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Showing posts with label Desserts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Desserts. Show all posts

10.01.2024

Revel Bars

Revel Bars

Filling:
1 Cup Chocolate Chips
1 - 14 oz Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Tbsp Butter
1/2 Tsp Vanilla

Crust:
1/2 Cup Butter, melted & cooled slightly
1 1/4 Cup Flour
1 Cup Brown Sugar, packed
1 1/2 Cup Oatmeal
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
Dash of Salt
1 Egg, slightly beaten
1 Tsp Vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  On stove top on low heat (or microwave in 30 second increments), melt filling ingredients until just combined and set aside.  In seperate bowl combine crust incredients until they pull together (may be slightly crumbly).  Press 2/3 of crust mixture evenly into bottom of 9x13 pan, pour chocolate filling on top and gently even out with spatula, and then crumble remaining crust over the top.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until top is just starting to brown.  Let cool before cutting.

Notes: Old fashioned or quick cooking oatmeal can be used.  I like old fashioned, blitzed in a food processor a couple time (to help break down, but don't turn it to flour).  Use whatever chocolate preferred - semi-sweet and milk both work splendid.  I love to cut these in little 1" squares and freeze with parchment paper between layers for later!

2.11.2019

Lemon Cheesecake Bars

You'll love these simple bars!  Lemon + cheesecake filling + sugar cookie crust = delish!

Enjoy!


Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Crust:
1 Cup Butter, softened
1 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp Vanilla
2 Cups Flour

Filling:
8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Lemon Zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a square baking pan with parchment paper or foil and spray with cooking spray (I like to use the non-stick foil which does not require anything additional).

In a medium mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar, and vanilla together until well combined and fluffy (approximately 2 minutes).  On low speed, slowly beat in 1/2 cup of flour at a time to butter mixture until dough just comes together.  Press half the dough into prepared pan and refrigerate remaining dough until ready to use. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until light golden brown.  Cool crust before continuing on to filling.

In another medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, juice, and zest until smooth and creamy.  Pour filling over cooled crust and crumble remaining dough from crust evenly on top.  Bake for 30 minutes or until top is a light golden brown.  Cool completely, then remove bars from pan by lifting up foil and setting on flat surface for cutting.

*Once cooled, top with more lemon zest if desired.


2.22.2018

Pumpkin Coffee Cake

It doesn't have to be fall to enjoy all things pumpkin - sometimes it can be the end of February!  I needed to bring something to share to a meeting this morning and I had this strong craving to make pumpkin coffee cake.  I looked at probably ten different recipes....all made in square pans (which I didn't think would be enough to share).  So, I set off to throw together my own cake!  In a twist of luck, I made this beauty of a coffee cake and it did NOT disappoint.  Moist, dense, delicious cake, with crumbly bits of streusel, and literally amazing maple "icing on the cake" to bring it all together!  I decided I better take a couple pictures and hop on my computer right away to type up the recipe before I forget what I threw together!  If you give it a try, let me know what you think!

Enjoy!



Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Maple Glaze

Cake:
3/4 Cup Butter, melted
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar, packed
1 - 15 oz Can Pumpkin Puree (1 1/2 Cups if using your own)
4 Eggs
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
3 Cups Flour
2 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp Salt
1 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
1 1/2 Tsp Ground Ginger
1 Tsp Allspice
Pinch of Nutmeg and Ground Cloves (about 1/8 tsp)

Streusel:
3/4 Cup Flour
3/4 Cup White Sugar
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar, packed
1 Tsp Cinnamon
6 Tbsp Butter, melted

Glaze:
2 Tbsp Butter
1 1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 Tsp Vanilla
2 Tbsp Maple Syrup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 9x13 pan with cooking spray or butter.  In large bowl, mix together butter, brown sugar, pumpkin, eggs, and sour cream until smooth.  Add flour, powder, soda, salt, and spices to wet ingredients - mix until just combined.

In separate bowl, mix together streusel dry ingredients with a fork, then add melted butter until a crumbly mixture forms.

