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Category: Desserts & Fruit

Vanilla Cupcakes with Raspberry Butter Cream Frosting

Vanilla Cupcakes with Raspberry Butter Cream Frosting

Vanilla Cupcakes with Raspberry Butter Cream Frosting

 

1 C. Granulated Sugar

1 Stick Un-Salted Butter, softened

2 Eggs

2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/8 tsp. Salt

1 1/3 C. All Purpose Flour

1/3 C. Whole Milk

 

For the Frosting:

1 Stick of Unsalted Butter, softened

½ C. Raspberry Preserves

½ tsp. Vanilla Extract

1 16oz Box of Powdered Sugar

Fresh Raspberries, for garnishing

 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line your cupcake tin with liners and set aside. In a mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the sugar and butter. Add the eggs and vanilla and cream together until you get a smooth mixture. Add the dry ingredients and with the speed on low mix together and slowly add the milk and just mix everything to combine. DO NOTOVERMIX! Make sure you give everything a good stir with a spatula from the bottom to incorporate any bit that wasn’t mixed.  This is a thick batter.  A rounded ice cream scoop works well.  Scoop the batter into your lined cupcake tin, make sure it’s only filled ¾ of the way up because they will rise. Bake for 20 minutes and let cool for about 45 minutes before frosting.  To make the frosting combine all the frosting ingredients except the fresh raspberries and mix together to combine.  Add the frosting in a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe the frosting onto the Cupcakes. Top with a few fresh raspberries.

Red, White and Blue Parfaits

Red, White and Blue Parfaits

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 16-oz. container vanilla yogurt

2 T. lemon juice

2 pints fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced

2 pints fresh blueberries, washed

Whipped topping for garnish

8 parfait glasses or other clear glasses

 

Combine cream cheese, vanilla yogurt and lemon juice and mix well. Place 1/4 C. of cream cheese mixture in the bottom of each glass followed by 1/4 C. strawberries. Repeat with cream cheese mixture and blueberries. Top with whipped topping and serve. These desserts are tasty, colorful and right in keeping with the red, white and blue holiday. You could add a layer of sponge cake in each glass if you want to make the dessert a little more hearty.

Blueberry Lavender Cranberry Crisp

Blueberry Lavender Cranberry Crisp

Blueberry Lavender Cranberry Crisp

Filling:

3 C. blueberries

1 C. cranberries

1/2 tsp. lavender flowers

3/4 C. sugar

 

Topping:

1-1/2 C. crushed oatmeal graham crackers

1/2 C. brown sugar

1/2 C. melted butter

1/2 C. sliced almonds

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Combine blueberries, cranberries, lavender flowers, and sugar. Mix well and pour into an 8 x 8-inch baking pan. Combine crushed crackers, brown sugar, melted butter, and sliced almonds. Crumble over the top of the filling.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until filling is bubbly. Cool at least 15 minutes before serving.

Berry-Rhubarb Tiramisu

Berry-Rhubarb Tiramisu

4 C. sliced fresh rhubarb

3/4 C. sugar

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise in half

1 pint strawberries, sliced

3 large egg yolks

1/3 C. sugar

1/4 C. water

8 oz. (1 C.) mascarpone cheese

1-1/2 C. heavy or whipping cream, beaten until stiff

1-1/2 packages (3 oz. each) ladyfingers

6 whole strawberries, for garnish

 

Bring rhubarb, 3/4 C. of the sugar and half of the split vanilla bean to boil, stirring, in medium saucepan. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until rhubarb softens. Transfer to bowl. Remove vanilla bean half. With small knife, scrape out seeds. Stir seeds and strawberries into rhubarb mixture. Refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until cold.  Meanwhile, combine yolks, remaining 1/3 C. sugar, remaining half of vanilla bean and 1/4 C. water in large stainless-steel bowl. Place bowl over large saucepan with 1 inch of gently simmering water. Cook mixture, stirring constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until thickened. Remove bowl from water and whisk until cool. Remove vanilla bean half; scrape out seeds into egg yolk mixture and whisk in mascarpone. Gently fold in whipped cream.  Arrange half the ladyfingers in bottom of a 1-1/2- to 2-quart serving dish. Spread with half the fruit mixture. Cover with half the cream mixture. Repeat layering, ending with cream mixture. Garnish with whole strawberries, if desired.

Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies

½ C. cream cheese, soft

½ C. butter, soft

1 C. sugar

1 egg

¼ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. baking powder

1 C. flour

Strawberry Jam (or whatever flavor you fancy)

 

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, beat together butter and cream cheese. Gradually beat in sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and salt. Whisk together baking powder and flour in a small bowl and, mixing by hand or at low speed, add to cream cheese mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Put a small dollop of jam on top of each dough mound and swirl it around with a toothpick. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes, until the bottom edge just barely turns brown. Makes about 3 dozen.

