Chocolate Shards

Sometimes a dessert needs a bolder presence, and chocolate shards are a simple and quick garnish that can be used that don't require any special equipment. All that is needed is a heatproof bowl, small saucepan/pot, parchment paper and a knife. (An offset spatula makes things a little easier, but not necessary).

Full instructions after the break!

Flourless Chocolate Roulade

Chocolate roulade with dark chocolate ganache

In the spirit of sharing, here's a link to my (currently) favourite chocolate roulade recipe, which also happens to be flourless for those gluten-free friends of ours!

Contrary to the commonly-held perception that many people have of flourless dessert recipes, this produces a very light and fluffy sponge that retains its structure. It is quite strong and exceptionally easy to handle, which makes it perfect for using between layers of mousses/ganaches/buttercreams/curds (pick one).

Janet's Gluten-Free Chocolate Roulade

6 large eggs, separated
300mL icing sugar
115mL cocoa powder.

Gingerbread Spice Cake Recipe

This is the cake recipe used in the Individual Gingerbread [Cake] Houses. It's such a simple and easy recipe that doesn't take much time or thinking!

The recipe calls for a 9" square pan, but I used my 10x15" baking sheet for a single sheet cake. It is also fantastic in cupcake form (which I have also tried).

Gingerbread Spice Cake
In a large bowl with a mixer at low speed, mix well the following ingredients:
2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup molasses
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cloves (I used Chinese five-spice powder since I didn't have any ground cloves on hand)
1 cup boiling water

Individual Gingerbread [Cake] Houses

For the holidays, you can't beat home sweet home!

A casual question from a friend ("Are you thinking of having a dinner party again this year?") turned into a month or two of planning, dreaming, and finally, lots of baking which I have admittedly been recently neglecting!

When thinking of the desserts, I came across a recipe for a gingerbread spice cake which looked rich, dense, and oh-so-aromatic. I knew that I had to serve this, and was thinking of a way to plate it when I had the idea to serve them as individual pseudo-contemporary-architecture gingerbread houses.

Repost: Heather and Martin's Wedding Cake

This last weekend, I had the wonderful privilege to be involved with wedding of two good friends, Heather and Martin. Not only are they a fantastic couple, but they have a great sense of humour, wonderful design taste, and are also amazingly grounded and mellow.

Heather and Martin

Chocolate Yule Log with Passionfruit Wine Jelly

What says holiday cheer more than lights, candles, and flowers on the dining table?

I'll tell you what:

Mushrooms!

... mushrooms?

(Not the result of leaving food out for too long)

Flourless Chocolate Cake

This story has a few parts to it. First off, a bittersweet beginning of a going-away party for a friend moving away for a new job. What more appropriate pairing than extra dark chocolate?