Baker’s Royale – Naomi Robinson

Baker’s Royale: 75 Twists on All Your Favorite Sweets by Naomi Robinson is jammed full of desserts, but not just any desserts – these  desserts are modernized classic recipes or what I fondly refer to as Naomi-ized desserts. In 75 recipes for all seasons and occasions, the popular blogger turns familiar desserts on their heads: macarons get a s’mores treatment; pavlova is gilded with Snickers and brownies; profiteroles get a make over with pecan and caramel crunch and so much more. Naomi’s book is one of my top cookbooks of 2017.

I’ve been a follower and fan of the blog, Baker’s Royale, from the beginning way before the rest of the world knew Naomi was a star. Her food shots are what all photographers dream of shooting and her recipes are exciting and fun. For years, I hounded the woman about her cookbook (where is your cookbook!?) but life and a new baby slowed things down a bit. Baker’s Royale, the cookbook, has made its debut and it is everything I hoped for and well worth the wait.

Naomi has a style that others long to copy in both her recipes and how she captures those dishes behind the lens. Her recipes aren’t pretentious or fussy.  A simple Chocolate-dipped orange and Earl Grey shortbread cookie looks elegant and sophisticated under Naomi’s spell. Measures are given in weight and volume and chapters are organized as follows: Cookies, Brownies, and Bars; Pies and Tarts; Plate-Scraping Cakes; Single Servings; Confections; and Cool Treats and each filled with desserts that will wow you and whomever you choose to share, if you choose to share. 

Special thanks to Naomi and Running Press for sharing the Bananas Foster parfaits with us today and for providing three copies of her book for our contest below.

 

Bananas Foster Pudding Parfaits
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This is one of those classic desserts to which I gave a modern update by replacing the pyrotechnics with a simple pan sauté. And then I flipped it into a pudding parfait and finished with brûléed bananas and a sprinkling of caramel popcorn for a crunchy fun finish.

Makes 6 (8-OUNCE/235 ML) SERVINGS

For the pudding

  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups (590 ml) whole milk, divided
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons gold rum
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • For the whipped cream topping
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar

For the brûléed bananas

  • 3 medium bananas, peeled and cut on a diagonal into 1/4-inch/6 mm slices
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) demerara sugar
  • 1 ounce (31 g) caramel corn

Directions

TO MAKE THE PUDDING: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the granulated sugar and 1/4 cup/60 ml of water to a boil, using the handle of the pan to swirl the mixture (do not stir directly). Cook until a dark amber color is reached, about 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and carefully add 1 1/2 cups/350 ml of the milk, as the mixture will bubble wildly.

In a large liquid measuring cup, whisk together remaining 1 cup/240 ml of milk and the cornstarch. Add the eggs and whisk until combined. Add the milk mixture to the caramelized sugar mixture. Return the pan to medium-high heat and cook until thickened, making sure to stir continuously, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the rum, vanilla, and salt. Set aside for 15 minutes to cool slightly. Place plastic wrap directly on the surface and transfer to the refrigerator to chill completely, about 4 hours.

TO MAKE THE WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, whip the cream and granulated sugar until soft peaks form. Set aside.

TO MAKE THE BRÛLÉED BANANAS: Sprinkle the cut side of the banana slices with demerara sugar, then use a kitchen torch to brûlée until browned and toasted.

Assemble the parfaits by evenly dividing the pudding and whipped cream among six 8-ounce/235 ml cups. Top with the banana slices and caramel corn.

Reprinted with permission from BAKER’S ROYALE © 2017 by Naomi Robinson, Running Press, Photos by Naomi Robinson.

 

The publisher is offering three copies of this book to EYB Members in the US. One of the entry options is to answer the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe in the index would you try first?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on January 17th, 2018.

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76 Comments

  • Amdona  on  December 9, 2017

    The salted chocolate chip pecan cookies look delicious

  • lgroom  on  December 9, 2017

    Mmmmm … Strawberry and Earl Grey tart sound good.

  • mpdeb98  on  December 9, 2017

    Burnt caramel custard pie

  • ravensfan  on  December 9, 2017

    Apricot coconut bars

  • eileen2015  on  December 9, 2017

    Salted chocolate chip pecan cookies

  • matag  on  December 9, 2017

    Black and white panna cotta

  • jr0717  on  December 9, 2017

    The chocolate affogato mousse cake, for my mother. That's basically every flavor and texture she loves in one cake!

  • Ambrosia  on  December 9, 2017

    Raspberry Almonds Opera cake!

  • heyjude  on  December 10, 2017

    Fluffernuffer Tart

  • AnnaZed  on  December 10, 2017

    Monster cookie bark

  • skipeterson  on  December 10, 2017

    Mississippi mud pie

  • ktwalla  on  December 10, 2017

    Strawberry and Lemon Cream Coconut Cake

  • lpatterson412  on  December 10, 2017

    Strawberry and Lemon Cream Coconut Cake!! Beautiful book!

  • kmn4  on  December 10, 2017

    Cherry almond cake

  • Dannausc  on  December 10, 2017

    Cherry almond cake

  • RoseMGenuine  on  December 10, 2017

    Peach and bourbon lattice pie

  • contest718  on  December 10, 2017

    Salted dark chocolate chip and roasted pecan cookies

  • sarahawker  on  December 11, 2017

    Chocolate-dipped orange and Earl Grey shortbread cookies

  • sgump  on  December 11, 2017

    The black tea cake with blackberry lime jam and honey whipped cream sounds nice!

