Palmiers 2 ways—Italian Savory Palmiers & Vanilla Sugar Palmiers

Palmiers are one of my all time favorite cookies.  Some people call them elephant ears, palm leaves, or French Hearts.  Back in Hong Kong, we called them butterfly cookies.  And these butterflies always fly their way straight into my tummy.  No matter what you call them, they are definitely decadent treats.




You can find sweet palmiers at many bakeries or even packaged ones from supermarkets in the cookies isle.  However, if you’ve never tasted a fresh palmier from the oven, I highly recommend you to make some.  Not only they are easy to make, they are WAY better than the packaged ones from the grocery.  The ingredients are super simple as well.  There are only 3 ingredients for the sweet palmiers.  Thanks for the convenience of store bought puff pastry, all you need are vanilla sugar and salt to make this treat.  They are elegant for parties, and simple to make on any afternoon if you want a quick pick me up treat. 

Click here for the post to read about how to make your own vanilla sugar at home.  Otherwise, they are just one click away if you prefer to order them online.




Onto the Italian Savory Palmier.  These are definitely wonderful appetizers and perfect for any parties or gatherings.  You can fill the dough ahead of time and keep it chilled in the refrigerator.  Then, simply cut out individual cookies and bake them right before your party.  They are unique and packed with tons of flavors.  Crispy and buttery puff pastry, filled with the classic Italian flare of pesto, sundried tomatoes and parmesan cheese.  The pine nuts add a crunchy texture and wonderful nutty flavor. Since a package of puff pastry comes with two sheets, you can (and should) definitely try both recipes out.  

Thank you for stopping by today, I hope you’ll enjoy today’s recipes. 







P.S.:  I think these cookies are in perfect shapes for Valentine's Day too!





Italian Savory Palmiers (Printable Recipe)
Makes: 28 cookies

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, defrosted
2 tablespoons pesto
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
2 tablespoons finely chopped sundried tomatoes in oil, drained
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

On a lightly flour surface, unfold one sheet of puff pastry. Roll it with a lightly floured rolling pin until it's 9 by 11-inches. Spread the sheet of puff pastry with the pesto, and then sprinkle with the cheese, sundried tomatoes, and the pine nuts. Sprinkle with teaspoon salt.

Working from the short ends, fold each end halfway to the center. Then fold each side again towards the center until the folded edges almost touches each other. Gently fold one side over the other and press lightly. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at 1 hour.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the chilled puff pastry in 1/4 inch thick slices; place them cut side up and 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on a wiring rack.
 
 

Vanilla Sugar Palmiers (Printable Recipe)
Makes: 24-26 cookies

1/2 cup vanilla sugar
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 sheet puff pastry
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Combine the sugar and kosher salt. Evenly sprinkle 1/4 cup of the sugar/salt mixture on a clean working surface. Unfold a puff pastry onto the sugar and sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of the sugar mixture on top, spreading it evenly on the puff pastry. With a rolling pin, roll the dough until it's 13 by 13-inches square and the sugar is pressed into the puff pastry on top and bottom.

Fold the sides of the square towards the center so they go halfway to the middle. Fold them again so the two folds meet exactly at the middle of the dough. Then fold 1 half over the other half, like closing a book.
Slice the dough into 3/8-inch slices and place the slices, cut side up, on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

Bake for around 6 minutes, or until the bottom is caramelized and brown; then turn with a spatula and bake another 3 to 5 minutes, until both sides are caramelized. Cool on a wiring rack.

Note:  You probably will have some sugar left on the board after rolling the puff pastry and that's okay.


This post is linked up with:

I'm Lovin' It

Snow Ball Cookies (a.k.a. Mexican Wedding Cookies)

I call these Snow Ball Cookies because that’s what my little boy likes to call them.  When I was taking pictures for this post, he happily exclaimed, “Wow, snow balls!”  After he tasted one, he kept asking for more snow balls.  Of course, my Baby Girl got her fair shares as well.