Pour about half of the cake batter in pan, spread out with spatula best you can, and sprinkle half of the streusel over the batter.  Gently dollop and spread remaining batter on top (it's ok if it doesn't completely cover the first layer of batter and streusel), then sprinkle remaining streusel on top.

Bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean from center.

While cake is starting to cool, make glaze.  Melt butter in small saucepan.  Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and maple syrup and stir/whisk until smooth.  Add a but more syrup or milk if you need to thin it out more.  Drizzle over cake.

Serve warm with a cup of coffee!



2.02.2018

Cream Cheese Banana Bread

Can a person ever have too many recipes for banana bread?!  When I came across this recipe over at Mel's Kitchen Cafe, I knew I should give it a whirl!  This is a yummy dense banana bread with the perfect sweet note from the streusel topping!

Enjoy!



Cream Cheese Banana Bread

3/4 Cup Butter, softened
8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
2 Eggs
1 Tsp Vanilla
1 Cup Mashed Bananas (approx. 3 ripe bananas)
3 Cups Flour
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/8 Tsp Ground Nutmeg

Streusel:
1 Tbsp Butter
1 Tbsp Flour
1/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp Sugar
1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease two 8.5x4.5" loaf pans and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).  Mix in eggs, vanilla, and bananas.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined.

In a small bowl, use a fork or clean hands to mix together streusel ingredients.

Divide batter evenly among pans and sprinkle streusel on top.

Bake for 50-60 minutes until top is domed and toothpick comes out clean from the middle.  Let cool approximately 10 minutes before removing from pan to finish cooling on rack.


2.13.2017

Banana Cake with Browned Butter Icing

I have had this recipe pinned on Pinterest for a long time and finally was able to make it!  This is a great addition to any bundt cake lovers recipe collection!  Only thing I did differently from the original recipe was use my beloved browned butter icing recipe.

Enjoy!


Banana Cake with Browned Butter Icing

Cake:
3 Cups Flour
2 Tsp Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp Salt
3/4 Cups Butter, softened
2 Cups Sugar
2 Tsp Vanilla
2 Large Eggs
4 Bananas (the riper the better)
1 Cup Sour Cream (or plain Greek yogurt)

Icing:
1/4 Cup Butter
2 Cups Powdered Sugar, sifted
1 Tsp Vanilla
3 Tbsp Milk

Cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Generously butter and flour your bundt pan.  Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl - set aside.  In large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy, then add vanilla.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Slowly mix in bananas, then sour cream until well combined.  Gradually add in dry ingredients/flour until just combined.  Pour into prepared bundt pan and tap pan flat on the counter a few times to help batter settle.  Bake for 60-75 minutes until cake tester comes out clean.  Transfer to cooling rack for 20 minutes before inverting out of pan.

Icing:
Melt butter in small saucepan on stove until it turns a light brown color.  Whisk browned butter into powdered sugar and vanilla, then add milk until desired consistency.  I let mine cool a minute or so before pouring slowly over cake to help avoid it running off too quickly.

10.12.2016

Apple Bundt Cake with Caramel Glaze

A yummy and easy cake to whip together with your apple harvest in the fall!

Enjoy!


Apple Bundt Cake with Caramel Glaze

Cake
1 Cup White Sugar
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Cup Oil
1/2 Cup Applesauce (I used unsweetened - you can also substitute oil for this)
2 Tsp Vanilla
3 Eggs
3 Cups Flour
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Cinnamon
2 Medium Apples (peeled, cored, and chopped finely)

Glaze
1/2 Cup Butter
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tsp Milk (can substitute with Half/Half or Cream)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour bundt pan and set aside.

In large bowl, beat together sugars, oil, applesauce, vanilla, and eggs until light and fluffy.  Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon - stir into wet mixture until just blended.  Fold in apples and pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 1 hour up to 1 hour 20 minutes; until toothpick comes out clean from cake.  Allow to cool for about 20 minutes before inverting to finish cooling on wire rack.

