cup, room temperature
● Eggs – 2, room temperature
● Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
● Almond extract – ¼ teaspoon

Cooking method

1. For the syrup and water and 2 tablespoons of sugar into a saucepan. Let it boil. Then remove from heat. Add almond extract.
2. To make the almond cream combine almond flour, salt, and sugar using a mixer. Add butter and continue beating till it becomes creamy.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, and blend. Add vanilla and almond extracts.
4. Take the croissants and cut them horizontally in the middle.
5. Use a pastry brush to brush the cut sides of the croissant with sugar syrup.
6. Add 2 tablespoons of almond cream to the bottom part of the croissant. Spread it evenly.
Place the top part of the croissant on top.
7. Place the croissants on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F.
8. Place croissants on a lined baking tray and put it in a preheated oven at 180°C or 350°F.
9. When it's done, take out the croissants and dust with icing.

How to store

● You can make the simple syrup and almond cream beforehand and store it in the refrigerator. Make sure you put them in airtight containers.
● You can store the almond-filled croissants for eating later. First, keep the almond-filled croissants at room temperature for 3 hours. Then wrap the croissants individually in aluminum foil and store them in an airtight container. Put it in the refrigerator.
● When you want to eat the stored croissants, take them out and heat them in the oven for 5 minutes at 350 degrees F. Don't heat the croissants in the microwave. They will become chewy and non-crispy.

Making croissants from scratch

Instead of filling the store-purchased croissants with almond cream, you can make croissants from scratch. To do so make a dough from flour, butter, sugar, yeast, milk, and water. Roll the dough in a large shape. Put butter over it. Now enclose this layer inside the dough. Roll out the dough to another shape and fold it back. Repeat it two more times to get your desired shape for the croissant. Then bake the croissants. Keep these croissants in the refrigerator for a day to make them old. Put on almond cream the next day.

Croissants contain lots of nutrients that are good for your health. They contain vitamins and minerals that support the function of the heart, brain, lungs, and kidneys. They contain carbohydrates, proteins, and fibers as well. However, as they are high in calories, you should eat them in limited quantities. Once you have these soft croissants you will understand what comfortable food is all about.

Isn't it lovely to look at the colors popping out from your favorite brownies? Cosmic brownies are a delight to the kids. They look attractive and taste great. The fudginess of the brownie is unparalleled which you get due to the use of chocolate along with cocoa powder. If you use this recipe for baking cosmic brownies then your kids will be demanding more. So, let's start!

Ingredients

● This is for making 24 brownies.

For the brownies:

● Unsalted butter – 1 cup
● Granulated sugar – 1.75 cups
● Brown sugar – ½ cup
● Eggs – large, at room temperature
● Egg yolk – 1, at room temperature
● Vanilla essence – 1 teaspoon
● Unsweetened cocoa powder – 1 cup
● All-purpose flour – 1 cup
● Salt – ½ teaspoon

For the Ganache:

● Semisweet chocolate – 8 ounces, finely chopped
● Corn syrup – 1 tablespoon
● Heavy cream – ½ cup

For the topping:

● Rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips, sprinkles, or mini M&Ms – a handful

Baking instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line baking pan (9X13 inch) with parchment paper or aluminum foil. You should leave the paper overhung so that you can easily remove it after baking.
3. Whisk together granulated sugar, melted butter, and brown sugar.
4. Whisk egg yolk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
5. Add cocoa powder, salt, and flour till well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Scoop the batter into the baking pan and spread it evenly throughout the pan using a spatula or flat surface of the knife.
6. Put the baking tray in the oven and bake till a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle of the batter.
7. Once the brownie is done remove it from the oven and cool it down.
8. Now make the ganache by chopping chocolate and corn syrup in a heatproof bowl. Set it aside.
9. Take a pot and heat the heavy cream for a minute.
10. Pour the cream over the chocolate and start mixing everything. If you notice lumps you can put it in the microwave for 30 seconds for the lumps to melt.
11. Use the spoon to spread the ganache over the brownies that are left to cool.
12. Sprinkle rainbow candy over the top.
13. Cut into squares and serve!