Lime Tartlets

Lime Tartlets

Vegetable cooking spray

2 T. granulated sugar

2 T. confectioners’ sugar

1/2 C. butter cut up (no substitutes)

1-1/4 C. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger

3/4 C. granulated sugar

1 tsp. grated lime peel

1/4 C. fresh lime juice

3 large egg yolks

1 large egg

2 T. butter cut up (no substitutes)

Confectioners¿ sugar, for garnish

 

Heat oven to 350 degree F. Lightly coat twelve 1-3/4-inch miniature muffin-pan C. (or mini muffin pans) with vegetable cooking spray. For the pastry, pulse the 2 T. granulated and confectioners¿ sugars together in a food processor to blend. Add 1/2 C. butter and pulse to break up into small pieces. Add flour and ginger; pulse until fine crumbs form. Turn crumbs out onto counter and gently gather until dough holds together. Divide dough in half. Roll each piece into a 12-inch log; wrap one log in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Cut remaining log crosswise into 12 equal pieces. Press each piece into bottom and up side of a muffin C.. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until pastry is golden.  Meanwhile, for the lime curd whisk together the 3/4 C. granulated sugar, lime peel, lime juice, egg yolks and egg in a medium saucepan. Cook 5 to 8 minutes, stirring, over medium-low heat, until mixture thickens (do not boil). Strain mixture through a fine sieve into a medium bowl; stir in 2 T. butter until melted.  Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F. Using half the Lime Curd, fill tartlet shells. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until filling is set. Transfer pan to a wire rack. Remove tartlets from pan when slightly warm, then cool completely. Cool pan. Repeat process with remaining pastry log and Lime Curd. Garnish with confectioners¿ sugar, if desired. Makes 2 dozen tartlets. 

Orange Bunny Rolls

Orange Bunny Rolls

5 1/4 to 5 3/4 C. all-purpose flour

1 package active dry yeast

1 1/4 C. Reduced Fat Milk

1/2 C. butter, margarine, or shortening

1/3 C. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

2 eggs

2 T. finely shredded orange peel

1/4 C. orange juice

1 recipe Orange Icing (optional)

 

In a large mixing bowl combine 2 C. of the flour and the yeast. Set aside.  In a medium saucepan heat and stir  Milk, butter, sugar, and salt just until warm (120 degrees F to 130 degrees F) and butter almost melts.  Add milk mixture to dry mixture along with eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl. Beat on high speed 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in orange peel, orange juice, and as much of remaining flour as you can. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes total). Shape dough into a ball. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl; turn once. Cover; let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 1 hour). Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. Lightly grease two baking sheets. (Large bunnies will go on one sheet; the small bunnies will go on the other.)  For large bunnies, divide one half of dough into 4 portions. Roll each portion into a 16-inch long rope. On one of the prepared baking sheets, lap one end of a rope over the other to form a loop; bring the end that’s underneath over the top, letting one end extend on each side to make ears. Pat tips of ears to shape into a point. Repeat with remaining ropes.  For small bunnies, divide remaining half of dough into 12 portions. Roll 10 of the portions into 12-inch ropes. Shape 10 small bunnies as above, using the second baking sheet. With remaining 2 pieces of dough, shape 4 large balls and 10 small balls for the tails. Moisten balls with water and place atop dough at the bottom of the loops. Press tails onto dough. After shaping, cover and let rise until nearly double (30 to 45 minutes). Bake small bunnies in a 375 degree F oven 11 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Bake large bunnies 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheets; cool on wire racks. Frost while warm with Orange Icing, if desired. Makes 4 large bunnies and 10 small bunnies.

 

Orange Icing: In a small bowl combine 1 1/2 C. sifted powdered sugar and 1 tsp. finely shredded orange peel. Stir in enough orange juice (2 to 3 T.) to make of drizzling consistency.

Mango Whip

Mango Whip

1 pkg. (4 serving size) white chocolate or vanilla instant pudding mix

1 1/4 C. Reduced Fat Milk

1 tsp. vanilla

3 medium mangos

1/2 (8 oz.) tub non-dairy frozen light whipped dessert topping, thawed

2 T. chopped pistachios

 

In a medium mixing bowl prepare pudding mix according to package directions using the 1 1/4 C. Milk. Stir in vanilla. Set aside.  Seed and peel mangoes. Cut fruit into wedges. Divide fruit among six chilled dessert bowls. Fold whipped topping into pudding mixture; spoon over fruit. Top with chopped pistachios.

Love Letter Pastries

Love Letter Pastries

Love Letter Pastries

1 pie crust, refrigerated

Peaches, sliced

Strawberries, sliced

Pears, sliced

Raspberries, sliced

Sugar

Flour

Whipping cream

 

Sprinkle flour over the cutting board and unroll the pie crust. Cut off the edges of the pie crust to form a square, then cut the large square into four smaller, even squares. Using a small heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut four small hearts from the leftover edge pieces of the pie crust. Place the four squares of pie crust onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Arrange slices of peaches and strawberries on two of the squares, then place slices of pear and raspberries onto the other two. Sprinkle sugar and flour over the fruit, then fold three corners of the pie crust inward to form the “envelope.” Place the small heart-shaped piece of pie crust at the meeting point of the three corners and brush with whipping cream. Bake the fruit-filled love letters at 350ºF for 15-20 minutes, then share with the ones you love!

