Irish Apple Cake for St. Paddy's Day!

 

The sweet juicy apples nestled in the 

delicious cake 

made a big hit here!

 

 

That awesome crumbly struesel topping makes the cake a glorious treat to enjoy with a "cuppa" to soothe your nerves any time!

Two Cobblers That are Lip-Smacking Good and Lightened Up!

 

Tis' the essence of summer...

 

Cobbler!

 

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie for Thanksgiving

You’ve heard that phrase, “As American as apple pie.”   Well, come to find out ~ that’s not actually true.  

The most iconic pie of America’s culture is not American at all.  Apples were, in fact, brought to America in the 17th century by Europeans.  

Fresh Peach Cobbler

Ripe juicy peaches with spicy cinnamon and a 

buttery cobbler crust,
baked until golden brown and delicious ~
who doesn’t like a sweet treat now and then...

Here, we all like fresh peaches and I was happy to see ripe white peaches at the farmers’ market the other day.  

Black Forest Trifle and a Chuckle of the Day for You!

Brownies made their debut at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, so in my way of thinking, that officially makes brownies the state dessert for Illinois, which leads on to this decadent sweet dessert...

It has all the flavors of a Black Forest Cake, but without the fussiness of a layer cake:  it’s Black Forest Trifle.  

Coconut Cashew Cake

It goes by sanwin makin in Myanmar.  It's a traditional favorite sweet cake there that's full of flavor, and very moist ~ a one-bowl cake; meaning, wet and dry ingredients are mixed together in one bowl.

I’m a fan of the good taste and texture of semolina bread and was intrigued when I saw Thomas Keller on his Milk Street PBS show making this cake.  I just happen to have the The Complete Milk Street TV Show Cookbook but evidently cruised on by this recipe.

Easy, But Different, Peach Cobbler

A bushel and a peck ~ that’s how much we love fresh peaches here!

I knew it was time for 'summer-time comfort food' last Saturday when a bounty of great looking Michigan peaches was on display at the farmers’ market!

I'm Back with this Perfect Pineapple Butter Cake

 

Ok, so I know I said I was done with my blog, but evidently it was something I truly looked forward to doing, and apparently just needed a little break from it to recharge ~   after doing it for almost 9 years ~ I missed the whole process.  In other words, I missed being a part of the community. 

I thought about you all more than once, and wondered what great travel adventure or tip I missed.  And, what if I missed your fabulous recipe…

Impossibly Easy French Apple Dessert Squares

Apples and cinnamon, oh my! 

This is a really close cousin to Dutch apple pie, actually maybe more like a crisp, and  there’s no crust to roll out!  French apple dessert has a buttery crust, and is packed with apples, cinnamon and nutmeg.  

Rich Creamy Chocolate for Your Valentine!

Caution:  Bill says this could be fatal!

Chocolate is a major food group to just about everyone ~ but not me ~ I definitely wouldn’t go out of my way for it.  I do have a sweet tooth though, it’s just not for chocolate like it is for my family members and friends.

So when the most chocolate-covered day of the year, Valentine’s Day, rolls around again ~ that day when everything seems to be slathered in chocolate ~ it’s the perfect time to make a delicious dessert.

Chocolate is everywhere, it’s universally loved.  Apparently, according to research done by Dr. David Lewis, letting chocolate dissolve slowly in your mouth produces as big an increase in heart rate and brain activity as a passionate kiss ~ except that the effects of the chocolate lasts four times longer. 

Therefore, truly, chocolate must be the food of love.

If you’re looking for a creamy, very rich chocolate treat for your Valentine, this Chocolate Pudding Cake by exclusive French pastry chef, François Payard, who launched several eponymous patisseries in New York City, is for you!  

The creation is not exactly quick to make, it takes a good bit of freezer time, 6 hours at least, but it’s worth the effort to make for your Valentine!

Believe me, this is a decadent dessert, so I’m told ~ smooth, creamy, rich, particularly luscious and velvety, a sinfully delicious chocolate treat!

Just a sliver will do it!


