Make your own delectable custardy tarts instead of buying them. We've subbed in the very Canadian ingredient maple syrup for the more common corn syrup. Plus, we've included variations on the classic, with chocolate and pecans instead of raisins.
It takes just five simple ingredients to create this crunchy confection from our Holiday Celebrations 2009 special issue. To ensure an airy toffee, do not overstir the caramel when adding the baking soda. Dip the pieces in white chocolate for a festive touch.
These brownies are best made a day ahead because they become even more fudgy with the wait. Courtney can serve them on their own or turn them into a brownie sundae by adding vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce and either nuts or fruit.
This tart is more candy than dessert and is best served in small 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide slices along with a cup of coffee. Garnishes such as drizzled chocolate, sliced hazelnuts or a light sprinkling of Hazelnut Brittle (recipe below) are lovely ways to finish it off.
These buttery little sponge cakes are feather-light and eaten as a cookie. Instead of the glaze, you can dip them halfway into melted bittersweet chocolate or dust them with icing sugar. You will need a special madeleine pan, available at most kitchen supply stores.
You can substitute one of the following add-ins for the blueberries: raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips. Or make two kinds at once by dividing the batter between two bowls and adding 1/2 cup (125 mL) of different add-ins to each bowl.
Fruit Blondies With fruit and nuts in every bite, these squares from Elizabeth Baird, our food and nutrition editor, are so irresistible that you'll want to make them again and again. So vary them by using other nuts, slivered dried apricots or chocolate chips.
Although this is not your grandmother's ordinary eggnog recipe, it is equally warm, rich and festive. The rum extract adds the familiar flavour, and you can omit the alcohol for a kid-friendly version. For an extra-indulgent twist, grate dark chocolate over the foamy top.
Make your own gold medal–winning curling stones by sandwiching a cool, minty filling between two soft, cakey, chocolaty cookies and topping them with a gummy handle. If the coating chocolate is a little too thick to spread, stir in a few drops of vegetable oil to thin it.
