Ep 3. Sweet Indulgences

In Cook's Country season 9 episode 3, titled "Sweet Indulgences," the team delves into the realm of dessert. From a classic Southern pie to a modern twist on a favorite frozen treat, this episode is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

The episode begins with a segment on chess pie, a dessert beloved in the South. The Cook's Country team sets out to make a recipe that captures the custardy texture and buttery flavor of this classic pie. They experiment with different types of sugar and pie crusts to find the perfect combination. Along the way, they also offer tips on how to achieve the ideal consistency for the filling and how to prevent the crust from becoming soggy.

Next up is a recipe for a show-stopping raspberry roulade. This elegant dessert is a rolled sponge cake filled with a luscious raspberry cream. To make the sponge cake light and airy, the team incorporates a surprising ingredient – aquafaba. This brine from a can of chickpeas acts as a natural egg replacer and gives the cake its signature texture. The raspberry cream is made with whipped cream and a homemade raspberry puree, which adds tartness and freshness to the dessert.

In the third segment, Cook's Country tackles a childhood favorite – the ice cream sandwich. However, this is no ordinary ice cream sandwich. The team creates a cookie that is soft and chewy on the outside, but with a layer of crispy cereal on the inside. They also make a homemade vanilla ice cream that's infused with chai spices for a grown-up twist. Finally, they sandwich the ice cream between the cookies and roll the edges in more cereal for a crunchy finish.

The final recipe of the episode is a decadent caramel flan. Cook's Country takes on the challenge of making this classic dessert with a velvety-smooth texture and rich flavor. They use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream to keep the custard light, and they add a touch of citrus zest to brighten up the flavor. The secret to a perfect flan is in the water bath – the team explains how to wrap the dish with foil to prevent water from seeping in and how to cover it to keep the custard from drying out.

Throughout the episode, the Cook's Country team offers tips and tricks for making each dessert to perfection. From techniques for blind-baking a pie crust to the proper way to whip egg whites, viewers will learn valuable baking skills that can be applied to any recipe.

In "Sweet Indulgences," Cook's Country proves that dessert doesn't have to be complicated to be delicious. With a few simple ingredients and some expert guidance, viewers can create show-stopping sweets that will impress any dinner party.