Happily Cooking

Skip to Recipe It is the most wonderful time of the year and the countdown for Christmas has started. I am looking forward to the festive season- days off from work, snuggling in the couch, and watching holiday movies. But nothing can touch the distinct holiday feeling like digging into a cake while watching the decorated Christmas tree. Filled with soft, juicy dates and crunchy walnuts, this Date and Walnut Cake is made with just a few pantry staples and the perfect accompaniment to your favorite beverage. The dates add the perfect amount of sweetness to the soft and moist cake while the walnuts add an incredible textural contrast with their crunchy nuttiness. It is hard to stop at one slice! DO THE DATES NEED TO BE SOAKED FIRST? Yes, it is highly recommended. Soaking the dates with baking soda in boiling water before baking is the best way to get the perfect texture. MORE DESSERTS TO SINK YOUR SWEET TO...

Skip to Recipe The holiday season is fast approaching. I love this time of the year when it is cold outside, and I am indoors baking up some delicious cookies with holiday tunes playing in the background. The heavenly aroma of cookies baking in the oven while I go around decorating the Christmas tree unleashes my festive spirit. Chocolate Chip Cookies are undoubtedly one of the most loved cookies in the world. Every baker needs an incredible chocolate chip cookie recipe in their repertoire and this one is mine. With perfectly soft centers, crisp edges, and packed with chocolate in every bite, these Chocolate Chip Cookies are absolutely incredible! Just wait until you try them. WHAT MAKES THESE THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES? These cookies are insanely delicious, and once you try them they will be on repeat in your house. Here is what makes them the best ever: Easy to make: Made with...

Skip to Recipe As summer rolls in, nostalgia hits me. It takes me back to times when summers were synonymous with freedom. Summer meant a break from school, the time spent outdoors, a trip to my grandparents' home, and most importantly chasing down the ice cream truck in the neighborhood to grab one. My love for icecream has remained the same. The only difference is that these days, I prefer to make my own rather than surrending to the temptation of buying store-bought ones. These Vegan Chocolate Magnum Bars are my vegan version of the classic Magnum Bars. Vanilla flavored ice-cream bars dipped in luscious, melted dark chocolate to create a sinfully indulgent treat. They are creamy, fudgy and delicious as the store-bought, and just what you need to stay cool. Made with just a few ingredients, these are naturally vegan, refined sugar-free and dairy-free. If you enjoyed these Vegan Magnum Ice Cream Bars, yo...

Skip to Recipe Summer is when berries get their spotlight, and oh how they shine bright! Since, the season is short-lived, it should be enjoyed in all its glory. Don't let those strawberries in your refrigerator go bad without making this Strawberry Sheet Cake. It is one of the simplest and delicious cakes you will ever make. A lot of Strawberry Cake recipes that you will find over the internet will call for cake mixes that have strawberry flavors and dyes to get that “strawberry” taste.. but why bake the fake stuff when you can have the real deal?? This Strawberry Sheet Cake is a beautifully moist cake, filled with real fresh strawberries and topped with the creamiest, strawberry cream cheese frosting. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SHEET CAKE AND A LAYERED CAKE? The primary difference between a sheet cake and a regular, layered cake lies in their structure and serving size. A sheet cake is baked in a ...

Skip to Recipe Australia may be better known for its barbecues than its baking, but it is proud home to a range of iconic desserts. Today I am sharing one of the most popular desserts of the country, Lamingtons. Lamingtons are light, moist fluffy squares of sponge cake, coated in a luscious chocolate glaze and generously rolled in desiccated coconut. There is a reason they are an Aussie favorite! THE HISTORY OF LAMINGTONS While there is some debate about the exact origin of Lamingtons, they are widely associated with Australia. It is believed that they were named after Lord Lamington, who served as the Governor of Queensland, Australia, from 1896 to 1901. Legend has it that his cook accidentally dropped a sponge cake into a bowl of chocolate and then coated it with coconut to avoid wasting it. The result was declared a resounding success that quickly gained popularity among the Governor's guests. Since then, ...

Skip to Recipe As we are transitioning towards spring, we are dreaming of the warmer weather, brighter days and lots of sunshine. Lemon is just one of those flavors that’s screams spring. That pop of citrus brings in the brightness and sunshine that we crave for after a long dreadful winter. Lemon Curd Mousse is a lighter twist on the popular Chocolate Mousse and is perfect for the warmer months of spring and summer. Layers of graham crackers, tart lemon curd and fluffy whipped cream are combined to create a decadent no-bake dessert that is ready in no time ! One spoonful of this lemon curd mousse and you’ll be totally hooked. Like my Vanilla Panna Cotta with Mixed Berry Compote, this is a perfect make-ahead dessert that can be whipped up the day before and chilled in the fridge until you are ready to serve it. Whether you're making this for Easter, Mother's Day, any spring celebration or as a treat for you...

Skip to Recipe Easter is just around the corner. Whether you are planning to celebrate with your family, or you are entertaining a crowd, I am sure you would like to put on a spectacular and decadent spread. But lets be honest: Easter dessert is the real star of the holiday meal! Cheesecake is one of the most beloved treats in my household. But as stunning as it may be, it can be a lot of hard work and patience. The Mini Cheesecakes are the perfect solution when you do not want to take the hassle of baking a whole cake. These Cheesecakes have a buttery crust topped with a rich and creamy filling that melts in the mouth-heaven in every bite! They have the creamy texture, the sweet tart flavors and the decadence of a traditional cheesecake, but in individually sized portions! Most importantly, the baking time and cooling time is significantly less, which means dessert is ready in half the time. These mini treats wil...

Skip to Recipe Fresh chocolate-dipped strawberries make their debut around Valentine's Day every year and are a timeless way to celebrate the day of love. There's something about those little red beauties dipped in silky melted chocolate that just screams romance. Delightfully indulgent and ready to satisfy any sweet tooth, it is a heartfelt gift that is perfect for any festive occassion like birthdays, anniversaries and Mother's Day. Though they may look fancy, these can easily be made right in your own kitchen with a quarter of the price and taste exactly like store-bought ones. The plump, juicy strawberries pair wonderfully with luscious chocolate, and you only need two basic ingredients to pull off this recipe. However, here are a few tricks of the trade to make sure your chocolate-covered strawberries turn out perfect every time. Tips for making the Best Chocolate Covered Strawberries ...