While cake is cooling, make glaze by combining ingredients in small saucepan over medium heat.  Bring to boil, stirring to dissolve sugar, and remove from heat.  Let cool a minute or so before slowly pouring over warm cake (I put aluminum foil under the wire rack to catch drips for easier cleanup).

9.11.2013

Cookies 'n Cream Cupcakes

Mmm....mmmm....mmm!!  Yes, that's about all I can get out about these simple, YUMMY cupcakes!  Really, they are morsels of heaven in your mouth!  If you have ever loved cookies 'n cream anything (such as myself), make these!  You won't regret it!

These can be made in any pan size you wish, I just happened to be in a cupcake mood!  There will be quite a bit of frosting (perfect amount to frost a layered cake, but probably a bit extra with cupcakes) and if there's extra save it in the fridge for dipping graham crackers or whatever suits your fancy.  Not that I did that or anything...

Enjoy!



Cookies 'n Cream Cupcakes

1 White Cake Mix (I prefer Duncan Hines) + Ingredients Called for on Box
1 Package of Oreos
1 - 8 oz Package of Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
16 oz Powdered Sugar (approximately 3 3/4 Cups)
1/4 Tsp Vanilla
1 - 8 oz Container Cool Whip

Prepare cake according to instructions.  Crush 15 Oreos and fold into cake batter.  Bake according to instructions for pan size used.  Allow cake to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting: Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth, add vanilla and beat until combined.  Fold in cool whip together with cream cheese mixture.  Crush 15 oreos and fold into frosting.  Frost cake and serve!



*store cake in refrigerator

6.22.2013

Chocolate Chocolate Banana Bread

Before I became a stay-at-home-mom, I worked in a business office with it's own cafeteria.  The cafeteria used to make delicious, chocolate chocolate chip muffins people would vie for.  You often felt like you won the lotto if you made it to the cafeteria in the morning and one was left for you!  So, when I came across this recipe, I couldn't help but give it a try!!

This bread is a dense, chocolate, banana infused slice of yummy!  We couldn't get enough of it and the kids really enjoyed slathering on some leftover cream cheese frosting from some cupcakes we made earlier that day! 

This recipe makes 2 - 8x4" loaves, but can easily be split to make a single loaf.

Enjoy!


Chocolate Chocolate Banana Bread

2 Cups Sugar
4 Eggs
2/3 Cup Oil
2 1/2 Cups Mashed Banana (approximately 5-6 bananas)
2 Tsp Vanilla
3 Cups Flour
1 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa
2 Tsp Baking Soda
1 Tsp Salt
2 Cups ((12 oz bag) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray bottoms of loaf pans.  In medium bowl, combine sugar, eggs, and oil - beat on medium speed until combined.  Slowly beat in mashed banana and vanilla.  In a separate bowl mix together (I use a wire whisk) flour, cocoa, soda, and salt.  On medium speed, beat in flour mixture with banana mixture until just combined.  Stir in chocolate chips and then divide batter between pans.  Bake for 60-75 minutes - until a toothpick comes out clean from center.  Remove from oven, let cool in pan for 10 minutes.  Remove from pans and finish cooling on wire rack.

6.07.2013

Frog Eyed Salad

Summer seems to still be trying to decide if it should show up in our parts, but that hasn't stopped us from having a few picnics already - even if we have to wear pants and sweatshirts!  The name for this salad might mess with a few peoples heads, but it shouldn't deter you from giving it a try!  I've made this fluffy, yummy, fruit salad for years and it's always a hit at picnics, pot-lucks, etc!

Enjoy!


