Category: CAKES & PIES

CIDER GLAZED CHRISTMAS CAKES

CIDER GLAZED CHRISTMAS CAKES
CAKES
¾ cup golden raisins
¾ cup dried cranberries or tart dried cherries
¾ cup candied pineapple
½ cup apple cider
1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon fine salt
²⁄³ cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
²⁄³ cup whole milk

  • In a small bowl combine the raisin, cranberries (or cherries) and pineapple pieces.
  • Toss with apple cider.
  • Let stand 1 hour.

 

  • Drain fruit, reserving liquid for making your cider drizzle and reserve 2 tablespoons of fruit to chop as garnish.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Line muffin tins with papers or spray well with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

 

  • In a large mixing bowl beat butter on medium speed until smooth.
  • Add sugar, beating until fluffy.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  • Add flour mixture and milk, alternately, beating well after each addition.
  • Fold in drained fruit.
  • Scoop 3 tablespoons of batter into tins.
  • Bake 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan.
  • Spoon a small amount of drizzle over each cake.
  • Garnish with a bit of chopped dried fruit.

CIDER DRIZZLE
Reserved soaking liquid + enough water to equal 1 cup
2 tablespoons coconut pineapple vinegar (apple cider vinegar works also)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • Whisk together, cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 5 minutes.
  • Cool 10 minutes before spooning over cakes.

NOTE: Bourbon or Whiskey can be substituted for apple cider.

ALTERNATE DRIZZLE
1/3 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup apple cider

  • Whisk together until smooth.
  • Glaze cupcakes

BANANA UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

I found this recipe for BANANA UPSIDE DOWN CAKE over at TrickNTreat. I love banana in any type of cake, but this recipe takes bananas to a whole other level. The caramel topping is truly the “icing” on the cake!  I added a small amount of cinnamon to help enhance the flavors.

BANANA UPSIDE DOWN CAKE Yield 8 servings

TOPPING
3 small VERY RIPE bananas, cut lengthwise
4 tablespoons butter
½ cup brown sugar

  • Melt butter in a skillet, remove from heat and add brown sugar, stir until sugar is melted.
  • Pour butter mixture onto 8 in pan, arrange banana, cut into 2 lengthwise  on top of sugar mixture.

CAKE
1 ½ cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup milk
2 VERY RIPE bananas mashed
¾ cup sugar
½ teaspoon QUALITY cinnamon
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
8 tablespoons butter
1 LARGE egg

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray an 8×8 baking dish or a loaf pan with non-stick spray.
  • Sift flour, cinnamon, baking powder and baking powder.
  • Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
  • Add salt, vanilla and egg.
  • Fold  in half of the flour, mixing well.
  • Add mashed banana, milk and remaining flour, stirring until well incorporated.
  • Spoon batter over sliced banana topping and spread evenly.
  • Bake for 40-50 minutes or until a tester inserted comes out clean.
  • Cool in pan for 10 minutes.
  • Invert into a serving plate and serve.

NOTE: IF you prefer a different look, the bananas can be cut into chunks or rounds instead of lengthwise. I PREFER a lot of small rounds myself.

While I’m glad I tried this recipe and it was good, I really prefer my regular Banana Nut Bread.

ROASTED APPLE PIE

ROASTED APPLE PIE
CRUST
3 cups flour, plus dusting
¾ cup COLD unsalted butter, sliced
5 ½ tablespoons COLD crisco
1 ½ tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon FINE sea salt
6-8 tablespoons COLD Vodka or water

  • Pulse together the flour, unsalted butter slices, crisco, sugar and sea salt in food processor until you have a coarse crumble.
  • Gradually add water or vodka 1 tablespoon at a time while pulsing 5-6 times until dough comes together. Divide dough in half, shape into 2 disks, wrap in saran and chill AT LEAST 2 hours.

