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Cloud Nine Rainbow Cookies
It's FRIDAY! Which calls for rainbow, unicorn majestic magicalness. Yes, it's finally the weekend and we couldn't be more excited. So why not show your mood in the kitchen and make these super colourful rainbow cookies. With only three ingredients, they're the easiest yet cutest delights.
(Image credit: sprinklebakes.com)
You will need:
One batch of Gookie Dough (a monster tub in original)
Food gels
One circle cookie cutter
Directions
Firstly, leave the Gookie Dough out of the fridge for a couple of hours so it has a chance to soften and this way, will be easier to work with. Then separate the dough into six balls and remove the chocolate chips as much as possible (at least you can pop them on the side and munch on them! Colour each one by working a few drops of food gel into the dough. If the dough becomes too wet, add a bit of flour.
(Image credit: eugeniekitchen.com)
Wrap the balls with cling film and leave to chill in the fridge for twenty minutes.
Afterwards, roll each ball of dough so it's around 2mm thick. Cut strips of dough (one from each colour) and assemble into the shape of a rainbow. To help, you can run it along the inside of a circle cookie cutter so it gets the rounded shape. Press down lightly so they form together.
Pop in the oven at 170 degrees for around 10 minutes. You don't want the cookies to become too brown because this will lessen the effect of the colour.
Too adorable to eat! As an alternative, you can use natural colourants such as beets. Our taste buds are most certainly on cloud nine with this one. (Recipe credit to Good To Know)
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Is Sugar Really That Bad?
So, there's a massive stigma when it comes to sugar being harmful to health. Sure, we know it can cause diseases if consumed at a high level and with sugar tax making its way into the UK, it could be beneficial for us all.
(Image credit: ICE Cook School)
The basics
Sugar is a simple carbohydrate which is digested at a fast rate and causes a spike in blood glucose when consumed alone. Sugar shouldn't be feared, and it's as simple as that. Anything is dangerous; you could technically drink too much water and die (extreme, we know). We're quickly swayed into thinking things are healthier because they don't contain pure sugar. However, honey, fruits and other syrups contain high amounts of sugar so don't be brainwashed!
However, we do need to pay attention to how much sugar is in our diet. We eat too much because it tastes good. Evolutionary means we seek out foods naturally high in sugars because energy and high sugar foods are cheaper. But sugar isn't toxic.
Calorie consumption
(Image credit: mumspantry.com.au)
If we overeat sugar, it means we're consuming extra calories which suggest that weight gain will occur. If a diet consists of foods which are rich in sugar but you're under consuming on calories, then you will still lose weight, but the consequence is that you're malnourished. This again leads to health problems.
Now, there's something called 'free sugars'. These include table sugar, golden syrup, treacle, agave syrup, coconut blossom syrup, unsweetened fruit juice and honey. These are sugars added by the manufacturer plus sugars which are present in honey etc. On the other hand, there are sugars we don't count as 'free'. These include lactose in milk and dairy products, natural sugars in fruit, vegetables and cereals or grains. The average adult eats 2000 calories a day which means that your intake of calories from free sugar should be no more than 100 calories a day.
(Image credit: vivatesting.com)
The conclusion
If you're an athlete, then sugar is very beneficial because it gives you more energy and can help to build muscle. But, don't stress it. If you want that Gookie Dough tub and have a balanced diet and won't sacrifice other vital nutrients, then indulge and don't feel guilty!
*Article inspiration from Muscle Food*
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Fancy Food Terms
When talking about Gookie Dough, it's basically exactly what it says on the tin (apart from the change of one letter). However, do you ever go out to a restaurant or hear that fancy chef on TV say something repetitively, and you seriously have no clue what they're on about? What happened to simplicity?! Find out what all of those terms mean here so you can now brag to everyone that you genuinely are posh (the next Mary Berry, of course).
(Picture credit: Pinterest)
What is a tartare?
Some form of dessert or pastry crust? You would be wrong. This is a dish of seasoned raw meat which is usually beef. It can be topped with egg yolk and served with bread or crackers. Oh, and a pro tip, don't get confused with tartar sauce because that could be a bit awkward at the table.
What is crème brûlée?
