{Spring Popsicles}: Coconut x Lime x Rose x Raspberry

I returned from a quickie getaway to the beach over the weekend that left me relishing Spring--and all its vibes--more than ever.  Back home and searching for kitchen inspiration for the blog, it wasn't long before my musings turned to the yummy, refreshing and whimsical world of popsicles.

I've had these darlings on my radar for quite a while, with the boxed popsicle molds sitting at the ready for about a year now, as a testament.  (Baby steps.)  But the moment finally arrived when Spring fever, coupled with my childlike obsession for all things frosty, could no longer be denied.

Enter my homespun (but delightfully scrumptious--and figure friendly) concoction of slightly sweet, tart, floral, and citrus-y popsicles.  The blend of coconut water, freshly squeezed lime juice, rose water, and surprise!, elderflower cordial, with fresh raspberries for their gorgeous aesthetic effect and tart bite, produced my newest favorite snack that's sure to keep me noshing throughout the remaining days of Spring...and beyond.

Happy Eating!

Spring Popsicles: Coconut x Lime x Rose x Raspberry

Ingredients:
2 cups coconut water
Juice of 2 limes
Teaspoon of rose water
2 tablespoons elderflower cordial
Fresh raspberries

Method:
Combine coconut water, lime juice, rose water and elderflower cordial.  Fill popsicle molds halfway with mixure and add fresh raspberries.  Freeze for about 40 minutes.  Remove molds from freezer and fill with remaining mixture and top off with more berries.  Freeze overnight and enjoy! (Cook's Note: Run molds under warm water if difficult to remove.)  
  
 

Raspberry-Ricotta Cake

The trifecta of berries, baking and dessert seems to have made its way into my kitchen chronicles again recently.  I know I've been sharing a bit along these lines lately, but can you blame me?  Well, if I told you that this latest confection came together in just over an hour (baking time included), you would surely understand why I just had to share.

I discovered the recipe in my March issue of Bon Appetit and knew I would be baking it soon.  And why not?  It's quick, easy (you don't even need a mixer), and delivers up a moist, sweet, berrylicious bite that's ideal for a last minute dessert--or, as in my case, a just because treat.

  Springtime, berries, cake and the joy of baking.  What could be better?

Happy Eating! 

Raspberry-Ricotta Cake
Recipe courtesy of Bon Appetit

Ingredients:
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups ricotta
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup frozen raspberries (or blackberries), divided

Method:
Preheat oven to 350 F.  Line a 9"-diameter cake pan with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray.  Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.

Whisk eggs, ricotta and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth; fold into dry ingredients just until blended.  Then fold in butter, followed by 3/4 cup of raspberries, taking care not to crush berries.  Scrape batter into prepared pan and scatter remaining 1/4 cup raspberries over top.

Bake cake until golden brown and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 50-60 minutes.  Let cool at least 20 minutes before unmolding.

Do Ahead: Cake can be made 2 days ahead.  Store tightly wrapped at room temperature.   

{Love in the Kitchen}: Raspberry Scones

I happen to love scones, although I don't bake them as often as I have in times past.  (And the reason for that is purely to steer clear of the temptation they bring...)  Still, whenever the opportunity for an occasional indulgence arises, like my recent Afternoon Tea fete while vacationing, I pause for the cause of scrumptious eats.  

The recent Valentine's Day stirring got me to contemplating recipes that I could make with a Valentine's twist.  And my beautiful copper biscuit cutters that I snagged during my travels last month, which happened to include heart-shaped ones, became just the inspiration I needed to return to the world of magnificent, homemade scones.  (Heart-shaped, no less.) 

I was drawn to the recipe for Raspberry Scones because, well, it included the traditional 'red-themed' accent that comes along with traditional V-day territory. (A bit corny, perhaps.)  And it read like a dream--although I've only used dried fruits in my scones in the past, so kneading the fresh raspberries into the dough, without making the biggest mess ever, was a feat.  The final look was a bit messier than usual, but taste trumps all, in the end.

So, if you're up for some love in the kitchen (and who isn't?), give these scones a try.  They come together and bake off quickly--and the bright and gorgeous raspberry hue gives them a rustic finish that's quite beautiful, if you agree that less than perfect can still be beautiful.  Finally, pair them with some delicious jam, or whipped cream, or both, for the ultimate breakfast, brunch, and tea bite.

Happy Eating!

Raspberry Scones
Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface 

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar  

1 tablespoon baking powder 

3/4 teaspoon coarse salt  

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 

3/4 cup buttermilk  

1 large egg yolk 

1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries (6 ounces)

Method:

Preheat oven to 400. In a food processor, pulse together flour, cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add butter and pulse until pea-size pieces form. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg yolk. Slowly pour buttermilk mixture through feed tube into processor, pulsing until dough just comes together.

Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and sprinkle raspberries on top. Knead three times to fold in raspberries (there may be loose pieces of dough and a stray berry or two). Gather and pat dough into a 1-inch-thick square and cut or pull apart into 2-inch pieces. Place pieces, about 2 inches apart, on two parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets and sprinkle tops with 1 tablespoon sugar.

Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let scones cool slightly on sheets on wire racks. Serve warm or at room temperature.  Enjoy!
 


 

The Ultimate Berry Trifle

"This is a showstopping dessert that practically makes itself." Those are the words used to introduce this dessert in Tyler Florence's cookbook, Tyler's Ultimate (a gem in my cookbook collection), setting the reader's expectations for a treat that is unforgettable.  And from the first time I made it years ago until now, I can attest that it's no exaggeration of terms.

My enthusiasm for this dessert, first and foremost, and as it is with all the recipes I return to again and again, is its absolute scrumptious taste.  Like in the mouth-watering, can't wait to take another bite kind.  A mixed berry trifle, it showcases three of Summer's star berries at their peak, and combined with luscious cake and lemon cream, every bite is a mingling of sweet and slightly tart flavors that sing in your mouth.  And I'm not exaggerating.

Another reason this dessert is so stellar is because of the ease with which it comes together.  Trifles lend themselves to an assembly of ingredients, without any heavy lifting.  And when it comes to producing a showstopping dessert, that's rare (and golden).  

Macerating the berries with a little sugar and lemon juice and whipping up sweetened cream and combining with lemon curd to make a scrumptious lemon cream is as complicated as it gets.  So, not complicated at all, really.  The result is a beautiful, layered medley of cream, cake and berries--the ultimate in good eats. 

Happy Eating!

Recipe: The Ultimate Berry Trifle

Raspberry-Topped Chocolate Cake (Redux)

Raspberry-Topped Chocolate Cake

After quite some time, here I am again sharing on one amazing recipe that will have bakers--and eaters alike--jumping for joy.  The first time I featured this confection, I shared my inspiration behind baking this recipe and my sheer bliss at the final, beautiful and scrumptious results.  It was my second or so blog post on DMRFF, and I had a tendency to keep it rather minimal in those days, so much so, in fact, that I didn't even include the recipe! I'll just say the inspiration factor was in higher gear than the traditional recipe sharing on that day. (Smile.)

After receiving great feedback, both on and offline, about this beaut, I knew I had to complete the circle and finally share the accompanying recipe for all those who love to bake and/or devour cake as much as I do.

Decadent Chocolate Cake Layer

Baker's Note:  It will require a generous bit of time from start to finish, so plan for when you have some leisure time to spare.  Then enjoy the stimulating escapade of bringing this decadent, rich, chocolaty dream to life in your kitchen.  Finally, finish with the perfect adornment of "snow-capped" raspberries and tell me what's not to love?!

And now, as promised, the recipe, courtesy of Bon Appetit.

Happy Eating!