Desserts

Almond Pear Tart with Spiced Wine Syrup How can I make the almond pear tart gluten-free? Substitute the all-purpose flour in the crust with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum or a binding agent. Almond flour alone won’t work for the crust structure, so a commercial 1:1 gluten-free baking mix is the best option. Also, ensure the cornstarch and other ingredients you use are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination. The almond filling and poached pears don’t require changes. You may need to chill the dough longer or roll it between parchment to prevent sticking, as gluten-free dough is … Read more

Light Coconut Dessert How can I make this coconut dessert vegan? Substitute the dairy yogurt with a plant-based alternative such as coconut yogurt or almond yogurt. Be sure to choose a brand with no added sugars or flavors for best results. Replace gelatin with a vegan gelling agent like agar-agar powder. Use about 1 teaspoon of agar-agar powder dissolved in the same amount of water, then boiled briefly before mixing with the yogurt. The texture will be slightly firmer than gelatin-based versions but still smooth and satisfying. Use maple syrup or agave in place of erythritol if you prefer a … Read more

Nectarine Ricotta Pastry Can I substitute another cheese for ricotta? You can substitute other soft cheeses in a ricotta pastry, though the flavor and texture will change slightly. Mascarpone offers a creamier, richer result, while labneh gives a tangy, firmer bite. Cream cheese, softened and lightly whipped, can also work. Avoid cheeses that release a lot of liquid when baked, such as cottage cheese, unless strained first. For a more savory version, goat cheese or feta can be used, but should be balanced with a drizzle of honey or fruit to maintain the sweet-savory profile that defines this ricotta pastry. … Read more

Chocolate Date Roll Cookies with Crunchy Nut Filling How can I make these date roll cookies nut-free? Replace the peanut butter with a seed butter such as sunflower seed butter or tahini. For crunch, you can use toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds in place of chopped nuts. Be sure to check that any chocolate used is free of cross-contamination with nuts if serving someone with a nut allergy. The rest of the base—dates and chocolate—are naturally nut-free, so it’s an easy adaptation that still preserves the richness and texture of the original date roll cookies. Do the date roll … Read more

Lemon Tart with Meringue How far in advance can I make this lemon tart with meringue? Up to 24 hours in advance, keeping it refrigerated until ready to serve. The tart base and lemon filling hold up well overnight, and the flavor even improves slightly with rest. However, for best presentation, it’s ideal to prepare and toast the meringue on the day you plan to serve it. This ensures the meringue stays fluffy and doesn’t weep. If necessary, you can whip and apply the meringue a few hours ahead and refrigerate uncovered, but avoid covering it tightly, which may cause … Read more

Roasted Strawberry Pastry with Mascarpone Cream How far in advance can I prepare strawberry pastry? It’s best to assemble it just before serving. You can prepare each component in advance—bake and cool the puff pastry, roast and chill the strawberries, and whip the mascarpone cream—then store them separately in airtight containers. The puff pastry can be stored at room temperature for up to a day, while the strawberries and cream should be refrigerated. Assembling more than an hour in advance will lead to moisture from the cream and berries softening the pastry. For best texture, wait until the last moment … Read more

Kataifi Rolls with Pistachios and Cream Cheese How can I prevent kataifi rolls from falling apart? It’s essential to let them cool completely before handling. When warm, the kataifi pastry is delicate and more likely to break. Wrap the molds with parchment paper before rolling, as this helps reduce sticking. Once baked and cooled, hold the kataifi roll gently with one hand and slowly slide out the parchment from the other side. Avoid using force, and always work patiently. Can I prepare these kataifi rolls in advance and freeze them? The kataifi rolls can be prepared in advance and frozen, … Read more

Biscoff Ice Cream Bars How can I make Biscoff ice cream bars dairy-free? Substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream and use a plant-based mascarpone or a thick cashew cream. Replace the sweetened condensed milk with a dairy-free version, which is now available in oat or coconut-based options. Ensure that the chocolate used for the coating is also dairy-free, and check that the Lotus cookies and Biscoff spread don’t contain hidden milk ingredients. The texture may vary slightly but the flavor will still be rich and satisfying. What can I use instead of popsicle molds? If you don’t have … Read more

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