Saturday 18 December 2010

Dark Chocolate Ganache Frosting

I don't know about you guys but i love Dark Chocolate. The bittersweet taste to the chocolate is scrumptious.

This recipe can be used with milk or white chocolate. All you have to do is take out the butter.

Ingredients 
325g dark chocolate
50g butter
125ml double cream
 
Preparation Method
Boil the cream in a pan with a thick base, remove from the heat and put to one side to cool slightly.
 
Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, stir in the butter, ensuring the butter is melted & mix well.
Pour in the cream and mix thoroughly
Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
 
You  can speed up the cooling process by putting the ganache in the fridge.

 

Thursday 2 December 2010

Tasty Swiss Meringue Buttercream Recipe

Try this buttercream recipe for a nice twist and finish to your cake, just like this picture of a cake using swiss buttercream. Please comment and let me know what you think!

Ingredients
8 egg whites
16 oz. sugar
32 oz. unsalted butter, room temp., cubed
1 tsp. vanilla
Preparation Method
mix egg whites with sugar over double boiler until
heated to 140 degrees.

Mix in a stand mixer on high until soft peaks form.
Add the vanilla.

With mixer on medium-low, add the butter bits at a time. When all added, turn mixer to medium high, until a smooth buttercream is formed.

You can use this as the base for almost any flavored buttercream. This is a true buttercream. Nice, and shiny and smooth.

Dark Chocolate Ganache Recipe

This recipe covers 12 cup cakes or one whole cake.
Ingredients
½ cupthickened cream
7 oz (200g)bittersweet (dark) chocolate


Method
1Break chocolate into small pieces and put in a small bowl.
2Put the cream into a saucepan and bring to the boil.
3Pour the cream over the chocolate and stir until chocolate has melted and it is smooth.
4Stand at room temperature, until cooled and thickened.
5Then use to cover your cakes.
 

Cream Cheese Icing

I use this recipe for the topping to my carrot cake and is absolutley delightful. Try it for yourself!

 This recipe makes 2 cups of icing.

Ingredients

8 oz. (1 pkg.)    Cream Cheese
1/2 c. (1 stick) Butter
1 teaspoons.     Vanilla
1 lb.                   Confectioner's Sugar (Icing Sugar)
2 - 4 Tbsp.       milk (according to desired consistency)



Place cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on low speed until combined.

Add vanilla. Gradually add confectioner's sugar.

Scrape down beater and bowl. Add milk slowly while beating. Continue beating on medium speed until icing is smooth.

An Easy Rolled Fondant Recipe (Ready Rolled Icing)

An Easy Rolled Fondant Recipe



This recipe makes enough to cover an 8 - 9 inch cake like the one in this picture. Once you have decorated your cake do not put it in the fridge as it will make it go sticky!

Ingredients


1/2 oz.   unflavored gelatin
1/4 c.     cold water
3/4 oz.   glycerine
1/2 c.     liquid glucose
2 lbs.      confectioner's sugar (Icing Sugar)


1.    In the top of a double boiler, place gelatin and water. Allow the gelatin to soak for     5 minutes.

2.   Set this mixture over bottom of double boiler, filled with hot water. Allow to dissolve, but not boil.

3.   Add glycerine and glucose. Stir until melted.

4.   Place 5 cups of the confectioner's sugar into a bowl and make a well in it.
Pour gelatin mixture into the center of the confectioner's sugar.

5.   Knead until soft. Wrap in plastic.

6.   Let fondant recipe sit for at least 6 hours before using. 



  When you are ready to use the fondant, knead additional confectioner's sugar into it.  You may want to place the fondant into the microwave for 15 - 20 seconds to make it easier to knead. Only add as much confectioner's sugar as it takes to make it a firm dough. You don't want it to be sticky, but too much will make it crack. Your climate will effect the fondant, so the right amount varies.

Tasty Buttercream Frosting Recipe

 Tasty Buttercream Frosting Recipe

 This recipe is basically made the same as the chocolate frosting but without the chocolate.

 This simple recipe is great to decorate your cakes with, like the ones in this picture.
 Try different toppings for a splash of colour.

 

Ingredients

Preparation method

  1. Beat the butter in a large bowl until soft. Add half of the icing sugar and beat until smooth.
  2. Add the remaining icing sugar and one tablespoon of the milk and beat the mixture until creamy and smooth. Beat in the milk, if necessary, to loosen the mixture.
  3. Stir in the food colouring until well combined.