It goes without saying that Julia Busuttil Nishimura’s food column is one of our favourites on The Design Files (and that’s not just because we get to test the food ourselves!).
This year, Julia really tickled our sweet tooth, with mouth-watering cakes, tarts and desserts — and we even got an extra special recipe from our very own, Lucy Feagins!
In case you missed them, find our sweetest recipes from 2023 below.
Julia’s sumptuous salted chocolate, peanut and caramel tart is a go-to!
And filled with salted peanuts and a rich caramel!
There won’t be any leftovers!
This might just be one of the most delicious and decadent desserts going around.
What’s not to love? With salted peanuts, rich caramel and a glossy dark chocolate ganache, it’s just like a Snickers bar, but better!
This cake is a mouth-watering bake.
The perfect slice.
This recipe is extra special. It’s gluten-free (which meant our designer Sarah could finally indulge whilst styling this shoot!), and honestly – you wouldn’t even know. It’s oh-so delectable.
With a hint of coconut in the sponge base, and lashings of whipped cream and strawberries, we know this will be a frequent treat in the TDF office.
Perfectly paired with a generous dollop of double cream (or ice cream!)
Apple tarte tatin is a classic French dessert!
We’re big fans of classic desserts, and one of the best is apple tarte tatin.
This French dish combines all our favourite things; hot sticky caramel, flaky pastry, sweet apples and of course (because it’s French) plenty of butter.
The dessert of our dreams! Julias chocolate and raspberry self-saucing pudding!
Julia recommends eating it as soon as it gets out of the oven, to prevent the chocolate sponge from soaking up all the sauce.
And of course, serve it with a healthy dollop of double cream (or ice-cream!).
Chocolate and raspberry are a classic combination — and for good reason! Nothing works better against the rich, decadent flavour of cocoa, than a tart berry — add in cream or ice-cream, and you’ve found our happy place.
This is why were so very excited when Julia suggested sharing her simply delicious chocolate and raspberry self-saucing pudding – another classic dessert!
All the ingredients for a delicious cheesecake.
The perfect baked cheesecake – and not too sweet!
Cheesecake comes in many different varieties, but the baked kind holds a special space in our hearts (and stomachs!). When topped with in-season figs and a generous slathering of cream, we fail to see anything more irresistibly delectable.
Julia Busuttil Nishimura’s baked cheesecake with figs is rich, but not too sweet, on a biscuit base with the perfect hint of saltiness.
We’re pleased to say the entire TDF team have road tested this dish, and it was an undeniable, instant hit!
Don’t worry if the top of your pavlova cracks, you’ll be covering it with cream and berries anyway!
It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Lucy’s berry pavlova is a TDF favourite!
Lucy’s berry pavlova is a staple at her Christmas table every year (plus, it’s a favourite among the TDF team). It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and honestly, it’s fail-safe. You simply cannot go wrong with this delicious, easy recipe.
Messy, crunchy, gooey and served with lashings of velvety cream, raspberry coulis and fresh berries, this truly is the ultimate summer dessert.
