Desserts

Fruit Puff

Published on by carol lou

There are times when you just need a quick, easy and delicious recipe.  This one fits into that category.  All you need is one package of frozen puff pastry and one can of pie filling.  Almost too easy to write about, however, there are times when I just want a wonderful dessert with no effort.  This is it!  I used cherry pie filling from a local market.  You can use any type of fruit filling you prefer, I drizzled mine with a quick frosting.  Out of time?  Just sift powdered sugar over the top.  Your guests will think you went to a fabulous bakery or spent all day in the kitchen!  

Fruit Puff

fruit puff 2

Fruit Puff
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Ingredients
  1. I package frozen puff pastry
  2. 1 can pie filling
  3. I egg
  4. 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
  1. Thaw puff pastry according to package
  2. Preheat oven to 400.
  3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. When pastry has thawed, unfold one sheet onto parchment lined baking sheet. Top with pie filling, keep a one each space open around the edges. In a small bowl, whisk egg with water. Brush edge of pastry with egg mixture, top with the second layer of pastry. Using the tines of a fork, crimp edges around the entire pastry. Cut a few slits in the top of the pastry. Brush entire pastry with egg mixture. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool. Drizzle with frosting or dust with powdered sugar.
Notes
  1. Frosting
  2. 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
  3. 1 cup powdered sugar
  4. Hot water
  5. In a medium bowl, add butter and powdered sugar. Add water one tablespoon at a time, mixing after each addition until it is smooth and thin enough to drizzle over the top.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Wine Poached Pears

Published on by carol lou

I am always trying to figure out new ways to cook fruit and after a week of eating fantastic food in Charleston, SC, I was thinking of a healthy and low calorie dessert recipe.  Being the wine lover I am, adding wine was also a great addition.  Look for firm ripe pears for this recipe.  Pears are easy to peel with a basic potato peeler.  There pears can be served warm or cold.   They would also be delicious with a dollop of whipped cream.

wine poached pears

 

Wine Poached Pears
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Ingredients
  1. 4 firm ripe pears, peeled, stems on
  2. 2 cups red wine
  3. 2 cinnamon sticks
  4. 1 large piece of lemon peel
  5. Juice of 1 lemon
  6. 1 cup of sugar
Instructions
  1. In a medium sauce pan combine wine, cinnamon sticks, lemon peel and lemon juice. Bring to a boil stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer, add pears. Cook 20 minutes or just until soft, turn or baste frequently while cooking. After cooking, remove from the wine sauce. Remove lemon peel and cinnamon sticks from the sauce. Bring sauce to a boil and reduce until you have a syrup - 2 - 3 minutes. Spoon sauce over pears. You can serve these pears warm or chill and serve cold.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Chocolate Roll

Published on by carol lou

This roll is a very light dessert that will complement many entrées.  The chocolate portion is like biting into a cloud, this cake is light and delicate and is made without flour.  When you add the vanilla whipped cream filling, you have a dessert prefect for the most elegant meal or a casual backyard BBQ.  It will be a recipe that your guests will ask for and is very easy to prepare.  Just remember the cake portion will shrink to form the delicate chocolate layer.  When you bring it out of the oven it will be over 2 inches thick, when you invert it onto the powdered sugar covered parchment, it will deflate to under an inch.  You will be left with an incredibly dense chocolate layer that melts in your mouth.  Perfect to serve on a pool of hot fudge sauce.

 chocolate roll 2

 

Chocolate Roll
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Ingredients
  1. 4 eggs, separated and at room temperature
  2. 1 cup granulated sugar
  3. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  4. 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
  5. 1/2 pint heavy whipping cream
  6. 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  7. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  8. Powdered sugar for garnish
Instructions
  1. Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Beat egg whites until stiff adding sugar gradually.
  3. Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored.
  4. Fold egg yolks into egg whites.
  5. Fold in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
  6. Sift unsweetened cocoa into mixture and fold in.
  7. Pour into prepared pan and spread into corners.
  8. Bake at 350 for 20 - 30 minutes. Cake will rise and fall during the cooking process. Cake is done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  9. Let stand 5 minutes.
  10. Loosen from the sides of the pan and turn upside down on piece of parchment paper that has been dusted with powdered sugar.
  11. When cool, whip cream, adding powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread on top of cade and roll jellyroll fashion, lifting parchment paper as you go. Chill at least one hour prior to serving.
  12. Serve dusted with additional powdered sugar or serve with hot fudge sauce.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Cheesecake Bars

Published on by carol lou

If you love cheesecake, but hesitate making a  large cheesecake that serves 12,  this recipe is for you.  These freeze beautifully, so you can make them ahead and freeze them.  If you want to flavor these bars like your favorite cheesecake, just add or swirl in your favorite flavor.  I was thinking how great these would be with a swirl of Nutella –  I should have swirled in 1/2 cup of Nutella – what a treat those would be.  The combinations are endless and the results will be great.

