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Ramblings of a retiree in France
Tag: sweet treats
The Musette: Lace Snaps
Lace snaps (Florentines without the fruit) earn their name from their delicate and lacy appearance. These thin and crispy biscuits are made of almond flour, brown butter, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla extract. The butter and sugar sizzle as the cookies bake, transforming the… Continue Reading “The Musette: Lace Snaps”
The Musette: Salzburger Nockerl
In Austria a dessert is referred to as “Mehlspeis” – the dish with flour. I think very highly of Austrian desserts and pastries but the most notable and “piece de resistance” is the famed Salzburger Nockerl, a light, baked soufflé. It is typically served… Continue Reading “The Musette: Salzburger Nockerl”
The Musette: Halloween treats (vegan)
While we don’t generally celebrate Halloween, the local kids occasionally come trick or treating. Consequently, like last year, I will leave two plates of treats (recipes below) in small bags on the table outside my front door, with plenty of hand gel, for fingers… Continue Reading “The Musette: Halloween treats (vegan)”
French Fancies: Ladurée
I still recall the first time I ate a macaron. It was at Gordon Ramsey’s debut London restaurant Aubergine. He served tiny lemon and raspberry macarons as part of his petits fours’ selection. They were delicious, just melted on the tongue. The second time… Continue Reading “French Fancies: Ladurée”
The Musette: Toscakaka
This is my spin on the classic Toscakaka, typically a light sponge topped with caramelised almonds. My version uses a moister and denser ground almond based cake, which makes it feel a little more indulgent with a full on almond flavour. Nobody is quite… Continue Reading “The Musette: Toscakaka”
The Musette: Breton Palets
These are really, really good cookies! They are buttery – as they should be, not too sweet and a little salty. And their texture, so delicate, so tender, so sandy, is a little marvel. How much salt you use is up to you. If… Continue Reading “The Musette: Breton Palets”
The Musette: chocolate truffles
I love making my own petits fours to serve with either tea or coffee after dinner. These take many forms but will typically include chocolate truffles. A chocolate truffle is essentially a firm ganache, made of melted chocolate, cream, butter and flavourings, shaped into… Continue Reading “The Musette: chocolate truffles”
The Musette: fudgy dark chocolate vegan cookies
I’ve baked lots of cookies — from chocolate chip to almond batons and lots in between — but the one I keep coming back to are these fudgy dark chocolate vegan cookies. The recipe feels like magic: just a handful of cupboard ingredients create… Continue Reading “The Musette: fudgy dark chocolate vegan cookies”
The Musette: baked banana bonk bars
During the summer months we tend to ride early, leaving the Domaine at around 06:30am to avoid as much as possible the heat of the day. Consequently, breakfast is often tucked into our jersey pockets and nibbled as we ride. These bars make use… Continue Reading “The Musette: baked banana bonk bars”
The Musette: Choco-coconut dream cake
I made my crack cake tasting team a danish cake called “drømmekage” which means dream cake which is famous for its baked caramelised coconut topping atop a rich vanilla sponge. It’s delicious and decadent and was well received but I wondered whether I could… Continue Reading “The Musette: Choco-coconut dream cake”
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