Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Buttercream

I love cupcakes, they are generally small and cute, and the perfect size for one serving. When I went to make these vanilla bean cupcakes, I realized I did not have the vanilla bean...Hmmm. Should I try it with regular vanilla, which would still be tasty, but that wasn't enough I thought. So what did I do, I turned to my trusty Penzeys Vanilla. Which if you choose to use this wonderful vanilla, there is actually a vanilla bean in the bottle (with the extract!) So I fished it out, took my paring knife with a freshly sharpened tip, split the bean open, scraped the seeds out and added them to the mix. Crisis averted-right?!



You'll notice in the image below the cupcake has a bit of sparkle to it, which is due to the sugar glitter I used to dress her up. The sugar glitter I used was purchased at Michael's.



Vanilla Bean Cupcakes (from Williams Sonoma)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup sugar
6 Tbs. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 whole egg plus 1 egg white, at room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract (and if you are using, the seeds from one vanilla bean)
1/2 cup milk
Vanilla buttercream for frosting cupcakes


Preheat an oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan ( or use your 6 cup muffin pan twice) with paper or foil liners.

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the sugar and butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the egg and egg white one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk in 2 additions, beating until just combined; scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat just until no traces of flour remain, about 30 seconds; do not over beat.

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full. Bake until the cupcakes are lightly golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes. Then transfer the cupcakes to the rack and let cool completely, about 1 hour.

Frost the cupcakes with the buttercream. (The frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before finishing.)

Makes 12 cupcakes.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting (William Sonoma)

6 cups confectioners’ sugar
16 Tbs. (2 sticks) unsalted butter
4 1/2 Tbs. milk, plus more, if needed
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt
Food colorings (optional)

Have all the ingredients at room temperature.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, combine the confectioners sugar, butter, the 4 1/2 Tbs. milk, the vanilla and salt and beat on low speed until combined, about 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Increase the speed to medium and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.

If the frosting is dry, add more milk, 1 tsp. at a time, until it is creamy but still holds peaks. Tint with food coloring as desired. Makes about 4 cups.

Cream Cheese Brownies

These little bars taste as lovely as they look. I did not have enough unsweetend chocolate on hand, so I successfully swapped 3 Tbsp of cocoa and 1 Tbsp oil, butter, or shortening for every ounce of unsweetened baking chocolate you are substituting. The cream cheese brownies were easy to assemble, I do hope you get a chance to try them!

Cream Cheese Brownies (from Joy of Baking)

Brownie Layer:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped (see note above)
1 1/4 cups granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Layer:
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg

Cream Cheese Brownies: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and place the rack in the center of the oven. Have ready a 9 x 9 inch square baking pan that has been lined with aluminum foil across the bottom and up two opposite sides of the pan.

In a stainless steel (heatproof) bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water, melt the butter and chocolate. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar and vanilla extract. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well (with a wooden spoon) after each addition. Stir in the flour and salt and beat, with a wooden spoon, until the batter is smooth and glossy and comes away from the sides of the pan (about one minute). Remove 1/2 cup of the brownie batter and set it aside. Place the remainder of the brownie batter evenly onto the bottom of the prepared pan.

Then, in the bowl of your food processor (or with a hand mixer), process the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sugar, vanilla, and egg and process just until creamy and smooth. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the brownie layer. Spoon small dollops of the reserved brownie batter evenly on top of the cream cheese filling. Then with a table knife or wooden skewer, swirl the two batters without mixing them.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until the brownies start to pull away from the sides of the pan and the edges of the brownies are just beginning to brown (for me I think I baked these close to 40 minutes, while upping the oven temperature to 350 degrees for the last few minutes.) Either way keep an eye on your oven and your bars and remove them when they match the description of finished product.

Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Refrigerate the brownies until they are firm enough to cut into squares (at least two hours). Once chilled, remove the brownies from the pan by lifting with the ends of the foil and transfer to a cutting board. It is a good idea to have a damp cloth nearby to wipe your knife between cuts.

These brownies can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

Boston Cream Pie

(*It looks like a reindeer cake doesn't it-heehee!)

