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Chocolate

Brownie Batter Cake

10 Comments / Cakes
Brownie Batter Cake by Wood and Spoon. This is a fluffy cocoa powder layer cake with espresso and an eggless brownie batter filling and fluffy malt chocolate frosting. The malted chocolate adds a brownie flavor. The cake is moist and flavorful, perfect for chocolate lovers or birthday parties and celebrations. Learn more on the how to for this 3 layer cake on thewoodandspoon.com

You know how old people forget just how old they are? They always seem to lose track of an anniversary or need a few minutes to add up their age. Well chalk me up as a grandma, because I straight-up forgot a birthday- A BLOG BIRTHDAY. My little site turned four years old two weeks ago, and the day came and went with zero thought. Since I’m not one to pass on a celebration, you better believe we’re going to make up for it with today’s brownie batter cake!

Brownie Batter Cake by Wood and Spoon. This is a fluffy cocoa powder layer cake with espresso and an eggless brownie batter filling and fluffy malt chocolate frosting. The malted chocolate adds a brownie flavor. The cake is moist and flavorful, perfect for chocolate lovers or birthday parties and celebrations. Learn more on the how to for this 3 layer cake on thewoodandspoon.com

If you’ve been following along here for any length of time, you know there’s been small changes, ebb and flow, and lots of big life stuff happening over the four years this site has existed. The truth is we’ve grown a lot together in that time. You watched us build a house, birth two babies, and take this site from a side gig to a full-time job. We won an award together, went on vacations together, and used up probably a million pounds of butter and chocolate. This site tends to be a place where I jabber on about my personal life and kitchen mishaps, but I really just appreciate having a space for us to do it together. You’ve written to tell me about your success with a recipe or how a certain flavor reminds you of your childhood. We’ve made cakes for your best friends, your little sisters, and your sick neighbors. Yes, I love the chance to share my stories, but the thing that makes this place continue to feel worthwhile is the fact that you all are sharing your stories back with me. It feels good to know I’m not the only one who gets fired up about muffins or wants to wax poetic about a latticed pie. Food connects us to our past, our futures, and all the people we bump into along the way, but here, it also connects me to you. We’re friends in that way, and I’m increasingly grateful for it.

So thanks for celebrating four years of this site. Thanks for being patient when I screw up an ingredient list or when a technique I swear by completely flops in your kitchen. Thanks for sticking with me when I’m writing from a weird space of postpartum hormones or when I talk too much about gross body stuff. Thanks for sharing my enthusiasm for sugar and the people that sit across the table from us. Wood & Spoon was created by me but it’s made it this long because of you. We’re celebrating together here.

Brownie Batter Cake by Wood and Spoon. This is a fluffy cocoa powder layer cake with espresso and an eggless brownie batter filling and fluffy malt chocolate frosting. The malted chocolate adds a brownie flavor. The cake is moist and flavorful, perfect for chocolate lovers or birthday parties and celebrations. Learn more on the how to for this 3 layer cake on thewoodandspoon.com

This brownie batter cake is a fun twist on a chocolate cake. The fluffy chocolate layers get fancified with brownie batter filling and a malted chocolate buttercream that is rich and flavorful. All together, this brownie batter cake is a chocolate lover’s dream, and it’s also a great alternative birthday dessert for the person who just really likes brownies (raises hand!).

The layers for this brownie batter cake comes from my favorite chocolate cake recipe. I love how simple this cake recipe is to make- no butter to soften, no intense mixing process. You could really just make it with a spoon and some elbow grease! The filling is equally simple, made with a smidge of cream cheese, cocoa, and malted chocolate powder. We throw together a few of those same ingredients, along with melted chocolate and tons of butter, for the buttercream, and it’s honestly so good I could eat it with a spoon. 10/10 would recommend you do so. Give this brownie batter cake a make and let me know what you think! It’s been great hanging out with you guys on this site for four years, and I can’t wait to see what is to come.

Brownie Batter Cake by Wood and Spoon. This is a fluffy cocoa powder layer cake with espresso and an eggless brownie batter filling and fluffy malt chocolate frosting. The malted chocolate adds a brownie flavor. The cake is moist and flavorful, perfect for chocolate lovers or birthday parties and celebrations. Learn more on the how to for this 3 layer cake on thewoodandspoon.com

If you like this brownie batter cake you should try:

Milk Chocolate Chip Cake
Chocolate Caramel Crumble Cake
Red Velvet Cake
Almond Toffee Cake
Black and White Cake

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Brownie Batter Cake

Brownie Batter Cake by Wood and Spoon. This is a fluffy cocoa powder layer cake with espresso and an eggless brownie batter filling and fluffy malt chocolate frosting. The malted chocolate adds a brownie flavor. The cake is moist and flavorful, perfect for chocolate lovers or birthday parties and celebrations. Learn more on the how to for this 3 layer cake on thewoodandspoon.com

This brownie batter cake is a chocolate cake with brownie batter filling and a fluffy malted chocolate frosting!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 30
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Total Time: 120
  • Yield: 9 Servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
Scale

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 2–1/4 cups (315 gm) all-purpose flour
  • 2–1/4 cups (450 gm) granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup (60 gm) dark cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2–1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1–1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3 eggs, room temperature
  • 1–1/4 cups (300 gm) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 3/4 cups (180 gm) black coffee, hot
  • 1/2 cup (120 gm) vegetable oil
  • 1–1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

For the brownie batter filling:

  • 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons chocolate malt powder (like Chocolate Ovaltine)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1–1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • Water as needed

For the frosting:

  • 1–1/2 cups (340 gm) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 3 cups (375 gm) powdered sugar
  • ½ cup (55 gm) chocolate malt powder (like chocolate ovaltine)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons (90 gm) heavy whipping cream
  • 6 ounces (190 gm) dark chocolate (I use 70%), chopped, melted, and cooled

Instructions

To prepare the cake:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 3 (8″) round cake pans with baking spray and line the bottoms with parchment rounds.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine all of the dry ingredients and stir until combined. In a separate bowl, loosely combine all of the wet ingredients and these to the bowl of the dry ingredients. Mix on medium speed for just shy of 2 minutes, scraping the bowl (and bottom of bowl!) twice throughout.
  3. Pour equal amounts of batter in to all 3 pans. Carefully place in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until center is just barely set and toothpick comes out of cake almost clean. Allow to cool in the pans and on a cooling rack for 20 minutes and then remove from pans to continue the cooling process. Allow to cool completely prior to frosting. (see notes)

To prepare the brownie filling:

  1. In a medium bowl combine the first 6 ingredients on medium speed just until combined. Add water a teaspoon at a time until it becomes a thick, brownie batter consistency. Set aside until ready to use.

To prepare the frosting:

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter and sugar and beat on low speed for 1 minute until combined. Add the malt powder, vanilla, and salt and stir on low until combined. Add the melted chocolate, increase the speed to medium, and whip for 2 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the whipping cream. Beat on medium-high speed for one minute.

To assemble the cake:

  1. Use a serrated knife to cut the domes off each cake. Put some of the frosting into a piping bag or plastic bag with the end cut off of it. Place one layer on a cake board or serving platter and pipe a ½” dam or frosting around the perimeter of the cake. Fill it just under the top of the frosting with brownie batter filling and top with an additional layer of cake. Repeat this process once more. Coat the stacked cake with a thin layer of frosting and place in the fridge to set up. Continue frosting as desired and serve!

Notes

  • I find this cake is easiet to work with when the layers are partially frozen. Wrap the baked and cooled layers in plastic wrap and place in the freezer overnight or for a few hours. Thaw out for 15 minutes prior to using.

Healthyish Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (aka Lactation Cookies that Don’t Suck)

16 Comments / Uncategorized
Lactation Cookies by Wood and Spoon blog. These are healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that help stimulate milk production in nursing moms. Cookieshave flaxseed, chia seeds, oatmeal, and brewer's yeast that helps to increase milk supply. Read about the recipe and learn how to make these delicious cookies that don't taste weird on thewoodandspoon.com

There’s a lot they don’t tell you when you get pregnant. We hear a lot about the lack of sleep, the stretch marks, and the infinite loss of personal space. We’re prepared for birthing classes and diaper changing, we hear whispers of the terrible twos, and some of us can even sing “Rockabye Baby” in three-part harmonies by the time the kid arrives. But there’s other things, things people don’t tell you about, and that’s the kind of stuff that keeps me up at night.

People don’t mention legs cramps and night sweats and that weird upper lip discoloration that looks like a mustache. They don’t tell you that everything, even your little pinkies and nose, will swell, or that postpartum hair loss might leave you looking a little like Danny DeVito. There is a very real dying to self in motherhood, and there’s very little that can prepare you for the inner draining and temporary identity confusion that can ensue post-baby. Some of the most terrifying unmentionables are the ones surrounding nursing. Just brace yourself for the mystery there.

