Showing posts with label dessert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dessert. Show all posts

October 12, 2013

Indulge The Spreadables Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Butter With Us

We enjoy warm breakfast over cold ones throughout the year. The first thing we do every morning after a wash is to eat our breakfast. Compared to weekdays, I tend to be regular in making a big breakfast on weekends. We choose to make a variety of porridges, French toast, cinnamon buns, muffins just to name a few. My children sometimes help me prepare the breakfast during the weekends and holidays. 

September 22, 2013

Our Opa Moments With Yopa and $100 Giveaway

Every celebration big or small is celebrated with something sweet in our home. I love to bake and make my sweets whenever possible, however due to the lack of time I like having yummy, healthy desserts and snacks in the fridge. I think every meal to be complete, needs a little sweet snack or dessert and Yopa has made this list in our home. 

August 14, 2013

Coconut Coated Chocolate Truffles

These delicious truffles are fun and easy to make. My children enjoyed making coconut coated chocolate truffles to give family and friends during our Eid celebration. 
To make the chocolate truffles you will need...

July 3, 2013

We Had A Sea Of Fun Watching A Turtle’s Tale 2 As Sammy Escapes From Paradise

We had a wonderful party to watch A Turtle’s Tale 2 – Sammy Escapes From Paradise with a few friends and family in celebration of its release on July 9th. While enjoying this funny, adventurous family entertainer I served sautéed potatoes, mini chicken pizza, fresh strawberries, popcorn, almond covered chocolates and cupcakes. 

June 3, 2013

We Made Underwater Ebelskiver to Celebrate Father's day with Disney Junior

Dads are very special :) and we are glad Disney Junior is celebrating this special person in our lives with wonderful shows and a heartwarming family movie.

May 12, 2013

Edible tea party invitation from my children using their easy-bake oven

My daughter and son like pretend playing, and occasionally invite my husband and I to their pretend tea parties since they were little. When we join them, they get very excited.
For the first time during one of their tea parties, my husband and I were treated with milk and edible cookies my children made using their easy-bake oven. We enjoyed this party very much and loved how both our children were excited to make something special for us in their own little oven.

May 1, 2013

Disney Junior celebrates Mother’s Day with special shows

Disney Junior celebrates May with new episodes of Sofia the First and the premiere of Tangled. 
We are excitedly looking forward to watch Sofia the First new episodes on Sunday May 5 and 19 at 11:30am ET.

- Sofia the First “The Princess Test” premiere on May 5th will be about Sofia finding out what being a true princess is all about when she is sidetracked on her way to an important Princess Test at her school. 

- On May 19 Sofia the First episode “Baileywick’s Day Off” is about Baileywick’s day-off being frustrated by demands from Sofia, Amber and James until the royal siblings learn about gratitude. 
Learning about gratitude is an important life skill that starts from a young age. As a parent, I think it is important for us to be role models and practice this, so it is easy to teach our children i.e to say Thank you, Please! and to appreciate one another. Gratitude should be a part of our lives and be second nature to us, so we can appreciate life and everything around us.

April 9, 2013

Win a prize pack to stay fit and healthy (value of over $100)

General Mills family is welcoming Yoplait Source Greek Yogurt, which is a thick, creamy, delicious low-calorie yogurt the whole family will enjoy. This yogurt has twice the protein of regular Yoplait Source yogurt with only 50 calories and no added sugar. 
There are different yogurt flavours for us to choose from. We can enjoy it for breakfast, snack, and dessert or include it in our baking and cooking. I like using yogurt in desserts as it is a healthier substitute and I also include plain greek yogurt to thicken curries and to give it flavour. I make this choice of using yogurt in our diets so we can stay healthy and active.  
I use the plain yogurt when making this naan, baked Indian bread

April 1, 2013

Cookies to celebrate spring

cookies for spring
We made these cookies to celebrate the arrival of spring. These soft, delicious cookies would be wonderful to take on our upcoming trips to the park.
crocus
Crocus
These cookies are also easy enough for little ones to help make and give as gifts to grandma, mom and loved ones. Adding Callebaut Crispearls* to the cookies give it a slight crunch and adds colour. Callebaut Crispearls* are tiny toasted biscuit kernel coated with chocolate.

