#zuccotto

#zuccotto

I like to fold the bag over my hand as I fill it with frosting and I press everything down towards the tip as I am filling. This gives more control over the bag and allows her to apply pressure and remove the air.

Fashioned after a traditional French gateau Breton, the gateau Basque and even the galette des rois—all cakes made of sweet or quick puff dough doubled up and filled with fruit or cream or nuts—this cake, uniquely Louisianan and lovingly called gateau nana, takes inspiration from each.

It's kind of like a pseudo-cheesecake - more so than other no-bake varieties. Our own two-ingredient version of it doesn't even require cream cheese. Instead, shortbread cookies are set into a vat of Greek yogurt and allowed to sit overnight so that they can soften. The result is a creamy, cheesecake-like dessert packed with protein and endless customization options.

The Earl Grey chocolate tart fits the role perfectly for Easter, being rich without feeling heavy and fragrant without being fussy, while meeting the expected chocolate quota.

The moka pot was born in Italy in the 1930s, as a simple way to give people the ability to make cafe-quality coffee from the comfort of their own homes. Since then, a few superior moka pot models have stood the test of time, becoming the gold standard according to those who use them.

Softened graham cracker layers mimic choux pastry, and vanilla pudding turns into a rich, creamy spread. Ganache crowns this beauty, turning this easy-to-make treat into something that looks far more complicated than what is actually required to put together.

Whether you believe it's cheesecake or not, you can't argue that it's not a terrific (and super easy!) breakfast, snack, or dessert on its own merits. For something so easy to make, this two-ingredient Japanese cheesecake sure did come out delicious.

This bread pudding is going to put you into a chocolate coma... and worth every bite. It's a rich and decadent bread pudding filled with chocolate and pecans. The bread pudding has a firm but creamy texture and the pecans add a nice crunch. Alone, it's delicious. But add the simple chocolate sauce and this is out of this world good. You don't have to dip the strawberries in chocolate, but it's a nice touch

On my last trip, in Bologna, I found yet another way to enjoy Italian coffee (beyond ordering a doppio). One memorable café topped its coffees with fruit powder-infused whipped cream. They were listed under a section on the menu appropriately named "caffe della gioia" (yes, "joy coffee"). These joyful mugs are topped with a generous mountain of whipped cream that can be folded with fruit- or nut powders, like pomegranate, pistachio, orange, wild berries, and aniseed.

Originally from Sicily, cannoli are handheld treats of fried dough filled with a creamy, slightly sweet mixture, sometimes topped with a wide variety of items like mini chocolate chips or pistachios, and can come in other flavors as well. A bite into a perfect cannoli begins with the cracking of the crisp pastry shell, followed by the rush of the cool, decadent filling, along with the textures and flavors of any toppings.

This coccoli, which can be a street food or restaurant appetizer, is truly an icon in Florentine - a term that simply means "from Florence" - fare. The word "coccoli" translates literally to "cuddles," and these fried dough balls do indeed feel like warm little hugs. They're about the size of dumplings; served hot, they've got a crispy exterior to crack into - with just the right amount of grease - where you'll find both fluffiness and chewy doughy-ness all at once.

If you're unfamiliar with the unabashed pageantry that is Italian cassata, let me enlighten you. The Sicilian showstopper consists of a booze-soaked sponge cake layered with sweetened ricotta that's cloaked in a bright green marzipan cape and adorned with all kinds of candied fruit with decorative piping. It's a cake that demands attention, and one that rejects the notion that simple is best. With cassata, more is more.

Mix the cake mix, eggs, oil, water, sour cream, and chocolate pudding mix. (I use my mixer set to low.) Add chocolate chips and mix in by hand. Spray a large Crock Pot with non-stick spray. If your pot runs a little hot, line it with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Spread the cake batter in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 - 5 hours. Do not open the lid. Serve with vanilla ice cream and drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Anything bright and zingy is particularly welcome in January, even more so when it's in the form of cake. I always have an odd end of marzipan after the festive season, and this is a great way to use it up and bring that cosy almond flavour. The marzipan gets blitzed into the butter for a plush-textured loaf cake, and comes together in minutes thanks to simply putting everything in a food processor.

If all things chocolate make up your love language, then this silky rich chocolate pudding pie brought to us by recipe developer Miriam Hahn will speak to you in more ways than one. The homemade chocolate pudding is made from real cocoa and chocolate, providing that smooth and velvety texture that you just can't get from an instant pudding mix laden with artificial flavors.

Aldi's bakery section has a lot of tasty goodies that you should add to your cart, from delightfully soft carrot cake sandwich cookies to buttery blueberry muffins. But there's one item I love to purchase for both its fantastic flavor and what I can make with it: The Specially Selected chocolate chip brioche that's imported from France. While many loyal customers like to whip up French toast with the Aldi item, I use the loaf to create an undeniably drool-worthy bread pudding.

Few desserts are more evocative in French cuisine than a decadently creamy chocolate mousse. And if anyone embodies the spirit of simple French cuisine that folks can make at home, it's Julia Child. When you put the two together, well, you're guaranteed a sure hit. In Julia's world, however, you don't just make a chocolate mousse - you make mousseline au chocolat, a lighter, heavenly version of the popular dessert.