Tag Archives: dessert

Chocolate Plum Cake

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Cakes and tagged with , , , , ,
Chocolate Plum Cake

Chocolate Plum Cake

The last day of summer has come and gone and we are now officially into the fall season.  However stone fruits are still widely available at the farm stands in my area and in the supermarkets.  All these fruits reach their peak of ripeness in the summer sun, and they are delicious and appealing when you cook with them.   They lend themselves to every kind of preparation:  poaching, sautéing, roasting, grilling, and baking.  So you can work them into your early fall dessert recipes.IMG_5126

In this recipe for Chocolate Plum Cake you can interchange the fruits, and perhaps use nectarines instead of plums.  I decided to make it with plums because I have always enjoyed chocolate with wine; port wine or other dessert wine goes best with chocolate.  Since purple plums have a sweet, wine-like flavor they pair beautifully with chocolate in this moist, single-layer cake.  Another stone fruit that would work well here is the pluot–a cross between apricots and plums.  They are now sold in many supermarkets in the summer.

I loved making the batter for this cake.  There is only 1/4 cup flour (whole wheat) in it.  The rest of the dry ingredients consist of  ground almond flour, with baking powder and a little salt.   This makes the texture of the cake very fine and a little crumbly.  Almond is not noticeable in the taste, instead you’re bombarded with dense chocolate.  The recipe calls for chocolate that is at least 64% cocoa, but I had a bar that was 70% cocoa, so I used that.  With baking, the plums become tender and retain their juiciness.  Oh, boy, this is good!

Tender and moist cake, juicy plums.

Tender and moist cake, juicy plums.

CHOCOLATE PLUM CAKE

Yield:    8 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 stick softened butter, divided  (7 Tablespoons plus 1 Tablespoon.)

    Beautiful black plums and chocolate. Yum-yum!!

    Beautiful black plums and chocolate. Yum-yum!!

  • 4 black or purple plums
  • 1 Tablespoon, plus 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1 cup almond meal**
  • 1/4 cup buckwheat or whole-wheat flour##
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 3.5 ounces dark chocolate ( around 64% cocoa content), melted
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • Garnish:  confectioners’ sugar

**  Almond meal – also called almond flour–is sold in the health-food aisle of many supermarkets.  The brand I used is by Bob’s Red Mill.  You can substitute other nut meals, or make your own by pulsing blanched almonds in a food processor until finely ground but not yet nut butter.

##  Substitute a gluten-free baking mix for the flour and this can be a gluten-free dessert.

1.  Preheat the oven to 350*F.  Butter a 9 – inch round cake pan; then line the bottom with parchment paper and set aside.

2.  In a frying pan, melt 1 Tablespoon butter over medium heat.  Add the plums, cut side down, and sprinkle with 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar.  Cook 2 minutes and flip onto the other side.  Continue to cook 2 minutes more.  Remove pan from heat and set aside.

Sauté the plums in butter and sugar.

Sauté the plums in butter and sugar.

3.  In the bowl of your mixer beat the remaining 7 tablespoons butter and 1/3 cup sugar until pale in color.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.  Scrape the sides of the bowl as you go.  Stir in the melted chocolate and then the heavy cream.

Mix melted chocolate into the batter.

Mix melted chocolate and cream into the batter.

4.  Add the dry ingredients, and stir until the batter is smooth.

Almond flour as oart of the dry ingredients.

Almond flour as part of the dry ingredients.

Pour into the prepared pan and arrange the sautéed plums on top, cut side up.

Pour into a round baking pan.

Pour into a round baking pan.

Top with plums

Arrange plums on top.

Drizzle any pan juices over the plums.

5.   Bake until the blade of a sharp knife inserted into the middle comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.  Let the cake cool 5 minutes before removing it from the pan,   Dust with confectioners’ sugar.

IMG_5127

Each wedge gets a half plum.

Each wedge gets a half plum.

SOURCE:   slightly modified from Yankee Magazine

Magic Pumpkin Bars

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Bars and Cookies and tagged with , , , , , , ,
Magic Pumpkin Bars

Magic Pumpkin Bars

It seems now that Fall weather has set in recipes featuring pumpkin in some form or other are flooding the air-waves, web and periodicals.  Well, not to be left out, I wanted to get in on the fun of baking something with pumpkin.

