I always like to pull out the stops a bit at the weekend and bake something special for Todd to enjoy. If some of it also gets into my mouth it can't really be helped!
I was thinking about Boston Cream Pie the other day and I realised that I had never baked a Boston Cream Pie for Todd. I thought it was about time that I did.
Contrary to the name, this is not a pie at all, but a beautifully moist vanilla layer cake with a rich thick vanilla custard filling and a chocolate drizzle topping.
The only resemblance to a pie is the fact that you cut it into wedges! Oh, and that its delicious! (Mustn't forget that!)
It also looked great for my Teatime Thursday's post on Instagram. I don't have a lot of teacups so I am trying to dress them up by baking something tasty to go with them!
This is a teacup I have had for over 44 years now. Its always been one of my favourites!
When my husband saw the chocolate topping he thought . . . "Oh no Chocolate Cake!" He doesn't like chocolate cake.
Its his least favourite cake of all. I was happy to inform him that it was actually a vanilla cake and the chocolate topping was like a candy bar. sort of . . . shhh . . .
The recipe I have always used is the one from the Fannie Farmer Cooking School cookbook, as edited by Marion Cunningham.
I trust Marion Cunningham in all things. I have NEVER used a recipe of hers that has not worked or that I have not liked.
I have had this book since I was a teenager and it has been my go-to for many, many things through the years.
It is old and falling apart, which is the sign of an old reliable and trustworthy friend in the kitchen!
This cake is exceptional. The cake itself is moist and delicious. A french butter cake which is easy to make and baked like a dream.
It might not look really high when you take it out of the oven, but trust me, with the filling etc., it is the perfect size. You would not want it much thicker.
You could just put vanilla pudding in the centre but you would be missing out on perfection.
This filling is easy to make and is perfect for this cake, and trust me when I say it is perfectly delicious!
Perfectly . . .
The topping is simple and perfect also . . . melted semi-sweet chocolate and butter. That's it.
It pours over the cake beautifully, with the help of the back of a spoon.
I start in the middle and slowly spread it out in circles, which also makes for the perfect finish!
So why is a cake called a pie? Well, the name goes back to a time when cakes and pies were baked in the same pans, with the words cake and pie being used interchangeably.
Boston Cream Pie is the official dessert of Massachusetts.
Its been a family favourite in my home for many, many years and I have tried different versions but I always come back to this version from the FFCS cookbook.
Its the best in my opinion.
Its simple. It doesn't require unusual ingredients or methods, and its delicious! We love it!
I couldn't resist having a piece myself. I know I shouldn't, but I did.
That's why I don't bake these types of things very often and when I do I share. I can't be trusted with them in the house. I have little or no willpower when it comes to things like these.
Yield: Makes one 8-inch cakeAuthor: Marie Rayner
Boston Cream Pie
prep time: 20 minscook time: 40 minstotal time: 60 mins
Not a pie, but a most delicious cake, with a thick vanilla custard filling and a chocolate glaze. A firm family favourite from way back.
ingredients:
For the cake:
6 TBS butter
190g sugar (1 cup)
2 large free range eggs, separated carefully
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
245g cake flour (1 3/4 cup)
(to make your own cake flour, for every 140g/1 cup of flour,
remove 2 TBS and add 2 TBS cornflour/cornstarch back)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
140ml milk (2/3 cup)
For the filling:
240ml milk (1 cup)
95g sugar (1/2 cup
3 TBS flour
1/8 tsp salt
2 large free range egg yolks, beaten
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
For the glaze:
4.5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
3 TBS butterinstructions:
Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Butter two
8 inch round cake tins and line the bottoms with baking paper. Set
aside.
8 inch round cake tins and line the bottoms with baking paper. Set
aside.
Beat the butter until soft and creamy,
continue to beat, adding the sugar a bit at a time, until light and
fluffy. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla. Sift the flour, baking powder
and salt together. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with the
milk, making 3 dry and 2 wet additions. Beat the the egg whites until
stiff but not dry. Stir in 1/3 of the beaten egg whites, then carefully
fold in the remainder of the whites. Divide the batter between the two
prepared cake tins, smoothing the top.
continue to beat, adding the sugar a bit at a time, until light and
fluffy. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla. Sift the flour, baking powder
and salt together. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with the
milk, making 3 dry and 2 wet additions. Beat the the egg whites until
stiff but not dry. Stir in 1/3 of the beaten egg whites, then carefully
fold in the remainder of the whites. Divide the batter between the two
prepared cake tins, smoothing the top.