Boston Cream Pie is a wonderful treat, it's definitely not an everyday dessert. I've had this one bookmarked for awhile so I was happy to try it finally. I, along with many people, wonder why is it called Boston Cream Pie? This explanation I found was originally presented on the Joy of Baking's website, it reads as follows:

There are two questions that immediately come to mind when you hear Boston Cream Pie. One is "Why is it called a pie?", and the other is "Why the name 'Boston'?". To answer the first question of why "pie" instead of "cake", it is probably because colonists baked their cakes in pie tins as they did not own cake pans. As far as calling it Boston Cream Pie, the story began when a New York newspaper in 1855 published a recipe for a 'Pudding Pie Cake'. This recipe was similar to the Boston Cream Pie recipe of today except that it had a powdered sugar topping. From there we go to Boston where a man named Harvey D. Parker opened a restaurant called the Parker House Restaurant. On the menu was a 'Parker House Chocolate Pie', the recipe to which was similar to the New York newspaper recipe except a chocolate glaze had replaced the powdered sugar topping. We are not sure how it was renamed to 'Boston Cream Pie', but Bo Friberg in his book 'The Professional Pastry Chef' thinks "the name stems from the original title (in the New York paper) combined with the reference to Boston."

Boston Cream Pie (from Joy of Baking)

Pastry Cream:

1/4 cup granulated white sugar
3 large egg yolks
1/8 cup all-purpose flour
Scant 3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sponge Cake:

5 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated white sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup plain cake flour (not self-rising)
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

Chocolate Glaze:

4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon unsalted butter


Pastry Cream: In a medium-sized stainless steel bowl, mix the sugar and egg yolks. (Do not let this mixture sit too long.) Sift the flour and cornstarch together and then add to the egg mixture, mixing until you get a smooth paste. Set aside.

Meanwhile in a small saucepan, bring the milk just to a boil over medium heat. (Watch carefully and remove from heat just as the milk starts to foam up.) Pour the milk slowly into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.

Place the egg mixture into a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until boiling, whisking constantly. When it boils, continue to whisk constantly for another 30 - 60 seconds until it becomes thick.

Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Pour into a clean bowl and immediately cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a crust from forming. Let the cream cool in the refrigerator for a few hours.

Sponge Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in center of oven. Butter and line the bottoms of two - 8 inch round cake pans with parchment paper. While the eggs are still cold separate three of the eggs, placing the yolks in one large mixing bowl and the whites in another bowl. To the yolks, add the two remaining eggs. Cover the two bowls with plastic wrap and allow the eggs to come to room temperature before using (about 30 minutes).

Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together the flours, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Place the milk and butter in a small saucepan, over low heat, and warm until the butter melts. Remove from heat, cover, and keep warm.

In your electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, (or with a hand mixer) beat the whole eggs and yolks and 6 tablespoons of the sugar on high speed for about five minutes, or until they are thick, fluffy and light colored (when you slowly raise the beaters the batter will fall back into the bowl in a slow ribbon). Beat in the vanilla extract.

In another clean mixing bowl, with the whisk attachment, (or with a hand mixer) beat the egg whites and cream of tartar, at low speed, until foamy. Increase the speed to medium-high and gradually add the remaining sugar, beating until soft, moist peaks form. Gently fold a little of the whites into the batter to lighten it, and then add the rest of the whites folding just until incorporated. Sift half of the flour mixture over the top of the batter and gently fold through with a rubber spatula or whisk. Sift the remaining flour over the batter and fold in. Do not over mix.

Make a well in the center of the batter and pour the melted butter/milk mixture into the bowl. Gently but thoroughly fold the butter mixture into the batter. Do not over mix.

Divide the batter between the two prepared pans, smoothing the tops, and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until light brown and springy to the touch. (A toothpick inserted in the middle will come out clean.) Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

Immediately run a spatula or sharp knife around the inside of the pans and then invert the cakes onto a wire rack. Remove parchment paper and re-invert. Cool completely. When the cakes have cooled and you are ready to assemble the Boston Cream Pie, make the Chocolate Glaze.

Place the chopped chocolate in a small heatproof bowl. Bring the cream and butter just to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Immediately pour the boiling cream over the chocolate and allow to stand for a 3-5 minutes. Gently stir until smooth. Set aside for a few minutes until it has thickened to pouring consistency.

To Assemble: Place one cake layer on your serving plate, bottom side facing up. Spoon the pastry cream onto the cake (if your pastry cream has thickened too much while chilling, using a hand mixer, beat the pastry cream with a little bit of milk and it should lighten up,) spreading to make an even layer. Place the second cake layer (bottom side up) onto the filling. Pour the glaze onto the center of the cake and carefully spread the glaze, with an offset spatula, to the edges of the cake, allowing the glaze to drip down the sides.