You know what magic cookie bars are, right?  They’re also known as 7-layer bars.  But I like to call them magic cookie bars because 1) they don’t always have 7 layers, and 2)  the sweetened condensed milk performs the magic by tying all the layers together.

IMG_5071

Let’s start by reviewing all the layers in this version,  OK?

1. Gingersnap Crust.   I think that gingersnap and pumpkin are a match made in heaven.  They were made for each other.

2.  The chips.  White chocolate chips, preferred for color contrast and silky texture.  However, the day I made these bars I plunged into making them without checking and found I was out of white chips, so used chocolate instead.  But then, chocolate also goes well with pumpkin.  So use what ever kind you prefer or have on hand.

3.  Pecans, (or any nuts, really).  You gotta have them, especially in a fall dessert.

4.  Coconut.  This is totally optional, but it’s usually found in magic bars.

5.  Toffee Bits.  In my opinion, you can never have enough of these.  See #3.

6..  Pumpkin.  Come on……they are called pumpkin magic bars.

7.  Sweetened condensed milk.  The top and final layer;  the tie that binds it all together!   In this recipe it gets mixed with the pumpkin and some pumpkin pie spice and poured over the top.

Fudgy, chewy. I love the way all the layers blend together.

Fudgy, chewy. I love the way all the layers blend together.

MAGIC PUMPKIN BARS

Yield:  12 -16 bars

Ingredients:

Get all the ingredients ready.

Get all the ingredients ready.

  • 25 gingersnaps
  • 2 Tbsp. sugar
  • 5 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup coconut
  • 1/4 cup toffee bits
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Instructions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350*F.  Line a 9 x 9-inch pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.

2  Grind gingersnaps to a fine crumb in a food processor.  Mix with sugar and melted butter.  Press into prepared pan.

3.  Sprinkle with white chocolate chips, nuts, coconut, and toffee bits over the top of the crust.

4.  Whisk pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and condensed milk in a small bowl or measuring cup and pour over the top of the bars.

All layered up and ready for the oven.

All layered up and ready for the oven.

5.  Bake for 29 – 31 minutes, until edges have started to brown.  Cool completely before cutting.  Using edges of foil, lift completely from the pan to a cutting surface and using a bench knife or other sharp knife, cut into 12 or 16 squares.

Use the foil "handles" and lift the whole square out of the pan for ease in cutting.

Use the foil “handles” and lift the whole square out of the pan for ease in cutting.

Looking sooo good!

Looking sooo good!

These are surprisingly not too sweet.

These are surprisingly not too sweet.

SOURCE:  Crazy For Crust

Spirit-Lifting Cherry Coffee Cake

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Brunch, Cakes and tagged with , , , , , ,
Cherry Cream Coffee Cake


Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

“Forget your troubles, come on, get happy,  you better chase all your cares away”

The words to that song come to mind when I think about this coffee cake.  It’s guaranteed to be a spirit-lifter for anyone who tastes it.  Just looking at it makes me happy.

This recipe was featured recently on the blog “Rantings of an Amateur Chef”.  The blog author has been using Greek yogurt in a variety of dishes as a substitute for higher fat and calorie laden foods such as sour cream and cream cheese.

That is a technique that I also use on many occasions, so when I saw this recipe for Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake, I knew I had to make it, not so much because of the substitutions, but because it contains almond flavoring.  My all-time favorite flavor in the world!!   But since I, too, would be incorporating the substitutions, I purchased 0%-fat Greek yogurt in Black Cherry flavor as a match-up with the cherry pie filling that is part of the cake’s filling.

Looks luscious.

Looks luscious.

“Shout Alleluia,  come on, get happy,”

The aroma of this cake baking was so enticing I could hardly wait for it to cool sufficiently before sampling it. While still a very rich cake, the yogurt did its job in making a very creamy layer of filling below the cherry pie filling.  The over-all texture is mouth watering and tender with a little crunch provided by the sliced almonds.  And the combination of cherries and almond flavoring is a classic that I love.  This cake could be served as a dessert,  as a fancy coffee cake for a brunch, or just for breakfast.  I would not hesitate to make and take it as a gift for someone whose spirits need lifting.

