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Tag: Sweet Stuff

Applesauce on a Stick

Applesauce on a Stick

1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice

3 medium apples unpeeled cored and cut up

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup dark raisins

1 tablespoon sugar or to taste

Popsicle sticks

 

Process apples, juice, cinnamon and raisins in blender or food processor until smooth; add sugar to taste. It will taste less sweet when frozen. Spoon into 3-4 ounce paper or plastic cups or frozen sucker molds. Place in freezer. When partially frozen, insert a stick in each cup and finish freezing.

 

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Sautéed Blueberries with Lavender Essence and Whipped Cream

Sautéed Blueberries with Lavender Essence and Whipped Cream

Sautéed Blueberries with Lavender Essence and Whipped Cream

 

1 tablespoon fresh or dried lavender flowers

¼ cup boiling water

3 cups fresh blueberries

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 1/4 tablespoons raw honey

1 cup heavy cream

 

Put the lavender flowers in a teapot or jar and pour the boiling water over them. Cover with a lid and let steep for 10 minutes, then strain into a saucepan. Â Add the blueberries, butter, and honey to taste to the lavender infusion. Heat over medium heat until the berries soften and release their juices, 5 to 6 minutes. While the berries are cooking, whip the cream until it forms soft peaks. Serve the berries hot, in bowls, with generous dollops of the whipped cream.

 

Adorable Pig Sugar Cookies

Adorable Pig Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter, softened

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Pink Powdered Sugar Frosting

Pink Fondant

Small Tube of Black Icing

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.  Frost with pink icing; decorate with fondant snout and ears.  Finish by adding eyes, nostrils, and mouth with black tube icing.

 

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kid, dessert, sweets, cookies, baking

Instant Pot Lemon-Poppyseed Breakfast Cake

Instant Pot Lemon-Poppyseed Breakfast Cake

Instant Pot Lemon-Poppyseed Breakfast Cake

¾ cup flour

2/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon lemon zest (I did zest from 1 lemon)

¼ cup lemon juice (about 1 full lemon)

½ teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 large egg

1/3 cup sour cream

4 tablespoons butter melted

1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Lemon Glaze

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

 

Spray your instant pot cake pan with cooking spray, and line with parchment paper on the bottom.

In a bowl Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder in a bowl and set aside. Now in a new bowl you will add in your butter, sugar, lemon juice, zest, sour cream, and egg. Whip the lemon cake batter until creamy.

Then add dry ingredients to your wet ingredients stirring with a whisk. Pour your cake batter into your cake pan, and then place it in the rubber sling. Add ½ cup water into pressure cooker. Then place your cake into the Instant Pot. Place Instant Pot lid on, and make sure the valve is sealed. You will then cook high pressure 25 minutes. Then allow it to natural release for 15 minutes, and then release any leftover pressure and remove cake. I placed the lemon poppy seed cake on a cooling rack to cool. Now you will mix the 1 cup of powdered sugar in a bowl and slowly add in a little lemon juice at a time. You might not use it all. You want it to be a thicker glaze. When lemon cake is cooled, pour the glaze over the top. Store leftovers in fridge for 3-5 days.

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

1 and 1/2 C. (190 grams) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cream of tartar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 C. (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened

1/2 C. (100 grams) granulated sugar

1/4 C. (50 grams) brown sugar

1 egg yolk room temperature

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 C. (60 grams) pumpkin puree

For the cinnamon sugar coating:

2 T. (25 grams) granulated sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

 

In a medium-sized mixing bowl whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt until well combined. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for about 1-2 minutes or until well combined. Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract, then mix in the pumpkin puree, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Cover tightly and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside. Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator. Using a 2 T. cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave a little room between each one. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the 2 T. of sugar and 1 tsp. ground cinnamon for the coating. Roll each ball of cookie dough in the cinnamon sugar coating and place back on the baking sheets. Bake in separate batches at 350°F for 10-13 minutes or until the cookies are set. Make sure to refrigerate the other batch of cookie dough while the first batch is baking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Lemon Lime Layer Cake