Frog Eyed Salad

1/2 lb Acini Di Pepe Noodles (I buy Creamette which comes in a 1 lb Box)
1 Egg
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Tbsp Flour
1/4 Tsp Salt
1 - 20 oz Can Crushed Pineapple, drained with juice reserved
1 - 14.5 oz Fruit Cocktail, drained
1 Cup Miniature Marshmallows (or more depending on preference)
1 Cup Heavy Cream
2 Tsp Sugar
1 Tsp Vanilla


Cook acini di pepe per package directions, drain, and set aside.  In a medium saucepan, beat egg until foamy with wire whisk.  Add sugar, flour, salt, and reserved pineapple juice - cook over low heat, stirring often, until thick and bubbly.  In large bowl, mix acini di pepe and egg mixture, cover, and chill thoroughly (at least a hour).  Once chilled, stir in pineapple, fruit cocktail, marshmallows.  In medium bowl, whip heavy cream until it starts to thicken, add sugar and vanilla, then continue to whip until peaks form.  Fold whipped cream into fruit/noodle mixture.  Cover, chill, and stir before serving (sometimes I put a few extra marshmallows or fruit on top for decoration).

9.26.2012

Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing

As soon as fall rolls in and I start looking through my recipes, I gravitate right towards anything with pumpkin in it!  I came across this recipe awhile back and was finally able to bake up a version in my kitchen.  So yummy and every bit of fall with the lovely mix of spices! I used frozen pumpkin puree I had on hand, but you could also use canned pumpkin puree.  I left my icing a little thicker and just spread it with a spatula the best I could.  If you want a little thinner and "drizzly" go for it!

Enjoy!


Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing

Cake:
3 Cups Flour
1 Tsp Baking Soda
2 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Salt
2 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Ginger
2 Tsp Nutmeg
1 Cup Butter, softened
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Brown Sugar
4 Eggs
1 Cup Milk
1 Cup Pumpkin Puree (put the whole 15oz can of pumpkin puree in, if it's what you have on hand)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour bundt pan, set aside.  In medium bowl, whisk together flour, soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg - set aside.  Cream together butter and sugars until fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time and then milk and pumpkin puree until well combined.  Slowly add in flour mixture - beat for 2 minutes.  Pour into prepared bundt pan and bake for 50-60 minutes (until cake tester comes out clean).  Let cool for 15 minutes before inverting.  Continue to cool another 10-20 minutes before icing.

Icing:
1/3 Cup Butter, softened
4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
1 Tsp Vanilla
1/4-1/3 Cup Milk, depending on preference

With a mixer, blend together butter and cream cheese until fluffy.  Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Slowly add in milk until icing is to desired consistency.  Pour/spread over you cake!


2.01.2012

Blueberry Cream Pie

The other day I stopped by a Trader Joe's store on my road trip home.  If you've never been to one, I highly suggest stopping at one.  We don't have one locally, so I love to stop and get some unique things for the pantry and freezer.  I sure wish they would get on the ball and build one closer to me!!

How does this bring me to blueberry pie?  Well, my husband LOVES blueberries - more specifically the wild variety that are small and tart (vs. the giant store bought monsters from California).  Trader Joe's just happens to have some awesome bags of frozen wild blueberries for sale!  My intention was to just make a standard blueberry pie, but then I started looking around on Pinterest where I had pinned this recipe and I decided to whip it up instead!  Let me tell you, this pie did NOT disappoint!  We weren't able to wait for it to completely cool and man was it good and even better as a cold slice out of the fridge the next day!

Pie.  It's what's for breakfast dessert!

I used a pre-made pie crust (from Trader Joe's), but your standard shortning crust recipe (right off the Crisco can) would work great for this pie!

Enjoy!


Blueberry Cream Pie

1 Pie Crust
1 egg + 1 Tbsp Cold Water

Filling:
3 Cups Blueberries
1 Cup Sugar
1/3 Cup Flour
2 Large Eggs, at room temperature
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1/2 Tsp Vanilla

Crumb Topping:
2 1/2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
2 Tbsp Sugar
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
Pinch of Nutmeg
1/4 Cup Unsalted Butter, melted
2/3 Cup Flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lay crust in 9" pie plate and crimp edges - place in refrigerator while making filling.  For the filling; mix together sugar and flour, add eggs one at a time, then add sour cream and vanilla - beating until smooth.  Take crust out of the fridge, spread blueberries in bottom and pour filling evenly over the top and set aside while making crumb topping.  In small bowl, mix together brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg with a fork - add melted butter until mixed and then add flour, stirring until crumbly.  With fingers, crumble topping over blueberries and filling.  Whisk together 1 egg and 1 Tbsp cold water, then brush over exposed edge of pie crust.  Bake for 50-55 minutes.  Let cool before slicing and serving!

