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Category Archives: chocolate

Coconut Date Syrup Macaroons with Mocha Chocolate Ganache

21 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by Nicole Small in chocolate, dessert, gluten free, Holidays, Jewish, recipe, vegetarian/vegan

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chocolate, coconut, coffee, dessert, gluten free, jewish recipe, kosher, macaroons, mocha, passover, vegetarian

Coconut macaroons sweetened with date syrup and gently infused with date coffee, dipped in velvety chocolate ganache. Perfect for festive holiday meals and dessert tables!

Homemade Coconut Macaroons with Mocha Chocolate Ganache (Passover Kosher & Gluten Free!)

While I was living abroad I was blessed to be the marketing assistant to a woman with a truly incredible company: she leads food tours through the markets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. There were many perks that came with that job, like the best burekas with the most luscious fillings, learning where to buy high quality spices and hard-to-find “foreign” ingredients (like brown sugar), and which shops were truly worthwhile.

I’ve been home for a while, and she and I have kept in touch. She initiated a new start-up that would allow people in the United States to subscribe to a food delivery box filled with artisan foods and treats from Israel. During that time I had the pleasure of finally getting paid to do what I love: recipe development.Homemade Macaroons (Passover Kosher & Gluten Free!)

ingredients for homemade coconut macaroons

Actually, that wasn’t the only passion that I was getting paid for. In the span of a month and a half I had my 2nd catering gig, I taught my first cooking class plus I developed recipes for Koofsa. It was so validating and special to finally get to use my passion for cooking in that way; I felt a surge of motivation and fulfillment.

This is one of my favorite recipes that I developed for her company. These macaroons are so much better than store bought, and that’s coming from a girl who can go through a container of Manischewitz macaroons in no time at all. These mocha coconut macaroons, dipped in a velvety mocha dark chocolate ganache, stood no chance in my kitchen. We devoured them, and I know you’ll love them too!

Homemade Coconut Chocolate Macaroons

This is a special and simple recipe to add to a festive meal or holiday dessert table. They are Passover kosher and gluten free with a gentle and satisfying sweetness that comes from date syrup. This recipe is loosely adapted from this one.

Coconut Date Syrup Macaroons with Mocha Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients

3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
4 egg whites
½ cup Silan (date syrup)
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp almond extract
¼ tsp salt
½ cup heavy cream
2 tbsp Date Bean Coffee*
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions

Start by pre-heating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, heat ½ cup heavy cream with 2 tbsp date bean coffee in a saucepan over low heat. Once the cream is hot, but not yet simmering, turn the burner off and pull it off the heat to let the date coffee to infuse the cream.

Meanwhile, toast half of the coconut in the oven until it is golden brown. Check on it regularly and use a spatula to toss the coconut flakes around so that you can be sure they don’t burn! Remove the pan from the oven once the coconut is golden brown and set aside to cool.

Whisk egg whites, silan (date syrup), vanilla extract, almond extract and salt until frothy, and then stir all of the coconut into the egg mixture.

coconut macaroons recipe

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat. If you are using parchment paper, spray the surface of the paper lightly with baking spray so the macaroons don’t stick. Take your batter and scoop a tablespoon at a time and shape it into rounds on the baking sheet, about an inch apart.

IMG_7850

Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

While the macaroons are baking, prepare the ganache: Heat the cream again just so it is hot but not yet boiling. Pour the chocolate chips into a heat-proof bowl and strain the hot cream through a fine mesh sieve to remove coffee grounds; allow the cream to drip into the bowl of chocolate chips. Slowly stir the cream and chocolate together until the chocolate is completely melted and the cream is fully incorporated. Resist the urge to eat the whole pot with a spoon.

chocolate ganache for coconut macaroons

Place another piece of parchment paper on a second baking sheet. Once macaroons are cool enough to touch, carefully lift them from the pan, dip each macaroon the ganache and place on the second baking sheet. Cool in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

chocolate coconut macaroons
Keep refrigerated.

*If you don’t have date bean coffee (it is a bit obscure), you can substitute your favorite ground coffee beans.

For more recipes, or if you would like to book a culinary tour in Israel, visit Delicious Israel’s website.