Let the cake sit until the glaze sets, about one hour. Serve. This cake is best eaten the same day it is made. Cover and refrigerate any leftovers. Serves 8-10

Mississippi Mud Pie

Thinking back one of my favorite restaurant desserts was called Mocha Mud Pie aka Mississippi Mud Pie. I really liked the coffee/chocolate combination topped with almonds. However when the combo is paired together, it's not a strong coffee flavor. My husband has never had a dessert like this before, I figured he would like it, but I didn't figure he'd grab a bite so early in the day. You see, I finished making this in the evening, and with no natural light I hesitated grabbing a quick photo and I figured I would get it in the morning when I got up. I didn't say anything to him, figuring he would wait.

I got up, went to the freezer after a bit to grab the dessert out to snap a quick photo and there was a big piece missing! He said it looked too tasty to wait! (I guess I didn't blame him :) So the photo above reflects that-heehee. The chocolate cookie crust required chocolate cookies (obviously!) I chose to use Teddy Grahams-Chocolate, they are tiny, cute and way too tasty! But into the food processor they went.



Mississippi Mud Pie (from William Sonoma)

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1⁄4 cup heavy cream
2 Tbs. light corn syrup
1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cookie crumb crust made with chocolate cookies, separate recipe found here)
1⁄2 cup toffee bits or coarsely chopped
toasted almonds
1.5 quarts premium coffee ice cream, softened

In the top pan of a double boiler, combine the chocolate chips, butter, cream and corn syrup. Set over but not touching barely simmering water in the bottom pan until the chocolate is melted, stirring occasionally. Or, in a microwave proof bowl, combine the chocolate, butter, cream and corn syrup and melt in the microwave for 30-second intervals. Remove from the microwave and stir until smooth.

Add the confectioners sugar and vanilla to the chocolate mixture and mix well. Reserve 1/2 cup of the chocolate mixture for the top of the pie. Spread the remaining mixture evenly in the bottom of the cookie crust. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the ice cream on medium speed until it is spreadable but not runny. Immediately mound into the pie shell and spread evenly. Freeze until the ice cream is firm, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

Reheat the reserved chocolate mixture in the top of the double boiler over barely simmering water, or in the microwave for 30-second intervals, until it is spreadable but not hot. Using a spatula, spread it over the ice cream. Sprinkle with the remaining toffee bits or almonds and return the pie to the freezer until it is completely firm before serving, 3 to 4 hours.

To slice, run a knife under hot water, then dry it off. If frozen overnight, the pie may need to stand at room temperature for a few minutes before it is soft enough to slice easily. Makes one 9-inch pie; serves 8.

Almond Scandinavian Kringler

I have mentioned before our love for all things almond. I'll add almond extract to almost anything, anywhere you can add vanilla extract you can add almond. Recipes such as pancakes, bars, blondies, cookies, doughs, cakes, and just about anywhere else. A local higher end grocery store bakery prepares these almond kringlers that are to die for, and as the Easter holiday approached, I thought about trying to make one myself. I headed to their website and sure enough, there was the recipe.

Again, I was a bit tentative trying this from scratch. But, forging ahead, I tried it and it was actually quite a bit easier than expected. The flaky crust, cream puff layer and almond-butter frosting combine for an outstanding pastry. I used a pastry bag and a #2 tip for the icing, and the results looked very pretty and professional :)

Scandinavian Kringler (from Lunds and Byerlys)

1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1 cup flour
3 eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
Almond-Butter Frosting (recipe below)
toasted sliced almonds

Combine flour and butter with pastry blender; add 1 tablespoon water and blend to make pastry. Divide into 3 parts, pat each third into 13x3" strip on ungreased baking sheets. (Use 2 baking sheets, placing 2 strips on 1 sheet with space between strips.) Set aside.



Combine 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup water in saucepan; bring to boiling. Remove from heat; add flour and stir until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until mixture is smooth. Blend in extract and spread dough over unbaked pastry strips.
After a minute or two is was cool enough to use my finger tips to help spread the mixture, that worked a bit easier.



Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until top is crisp and golden (50-55 minutes). Cool. (The top will settle and form a custard over pastry.) Spread with Almond-Butter
Frosting. Sprinkle with nuts. Cool slightly.

To Serve: Cut into diagonal strips; serve warm or cold.

Almond Butter Frosting: Combine 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon soft butter, 1 teaspoon almond extract and 2-3 tablespoons half and half until smooth and of spreading consistency.

