Shortbread cookies recipe

January is the perfect time to bake. It is so cold outside that we crave comfort food. We at the Russian Artists Team love to share good ideas so here is a great recipe of delicate shortbread cookies made using an embossed rolling pin. You can buy a pin like this on Etsy or use your regular one if you want your cookies plain.

The recipe and photos were provided by our team member, Tetyana Otruta ( https://www.etsy.com/shop/otruta ).

Ingredients for basic recipe*:

200 gr unsalted butter, softened

150 gr powdered sugar

1 medium egg

390 gr all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling

* If you'd like to make your cookies chocolate flavored, add 30 gr. of cocoa but reduce the flour (the same amount 30 gr). Add an orange or lemon zest from 1 fruit to make them citrus flavored.

How to make them:

Beat the butter with a sugar until creamy. Add the egg and flavor, if using (orange zest or cocoa), then add a flour. The dough will be soft so wrap it in a plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about an hour. Roll out the dough with your regular pin 5-6mm thick, then use your embossed one. Using a floured cookie cutter, cut out the cookies and place them to a freezer for several minutes before baking them.

Preheat the oven to 375'F. Transfer the cookies to parchment paper lined baking sheets and bake for about 5 to 7 minutes.

 Enjoy!

Cheese puffs for Valentines Day

If you are not going out this Valentines and planning a quiet evening in just for the two of you, think of something special but simple for your supper. A bottle of champagne, lobster, chocolate covered strawberries and cheese puffs will work great.

You probably already know how to make the strawberries so let's make the cheese puffs together.

 You will need:

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cup flour

6 eggs

1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon paprika

dash of cayenne pepper

Cut the butter into chunks and add it to the water. Bring the water and butter to a boil, remove from the heat. Add flour all at once and briskly stir until mixture is smooth with a wooden spoon.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg. Stir in spices and cheese.

Preheat oven to 400'F. Line 2 baking trays with foil and spray it with the cooking spray.  Drop the dough on the trays with a table spoon to make a little even mounds. Bake about 30 to 35 minutes until brown.

Enjoy and  have a happy Valentines Day!

Tanya (AGardenCottage) 

"Chocolate salami" recipe

Sounds scary... huh? :) some of you would be wondering... chocolate salami?!! No way! Right?
Don't worry :) This is not a real salami. This dessert is called that way just because it looks like salami. :)



Today, Irina who runs IrinaPhotography shop is sharing a recipe of this easy to cook great dessert.

You will need:
1/2 cup of sugar
2 eggs
3 table spoon of cocoa powder
1 stick of unsalted butter (115 gr)
5 table spoon of milk
1 lb of cookies or biscuits
1 cup of walnut pieces

Who has Trader Joe's store nearby, can use "Cats cookies for people". Well, this is just cookie. :) The name may sound confusing, that's why there is a picture of them. But if Trader Joe's in not reachable for you, you can use any type of cookies that are pretty much crackly and sweet.


First, the cookies should be powdered in grinder or food processor.



Than add walnut pieces to the cookie powder and mix it. Set aside the mixture.

Put eggs, sugar, and cocoa powder in non-stick pot. I prefer non-stick because it's easier to clean it after the desert is ready, but you may use whatever you want. Just keep in mind that the pot will be heated up. Whisk all ingredients until the mixture is smooth. Than add milk and completely melted butter. Whisk again and place the pot on medium-high heat.



Whisk it continuously, and bring it to the condition when it just about to start bubbling. Immediately remove from heat. Don't let it bubbling! It should look like chocolate souse.


Pour the mixture into ground cookies with walnuts and mix it thoroughly.


It should look like wet clay but short-brittle.


Then put this "clay" into plastic bag; smash and press it until the "clay" become smooth.



In the end, the mixture should look like a smooth clay. Put it on a sheet of foil or plastic wrap, and form it as a salami... or log. :)


Wrap and roll for better result.



Than cover the "salami" with foil or plastic wrap and put it into fridge for several hours until it firm.


That's it. :) Time for preparation is 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

Vegan Banana Cupcakes

Our team member Alla (FleetingStillness) lives in Maryland and has two kids, 5 and 7 years old. Alla loves to cook and bake and we would like to share one of your recipes with you.



My son is allergic to quite a few things, and egg is one of them. Just like any kid, Max likes cakes and cupcakes, so I had to learn to bake without eggs. I searched the internet for recipes for the past four years and this one is by far my favorite - it is simple, versatile and delicious.

You will need:
2 cups flour
1.5 teaspoon baking soda
0.5 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup oil
4 ripe bananas
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. sift together flour, salt and baking soda
2. mash bananas with a fork
3. beat sugar and oil until white and smooth
4. mix in mashed bananas w/ a spoon

5. add water and vanilla
6. mix in flour mixture using a whisk
7. spoon into 2.5-inch cupcake liners filling them about 2/3 (1 banana makes 4-5 cupcakes)
8. bake 25 minutes at 350F


I decorate my cupcakes with chocolate glaze and raspberries.

You can also bake this as a banana cake - just add 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional) and bake in a 9-inch pan for 40-45 minutes.

Coffee cake Citrus Delight

Spring is coming so lets add some nice moments to our lives!

Baking is one of life's little pleasures for me so I'd like to share this recipe with you. I am always pleased making this coffee cake, that's why I named it Citrus Delight. Some believe that food is carrying the energy of the cook so make it with love!

