Ep 15. Sweet Treats

In this episode of The Kitchen, the focus is entirely on satisfying your sweet tooth. The hosts are on a mission to share their favorite sweet treats, from cupcakes and chocolate truffles to caramel corn and apple pies.

First up is Katie Lee, who shares her recipe for salted caramel corn. She begins by popping popcorn in a pot on the stove, then makes a batch of homemade caramel sauce with butter, sugar, and heavy cream. Once the caramel is ready, she adds a generous pinch of sea salt and drizzles it over the popcorn, stirring until every kernel is coated. The result is a snack with the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that's sure to satisfy any cravings.

Next, Jeff Mauro shows off his expertise in all things cupcakes with his recipe for red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. He starts by whisking together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, then adds in sugar, vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla extract, and red food coloring to make a smooth batter. After baking the cupcakes in the oven, he tops them with a generous dollop of homemade cream cheese frosting, made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.

Sunny Anderson is up next with a recipe for no-bake chocolate truffles, perfect for those who don't want to turn on the oven. She starts by melting dark chocolate with heavy cream and butter, then adds in vanilla extract, sea salt, and cocoa powder for extra flavor. Once the mixture has cooled, she rolls it into small balls and coats them in a variety of toppings, such as crushed nuts, coconut flakes, and cocoa powder. These truffles are a decadent and easy-to-make treat that will impress any chocolate lover.

Finally, Geoffrey Zakarian shares his recipe for classic apple pie with a twist. He starts by making a homemade pie crust with flour, sugar, salt, and butter, then rolls it out and lines a pie dish. For the filling, he combines sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice, then pours it into the pie crust and tops it with a second layer of crust. But instead of the usual lattice or vented crust, Geoffrey punches out star shapes from the top layer of crust for a fun and festive look.

Throughout the episode, the hosts share tips and tricks for making their sweet treats, including how to properly measure flour, how to soften butter quickly, and how to know when caramel is ready. They also discuss their favorite desserts from childhood and how they've adapted them for their own kitchens. With so many delicious and drool-worthy recipes, this episode is sure to inspire you to satisfy your sweet cravings at home.