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Tag: Sweet Stuff

Brownie Cupcakes

Brownie Cupcakes

brownie1/2 pound softened unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups light brown sugar
5 large eggs at room temperature
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped macadamia nuts
1 medium overripe banana, mashed
1 recipe White Chocolate Frosting

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 12-well muffin pan with paper liners; set aside. In a large bowl and using an electric mixer at medium-high speed, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add chocolate and vanilla extract, and mix well. In a small bowl, combine flour and nuts. Alternately add flour mixture and mashed banana to chocolate mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups; bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Top with White Chocolate Frosting.
White Chocolate Frosting

1 cup softened unsalted butter
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
7 ounces good-quality white chocolate, melted and cooled
4 T. heavy whipping cream
1 tsp. clear vanilla extract (if you can find it – keeps the frosting very white)

In a large bowl, and using an electric mixer at medium-high speed, beat butter, confectioners’ sugar, and salt together for 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add white chocolate, cream, and vanilla extract. Beat at high speed for 5 to 6 minutes, periodically scraping down sides of bowl, until smooth and thick.

Microwave Caramels

Microwave Caramels

microwave-caramels-edit+text21/2 cup unsalted butter (don’t use salted it will splatter like crazy)
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
Maldon sea salt or fleur de sel (optional)

Directions
Butter an 8 by 8-inch baking dish. Place butter in a large microwave safe bowl (not anything plastic, something micro safe glass or ceramic), heat in microwave until melted.
To bowl with butter, add corn syrup, granulated sugar, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk and salt and whisk mixture very well. Return to microwave and cook mixture on HIGH power for 6 to 7 minutes (I recommend taking it out around 6 and testing either with a candy thermometer which should register between 238 – 242 degrees or placing a small spoon of the caramel in a bowl of ice water then remove it from the water and it should have formed a small pliable ball – nothing too soft or too hard. If it needs a little more time return to microwave and heat in 20 second increments. Mine was done at 6 minutes 20 seconds but will will vary slightly based on the wattage of your microwave and the size of the bowl you use).
Using hot pads, carefully remove bowl from microwave. Add in vanilla extract and mix well. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle top lightly with Maldon sea salt or fleur de sel. Place in refrigerator until set, about 20 – 30 minutes. Cut into rectangular pieces (I cut into rows slightly less than 1/2-inch then cut each row into three) and wrap in cut rectangles of wax paper.

Lemon Cake

Lemon Cake

lemon cakeYield: 2 loaf cakes (or one bundt)

2 sticks (225 grams or 8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups (500 grams) sugar
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup grated lemon zest (6 to 8 large lemons)
3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon (5 grams) kosher salt
3/4 cup (175 ml) plus 3 1/2 tablespoons (50 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 cup (175 ml) buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
2 cups (240 grams) confectioners’ sugar, sifted.

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8 1/2-by-4 1/4-by-2 1/2-inch loaf pans, and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

2. Cream butter and 2 cups sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment for about 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Mixing at medium speed, add eggs, one at a time, and lemon zest.

3. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, buttermilk and vanilla. Add flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to butter and sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Divide batter evenly between pans, smooth tops, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean.

4. Combine 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a small saucepan, and cook over low heat until sugar dissolves.

5. When cakes are done, let them cool 10 minutes. Invert them onto a rack set over a tray, and spoon lemon syrup over cakes. Let cakes cool completely.

6. For glaze, combine confectioners’ sugar and remaining 3 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice in a bowl, mixing with a whisk until smooth. Pour over top of cakes, and allow glaze to drizzle down the sides.

Lavender Berry Crisp

Lavender Berry Crisp

76b7898f69a82 to 3 tablespoons dried culinary ‘Provence’ lavender buds

2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

4 cups blueberries, rinsed

4 cups raspberries, rinsed

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup (1/4 lb.) butter, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

1/2 cup chopped almonds

In a blender, whirl lavender and tapioca until finely ground. Pour into a large bowl. Stir in 3/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Add blueberries, raspberries, and lemon juice; mix gently. Pour into a shallow 2 1/2- to 3-quart baking dish. In a food processor or bowl, combine flour, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and butter. Whirl or rub in with your fingers until coarse crumbs form. Stir in almonds. Squeeze handfuls of the nut mixture together, then crumble into about 1/2-inch chunks over fruit mixture. Set dish on a foil-lined baking pan. Bake in a 350° oven until juices are bubbling in the center and streusel is browned, 60 to 70 minutes. Cool on a rack at least 45 minutes. Serve warm or cool. Spoon crisp into bowls.

