Pecan Flan
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
I took a break of almost four weeks from creating and posting recipes to work exclusively on the final steps of my cookbook. I have to confess that I really missed cooking and I could not wait to share my next recipe with you. Since I am currently in Brazil (I traveled here to mainly shoot the cover of my book) I thought I should share a recipe from my childhood. This dessert brings me back the memories of the days I used to spend in company of my good friend Geo, whose mom makes the best Pecan Flan in the world! Smooth just like a regular flan, this recipe has a little surprise: the chopped pecans form a slightly crunchy crust on the bottom. How? It happens naturally: the pecans tend to float towards the top during baking time; and when the flan is unmolded, they end up at the bottom forming a crust. This flan is one of the best desserts I have ever had growing up and I want to thank Geo and Tia Mara for sharing this delight with me, so I could share with you. Enjoy with your family and friends. Happy Easter!
Add a commentAvocado and Candied Cashew Pie
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
This unique combination is worth trying! In Brazil, avocados are more commonly used in desserts.
Add a commentPassion Fruit Pie (Torta Mousse de Maracujá)
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
Light in texture, with a nice balance between sweetness and tartness, Passion Fruit Pie is a traditional Brazilian recipe, popular all over the country. In Brazil, the word “mousse” is frequently added to the dessert title because the texture of the filling is just as light as a mousse. The dough is very simple to make and it adds a nice crunchy bite to the combination. Sweet, tart, light, fluffy and crunchy, this pie has it all! If you haven’t tried passion fruit in desserts yet, I highly recommend this one. This is passion fruit at its best. Enjoy!
Add a commentWhite Chocolate Flan with Peppermint Caramel Sauce
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
It is no secret that flan is my favorite dessert. I love all sorts of flavors and variations, and I really wanted to create a recipe using the traditional flavors of the holidays. So after a lot of thought I came up with a recipe for a White Chocolate Flan with Peppermint Sauce, and I am proud to say it turned out exactly how I had dreamed it would: rich, smooth, and with just a touch of peppermint flavor. This dessert translates all the amazing sweet tastes of Christmas! In fact, it is even more special to me because I was able to add some flavors of the Holidays in the United States to a traditional dessert from my country: Brazil. Merry Christmas friends! Feliz Natal amigos! I hope a slice of my flan brings a smile to your face this holiday season!
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Lime Meringue Flan (Pudim de Claras)
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
I grew up eating this delightful dessert: my mom used to make it a lot when I was a little girl growing up in Brazil. For me, this dessert tastes just like my childhood: sweet, with a hint of lime zest (to make it more exciting), and extremely light in texture! One more awesome thing: it has only 4 ingredients (and they can all be found at your regular grocery store - yeah!!! This time, I am not sending you to international markets to find ingredients). I made this family recipe for a small gathering with friends at my house, and they sure enjoyed it! I hope you enjoy it too!
Add a commentPumpkin Flan
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
Pumpkin is a very popular ingredient in cakes and pies, but not many people know how wonderful it tastes when added to a flan. In Brazil, pumpkin flan is just yet another variation of a classic dessert: flan! I like to think that anything goes well when mixed with a classic flan recipe, so it could not be any different for this one. This Brazilian classic is a perfect, yet unusual, fall recipe. I hope you enjoy!
Add a commentDulce de Leche and Coconut Layer Cake
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
This “white canvas” cake has decadent layers of dulce de leche and coconut custard. The meringue that gives it an all white look is flavored with fresh lime and it breaks the richness of the fillings beautifully. The other great thing about it is that it can be decorated to fit any party theme! Check out the pictures of the cute party for my son’s third birthday and how easily this cake became a “construction site” cake! It was so much fun!
Add a commentCheesecake with Guava Sauce
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
Guava and cheese is a traditional combination in Brazilian desserts, and cheesecake is an American staple. So this “marriage” of flavors works, again, very well for this American-Brazilian recipe! The slightly tangy flavor of the sauce compliments the richness of the cake. I hope you enjoy!
Add a commentTres Leches Cake with Berries and Cream
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
Tres Leches is a very popular cake recipe in Mexico and Central America. Very light in texture, this deliciously moist cake received its name because it is soaked overnight in three milks (tres leches): heavy cream, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk. My version has freshly made cream top and berries soaked in orange liquor. Irresistible!
Add a commentStrawberry Shortcake – Brazilian Style (Torta Gelada de Morangos)
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
This Brazilian-style Strawberry Shortcake has a decadent layer of home-made condensed milk custard. Impossible to resist!
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Banana-Caramel Meringue Pie
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
Dulce de Leche, bananas and meringue are a delicious and rich combination, but the lime zest adds a citrous bite. Try this easy and decadent pie today.
Add a commentCoconut Flan
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
It takes only 5 ingredients to make this delcious South American delight. Simply delicious!
Add a commentChocolate Cheesecake with Passion Fruit Sauce
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
Passion fruit and chocolate is a classic combination in Brazilian cuisine, but this chocolate cheesecake has also an unexpected twist: vanilla balsamic! The passion fruit sauce adds a tropical touch to this decadent dessert.
Add a commentValentine’s Day Chocolate and Coconut Layer Cake (Bolo Prestigío para o Dia dos Namorados)
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
I am not ashamed to say out loud that baking is not my forte in the kitchen. So for that reason, when I decide to get some baking done, I usually use a recipe from a 100% trustworthy source – usually a family member or a friend. This Chocolate and Coconut Layer Cake is a tried and true recipe from my Mom’s kitchen. It is a decadent, rich and delicious cake that my mom has made countless times for the last 20 years, especially for our birthday parties. Since it so rich and decadent, I decided to share it as my dessert suggestion for Valentine’s Day. Of course, I had to add a little color to make it suitable for the occasion (I thought that bright pink would be perfect)! Another great thing about this cake is that it just looks complicated, but it is not! The directions are easy!! The color combination sets the tone and the decorative heart on top took me only 2 minutes to make with a heart-shaped cookie cutter (see the pictures). Well, with all that extra time on your hands you can go get your nails done to look great for your Valentine. Enjoy!
Add a commentSalted Caramel and Guava Pie
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
Guava and dulce de leche – or caramel – is another classic combination in Brazilian desserts. This easy pie recipe has also a touch of sea salt to break the richness of the caramel filling. Delicious at any time of the year!
Add a commentPumpkin-Coconut Pie
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
This one doesn't even need any whipping cream! So delicious!!!
Add a commentCoconut Balls (Beijinho de Côco)
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
This recipe is a favorite at birthday parties in Brazil!
Add a commentChocolate Cupcakes with Passion Fruit Filling
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
The passion fruit filling breaks and compliments the richness of the chocolate. Passion fruit and chocolate is a very well known - and happy - combination of flavors in Brazilian desserts.
Add a commentBrigadeiro – The Famous Brazilian Chocolate Bonbon
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
My son’s birthday was the perfect excuse for me to make this wonderful Brazilian delight!
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Cheese Flan with Guava Sauce (Pudim Romeu e Julieta)
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- Written by Cynthia Presser
Guava and cheese is a classic Brazilian dessert combination. They call it “Romeu e Julieta” (Romeo and Juliette) because it’s like they were made for each other!
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