pairings

Caramel sauce is one of the sweetest sauces you can eat, therefore selecting fruits that are more tart are more desirable for pairing.

These complimenting flavors create a flavor balance in the mouth, making your taste buds very satisfied.

1. pineapple
2. apples
3. pears
4. peaches
5. bananas
6. grapes
7. watermelon
8. cantaloupe
9. oranges

Apples have a neutral flavor that aren’t overpowering. This makes apples an easy fruit to add flavoring to. For more fancy apple slices, you can drizzle caramel, melted chocolate, nuts and sprinkles. Check out these caramel apple slices for some inspiration.

If you’ve never tried caramel apple nachos, you have to give it a try for dessert! Caramel apple nachos are made with sliced apples and caramel sauce drizzled on top. The caramel sauce is topped with a few chocolate chips or your favorite candy items.

Bananas can be either tart or sweet depending on how ripe they are. Caramel goes well over bananas giving it a bit of an extra sweetness to it. You can add bananas and caramel sauce over pancakes, waffles, ice cream, yogurt, or cheesecake using this recipe.

Pears have a bit sweetness to them, and are delicious when paired with caramel sauce. Try making your own caramel dipped pears with nuts, chocolate shavings or sprinkles on the bottom of them. They are one of most beautiful fruit desserts to serve to family and friends.

Typically maybe people have had apple crisp growing up. However for an added twist, you can try out caramel pear crisp which combines caramel drizzled fruit with streusel crisp topping.

Grapes paired with caramel sauce go very well together. In fact, you can make caramel dipped grapes with nuts coating the sides. Using a tooth pick, pierce the grape, then delicately dip the grape into the caramel sauce. Roll the grape in nuts and let it dry on some parchment paper. They are a lovely snack, appetizer, or light dessert.

Fruit platters are such a treat to bring to parties. You can make a fruit platter by using 3-5 fruits and then place a serving of caramel in the middle of the platter. Dipping fruit in caramel sauce can be a bit messy. Make sure to place a few side plates and napkins with your fruit platter.

What kind of fruit goes well with ice cream and caramel sauce

If you’re serving your caramel sauce and fruit for dessert, you can also add ice cream as a variety for your guests. You can make a caramel sundae with fresh chopped up fruit using:

• peaches
• apples
• pears
• bananas

Banana bread is one of the most magical smells coming from the oven as it bakes. It’s a simple cake method recipe that can be made in about 15 minutes plus baking time.

What to spread on banana bread

• butter
• peanut butter
• hazelnut spread
• almond butter

What to put on banana bread

There are a few items you can put on top of banana bread including:

• honey
• cream cheese icing
• whipped cream
• vanilla custard
• chocolate pudding
• vanilla ice cream
• chocolate sauce
• maple syrup

Do you need to put butter on banana bread

If you’re banana bread is quite moist, you won’t need to put any butter on your banana bread when you serve it. But if you’re banana bread is dry and needs more moisture, spread a layer of butter on top of your banana bread before serving.

What goes well with banana bread?

Tea and coffee go well with serving banana bread. You can also serve yogurt and fruit with banana bread for a light meal.

What spices go well with banana

How do you moisten banana bread?

Banana bread is made with the cake method, therefore you need to do as little mixing a physically possible. Even if there is a bit of flour showing as you mix the banana bread, once you put it in the mixing pan it will be fully mixed in. Only mixing your banana bread until it’s just combined will ensure your banana bread is moist and tasty. If you overmix your banana bread batter, this develops the gluten and causes it to be tough and dry. Serve your banana bread warm with a layer of butter on it to moisten your banana bread enough for your guests. Learn how to reheat banana bread so it retains it’s freshness.

What spices go well with banana

• nutmeg
• cloves
• coconut
• cinnamon
• cocoa

Almonds can be eaten on their own or with foods that compliment its flavor. You can eat foods like fruit or cheese with almonds. You can also eat granola with almonds. Try adding almonds to your daily breakfast, even if it’s just eating toast and peanut butter. A few almonds on top of your peanut butter will give you added calories and make you feel full longer.