Nutella Brownies

As always, our trusty Nutella has never steered me wrong. I think, for me, anytime I see Nutella in the name of a recipe, I can almost instantly assume that it will be a hit. The original recipe calls for caramel and hazelnuts, which unfortunately I did not have on hand. I tossed around the idea of making my own caramel sauce, but just decided that was to be too much work, I forged ahead without. The results were just as lovely without, however, I feel there should be a way to work in a cream cheese swirl. Let me know if anybody figures out a way to work that in :)

Nutella Brownies (Inspired by bell'alimento at Tasty Kitchen)

½ cups All-purpose Flour
⅓ cups Cocoa Powder
¼ teaspoons Baking Powder
1 pinch Salt
1 cup Sugar
½ stick Unsalted Butter
2 whole Eggs
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
½ almond extract
¼ cups Nutella (1/4 cup Nutella, melted if desiredfor garnishing)
Nuts, if desired (I used pecans because thats what I had on hand) hazelnuts would be ideal though.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Into a mixing bowl, add your flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder. Using a whisk, mix together and set aside. Into your stand mixer or in a bowl using a hand mixed, add the sugar and butter; cream together. Add in eggs one at a time and mix well. Add in your vanilla and almond extracts. Gradually add in your flour mixture until it’s well combined. Batter should be thick and sticky.

Spray an 8"x*" ovenproof dish with cooking spray. Place a piece of parchment paper (slightly larger than your dish to allow for handles) inside. It will adhere to the bottom of the dish. Pour the batter in the prepared dish. Spoon the Nutella over the batter, and swirl throughout the batter using a spoon or a spatula. Place in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes until sides are firm and center is no longer giggly.

Allow brownies to cool completely before removing. Cut your brownies to your desired size using a serrated knife. Make a small indentation with your finger into each brownie. Take your melted Nutella and drizzle over the tops of the brownies. Garnish with the nuts.

M&M Cookies!!

Of all of the cookies that I can think of, I think some of the very basics are my very favorite. One of those selected few is the beloved M&M cookie! When I say this recipe pop into my email inbox, I knew this weekend I would have to try it. This cookie proved to be soo good that the base of this cookie might be used in other cookie recipes in the future. These turned out perfectly cooked, slightly chewy, a little crisp, perfectly shaped. The only change I might try next time would be to add a little more salt, I think that might bring out the flavor of the sugar, and butter, and vanilla just a little more.

When placing the candies on top of the cookie just prior to baking, don't be afraid to put them a little closer to each other than you would think to. The cookie will spread a little bit which will give them necessary space between the candies.

The recipe is said to only make twelve cookies, they are a little bigger cookies. My try at it made thirteen cookies, with the last being a little bigger than the others. A measured scoop will also help make sure each cookie is the same size and shape. Enjoy with a cold glass of milk!

M&M Cookies (from Joy of Baking)

2 cups of All Purpose Flour
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt (*see note above)
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 cup granulated white sugar
2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup M&M candies (rough estimate)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place one oven rack in the top one-third of the oven and one oven rack in the lower one-third of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, or in a separate bowl and use a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes.) Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the egg and egg yolk, beating well until combined. Beat in the vanilla extract.

Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, and beat until just incorporated, scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Form the dough into balls, using 1/4 cup for each cookie. Place six balls of dough on each lined baking sheet. Gently flatten each dough ball into a 2 1/2 circle. Gently press the candies into each cookie. Bake for 15-17 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway. Cookies are done when when they are light golden brown in color and are just set. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, be careful not to over bake.

Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets before cooling on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

Key Lime Bars

This is my go to recipe for lemon bars, yes that's right I said lemon bars. You see that's what the original recipe calls for, and any other day I would go for that, but I thought I was in the mood for some Key Lime Treats. These bars are creamy, with just enough tartness of the lemon (or lime in this case.) The crust is perfect made with the vanilla wafer cookies. This is an all round summer classic in our house, whenever I make these people often ask for the recipe and I have to point them to the Kraft website!

Key Lime Bars (adapted from Kraft Food and Family)

20 Reduced Fat vaNilla Wafers cookies, finely crushed
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold margarine
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Neufchatel cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. flour
3 Tbsp. grated key lime peel, divided
1/4 cup fresh key lime juice
1/4 tsp. CALUMET Baking Powder
2 tsp. powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 8-inch square baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan; set aside. Combine wafer crumbs, 1/2 cup flour and the brown sugar in medium bowl. Cut in margarine with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; press firmly onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake 15 min.