 

Yield: 8 servings

Calories: 409

Fat: 17g

Fiber: 5.9g

 

Nutter Butter Cookies

Nutter Butter Cookies

1/2 cup vegetable shortening
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 cup old−fashioned Quaker oats
1 cup all−purpose flour

1/2 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon fine graham cracker crumbs

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar with an electric mixer. Add the egg, salt, and peanut butter and beat until well blended. Put the oats in a blender and blend on medium speed until they are almost as finely ground as flour. Add the oats and flour to the mixture and blend well. Pinch out small portions of dough and roll into 1−inch balls in the palm of your hand. Press these flat on ungreased cookie sheets so that they form 2−inch circles. If you’re a stickler for a cookie that looks just like the original, you can form the dough into flat peanut shapes. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until light brown around the edges. While the cookies bake, combine the filling ingredients in a small bowl. 9. When the cookies are cool, use a butter knife to spread a thin layer of filling on the flat side of a cookie and press another on top. Repeat. Makes 2 dozen cookies.

Raspberry Summer Sensation

Raspberry Summer Sensation

raspberry-sensation-82656

2 cups raspberry sorbet, softened

1pkg.  (1 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Fat Free Sugar Free Instant Pudding

1 cup cold fat-free milk

1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Sugar Free Whipped Topping, thawed

1 cup fresh raspberries

 

SPOON sorbet into foil-lined 9×5-inch loaf pan; freeze 10 min. BEAT pudding mix and milk in medium bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in COOL WHIP; spread over sorbet. FREEZE 3 hours or until firm. Unmold onto plate; remove foil. Let dessert stand 10 min. to soften slightly before slicing to serve. Top with berries.

Honey Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas

Honey Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas

chickpeas15 oz. can garbanzo beans (or 2 C. cooked chickpeas)
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 T. granulated sugar
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 T. honey

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees F). Drain and rinse garbanzo beans, running them under cool water for several minutes to clean off the starch. You may optionally remove the skins from the beans (it does take a few minutes) or you can leave them on—it’s your personal preference. Dry off the beans. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, cinnamon, and sugar. Place beans in bowl and stir until evenly coated. Spread out the beans on a large baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until beans are crunchy and no longer soft in the middle. Test taste every few minutes until desired texture is reached. Place hot, roasted beans in a small bowl and coat evenly with honey. Spread beans back out on baking sheet and allow to dry. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Guy Fieri’s Dough Nuggets

Guy Fieri’s Dough Nuggets

1 packuntitledage store-bought biscuits
Vegetable oil, for frying
2 T. ground cinnamon
2 T. ground nutmeg
2 T. ground ginger
2 T. powdered sugar
Sugar glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oil to 360 degrees F. Divide each biscuit into 4 pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Add to hot oil and fry until golden brown. Remove the nuggets to a paper towel lined plate to soak up some of the oil. In a large paper bag combine the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and powdered sugar. Add the nuggets to the bag and shake to coat. Place the warm nuggets onto a platter. In a small bowl add the powdered sugar and slowly pour in the milk until the glaze is smooth and at the desired consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the nuggets and serve.

Coconut Cream Fruit Dip

Coconut Cream Fruit Dip

coconut cream fruit dip4 oz. cream cheese

1/2 (15oz.) can Cream of Coconut (Not coconut milk! Find this in the aisle with the margarita mix & other mixers.)

1/2 (8oz.) tub Cool Whip

 

Whip the cream cheese with the cream of coconut with paddle attachment in a stand mixer until all lumps are gone. Remove paddle, & fold in cool whip. Serve with fruit or graham crackers. *Some readers have found beating the cream cheese first, then adding the cream of coconut helps to keep the lumps out. You can also try softening the cream cheese, using the whisk attachment, or using a hand mixer if lumps become a problem.

 

 

Lemon Fluff

Lemon Fluff

fluff1 box Lemon Jell-O (3 Ounces)

1-¾ cup Very Hot Water

¼ cups Lemon Juice

1 cup Sugar

Lemon Zest, optional

1 can Evaporated Milk (12 Ounces), Chilled

2-½ cups Vanilla Wafers, Crushed

 

Combine the Jell-O, hot water, lemon juice, lemon zest (if using) and sugar in a mixing bowl and stir until Jell-O is dissolved. Chill till partially set, about 1 hour. Just before Jell-O is set, pour the chilled evaporated milk into a large mixing bowl and whip until stiff peaks form. Fold together with Jell-O mixture. Pour 2 cups of vanilla wafer crumbs into the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch pan. Top with Jell-O mixture, then sprinkle with remaining vanilla wafer crumbs. Chill until set; a minimum of two hours, but best if allowed to chill at least 4 hours.