  • rchesser  on  December 11, 2017

    London fog blueberry hand pies!

  • maestra  on  December 11, 2017

    Caramel, pear, and walnut cake with crème fraîche whipped cream would be the first thing I make!

  • nadiam1000  on  December 12, 2017

    caramel popcorn cookies

  • Katiefayhutson  on  December 13, 2017

    Fluffernuffer tart

  • sipa  on  December 13, 2017

    Peach and bourbon lattice pie

  • NaomiH  on  December 13, 2017

    Beer and pretzel truffles

  • JuneHawk  on  December 13, 2017

    Moscato poached plums over vanilla whipped cream

  • daniellespinato1  on  December 14, 2017

    Wow…everything sounds so good in the index but I'm especially intrigued by the burnt caramel custard pie.

  • kitchenclimbers  on  December 15, 2017

    burnt caramel custard pie

  • leilx  on  December 15, 2017

    The salted dark chocolate and roasted pecan cookies would be my first choice. I’m always looking for a better chocolate cookie!

  • t.t  on  December 16, 2017

    Chocolate mousse fudge brownies

  • tarae1204  on  December 16, 2017

    Rocky road cookies

  • RSW  on  December 17, 2017

    Caramel-filled chocolate crinkle cookies

  • tennyogirl  on  December 17, 2017

    Strawberry and Earl Grey Cream Tart

  • Siegal  on  December 18, 2017

    I want to make the graham Dutch apple pie

  • LaurenE  on  December 18, 2017

    Apricot coconut bars

  • stargirl  on  December 18, 2017

    Speculoos brownie cake

  • wjsisung  on  December 19, 2017

    Caramel popcorn cookies

  • bstewart  on  December 19, 2017

    Salted dark chocolate chip and roasted pecan cookies

  • eboos  on  December 20, 2017

    Caramel-filled chocolate crinkle cookies. Caramel and chocolate are two of my favorite things. Yum!!

  • ltsuk  on  December 21, 2017

    mini cinnamon rolls

  • jezpurr  on  December 22, 2017

    Hard to choose, lots of yummy recipes, probably something with chocolate!!! ^_^

  • Maefleur  on  December 22, 2017

    Oh my yes! The burnt caramel custard pie!

  • mishmash1  on  December 23, 2017

    Oh my….treats and sweets…my favorite

  • mcrimmins  on  December 23, 2017

    Mississippi Mud Pie sounds great.

  • allthatsleftarethecrumbs  on  December 23, 2017

    Chocolate-dipped orange and Earl Grey shortbread cookies sound amazing, as does everything in the book.

  • BMeyer  on  December 23, 2017

    chocolate pear tart

  • stephanieyee  on  December 24, 2017

    rocky road cookieds

  • percussion03  on  December 24, 2017

    Burnt caramel custard pie

  • RickPearson54  on  December 24, 2017

    Chocolate Pear Tart

  • peglynn  on  December 24, 2017

    Chocolate mousse fudge cookies!

  • Patoliv1312  on  December 26, 2017

    I love the Bananas Foster pudding parfaits. Bananas Foster is one of my favorite desserts. Served with homemade Vanilla ice cream of course.

  • tararr  on  December 27, 2017

    Earl Grey shortbread cookies

  • sdg8trgrl  on  December 27, 2017

    Toffee ice cream with whiskey caramel ribbons

  • Uhmandanicole  on  December 28, 2017

    Black and white panna cotta

  • motherofpearl81  on  December 28, 2017

    Chocolate and raspberry ooey-gooey bars

  • verorenee  on  December 28, 2017

    Speculoos brownie cake

  • linmin  on  December 29, 2017

    Peach and Bourbon Lattice Pie

  • AngelaLCooks  on  December 29, 2017

    Caramel popcorn cookies

  • lhudson  on  December 30, 2017

    Caramel popcorn cookies

  • Rina63  on  December 31, 2017

    Mississippi mud pie

  • lascatx  on  January 1, 2018

    You had me at Pavlova and Snickers — then I saw Strawberry and Earl Grey Tart. Might have to do two firsts at once.

  • EmilyR  on  January 1, 2018

    Kitchen sink cookie bars – dark chocolate and oatmeal!

  • sequoia55  on  January 1, 2018

    Speculoos brownie cake

  • auntietina  on  January 1, 2018

    Salted chocolate and caramel cashew clusters. YUM!

  • brigitm  on  January 5, 2018

    Chocolate affogato mousse cake.

  • jluvs2bake  on  January 6, 2018

    Chocolate-dipped orange and Earl Grey shortbread cookies

  • Julia  on  January 6, 2018

    Peach and bourbon lattice pie.

  • Scotsman61  on  January 6, 2018

    Beer and pretzel truffles

  • VeryVigario  on  January 7, 2018

    London fog blueberry hand pies

  • Karla123  on  January 9, 2018

    Berry blast smoothie pops for a hot summer's day.

  • orchidlady01  on  January 11, 2018

    Chocolate mousse fudge brownies

  • Laura1  on  January 14, 2018

    chocolate pear tart

  • smartie101  on  January 16, 2018

    burnt caramel custard pie!

  • lauriesk  on  January 16, 2018

    I would try the Chocolate mousse fudge brownies first.

  • laffersk  on  January 17, 2018

    Sour cherry lime pie

  • jmay42066  on  January 17, 2018

    Mississippi mud pie

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