I always have had a sweet tooth since I was a kid. My Nana’s moist chocolate cake has always been one of my favorites. But since I decided to live on my own, I only have a little time to prepare sweets on my own. Moreover, I only have limited tools in my tiny kitchen. I have a small oven and pressure cooker. So, I wonder if I can also use my pressure cooker for desserts since cooking in the oven can be time-consuming.
I have heard that baking cakes and other treats in the pressure cooker are possible, so I asked my Nana about it. And to my surprise, I discovered she made my favorite dessert in a pressure cooker. So, I took the chance to learn how to use a pressure cooker for desserts.
If you also want to quickly bake or make desserts in your pressure cooker, here are some of the things you need to know before doing so.
Why Use a Pressure Cooker for Desserts
A pressure cooker can be a great solution if you love desserts but don’t have a lot of time to spare. In fact, you might be surprised by how many different types of desserts you can make in a pressure cooker! It’s a great alternative if you still don’t have an oven to make pastries and sweets.
Keeping the batter or dough moist is essential for achieving a soft feel in baked goods like cakes and pastries. So, pressure cooking is excellent for making delicious desserts because it makes it easier to absorb flavors and create a moist texture.
The steam produced by the pressure cooker will keep the cake or pastry from drying out. It also softens fats, which makes for creamier textures that add dimension to baked goods like cakes and pastries.
Additionally, a pressure cooker’s high pressure and steaming can help infuse flavors into your desserts. This is especially beneficial when making desserts that require strong flavors, such as spices, chocolate, or citrus. The intense heat of the pressure cooker helps to release more complex and powerful tastes than traditional cooking methods might achieve. So, if you’re looking for an extra burst of flavor in your dessert recipes, using a pressure cooker is definitely worth considering.
What are the Desserts You Can Make with a Pressure Cooker
When my Nana was showing me the ropes of using a pressure cooker for desserts, I couldn’t believe all the delicious possibilities that this one simple kitchen device could offer. From puddings to custards to steamed pies and cakes – there’s an impressive range of recipes designed for use in pressure cookers that can be used to whip up a mouth-watering treat. With her guidance, I quickly learned how easy it is to make all these yummy treats with this appliance.
Cheesecake
Cheesecake is one of the most popular desserts to make in a pressure cooker. Thanks to the intense heat and steam created by the pressure cooker, you can create a smooth, velvety texture that makes this delectable treat even more enjoyable. With just a few simple ingredients, you can easily make an indulgent cheesecake that will impress your friends and family.
By trying out various flavors and decorations, you have the opportunity to make your own special cheesecake recipes. A variety of pressure cooker cheesecake recipes are accessible online, like traditional New York-style cheesecake, chocolate cheesecake, and pumpkin cheesecake.
Delicious Pudding
Pudding is a delightful, scrumptious dessert that is perfect for making in a pressure cooker. There are various types of puddings you can create, such as rice pudding, tapioca pudding, and bread pudding which will surely satisfy your sweet tooth. Making these desserts in a pressure cooker saves time and energy while still providing the same rich flavor as if made on the stovetop.
Moist Cake
Finally, you can even use a pressure cooker to make delicious cakes! While it may not be possible to re-create your beloved Nana’s recipe exactly, you can still experiment with various pressure-cooked cakes. With a bit of effort and ingenuity, you can easily create some delectable treats that will have everyone asking for more.
You can use pressure cookers to create a variety of delicious and mouth-watering cakes, such as chocolate cake, carrot cake, and lemon cake. These are only a few of the many options available when it comes to pressure cooker cakes that you can make in your own home.
Tips When Using Pressure Cooker for Desserts
With a few tips from my Nana, I was able to make my childhood’s favorite dessert in a pressure cooker. If you also want to create a delicious treat with your pressure cookers, here are some things to remember.
Use the Right Pressure Cooker
Some pressure cooker models are not ideal for making desserts, so it’s important to use the right equipment. Search for a pressure cooker with a nonstick or stainless steel interior, which will not impart any unpleasant flavors into your dessert.
Nana also recommends aluminum pressure cookers to help prevent the cake or other desserts from sticking. Aluminum is known to be an excellent heat conductor, so you can trust that it will evenly distribute the heat and keep your food from burning.
Use a Trivet
Like cooking delicate dishes, a trivet will be of great use when you’re making pressure cooker desserts. This small kitchen accessory provides an elevated surface to hold desserts away from the direct heat source and prevents food from burning or sticking to the bottom of your cooking vessel. Not only is it essential for many recipes involving a pressure cooker, but it also ensures that your desserts are cooked evenly with all of their delicate flavors fully preserved.
Follow the Recipe
And, of course, always follow the recipe for a perfectly pressure-cooked dessert. Make sure you’ve added the right amount of liquid and ingredients before sealing the cooker. You should also pay attention to the right pressure levels and amount of time you need to cook the desserts.
Use Solid Container
If you’re making a cake, Nana strongly recommends using a solid silicone container when cooking it in a pressure cooker. This is because baking the cake in a porous pot or container will cause the crust to become soggy and limp due to the steam entering into all of its crevices. To ensure that your cake turns out with an ideal texture, use a solid silicone container for your pressure cooker.
In addition, silicone molds are incredibly useful when it comes to baking, as they make the process of removing a cake from its mold much simpler. The nonstick nature of silicone ensures that cakes will slide out with ease and without any damage.
Don’t Cover it with Foil
When baking cakes or other desserts, some people may choose to cover it with foil while cooking in a pressure cooker; however, this is not necessary. The steam produced when using a pressure cooker will still reach the top of the cake and cook it properly, even without the use of foil. Covering it with aluminum foil during the process can actually prevent the steam from cooking it through.
By adhering to these suggestions, you can delight in scrumptious and expertly prepared desserts crafted with a pressure cooker! To guarantee the finest outcomes possible, make certain to use top-notch ingredients and an appropriately sized pot that is compatible with your cooker. Additionally, be sure to read the instructions and follow all safety guidelines provided by your pressure cooker’s manufacturer.
