Easter Decor, Dishes and Desserts

Easter decor, dishes and desserts hops to mind at this time of year.

Easter-decor-dishes-and-desserts

Vintage Etched Tumblers
Jadeite Footed Loop Design Cake Stand
The Pioneer Woman Jade Dinner Plate
Famille Rose Dinner Plates
Easter Yellow Glass Candy Dish by Place & Time
Cabbage Mug by Place & Time
Faux White Tulips
Martha Stewart Stoneware Sculpted Bunny Covered Oval Baker, 9”, Cream
Place & Time Easter 1/5″ x 12′ Green Bunnies Printed Linen Ribbon
24pk Tealight Candle Mint & Eucalyptus/Soft Cotton/Peony & Cherry Blossom
Linden Street Easter Bunny Wood Serving Tray

Carrot Art Giclee Still Life Print

Carrot Art Giclee Still Life Print

To look upon beautiful Easter decor as a work of art is no over eggaggeration of the term.

Easter-decorated-sideboard

Selecting items for show and tell comes with thought.

gold-dragonfly

Sure, a rabbit here and a bunny there is called for, but mostly my choices play to pastels, themes and dishes appropriate for the entire spring into summer season.

Easter-fabric-eggs-grapevine-carrot

Faux picks and bushes in ever lovely shades of pink were recently purchased with the Easter decor centerpiece in mind.

faux-pink-stems-variety

On the Saturday afternoon before Easter Sunday I’ll stroll around the yard gathering assorted fresh greenery stems to fill in the spring bouquet.

Easter decor

Transpac Resin 11.5″ White Easter Floral Bunny Figurines Set of 2

Easter company will love this fresh with full on color and nibbles spring vegetable board from My Moonstone Kitchen.

spring vegetable board

Spring Vegetable Board

 Click on the link below the photo for recipe information.

Sevres Serving Platter

Sevres Serving Platter

roast-pork-loin

Country Living – Photography by John Kernick

Roast Pork Loin with Herb Stuffing

Ingredients

1⁄3 cup kosher salt

1⁄3 cup sugar

2 teaspoon juniper berries

2 teaspoon cardamom pods

2 teaspoon whole peppercorns

1 teaspoon allspice berries

2 bay leaves, lightly crushed

1 (3 ¾ to 4 pound) pork loin roast, trimmed, butterflied, and tied

3 tbsp. butter

3  stalks celery, finely diced

1  small onion, finely diced

3  garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 cups panko breadcrumbs

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tbsp. chopped fresh sage

2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

¼  cup chicken stock

Directions

In a medium pot, bring 2 cups water, salt, sugar, juniper, cardamom, peppercorns, allspice, and bay leaves to a boil.  Stir to dissolve sugar and salt.  Remove from heat and stir in 4 cups cold water.  Set brining liquid aside and let cool to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes.

Place pork loin in a 2-gallon resealable plastic bag and carefully pour in cooled brining liquid. Seal and refrigerate, 8 to 12 hours.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter until sizzling. Add celery, onion, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.  Add breadcrumbs, parsley, sage, and thyme, stirring to combine, and cook 1 minute more.  Add chicken stock and toss until breadcrumbs have absorbed all of the liquid.

Remove stuffing from heat and let cool to room temperature, 30 minutes. (Stuffing can be made up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated.  Bring to room temperature before using.)

Preheat oven to 500°F.  Remove pork loin from bag and discard brine; pat meat dry with a paper towel.  On a work surface, untie pork loin so that it lies flat, fat side down.  Spread stuffing mixture atop meat in an even layer. Starting from one of the long sides, roll the pork loin into a tight spiral.  Tie at 1 ½-inch intervals with 12-inch lengths of kitchen twine.

In a roasting pan fitted with a rack, place pork loin fat side up.  Roast 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 250°F.  Continue to cook for about 1 hour and 35 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the pork loin reaches 145°F.

Transfer pork loin to a wire rack to rest for 15 minutes before serving.

-Country Living Magazine

southern-lima-beans

Country Living – Photography by Becky Luigart-Stayner

Instant Pot Lima Beans

Ingredients

1 lb. smoked pork neckbones

1 lb. fresh or frozen lima beans

2  cloves garlic, chopped

1  sprig thyme, plus more leaves for garnish

2 tsp. onion powder

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Add neckbones and 4 cups water to an electric pressure cooker.  Set to meat/stew setting and cook until meat is fork- tender and bones easily separate from meat, 30 minutes.  Release pressure.

Add lima beans, garlic, thyme, and onion powder to pot.  Season with salt and pepper. Replace lid, switch to soup/broth setting, and cook until beans are tender, 20 minutes.  Release pressure.

Remove lid, switch to sauté, and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced, 8 to 10 minutes.  Serve garnished with thyme leaves.