Françoise Payard’s Chocolate Pudding Cake
Printable recipe

Ingredients:
1¼ cups finely chopped semisweet chocolate
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder, optional*
½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup whole milk
1/3 cup sugar, divided
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon. pure vanilla extract
Cocoa powder for dusting

Method:
1. Place the chocolate, espresso powder and butter in a medium bowl and set aside.
2. Combine the milk and all but 1 tbsp. of the sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved. Stop stirring and cook until the milk begins to bubble around the edge of the pan. Remove from heat.
3. Whisk together the egg yolk and the remaining 1 tbsp. sugar in a small bowl. Pour half of the hot milk over the yolk mixture, whisking to combine. Return the mixture to the saucepan, and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly and just begins to bubble around the edges (reaching 183° on an instant-read thermometer).
4. Immediately pour the mixture over the chocolate and butter. Whisk until the chocolate is melted. Whisk in the vanilla.
5. Scrape the batter into a 6-in. round springform pan, and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Cover with plastic wrap, and place in the freezer for at least 6 hours or overnight.
6. Remove cake from freezer, and let sit for 10 minutes before unmolding. Invert the cake onto a serving platter, and lightly dust the top with cocoa powder. Allow the cake to stand at room temperature for 45 minutes before serving.
notes

*This is the slightly adapted recipe of Chef Payard's. I added espresso powder for a darker richer flavor.
It doesn't taste like coffee, it just enhances the chocolate flavor.




 Enjoy! 

Peachy Keen Classic Cobbler

It was a warm summertime day, didn't matter!  I cranked up the oven because there were hungry mouths here salivating for a sweet treat!

It all started when Bill and I saw that the farmers’ market still had a plethora of peaches…

I got the peaches, tossed them with sugar and spice, spread them in a baking dish, dropped spoonfuls of dough over the top and baked it up.  Easy as pie!

Simply put, a cobbler is a casserole of baked, syrupy sweet fruit with some sort of pastry topping. 

To the peaches and sugar, I added a touch of cardamom for its distinctive sweet and savory taste.  You know the spice, it’s a longtime staple that  Swedish bakers use in a lot of confectionaires, like my Swedish MIL did.  

Next, I stirred in small amount cinnamon along with a splash of lemon juice to balance the sweetness of the mixture.

But ~ the secret to this great tasting cobbler is all about the orange zest in the biscuit topping.  It’s a surprising aromatic addition that will make everyone at your dinner table smile.

This cobbler delivers a crisp and tender crust with sweet jammy fruit underneath.  Serve it with a scoop of ice cream or dollop of whipped cream, or not, serve it warm or room temperature, whichever you like.

Drop-dead delicious, for sure ~ it’s probably the best reason to turn on the oven in the summer!

Enjoy!

Yield:  8 servingsAuthor:  Pam

Peachy Keen Cobbler

This cobbler bakes up into a crisp and tender crust with sweet jammy fruit underneath.

 

 

INGREDIENTS:

For the filling:

• 1/2 cup Splenda (or sugar)
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 8 cups sliced peaches, about 10-12 medium-sized peaches

For the topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup Splenda (or sugar)
• 2 teaspoons orange zest
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 heaping teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teasppon baking soda
• 3 tablespoons cold butter
• 3/4 cup buttermilk

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. In a large bowl, mix sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and cardamom.
3. Add peaches and lemon juice, toss well to combine.
4. Transfer to an 11x7-inches baking dish that has been coated with cooking spray.
5. In a small bowl, whisk the first six topping ingredients; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Add buttermilk, stir just until moistened.
7. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls over peaches in baking dish.
8. Bake 25-30 minutes or until topping is golden brown.
9. Serve warm or room temperature.

 

Heavenly Mini Blueberry Splenda Pies ~ in Muffin Tins!

Blueberries

“You ought to have seen what I saw on my way
To the village, through Mortenson’s pasture to-day:
Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb,
Real sky-blue, and heavy, and ready to drum
In the cavernous pail of the first one to come!
And all ripe together, not some of them green
And some of them ripe! You ought to have seen!” 

Robert Frost 

When summertime rolls around, I’m thrilled ~ warm weather, sunshine and Blueberries!

The aroma of these little pies baking was mouthwatering!

I’m always on the lookout for blueberry recipes, and now can't remember where this one came from.

I mixed Splenda with the fruit instead of sugar, it measures the same as sugar.  I didn’t tell Bill it was made with Splenda until later; he didn’t notice a difference with Splenda, and neither did I.  

For the filling, I added a splash of lemon juice, and a couple of pinches of cinnamon.  

The pies are easy peasy to pull together, but to make them even easier, use Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust.  You’ll be eating dessert in a flash!

Baked in a muffin tin, the pies are a perfect-size yummy dessert or snack!  

These blueberry pies a great dessert for anyone who needs/likes a dessert with low sugar.  

It’s hard to eat just one!