Lemon Lime Layer Cake

Lemon Lime Layer Cake

1 C. unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pans (2 sticks=1 C.)

2 1/2 C. all-purpose flour spooned and leveled, plus more for pans

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 T. lemon zest

1 1/2 C. sugar

2 large eggs plus 3 large egg yolks

1/4 C. fresh lemon juice

1 C. low-fat buttermilk

Lime Buttercream

7-8 C. confectioners’ sugar

2 limes juiced

6 T. lime zest

1 C. butter softened to room temperature

8-10 T. milk

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour two 8-by-2-inch cake pans. Make sure to tap out the excess flour. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest. In a large bowl mixing bowl and using an electric mixer, or use your KitchenAid mixer like me, cream together butter and 1 1/2 C. sugar until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed to low and add in eggs and yolks, one at a time. Mix in lemon juice. Alternate adding in flour mixture and buttermilk beginning and ending with flour. Mix until well combined. Pour ½ of the batter into one pan and add the remaining to the second pan. Place in oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until cake starts to pull away from the sides of the pan. Once cakes are completely cooked remove from the oven and cool. Allow the pans to cool for 10 minutes on a cake rack, then remove cakes from the pans and place back on cake rack, allowing them to completely cool.  While the cakes are cooling, make lime buttercream. In a large bowl, cream together the confectioners’ sugar and butter until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk, lime zest and juice with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Color with food coloring if desired.

2 Layer Cake – Evenly spread the filling on top of the bottom layer, then add the second cake on top. Frost and garnish with zest if desired. Enjoy!

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

 

3/4 C. butter room temperature

2/3 C. granulated sugar

2/3 C. brown sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/2 C. 100% pumpkin puree

2 large eggs

2 1/4 C. AP flour

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

 

4 T. unsalted butter room temperature

6 oz. cream cheese room temperature

2 1/2 – 3 C. powdered sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. salt

 

Preheat oven to 375F. Line 2 or 3 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon baking mat, set aside. This would also be a great time to brown the butter and place it in the fridge! See first step in frosting below.  In the bowl or a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla on medium speed until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add pumpkin and eggs and mix on medium speed until combined.  In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually add to wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.  Drop heaping T. of dough onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes, until the edges are set and the top springs back when touched. Transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.

 

Place the butter in a light-colored skillet or saucepan and melt over medium heat, stirring occasionally. The butter will start to foam and turn a golden brown color with a nutty aroma. You’ll notice brown specks after about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a heat-proof bowl. Place in refrigerator until solid. Remove butter and let it warm up slightly. Place in the bowl of a standing mixer (or a mixing bowl and use a hand mixer) and beat on medium-high speed until creamy. Add cream cheese and continue mixing on medium-high until combined. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract and salt. Mix on low until powdered sugar is incorporated, then turn the speed up to high and beat for 1 – 2 minutes. Spread onto cooled cookies and enjoy!

Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread

Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread

Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread

8 ounces cream cheese

1/2 C. (or more) caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)

1/2 C. (or more) toffee bits

sliced apples, pears, pretzels for serving (at least 4-5 apples)

 

Place cream cheese on a serving dish. If you’d like, shape into a round and indent in the center to hold more caramel. Pour as much caramel sauce as you want evenly over cream cheese. Sprinkle with a generous helping of toffee bits. Serve with sliced apples, pears, or pretzels.

Sugar Cookie Bars

Sugar Cookie Bars

Sugar Cookie Bars

 

1 1/2 C. butter, softened to room temperature

2 C. sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. almond extract

5 C. flour

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

 

8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1/2 C. butter, softened to room temperature

5 C. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. almond extract

dash of salt

Food coloring (optional)

2-3 tsp. milk if needed

 

Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Beat till well blended. Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a small bowl. Add to the wet ingredients and stir till well combined. Press into a 17″ x 12″ rimmed baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until barely light brown. Cool completely, then frost. Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter in a large bowl till smooth. Add powdered sugar, extracts, salt, and food coloring. Beat till smooth and creamy, adding milk as needed. Top with sprinkles if desired.

Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Maraschino Cherry Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

3/4 C. maraschino cherries, finely chopped (about half of a 16oz jar)

3/4 C. soft butter

1 C. sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. almond extract

2 1/2 C. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking powder

 

4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1/4 C. butter, softened

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. almond extract

dash of salt

2 1/2 – 3 C. powdered sugar

 

For bars: Drain cherries well. Chop and set aside. Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Add flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir till combined. Fold in the cherries. Press dough into a well-greased 9×13″ pan. (I like to line mine with foil first.) Bake at 350° for about 20 minutes or till very lightly brown on the edges. Cool bars completely, then frost with cream cheese frosting. Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter till smooth and creamy. Beat in vanilla, almond extract, salt, and enough powdered sugar to make a spreadable frosting. Spread on bars

Mango & Lime Pops

Mango & Lime Pops

Mango & Lime Pops

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

2 small ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and cut into chunks

1/2 cup lime juice (from about 4 limes)

1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Pinch of kosher salt

 

Make a simple syrup by combining the sugar and water in a small saucepan and warming over medium heat just until the sugar dissolves. Cool completely. Combine the syrup, mangoes, lime juice, cayenne pepper, and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend well, pour into molds, and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight. Freeze up to 3 months. Store in the molds or release, wrap well in waxed paper, and store in a marked sealable plastic bag.

Honey-Baked Rhubarb

Honey-Baked Rhubarb

Honey-Baked Rhubarb

Try it on French toast or perfect pancakes, or spooned on to your customized muesli or thick yogurt. Alternatively, serve with vanilla ice cream for a pretty dessert.

 

2 lb. rhubarb, cut into 2-4 inch lengths

Juice and finely grated zest of 1 orange

¼ C.  T. runny honey

 

Put the rhubarb in an ovenproof dish large enough to hold it in a single layer, then scatter over the orange zest and pour in the juice. Trickle over the honey and gently mix the whole lot together. Cover loosely with foil and bake in an oven preheated to 150°C/Gas Mark 2 for 45 minutes–1 hour, until the rhubarb is tender, giving it a gentle stir halfway through. The pieces of rhubarb should keep their shape rather than cook to a mush. Leave to cool before serving. Sealed in a container, with the syrupy juices from the tray, this can be kept for a week or so in the fridge.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Lemongrass Ginger Syrup

Lemongrass Ginger Syrup

Lemongrass Ginger Syrup

Great way to make use / preserve ginger. Use for marinades, to sweeten tea or other beverages, or mix with sparkling water and lemon juice for a homemade ginger ale.

570 grams fresh ginger

3 stalks lemongrass

2 C. water

6 C. granulated sugar

 

Thoroughly wash the ginger. You don’t need to peel it, but break off any hanging pieces as dirt sometimes gets trapped between nodes. Roughly chop the ginger and lemongrass and add it to a food processor along with the lemongrass and 2 C. of water. Process until the mixture is pureed, scraping down the sides a few times with a spatula. Line a 2 C. liquid measuring C. with multiple layers of cheese cloth, or a single layer of fine-mesh muslin and scoop the ginger mixture onto the cheese cloth; you’ll probably need to do this in batches. Gather up the edges of the cloth and twist the edges towards the bulge of ginger to wring out as much liquid as you can. Discard the pulp and repeat until you’ve squeezed out all the ginger juice. You should now have 4 C. of liquid. If you don’t have 4 C., the ginger you used may have not been fresh, but just add water to make 4 C.. Add the ginger juice to a large pot along with 6 C. of sugar. Heat the mixture over medium heat to a full simmer. It has a tendency to boil over, so keep a constant eye on it and lower the temperature if it looks like it’s going to boil over. The impurities that made the juice cloudy will float to the top as foam, so use a fine mesh skimmer or spoon to remove the foam from the syrup and discard. After the foam stops forming and the syrup is clear, your ginger syrup is done. You can pour the hot syrup into sterilized glass bottles, or let it cool and transfer it to a suitable container. Stored in the fridge it will last for 6 months.