Tips

● Refrigerate the ganache for a few hours before putting it on the brownie.
● You can store the baked brownies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
● Measure the dry ingredients properly to get fudgy, chewy, and moist brownies. If you add too much of them then your brownies will become dry.
● Making sprinkles at home
● Use butter and not oil. Butter makes brownies softer and fudgier.
● Don't skip corn syrup in the recipe as it helps brownies to become chewy.
● Don't miss putting in the extra yolk which makes the brownies more rich, fudgy, and chewy.
● You should dissolve the sugar into the brownie batter properly. If not, your brownies won't look shiny.

You can imagine your kid's face when he opens the tiffin box to see those colorful and chocolatey brownies. You can experiment with the frosting and toppings. You can add extra flavor too to the brownies for a different taste. With more practice, you will know the constancy needed to create perfect brownies. Not only kids, but even adults will enjoy this top-class brownie. Make sure you include all the ingredients mentioned here and follow instructions step-by-step to make the best brownies in the world!

Wondering what snickerdoodles? It's a German word meaning 'snail noodles'. However, in reality, it's neither snail nor noodles. German cinnamon rolls are called snickerdoodles. It's soft, tangy, and chewy. It's crackly on the outer side. It is usually coated with cinnamon sugar. It's a fun dish for all in the family. So, let's bake it!

Ingredients

● Unsalted butter- ½ cup, melted and cooled
● Sugar – ½ cup
● Brown sugar – 1/3 cup
● Pumpkin puree – ¼ cup
● Egg yolk – 1
● Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
● All-purpose flour – 1.5 cups
● Pumpkin pie spice – 1.5 teaspoons
● Salt – ½ teaspoon
● Baking soda – ½ teaspoon
● Cream of tartar – ½ teaspoon

Topping

● Sugar – ¼ cup
● Ground cinnamon – 2 teaspoons

Cooking method

1. Mix melted butter, brown sugar, and sugar till they are well combined. Put pumpkin and mix.
2. Add egg yolk and vanilla extract. Mix.
3. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and pumpkin spice.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the butter and egg mixture.
5. Cover the dough and keep in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
7. Prepare a cookie sheet by lining parchment paper.
8. Whisk sugar and ground cinnamon for the topping.
9. Take out the dough from the refrigerator. Scoop out 1.5 tablespoon-sized balls. Roll between the palms to smoothen and then roll with the cinnamon sugar mixture that you prepared.
10. Transfer the balls to the cookie sheet. Keep the balls 2'' apart so that they don't stick to each other when they rise during baking.
11. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees F.
12. Keep the rest of the dough in the refrigerator. For the next batch, cool down the baking sheet before placing the dough there.
13. Take out baked cookies from the oven and allow them to cool. Then serve and enjoy!

Tips

● You can keep your cookie dough in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure to cover them.
● You can also freeze them to store them for a longer period.
● Don't keep the dough in a warm place before putting them in the oven. When the dough is chilled it is easy to coat them with sugar and cinnamon. Also, cookies won't spread in the oven if they are chilled.
● If you want your cookie to be extra chewy, then dry the pumpkin puree with a paper towel. As moisture will be removed, the cookie will be chewy.
● Don't overmix the dough.
● If you don't get the pumpkin pie spice in your nearby store, you can mix cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg powder to make it at home.
● To get a toasty flavor in your cookie you need to brown the butter. For this, you need to melt the butter in the saucepan and whisk continuously. You will notice that the butter starts to crackle and foam. Continue to whisk. When the butter starts to turn brown and give off a nutty aroma, take the saucepan out of the flame and transfer the butter to a different bowl.
● Use egg at room temperature.
● Use fresh baking soda for the cookies to bake perfectly.
● Don't skip using cream of tartar. It helps prevent sugar from crystallizing. That is, it makes the cookies soft and chewy. Cream of tartar is acidic so this is where you get the tangy flavor from.

You can put on your favorite frosting over these cookies. You can also decorate them with colorful toppings. Pumpkin snickerdoodles are sweet and tangy giving you a different feeling. You will feel the punch and get refreshed after having a couple of them.