-Country Living Magazine

HONEY ROASTED CARROTS INFUSED WITH HONEY AND GARLIC

Honey Roasted Carrots Infused with Honey and Garlic

Carrots and Easter – a classic pairing if there ever was one.

floral compound butter

Edible-Flower Compound Butter

Ingredients

2 teaspoons green peppercorns

2 teaspoons white peppercorns

2 teaspoons black peppercorns

1 teaspoon pink peppercorns

1 pound butter, softened

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

1 tablespoon minced shallot

2 teaspoons minced garlic

2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh oregano

Radish flowers

Society garlic flowers

Oyster leaf flowers

Directions

In a coffee grinder or using a mortar and pestle, grind green, white, black, and pink peppercorns until crushed.

Using a medium bowl, beat butter with a mixer at medium-high speed until smooth.  Add peppercorns, chives, shallot, garlic, and oregano.  Beat at medium speed until combined.

Transfer from mixer to parchment paper. Form butter into a log.  Press radish flowers, garlic flowers, and oyster leaf flowers onto log.  Roll in parchment, and twist at both ends. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Victoria Magazine

speckled-malted-coconut-cake

Speckled Malted Coconut Cake

red knockout roses

Knock out roses coming into spring view serve vase and creations.

fresh-roses-cake-topper (1) (2)

Not all who decorate cake tops are cake bakers (and not all decoristas are pro photographers).

coconut-cake-speckled-malt-balls-topping

Be it from the supermarket bakery or cake mix box, decorating the top of a  spring or Easter dessert cake with flowers or candies is an easy way to take  desserts to visually pleasing heights.

File this for Mother’s Day brunch ideas.

raspberry-cloud-cake-recipe

Raspberry Cloud Cake

In the style of vintage is my go-to choice of serveware, and this house favorite cake stand in Jadeite fits beautifully with your Easter decor and spring motif.

Jadeite Footed Loop Design Cake Stand

Jadeite Footed Loop Design Cake Stand

Buttercream frosting tinted to a soft yellow topped with edible flowers delivers a simply elegant result.

When decorating dishes and desserts and garnishing beverages with edible flowers you’ll want to pick the flowers early in the morning.

Gently rinse off your gathered flowers with cool water allowing to dry on a paper towel.  Add garnish immediately before serving. If using flowers at a later time you can place them in the refrigerator where they will keep for 2-3 days.

buttermilk-cupcakes-with-swiss-meringue-buttercream

Buttermilk Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Buttercream

pansies-in-garden

Pansies offer loads of color, plant and prosper rather easily, and make a fantastic visual and flavorful splash when added to salads and spring desserts.

White Chocolate Easter Egg Cupcakes

White Chocolate Easter Egg Cupcakes

Cadbury mini eggs, chocolate almond bark shavings, and an egg carton display elevate these vanilla cupcakes to an Easter dessert eggstravaganza.

fresh eggs

Farm fresh eggs ready to go for Easter decor, dishes and desserts.

Cadbury Bunny Cocktail Napkins

Cadbury Bunny Cocktail Napkins

Super cute cocktail napkins rock the spring into Easter into summer cocktail hour all season long.

Claro Pitcher

Claro Pitcher

Elderflower-Champagne Cocktail

Southern Living – Photography by Hector Manuel Sanchez

Elderflower-Champagne Cocktail

Ingredients

1 bottle chilled brut rosé Champagne or dry sparkling wine

2 cans chilled club soda or sparkling water (such as Pure LaCroix)

1 cup elderflower liqueur (such as St-Germain)

Ice

Directions

Pour chilled brut rosé Champagne or dry sparkling wine, chilled club soda or sparkling water, and elderflower liqueur into a large pitcher.  Stir until well combined.  Pour into wine glasses filled with ice.

-Southern Living Magazine

colored-wine-goblets (1)

Whole Housewares Colored Vintage, Mosaic Goblet Drinking Glasses Set of 6
Archie Wine Glasses (Set of 6)

Wild Rose Petal Sangria

Wild Rose Petal Sangria

Thoughtful touches and delicious treats dressed with visually impressive details invite charm to spring get-togethers and Easter celebrations.

Darleen-signature-love

Valentine’s Day Sweets for the Sweet

February is fast approaching, and with that comes ideas for whipping up Valentine’s Day Sweets for the sweet.

vintage-baker-boy (1)

The Graphics Fairy

Of course each is dished and served with loe.

Watercolor Heart Shaped Stoneware Plate

Focused on sweets for the sweet, this Valentine’s Day Sweets show and tell features recipes synonymous with delectable, delicious and delightful.

Click on the link below each image for the recipe.

Mini Valentine’s Day Cakes

Mini Valentine’s Day Cakes

lemon-date-bars

Lemon-Date Bars – Photography by Anna Williams

Have you ever wondered how the symbol/letter  X came to stand for Kiss?

