Cream Cheese Frosting

 

https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2017/08/cream-cheese-frosting-recipe.html

• 3 1/2 ounces sugar (about 1/2 cup; 100g); see note
• 5 ounces heavy cream (shy 2/3 cup; 140g)
• 1 teaspoon (5g) vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use about half as much by volume
• 8 ounces plain, full-fat Philadelphia cream cheese, cold (one 8-ounce brick; 225g)

1. With kitchen temperatures above 74°F (23°C), start by refrigerating the mixing bowl and sugar until they have cooled to 70°F (21°C). At elevated temperatures, these ingredients and equipment can act as a heat source to the cream, preventing full aeration.

2. 2.

   In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or using a hand mixer, combine sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt. Mix at medium-low speed until sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Increase speed to high and continue beating until cream is about as thick as Greek yogurt, about 2 minutes longer. Begin adding cream cheese 2 tablespoons at a time; this should take about 30 seconds all together. Once it is incorporated, shut off the mixer. The frosting will look a bit curdled, like cottage cheese; this is the result of incomplete mixing rather than over-whipping, so don’t be alarmed.

   Thoroughly scrape bowl and whisk, then continue whipping on high until frosting is smooth and light, with only a few small flecks of cream cheese (they will disappear into the frosting over time). This may take 2 to 3 minutes with a stand mixer, or more if using a hand mixer. After whipping, the frosting should be about 60°F (16°C). Use immediately or refrigerate until needed.

   
   

   
   

Sunny Lemon Bars

https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2016/03/sunny-lemon-bars-recipe.html

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• For the Crust:
• 4 1/2 ounces (1 cup; 130g) all-purpose flour
• 2 ounces (1/2 cup; 60g) powdered sugar, preferably organic
• 1/4 teaspoon (1g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use the same weight or half as much by volume
• 1/8 ounce (1 tablespoon; 4g) freshly grated lemon zest
• 4 ounces (1 stick; 115g) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch dice
• For the Custard:
• 3 large eggs, cold
• 4 3/4 ounces (1/2 cup; 135g) egg yolks, from about 8 large eggs
• 9 1/2 ounces (1 1/3 cups; 270g) granulated sugar
• Pinch of kosher salt
• 1/4 ounce (1 packed tablespoon; 8g) freshly grated lemon zest
• 11 ounces (1 1/3 cups; 310g) lemon juice, from about 8 large lemons (see note)
• For Garnishing:
• 2 ounces (1/2 cup; 55g) powdered sugar (optional)
• 6 ounces (1 cup; 170g) Lemon Chantilly(optional)
• 5 ounces (1 cup; 140g) Crispy Citrus-Candied Pistachios (optional)

1. For the Crust: Adjust oven rack to middle position, preheat oven to 350°F, and line an 8- by 8- by 2-inch anodized-aluminum baking pan with a piece of parchment paper long enough to overhang the pan's edges. Combine flour, powdered sugar, salt, lemon zest, and butter in the bowl of a food processor; pulse to form a dry but pebbly meal, about twelve 1-second pulses. Scatter into the prepared baking pan, press into an even layer, and bake until pale gold and firm, about 30 minutes. Use hot or set aside until needed, up to 48 hours at room temperature if tightly covered.
2. 2. For the Custard:Combine whole eggs, yolks, sugar, salt, and lemon zest in a 3-quart stainless steel saucepan, then whisk in lemon juice. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly but not vigorously, until warm to the touch, about 3 minutes. Increase heat to medium-low and continue cooking and stirring until thick and steaming-hot (custard should register 170°F on an instant-read thermometer), about 8 minutes. Immediately strain into the prepared crust, smooth into an even layer, and cover with aluminum foil. Bake until smooth and firm, about 10 minutes. Remove foil and cool to room temperature, then re-cover and refrigerate until cold and firm, about 1 hour.
3. 3.
   To Serve: Loosen chilled custard from sides of pan with a bench or butter knife, then carefully tug loose and lift using overhanging parchment and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 16 two-inch squares, rinsing the knife clean between each slice. Serve plain, lightly dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with Lemon Chantilly and Crispy Citrus-Candied Pistachios. Store up to 1 week in an airtight container.