Tip:  If using frozen blueberries, let thaw completely before using.  I set mine on top of a few folded paper towels in a bowl to soak up some of the extra juice before using. 

1.16.2012

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

Oh man, this cake is dense and wonderful!  If you crave peanut butter and chocolate as much as I do, you better run and make this one!  We've nicknamed this one the "two glass of milk" cake because you're going to need a big 'ol jug of milk to go with it (or a nice cup of coffee)!

As you can tell by the puddle around the cake, I got a little carried away with the glaze.  Who doesn't love glaze though?!  I also was a little impatient and didn't let the cake cool, but man it was worth eating it warm!

Enjoy!


Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

Cake:
3 Cups Flour
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Salt
1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter (do not use natural)
1/2 Cup Butter, softened
3 Cups Sugar
6 Large Eggs
2 Tsp Vanilla
1 1/2 Cups Chocolate Chips

Glaze:
1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1/4 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1/4 Cup Milk
1/2 Tsp Vanilla
1/4 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Butter and flour a 10" tube pan well (or use baking spray generously).  To prepare cake; in medium bowl, whisk or sift flour, baking powder, and salt - set aside.  In the bowl of your electric mixer cream peanut butter and butter, then add sugar and beat for 5 minutes.  Add eggs one at a time and vanilla - beating until well combined.  Add flour mixture a little at a time, until just combined.  Pour into prepared tube pan, then tap on counter gently to remove any air bubbles.  Bake for one hour, then check to make sure it's not browning too quickly (if it is, place some tin foil loosely over the top) and continue baking for another 20 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean from the center.  Remove from oven and let cool for 20 minutes, then flip and let finish cooling completely.

To make glaze; mix all ingredients with a whisk until smooth.  Slowly drizzle over cooled cake.  Then sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top.  Glaze will take a bit to set, but the process can be quickened by putting the cake in the fridge.


*Note: To make this truly sinful, try cutting up Reese's peanut butter cups instead of the chocolate chips!

9.24.2011

Banana Honey Oatmeal Bread

If a person eats an entire loaf of healthy banana bread, does that mean it's not healthy anymore?!  Because I could eat an entire loaf of this stuff!  I have a house full of monkeys and more often than not, do not have "left-over" bananas to bake with.  Fortunately this week, my monkeys left me a few to work with.  I ended up making this not-your-every-day healthy banana bread.  It is full of texture, flavor, ohh so moist, and not a single pinch of sugar added!

Enjoy!


Banana Honey Oatmeal Bread

1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 Cup All-Purpose Flour
1 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
1/4 Tsp Salt
3/4 Cup Oats
1 Cup Mashed Ripe Banana's (approximately 2-3)
2 Eggs
2/3 Cup Honey
1/3 Cup Sour Cream or Yogurt
1/4 Cup Milk
1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 Tsp Vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In medium bowl, mix together flours, baking powder, soda, and salt with whisk, then stir in oats.  In mixing bowl, beat remaining ingredients until well combined.  Add dry ingredients to the banana mixture until just combined.  Pour batter into greased loaf pan.  Bake for 50-60 minutes until toothpick comes out clean from center.  Cool for 15 minutes in pan before removing, then finish cooling on wire rack.

9.11.2011

Peaches 'n Cream Cake

What is better than warm cake with fruit and cream (cheese)?!  I came across this recipe awhile ago here and was finally able to whip it up.  Oh goodness, did we love this cake! From the cake layer, to the warm chunks of peaches, to the smooth cream cheese, and cinnamon/sugar crust on top - this did not disappoint!

Enjoy!