Beat Neufchatel cheese and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs and 2 Tbsp. flour; mix well. Blend in 1 Tbsp. Key Lime peel, Key Lime juice and baking powder; pour over crust.

Bake 25 to 28 min. or until center is set. Cool completely. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and remaining 2 Tbsp. grated key lime peel just before cutting into squares to serve. Store leftover squares in refrigerator.

Lemon Bundt Cake

I picked up my first Bundt pan this weekend really wanting to try this recipe. Lemon desserts make me think of spring and I know spring is on the way here in MN so I'm hoping and praying it comes sooner rather than later. Thinking back, Bundt cakes used to be a bit more popular than they are today I imagine. This isn't the Bundt cake with the pudding in the center, this isn't your grandmothers cake. This Lemon Bundt comes from America's Test Kitchen, which is one of the most watched cooking shows on Public TV. These fine folks work with a recipe until it can be replicated with the same consistent results in different environments every time. If these nice people dole out a recipe, pay attention, it's the very best there is.

The Bundt pan is a Minnesota native of Nordic Ware. What started as a family owned, home grown operation in their own kitchen, now boasts a huge empire of over 60 million Bundt pans in Kitchens across the United States. Here is their pdf tip sheet on how to bake a perfect Bundt!

Lemon Bundt Cake (from America’s Test Kitchens as seen on Kelsey’s Apple a Day Blog)

Cake:

3 Lemons, zested and juiced for at least three Tbsp. lemon juice
3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp table salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup lowfat buttermilk
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 egg yolk, room temperature
18 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature (2 ¼ sticks)
2 cups granulated sugar

Glaze:

2-3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp buttermilk
2 cups confectioners’ sugar

FOR THE CAKE: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position; heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 12-cup Bundt pan with nonstick baking spray with flour (alternatively, brush pan with mixture of 1 tablespoon flour and 1 tablespoon melted butter). Mince lemon zest to fine paste (you should have about 2 tablespoons). Combine zest and lemon juice in small bowl; set aside to soften, 10 to 15 minutes.

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl. Combine lemon juice mixture, vanilla, and buttermilk in medium bowl. In small bowl, gently whisk eggs and yolk to combine. In standing mixer fitted with flat paddle mixer attachment, cream butter and sugar at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes; scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula. Reduce to medium speed and add half of eggs, mixing until incorporated, about 15 seconds. Repeat with remaining eggs; scrape down bowl again. Reduce to low speed; add about one-third of flour mixture, followed by half of buttermilk mixture, mixing until just incorporated after each addition (about 5 seconds). Repeat using half of remaining flour mixture and all of remaining buttermilk mixture. Scrape bowl and add remaining flour mixture; mix at medium-low speed until batter is thoroughly combined, about 15 seconds. Remove bowl from mixer and fold batter once or twice with rubber spatula to incorporate any remaining flour. Scrape into prepared pan.

Bake until top is golden brown and wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into center comes out with no crumbs attached, 45 to 50 minutes.

FOR THE GLAZE: While cake is baking, whisk 2 tablespoons lemon juice, buttermilk, and confectioners' sugar until smooth, adding more lemon juice gradually as needed until glaze is thick but still pourable (mixture should leave faint trail across bottom of mixing bowl when drizzled from whisk). Cool cake in pan on wire rack set over baking sheet for 10 minutes, then invert cake directly onto rack. Pour half of glaze over warm cake and let cool for 1 hour; pour remaining glaze evenly over top of cake and continue to cool to room temperature, at least 2 hours.

Nutella Rocky Road Tart

*Sorry teddy grahams, you are cute and tasty but you'll be cookie crumbs soon!

Oh my my-I've really done it this time! I asked for a vote and the vote was nearly unanimous, I needed to make something with Nutella. I wish I had words for how tasty this little one is. There is something extraordinary that comes with the meeting of Nutella and chocolate ganache that makes mouths happy. When the recipe states "whisk in the Nutella and pour over tart shell," after you have done that do yourself a favor and pause and lick the whisk and the bowl clean, you'll be glad you did.

OK, enough with the praises! Seriously, this recipe came together quite quickly, it was very easy, and is sure to impress. The original recipe calls for a 14"x4" tart pan, sort of a rectangular shape. I used a 9"tart round tart pan, but I suppose you could easily substitute an 8" or 9" pie pan/plate or even a 9"x9" square pan. There's no excuse now-try this.