Lactation Cookies by Wood and Spoon blog. These are healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that help stimulate milk production in nursing moms. Cookieshave flaxseed, chia seeds, oatmeal, and brewer's yeast that helps to increase milk supply. Read about the recipe and learn how to make these delicious cookies that don't taste weird on thewoodandspoon.com

If you’ve ever nursed a child, you’ve heard of lactation cookies. There’s something about subjecting yourself to be a human chew toy that will send you deep into a black hole of the internet to read anything that will make that process easier. For some, milk production is an easy feat that flows in abundance, but for others it’s a daily struggle that can be incredibly stressful (as if we needed more of that, right?) I made these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (aka, lactation cookies that don’t suck) for the baby mamas who need their sweets to be dual-purpose: delicious and healthyish. These lactation cookies are loaded with the stuff that encourages milk production in nursing Mamas but has enough of the goodness (read: butter, sugar, and chocolate chips) to make them not taste like garbage. If you’ve ever made lactation cookies before, forget that recipe and keep this one forever. These lactation cookies are the actual bomb.com and will be the only one you’ll want for yourself and your gal pals with kiddos.

Lactation Cookies by Wood and Spoon blog. These are healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that help stimulate milk production in nursing moms. Cookieshave flaxseed, chia seeds, oatmeal, and brewer's yeast that helps to increase milk supply. Read about the recipe and learn how to make these delicious cookies that don't taste weird on thewoodandspoon.com

So what’s so healthyish about these cookies? The star ingredients here are chia seeds, flaxseed meal, brewer’s yeast, and oats. All of these have milk producing properties that will help spur on that Vitamin D. More good news: MEN CAN EAT THESE TOO. Would you believe these are actually some of Brett’s *Favorite* cookies? No, your guy won’t start leaking if he eats these, but you have my full support in telling him that they will. After all, the nursing mom shouldn’t have to share these with anyone. (Sidebar: I know most of the guys have already stopped reading by now. I’m sorry that you’ve somehow made it this far, but to be fair there’s only, like, 2 of you anyways.)

Now I know someone is going to write me and tell me these aren’t healthy because of the processed sugar or all-purpose flour or yada yada yada. I hear you, but that is not how we’re rolling, okay? I tested a million versions of this cookie, and this is the one my heart desires. Feel free to bypass this for some other cookie that may or may not (read: will not) taste as good.

Lactation Cookies by Wood and Spoon blog. These are healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that help stimulate milk production in nursing moms. Cookieshave flaxseed, chia seeds, oatmeal, and brewer's yeast that helps to increase milk supply. Read about the recipe and learn how to make these delicious cookies that don't taste weird on thewoodandspoon.com

Next week we will get back to posting everyday recipes that won’t feel totally weird for everyone. Just be glad I didn’t get into any uncomfortable boob talk, okay? Make these lactation cookies for yourself or any of your nursing friends and let me know what you think! Happy baking and happy lactating!

If you like these lactation cookies you should try:

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Almost-Paleo Coconut Almond Chocolate Cookies
Flaxseed Bread
Morning Glory Muffins
Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins

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Lactation Cookies

Lactation Cookies by Wood and Spoon blog. These are healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that help stimulate milk production in nursing moms. Cookieshave flaxseed, chia seeds, oatmeal, and brewer's yeast that helps to increase milk supply. Read about the recipe and learn how to make these delicious cookies that don't taste weird on thewoodandspoon.com

★★★★★

4.8 from 4 reviews

These lactation cookies are healthy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies containing ingredients that help stimulate milk production!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 48 1x
  • Category: Dessert
Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup brewer’s yeast
  • 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy, about 1 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat on low to combine. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the flour, yeast, flaxseed meal, chia seeds, baking soda, and salt, stirring on low just until combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl again and add the oats and chocolate chips. Scoop 1-1/2 tablespoon sized balls of dough (I use a medium cookie scoop) onto the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for about 11 minutes or until the edges of the cookie are golden and the centers are set. Cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes and then remove them to a cooling rack to cool completely. 

Notes

  • If you prefer an even healthier cookie, these can be prepared with 1/2 cup LESS granulated sugar and 1/2 cup LESS chocolate chips. The Brewer’s yeast has a strong flavor, so I prefer to cover it up a bit. 🙂

Peppermint White Chocolate Cheesecake

1 Comment / Uncategorized
Peppermint White Chocolate Cheesecake by Wood and Spoon. This is an Oreo chocolate sandwich cookie crust cheesecake with a fluffy white chocolate peppermint filling. Topped with whipped cream and broken peppermint bark and crushed peppermint candies! Learn how to make flat pretty cheesecake on thewoodandspoon.com for holiday desserts and Christmas parties.

Coming in hot with the another Christmasy treat! I love mint chocolate things all year round, but there’s nothing quite as festive as the red and white stripe of a winter candy cane. This peppermint white chocolate cheesecake is a festive crowd pleaser that feels fitting for the season and is sure to land you on the nice list of everyone you share it with.

Peppermint White Chocolate Cheesecake by Wood and Spoon. This is an Oreo chocolate sandwich cookie crust cheesecake with a fluffy white chocolate peppermint filling. Topped with whipped cream and broken peppermint bark and crushed peppermint candies! Learn how to make flat pretty cheesecake on thewoodandspoon.com for holiday desserts and Christmas parties.

Last week Brett and I traveled to Chicago for a quick 48 hours of food with friends. I got to visit with my brother and do some big city shopping with my BFF, so it ended up being a really special way to kick off December. We tried out a few new restaurants, had an abundance of delightful cocktails, and even checked off a bucket list meal at Alinea. Truly, a good time was had by all, and I was tickled to squeeze in all the laughter and fellowship we experienced. One of my favorite things I love about traveling during the holidays is all of the festive decor. The gussied-up department stores and tinsel-draped trees speckled about the city really help me to get in spirit of Christmas, so I did my best to take in as much as possible. Our hotel, The Langham, contributed to the spirit with little welcome gifts of jarred cocoa, homemade marshmallows, and white chocolate peppermint cookies. YUM. I attempted to save all of the treats for Aimee and George, but, LOL, we all know how that effort went. I tucked those little cookies away for myself like any self-respecting mother would do, and I have zero shame about that.

Peppermint White Chocolate Cheesecake by Wood and Spoon. This is an Oreo chocolate sandwich cookie crust cheesecake with a fluffy white chocolate peppermint filling. Topped with whipped cream and broken peppermint bark and crushed peppermint candies! Learn how to make flat pretty cheesecake on thewoodandspoon.com for holiday desserts and Christmas parties.

This peppermint white chocolate cheesecake is one of those things you’ll wish you could hide for yourself. A chocolate cookie crust loaded with Kerrygold butter hosts the white chocolate peppermint filling, and the whole cake is done up with speckled of crushed candy canes and peppermint bark. The richness of this cheesecake is offset with the bright minty candy pieces, and I love the combination of the textured crust with the fluffy cake. Cheesecake is one of those things that feels fitting for the holidays, and the peppermint white chocolate cheesecake really knocks it out fo the park. Let me tell you how to make it.

To prep this dessert, we start with the crust. Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies come together with a whole lot of Kerrygold butter to make a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crust. Kerrygold is a higher fat butter, so you can expect this crust to have more flavor and extra texture when you use that here. The filling for this white peppermint white chocolate cheesecake starts as most others. Room temperature cream cheese is beat until smooth and creamy. Sugar, eggs, and the liquid ingredients come next, and the final mixture is poured through a sieve to ensure it is perfectly smooth. After baking, the cheesecake is slowly cooled, topped with whipped cream, and decorated with crushed peppermints and bark. Can you say, “Mega Yum”?

Peppermint White Chocolate Cheesecake by Wood and Spoon. This is an Oreo chocolate sandwich cookie crust cheesecake with a fluffy white chocolate peppermint filling. Topped with whipped cream and broken peppermint bark and crushed peppermint candies! Learn how to make flat pretty cheesecake on thewoodandspoon.com for holiday desserts and Christmas parties.

There are a few things to keep in mind when making a dessert like this peppermint white chocolate cheesecake. First, it is essential to use room temperature ingredients. The cheesecake will be lumpy and unevenly mixed if you throw in cold items. Using room temperature ingredients ensure that your cheesecake it allowed to cream properly. Pay attention to mixing times as well! An over-whipped cheesecake will develop air pockets that can make it puff and bake weird. Just don’t do it, okay? Finally, I do recommend following the instructions for the water bath here. Again, the water bath will help to ensure even baking, and don’t you know it would be hugely disappointing to go through alllll the work for this peppermint white chocolate cheesecake only to have it burn or end up soupy and cratered in the oven? Trust the process and keep an eye on your cake while it’s in the oven if you’re new to baking cheesecake. The extra steps feel like a lot of work but it’s worth it.

Peppermint White Chocolate Cheesecake by Wood and Spoon. This is an Oreo chocolate sandwich cookie crust cheesecake with a fluffy white chocolate peppermint filling. Topped with whipped cream and broken peppermint bark and crushed peppermint candies! Learn how to make flat pretty cheesecake on thewoodandspoon.com for holiday desserts and Christmas parties.

Many thanks to Kerrygold for sponsoring this post! By now you already know how much and why I adore their products, but I especially lean on them when I’m making special treats like this peppermint white chocolate cheesecake. Check out their products at your nearest grocery store or find a retailer here! Get in the holiday spirit with this recipe sometime this week and let me know how you like it. Happy baking!

