Secrets to Ciabatta Bread

Our recipe for this classic Italian bread promises to live up to its name, while also delivering tangy, yeasty flavor, an airy interior, and a texture that makes an ideal bed for anything you would want to spread, place, or melt on top.

1. MAKE BIGA: Biga is a pre-ferment used in Italian baking. To make it, combine yeast with small amounts of flour and water and let it rest overnight to build flavor.

2. MAKE DOUGH, KNEAD: Add the biga to the remaining dough ingredients, then knead the dough in stand mixer.

3. LET RISE: Allow the dough to rise at room temperature until it has doubled in size, which will take about 1 hour.

4. TURN 8 TIMES: Turn the partially risen dough by folding it in on itself to gently encourage more gluten development. Let it rise for 30 minutes.

5. REPEAT STEP 4: More turning and rising ensure a loaf with just enough lift.

6. DIVIDE DOUGH: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and halve it with a bench scraper.

7. PRESS: Press each half into a rough 12- by 6-inch rectangle.

8. SHAPE: Fold each half of the dough like a business letter (it should make a 7- by 4-inch loaf). Then let it rest for 30 minutes.

9. PRESS, SPRAY, BAKE: Press out the dough into 10- by 6-inch rectangles, spray them with water, and then bake them in the oven.

MAKE IT NOW: Our recipe for Ciabatta is free through February 7, 2013.

---

Secrets to Old Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake

Many chocolate cakes weve encountered are so rich and dense that eating a whole piece feels like youre heading towards death by chocolate. We set out to make a perfect chocolate cake, one from which you can have one piece and still be up for seconds. The result? An old-style, mile-high layer cake with a tender, airy, open crumb and a soft, billowy frosting. Feast your eyes on the step-by-step recipe photosand then, of course, feast on the cake itself.

1. Make the chocolate pudding: Melt the chocolate, cocoa, and hot water together in a large bowl set over a large saucepan of barely simmering water, making sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl. Then add the sugar. This chocolate pudding boosts the chocolate flavor and adds moisture.

2. Whip the eggs and sugar: Whip the eggs and egg yolks in a large bowl with an electric mixer until combined. Add the remaining sugar and whip until voluminous and very thick. Whipping the sugar and eggs until they form ribbons add volume to the cake and make it fluffy.

3. Beat the chocolate pudding into the eggs: Beat the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until fully incorporated. To avoid a heavy batter and dense cake, it is important to add the thick chocolate pudding to the batter before the flour.

4. Tenderize with butter: Beat the softened butter into the batter, one piece at a time. Adding softened rather than melted, butter helps to ensure that the cake will be tender.

5. Alternate dry and wet ingredients: Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly beat in one-third of the flour mixture. Beat in half of the buttermilk mixture. Repeat with half of the remaining flour mixture, then the remaining buttermilk mixture, and finally the remaining flour mixture. Adding the dry and wet ingredients in small batches helps to develop a more consistent crumb.

6. Tap the pans: Scrape the batter into the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Gently tap the pans on the counter to settle the batter and bake as directed.

MAKE IT NOW: Our Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake recipe is free until January 31, 2013.

---

Cooks.com - Recipe - Old Fashion Thin Layer Chocolate Cake Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour batter into 4 greased and floured pans. Dip 2 serving spoons of batter in each pan. Bake 2 layers at a time at ... Old-fashioned Chocolate Cake Recipe : Nigella Lawson Recipes ... Special equipment: 2 (each 8-inch diameter) layer tins with removable bases, buttered. Makes about 8 slices. Old-Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake - Americas Test Kitchen ... Over the years, chocolate cakes have become denser, richer, and squatter. Many contemporary cakes are so intense that just a few forkfuls satisfy. These cakes taste ... Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake Recipe : Nigella Lawson : Recipes ... I rate this recipe a 3-star due to the fact that the overall quality and taste of the cake being less than amazing. The thick batter (that barely fills the 9x13 pan I ... Old-Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake - Recipes - The Fun Stuff - NCA Old-Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake. A CHOCOLATE SALUTE TO THE MASTER In celebration of Julia Child's 85th birthday on August 15, 1997, the Chocolate Manufacturers ... Old-fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe Add items to your shopping list. Cake; 12 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), very soft, plus extra for greasing pans; 1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour ... Old Fashioned Multi-Layer Chocolate Cake Recipe Just A Pinch Recipes Old Fashioned Multi-Layer Chocolate Cake - I love making this cake. It seems that young folks as well as old folks love this cake. It may not be the most beautiful ... Old-Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake - Cook's Illustrated: Home Why this recipe works: The mixing method was the key to getting the right texture for our chocolate layer cake recipe. After trying both creaming and "reverse ...