What goes good with almonds

Almonds go well with several different types of food including:

• Brie cheese
• Granola
• Bananas
• Apples
• Chocolate
• Garnish for Salad

Almond recipes for baking

You can make a variety of baking almond recipes right at home. Some of them require your almonds to be slivered, sliced or chopped. You may need to purchase a different cut of almonds for your recipe. Sliced almonds are perfect for almond croissants because the will lie flat on the croissant giving them a beautiful eye catching look to them. In foods like muffins or cakes usually you’ll want them quite small – so chopped would be your best bet. Be aware of your supply of almonds before taking on a new baking recipe!

• Almond croissants
• Apple almond cake https://www.bibouzi.com/apple-almond-cake-no-flour-no-refined-sugar/
• Almond cookies
• Energy bars
• Almond shortbread
• Almond roca
• Granola bars
• Almond mendiants

Recipes using almond meal flour

Almond meal flour is a delicious substitute for regular flour. There are countless baking recipes nowadays for anything from sugar cookies to chocolate chip cookies using almond meal flour. Try them out for a unique hint of almond flavor in your baking.

• Almond flour sugar cookies https://okonomikitchen.com/almond-flour-sugar-cookies/
• Lemon almond flour shortbread cookies https://kristineskitchenblog.com/lemon-almond-shortbread-cookies-gluten-free/
• Almond flour pumpkin muffins https://www.wellplated.com/almond-flour-pumpkin-muffins/
• Almond flour muffins with apple pie filling https://www.goodforyouglutenfree.com/almond-flour-apple-pie-muffins-with-cinnamon-sugar-topping/
• Almond flour chocolate chip cookies https://www.theconsciousplantkitchen.com/almond-flour-chocolate-chip-cookies-vegan/
• Almond flour apple cake https://www.bibouzi.com/apple-almond-cake-no-flour-no-refined-sugar/

What to do with stale almonds

You can do a lot with stale almonds just sitting in your cupboard. You can even revive your stale almonds by simply toasting them. You can use your stale almonds that have been roasted again for muffins, cookies, and cakes.

How to store almonds and walnuts

Store your almonds and walnuts in an airtight container in your cupboard. Room temperature is the best to store your almonds and walnuts because it prevents your nuts from getting damp. When you put your nuts in the fridge or in the freezer, this can make your nuts wet and potentially go moldy – which would render them unusable. Keep them their best by leaving them at room temperature.  

Recipes with chopped almonds

Recipes with chopped almonds are typically breads and muffins. You can also make salads with chopped almonds to make your salads more filling.

• Chopped almond banana bread
• Cucumber, feta, almond salad
• Almond cookie bites
• Almond buttercrunch
• Strawberry salad with chopped almonds

Making a dessert charcuterie board is a great idea for your next dinner party. It takes a lot of preparation, but the end result of how beautiful your dessert charcuterie board looks will all be worth it!

Desserts for Charcuterie Board

• Chocolate covered pretzels
• Plain pretzels
• Rice krispie squares
• Sugar cookies
• Tarts
• Raspberry thumbprint cookies
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Marshmallows
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Wafer cookies
• Strawberries
• Brownies
• Peanut butter
• Cookies and cream chocolate bar
• Truffles
• Graham crackers
• Mendiants
• Gingersnap
• Grapes
• Raspberry jam
• Strawberry jam
• Macaron
• Peanut butter cup
• Chocolate covered raisins
• Chocolate covered almonds
• Kiwi
• Grapes
• Watermelon
• Pocky
• Cashews
• Shortbread
• Oreos
• Mandarin orange slices
• Melted chocolate for dipping
• Apple slices
• Lemon loaf
• Banana bread
• Caramel sauce
• Peanut butter cookies
• Caramelized popcorn
• Vanilla cake slice
• Carrot cake slice
• Cinnamon roll
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate dipped strawberries