By now, you probably have heard the other dozen names that these cookies also referred to. Such as Mexican Wedding Cookies, Italian Wedding cookies, Italian Tea Cakes, Russian Tea Cakes, so on and so forth.  I thought I had many nick names when I was young. I can’t believe my record got beat by some cookies! LOL…Mind you, these are not just any cookies. These are some buttery, melt in my mouth, and highly addictive cookies.  I love the crunch and nutty flavor from the chopped pecans in them.  Another big plus of these cookies? They are super simple to prepare and your kids would probably want to help out in rolling the dough.  And it’s okay to let them taste the dough, it’s eggless.    



I've packaged these Snow Ball Cookies during the holiday to share with my friends and family as they are very popular during the holiday season.  But I’ve already made more batches afterwards because they are simply amazing.  After you've tried them, you would want to make them all year round too, and not just during the Holidays.







Snow Ball Cookies: (Printable Recipe)
Makes about 48 Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped

In the bowl of the stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment (or with a hand held mixer), beat butter and 1/2 cup powdered sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and beat until well incorporated. Turn mixer to low, beat in flour and pecans, mix until just combined. Divide dough in half, form each into a flat disk and wrap with plastic wrap. Chill the dough in refrigerator until cold, about 30 minutes to an hour.

Preheat oven to 325°F. With a small/mini ice cream scoop, scoop dough by one tablespoonful and roll in between palms into balls. Arrange dough balls on baking sheet lined with silpat or parchment paper spacing 1/2 inch apart. Bake until golden brown on bottom and pale golden on top, about 15 to 18 minutes.

Cool cookies on baking sheet for a few minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely. Place remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar in a shallow dish; gently roll completely cooled cookies in powdered sugar to coat.





This recipe is shared with:

Sweet Tooth Friday
Friday Favorite
Friday Food
Foodie Friday
Sweets For Saturday
Pink Saturday
Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Mingle Monday

Chocolate Yule Log (Bûche de Noël au chocolat) For Christmas—with Step by Step Pictorial

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow….

Sorry for the cheesy opening of this post, I really couldn’t help it.    But seriously, I envy those of you who get to enjoy a white Christmas.  Although I hate don’t like extremely cold temperature, I don’t mind it for the Holidays.  Oh, who am I kidding!?  If I live in an area that snows, I probably will stay indoor the whole winter with the heater on full blast! Please excuse my mumbling and let’s get to the cake.



Now, you know what I did with these Vanilla Meringue Mushrooms from the previous post!  They were made for decorating this Chocolate Yule Log Cake.  This is a very festive cake to make for the Holiday and it’s much easier to prepare than you think.  I make this chocolate roll cake all the time.  The chocolate roll cake is a very popular cake in Asian bakeries.  The only differences of this Chocolate Yule Log cake are the extras chocolate frosting that I spread on to imitate/resembling the log patterns and the Vanilla Meringue Mushrooms on top for decorations.

Here’s the step-by-step pictorial.  First, preheat the oven to 375 degree F. and grease a 10 by 15-inch baking pan with cooking spray.  Then, line the pan with parchment paper.  Make sure the parchment pager is large enough to have at least 2-inch excess on all sides for easy removal when the cake is done.



Next, beat the egg whites with cream of tartar and a pinch of salt until frothy.  Then slowly add around 1/2 of the sugar as stated in the recipe.



Beat until the meringue reach a medium peak.



In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with the remaining sugar until light and pale yellow.  Then add the vanilla, instant coffee, melted butter and heavy cream until incorporated.  Sift the cocoa powder and cake flour into the egg yolk mixture.  Fold until the dry and wet ingredients are just combined. 



Add 1/3 of the egg whites into the batter and stir until batter is lightened.  Do not worry about deflating the egg white here.



See how much lighter the batter is? 





Then, gently fold in the remaining egg whites in two batches.  Need to be careful now not to over beat the batter and deflate the egg whites too much. 





Gently spread the cake batter evenly onto the prepared cake pan. 





Bake at 375 degree F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted into the cake and comes out clean.  Let cool on a wiring rack completely.





To prepare the filling, beat the whipped cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peak formed.  Spread evenly onto the cooled cake.





Roll the cake up, from the shorter end.




