All posts filed under: Desserts

Poached Peaches & Apricots

Published by Monica

Perfect dessert for last minute cravings or guests…comes together in 20-25 minutes. You can make it in advance and keep it in the fridge as well as it keeps well for 3-5 days! For me the most important and beautiful part of this recipe is that pale peachy color the simple syrup takes…ah so wonderfully satisfying! And the green pistachios on top for a bit of a crunch…dunno what more to add honestly. You could even place the cooked fruits in jars, top them with all the syrup and reserve these favorite summer fruits for a gloomy cold day when all you crave is sunshine 🙂 Ingredients: 125 gr sugar 300 ml water 2 strips lemon rind, cut into thin strips 2 cardamom pods, crushed 1 tsp vanilla essence 5 peaches, halved and pitted 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp rosewater A handful of pistachios, preferably peeled, roughly chopped Vanilla ice cream or plain greek yogurt to serve Method: Start by placing a large bowl in the freezer to chill. In a wide saucepan add …

Mixed Berries Cobbler

Published by Monica

I’m always torn as to how I can write introductions to new recipes…introductions that don’t start with “Oh my this is so delicious” as I always end up doing lol but honestly, if it’s so delicious, how else can I introduce it? I am not a fan of cooked fruits, specially if in a cake, call me crazy right? But I once saw someone doing a cobbler on tv and my mouth literally watered and I couldn’t resist it, I had to try and I absolutely fell in love with every single bite!! I have done cobblers with prunes, strawberries, apples but this last one topped the list: mixed berries! Oh yammm!! I honestly used frozen and let me tell you it was so much cheaper and easier and it tasted equally delicious and on top of that, with frozen berries, you can have this even if they aren’t in season so basically whenever the mood strikes! You can use this same recipe with fruits that you have on hand so get creative! The biscuits …

Jam Cave Cookies

Published by Monica

Crumbly butter cookies filled with your favorite jam in the center. Mostly known as ‘thumbprint cookies’ after doing a little research on google, I found out that they are also known as hallongrotta, which means “raspberry cave” in Swedish. They have also been called bird’s nest cookies, butterballs, or Polish tea cakes. I loved the ‘raspberry cave’ the most mainly because they do look like little caves with a delicious filling!! After baking try sprinkling some sea salt on top of each cookie for an extra kick of flavor! Ingredients: 3 cups all purpose flour, leveled 1/2 tsp salt 200 gr butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla your favorite jam, I used lemon jam and strawberry jam Method: In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla until well combined and fluffy. Meanwhile in a bowl sift together the flour and salt. When the butter mixture is ready add the sifted flour & salt and using your stand mixer, mix until a dough forms. Scoop rounded tablespoons of …

Brioche

Published by Monica

This brioche is so worth having on your counter waiting for you in the morning that it makes you forget all the waiting involved while making it. I honestly don’t mind the timing and when I see dough all puffed and doubled in size it makes me super happy! It’s perfect to eat as is, lightly toasted with butter and jam or used for french toast. It keeps for 6 days in an airtight container and also, it smells and tastes delicious 🙂 You can definitely make it by hand without a stand mixer. if you try it, let me know! (find the recipe for my french toast here http://thepestogodmother.com/2019/04/08/french-toast/ ) INGREDIENTS: 3/4 cup warm milk 1 tbsp instant yeast 3 large eggs, at room temperature 1/2 cup sugar + 1 tablespoon 5 tbsp melted and cooled butter (around 70 gr) 1 tsp salt 4 1/2 cups bread flour or all purpose flour Poppy seeds, optional For the egg wash: 1 egg 1 tsp water Method: Place the warm milk in a medium sized bowl …

Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Published by Monica

This cake is so soooo good and easy to make! Perfect for summer so tangy and sweet , yummy! If you do it let me know and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter…I won’t spam your inbox, I promise 🙂 INGREDIENTS: For the cake: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon poppy seed 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder ½ cup sugar 110 gr butter, softened 2 tablespoons lemon zest, packed ½ cup lemon juice 3 eggs, at room temperature 1/3 cup Milk For the glaze: 1 cup icing sugar, sifted 2 tablespoons lemon juice Method: Preheat the oven on 180. In a bowl add the flour, poppy seeds and baking powder. Whisk together and set aside. In the bowl of your stand mixer add butter and sugar and whisk until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. (If the mixture starts to curdle add one tablespoon of the flour mixture and mix, that should fix it) Add the lemon zest, lemon juice and half of the flour …