Blackberry Pie Bars

Blackberry Pie Bars

pie barCrust:

1 1/2 Cups – All-Purpose Flour

3/4 Cup – Sugar

1/8 Teaspoon – Salt

3/4 Cup (1 1/2 Sticks) – Unsalted Butter, Very Cold, Cut Into Small Cubes

 

Filling:

2 Large Eggs

1 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Sour Cream

1/4 Cup Plus 2 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour

Pinch of Salt

16 Ounces Fresh Blackberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8X8 baking pan with aluminum foil, allowing the foil to extend a couple of inches on two opposing side. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Make the crust by adding to the bowl of a food processor the flour, sugar and salt. Pulse for about 30 seconds to combine ingredients. Add the cubed cold butter and pulse until the butter pieces are about the size of peas. Remove 3/4 cup of the mixture to use as a topping and set aside until needed. Pour the rest of the crumb mixture into prepared pan and press into pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden. Cool completely. Make the filling by mixing together, in a medium bowl, the eggs, sugar, sour cream, flour and salt until well combined. Spread the berries in a single layer on the cooled crust. Spoon the filling batter over the berries. Evenly spread the reserved crumb mixture on top of the filling. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the filling is just beginning to turn golden and is set. Cool bars completely on a baking rack then refrigerate if desired.

Homemade Pistachio Pudding

Homemade Pistachio Pudding

1/2 unnamedcup salted pistachio nuts
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water

2 cups whole milk
2 large egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup pistachio nuts, chopped

Place pistachios in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the nuts are in small bits. Add the sugar and water, and blend until relatively smooth. Spoon Pistachio Paste into a medium saucepan. Add the milk and whisk over medium heat. Heat milk and pistachio until steamy and hot. While milk is heating, whisk together granulated sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch and pinch of salt. Mixture will be thick. Keep whisking until it’s smooth. Pour about 1/2 cup of the steaming pistachio milk into the sugar and egg mixture. Whisk together. Add another half cup of hot milk and whisk to incorporate. Return the milky egg mixture into the saucepan over medium heat. Heat pudding mixture over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Whisk almost constantly. Boil for 1 minute, or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract, until butter is melted. Pass cooked pudding through a fine mesh strainer set over a medium bowl. Spoon into small ramekins, place plastic wrap over the individual puddings (so the plastic touches the top of the pudding), and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Garnish with chopped pistachios.

4th of July Brownie Stars

4th of July Brownie Stars

brownies

Your Favorite Brownie Recipe, cooked and cooled

Cut into star shape with cookie cutter

Decorate with white frosting and top with red, white, and blue sprinkles.

Vintage Jam Tarts

Vintage Jam Tarts

jam_tarts_recipe11 C. finely-ground cornmeal

1 C. whole wheat pastry flour

2 C. all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. finely ground sea salt

2 T. baking powder

3 T. sugar

1 C. unsalted butter, chilled, and cut into 1/4-inch chunks

1 1/2+ C. milk

1 egg, just the egg white

1/3 C. jam (any flavor(s) you like)

 

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Into a large bowl, or preferably, a food processor add the cornmeal, flours, salt, baking powder, sugar. To the dry ingredients add the butter. Using a pastry cutter or 30-35 quick pulses of the food processor, blend the mixture until it resembles tiny, sandy pebbles. Dump the mixture into a medium owl, add 1 1/2 C. of milk and with a fork stir just until everything is combined. You are going to roll out the dough, so if it is too wet, stir in a couple extra T. of flour, if it is too dry stir in an extra T. or two of milk. You don’t want to overwork the dough, or your tarts will be tough, so stir only as much as you have to. Dump the dough out onto a well-floured surface, pull it together into one large mound, and roll out until it is about 1/3-inch thick. Pat with more flour if things get sticky – sticky dough is your enemy in this recipe. Cut the biscuit dough with a medium cutter (the one I used was about 2-inches across), then cut half the rounds with a slightly smaller cutter, so each has a hole in the center. Brush the large rounds with a bit of egg white – this will give the tarts that nice golden color. Place the outer rings on top, brush those with the egg white, and fill with a bit of jam. Place the tarts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 10-13 minutes – larger tarts will need to bake longer. The rimmed baking sheet is important to use because these tarts tend to have a bit of runoff, and you want to prevent a mess in your oven.