To prepare the chocolate frosting, whip the whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peak forms.  Sift in the cocoa powder and fold until well incorporated.  Cut about 2 inches off the rolled cake at an angle, set aside.  Reserve 2 tablespoons of chocolate frosting and spread the rest evenly onto the log.  With the back of a fork, gently press over the chocolate frosting to create the log patterns.  Place the cut off portion on the side of the log and spread the reserved 2 tablespoons of frosting on the side of the smaller log.  Use the fork to create the log patter on this piece as well.  Top with Vanilla Meringue Mushrooms and sprinkle the powdered sugar for the snow effect. 




This Chocolate Yule Log truly brings back many childhood memories.  I remember having my very first Yule Log cake for Christmas when I was about 7 years old.  The cake was bought at a store.  My Grandparents, Parents, Aunts, Uncles, my Brothers and Cousins were all there to celebrate together.  Spending time with family and enjoying good food together are precious and priceless.  I’ll forever treasure and cherish those sweet and warm memories.  I hope you and your family are creating new memories together during this Holiday Season.








Chocolate Yule Log (Bûche de Noël au chocolat)
(Printable Recipe)


Ingredients for the cake:
5 egg whites
5/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoon caster sugar, divided
Pinch of kosher salt
5 egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon instant coffee granulate
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup cake flour

To prepare the cake:

Preheat the oven to 375 degree F.  Grease a 10 by 15-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Then, line the pan with parchment paper.  Make sure the parchment pager is large enough to have at least 2-inch excess on all sides for easy removal when the cake is done. 

Next, beat the egg whites with cream of tartart and a pinch of salt until frothy. Then slowly add in around 1/2 of the sugar and beat until medium peak forms.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks with the remaining sugar until light and pale yellow. Then add the vanilla, instant coffee, melted butter and heavy cream until incorporated. Sift the cocoa powder and cake flour into the egg yolk mixture. Fold until the dry and wet ingredients are just combined.

Add 1/3 of the egg whites into the batter and stir until batter is lightened. Then, gently fold in the remaining egg whites in two batches.  Be careful not to deflate the egg whites too much.

Gently spread the cake batter evenly onto the prepared cake pan.  Bake at 375 degree F for 8 to 10 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted into the cake and comes out clean. Let cool on a wiring rack completely.

Mean while, work on the filling and frosting.

Ingredients for the filling:
3/4 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

To prepare the filling:

Beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peak formed. Spread evenly onto the cooled cake.

Ingredients for the chocolate frosting:

1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

To prepare the chocolate frosting:

Beat the whipped cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peak formed.  Sift and fold the cocoa powder into the whipped cream mixture until well combined.

To Assemble:

Gently spread the filling onto completely cooled cake.  Roll the cake up, from the shorter end.   
Cut about 2 inches off the rolled cake at an angle, set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons of chocolate frosting and spread the rest evenly onto the log. With the back of a fork, gently press over the chocolate frosting to create the log patterns. Place the cut off portion on the side of the log and spread the reserved 2 tablespoons of the frosting onto the side of the smaller log. Use the fork to create the log pattern on this piece as well. Top with Vanilla Meringue Mushrooms and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for the snow effect. Take some pictures and enjoy the cake.  If not serve immediately, cover loosely and keep refrigerated.


This recipe is shared with:

Pity Party
Friday Potluck
Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Mingle Monday
Do Something Crafty Friday
Tuesday Talent Show
Success U

Vanilla Meringue Mushrooms

These Vanilla Meringue Mushrooms are super adorable and look just like the real thing.  They are crunchy and sweet, the total opposite of the real mushrooms.  The only thing they have in common are their appearance and weight.  These Meringue Mushrooms are light and airy.  They are really easy to make and only needs a few ingredients.  Let’s take a look at how to make them, shall we?

After beating the meringue, use a 1/2-inch plain round tip to pipe the “stems” first.  Have the tip around half an inch above the baking sheet and lift the piping bag upward while gently adding pressure on the pastry bag to release the meringue.  When it reach the height you desired, stop the pressure and continue lifting the pastry bag.  If some of them tilted to the side, don’t worry, that will make them look more natural.  



