Soni's Food

Indian Inspiration!

Swedish Apple Pie for the #Holidays

20 | 12 | 2018
By Soni Sinha

Apple desserts are an all-time favorite over here. My kids love anything with apples in it and I’m always looking out for apple dessert recipes to try. Given the copious amounts of pie we consumed over Thanksgiving at various dinner parties I was looking for a crust less pie dessert for the holidays and stumbled upon Swedish Apple Pie that sounded just about right. I had some tart apples lying around (always have them on hand!) and decided to put them to use. Given the stress of planning out holiday parties, this easy dessert is a sure shot winner in my books and great for a crowd.

Of all the recipes I saw online I shortlisted this and this and adapted them to make my own version of a Swedish apple pie. Not sure if the Swedes would call this their original apple pie but I do know that it tastes phenomenal and was a huge hit with my kids. Classic apple-cinnamon combo is what works its magic here as the flavors are spot-on.Warm baked apple desserts topped with ice cream are my weakness in these colder months!I know for sure that I’ll be making this over and over again.

Swedish apple pie

Swedish Apple pie is somewhere in-between a pie and apple crisp. Instead of layering the apples and flour mixture I just mixed the apples into the batter and that resulted in a flaky crumbly texture resembling a crisp.If you want it to look more like a pie crust I suggest you layer the apples first and top it with the batter. I used my cast iron pan to bake it and it baked perfectly.I topped mine with some vanilla ice cream and its disappearing fast!An unique twist to a traditional apple pie this crowd pleasing dessert is ideal for the holidays!Enjoy and wishing you a joyous holiday season!

Here are some other dessert ideas for the Holidays!

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Nutella Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies
swedish apple pie

Swedish Apple Pie

Soni Sinha
A crustless pie with the texture of an apple crisp, this Swedish Apple Pie is just perfect for the holidays!
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Course Dessert
Cuisine swedish
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium granny smith apples peeled and diced
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 3 tsp brown sugar
  • ¼ cup whole wheat flour
  • ¾ cup plain flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup melted butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl toss the apples with cinnamon and brown sugar.
    In another bowl mix egg,butter and vanilla.
    Mix the flours,sugar,salt and add into the wet ingredients.Add the apples.Mix well.Grease a cast iron pan with some cooking spray.Spread the mixture evenly.Bake on 350 degrees for 40 mins or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Pumpkin Bourbon Pudding

21 | 11 | 2018
By Soni Sinha

I’m sure you’re busy prepping for tomorrow, but in case you’re still looking for some last-minute dessert ideas for Thanksgiving, then you’ve come to the right place.As much as I love making my Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie for Thanksgiving, this time I’m going with these Pumpkin Pie Truffles and something else that’s equally wonderful at this time of the year. Pumpkin Bourbon Pudding is an easy baked dessert that I discovered here and have been making it for some time now. My guests love it and it tastes amazing (bourbon might have something to do with that!).
With temperatures as low as they are tomorrow an easy boozy Thanksgiving dessert sounds just about perfect to warm us all up don’t you think?

Pumpkin Bourbon Pudding

I have never shared boozy desserts with you in the past and this is just the beginning, so stay tuned for more coming your way as we celebrate this holiday season. This luscious pudding has all the lovely flavors of a pumpkin pie but without any of the effort involved and it’s also great for a crowd. The flavors are spot on with aromatics such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and all spice and the aroma is to die for. That’s what I love about baking in the fall!

Pumpkin Bourbon Pudding

The batter bakes into this smooth velvety pudding that you just have to dig your spoon in and savor! The ingredients are all mixed in one bowl and baked until all warm and a pudding-y consistency.You can make the toppings as festive as you like with wafers, crushed pecans/nuts, ice cream, whipped cream or anything that screams thanksgiving to you. I love mine simple with some with rolled oats as in this recipe! An easy crowd pleasing dessert that I’m sure you’ll be making over and over again like I do!

Happy Thanksgiving and may it bring health, wealth and joyous moments to each and every one of you!Enjoy!