IMG_5020

“The sun is shining, come on, get happy”.

CHERRY CREAM CHEESE COFFEE CAKE

YIELD:  8 – 10 servings

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

Crust ingredients.

Crust ingredients.

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour ( I substituted in 1 cup white whole wheat flour)
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup cold butter, cubed
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup sour cream ( or 0%fat Greek yogurt)
  • 1 tsp. almond extract

For the Filling:

  • 1 package ( 8-oz. ) cream cheese, softened ( I substituted 8-oz. Black Cherry flavor 0% fat Greek yogurt)

    Filling ingredients.

    Filling ingredients.

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 can ( 21-oz.) cherry pie filling
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions:

1.    Preheat oven to 350*F.  Pan needed:  9 – inch springform pan with removable bottom,  ungreased.

2.  In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar.  Cut in butter until crumbly.

Cutting in the butter.

Cutting in the butter.

Reserve 3/4 cup crumb mixture and set aside.

Reserve some crumbs for the topping.

Reserve some crumbs for the topping.

Add the baking powder, baking soda and salt to remaining crumb mixture.

3.  In a small bowl, whisk the egg, then add sour cream and almond extract.  Whisk to blend.  Stir into the crumb mixture to form a thick dough.

Mix together the egg, sour cream and almond extract

Mix together the egg, sour cream and almond extract

4.  Press onto the bottom and 1-inch up the sides of the springform pan.

Press crust into bottom of pan.

Press crust into bottom of pan.

5.  Make filling:  In a large bowl, beat cream cheese (yogurt), and sugar for 1 minute.  Add egg; beat just until combined.  Spread over crust.

Pour on cream filling.

Pour on cream filling.

Carefully spoon pie filling over the top.

Spoon on cherry filling.

Spoon on cherry filling.

Sprinkle with almonds, and the reserved crumbs.

Top with sliced almonds.

Top with sliced almonds.

Sprinkle on reserved crumbs.

Sprinkle on reserved crumbs.

6.  Bake at 350*F for 50 – 60 minutes or until center is set.  Cool on a wire rack.  Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen;  remove sides of pan.  Store in the refrigerator.

Out of the oven. Isn't that beautiful?

Out of the oven. Isn’t that beautiful?

Looks luscious.

Looks luscious.

Tastes as good as it looks.

Tastes as good as it looks.

SOURCE:  Taste of Home via Rantings of an Amateur Chef

Grilled Peach Cobbler

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Desserts and tagged with , , , , ,
Grilled Peach Cobbler

Grilled Peach Cobbler

As mentioned in an earlier post, I’m not done with fresh peaches yet.  This recipe was #1 on my list of peach recipes that I still am  anxious to try before the season is over.   With the holiday weekend just past, when we were using the outdoor grill anyway,  I decided to make this peach cobbler, and cook it on the grill.   This was so easy, and I didn’t have to turn on my oven.

Crushed pretzels add to the crunch of the topping.

Crushed pretzels add to the crunch of the topping.

Most cobblers are topped with a biscuit, or a crumb topping using oatmeal with the flour and brown sugar, but this recipe uses crushed pretzels instead.  That plus the addition of caramel ice cream topping with the peaches, makes for an interesting combination; sweetness and salty all rolled into one delicious bite.  This recipe is definitely a keeper for me, one that I’ll be making again.  Oh, and when grilling season is over you can just as easily bake it in the oven, and use frozen, unsweetened peaches.  A very versatile recipe, indeed.

Make it really sinful and add some ice cream. :D

Make it really sinful and add some ice cream. 😀

Full disclaimer:   Don’t say I didn’t warn you–this recipe is NOT low cal, low carb, low fat, a dieter’s dream or gluten-free.  What it is is just plain awesome !

GRILLED PEACH COBBLER

Yield:   Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

  • 5  medium fresh peaches, peeled, pitted, and sliced, or 5 cups frozen unsweetened peach slices, thawed.

