The ‘astrology girlies’ have been at it since the dawn of the internet and social media, blaming everything going wrong in life on mercury retrograde. If you are reading this, you might be feeling the blues and discontent with everything in your life, right about now. Since Mercury seems to move backwards, sometimes, in the sky, and we mortal beings like things on routine, it’s no wonder the stress and life’s dissonance, lately, hit you out of the blue. It’s time to flip the table and snuggle away from the things and folks stressing you want and dig into comforting desserts that make you feel like all is right in the world. Here are some quick dessert recipes that won’t snag at your clothing, chip your nails or scald your skin and be that last straw that causes a meltdown.
1. Vanilla pudding
(5 servings)
Ingredients
- 500 ml milk
- 100 gm white sugar
- 45 gm cornstarch
- A small pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 15 gm butter
Instructions
- In a deep saucepan, heat milk over medium heat, until bubbles form around the edges.
- Mix the sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a dry bowl.
- Slowly add the sugar-cornstarch-salt mixture to the hot milk, while stirring, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter.
- Divide the pudding evenly into serving dishes. Refrigerate the pudding before serving.
2. Dessert Kebabs
Ingredients
- Assorted fresh fruit (strawberries, pineapple chunks, grapes, melon balls)
- Mini marshmallows
- Pound cake or angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Mini chocolate truffles
- Wooden skewers
Instructions:
- Wash and prepare the fresh fruit, cutting it into bite-sized pieces if necessary.
- Thread the fruit, marshmallows, and cake cubes onto the wooden skewers, alternating the to create a colourful pattern.
- Gently press a few chocolate chips or mini candies into the fruit and cake on each skewer.
- Arrange the dessert kebabs on a serving platter.
- For extra indulgence, you can drizzle the kebabs with a bit of melted chocolate or caramel sauce right before serving. Or skip that and dip the desserts into a bowl of chocolate sauce.
Tip: Try the Tanghulu style and dip the fruits in sugar syrup to create a sweet crunchy shell outside the fruit.
3. Cake Pops
(Serves 4-6)
Ingredients
- 1 box of cake mix (baked and crumbled)
- 250-500 ml of frosting
- Lollipop sticks (small skewers will also do)
- 200-300 gm chocolate (melted) or candy melts for coating
- Sprinkles, crushed cookies, or other toppings (optional)
Instructions:
- Bake the cake according to the box and let it cool completely. Crumble the cake into fine crumbs in a large bowl.
- Add 1-2 cups of frosting to the cake crumbs and mix until the mixture is sticky and can be rolled into balls.
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of the cake mixture and roll them into smooth balls.
- Push a lollipop stick into the centre of each ball.
- Melt the chocolate or candy melts according to package. Dip each of the cake pops into the melted coating, letting any excess drip off.
- Place the coated cake pops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Decorate with sprinkles, crushed cookies, or other toppings if desired.
- Refrigerate the cake pops for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the coating to set.
4. Coconut Macaroons
Ingredients:
- 3 egg whites
- 200 gm white sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- 225 gm fresh coconut (grated or shredded)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 160°C, then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Gradually add the sugar, beating until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold in the salt, coconut, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Scoop rounded tablespoon-sized portions of the coconut mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned.
- Allow the macaroons to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
If you have made it to the bottom of these quick dessert recipe fixes, we wish you a happy healing while you comfort-eat your way out of this retrograde season. In the Hot Priest’s voice from Fleabag: “It’ll pass”.