Thursday, June 6, 2013

Princess Pie





Princess Pie 

Crust:
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted
  • 2 Tbs sugar
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans - optional

Mix and pat in an 8x8 inch pan, bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until just beginning to turn golden.  Do not over bake.

Layer two:
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup whipped topping

Beat together sugar and cream cheese.  Fold in whipped topping.  Spread on cooled crust.

Layer three:
  • 1 small package coconut cream instant pudding
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk (any milk will do, but whole milk makes pudding so much tastier)

Mix until thickened.  Spread over cream cheese mixture.

Top with remaining tub of whipped topping.

Toast 1 cup coconut.  Sprinkle evenly on dessert.  Refrigerate.



Source: http://stellabskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/05/princess-pie.html

Classic Boston Cream Pie





This pie, with its layers of sponge cake, vanilla pudding, and a slick of sweet dark chocolate glaze, is a classic.

Ingredients:
  • One half recipe Easy Pie Dough, shaped and chilled in a pie plate
  • 1 quart whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 10 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) granulated sugar, divided
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 egg
  • 7 egg yolks
  • 2 ounces (about 1/2 cup) corn starch
  • 5 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 4 ounces heavy cream (about 1/2 cup)
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup

Instructions:

Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and preheat oven to 425°F. When oven is ready, line chilled pie shell with foil or parchment paper and fill with weights (I reuse dried beans for this), and bake on the lowest rack of the oven for 15 minutes. Remove weights and liner, turn pie, and bake until the bottom crust is a light golden brown, about 10 minutes more. Remove pie shell from oven and allow to cool completely.

In a large saucepan, stir together milk, vanilla, half of sugar, and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together egg and egg yolks. Add starch and remaining sugar and whisk until very pale yellow in color, about 2 minutes. Set aside. Place saucepan with milk mixture over low heat and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. When it starts to bubble, remove from the heat. Temper the eggs with the hot liquid in small amounts, whisking constantly with each addition. Once all of the liquid has been poured into the eggs, pour the mixture back into the pot and whisk constantly over low heat until the mixture begins to thicken and bubble. From the point you see the first bubble, whisk for two additional minutes, then pour the custard into the pie shell and press plastic wrap against the top. Allow the custard to cool at room temperature, then chill in the fridge for at least two hours.

When you are ready to serve, placed the chopped chocolate in a bowl. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the cream and corn syrup and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once the cream begins to simmer, pour the cream over the chocolate and allow it to sit for 2 minutes. Stir the mixture until the chocolate is smooth. Pour the chocolate glaze over the top of the chilled pie and smooth with an offset spatula, and serve immediately.







Source: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/05/classic-boston-cream-pie-recipe.html

Summer Squash Puffs




Summer Squash Puffs

Ingredients:
  • 1 quart oil for frying
  • 4 summer squash, cut into chunks.
  • 1 medium onion, grated
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup dry corn muffin mix
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

  1. Heat the oil in a deep, heavy skillet or deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
  2. Place the squash in a pot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain, and mash.
  3. In a bowl, mix 2 cups squash*, onion, and eggs. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, corn muffin mix, baking powder, and salt. Thoroughly blend the squash mixture into the flour mixture.
  4. Drop the squash and flour mixture by rounded tablespoons into the hot oil, and fry until evenly brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.


Source: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Summer-Squash-Puffs/Detail.aspx?crlt.pid=camp.CfXzyZfzBMg4

Beatty's Ultimate Chocolate Cake




Beatty's Ultimate Chocolate Cake


Ingredients:

Butter for greasing the pans:
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
  • 2 cups sugar
  • ¾ cups good cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk, shaken
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee

Chocolate Frosting:
  • 6 ounces good semisweet chocolate such as Callebaut
  • ½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1¼ cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 tablespoon instant coffee powder


Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.

Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

Place one layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.

Chocolate Frosting
Chop the chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir until just melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue beating for 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to low, gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, then beat at medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until smooth and creamy. Dissolve the coffee powder in 2 teaspoons of the hottest tap water. On low speed, add the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended. Don’t whip! Spread immediately on the cooled cake.




Source: http://www.barefootcontessa.com/recipes.aspx?RecipeID=125&S=0

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Grandma & Katie's Frozen Dessert





Refreshing during the summer, or any time of year, this tasty treat can be made ahead of time.

