Showing posts with label valentine chocolates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label valentine chocolates. Show all posts

Monday, 27 January 2014

Chocolate Coconut Velvet Truffles - Gluten Free

Valentines is around the corner and I have been looking for some gluten free delights to share. Since becoming strictly gluten free I have been trying out some recipes and replacing the ordinary flour with a gluten free mix. This recipe was originally for red velvet truffles but something went a little astray when I tried replacing the red food colouring with natural beetroot juice, they most definitely were more chocolate coloured, than 'red'. It is possible that replacing the flour may also have had an effect. Nevertheless the outcome was still delicious, albeit not red inside. A coconut, crunchy outer and a chocolaty, velvet centre. I have left out the colouring for the recipe and adapted it as gluten free. If you want it to be 'red velvet', and you are not GF, then replace the gluten free flour mix with ordinary self raising flour and add 2 tablespoons of red food colouring. The original recipe was from a Donna Hay magazine.

Image: Lee Caroline

Chocolate Coconut Velvet Truffles

Ingredients:


  • 150g unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (165g) caster (superfine) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 and a quarter cups (185g) of gluten free (pre mix), flour from the supermarket (if you are not gluten free use ordinary self raising flour)
  • 1/4 cup (25g) cocoa
  • 1/2 cup (125ml) buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup (20g) desiccated coconut
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) coconut-flavoured liqueur (or a replacement such as rum or cointreau)
  • 300 (10.5 oz) grams white chocolate, finely chopped (I used white chocolate baking buttons)
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 2 cups (150g, 5.2 oz) shredded coconut


Method:


  • Preheat your oven to 160 Celsius (325 Fahrenheit). 
  • Place butter, sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl and beat for 8-10 minutes or until pale and creamy.
  • Add eggs one at a time beating after each one.
  • Add flour, cocoa, buttermilk and food colouring and beat on low until just combined.
  • line a 20 x 30cm pan with baking paper, lightly grease.
  • Spoon mixture into the baking tin and lightly smooth the top with a knife.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes or until cooked (test with a skewer).
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes in the tray, then turn out and further cool 10-15 minutes on a cake rack
  • Break the cake up and place in a food processor with the desiccated coconut and liqueur and process until combined.
  • Roll tablespoons of the mixture into balls in your hands and chill in the refrigerator for around 30 minutes until firm.
  • Place the chocolate (broken) or chocolate baking buttons and oil into a stainless steel bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, see here for easy step by step instructions on melting chocolate.
  • Stir until smooth and melted, then using a spoon or dipping wand coat your truffles and immediately dip into the shredded coconut, rolling them around to cover the truffle fully.
  • Refrigerate for approximately 1 hour until set (makes approximately 26 truffles).



If you are looking for more Valentines inspiration, you may enjoy this post with recipes and a free printable....or...





Bon Appetite

Lee oxo


I will be sharing this post with the following blogs:

Tuesday, 29 January 2013

Inspiration No. 2, 2013 - Desert recipes, DIY Lampshade & More

With the recent, fabulous hot and sunny weather we've been having in Auckland I have to admit that I have been consuming vast amounts of ice cream to the extent I have actually put on a kilo in weight over the past few weeks. For the sake of myself, I probably should not be posting mouth watering recipes. However, I  couldn't resist sharing my latest find, a delicious recipe for Cranberry Almond swirl ice cream. Also discovered were some delicious chocolates and an unusual cookie recipe, add to this a few DIY ideas and a  contemporary  interior and you have this weeks inspiration post.  


With Valentines not far away how about these delicious Raspberry dark chocolate ganache chocolates discovered at "Desserts for breakfast"...See recipe



 Salted caramel stuffed chocolate crinkle cookies from Cooking Classy...See recipe


 from Liren at Kitchen Confidante, via "My Way Home"...See Recipe here. Note: I don't have an ice cream maker but manage perfectly by freezing then removing and stirring through and freezing again.


Create a paint swatch chandelier, simple instructions from Hey Gorgeous ...Read more here


Pretty DIY pom poms perfect for a little girls room or to dress up a party find instructions at Martha Stewart...See instructions here .They are easier to make than they appear.


A sleek contemporary interior in London