Bake
for 30 to 35 minutes until well risen, golden and a toothpick inserted
in the centre comes out clean. Let cool in the tins for 5 minutes before
removing from the tins to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
for 30 to 35 minutes until well risen, golden and a toothpick inserted
in the centre comes out clean. Let cool in the tins for 5 minutes before
removing from the tins to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
To
make the filling, whisk the flour and sugar together in a medium
saucepan. Slowly whisk in the milk. Cook, whisking constantly over
medium heat, until the mixture bubbles and begins to thicken. Cook for a
further 2 minutes to cook out any flour taste. Slowly some of the hot
mixture into the egg yolks to temper them, then whisk the whole lot back
into the custard. Continue to cook, whisking constantly for a further 3
to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla. Set
aside to cool, whisking several times. Cover and store in the
refrigerator until completely cold.
make the filling, whisk the flour and sugar together in a medium
saucepan. Slowly whisk in the milk. Cook, whisking constantly over
medium heat, until the mixture bubbles and begins to thicken. Cook for a
further 2 minutes to cook out any flour taste. Slowly some of the hot
mixture into the egg yolks to temper them, then whisk the whole lot back
into the custard. Continue to cook, whisking constantly for a further 3
to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla. Set
aside to cool, whisking several times. Cover and store in the
refrigerator until completely cold.
Place one
cake layer on a cake plate, flat side up. Spread the cold custard over
top and then top with the other cake layer, rounded side up.
cake layer on a cake plate, flat side up. Spread the cold custard over
top and then top with the other cake layer, rounded side up.
Melt
together the semi sweet chocolate and butter, whisking until fully
amalgamated and smooth, Spoon evenly over the top of the cake allowing
some to drip down the sides.
together the semi sweet chocolate and butter, whisking until fully
amalgamated and smooth, Spoon evenly over the top of the cake allowing
some to drip down the sides.
Cut the cake into wedges to serve. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Our friends Tina and Tony happened by later in the day yesterday and we treated them to a slice and a drink. They were raving over it.
Like my husband, they had never had it before either and fell immediately in love with it.
If you are looking for something special to bake for your family this weekend that doesn't involved too much faffing about, choose this. Its a tried and true winner of a fabulous dessert! Bon Appetit!
This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com Thanks so much for visiting. Do come again!
I think I was rather fussy as a child. I can remember a kid at school having Spam sandwiches and thinking they were gross. I would not even try them.
It was not something we ever had at home, although we did eat plenty of bologna, which is not that different.
Macaroni and cheese was also not something we had in our house, although my mother did treat us to the mix in the blue box on occasion, and we did love that.
It was considered a real treat. That blue box helped sustain me when I was at college!
I fell in love with real mac and cheese as an adult. I also fell in love with REAL cheese, which was something else I wasn't fond of when I was growing up.
We only had processed cheese slices in our home or in the block. Once a year (at Christmas) my mother would get some Cracker Barrel Cheese and that was considered a real treat.
We would have it with saltine crackers. I wasn't too sure about it myself. It seemed kind of strong.
I discovered all of these tasty delights as an adult and never looked back. Oh, sure, every now and then I do treat myself to a blue box . . . but I love homemade mac & cheese most of all.
We are on a really tight budget this week, so I am counting my pennies, and using up what is in the larder. This time I decided to add in some Spam to the Mac & Cheese, so that my husband wouldn't balk too much at the thought of eating pasta.
I was really pleased with how it turned out! This was absolutely delicious.
I used the small tin of Spam that you can buy, which was just right the right amount, but you can use a larger one if you want.
I use two kinds of cheese in the sauce for the macaroni, a strong cheddar and some Parmesan. Both give a really nice flavour. Rich and delicious.
I also add a tsp of Dijon mustard and a splash of hot sauce for a bit of a kick. It really brings out the cheesiness and adds some warmth.
Other than that there is only salt and pepper. Do bear in mind that Spam is salty and so is cheese, so you won't need much salt.
Most of the Spam gets cubed and folded into the macaroni and sauce, but I did reserve some to cut into small triangles to put on top. I thought it looked really pretty.
I also sprinkled it with a bit of brown sugar to glaze it a tiny bit. Yum!
Also I saved a bit of the cheese to sprinkle on top as well. I like a cheese crust on top of my mac & cheese, don't you?