    Cutting up the peaches.

    Cutting up the peaches.

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon quick-cooking tapioca
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping
  • 3/4 cup coarsely crushed pretzels
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup butter

Directions:

1.  In a large bowl, combine peaches, granulated sugar, lemon juice, tapioca, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.  Place this mixture in a 2-quart foil baking pan (to cook on the grill), or a similar  size baking dish if oven baking.

Pour peach mixture into baking pan.

Pour peach mixture into baking pan.

Drizzle the 1/3 cup caramel topping over the peaches in the pan.  Cover tightly with foil if baking on the grill, otherwise leave uncovered.

Pour caramel topping over the peaches.

Pour caramel topping over the peaches.

2.  Make topping:  In a medium bowl stir together crushed pretzels, brown sugar, and flour.  Using a pastry cutter, your fingers or a fork, work in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.   Refrigerate until read to use.

Work the butter into the flour-pretzel mixture.

Work the butter into the flour-pretzel mixture.

3.   To cook on a grill:   Preheat grill.   Reduce heat to medium.  Adjust for indirect cooking, ( one side lit, one side off).  Place foil pan on grill rack over the burner that is turned off.  Cover and grill for 30 minutes.   Uncover foil pan.  Sprinkle topping evenly over peach mixture.  Cover grill; cook for 10 to 15 minutes more or until mixture is bubbly and topping is light brown.

Sprinkle crumb topping over partially cooked peaches.

Sprinkle crumb topping over partially cooked peaches.

4.  To oven bake:  Place baking dish with peach mixture in the oven.  Bake for about 30 minutes or until peaches are tender.  Top with crumb topping and bake for an additional  15 minutes, till topping is brown and bubbly.

Topping gets browned and crunchy..

Topping gets browned and crunchy..

To serve:   top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzle with a little more caramel topping.

Soooo Good!

Soooo Good!

SOURCE:  Better Homes and Gardens.com

Jamocha Silk Pie

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Desserts, Pies, Pastry and tagged with , , , , , , ,
Jamocha Silk Pie

Jamocha Silk Pie

This pie is so incredibly good it’s hard to know where to begin describing it.  There are many layers of flavor that all come together to produce a uniquely rich flavor profile and texture, and one slice is totally satisfying.

It is very easy to make, and only takes about 10 minutes to assemble.   It starts with a tofu base to which cocoa, coffee, melted chocolate, coconut flakes and almond milk are added  Then it all gets poured into a crumb crust. A short time in the freezer to firm up and you are ready to cut and enjoy this creation.

If you love chocolate you will love this pie!!

If you love chocolate you will love this pie!!

The pie’s texture comes from the addition of unsweetened coconut flakes to the other ingredients in the blender, but it does not get blended completely smooth.  Then chopped pecans get stirred in at the end.  So what you get is the smooth, dark richness of chocolate, a rough texture and flavor from coconut and a bit of chew from the pecans.  An interesting mix that somehow works.  All of us at my house devoured this pie at one sitting.  No one even guessed it contained tofu, and although I haven’t tried it,  I believe you could get the same great results using an equal amount of cream cheese in its place.

JAMOCHA SILK PIE

Yield:   8 servings

Ingredients:

  • 12.3 oz. silken tofu  (one package)

    Assemble all the ingredients.

    Assemble all the ingredients.

  • 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
  • 2 Tbsp. almond milk (add a little more if your blender needs extra liquid to get going)
  • 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup brewed strong coffee
  • 1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 Tbsp. brewed coffee
  • 2 Tbsp. agave nectar
  • pinch salt
  • 1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped
  • 1 graham cracker or chocolate crumb crust
  • whipped topping, optional

To Make:

1.  In a blender container, combine tofu, cocoa powder, almond milk, vanilla, coffee, and flaked coconut.  That’s not a mistake, the coconut makes the texture awesome when it all gets blended in.  Blend until smooth.

2.  In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and a tablespoon of brewed coffee.  Melt and stir until smooth.  Let cool down a bit and add to the blender mixture.  Then add agave nectar to desired sweetness and the pinch salt.  Taste and adjust to desired sweetness and consistency.  The pie is intended to be rich and bittersweet.

