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.
Showing posts with label Fruit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fruit. Show all posts
2.11.2019
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.
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.
10.12.2016
Apple Bundt Cake with Caramel Glaze
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).
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).
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).
8.18.2012
Raspberry Peach Jam
My husband fell in love with some similar jam we paid $8/jar for. As he was emptying the jar I realized I needed to find a way to make it myself and save us some change! A local christian teen support group in our area does fundraising by selling YUMMY Colorado peaches - mouth watering, juice running down your arms peaches. Every year we pick up a box and enjoy every single fuzzy peach! So, this year I decided to take some and make some jam! This was my first ever attempt at jam and it turned out wonderful! One of the best parts, it really wasn't horribly time consuming to make!
Here are some tips on blanching (removing the skin of) your peaches (scroll down to step 6). I choose to use frozen raspberries (I thawed earlier in the day) instead of fresh because I already had them on hand. If fresh is cheaper and more available, go for it! When it comes to mashing, chopping, etc of your fruit - that's entirely based on preference. If you want a chunkier jam; chop your peaches in small chunks and mash your raspberries (straining through a cheesecloth if you want seedless jam). Because I am not picky and it took less time, I simply pureed all of my fruit in my VitaMix before putting it in the pot. A blender, food processer, etc will all do the same job.
This is the recipe I followed, but you'll want to double check the directions on your box of pectin before starting. I yieled 7 1/2 pints of jam!
Enjoy!
Raspberry Peach Jam
2 1/2 Cups Raspberry Puree
5 1/2 Cups Peach Puree (about 8 large peaches)
6 Tbsp Lime Juice (lemon will work too)
9 Tbsp Classic Pectin
10 Cups Granulated Sugar
Prepare all of your canning equipment prior to starting (waterbath canner, jars, and lids) and measure ingredients for recipe.
Combine fruit puree and lime juice in heavy saucepan. Gradually stir in fruit pectin. Over high heat, bring mixture to full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, stirring constantly. Add all of the sugar, stirring to dissolve. Return mixture to full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and skim foam if desired. Ladle hot jam into hot jars, one at a time, leaving 1/4" headspace. Wipe rims (very important step), center lids on jars and tighten bands until finger-tip tight.
Place filled jars in canner (making sure they are covered by 1-2" of water). Place lid on canner and bring to steady boil. Once water is boiling, process jars for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, remove lid, and let jars stand for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool (do NOT press down on seals, just let them be) for at least 12 hours. Once cool, clean your jars and store your homemade yummy jam!
Here are some tips on blanching (removing the skin of) your peaches (scroll down to step 6). I choose to use frozen raspberries (I thawed earlier in the day) instead of fresh because I already had them on hand. If fresh is cheaper and more available, go for it! When it comes to mashing, chopping, etc of your fruit - that's entirely based on preference. If you want a chunkier jam; chop your peaches in small chunks and mash your raspberries (straining through a cheesecloth if you want seedless jam). Because I am not picky and it took less time, I simply pureed all of my fruit in my VitaMix before putting it in the pot. A blender, food processer, etc will all do the same job.
This is the recipe I followed, but you'll want to double check the directions on your box of pectin before starting. I yieled 7 1/2 pints of jam!
Enjoy!
Raspberry Peach Jam
2 1/2 Cups Raspberry Puree
5 1/2 Cups Peach Puree (about 8 large peaches)
6 Tbsp Lime Juice (lemon will work too)
9 Tbsp Classic Pectin
10 Cups Granulated Sugar
Prepare all of your canning equipment prior to starting (waterbath canner, jars, and lids) and measure ingredients for recipe.
Combine fruit puree and lime juice in heavy saucepan. Gradually stir in fruit pectin. Over high heat, bring mixture to full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, stirring constantly. Add all of the sugar, stirring to dissolve. Return mixture to full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and skim foam if desired. Ladle hot jam into hot jars, one at a time, leaving 1/4" headspace. Wipe rims (very important step), center lids on jars and tighten bands until finger-tip tight.
Place filled jars in canner (making sure they are covered by 1-2" of water). Place lid on canner and bring to steady boil. Once water is boiling, process jars for 10 minutes. Turn off heat, remove lid, and let jars stand for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool (do NOT press down on seals, just let them be) for at least 12 hours. Once cool, clean your jars and store your homemade yummy jam!