February 23, 2013

Healthy Muffin recipes

I am always looking for muffin recipes that are easy to make, which are low in fat and have high fibre.
Everyone at home will appreciate these muffins.  We can make these muffins ahead of time and store it in the freezer to enjoy it as a healthy snack or for breakfast.
Once I heard my 7 year old daughter explaining to her younger brother that the difference between a muffin and cupcake is the icing :) I think this is a neat way to explain.

Check this page of muffin recipes that are sure to please all of you.  

  • Peach Streusel Muffins: Chunks of fresh peach and crunchy pecans add flavour and nutrition to these delicious streusel-topped muffins.
  • Breakfast Muffins: Perfect for breakfast, these muffins provide an energy boost we need to start our day.  It is filled with fibre-rich ingredients.  These muffins are packed with vitamins and minerals.
  • Summer Berry Muffins: Fresh berries add delicious flavour, colour and nutrition to these muffins. They are best fresh from the oven, but are also good once cooled.  Would be wonderful snack for to send for school or have as breakfast on the go.
  • Banana-Cinnamon Muffins: These are delicious, moist muffins with a crunchy sweet topping.  These low fat muffins have bananas, oat bran, soy milk and soy flour.
  • Fruity Vegetable Muffins: Not only do grated vegetables and dried fruit add food value and flavour to these muffins, but they also make them deliciously moist.  These muffins are not too sweet.
  • Apricot and Pecan Muffins: Packed with fresh fruit and nuts, and delicately spiced with cinnamon, these homemade apricot and pecan muffins are lower in fat and sugar than store-bought muffins, and contain no trans fats or preservatives.
  • Cherry-Oatmeal Muffins: Dried fruit adds flavour to these muffins and would be a great portable snack or breakfast idea.  I adapted the recipe from the site and made these Raisin Oatmeal muffins.  If you want it to be sweet add more sugar into the mixture, this recipe is not too sweet.
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup toasted wheat germ or flax seeds
1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
3 tbsp olive oil
1 large egg
1 tbsp grated orange zest optional
3/4 cup dried cherries, cranberries, or raisins

Preheat oven to 375°F.  Line twelve 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper liners. Toast oats in a jellyroll pan until golden brown and crisp, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Or we could do this over a pan and dry roast it until it has a golden colour.  Transfer to large bowl and cool to room temperature. Add all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, wheat germ, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the roasted oats, stirring to combine.
Whisk together buttermilk, oil, egg, and orange zest in small bowl until blended. Make well in centre of dry ingredients and pour in buttermilk mixture. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in the dry fruit, using a wooden spoon.
Spoon 1 tbsp of batter into muffin cups; sprinkle top of each muffin with 1/4 tsp (1 mL) sugar. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in centre of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the muffins from pan to wire rack to cool.
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February 15, 2013

