dessert
Meringue roll
It seems that for a while now meringue rolls have been everywhere. They follow me around and turn up at every corner. I confess I have been meaning to make one for the longest time but, for some reason, suspected the whole affair would be messy, time consuming and generally difficult. Luckily, it is neither of those things. Making a meringue roll is surprisingly easy, quick and is ideal when you want to impress with minimal consumables. Unlike its relative – Pavlova – which usually requires upwards of an hour of slow baking alone, this meringue roll only needs 25 minutes in the oven. Strictly speaking, this roll comes together in less than an hour. And the hardest thing about it is finding an alternative that can be equally stunning and indulgent.
Chocolate “Napoleon” cake
Arguably, there is not a single person who is – or has been – in Russia who doesn’t know about “Napoleon” cake. Along with the notorious honey cake, these two are easily the best examples of Russian desserts. Traditionally, “Napoleon” is made with crispy pastry layers smothered in pastry cream. But I am a firm believer that while classics are great, they should never stand in the way of creativity and experimentation. So with that in mind, I propose you try this little variation – a chocolate “Napoleon” cake.
Coffee ice cream
The taste of coffee has always been one of my favourites. Even when I was little I would try to trick my grandparents into letting me have some. I used to tell them that some obscure symbol on the coffee tin meant that it was approved for children consumption. But it isn’t just the taste of it. There are many times when the scent alone is enough. Getting a deep lungful of fresh coffee smell can be as satisfying as a strong dose of caffeine. Obviously the same applies to anything coffee flavoured. Cakes, muffins, cookies, candy. And of course, coffee ice cream.
Berry tiramisu
While it might be unusual to dive into variations before tackling classics, this mixed berry tiramisu is just too good to be kept secret. Apparently so good that a friend who picked it up for takeaway asked for a fork to go so she could eat it on the way. And since I am already married to probably the only person who believes berries don’t belong in desserts, you will be hard pressed to find anyone who doesn’t love this combination. This berry tiramisu is also one of the simplest things to make. Rye cream cheese cookies
Well this year has been off to an uneven start thus far. On the one hand, we’ve managed a short family getaway involving actual snow. On the other, we have then been plagued with sick babies for what felt like eternity. So after my firstborn has been a feverish mush for over 2 days (amidst a panicked trip to the emergency) something had to be done to cheer her up and soothe my nerves. Enter these rye cream cheese cookies. Obviously baking is nothing if not therapeutic. And the last time I made these for a small social gathering, my better quarter stole almost the entire batch off the cooling rack.