I have been following Masterchef Australia for quite some years now and this has opened up mind food wise. I used to get amaze and still do by the extent food knowledge contestant and Judges have. There are many long lasting impression on me of Judges, chefs, contestant and off course recipes which inspire me everyday. One of such contestant is Julia Taylor who was the finalist of season 4. She was this super competitive reserved lady who has strived to be at top all her life. Now she was here on Masterchef where she was among best of bests. It was initially surprising for her that there are people better than her. She struggled to find herself in elimination as she knew and believed the she was just meant to be at top. But she realized, accepted and respected the this fact the competition is really tough and there are far more talented people against her. Then what we saw was real dedication, determination and hard work from Julia. I could relate to her a lot because I have also gone through this challenge in life. She made quite a few stunning dishes in the competition but what left a big impression on me was her “Melting moments” from cookies challenge.
Melting moments are shortbread-like cookies that rely on butter for their wonderful flavor. I got hooked to these cookie because they look very cute and a very easy to make.
I have baked this cookie I don’t know how many times because they just disappear in jiffy. I have to admit more than half I must be eating alone. This time I have introduced my twist to make them very rustic like any home baker. First, I gave it more rustic look by baking it on bit higher temperature for slightly brownish color and used creamy tangy cheese cream filling with mixed fruit jam. I saved some efforts here by using a store brought jam. Fewhh!!! So following is my version of melting moments.
180 gm Flour
180gm Butter
60 gm Custard
60 gm Powder Sugar
1 tsp Baking Powder
Pre-heat the oven at 180 ºC
Line your baking tray with baking paper
Cream butter until light and fluffy
Add custard powder and mix, and then add powder sugar
Sift flour and baking powder together and then add to the dough
Mix until a soft dough come together
Make small balls from the dough and place on baking sheet
Use a fork and press lightly on the dough balls to create impression
Bake for 10-12 mins until golden. For bit more brownish color, I cranked the temperature to 210 and baked for anothe2-3 mins
Let them cool and then remove from the tin
Cream Cheese Frosting
½ Cup of Cream Cheese, Softened, at room temperature
¼ Cup Butter, Softened, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powder sugar
2 cups powder sugar
3 Tbs of Mixed fruit Jam
Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy
Add in the vanilla extract and beat for another 30 seconds
Now start adding the powder sugar 1 cup at a time and beating in between each addition
You can make this frosting before and refrigerate. At the time of usages can give it a whisk and pipe
You can make this frosting before and refrigerate. At the time of usages can give it a whisk and pipe
Before starting assembling of cookie gently warm the jam in small pan
To assemble the cookie, pip cream cheese on the flatter side of cookie and then smear a small spoon of jam over the cheese. Finally top it with another cookie, flatter side facing the filling to make the sandwich
And now enjoy!! Crunchy, creamy, tangy, fruity bits all at the same time will just melt in your mouth
I, thank Julia every time I make these
