Category Archives: Dessert

Granola

Bread, Breakfast, Dessert, Dinner Ideas, Fun Stuff April 28, 2013 Leave a comment
Granola

Granola

With milk or yogurt, this home-made granola gives you a hearty start to the day. Made with walnuts, almonds, coconut, and sunflower seeds, this cereal has a healthy dose of protein wrapped up in a sweet maple-honey flavor. Serve it with warm milk on cold winter days for a great alternative to oatmeal.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1-1/4 cups bran flakes
  • ¾ cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • ¾ cup salted sunflower seeds
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2-1/2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
  • ¾ cup honey
  • ¾ cup canola oil

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

  1. Prepare two baking sheets by covering with parchment paper and grease paper with cooking spray.
  2. Combine oats, bran flakes, coconut, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix maple syrup, honey, and oil; add to dry mixture and stir until well combined
  4. Divide the mixture between each prepared cookie sheet; spread evenly
  5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown, tossing granola halfway through baking time to keep edges from burning.
  6. Let cool completely before storing.
  7. Yields ½ gallon

*Great gift idea, store in mason jars

Mascarpone Cheese Whipped Cream Filling

Appetizers, Dessert, Fun Stuff, Salads, Side April 1, 2013 Leave a comment

strawberry filled3I have had several requests for my recipe for Mascarpone Cheese Whipped Cream filling.  I stuffed big strawberries with this filling the other day for a pot-luck and they were a hit.  You don’t have to hollow-out your strawberries, just cut a cross into the tip of the strawberry about 2/3’s the way down towards the stem.  I used a pastry bag to fill the strawberry and then sprinkled with edible glitter. Of course you are the master of your design, sprinkle with crushed almonds or drizzle with bittersweet chocolate.  This is a wonderful filling or icing for cakes and cupcakes too. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

MASCARPONE CHEESE WHIPPED CREAM FILLING

• 2/3 cup mascarpone cheese
• 3/4 cup heavy whip cream
• 1/4 cup powder sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. In a chilled bowl beat the Mascarpone cheese and vanilla until creamy about 30 seconds
2. Add the powdered sugar and whipping cream
3. Beat on high speed until thick and fluffy – will not take long, about 1 minute – the cheese stiffens the whip cream rather quickly – don’t over beat this mixture or it will turn to butter.

Chocolate Cherry Shots

Appetizers, Dessert, Fun Stuff March 28, 2013 1 Comment

Great idea for a party, pair up with the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Shots ! You can make your own

Chocolate Cherry Shooter

Chocolate Cherry Shooter

chocolate cups, or you can purchase mini chocolate cups on-line at places such as amazon, or http://www.gourmetfoodworld.com/chocolate-and-desserts/chocolate-cups.asp  Or if your budget won’t allow, just fill little shot glasses with this delectable concoction !

Ingredients:

  1. 1 part Kahlua coffee liqueur
  2. 1 part amaretto almond liqueur
  3. 1 part white crème de cacao
  4. 1 dash grenadine syrup
  5. Container for your shot (I recommend a mini chocolate cup

Directions:

Mix the first 4 ingredients and then add the grenadine syrup

Fill your vessel of choice with the mixture, top with a cherry or whip cream.

Chocolated Covered Strawberry Chocolate Shots

Dessert, Fun Stuff March 28, 2013 Comments: 3

Try to choose strawberries as big as you can find, unless of course you want to make baby shots

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Chocolate Shots

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Chocolate Shots

Ingredients:

  • 1 part Vanilla vodka
  • 1 part Godiva Liquor
  • 1 part Chocolate syrup
  •  Whipped cream
  • Sprinkles

Directions:

Cut the point of the strawberry off so they can stand on their own, the melted chocolate helps form a little base too which makes them even more stable

  1. We recommend hulling out the strawberries using a paring knife and grapefruit spoon, you have to be careful not to make them too thin or they’ll break
  2. Pat strawberries dry before dipping in chocolate
  3.  Freeze the dipped strawberry cups for maximum sturdiness, and to keep your drink cold
  4. Mix liquors and pour into each individual strawberry
  5. Top with whipped cream and sprinkles

Let the strawberries thaw for a few minutes before serving

Gift in a Jar – Brownie Mix

Dessert, Fun Stuff March 28, 2013 Leave a comment

Credits for this recipe go to my friend Sarah Graham Elton who posted it on her Facebook page.  This is

Brownie in a jar

Brownie in a jar

another “gift in a jar” recipe.  Make a few batches for yourself to keep on hand for company or last minute chocolate cravings!  Another plus, you know what all the ingredients are.

 Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Sugar
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cocoa
  • ¼ tsp Salt
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips or walnuts

 Directions:

Mix all dry ingredients together and place in a zip lock baggie and store in your pantry or pour into a mason jar to give as a gift.

To make the brownies add the following ingredients and be sure to write this on your zip lock baggie or add a cute little card to your gift.

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Stir the following ingredients to dry mix:

  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Spray a 9×9 inch baking pan with cooking spray and pour batter into the pan. Bake for about 20 minutes or until center is firm to the touch.

Strawberry Margarita Jell-O Shooters

Appetizers, Dessert, Fun Stuff March 13, 2013 Leave a comment
Strawberry Margarita Jell-O Shooters

Strawberry Margarita Jell-O Shooters

Strawberry Margarita Jell-O Shooters
Credit to my Sister-In-Law Karen Coleman

Yields 24-30
Strawberry Prep:
Carefully slice the tip of the bottoms of the strawberry flat to get them to stand upright.  Use a huller or spoon to empty out the strawberry. Do not scrape too far down, you want a solid bottom, with no holes.
Once the strawberries have been emptied, use a paper towel to pat the outside of the strawberries dry.

Ingredients:

  • 30 Strawberries

Margarita Mix:

  • 1 box Strawberry Jell-O, 3oz.
  • 8 ounces tequila
  • 6 ounce Cointreau
  • Coarse salt for garnish

Directions:

  1. Boil one cup of hot water in a saucepan, then add in Jell-o powder and whisk until powder is completely dissolved, about 2 minutes.
  2. Set aside. Measure out 1/4 cup of cold water and set aside.
  3. Combine tequila and Cointreau, in cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  4. Add liqueur mixture to cold water and stir to combine.
  5. Then add cold liqueur mixture to hot Jell-O mixture and stir to combine.
  6. Pour final Jell-O mix into strawberries and chill overnight.
  7. Use a moistened brush to wet the edge of the strawberries, dip and rotate the strawberries in salt to rim.
  8. Garnish with cut lime triangles to finish.

Vanilla Sea Salt

Dessert, Fun Stuff, Vanilla Bean Sea Salt March 7, 2013 1 Comment

sea salt caramelAnother gift idea to go along with the Vanilla Bean Extract, and Vanilla Bean Sugar Cubes. Vanilla Bean Sea Salt will add a delightful flavor to homemade caramels, chocolates, sweet and salty brownies, and chocolate icings.  Package in a pretty jar and you have a great gift for the gourmet cook in your circle.

Vanilla Sea Salt

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sea salt
  • 4 vanilla beans, split lengthwise and scraped, seeds reserved

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine sea salt and vanilla seeds. Use the tips of your fingers to rub the vanilla seeds into the sea salt until they are thoroughly combined.

2. Spoon salt into individual jars, cover tightly, label, and store in a cool, dry place for a couple of weeks to blend the flavors.

 

Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls – Famous Recipes

Dessert, Famous Recipes January 23, 2013 Leave a comment

Every mall and every airport I walk into I can immediately smell the unmistakable smell of Cinnaboncinnamon cooking.  In 1985 Rich Komen decided he would create an efficient outlet that could serve freshly made cinnamon rolls in shopping malls. It took him 9 months to develop the “freshest, gooiest, and most mouthwatering cinnamon roll ever tasted!

Ingredients – Rolls

  • 1-1/4 ounce package active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm milk (105 to 110 F)
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup margarine, melted
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour

Ingredients – Filling

  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2-1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup margarine

Ingredients – Icing

  • 1 stick margarine, softened
  • 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup cream cheese
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. For the rolls, dissolve the yeast in the warm milk in a large bowl
  2. Add the sugar, margarine, salt, eggs, and flour, mix well
  3. Knead the dough into a large ball, using your hands dusted lightly with flour
  4. Place ball in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until dough has doubled in size
  5. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface.
  6. Roll the dough approximately 21 inches long and 16 inches wide, and ¼ inch thick
  7. Preheat oven to 400 F.

******

  1. For the filling, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon in a bowl
  2. Spread the softened margarine evenly over the surface of the dough and then sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture evenly over the surface.
  3. Working carefully from the top (a 21-inch side) roll the dough down to the bottom edge to create a spiral
  4. Cut the roll of dough into 1-3/4 inch slices and place 6 at a time, evenly spaced, in a lightly greased baking pan.
  5. Bake for 10 minutes or until light brown on top.

******

  1. For the icing, combine icing ingredients, beat well with an electric mixer until fluffy
  2. Coat the rolls when they come out of the oven generously with icing.

Makes 12 rolls