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 forbreakfast 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.
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
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.
12.17.2011
Old Fashioned Banana Bread
How can a person ever have too many banana bread recipes?! This bread is nice and dense and does not require any oil, unlike a lot of other recipes. This has become one of my go to recipes and would also be wonderful with the addition of nuts.
Enjoy!
Old Fashioned Banana Bread
1/2 Cup Butter, softened
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs (room temperature)
2 Tbsp Sour Cream
1 Cup Bananas, mashed
1 Tsp Vanilla
2 Cups Flour
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/4 Cup Buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour loaf pan. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy - slowly add eggs, 1 at a time. Add sour cream, bananas, vanilla and mix well. Then, add all dry ingredients, mixing until combined. Slowly add buttermilk and pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 50-70 minutes until toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan - finish cooling on wire rack.
Yields - 1 Large Loaf
Enjoy!
Old Fashioned Banana Bread
1/2 Cup Butter, softened
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs (room temperature)
2 Tbsp Sour Cream
1 Cup Bananas, mashed
1 Tsp Vanilla
2 Cups Flour
1 Tsp Baking Soda
1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/4 Cup Buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour loaf pan. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy - slowly add eggs, 1 at a time. Add sour cream, bananas, vanilla and mix well. Then, add all dry ingredients, mixing until combined. Slowly add buttermilk and pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 50-70 minutes until toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan - finish cooling on wire rack.
Yields - 1 Large Loaf
9.26.2011
Banana Spice Cake
In another attempt to use up some ripe bananas my monkey's left behind, I threw together this easy cake. This cake has a wonderful spice undertone and I love how light and fluffy it is. I simply dusted mine with powdered sugar, but some kind of glaze would taste wonderful too!
Enjoy!
Banana Spice Cake
1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
1 Small (3 3/4 oz) Box Vanilla Instant Pudding
1/2 Tsp Nutmeg
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
4 Eggs
1/3 Cup Oil
1/2 Cup Water
3 Medium Ripe Bananas, mashed
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour bundt pan OR 10" tube pan and set aside. Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl. Mix on low until combined, then continue mixing on medium speed for 4 minutes. Bake for 50-60 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!
Banana Spice Cake
1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
1 Small (3 3/4 oz) Box Vanilla Instant Pudding
1/2 Tsp Nutmeg
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
4 Eggs
1/3 Cup Oil
1/2 Cup Water
3 Medium Ripe Bananas, mashed
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour bundt pan OR 10" tube pan and set aside. Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl. Mix on low until combined, then continue mixing on medium speed for 4 minutes. Bake for 50-60 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto rack to cool completely.
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).
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).
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.
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.
8.18.2010
Applesauce Spice Cake
Last fall I canned a bunch of applesauce - aside from how yummy it is to eat straight out of the jar, I love using it in baking. It adds a lot of moisture to cakes and also reduces fat (by removing the need for oil) without removing flavor. This recipe is one of my favorite ways to use it! :) I then topped off the cupcake version with Penuche frosting!
Enjoy!
Applesauce Spice Cake
3 Cups Flour
2 1/4 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Salt
3/4 Tsp Baking Soda
3/4 Tsp Cinnamon, ground
1/2 Tsp Ginger, ground
1/4 Tsp Allspice, ground
1/4 Tsp Nutmeg, ground
3/4 Cup Butter, Softened
1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar, Packed
3 Large Eggs
1 Tsp Vanilla
1 1/2 Cups Applesauce, unsweetened
1/3 Cup Buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 9"x13" pan.
In medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg - set aside.
In large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Then, add vanilla.
Next, stir flour mixture into butter mixture, alternating with applesauce and buttermilk - making 3 additions of dry ingredients and 2 of wet ingredients. Spread into prepared pan.
Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean from center. Let cool in pan on rack.
Note: Recipe yields approximately 30 cupcakes - bake for 15-20 minutes (don't overbake).
Enjoy!