If you like this peppermint white chocolate cheesecake you should try:

Carrot Cake Cheesecake

S’mores Cheesecake

Chocolate Peppermint Olive Oil Cookies

Peppermint Bark Brownies

Peppermint Bark Icebox Cake

 

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Peppermint White Chocolate Cheesecake

Peppermint White Chocolate Cheesecake by Wood and Spoon. This is an Oreo chocolate sandwich cookie crust cheesecake with a fluffy white chocolate peppermint filling. Topped with whipped cream and broken peppermint bark and crushed peppermint candies! Learn how to make flat pretty cheesecake on thewoodandspoon.com for holiday desserts and Christmas parties.

This peppermint white chocolate cheesecake is a delicious make ahead dessert for the holidays and features a chocolate cookie crust!

  • Author: Kate
  • Prep Time: 30
  • Cook Time: 60
  • Total Time: 120
  • Yield: 10 1x
  • Category: dessert
Scale

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 1–1/2 cups finely ground chocolate wafer cookies
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the cheesecake:

  • 10 ounces white chocolate, chopped
  • 2 lbs (4 blocks) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ teaspoon peppermint extract
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • Whipped cream, if desired
  • Crushed peppermints or chopped peppermint bark, if desired

Instructions

To prepare the crust:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Prepare a 9″ springform pan by wrapping it in sheets of aluminum foil. I use 3 layers of extra wide, heavy duty foil wrapped to the top lip of the pan. Spray the inside walls and bottom of the pan with cooking spray.
  3. Stir together the dry ingredients until combined. Add the melted butter and stir just until combined. Gently pat out your mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-9 minutes. Set aside while you prep your filling.

To prepare the cheesecake:

  1. Begin boiling some water in a kettle or saucepan for your water bath.
  2. In a double boiler simmering over water on low heat, gently melt the white chocolate, stirring regularly. Do not let it overheat or it may seize. Remove from heat while you prep the rest of your filling.
  3. Beat cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer at medium speed (I use 4 on my Kitchen Aid Mixer) for 2 minutes to remove all clumps. Do not overbeat, but scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. If many clumps remain, ensure that your cream cheese has softened to room temp.
  4. Add the sugar and beat on medium for an additional 1 minute. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat to combine an additional 1 minute. Scrape the sides of the bowl and then add the extracts and the heavy cream. Stir and scoop one cup of the mixture into the melted white chocolate and stir quickly to barely combine. Add the mixture to the cheesecake batter and stir just until smooth.
  5. Strain the cheesecake batter through a mesh strainer (if desired) into a reserved bowl. Pour the batter on top of the crust. Gently rap the pan on the counter to help any air bubbles escape.
  6. Place your springform pan into a slightly larger baking dish/pan and fill the larger pan with the boiling water you prepared for the water bath until the water reaches about halfway up the sides of the springform pan.
  7. Carefully place both pans in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes. After an hour of baking, the edges and top of the cheesecake should be set but still slightly jiggle in the center. Feel free to cover the cheesecake with a sheet of aluminum foil if it appear to be getting too dark. Turn the oven off and allow the cheesecake to bake for an additional 30 minutes in the oven. Prop the door of the oven open slightly with a wooden spoon and continue to cool the cheesecake for another 30 minutes in the cooling oven.
  8. Discard the water bath, remove the foil and then place the cheesecake in the fridge to chill for several hours or overnight. The cheesecake can be stored in the fridge for several days.
  9. When ready to serve, garnish with whipped cream and the crushed candies. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  1. I wrap my springform pan with three layers of heavy duty aluminum foil. This is to protect your crust from any water leakage of your springform pan. Many pans will claim to be waterproof but your crust will get soggy and inedible if water leakage happens. Don’t take any chances!
  2. I use a 11″ round cake pan for my water bath but you can use any oven-safe dish that you have. Once of my readers used a roasting pan and that works just fine!
  3. The cooling process seems lengthy and unnecessary, but it helps to prevent drastic temperature changes that can cause structural issues with your cake.

Brownie Petit Fours

28 Comments / Cookies
Brownie Petit Fours by Wood and Spoon blog. These are tiny bite sized brownies filled with a rich salted chocolate ganache filling. You can prepare these two ways: either stacked in fancy tiered dessert form or in a single bite of ganache coated brownie. Read more about how to make ganache and these fancy treats on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood holiday entertaining cocktail desserts

Do you ever find yourself in the muck of life? Like you’re covered up in junk that you desperately just need to shake off and get free from? Maybe you’re wanting a clean slate or reset from the routine of heaviness and difficulty that you you find yourself in? Well, count me as a member in your crew because I’ve been there, and I think someone out there needs some encouragement and a little self-love in the form of these brownie petit fours.

I’m not sure this blog is the place to dive deep into difficult circumstances. Everyone’s story is unique, and your issues and the solutions for those issues are entirely different from mine. Call it hormones, call it a funk, or blame it all on spiritual oppression, but I’ve 100% been there recently, so I do feel it’s worth mentioning. In recent weeks, I wasn’t really feeling myself, my story, or the seat I had at the table, and it was just kinda… sad. You know what I’m talking about, right? We’re all there sometimes.

Brownie Petit Fours by Wood and Spoon blog. These are tiny bite sized brownies filled with a rich salted chocolate ganache filling. You can prepare these two ways: either stacked in fancy tiered dessert form or in a single bite of ganache coated brownie. Read more about how to make ganache and these fancy treats on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood holiday entertaining cocktail desserts

Thank God for friends who call it like it is and encourage us to get to where we need to be. We’re typically no stronger than the backs of the crew we lean on when things feel hard, and I’m thankful to have some of the most supportive and wise women this world has to offer on speed dial. Now, a month or so out from whatever that funk was, I’m working on learning to really love myself and take better care of all my parts. Lately, an extra-long walk or some form of exercise has felt like loving myself. A glass of wine (without a side of guilt!) or a few more minutes in the shower feels like loving myself. Even just shushing all the self-doubt  and criticism long enough to really appreciate the person I am, the person I was created to be, feels like a step in the right direction. Like, “Hi! I’m Kate Wood! I’m not a complete disaster. I’m fearfully and wonderfully made! I have really good things to offer the world!”

Brownie Petit Fours by Wood and Spoon blog. These are tiny bite sized brownies filled with a rich salted chocolate ganache filling. You can prepare these two ways: either stacked in fancy tiered dessert form or in a single bite of ganache coated brownie. Read more about how to make ganache and these fancy treats on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood holiday entertaining cocktail desserts

I don’t know who out there needs to know that they’re awesome, but here it is: You Are Great. You’re deserving of any reset or fresh start you might feel like you need. Lean on the people who love you well and get comfortable with loving yourself. Self-love will look differently for you than it does for me, but I’d encourage you to take time to truly appreciate yourself. And if you’re here on this site, I have a feeling that self-love might include indulging  in these brownie petit fours. Just maybe.

Brownie Petit Fours by Wood and Spoon blog. These are tiny bite sized brownies filled with a rich salted chocolate ganache filling. You can prepare these two ways: either stacked in fancy tiered dessert form or in a single bite of ganache coated brownie. Read more about how to make ganache and these fancy treats on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood holiday entertaining cocktail desserts

These brownie petit fours aren’t entirely practical. Practical is a 9″x13″ pan filled with a baked box mix of brownies. Practical is eating them one by one from the pan until it’s gone. These brownie petit fours are not practical- they’re EXTRA. They’re cute and fancy and feel like the type of food reserved for special occasions, and guess what: YOU ARE DESERVING OF SUCH THINGS.  So today we’re making them. Let me give you the details.

Brownie Petit Fours by Wood and Spoon blog. These are tiny bite sized brownies filled with a rich salted chocolate ganache filling. You can prepare these two ways: either stacked in fancy tiered dessert form or in a single bite of ganache coated brownie. Read more about how to make ganache and these fancy treats on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood holiday entertaining cocktail desserts

To start, I’ve taken the super-rich, ultra-fudgy brownie base from my brownie ice cream sandwiches, and we bake them in the oven until baked through and chewy. Allow the brownies to cool completely and then pop them in the freezer while you make your ganache. Here’s where things get fancy: with the same brownies and ganache you can make two different types of brownie petit fours. The first option is a tiny bite-sized round of brownie with a drippy ganache glaze poured on top. The ganache firms up and forms a soft chocolate coating around the outside- YUM. Option number two is a slightly larger, double-stacked brownie with thick ganache piped on each layer. The result is a fancy tiered treat best shared with another person or eaten proudly by oneself. Either way, these brownie petit fours are altogether fab and worthwhile. You should totally make them.

Brownie Petit Fours by Wood and Spoon blog. These are tiny bite sized brownies filled with a rich salted chocolate ganache filling. You can prepare these two ways: either stacked in fancy tiered dessert form or in a single bite of ganache coated brownie. Read more about how to make ganache and these fancy treats on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood holiday entertaining cocktail desserts

I hope today wasn’t TMI. I know you guys come here for breads and cookies and cakes (not my own personal sob stories!), but I also feel like someone out there needs a hug and a little encouragement. Regardless, I hope you love yourself (or someone else!) by making these little brownie petit fours. Happy baking and have a great weekend!