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 cups crispy rice cereal
  • 2 cups chocolate-flavored crispy rice cereal
  • 1/2 gal. vanilla ice cream, softened
  • 1/2 to 1 cup Spanish peanuts, coarsely chopped
  • Garnish: chocolate syrup

Instructions:

Blend together peanut butter and corn syrup in a large bowl. Add cereals; stir until coated.

Press into the bottom of an ungreased 13"x9" baking pan. Spread ice cream over cereal mixture; sprinkle with peanuts. Swirl chocolate syrup over top; if desired.

Cover with aluminum foil; freeze at least 4 hours before serving. Cut into squares to serve.



source: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grandma-katies-frozen-dessert-00420000008781/

Grandma & Katie's Frozen Dessert

Lighter Lemon Bars




Lighter Lemon Bars

Ingredients:
  • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 egg white
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
  • Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil, allowing the foil to extend over the pan by 2 inches. Lightly spray with nonstick spray.

Whisk together 1 cup of the flour, the salt, and baking powder in a small bowl. Whisk together the eggs and egg white in a small bowl until blended.

To make the crust, with an electric mixer on low speed, beat the butter in a medium bowl until smooth. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar and beat until blended. Beat in 1 tablespoon of the egg mixture and 1 teaspoon water. Gradually beat in the flour mixture until blended. Evenly press the dough onto the bottom and 1/4 inch up the sides of the pan. Bake until the crust is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F.
Meanwhile, to make the filling, whisk together the remaining 1/3 cup flour and the remaining 3/4 cup sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in the remaining egg mixture, the zest, and juice until blended.

Pour the lemon mixture over the warm crust. Bake until the filling is set, about 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack. Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar. Lift from the pan using the foil as handles. Cut into 16 squares.

Nutritional Information:

121 Cal (22% from Fat, 7% from Protein, 71% from Carb); 2 g Protein; 3 g Tot Fat; 2 g Sat Fat; 1 g Mono Fat; 22 g Carb; 0 g Fiber; 13 g Sugar; 11 mg Calcium; 1 mg Iron; 74 mg Sodium; 36 mg Cholesterol

Servings: 16 bars
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 45 min




source: http://thedeenbros.com/index.php/recipes/recipe_detail/bobbys_lighter_lemon_bars/

Monday, June 3, 2013

Pistachio Pudding Bars




Pistachio Pudding Bars


Crust
  • 1 cup butter (room temp)
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 3/4 cup chopped nuts (i used walnuts, but you could use pistachios)
  • 1 tsp vanilla.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar and then add flour and remanning ingredients. Dough will be crumbly.  Press into a 9 X 13 baking dish and bake at 350* for 15 minutes or until it starts to get golden brown around the edges.

Let Cool


Cream Cheese filling
  • 8 oz softened cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3 cups cool whip

In mixing bowl, mix cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and creamy. Add in vanilla.  Then carefully fold in cool whip until incorporated.  Spread layer over cooled crust.

Pistachio Pudding
  • 2 small boxes of instant pistachio pudding
  • 2 cups cream
  • 2 cups milk

In mixing bowl combine all ingredients and whip until thick.  You may have to put in fridge for a couple of minutes to thicken.  When it has thickened, spread over cream cheese filling.

Let sit in refrigerator to set up for a few hours. 

I like to serve mine with homemade whipped cream.  Or you can top it with cool whip. 
Garnish with chopped nuts!






Source: http://www.inspiringcreationsblog.com/2011/03/food-for-thought-tuesday-pistachio.html

Chocolate and Coconut Cream Pie Bars





Chocolate and Coconut Cream Pie Bars

Ingredients for the Crust:
  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions for the Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cover a 9x13 pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Cut the butter into the flour and powdered sugar. Press into the prepared baking dish (I used a food processor, about 6 pulses). Bake 18-22 minutes or until light brown. Set on a wire rack to cool.

