In the realm of delectable delights, few treats can rival the allure of smart cookie petits fours. These miniature works of art, with their intricate designs and satisfyingly chewy texture, are a testament to the culinary prowess of their creators. Whether you're a seasoned baker looking to expand your repertoire or a novice eager to embark on a new baking adventure, this article will guide you through the process of crafting these delectable morsels. With careful attention to detail and a touch of culinary magic, you'll be able to impress your friends and family with a batch of smart cookie petits fours that are both visually stunning and irresistibly delicious.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PETIT FOURS
Provided by Food Network
Categories dessert
Time 3h45m
Yield about 75 bite-sized cakes
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- For the cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Liberally spray an 18-by13-inch sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray and line it with parchment paper. Stack the lined sheet pan inside a second sheet pan, to avoid extra browning when baking.
- In a mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder and salt and whisk to combine. Set aside.
- In a food processor, pulse together the almond paste, granulated sugar and honey. Pulse until well combined. Open the food processor and scrape the sides and bottom with a metal spoon to check that the almond paste is completely incorporated. Add the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing to combine after each addition.
- Add the eggs one by one, pulsing until each is completely incorporated. After the last addition, scrape down the bowl and then pulse until the batter is completely smooth and slightly fluffy. Pulse in the flour mixture until blended.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared sheet pan. Bake until the cake is golden brown and springs back when gently poked, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, color the Royal Icing in the colors of your choosing and add each color to a pastry bag fitted with a #2 tip. Pipe tiny flowers on a piece of parchment by making small closed spirals in one color, then add leaves to either side in the other color. Set aside to set up and harden, about 1 hour.
- Remove the cake from the sheet pan and cut in half widthwise. Spread the jam on top of one half and top with the second half. Freeze for 10 minutes to set.
- Use a serrated knife to cut the cake into 1-inch squares. Place onto a parchment-covered sheet pan and freeze for at least 1 hour.
- For the coating icing: In the meantime, add the white chocolate chips to a heatproof bowl and set over a pot of simmering water (the bowl should sit above and not touch the water). Heat, stirring, until melted and smooth.
- Sift the confectioners' sugar into a separate large bowl. Stir in the hot water and corn syrup until smooth. Stir in the melted chocolate. If the icing is too thick (it should be pourable), add more hot water 1 teaspoon at a time. Use while warm; you can reheat it in the microwave if necessary as you are working.
- Put the little cakes on a wire rack fitted inside a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Coat the cakes with the icing using a spoon and small offset spatula, or add icing to a pastry bag, snip the corner and use to coat each cake. Top each with a hardened royal icing decoration. Allow the icing to set up before transferring to a serving platter.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fit with a paddle attachment, add the confectioners' sugar and meringue powder and beat to combine. Beat in 4 tablespoons of warm water to combine. Raise the paddle head to check the consistency of the icing; the icing should be thick and smooth but not dripping from the paddle. Add more water until the desired consistency is reached. (You can add slightly more water to achieve a flooding consistency icing to completely cover cookies. Use a stiffer consistency to pipe decorations and details.)
PETITS FOURS
This is a sponge cake that it is perfect for making petits fours. Dense yellow cake that can stand up to the process of being cut into small pieces, and iced individually. Decorate each little cake with a whole nut, some candied fruit, tiny candies, sprinkles or coconut.
Provided by courtney
Categories Desserts Cakes Yellow Cake Recipes
Time 1h30m
Yield 36
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs and egg yolks using an electric mixer. Add sugar, and beat until thick and pale, about 10 minutes. If you have a stand mixer, use the whisk attachment. Sift the flour and baking powder into the egg mixture, and fold in by hand along with the milk. Stir just until the batter is mixed, then fold in the melted butter until smooth. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. When finished, invert the cake pan onto a sheet of waxed paper, and cool completely. This will give you nice even petits fours.
- Cut the cooled cake into small squares, rectangles or triangles, and arrange the pieces in rows on a wire rack or glazing screen with plenty of space between rows. (See Cook's Notes for flavoring suggestions). Set the rack over a shallow pan or waxed paper to catch the drips.