Brownie Petit Fours by Wood and Spoon blog. These are tiny bite sized brownies filled with a rich salted chocolate ganache filling. You can prepare these two ways: either stacked in fancy tiered dessert form or in a single bite of ganache coated brownie. Read more about how to make ganache and these fancy treats on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood holiday entertaining cocktail desserts

If you like these brownie petit fours you should try:

Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Brookies (Brownie Cookie Bars)

Peppermint Bark Brownies

Pretzel Shortbread Peanut Butter Brownies

Mint Brownie Ice Cream Cake

 

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Brownie Petit Fours

Brownie Petit Fours by Wood and Spoon blog. These are tiny bite sized brownies filled with a rich salted chocolate ganache filling. You can prepare these two ways: either stacked in fancy tiered dessert form or in a single bite of ganache coated brownie. Read more about how to make ganache and these fancy treats on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood holiday entertaining cocktail desserts

★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

Make brownie petit fours with chocolate ganache in two ways!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 30
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: Depends on Size of Brownies
  • Category: Brownies
Scale

Ingredients

For the brownies:

  • 4 ounces (about ¾ cup of chips) semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • ¾ cup (12 T or 165 gm) unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup (150 gm) sugar
  • ½ cup (100 gm) light brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1–1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (140 gm) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (65 gm) cocoa powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt

For the ganache:

  • 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped or in morsels
  • ¾ cup (6 ounces) heavy whipping cream
  • Fleur de sel, for sprinkling

Instructions

To prepare the brownies:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line one quarter sheet pan (or one 9”x13” pans) with foil that extends up the sides and grease with baking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan over low heat, gently heat the chocolate and butter, stirring regularly, just until barely melted. Pour the mixture into a large bowl and whisk in the sugar and brown sugar. Whisk in the eggs and the vanilla extract. Scrape the sides of the bowl and then fold in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake in the preheated oven for about 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted only comes out with a few moist crumbs. Set aside to cool completely.
  3. When ready to prepare your petit fours, place the chocolate in a heat-safe bowl. Gently warm the cream in the microwave or on the stovetop until it is almost ready to begin bubbling. Pour the warm cream over the chocolate and whisk to combine until smooth. Gently heat in the microwave in 15 second increments until melted as needed.
  4. If you wish to make the tiny bite-sized chocolate-coated petit fours, use a tiny biscuit cutter or sturdy round cutter about 1 to 1-1/4” in size to trim out rounds from your cooled brownies. I prefer to freeze the brownies for about an hour prior to cutting to make the cutting easier. For larger stacked petit fours, use a 1-3/4 to 2” cutter to trim out rounds.
  5. For the tiny petit fours, place the small brownies on a cookie sheet set over a large bowl and spoon the warm liquid ganache over top. Use a fork to transfer the covered petit fours onto a baking sheet lined with wax or parchment paper. Allow to set up slightly before sprinkling with a bit of fleur de sel.
  6. For the large stacked petit fours, allow the ganache to set up slightly either on the counter or in the fridge until it turns into a slightly thickened but still pipeable fudgy consistency. Place the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a round tip and squeeze dollops into the center of each brownie round. Top one brownie with another and sprinkle the tops of each stack with sea salt, sprinkles, or whatever! Enjoy at room temperature!

Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie

11 Comments / Pies
Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie is a creamy baked fall custard pie with a fudge chocolate bottom and pecan pie crust ready made from Diamond nuts. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings this is a great holiday / Thanksgiving alternative for chocolate lovers. This pie is a simple one to make and bakes up without cracks! Learn more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

What are the traditions you’re looking forward to in the coming months? Is there a recipe or a feeling that you anticipate this time of year, some kind of moment that just kinda makes it feel like home? I recently had an editor at a magazine ask me a similar question, and it got me thinking. Growing up there was coffee cake on Christmas morning, leftover slices of cake for breakfast the day after my birthday, and eggs stuffed with coins hidden in the backyard on Easter, but now, as an adult with my own family, I kinda get to call the shots. I’m finally in the position to be the tradition creator in my own house, so what do I pick? What foods and songs and formalities are going to stick around for the long haul?

Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie is a creamy baked fall custard pie with a fudge chocolate bottom and pecan pie crust ready made from Diamond nuts. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings this is a great holiday / Thanksgiving alternative for chocolate lovers. This pie is a simple one to make and bakes up without cracks! Learn more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

My guess is a lot of Moms feel worn out by the pressure to create these Pinterest-worthy parties and moments and foods for their kids around the holidays. We have access to so much, and it’s impossible not to look around and feel compelled to do and create like all of the women we see around us. To be honest, the performer in me has a hard time with just enjoying the moments that arise. Instead, I really struggle with this inner drive to do more, make things better, and spin this web of magic for my kids, especially around the holidays. In an effort to be more mentally and emotionally present, I really want to loosen my grip these few months and make more of the time by sharing me. Less garland, fewer appetizers, a messier house, but a happier Mom. A less frazzled Kate.

Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie is a creamy baked fall custard pie with a fudge chocolate bottom and pecan pie crust ready made from Diamond nuts. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings this is a great holiday / Thanksgiving alternative for chocolate lovers. This pie is a simple one to make and bakes up without cracks! Learn more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

I love this black bottom pumpkin pie. Growing up, my Mimi made two pumpkin pies every Thanksgiving, and we’d fight over the leftover slices in the days following. Here, as a self-proclaimed Southern transplant, I took a note from all of the old charity league and church cookbooks and added a black bottom to an otherwise normal pie. What we’re left with is a fudgy layer of chocolate topped with traditional pumpkin pie filling, all wrapped in snug to my favorite shortcut of the holiday season: Diamond Nut’s Pecan Crust.

Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie is a creamy baked fall custard pie with a fudge chocolate bottom and pecan pie crust ready made from Diamond nuts. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings this is a great holiday / Thanksgiving alternative for chocolate lovers. This pie is a simple one to make and bakes up without cracks! Learn more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

Similar to the graham cracker crusts you’ve seen in stores for ages, Diamond’s pecan and walnut crusts are pre-made crusts made with their premium nuts. Each crust is mildly flavored and can be used in a number of ways to up the ante on your favorite pie recipes. Because each are ready to use, the pie making process is so much more simple, leaving you with less hours to log in the kitchen and more time to just be present.

Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie is a creamy baked fall custard pie with a fudge chocolate bottom and pecan pie crust ready made from Diamond nuts. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings this is a great holiday / Thanksgiving alternative for chocolate lovers. This pie is a simple one to make and bakes up without cracks! Learn more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

This black bottom pumpkin pie is mildly spiced and perfectly sweetened. I prefer to serve mine with large dollops of whipped cream, but you could very well skip that if you’d prefer. As a garnish, I opted for some chocolate shavings and candied pecan pieces, but again, totally unnecessary. The pecan pie crust and yummy autumnal filling is all the flavor this black bottom pumpkin pie requires.

To make it, we start with the black bottom. A simple chocolate ganache made with chopped semisweet chocolate and heavy creamy is prepared and spread into the bottom of the ready-made pecan crust. Next, a filling made with canned pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, and just enough spice is stirred in a single bowl and poured on top of the set ganache bottom. This black bottom pumpkin pie bakes in a preheated oven in about thirty minutes and cools in the fridge over the course of an hour. I like to serve slices at room temperature with a cloud of fresh cream. YUM.

Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie is a creamy baked fall custard pie with a fudge chocolate bottom and pecan pie crust ready made from Diamond nuts. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings this is a great holiday / Thanksgiving alternative for chocolate lovers. This pie is a simple one to make and bakes up without cracks! Learn more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

Many thanks to Diamond for sponsoring this post. I want to hear about the traditions you guys are dreaming up for your families this time of year. Our time is limited, and I so desperately want to be intentional with every minute. I hope this season is full of lots of love for you all, and I can’t wait to hear how you enjoy this black bottom pumpkin pie. HAPPY BAKING!

If you like this black bottom pumpkin pie you should try:

Sweet Potato Pie with Meringue Topping

Pumpkin Cheesecake Tartlets

Pumpkin Pecan Tart with Maple Whipped Cream

Pumpkin Pull-Apart Bread

 

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Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie

Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie is a creamy baked fall custard pie with a fudge chocolate bottom and pecan pie crust ready made from Diamond nuts. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings this is a great holiday / Thanksgiving alternative for chocolate lovers. This pie is a simple one to make and bakes up without cracks! Learn more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

This black bottom pumpkin pie has a chocolate ganache layer topped with a simple pumpkin filling and is baked in a pecan pie crust!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 40
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 9 Servings 1x
  • Category: Pie
Scale

Ingredients

For the ganache:

  • 3 ounces heavy cream
  • 3 ounces semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate

For the pie:

  • 1 Diamond Pecan Pie Crust
  • ¾ cup pumpkin puree
  • ¾ cup evaporated milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1–1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • pinch of cloves

Instructions

  1. Start by preparing the ganache. Gently heat the cream on the stove or in the microwave until it is steaming and almost bubbling. Pour the cream over the chocolate in a medium-sized bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap and whisk gently until smooth. If there are still chunks of chocolate, gently heat in the microwave in 15 second increments. Pour the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pie crust and put it in the fridge or freezer to firm up to fudge consistency.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the pumpkin, evaporated milk, and eggs in a large bowl. Add the sugars and vanilla and stir to combine. Add the flour and spices and stir just until smooth. Pour the mixture over the firm chocolate in the pie crust. Bake the pie in the preheated oven until the edges are set and the center wiggles like jello, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely prior to serving with whipped cream, if desired.