FILLING
6 medium Granny Smith Apples
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup WONDRA flour
½ cup PACKED brown sugar
1 + 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
¼ teaspoon FRESH grated nutmeg
½ teaspoon FINE sea salt

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Mix together the granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of the flour and 1 teaspoon of the pumpkin pie.
  • Toss apples in sugar mixture.
  • Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat.
  • Pour apples out onto silicone mat.
  • Bake 30 minutes until tender.
  • Cool 30 minutes.
  • Transfer apples to large mixing bowl.
  • Fold in brown sugar, remaining pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, sea salt and remaining flour.
  • Chill 1 hour.

ASSEMBLY
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into thin slices.
1 LARGE egg
1 tablespoon water

  • Unwrap 1 dough disk and turn out onto a lightly floured surface.
  • Roll out a 1/8-1/4 inch thick round.
  • Fit into a lightly greased 9″ pie plate.
  • Repeat with 2nd disk and cut into lattice pieces or shapes, set aside.
  • Spoon filling into pie plate.
  • Dot with butter slices.
  • Arrange top crust or pieces as desired.
  • Chill pie 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Whisk together egg and water.
  • Brush crust with egg wash.
  • Place on lower rack.
  • Bake 1-1 ½ hours. After 30 minutes shield crust edges with foil to prevent burning.
  • Cool on rack 2 hours before serving.

SMASHED BANANA BREAD OR CAKE

Just like most people I have several banana bread recipes, but this one is one of the simplest that makes either a bread or a cake without any modification except baking time!

SMASHED BANANA BREAD

1 ½ cups flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
2 LARGE eggs
1 ½ cups SMASHED & VERY RIPE banana
¼ cup + 2 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
1 teaspoon DARK rum
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
½ cup finely chopped walnuts
½ cup golden raisins
Powdered sugar, for dusting
FRESH whipped butter, for eating

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Grease 9×5 loaf pan OR 9X9 baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
  • In a medium bowl beat the eggs with the sour cream, rum, vanilla and banana.
  • In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
  • At a low speed gradually add the wet ingredients to the butter and sugar until well blended.
  • Gradually add the flour into the mixture until well blended.
  • Foll in the raisins and nuts.
  • Pour into prepared pan, scraping bowl clean.
  • Bake. See below for times.

BAKING TIMES:

LOAF PAN
1 hour 30 minutes until tester comes out clean.
Transfer to cooling rack for 45 minutes.
Turn out onto cooling rack.
Dust with powdered sugar.
Slice and serve with FRESH whipped butter.

CAKE PAN
Bake 45-60 minutes until tester comes out clean.
Transfer to cooling rack for 45 minutes.
Turn out onto cooling rack.
Dust with powdered sugar.
Slice and serve with FRESH whipped butter.

PINA COLADA CHEESECAKE

Awhile back I found a recipe in a magazine for the BEST EVER PINA COLADA CHEESECAKE and as is my nature cut it out and set aside to make. When I went to make it, I realized I had somehow cut off some of the directions so searched the web for the recipe in hopes of finding the missing directions. I DID NOT find the exact one I was looking for, but I did find 2 others that sounded similar and quite intriguing. So, each to these recipes were be made to order and then I made a 4th picking out the best features of each for a recipe of my own.

BEST-EVER PINA COLADA CHEESECAKE version 4, my version, a compilation of ALL the best parts of the first three versions 😀 I eliminated the whipped cream all together because I felt the pineapple curd was smooth enough and a sufficiently smooth topping.

CRUST from version one added a FRESH taste to the normally pedestrian graham cracker crust.  I added the ginger for an added boost. French gallette cookies with sea salt work well also.
8 shortbread cookies, crushed
8 gingersnaps, crushed
1 cup toasted coconut
3 tablespoons butter, melted

  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Wrap the outside bottom of a 9-10 inch springform pan with foil.
  • Spray insides with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Combine crushed cookies, toasted coconut and melted butter into a coarse crumb crumble.
  • Press evenly into the bottom of the pan.
  • Bake 8-10 minutes until set.
  • Set aside to cool.