Traced back to the Middle Ages, X was used to sign off on documents followed by the writer often kissing the mark signifying their oath. The gesture flourished as the common sign used to certify records, books, letters and paperwork.

X-kiss-mark

X stood for Kiss, and the gesture gave life to the term “sealed with a kiss.”

chocolate-marshmallow-sandwich-cookiesChocolate Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies – Photography by Mike Garten

ripe-for-picking-no-bake-cheesecake

No Bake Cheesecake with Berry Toppings – Photography by Brian Woodcock

Antique Rose Handpainted Serving Plate - Germany

Antique Rose Hand Painted Serving Plate – Germany

Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream

Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream

Treat roses keep fresh when stored in an airtight container with a sealed lid, and fresh cut roses keep best when following these suggestions:

roses-Kroger

If a packet of flower food is included with your rose bouquet you will want to use it. Dissolve the food in a couple of tablespoons of warm water, stirring to completely dissolve.

Take roses out of wrap and remove leaves that will be below your desired water line. Cut each stem at an angle which allows optimal water intake. add it to the water to promote the buds opening and to slow any bacterial growth.

Place the roses in your container of choice and arrange to your liking. Placing the arrangement in a cool area away from heat vents and out of direct sunlight prolongs the life of the roses.

When the bloom and the beauty is off the rose(s), drying the roses to keep for sentimental reasons is an easy project.

Gather the amount of rose stems you want to dry, remove all the leaves from each stem, and bind stems together with a rubber band.  Hang upside down for 2 to 3 weeks in a cool, dark place free of humidity.

Valentine's Day Macarons

Valentine’s Day French Macarons

As you begin the beguine.

What’s a beguine, you may wonder?

beguine
(/bəˈgēn/ bə-GHEEN)

a dance and music form, similar to a slow rhumba

Lemon-Elderflower Waffles

Lemon-Elderflower Waffles

Begin the Valentine beguine dance of delicious delight with a breakfast or brunch built for two starring this recipe for Lemon-Elderflower Waffles.

Dress waffles with a delightful dusting of powdered sugar, stemmed strawberries split in half, and edible flowers.

Stone Lain Brighton Round Body Marble Porcelain Dinnerware Set

Stone Lain Brighton Round Body Marble Porcelain Dinnerware Set

brownie-hearts-recipe

Brownie Hearts

Heart Appetizer Plates

Heart Appetizer Plates

Valentine’s Day sweets for the sweet favorites include this perfect for the occasion mixtape cookies recipe from Constellation Inspiration.

Valentine’s Mixtape Cookies

Valentine’s Day Mixtape Cookies

Music fuels the power of love – a sweet symphony to serve the senses.

cupcake-toppers

Mini Red Velvet Cakes

Mini Red Velvet Cakes

Breakable Chocolate Heart

Breakable Chocolate Heart

Cupid delivers dessert inspiration for whipping up Valentine’s Day sweets for the sweet dedicated to the one you love.

Darleen-signature-love

 

Copycat Piccadilly Pecan Delight Pie

This recipe is a copycat of a copycat Piccadilly Pecan Delight pie.

Piccadilly Cafeteria came to our little town in 1967.

Quickly taking its place as the big dog restaurant on the block, Piccadilly has been the one word answer to the what and/or where do you want to eat for dinner question asked what seems a gazillion times over all these years.

A recent walk down memory lane conversation began with Dave and I naming our favorite dishes and desserts that sadly are no longer on the menu at Piccadilly.

Southern fried chicken so crisp you could hear the crunch clear across the rows of booths and tables.

Cinnamon crusted egg custard served in dark green pottery custard cups.

 Pair of Hall China Custard Cups

Pair of Hall China Custard Cups

A slice of pie so pecan packed with dessert goodness that it made a lasting impression, the one and only Piccadilly Pecan Delight Pie.

Our conversation stirred up memories and this copycat recipe of a copycat recipe for Piccadilly Pecan Delight Pie.

copycat-pecan-delight-pie-sliced

Copycat Piccadilly Pecan Delight Pie

Ingredients

3 egg whites

1 cup white sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon baking powder

30  Ritz crackers

1½  cup chopped pecans

1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Spray a 9 inch pie plate with cooking spray and set aside.

crushed-pecans-butter-crackers

Add pecans and Ritz crackers in small batches to food processor bowl.

crushed-ritz-crackers

Pulse several times until pecans and Ritz crackers reach a fine crush/chop.

egg-whites

Beat egg whites until slightly stiff.

beaten-egg-whites

Add to that the sugar, vanilla, baking powder, crushed and chopped Ritz crackers and  pecans.

crushed-pecans-egg-whites

Using a wooden spoon, mix ingredients together until incorporated.

crushed-pecans

Spoon mixture into prepared pie plate.