Chocolate Hazelnut Doughnuts

3 Comments / Bread
Chocolate Hazelnut Doughnuts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are baked dark chocolate cocoa powder donuts makes with melted butter and topped with a chocolate hazelnut glaze. Sprinkled nuts on top beauty up these quick breakfast pastries that can be made in one bowl! Read more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com.

I’m making a new rule. From here on out, Monday’s and doughnuts go together like Lucy and Ethel. No longer will we suffer at the hand of an abruptly short weekend or an agonizing case of the Monday’s. We deserve chocolate hazelnut doughnuts to help us make it through, and I’m here to bring them. 

This past week Brett and I took the kids to the fair. It was approximately 347 degrees outside, but we couldn’t resist the allure of fried funnel cakes on a similarly hot and sticky day. With a bag full of cash (and hand sanitizer), we embraced the sweat and watched the kids have the time of their lives.

Chocolate Hazelnut Doughnuts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are baked dark chocolate cocoa powder donuts makes with melted butter and topped with a chocolate hazelnut glaze. Sprinkled nuts on top beauty up these quick breakfast pastries that can be made in one bowl! Read more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com.

I’ve decided that kids visiting the fair require no normal sustenance. While mom and dad are dehydrated and weak from lack of nourishment, the kids are soaring high on overstimulation. I barely got through the door before I was ready to buy one of those paper cups full of salty french fries, but the kids had zero interest. Within minutes, George had hair and dirt matted to his forehead, and Aimee raced from the rides to the games and back to the rides again, never stopping once to consider the plethora of snacks available at her fingertips. Finally, as we were dragging them out the gate, we grabbed a few corn dogs and called it a night, but when I got home I was really wanting some fair food. Where were the fried Oreos? The stuffed crust pizzas? Those hotdogs wrapped in curly fries? If there’s ever a time when you should be able to unbutton your pants and seriously let loose, it’s at the fair. Unfortunately, parents just don’t get to do their snack thing when the kids are fixated on seeing the sights. 

Chocolate Hazelnut Doughnuts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are baked dark chocolate cocoa powder donuts makes with melted butter and topped with a chocolate hazelnut glaze. Sprinkled nuts on top beauty up these quick breakfast pastries that can be made in one bowl! Read more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com.

Because I wasn’t given the chance to overindulge at the fair, I’m diving in deep today with these chocolate hazelnut doughnuts. Although I’m no stranger to a traditional fried doughnut, I love making these baked ones that are easier to prepare in my home. After all, fried food at the fair is amazing, but a house that smells like hot grease… less amazing. 

Chocolate Hazelnut Doughnuts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are baked dark chocolate cocoa powder donuts makes with melted butter and topped with a chocolate hazelnut glaze. Sprinkled nuts on top beauty up these quick breakfast pastries that can be made in one bowl! Read more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com.

To make these chocolate hazelnut doughnuts, we start with the batter. The dry ingredients of flour, sugar, and cocoa, are brought together with milk and just the right amount of melted Kerrygold butter to make a thick, fudgy mixture. Prepare your favorite doughnut pan with cooking spray and spoon the batter into a piping bag or large plastic bag with the end snipped off. Pipe the batter into the pan and bake them until they’ve puffed slightly and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Chocolate Hazelnut Doughnuts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are baked dark chocolate cocoa powder donuts makes with melted butter and topped with a chocolate hazelnut glaze. Sprinkled nuts on top beauty up these quick breakfast pastries that can be made in one bowl! Read more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com.

The topping for these chocolate hazelnut doughnuts is a simple shiny glaze that sets up firm and will stick to all of the chopped hazelnuts or chocolate shavings that you to sprinkle on top. While I prefer to nibble on these fresh from the oven, absolutely no one complained when I served them for breakfast on day 2. They were positively destroyed.

Chocolate Hazelnut Doughnuts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are baked dark chocolate cocoa powder donuts makes with melted butter and topped with a chocolate hazelnut glaze. Sprinkled nuts on top beauty up these quick breakfast pastries that can be made in one bowl! Read more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com.

Kerrygold is my go-to butter in all circumstances, and I’m thrilled to find that it performs well in these baked chocolate hazelnut doughnuts. The pastries stay moist and flavorful even on day 2 and 3 of consuming, and I have no doubt that choosing a quality butter had something to do with that. Pick some up for yourself next time you’re at the store and let me know what you think. In the meantime, I hope you get the try these chocolate hazelnut doughnuts in your own kitchens! Happy baking!

Chocolate Hazelnut Doughnuts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are baked dark chocolate cocoa powder donuts makes with melted butter and topped with a chocolate hazelnut glaze. Sprinkled nuts on top beauty up these quick breakfast pastries that can be made in one bowl! Read more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com.

If you like these chocolate hazelnut doughnuts you should try:

Coffee Donuts: Two Ways

Jelly Donuts

Doughnut Croquembouche

Tiramisu Cream Puffs

 

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Chocolate Hazelnut Doughnuts

Chocolate Hazelnut Doughnuts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are baked dark chocolate cocoa powder donuts makes with melted butter and topped with a chocolate hazelnut glaze. Sprinkled nuts on top beauty up these quick breakfast pastries that can be made in one bowl! Read more about the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com.

These chocolate hazelnut doughnuts are rich chocolate baked pastries topped with a simple chocolate hazelnut glaze.

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 18 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
Scale

Ingredients

For the donuts:

  • 6 tablespoons (85 gm) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240 gm) sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–1/2 cups (210 gm) bread flour
  • 2/3 cup (50 gm) cocoa powder
  • 1 cup (200 gm) brown sugar
  • 1–1/2 teaspoons espresso powder or instant coffee
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • For the glaze:
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2–1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup chocolate hazelnut spread
  • ¼ cup milk

Instructions

To prepare the donuts:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a donut baking pan with cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the butter, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, espresso powder baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to combine. The mixture is thick, so be sure to incorporate the ingredients well. Pour the batter into a piping bag or a quart-sized plastic bag with the end snipped off. Pipe the mixture into the wells of the donut pan, filling each about ¾ of the way full. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Repeat the process with the remaining batter until all the donuts are cooked. Set aside to cool.

To prepare the glaze:

  1. Whisk all of the ingredients together. Add additional milk to thin out the mixture if desired. Dip the cooled donuts in the glaze and allow to set. Feel free to sprinkle with chopped toasted hazelnuts prior to glaze setting if desired.

Double Chocolate Ganache Tart

6 Comments / Pies
Double Chocolate Ganache Tart by Wood and Spoon. This is a pretzel and brown sugar crust filled with two types of ganache. First, a white chocolate ganache and then a rich dark chocolate ganache. Learn how to make easy ganache for this beautiful make ahead fruit and chocolate tart in a sweet and salty press in pie crust. Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

At any given moment, if you open our fridge or freezer, there’s bound to be a few hidden gems. Tucked in the farthest corner, say, behind a jar of pickles and last nights leftovers, you’re likely to find a secret plate of dessert that no one knows about… except for me. If you, like me, live with a bunch of hungry little people, you know the importance of staking a claim on the good stuff while you have a chance, so today I’m going to share the recipe for this double chocolate ganache tart, a dessert that I stuck a flag in and called my own.

Double Chocolate Ganache Tart by Wood and Spoon. This is a pretzel and brown sugar crust filled with two types of ganache. First, a white chocolate ganache and then a rich dark chocolate ganache. Learn how to make easy ganache for this beautiful make ahead fruit and chocolate tart in a sweet and salty press in pie crust. Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

When you’re raising toddlers, it seems as if they exist on the grass that they perceive to be not so green. Example: Aimee wants the toy George is playing with, and George wants to sit in Aimee’s chair. If George orders chicken, he wants Daddy’s sandwich. If Aimee asks for grapes she will eat Mommy’s cheese. It’s a never-ending back and forth of one-upping and musical chairs, and frankly, it’s exhausting.