FILLING also from version #1, but with alterations for flavor.
(3) 8 ounce cream cheese packages, softened at room temperature
1/4 cup superfine sugar
3 LARGE eggs
1/2 cup cream of coconut
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup MALIBU pineapple rum
2 teaspoons FRESH finely grated lemon peel
(1) 8 ounce can crushed pineapple, DRAINED EXCEPTIONALLY WELL

  • In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese with sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition JUST until combined.
  • Add cream of coconut, rum and orange peel, mixing JUST until combined.
  • FOLD in pineapple.
  • Pour over cooled crust.
  • Bake 1 hour 15 minutes until set and center ONLY slightly jiggles.
  • Run a knife around outside edge.
  • Turn off oven, leave cheesecake in oven, but open door about 4 inches and let set 30 minutues.
  • Remove from oven and cool 30 more minutes and then refrigerate AT LEAST 6 hours or preferably overnight.

The PINEAPPLE CURD from version #3 is a MUST!
1 cup granulated sugar
9 large egg yolks
1 cup canned pineapple juice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
10 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/2″ pieces

  • In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar and egg yolks, then whisk in pineapple juice and salt.
  • Add butter and place over medium heat.
  • Cook pineapple mixture, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom and sides of the pans, until the butter melts and mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 9 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium heatproof bowl.
  • Refrigerate until very cold, at least 1 hour.

GLAZE – next time I will be adding a kiwi and a couple raspberries to the glaze for color
8 ounce can crushed pineapple, DRAINED juice reserved
1/4 cup superfine sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon FRESH lemon juice

  • In a medium saucepan whisk together pineapplejuice, sugar and lemon juice.
  • Add cornstarch, whisking until smooth.
  • Stir in pineapple.
  • Bring to a SLOW boil over medium heat, stirring CONSTANTLY. Boil just 1 minute until slightly thickened, still CONSTANTLY stirring.
  • Cool 20 minutes at room temperature.

ASSEMBLY
Pineapple slices, cherries or raspberries for garnish
Toasted coconut, for garnish

  • Spoon curd over cheesecake.
  • Top with glaze.
  • Top with cherries or raspberries and coconut garnish.
  • Cut into pieces and serve.

BEST-EVER PINA COLADA CHEESECAKE #1 – unknown source
A rum spiked coconut filling on a toasted coconut crust topped with pineapple creates a decadent dessert reminiscent of the classic tropical drink.

CRUST
15 shortbread cookies, crushed
1 cup toasted coconut
3 tablespoons butter, melted

  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Wrap the outside bottom of a 9-10 inch springform pan with foil.
  • Spray insides with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Combine crushed cookies, toasted coconut and melted butter into a coarse crumb crumble.
  • Press evenly into the bottom of the pan.
  • Bake 8-10 minutes until set.
  • Set aside to cool.

FILLING
(3) 8 ounce cream cheese packages, softened at room temperature
1/4 cup superfine sugar
3 eggs
3/4 cup cream of coconut
1/4 cup light rum
2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel
(1) 8 ounce can crushed pineapple, DRAINED WELL

  • In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese with sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition JUST until combined.
  • Add cream of coconut, rum and orange peel, mixing JUST until combined.
  • FOLD in pineapple.
  • Pour over cooled crust.
  • Bake 1 hour 15 minutes until set and center ONLY slightly jiggles.
  • Run a knife around outside edge.
  • Turn off oven, leave cheesecake in oven, but open door about 4 inches and let set 30 minutues.
  • Remove from oven and cool 30 more minutes and then refrigerate AT LEAST 6 hours or preferably overnight.

GLAZE
8 ounce can crushed pineapple, DRAINED, juice reserved
1/4 cup superfine sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon FRESH lemon juice

  • In a medium saucepan whisk together pineapple juice, sugar and lemon juice.
  • Add cornstarch, whisking until smooth.
  • Stir in pineapple.
  • Bring to a SLOW boil over medium heat, stirring CONSTANTLY. Boil just 1 minute until slightly thickened, still CONSTANTLY stirring.
  • Cool 20 minutes at room temperature.

ASSEMBLY
Cherries or raspberries for garnish
Toasted coconut, for garnish

  • Spoon glaze over cheesecake.
  • Top with cherries or raspberries and coconut garnish.
  • Cut into pieces and serve.

