The Desserts of New York – Recipe, review and giveaway

The Desserts of New York: And How to Eat Them All by Yasmin Newman is a travel journal and cookbook that features the sweet treats of the Big Apple. Forty-four recipes from all the hottest sweet spots include the number one voted old school Jewish chocolate babka to the infamous cronut.

The Glazed doughnut of your dreams, Burnt butter chocolate chip cookies (Levain Bakery style which happen to be the best cookie in the world for those who have never been to New York), and Whisky walnut babka are other examples of recipes you will find in this fun collection. Whisky walnut babka will be on my holiday table this season and I’m anxious to try this version of the Levain cookie. Not only, are the recipes crave-worthy, but the stories and “must hit” sections of the books are invaluable. 

The photographs of the city streets and people in this great book make me miss New York even more. We lived in New York 15 years before moving to Colorado. Special trips into the city for a Levain cookie or a Doughnut Plant treat were everything and now my list has even grown more of places to visit when we return. Once you’ve lived in New York, the city remains in your heart and now I can make the must-have desserts that remind me of home.

For Seinfeld fans, I leave you with a link to a video “look to the cookie“. I disagree on two points, the author finds the Black and white cookie underwhelming (I say nay nay) and Jerry is wrong, you eat one side at a time (although I prefer the vanilla side myself.)  There is no recipe for the Black and white cookie in this book – however the Black and white lava cake can be found within its pages. Deb Perelman’s version of the Black and white cookie is killer good.

Special thanks to Hardie Grant Books for sharing the recipe for these yummy scones with our members today and for providing three copies of this book in our contest below.

 

Fig & Marsala glazed scones
Add this recipe to your Bookshelf (click the blue +Bookshelf button).

I’m a die-hard fan of traditional British scones served with sweet jam and whipped cream, but I’ve also come to love America’s take: generous, wedge-shaped and chunky with mix-ins. They’re also typical breakfast fare – not just afternoon tea – which is a major plus.

With unique flavour combinations that mirror the seasons, New York scones are particularly captivating. In summer, you’ll find blackberry and mint at Ovenly, while in winter Bibble & Sip turns out a mean spiced pear with bergamot glaze. Then there’s the constant favourite at Levain studded with oatmeal and raisins.

These scones, made with dried figs plumped up in sweet Marsala, can be enjoyed year round, and the syrup doubles as a glaze, which makes them even more lush.

Makes 8

  • 300 g (10 1/2 oz / 2 cups) plain (all purpose) flour
  • 2 tablespoons caster (superfine) sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • finely grated zest of 1 large lemon
  • 330 ml (11 fl oz / 1 1/2 cups) thickened (whipping) cream
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Marsala figs

  • 125 ml (4 fl oz / 1/2 cup) Marsala
  • 110 g (4 oz / 1/2 cup) caster (superfine) sugar
  • 125 ml (4 fl oz / 1/2 cup) water
  • 100 g (3 1/2 oz) dried figs, stalks removed, quartered

To make the Marsala figs, place the Marsala, sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to the boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the figs and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes or until syrupy. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

Place the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and lemon zest in a large bowl. Remove the figs from the syrup, reserving the syrup, then add the figs to the flour mixture and toss to combine. Pour in the cream and honey and stir until just combined. Shape into a rustic 20 cm (8 in) round (don’t flatten it, it’s supposed to have a bit of height), cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm slightly.

Preheat the oven to 200ºC (400ºF) and line a baking tray with baking paper.

Cut the dough into eight equal wedges, then place, 5 cm (2 in) apart, on the prepared tray (the dough may be a bit sticky and tricky to move, so don’t worry if the wedges become slightly misshapen). Bake for 15 minutes or until golden and risen.

Remove the scones from the oven and, while they are still warm, brush with the reserved glaze (you may have some glaze left over). Cool for 20 minutes, then serve warm (my pick) or at room temperature (just as good!).

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 December 8th, 2017.

Post a comment

72 Comments

  • matag  on  October 29, 2017

    Brooklyn blackout cake

  • bdmltm  on  October 29, 2017

    Carrot cake macarons!

  • smartie101  on  October 29, 2017

    Fig and Marsala Glazed Scones

  • ravensfan  on  October 29, 2017

    The glazed doughnuts of your dreams

  • Littlebirdchoc  on  October 29, 2017

    Leaving cookies?!?!
    Oh HECK yes!!!

  • lgroom  on  October 29, 2017

    Buttermilk Pannacotta.

  • heyjude  on  October 29, 2017

    Brooklyn Blackout Cake

  • jezpurr  on  October 30, 2017

    Not sure which first but these sound interesting: Apple and Earl Grey caramel crostatas, Whisky walnut babka, and Green tea sablés!!!^_^

  • contest718  on  October 30, 2017

    Dulce de leche and toasted almond glaze

  • annieski  on  October 30, 2017

    whiskey and walnut babka. I'm teaching a holiday breads class in the spring and babka's part of the plan. This sounds like an interesting twist.

  • jr0717  on  October 30, 2017

    The carrot cake macarons!

  • kmn4  on  October 30, 2017

    Rice pudding with ginger, caramel and sesame crumbs

  • LesE  on  October 30, 2017

    Going to New York next year!