Double Chocolate Ganache Tart by Wood and Spoon. This is a pretzel and brown sugar crust filled with two types of ganache. First, a white chocolate ganache and then a rich dark chocolate ganache. Learn how to make easy ganache for this beautiful make ahead fruit and chocolate tart in a sweet and salty press in pie crust. Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

Listen. There are very few things that I can claim as mine. My time, my car, my body, and basically anything else that one would think they could manage on their own is up for grabs when kids are involved. So when I make something like this double chocolate ganache tart, you better believe I’m hiding it. I’m wrapping it in foil and hiding it behind scary leftovers. I’m labeling it as something terrifying like “vegan meatball mash” or “overcooked broccoli,” and when I’m certain the children have fallen asleep, I sneak to the fridge. Gingerly, as quiet as I can be, I unwrap it, take a few bites, and return it to the fridge before anyone knows I’m even in the kitchen. Stealth is of the utmost importance when food is involved, and this tactic is especially important when hosting guests like a mother in law, cousins, or a sweet-toothed sister. You gotta James Bond to and from the fridge if you want that dessert all to yourself.

Double Chocolate Ganache Tart by Wood and Spoon. This is a pretzel and brown sugar crust filled with two types of ganache. First, a white chocolate ganache and then a rich dark chocolate ganache. Learn how to make easy ganache for this beautiful make ahead fruit and chocolate tart in a sweet and salty press in pie crust. Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

So why is this double chocolate ganache tart so special? For one, it’s got the sweet and salty flavor vibe that you know is my jam. The crust here is a pretzel and brown sugar combo held together by loads of shimmery liquid gold (aka BUTTER) and baked until it tastes like a caramelized crunch. The filling is rich with two layers of ganache, one white and one bittersweet, layered on top of one another in a balance of flavor that is almost too perfect to describe. I’m always one for a rich chocolate tart, but here, with the addition of the white chocolate, the flavor isn’t overwhelmingly bitter and it makes for a dessert that keeps you coming back for bite after bite.

Double Chocolate Ganache Tart by Wood and Spoon. This is a pretzel and brown sugar crust filled with two types of ganache. First, a white chocolate ganache and then a rich dark chocolate ganache. Learn how to make easy ganache for this beautiful make ahead fruit and chocolate tart in a sweet and salty press in pie crust. Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

This double chocolate ganache tart is being brought to you today by my friends at Kerrygold! If a luxe dessert calls for butter, I always depend on Kerrygold to bring it in terms of flavor and quality. Here, butter holds together our deliciously salted crust and plays a role in smoothing out the ganache so that is has a melt-in-your-mouth kind of feel. Butter makes everything better, but especially the secret treats you sneak for yourself. You’ve earned quality butter, so definitely depend on it for this double chocolate ganache tart.

Double Chocolate Ganache Tart by Wood and Spoon. This is a pretzel and brown sugar crust filled with two types of ganache. First, a white chocolate ganache and then a rich dark chocolate ganache. Learn how to make easy ganache for this beautiful make ahead fruit and chocolate tart in a sweet and salty press in pie crust. Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

If you have a chance, I hope you’ll make this double chocolate ganache tart this week! In the meantime, I’m going to be developing my idea for a branded tupperware that is labeled “last week’s meatloaf” or “salmon-flavored dog kibble.” You know, something to keep the wandering paws away. Don’t you think that would sell? Have a great week and pop by again later this week for a second recipe that is going to transition us to the fall flavors you’ve been waiting for. Happy baking!

Double Chocolate Ganache Tart by Wood and Spoon. This is a pretzel and brown sugar crust filled with two types of ganache. First, a white chocolate ganache and then a rich dark chocolate ganache. Learn how to make easy ganache for this beautiful make ahead fruit and chocolate tart in a sweet and salty press in pie crust. Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

If you like this double chocolate ganache tart you should try:

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts

Brown Sugar Buttermilk Tart

Pretzel Millionaire Bars

Strawberry Pretzel Tart

Cookie Butter Pretzel Mousse

 

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Double Chocolate Ganache Tart

Double Chocolate Ganache Tart by Wood and Spoon. This is a pretzel and brown sugar crust filled with two types of ganache. First, a white chocolate ganache and then a rich dark chocolate ganache. Learn how to make easy ganache for this beautiful make ahead fruit and chocolate tart in a sweet and salty press in pie crust. Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

★★★★★

4.5 from 2 reviews

This double chocolate ganache tart features two layers of ganache and a sweet and salty pretzel crust.

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Total Time: 120
  • Yield: 9 1x
  • Category: Dessert
Scale

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 5 ounces of pretzels
  • 1/4 cup (55 gm) brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup /1 stick (115 gm) of unsalted butter, melted

For the white chocolate ganache:

  • 1/2 cup (120 gm) heavy whipping cream
  • 6 ounces white chocolate, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

For the dark chocolate ganache:

  • 1/2 cup (120 gm) heavy whipping cream
  • 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions

To prepare the crust

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a food processor, whiz the pretzels, brown sugar, and salt until the pretzels are crumbs. Add the melted butter and pulse to combine. Alternatively, you can crush the pretzel and stir the other ingredients in to combine.
  3. Pat out the crumbs into the bottom and sides of a 10″ tart pan. Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes until set. Set aside to cool while you prepare your ganache.

To prepare the filling:

  1. Pour the white chocolate into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Gently heat the heavy whipping cream for the white chocolate ganache on the stove over medium-low heat. Once the cream around the edges of the pan start barely bubbling (don’t overheat it!), remove the pan from the stove and pour over the white chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Add the butter and whisk to incorporate. Pour the white chocolate ganache into the bottom of the pretzel crust and spread to smooth. Put the pan into the freezer or fridge to set up quickly while you prep your dark chocolate ganache.
  2. To prepare the dark chocolate ganache, repeat the process as used for the white chocolate ganache. When the white chocolate ganache is fairly set, pour the dark chocolate ganache on top and spread the smooth. Allow the tart to rest until the ganache is set. Garnish with fleur de sel and either fruit or additional pretzels. Enjoy!

Almond Toffee Cake

8 Comments / Cakes
Almond Toffee Cake by Wood and Spoon. This is a vanilla layer cake with a rich chocolate fudge frosting and bits of homemade almond roca toffee throughout. The layer cake has a sweet and salty flavor and is rich with the addition of real chocolate buttercream. learn how to make this caramel tasting stacked celebration cake on thewoodandspoon.com

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted a layer cake which is weird kind of since we’re all about celebrations here. As the ever-wise Julia Child once said, “A party without a cake is just a meeting,” so let’s celebrate, shall we? I have a seriously yummy (and celebratory!) almond toffee cake to share with you today, and I can’t wait to dive in!

Almond Toffee Cake by Wood and Spoon. This is a vanilla layer cake with a rich chocolate fudge frosting and bits of homemade almond roca toffee throughout. The layer cake has a sweet and salty flavor and is rich with the addition of real chocolate buttercream. learn how to make this caramel tasting stacked celebration cake on thewoodandspoon.com

To be clear, we’re not celebrating anything super specific. Earlier this week I received some good(ish?) news about a project I’ve been working on. It wasn’t anything big,  just encouragement that I really needed. A friend and her family came over for dinner later that evening, and we decided the news was worth celebrating, not because I had reached any specific end goal but because I had endured long enough to see signs of breakthrough. Initially I thought it may be premature to ring the bells for just a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel but I also know that sometimes we need to celebrate that fact that we’re still standing. So celebrate I did.

Almond Toffee Cake by Wood and Spoon. This is a vanilla layer cake with a rich chocolate fudge frosting and bits of homemade almond roca toffee throughout. The layer cake has a sweet and salty flavor and is rich with the addition of real chocolate buttercream. learn how to make this caramel tasting stacked celebration cake on thewoodandspoon.com

Life isn’t all just peak and valley moments. There’s plenty of opportunities for little victories in between, and I think if we don’t stop to acknowledge where we are we rob ourselves the opportunity to experience joy. To be proud of ourselves. To be grateful for how far we’ve come. A friend of mine recently shared a quote that I thought was fitting: “What a good day to be proud of all the progress I’ve made.” Isn’t that the truth? We’re always in progress, and that process is definitely worth celebrating.

Almond Toffee Cake by Wood and Spoon. This is a vanilla layer cake with a rich chocolate fudge frosting and bits of homemade almond roca toffee throughout. The layer cake has a sweet and salty flavor and is rich with the addition of real chocolate buttercream. learn how to make this caramel tasting stacked celebration cake on thewoodandspoon.com

So here’s a raised glass to you, your progress, and the shoulders you stood on to get where you are today. My hope is that you’re inching closer to victory every day, even if it feels like you’re moving at a snail’s pace. Don’t miss your opportunity to be proud of your successes, you perseverance, and everything in between. Now let’s pick up our forks and chew on this almond toffee cake. I promise you’re going to love it.

Almond Toffee Cake by Wood and Spoon. This is a vanilla layer cake with a rich chocolate fudge frosting and bits of homemade almond roca toffee throughout. The layer cake has a sweet and salty flavor and is rich with the addition of real chocolate buttercream. learn how to make this caramel tasting stacked celebration cake on thewoodandspoon.com

I love toffee. I love that something hard and crunchy can be intensely buttery and smooth all at the same time. Here, in this decadent star of a dessert, fluffy layers of vanilla cake sandwich a sweet chocolate frosting and bits of caramelized almond crunch. This cake has a really well-rounded flavor and texture to boot, so if you like a dessert that has it all you’ve come to the right place.