Party in a Box and Flower shaped Brownie Cookies

When we plan and prepare for a party it is much easier if we can find all the things we need to decorate and serve from one place.  I am glad that we can find many themed party kits online at BirthdayinaBox.com such as Brave, Tangled that are sure to please any little girl.
I am planning on having a fairy party for my daughter in spring and wanted to get started.  This deluxe kit from BirthdayinaBox has 8 knives, spoons, forks, cake plates, cups, 16 napkins, 12 birthday candles and table cover, which is good for a small gathering of children.  This kit also comes with pink and hot pink streamers that would look beautiful when we decorate among balloons.  Having this kit with everything in it makes me feel like I am already set with the little details, and am looking forward to plan on what to serve for her friends.
I am thinking of including these flower shaped brownie cookies adapted from the smitten kitchen cookbook that would fit this theme.
Here is what you will need to make these brownie roll out cookies we will need... (I halved the recipe)
3 cups flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
16 tbsp unsalted butter softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Whisk flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder in a bowl.  Beat the sugar and butter until fluffy in another bowl then add eggs one at a time.  Mix in the vanilla and dry ingredients.  Wrap the dough with a plastic and chill for 1 hour.  Roll out the cookie dough on a floured counter to 1/8" or 1/4" then cut desired shapes, I used the flower shape cookie cutter from the Wilton cake decorating kit.  Place the shapes on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake in a 350F for 8 (for 1/8") to 11 (for 1/4") minutes.  The edges will become firm and the centre will be slightly soft and puffed, transfer to a wire rack and cool.
All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011 - 2013. Please Ask First

February 10, 2013

Learning All About Chocolates from Bonnie Gordon College

Update: Bonnie Gordon College is now closed

I recently attended a media event at Bonnie Gordon College and learned a lot about chocolates.  After the event, I think I understand the difference of the wide range of chocolates that are available.  The College uses the exquisite Cacao Barry chocolate couvertures, which has a minimum of 31% cocoa butter that makes it to be higher quality product. 
Learning about Cacao Barry definitely makes us talk about chocolates in a whole new way. The location of the cocoa plantation, how the beans are chosen and the climatic conditions results in the different variation of chocolates and taste.
For example:
  • Alto el sol from Peru is an aromatic, fruity and acidic chocolate.
  • Oropucce from Trinidad has a strong cocoa flavour, slight fruity, flowery and winy taste.
  • Madirofolo from Madagascar has a balanced, fruity, acidic and slight bitter finish.
  • The chocolate from Tanzania is my favourite as it is subtle, spicy, fruity and acidulous taste. This chocolate has 75% cocoa in it.
  • Chocolates from Ghana have 40.5% cocoa with a sweet milk flavour.
Cacao Barry has existed since 1842, and they cultivate cocoa beans in limited quantities from different countries without mixing them.  Cacao Barry offers Kosher certified, rare and refined flavours of cocoa through their chocolates.  Their chocolates would be fabulous in all chocolate desserts i.e. pralines, moulding, coating, pastry, biscuits, mousse, decorating, sauce, ice cream and more.  
The higher quantity of cocoa butter in the chocolates makes it fabulous to melt, mould and dip to create a beautiful thin shell that looks neat.  The non-couverture chocolates like chocolate chips keep their shape when baked and not very good to melt or work with. We can find Cacao Barry products sold at Vanilla Food, Golda's Kitchen, Baker Haven and in many other locations.
  
We were shown three different methods of tempering chocolates by the instructors at Bonnie Gordon College. Tempering the chocolate is important so it will set well when we work with it.  Check the mini video I took when the instructor at Bonnie Gordon College demonstrated this cool method of tempering chocolates.

Tempering chocolates in the microwave is an easier method of tempering by gently melting the chocolates in the microwave till it reaches 32C by placing it for 1 minute, 
then another 1 minute, 
then 30 seconds 
and in 10 seconds segments.  
We have to mix it after removing from the microwave each time.
Here is the link to the Chocolate Bonbons (alcohol free) recipe I learned at Bonnie Gordon College.  If you want to learn about a variety of ways to temper chocolates and to make hand dipped truffles and bonbons, Bonnie Gordon College will be offering day classes on March 23rd and 24th.



