Banana Walnut Bread

by // // Comments off

I know some of you don’t like to bake with pumpkin because yes, for some people the flavor of pumpkin/pumpkin spice is a bit weird. Growing up in Peru we really did not make/eat desserts from any kind of pumpkin/squash, so it took some time for me to get used to the flavor which I love now.  BUT, I want to give you some options for Fall baking season that does not include any kind of squash like this loaf packed with bananas, walnuts and maple syrup. It is really delicious and perfect to enjoy your favorite Netflix show or your cup of tea/coffee.

Why making this recipe?

* This loaf is not your usually super “wet” banana bread. It has a nice texture and not very moist which is something I do not like about recipes.

* Keeps very well even if you live in a humid place like me right now (Texas).

* Ingredients are easy to find (maybe you already have them all in your pantry right now).

* Perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch or any moment of your day. Are you going on a hike? This will be the perfect snack!

* Want to start baking something that gives you Fall “vibes”? Then, this is right for you!

Let’s start baking and if you would like to watch how I made this cake, visit me on Instagram @pastry_tales

Continue reading →

Apple Cinnamon Cake Loaf

by // // Comments off

 

I know it has been a while since my last post. My dad passed away unexpectedly almost 2 months ago and as you might know I was very close to him. Grieving the loss of a parent is hard and I have been taking my time to assimilate what happened.

But, I’m trying to return to my regular baking and blogging. Thanks to everyone who have reached out to me during this difficult time.

So, let’s start baking and as you know Fall season is my favorite time of the year and being just around the corner, I decided to bake something to start celebrating. I had 2 sad apples and some leftover apple sauce in the fridge, there was no way I was going to toss it away so I made this delicious, quick and easy cake that is perfect for Fall or anytime of the year.

Continue reading →

Lemon Bliss Cake Truffles

by // // Comments off

Hello everyone. Finally, I’m back to my regular baking after taking a “break” due to my trip to Peru. As always, it was not a fun trip but I got done everything that was on my list to help my elderly parents. I had to take a couple of weeks to catch up with my sleep and rest my mind and body, because I came back super exhausted. But, I know Mother’s Day is around the corner and many of you are asking me when will I be posting something fun to celebrate that special day.

This recipe came to my mind the other day because I saw at the store these lemon-flavored candy melts/coating which I thought they would work super good in cake balls/truffles and a will look pretty for Spring/Mother’s Day.

Let’s start with the recipe and if you would like to see how I make these delicious treats, visit me on Instagram @pastry_tales

Continue reading →

ChocoTejas (Peruvian Truffles)

by // // Comments off

 

Every time I go to Peru to visit my family and friends, I have to buy a couple of boxes of these delicious treats that are originally from the Ica region of Peru. Choco Tejas are chocolate truffles filled with dulce de leche, nuts or dried fruit. My favorite combinations are the ones with dulce de leche and pecans or dulce de leche and rum raisins. 

My best friend came from Peru to visit a couple of months ago and she brought me some molds so I could make these chocolate bom boms and guess what… they came out really really good. They are not hard to make, and they can be kept at room temperature or in the fridge for many many days.

If you are looking for some nice chocolate to give away for Valentine’s Day, you should give this recipe a try. Watch my video on Instagram @pastry_tales so you can see how I made them.

Let’s start with the recipe.

Continue reading →

Pumpkin Cake Truffles

by // // Comments off

Halloween is just around the corner, and I couldn’t be happier because after Christmas, Halloween is my favorite holiday! Here is a new recipe for you to make at home and maybe share some with your family and friends.

Today, I’m hosting my monthly collab on Instagram so do not forget to look for #chocopumpkincollab so you can see all the delicious treats my baking friends made. Also, if you visit me on Instagram @pastry_tales, you can watch the video of how I made these cake truffles.

Why making this recipe?

*Pumpkin and chocolate are best friends. They both taste really good together.

*I am giving you the recipe for the most delicious pumpkin cake but for the frosting you can use store-bought frosting, or you can make your own.

*You can make these cake truffles in advance of your party. If you keep them in the fridge, they can last up to a week.

*You can use any kind of sprinkles you want. (Walmart has really cute ones this year)

*If you need a bigger batch, just double the ingredients.

Let’s start with the recipe and if you make it, don’t forget to let me know!

Continue reading →

Ghost Alfajores

by // // Comments off

 

It’s the time of the season…to make Alfajores… because why not? An alfajor is one of the most popular cookies in South America. Each South American country has their own version and today I’ll show you how to make Peruvian alfajores but Halloween theme ones (ghost shape).  No, you don’t need a ghost cookie cutter, just grab a heart shape one and I’ll you will get cute ghosts!

Why making these cookies?

*The cookie part is soft with a delicate taste of vanilla. The filling is a milk base caramel called dulce de leche.