Nutmeg Beignets

Nutmeg Beignets

3 to 3-1/4 C. all-purpose flour

1 package active dry yeast

1-1/4 tsp. grated fresh nutmeg or 1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 C. milk

1/4 C. sugar

2 T. shortening

1/2 tsp. salt

1 egg

Shortening or cooking oil for deep-fat frying

Sifted powdered sugar (optional)

Honey

 

In a large mixing bowl, stir together 1-1/2 C. of the flour, the yeast, and nutmeg. In a small saucepan heat and stir milk, sugar, the 2 T. shortening, and salt just until warm (120 degrees F to 130 degrees F) and the shortening is almost melted.  Add milk mixture to the flour mixture. Add the egg. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a spoon, stir in enough of the remaining flour to make soft dough.  Place the dough in a greased bowl; turn once to grease the surface. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 4 to 24 hours.  Turn dough out onto a slightly floured surface. Cover; let rest 10 minutes. Roll into a 15×12-inch rectangle; cut into thirty 3×2-inch rectangles. Cover; let rest 20 minutes (dough will not be doubled).  Heat 3 inches of shortening or oil in a deep saucepan to 375 degrees F. Fry a few dough rectangles at a time in hot fat about 1 minute or until beignets are golden brown on both sides, turning once. Drain on paper towels. Keep warm in a 300 degrees F oven while cooking remaining beignets. If desired, lightly sift powdered sugar over beignets. Serve warm, drizzled with honey. Makes 30 beignets.

Sugar Drop Doughnuts

Sugar Drop Doughnuts

3 C. all-purpose flour

1 C. granulated sugar

1 T. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1 C. milk

2 large eggs

3 T. melted butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/4 C. confectioner’s sugar

Pour enough veg. oil into a large heavy saucepan or deep-fat fryer to measure 3 inches. Preheat the oil to 365 F. Combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg in a large bowl and mix well. Whisk milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until blended. Add milk mixture to flour mixture and mix well. Drop batter by rounded spoonfuls into hot oil. Cook until golden on all sides (about 2 minutes) Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle confectioners’ sugar.

Lemon Cardamom Apple Cake

Lemon Cardamom Apple Cake

Lemon Cardamom Apple Cake

2 apples, cored and thinly sliced, skin on

1.5 C. (170 gr.) self-raising flour, sifted

pinch of salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground cardamom

1 C.  (200 gr.) sugar

1/3 C. (80 ml.) of olive oil

2 whole eggs and two egg yolks

1/2 C. (125 gr.) greek yogurt

1 tsp. vanilla

zest of half a lemon

almond flakes for sprinkling

1 T. demerara sugar

 

Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F) and line the bottom of a 23 cm. (9 in.) greased cake pan with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine sifted flour, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom. In a separate bowl, mix together olive oil and sugar until light and fluffy. Then, whisk in your whole eggs and egg yolks, one by one, until well incorporated into the mixture. Add yogurt, lemon zest, and vanilla and mix until smooth. Fold the flour and spices into the wet mixture in three batches until just combined. Cover the bottom of the cake pan with about a third of the apple slices. Pour half of the cake batter over the top and cover with another third of the apple. Pour in the rest of the cake batter and top with the remaining apple slices, flaked almonds, and about 1 T. of demarara or white sugar. Bake for about 35-40 minutes until golden or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Leave to cool for at least 15 minutes before transferring from pan.

Lemon Yogurt Cake with Ginger-Thyme Syrup

Lemon Yogurt Cake with Ginger-Thyme Syrup

Lemon Yogurt Cake with Ginger-Thyme Syrup

 

2 1/2 C. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 C. butter, room temperature

1 1/2 C. white sugar

4 eggs

1/2 C. lemon juice

2 T. lemon zest

1 C. plain, whole milk yogurt

 

Pre-heat oven to 350°F Grease and flour a large (9 x 5 x 3″) loaf pan. Lightly whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl and set aside. In another large bowl, using an electric beaters if possible, beat butter until fluffy, then beat in sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, then add lemon juice and zest. Beat in yogurt. Mixture may curdle, but don’t worry–it will come together when the dry ingredients are added. Add dry ingredients and mix gently just until blended. Spoon into pan and place in oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until done. The cake will be golden brown on the outside and spring back when you lightly press the middle with your fingers. Meanwhile, while the cake is baking, make the ginger-thyme syrup.

 

1 C. sugar

1/2 C. water

2″ piece of fresh, peeled ginger, sliced into coins

3 large sprigs of thyme

 

Combine all the ingredients in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring gently until the sugar dissolves. Lower the heat a little and cook until the syrup has thickened slightly, about 10 minutes total. Strain out the ginger and thyme and keep warm until the cake is out of the oven. I did this by leaving the pan on my stove top, which was warm from the oven below. Remove cake from the oven, turn out onto a rack and let cool 5 minutes. Place on a serving plate and spoon some of the syrup over the cake, allowing it to soak in. You will most likely not use all of the syrup but it’s very nice to whisk a T. or so into some heavy whipping cream to serve along side the cake. Or you can keep it in the refrigerator, where it will come in handy for cocktails.

Super Moist Pumpkin Bread 

Super Moist Pumpkin Bread 

Super Moist Pumpkin Bread

 

4 eggs

3 cups sugar

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

16oz can pureed pumpkin

4 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

2/3 cup water

 

Sifted Together:

3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs first, add sugar, Splenda, oil, applesauce, pumpkin and spices. Mix well. Add flour mixture alternatively with water. Divide the batter between two loaf pans. Bake for one hour (until a toothpick comes out clean).

For a no chew, soft foods diet, break into small pieces and/or dip into milk before eating.