How to make a dessert board

To make a dessert charcuterie board, gather your items:

• Large wooden board/cutting board
• Several small bowls
• A few small knives/spoons for sauces
• Melting chocolate (optional)
• Food for your dessert charcuterie board

1. Prepare your foods – slice fruit, cake, loaves, into bite sized pieces.
2. Place your sauces on the charcuterie board – jam, peanut butter, etc. Only place the ones that will hold their space directly onto the wooden board. You can put them on the board with a knife or spoon, just put a heaping spoonful amount onto the board in random places. Place your other liquid sauces that need to be contained in small bowls – caramel sauce, melted chocolate.
3. Place your fruit, cake, loaves, nuts, popcorn, pretzels, chocolate, cookies in random spots on the dessert board. Try to fan out the fruit, slices of cake, cookies, etc. so it looks presentable and eye catching.
4. Add your cutlery to the sauces as needed.
5. Serve immediately. If you’re preparing ahead of time, melt the chocolate for dipping right before serving. You can cover your board with plastic wrap to ensure your cakes don’t dry out before serving.

How to make a mini dessert charcuterie board

You’ll need 

• 1-2 types of fruit 
• 1 cake
• 1 cookie
• jam/sauce (optional)
• melting chocolate (optional)

Prepare your food by slicing your fruit, and cutting your cake into bite sized pieces. Depending on how big your cookies are, you might want to break them in half before placing on your mini dessert charcuterie board. Put your jam/sauces/melted chocolate into tiny bowls. Put the bowls in the center of your mini dessert charcuterie board. Consider putting the jam directly onto your charcuterie board to save space. Arrange your cookies, cakes, and fruit around the board in sections that look tasteful. Creating a mini dessert charcuterie board is enough for 2 people to have dessert comfortably.

How to make a chocolate dessert board

To make a chocolate dessert board, you’ll need between 4-7 different types of chocolate:

• White chocolate
• Dark chocolate
• Milk chocolate
• Flavored milk chocolate, ex. Mint, orange, fruit & nut, etc.
• Truffles
• Wafer filled chocolate
• Chocolate covered almonds
• Chocolate covered raisins or cranberries
• Chocolate covered pretzels
• Chocolate covered cookies

Select your chocolate for your chocolate dessert board. Break the chocolate into 2-3 piece sections. Arrange the different kinds of chocolate items randomly on the chocolate board. You could consider putting a couple of types of fruits – raspberries/strawberries or some peanut butter on the chocolate dessert board as well to give it a bit of variety.

How to make a cookie charcuterie board

To make a cookie charcuterie board, you’ll need 3-5 different types of cookies:

• Chocolate chip cookies
• Wafer cookies
• Raspberry thumb cookies
• Peanut butter cookies
• Shortbread cookies
• Oatmeal raisin cookies
• Gingersnaps
• Sugar cookies
• Chocolate kiss cookies
• Biscotti
• Macarons
• Macadamia nut cookies
• Oreos 

Select your cookies for your cookie charcuterie board. Consider breaking the cookies into 2 halves if they are large. Place the cookies onto the cookie charcuterie board by fanning them out in different sections of the board. Add peanut butter, melting chocolate for dipping, and marshmallows on the cookie charcuterie board as well to give it a bit of variety for dipping or for making s’mores with.

How to make a pretzel charcuterie board

To make a pretzel charcuterie board, you’ll need 3-5 different types of pretzels plus 1-2 dipping sauces:

• Plain pretzels
• Milk chocolate covered pretzels
• Dark chocolate covered pretzels 
• White chocolate covered pretzels 
• Stick shaped pretzels
• Raspberry jam 
• Strawberry jam 
• Blueberry jam
• Blackberry jam
• Melting chocolate for dipping
• Peanut butter
• Caramel sauce
• Honey

Pretzels are very versatile so you can add a lot of different items to make a pretzel charcuterie board. You can add a selection of jams and sauces to accompany your array of pretzels. Place the sauces into small bowls with cutlery to go with them. Put the small bowls in the center of the board. You can place the jams directly on the board to save space. Put the pretzels onto the pretzel charcuterie board in different sections so it looks eye catching.