Then, pipe the mushroom “caps”.  Have the piping tip around 1/4-inch above the baking sheet and gently add pressure on the pastry bag to release meringue until it’s the size/diameter you want.  I pipe my caps at around 1 to 1 1/2-inch in diameter.  When it reached the size you want, stop the pressure and turn the pastry tip around the piped cap.  If the meringue leaves a pointy tip, gently pad on the tip with a damp finger to achieve a smooth surface.



Bake at 200 degree F for 2 hours and they’re done.  After they are cooled, cut the tips off the stems so you get a flat surface. 



Melt the chocolate chips and spread a thin layer on the flat side of the cap.



Place the cut side of the step onto the melted chocolate and let the chocolate set.



You can leave them as is for white button mushrooms.



Or, dust them with cocoa powder and brush the excess off with a pastry brush for a more rustic and natural look.



When I was taking picture of these meringue mushrooms, my Baby Girl heard the click click click sounds from the camera and she knows Mommy is taking pictures of some yummy treats.    She just reach over the bowl, grabbed a mushroom, gave me the sweetest smile and started munching.  She finished it in no time and had another. 



Now, you have these cute little Meringue mushrooms to munch on or save a few for decorations. I will show you what I did with them on my next post. So, stay tuned.







Vanilla Meringue Mushrooms (Printable Recipe)



2 large egg whites, at room temperature
a pinch of kosher salt
1/2 cup caster (superfine baker's) sugar
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips (act as “glue” for the stems)
1 tablespoon cocoa powder (for dusting)

Preheat the oven 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a bowl of the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites, cream of tarar, and salt until frothy, about 2 minute. With the machine on medium-high speed, gradually add the sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time. Then, add the vanilla extract.  Increase the speed to high and beat until the mixture is thick, shiny and holds stiff peaks, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Transfer the meringue into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch round plain tip. Pipe the “stems” first as the meringue still holds up well.  Have the pastry tip around half an inch above the baking sheet and lift the piping bag upward while gently adding pressure on the pastry bag to release the meringue. When it reach the height you desired, stop the pressure and continue lifting the pastry bag. If some of them tilted to the side, don’t worry, that will make them look more natural.

Then, pipe the mushroom “caps”. Have the piping tip around 1/4-inch above the baking sheet and gently add pressure on the pastry bag to release meringue until it’s the size/diameter you want. I pipe my caps at around 1 to 1 1/2-inch in diameter. When it reached the size you want, stop the pressure and turn the pastry tip around the piped cap. If the meringue leaves a pointy tip, gently pad on the tip with a damp finger to achieve a smooth surface.

Bake for 2 hours and let cool on a wiring rack.  In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chip on high.  Stir every 30 second intervals until melted.  Let melted chocolate cool slightly. 

Cut the tips off the stems so you get a flat surface.  Spread a thin layer of melted chocolate on the flat side of the cap.  Place the cut side of the step onto the melted chocolate and let the chocolate set. Dust them with cocoa powder and brush the excess off with a pastry brush for a more rustic and natural look.

This recipe is Shared with:

Foodie Friday
Sweets For Saturday
Sweet Tooth Friday
Strut Your Stuff Saturday

Napoleon Mascarpone Cheesecake with Pomegranate-Rose Meringue Cookies

My family always has a different preference on the flavor of desserts.  My husband is a big fan of chocolate, and dislike strawberry, or any kinds of berries, period.  My kids are big fans on ANY kinds of berries and fruit, especially strawberries.  For me?  I’m the least picky person in the house.  I basically eat anything (I’m such a pig). 



Why am I telling you this? Because that’s how this cake was created. To please everyone with a dessert. I’m so glad each of my family member loves a different kind of food/ flavor. That always give me opportunity to explore and try new things.  



When my husband first saw the cake, his reaction was “wow, this looks delicious!” Despite there’s strawberries in the cake, which was quite obvious from that pink color. When he took the first bite, he exclaimed, “hm….this is so good….” Then he kept quiet because he was too busy eating. You know what, I think he does like strawberries, after all.