Applesauce Spice Cake
3 Cups Flour
2 1/4 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Salt
3/4 Tsp Baking Soda
3/4 Tsp Cinnamon, ground
1/2 Tsp Ginger, ground
1/4 Tsp Allspice, ground
1/4 Tsp Nutmeg, ground
3/4 Cup Butter, Softened
1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar, Packed
3 Large Eggs
1 Tsp Vanilla
1 1/2 Cups Applesauce, unsweetened
1/3 Cup Buttermilk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 9"x13" pan.
In medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg - set aside.
In large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Then, add vanilla.
Next, stir flour mixture into butter mixture, alternating with applesauce and buttermilk - making 3 additions of dry ingredients and 2 of wet ingredients. Spread into prepared pan.
Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean from center. Let cool in pan on rack.
Note: Recipe yields approximately 30 cupcakes - bake for 15-20 minutes (don't overbake).
6.05.2010
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Can we all say... "mmmmmmmmm!"
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
Streusel Topping:
1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Cold Butter
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
5.27.2010
Fruit Dip!
I've been making this fruit dip for a LONG time. I would honestly eat it with a spoon out of the bowl if I didn't like dipping actual fruit in it so much. Besides being so yummy, it's easy! Enjoy with green apple slices, strawberries, grapes, or any other fruit that suits your fancy! :) Flavored cream cheese could be used to change this up if your heart desires it!
Fruit Dip
1 - 8 oz Package Cream Cheese, room temperature
1 - 7 oz Jar Marshmallow Fluff
Mix on medium-high until smooth. Refrigerate until set (approx 1 hour). Dip away!
1 - 8 oz Package Cream Cheese, room temperature
1 - 7 oz Jar Marshmallow Fluff
Mix on medium-high until smooth. Refrigerate until set (approx 1 hour). Dip away!
4.21.2010
Lemon Crusted Blueberry Muffins
These beauties are INCREDIBLE!! I've never had much luck with homemade muffins - they usually turn out dry and like little bricks! These, however, are so moist and wonderful! This recipe makes an incredible muffin base recipe - can't wait to see what else I can come up with it! :)
Enjoy!

Lemon Crusted Blueberry Muffins
Lemon Sugar Topping:
1/3 Cup Sugar
Zest from One Lemon
Muffins:
2 Cups Frozen Blueberries (or fresh)
1 1/8 Cups plus 1 Tsp Sugar
2 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
2 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Salt
2 Large Eggs
4 Tbsp Butter, melted and cooled slightly
1/4 Cup Oil (vegetable or canola)
1 Cup Buttermilk
1 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
Topping:
Stir together sugar and lemon zest - set aside.
Muffins:
Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a standard (24 cup) muffin tin with cooking spray. Rinse one cup frozen berries under cold water - spread on double layer of paper towels to dry well. Bring remaining one cup berries and 1 tsp sugar to simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, mashing berries with a spoon several times and stirring frequently until the berries have broken down and the mixture is thickened and reduced to about 1/3 cup (about 6-8 minutes). Transfer to a small bowl and cool to room temperature - about 10-15 minutes.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Toss the berries that have dried on the paper towels in with the flour mixture. Whisk remaining 1 1/8 cups sugar and eggs together in medium bowl until thick. Slowly whisk in the butter and oil until combined - add in buttermilk and vanilla until combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold egg mixture into flour mixture until just moistened. The batter will be lumpy with a few dry spots of flour - don't over mix (this is the key to moist and tender muffins).
Using ice cream scoop or large spoon - divide the batter equally into muffin tin (batter should fill cups). Spoon a teaspoonful of cooked berry mixture into the center of each muffin batter. Using a skewer (or chopstick), gently swirl the berry filling into the batter (using a figure-eight motion). Sprinkle lemon sugar evenly over the muffin batter.
Bake until the top of the muffins are golden and just firm - about 17-18 minutes. Cool muffins for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack and cool for an additional 5 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!

Lemon Crusted Blueberry Muffins
Lemon Sugar Topping:
1/3 Cup Sugar
Zest from One Lemon
Muffins:
2 Cups Frozen Blueberries (or fresh)
1 1/8 Cups plus 1 Tsp Sugar
2 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
2 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Salt
2 Large Eggs
4 Tbsp Butter, melted and cooled slightly
1/4 Cup Oil (vegetable or canola)
1 Cup Buttermilk
1 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
Topping:
Stir together sugar and lemon zest - set aside.