How to make a birthday dessert board

To make a birthday dessert board, you’ll need to include at least a few items with sprinkles. You could include a bowl of sprinkles on your birthday dessert board. Your guests can dip fruit into the melting chocolate, and then put a few sprinkles on the chocolate to make it extra special. For a birthday dessert board, put a small slice of birthday cake in the center. When you’re ready to serve your birthday dessert board, place a lit candle in the birthday cake so you can still sing the person “Happy Birthday!”

Creating dessert charcuterie boards are so fun to prepare for your guests and family. It’s all in the preparation and presentation to have it stun your guests. They will love the attention to detail and the variety of dessert available to them!

If you’re struggling to decide what to put on your waffles for breakfast, there are countless foods you serve on your waffles that your family will love!

27 Things to put on waffles for breakfast

• syrup
• whipping cream
• blueberry sauce
• raspberry-strawberry sauce
• strawberry sauce
• blackberry sauce
• freshly sliced strawberries and whipped cream
• syrup and icing sugar
• hazelnut spread
• peanut butter
• eggs benedict (waffles substituted for English muffins)
• sliced bananas
• fruit and honey
• caramel sauce
• chocolate sauce and chocolate chips
• cinnamon and sugar
• butter
• yogurt
• sliced apples
• raspberries
• vanilla custard
• peaches and cream
• cream cheese
• fried chicken
• pumpkin spice infused whipped cream
• maple glaze
• fried egg, maple infused cream sauce, bacon, and sliced avocado

You could also consider creating a waffle bar for your family breakfast or for your next brunch.

How to make your own waffle bar at home

You’ll need a few small bowls for your waffle bar items to be in.

Try to include 3-5 items for your waffle bar including: variety of fruit, syrup, fruit sauce, freshly sliced fruit, and butter.

Your family and guests will love dressing up their waffle with an array of toppings. The presentation is everything when it comes to a waffle bar.

Include a selection of juices, mimosas, coffee, and teas alongside your waffle bar. This will make your guests ooh and ahh over your incredible hosting skills!

How to keep waffles warm without getting soggy

To keep waffles warm without getting soggy, heat your oven to 200 degrees F and keep your cooked waffles warm in the oven until you’re ready to serve them. Place your cooked waffles in a glass oven safe dish in the oven. The waffles will keep well in there for up to 1 hour. This way, you can cook the waffles prior to your guests arriving and have them all ready to serve at the same time.

How to store waffles

Store your cooked waffles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Store your waffles for longer in the freezer in an airtight container. In between each layer of waffles, place a piece of parchment paper. This will prevent the waffles from freezing together.

How to reheat frozen waffles

Reheat frozen waffles by placing them in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15 min on an oven safe pan. They will crisp up nicely.

Banana bread can be a snack, breakfast, or dessert depending on what you’re putting on your banana bread.

The most typical way banana bread is served is warmed up, and then you spread butter on one side of the slice.

You an put so many condiments on top of banana bread to spice it up depending on the time of day you’re eating banana bread.

15 Things to Put on Banana Bread

• butter
• hazelnut spread
• peanut butter
• almond butter
• ice cream
• whipped cream
• whipped cream and berries
• vanilla custard
• cream cheese
• maple syrup
• fresh berries
• honey
• cinnamon and sugar
• chocolate sauce
• caramel sauce

If you’re wanting to make a sandwich out of banana bread, you can fill your sandwich with hazelnut spread, peanut butter, and sliced fresh bananas.