Okay, so an easier one after we started off being a bit cruel. If you've had one of these gorgeous dishes, then you're bound to know the answer! A little hint? Tubby custard. That's right; this is a sweet custard which is topped with caramelised sugar. Very fancy and even more delicious. Oh, how we love the French.
What is a consommé?
Say what? Yeah, I have no clue. My Grandmother probably wouldn't be very proud right now! So, the answer is a clear soup. You know, like that chicken noodle soup that you have when you're sick? Basically, a classy word of saying see-through soup!
(Picture credit: larenaissance.com.au)
What does chiffonade mean?
No, it's not that silky smooth fabric, chiffon. Sadly! However, I guess you can relate the result to ribbon. Sounds like a riddle, am I right? So, chiffonade means to cut leafy vegetables or herbs into thin ribbons. Would you like chiffonaded lettuce with that, my darling?
Amuse-bouche?
AMUSING! No, all jokes aside, if you can guess this one right then I applaud you! This is something you will experience if you're paying £800 for a dish. An amuse bouche is a small, free (it should be at that price) bite of food to start a meal. It's a way for chefs to give a little something extra but also set the tone for the meal. Food is an art, after all.
What is a quenelle?
(Picture credit: bonappetit.com)
This sounds very elegant. It's either one of the following:
a) a knife cut that is like a super small diceb) a football shapec) a spice used in dessertsd) something cooked in oilIf you said B then you're correct! A quenelle is a football-shaped scoop of food which is usually ice cream or other dessert goodies. It also refers to a poached dumpling made out of minced meat. Does anyone want a quenelle of red velvet Gookie Dough?So, what fancy words do you know that we should learn? We hope you've educated you! Now you can go to France and know exactly what you're asking for when it comes to a crème brûlée!*Credit to BuzzFeed food* -
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownie Cake
The world needs three things and they are brownies, peanut butter and cookie dough. If you're ready for your next session of super sickly sweets then you've come to the right place. This peanut butter cookie dough brownie cake may be quite long winded to pronounce but your tongue will definitely thank you for it when you take a bite of heaven. Forget real meals, this has taken over, treat yourself and perk yourself up! Now don't get me wrong, this recipe is more of the complex ones we've written about but the pictures make up for that and I know you can't say no. The temptation is real.
(Picture credit: lenaslunchbox.com)
You will need:
(For the brownie section)
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil3 cups sugarThree tsp vanilla extractSix eggs1 1/2 cup flour1 cup cocoa (Cadbury's Bournville for the win)3/4 tsp baking powder1/4 tsp salt(For the cookie dough)
1 1/4 cup butter, room temperature1 1/4 cup dark brown sugar1/2 cup sugar3/4 cup peanut butterThree tsp vanilla extract2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour3-4 tbsp milk1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips(For the chocolate ganache)
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided1 cup heavy whipping cream, divided(For the peanut butter frosting)
1/4 cup butter1/4 cup shortening1/2 cup peanut butterTwo cups powdered sugarOne tbsp water or milkMini chocolate chips, for topping, if desired(Picture credit: lifeloveandsugar.com)Instructions
To make the brownies, you will need to line the bottom of three 8 inch cake tins with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celcius. Then mix the oil, sugar and vanilla extract and next adding the eggs until you have a smooth mixture. Next combine your dry ingredients together separately. The flour cocoa powder and baking powder along with the salt. Add the egg mixture to your dry mixture and mix it well. Pour the batter into the three tins and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove brownies from the oven and allow them to cool. Now make the cookie dough.
Ignore this step if you're using Gookie Dough! To make regular cookie dough, cream butter and sugar together until it is light and fluffy. Mix in peanut butter and the vanilla extract and slowly add in the flour bit by bit. Add milk to alter the thickness to your liking. Stir in the chocolate chips, and now you should have a thick, gooey dough.
Cake time! Once your brownies are cooled, it's time to assemble this bad boy. Pop half of your chocolate chips into a metal bowl and microwave half of your heavy cream until you bring it to the boil. Remove from the microwave and pour over your chocolate chips. Cover the bowl for 5-7 minutes then whisk the chocolate mixture until smooth. Using the 8-inch tin that was used for the brownies, pop parchment paper in the bottom and up the sides and this will be used to lift the layers out of the pan.