Here are a few other Thanksgiving recipes that you might enjoy-
Indian Roasted Cornish Hens
Stir Fried Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries
Sweet Potato Cranberry Casserole with Almond Streusel

Print
Pumpkin Bourbon Pudding

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons bourbon
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 1 slightly beaten egg white
  • 1 slightly beaten egg
  • 1 15 oz can pumpkin
  • 1 5 oz can (2/3 cup) evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/3 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons melted butter

Instructions

  1. Lightly coat 4-5 small jars or 6-ounce souffle dishes or custard cups or one 1-quart casserole with nonstick cooking spray. Place jars or souffle dishes or custard cups in a shallow baking pan for ease of handling; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl combine egg white, egg, pumpkin, evaporated milk, the 1/2 cup brown sugar, the pumpkin pie spice, and bourbon. Pour pumpkin mixture into prepared dish(es). In a small bowl stir together rolled oats and the 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Stir in melted butter. Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture.
  3. Bake in a 375 degree F. oven about 30 minutes for souffle dishes or custard cups, 40 to 45 minutes for large dish.
  4. Transfer to wire rack.Serve warm.

https://www.sonisfood.com/2018/11/pumpkin-bourbon-pudding.html

 

Nutella Swirled Cheesecake Bars

22 | 12 | 2017
By Soni Sinha

Nutella Swirled Cheesecake Bars have been on my to-make list for so long and I finally made them! These bars are just the size you need them to be to satisfy your sweet cravings and can be made a day ahead since they do require some chilling time before being cut into squares. They’re perfectly sweet and the swirls look so festive!

Nutella Swirled Cheesecake Bars

This is a Nutella lover’s dream and tastes phenomenal. The buttery graham cracker crust topped with a delicious cheesecake filling topped with Nutella is the kind of dessert meant for special occasions such as the holidays. I omitted the sugar in the crust in this recipe and it came out perfect. The hardest part is waiting for it to chill so you get to bite into these beauties. I left it to chill overnight in the refrigerator. My kids got to try these after school the next day and their verdict- “the wait was worth it”! 🙂

You know that they’re ready when you see the edges turning slightly golden.The best part-spreading the nutella!Just make sure that its slightly warm, makes it easy to swirl.This is not your average dessert but a decadent indulgent treat for you and your guests.Great for a crowd (makes 16 small bars) and super easy, this is one dessert that any Nutella lover will devour!Enjoy and wishing you all a great holiday season!

Nutella Swirled Cheesecake Bars

Nutella Swirled Cheesecake Bars

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Ingredients
  

For the crust

  • 10 full sheet Graham Crackers or 1 1/2 graham cracker crumbs
  • 6 tbsp melted stick unsalted butter

For the cheesecake

  • 16 oz 2 bars cream cheese (room temperature)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup nutella slightly warmed

Instructions
 

  • Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees
  • Line a 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper with overhanging sides

For the base

  • In a food processor, process the graham crackers into fine crumbs.
  • Add the melted butter and pulse to fully incorporate.
  • Pour into the lined baking pan and gently even with hands or base of a measuring cup. Bake for 5 mins.
  • Remove from oven and let it cool.
  • Pour cream cheese mixture on it.

Cheesecake

  • While the base is baking, place the cream cheese and sugar in stand or electric mixer
  • Beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
  • Add egg and vanilla and beat to combine until the mixture is smooth
  • Pour mixture onto the baked graham cracker crust and smooth into a single layer. Drop large spoonfuls of Nutella on top of filling and swirl gently with a knife.
  • Bake 30-35 minutes or until the center only slightly jiggles.
  • Remove from the oven and cool completely then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight
  • Once set, remove from pan using the parchment lining and slice into bars.

 

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

19 | 12 | 2017
By Soni Sinha

The weather outside might be frightful but the fire inside is surely delightful during this time of the year! My kids wanted to sip hot chocolate with marshmallows sitting by the fire over the weekend and we did just that! I baked some Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip cookies for them and we had a lazy ‘Do nothing Day’ that we enjoyed. We all lead such busy lives that its essential to wind down every once in a while, and do nothing.It was so nice to just relax for once!

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

I had some cream cheese sitting in my refrigerator waiting to be used and I decided to bake some cookies.I looked up a few recipes on the web like this one and went along with what I had on hand.Some recipes called for brown sugar and I didn’t have any so I just went with regular granulated sugar.It still turned out good.The cream cheese adds a rich creamy flavor to these cookies and takes it to another level!And of course the chocolate chips add to the magic here.So so good.