Pina Colada Cheesecake #2 which I adapted from COOK FOR SMILES  is a smooth and creamy cheesecake that tastes JUST like a piña colada, except that you cannot drink it, but have to eat its layers of pineapple chunks and coconut topped with coconut flavored cheesecake that has been baked to a smooth perfection.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Rest and chill time 8 hours
Servings 8

CRUST
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 Tbsp melted unsalted butter
4 pineapple rings canned
2/3 cup sweetened coconut flakes

  • In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, vanilla extract and brown sugar, mixing very well.
  • Spread crumb mixture in the bottom of the spring form pan evenly, pressing it over the bottom and half way up the sides.
  • Spread chopped pineapple slices evenly over the bottom and then coconut flakes all over the pineapple chunks. Set aside.

CHEESECAKE
24 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 eggs
2/3 cup Cream of Coconut Goya*
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2/3 cup white granulated sugar
2 tablespoons corn starch
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • In a bowl of an electric mixer, beat cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth and fluffy.
  • Scrape sides and bottom of the bowl and beat for another minute.
  • Add corn starch and sugar and mix until combined.
  • Beat in eggs one at a time, until incorporated.
  • Add sour cream, vanilla extract, heavy cream and Cream of Coconut and beat until all mixed well.
  • Transfer batter into the springform and spread it evenly.
  • Pour the batter all over the pineapples and coconut and not just in the center. (If you are not sure about your springform holding up in water, you can wrap the springform in heavy duty aluminum foil from bottom up to the sides.)
  • Place roasting pan into the oven and place springform with cheesecake inside the roasting pan.
  • Carefully add water to the roasting pan, about half way up the side of the springform.
  • Bake for 70-75 minutes.
  • Turn off the oven and open the oven door half way.
  • Let cheesecake rest for about 10 minutes and take it out of the oven.
  • Let it rest on the counter for 10 minutes and then gently run a butter knife between sides of the cheesecake and the springform, to carefully separate it. (You don’t actually have to take the cheesecake out of the pan until ready to serve.)
  • Cool cheesecake for an hour to get it to room temperature and then cool it for about 2 hours in the refrigerator so it is cold when adding whipped topping.

WHIPPED TOPPING
1 cup heavy whipping cream cold
1/2 cup Cream of Coconut
2 tablespoons white granulated sugar

  • Add the cold heavy whipping cream into the cold mixing bowl. Use whisk attachment. Starting at low speed, start whisking, gradually raise to speed to high.
  • Slowly pour in the Cream of Coconut and then sugar. Beat until stiff peaks appear (don’t walk away far or you might overmix).
  • Spread whipped topping over the cooled cheesecake, evenly. (Keep the cheesecake in the springform.)


TOPPING
3/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes
4 pineapple rings canned
Maraschino cherries

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and grease a 9 inch springform pan. You will need a large roasting pan that’s bigger and longer than the springform pan. (I use the aluminum foil disposable ones). 
If you are not sure about your springform holding up in water, you can wrap the outside of the springform pan in heavy duty aluminum foil from bottom up to the sides. (I recommend wrapping the outside of the springform in foil before adding the crust and cheesecake batter.)
    Spread coconut flakes gently over the whipped topping. Decorate with pineapple slices and maraschino cherries.
    Cover the cheesecake and springform with saran wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Piña Colada Cheesecake Bars #3 was adapted from DELISH.  The pineapple curd on these bars is what makes them SO SO good. Your very first bite will transport you right onto the beach with a piña colada in hand. 

Yields: 16 servings
Prep Time: 0 hours 20 mins
Total Time: 4 hours 30 mins

CRUST
12 graham crackers – 1 1/2 cup finely ground crumbs
1/4 cup granulated sugar 6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preheat oven to 325°.
Line a 9″ square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides. I like to use my square springform pan.
In a medium bowl, combine graham crackers with sugar, melted butter, and salt.
Transfer to prepared pan, and gently press in to make an even crust.
Bake until lightly golden, about 12 minutes.
Let cool on a wire rack while making the filling.

FILLING
2 (8-oz.) blocks cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup coconut Thai Kitchen coconut milk
3 LARGE eggs
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes

  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar until light and fluffy, 2 minutes.
  • Beat in coconut milk, eggs, and salt until smooth.
  • Stir in coconut flakes.
  • Pour mixture over crust and bake until just set, about 45 minutes.
  • Cool completely in pan.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours. 