Copycat Piccadilly Pecan Delight Pie in pie pan

Bake at 350 degrees F  for 25 minutes.

Copycat Piccadilly Pecan Delight Pie without whipped topping

Allow the pie to cool to room temperature.

baked pecan delight pie

whipped-topping-on-pie

Spread whipped topping over the top of the pie; cover to desired thickness.

topped-pie

Refrigerate pie for at least 2 hours before serving.

Copycat Piccadilly Pecan Delight Pie

The pie is packed firm with pecan goodness, and is not too sweet- perhaps a wonderful Valentine’s Day dessert choice.

Enjoy!

Darleen-signature-custom

Valentine’s Day Desserts

Valentine’s Day desserts scrumptiously show the one you love your decadent side.

Oh behave.

Better still, don’t behave.

Old-Photo-Romantic-Couple-GraphicsFairy

The Graphics Fairy

Preparing or purchasing Valentine’s Day sweets for the sweet is a scrumptious tradition.

Sweet logic and delicious justification make Cupid’s case for whipping up one of these Valentine’s Day desserts delectably dedicated to the one you love.

Sharing is caring.

Food is love.

Calories don’t count on Valentine’s Day.

Let’s Valentine’s Day Desserts!

Cookie-Dough-Valentines-Hearts-1

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Valentine’s Hearts

Ingredients

¼ cup unsalted butter-softened

½ tsp pure vanilla extract

6 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons peanut butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

7 oz. sweetened condensed milk

1 cup mini chocolate chip morsels

For Dipping and Decoration:

10. oz semi sweet baking chocolate

1.5 oz white chocolate for garnish

A few drops of pink or red food colors

Directions

Beat softened butter and brown sugar until fully combined, then add vanilla and peanut butter and beat until fluffy.  Add flour and sweetened condensed milk and beat until combined.  Fold in the mini chocolate chip morsels.

Press the mixture into an 8 x 8 inch baking dish lined with parchment paper and set in the fridge to chill.

Pull off the parchment paper to lift the dough from the baking dish. Using heart shaped cookie cutter cut off the truffles and place them on a tray lined with parchment paper. Set in the freezer while melting chocolate.

Using a fork dip the truffles into melted chocolate ( one at the time), slightly tap the fork against the side of the bowl to trim the excess chocolate and place the truffle back on the parchment paper.  Set them back in the fridge to firm.

Melt white chocolate, stir in a few drops of red food color, transfer into a small bag, cut the corner off and pipe melted chocolate on top of the truffles.

Oh My Goodness Chocolate Desserts
Valentines-Chocolate-Cherry-Stack-Cake

Chocolate Cherry Stack Cake

Ingredients

¾ cup plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened

¾ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ cup sour cream

recipe Cherry or Chocolate Frosting (see recipe below)

recipe Chocolate-Dipped Cherries (see recipe below) (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease two 6×2-inch round cake pans or springform pans.  Mix 1 teaspoon each flour and cocoa powder; dust pans. Set pans asideIn bowl combine ¾ cup flour, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; set aside.  In large bowl with electric mixer beat butter on medium to high for 30 seconds.  Add sugar; beat until smooth and fluffy.  Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth.  Beat in sour cream and flour mixture.  Pour batter in pans; spread evenly.

Bake 22 to 26 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched and edges begin to pull away from sides of pan.  Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes.  Remove from pans; cool on rack.

Use serrated knife to horizontally cut cakes in half to make 4 layers total.  Place bottom layer on plate; spread with 2/3 cup frosting.  Repeat with layers.  Place top layer on cake.  Heap remaining frosting, swirling in peaks.  Refrigerate.

To serve, top with Chocolate-Dipped Cherries.

Serves 8.

Cherry Frosting

Ingredients

1 ½  cups powdered sugar

1  8 ounce carton sour cream

1  cup whipping cream (do not use ultra-pasteurized whipping cream)

2  tablespoons maraschino cherry juice

Directions

In a chilled large mixing bowl combine powdered sugar, sour cream, whipping cream, and cherry juice.  Beat with the chilled beaters of an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 3 to 5 minutes or until fluffy.

Chocolate-Dipped Cherries

Ingredients

16  maraschino cherries with stems

½  cup semisweet chocolate pieces

1  teaspoon shortening

Directions

Drain cherries; pat dry with paper towels. In small microwave-safe bowl combine semisweet chocolate pieces and shortening.  Cook on 50 percent power (medium) 1½ to 2 minutes or until melted, stirring once.  Dip cherries in chocolate; place on waxed paper until set.  Store, covered, up to 24 hours.

Better Homes and Garden

eat-the-red-velvet-cupcake

Red velvet cupcakes, molten lava cakes or cheesecake!

red-velvet-molten-lava-cakes

Red Velvet Molten Lava Cakes from Spache the Spatula look absolutely divine.

