Tag: hazelnut

Gluten Free ‘Baci di Dama’ (Hazelnut and Chocolate Cookies)

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If you’re looking for the perfect bake for Valentine’s Day, look no further than these mini Hazelnut and Chocolate Cookies which are very romantically named ‘Baci di Dama’ or ‘Lady’s Kisses’.

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Baci di Dama originate from the Piedmont region of Italy and were made to celebrate the excellent Hazelnuts produced there. It is thought that the cookies are called ‘Lady’s Kisses’ as the two sandwiched cookies are said to resemble lips pursed together ready to receive a kiss or the two halves symbolise two lovers kissing.

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Whichever explanation you decide to opt for, there’s no doubt that these miniature cookies are incredibly cute. They are also incredibly simple to make and require just five ingredients – great for a last minute gift idea if you’re stumped for what to get someone for Valentine’s Day!

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Baci di Dama (Lady’s Kisses) – GF/EF/DF options

Ingredients

100g blanched hazelnuts
100g gluten free flour (I used Schär All Purpose Baking mix
60g caster sugar
60g unsalted butter (or a dairy free alternative, like Stork Margarine)
50g good quality dark chocolate (or dairy free alternative)

Method

1) Place a dry frying pan over a medium heat, then lightly toast the hazelnuts until golden brown.

2) Blitz the hazelnuts in a food processor until they resemble fine breadcrumbs. Place the ground hazelnuts into a large bowl, then stir through the sugar and the flour.

3) Rub the butter into the hazelnut mixture and start to bring the mixture together to a form a dough – if the mixture is a little crumbly, add a few drops of water to help it come together.

4) Wrap the dough in cling film and chill it in the refrigerator for two hours to help it firm up.

5) Preheat the oven to 160 C/140 C fan/gas mark 3. Roll the chilled dough into small ball shapes which weigh approximately 5 grams each, then place the pieces of dough onto baking trays lined with baking parchment and chill the

6) Place the balls of cookie dough into the fridge to chill for 15 minutes. Bake the cookies for 15 minutes or until they are golden brown.

7) Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely while you melt the chocolate.

8) Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of gently simmering water. Allow the chocolate to cool for a few minutes, then dip the flat side of a cookie into the chocolate, then sandwich it together with another cookie – repeat until all the cookies have been sandwiched together.

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I love seeing your take on my recipes, so remember to share a snap of your Baci di Dama over on Facebook, twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #titchytonbakes.

 

Gluten Free Nutella Marble Cake

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New Year is that time of year where we seek to return some balance to our lives, whether that be through setting New Year resolutions or undertaking a detox to repair our bodies after the hectic and often overindulgent festive season.

Personally, I have never managed to stick to a New Years resolution or detox diet, and although I do understand I can’t over indulge all year round, I do think that January is a time for comforting feel good food – after all, it can be a cold and bleak month.

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As far as comforting feel good food goes, I think my Gluten Free Nutella Marble cake fits the bill… I’d just better be sure to strike some balance in my diet by making sure I eat my greens, too!

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Nutella Marble Cake – GF/DF options

Ingredients

For the cake:
175g unsalted butter, softened
175g caster sugar
175g gluten free self raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
4 eggs
2 tbsp milk (or dairy free alternative)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp cocoa powder
3 tbsp Nutella or similar hazelnut spread (or dairy free alternative)

For the chocolate glaze:
2 tbsp cocoa powder
4 tbsp golden syrup
25g butter (or dairy free alternative)

To decorate:
A handful of roughly chopped hazelnuts

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 170 C/150 C fan/ mark 3, then grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with baking parchment.

2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder.

3. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar with an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time along with one tablespoon of the flour to stop the mixture from curdling. Add the remaining flour and milk, then beat until the ingredients are fully combined.

4. Divide the mixture between two bowls – add the vanilla extract to one half of the mixture, then stir the cocoa powder and the Nutella through the other half.

5. Spoon the vanilla and hazelnut mixtures into the prepared tin, alternating between the two colours – to create a marble effect, gently swirl a skewer through the mixture.

6. Bake for 60 – 80 minutes – or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

7. Allow the cake to cool in the tin before turning it out on a wire rack. Leave to cool while you make the chocolate glaze.

8. To make the glaze: place the butter, golden syrup and cocoa powder into a small saucepan. Heat the ingredients over a medium heat and stir until the butter has melted and the ingredients are combined.

9. Drizzle the icing over the cake and finish with the chopped hazelnuts.

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I love seeing your take on my recipes, so remember to share a snap of your marble cakes over on Facebook, twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #titchytonbakes.