 

Microwave Caramels

Microwave Caramels

microwave-caramels-edit+text21/2 cup unsalted butter (don’t use salted it will splatter like crazy)

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1/8 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Maldon sea salt or fleur de sel (optional)

 

Butter an 8 by 8-inch baking dish. Place butter in a large microwave safe bowl (not anything plastic, something micro safe glass or ceramic), heat in microwave until melted. To bowl with butter, add corn syrup, granulated sugar, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk and salt and whisk mixture very well. Return to microwave and cook mixture on HIGH power for 6 to 7 minutes (I recommend taking it out around 6 and testing either with a candy thermometer which should register between 238 – 242 degrees or placing a small spoon of the caramel in a bowl of ice water then remove it from the water and it should have formed a small pliable ball – nothing too soft or too hard. If it needs a little more time return to microwave and heat in 20 second increments. Mine was done at 6 minutes 20 seconds but will vary slightly based on the wattage of your microwave and the size of the bowl you use). Using hot pads, carefully remove bowl from microwave. Add in vanilla extract and mix well. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle top lightly with Maldon sea salt or fleur de sel. Place in refrigerator until set, about 20 – 30 minutes. Cut into rectangular pieces (I cut into rows slightly less than 1/2-inch then cut each row into three) and wrap in cut rectangles of wax paper.

Everybody Loves Chocolate Pudding

Everybody Loves Chocolate Pudding

14_08_nutrition_choco1 egg

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 cup light agave nectar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

2 cups milk, preferably 1 percent

1 1/2 ounces finely chopped bittersweet chocolate

 

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, cornstarch, agave nectar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat. When tiny bubbles appear all around the edge of the pan, add the chocolate, whisking constantly, until melted and smooth, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Scoop up about 1/3 cup of the heated chocolate milk and slowly drizzle it into the egg mixture, whisking constantly, until smooth, about 30 seconds. Then slowly drizzle the egg-chocolate milk mixture back into the saucepan, whisking constantly, about 30 seconds. Be careful not to combine the hot liquid with the raw egg too quickly, or it may result in scrambled chocolate eggs, not chocolate pudding! Return the saucepan to medium-high heat and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the pudding thickens enough that a defined line remains when you run the spoon through the center. Transfer the pudding to a medium bowl, cover, and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours. If desired, lay a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming on the top. Pack into 5 small containers and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Kids’ Favorite Chocolate Fondue

Kids’ Favorite Chocolate Fondue

1/2 cup whipping (35%) cream

8 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 T. candy sprinkles

14_08_groceries_choco

In the top of a double boiler over hot (not boiling) water, heat cream until warm. Add chocolate, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and transfer immediately to dessert fondue pot over candle flame. Add sprinkles just before serving. Spear a piece of fruit or cake with fondue fork and dip in fondue. Serve with: Strawberries, banana slices, orange sections, pear wedges, apple wedges, vanilla wafers, sponge cake cubes, marshmallows, maraschino cherries.

Raspberry Fondue

Raspberry Fondue

114_08_groceries_rasp4 oz. frozen raspberries in light syrup, thawed

2 T. cornstarch

2 T. cold water

In a sieve over a bowl, drain raspberries, reserving 1 cup syrup. In another bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until dissolved. In a saucepan over medium heat, warm reserved syrup for about 3 minutes. Add dissolved cornstarch and continue heating for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in raspberries; mix well. Transfer immediately to dessert fondue pot over candle flame. Spear a piece of fruit or cake with fondue fork and dip in fondue. Serve with: Chocolate cupcake cubes, ladyfingers, shortbread cookies, scone cubes.

Melopita

Melopita

melopitaFor the Filling:

1 lb. soft Myzithra or Ricotta cheese
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup honey
zest of one lemon, grated
3 T. flour
1/4 cup sugar
Ground cinnamon and more honey for serving

For the crust: (You can also substitute a prepared pie shell)

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 T. brandy or cognac
2 T. ice water
8 T. (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut in to 1/4 inch pieces

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

To make crust in Food Processor: Add flour, sugar, and salt to the bowl. Pulse a few times to mix. Add chilled butter pieces and process until crumbly, like wet sand. Add egg yolk, vanilla, brandy, and 1 T. ice water. Process until dough pulls together and forms a ball away from the sides. Add an additional T. of water if it seems too dry. Turn out on to a lightly floured surface and flatten dough in to a round disk. Chill dough while you prepare the filling.