Click on the link to check out this and other tempting recipes from Spache the Spatula.   Red Velvet Molten Lava Cakes

red-velvet-cheesecake

Red Velvet Cheesecake

Ingredients

1 pound milk chocolate, chopped

½ cup butter

19 ounce package chocolate wafer cookies (40 to 45 cookies)

1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces

1 cup slivered almonds

½ cup packed brown sugar

½ cup butter, melted

48  ounce packages cream cheese, softened

18 ounce carton dairy sour cream

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup buttermilk

11 ounce bottle red food coloring (2 Tbsp.)

4 eggs

2 egg yolks

Chocolate leaves (optional)

Powdered sugar (optional)

Unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)

Fresh raspberries and/or small whole strawberries(optional)

Directions

In a medium saucepan, melt chocolate and ½ cup butter over low heat; transfer to a bowl and cool completely.

Place wafer cookies, chocolate pieces, almonds and brown sugar in a large food processor.  Cover and process until finely ground.  Add the ½ cup melted butter; cover and process until well combined.  Transfer crumbs to a 10×3-inch springform pan with a removable bottom.  Press crumbs onto bottom and up the sides of the pan, leaving a ½-inch space at the top of the pan.  Set aside.

For Filling:

In a very large mixing bowl, beat the cooled chocolate mixture, cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, buttermilk and red food coloring with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until combined.  Add 4 eggs and 2 egg yolks all at once.  Beat on low speed just until combined.

Pour filling into crumb-crust lined springform pan.  Place springform pan in a shallow baking pan on the oven rack.  Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 1 hour, or until 2 inches of outside edge appear set when shaken gently.

Remove springform pan from baking pan.  Cool cheesecake in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes.  Use a small metal spatula to loosen cheesecake from sides of pan.  Cool 30 minutes more.  Remove sides of pan.  Cool for 1 hour; cover and chill at least 4 hours.

To serve, use a paper doily to decoratively sift powdered sugar and cocoa powder on the top, if you like.  Garnish the center with chocolate leaves and fresh raspberries, if you like.  Clean knife between each cut.  Makes 20 servings.

Bake and chill up to 24 hours.  Garnish just before serving.

Better Homes & Gardens

chocolate-sandwich-cookies

Food Network Kitchen – Photography Ryan Dausch

Double-Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

½ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

¾ teaspoon plus a pinch of salt

¼ teaspoon baking powder

1 ¼ cups sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 large egg

1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

4 ounces white chocolate (not chips), chopped

½ cup heavy cream

Directions

Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, ¾ teaspoon salt and the baking powder in a medium bowl.  Beat the sugar and butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Beat in the egg
and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour mixture until just combined.  Cover the dough and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.  Roll out the dough until 1/8 inch thick on  a lightly floured surface, then cut out cookies with a 2-inch heart-shaped cutter.

Arrange about 1 inch apart on the prepared pans.  Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are slightly firm, 8 to 10 minutes.  Let cool 5 minutes on the  pans, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

Make the filling:

Combine the white chocolate, remaining ½ teaspoon vanilla and
pinch of salt in a large bowl.  Bring the heavy cream to a simmer in a saucepan, then pour over the white chocolate.  Stir until smooth, then refrigerate until cold, 25 minutes.  Beat with a mixer until creamy. Sandwich the white chocolate mixture between the cookies.

Food Network Kitchen

strawberries-chocolate-whipped-topping-honey

Chocolate Strawberry Honey Nests

Ingredients

12 sheets phyllo dough

½ cup sugar

1 stick butter, melted

1 cup strawberries, cleaned and sliced

3 squares dark chocolate, shaved

½ cup milk chocolate chips

3 teaspoons honey  or to individual taste

whipped topping

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

For Phyllo Nests 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough on cookie sheet or counter work surface.

Using soft brush, brush over sheet with melted butter. Lightly sprinkle entire sheet with sugar.  Top with another sheet.  Butter, sprinkle and repeat until  6 sheets thick.  Repeat to create another 6 sheets stack. Using a pizza cutter or large knife, make ten vertical slices and one horizontal slice down the middle of each stack.

Lightly spray a 12 cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Line each muffin cup with 1 of the phyllo pieces at a time, covering sides and bottom to form a cup.  Repeat making 12 cups.

Using a microplane, shave dark chocolate over each cup to dust.

Bake in a preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until light golden brown and crisp. Remove from oven and immediately place desired amount of chocolate chips in each cup allowing to melt.

Top melted chocolate chips with strawberry slices, drizzled honey and whipped topping.  Dust whip topping clouds with cinnamon.

Valentine's Chocolate Candy Box CakeValentine’s Heart Candy Box Cake from The Cake Blog.