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

It’s a great treat to have on hand during the holidays and something special. My kids loved it.The cookies are slightly chewy and dense just the way I like them. My other favorite cookies during this time are these Peanut Butter Blossoms and Chocolate Drop Cookies that are equally devoured by my kids.Enjoy!

Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Ingredients
  

  • Cream Cheese-1/4 cup
  • ½ cup 1 stick butter softened
  • Sugar-3/4 cup
  • 1 large egg
  • Vanilla-2 tsp
  • All purpose flour-2 1/4 cup
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a mixing bowl with electrical mixer, beat cream cheese, butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in egg and vanilla until all mixed.
  • Slowly beat in the flour,baking soda and salt.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips.
  • Drop the dough by teaspoonfuls onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the top starts getting slightly brown around the edges.
  • Let the cookies cool on a wire rack.Once cool transfer into an airtight container.

 

Spiced Chicken Stuffed Rolls

08 | 12 | 2017
By Soni Sinha

The excitement has begun since it’s ‘the most wonderful time of the year’! Holidays are almost here and I’m sure you all have wonderful plans of spending it with family and friends. There’s something magical about December, wouldn’t you agree? I cannot think of a more magical month that gets everyone so excited!

Spiced Chicken Stuffed Rolls

Keeping the holidays is mind I’ve come up with an easy appetizer that your guests will love. My Spiced Chicken Stuffed Rolls are delicious, flavorful and fun to eat! They take literally minutes to prepare and you can make the filling a day ahead. The ground chicken is first cooked with some spices and the mixture is then stuffed into store bought flaky biscuit dough! Yes, we’re using just that and it makes for an amazing holiday appetizer! Stuff them and bake just before your guests arrive! It’s that easy.

Spiced Chicken

Ground chicken is sautéed with onions, some ginger, garlic and few spices until cooked. I’ve also added frozen peas towards the end. The mixture must be dry and you have to make sure that all moisture has evaporated.The spices add layers of flavors to amp up the deliciousness quotient here.

Spiced Chicken Stuffed Rolls

These warm fluffy rolls are just the hand held food you need at your party!And to think that all you did was just make the filling. These soft rolls with a surprise Indian Inspired filling are sure to wow your guests and also great for a crowd. Enjoy!

Spiced Chicken Stuffed Rolls

Spiced Chicken Stuffed Rolls

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Ingredients
  

  • 1 package Flaky Biscuit Dough
  • ½ lb ground chicken
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 tsp crushed ginger
  • 1 tsp crushed garlic
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp garam masala
  • ¼ tsp turmeric
  • ¼ tsp red chili optional or paprika
  • 1 tsp tomato paste
  • 1 small tomato chopped
  • salt to taste
  • 2 tbsp oil

Instructions
 

  • Thaw the biscuit dough if frozen.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

For the filling

  • Heat oil in a pan and saute the onions until slightly golden.
  • Add the ginger and garlic and continue to cook for about a minute.
  • Add the spices and the tomato paste.Add 2 tbsp of water if it sticks to the bottom.Add the chopped tomato.Mix well and cook until they become soft and the mixture comes together.
  • Add the ground chicken along with some salt,cover and cook until fully done.
  • If there's water in the pan take the lid off and make sure all moisture has evaporated while stirring every few minutes on a medium heat.
  • Add the peas and mix it well.
  • Check the seasonings and continue to cook for another 5-6 minutes.
  • The filling is ready.Let it cool down a bit before you start to fill.

For the Rolls

  • Take the discs out and tear each disc in half with your hands.You should have 16 small discs.
  • Take one disc and stretch it out from all sides using your fingers to make it big enough to stuff a little amount of the filling.
  • Take a tsp of the filling and bring all the sides together.
  • Roll it into a round shape and keep it face side down onto a baking sheet or pan.
  • Repeat for all the other discs.
  • Brush them with an egg wash (optional) or melted butter.
  • Bake them in the center rack in the oven for about 12-14 mins or until the rolls are golden.Keep an eye to make sure to not burn them.
  • Arrange them on a tray and serve hot with your favorite condiment.