Honey Ginger Melons

Honey Ginger Melons

 

6 C. melon (honeydew and cantaloupe are my favorites) – cut into 1 inch cubes

1/4 C. honey

2 tsp. ginger root – minced

1 tsp. lime zest

1 tsp. orange zest

 

In a microwave-safe bowl, mix together the honey, zests and ginger root. Heat on high in microwave for about 20 seconds. Set aside and allow to cool. In a large bowl, toss the melon pieces with the sauce. Serve immediately. You can store this in the refrigerator for 5 days, but it’s always best when super fresh.

Fat Smash Apple Crisp

Fat Smash Apple Crisp

2 C. Chopped Apples 

1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon 

1/2 C. Quaker Old-Fashioned Instant Oatmeal 

1 C. Water 

 

Place chopped apples in a microwave safe dish. Sprinkle with cinnamon and toss to coat. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. Add dry oats and water, and microwave for 1 minute more. Stir well before serving. 

Caramel Pastry Cream

Caramel Pastry Cream

 

6 ounces sugar

¼ cup water

2 cups milk

1 ¼ ounce cornstarch

1 large egg

2 large egg yolks

½ ounce unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Combine 5 ounces of the sugar and the water in a small, heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, brush down the sides of the pan with water, and boil for 8 to 10 minutes, or until caramelized. The sugar will be fragrant and a deep amber color when it is caramelized. Remove the pan from the heat and dip the bottom into an ice water bath for a second or two. Slowly stir in the milk. Return the pan to low heat and stir until smooth. Increase the heat to medium and heat to a simmer.  Meanwhile, whisk together the cornstarch and remaining 1 ounce of sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in the egg and yolks. Continue whisking while adding the hot caramel mixture in a thin stream. Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan and cook, whisking constantly, over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it thickens and just comes to a boil. Immediately strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl and stir in the butter and vanilla. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate.  Makes about 2 ½ cups. A delicious alternative to the usual vanilla pastry cream—try it in cream puffs, éclairs, Napoleons, tarts, or between cake layers. For a light-as-air filling, fold in some whipped cream. Keeps for several days in the refrigerator. The plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface of the pastry cream will prevent a skin from forming.

Kaab El Ghazal (Gazelle Ankles)

Kaab El Ghazal (Gazelle Ankles)

 

1 ½ cup plain flour

½ cup melted Smen or butter

2 tbsp icing sugar

1 pinch of baking powder

Milk

For the filling:

1 ½ cup ground almonds

½ cup sugar

Orange blossom water

A pinch of cinnamon

Food coloring

For the glaze:

1 egg beaten

 

Mix flour and sugar and add the butter. Rub with your hands to impregnate the dry ingredients. Add the baking powder and then add the milk slowly and continue mixing until your dough comes together. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 min. To prepare the filling, mix the dry ingredients together, add the food coloring of your choice until you get the desired color and pour slowly the orange blossom water until you can roll the filling into a ball. Set aside. Preheat your oven to 350F. Roll out the dough and cut it into triangles. Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, make three vertical incisions in the center of each triangle. Take small pieces of the almond paste and roll them between your hands into thin “sausages”, the length of the base of your triangle. Place these in the base of the triangle and roll the dough over until you obtain a cigar like shape. The almond paste will be inside the dough like you see in the pictures. Bend your “cigar” slightly to shape it as a crescent shape. Brush them lightly with the beaten egg and bake for 12-16 min, until lightly colored. Let cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Gram’s Lemon Meringue Pie

Gram’s Lemon Meringue Pie

9″ Baked Pie Shell

1 1/2 C. Sugar

1/3 C. Cornstarch

1 1/2 C. Water

3 Egg Yolks, slightly beaten

3 T. Butter

1/4 C. Lemon Juice

1 1/3 T. grated Lemon Rind

3 Egg Whites

1/4 tsp. Cream of Tartar

6 T. Sugar

Heat oven to moderately hot (400 degrees).  Mix sugar and cornstarch in saucepan.  Slowly stir in water.  Stir constantly over moderate heat until mixture thickens and boils.  Boil 1 minute.  Slowly stir half of the mixture into the egg yolks, then beat back into hot mixture in saucepan.  Boil one minute longer, stirring constantly.  Take from heat.  Stir until smooth. Blend in butter, lemon juice and rind. Pour into baked pie shell.  Make a meringue of the 3 egg whites, cream of tartar and 6 T. sugar.  Spread over filling, sealing to edge.  Bake 8 to 10 minutes until delicately browned.  Cool at room temperature away from drafts.

9″ Baked Pie Shell

1 C. sifted Flour

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/3 C. Shortening

2 T. Water

Heat oven to very hot (475 degrees).  Mix flour and salt and cut in shortening.  Sprinkle with water; mix well with fork.  Round into smooth ball; flatten slightly.  Roll out 1” larger than inverted pie pan.  Ease into pan. Flute edges.  Prick pastry.  Bake 8 to 10 minutes.

Crispy Praline Cookies

Crispy Praline Cookies

 

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1 large egg

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Stir together all ingredients in a large bowl, blending well. Drop cookie dough by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 13 to 15 minutes. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute; remove cookies to wire racks to cool completely. Crispy Praline-Chocolate Chip Cookies: Add 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels; bake as directed.