Trust me, this recipe is well worth the time, the effort, and the click on the link to check it out.  Valentine’s Heart Candy Box Cake

valentines-day-desserts-goods

devil's-food-cake-mix

Easy as the top ingredient!

cupcake-toppers

chocolate-sweetheart-cupcakes

Chocolate Sweetheart Cupcakes

Ingredients

2 sticks butter

1 ½  cup sugar

2/3  cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking powder

½  tsp. baking soda

¼  tsp. salt

2  large eggs

1  cup milk

2  tsp. vanilla extract

2 ½  cups all-purpose flour

Ganache

¾  cup heavy cream

8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

Lettering

3 oz. white chocolate

Directions

Heat oven to 350ºF.   Line 12 regular-size (2 1⁄2-in. diam) muffin cups with paper liners.  Beat butter, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl with mixer on low speed 1 minute or until well blended.  Add eggs; beat 2 minutes or until fluffy.   Beat in milk and vanilla (batter may look curdled), then flour just until blended.

Spoon scant 1⁄4 cup batter into each muffin cup, filling each about 2⁄3 full.  Bake 20 to 25 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in centers of cupcakes comes out clean.

Cool in pan on a wire rack 5 minutes before removing from pan to rack.  Repeat steps 3 and 4 with remaining batter.   Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting and decorating.   Each recipe makes 24 cupcakes.

For the ganache:

Gently heat ¾ cup heavy cream over medium heat, then pour over 8 ounces finely chopped bittersweet chocolate.  Let sit for 1 minute; stir until melted and smooth.  Evenly spoon ganache on top of 12 large or 24 small chocolate cupcakes.  Let set for 30 minutes.

For the lettering:

Microwave 3 ounces white chocolate on 50% power in 20-second intervals until melted and smooth.   Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a 1.5 tip, then get creative!

Woman’s Day

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

enjoy

D Is For The Decadent and Delicious Holiday Desserts Recipes We Love To Prepare and Present

D is for the decadent and delicious holiday desserts recipes we love to prepare and present.

These holiday desserts recipes aim to impress the sweet tooth of the gathered together.

Dessert is a four letter word to the calorie conscious crowd, but at Thanksgiving and Christmas (it’s coming!) I offer up a just desserts justification.

The holidays can find the cook, baker, host, hostess and holiday dinner maker stressed.

Stressed spelled backward is desserts.

Stress is bad.

Dessert is good.

Practice moderation, eat a piece of cake or pie and laisez le bon temps rouler!

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Cranberry-Orange Tart with Browned Butter Crust

Ingredients

16 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

1 ½ cups vanilla wafer crumbs (about 50 wafers)

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt, divided

Cooking spray

¾ cup fresh cranberries

¾ cup granulated sugar, divided

4 teaspoons cornstarch, divided

5 large eggs, divided

2 tablespoons orange zest

1 cup fresh orange juice

2 large egg yolks

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°.   Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; cook 6 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently.   Let cool 5 minutes.   Place wafer crumbs, brown sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a food processor; pulse to combine.   Drizzle melted butter over top of crumb mixture; pulse to combine.

Press crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch round removable-bottom tart pan coated with cooking spray.   Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until crust is lightly browned.  Let cool completely on a wire rack.

Combine cranberries and 3 tablespoons water in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth. Combine cranberry puree, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil.

Whisk together 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 egg in a medium bowl.  Drizzle hot cran­berry mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly until combined.  Return mixture to pan over medium heat; cook, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes or until mixture thickens.

Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing on solids with the back of a spoon; discard solids.

Combine orange zest and juice, remaining  ½ cup granulated sugar, remaining 8 tablespoons butter, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Whisk together egg yolks, remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and remaining 4 eggs in a medium bowl.

Gradually drizzle hot orange mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly.  Return mixture to pan over medium heat; cook 4 to 5 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring constantly.  Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing on solids with the back of a spoon; discard solids.

Spread orange filling into cooled crust, smoothing top.  Spoon cranberry mixture over filling; smoothing top.  Let tart cool to room temperature on a wire rack.

Cover and refrigerate 8 hours.

~My Recipes

pumpkin-pie-Southern-Living

Black Bottom Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

½ cup chopped pecans

1 cup cinnamon graham cracker crumbs

1 cup crushed gingersnaps

½ cup butter, melted

1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels

2 cups whipping cream, divided

2 (1.4-oz.) chocolate-covered toffee candy bars, finely chopped

¾ cup sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 large eggs

4 egg yolks

2 cups milk

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste*

½  cup maple syrup

Garnish: semisweet chocolate shavings

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Cool 10 minutes. Stir together graham cracker crumbs, next 2 ingredients, and toasted pecans until blended.

Press crumb mixture on bottom, up sides, and onto lip of a lightly greased 10-inch pie plate.  Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).