I served this with some sliced cherry tomatoes and some of those Angel Biscuits from yesterday.
And a tin of baked beans. It all went together beautifully, and we have the leftovers to share today. (There are only two of us)
I really love meals like this. Economical, homey, comforting . . . I could eat like this every day of the week, but alas, my hips would probably want to kick me out of the house!
Yield: 4 - 6Author: Marie Rayner
Spameroni & Cheese
prep time: 20 minscook time: 30 minstotal time: 50 mins
A delicious version of mac & cheese which includes the addition of spam. Rich, creamy and delicious. A real family pleaser.
ingredients:
230g (8 ounces) elbow macaroni (2 cups)
3 TBS butter
35g of plain flour (1/4 cup)
590ml milk (2 1/2 cups), heated gently
salt to taste
1 tsp Dijon mustard
splash hot sauce
1/2 tsp ground pepper
330g grated strong cheddar cheese, divided (2 3/4 cups)
45g grated Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup)
200g tin of Spam (7 ounces)
1 TBS brown sugarinstructions:
Cook your macaroni in a pot of lightly salted boiling water, drain well and rinse. set aside.
Melt
the butter in the saucepan and then whisk in the flour. Cook for
several minutes. Slowly whisk in the warm milk. Cook, stirring
constantly until the mixture bubbles and thickens. Whisk in the
mustard, hot sauce, black pepper and salt (remembering spam can be salty
as can cheese). Mix the cheeses together and then whisk 2/3 of the
mixture into the hot sauce to melt. Stir the cooked macaroni into the
sauce. Cut the rounded ends from the Spam, cube them, and stir them in.
Cut the remaining Spam into 1/3 inch slices. Reserve 4 slices
for the top and cube the remaining Spam, stirring it also into the macaroni
cheese. Turn into a buttered 1 litre shallow casserole dish. Cut the remaining
slices of spam into halves diagonally and sprinkle each with some of the
brown sugar. Place in a decorative manner on top of the mac and
cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over all.
the butter in the saucepan and then whisk in the flour. Cook for
several minutes. Slowly whisk in the warm milk. Cook, stirring
constantly until the mixture bubbles and thickens. Whisk in the
mustard, hot sauce, black pepper and salt (remembering spam can be salty
as can cheese). Mix the cheeses together and then whisk 2/3 of the
mixture into the hot sauce to melt. Stir the cooked macaroni into the
sauce. Cut the rounded ends from the Spam, cube them, and stir them in.
Cut the remaining Spam into 1/3 inch slices. Reserve 4 slices
for the top and cube the remaining Spam, stirring it also into the macaroni
cheese. Turn into a buttered 1 litre shallow casserole dish. Cut the remaining
slices of spam into halves diagonally and sprinkle each with some of the
brown sugar. Place in a decorative manner on top of the mac and
cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over all.
heated oven for 20 to 30 minutes until the cheese has melted and all is
heated through. Serve hot.
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Mmmm . . . this was so, so, SO good. I do hope you will give it a go! Bon Appetit!
This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com Thanks so much for visiting. Do come again!
These are not British Biscuits/cookies but rather North American Biscuits, which are very similar to scones, and are a type of bread, ie. a baking powder biscuit. This is a recipe I have been using for many, many years and is one of my favourite versions of baking powder biscuits, aside from my mother's recipe, which is the absolute best!
These are different than most baking powder biscuits in that, along with baking powder, they also use yeast . . . quick or bread machine yeast to be exact, and there is no raising time as with normal bread, which makes them truly a quick bread.
Many moons ago, when I was raising my family we used to spend several weeks every summer at my in-laws home on Prince Edward Island, which is where my in-laws had retired to. It was a nice little community, mostly filled with retired armed forces personnel and war vets. Across the road there was a couple named Kenny. Mrs Kenny was Acadian French and she used to make these beautiful "French Biscuits" as she called them. Very similar to these, but also slightly different. They were more like a bun than a biscuit and were at their very best on the day they were baked.
She used to prick the tops with a fork before baking and they had a short rising time. She tried to tell me how to make them once, but she had no measurements for anything. Like a lot of older cooks, she just used a bit of this and a bit of that. Every time we were visiting the In-laws, Mrs Kenny would send us over a basket of her French Biscuits and they were always very warmly received.
They were so delicious and I have been searching ever since for an exact recipe for them, and coming up with nothing. In the meantime I bake these Angel Biscuits every now and then, and dream of those. Never mind, these Angel Biscuits are delicious, nevertheless!