3.  Pour into a bowl, and manually stir in the pecans.   Pour into the crumb crust.

Pour the chocolate filling into a crumb crust.

Pour the chocolate filling into a crumb crust.

Cover and place in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up. Or place in refrigerator if serving at a later time.

Chilled pie ready to be cut and served.

Chilled pie ready to be cut and served.

4.  Once the pie has reached desired firmness, cut into 8 equal serving pieces and crown with whipped topping of choice.

Deeee--lish!

Deeee–lish!

This pie will keep well for a week when covered and stored in the fridge.

SOURCE:   VegKitchen with Nava Atlas

Biscoff Swirl Brownies

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Bars and Cookies, Carolyn's Originals, Desserts, Snacks and tagged with , , , , , ,
Biscoff-swirl Brownies

Biscoff-swirl Brownies

I try not to have an open jar of Biscoff in my cupboard, because it takes all the willpower I can muster not to sneak a little spoonful every time I pass by.  And knowing me one small taste is usually not enough,  so I absolutely had to use up that open jar in some way.   That’s how this recipe for Biscoff swirled into fudge brownies happened.

These are not going to last long!

These are not going to last long!

Not familiar with this yummy treat?   This spread, besides being totally delicious, is vegan, nut-free, produced in a nut-free facility and has no cholesterol or trans-fats in it.  It’s great on toast,  or in a sandwich, in place of peanut-butter.  I use it to jazz up lots of things, but when I decided to swirl some into my favorite brownie recipe, I’m not kidding when I say it took them over the top.  They taste as amazing as they look.

Fudgy, chewy, a little decadent!

Fudgy, chewy, a little decadent!

While I prefer to serve them while they are still slightly warm, so the cookie butter will still be warm and gooey, they’re still every bit as mouth-watering when they’re completely cooled.  But don’t take my word for it, you must try them for yourself.

BISCOFF SWIRL BROWNIES

Yield:   Makes about 16 squaresIMG_4776

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 cup Biscoff Spread, melted

Instructions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350*F.  Line a square 8×8, or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray with a good coating of pan spray.

2.  Melt the butter on the stove top or microwave .  Whisk in sugar, salt and cocoa powder, and then stir in the vanilla extract.

3.  In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs well, and then whisk in the chocolate mixture until well combined.

4.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder until well combined.  Stir the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture until just combined.

5.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan.  Melt the Bixcoff Spread in the microwave and  drizzle over the top of the brownie batter.  Use a clean knife to swirl the Biscoff into the batter.

Pour biscoff on top and swirl into brownie batter with a knife.

Pour Biscoff on top and swirl into brownie batter with a knife.

6.  Bake at 350*F for 30 -35 minutes.  Cool on a wire cooling rack for at least 30 minutes before serving.

You know you want one ( or two)!!!

You know you want one ( or two)!!!

SOURCE:    Carolyn’s Originals

Cracker Jack Sundaes

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Desserts and tagged with , , , , , ,
Cracker Jack Sundae

Cracker Jack Sundae

I didn’t want my ice cream maker to feel neglected or that I was playing favorites with my ice-pops mold, so I decided to pull out all the stops and really make a fabulous ice cream and then use it to make these beyond fabulous sundaes.

I’ve made quite a few good ice creams in the past, but this one is so different from anything I’ve made before, that I just had to share it with you.   The ice cream is actually popcorn flavored.   The cream mixture is first steeped with popcorn before the base is finished and frozen.  As a result, the ice-cream is infused with popcorn flavor, making this frozen treat a little sweet and a little savory.  When you combine it with a handful of caramel corn and a drizzle of salted caramel sauce it makes a dessert that is both unique and memorable.     If you happen to be a popcorn/caramel corn lover, this could be kind of addictive.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!!

CRACKER JACK SUNDAES WITH POPCORN ICE-CREAM

Yield:   about 6 servings

Ingredients:

For the ice cream:

  • 1  3/4 cups heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 cup sugar, divided
  • about 5 cups prepared popcorn (1/3 cup unpopped kernels, if you make your own.)
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp. salt

To serve:

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream with the milk and 1/2 cup sugar.  Heat over medium heat until warmed and bubbles form around the edges.  Remove from the heat, stir in the prepared popcorn, and cover.   Let the mixture steep for 30 minutes.