Secrets to Jam Sandwiches (Cookies)

Jam Sandwiches are a buttery, sweet treat made by pressing two sugar cookies together with (you guessed it) jam. Biting into the firm cookie to meet with the slightly chewy, sticky jam makes the dessert a favorite of kids (and adults) all over. So were sharing a few tricks to make sure yours are as good as they possibly can be.

Weve discovered that its best to simmer the jam until its sufficiently reduced, because this will thicken it enough so that it stays in place after youve assembled the cookies. The other key is to use superfine sugar and cream cheese when making the dough: This produces a workable cookie without turning it tough. Then comes the fun part: Assembling the delicious little treats.

MAKING JAM SANDWICHES

1. Using a 2-inch fluted round cookie cutter, cut rounds from one piece of the dough.

2. Sprinkle the second piece of rolled dough evenly with the sugar.

3. Using the 2-inch fluted round cookie cutter, cut out rounds of sugar-sprinkled dough. Using a 3/4inch round cookie cutter, cut out the centers of the sugared rounds.

4. When the cookies have cooled, spread the jam on the solid cookies, then place the cut-out cookies on top.

MAKE IT NOW: Our recipe for Jam Sandwiches, free through January 24, 2013.

---

Raspberry Jam Sandwich Cookies Recipes - Home Yummly Choose from over 10 raspberry jam sandwich cookies recipes ... Lipton Recipe Secrets Lipton Soup Secrets ... Jam Sandwich Cookies - Martha Stewart Recipes Get Martha Stewart's Jam Sandwich Cookies recipe. Also browse hundreds more test kitchen-approved food recipes and cooking tips from Martha Stewart. Jam Sandwich Cookies Real Simple Recipes Get the recipe for Jam Sandwich Cookies. ... Directions. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. Jam Sandwich Cookies Recipes - Home Yummly Choose from over 20 jam sandwich cookies recipes ... Lipton Recipe Secrets Lipton Soup Secrets ... How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich: Tips, Tricks, and ... How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich: Tips, Tricks, and Secrets ... 5:22 Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies by yoyomax12 53,976 views; Sandwich Cookie Recipes - Pillsbury Product Recipes from Pillsbury.com Which dough is best for baking sandwich cookies? Pillsbury, of course! ... Get more secrets and sign up for our email newsletters below: Pillsbury Hello timesaver! Cooks.com - Recipe - Jam Sandwich Cookies Recipes related to Jam Sandwich Cookies. Rice Krispies Fudge Sandwiches. Baked Taco Sandwich. Hamburger Stroganoff Sandwich. Layered Tortilla Sandwich. Cookie Recipes: Sandwich Cookie Recipes - Martha Stewart View Marthastewart's Sandwich Cookie Recipes collection Also get more food and cooking how-to's, ... Jam Sandwich Cookies. Get the Recipe. Dark-Chocolate Cookies <<< >>> Jelly Sandwich Cookies Recipe Taste of Home Recipes Jelly Sandwich Cookies Recipe Jelly Sandwich Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home. Read reviews (3) Rate recipe. Sandwiching jelly between two layers of the basic ... Festive Jam Cookie Sandwiches Recipe : : Recipes : Cooking Channel Diet Secrets; Home > Recipes > Festive Jam Cookie Sandwiches; E-mail This Page to Your Friends x. All fields are required. Your Name. ... Festive Jam Cookie Sandwiches.