Chocolate-Pistachio Meringues

Chocolate-Pistachio Meringues

 

 

4 large egg whites (1/2 cup), at room temperature

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup sugar

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (1/4 in.), or 3/4 cup miniature chocolate chips

3/4 cup (about 3 oz.) shelled unsalted roasted pistachios, chopped

1 teaspoon grated orange peel

 

Line two 10-by-15-inch baking sheets with cooking parchment or silicone baking liners. In a bowl, with an electric mixer at medium-high speed, beat egg whites and salt just until stiff (but not dry) peaks form, 2 to 4 minutes. Reduce speed to medium and add sugar gradually, beating until it has dissolved and whites are glossy and like marshmallow creme in texture, about 3 minutes. With a flexible spatula, gently fold in chocolate, pistachios, and orange peel. Drop mixture in tablespoon portions about 1 inch apart on baking sheets. If desired, swirl the back of a spoon (or your finger) around cookies to shape.

Bake in a 250° regular or 225° convection oven until meringues appear set and are just beginning to turn pale gold at edges, about 50 minutes, switching baking sheet positions halfway through baking. Turn off oven and leave cookies inside on sheets until dry in the center (break one to test), at least 4 hours or up to 12. Store airtight at room temperature up to 2 weeks.

Persimmon-Cranberry Tarts

Persimmon-Cranberry Tarts

 

2 frozen puff pastry shells, thawed

2 firm Fuyu persimmons (5 oz. each) or 1 Fuji apple (8 oz.)

2 tablespoons fresh or frozen cranberries, rinsed

4 teaspoons sugar

4 teaspoons currant jelly

Crème fraîche or lightly sweetened softly whipped cream

 

On a lightly floured board, roll each pastry shell into a 5- to 6-inch round. Set rounds about 2 inches apart on a 12- by 15-inch baking sheet. Peel persimmons or apple; quarter lengthwise, core, and slice 1/4 inch thick. Overlap slices attractively on pastries. Sprinkle half the cranberries and sugar evenly over each tart. Bake in a 400° regular or convection oven until richly browned, 20 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, place jelly in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in a microwave oven on full power (100%) just until melted, 20 to 30 seconds. Brush jelly over hot tarts. Transfer tarts to racks. Serve warm or cool, topped with a dollop of crème fraîche.

Pears and Dates with Vanilla-Orange

Pears and Dates with Vanilla-Orange

 

1 pint regular or low-fat plain yogurt

1/2 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise, or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

1 tablespoon honey

5 ripe Bartlett pears (about 2 1/2 lb. total), rinsed

8 ounces fresh Medjool dates (about 10), pitted and chopped

 

Spoon yogurt into a bowl. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into yogurt (reserve pod for other uses). Stir in orange juice concentrate and honey until well blended. Peel and core pears; cut lengthwise into 1-inch-thick slices. Arrange pears and dates in bowls and top each with about 1/4 cup vanilla-orange yogurt.

Ivy House Buttery Skillet Apples

Ivy House Buttery Skillet Apples

 

4 medium cooking apples

1/3 C. real butter

1/2 C. sugar

2 T. cornstarch

1 and 1/2 C. water

 

Peel, core and slice apples. Make a sauce by melting the butter in a 10 inch skillet over medium heat; stir in sugar and cornstarch. Mix well and add the remaining ingredients. Add apples to the sauce cover and cook over medium heat until tender. Occasionally spoon the sauce over the apples as they cook.

Pumpkin Walnut Cranberry Quick Bread

Pumpkin Walnut Cranberry Quick Bread

 

 

1 1/4 C. oat bran

1/2 C. whole wheat flour, preferably white whole wheat

1/3 C. brown sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/8 tsp. salt

1 egg

1 C. canned pumpkin

1/2 C. fat-free milk

2 T. canola oil

1/4 C. chopped walnuts

1/4 C. dried cranberries

 

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 9″ x 5″ nonstick loaf pan with vegetable oil spray. In a mixing bowl, combine the oat bran, flour, sugar, baking powder, spice, and salt. Stir with a fork to mix. In another bowl, beat the egg with a fork until smooth. Add the pumpkin, milk, and oil. Stir to mix. Add to the dry ingredients. Stir just until no dry remains. Add the walnuts and cranberries. Stir to mix. Transfer to the pan. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a rack. Let cool. Cut into 18 slices.

 

Yield: 18 servings

Calories: 84

Fat: 4g

Fiber: 2g

Baked Rice and Raisin Pudding

Baked Rice and Raisin Pudding

 

 

2 cans (12 ounces each) evaporated fat-free milk

3 T. raisins

1 T. ground flaxseed

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 C. regular brown rice

8 tsp. brown sugar or honey

 

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly coat an 8″ x 8″ baking dish with canola oil spray. Heat the milk in a small saucepan for about 3 minutes, or until hot but not boiling. In a spice grinder or small food processor fitted with a metal blade, combine the raisins, flaxseed, and cinnamon. Process for about 2 minutes, or until the raisins are finely chopped. Place in the baking dish. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg with a fork. Add about 1/2 C. of the milk, beating constantly, to warm the egg. Add the remaining milk and the vanilla. Stir to mix. Pour into the baking dish. Add the rice. Stir with a fork. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn off the heat. Let stand in the oven for 30 minutes. Serve right away or cool to room temperature before refrigerating. Serve cold or warm garnished with 1 tsp. brown sugar or honey.