To make the crust by hand: In a large mixing bowl, add flour, sugar, and salt. Mix to combine. Add the butter pieces and using two forks or a pastry blender, cut the butter in to the flour. (You can also use your hands for this.) The mixture should resemble coarse sand when the butter is incorporated fully. Add egg yolk, vanilla, brandy, and water and mix to incorporate, kneading dough into a smooth ball. Flatten in to a round disk and chill while mixing the filling.

Make the Filling: To a medium sized bowl add Myzithra or Ricotta cheese, eggs, honey, lemon zest, flour, and sugar. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.

Using a rolling pin, roll out your dough to the approximate size of your baking pan. I use a 10-inch tart circle with a removable bottom. You can substitute a spring form pan, a round cake pan, or even a pie dish. Lightly grease the pan’s bottom and sides. Your dough should be large enough to push up the sides of your pan. The easiest way to transfer the dough from the counter to the pan is to roll it back on to your rolling pin and then unroll it over the pan.
Press the dough in to the sides and bottom of the pan. Add filling and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until the filling sets (it won’t jiggle in the center) and it begins to turn a golden brown color. Baking times will vary according to the size you choose to make. For a 10-inch tart, it should take around 40 minutes. A deeper, 9-inch pie plate could take up to 50 minutes. Be sure to monitor your pie after 35 minutes of baking time. Serve on a plate drizzled with honey and sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

Melopita Honey Cake

Melopita Honey Cake

2 eggs
3 ½ T. Sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 ½ T. Honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon brandy
1 lb. 2 oz. soft mizithra or ricotta cheese (try half ricotta and ½ mascarpone)
1 tablespoon sugar, extra
1 heaped teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 C, gas 4). Butter and flour a 10 inch ovenproof round ceramic dish. Put the eggs and sugar into a bowl and beat using electric beaters until voluminous, creamy and thick. Beat in the flour. Add the honey, lemon juice and brandy, and tip in the mizithra. Whisk well until its thick, creamy and ribbony. Scrape into the baking dish and rock it to distribute evenly. Bake until a bit golden, about 30 minutes. Scatter the extra sugar and sieve the cinnamon over. Serve at room temperature or cover and refrigerate as it is also good cold.

Lemon Brownies

Lemon Brownies

71fd79811d18334b319a477a72420319¾ C flour
¾ C sugar
¼ t salt
½ cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon of Lemon juice
Zest from ½ of a lemon
Lemon Glaze:
½ C powdered sugar
1 T lemon juice
Zest from ½ lemon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8 inch pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy removal. In a large bowl or using a stand mixer, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Mix in the softened butter. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon juice and zest. Add to the large bowl and mix well. Pour into the 8×8 inch prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes. Remove and let cool. To make the glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest from the other half of the lemon. Pour over the top of the cooled lemon brownies.

Raspberry Ribbon Pie

Raspberry Ribbon Pie

b65ecb0ff2041d0535ad97de3e5c8e0a1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs (about 29 wafers)
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 package (3 ounces) raspberry gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash of salt
1 cup heavy whipping cream

In a small bowl, combine wafer crumbs and butter; press into bottom and sides of 9-in pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add the sugar, raspberries and lemon juice. Refrigerate until partially set, about 1-1/2 hours. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Add vanilla and salt. In another mixing bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into cream cheese mixture. Spread 3/4 cup over bottom of crust. Spread 3/4 cup raspberry mixture over the top; repeat layers. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

Lemon Bars with Rhubarb Topping

Lemon Bars with Rhubarb Topping

20638e16e3588b0a7fa8fee65e0cf97dCrust:

8 T. butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or pastry flour
2 large eggs

Filling:

8 T. butter, melted
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 T. cornmeal
2 T. cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
4 large eggs
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (2-3 large lemons)

Rhubarb Sauce:

2 pints strawberries
2 cups diced rhubarb (4-5 medium stalks)
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
3 T. cornstarch dissolved in 1/4 cup water
Few drops of red food coloring (0ptional)
Preheat the oven to 350. To make the crust: in a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream the butter until fluffy. Add the sugar, salt and vanilla and beat well. Stir in the flour and eggs, mixing until well blended. Lightly grease a 10 x 15 inch jelly roll pan. Press the dough into the pan. Prick the dough all over with a fork. Bake the crust for 8 minutes. To make the lemon filling: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, cornmeal, cornstarch, salt, eggs, and lemon juice. Spread over the crust. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 25-28 minutes, until the top is lightly browned on the top and edges. If you just want lemon bars, cool them completely and dust with confectioners sugar before cutting into squares.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Topping: To make the glaze, rinse the strawberries and rhubarb. Dice about 1 cup of the strawberries. Place the rhubarb, diced strawberries, salt and 1/2 cup of the sugar in a small saucepan. Over low heat, stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. Add the remaining sugar and the cornstarch dissolved in the water, return the mixture to a boil, then remove it from the heat. Let the mixture cool slightly. Add a few drops of red food coloring, if desired. Dice the remaining berries and mix with the glaze, then spread over the filling.