PINEAPPLE CURD
1 cup granulated sugar
9 large egg yolks
1 cup canned pineapple juice
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
10 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/2″ pieces

  • In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar and egg yolks, then whisk in pineapple juice and salt.
  • Add butter and place over medium heat. 
  • Cook pineapple mixture, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom and sides of the pans, until the butter melts and mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 9 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium heatproof bowl.
  • Refrigerate until very cold, at least 1 hour.

ASSEMBLY
2 cups whipped cream topping
3/4 cup toasted sweetened coconut flakes
16 maraschino cherries with stems

  • Spread cooled pineapple mixture evenly over cooled bars and spread whipped cream on top.
  • Sprinkle with toasted coconut and keep chilled until ready to serve.
  • Use parchment paper overhang to lift cheesecake out of pan or remove ring if using springform pan.
  • Cut into 16 squares.
  • Top each square with a maraschino cherry before serving.

HARVEST APPLE CAKE & PINEAPPLE VANILLA RUM SAUCE

One of the things I look for when we’re antiquing is old recipe boxes. Not just any old recipe boxes, but old recipe boxes FULL of handwritten recipes. This recipe came from one of those boxes. I have no idea who owned the box, just that MANY of their recipe’s were in the same handwriting and referenced Mrs. Gibson who must have been an excellent cook based on the recipes I’ve tried so far!

HARVEST APPLE CAKE & PINEAPPLE VANILLA RUM SAUCE

CAKE
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup CRISCO*
2 eggs, unbeaten
1/3 cup WHOLE milk
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 heaping teaspoon QUALITY cinnamon
4 cups peeled, cored and chopped apples
1/2 cup golden raisins

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Cream together the sugar and crisco, it will be a bit grainy.
  • Add milk until smooth.
  • Add in the eggs until well blended.
  • Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
  • Blend flour mixture into the creamed mixture.
  • Fold in apples and raisins.
  • Pour into 9×13 baking dish and spread even.
  • Bake 60 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  • COOL to lukewarm before pouring sauce over top and serving.

SAUCE
1 stick (8 tablespoons butter)
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pineapple vanilla
1 teaspoon Malibu pineapple rum
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup heavy cream

  • In a small saucepan melt butter.
  • Whisk in sugar until dissolved.
  • Whisk in remaining ingredients until smooth and heated through. DO NOT BOIL.

NOTES:

  • Based on the age of the recipe card and style of writing I decided whole milk and PURE vanilla extract were a MUST for the texture and flavor of this recipe to be best.  Her original recipe was extremely flavorful, but also extremely dense.  The milk helped lighten it and made it fluffier too.
  • I use the crisco sticks.
  • The cinnamon, raisins, flavored rum and flavored vanilla are MY additions and I sometimes alternate them with craisins for even more oomph in flavor.

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH APPLE SLAB PIE, CANDIED WALNUTS & A NEW TOY, ER KITCHEN GADGET, ER TIME SAVER

My sister-n-law found this new apple slicer.  It peels, cores AND makes long spiral slices of apple.  I LOVE my new tool 😀

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH APPLE SLAB PIE
1 large batch of your favorite pie crust

FILLING
5-6 Granny smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons WONDRA flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup golden raisins

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Toss apple pieces with lemon juice and set aside for 15 minutes.
  • Whisk together the sugars, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.
  • Drain apples.
  • Toss apples and raisins in dry mixture until evenly coated.
  • Arrange pie crust on jelly roll pan.
  • Top with apple mixture and spread evenly.
  • Sprinkle topping evenly over apples.
  • Bake 25-30 minutes. WATCH edges and cover in foil if necessary so they don’t burn.
  • Serve with vanilla bean ice cream.

TOPPING
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup finely chopped candied walnuts

  • Use a pastry blender to create a coarse crumble.

