Fall

MINI PUMPKIN TIRAMISU

This is a beginner-friendly recipe in which 

not many ingredients are required;

in fact, as simple as it is, its taste is as if 

a pumpkin festival is happening in your mouth.

The pumpkin's richness and the creamy layer fantastically 

leaves a fall flavour. This recipe is also great for thanksgiving, or

family gathering events when it's difficult to make desserts!

INGREDIENTS:

• 45ml lady fingers
• half a cup of strongly brewed espresso

• 125ml cream cheese at room temperature
• 30ml sour cream
• 15ml pumpkin puree
• 25ml sugar
• 5ml vanilla extract

• 185ml whipping cream
• 2ml vanilla extract
• 15ml sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium bowl, add cream cheese, sour cream, pumpkin puree, sugar and vanilla and mix until creamy. Set aside.

2. Beat whipping cream, vanilla and sugar until the stiff peaks create. 

3. With a brush, lightly brush the lady fingers with the espresso until dampened on both sides. Make sure not to brush too much. 

4. Using a mini parfait glass (or a cookie cutter), cut out 12 circles from the lady fingers. Gently place a lady finger or two, depending on the size, into the bottom. 

5. Generously spoon or pipe the pumpkin layer over the lady fingers.

6. Spoon or pipe the whipped topping directly onto the pumpkin layer.

7. Repeat layering as desired, or to fill the parfait glasses.

THOUGHTS/TIPS:

The display of this pumpkin tiramisu is not as appealing as stacking them up in a parfait cup, it looks rather messy and unorganized when a cookie cutter was used for the shape. Thus, if possible, preferably find a good sized glass where different levels of cream and tiramisu is visible and is, in results, visually pleasing. Additionally, more of sugar can always be added as desired. Play around with the recipe! Adding pumpkin spice would add an authentic taste and feel free to use different toppings. 

We hope you enjoy this recipe!

 MINI CARAMEL APPLE BITES

These scrumptious mini caramel apple bites perfectly captures
the essence of fall in one quick bite.
The twist on the famous fall treat allows you to add your own flair.
These bite sized treats are ideal for those who cannot finish
a whole caramel apple (me, anyone else with me? ).
The tart, crunchy apples, with the sweet, soft caramel; two different taste and textures
complements each other perfectly in this bite sized dessert.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 granny smith apple 
• 1 package of caramel melts 
• a mini ice cream scooper 
• sprinkles or toppings of your desire
• popsicle sticks or craft sticks 
• 5 ml of milk

DIRECTIONS:

1. Wash the apple, and use the ice cream scoop to start digging out holes in your apple.

They should look something like this! 

 2. Set the apple balls aside, and you can squeeze some lemon juice over top to keep the apples from browning!

3. In a small pot, turn your heat on low and pour in your caramel melts. 

4. On low heat, slowly stir the caramel melts (make sure they don't burn ) Start slowly adding in the milk once caramel melts are starting to get sticky. 

5. Set aside to let cool for about 2 min. 

6. Stick craft sticks into the apples ( make sure not to go through the apples )

7. Dip apples in caramel sauce until coated. 

8. Once apples are coated, you may add any topping you desire to the apples. 

9. Let caramel harden before standing upright. 

                                    

THOUGHTS/TIPS: 

These caramel apples were delicious and a such a hit between my friends! I did realize that sometimes the caramel would "sweat" off of the apple. Make sure the caramel is cooled, and the apples do not have any left over wax from washing, otherwise they will start coming off of the apple. Initially, trying to scoop out balls from the apple was a little tough, but I found that with a little elbow grease and determination and practice the task gets easier. Also, the number of balls made depends on how well you space out your circles on the apple. I managed to get about 10, but really it's up to you! 

I decided to add some sprinkles on to the top of mine for that extra little crunch when you bite into them but really anything you desire can go on top; crushed walnuts or peanuts would be a really good idea! All in all, these bite sized desserts are scrumptious. They capture that homey feel of fall with it's caramel goodness and the tart and crunchy apples brings out the fall flavours. 

                  

                                                      Hope you enjoy this recipe! :)

Fresh Fruit tarts
Looking for a seasonal dessert?
This a easy recipe that can be shared with friends and family
Once you had it, you won't be able to stop

Ingredients:

Crust:
25g of icing sugar
50g of butter
100g plain flour
1g salt
2mL vanilla extract
30mL of water

Pastry Custard Crean
125mL milk
40g white sugar
15mL vanilla extract
2 egg yolks
8g cornstarch
15g flour

Toppings These can be fruits of your choice
1 Kiwi
50g raspberry

Directions

To make the crust:
1) In a food processor, cream soften butter, icing sugar, salt and a few drops of vanilla together for 20 seconds.
2) Add in flour and pulse until resembles like bread crumb.
3) Add in 30mL of water while the mixer is running. You may need more if your humidity is dry.
4) Form it into a dough and divide them into 6 equal portions.
5) Press your dough into cupcake pan.
7) Preheat your oven to 190C.
8) Bake your cooled dough for about 20 minutes.

To make the Pastry Custard Cream: 
1) Heat your milk in a saucepan just until below boiling point. 

2) Whisk your flour, starch, sugar and egg yolks until smooth and pale in color.
3) When the milk is warm, temper your egg mixture by adding it slowly while whisking. 

4) Cook the mixture on medium low, whisking continuously until thickens. Shut off the heat. Add in vanilla extract.

 5) Wrap it with cling film, touching the warm custard. Let it cool in the fridge.

To assemble
1) Remove tart from pan.
2) Loosen custard cream by whisking. Transfer into a piping bag. Pipe cream into the tart.

3) Place your desired fruits on top.

Thoughts/Tips:

This recipe isn't hard as you think it would be, with time and patience it'll turn out awesome.
I've shared it with my friends, and it was great. In this recipe I've used a food processor but you can mix by hand. You also could use tart molds if you have them. I think that how you pick your fruit is key in this recipe. My Kiwi was over ripe so it didn't look as nice in the end. I've also added whipping cream on top of the custard cream so it might look different from yours. You can put any kind of fruits on the tart.