Libby’s Pumpkin Cheesecake

Libby’s Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup butter

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 (15 ounce) can LIBBY’S 100% Pure Pumpkin

2/3 cup NESTLE® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 (16 ounce) container sour cream

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F. COMBINE graham cracker crumbs, butter and granulated sugar in medium bowl. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of ungreased 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes (do not allow to brown). Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. BEAT cream cheese, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs, pumpkin and evaporated milk. Add cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg; beat well. Pour into crust. BAKE for 55 to 60 minutes or until edge is set but center still moves slightly. COMBINE sour cream, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in small bowl; mix well. Spread over surface of warm cheesecake. Bake for 5 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Remove side of springform pan.

Pistachio & Lemon Bites

Pistachio & Lemon Bites

12 T. unsalted butter (1-1/2 sticks of butter), at room temperature

3 T. superfine sugar (also called fruit sugar)

1/2 C. pistachios (shelled and unsalted), chopped (not too finely)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2-1/4 C. all-purpose flour

1 T. finely grated lemon rind

icing sugar (for dusting)

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer (using the paddle attachment) and mix on high speed until very light and fluffy (5 minutes). Add the pistachios and vanilla extract and mix on high speed for an additional 2 minutes. Add the flour and lemon rind and mix on low speed until the dough begins to come together. Roll tablespoons of dough into balls and place on the baking sheets.  Bake for 15 minutes. The cookies should be lightly golden. If not, bake for a few minutes more. Remove from the oven and let sit for about 5 minutes before rolling in icing sugar.

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

Avocado Pound Cake

Avocado Pound Cake

3/4 C. all purpose flour

3/4 C. cake flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

 

1/2 C. unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 C. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 tsp. lemon zest

1/2 C. sour cream

2 ripe avocado, cubed

 

Preheat oven to 325F. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9x5x3 loaf pan. In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Set aside. In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar until pale and light in texture. Add vanilla, and one egg at a time, while still mixing. Beat in the avocado until batter is smooth. Mix in sour cream and lemon zest. Wih a spatula, gently fold in the dry ingredients, without overworking the batter. The batter will be slightly dry. Pour it into the prepared pan. Bake about 1 hour or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean, and top of cake is golden.

 

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

Mom’s Fruit Dip

Mom’s Fruit Dip

fruit dip1 Lg. Jar of Marshmallow Creme

16oz. Softened Cream Cheese

1 T. fresh Citrus Juice

2 tsp. finely grated (microplane) Citrus zest

Fruits suitable for dipping, cut into finger-sized sections

Soften cream cheese and beat slowly with mixer.  Add marshmallow cream and blend fully. Stir in juice and zest if desired and serve with fruit pieces. I like lime juice/zest the best.  The tartness helps offset the sweetness of the dip.

Caramel Sauce

Caramel Sauce

1/2 C. Brown Sugar

1 T. Cornstarch

1/3 C. Light Cream

2 T. Light Corn Syrup

1 T. Butter

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

In heavy saucepan mix sugar and cornstarch.  Stir in 1/4 C. water.  Stir in cream and corn syrup.  Cook and stir until bubbly (it may even look curdled).  Cook and stir for 2 minutes more.  Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

Nonfat Chocolate Sauce

Nonfat Chocolate Sauce

1/2 C. skim milk

1 T. strong brewed coffee

1/2 tsp. cornstarch

1/4 C. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 C. brown sugar

 

In a small saucepan, combine the milk, coffee, and cornstarch and stir until the cornstarch dissolves. Stir in the cocoa and brown sugar and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and is no longer cloudy. Set aside to cool. Use when cool or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Blueberry Sauce

Blueberry Sauce

2 C. fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed, if frozen

1/4 C. orange juice

1/4 C. water

2 T. sugar

1 T. cornstarch

1/4 tsp. orange peel, grated

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

1 dash salt

 

Combine all ingredients in saucepan.  Cook and stir over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes or until thickened.

Arctic Oranges

Arctic Oranges

4 oranges

4 cups orange juice

4 cherries

 

Cut the tops off the oranges in a zigzag pattern. Hollow out the insides, remove the seeds and combine in a blender with the juice. Set the rinds in a muffin tin and fill with the mixture. Drop a cherry inside each orange. Freeze for 2 to 3 hours. Soften the treats for 5 minutes, then serve.