If’ you’ve never made toffee before, trust me when I say YOU CAN DO THIS. The process can be a little intimidating, but if you read through the instructions and prepare for the candy-ing process well you’ll be just fine. This almond toffee is ridiculously worth the effort, and with any luck you’ll have a little extra leftover to munch on while you frost your cake. I call that a win.

Almond Toffee Cake by Wood and Spoon. This is a vanilla layer cake with a rich chocolate fudge frosting and bits of homemade almond roca toffee throughout. The layer cake has a sweet and salty flavor and is rich with the addition of real chocolate buttercream. learn how to make this caramel tasting stacked celebration cake on thewoodandspoon.com

I’m sharing today’s recipe with my friends at Kerrygold. The butter flavor in the dessert is so prominent that using a premium butter was a must. With butter in both the cake layers, toffee, and frosting, this almond toffee cake is seriously buttery and the perfect treat to transition into this fall season with. After all, it’s always butter season, right? Many thanks to Kerrygold for sponsoring this post and celebrating with me. I hope you’ll count up your little victories in the coming weeks and take an opportunity to celebrate with this almond toffee cake. If you get a chance to try it, let me know what you think! Happy baking and tune in next week for another double header of recipes!!

If you like this almond toffee cake you should try:

Pecan Toffee Blondies

Espresso Toffee Chocolate Chips

Chocolate Caramel Crumble Cake

Milk Chocolate Chip Cake

 

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Almond Toffee Cake

Almond Toffee Cake by Wood and Spoon. This is a vanilla layer cake with a rich chocolate fudge frosting and bits of homemade almond roca toffee throughout. The layer cake has a sweet and salty flavor and is rich with the addition of real chocolate buttercream. learn how to make this caramel tasting stacked celebration cake on thewoodandspoon.com

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

This almond toffee cake features fluffy vanilla layers, a toffee crunch filling and a fudgy chocolate frosting!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 40
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 10 1x
  • Category: Dessert
Scale

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 1 cup (230 gm) unsalted butter
  • 1–3/4 cup (350 gm) sugar
  • 1 large egg plus 4 large egg yolks, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (410 gm) cake flour
  • 1 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1–1/4 (300 gm) cups whole milk, at room temperature

For the almond toffee:

  • 1 cup (230 gm) salted butter
  • ½ cup (100 gm) sugar
  • ½ cup (100 gm) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup roasted almonds, chopped

For the frosting:

  • 1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped or in chips
  • 1/3 cup (70 gm) brown sugar
  • 2 cups (480 gm) heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ cup (55 gm) salted butter, at room temperature

Instructions

To make the cake:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 2 8” or 9” round cake pans and line the bottoms with a round of parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed for 5 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the egg and egg yolks one at a time, mixing until combined after each addition. Add the vanilla. Scrape the sides of the bowl and stir in half of the dry ingredients on low speed. Add half of the milk and scrape the bowl again. Repeat this process with the remaining dry ingredients and milk. Fold in any unincorporated bits and divide the batter between the two pans. Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-37 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.

To prepare the almond toffee:

  1. Prepare a large rimmed sheet pan with a sheet of aluminum foil that is greased with butter. Set aside. In a medium-sized heavy bottomed saucepan melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the sugars and stir until dissolved. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer reads a temperature of 300 degrees. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and stir in the almonds. Spread the mixture into a layer on the buttered foil and allow to cool completely.

To prepare the frosting:

  1. Pour the chopped chocolate/chips into a large mixing bowl. In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the cream and brown sugar together until the milk is almost starting to bubble around the edges and the sugar is dissolved. Pour the cream over top of the chocolate and cover the bowl with a sheet of plastic wrap. Allow to rest 5 minutes and then whisk to combine into a smooth and thick chocolate mixture. Stir in the butter and allow the mixture to set. I like to put the whole bowl into the fridge and stir it every 10 minutes until the mixture is a thick, fudge-like consistency. Once it’s thick enough to spread, remove from the fridge and prepare to frost your cake! If you happen to over-chill your ganache, just heat it barely in the microwave until it’s loosened up. Re-whisk and allow it to thicken up again if needed.

To assemble the cake:

  1. Level the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife. Line a cake stand or serving plate with a cardboard cake round and spread a little of the ganache frosting into the center of the board. Place your first cake layer in the center and spread about 1/3-1/2 cup ganache on top. Smooth and sprinkle the crumbled toffee on top. Dollop a few small dots of ganache on top of the toffee and press the next cake layer down on top. Smooth more ganache on top and spread it all over the cake. You can place your cake in the fridge to set up. Sprinkle the top of the cake with more toffee and serve with additional chopped toffee. Store the cake covered in plastic wrap and keep the toffee tightly sealed. Cake is best enjoyed within two to three days.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts

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Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are pecan graham cracker crusted mini tartlets filled with a dark chocolate ganache, a salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, and toasted pecans. THe recipe makes 4 mini desserts fun for parties and are a rich sweet and salty treat for all year round. Almost no bake and simple to make! Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

Greetings to you all from baby land! We’re two weeks in with our new little guy, and I’m thrilled (read: shocked! amazed! perplexed!) to tell you that we’re actually doing so well. I’m not sure what I anticipated this time to be like, but we’ve had such an outpouring of love and support that this transition has been mind-blowingly sweet. Here in the South, people go all out when you have a baby. There’s gifts and baby snuggling and offers to babysit the bigger kids, of course, but hands down my very favorite perk (outside of the baby itself, duh) is all of the food people bring you. Casseroles, baked goods, snacky treats, and booze show up at your door more frequently than the UPS guy on Amazon Prime delivery day. People bring you lasagnas and pot pies and tossed salads like your milk production depends on it, and this kind of generosity is one of those Southern hospitality things that I love so much. Since I’ve had fewer meals to make, I had time to create a new treat to share with you all today: chocolate caramel pecan tarts.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are pecan graham cracker crusted mini tartlets filled with a dark chocolate ganache, a salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, and toasted pecans. THe recipe makes 4 mini desserts fun for parties and are a rich sweet and salty treat for all year round. Almost no bake and simple to make! Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

Sweet and salty is my all-time favorite, and the combination of chocolate, salted caramel, and a buttery pecan and graham cracker crust is just the ticket. Made with Diamond Nuts  pecans, these little tarts are a show-stopper and definitely qualify as one of those desserts that people will be talking about for a long time. Although they may appear to be complicated, there’s plenty of shortcuts and make-ahead options that will simplify the baking of these little treats.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are pecan graham cracker crusted mini tartlets filled with a dark chocolate ganache, a salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, and toasted pecans. THe recipe makes 4 mini desserts fun for parties and are a rich sweet and salty treat for all year round. Almost no bake and simple to make! Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

To prepare them, we start by crushing graham crackers and finely chopping pecans. Sugar, salt, and melted butter are added to the crumbs and the sand-like mixture is pressed into the bottom of mini tart pans with removable bottoms. The bottomless pans make for easily removal so that your tarts look tidy and seriously professional. Bake the crusts for a few minutes at 350 degrees and get started preparing the ganache.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are pecan graham cracker crusted mini tartlets filled with a dark chocolate ganache, a salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, and toasted pecans. THe recipe makes 4 mini desserts fun for parties and are a rich sweet and salty treat for all year round. Almost no bake and simple to make! Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

Equal parts dark chocolate and warm heavy cream are stirred together until a thick pourable chocolate can be layered into the bottom of the baked shells. Once the ganache has had a chance to set, the chocolate caramel pecan tarts are ready for their second layer, salted caramel sauce. You can make your sauce homemade (I prefer this recipe!) or purchase it from the store. I love homemade caramel and almost always have a jar in my fridge, but if this intimidates you, just opt for the store-bought. Spoon a couple of tablespoons on top of the set ganache and allow to caramel to cool to room temperature.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are pecan graham cracker crusted mini tartlets filled with a dark chocolate ganache, a salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, and toasted pecans. THe recipe makes 4 mini desserts fun for parties and are a rich sweet and salty treat for all year round. Almost no bake and simple to make! Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

At this point, the chocolate caramel pecan tarts can rest in the fridge or even freeze for a week or two. When you’re ready to serve them, bring them to a cool temp and top with a creamy dollop of whipped cream. A sprinkle of toasted pecans finishes out these chocolate caramel pecan tarts and they’re ready for serving. These little treats are a sweet and salty delight your guests (or just you, no judgement) will seriously enjoy.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are pecan graham cracker crusted mini tartlets filled with a dark chocolate ganache, a salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, and toasted pecans. THe recipe makes 4 mini desserts fun for parties and are a rich sweet and salty treat for all year round. Almost no bake and simple to make! Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

I’ve had the most fun working with Diamond Nuts this past year. It’s incredibly easy to support and brag on a brand you love and trust, and their partnership has been one I’ve loved sharing with you. I’ll leave some links to other nutty recipes below so that you can give their products a try in your own home. If you’re looking for a recipe to try right away, I hope you’ll give these chocolate caramel pecan tarts a go. The pecans are the flavorful little stars of the show here, and this crust is one that you can utilize in other recipes as well. If you make time to bake them for yourselves, let me know what you think in the comments below! As always, thank you for supporting brands that make Wood and Spoon possible.

