berries

Count Down To The 4th Of July

thasc11 Comment

Summer Berry MacaroonsSummer Berry Macaroons

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup ground almonds
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 extra large egg whites
  • ¼ cup superfine sugar
  • Fresh mint sprigs and whole strawberries, to decorate

Filling:

  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp. lemon curd
  • Generous ¾ cup hulled and sliced strawberries, plus extra whole strawberries to decorate
  • Generous ¾ cup raspberries
  • 2 tbsp. confectioners’ sugar

Place the ground almonds and confectioners’ sugar in a food processor and process for 15 seconds. Sift the mixture into a bowl. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place egg whites in a large bowl and whip until holding soft peaks. Gradually beat in the superfine sugar to make a firm, glossy meringue. Using a spatula, fold the almond mixture into the meringue one-third at a time. When all the dry ingredients are thoroughly incorporated, continue to cut and fold the mixture until it forms a shiny batter with a thick consistency. Pour the batter into a pastry bag fitted with a ½ inch plain tip. Pipe 12 large circles onto the prepared baking sheets. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and bake for 15-20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, peel off the parchment paper and let cool. For the filling, whip the cream until holding soft peaks, then fold in the lemon curd. Top half the macaroon shells with the lemon cream and arrange two-thirds of the berries. Puree the remaining berries with the confectioners’ sugar. Drizzle a little of the puree over the berries and top with the remaining macaroons. Serve decorated with mint springs and strawberries. Makes 6.

Tested in the THASC kitchen. Photo by THASC.

THASC is a unique small American business producing cards and other promotional products.

www.thasc.com

Getting Ready for the Fourth of July

thasc1Leave a comment

Berry Crunch Cake

Berry Crunch Cake

 Ingredients:

  • Oil or melted butter, for greasing
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus 1 tbsp.
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • Generous ¾ cup superfine sugar
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 cups fresh mixed berries, such as raspberries, blueberries and blackberries
  • 1 ¼ cups crushed gingersnaps

 Method:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line the bottom of a 9-inch round springform cake pan. Sift the 1 ½ cups flour and baking powder into a large bowl and add the butter, superfine sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Beat well until the batter is smooth. Spoon about half the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Spread the berries evenly over the mixture. Stir the extra tablespoon of flour into the remaining mix. Spread out the crushed cookies on a large plate. Using two spoons, coat small spoonfuls of the mix in the crushed cookies, then arrange over the cake. Sprinkle over any remaining cookie crumbs. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until risen firm, and golden brown. Let cool in the pan for 2-3 minutes then remove the sides and finish cooling on a wire rack. Best eaten on the day of making.

Serves 8

 Tested in the THASC kitchen. Photo by THASC.

 THASC is a unique small American business producing cards and other promotional products.

www.thasc.com

 

Berry Glazed Chocolate Cakes- Sweet Treat Saturday

NFLeave a comment
Berry-Glazed Chocolate Cake
Berry-Glazed Chocolate Cake

Wickedly delicious to eat, this berry-glazed chocolate cake is really quite simple to make!

YOU’LL NEED:

  • 1 package devil’s food cake mix
  • 1 package instant chocolate
  • pudding mix
  • 4 eggs
  • ¾ cup water
  • ½ cup apple juice
  • ½ cup canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon rum extract
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

RASPERRY GLAZE:

  • ¼ cup seedless raspberry jam
  • 2 tablespoons apple juice
  • ½ teaspoon rum extract

Chocolate Cake Raspberry BorderCHOCOLATE ICING:

  • 2 tablespoons baking cocoa
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, juice, oil and extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds; beat on medium for 2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into a greased and floured 10 inch fluted tube pan.
  2. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
  3. In a small saucepan, combine the glaze ingredients. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Brush over cake. Let stand for 10 minutes or until set.
  4. Place cocoa in a small saucepan. Stir in cream and butter until smooth. Cook and stir over low heat for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until smooth. Cool slightly; drizzle over cake. Let stand until set.

Yield: 12 servings

Tested in the THASC kitchen. Photo by THASC.
THASC  is a unique small American business producing cards and other promotional products.
www.thasc.com

Happy Mother’s Day From all of us at “Sweet Treats Saturday!“

FullSizeRender

Berry Filled Lemon Cake

NF1 Comment

Served with fresh strawberries, this delightful cake, with its mild lemon-flavored glaze, will soon become a go-to recipe for your family and friends.

Berry Filled Lemon Cake

Ingredients:

  • 1 package light yellow cake mix
  • 1 ¼ cups water
  • ¾ cup egg substitute
  • ¼ cup plain nonfat yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
  • ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 3 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2 cups sliced strawberries

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, egg substitute, yogurt and lemon peel. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds; beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured 10 inch fluted tube pan.
  2. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
  3. Combine sugar and lemon juice; drizzle over cake. Fill center of cake with strawberries.

Tested in the THASC kitchen. Photo by THASC.
THASC is a unique small American business producing cards and other promotional products.
www.thasc.com