Berry-Cardamon Topping

Berry-Cardamon Topping

 

1 and 1/2 pint raspberries

1 and 1/2 pint blackberries

1/4 C. sugar

1/2 tsp. ground cardamom

 

Combine raspberries, blackberries, sugar and ground cardamom in a medium bowl. Mix together gently. Let mixture stand until berries are juicy, stirring occasionally, at least 30 minutes. Set aside until ready to serve.

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.

Creamy Caramel-Peanut Butter Dip

Creamy Caramel-Peanut Butter Dip

 

25 KRAFT Caramels (1/2 of 14-oz. bag)

1/4 C. milk

2 T.. peanut butter

3 red or green apples, each cut into 8 slices

1/2 C. PLANTERS Dry Roasted Peanuts, chopped

 

Place caramels, milk and peanut butter in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 2-1/2 to 3 min. or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after each min. Serve warm as a dip with the apple slices. Sprinkle dipped apples with peanuts.

Eggnog Pumpkin Pie

Eggnog Pumpkin Pie

1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin

1 1/4 C. eggnog

2/3 C. sugar

3 eggs

1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/4 tsp. salt

1 (9 inch) unbaked pastry shells

 

In a large bowl combine the pumpkin, eggnog, sugar, eggs, spices and salt. Mix well. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake at 375 degrees for 60 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean—mine took about 70 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate until serving.

Lemon Black Eyed Susans

Lemon Black Eyed Susans

1 C. butter, softened

1/2 C. white sugar

1/2 C. brown sugar

1 egg

1 T. lemon juice

1 T. finely grated lemon rind

2 1/2 C. all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

8 ounces chocolate kisses

Preheat oven to 350 F. Cream butter and gradually beat in sugars until very smooth and whipped. Add egg, lemon juice and rind. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Add half the flour mixture, beat until smooth, and then add the rest.  Fill cookie press and use flower press (No. 10). Or, form cookies by dropping 1 T. dough onto ungreased cookie sheet. Place 1 chocolate kiss in center. Bake 9-10 minutes.

Blood Orange Thyme Upside Down Cake

Blood Orange Thyme Upside Down Cake

Blood Orange Thyme Upside Down Cake

4-5 blood oranges

3/4 cup (6 oz, weight) butter, softened and divided

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup whole milk

Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Grate 1 T. of zest from oranges. Cut off tops and bottom of oranges. Carefully cut off rinds and pith of oranges from top to bottom, following curve of orange. Thinly slice oranges and remove any seeds. Set aside. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a 9-inch round or 9×9-inch square baking pan in oven until melted. Carefully remove from oven. Whisk brown sugar into melted butter until combined. Place back in oven for 3 minutes. Remove from oven and whisk slightly to blend; spread evenly across bottom of pan. Arrange blood orange slices evenly over top of butter/sugar. Reserve any extra slices for garnish. Set aside. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a separate mixing bowl beat together remaining 1/2 cup softened butter, granulated sugar, orange zest, thyme and ground ginger until slightly lightened in color, about 3 minutes. Scrape down bowl as needed. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla extract until smooth. Alternate adding in flour/baking powder mixture and milk, mixing until just combined. Scraping down bowl as needed. Carefully spoon batter over blood orange slices in baking pan and gently spread evenly. Bake at 350-degrees F until wooden pick or cake tester comes out clean, about 35-45 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes then invert onto serving plate. Scrape out any remaining syrup from pan and drizzle over cake. Serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Torta di Fichi e Pesche, or Fig and Peach Cake

