The Hot And Cold Chocolate Day

Is there anything more alluring than chocolate? I ask because although I am not a fan of chocolate in desserts (there are so many other flavours to explore), and hence don't use chocolate as much in my day to day cooking, you cannot deny its power.
So why not up the ante even further. Pair a gorgeously decadent dark chocolate fudge cake with a deliciously creamy and luscious white chocolate ice cream.
You can always choose a lighter option like whipped cream flavoured with white chocolate to go with the cake but this is what I whipped up for a recent dinner. So here's the recipe for both.

Cherry Custard Tartlet

Cherry Custard Tartlet

[I know I was supposed to provide the recipe for the passionfruit mousse cake that I had made for my friends last week. However, the pictures for the cake didn't come out as I had hoped and  so in spite of having a rather great recipe I will not able to post it right away. May be some other time. ]

So without further waste of time, I give you  the Cherry Custard Tartlet.

This is perhaps the most gorgeous tartlet you will ever make. Take my word for it. After all what is more festive and beautiful than cherries? Now imagine a flaky, light, buttery tart shell. Filled with creamy thick vanilla custard. And then slathered with cherry sauce. Its brilliant. So take my word for it, you absolutely have to make it.

Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut Butter Pie

There is something inherently comforting about peanut butter. Be it sweet or salty, creamy or chunky, for about most of my school years, peanut butter was quite a staple.  And unlike the cucumbers and the apples that I have grown to not like as much (apples still are awesome but I eat them only in moderation) since they were the only things packed in my lunch box, peanut butter has still managed to remain adorable. 

A peanut butter jelly sandwich doesn't cut it for me anymore. So most of my peanut butter stock gets converted into these little dollops of joy that I like to call peanut butter choco-chip cookies. However, when the grown-up bones in my body want something more sophisticated and palette pleasing I have to go with my frozen peanut butter mousse pie.

Sweet Almond Cream Pudding

Sweet Almond Pudding

The other day I had this unusual hankering to have Crème brûlée. You know that incredibly thick and smooth vanilla custard topped with the crackling scorched sugar shell? Well I just wanted it.

However, it was 1.30 in the night and there was nothing I could do. So I improvised. I had to figure out a way to satisfy my sweet tooth and also make me not regret not owning a kitchen blowtorch (an essential equipment for making the French bad-babies). 

And so I made my incredibly think, incredibly smooth and wonderfully rich sweet almond cream pudding. 

The Joys of Tres Leches Cake

Tres Leches Cake in the Pan

I had a Mexican wave going through recently and more than the tacos and the guacamole my heart yearned for something really sweet. So I figured, what better stage than this to debut my Tres Leches Cake. 

Now for those not in the know, Tres Leches means three milks. Now before you scratch your head and pull out your hair for no reason, let me ask you to stop. Explanations are right round the corner and you needn't flinch while making this delicious yet simple cake. 

Its yummilicious and a must have in your repertoire. Dress it up and its fit for a party (like tonight). Just throw it together and it is still a slice of heaven.

So without much ado, here's my adapted recipe for an easy to use and sure to deliver cake.

Buttermilk Cupcakes With Pistachio Frosting

The Finished Goods

I have always loved buttermilk cupcakes. They come out rich yet subtle tasting. Quite unlike a regular vanilla cupcake. So today when I decided to make my go to recipe for the good old buttermilk cupcakes, I thought I would improvise on the pistachio buttercream frosting available at Epicurious and give it my little spin. After all no gathering of friends is complete without baked goods.


The result was a wonderfully moist cupcake with a sinfully delectable frosting. A must whip up since it takes so little time to make.
Recipe and prep photos after the jump.