Nutella Rocky Road Tart (From Culinary Concoctions by Peabody)

Crust:

1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs (I used Chocolate Teddy Grahams)

6 Tbsp melted butter

Filling:

6 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup mini marshmallows, divided

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, divided

Directions for the crust:

*Spray your cooking vessel with non-stick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl mix together your cookie crumbs and melted butter so that it forms the consistency of wet sand. I used a food processor as I had to crush my little teddy grahams, so I added the butter directly to the food processor after they were made into crumbs.

Dump the crumbs into your pan and use either your fingers or the bottom of a glass or a measuring cup to press the crumbs down and up the sides of your pan forming a full crust. Using the center rack in your oven, bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

Directions for filling:

Place the chocolate chips in a medium sized bowl and set aside. In a small saucepan, bring cream to a boil. Once that happens, pour the cream over the chocolate chips and let sit undisturbed for two whole minutes. After that, whisk until the two are incorporated. Whisk in the Nutella and the resulting mixture should be smooth and glossy.

Assembling the tart:

Place half of the marshmallows and walnuts in the tart shell. Pour the chocolate mixture over the tart shell, covering the marshmallows and walnuts. Once that is complete, top with remaining marshmallows and walnuts.

Place in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. Cut and serve. This dessert is very rich, so servings should be a little smaller, serves about 10.

Lemon Curd or Lemon Bar Spread?

This is lovely, I have never really had lemon curd before. I always thought it sounded good, I do like lemon, I've heard it's good with shortbread, english muffins, scones etc. But the term 'curd' didn't sound very good (unless you are referring to a cheese curd, then we can talk!) I've seen lemon curd at the store in the jams and jelly section. But, seeing this recipe, I thought I would give it a cheery go. It was easy and quick to prepare, it did involve a bit of patience with the stirring, but you will be well rewarded.

The best was I can sum up lemon curd is likening it to a perfect delicous tasty lemon bar spread. WAIT-thats it, maybe I could change the name, but the UK might not like that. According to Wiki, the people of the UK also refer to it as 'lemon cheese.' I'll take lemon curd thank you.

Lemon Curd (source: Cooking Light)

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 5 medium lemons)-must use FRESH, no bottled stuff here!
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

Combine the first 3 ingredients in a medium, heavy saucepan, stirring with a whisk. Stir in juice and eggs; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk. Reduce heat, and simmer 1 minute or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add butter and lemon rind, stirring gently until butter melts.

Spoon mixture into a medium bowl; cool. Cover and chill at least 6 hours or overnight (mixture will thicken as it cools).

Caramel Apple Caramel Corn

I thought for the holiday season I would shake it up a bit and try my hand at something that wasn't a cookie, but still sweet. I had been eyeing up this post ever since I saw it back in the fall. The other day I actually found the Lyles Golden Syrup in the store. As like most I'm sure, I had never heard of such syrup. It seemed to add a lovely buttery, caramely taste to the recipe. If you cannot find it you can substitute light corn syrup, but look for it if you can. There are other uses for it, like drizzled on pancakes, an English muffin, or even frozen yogurt.

Caramel Apple Caramel Corn (From Culinary Concoctions)

2-3 bags plain, not buttered, microwave popcorn.

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup dark brown sugar, tightly packed

1/2 cup Lyle's golden syrup

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup unsalted butter

1tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking soda

14 oz bag of caramels, unwrapped and each piece quartered

12 oz dried apples, chopped into bite sized pieces

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.

Divide the popped corn between two large bowls. Divide dried apple pieces between the two bowls, as well as the caramel pieces.

In a large heavy bottomed saucepan bring together the sugars, syrup, salt, and butter to a full boil over high heat, stirring often. Add vanilla extract and baking soda and stir vigorously. The mixture will bubble up a bit with the addition of baking soda, but that's OK.

Divide the caramel mixture between the two bowls of popcorn, apple pieces and caramels. Stir thoroughly. Move the popcorn to the two prepared baking sheets and bake in 200 degree oven for 20 minutes. The caramel pieces will melt a bit, but will firm up when cooled.

Fudge

I didn't know before this year that Fudge is actually considered a candy. I guess I don't know what I thought it was, I knew what it was of course. It's not a cookie, or a bar, but actually it's candy. Many friends of mine request fudge each year, the recipe I use isn't special or unique I don't think, but it always turns out lovely.