 

Yield: 8 servings

Calories: 160

Fat: 2g

Fiber: 1g

Orange, Dried Plum, and Almond Compote

Orange, Dried Plum, and Almond Compote

 

1 navel orange 

1/3 cup canned crushed pineapple with juice 

6 dried plums, cut into slivers 

1/4 teaspoon almond extract 

2 tablespoons slivered almonds 

 

Peel the orange and separate into sections. Cut the sections into small pieces. Transfer to a bowl. Add the pineapple, plums, and extract. Sprinkle the almonds on each serving.

 

Yield: 3 servings

Calories: 95

Fat: 2g

Fiber: 3g

Pear Crisp with Creamy Orange Sauce

Pear Crisp with Creamy Orange Sauce

 

1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar 

2 teaspoons cornstarch 

4 cups (about 2 pounds) peeled and sliced anjou or bartlett pears 

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

 

1/2 cup old-fashioned oats 

2 tablespoons slivered almonds 

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

2 tablespoons cold trans-fat free spread 

 

1 cup fat-free plain yogurt 

1 tablespoon maple syrup 

1/4 teaspoon orange extract 

 

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Coat an 8″ x 8″ baking dish with vegetable oil spray. Set aside. To prepare the fruit: In a bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar and cornstarch. Stir until well blended. Add the pears and vanilla. Toss to coat evenly. Transfer to the reserved dish. Set aside. To prepare the topping: Wipe the bowl dry with a paper towel. Add the oats, almonds, and nutmeg. Toss with a fork to mix. With the fork, break the spread into small chunks. Add to the mixture. Use the fork to cut into smaller pieces that blend with the oats mixture. Sprinkle over the reserved fruit. Bake for about 55 minutes, or until bubbly. To prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, syrup, and extract. Stir to mix. Serve the crisp warm or at room temperature, topped with the sauce. Recipe Tips: Apples, plums, nectarines, or peaches can replace the pears. The baking time may vary depending upon the type of fruit. Grated orange peel can replace or be added to the orange extract in the sauce. If you like, you can bake this special fruit dish and prepare the sauce ahead of serving. Refrigerate separately for several days. Reheat individual of the crisp on a microwaveable plate and then top with the sauce.

 

Yield: 9 servings

Calories: 124

Fat: 3g

Fiber: 4g

Gingered Pumpkin Pudding

Gingered Pumpkin Pudding

 

1 cup canned pumpkin

3/4 cup whole milk

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon light brown sugar

3/4 teaspoon orange or lemon extract

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

4 teaspoons whipped reduced-fat cream cheese

 

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat four six-ounce custard cups with cooking spray; set on a sturdy baking sheet.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, milk, egg, brown sugar, extract, ginger, salt, and cinnamon. Pour into the custard cups. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center of a pudding comes out clean.  Serve warm or chilled, topped with a dollop of the cream cheese.

 

Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 90

Fat: 3.5g

Fiber: 2g

Hungry Girl’s Too-Good-To-Deny Pumpkin Pie

Hungry Girl’s Too-Good-To-Deny Pumpkin Pie

 

For Crust

2 cups Fiber One bran cereal (original)

1/4 cup light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Brummel & Brown)

3 tbsp. Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated)

1 tsp. cinnamon

 

For Filling

One 15-oz. can pure pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling!)

One 12-oz. can evaporated fat-free milk

1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original)

3/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated)

1/4 cup sugar-free pancake syrup

1 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. salt

Optional Topping: Fat Free Reddi-wip or Cool Whip Free

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine butter with 2 tbsp. water. Microwave until just melted, and set aside. In a blender or food processor, grind Fiber One to a breadcrumb-like consistency. In a medium mixing bowl, combine butter mixture and crumbs with remaining ingredients for crust. Stir until mixed well. Spray an oven-safe 9-inch pie dish lightly with nonstick spray. Evenly distribute crust mixture, using your hands or a flat utensil to firmly press and form the crust. Press it into the edges and up along the sides of the dish. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for the filling. Mix well. Pour mixture into pie crust. The filling may be taller than the crust — trust us, this is okay!  Bake pie in the oven for 45 minutes. Allow pie to cool slightly. Refrigerate for several hours (overnight is best). Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.  Cut into 8 slices and, if you like, top with Reddi-wip or Cool Whip before serving!

 

Yield: 8 servings

 Serving Size: 1 slice

Calories: 133

Fat: 3g

Fiber: 9g

Glazed Ginger Coeur a la Crème

Glazed Ginger Coeur a la Crème

4 C. fresh raspberries, divided

About 1/2 cup sugar

About 1 tbsp. lemon juice or Raspberry Liqueur

2 C. Grocery Store Ricotta (such as frigo), very cold

2 C. Cream Cheese, very cold

2 C. Cream, very cold

6 T. Powdered Sugar

2 T. slivered Candied Ginger or Stem Ginger in Syrup (drained)

 