- Spoon or pour warmed petit four icing over the small cakes. The drippings may be scraped off of the pan or paper, and reheated for use again. Allow the petits fours to set until completely dry. Lift the cakes from the rack with a metal spatula, and trim the bottom edges with a sharp knife. Set into small muffin papers for easy handling. Decorate as desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 69.6 calories, Carbohydrate 11.1 g, Cholesterol 26.2 mg, Fat 2.3 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 37.2 mg, Sugar 5.8 g
SMART COOKIE PETITS FOURS
Sweeten any occasion with a tray of petits fours. Got a baby shower coming up? See how to fill these with the ultimate gender reveal! White Almond Wedding Cake recipe courtesy of user cupcakesmurf. Decorate as desired with royal frosting, sprinkles, or dragees.
Provided by Smart Cookie
Categories White Chocolate Desserts
Time 2h30m
Yield 30
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spray two 11x17-inch baking sheets with cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with cooking spray.
- Mix cake mix, flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Place water, sour cream, oil, vanilla, almond, and egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until combined; slowly add the flour mixture. Beat together on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Pour 1/2 of the batter into each baking sheet, and spread into an even, thin layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are light golden brown and the center is set, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
- Transfer one of the cooled cake layers, along with the parchment, onto a cutting board. Spread raspberry preserves over 1/2 of the cake, and blueberry preserves over the other. Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting over the second cake layer; flip frosted side over the preserves. Spread remaining frosting over the top. Slide the cake on its parchment onto a cookie sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for 1 hour or chill overnight.
- Cut the chilled cake into 2-inch squares by first marking with a ruler. Place squares on a wire rack over a parchment lined baking sheet. Return to the fridge to chill.
- Whisk powdered sugar, water, corn syrup, almond, and vanilla together in a glass bowl.
- Fill a small sauce pot with an inch or two of water; bring to a simmer. Place sugar mixture on top of the simmering water. Whisk until icing is smooth and temperature reaches 92 degrees F (33 degrees C). Add white chocolate chips and any food coloring and stir until melted. Turn off heat but leave double boiler on the stovetop to keep icing pourable.
- Ladle the warm icing over the top of each cake square. Quickly add sprinkles; icing should set quickly since the cake is cold. Let petits fours set in the refrigerator for about 5 minutes, or at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 471.4 calories, Carbohydrate 93.6 g, Cholesterol 5.3 mg, Fat 10.5 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 2.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 223 mg, Sugar 82.6 g
PETITS FOURS
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 17-by-12-inch rimmed baking sheet; line with parchment paper. Butter parchment and dust with flour, tapping out excess; set aside. Into a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 1 1/4 cups sugar and the almond paste on medium-low speed until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the butter, and beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks and vanilla; mix to combine, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour; set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip egg whites until foamy. With the mixer running, gradually sprinkle in remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and beat until soft peaks form. Add a third of the egg-white mixture to the egg-yolk mixture, and fold with a whisk. Gently fold in remaining whites.
- Spread batter evenly on prepared sheet, and bake, turning pan halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer pan to wire rack to cool completely. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 1 day.
- Invert the cake onto a large work surface, and peel off parchment paper. Using assorted 2-inch cookie cutters, cut out cakes. Place cakes on wire racks set over rimmed baking sheets; set aside.
- Place the white chocolate in a large heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer over medium-high heat; pour over white chocolate, and let sit for 1 minute. Stir until mixture is smooth. Spoon melted chocolate over cakes, letting some run down the sides; spread with a small offset spatula to coat completely.Transfer glazed cakes to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Place a White Chocolate Cutouts on top of each cake; decorate with Royal Icing, if desired. Cakes can be refrigerated, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.
- Petits Fours how-to
- A sheet of almond-flavored cake is cut into individual cakes with a set of 2-inch cookie cutters.
- Melted white chocolate, tinted in pastel shades, is spread over a sheet of parchment with an offset spatula; once set, the chocolate is cut with the same set of cutters into shapes that will top the glazed cakes.
SUSHI PETIT FOURS
A petit four is traditionally a one- or two-bite cake. These sushi petit fours are a fantastic way to enter the world of fake-out cake decorating. I love the process of wrapping the little cakes in sugar seaweed and adding the fish-it still gets me every time!