Peaches 'n Cream Cake

Cake:
1 1/2 Cups Flour
2 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Salt
3/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
1 Tbsp Cornstarch
1 Tsp Vanilla
2 Eggs
1 Cup Milk
6 Tbsp Butter, melted

Filling/Topping:
29 oz Canned or 1 Qt (home canned) jar or 3-4 Cups fresh Peaches
16 oz Cream Cheese, softened
1 Cup Granulated Sugar
6 Tbsp reserved Peach Juice
Cinnamon/Sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray/grease 9x13" baking pan and set aside.

In large bowl, sift/whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and cornstarch.  Make a well in the center and add wet ingredients.  Whisk together until well combined and pour batter evenly into pan.

Slice peaches into bite-sized pieces and evenly distribute across the top of the batter.

In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and reserved juice until smooth and creamy.  Dollop cream cheese mixture over the top of the batter and then spread with a spatula  the best you can (perfection is not necessary).  Sprinkle cinnamon/sugar generously across the top of the cream cheese mixture.

Bake for 50-60 minutes until the edges are puffed and golden.  The cream cheese with be slighly bubbled.  The cake is done when it no longer jiggles in the center.  This cake should be stored in the fridge, but it best eaten warm or room temperature (hope that makes sense).

6.08.2011

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

I love lemonade, especially strawberry lemonade!  So, when I came across this recipe, I just had to whip up a batch!  Let me tell you, these beauties are INCREDIBLE!!  The cake is so moist and yummy (and delicious right out of the oven warm).  I will NEVER pick up a box mix of strawberry cake mix again!  Then, with the simple lemon frosting topping them off, it's the perfect pairing!

Enjoy!!


Strawberry Cupcakes

1 White Cake Mix (I prefer Duncan Hines)
1 - 3oz Box Strawberry Jello mix
1 Cup Fresh Strawberries, mashed/pureed
1 Cup Oil
1/2 Cup Buttermilk
4 Eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In mixing bowl, stir together cake mix and jello powder until well combined.  Make well in center and pour in strawberries, oil, buttermilk, and eggs.  Mix on slow speed until just combined, scrap down the sides.  Then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes (this is important).  Pour batter (approximately 1/4-1/3 cup) into prepared cupcake pan (I use liners).  Bake for 15-20 minutes - until tooth pick comes out clean.  Put on wire rack to cool completely before frosting.


Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 Cup Crisco Shortening
1/2 Cup Butter, softened
1 - 8 oz Brick Cream Cheese
1 Tbsp Clear Vanilla Extract
2 lbs Powdered Sugar
1/2 Tsp Salt
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
2 Tbsp Lemon Curd (this can be made from scratch or purchased in a jar by the jams/jellies)
1-2 Drops Yellow Food Coloring
Milk, as desired

Cream shortening, butter, and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.  Add vanilla and beat until smooth.  Slowly add powdered sugar and salt (sifted together) to creamed mixture until well combined.  Add lemon juice, curd, and food coloring - mix well!  If frosting is too thick or sweet to your taste, add milk until desired consistency (I added approximately 1/4 cup milk).  Frost cooled cupcakes!

8.24.2010

Baked Apple Pudding

I grew up eating this dish at my grandparent's river home every summer.  They had several apple trees that we were always helping clean apples up from.  I'm pretty sure I'll never be able to pare apples as well or fast as my Grandpa could (he must have really liked this stuff)!

This could be named a few different things - crustless dutch apple pie, apple crisp, but I'm going to stick with my gram's original name of baked apple pudding! :)  This is pretty much a throw together dish, so I've done my best to get measurements close.  The recipe below is made in an 8"x8" pan (a 2 quart casserole dish could easily be used) - make a double batch for 9"x13".

Eat warm or cold, with ice cream, whipped cream, or my personal favorite, heavy cream (fat free of course!).

Enjoy!