They are as light as air, lovely and fluffy . . . soft as a pillow or an angel's wings, which I am sure is where they get their name from!
They do use white vegetable shortening (Trex here in the UK, or Crisco in North America.) I have never made them with butter. Only ever just shortening.
They also use buttermilk. In North American I used to buy buttermilk by the litre, here in the UK you can only get it in 300ml sizes (about 1 1/4 cups). Its kind of silly really because I am never able to find something that only uses 60ml/1/4 cup of buttermilk. Sigh . . .
You can get it by the litre from Ocado, which is an online grocery shopping site, but it comes over from Ireland. They use a lot of buttermilk in Ireland. I wish we could get the larger size here without having to do an online shop. You have to spend a minimum amount to do an online shop, so I do treat myself every now and then, but mostly I just buy the smaller size and end up throwing the excess away in time because it doesn't get used!
Back to the biscuits. These truly are as light as air . . . .
and ultra flaky . . . seriously tasty!
You can bake them in one of two ways . . . either spread apart on a baking sheet or crisp sides, or close together in a skillet for softer sides. The choice is yours. Today I did them in a skillet.
Yield: 10Author: Marie Rayner
Angel Biscuits
prep time: 14 minscook time: 25 minstotal time: 39 mins
Light and fluffy, these are baking powder biscuits which also use yeast to help them rise. A buttermilk biscuit with a delicious difference!
ingredients:
2 1/2 tsp quick acting yeast
(bread machine yeast)
2 TBS warm water
245g of plain flour (1 3/4 cups)
140g cake flour (see my instructions below, 1 cup)
1 1/2 TBS caster sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp baking powder
75g solid white vegetable fat (1/3 cup)
(make sure it is cold)
240ml cold buttermilk (1 cup)
instructions:
Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6. You can bake these
either on a baking sheet, spaced apart for crisp sides, or close
together in an iron skillet for soft sides. In both cases you will want
to line the pan with some baking paper. Set aside.
either on a baking sheet, spaced apart for crisp sides, or close
together in an iron skillet for soft sides. In both cases you will want
to line the pan with some baking paper. Set aside.
Whisk the yeast and warm water together. Set aside to prove.
Sift
the flour into a bowl, along with the cake flour (for each 140g/1 cup
of cake flour needed, you can use the equivalent in plain flour, with 2
TBS removed and replaced with 2 TBS cornflour/cornstarch), and baking
powder. Stir in the sugar and salt. Drop in the cold shortening and
cut it in with two knives until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Pour
in the yeast mixture and the buttermilk, stirring together with a fork
to make a soft dough. Knead gently several times to bring together.
Pat out on a lightly floured surface to 1 inch thickness. Using a sharp
round 2 1/2inch cutter and using a sharp up and down tapping motion,
cut out rounds. (Try not to twist the dough and try to get as many cuts
as possible from the first cutting.) Place on the baking sheet leaving
space in between, or into the skillet, closer together.
the flour into a bowl, along with the cake flour (for each 140g/1 cup
of cake flour needed, you can use the equivalent in plain flour, with 2
TBS removed and replaced with 2 TBS cornflour/cornstarch), and baking
powder. Stir in the sugar and salt. Drop in the cold shortening and
cut it in with two knives until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Pour
in the yeast mixture and the buttermilk, stirring together with a fork
to make a soft dough. Knead gently several times to bring together.
Pat out on a lightly floured surface to 1 inch thickness. Using a sharp
round 2 1/2inch cutter and using a sharp up and down tapping motion,
cut out rounds. (Try not to twist the dough and try to get as many cuts
as possible from the first cutting.) Place on the baking sheet leaving
space in between, or into the skillet, closer together.
in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes (baking sheet), or 20 to 25
minutes (skillet), until well risen and golden brown and fully cooked
through. Serve hot wth butter for spread.
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These are just so amazingly good. I had one with my dinner and now I am looking forward to having another one before I go to bed with some peanut butter on it. I am such a naughty girl, I know! I just can't help myself, which is why I save these for a rare treat! Bon Appetit!
I am doing a Relief Society Demo tonight on Flat Breads. Since Tortillas are flat breads, and you make tortilla crisps/chips with tortillas, one of the things I am bring along to share is this Simple Taco Dip. (Relief Society is our ladies auxiliary at church.)