Yield: 6 servingsAuthor: Pam

Mini Blueberry Splenda Pies

These blueberry pies are a great dessert with less sugar!

prep time: 20 MINScook time: 25 MINStotal time: 45 mins

INGREDIENTS

• 1 recipe for double-crust pie or Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust (2 crusts), at room temperature
• 1½ cups fresh blueberries
• ¼ cup Splenda Sugar Blend
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
   Grease 6 cups of muffin tin.
2. Dust counter top with flour, roll pie crust out.
   Cut six 3” circles of crust, press into the bottom and sides of muffin tin.
3. Combine blueberries with Splenda, cinnamon and juice.
   Fill the cups with the pie filling.
4. Cut another 6 circles of dough and press them on top of each pie, sealing the bottom and top layers of dough tightly with your fingers.
5. In a small bowl, whisk egg and water to make an egg wash; brush over the top of each pie.
6. Bake for about 25 minutes until crust is golden brown.
7. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before carefully removing each pie from tin and onto a cooling rack to cool.
   
   Serve warm or cool.

Enjoy!

Summery Peach Loaf Cake with Cinnamon Streusel Topping

We all really like peaches here, some more than others, but we all are hooked on this cake!

This is a scrumptious summer dessert starring fresh peaches!

Peaches have been “iffy” here this summer.  Most of them not ripe, and when they do ripen up, they’re rotten.  Thankfully, our favorite farmers’ market had a huge supply of Michigan peaches.  They looked near perfect ~ I couldn’t resist them ~  fragrant, ripe and drip-down-your-chin juicy.  Just what this cake called for!

The simple streusel topping is spiced with fragrant cinnamon and cardamom.  It’s equally good for breakfast, brunch, a snack or dessert.  Finish it off with a scoop of ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream, or just eat it plain, like we do.

It’s a moist cake filled with little chunks of sweet peaches!


Enjoy!

Yield: 1 large or 3 mini loavesAuthor: Pam

Peach Cake with Cinnamon Streusel Topping

This is a delicious, moist and sweet cake!

prep time: 20 MINScook time: 30 MINStotal time: 50 mins

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 2-3/4 cups flour
• 1 -1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
• 1-1/2 cups diced fresh peaches

Streusel Topping

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon water

INSTRUCTIONS

For the cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
   Grease and flour three - 3x5x2-inch or one - 9x5-inc loaf pan(s).
2. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat together the sugar and oil. Add vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, blending well after each addition.
3. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Beat until well combined. Stir in diced peaches. Spread the batter into prepared loaf pans.
4. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean; about 25-30 minutes for small loaves and about 55-60 minutes for large pan. Allow to set for 10 minutes before removing from pan. Let cool completely before slicing.

For Cinnamon Streusel Topping:

1. Cream softened butter well, add remaining ingredients. With a fork or pastry blender, combine until crumbly.
2. Scatter over cake before baking.

A Birthday for Grandpa with Classic Yellow Cupcakes

Grandpa needed help blowing out the candles on his birthday cupcake yesterday, so Matthew, came to the rescue! 

Grandpa and Matthew

Bill loves cupcakes and so does our 6-year-old grandson, and this Martha Stewart recipe came to my rescue.

Woo hoo!

Bill's birthday is actually today ~ he’s having 2 days of celebrating.  It was going to be a day of golf with Bubba, but due to thunderstorms, that’s postponed for a sunny day; instead, it’s off to lunch later at a favorite Mexican restaurant. 

On with the cupcakes…

Who doesn’t like a cupcake!  These cupcakes are moist, delicious and full of flavor.  The recipe calls for a dozen cupcakes, I doubled it.  Yellow is Bill’s favorite with chocolate buttercream frosting.  Matthew opts for yellow cupcakes with buttercream frosting. 

 The options for decorating are endless, we like sprinkles here!

Believe me, these cupcakes disappear quickly!

Yield: 12Author: Pam

Classic Yellow Cupcakes

prep time: 25 MINScook time: 20 MINStotal time: 45 mins

Perfect classic treats for a birthday or any day!