CANDIED WALNUTS or PECANS
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter

  • In a non-stick skillet melt butter.
  • Add brown sugar, stirring to dissolve.
  • Add nuts, continuously stirring to coat well and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer to parchment paper and separate nuts immediately so they don’t clump.
  • COOL COMPLETELY.
  • Store in air tight container.

FLOATING FRUIT CAKE – PEACH

This is a super fun recipe in that the batter and fruit actually trade places during the baking process ending with a crunchy biscuit topping over sweet, juicy fruit.   My favorite flavor is peach, but it works just as well with cherries, blackberries, blueberries, apples or ANY fruit combo you can think of!

PEACH COBBLER

FILLING
8 cups about 10 peaches peeled and sliced OR 32 ounces of sliced frozen peaches, thawed
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon QUALITY cinnamon

In a large mixing bowl toss peaches with 2 and cinnamon and set aside.

TOPPING
12 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup + 2 tablespoons milk
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

  • Preheat oven to 300°.
  • Spray 9×13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
  • In another large mixing bowl whisk together the butter, flour, 2 cups sugar, baking powder, salt and milk.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan.
  • Layer evenly with peach slices.
  • Bake for 1 hour or until browned and bubbly.

NOTE: You can use other fruits, but omit the cinnamon if using berries such as blueberries, blackberries or raspberries.

POMEGRANATE PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE

POMEGRANATE PINEAPPLE CHEESECAKE

FILLING
1 small can crushed pineapple drained WELL, reserve juice
1 (3-oz.) box pineapple Jell-O
3/4 cup pomegranate juice
1/4 cup reserved pineapple juice
2 cup whipped topping (thaw 5-10 minutes)
2- 8 ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt

  • Place juices in a measuring cup and heat in microwave for 2 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together orange Jell-O and heated juices until Jell-O is completely dissolved.
  • Set aside to cool completely.
  • In another large bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth, then add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
  • Fold whipped topping into cream cheese mixture, then pour half of mixture into cooled Jell-O.
  • Whisk until smooth.

CRUST
24 whole Lemon Oreo cookies, crushed
6 tablespoons melted butter
Pinch of kosher salt

  • In a medium bowl, mix together Oreo crumbs, butter, and salt. Press into the bottom of an 8″ spring form pan and partially up the sides.

ASSEMBLY

  • Alternate dollops of cream cheese mixture, Jell-O mixture and crushed pineapple into the crust. You can also do this in layers if you are in a hurry.
  • With a butter knife, gently swirl the layers as desired.
  • Cover and refrigerate for AT LEAST 6 hours, or until firm.

GARNISH (optional)
1 cup whipped topping
pineapple tidbits

  • When firm, pipe dollops of whipped topping around the outside of the cheesecake. Top each dollop with a clementine segment, garnish with orange zest, and serve.

NOTE:

  • The batter might feel kind of loose as you’re adding it to the pan—don’t worry! After a couple hours in the refrigerator the cheesecake mixture will be perfectly firm and creamy.
  • Also good as a mix of cherry and pineapple jellos as well as blueberry and lime.  What flavor combination do you like?  Use your imagination!

BLUEBERRY LIME CHEESECAKE

BLUEBERRY LIME CHEESECAKE

FILLING
1 (3-oz.) box lime Jell-O
1 cup SMALL wild blueberries, thawed and drained WELL
1 cup boiling water
2 cup whipped topping (thaw 5-10 minutes)
2- 8 ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt

  • Place juices in a measuring cup and heat in microwave for 2 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together orange Jell-O and boiling water until Jell-O is completely dissolved.
  • Set aside to cool completely.
  • In another large bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth, then add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
  • Fold whipped topping into cream cheese mixture, then pour half of mixture into cooled Jell-O.
  • Whisk until smooth.

CRUST
24 whole Lemon Oreo cookies, crushed
6 tablespoons melted butter
Pinch of kosher salt

  • In a medium bowl, mix together Oreo crumbs, butter, and salt. Press into the bottom of an 8″ spring form pan and partially up the sides.

ASSEMBLY

  • Alternate dollops of cream cheese mixture ,Jell-O mixture and blueberries into the crust. You can also do this in layers if you are in a hurry.
  • With a butter knife, gently swirl the layers as desired.
  • Cover and refrigerate for AT LEAST 6 hours, or until firm.