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are pecan graham cracker crusted mini tartlets filled with a dark chocolate ganache, a salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, and toasted pecans. THe recipe makes 4 mini desserts fun for parties and are a rich sweet and salty treat for all year round. Almost no bake and simple to make! Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

For more nutty recipes like these chocolate caramel pecan tarts you should try:

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb Bars

Vegan Oatmeal Cookies

Sweet and Savory Rugelach

Pecan Apple Dutch Baby

Honey Cake with Figs and Whipped Cream Cheese

 

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Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Tarts by Wood and Spoon blog. These are pecan graham cracker crusted mini tartlets filled with a dark chocolate ganache, a salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, and toasted pecans. THe recipe makes 4 mini desserts fun for parties and are a rich sweet and salty treat for all year round. Almost no bake and simple to make! Find the recipe on thewoodandspoon.com

These chocolate caramel pecan tarts are sweet and salty minis with a pecan graham cracker crust, chocolate ganache, salted caramel sauce, and whipped cream topping.

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 10
  • Total Time: 60
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Dessert
Scale

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 9 full (140 gm) graham cracker sheets, finely crushed
  • ¾ cup (90 gm) pecans, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup (50 gm) sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 7 tablespoons (100 gm) unsalted butter, melted

For the filling:

  • 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup (240 gm) heavy whipping cream
  • ¾ cup salted caramel sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • Extra pecans for garnish

Instructions

To prepare the crust:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add the graham cracker sheets, pecans, sugar, and salt in a medium sized mixing bowl, stirring to combine. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture comes together in a wet sand consistency. Pat the crumbs into the bottom and up the sides of 4-4”” tart pans and bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until set. Allow to cool while you prepare the filling. Note that if your crust goes into the oven warm, it could slouch while baking. You can carefully (don’t burn yourself!) press the crumbs back up the sides when done baking as needed, or just chill the crust prior to baking.

To prepare the filling:

  1. Place the chopped chocolate in a small bowl. Gently heat 1/2 cup of the cream on the stove or in the microwave until it’s about to start bubbling. Pour the cream over the chocolate and cover the bowl with plastic wrap for 5 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap and whisk to combine the two. Pour 1-1/2 heaping tablespoons into the bottom of each slightly cooled crust and place in the fridge to chill.
  2. When the ganache has firmed up, gently warm the caramel to a spreading consistency and spread 3 tablespoons into each tart, completely covering the ganache below it. Place in the fridge to set.
  3. When ready to serve, whip the remaining ½ cup cream with the sugar and vanilla until medium peaks form. Spoon large dollops on each tart and garnished with toasted chopped pecans. Enjoy!

 

Derby Hand Pies

3 Comments / Pies
Derby Hand Pies by Wood and Spoon. These are mini pop tart pies filled with bourbon pecan pie filling and topped with a chocolate ganache and pecans. Inspired by the famous Kentucky derby party dessert, these little bite sized desserts are great for feeding a festive crowd while watching the derby. Read more about making these tiny southern pies on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood.

Today’s post will be short and sweet. I am knee-deep in nesting mode (hello chalk paint! hello oxyclean! hello rearranging the furniture!), and have set aside this week to prep my kiddos’ rooms as much as possible prior to baby girl arriving. Yes, we’re only 31 weeks into this pregnancy, but when the urge to nest hits, Mama Bird can’t back down, okay? Today we’re talking about these mini derby hand pies just in time for the Kentucky derby. It’s my favorite sporting event of the year, and once you get a taste of this chocolate and bourbon goodness it might end up being yours too.

Brett and I were married on my grandparent’s Kentucky farm the week before the Derby. I keep memories of the day tucked in the corners of my brain like well-loved photographs that I get to revisit over and over again. The ceremony, party, and events leading up to both were far from perfect, but it felt cozy and personal and will forever hold a warm and fuzzy place in my heart.

Derby Hand Pies

These derby pie bars remind me of that day. Loaded with chopped nuts and rich chocolate, these bourbon-spiked bars contain all the essence of classic derby pie flavors in each and every bite along with an extra-thick shortbread crust that is really so delicious. Derby pie is the quintessential Kentucky Derby dessert, and those rich flavors always make me think of the bluegrass state and our wedding day.

If you’ve hung around this blog long enough, you probably recall the derby pie bars and derby pie cookies I made in the past. These derby hand pies are another take on the classic race day dessert, and they are a cute and sassy way to level-up just a regular old pie. I love anything that can be served in mini or individual servings, and if you’re planning a Derby Day party (or to celebrate our anniversary?) these would be a fun and cheeky treat to consider serving.

Derby Hand Pies

To make them, we start with a pie dough. My favorite flaky pie crust comes together quickly and can be made in advance. Allow the dough to chill for a few hours or overnight and make the filling in the meantime. Just like a pecan pie, brown sugar, corn syrup, nuts, and more simmer on the stove until thick and goopy. We let the filling cool completely so that it stays scoopable and doesn’t squish out the sides of the pie dough.

Roll out your dough as thin as your dare and cut out rounds of dough. Stuff as much filling in between two circles of two as you can and then crimp the edges with a floured fork. After a quick brush of an egg wash, these derby hand pies bake up golden and flaky. To finish them off, we make a simple ganache to spoon on top of each pie and sprinkle with toasted pecans. Delicious, y’all.

Derby Hand Pies

I hope you consider cheers-ing to these derby hand pies this weekend. Be sure to check out a few of my other bourbon favorites below to meet all of your baking needs for the weekend’s festivities. Happy Tuesday and Happy Baking!

If you like these derby hand pies you should make:

Derby Pie Cookies

Derby Pie Bars

Bourbon Truffles

Brown Butter Bourbon Madeleines

Brown Sugar Apple Bundt Cake

 

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Derby Hand Pies

Derby Hand Pies by Wood and Spoon. These are mini pop tart pies filled with bourbon pecan pie filling and topped with a chocolate ganache and pecans. Inspired by the famous Kentucky derby party dessert, these little bite sized desserts are great for feeding a festive crowd while watching the derby. Read more about making these tiny southern pies on thewoodandspoon.com by Kate Wood.

These derby hand pies are miniature versions of the classic Kentucky Derby dessert! Give these tiny pies with bourbon, chocolate, and nuts a shot!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 35
  • Cook Time: 35
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 14 1x
  • Category: Dessert
Scale

Ingredients

For the pastry:

  • 1–3/4 cups (210 gm) of all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1–1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 6 tablespoons (85 gm) butter
  • 1/3 cup (70 gm) shortening
  • 5 tablespoons (approximately) of ice water

For the filling:

  • 1 cup (200 gm) sugar
  • 2/3 cup (200 gm) corn syrup
  • 1/3 cup (40 gm) unsalted butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1–1/2 cups (170 gm) pecans, finely chopped
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons bourbon

For the hand pies:

  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup (60 gm) heavy whipping cream
  • 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • Extra pecans, if desired

Instructions

To prepare the pastry:

  1. Combine flour, salt and sugar in a medium sized bowl.
  2. Cut in the butter and shortening with a pastry cutter or the back of a fork until it is the consistency of a course meal with small, pea-sized chunks of butter throughout. Add water, 1-2 tablespoons at a time, tossing gently until pastry comes together in moist clumps. Pat the dough into a round, flat disk. Wrap with Saran wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.

To prepare the filling:

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, corn syrup, butter, and eggs. Stir in the pecans, salt, and bourbon. Bring to a boil over medium heat and then reduce the heat to low and keep at a simmer for 10 minutes. Once thickened, remove from heat and pour into a separate bowl and allow to chill in the fridge until barely scoopable.

To prepare the hand pies:

  1. Allow the dough to sit out about 5-10 minutes to allow it to become rollable. On a floured surface using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough out to just shy of 1/8”. Make sure to keep your surface under the dough floured so it doesn’t stick! Cut out 2-1/2” rounds of dough using a biscuit cutter or a sharp knife and rim of a glass. Place the rounds on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Whisk the egg in a small bowl with a teaspoon of water and using a pastry brush or basting brush to brush a thin layer of egg wash around the perimeter of the dough on half of the circles. Spoon 2-2-1/2 teaspoons of the cooled filling into the center of these dough pieces and top each with a round of dough that doesn’t have the egg wash. Use the floured prongs of a fork to crimp the edges and arrange them on the baking sheet 1-1/2” apart. Repeat this process with any remaining dough by re-rolling and cutting and filling. Place the prepared pies in the freezer for at least 3 hours to chill.
  2. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 and brush a thin layer of  the remaining egg wash on the top of the pies. Vent the top by pricking a fork into the top of each and bake until bronzed, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven to cool while you prepare the topping.
  3. Gently heat the heavy whipping cream on the stove or in the microwave until just barely bubbling. Pour the cream over top of the chocolate in a small bowl and cover the bowl with plastic wrap for 5 minutes. Whisk the melted mixture together to combine and allow it to sit out about 10 minutes until it becomes a thickened mixture that won’t spill over the edges of the pies. Spread a small round of the ganache on top of each cooled pie and top with additional chopped pecans, if desired.

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