cheesecake bars

 

 

Cheesecake Bars
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Ingredients
  1. 5 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  2. 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  3. 1 cup flour
  4. 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  5. 1/2 cup sugar
  6. 1 8 oz. package cream cheese, room temperature
  7. 1 egg
  8. 2 tablespoons milk
  9. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  10. 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
  1. Cream butter and brown sugar, add flour and nuts and mix. Set aside 1 cup of mixture for topping. Press remainder in bottom of 8 x 8 inch baking dish. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes.
  2. Blend sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Add egg, milk, lemon juice, and vanilla. Beat until light and creamy. Spread over cooked crust, top with reserved topping. Return to oven and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool completely and refrigerated.
  3. If you want to make a 9 x 13 inch pan, double ingredients.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

 

 

 

 

Hot Fudge Sauce

Published on by carol lou

I have a habit of writing in all of my cookbooks, journals, and on my recipe cards – important information to note when making any recipe.  I also have a book and assorted note cards listing each party we have had, what we served, photos of the table, amounts of all of the food served, number attending and any after party reflections.  When I write a recipe on the inside cover of a cookbook, I know that it is a great recipe.  I always place my favorite recipes in the main areas of each book.  Well, this recipe has a prime location in my collection.  On the inside cover of one of my favorite cookbooks.  I also have notes that this is my son’s favorite – to me that immediately tells me I have a winning recipe.  I think there is nothing better than a hot fudge sundae (well, maybe a peanut butter sundae) anyway, if you like hot fudge, you will love this recipe.

Hot fudge sauce

Hot Fudge Sauce
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Ingredients
  1. 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate squares
  2. 2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate squares
  3. 2 cup sugar
  4. 1/2 cup butter
  5. Pinch of salt
  6. 1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
  7. 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
  1. Melt chocolate and butter over low heat, in a medium sauce pan. Add sugar and salt, bring to a boil and boil 3-5 minutes, stir frequently. Add milk and return to a boil. Boil an additional 2 minutes stirring constantly, until sauce is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat, add vanilla. Serve warm or refrigerate until needed. Sauce can easily be reheated.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Luscious Lime Pie

Published on by carol lou

I have a fondness for key lime pie and my husband prefers cheesecake.  So, the solution – luscious lime pie.  I started with a graham cracker crust and revamped a cheesecake recipe for a pie.  I added the rind and juice of one lime and I think I  have a winning combination that everyone loves.  The added sour cream layer adds just the topping needed for this make ahead pie.  You can also serve this with a fruit topping if you desire.  I have also seen key lime pie on a stick, dipped in chocolate.  Interesting idea to drizzle with chocolate when serving.  I am going to try that.

luscious lime pie

 

Luscious Lime Pie
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Ingredients
  1. I prebaked graham cracker crust
  2. Filling
  3. 2 - 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
  4. 2 eggs, beaten
  5. 3/4 cup sugar
  6. Grated lime peel from 1 lime
  7. Juice of 1 lime
  8. 1 teaspoon vanilla
  9. Sour Cream layer
  10. 1 cup sour cream
  11. 1/4 cup sugar
  12. 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
  1. Mix filling ingredients until light and smooth. Pour into prebaked crust. Bake 350 - 35 minutes.
  2. While the pie is baking, combine the sour cream, sugar, and vanilla. Set aside.
  3. After the pie has baked for 35 minutes, remove from oven and carefully spread with sour cream. Return to oven and bake an additional 10 minutes. Cool completely. Refrigerate for 4 hours.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

 

Chocolate Toffee Brownies

Published on by carol lou

I always like checking out the origin of certain foods.  I think everyone has grown up eating brownies.  With a bit of research I find that the original brownie was a request from a Chicago socialite, Bertha Palmer, whose husband owned the Palmer House Hotel.  She asked the pastry chef for a dessert suitable for ladies attending the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.  She wanted something smaller than a piece of cake that would easily be eaten from boxed lunches.  So, we can thank Bertha for brownies that we all know and love. This recipe is a “bit” different since I added toffee “bits” to the batter.  Moist with a crunch from the toffee and pecans.  Perfect for a summer picnic or boxed lunch.

chocolate toffee brownies

 

Chocolate Toffee Brownies
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Ingredients
  1. 1 cup butter
  2. 1/2 cup cocoa
  3. 4 eggs
  4. 2 cups sugar
  5. 1 1/2 cup flour
  6. 1/8 teaspoon salt
  7. 1 teaspoon vanilla
  8. 1 cup pecans, chopped
  9. 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  10. 1/2 cup toffee bits
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter and dissolve cocoa in the butter and set aside. Beat eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in flour, salt and vanilla. Add cocoa and butter. Stirring well add pecans, chocolate chips and toffee bits. Bake in a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch pan for 30 minutes or until done.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Published on by carol lou