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE CUPCAKES

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk (I used 2%)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• Sprinkles, for decorating

FOR BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

FOR CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 3 cups congerectioners' sugar
• 3/4 cup of Cocoa Powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1-2 tablespoons of milk

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°, line cups of a standard muffin tin with paper lines. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder,and salt. Set aside. In a liquid measuring cup, mix milk and vanilla; set aside.
2. In large bowl, with electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy,  3-4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. With mixer on low speed, add half of dry ingredients, followed by milk-vanilla mixture, then remaining dry ingredients. Do not overmix.
4. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups.
5. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool cupcakes 5 minutes in tin, then remove and cool completely on a rack before frosting.
6. Prepare frosting: In a medium bowl, with an electric mixer, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth. Mix in up to 1/2 cup more sugar, (more for chocolate) or a few teaspoons of milk as necessary to achieve a spreadable consistency.
7. Frost cupcakes, decorate with sprinkles before frosting dries to ensure that thy stick.

Created using The Recipes Generator

Enjoy!

Peach Crisp with Sweet Topping

Woo hoo!

Bring on the sugar ~ butter and peaches!

After eating this peach crisp, you'll be dreaming about it in your sleep!

This is undoubtedly the shortest post I’ve ever written ~ and this is undoubtedly the best peach crisp I have ever eaten!

It’s Laurie's simple easy recipe from here that's pretty close to perfect!

                          Put it together                            and                                  baked!                                

It's peachy keen!



Peach Crisp with Sweet Topping
Printable recipe

Ingredients:

6-7 peaches, peeled and sliced
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 cup flour
1 cup white sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
½ to ¾ cinnamon (I used 1 teaspoon)
¼ teaspoon salt
1 stick butter 

Method:

Preheat oven to 375°.
Grease an 8” baking dish.
Mix the sliced peaches with the almond extract and pour into the baking dish.
Mix the dry ingredients together.
Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or fork until crumbly.
Sprinkle on top of the peaches.
Bake for 45 minutes until peaches are tender and the topping is evenly browned  (I baked it for 1 hour).
Serve warm with ice cream


Enjoy!

Ginger-Peach Shortbread Cobbler and ICD!

Woo hoo! 

You cat lovers, 

today is...

 ~ International Cat Day ~

a day to recognize one of humanity's 

oldest and 

most beloved pets!

And here's Bucky stylin' for the occasion:

Bucky, Bubba's proud Tuxedo cat who loved to "dress up!"

Now, on to dessert for any occasion ...

Delicious!!!

First you have to take a whiff to determine if it’s sweetly fragrant, next you give it a little gentle squeeze; it shouldn’t be too hard, best if it’s soft to the squeeze, then remember that the color tells more about what variety it is than its ripeness. 

That’s the way I find the best peaches at the farmers’ market!

We’re in the swing of peach season here in the Midwest now, and they are juicy delicious and fragrant this summer.  

They’re great eaten fresh just as they are with all the sticky juice running down your chin and fingers.

But, when you want to gussy them up, here you go…

Southern Living did it again ~ published a recipe I couldn’t resist!

Any recipe that begins with 2 sticks of butter, and turbinado sugar has to be good!

 

Mom's biscuit cutter, older than dirt and well-used!

Forked Medallions

Turbinado sugar is “sugar in the raw,” made from pure cane sugar extract, very light brown, with a subtle molasses flavor, that's great in baked goods, barbecue sauces,  and in your morning cup of java.  

And, if you've never added fresh ginger to a dish, this is the recipe to start with.  

Peel the yellowish-pink peaches, encase them in gingered-syrup,  let them bubble away with a shortbread topping of unleavened cookies.

Ummm, mmm!

Oven ready goodness...

Just imagine how delicious this is...

You’re gonna’ want seconds!


Ginger-Peach Shortbread Cobbler  
Printable recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened 

½ cup loosely packed light brown sugar
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
2¼ cups, plus 3 tablespoons flour, divided
1 (½-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled
¾ cup turbinado sugar, divided
7 to 9 medium-size peaches, peeled and halved
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Method:  

Preheat oven to 400˚.
Beat first 3 ingredients and 2¼ cups flour at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer just until combined.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface, roll to ¼” thickness.
Cut about 14 rounds with a 2½” fluted round cutter.
Place rounds in a single layer on a baking sheet; cover and chill until ready to use.
Pulse ginger and ¼ cup turbaned sugar in a food processor 5-6 times or until well combined. 
Stir together ginger mixture and remaining ½ cup turbinado sugar in a large bowl.
Add lemon juice, peaches, and remaining 3 tablespoons flour, toss to coat.
Place peach halves, slightly overlapping in a greased (with butter) 10” cast-iron skillet, and pour any remaining juice over peaches.
Bake at 400˚ for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven, and nestle shortbread dough rounds among peaches.
Brush rounds with egg white, and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
Bake 17 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve warm or at  room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of ice cream.


 

Enjoy!