Blueberry Bread Pudding

Blueberry Bread Pudding

2 C. milk

1 C. sugar

1 C. heavy cream

4 large eggs

3 large egg yolks

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 C. fresh blueberries, cleaned and picked over

1/2 C. unsalted shelled pistachio, blanched and skinned (2 ounces without shell)

 

Preheat oven to 375°F. Place corn bread pieces in large bowl.  Whisk light & heavy cream, sugar, eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla and cinnamon in bowl till all incorporated together.  Poor egg mixture over bread.  Add blueberries and pistachios and toss to gently coat.  Transfer mixture to a Sprayed 10-inch baking pan, lines with parchment paper covering baking dish with foil.  Bake pudding 45 minutes.  Remove foil and bake until tester center comes out clean, about 35 minutes longer.  Remove bread pudding from oven and cool.  When cool, un-mold pudding by turning upside down on cutting board, remove parchment paper and cut bread pudding into designated shapes or squares.  Reheat and serve warm with whipped cream & blueberry coulis.

Fairy Bread

Fairy Bread


Bread slices (white bread is best)

Sprinkles

Butter or margarine

 

Take out white bread, cut off the crusts. Or, leave them on. The fairy bread looks and tastes better when you use white bread, but any kind is okay.  Spread some butter. Margarine can be used as a substitute but butter tastes better to many people.  Put sprinkles on top.  Cut the bread into different shapes. Triangles are traditional for fairy bread shapes.  Serve on a pretty plate. You can also substitute the butter for nutella. It gives it a lovely chocolate taste.

After Five Gourmet Blueberry Dessert

After Five Gourmet Blueberry Dessert

1 box white or yellow or strawberry cake mix

1 tsp. lemon zest and 1 tsp. lime zest

2 C. whipping cream

2 to 4 T. sugar, powdered sugar, or Splenda

Zest of 1 lime and 1 lemon

2 pints fresh or frozen blueberries

 

Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Stir the pistachios if using, lemon zest, and lime zest into the batter and bake as directed in a 9×13-inch pan. Allow cake to cool thoroughly. Cut cake in half and break up one half of the cake and place in bottom of a clear trifle bowl. Measure whipping cream and sugar into a medium bowl. Beat with an electric hand mixer on medium-high speed until mixture is slightly thick and fluffy (do not over-beat). Add the zest of lemon and lime and beat for 30 seconds. Spoon half of the whipped cream over the cake in bowl. Wash and dry blueberries. Spoon half of the blueberries on top of the cream in the bowl. Cut the second half of the cake to fit into the bowl, spoon remaining cream on top of cake and top with remaining blueberries. Note: Pistachios may be added to the cake batter or sprinkled over the first layer of blueberries in the bowl.

African Ginger Cakes

African Ginger Cakes

 

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 C. warm buttermilk

4 C. sifted flour

3/4 C. raw sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 T. ginger

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

3/4 C.  molasses

1/2 C.  butter

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

 

Preheat oven to 350° F. Dissolve baking powder in warm buttermilk. Sift all other dry ingredients together into a bowl; set aside. Mix molasses, butter, eggs and vanilla. Add molasses mixture into buttermilk mixture. Gradually blend in dry ingredients until dough has formed. Roll dough out onto a lightly flour-dusted surface to approximately 1/4 inch thickness and cut out cakes with a round cookie cutter or glass. Place the cakes on a greased baking sheet and bake 10 to 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

9” Hot Milk Sponge Cake

9” Hot Milk Sponge Cake

2 eggs

¼ tsp. salt

1 C. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

½ C. milk

1 T. butter

1 C. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat milk in a small pan until it just starts to boil. Add butter to milk, stirring until melted. Keep milk warm. Beat eggs until light in color; add sugar, salt, vanilla and continue beating until mixed. Add baking powder to flour and stir to distribute. Add flour and milk alternately to the egg mixture with mixer running. Begin and end with flour; add milk in a thin stream. Pour into a buttered 9” cake pan. Cook at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Leave in cake pan for 10 minutes and then turn out onto a cake rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. Often, simple is best, and this little cake certainly has passed the test of time. Served in the summer with fresh fruit or at other times with home made preserves or jams.