Super soft cinnamon buns

https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2017/12/bravetart-homemade-cinnamon-rolls-recipe.html

Ingredients

• For the Frosting:
• 4 ounces plain, full-fat cream cheese (8 tablespoons; 115g), softened to about 70°F (21°C)
• 2 teaspoons (10ml) vanilla extract
• 5 ounces powdered sugar (about 1 1/4 cups; 141g)
• For the Filling:
• 4 ounces unsalted butter (8 tablespoons; 115g), creamy and soft, about 70°F (21°C)
• 6 ounces light brown sugar (3/4 cup, gently packed; 170g)
• 1/2 ounce ground cinnamon (about 2 tablespoons; 15g)
• 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg 
• 1/4 teaspoon (1g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use about half as much by volume or the same weight
• For the Dough:
• 16 ounces all-purpose flour (about 3 1/2 cups, spooned; 450g), such as Gold Medal, plus more for rolling
• 3 1/2 ounces sugar (about 1/2 cup; 100g)
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast, such as SAF (not rapid-rise; see note)
• 1 3/4 teaspoons (7g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use about half as much by volume or the same weight
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 ounces unsalted butter (8 tablespoons; 115g)
• 4 ounces milk (8 tablespoons; 115g), any percentage will do
• 8 ounces plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt (about 1 cup; 225g), any percentage will do
• 4 ounces toasted pecan halves, roughly chopped (a shy cup; 115g), or more to taste

Directions

1. 1.
   For the Frosting: Combine cream cheese and vanilla with half the powdered sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low to moisten, then sprinkle in the rest of the sugar a little at a time. Once it is incorporated, increase to medium and beat until creamy and pale ivory, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a zip-top bag or disposable pastry bag and set aside until needed, up to 24 hours at room temperature. (If your kitchen is chilly and the frosting hardens in that time, briefly microwave the bag to restore its creamy texture before use.)
2. 2.
   For the Filling: Prepare filling with the same bowl and beater, mixing butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt on low speed until moistened. Increase to medium and beat the dark paste until creamy, light in color, and very soft, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a zip-top bag or disposable pastry bag and set aside until needed, up to 24 hours at room temperature.
3. 3.
   For the Dough: Wipe the bowl with a paper towel, then whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and baking soda until thoroughly combined. Melt butter in a 2-quart saucier over low heat, then stir in milk and yogurt, warming to about 80°F (27°C). Add to flour and stir to form a very dry and shaggy dough. With the hook attachment, knead on low until silky-smooth and elastic, able to be gently stretched into a thin but rough sheet without tearing, about 20 minutes.
4. 4.
   First Rise: Cover bowl with plastic and set dough to rise until puffy, light, and doubled in bulk, about 90 minutes at roughly 70°F (21°C). If the dough feels dense, firm, or overly resilient, rest 15 minutes before testing again (this is more likely in chilly months).
5. 5.
   Shaping: Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface, dust with flour, and roll into a 13-inch square. Snip a corner from the bag of cinnamon filling, squeeze over the dough, and spread into an even layer with an offset spatula. Sprinkle pecans on top and roll to form a 12-inch log, ending seam side down.
6. 6.
   Slide an 8-inch strand of thread, unflavored dental floss, or butcher's twine under the dough until you reach the middle. Cross the ends over the top and pull tight to divide the log in two. Cut each half into six 1-inch slices and arrange in a parchment-lined 9- by 13- by 2-inch aluminum baking pan (or two 8-inch by 3-inch round cake pans).
7. 7.
   Second Rise: Cover rolls with foil and refrigerate overnight, or up to 48 hours. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 350°F (180°C); meanwhile, let cinnamon rolls stand at room temperature until oven is hot.
8. 8.
   To Bake and Serve: Bake, covered, until cinnamon rolls are puffed and firm but pale, about 45 minutes. (If using darker pans, check on the cinnamon rolls after 30 minutes.) Remove the foil and continue baking until lightly browned, about 15 minutes more. Snip a corner from the bag of frosting, squeeze over the cinnamon rolls, and spread into an even layer with the back of a spoon. Serve immediately, and leave no survivors; life’s too short for day-old cinnamon rolls.