Spring Blossoms

Tuesday, April 22, 2008



For the Cake:
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 large eggs
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the filling:

2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 1/4 cups kirsch
2 (15-ounce) cans dark sweet pitted cherries in heavy syrup
2 tablespoons cornstarch

For the Frosting and Garnish:

1 pound confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons sugar
3 ounces semisweet chocolate, shaved


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a small saucepan, warm the milk and 2 teaspoons of the butter together over medium-low heat. With an electric mixer fitted with a wire whip, beat the eggs and 1 cup of the sugar on medium-high speed in a large mixing bowl until the mixture is pale yellow, thick, and tripled in volume, about 8 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the warm milk mixture. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt into a small mixing bowl. Add half the flour mixture to the egg mixture and blend thoroughly until smooth. Repeat with the other half. Add the vanilla and mix gently. Grease 2 8" round pans with the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Pour the cake batter into the pan, spreading it evenly. Bake until the cake springs back when touched, about 15 minutes. Cool for about 2 minutes, then gently flip it out onto a large sheet of parchment paper. Let cool completely.
For the filling: Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Stir in 1 cup of the kirsch and stir to mix. In another saucepan over medium heat, bring the cherries to a boil in their syrup. In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the remaining 1/4 cup kirsch and add to the cherry mixture. Whisk until it thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool completely.

Assemble the cake: Using a serrated knife, carefully cut each cake horizontally in half to make 4 layers. Brush the tops of all the layers with equal amounts of the sugar syrup. (You will not need all of the syrup.) Let the liquid soak into the layers for about 30 minutes. Place the bottom layer on a large cake plate. Spread 1 cup of the filling evenly over this layer, then top with a second layer of cake. Spread 1 cup of the filling evenly over it. Repeat the same process with the third layer and another cup of the filling. Top with the fourth layer.

To Finish: Sift together the confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder into a medium size bowl. Add the butter and mix with an electric mixer until incorporated. Add 1 teaspoon of the vanilla and the boiling water and mix until smooth. Let cool. Combine the cream, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and the sugar in a medium-size mixing bowl and, using an electric mixer, whip until soft peaks form. Ice the sides and top of the cake evenly with the chocolate frosting. Spoon the whipped cream over the top of the cake and sprinkle with the chocolate shavings. Slice and serve the cake
BY: EMERIL

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Fabulous Fruit Bars (Cookie Mix


Fabulous Fruit Bars (Cookie Mix)

2 pouches (1 lb 1.5 oz each) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 eggs
Filling
1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
Topping
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 teaspoon almond extract


1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
2. In large bowl, stir base ingredients until soft dough forms. Press half of dough in bottom of pan.
3. Spread pie filling over dough. Drop remaining dough by teaspoonfuls over filling.
4. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes.
5. In small bowl, stir glaze ingredients until smooth. If necessary, add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle glaze over warm bars. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature

Strawberry and Peach Cream Trifle


2 packages (4-serving size each) vanilla pudding and pie filling mix, (not instant)
3 cups milk
1 1/2 quarts (6 cups) strawberries, sliced
1 large fresh peach, peeled and cubed
1/4 cup sugar
1 package (16 ounces) frozen pound cake loaf
1/4 cup peach or strawberry preserves
1/4 cup amaretto or orange juice
1 cup whipping (heavy) cream
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
2 large fresh peaches, peeled and sliced


1. Make pudding mix as directed on package for pudding, using 3 cups milk. Place plastic wrap directly on top of pudding. Refrigerate at least 2 hours until chilled.
2. Mix strawberries, cubed peach and sugar. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes.
3. Cut pound cake horizontally in half. Spread preserves over bottom half. Top with top half. Cut into 18 slices. Drizzle with amaretto. Place 9 slices in 3- to 4-quart straight-sided glass bowl. Spoon half of strawberry mixture over cake.
4. Beat whipping cream in chilled small bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff. Fold whipped cream into pudding. Spoon half of pudding mixture over strawberries. Repeat layers with remaining cake, strawberry mixture and pudding mixture. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
5. Just before serving, sprinkle with almonds. Top with sliced peaches.