Set mixing bowl and beaters in fridge to chill.  To make raspberry coulis, in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, 2 C. bring raspberries and 1/2 cup sugar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture starts to thicken, about 15 minutes. Press mixture through a fine-mesh strainer, using a spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard seeds and skins. Stir in 1 tbsp. lemon juice or liqueur. Taste and add more sugar or lemon juice if you like; set sauce aside. Using chilled mixing bowl and beaters, blend ricotta and cream cheese until very smooth, stopping to scrape sides of bowl once or twice.  (Do not use a food processor, as this will thin the cheeses too much.)  Slowly pour in cream while continuing to whip.  Add silvered ginger and powdered sugar as the cream begins to thicken. Whip only until nicely thick.  Spoon cheese mixture into a damp cheesecloth lined heart shaped specialty porcelain mold (it has holes in the bottom) and bring cheesecloth in over the top to cover the cheese lightly.  Put mold on a rack over and edged plate and refrigerate overnight to allow whey to drain. To serve, uncover, turn out onto a chilled platter, remove mold and carefully peel off cheesecloth.  Surround with raspberry coulis and serve with triple pepper cookies and fresh raspberries.

Triple Pepper Cookies

Triple Pepper Cookies

1 C. Butter, room temperature

1 1/2 C. Sugar

1 Egg, beaten

2 T. Dark Corn Syrup

Juice and Zest of 1 orange

3 3/4 C. Flour

1 tsp. each ground Cinnamon, Cloves and Ginger

2 tsp. ground Cardamom

2 tsp. ground White Peppercorns

1 tsp. ground Black Peppercorns

1 tsp. ground Pink Peppercorns

2 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Salt

 

In mixer, cream butter and sugar together.  Add egg and heat until fluffy.  Add corn syrup, orange juice and zest and blend well.  Sift flour together with all of the spices, baking soda and salt.  Add this flour mixture gradually to the cookie batter and blend just to incorporate.  Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least overnight.  Roll dough out very thinly on a floured pastry cloth with cloth covered rolling pin.  Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.  Arrange on a lightly greased cookie sheet (preferably an air cushioned sheet) and bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes.  Watch closely, as they will color and burn easily.  Cool on wire racks.  Once cooled these cookies will keep well for up to 3 weeks in an air-tight container or jar.

Blueberry-Lime Parfaits

Blueberry-Lime Parfaits

4 C. fresh blueberries, divided
1/3 C. Riesling or other slightly sweet white wine
1/3 C. maple syrup
2 T. fresh lime juice
1/2 C. (4 oz.) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1/3 C. powdered sugar
1 tsp. grated lime rind
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C. fat-free sour cream
Grated whole nutmeg (optional)

Place 2 C. blueberries in a large, heavy saucepan; press berries 2 times with a potato masher to slightly crush. Add wine, syrup, and juice; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium; cook 3 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature. Stir in remaining 2 C. blueberries. Cover and chill at least 2 hours. Place cream cheese in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at low speed until smooth. Add sugar, rind, and vanilla; beat well. Add sour cream; beat on low speed until just combined. Spoon about 2 1/2 T. berry mixture into each of 6 (6-oz.) parfait glasses; top with about 1 1/2 T. cream cheese mixture. Repeat layers with remaining berry and cream cheese mixtures. Sprinkle each serving with nutmeg, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 218
Fat: 5.4g
Fiber: 2.7g

Apple-Mascarpone Parfaits

Apple-Mascarpone Parfaits

1 T. butter or stick margarine
4 C. diced peeled Granny Smith apple (about 1 1/2 lb.)
1/2 C. packed brown sugar
2 T. fresh lime juice
2 T. water
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. salt
2 C. 2% low-fat cottage cheese
1/4 C. (2 oz.) mascarpone cheese
1/3 C. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add apple and the next 5 ingredients (apple through salt), and cook 12 minutes or until liquid is almost absorbed. Remove from heat.
Place cottage cheese in a food processor, and process until smooth (about 2 minutes). Add mascarpone, granulated sugar, and vanilla, and process until smooth. Spoon 2 T. cheese mixture into each of 6 parfait glasses, and top each with 2 T. apple mixture. Repeat procedure with 3 T. cheese mixture and 2 T. apple mixture, ending with 3 T. cheese mixture. Cover and chill at least 4 hours.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 265
Fat: 5.8g
Fiber: 1.4g

Fresh Rhubarb Cake

Fresh Rhubarb Cake

4 C. sliced fresh rhubarb (about 1 1/2 lb.)
1 1/3 C. sugar, divided
Cooking spray
1/3 C. butter or stick margarine, softened
1 large egg
2 tsp. grated orange rind
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 C. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 C. low-fat buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350�. Combine rhubarb and 2/3 C. sugar in a bowl. Spoon rhubarb mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Beat 2/3 C. sugar and butter at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended (about 5 minutes). Add egg, beating well. Beat in orange rind and vanilla. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring C.; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir well with a whisk. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Spoon batter over rhubarb mixture. Bake at 350� for 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Yield: 9 servings
Calories: 270
Fat: 8.1g
Fiber: 0.8g

Cocoa Berry Cake

Cocoa Berry Cake

Cooking spray
2/3 C. water
1 C. dried cranberries
1/3 C. orange juice
1 T. margarine
1 1/2 C. sugar
1 C. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 C. all-purpose flour
1/4 C. boiling water
1 T. Grand Marnier (orange-flavored liqueur)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
5 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted
2 large egg yolks
1 tsp. cream of tartar
10 large egg whites
1/4 C. sugar
Chocolate Glaze

