Powdered Sugar Makes Everything Prettier

Even my brown blog of a chocolate tart! Ok, so the chocolate tart has grown on me after rave reviews from friends and co-workers.  Plus I prettied it up with a generous sprinkling of powdered sugar and now she is presentable.





TWD: Baking with Julia- Chocolate Truffle Tart

Not sure what to quite make of this recipe yet- it's definitely not a looker- reminds me of a big brown blob.  I have yet to taste it but I think there is still hope it will turn out delicious.  Nuts or chopped toffee bits would also be fabulous additions.  This filling has white chocolate and almond biscotti in it, so I suspect it will be a crunchy yet creamy experience. You can find the recipe on page 382 in Baking with Julia.  Going to take it to work tomorrow if all goes well after the first bite- fingers and toes are crossed!

Update - Tuesdays with Dorie: Baking with Julia- White Loaves

Well after checking out all the fabulous white loaves photos on other blogs, I came to the realization that my loaves were pretty funky with all the wholes.  Upon further investigation and a second disasterous attempt,  the problem revealed it's ugly self- I was proofing the loaves in a too warm oven- the horror!   A third attempt and using all self restaint to turn on the oven, I produced two beautiful white loaves with just proofing with the oven light on and-bonus- just in time for my wonderful mother in law's visit!   This time I used all purpose flour and braided one loaf which is very easy to do.  After the first rise, divide the dough into three sections and roll each other out to about 10-12 inches long.  Pinch the three sections together at the top and proceed to braid and pinch the bottom and tuck under.  Place in pan and proceed with the second proof.  Now to resist eating all the second loaf by myself...

Tuesdays with Dorie: Baking with Julia- White Loaves

Right now my kitchen smells heavenly from the freshly baked white loaves sitting on my stove and I have fallen pretty hard for "Baking with Julia".  The only change made to the recipe was a substitution of 1 cup of whole wheat flour due to the fact I ran out of all purpose.  I had high expectations to make one of the loaves into a cinnamon swirl loaf but of course I am out of time and am now running out the door. I havent yet tried a slice of the loaves but they will be definitely on my mind when I drive home tonight from work!