  • Siegal  on  October 30, 2017

    Chocolate crack pie! Always wanted to try it

  • jluvs2bake  on  October 30, 2017

    Whiskey walnut babka!! OOooomygosh

  • lpatterson412  on  October 30, 2017

    Apple Hills Creamery's The Munchies!!!!!

  • sarahawker  on  October 30, 2017

    Brooklyn blackout cake looks amazing!

  • sipa  on  October 30, 2017

    Burnt butter chocolate chip cookies

  • ebs  on  October 30, 2017

    Key lime bars (kinda)

  • Suzw  on  October 30, 2017

    Fig and Marsala glazed scones

  • sgp  on  October 31, 2017

    Carrot cake macarons

  • ktwalla  on  October 31, 2017

    Buttermilk panna cotta

  • rchesser  on  October 31, 2017

    Kouign amann bread pudding

  • sgump  on  November 1, 2017

    The peaches and cream cupcakes sound nice!

  • RoseMGenuine  on  November 1, 2017

    Yup! Peaches and cream cupcakes here too.

  • Shelley.b  on  November 2, 2017

    Carrot cake macrons

  • Dannausc  on  November 3, 2017

    Fresh cherry glaze

  • t.t  on  November 4, 2017

    Chocolate crack pie

  • Vspriestersbach  on  November 5, 2017

    Fig and Marsala glazed scones!

  • skipeterson  on  November 6, 2017

    Whisky walnut babka

  • motherofpearl81  on  November 6, 2017

    Peanut butter and jelly cannoli

  • RSW  on  November 7, 2017

    The glazed doughnuts of your dreams

  • FireRunner2379  on  November 7, 2017

    I'm intrigued by the recipe for Burnt Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies! The Brooklyn Blackout Cake sounds good as well.

  • FrenchCreekBaker  on  November 8, 2017

    Whiskey Walnut Babka

  • RuthGo  on  November 9, 2017

    Definitely Ample Hills' The Munchies!

  • lauriesk  on  November 9, 2017

    Burnt butter chocolate chip cookies.

  • eileen2015  on  November 10, 2017

    Burnt butter chocolate chip cookies

  • lucychhu  on  November 11, 2017

    Fig and Marsala Glazed Scones!

  • astcolorado  on  November 11, 2017

    Banana cream mille crêpes

  • PeavineBlues  on  November 11, 2017

    Chocolate Crack Pie

  • leorabakes  on  November 11, 2017

    babka!

  • jterry  on  November 11, 2017

    Glazed doughnuts of your dreams

  • readers  on  November 11, 2017

    Fig scones

  • Julia  on  November 11, 2017

    Gig and Marsala glazed scones.

  • BMeyer  on  November 11, 2017

    glazed doughnuts

  • MoonOverParma  on  November 11, 2017

    Fig and Marsala Glazed Scones

  • sequoia55  on  November 12, 2017

    Chocolate crack pie

  • eveaway  on  November 12, 2017

    Cucumber and mint popsicles!

  • lindagroene  on  November 12, 2017

    dulce de leche cake balls, omg1 . thats what I would make!

  • prairieschooner1  on  November 13, 2017

    Fig and marsala glazed scones

  • dvajefink  on  November 13, 2017

    Sticky buns

  • RickPearson54  on  November 13, 2017

    Babka

  • JenJoLa  on  November 13, 2017

    Brooklyn blackout cake. With the recipe online I might have to try it sooner than later.

  • tararr  on  November 13, 2017

    Fig & Marsala glazed scones

  • VeryVigario  on  November 13, 2017

    Sticky buns

  • sdg8trgrl  on  November 14, 2017

    Baked's Brooksters

  • thecharlah  on  November 14, 2017

    Carrot cake macarons

  • AnnaZed  on  November 18, 2017

    The glazed doughnuts of your dreams

  • Katiefayhutson  on  November 18, 2017

    Carrot cake macarons

  • AngelaLCooks  on  November 19, 2017

    Luxe Oreos

  • Scotsman61  on  November 20, 2017

    Fig and Marsala Glazed Scones

  • kitchenclimbers  on  November 21, 2017

    whiskey walnut babka

  • lhudson  on  November 22, 2017

    Butter & Scotch's birthday cake

  • LaurenE  on  November 23, 2017

    Fig and Marsala Glazed Scones

  • auntietina  on  December 1, 2017

    Tres leches cake balls

  • robertsicc  on  December 1, 2017

    The Fig & Marsala glazed scones look great. I love figs and scones. I need to try this.

  • matwell  on  December 1, 2017

    Giant snickerdoodles, for sure!

  • jmay42066  on  December 1, 2017

    Burnt butter chocolate chip cookies

  • justbeingheavenly  on  December 1, 2017

    Chocolate crack pie! Yummy!!<3

  • Karla123  on  December 7, 2017

    Concord grape and thyme foccacia…I'd love snaking on this Italian bread.

  • orchidlady01  on  December 7, 2017

    Giant snickerdoodles and Chocolate crack pie

  • HomespunHouse  on  December 8, 2017

    Brooklyn Blackout cake

Seen anything interesting? Let us know & we'll share it!