Microwave 1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels and ½ cup whipping cream in a small microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 minute or until melted, stirring at 30-second intervals. Spoon chocolate mixture over bottom of pie crust; sprinkle candy bars over chocolate mixture.

Cover and chill 1 hour or until chocolate mixture is set.

Meanwhile, whisk together sugar and flour in a heavy 3-qt. saucepan; add eggs, egg yolks, and milk, and whisk until blended. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until a pudding-like thickness. (Mixture will just begin to bubble and will hold soft peaks when whisk is lifted.)

Remove from heat, and whisk in pumpkin and vanilla bean paste. Transfer to a bowl. Place heavy-duty plastic wrap directly on warm filling (to prevent a film from forming); chill 30 minutes.  Spoon pumpkin mixture over chocolate; cover and chill 8 to 24 hours or until filling is firm.

Beat remaining 1 ½ cups cream at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add syrup, beating until soft peaks form.  Spread or pipe over pie.

~Southern Living

pecan-pie-bars-b

Easy Pecan Pie Bars

Ingredients

1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent rolls

2 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted

¾ cup chopped pecans

½ cup corn syrup

½ cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg, beaten

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a 9×13-inch pan with foil, leaving enough for a 2-inch overhang on all sides.  Unroll dough, separate dough into 2 long rectangles and place in 13×9-inch pan; press over bottom and ½ inch up sides to form crust.  Firmly press dough perforations to seal.  Bake 8 minutes.

Combine all filling ingredients except ¾ cups pecans in bowl and mix well.  Stir in pecans.  Spread evenly over hot, partially baked crust.  Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until filling is set and golden brown.  Cool about 1 hour; cut into bars.

~Sugar Apron

holiday-dessertsClick on the links below for full recipe

Cider- Spiked Apple and Pecan Tart

Fantasy Chocolate Pie

Double Chocolate-Espresso Truffle Pie

Pumpkin-Praline Layer Cake

 

enjoy

Crisp Fall Afternoons And An Apple Nut Cake Recipe

To kick off the fall baking season, I thought this reader favorite recipe for Apple Nut cake recipe repost worthy.

apples-walnuts-copper1

Apples.

Pecans.

Walnuts.

Cinnamon.

Thought that might get your attention!

Fall is officially here, and although the signs of the season aren’t in full fall reveal, a few brisk mornings have teased the senses turning my thoughts and taste buds to the fall baking season.

apple-nut-cake-frosted

Dave the Builder’s mother introduced me to a delicious way to welcome fall which has become a tradition.

In terms of a wonderful fall culinary complement, there is nothing better on a cool afternoon than a cup of strong Louisiana coffee and a slice of old fashioned Apple Nut cake.

I always think of my dear mother-in-law when the first day of fall comes.

apple-nut-cake-on-cake-stand

It’s been thirty three years since the first time I made this cake as a new bride.

I can see myself standing in the cooking corner of our tiny kitchen pouring the batter into my grandmother’s bundt pan, windows open, flour everywhere, and a true autumn nip in the air.

That was many Apple Nut cakes ago, and over the years I have tweaked the Apple Nut Cake recipe to suit my taste.

I think it is an apple nut winner.

bundt-copper

My daddy was my apple peeling, apple cutting sous chef.

He knew the Apple Nut rule and took his apple peeling role seriously.

To enjoy apple nut goodness you must help in the peeling prep.

My mother now stands as the house sous chef.

The family that peels apples together makes memories together.

apples

Apple Nut Cake

Ingredients

1 cup vegetable oil

2 cups granulated sugar

½  cup brown sugar

2 eggs

½  teaspoon nutmeg

½  teaspoon cinnamon

½  teaspoon ground cloves

½  teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 ½  cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped pecans

½  cup applesauce

3 cups fresh apples, peeled and sliced

Icing

½  cup firmly packed light brown sugar

¼  cup butter or margarine

3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup powdered sugar

½  cup chopped pecans

Directions

Peel and slice apples.  Add brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, ground cloves and lemon juice to apples coating well; set aside.  Mix together sugar and oil.

chopped-apples

Add the eggs and beat until creamy.

Add vanilla.

Combine salt, baking powder, baking soda and flour together.

flour-in-measuring-cup

Add dry ingredients in small amounts to sugar and oil mixture.

Next, add apples, applesauce and chopped pecans and mix by hand.

floured-Bundt-pan

Bake in greased and floured Bundt pan in 350 degree oven for approximately 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

apple-cake-batter

Feast your eyes on that baked apple nut cake goodness!

apple nut cake recipe

This cake is so delicious no icing is required, but hold on to your apples.

The icing is fantastic!

apple-nut-cake-pecans

For the icing:

In a medium saucepan bring brown sugar, butter, and milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring or whisking constantly.  Boil for one minute continuing to stir or whisk constantly.