GARNISH (optional)
1 cup whipped topping
blueberries

  • When firm, pipe dollops of whipped topping around the outside of the cheesecake. Top each dollop with several blueberries, garnish with orange zest, and serve.

NOTE:

  • The batter might feel kind of loose as you’re adding it to the pan—don’t worry! After a couple hours in the refrigerator the cheesecake mixture will be perfectly firm and creamy.
  • Also good as a mix of cherry and pineapple jellos as well as orange and vanilla.  What flavor combination do you like?  Use your imagination!

CREAMSICLE CHEESECAKE

WARNING! This recipe must chill at least 6 hours!
CREAMSICLE CHEESECAKE
This Cheesecake Tastes EXACTLY Like A Creamsicle! adapted from Delish US

FILLING
1 (3-oz.) box orange Jell-O
1 cup boiling water
2 cup whipped topping (thaw 5-10 minutes)
2- 8 ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
Pinch of kosher salt

  • In a large bowl, whisk together orange Jell-O and boiling water until Jell-O is completely dissolved.
  • Set aside to cool completely.
  • In another large bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream until smooth, then add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
  • Fold whipped topping into cream cheese mixture, then pour half of mixture into cooled Jell-O.
  • Whisk until smooth.

CRUST
24 whole Lemon Oreo cookies, crushed
6 tablespoons melted butter
Pinch of kosher salt

  • In a medium bowl, mix together Oreo crumbs, butter, and salt. Press into the bottom of an 8″ spring form pan and partially up the sides. 

ASSEMBLY

  • Alternate dollops of cream cheese mixture  and Jell-O mixtures into the crust. You can also do this in layers if you are in a hurry.
  • With a butter knife, gently swirl the layers.
  • Cover and refrigerate for AT LEAST 6 hours, or until firm. 

GARNISH (optional)
1 cup whipped topping
1 clementine orange, peeled and separated into segments

  • When firm, pipe dollops of whipped topping around the outside of the cheesecake. Top each dollop with a clementine segment, garnish with orange zest, and serve.

NOTE:

  • The batter might feel kind of loose as you’re adding it to the pan—don’t worry! After a couple hours in the refrigerator the cheesecake mixture will be perfectly firm and creamy.
  • Also good as a mix of cherry and pineapple jellos.  What flavor combination do you like?  Use your imagination!

CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES with LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

This makes a wonderful bundt cake for any holiday!

CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES with LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING adapted from Al Made It For You yield 10 cupcakes

CUPCAKES
1½ cups grated carrots
½ cup WELL DRAINED crushed pineapple
1 cup (120g) cake flour
¼ cup (31g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ heaping teaspoon QUALITY ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
2 LARGE eggs
¾ cup (150g) light brown sugar
½ cup (120ml) Avocado oil
1 (5 ounce) (142 grams) OUI lemon Greek yogurt
½ teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
1/3 cup crushed finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup golden raisins

  • Preheat the oven to 325°.
  • Line a muffin pan with paper liners, and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine the cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, oil, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract.
  • Combine the flour mixture, crushed pineapple and grated carrots mixing just until combined.
  • Add to wet mixture and blend well.
  • Fold in raisins and all but 2 tablespoons of walnuts.
  • Scoop out the batter evenly into 10 paper liners, and bake for 18-20 minutes.
  • Let them cool in the pan for a couple minutes before taking them out to a wire rack to cool completely.

FROSTING
8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened at room temperature
½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
1½ cup (188g) powdered sugar
½ teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • In a mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter until it becomes fluffy.
  • Add the cream cheese and continue to beat.
  • Add powdered sugar and lemon zest, beating to incorporate until smooth.
  • Add frosting to piping bag and pipe cupcake tops as desired. The frosting recipe makes the right amount for piping swirls. You’ll only need two-thirds of the recipe is needed if piping bursts instead.
  • Sprinkle with reserved walnuts.

NOTE:  This makes a WONDERFUL small bundt cake.  Adjust the baking time from 18-20 minutes to 35-45 minutes.