If you’re newly engaged or married and looking to make a good impression on your in-laws, one of the easiest ways to do that is by making them a delicious dessert. Not only are you giving them something they’ll enjoy eating, you’re also showing off your culinary skills. Don't wait for a special occasion. Make them something just as a show of appreciation. From cakes to halwas, the possibilities are endless, and your choice will depend on what type of dessert they prefer.
Simple Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe
Cakes are always a good idea, a great way to end a meal and leave everyone with a good taste and feeling in the mouth. And among cakes, chocolate is a safe and classic option.
Ingredients:
- 219 gm all-purpose flour
- 62 gm unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 350 gm granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons espresso powder
- 120 ml vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 240 ml buttermilk
- 240 ml freshly brewed strong hot coffee
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Grease a cake pan, line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cake seamlessly release from the pan. Set aside.
- Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder together in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, or a whisk, mix the oil, eggs, and vanilla until combined. Add the buttermilk and mix until combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, add the hot water/coffee, and whisk or beat on low speed until the batter is completely combined. Batter is thin.
- Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 23-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely in the pan. Enjoy!
Notes:
- If you’re serving the cake as is, it’s ready. Serve with coffee or hot chocolate. Or, you can also make a frosting and serve the cake with that. We recommend chocolate or buttercream frosting.
Moong dal halwa
Oozing with ghee and sweetness, moong dal halwa is a great and easy Indian sweet recipe to showcase your culinary prowess and impress everyone with something sweet that will linger on their tongues for a long time.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup moong dal
- 10 tablespoon Ghee
- 4 green cardamoms
- 10 to 12 pistachios (unsalted)
- 1 tablespoon golden raisins
- 237 ml whole milk
- 18 ml water
- 1 cup sugar
Directions:
- Soak the moong dal in water for four to five hours.
- Then drain and grind to a smooth paste with ¼ or ⅓ cup water to a smooth and fine consistency.
- Add ghee in a kadai and add the ground moong dal. Stir and mix well. Keep on stirring on a medium heat. The halwa has the raw aroma of the moong lentils and it should go away completely before you start with the next step. So till then you have to stir and cook the halwa. Break the lumps while stirring.
- Meanwhile, in another pan or kadai, take milk, water and sugar. Keep this pan on the stove top and stir so that the sugar dissolves. On a low or medium flame, heat this milk-water-sugar mixture till it comes to a boil.
- The moong dal mixture should reach a granular consistency before you add the hot milk mixture to it. The color should become golden. The fat also should get separated.
- Simmer and cook, stirring often.
- Lastly add cardamom powder, chopped pistachios and raisins.
- Serve Moong Dal Halwa hot. You can also garnish with some pistachios and serve.
Notes
- Make sure the dal is thoroughly soaked before you try to turn it into a paste. Don't add too much water when you're grinding it or the paste will become runny and watery. Add a little at a time and see how much you need for a thick paste.
- If you want your halwa more or less sweet, you can adjust the amount of sugar you add to it. One cup leads to a gently sweet taste and is normally the preferred amount.
- The recipe can easily be halved or doubled using these measurements as your starting point.