For favors at our wedding we chose to give out homemade fudge. Some give out cute little trinkets, or colored candies, or photos or cd's, we gave out fudge. In fact we made so much of it I had to take a few years off from making it, I was all fudged out! I'm glad I was able to finally return, because the 'chocolatey-ness' of them is calling my name!

To read more about fudge, check out Alton Brown

Fudge (from Toll House)

1.5 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup (5 oz) evaporated milk
2 Tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1.5 cups semi sweet chocolate morsels (I used Guittard)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Line a 8"x8" square baking pan with foil

Combine sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt in a medium heavy-bottomed sauce pan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 4 to 5 minutes, remove from heat.

Stir in marshmallows, chocolate morsels, vanilla, and nuts if using. Stir vigorously for one minute. Pour into prepared baking dish and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan, remove foil, and cut into bite sized pieces.

Chocolate Pudding

I first saw this recipe watch Tyler Florence on the Food Network. I believe it was "Ultimate Soup and 'Sammy Favorites." The theme was obviously comfort foods that are great on a rainy day or a cold and chilly day. The show started out with a killer grilled cheese sandwich, not your ordinary Kraft or Velveeta sandwich. Then the soup was a Minestrone, that I have made a number of times and my husband loves it! I'll blog about that one in the coming weeks. And finally it ended with a good homemade chocolate pudding. Gasp! A pudding made without a little packet of powder and milk, pudding not from a little refrigerated cup! I know the other two are super easy and quick, and I do love my little pudding snack pack every now and then, especially the milk and dark chocolate combo. Or butterscotch pudding, I like that one also.

But, this was easy. I had made coconut macaroons earlier and had 4 egg yolks to use up (the macaroons require 4 egg whites) and not wanting to waste anything I whipped up a batch of pudding. My husband knows that when there are macaroons, there will always be pudding to follow!

Chocolate Pudding (from Tyler Florence)

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup cocoa powder, all natural

4tsp corn starch

2 cups whole milk

3 egg yolks

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp fine salt

In a small nonreactive sauce pan combine 1 1/2 cup milk, cocoa powder, and sugar and bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Remove from heat.

In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, corn starch, salt, 1/2 cup whole milk, vanilla. Gradually whisk in the hot mixture. Then return the combined mixtures to the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat, whisking constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for another 6-8 minutes until pudding thickens. Remove from heat and portion into containers. I can usually get 4 servings per batch. Original recipe states 6. I guess this depends on the size of your serving vessel.

Once portioned, wrap the top with plastic wrap. Make sure the plastic wrap actually makes physical contact with the top of the pudding so a thick skin doesn't form. Refrigerate for at least four hours before serving, or ideally overnight.

Serve with a little whipped topping if you like and enjoy!

Swirled Pumpkin-Bourbon Cheesecake Bars

I, along with many others, are going pumpkin crazy this year, I just can’t get enough! I know this season will fly by like it always does so we have to make the most of it right? I had some left over pumpkin cream cheese in the ‘fridge so I ought to put it to good use, and why not a cheesecake bar?

Swirled Pumpkin–Bourbon Cheesecake Squares (Source Kelsey’s Apple A Day)

For crust:

about 20 gingersnaps, broken into large pieces

1/4 c. granulated sugar

3 TBSP butter, melted

1 TBSP bourbon

Cheesecake Filling:

11 oz. low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature (I used a mixture of pumpkin cream cheese and low-fat cream cheese)

1/4 c. low-fat sour cream

1/3 c. granulated sugar

1 TBSP all-purpose flour

1 large egg

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. pumpkin puree

1 TBSP (packed) dark brown sugar

3 TBSP bourbon

Preheat oven to 325 F. Line the bottom and sides of a 9x9x2 in. square pan with foil. Spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray.

To make the crust: Process the gingersnaps in a food processor until very finely chopped. You should have one cup of crumbs. Combine crumbs, sugar, butter, and bourbon. Pat into an even layer in the bottom of the pan. Bake for 7 minutes. Cool on a rack.

To make the filling: Beat the cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar, and flour in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add egg, vanilla, and bourbon and beat until smooth.

Scoop 3/4 c. of the cream cheese mixture into a medium bowl and stir in pumpkin puree and brown sugar. Spoon the plain cream cheese mixture evenly over the crumb layer in the pan. Dollop pumpkin mixture on top and swirl with a fork to make a decorative design.

Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until firm in the middle when gently shaken. Cool in the pan for one hour. Chill thoroughly. To serve, lift cheesecake and foil from pan. Cut into squares.

Apple Tart

Autumn has finally arrived and no one could be happier than I-the leaves, the apples, the pumpkins, I could go on and on. But I won't, I'll save you from that. I needed some saving when it came to this apple dessert. You see, originally it wasn't to be an apple tart, rather an apple tarte tatin, which is actually quite different. A tarte-tatin is actually an upside down apple tart/cake that according to the French is to be served warmed so when the cream hits it, it will instantly melt and pool around the cake. Don't believe me? Check this out, and no it's not from Wiki :)

The trouble I had getting sugars to carmelize led me back to the drawing board, so I looked and there it came out of the blue, was this tasty little number-Enjoy!

Apple Tart (adapted from Martha Stewart)

All-purpose flour, for rolling
1 sheet Puff Pastry
Water, for sprinkling
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup Applesauce
2-3 apples, your choice but I used Granny Smith apples and a Zestar apple
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. Nutmeg

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a large rectangle approximately 1/8 inch thick. Sprinkle a baking sheet with a little water.

Transfer pastry to prepared baking sheet, and place in the refrigerator to chill, 30 minutes.
Core the apples and slice them crosswise on a mandoline as thinly as possible, about 1/16 inch thick. I hand sliced mine because I do not have a mandoline. Remove chilled pastry from refrigerator, and use a butter knife to gently make an indentation an inch or so from the edge all the way around. This will look like you’ve drawn a rectangle inside the border. This step helps insure that the inside where the topping will be will not rise as much as the ‘crust’ will

Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar. Spread applesauce evenly over pastry. Place apple slices on the pastry in overlapping rows to cover, leaving a 1-inch margin around the edge. Sprinkle with remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Brush the edges with heavy cream and drizzle any unused cream over the tart filling as to not waste any. Bake until the edges are golden brown, about 33-35 minutes.

Cheesecake Filled Strawberries

I struggled to come up with a name for these little gems...Inside Out Cheesecake? Blackbottom Strawberries? Oh boy, whatever you choose to call them is up to you. But be warned-they are dangerous! Adapt the number of strawberries to the size of the group you will be dazzling with these beauties!

Cheesecake Filled Strawberries (adapted from The Novice Chef)

16 large strawberries

Cheesecake filling of your choice, I used the easy stuff-Philladelphia Cheesecake filling, premade.

4 oz. Semisweet or Dark Chocolate

1/2 cup Graham Cracker crumbs

Directions

Clean and hollow out strawberries, this can be tricky. Use the smallest spoon you can find. Fo me it was the 1/2 tsp measuring spoon that did the trick. Once that is complete, melt the chocolate by whatever means you see fit, mine was via microwave in a glass measuring cup. If using chocolate bars or squares versus the chips, break into smaller pieces to expedite melting.

Spoon the melted chocolate into strawberries, filling halfway approximately. Lean the partially filled strawberries against the rim of a plate and let set up for about an hour. Continue filling the strawberries with the cheesecake filling and re-lean them against the rim of said dinner plate.

Place graham cracker crumbs in a shallow dish. Coat the exposed cheesecake edge in graham crumbs. For a nice touch, drizzle more melted chocolate across the berries for a finishing touch.

Macadamia Nut Blondies

When I was first introduced to Blondies it was many years a go at Applebees, and it had that buttery, gooey sauce dripping from the heaping scoop of ice cream melting on top of the Blondie. And man was that delicous! Recently I learned that a blondie is a brownie, but without the chocolate. There are countless recipes and combinations for these little darlings, but I love mine with macadamia nuts and white chocolate. Also I use almond extract versus vanilla for a little something different. Enjoy this one bowl wonder.

Macadamia Nut Blondies

7 Tbs butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. almond extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup Macadamia Nuts
*1/4 cup white chocolate chips optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 pan with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray. In a large microwave safe mixing bowl melt the butter. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Mix the brown sugar with the melted butter and beat until smooth. Beat in egg.

Add salt, stir in the flour, almond extract and baking powder. Mix in white chocolate chips if using. Pour into prepared pan and use a spatula to evenly spread mixture in pan and level the top. Bake for 21-22 minutes or until set in the middle. We generally like things on the lesser done side of things, so if you prefer a more done bar add 2 minutes to cooking time.

Cool on rack before cutting. Then swoon.