Return the pan back for the burner over medium heat.  In a medium bowl, combine the egg yolks and the remaining 1/4 cup sugar.  Whisk until smooth.  When the mixture in the pan is warmed through again, slowly pour into the bowl with the egg yolks, whisking constantly.   Return the entire mixture to the saucepan and place over medium heat.  Cook, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom of the pan, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon (170* -175*F on an instant read thermometer).  Pour the custard through a mesh strainer into a storage container.  Stir in the vanilla and salt.  Let cool slightly, then cover and refrigerate until completely chilled.

Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Store in an airtight container in the freezer.

To Make Sundaes:

Place a scoop of the popcorn ice cream in the bottom of a sundae glass/dish.  Drizzle with some caramel sauce.  Place another scoop of ice cream, and drizzle with more sauce.  Sprinkle on a handful of Cracker Jacks/ caramel corn.   Top with whipped topping as desired.   SIGH!!

Cracker Jack Sundae

Cracker Jack Sundae

IMG_4732

SOURCE:  heavily modified from  Almost Bourdain, via Food Network

Peach Crostata

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Desserts, Pies, Pastry and tagged with , , , , , ,
Fresh Peach Crostata.

Fresh Peach Crostata.

August is National Peach Month, and in its honor I have for you a quickie receipt that takes advantage of luscious, sweet smelling and sweet tasting peaches.

A crostata, or a galette as some folks call it, is a one-crust pastry that wraps itself not-quite over a fruit filling.  I love making this type of pastry because it is so quick.  With only one crust, there are fewer calories, fat and carbohydrates, and you get lots of crispy edges of flaky pastry in every bite.  With a package of refrigerated pie dough on hand and almost any kind of fruit, you can make one of these easy desserts in no time flat.  Stone fruits work well in the summer and apples and pears take their place in the fall.  A great recipe to keep in your go-to box when you want a fast dessert.

A dab of whipped topping is all it needs.

A dab of whipped topping is all it needs.

FRESH PEACH CROSTATA

Serves 4 – 6 people

Ingredients:

Mix together, brown sugar, cornstarch, ginger and salt.

Mix together, brown sugar, cornstarch, ginger and salt.

  • 4  medium-large peaches, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
  • pinch salt
  • 1 refrigerated pie crust

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 425*F.  Lightly spray a baking sheet or pie pan.

2.  Unroll pie crust on baking sheet,  or in pie pan (letting edges extend over the sides.)

3.  In a large bowl, toss peaches, brown sugar, cornstarch, ginger and salt.  Arrange this mixture on crust, leaving a 2 inch border,  or in pie pan.  Fold border over filling.

Fold edges of pastry up over fruit filling.

Fold edges of pastry up over fruit filling.

Brush edges with milk or cream and sprinkle on sugar.

Brush edges with milk or cream and sprinkle on sugar.

4.  Bake 25 – 30 minutes or until crust is golden.

Fresh Peach Crostata.

Fresh Peach Crostata.

Perfect with a dab of whipped topping.

Perfect with a dab of whipped topping.

SOURCE:   Ali M. private catering

Peach Enchiladas

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Desserts and tagged with , , , ,
Peach Enchiladas, an easy, delectable dessert.

Peach Enchiladas, an easy, delectable dessert.

“Extraordinary!  Best dessert you’ve made in a while!”  These were Mr. D’s words when he tasted this dessert.  Holy Moly!   I never imagined this simple little dessert would bring such compliments.

Made from just a few ingredients, some of them convenience items, it goes together quickly and tastes fabulous.  Juicy peaches are wrapped in crescent roll dough,

Wrap each peach quarter in crescent roll dough.

Wrap each peach quarter in crescent roll dough.

then bathed in a cinnamon syrup and citrus-flavored soft drink.

Pour over peach rolls and bake.

Pour over peach rolls and bake.