Ingredients for the Ganache:
  • 3/8 cup heavy cream
  • 6 ounces semisweet chocolate
  • Toasted coconut (I always toast mine on the stove over medium low heat), however much you want

Directions for the Ganache:

1. Heat heavy cream in a sauce pan over the stove until it bubbles on the edge but DOES NOT boil. Pour over chocolate chips. Let set for about 1-2 minutes. Stir until smooth.
2. Spread over the cooled crust. Top with toasted coconut

Ingredients for the Coconut Cream Filling:
  • 6 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2/3 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract

Directions for the Coconut Cream Filling:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine heavy whipping cream, egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Mixture will become very thick (if you over cook it, it will turn into a curdled mess. If you undercook it, it will be runny ... happy balance).
2. Add the coconut extract (I also added some coconut latte flavoring that Starbucks uses ... if you just ask them for some they will sell some of it for basically nothing. This stuff is delicious and adds more coconut flavor without that extracty taste).
3. Pour over the cooled ganache.

Ingredients for the Whipping Cream (or you can use cool whip or regular homemade whipping cream if you are going to serve this right away):
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon cold water (for stabilizing)
  • 1 teaspoon gelatin (for stabilizing)
  • 3-4 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup coconut, toasted

Directions for the Whipping Cream:

1. Put 1 tablespoon cold water in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the top. Let it soften for 2 minutes before microwaving it for 30 seconds and whisking to dissolve the gelatin.
2. Whisk heavy cream and powdered sugar together in a chilled bowl until it forms stiff peaks, stopping to add the gelatin mixture about halfway through.
3. Dollop the cream over your bars and gently spread around. Sprinkle with toasted coconut.
4. Chill in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours to let everything set up.





Source: http://bsrecipe.blogspot.ca/2012/04/chocolate-and-coconut-cream-pie-bars.html

Banana Coconut Cream Pie




Banana Coconut Cream Pie

Ingredients:

For the coconut pastry cream:
  • 3/4 cup canned coconut cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons butter

For the flaky pie pastry:
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, cold, cubed
  • 2 tablespoons shortening
  • 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup ice water

  • 2 to 3 bananas, sliced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • toasted coconut flakes for topping

Instructions:

1. Make the coconut pastry cream: In a saucepan, bring coconut cream and milk to a boil.

2  In a separate bowl, whisk together yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract.

3  Pour half of the boiling milk over the yolk mixture. Whisk well then return the mixture to saucepan.

4  Continuously whisk the mixture until thickened then add butter.

5  Transfer mixture to a bowl and place a sheet of plastic wrap over the surface. Allow to cool to room temperature then chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.

6  Make the flaky pie pastry: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt and stir to mix. Scatter butter and shortening over the flour mixture. Using a fork or pastry blender, toss flour to coat then cut in butter and shortening until the mixture forms coarse crumbs the size of large peas.

7  Drizzle ice water over the mixture and toss with the pastry blender until the dough is evenly moist and begins to come together in a mass but does not form into a ball.

8  Transfer the dough to a work surface. Form dough into a 6-inch disk. Wrap disk tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour or overnight.

9  Once chilled well, let the dough sit at room temperature for at least 10 to 15 minutes
to soften.

10  Roll out the disk between 2 sheets of parchment paper (or wax paper) to a circle 2 inches larger in diameter than the tart pan.

11  Press dough into the tart pan. Use your hands or rolling pin to level the dough along the edges of the pan.

12  Place aluminum foil over the dough and gently mold it to the dough in the pan. Add pie weights (dried beans work well). Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

13  Assemble the pie: Place a layer of bananas on the bottom of the tart shell. Pour half the pastry cream over the tart shell then top with another layer of sliced bananas. Pour remaining pastry cream and level using a spatula. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

14  To finish off the pie, pour heavy cream into an electric mixer and whip on high speed. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and whip to stiff peaks. Set aside.

15  Scoop whipped cream over the pie and spread using a spatula. Top with toasted coconut flakes. Chill the pie until ready to serve.  It will keep in the refrigerator for up
to 4 days.

Time-saving tip:  If you don’t have time to make pie crust from scratch, make a graham cracker crust instead by mixing together 10 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup butter, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a bowl.

Frosty Toffee Bits Pie




Frosty Toffee Bits Pie

Ingredients:
  • 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half cream
  • 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 package (8 ounces) milk chocolate English toffee bits, divided
  • 1 graham cracker crust (9 inches)

Instructions:

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in cream until blended. Fold in whipped topping and 1 cup toffee bits.

