Art in Almond flavoured marzipan

Most of my special occasions never pass without baking a cake.  Some frostings with small decorations is enough to make the cake very unique. 

Ingredients :

1. Powdered almonds - 1/4 cup
2. Milk powder - 1/4 cup
3. Icing sugar - 1/2 cup
4. Almond essence - 2 drops 
5. A little egg white or condensed milk to mix

Direction to mix :

Combine the first 4 ingredients and add enough condensed milk (or egg white) to make a soft dough.


Have Fun !!

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Almond Kulfi

Almond kulfi is not truly an ice cream, but simply a frozen dessert made in molds or even ice cube trays.  It is normally served in the earthenware pots.  Very easy to make at home without ice cream maker.  Any kind of nuts can be used  for this preparation.  Perfect dessert for the party & everybody will love this.

Ingredients :

1. Milk - 4 cups + 2 tbsp
2. Sugar - 3/4 to 1 cup
3. Almond flakes - 1/2 cup (coarsely grind them with  1 tbsp of milk)
4. Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
5. Cornflour - 2 tsp
6. Bread slice - 1 no (remove the brown crust part)
7. A pinch of saffron

Direction to cook :

1.   Heat the heavy bottomed pan on the medium flame.  Add milk & reduce it to half approx. 2 cups.  Add  sugar while reducing milk.  Stir continuously, to avoid milk sticking in the bottom.

2.   Take 2 tbsp cold milk in the bowl, add 2 tsp corn flour & bread pieces. Grind them to smooth paste.   Mix well  & add it in the boiling milk.  Milk will start thickening.

3.   Once milk become thick, add cardamom powder,  & almond paste.  Boil it on low flame.  Finally, add saffron & allow it to cool.

Freeze it & serve.

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Basundi

Basundi is my DH favourite sweet.  He likes to have this as a dessert after his meal.  Sometimes, I like to serve it in earthenware pots.  Any kind of nuts can be used & it taste simply delicious.  This needs to be cooked on low flame & it takes little longer time.  Perfect dessert to host the prepared guest.

Ingredients :

1. Milk - 1 litre
2. Sugar - 1/2 cup
3. Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
4. Saffron (optional) - a pinch
5. Nuts (almonds / cashewnuts / pista) - 1/4 cup

Direction to cook :

1.   Bring the milk to boil in a non-stick pan & simmer it till it get reduced to half.

2.   Add sugar & cook for some more time till it gets thickened.

3.   Add cardamom powder, saffron & switch off the flame.  

4.   Allow it to cool.  Garnish it with the chopped nuts.

Serve chilled. 

Sending this post to the event "Sizzling Summer contest" hosted by Spicy tasty.

MY AWARD TIME

Maya & lakshmi of Yummy o Yummy tagged me this award where in I need to post my favourite pic.  Thanks a lot,  U made my day :)  

 

My little prince

Thank you again & I would like to share this with Priya,  PranisKitchen,   Nitha,   Sushma Mallya   &    Suja Sugathan.

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Pineapple kesari

Pineapple kesari is most popular & easy to make indian sweets.  Perfect dessert for kids & hosting surprise guests.  Addition of pineapple & essence gives more flavour & taste to the sweet.  Its my all time favourite.  Sometimes i make this even without the  pineapple chunks, yet it taste great.   

Ingredients :

1. Rava / sooji / semolina - 1/2 cup
2. Sugar - 3/4 cup (or 1/2 cup)
3. Ghee - 2 tbsp
4. Nuts (Cashewnuts, raisins, almonds) - 1/4 cup
5. Pineapple essence - 1/2 tsp
6. Chopped pineapple (either fresh or canned) - 2 tbsp
7. Cardamom powder - a pinch (optional)
8. Water - 1 1/2 cups

Direction to cook :

1.   Heat ghee in the frying pan, add the nuts & roast the rava till light golden brown in color.

2.   Add sugar & continue roasting for 2 more mins.  

3.   Meanwhile, warm the water & add it to the roasted rava.  Add pineapple essence & chopped pineapples.  Cover & cook till done.

4.  Finally, add cardamon powder.  Sprinkle some nuts & serve.

Enjoy :)

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Vanilla crumb muffins

Last weekend we had small get-together ladies party at one of my friends house.  Party was decided & executed within 2 hours time.  Immediately, I decided to bake these vanilla crumb muffins & that was done within one hour time.  The crumb topping is what makes these Vanilla muffins stand apart from the ordinary. They're scrumptious!"

Ingredients :

1. All purpose flour - 2 cups
2. Sugar - 3/4 cup
3. Egg - 1 no
4. Baking powder - 2 tsp
5. Baking soda - 1/2 tsp
6. Milk - 1 cup
7. Vanilla essence - 2 tsp
8. Vegetable oil - 1/3 cup
9. Nuts (almonds, raisins, walnuts) - 1/2 cup
10. Brown sugar - 2 tbsp
11. Cinnamon powder - 1/2 tsp

Direction to bake :

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease the muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.

2.    In a large bowl, mix together  flour, baking soda & baking powder. In another bowl, beat together sugar, egg, milk vanilla essence and vegetable oil. Stir the liquid mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

3.   In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar & cinnamon  powder. Sprinkle topping over muffins.

4.   Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Happy baking :)

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Nutty chocolate toffee

Quick & easy snack little richer with nuts & chocolate.  My son enjoyed having this throughout.  Prefect for kids !!
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Ingredients :

1. Graham cracker
2. Butter - 3/4 cup
3. Brown sugar - 1/2 cup
4. Salt - 1/4 tsp
5. Chocolate chips - 1 1/2 cup
6. 1 cup nuts (powdered) ( I used almonds & hazelnuts)

Directions to bake :

#   Preaheat the oven to 375 degree. Line the baking pan with parchment paper.

#   Line the tray with the graham crackers.

#   Melt the butter in the sauce pan on medium flame, then add brown sugar.  Combine well & cook for 1 mins.  Pour over the graham crackers & spread evenly.  Bake for 10 mins or until golden brown on top.

#   Spread the chocolate chips on the top & return to the oven for a minute or until the chocolate melts.

#   Remove the pan from oven & evenly spread the melted chocolate.  Sprinkle the nuts (powdered) over the chocolate & allow it cool for 30  mins.  Cut them.

Have fun :)

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Almond cake

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Last weekend, we had small chitchat meeting in my house. Two of my friends with their kids made the day very funny. We all three of us decided to bake a cake & that came out simply superb :)

Ingredients :

1. 150 gms butter
2. 1 cup sugar
3. 3 eggs
4. 1 tsp almond extract
5. 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
6. 3 tsp baking powder
7. 60 gms ground almonds
8. 3/4 cup milk
9. Icing sugar for dusting (optional)

Directions to bake :

£ Preheat the oven to 160 C. Lightly grease & flour the baking pan. Keep aside.

£ Cream the butter and sugar, then beat in eggs and almond extract.

£ Sift the flour, grounded almonds and baking powder. Add them in the butter mixture alternately with milk. Mix well.

£ Pour into cake pan & bake for 50 to 60 min or until cake is done.

Dust with icing sugar. Serve them them with tea.

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