Once baked they are brown and bubbly, and oh, sooo good; especially served with a little whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

IMG_4596

Mr. D. is already reminding me that I have to make them again soon.  I know I’m being bossy here, but you must make this dessert ASAP.  Do It.!

PEACH ENCHILADAS

So few ingredients, such big flavor!

So few ingredients, such big flavor!

Yield:   8 servings

Ingredients:

  • 2  (8-oz.) cans refrigerated crescent rolls
  • 4 large fresh, firm, ripe peaches, peeled and quartered
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 1 tsp, ground cinnamon
  • 1  (12-oz.) can citrus-flavored soft drink, such as lemon-lime, or Mountain Dew

1.  Preheat oven to 350*F.  Lightly grease a 13 x 9 – inch baking pan.  Unroll crescent rolls, separate into triangles.  Place 1 peach quarter on wide end of each triangle;  roll up around peaches, starting at the wide end.  Place point sides down in prepared pan.

2.  Melt butter in microwave,  Stir together sugar and cinnamon.  Add to butter and mix well.  Drizzle this mixture over the peach rolls. Pour soft drink over the rolls.

Mix up cinnamon syrup, have citrus soda measured and ready

Mix up cinnamon syrup, have citrus soda measured and ready

3.  Bake at 350*F for  40 – 45 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

After baking, brown and flaky with a cinnamon syrup.

After baking, brown and flaky with a cinnamon syrup.

Note:  Since I made this dessert for 2 of us,  I made only half the recipe.  A serving consists of 2 peach rolls.

Serve with whipped topping, or ice cream.

Serve with whipped topping, or ice cream.

SOURCE:  Southern Living Magazine

No More Burned Marshmallows

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Bars and Cookies, Desserts, Snacks and tagged with , , , , , , , ,

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like S’mores, do you?  I was first introduced to them when I was a young girl at Girl Scout Camp where we roasted the marshmallows on a stick over a camp fire.  It seemed like mine always caught fire, and I ended up with a charred, blackened marshmallow while everyone else’s marshmallow was golden and perfectly toasted.  I usually insisted that I made it that way on purpose because I loved them burned.  😦

roasting a marshmallow

roasting a marshmallow (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now-a- days, I’ll gladly eat a S’more if someone else will toast my marshmallow, because I still can’t seem to get it right!   That’s probably why I think these bars are so fabulous.  There is no toasting of marshmallows involved—what’s used here is marshmallow fluff out of a jar.  While it’s a little sticky to spread, I’m better with that than I am with an open fire.

S'mores Bars

S’mores Bars

I found this recipe hidden away at the bottom of an ad from my Mazda dealer.  Sneaky little devil, thought I wouldn’t see it!      Well, I did see it, and I made it for us all to enjoy.  People,  you will be so happy that I’m sharing it with you.  No longer will you need to go camping, or build a fire to toast marshmallows,  just make these ooey, gooey, chocolatey, bars and you will have the best without the mess.  🙂

Decadent!

Decadent!

SWEET AND SPICY S’MORES BARS

Yield:   Makes 16 bars

Graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallow fluff.

Graham crackers, chocolate and marshmallow fluff.

Ingredients:

  • 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2   (3.5 oz.) bars dark chocolate
  • 1/2 cup marshmallow fluff

1.  Preheat the oven to 350*F.  Line an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with parchment  paper, leaving an overhang at the sides.

2.  In a mixer bowl, beat the butter, sugars, and vanilla together until light and fluffy.

3.  In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, graham crumbs, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  Stir into the creamed mixture until well combined.  Batter will be crumbly.

Batter will be crumbly.

Batter will be crumbly.

4.  Spread 2/3 of the batter onto the prepared pan and press into an even layer.  Lay the two chocolate bars in an even layer across the dough.

5.  Spread the marshmallow fluff over the chocolate, and crumble the remaining dough evenly over the top.

All layered up and ready for the oven.

All layered up and ready for the oven.

6.  Bake until puffed and set, about 25 to 30 minutes.  Cool completely.  Remove the square from the pan using the paper overhang and place on a cutting board.  Cut into 16 squares.

So good. After one you will want s'more!

So good. After one you will want s’more!