Muffins:
Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a standard (24 cup) muffin tin with cooking spray. Rinse one cup frozen berries under cold water - spread on double layer of paper towels to dry well. Bring remaining one cup berries and 1 tsp sugar to simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, mashing berries with a spoon several times and stirring frequently until the berries have broken down and the mixture is thickened and reduced to about 1/3 cup (about 6-8 minutes). Transfer to a small bowl and cool to room temperature - about 10-15 minutes.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Toss the berries that have dried on the paper towels in with the flour mixture. Whisk remaining 1 1/8 cups sugar and eggs together in medium bowl until thick. Slowly whisk in the butter and oil until combined - add in buttermilk and vanilla until combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold egg mixture into flour mixture until just moistened. The batter will be lumpy with a few dry spots of flour - don't over mix (this is the key to moist and tender muffins).
Using ice cream scoop or large spoon - divide the batter equally into muffin tin (batter should fill cups). Spoon a teaspoonful of cooked berry mixture into the center of each muffin batter. Using a skewer (or chopstick), gently swirl the berry filling into the batter (using a figure-eight motion). Sprinkle lemon sugar evenly over the muffin batter.
Bake until the top of the muffins are golden and just firm - about 17-18 minutes. Cool muffins for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack and cool for an additional 5 minutes before serving.
2.18.2010
Jello Fluff Salad
There is a lot of texture to this salad, but I love it. What I love even more is how easy and low-fat it is! You can use any combination of fruit and Jello flavoring you wish - our favorites are strawberry or orange. We've also added miniature marshmallows - the kids love this addition. I often double the recipe and bring this to potlucks.
Enjoy!
Jello Fluff Salad
1 Small Box Sugar-Free Orange Jello
1 - 8 oz Container Cottage Cheese
1 - Small Container Light Cool Whip, thawed
Mandarin Oranges, drained (I use 2 small cans)
Mix Jello powder with cool whip, fold in cottage cheese and oranges. Chill for at least an hour and serve.
Enjoy!
Jello Fluff Salad
1 Small Box Sugar-Free Orange Jello
1 - 8 oz Container Cottage Cheese
1 - Small Container Light Cool Whip, thawed
Mandarin Oranges, drained (I use 2 small cans)
Mix Jello powder with cool whip, fold in cottage cheese and oranges. Chill for at least an hour and serve.
1.06.2010
Apple Crisp
I love the simplicity of apple crisp...it's definitely one of my "go-to" comfort food recipes because it's not only easy to throw together, but I usually have all the necessary ingredients. We really like the crumb topping here, so if we're in the mood I double it up! For the topping you can use white or brown sugar - whichever you feel like. :)
Enjoy!
Apple Crisp
Peel, core, and slice approximately 2lbs apples to fill 9x13 just over half-full (they can be heaping a little, they'll settle while baking). Sprinkle apples with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon.
For the topping mix the following dry ingredients:
3/4 Cup Flour
3/4 Cup Quick-Cook Oats
3/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
Then add 1/2 Cup softened butter until crumbly (I like to use a fork to mix this or just go to it with my clean hands).
Bake in 350 degree oven for approximately 35 minutes or until nice and bubbly. Test for done-ness with a fork in the center...you should feel the softness of the apples as you push it through. You really can't ruin these by baking them longer...they'll just get really soft. :)
Serve warm with a nice scoop of vanilla ice-cream - come on, you know you want to....
Enjoy!
Apple Crisp
Peel, core, and slice approximately 2lbs apples to fill 9x13 just over half-full (they can be heaping a little, they'll settle while baking). Sprinkle apples with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon.
For the topping mix the following dry ingredients:
3/4 Cup Flour
3/4 Cup Quick-Cook Oats
3/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Baking Powder
Then add 1/2 Cup softened butter until crumbly (I like to use a fork to mix this or just go to it with my clean hands).
Bake in 350 degree oven for approximately 35 minutes or until nice and bubbly. Test for done-ness with a fork in the center...you should feel the softness of the apples as you push it through. You really can't ruin these by baking them longer...they'll just get really soft. :)
Serve warm with a nice scoop of vanilla ice-cream - come on, you know you want to....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)