My kids both had a big piece of this cake during afternoon tea.  Chocolate, vanilla and strawberries all in one bite, what’s not to like?  The good thing about this cake is the lightness.  It’s super moist, light and fluffy.  The sweetness is just right and you won’t feel guilty eating a huge piece.



I top it off with some Pomegranate-Rose Meringue Cookies.  These cookies are airy and light.  It’s sweet, as all meringue cookies are, with a hint of tanginess from the Pomegranate powder.  The pure rose extract adds a hint of floral tone to the cookies and compliment wonderfully with the Pomegranate flavor.  It’s super crispy so it gives a nice contrast to the cake’s texture.  




If you’re thinking of a cake to make for gatherings or celebrations, this would be an elegant yet easy to prepare type of cake to bring to the party.  Best of all, you can make the Pomegranate-Rose Meringue Cookies a day or two ahead of time and keep them in an air-tight container for freshness.  Just make sure you store some for the cake decoration before you snacked all of them before the party. 








Napoleon Mascarpone Cheesecake (Printable Recipe)
Makes 1 9-inch round cake
Ingredients

5 eggs, separated and at room temperature
a pinch of Kosher salt
3/4 cup caster sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
8 ounces Mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup whipping cream
11/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cake flour
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons strawberries preserves
powdered sugar, for garnish
Some Pomegranate-Rose Meringue Cookies, for garnish (recipe follow)
boiling water (for water bath while baking)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 9-inch spring-form cake pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper on the bottom and sides. Wrap 2 layers of foil paper on the outside of the cake pan to prevent water from going into the cake pan while baking.

Separate egg whites from egg yolks. Make sure there’s no yolks in the whites. In the bowl of a stand mixer with whisk attachment, beat egg whites with a pinch of Kosher and cream of tartar until egg white is soft peak.  Gradually add half of the sugar, beating on high speed until egg white is medium peak. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, beat mascarpone cheese with remaining half of the sugar until smooth and fluffy.  Whisk in whipping cream, egg yolks, vanilla extract and lemon juice until well combined. Turn mixer on low, add flour, and cornstarch until just combined.

Equally divide batter into 3 separate bowls, fold cocoa powder into one, and fold strawberry preserves into another and leave one plain.

Equally divide beaten egg whites into each of the cake batter until just incorporated (Do not over mix).
Pour chocolate batter on the bottom of the prepared spring form pan and spread batter into a smooth and even layer.  Gently pour the vanilla batter on top followed by the strawberry batter.  Carefully smooth the surface.

Place cake pan into a larger roasting pan and place roasting pan in lower third rack of the oven.  Pour enough hot water into the roasting pan to come half way up the side of the cake pan.

Bake 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the center comes out clean.
Remove cake from roasting pan.  Carefully remove foil from the spring form pan and cool on a wiring rack.  When cake is completely cooled, remove the sides of the pan, dust with powdered sugar and decorate with Pomegranate-Rose Meringue Cookies. 

Pomegranate-Rose Meringue Cookies (Printable Recipe)
Makes 40 cookies


3 large pasteurized egg whites, at room temperature
a pinch of kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup caster (superfine baker's) sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon pure rose extract (it's really strong, so a little goes a long way)
1/4 cup freeze dried pomegranate powder

Preheat the oven 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat. Set aside.

In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites with salt and cream of tartar until frothy, about 2 minutes. With the machine on medium-high speed, gradually add the sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time.  Increase the speed to high and beat until the mixture is thick, shiny and holds stiff peaks, about 7 to 8 minutes.  Then add the vanilla extract, rose extract, and pomegranate powder.  Beat until ingredients are incorporated.

Scrape the meringue into a pastry bag fitted with a medium star tip and pipe the cookies onto the lined baking sheets. Starting in the middle and make 1 1/2 circles, about 1 1/2-inch in diameter and 1 1/2-inch apart.

Bake the meringues until they are firm, about 2 hours. Turn off the oven and leave them in there overnight.

If meringue are not totally dry, bake for an additional 15 minutes at 200 degrees F will crisp them up again.


Recipe Linked with:

Sweets for Saturday
Melt in your Mouth Monday
I'm Lovin' It
Pink Saturday