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10 Homemade Holiday Gifts

18 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by Nicole Small in chocolate, dessert recipe, Holidays

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dessert recipe, gift guide, gluten free, holiday, holiday gift guide, holidays, homemade gifts, recipe, sweets, vegetarian

My favorite kind of gifts to give are always homemade – they make the most wonderful and memorable presents. This Homemade Holiday Gift Guide contains some of my favorite recipes just for this purpose.

I think homemade holiday gifts are even more thoughtful than a store bought gift, especially when they come from your kitchen! I love knowing that someone created a special treat just for me. These are great presents to give to loved ones, friends, and even teachers, neighbors and coworkers. They are perfect for the person who seems to have everything. It would be easy to pick 2 or 3, make a big batch, and then wrap them up to spread some holiday cheer!

10 Homemade Holiday Gifts // Tsiporah Blog

Last year I threw a holiday party and I pulled out all of the stops: white elephant gift exchange, photo booth, ugly sweaters and a cookie exchange! It was amazing, and the cookie exchange was a great way to experience the special holiday treats that my friends enjoy. I can’t create the same winter wonderland in my tiny apartment, but I can enjoy a little piece of it by creating some yummy gifts for my friends and family – and so can you! Put down those candy canes and checkout these 10 gift ideas:

1. Peppermint Hot Chocolate Spoons

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Spoons - Holiday Gift Idea // Tsiporah Blog

Peppermint hot chocolate spoons are a cute and easy gift to give (and enjoy for yourself!). I’ve made these multiple years in a row. The first year I made them for my best friend, and after that she has requested them each year, so I make enough to give to all of my close friends. They’re fun to give to everyone on your list because they’re just so easy! I like to include peppermint marshmallows too.

2. Apple Butter

Apple butter goes well with so many foods, from your morning toast to a sweet and tangy marinade. Your gift recipients will be impressed – they’ll have no idea that apple butter so easy to make! It’s easy to pack in a glass jar with a pretty label .

3. A Box of Homemade Cookies

hanukkah cookies for the holidays

Cookies are one of the greatest and most quintessential holiday gifts. Let me tell you three reasons why I love cookies as a gift: First, I often come home and I want a quick, sweet bite, and cookies are just right for this craving. Second, a box of cookies is nice to have around during the holidays to share with guests who come by. Third, it’s fun to try new cookies that you haven’t had before. To spice up your cookie box, check out these recipes from my family to yours:

Holiday Butter Cookies
Lavender Cookies with Lemon Glaze
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
Vanilla Bean Cookies

4. Homemade Chocolates

These handmade Peanut Butter Chocolates are the perfect gift for your chocoholic loved ones! Plus, the fact that they are handmade means that you can customize them however you like to suit your friends’ and family’s tastes.

5. Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar

Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar - Holiday Gift Idea by the Kitchn

by the Kitchn

I’ve wanted to make this Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar for 2 years now, and somehow I still haven’t. I have had chocolate balsamic before and I think it would make a beautiful gift. It’s great paired with strawberries, or even… dare I say… vanilla ice cream! Yes, my friends. Yes.

6. Apple Cider Caramels

Deb from Smitten Kitchen is one of my favorite bloggers, and her Apple Cider Caramels look to die for. I haven’t made this specific caramel recipe before but they’re so perfect for the season that I had to include them!

7. Peppermint Crunch Truffles

These Peppermint Crunch Truffles are a fun play on traditional peppermint bark. Plus, these truffles look super fancy and classy, yet they only have 3 ingredients and they are so easy to make!

8. Holiday Spice Pecans

Sweet spiced pecans are one of the best scents ever. You know what I’m talking about, and so does Melanie at A Beautiful Bite. She says, “You know when you go into the mall and smell that wonderful scent that can only mean that there’s a nut vendor somewhere close by? That heady cinnamon sugar smell..?” THAT is what your kitchen will smell like. Yum!

9. Salted Chocolate-Pecan Toffee

Salted Chocolate-Pecan Toffee - Holiday Gift Idea by Sunset

by Sunset Magazine

If you’ve read my blog long enough you’ll know that I love Sunset recipes. Toffee is always welcome in my home, it is one of my favorite desserts! This Salted Chocolate-Pecan Toffee really could not be better. Seriously. Make this and give it to someone. Or make it and mail some to me!

10. Flatbread Crackers with Thyme & Honey

Lastly, a savory recipe, for your friends and family who don’t like sweets (I know, whaaaat, but these people exist). Smitten Kitchen has created a wonderful flatbread recipe that would be just amazing in a gift basket with some fresh sprigs of thyme, a wedge of good cheese and a jar of local honey to enjoy along with it. This would also make a great holiday party appetizer!