Baked Apple Pudding

Apples
1 Cup Sugar, divided
Cinnamon
1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup + 2 Tbsp Butter, Chilled

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Fill baking dish (8x8) with apples.  Sprinkle with sugar (1/2 cup) and cinnamon, then dot with butter (2 tbsp, cut into dots).  In medium bowl, cut (with pastry blender, forks, or clean hands) flour, last 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup cold butter until crumbly (similar to pie crust).  Cover apples with topping mixture.  Bake for 45-60 minutes, until apples are tender when you test with fork.

7.28.2010

Chocolate Peanut Butter Birthday Goodness!

Today is my birthday and birthdays call for yummy treats!  I love peanut butter, I love chocolate, and when you put them together - bliss!


I made these beauties with this recipe - one box of mix gave me over 40 cupcakes!  I just use my ice-cream scoop (or Pampered Chef Large Scoop) for uniformly sized cupcakes.  Instead of chocolate chips, I took a bag of mini Reese's peanut butter cups and diced them up.  Before I folded the peanut butter cups in, I tossed them lightly in flour to keep them from sinking in the batter while baking.


I could probably eat the cupcakes just by themselves, but to take them to that next level I decided to top them off with some peanut butter frosting!  I made this frosting and then at the end added 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter.


Ohhh these are soo tasty!!  Enjoy!

6.05.2010

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Can we all say... "mmmmmmmmm!"

My rhubarb grows and grows and grows!  I'm always trying to use up its delicious goodness and this pie is one of the perfect ways.  I hope to get a few more rhubarb recipes up, but we'll see how busy the kids keep me around here! :)  This recipe makes 1 pie - serves 8 or maybe more if you share better than I do!

Enjoy!


Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Pie Crust:
1/2 Cup (1 Stick) VERY Cold Butter
1 Cup Flour
1/8 Cup Sugar
1/8 Tsp Salt
1/8 Cup Cold Water, plus additional Tbsp or so if needed

Filling:
2 3/4 Cups Rhubarb, Sliced (about 5-6 stalks)
2 Cups Sliced Strawberries
2/3 Cup Sugar
3 Tbsp Corn Starch

Streusel Topping:
1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Cold Butter

Crust: In a food processor or in a large bowl, if mixing the dough by hand, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Mix for a second or two to blend. Add the butter and, on low speed or by hand with two knives or a pastry cutter, work the mixture until it is crumbly and the largest pieces of butter are no bigger than a pea. The butter should remain cold and firm. If the butter is becoming too soft, refrigerate the mixture for a 10-15 before continuing. Once the butter/flour mixture resembles large coarse crumbs, on low speed or tossing with a fork, if mixing by hand, sprinkle the cold water evenly over the flour mixture, and mix just until it pulls together in a shaggy mass. Add a tablespoon of cold water additionally at a time if the dough isn’t pulling together well. The object isn’t to have a smooth, tight ball of dough – the dough should still have loose pieces of flour here and there but should just start coming together when the water is mixed in.  Dump the dough out onto a work surface. Using your hands, pull the dough together and gently press it into a large ball. It should start joining more cohesively and forming more of a dough-like consistency.  Using a lightly floured work surface, begin rolling from the center of the dough outward. Stop the pressure 1/4 inch from the edge of the dough. Lift the dough and turn by a quarter and repeat the rolling until the dough is at least 12 inches in diameter. The lifting and turning is important because this will let you know if the dough is sticking and if more flour is needed on your work surface.  Carefully fold the dough into quarters and place in the pie dish.  Ease the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the pie dish without stretching (if the dough is stretched to fit the pie plate, it will shrink while baking). Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, trim the excess dough around the edge of the pie plate so that there is still about 1/4 to 1/2-inch hanging over the edge of the pie plate. Fold this excess under the edge of the pie to form an extra thick edge on top of the pie plate rim. Flute the edges with your fingers. Cover the pie plate loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight before filling and baking.

Filling:  In a medium-large bowl, combine the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar and cornstarch. Mix well. The mixture should be thick and syrupy after being stirred well.  Pour the strawberry/rhubarb mixture in the crust, using a large spoon to fill evenly. 