Secrets to Apple Slab Pie

Apple slab pie is a great way to feed a big crowd. Traditionally, its a double-crusted affair filled with spiced apples, and baked on a baking sheet. Short in stature, the filling is thickened to ensure neat slicing, and its topped with a sugary glaze.

And its bigreal big. Like, serves-20-people-big. Regular old single-crust pie dough just wont cut it, but making and rolling homemade pie dough for such a huge pie is a time-consuming project. So we came up with a few tricks to make the process easier. A pie this big needs a double batch of double-crust dough, but instead of trying to roll out one large crust, which was difficult to do, we rolled out four 12-inch circles, two rounds for the bottom and two rounds for the top. By taking two dough rounds and overlapping them to create one large rectangle, the dough became sturdier, and was much easier to handle. Finally, we rolled the dough in cookie crumbs to add a crisp texture and help prevent this large pie from becoming soggy.

MAKING APPLE SLAB PIE

1. Pulse animal crackers and sugar in a food processor until finely ground. Dust work surface with cracker mixture and lay 2 overlapping pieces of the pie dough on top. (Brush water between them to help seal them together.) Sprinkle more crumbs over the top and roll the pieces of dough into a 19 by 14-inch rectangle.

2. Using a rolling pin, transfer the dough to a rimmed baking sheet. Lift and press the dough into the baking sheet, letting the excess dough hang over the edge. Brush dough with butter and refrigerate until needed.

3. Add the apple filling, then roll the remaining 2 pieces of dough together into a 19 by 14-inch rectangle with the remaining crumbs. Using a rolling pin, arrange the top crust over the apples.

4. Press the edges of the top and bottom crust together. Trim the excess dough to inch, fold the crust underneath, and crimp the edges using the tines of a fork.

MAKE IT NOW: Try our recipe for Apple Slab Pie, free through January 17th, 2013.

---

Apple Cheese Slab Pie Recipe - Better Homes and Gardens - Home ... Directions. 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, unfold one pastry sheet and roll into ... Would a pie by any other name taste as sweet? Yes if its ... Apple Slab. Fairly rolls off the tongue, doesnt it? CLUNK. I doubt anything Ive ever baked has a less compelling name. But truth be told, it wasnt the name ... Apple Slab Pie Recipe from Pillsbury.com Treat your guests with this apple slab pie made using Pillsbury pie crusts - a flavorful dessert. Crumb-Topped Apple Slab Pie - Better Homes and Gardens - Home ... The buttery oat topping lends just the right amount of crunch to the juicy fruit in this oversize version of Dutch apple pie. Grandma's Secret Apple Pie (Fruit Pie Round) Recipe : : Recipes ... I am always looking for the ultimate apple pie recipe and this easy down home pie recipe is fantastic. I have made this recipe a few times now and the pie comes out ... How to Make Apple Pie: 5 Secrets to Better Apple Pie Eating Well Find out how to make a delicious, healthier apple pie. I used to think the key to a good apple pie was a butter- or shortening-laden flaky crust and lots of sugar to ... Apple Pie: Apple Pie Recipes and Pie Making Tips Apple Pie Recipe ... Apple pie is an American tradition. This treasured dessert is a favorite year round, especially during the long winter months. Slab Apple Pie with Easy Crumb Top Life As Mom I experimented with my traditional apple pie recipe recently by baking it into a 913-inch pan, thus the name, Slab Apple Pie. This dessert has several things going ... apple slab pie brooklyn supper - seasonal food and recipes ... Buttery homemade apple pie for a party. ... This weekend, I made this apple slab pie. Its an enormous creation, replete with perfectly crisp fall apples and a ... +The Church Cook: Apple Slab Pie with Apple Glaze "If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe."