Remove from heat and add vanilla.  Add powdered sugar and stir or whisk until smooth and continue until it begins to thicken slightly.  Immediately drizzle over cooled cake.

Top with walnuts or pecans.

Another delicious icing option is this simple cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1  8 ounce cream cheese, softened at room temperature

1  cup butter, softened

4  cups confectioners sugar (I’ve tried 3 cups, but prefer the thickness using 4 cups renders).

2  tablespoons vanilla extract

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, mix together softened cream cheese and butter using an electric mixer.  Beat at medium speed until creamy.

Slowly add the powdered sugar (one cup at a time) until smooth and creamy.  Add vanilla extract.

apple-pecan-walnut-cake

enjoy

 

 

 

A Most Fetching Friday Dessert

This week’s A Most Fetching Friday Dessert is dedicated to the art of baking (and no-baking) and the edible works created, admired and deliciously celebrated as the grand finale of the holiday dinner.

Thanksgiving-apple-pastry-package-del1014-lgnWrapped Baked Apple Crumble – Country Clever

beekman-boys-buttermilk-pie-with-pecan-crustButtermilk Pie with Pecan Crust – Country Living Magazine

apple-nut-cake-walnutsApple Nut Cake  with Caramel Walnut Icing

white-chocolate-pumpkin-cheesecakesNo Bake White Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecakes with a Pecan Pie Crust

Butter-pecan-cakeButter Pecan Cake

butterscoth-pudding-Coquette-New-OrleansButterscotch Pudding with Snickerdoodle Cookie Crumbs & Bacon Whipped Cream

I hope you have a most delicious double dip of dessert fetching Friday.

Love your style!

Simplified Homemade Recipes

Basic on hand baking ingredients combined with the spotlight spices of the season is a recipe for simplified homemade.

homemade-pumkin

Yep, all the homemade with love goodness without all of the homemade work is sprinkled, sifted, and spiced into these simplified homemade recipes.

cake-plate-pumpkin

The holiday hustle and bustle keeps us hopping, shopping, and on a quest for time chopping.

pumpkin-spice-cake-ingredients

Over the next few weeks it will be a holiday rush jungle out there, folks!

Nordic Ware Harvest Bounty Loaf

Nordic Ware Harvest Bounty Loaf

Give yourself the gift of time and your guests a taste of the holidays with these sweet time saving simplified homemade recipes.

Nordic Ware Harvest Bounty Loaf baked

Pumpkin Spice Cake

Ingredients

1 box spice cake mix

1 box instant French vanilla pudding

1 can pumpkin

3 eggs

1/3  cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 cup water

1/3  cup pumpkin spice flavored liquid coffee cream

Frosting:

1  8 ounce cream cheese, softened

¼ cup butter, softened

½ cup – 1 cup confectioners sugar

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

1-2 packets sugar in the raw

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients.  Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.

floured-Bundt-pan

Pour into  greased and floured Bundt or loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 45-55 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Allow cake to cool for at least 20 minutes before removing from pan to cake plate.

Allow cake to completely cool before frosting.  Frost cake and garnish top with pumpkin pie spice and sugar in the raw.  Keep cake in refrigerator for optimum freshness.

Cream Cheese and Maple Syrup Frosting

In a medium mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually sift confectioners’ sugar into cream cheese and butter mixture, mixing until smooth.  Stir in maple syrup until incorporated.  Frost top of cake and garnish with pumpkin pie spice and sugar in the raw.

pumpkin-spice-Bundt-cake-crown-royal-caramel-icing

Crown Royal Frosting

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup buttermilk

1 stick butter

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 Tablespoon light corn syrup

2 Tablespoons Crown Royal

Directions

Combine sugar, buttermilk and butter in saucepan.  Bring to a boil, whisking constantly.  Boil several minutes until sugar is melted and mixture has thickened.  Remove from heat and cool slightly.  Add baking soda and corn syrup.  Allow to cool to room temperature.  Add Crown Royal, whisk, and drizzle icing on top of pound cake.

banana-nut-bread-fall

Homemade for the Holidays Banana Bread

Ingredients

3 packages banana nut muffin mix

3 ripe bananas, mashed

½ teaspoon ground cloves

¾ cup crushed pineapple with juice

½ cup raisins

1 cup water

Directions 

Preheat oven to 400 F.  Spray or grease two (2) muffins pan and set aside. Whisk muffin mix and cloves together to incorporate and smooth out lumps.

In a small mixing bowl, use a fork to mash the ripe bananas; add to dry ingredients. Add crush pineapple and pineapple juice, raisins and water; stir well to blend all ingredients together.

Divide mixture between the two prepared muffin pans.

Bake at 400 for 40- 45 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Love your style!

 

 

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