How to store bananas for banana bread

Bananas can be stored at room temperature until they are brown and ready to bake for banana bread. You can also store brown ripe bananas in the freezer and then thaw then out at room temperature for about an hour prior to making banana bread. The darker the skin on the banana, the more sugar the banana has in it. The dark brown skin on a banana indicates it’s the best for making banana bread because you want to bake with bananas that have a high sugar content. This makes the bread extra tasty and delicious.

What happens if you don’t use ripe bananas for banana bread?

If you don’t use ripe bananas for banana bread your bread could end up tasting more tart, and not as fluffy and sugary as if you used ripe bananas. Unripe bananas are more difficult to mash up, so this could lead to a lumpy dough. Therefore your bread could be more dense. If you’re planning on using unripe bananas, make sure to mash you bananas more than you think you need to, and add a bit more sugar into your banana bread dough. This should mitigate the pitfalls of using unripe bananas for banana bread.

How long do you have to cool banana bread for

Cool banana bread for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. If you’re wanting to store the banana bread, be sure to let the banana bread cool for at least 1 hour before putting it in an airtight container. If you don’t wait long enough, condensation can form inside the container and make the bread wet – this can ruin it and make it go bad much faster. Wait until the banana bread has cooled to room temperature when you touch the sides of the loaf. This will indicate it is ready to be stores away in an airtight container.

How do you keep banana bread moist?

When banana bread is fresh it has a distinct moist, luscious, rich flavor to it. To prevent banana bread from drying out, keep it in an airtight container. You can wrap the banana bread up in plastic wrap as well, but make sure to store in an airtight container. The banana bread will remain moist when the air is kept from drying it out. Learn how to mix banana bread so it retains it’s freshness.

How to store banana bread in the freezer

Store your banana bread in the freezer by putting it in an airtight container. This will keep the frost and air off of your banana bread keeping it as fresh as possible. When you want to thaw your frozen banana bread, place it at room temperature. It should thaw in a couple of hours, depending on how large of a piece is frozen. If you’re freezing the whole loaf of banana bread, leave it overnight to thaw out at room temperature.

How to reheat banana bread

You can reheat banana bread by warming it in the microwave for 10-20 seconds per slice, or by placing it in the toaster oven for 1 toast cycle. By toasting the bread it will give it a crispy edge and a warm center.

Focaccia bread can be used in a variety of ways including as an appetizer for dipping, as sandwich bread, and as a base for bruschetta.

If you’ve never homemade your own focaccia bread at home, try out our Easy Herb Focaccia Bread Recipe.

What’s the best way to serve focaccia bread

The best way to serve focaccia bread is by serving it with olive oil and balsamic reduction.

Appetizer

1. Slice focaccia bread widthwise making it about 2 cm in thickness for each slice using a serrated knife.
2. Arrange the sliced focaccia bread on a serving plate.
3. Take a large dinner plate or serving plate and place a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil on it, so it covers the plate.
4. Add balsamic reduction to the olive oil sparingly. Do not mix.
5. Serve the sliced focaccia bread by dipping the bread in the olive oil and balsamic reduction mixture.
6. Enjoy!

Sandwich

1. Slice focaccia bread 1-2 cm in thickness using a serrated knife.
2. Toast focaccia bread for 2 min.
3. Remove focaccia bread from the toaster and add your condiments to each side of the bread.
4. Add in your meat, cheese, and vegetables.
5. Serve your focaccia bread sandwich with a toothpick pierced all the way through the sandwich so it stays together for you.
6. Enjoy!

Bruschetta

1. Dice 1 tomato into small cubes.
2. Add a tablespoon of diced onion. Be sure to make them very small.
3. Add 3-4 tablespoons of freshly made pesto.
4. Mix together the tomato, onion and pesto until it’s all combined.
5. Slice focaccia bread using a serrated knife into pieces that are ~1 cm in thickness.
6. Cut the focaccia bread in half so it’s in more of a serving size piece.
7. Top the focaccia bread with the tomato mixture.
8. Add a pinch of freshly grated parmesan cheese to the top of the tomato mixture.
9. Toast bruschetta for 2 min.
10. Place bruschetta on a serving plate.
11. Add a touch of balsamic reduction to the bruschetta.
12. Enjoy!