Provided by Dan Langan
Categories dessert
Time 1h40m
Yield 24 to 28 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Use a 1.5- to 2-inch round cutter to cut out circles of cake and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. (Dip the cutter into a small bowl of hot water between cutting to clean it off.) Pipe a small amount of buttercream, about 1/2 inch, on top of half the cake rounds, then sandwich with the remaining cake rounds. Partially freeze the filled cakes, about 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, lightly dust a clean work surface with cornstarch. Roll out a sheet of dark green fondant (the color of sushi seaweed wrap) 1/8 inch thick so that it is large enough to fit a piece of wafer paper. (If you are rolling out the fondant in batches, keep any unused fondant wrapped in plastic to prevent it from drying out.) Placed the rolled fondant on a piece of parchment paper.
- Brush the fondant with piping gel and place the wafer paper, texture side-up, over top. Using your fingers, lightly brush the top of the wafer paper to remove any air bubbles as you press it into the fondant. Using a pizza cutter, trim the excess fondant around the wafer paper. (If you don't have wafer paper you can skip and just use green fondant.) Mix together the vodka and green gel food color in a small bowl and brush it lightly over the wafer paper so that it wrinkles for a seaweed look. Let dry completely until it is dry to the touch and no longer looks shiny.
- Cut strips of wafer paper fondant that are a 1/4-inch higher than your cake rounds and long enough to wrap around each cake circle. Flip over the fondant strips so that the wafer paper is facing down and pipe a line of buttercream about two-thirds of the way up each strip. Place a cake round on each strip and roll it up, lining up the bottom of the cake round with one side of the fondant strip. Trim away any overlap and add buttercream if needed to seal. Wipe away any buttercream that comes out at the seam. If the fondant begins to stick to your hands, lightly dust your fingers with cornstarch.
- Use the gummy candy or circus peanuts to cut a few pieces of fish that are about 3/4 inches wide. Gently push a few fish in the center of each sushi cake. Pour white sprinkles into the space between the gummy candy and the seaweed fondant to create the rice and gently press to ensure they are in line with the top of the seaweed.
PEACH PETITS FOURS
Yield makes about 36 petits fours
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Lightly grease two baking sheets with vegetable oil. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Beat the egg and vanilla in a large bowl until foamy. As you continue beating, gradually pour in the sugar, until the mixture is smooth. Beat in the oil, then the milk, rum, and lemon zest. Stir 3 1/2 cups flour and the baking powder together in a separate bowl, add it to the liquids, and stir until you have a smooth dough. If necessary, add enough additional flour to make a smooth but moldable dough.
- Roll 1 level tablespoonful of the batter into a ball between the palms of your hands and set it on a lightly greased baking sheet. Fill the two prepared baking sheets with the dough balls, leaving about 1 inch between them. Bake until golden and firm to the touch, about 18 minutes. Remove, and set on wire racks just until cool enough to handle. While the cookies are cooling, form and bake the remaining batter.
- While they are still warm, scoop out and reserve the flat side of each cookie with a small spoon, leaving a hollow shell that will be stuffed with the filling. Be careful not to break through the shell.
- Mix the chocolate, almonds, butter, rum, schnapps, and the reserved cookie pieces together in a bowl until evenly blended. Spoon the filling into the hollowed-out cookie shells, overstuffing each just a bit. Press the stuffing sides of two cookies together, forming a "peach." Repeat with the remaining cookies and filling.
- Hold each "peach" between your fingers and dunk for just a second in milk. Place on a wire rack for a minute, until barely damp to the touch. (Until you get the knack, you may want to work with only six or so of the peaches at a time.) Roll the peaches in red, then yellow gelatin powder, to coat them lightly but completely. Return to the wire rack and let dry completely. Garnish the top of each peach with a mint leaf.
Tips:
- When making the almond paste, blanch the almonds first to remove the skins. This will give the almond paste a smoother texture.
- To make the glaze, use a good quality chocolate. A higher percentage of cocoa solids will give the glaze a richer flavor.
- When dipping the petits fours in the glaze, use a fork to carefully lower them into the chocolate. This will help to prevent the petits fours from breaking.
- If you don't have time to make the almond paste and glaze from scratch, you can use store-bought products. Just be sure to choose high-quality ingredients.
- Petits fours are best served fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Petits fours are a delicious and elegant treat that is perfect for any occasion. With a variety of flavors and textures, there is sure to be a petit four that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a special dessert, give petits fours a try. You won't be disappointed!
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