Bonnie Gordon College is run by Bonnie Gordon, an internationally respected cake designer.  Bonnie's approach to cakes are as a form of art and her curriculum emphasizes artisanal education that encourages students to try their own creativity.  This approach attracts many students and has created successful businesses such as We bake in heels and Cupcake Girl who started their Cake design education from Bonnie.  Bonnie in her program encourages and emphasizes the use of best, high quality and natural products.  The college offers a variety of programs such as

  • The Confectionary Diploma Programme is a 16 week program that is offered throughout the year in a full time basis so students can learn the entire cake design process from scratch.  
  • The Designer Cakes Certificate Programme is a full time hands on class that explores all the skills and techniques needed to create custom designed cakes.
  • Bakery Essentials Certificate Programme is offered full and part time to teach baking and pastry art i.e. cakes, cupcakes, cookies, breads, quick breads, filling and ganaches.
  • They also have a variety of other classes for hobbyists and home bakers.
 
670 Caledonia Road
Unit 100 M6E4V9
Toronto, Ontario
416-440-0330



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February 5, 2013

Make this Almond Biscotti for your loved ones

With all the fabulous family and love-oriented holidays this month, here is an easy to make delicious biscotti recipe. This would make a wonderful homemade treat to serve or take over to your loved ones. 

February 3, 2013

Your chance to Win: Movie offers and Peanut Butter Cheerios kit ($50)


Look for specially-marked boxes of General Mills cereals like Lucky Charms, Cheerios and Oatmeal Crisp, Golden Grahams and others to get a ‘free movie offer’ from Cineplex®.
Starting February 3rd.  
From March 3rd to May 30th you will find a ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ General Admission to the movies at Cineplex® on these same cereal brands.


From February 3rd until May 30th you’ll find:

  • ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ Child Admission when purchasing any two specially-marked treats like Betty Crocker® Dunkaroos®, Fruit Gushers® or Fruit by the Foot®
  • ‘Buy One, Get One Free’ General Admission when purchasing any two specially-marked snacks such as Nature Valley® Sweet & Salty & Crunchy products.
  • Free movie snacks on specially-marked boxes of Old El Paso® products including the Extra Mild, Super Tasty Dinner Kit, the Hot & Spicy Fajita Dinner kit and the Hard & Soft Taco Dinner Kits. Way to spice it up!
Once you find the unique voucher code inside the package, go to www.Cineplex.com/freemovieoffer and redeem your free movie ticket*  These offers are valid February 3rd to May 30th 2013 for show times Sunday through Thursday (inclusive) only.
*Old El Paso® free movie snacks are redeemed in theatre, not online.
Peanut Butter Cheerios
My children are big fans of peanut butter, and when I told them about the upcoming peanut butter flavoured Cheerios they became super excited :) 
After tasting it their verdict was that it tastes just like peanut butter and would have it for breakfast and snack everyday.  Peanut Butter Cheerios will be available for a limited time in stores starting March 4th
We enjoy making these peanut butter cookies that does not last too long in our home.  It is easy to make these cookies within a few minutes.  
Here is what you will need to make these cookies...
2 oz butter
3 oz peanut butter
4 oz brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
4 oz flour

Mix the butter, peanut butter and sugar with a hand beater until it is mixed.  Then add the egg to the mix.  Mix the baking powder and salt with the flour and add mix it into the butter mixture. 

 
Take a teaspoonful of mixture and make a ball shape and place it in a lined baking tray 2" apart.
Lightly press the balls with a fork to make a tic-tac-toe pattern and bake in a lined baking sheet for 10 minutes in a 350F preheated oven.  Don't over bake as the cookies will burn on the bottom.  Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes then move it to a wire rack to cool down.

Offer:
Starting February 4th Get your Peanut Butter Cheerios FREE coupon when you buy another Cheerios flavour (BananaCheerios, Apple Cinnamon Cheerios, or Chocolate Cheerios). 
During the March 16th – 17th weekend you can redeem the free coupon at your nearest store.
Peanut Butter Cheerios kit
Giveaway:
You may enter this Peanut Butter Cheerios kit ($50) giveaway on multiple blogs, but may only win one prize.  This giveaway is open to people in Canada until Feb 28th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I am participating in the Life Made Delicious Ambassador program and receive special perks as part of my affiliation.  All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2011 - 2013. Please Ask First