Desserts

Caramelized Peach Puff Pastry Tart with Almond Cream How can I make this peach puff pastry dairy-free or vegan? Use a plant-based butter in place of dairy butter for both the almond cream and caramelized peaches. Replace the heavy cream in the chantilly with full-fat coconut cream and use a dairy-free white chocolate brand. For the gelatin, substitute agar-agar in equal quantity, blooming it in hot water before use. Be sure to use a certified vegan puff pastry, which many brands now offer. Check all labels carefully to avoid butter or dairy additives. The result will still be rich, flaky, … Read more

Frozen Cheesecake Bites with Chocolate Almond Coating Can I make frozen cheesecake bites without vanilla pudding powder? You can replace it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. The pudding powder provides structure and flavor, so this substitution helps stabilize the cheesecake batter and retain a creamy texture. While the flavor will be slightly different, the result will still be smooth and rich. Just be sure to whisk the cornstarch well into the batter to avoid clumping. Can I use graham crackers instead of tea biscuits? Use an equal weight—150 grams of crushed graham crackers—and combine … Read more

Biscoff Brownies with Dark Chocolate Chunks How can I make Biscoff brownies gluten-free? Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum or another binder. Keep in mind that Lotus Biscoff cookies and spread both contain wheat, so you will also need to use a gluten-free cookie butter spread and gluten-free cookies for topping. Several brands offer speculoos-style spreads that are certified gluten-free. How should I swirl the Biscoff spread into the brownies? For smooth and even swirls in your Biscoff brownies, warm the Biscoff spread slightly in the microwave until it’s loose but not … Read more

Double Chocolate Amsterdam Cookies How can I make Amsterdam cookies without a stand mixer? You can easily make Amsterdam cookies without a stand mixer by using a large mixing bowl and a sturdy wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Begin by softening the butter fully at room temperature so it creams more easily with the sugars. Beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar vigorously until the mixture is light and creamy. Add the egg and mix until fully combined. Sift the dry ingredients directly into the bowl and stir gently just until the dough comes together. Fold in the chopped … Read more

Soft-Baked White Chocolate Pistachio Cookies How can I make these white chocolate pistachio cookies gluten-free? Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes a binder such as xanthan gum. Avoid using single flours like almond or coconut flour, which lack the structure needed for cookies. Choose a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix designed for cookies to ensure the dough holds together well and doesn’t spread excessively during baking. You may need to chill the dough slightly longer, as gluten-free versions tend to be more delicate. Bake time remains the same, but monitor closely, as some gluten-free blends brown … Read more

Pull Apart Chocolate Rugelach How can I make chocolate rugelach dairy-free? Replace the butter in both the dough and filling with a high-fat plant-based margarine or vegan butter. Use a non-dairy milk such as soy or oat milk in place of cow’s milk. For the chocolate spread, choose a dairy-free version—many dark chocolate spreads or vegan hazelnut options are available. Make sure your cocoa powder and demerara sugar are also vegan, as some sugars are processed with bone char. The texture will remain tender and flaky if you use soft margarine and chill the dough properly before shaping the chocolate … Read more

Spiced Gluten Free Carrot Cake with Almond Butter Glaze How can I make this gluten free carrot cake vegan? Replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2½ tablespoons water per egg). Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it thickens before adding it to the batter. Use maple syrup instead of honey to keep it plant-based. Stick with coconut oil as the fat, which is already vegan. Can I substitute the oat flour with something else? You can replace the oat flour in this gluten free carrot cake with a similar gluten-free … Read more

Pistachio Buns with White Chocolate Glaze How can I make these pistachio buns dairy-free? Replace the milk in the dough with an unsweetened plant-based alternative like almond, soy, or oat milk. Use vegan butter or margarine in place of regular butter for both the dough and the filling. Make sure your white chocolate is dairy-free, as many conventional white chocolates contain milk solids. Some specialty vegan white chocolate brands melt and behave similarly to regular ones, making them a suitable substitute. Can I prepare the pistachio buns in advance? Pistachio buns can be prepared in advance by refrigerating the shaped, … Read more

Glazed Orange Yeast Rolls Can I prepare orange yeast rolls the night before? You can prepare orange yeast rolls in advance by allowing the first rise to happen overnight in the refrigerator. After shaping the rolls, you can either let them rise again immediately and bake, or cover and refrigerate them for the second rise overnight as well. If doing the second rise in the fridge, take them out about 60 to 90 minutes before baking to come to room temperature and rise fully. This method enhances flavor and makes morning baking much easier and more efficient. Can I use … Read more