Secrets to Profiteroles

Profiteroles might just be the most perfect dessert in existence: crisp, tender, and airy pastry encasing cold, creamy ice cream and napped by dark, luxurious chocolate sauce. Unfortunately, perfect profiteroles are often enjoyed only in the abstract, as those served in many restaurants are stale and indelicate, with a texture somewhere between damp cardboard and Styrofoam.

The challenge is the profiteroles base: pte choux. This is the most basic French pastry and is made with just a few simple ingredients, and it bakes up into light, airy, well-puffed pastries with a delicately crisp crust. But beware the pitfalls of bad pte choux. The dough will spread on the baking sheet if too soft, and it may not rise properly. It may bake up lopsided, it is subject to collapse after baking, and finally, the most common problem, it can turn soggy as it cools. Scared? Dont be. Our simple recipe and failproof procedure will help you make profiteroles like a pro.

MAKING PROFITEROLES

1. Pipe the pte choux into evenly sized 1-inch mounds on the prepared baking sheet.

2. Use a wet finger to even out the shape and smooth the surface of the piped mounds.

3. Once the pastries are baked, cut a -inch slit into the side of each puff to release the steam. Return the pastries to the oven, turn the oven off, and prop the oven door open with the handle of a wooden spoon. Let the pastries dry until the center is just moist (but not wet) and the surface is crisp, about 45 minutes.

4. Scoop the ice cream onto a chilled parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze until firm.

5. Use a paring knife to split the pastries about inch from the bottom.

6. Arrange the pastry bottoms on individual serving plates or a large serving platter and place 1 scoop of ice cream on top of each pastry. Lay the pastry tops over the ice cream and press lightly to secure. Drizzle with warm chocolate sauce before serving.

WHEN GOOD PROFITEROLES GO BAD

Its important to bake pte choux pastries until they are browned and firm. If they are removed from the oven too soon (when browned but still soft, as shown on the left) they will collapse as they cool and have a dense, tough texture.

Want to try it for yourself? Check out our Profiteroles recipe for free through January 17, 2013.

---

Profiteroles with Chocolate Sauce Recipe : Tyler Florence ... These are so delicious and the chocolate sauce is phenomenal. A must try if you are looking for a profiteroles recipe. Good one Tyler! ... this is the best recipe i ... Profiteroles Recipe : Ina Garten : Recipes : Food Network Although my puffs were a bit overdone (20 minutes in my oven was too long, this dessert was surprisingly easy to make and amazingly delicious. I agree that the ... To make profiterole cream filling and sauce - Recipes - goodtoknow We've got three fantastic fillings for these lovely light choux pastry buns.. a simple whipped cream, a rich chocolate and coffee French pastry cream or a dark ... Profiteroles & Ponytails (by Profiteroles & Ponytails) ... Theres no way around it. This time of year is hectic for all of us. I mean that in a non-stop list of things that ... Profiteroles recipe - Canadian Living Surprisingly easy to make, this classic will definitely impress. You can make just the profiteroles ahead, or make and fill them with ice cream, ready to pull from ... Profiteroles recipes - Recipes - BBC Good Food Show. Please choose how you would like the page to Show the results: Show tested recipes Show member recipes Show all Order by. Please choose the criteria you would ... Profiteroles recipe - Recipes - BBC Good Food Lulu Grimes shares the secret behind light, crisp profiteroles with a crme ptissire filling and rich chocolate sauce Profiteroles with hot chocolate sauce Recipe : Gordon Ramsay ... Try this Profiteroles with hot chocolate sauce recipe by Chef Gordon Ramsay. This recipe is from the show The F Word. Recipe for Tiramisu profiteroles - Recipes from a Normal Mum I think my kids are spoilt. They eat out all the time. They don't even think it's an event anymore. You see whenever I can't be bothered to cook or, more to the point ... Chocolate profiteroles recipe - Channel4 - 4Food - Channel 4 Mary Berry drizzles warm chocolate icing over her profiteroles for a simply irresistible bite sized treat. Browse thousands more recipes on 4Food from Channel 4