Streusel:  In a small bowl, combine the flour and brown sugar. Cut the butter into pieces and using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in the butter to the flour/sugar mixture until it has the consistency of coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the top of the pie.


Place the pie on a rimmed baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 50-55 minutes, covering the pie crust edges halfway with foil to prevent over-browning.

Let the pie cool completely before cutting into pieces. Serve with a dollop of freshly whipped cream, if desired.

6.01.2010

"More Than Ordinary" Banana Bread

This is my "go-to" banana bread recipe.  When I look at my counter and see overly ripe banana's - I either make these bars or a batch of this bread.  I use my own canned applesauce to lessen the calories (which is why my bread is a bit darker), but if you don't have applesauce on hand, use equal parts oil.  If you don't wish to have coconut flecks in your bread, banana instant pudding works well (or really whatever you happen to have in the cupboard for instant pudding). Recipe yields 2 large loaves.

Enjoy!


Banana Bread

5 Eggs
1 1/2 Cups Applesauce
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
2 Cups Mashed Bananas (approximately 4-5 bananas)
1 Tsp Vanilla
1 Tsp Salt
1 Heaping Tsp Baking Soda
1 Heaping Tsp Cinnamon
2 1/2 Cups Flour
1 Pkg Instant Coconut Puddin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix eggs, applesauce, sugar, bananas, and vanilla together until blended.  Add dry ingredients until moistened, then beat for a couple minutes until well combined - batter will remain a little lumpy.  Pour into prepared (greased and floured) bread pans and bake for 45-60 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.


5.25.2010

Summer = Pie!

My husband and I went out to Perkin's for dinner a few weeks back - exciting date nights around here, let me tell you! ;)  Their promotion at the time was "Lemon Days" and it included this wonderfully, scrumptious looking Lemon Ice Box Pie!  If my computer wasn't so cranky, I'd have a picture from Perkin's themselves of the pie.(to compare, of course!)  Alas, my computer is cranky and Perkin's is onto another promotion.  I ate every last morsel and then decided I had to recreate it in my kitchen.  Oh and is it ever wonderful!  This recipe could easily be simplified by buying a can of lemon filling for the middle layer and using cool whip for the top - essentially the only thing you would be making by hand would be the first layer.  Because the fillings I made were recipes for one pie all by themselves, this recipe makes two pies with the multiple fillings.  FYI: If you go the fresh squeezed route, you're going to need about 6 lemons for these beauties!

Enjoy!


Lemon Ice Box Pie

2 Graham Cracker Crusts (I'm lazy, I buy the pre-made crusts - for under $2 a piece this saves lot of my sanity!)

Layer 1:
1 - 8 oz Package Cream Cheese, room temperature
1 - 14 oz Can Sweet-Condensed Milk
1/2 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Lemon Zest
1 Tsp Vanilla

Mix all ingredients on medium speed until smooth.  Pour half into each pie crust and put in refrigerator.

Layer 2:
2 Cups Water
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Cornstarch
5 Egg Yolks, beaten
1/4 Cup Butter
3/4 Cup Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Lemon Zest
1 Tsp Vanilla

Bring the water to a boil in a large, heavy saucepan.  Remove from the heat and let rest 5 minutes.  Whisk the sugar and cornstarch together.  Add the mixture gradually to the hot water, whisking until completely incorporated.  Return to the heat and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.  The mixture will be very thick (almost instantaneously).  Add about a cup of the hot mixture to the beaten egg yolks, whisking until smooth.  Whisking vigorously, add the warmed yolks to the pot and continue cooking, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in butter until incorporated.  Add lemon juice, zest, and vanilla - stirring until combined.  Cool filling for 15-20 minutes or more - cover with plastic wrap to keep skin from forming.  Once almost room temperature or only slightly warm, spoon half over first layer and smooth out. 

Put in refrigerator overnight to completely set.

Layer 3:
1 Pint Whipping Cream, very cold

Whip cream, adding sugar and vanilla to taste, until semi-hard peaks form.  Spoon over pies generously!