You need:

For the dough:

150 g butter, softened

2 egg yolks

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups of flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

zest of 1 large orange

For the topping:

1 lemon with the seeds removed and finely chopped

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

2 egg whites

1/2 cup sugar

1. Separate egg yolks from egg whites. Put egg whites to the refrigerator until ready to use. Mix the 2 egg yolks and 1 cup sugar until thoroughly mixed. Add orange zest.

Add softened butter and baking powder.

Mix well, cover and refrigerate overnight.

Make a lemon-walnut mixture: mix finally chopped lemon and walnuts and refrigerate until ready to use.

Whisk together chilled egg whites and 1/2 cup sugar until foamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Preheat oven to 170'C. Remove the dough from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Spray a rectangular baking dish with a cooking spray and spread the dough evenly with your fingers.

Spread the lemon-walnut mixture evenly on top of dough. Spread egg whites & sugar over lemon-walnut mixture.

Bake at 170'C for about 25 minutes in the middle of the rack. Then move it to the top rack for 5 more minutes. Do not over bake, it should be moist and soft.

Slice your Citrus Delight. It smells wonderful, tastes great and is ready to be served!

Recipe by Yana (YanArt)

Translated by Tanya (Socksandmittens)

Sweet Valentine

Valentine is the sweetest holiday of all and not just because a romantic prospect. This day is all about sweet deserts!


So we'd like to share this recipe with you. It is easy to make and will look perfect on your Valentine's table! Maria (lovelytrifles), who is the author of this delicious strawberry cake calls it "Strawberry fields forever" because she is using strawberries from her own garden in the summer. For the rest of us, who do not grow organic produce it is time to make a list and start shopping!


Here is what you need:

For dough:
5 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
Butter to grease a form (cooking spray will work also)
2 tablespoons farina
about 3 lbs of strawberries

For glaze:
2 stick of chocolate (200 gr)
50-70 ml of milk (1.5-2.5 oz)
30 gr of butter

Springform pan for baking

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 385'F.
Beat eggs and sugar with mixer. Add flour in two portions at the time while continue beating. The dough should be smooth with no lumps.


Grease your baking springform pan (about 12" diameter). Sprinkle the bottom and edges with farina. Arrange strawberries on the bottom of form, it can be done in two layers (reserve some strawberries for decoration). Pour the liquid dough on top of berries and bake for about 40 to 50 minutes or until ready (use a toothpick to check if it is ready). Let it chill in a form, then remove the sides.

Make the glaze:
In a double boiler melt the chocolate. Add the butter and the milk and stir occasionally until smooth.


While it is still hot pour the glaze over the cooled cake and spread it evenly. Let it cool slightly and decorate with strawberries.

Bon appetite and we hope your Valentine will like it!


Recipe by Maria (Lovelytrifles)
Translated by Tanya (Socksandmittens)

Swedish Baking

Baking before Christmas is a tradition that followed by almost every house in Sweden.

One of the weekends in December a family spends entire afternoon baking different traditional pastries, cakes, cookies and other sweet goodies.

Gingerbread cookies are a must in every family. Unlike Christmas gingerbread men in English-speaking countries, Swedish gingerbread cookies are usually made in such shapes as moose, pig, Dala horses, special Swedish horses, and hearts. Those are made very thin and it takes only 7 minutes in the oven for them to become crispy.

Many families take on the challenge and guild their own gingerbread house. First they made a drawing, then the dough is cut according to the measurements of the drawing.

After the walls and the roofs are baked, they are glued to one another with sweet syrup.

And then comes the last touch – colorful decoration with sugar cream and candies. But we decided to leave our gingerbread skyscraper just as it is :)

Another pastry that no Swedish Christmas can do without is lussebullar – rolled saffron breads with raisins.

It is baked of regular yeast dough with a lot of saffron which gives them this yellow color and a fantastic Christmas taste!

And of course, no baking can be done without drinking glögg, warm spiced wine, drunk in small glasses with raisins and almonds at the bottom. As you can see, there is even a special gadget with candle to keep the wine warm all the time

Baking is incredibly important for creating a Christmas atmosphere at home. And together with special decorations is makes Christmas absolutely magical!


Story by Irene (TomBjorndesigns)

Grape Cake Recipe

Our team members are not only talented crafters. They are great in many other fields. :) One of our favorite activities is cooking. And we like to share recipes. :)

Today, Tanya (SocksAndMittens) is sharing a recipe of her great Grape Cake. It's really to die for! And easy to cook all year around. :) So surprise your family!

Grape cake


Ingredients:

4 cups seedless stemless grapes
5 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
butter flavored cooking spray
flat rectangular baking dish (mine is 9 1/2 by 13 1/2 and 2" deep)
powdered sugar (optional)


How to make it:

Preheat oven to 385'F.

Blend together eggs & sugar, add vanilla & baking powder.


Add flower and blend the butter.


Add grapes to a bowl, mix well to cover grapes with liquid dough.


Pour mix to a prepared baking dish (sides & bottom should be sprayed with cooking spray).


Bake at 385'F for 35 to 40 minutes (time can vary depending on oven but you can always check readiness with a toothpick).


Let it cool and slice it with a pizza slicer or a sharp knife.
Sprinkle each slice with a powdered sugar right before serving (optional)

Enjoy and please let us know how do you like it!