Spoon into crust; sprinkle with remaining toffee bits. Cover and freeze overnight. Remove from the freezer 10 minutes before serving.
Yield: 6-8 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 piece equals 406 calories, 25 g fat (15 g saturated fat), 41 mg cholesterol, 291 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 2 g protein.



Source: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Frosty-Toffee-Bits-Pie

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Bubbly Cheese Garlic Bread




Bubbly Cheese Garlic Bread

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 c. butter, softened
  • 1 to 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 to 1 c. creamy Italian salad dressing
  • 1 loaf Italian bread, halved lengthwise
  • 2 c. shredded Cheddar, mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 t. dried parsley

Instructions:

Blend butter, garlic and salad dressing together in a small bowl. Place bread on a baking sheet, cut-side up. Spread butter mixture over both halves. Top with shredded cheese and parsley. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 10 to 20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. Slice each half into 8 pieces; serve warm. Makes 16 servings.

Gluten-free Ancient Grains Drop Biscuits




Corn and maple syrup complement the flavor of ancient grains beautifully. These biscuits are a delicious, slightly sweet treat for the whole family.

Ingredients:

*See recipe for this blend below.

Instructions:

1) Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet, or line with parchment paper.

2) Whisk together the dry ingredients, then use a fork, pastry blender, or electric mixer to work in the butter, mixing until everything is crumbly with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.

3) Whisk together the wet ingredients and stir into dry ingredients until just combined. The dough will be very wet.

4) Drop golf-ball sized portions onto the prepared baking sheet about 2" apart. A tablespoon cookie scoop, generously filled, is helpful for this.

5) Bake the biscuits for 12 to 14 minutes, until they're light golden brown. Remove them from the oven, and serve warm.

Yield: about 24 biscuits.


*Make your own blend

Many of gluten-free recipes use Gluten-Free Multi-Purpose Flour, which includes ingredients that reduce the grittiness sometimes found in gluten-free baked goods. Our flour also increases the shelf life of your treats, keeping them fresh longer.

The following make-at-home blend, featuring stabilized brown rice flour, works pretty well when substituted; and it tastes better than a blend using regular brown rice flour.

Whisk together 6 cups (32 ounces) King Arthur stabilized brown rice flour; 2 cups (10 3/4 ounces) potato starch; and 1 cup (4 ounces) tapioca flour or tapioca starch. Store airtight at room temperature. Note: You can substitute white rice flour for the brown rice flour if you like; it'll make your baked goods grittier (unless you manage to find a finely ground version).



source: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/gluten-free-ancient-grains-drop-biscuits-recipe

Heavenly Pie ( Lemon Meringue Reversed)


 photo: food.com


Heavenly Pie ( Lemon Meringue Reversed)

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 4 egg whites, beaten till stiff not dry
  • 4 egg yolks, slightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest, grated
  • 1 pint heavy cream, whipped

Instructions:

  1. Sift together 1 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar.
  2. In a large grease-free mixing bowl beat the egg whites at a slow steady speed. When they are foamy gradually add the cream of tartar and sugar mixture. When the meringue begins to form soft peaks, increase to a moderate beating speed.
  3. Beat another 5 minutes, until the meringue is thick, but still glossy, and forms peaks when the beaters are lifted.
  4. Line a well greased 9 or 10 inch pie pan with meringue mixture to form a pie crust.
  5. Bake for 1 hour at 225 degrees.
  6. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar to egg yolks with lemon juice and zest, cook in double boiler (or Micro) until very thick about 8-10 minutes.
  7. Cool.
  8. Combine 1/2 whipped cream with Lemon egg mixture and fill meringue shell, chill 24 hours.
  9. Cover with remaining whipped cream.
  10. Serve AWAY!


source: http://www.food.com/recipe/heavenly-pie-lemon-meringue-reversed-50613

Old-Fashioned Pound Cake




Old-Fashioned Pound Cake

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup butter (1/2 lb.)
  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 5 eggs
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp. almond ext.
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt

Instructions:

Cream butter and oil until light.  Add sugar gradually, creaming well, add eggs one at a time.  Beat well after each addition.  Sift together flour, baking powder and salt.  Combine milk and flavorings, add alternately with dry ingredients to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients, blend thoroughly after each addition.  Turn into tube pan well greased and floured in bottom only.

Bake at 325* for 1 hour 25 min.




source: http://southernhospitalityblog.com/old-fashioned-pound-cake/