CreamCheese Pound Cake

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Cakes are the best pastries/desserts in the world! I am totally 101% a cake-girl! Put that damn freshly baked cake in front of me and see me in action :) Now if the cake is pastry or not is a whole new topic but I always considered it as a pastry and will continue to do so- doesn't matter if it is or not!

Baking a cake makes you feel better about the world and yourself :) It kind of makes you feel like a real chef! Once you see how perfectly you have baked it, you may actually feel like you have a 'halo' around your head hehe. And when people are compelled to take a second piece of your cake you may just achieve a nirvana lol! [ I know, I went too far <wink> Kidding!!]

Baking is soothing, thanks to the summer vacation and hungry growling stomachs of kids looking for snacks every 2 hours after playing in the hot sun! My kid loves these pound cakes so much. It is a bliss and sheer joy to watch him go Umm Umm "It is so good mommy" and closing his eyes while he devours it!

(BTW, I have a deal with my husband, when I bake it is his responsibility to take care of cleaning the dishes! yes! loads of it :) only then he is promised a second helping of these delicious baked goods!)

Ok let's get back to the cake:) This one was baked on the occasion of my hubby's bday! We both are not very fond of frostings. I like simple dense, soft, hit the spot kind of cakes a lot! Whereas my kid likes frosting, so I do end up making those kinds too. Here cream cheese and orange zest take this pound cake to another level! You will love it, mark my words :)

Let us take a look at the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all purpose flour (maida)
• 2 1/2 cups fine sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 cups butter at room temperature
• 8oz cream-cheese
• 5 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla essence (or maple syrup)
• 2 tsp orange zest (or lemon zest)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder (optional)

Preparation:

• In a mixing bowl take flour, baking soda and powder, and salt. Mix gently and keep aside.
• In another mixing bowl add butter and cream cheese, whip it with a hand blender till it comes together. (Can use a stand mixer too) 
• Add sugar in 2 parts and whip for good 5 minutes till it is smooth and has a ribbon like consistency. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix everything.
• Add vanilla essence and orange zest, mix it.  
• Now add flour in 3 parts and mix just until incorporated. 
• Grease a bundt cake vessel with butter and pour the cake batter into it. Smooth the top of the batter with a flat surface spoon. 
• Preheat the oven on 350F (180c) and bake for 60-65 minutes. Check if the cake is done by inserting a butter knife in the center portion, if it comes out clean, your cake is done!!
• Let it cool for 30 minutes before you devour this heavenly melt in the mouth treat! 😀👍🏻

njoY!! happY bakinG!!

Recipe adapted from website: Joy of Baking!

Puff Pastry Fruit Tartlet

Without a dessert, your meal feels incomplete, isn't it?  Even though I don't have a sweet tooth, occasionally I crave for desserts and many a time I crave for 'stunning desserts'! I am presenting a very simple and unique dessert which can be tailored to your likings, needs:) or just depending on the availability of ingredients in the pantry etc. It gives you scope to use your creativity leading to happiness looking at the end result :):)

When I am hosting parties I am lost thinking what dessert to prepare...I always get stuck there :) I am on a look out for a quick, easy, eye-pleasing and delicious desserts. These fruit tartlets are sure to make your guests happy and you can bask in the compliments thrown at you for the rest of the week :)

Now, let us take a look at the recipe:
Ingredients:

• 1 box of pepperidge farm pastry sheets.
• 1 cup of blackberry, raspberry, kiwi fruit sliced

For the Frosting: 

• 1 8oz cream cheese 
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar 
• 3/4th cup whipping cream

Preparation:

• Thaw the pastry sheets for about 40-45 minutes when you take it out of the freezer. 
• Lightly flour your work surface. Unfold the thawed pastry sheet. 
• Roll the pastry sheet into the size you need. Cut the pastry into square pieces (4x4) with a knife. 
• Place the square on the muffin pan cups (tray) and slightly make a dip in the centre to give it the cup shape. Bake on 400F/200C for 15 minutes. 
• Let it cool down a bit before you start filling it.
• In the meantime make cheese cream frosting. Whisk cream cheese first, then add sugar and whisk some more. 
• Add whipping cream slowly and whisk until it gets thick enough to spoon. 
• Take the tartlets out and fill it with cream cheese frosting, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi fruit and serve!

Notes:*  You will see pictures where I have also added vanilla custard pudding and orange slices. Like I said you can also add chocolate pudding if you want and any variety of fruits that you like.



njoY!! happY cookinG!!

You may also like red velvet cupcakes.