If you are looking for clever ways to wrap up all of these goodies, check out my Gift Giving & Holidays Pinterest board! I also pin holiday inspirations, gift ideas and more. Let’s be friends!
What is your go-to homemade holiday treat? Tell me in a comment!

*A Note on Sharing: If you are going to pin the recipe for one of these yummy gifts, please do so from the original source!

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

04 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by Nicole Small in chocolate, dessert, dessert recipe, gluten free, sweets, vegetarian/vegan

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chocolate, dessert recipe, food, food blog, food blogger, gluten free, homesick, recipe, sweets, vegetarian

Homesick Cookies

These no bake cookies take less than 5 minutes to whip up, and I have to say that the cookie “dough” is best eaten when it is still warm and gooey. They are decadent and chocolatey with the perfect kiss of peanut butter. Once you’ve eaten half of it alongside a tall glass of cold milk, plop spoonfuls of the rest on a tray and refrigerate them. Because sharing is caring.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal No Bake Cookies

My life has been a whirlwind of change lately. One month ago I packed my bags, kissed my cat goodbye, and flew across the world to live in Israel for 5 months. You can read about my adventure here. It took me about a day to feel at home here, and it took me about a month to feel homesick. It’s funny how you can make a recipe that reminds you of home and suddenly not feel so far away. My Mom has been making these for us for as long as I can remember. Consequently, I made these four times this week. All four times I shared them with my roommate, friends and neighbors, and all four times I thought of home.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Makes no cookies if you eat all of the cookie dough out of the pan. Makes 15-20 cookies otherwise.

Ingredients

scant 1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup rich cocoa powder
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cups oatmeal

Directions

In a pot over medium heat, mix together sugar, milk, butter and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil for about 1 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Easy No Bake CookiesRemove from heat and add peanut butter and oatmeal. Mix well. Spoon into bowls and eat immediately for instant comfort and homesickness relief. Or drop by teaspoonfuls onto a tray lined with wax paper and refrigerate. 
No Bake Cookies recipe

easy no bake cookies recipe chocolate

A note on the cocoa powder: I have always made these at home with baking cocoa (like the Hershey’s kind that you find at the supermarket). That is totally fine and they will be delicious no matter what, but if you can find a more rich cocoa powder it makes a huge difference! In Israel the cocoa that I bought is so decadent and flavorful, it makes me want to buy 100 containers and take them home with me at the end of my stay.

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Flourless Gluten Free Brownies

12 Monday Aug 2013

Posted by Nicole Small in chocolate, dessert, dessert recipe, gluten free, sweets

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I don’t know about you, but chocolate is a really necessary thing in my life. My Granny makes the best brownies in the world, hers are fudgy and dense and perfectly chocolatey. Whenever she comes to visit she brings a container of them; somehow they just taste better out of her oven, not ours.

Flourless Gluten Free Brownies Recipe via Tsiporah Blog

Last week I had a craving for brownies, but I was so sick of the packaged gluten free kind from the store. I wanted warm brownies fresh out of the oven! And I especially wanted dense, fudgy brownies like my Granny’s. These brownies are actually best served cold in my opinion, but they are also great still warm.

Gluten Free Brownies Recipe via Tsiporah Blog

Flourless Gluten Free Brownies

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for pan
4 eggs
1/4 cup + 1 tbsp butter, plus extra for the pan
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

With a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together. Add the eggs, then the remaining ingredients. The batter will be really, really thick and really tempting to eat straight out of the bowl.

Take a stick of butter and peel the paper off of one of the ends. Rub the butter all around an 8×8 metal baking pan, covering all nooks and crannies. Then scoop about 1/4 cup sugar into the pan and, over a sink, tilt the pan around until the sugar coats all of the butter. Firmly pat the bottom of the pan (over the sink!) to remove any excess sugar.

Pour the batter into the pan and smooth it down with a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Brownies will be soft in the middle, let them sit on the counter for 20 minutes before serving. They are best served cold, though.

Be sure to put keep the brownies in the refrigerator once they are done to retain freshness, they really aren’t good if you keep them out on the counter.

Flourless Brownies via Tsiporah Blog

Enjoy!

recipe adapted from oh lardy!

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