Exploring the Decadence of Homemade Baked Goods: From Cinnamon Sugar Eggs to Creme Br?lée

When it comes to baking, there are endless possibilities to create delicious treats using a few simple ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, butter, heavy cream, vanilla, and cinnamon. This blog post will guide you through the process of making two delightful baked goods: Scottish shortbread and a velvety creme br?lée. Both recipes showcase the versatility of these common ingredients and how they can come together to create something truly special.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Common Ingredients:
Flour (usually all-purpose or pastry flour)
Sugar (white or brown sugar depending on the recipe)
Eggs (large eggs)
Butter (unsalted preferred for better flavor control)
Heavy cream (for richer, creamier recipes)
Vanilla extract (pure vanilla extract used for the best flavor)
Cinnamon (optional, but highly recommended for enhancing the flavor profile)

Scottish Shortbread

Scottish shortbread is a classic cookie that is absolutely fall-apart delicious. It's made primarily from flour, sugar, and butter, and is often enriched with a hint of vanilla flavoring. Here's a simple recipe to make traditional and rich shortbread:

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but recommended) A pinch of salt

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the softened butter in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add in the sugar, mixing until well combined and the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough. Using your fingertips, lightly press the dough together to form a flat, slightly thicker disc. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. Once chilled, roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out the shortbread and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Optional: use the back of a fork to create a crisscross pattern on top of each cookie. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the center remains pale. Allow the shortbread to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Creme Br?lée

Creme br?lée is a rich, custardy dessert that is both decadent and sophisticated. It requires a combination of butter, heavy cream, eggs, and vanilla extract, all combined to create a velvety smooth custard. Here's how to create this dessert from scratch:

Ingredients:

2 cups heavy cream 4 large eggs, separated 3/4 cup granulated sugar (1/2 for the custard, 1/4 for the caramel) 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract) Salt, to taste

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the heavy cream over low heat. Do not let it come to a boil but warm it until just barely simmering. Add the egg yolks, vanilla bean and seeds, and a pinch of salt to the cream. Whisk gently to combine. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Slowly fold the egg whites into the custard mixture until just combined. Divide the mixture evenly among ramekins and place on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the oven and carefully pour hot water into the baking sheet so that it comes about halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the edges are set but the center remains slightly jiggly. Remove from the water bath and let the custards cool to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. For the caramel, place the sugar in a small pan and caramelize over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved and turned a golden caramel color. Spoon the caramel over the top of each custard just before serving. For a perfect crust, use a kitchen torch to gently burn the caramel until it sets.

Conclusion

Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, using traditional ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and cream, you can create simple yet elegant desserts like Scottish shortbread and creme br?lée. Both of these recipes can be the perfect addition to any special occasion or a cozy, at-home dinner. With a bit of creativity, you can transform these basic ingredients into something truly delightful.