Preheat oven to 350�. Coat bottoms of 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray; line bottoms with wax paper. Coat wax paper with cooking spray; set aside. Combine 2/3 C. water, cranberries, orange juice, and margarine in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook 5 minutes. Combine 1 1/2 C. sugar, cocoa, and flour in a large bowl. Add cranberry mixture and boiling water; stir until well- blended. Add liqueur, vanilla, chocolate, and egg yolks; stir until well-blended. Set batter aside. Beat cream of tartar and egg whites at high speed of a mixer until foamy. Gradually add 1/4 C. sugar, 1 T. at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Gently stir one-fourth of egg white mixture into batter; gently fold in remaining egg white mixture. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake at 350� for 35 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Let cool in pans 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pans. Peel off wax paper; let cool completely. Place 1 cake layer on a plate; spread with half of Chocolate Glaze, and top with other cake layer. Spread remaining glaze over top of cake.

Yield: 16 servings
Calories: 249
Fat: 7.1g
Fiber: 0.8g

Strawberry-Rhubarb Tart

Strawberry-Rhubarb Tart

1/2 (15-oz.) package refrigerated pie dough (such as Pillsbury)
2 C. sliced rhubarb
1/2 C. sugar
2 T. cornstarch
2 tsp. water
3/4 tsp. cinnamon, divided
3 C. sliced strawberries
1 T. sugar

Preheat oven to 400 �. Press dough into bottom and up sides of a 10-inch removable-bottom tart pan. Line bottom of dough with a piece of foil; arrange pie weights or dried beans on foil. Bake at 400� for 5 minutes. Remove pie weights and foil. Bake an additional 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Combine rhubarb, 1/2 C. sugar, cornstarch, water, and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until rhubarb is tender, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, and stir in strawberries. Spoon strawberry mixture into prepared crust. Combine 1/4 tsp. cinnamon and 1 T. of sugar; sprinkle evenly over tart. Place tart on a baking sheet. Bake at 400� for 30 minutes or until filling is set. Cool on a wire rack.

Yield: 8 servings
Calories: 203
Fat: 7.2g
Fiber: 2.1

Rice Pudding with Cider-Rhubarb Sauce

Rice Pudding with Cider-Rhubarb Sauce

2 C. cooked long-grain brown rice
Butter-flavored cooking spray
1/4 C. sugar
2 oz. tub-style light cream cheese (about 1/2 C.)
1/4 C. 2% reduced-fat milk
1/4 C. evaporated skim milk
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
Dash of salt
1 large egg
Cider-Rhubarb Sauce

Preheat oven to 350�. Spoon 1/2 C. rice into each of 4 (4-oz.) ramekins coated with cooking spray. Combine sugar and cream cheese in a medium bowl; beat at medium speed of mixer until smooth. Add milks, vanilla, salt, and egg; beat well. Divide mixture evenly among prepared ramekins. Place ramekins in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish; add hot water to dish to a depth of 1 inch. Bake at 350� for 40 minutes or until set. Remove ramekins from dish. Drizzle each with 1 T. sauce.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 251
Fat: 4.3g
Fiber: 0.6g

Rhubarb Pudding Cake

Rhubarb Pudding Cake

1 C. all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
5 T. unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 C. granulated sugar, divided
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 large egg
1/2 C. 1% low-fat milk
4 C. (1-inch-thick) slices rhubarb (about 1 lb.)
Cooking spray
1 tsp. powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350�. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring C.; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt, stirring well with a whisk. Place butter in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add 2/3 C. granulated sugar; beat until well blended. Add vanilla, cinnamon, and egg, beating well. Beating at low speed, add flour mixture and milk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; beat just until smooth. Combine rhubarb and remaining 2/3 C. granulated sugar in an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spoon batter over rhubarb mixture. The batter may not cover all of the fruit, but it spreads as the pudding cake bakes. Bake at 350� for 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Yield: 9 servings
Calories: 249
Fat: 7.3g
Fiber: 1.4g

Rhubarb Custard Bars

Rhubarb Custard Bars

Crust:
1 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
1/2 C. sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
9 T. chilled butter, cut into small pieces
Cooking spray

Filling:
1/3 C. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 C. sugar
1 1/2 C. 1% low-fat milk
3 large eggs
5 C. (1/2-inch) sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb (unthawed)

Topping:
1/2 C. sugar
1/2 C. (4 oz.) block-style fat-free cream cheese
1/2 C. (4 oz.) block-style 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C. frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
Mint sprigs (optional)

Preheat oven to 350�. To prepare crust, lightly spoon 1 1/2 C. flour into dry measuring C.; level with a knife. Combine 1 1/2 C. flour, 1/2 C. sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Press mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350� for 15 minutes or until crust is golden brown. To prepare filling, lightly spoon 1/3 C. flour into a dry measuring C.; level with a knife. Combine 1/3 C. flour and 1 1/2 C. sugar in a large bowl; add milk and eggs, stirring with a whisk until well blended. Stir in rhubarb. Pour rhubarb mixture over crust. Bake at 350� for 40 minutes or until set. Cool to room temperature. To prepare topping, place 1/2 C. sugar, cheeses, and vanilla in a bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Gently fold in whipped topping; spread evenly over baked custard. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.

Yield: 36 servings
Serving size: 1 bar

Calories: 131
Fat: 4.2g
Fiber: 0.5g