ChocoCoco Bites

Published by Monica

Digestive biscuits crust, coconut layer covered with dark chocolate…3 steps – 6 ingredients. Super easy and delicious it comes together in 30 minutes but needs to set and honestly the waiting is the hardest part of this recipe! If you try it let me know! Ingredients: 200 gr digestive cookies or any kind you like, crushed 70 gr butter, melted 100 gr shredded coconut 1 cup condensed milk 200 gr dark chocolate 1/2 cup coconut cream or regular cream, very warm Sea salt, optional Method: Place cookies in your food processor and pulse till they look like sand. Add the melted butter and pulse a couple of times so that all the cookie crumbs are coated with butter. In a square dish lined with baking paper evenly press the cookie mixture to get a crust. Place in the fridge to set a bit. In a bowl place the shredded coconut and condensed milk and mix well. Evenly spread the coconut mix on top of the cookie crust and refrigerate. Place the chocolate in a bowl …

Chocolate Tart

Published by Monica

Smooth and velvety chocolate filling with a slightly salted flaky crust…this tart is to die for!!! Let me tell you that when I was pregnant with my youngest I ate a loooot of these. The recipe isn’t mine but one of my very best friends’. Trust me and try it, this dessert is just amazing! Ingredients: For the pastry: 225 gr flour 180 gr cold butter, cubed 1 1/2 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon of salt 4 tablespoons of ice cold water For the Chocolate filling: 4 strips unflavored gelatine 2/3 cup powder sugar 1/3 cup cocoa powder 1/4 cup cornstarch 4 cups milk 60 gr dark chocolate, chopped A pinch of salt Method: For the pastry: In a food processor add the flour, sugar and salt and pulse a couple of time to make sure everything is well mixed. Add the chilled butter and pulse till the mixture resembles lumpy sand. Add the ice cold water and pulse a couple of times. Tip the dough on a lightly floured surface and bring it together using …

Chocolate Lava Cake

Published by Monica

Cozy up on your sofa while watching your favorite show on TV and indulge in this decadent & delicious lava cake…Ready in under an hour this dessert is everything you ever wanted…cakey on the outside with an irresistible warm molten dark chocolate center. I served it with vanilla ice cream and drizzled a bit of mixed berries sauce which, was slightly tangy, giving it a good balanced flavor but, its completely optional (I left the link for the sauce below) Let me know if you give it a try!!! Recipe is for 2-4 Ingredients: 100 gr unsalted butter 170 gr semisweet chocolate 2 eggs, at room temperature 2 egg yolks, at room temperature 1/4 cup of regular sugar A pinch of salt 2 tablespoons of flour 2 ramekins of 12 cm in diameter or several smaller ones A tablespoon of butter, melted Cocoa powder Method: Place a bowl over a pot of simmering water. Add the chocolate and butter, whisk till both are melted and well incorporated. Set aside.(You can do this using a microwave …

My ‘home wrecker’ Caramel

Published by Monica

My friends called this “the home wrecker” and I have to agree. One spoon leads to another and before you know it, its gone! Very easy to make and can be used in so many ways…I love my caramel salted so I added in the list of ingredients salt but you can totally omit it. Be very careful while doing this because it can burn badly so be confident and I would suggest not to have any kids around. Hope you will try it! Ingredients: 400 gr regular sugar 165 gr unsalted butter at room temperature, diced 250 ml heavy cream at room temperature 2 teaspoons Sea Salt (optional) Method: Add the sugar in a saucepan and place it over medium heat. Using a wooden spoon stir constantly. The sugar will form a bit of clumps but eventually it will melt into an amber-colored liquid. When the sugar melts lower the heat a bit and add the butter. Stir the butter into the caramel until it is completely incorporated, about 2 minutes. Once the butter …

Apple Pie

Published by Monica

This is one of my favorite desserts ever…Am I saying this for every new recipe I post? Well, most probably that’s the case 🙂 Thinly sliced apples flavored with cinnamon and a light caramel between two layers of flaky pastry…truly a treat. Don’t skip making the pastry at home as it is super easy, whether done by hand or in a mixer, its worth it. I used a 24 cm pie and it was perfect. Also, vanilla ice-cream? A must with this pie! Also, check out my YouTube ‘The Pesto Godmother’ channel for beautiful videos! Ingredients: For the Pastry: 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1/2 tablespoon salt 1/2 tablespoon sugar 225 gr cold butter, diced 6 tablespoons of ice cold water For the Caramel: 1/2 cup light brown sugar 25 gr unsalted butter 1/2 teaspoon of salt 1/4 cup milk 1/4 cup cooking cream 6 medium sized apples, peeled, cored and very finely sliced 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 egg 2 tablespoons light brown sugar to sprinkle on top Method: For the Pastry: In a …