Place the first brownie into the bottom of the pan and add 3 tablespoons of chocolate ganache on top and spread a thin layer across. This allows the cookie or Gookie Dough to stick to the brownie properly. Now put half of the cookie into the pan and spread evenly on top of the brownie. Remove the layers of cake from the tin and place on a serving dish. Repeat steps just shown with the second brownie and remaining cookie dough. Place the second section of the cake onto the first so you now have a hella large yummy delight. Pop more chocolate ganache on top of the cookie dough and top with remaining brownies.
(Picture credit: Tefal Blog)
If you want to make the cake super fancy and appealing to the eye then place the remaining chocolate chips in a metal bowl, microwave the rest of the heavy cream, pour over the chocolate chips and whisk until smooth. Pour on top of the cake and then allow it to chill in the fridge. To make the icing, beat shortening (Stork with butter) and icing sugar together until smooth, add the peanut butter and then water or milk until the desired consistency. Pipe icing onto the edge of the cake and get decorative!
*Credit to lifeloveandsugar.com*
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Cookie Dough Cheesecake Balls
Everything small and classed as bite-sized is certainly a trend when it comes to the baking industry, and we can't help but dribble over the sound of cookie dough cheesecake bites. Cheesecake is the sassy sister that brings life to the party and with cookie dough added; they're a match made in heaven. In this recipe, we use homemade cookie dough, but you can definitely use Gookie Dough in any flavour of your choice as it will work the same way!
(Image credit: lifeloveandsugar.com)
What you'll need
For the cheesecake:
678 grams of cream cheese softened
207 grams of sugar
Three tablespoons of all-purpose flour
Four eggs
240 ml of sour cream
One teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the cookie dough:
Six tablespoons of unsalted butter at room temperature
36 gram of brown sugar
52 grams of sugar
One teaspoon of vanilla extract
130 grams of all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoons of salt
Two tablespoons of milk
85 grams of chocolate chips
*ALTERNATIVELY A GOOKIE DOUGH MONSTER TUB OF YOUR CHOICE
For the chocolate topping:
95 grams of Flora White
1020 grams of chocolate chips
170 grams of white chocolate chips
What to do:
Firstly, preheat the oven to 150 degrees Celsius and line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Ensure that you grease the sides. Next, mix the cream cheese, sugar and flour until it is combined thoroughly.
Add the eggs one at a time and beat them slowly, then add in the sour cream and vanilla extract. Take your electric whisk and mix at low speed until combined. Pour the mixture into your springform pan.
Place the springform pan which you need to cover with tin foil, inside of another pan. Fill the outside with warm water but ensure that the water level doesn't go over the edge of the tin foil. Bake like this for one hour. When the hour is up, turn off the heat and leave the cheesecake in the oven with the door closed for 30 minutes. Then open the oven door slightly and leave the cheesecake there for another 30 minutes.
Next, remove your cheesecake and chill until completely cold. Now it's time to make the cookie dough (skip the next section if you're using Gookie Dough).
(Image credit: neuroticmommy.com)
Cream the butter and both sugars together until they are light and fluffy, then mix in your vanilla extract. With your whisk on, add in your flour and salt until it is combined nicely. Next, add the milk and continue mixing. Stir in the chocolate chips, and you should have a thick, delicious dough.
Make balls of your cookie or Gookie dough until it's all used up. Pop them in the fridge so they stay cool.
Take your cheesecake and spoon two tablespoons at a time. Squish it together in the palm of your hand so it merges together and then flatten it out. Place the cookie dough in the centre and wrap the cheesecake around it so you now have a gorgeous bite-sized treat. Keep repeating this until all of the mixture is gone. Pop them back in the fridge.
Next, microwave the chocolate chips and flora together. Do this 20 seconds at a time and stir well until fully melted. Dip your cheesecake bites into the chocolate. Drop the ball into the bowl and used a spoon to cover it fully. Then life out with a fork and pop onto parchment paper so it solidifies. Once this is done, microwave the white chocolate and drizzle the balls.
Keep refridgerated at all times.
So, it may be a long winded recipe but in our opinion, it definitely looks worth it. Remember with the use of Gookie Dough, you're saving time!