Torta di Fichi e Pesche, or Fig and Peach Cake

Torta di Fichi e Pesche, or Fig and Peach Cake

 

12 fresh figs

6 large peaches

Flour

1/2 C. butter

2 T. sugar

5 egg yolks and 4 whites

A shot of rum

8 palmiers (French pastry cookies) or 16 ladyfingers, crumbled

6 Amaretti cookies, ground

Pinch of salt

Butter and flour for prepping baking dish

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 275 F.

Butter and flour a fairly deep 9 or 10-inch baking dish.

 

Trim stems from figs and cut into halves. Peel and slice peaches. Sauté figs in butter and drain them on absorbent paper. Hold aside. Dust peach slices with sugar and sauté them briefly, too. Next, whip the eggs in a large bowl, then fold in peach slices and all other ingredients except figs. Pour the batter into the pan and push figs into it, cut side up. Bake for two or so hours, until set. Serve cake warm or room temperature with crème Anglaise.

 

Crème Anglaise

 

2 C. whipping cream

1 C. sugar

2 T. all-purpose flour

1/2 C. butter

1 T. vanilla extract

 

Stir first 3 ingredients together in a saucepan. Add butter and stir constantly over medium heat until butter is melted. When mixture begins to boil, cook for 3 more minutes , stirring constantly, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Cherry Clafouti

Cherry Clafouti

Cherry Clafouti

 

3 ½ C. Sweet Cherries, pitted

¼ C. Kirsh

¾ C. Wondra Flour

½ C. Granulated Sugar

4 large Eggs

1 large Egg Yolk

1 C. Milk

1 C. Heavy Cream

2 tsp. Vanilla

Powdered Sugar, for dusting

 

Preheat oven to 375.  Lightly butter a 13 x 9 baking dish.  Place cherries in bowl and add liqueur; let soak 15 minutes.  Drain cherries and spread into baking dish.  In small bowl, mix flour and sugar.  In large bowl whisk eggs with yolk, then whisk in milk and cream.  Add flour mixture to liquid and beat well to combine.  Add vanilla, stir, and pour evenly over cherries.  Bake until slightly puffy and browned, about 35 minutes.  Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.  Best eaten within a few hours of making; refrigerating toughens the dessert.

 

From Crowd Pleasing Potlucks

Valentine Cookie Pops

Valentine Cookie Pops

 

1 package (18 oz) Pillsbury® Ready To Bake!™ refrigerated sugar cookies

20 flat wooden sticks with round ends

1 1/4 C. vanilla creamy ready-to-spread frosting (from 1-lb container)

 Assorted small candies, or candy decors or nonpareils, if desired

10 yards red curling ribbon

 

Heat oven to 350°F. On ungreased cookie sheets, place cookie dough pieces 2 inches apart. Into side of each piece of dough, insert wooden stick 1 inch, overlapping wooden sticks as necessary.  Bake 12 to 16 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely, about 10 minutes.  Spread frosting on one side of each cookie; decorate with candies. Tie 18 inches of red ribbon into bow around each stick next to cookie.

 

Gelatin Boats

Gelatin Boats

Gelatin Boats

2 large oranges (halved)

4 oz. of packaged fruit gelatin (strawberry, orange, lime, etc.)

1 small mandarin orange segments (optional)

1 pint of fresh raspberries (optional)

8 small waxed paper triangles

8 party toothpicks

 

Squeeze the juice from the oranges (keep it to drink) without breaking the skin. Carefully scrap out the membrane and discard.     Make gelatin according to package directions, reducing the amount of water specified by a quarter if using fruit. Divide the fruit, if using b/w the orange halves, then fill with gelatin and refrigerate until set.     Take a wet knife and cut each orange half in half again. Thread a toothpick down the center of each waxed paper triangle, then set it in the gelatin

 

From First Meals

Lemony Lemon Brownies

Lemony Lemon Brownies

Lemony Lemon Brownies

The “Brownie” Batter

3/4 cup all-purpose flour {King Arthur All-Purpose Flour}

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt {Sea Salt}

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

 

Tart Lemon Glaze

1 rounded cup powdered sugar

4 tablespoon lemon juice

8 teaspoons lemon zest

 

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease/Spray an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with butter/cooking spray and set aside.