Years ago, I remember my mother in law made this delicious blueberry cheesecake ice cream.  I think she had just purchased an ice cream machine and was having a wonderful time with many new recipes.  To make a long story short, my husband and I still remember when she made this ice cream.  I searched for her recipe, I am sure I have it somewhere in my recipe stash, but still am unable to put my hands on it.  So, next step, try to figure out a recipe for blueberry cheesecake ice cream.  I think this one hits the mark for an amazing ice cream flavor.  I took a few graham crackers from the box, brushed them with butter and dusted them with sugar, baked them, crumbled them and added them to this recipe.  Just the crunch needed to simulate the graham cracker crust found in many cheesecakes.  Watch out – I might just have a new flavor – Blueberry Hill. ( watch the attached video from 1956 – Fat’s Domino singing a classic! ).  Enjoy!

blueberry cheesecake ice cream

 

Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
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Ingredients
  1. Ice Cream
  2. 14 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  3. 1 cup sugar
  4. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  5. 1/4 cup mascarpone
  6. 1/4 cup heavy cream
  7. 3/4 cup whole milk
  8. 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  9. 1/4 cup sour cream
  10. Blueberry filling
  11. 1/2 cup water
  12. 1/2 cup sugar
  13. 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  14. 1 pint blueberries
  15. Graham Cracker crumbs
  16. 4 large graham crackers
  17. 1 tablespoons melted butter
  18. 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
  1. For the ice cream, blend all of the ice cream ingredients in a mixer and blend until smooth and fluffy. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
  2. Blueberry Sauce - mix sugar and cornstarch in a medium sauce pan, slowly add water and stir until smooth. Add blueberries. Over medium heat, bring to a boil and cook stirring frequently until thick and clear. Cool and refrigerate.
  3. Graham crackers - preheat oven to 350. Brush crackers with melted butter and dust with sugar. Bake 5 minutes. Cool and break into small small pieces, set aside.
  4. Pour ice cream mixture into ice cream machine and process following manufacturer guidelines. When ice cream cycle is complete, scoop into a large bowl. Pour in blueberry mixture and add graham crumbs. Fold in ingredients slowly, just a few turns of the spatula. Put ice cream in a freezer container and freeze until serving.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

 

 

 

 

 

Academy Strawberry Pie

Published on by carol lou

This recipe has a wonderful story.  This recipe is from my mother-in-law’s recipe collection, she made each of us a wonderful cookbook of family recipes.  The Academy Pie came from one of their dear friends that they met while Navy families stationed at the Naval Torpedo Station in Keyport, WA.  Their friend Stu said that this pie tastes just like the pie he was served at the Naval Academy when he was a midshipman in the 1950’s.  How can you not like a pie that has such a wonderful story.  I must admit, it is just delicious and a tribute to the gourmet skills at the Naval Academy.  That is a big shout-out when I live with a USAF Academy grad!  I wonder if USAFA has a recipe that is equally remembered?

academy pie

 

Academy Strawberry Pie
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Ingredients
  1. 1 baked and cooled pie shell
  2. 1 quart washed and hulled strawberries
  3. 1 cup sugar
  4. 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  5. 1 cup water
  6. Whipped cream, for serving
Instructions
  1. Mix 1 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons cornstarch in a 2 quart sauce pan. Slowly stir in 1 cup of water. Over medium heat, cook, stirring until smooth. Add 1 cup of sliced strawberries. Continue cooking and stirring over medium heat until thing and clear. Remove from heat. Cool.
  2. Stir in remaining berries, reserved a few for garnish. Pour into cooled crust and chill until set firmly, approx. 3 hours. Top with whipped cream and garnish with reserved berriesl
Pastry for one crust
  1. Sift one cup of flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cut into it 1/2 cup of shortening. Work shortening in lightly with fingers until it forms fine crumbs. Add 4 tablespoons very cold water and blend well. Chill slightly and roll out on lightly floured board. Place in pie or tart pan, prick bottom and bake 450, 15 minutes.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Butter Pecan Sauce

Published on by carol lou

If you ever need a quick and easy dessert, this sauce recipe is for you.  In under 10 minutes, you can have a wonderful dessert sauce ready to serve.  Perfect over ice cream, but equally delicious over pound cake.  If you have ice cream in the freezer, you have dessert ready to go.  If you want to make this ahead, simply cool after cooking, refrigerate and reheat just prior to serving. 

butter pecan sauce

Butter Pecan Sauce
Serves 4
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Ingredients
  1. 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  2. 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  3. 3/4 cup water
  4. 1 tablespoon butter
  5. 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  6. Ice cream
Instructions
  1. In a sauce pan, mix together brown sugar and cornstarch. Add water and cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Stir in butter, add pecans. Serve warm.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/