Oregon Snowball Cookies (PNW)

Oregon Snowball Cookies (PNW)

Oregon Snowball Cookies (PNW)

 

The classic Russian tea cake gets an Oregon twist with the addition of chopped fir needles and brandy. One of Portland’s first craft distilleries, Clear Creek Distillery, got its start back in 1985 and became famous for its pear-in-the-bottle eau de vie. Its Douglas Fir brandy, which I boil to reduce its alcohol content, adds a delicate, evocative evergreen note to these cookies. It’s almost more scent than taste, like a winter hike in cookie form. If you can’t get your hands on the brandy, see the Note below.

1/2 C. Clear Creek Distillery Douglas Fir Brandy or other brandy (see Note)

1 1/2 C. toasted hazelnuts

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 1/2 C. confectioners’ sugar, divided

2 tablespoons finely minced fresh fir tree needles (see Note)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

2 1/2 C. all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

 

Heat the oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the brandy to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until reduced by half, to V4 cup. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. In a food processor or by hand, finely chop the hazelnuts. Set aside. In a food processor or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, process or beat the butter, 1/2 C. confectioners’ sugar, and minced fir needles until light and fluffy. Add the cooled brandy, vanilla extract, and salt and pulse or mix to combine. Add the flour and nuts and pulse or mix until fully incorporated. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and arrange on the baking sheets (place them about 1 inch apart; they don’t spread). Bake until just barely beginning to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Allow cookies to cool slightly and then roll them in the remaining confectioners’ sugar. When completely cool, roll again. Serve or store in an airtight container. Note : I happen to have a true fir tree in my backyard, but if you don’t, look around the neighborhood or go for a walk. Just don’t use your Christmas tree, unless you know for certain it hasn’t been sprayed. If you use Douglas fir needles, keep in mind that they’re more potent. Note: For a brandv-free variation, in a food processor, process ¥2 C. granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons chopped fir needles until the needles are reduced to fine particles and blended into the sugar. Roll the baked cookies in the sugar while still slightly warm. When completely cool, roll in the confectioners’ sugar.

Peppermint Bark

Peppermint Bark

Peppermint Bark

The setting time for the bark varies greatly according to the temperature of your home. Although we preferred the texture of the bark set at room temperature, you can set bark in the refrigerator if necessary.

 

Line a 12- by 15-inch baking sheet with cooking parchment; butter parchment. Chop 2 pounds bittersweet  or milk chocolate and place with 1 tablespoon solid vegetable shortening in a heatproof bowl that will nest in a 3- to 4-quart pan. Heat 1 inch of water in the pan just until steaming. Remove from heat and place bowl over water (bowl shouldn’t touch water). Stir occasionally just until mixture is melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over pan. Meanwhile, place 2 pounds peppermint candy in a heavy zip-lock plastic bag; pound with a mallet or rolling pin to crush. Transfer 1 1/4 cups crushed peppermint to a fine strainer; hold over melted chocolate and knock side to sift fine dust into chocolate. Reserve candy in strainer. Stir remaining unsifted peppermint into chocolate mixture. Using a flexible spatula, scrape onto parchment and spread 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick (mixture should almost cover sheet). Sprinkle with reserved peppermint from strainer; gently press into chocolate. Let stand at cool room temperature until completely firm, 4 to 6 hours, or overnight. Break or cut bark into pieces. Store airtight in a cool place up to 1 month.

5-Minute Grapes in Honey-Lemon Sauce

5-Minute Grapes in Honey-Lemon Sauce

5-Minute Grapes in Honey-Lemon Sauce

1/4 C. green grapes

3/4 C. red grapes

2 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. lemon zest

2 T. honey

Optional: sliced almonds

 

Remove grapes from stem and place in two dessert dishes.  Mix honey with lemon juice and lemon zest in a small bowl.  Spoon over the grapes and serve.

Cinnamon Sugar Chex Mix

Cinnamon Sugar Chex Mix

Cinnamon Sugar Chex Mix

 

2/3 C. sugar (white, granulated)

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

9 C. Chex Cereal

1/2 C. salted butter

1 C. packed brown sugar

1/4 C. corn syrup

1/4 tsp. baking soda

 

Preheat oven to 350. Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment, and spray with nonstick baking spray, or brush/rub with butter. Combine white sugar & cinnamon in a small bowl, and set aside. Pour cereal into a large, heat-safe bowl, and set aside. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup until the mixture comes to a boil, and let boil for one minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, and stir in baking soda. Pour hot butter/sugar/soda mixture over cereal and stir until cereal is coated. Spread cereal on prepared baking sheet & sprinkle evenly with cinnamon/sugar mixture

Place into hot oven and bake for about 5 minutes, then flip and bake for 3 more minutes, until cereal turns golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely, then break up and store in an airtight container