 

Zest and juice two small/large lemons; set aside. {whatever you have}

 

In the bowl of an electric mixture fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the flour, sugar, salt, and softened butter until combined.

 

In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice until combined. Pour into the flour mixture and beat at medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.

 

Pour into baking dish and bake for 23-25 minutes, or until just starting to turn golden around the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before glazing. Do not overbake, or the bars will be dry. {even with the yummy glaze}

 

When brownies are cooled completely, make the glaze…sift the powdered sugar, add lemon zest and juice, and whisk together all three ingredients. Spread 1/2 the glaze over the brownies with a rubber spatula. Let glaze set. Spread the remaining glaze over the bars, and let it set. This glaze does not harden like most. Cut into bars, and serve!
Brown Butter Pear Tart with Anise Seeds

Brown Butter Pear Tart with Anise Seeds

Brown Butter Pear Tart with Anise SeedsPastry:

1 3/4 C. flour

1/3 C. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

10 T. (5 ounces) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1/4-inch slices

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla

 

Filling:

4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 large eggs

2/3 C. sugar

1/3 C. flour

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. anise seeds

4 firm, ripe Bartlett pears, about 5 ounces each

 

1/3 C. strained apricot jam

 

For the pastry: Put the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor bowl. Process just to blend ingredients. Scatter butter slices over the flour mixture, and process with on/off bursts until the mixture has the consistency of cornmeal. Whisk egg and vanilla in a small bowl. With the motor on, pour the egg mixture down the feed tube. Process just until the ingredients form a ball. (At this point, the dough may be stored, wrapped in plastic, in the refrigerator up to 3 days or frozen up to two weeks.) Adjust the rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°. On a lightly floured work surface roll the dough to a 13-inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Lift the dough onto the rolling pin and transfer it to an 11-inch ungreased tart pan with a removable bottom. Fit dough into pan; roll pin over pan to trim dough even with the top of the pan. Set aside while finishing the tart. Any excess dough may be used to form small tartlets. (The unbaked tart shell may be refrigerated in its pan, securely covered with plastic wrap, up to 3 days or frozen up to one week.) Bring dough to room temperature before baking. Prick the dough a few times on the bottom. (No need to weight it with beans or rice.) Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until set, ivory-colored and no longer shiny on top. Check after 15 minutes of baking, and gently prick any area that puffs slightly. Remove to a wire rack to cool while preparing the filling. Increase oven temperature to 375°. For the filling: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat until the milk solids in the butter turn brown (not black), about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and pour into a small bowl to cool, about 15 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs. Whisk in the sugar, then the flour, vanilla and anise seeds. Gradually whisk in the cooled brown butter. Set aside while preparing the pears. Peel, halve and core pears, then cut each pear half crosswise into 1/8-inch slices, without cutting though all the way. With your fingertips gently press down on the slices to fan them. To assemble: Pour about three-quarters of the filling into the partially baked shell. Use a metal spatula to help transfer each sliced pear to the pastry shell so that the pear’s wider portion rests close to the outer edge of the pastry while the narrow portion points toward the center. Depending on the width of the pears you might have one pear half that doesn’t fit. (A snack for the baker.) Carefully pour the remaining filling around the pears (not over them). The tart shell will be filled to almost the top of crust. Though it puffs during baking without overflowing, place it on a baking sheet for security. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until both the filling and crust are golden. As the tart bakes, the pears release their juices, which accumulate a bit on top in the center of the tart. The edges of the tart will appear quite brown toward the end of baking; however, the pastry underneath the filling is pale gold. Remove the tart to a wire rack. Cool for 15 minutes before removing the metal tart ring. If any filling baked onto the rim of the tart, gently poke the tip of a toothpick or small knife around the stuck portion of dough to free it from the pan. Set the tart on a serving plate and gently brush warm apricot jam lightly over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