Using balsamic reduction for your appetizers is preferred over balsamic vinegar.

Balsamic reduction is more of a sweet and savory flavor, and has a thick viscosity to it, whereas balsamic vinegar is a bit harsh to eat on it’s own due to it’s acidity.

Balsamic vinegar is typically used in combination with other ingredients to bring down it’s harshness.

By using balsamic reduction you can use it as a garnish, dipping sauce, glaze, or salad dressing, due to it’s ease of taste. You can get a ton of different flavors including garlic, strawberry, peach, fig, raspberry, pomegranate, pear, etc.

13 Dishes that go well with Focaccia Bread

• fresh cut up vegetables
• crab dip
• shrimp dip
• hummus
• baked brie
• taco bites
• charcuterie board
• guacamole
• deviled eggs
• spinach dip
• stuffed mushrooms
• pinwheels
• cheeseball

Afternoon tea is a special occasion filled with enticing sweets and treats.

Tea scones, clotted cream, and jam are one of the most classic treats served with afternoon tea.

Usually there will be small cookies, brownies, cakes to choose from.

Afternoon Tea Time Sweets

You’ll want to select at least 3-4 different types of sweets for your afternoon tea.

Try picking one scone, one cake, one cookie, and one bar to serve. This will give your guests a variety to choose from.

• lemon bars
• chocolate mousse
• raspberry mousse
• lemon loaf
• carrot cake
• pumpkin loaf
• vanilla scones
• pumpkin scones
• lavender scones
• scones with clotted cream and jam
• brownies
• shortbread
• butter tarts
• raspberry tarts
• strawberry tarts
• lemon curd tarts
• mini cinnamon buns
• mini cupcakes
• Nanaimo bars
• mini muffins
• peanut butter cookies
• beignets
• madeleines
• raspberry jelly filled cookies
• macarons
• mini vanilla custard stuffed croissants
• mini Danishes
• mini croissants
• mini pain au chocolat
• gingersnaps
• raisin oatmeal cookies
• rhubarb bars
• mini eclairs
• peanut butter cups
• cheesecake
• chocolate cake
• vanilla cake
• chocolate covered strawberries

Begin eating with the finger sandwiches, and pinwheels first on the bottom tier of your platter. You can drink your tea at any time when it’s brewed to your strength and liking.

How to serve afternoon tea

Serve your afternoon tea foods on a 3 tier platter. Your tea time sweets will go on the very top tier of the platter. Scones and breads will go on the second tier. Finally, tea time sandwiches will go on the bottom tier.

Serve your tea in an elegant tea pot with specialty tea cups if you have them. Typically tea cups will have a cup and saucer for the tea cup to sit on. Don’t forget to put out cream and sugar for your guests tea.

For your guests, have some china plates for them to eat off of. If you don’t have any, try a small side plate to catch any crumbs for your guest. You can include some salt and pepper shakers as well, just in case your guests need them.

How to eat afternoon tea

Next, eat the second tier. The second tier will be composed of scones, crumpets, and breads.

The final tier to eat will be the tea time sweets. The tea time sweets will consist of pastries, tarts, cookies, cakes, bars.

What do British people eat with their tea

Tea time is favorite tradition for British families. Afternoon tea is a staple in most English households. British people eat crumpets, scones, pastries, cakes, biscuits and finger sandwiches with their tea.

What is the history of high tea

The concept of afternoon tea was introduced back in the 1840’s when the Duchess of Bedford requested tea, bread, butter and cake usually around 9 pm.

After the Duchess introduced its concept, it became much more popular among the wealthy when they could display their best china and linen for their tea time.

More recently, it has become a specialty occasion for people in North America to go for high tea.