At its very simplest it is quick, easy and delicious . . . but it is also very easily amped up to something more by making a few tweaks, none of them very complicated. This is one recipe you can very easily adapt to individual family tastes.
For the creamy dip which is on the bottom, I like to make my own Taco seasoning. Its very easily done and I know what is in it, which I like. I hate filling us up with preservatives, sodium and sugars. This just gets mixed into a mix of sour cream and cream cheese. Simple.
You can also amp it up by adding a layer of taco beef on the bottom. (Room temperature.) I tell you how in the recipe. You can also use the Taco seasoning for this.
Shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes go on top of the creamy mixture. Make sure you drain your chopped tomatoes or you will have too much juice. I use cherry tomatoes because I think they are sweeter.
On top of the tomatoes you add a nice thick layer of grated cheese. I use a mix of strong and mild cheddar, but you can use Jack cheese if you want, or if you really want some spice mix in some jalapeno jack. Wowsa!
And that's it, the dip at its simplest. Now is when you can play and have fun with it, by adding layers of things your family loves.
Chopped spring onions, and bell peppers. You can do only green pepper or you can do a mix of different colours.
Chopped black and or green olives. They also had nice flavours, as do chopped pickled jalapeno peppers. (Do be judicious with those as they can really pack a punch!)
This is great for game nights, served chilled from the refrigerator (which makes it a great make-ahead) with a variety of chips and dippers!
Yield: 16Author: Marie Rayner
Simple Taco Dip
prep time: 20 minscook time: total time: 20 mins
This is a taco dip at its very basic, but it can also easily be amped up to something much more exciting, depending on ingredients used and individual tastes.
ingredients:
250g cream cheese (8 ounces)
250g sour cream (8 ounces)
2 TBS taco seasoning (see recipe below)
1/2 head of lettuce, finely shredded (1 1/2 cups)
120g cherry tomatoes, chopped and drained (1 1/2 cups)
180g grated cheese (1 1/2 cups, I use strong cheddar)
Optional Toppings and additions:
chopped black and/or green olives
chopped spring onions
chopped sweet bell pepper
chopped roasted jalapeno pepper
chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
a layer of taco beef (put on the bottom,
brown a pound of ground beef with some taco seasoning, salt and pepper, drain well
and place on the bottom of dip dish)
A layer of re-fried beans (just open the tin and spread on the bottom of the
dip dish)
instructions:
You will also need tortilla crisps/chips for dipping
For
the basic dip, whisk together the cream cheese, sour cream and taco
seasoning, mixing all together well. Spread in the bottom of a 9 by 13
inch glass dish. Top with the lettuce and then the tomatoes and finally
the cheese. Cover and chill for several hours. Serve chilled with
tortilla crisps/chips.
the basic dip, whisk together the cream cheese, sour cream and taco
seasoning, mixing all together well. Spread in the bottom of a 9 by 13
inch glass dish. Top with the lettuce and then the tomatoes and finally
the cheese. Cover and chill for several hours. Serve chilled with
tortilla crisps/chips.
If you want to amp this
up, stir a can of well drained green chilies into the cream cheese
mixture, or whisk in a teaspoon of chipotle pepper paste (or to taste).
You can also put a layer of cooked taco meat in the bottom of the dish
and top with the cream cheese mixture, and add other toppings as
desired.
up, stir a can of well drained green chilies into the cream cheese
mixture, or whisk in a teaspoon of chipotle pepper paste (or to taste).
You can also put a layer of cooked taco meat in the bottom of the dish
and top with the cream cheese mixture, and add other toppings as
desired.
Created using The Recipes Generator
Author: Marie Rayner
Taco Seasoning
prep time: 10 minscook time: total time: 10 mins
Not just for tacos! Add it to salad dressings, casseroles, soups, etc.
ingredients:
1 TBS mild Chili powder
1/2 TBS ground cumin
1/2 TBS onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp dried oregano flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
pinch cayenne pepper (optional)instructions:
Whisk together all of the ingredients and store in an airtight container in a dark place for up to 6 months.
use for Tacos. Brown a pound of lean ground beef (or chicken or
turkey) together with one chopped onion. Drain well. Add 1 TBS of the
seasoning mix and 120ml/1/2 cup water. Cook, simmer, until most of the
liquid has evaporated.
Created using The Recipes Generator
I really hope that the ladies enjoy what I am preparing for them and sharing with them tonight! Fingers crossed! Bon Appetit!
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