Chocolate Malt Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate Malt Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate Malt Shortbread Cookies

 

113 g Unsalted butter ½ cup, room temperature

60 g Powdered sugar ½ cup, sifted

½ tsp Sea salt

½ tsp Vanilla

28 g Malted milk powder 4 tbsp

125 g AP Flour 1 cup

60 g Chopped milk chocolate

 

Have a sheet of parchment or plastic wrap about 12×12 laid out on your counter. In a medium bowl and hand mixer or the bowl of your stand mixer with paddle attached, beat your butter and powdered sugar together until creamy and smooth. Add in your salt, vanilla and malted milk powder and mix thoroughly. Add in your flour. If using a mixer, mix on low until flour is incorporated and crumbly. Add your chopped chocolate and mix into the dough with a rubber spatula until evenly dispersed. The dough will still look pretty crumbly but if you press it together it should stick. Using your hands, push the dough together with your hands until it becomes a a large ball or mass. Move the dough to your parchment or plastic wrap. Shape the dough into a log shape (round or square). There are no hard and fast rules on what size it needs to be but I generally end up with something about 6 inches long and 2 inches wide on both the other sides. Wrap in your plastic wrap or parchment after shaping. Place your cookie dough into the refrigerator for about 1 hour, but up to 24 hours is fine. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment. After your dough has chilled at least one hour, remove it from the refrigerator and wrapping then slice into slices that are about ¼” thick. Place your slices onto your cookie sheet giving them about 2-2½ inches space and place directly into the oven. Bake your cookies for 10-12 minutes. For softer cookies right around the 10 minute mark the cookies should be set and ready to come out. If you want crisper cookies, wait a few more minutes until the edges have started to brown. After the cookies have come out of the oven, I often use my spatula to fix any uneven spreading and reshape the cookies. Let sit on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling tray. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to a week. Enjoy!

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

1⁄2 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 teaspoon baking powder

1⁄8 teaspoon baking soda

1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour

1⁄2 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease light colored baking sheets with non stick cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Whip in vanilla, egg, lemon zest and juice. Scrape sides and mix again. Stir in all dry ingredients slowly until just combined, excluding the powdered sugar. Scrape sides of bowl and mix again briefly. Pour powdered sugar onto a large plate. Roll a heaping tsp. of dough into a ball and roll in powdered sugar. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until bottoms begin to barely brown and cookies look matte {not melty or shiny}. Remove from oven and cool cookies about 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. If using a non stick darker baking tray, reduce baking time by about 2 minutes.

Baked Mexican Bananas with Cinnamon

Baked Mexican Bananas with Cinnamon

3 bananas, quartered horizontally
1/2 tsp. grated orange zest
1/4 tsp. grated lime zest
1/2 C. fresh orange juice
1 tsp. fresh lime juice
1/4 C. raisins or currants
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a shallow baking dish just large enough to hold them, arrange the bananas in a single layer. In a small bowl, combine the zests, juices, currants, vanilla, and cinnamon and whisk to blend. Pour over the bananas and bake, uncovered, for about 20 minutes or until the bananas are lightly browned and bubbling. Use a spatula to put 3 banana pieces in the center of each plate and spoon the sauce from the dish over them.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 120
Fat: 6g
Fiber: 2.4g

Banana Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

Banana Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

1/3 cup 1% low-fat milk
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 large egg
2 cups (1/2-inch) cubed French bread (about 2 (1-ounce) slices)
Cooking spray
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 banana)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons fat-free caramel topping
Powdered sugar (optional)

