Dessert

Entertaining: Afternoon Tea & Palmier Cookies

~ Paris

My favorite part about studying abroad in London was definitely visiting the various tea houses for afternoon tea. There’s just something so classic about spending an overcast, rainy day with a hot cup of tea and cookies {preferably of the French variety, such as a macaron, Palmier, or a madeleine, though those are technically a cake}. After discovering that I could make Palmier cookies with only two ingredients required {sugar and puff pastry}, I knew that I would have to try my hand at making some. I paired it with a strawberry & chocolate flavored tea for an indulgent afternoon pick-me-up. The sweet, caramelized cookies, paired with the refreshing hot tea, was the perfect combination on a stormy afternoon, and felt like such a grown up way of having an adult approved tea party.

Ingredients:
1 sheet all-butter puff pastry
1/4 cup sugar {or to taste}
Recipe:
1. Sprinkle the granulated sugar through each layer of the puff pastry. Editor’s Note: A quarter cup of sugar went a long way for me, but I know many people may want a sweeter, more caramelized cookie. Please add more sugar as needed for your personal preference.
2. Allow the sugared puff pastry to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
3. Add some sugar around the tray to dip both sides of the cookie. Editor’s Note: Be careful as too much sugar can cause the cookie to get a bit over-caramelized/ burnt.

4. Slice the puff pastry and then shape them by hand into the classic heart shape.
5. Leave plenty of room for the cookies to expand as the bake or they will expand and stick to each other.
6. Bake for ~7-8 minutes at 425 degrees. This may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on the cookies as they are being made.
7. Enjoy!

x Paris




Blueberry Vanilla & Mascarpone Tart + Sour Cream

~ Paris
The weather here in Northern California has been ridiculously warm lately, making the idea of cooking or baking near a hot stove or oven sound utterly unappealing. Instead, we’ve been subsisting on takeout, air conditioning, and ice cold drinks to make it through the day. But the other afternoon, I found myself craving a decadent and rich dessert that wasn’t overly sweet. Since our local bakery only had sugar infused options like a double chocolate cake or an oversized sugar cookie + buttercream frosting, I decided to try and whip something up at home. By combining fresh blueberries with mascarpone cheese, it made for the most indulgent dish that tasted like a creamy, no bake cheesecake. And when paired with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of vanilla sugar, and a crumbly graham cracker crust, this made for the perfect summer dessert. I plan on making this anytime I’m craving a quick treat, and updating it with different berries such a strawberries, blackberries, or raspberries, for a twist on this tart.

Ingredients
{Makes One Serving}
1 Mini Graham Cracker Crust
1/4 Cup Blueberries
1.5 Tablespoons Mascarpone Cheese
1/2 Teaspoon Sour Cream
Vanilla Sugar, sprinkled to taste

Recipe
1. Massage the blueberries into the mascarpone cheese and press it into the graham cracker crust.

2. Dollop the sour cream atop the tart. Garnish with a blueberry.

3. Sprinkle vanilla sugar on top of the tart.

4. Enjoy!

x Paris