*You can make these cookies in advance; they keep really good for a few days if you store them right.

*Ghosts for Halloween? Of course, you need and want these.

*You don’t like pumpkin or tired of chocolate? These are a good alternative.

Let’s start with the recipe and if you would like to see how I made them, visit me on Instagram @pastry_tales

Continue reading →

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

by // // Comments off

Two years ago, I posted a recipe for pumpkin cookies with chocolate pieces, they were really good, but the texture was more of a cakey cookie which is pretty common for pumpkin cookies due to the moisture that pumpkin has.

After a couple of tests, I finally came up with this recipe that will be your favorite chocolate chip cookie not just for Fall season but for the whole year.

In this recipe, you will find interesting things like:

*I just use light brown sugar (no granulated sugar). Light brown sugar will give a darker and a touch of caramel flavor.

*I don’t use eggs, not even an egg white. Why? Because, we do not want to add more moisture. Pumpkin has enough.

*You have to blot the pumpkin puree. I use 3 layers of paper towels, spread it out and scoop it out. Do this procedure twice. You just need 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree AFTER blotting.

*Baking soda: yes, baking powder: no. Baking soda will make them crunchier and chewier.

*I use chocolate chips and chocolate chunks. It gives a nice look to the cookies.

*Flatten the cookies with the palm of your hand. Do it gently but press them down good, otherwise they won’t spread nicely when baking.

Remember, this recipe is for CHEWY AND COOKIES WITH A GOOD CRUNCH. They are not cakey at all.

If you want to see how I made this recipe, visit me on Instagram @pastry_tales

Let’s start with these delicious cookies…

Continue reading →

Apple Crumb Cake

by // // Comments off

 

Today is the collab that I host monthly on Instagram, the theme is “apples” and I thought about this recipe I posted a couple of years ago which is one of my favorites during Fall season, but I think it did not get the right attention it should have. So, here it is again, my apple crumb cake.

Why making this cake?

* Fall is the perfect time to find different kinds of apples. You can use any kind of apples for this recipe, you can even mix 2 or 3 kinds.

*The crumb part of this cake is a real crumb, not mushy or soft like other recipes. I have made this cake 3 days ago and the crumb is still perfect.

*Perfect to share with your family or friends on Halloween or Thanksgiving.

*Does not need refrigeration.

This cake has 3 layers: cake, cinnamon-sugar apples and a nice crumb. All the layers are very easy to make. The cake is soft with a touch of cinnamon, the apples have the right amount of sugar and cinnamon, and the crumb is perfect. Actually, you can use this crumb recipe for any cake, muffins or pie you make.

Let’s start with the recipe and if you would like to watch the video, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @pastry_tales

Continue reading →

Gansito Brownies

by // // Comments off

I haven’t posted for over a month and if you know me, you know that I have applied for my American citizenship last May and finally my exam was late July, so I had to prepare and study to take that test. I passed it and then my ceremony was last week, I finally can say that I’m an American citizen and I’m proud to be part of this country. So, yes… I have been busy with all this process plus if you have watched the news, Texas weather has been really hot, so yeah it is kinda hard to turn on the oven when it is over 100+ F degrees outside.

With this dessert, I traveled back in time to my childhood. This treat was very popular while growing up in Peru and is still one of my favorites when I’m craving a Hispanic treat. I should say this treat was created in Mexico. Gansito is a filled snack cake. Vanilla cake with a creamy and strawberry jelly filling coated in chocolate. The Gansitos are similar to an American Twinkie.

A couple of months ago, I got a big box of Gansitos at Walmart which I placed them in the fridge (I like to eat them cold) but I had 3 Gansitos left which I decided to incorporate them into my famous brownie batter and the result was amazing! Also, I have to confess something, those tiny pieces of the Gansito that get a little toasted are so yummy to eat!

If you would like to watch how I made these, visit me on Instagram @pastry_tales

Let’s start with the recipe…

Continue reading →

The Best Passion Fruit Cheesecake

by // // Comments off

Passion Fruit is native to Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Peru (South American countries). I think this fruit is pretty popular in the Philippines too. The list of health benefits commonly attributed to passion fruit is due to the nutrient, mineral, and vitamin content of the fruit, which includes antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, fiber, and protein.

I always find passion fruit at Hispanic supermarkets or supermarkets like Kroger or Walmart. I buy it frozen; you can get the pulp with/without the seeds. Other names for passion fruit are: maracuya, parcha,  lilikoʻi , etc.

This cheesecake is perfect for warm days, it’s not very sweet and the fruity flavor makes you want to spend the day in a tropical beach.

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @pastry_tales . I always post all the videos of the desserts I make.

Ready to bake? Let’s start with the recipe!

Continue reading →

« Older posts