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a small bowl, and stir with a whisk. Place 1/2 cup bread cubes into each of 2 (8-ounce) ramekins coated with cooking spray. Spoon 2 tablespoons milk mixture over each serving, and top with 1/4 cup banana. Sprinkle each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar. Repeat procedure with remaining bread and milk mixture. Chill 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until done. Spoon 1 tablespoon caramel sauce over each serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Yield: 2 servings
Calories: 297
Fat: 4.5g
Fiber: 2.3g

Cherry Sorbet

Cherry Sorbet

6 cups frozen pitted cherries
1/4 cup sugar
1 lemon, juiced

Combine sugar and cherries and refrigerate overnight. Place mixture into a blender and puree until smooth. Add lemon juice and pulse until combined. Pour mixture into ice cream machine and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions. (Would Splenda work?)

Yield: 6 servings
Calories 138
Fat 1.4 g
Fiber 3.4 g

Baked Sugar ‘n’ Spice Doughnuts

Baked Sugar ‘n’ Spice Doughnuts

Cooking spray
2 C. reduced-fat packaged biscuit mix
1 T. sugar
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 C. buttermilk
1/4 C. egg substitute
Red-fat biscuit mix or all-purpose flour
1 T. margarine or butter, melted
2 T. sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

Spray a baking sheet with nonstick coating; set aside. Combine the 2 C. biscuit mix, 1 T. sugar, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl. Combine the buttermilk and egg substitute in another bowl. Add all at once to dry ingredients; stir just till moistened. Knead dough on a board sprinkled with additional biscuit mix or all-purpose flour for 10 to 20 strokes. Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut with a floured 2 1/2-inch doughnut cutter. Remove the centers and reroll. Place doughnuts on prepared baking sheet. Bake in a 400º oven for 10-12 minutes. Combine the 2 T. sugar and the cinnamon. Brush tops of doughnuts very lightly with melted margarine or butter and dip tops in cinnamon mixture. Serve warm.

Yield: 9 doughnuts
Calories: 140
Fat: 3g
Fiber: 0g

Key Lime Icebox Cake

Key Lime Icebox Cake

Key Lime Icebox Cake

 

6 limes

4 cups (945g) heavy cream, cold

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Kosher salt

1 (14-ounce) box graham crackers (about 30 sheets)

½ cup (110g) sour cream

1 tablespoon granulated or powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Zest enough of the limes to have 3 tablespoons zest, then squeeze to have ²⁄³ cup juice. Reserve the remaining limes for garnish. In a large bowl, use a whisk or electric hand mixer to whip 2½ cups of the cream until slightly thickened and beginning to hold its shape. Add the lime juice and zest, then add the condensed milk and a pinch of salt. Continue whipping until the mixture forms soft peaks. Scrape any zest that has collected on the whisk and gently fold back into the beaten mixture. Line a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with a single layer of graham crackers. You may have to break them to fill the entire space. Spoon half the lime cream over the crackers (just eyeball it) and gently spread into an even layer. Top with another single layer of graham crackers, followed by the rest of the lime cream. Add a final layer of graham crackers (reserve any extra) and press down lightly. In the same bowl you used to make the filling, whip the remaining 1½ cups cream, the sour cream, sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until you have medium peaks. Gently spoon the whipped cream over the crackers and spread into an even, swoopy layer. Loosely tent the cake with aluminum foil, then refrigerate for at least 6 hours and up to 2 days. When ready to serve, crush any remaining graham crackers and sprinkle them around the top edge of the cake. Zest some of the remaining limes over the top, then slice the limes and garnish the cake with the slices.

Cider-Rhubarb Sauce

Cider-Rhubarb Sauce

1/2 C. thinly sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb, thawed
2 T. apple cider
1 T. sugar

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Yield: 1/4 C. (serving size: 1 T.)