Robin's Random Recipes

From Cook's Illustrated

Makes about 1 quart.

Ingredients
3 medium-size ripe peaches , peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice from 1 lemon
pinch table salt
1 cup granulated sugar (divided)
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1 1/3 cups heavy cream
6 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons vodka

Stir peaches, lemon juice, a pinch salt, and 1/2 cup sugar in medium-size nonreactive saucepan to combine; let stand until a pool of syrupy liquid accumulates and peaches soften slightly, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Position sieve over medium bowl set in an ice-water bath; set aside.

Heat milk, cream, and 1/2 cup sugar in medium-size heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until steam appears, 5 to 6 minutes. Turn off heat.

Meanwhile, whisk yolks and remaining 6 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl until pale yellow.

Stir half the warmed milk mixture into beaten yolk mixture until just blended.

Return milk-yolk mixture to saucepan of remaining warmed milk mixture. Heat milk-yolk mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with wooden spoon until steam appears, foam subsides, and mixture just begins to thicken or instant-read thermometer registers 180 degrees (mixture must not boil or eggs will curdle). Remove from heat and immediately strain custard into prepared bowl.

Cool custard mixture to room temperature, stir in vanilla, then cover and refrigerate until instant-read thermometer registers 40 degrees, at least 2 and up to 24 hours.

Meanwhile, heat softened peaches and their liquid, stirring occasionally, over medium-high heat until peaches are tender and flesh has broken down, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to bowl, stir in vodka, and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 and up to 24 hours.

Strain chilled peaches, reserving liquid. Stir reserved peach liquid into chilled custard mixture; pour into ice cream machine canister and churn, following manufacturer’s instructions, until mixture is frozen and resembles soft-serve ice cream, 25 to 30 minutes. Add peaches; continue to churn until combined, about 30 seconds longer. Transfer ice cream to airtight container. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours.

From CI's The Best Recipe

Filling:
2 lbs peaches (about 6 medium) peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/2" slices
2 tsp cornstarch
1/3 to 1/2 cup sugar (depending on how sweet the fruit is)
pinch cloves
1 tsp vanilla (I tend to forget this)
1 tbs brandy (I leave this out)

Topping:
10 oz flour (2 cups)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbs sugar (divided)
4 oz butter (one stick), chilled, cut into 8 pieces
2.5 oz shortening (4 tbs), chilled
1/3 to 1/2 cup milk

Heat oven to 400F

Combine the filling ingredients, place in 9" square pan. Bake ~20 minutes until the fruit is bubbly.

Meanwhile, make biscuit topping:

combine flour, baking powder, salt, and 2 tbs sugar in food processor. Pulse to combine. Add butter, pulse five times. Add shortening, pulse until flour is pale yellow and resembles coarse cornmeal.

Turn the flour mixture out into a bowl and fold in 1/3c milk, adding more milk if necessary. (I use the bowl and spoon from the peaches...a touch of peach and sugar in the biscuits won't hurt anything!) Reserve any remaining milk for the next step.

Turn the dough out onto the counter or a cutting board and pat into an 8" circle. Cut out nine rounds and place on top of the fruit filling. Brush biscuits with milk and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown & delicious. Cool ten minutes and serve.

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2/3 cup cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

From Cook's Illustrated

Makes 12 cupcakes. Published January 1, 2003.

These cupcakes are best eaten the day they are made, but unfrosted extras will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To double the recipe, use 3 whole eggs and 2 yolks, and double the remaining ingredients.

Ingredients
For Cupcakes
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (7 1/2 unces)
1 cup granulated sugar (7 ounces)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick), room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large egg , room temperature
2 large egg yolks , room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For Frosting
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces semisweet chocolate , chopped

Instructions

1. For Cupcakes: Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin/cupcake tin with paper or foil liners.

2. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl of standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Add butter, sour cream, egg and egg yolks, and vanilla; beat at medium speed until smooth and satiny, about 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula and mix by hand until smooth and no flour pockets remain.

3. Divide batter evenly among cups of prepared tin using a #20 disher (3 Tbs.) Bake until cupcake tops are pale gold and toothpick or skewer inserted into center comes out clean, 20 to 24 minutes. Use skewer or paring knife to lift cupcakes from tin and transfer to wire rack; cool cupcakes to room temperature, about 45 minutes.

4.For Frosting: Bring cream to boil in small saucepan or in microwave. Place chocolate in medium bowl and pour boiling cream over. Cover with foil and let stand 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cool and slightly firm, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

5. Transfer cooled chocolate mixture to bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment; whip mixture at medium speed until fluffy and mousse-like and forms medium-stiff peaks, about 2 minutes.

6. Spread 2 to 3 generous tablespoons Chocolate Ganache Frosting on top of each cooled cupcake; serve.

3 c heavy cream, divided
2.5 c sugar, divided
6 oz butter
4 eggs, room temp
10 oz cake flour (8 oz)
1.5 tsp baking powder
.25 tsp salt

Caramel:

Heat 2 cups of cream to a simmer, either in a saucepan or in the microwave.

Put one cup sugar in a heavy medium size saucepan over medium heat. Let the sugar melt, stirring the melted parts around so it doesn't burn. When it gets a deep amber, take it off the heat and add the cream slowly...it will foam up. Return to the heat, bring to a boil, and cook gently for about five minutes. Any clumps of sugar will dissolve as you cook it.

Keep one cup out for the cake, put the rest in the refrigerator.

Cake:

Heat oven to 325F and spray a 12c bundt pan with Pam w/ flour.

Cream the butter with 1.5 cups sugar; add the eggs one at a time. Sift or whisk together the dry ingredients and add alternately with the caramel, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.

Bake 35-40 minutes until a skewer comes out clean; let rest for ten minutes on a rack and then unmold and cool.

Whip the last cup of cream and swirl in some of the caramel sauce.

Serve cake with sauce and whipped cream.

NOTE: The original recipe called for all-purpose flour and my mom and I discovered that with cake flour the cake will fall. THIS IS A GOOD THING. The cake comes out dense and delicious. When it doesn't fall it doesn't taste nearly as good. Towards the end of the baking time if it hasn't fallen yet slam the oven door or pick up the pan and drop it a few inches to ensure it falls.