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Strawberry Trifle




1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box
2 boxes (4-serving size each) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
4 cups milk
2 bags (16 oz each) frozen strawberries in light syrup, thawed
1 1/2 cups frozen (thawed) whipped topping
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted


1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Make cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
2. While cake is cooling, in large bowl, beat pudding mixes into milk with wire whisk about 2 minutes or until blended.
3. Cut or tear cake into 1-inch pieces. In 3 1/2-quart glass trifle bowl, arrange half the pieces, cutting pieces to fit shape of bowl. Pour half of the thawed strawberries (with syrup) over cake; spread with 2 cups of the pudding. Place remaining cake pieces on pudding and around edge of bowl. Top with remaining strawberries and pudding. Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours until chilled.
4. Spread whipped topping over top of cake. Sprinkle with almonds. Store covered in refrigerator up to 12 hours.

Key Lime Coconut Angel Cake


1 box Betty Crocker® white angel food cake mix
1 1/4 cups cold water
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup Key lime or regular lime juice
1 teaspoon grated lime peel
1 container (12 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 cup flaked coconut
Sliced kiwifruit and strawberries, if desired


1. Make cake mix as directed on package, using cold water. Cool cake completely. Cut cake horizontally into 3 layers. Place bottom layer, cut side up, on serving plate.
2. In large bowl, beat milk, lime juice and lime peel with wire whisk until smooth and thickened. Fold in whipped topping.
3. Spread 1 cup lime mixture evenly over top of first layer of cake. Place second layer of cake carefully on bottom layer; spread evenly with 1 cup lime mixture. Top with remaining layer of cake.
4. Frost top and side of cake with remaining lime mixture. Sprinkle with coconut. Garnish cake with kiwifruit and strawberries.

Lemon Chiffon Dessert


Lemon Chiffon Dessert

1 package Betty Crocker® 1-step white angel food cake mix
2 cups boiling water
1 package (8-serving size) lemon-flavored gelatin
1 can (6 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 1/2 cups whipping (heavy) cream


1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Bake and cool cake as directed on package for angel food (tube) pan.
2. Pour boiling water on gelatin in large bowl; stir until gelatin is dissolved. Refrigerate about 15 minutes or until thickened but not set.
3. Add enough cold water to lemonade concentrate to measure 2 cups; stir into gelatin. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until foamy.
4. Beat whipping cream in chilled medium bowl on high speed until stiff; fold into gelatin.
5. Tear cake into about 1-inch pieces. Fold cake pieces into gelatin mixture. Spread in ungreased rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches.
6. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours until firm but no longer than 24 hours. Cut into squares. Store covered in refrigerator.

Ginger-Peach Dessert



40 gingersnap cookies (about 1 1/2 inches in diameter)
1/2 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 quarts (8 cups) peach frozen yogurt, softened
1 container (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
2 medium peaches, cut into thin slices


1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Place cookies and 1/2 cup pecan pieces in food processor. Cover and process until crushed. Add butter; process until mixed. Press evenly in rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until center is set when lightly touched. Cool completely, about 25 minutes.
2. Spread frozen yogurt over cooled crust. Freeze 30 minutes.
3. Spread whipped topping over frozen yogurt; sprinkle with finely chopped pecans. Freeze about 4 hours or until firm.
4. To serve, let stand at room temperature 5 to 10 minutes. Cut dessert into squares. Top each square with 2 or 3 peach slices.

White Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries



Makes:18 strawberries


1 bag (12 ounces) white baking chips (2 cups)
1 tablespoon shortening
18 large strawberries with leaves
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening


1. Cover cookie sheet with waxed paper. Heat white baking chips and 1 tablespoon shortening in 2-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until chips are melted.
2. For each strawberry, poke fork or toothpick into stem end, and dip three-fourths of the way into melted chips, leaving top of strawberry and leaves uncoated. Place on waxed paper-covered cookie sheet.
3. Heat semisweet chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon shortening in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate chips are melted. (Or place chocolate chips and shortening in small microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on Medium (50%) 1 minute; stir. Microwave 2 to 3 minutes longer, until mixture can be stirred smooth.)
4. Drizzle melted semisweet chocolate over dipped strawberries, using small spoon. Refrigerate uncovered about 30 minutes or until coating is set.

Makes:18 strawberries

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Butterscotch Pecan Cookies



1/2 cup margarine
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup butterscotch chips
4 cups quick oatmeal (have used the other & it turns out just fine)
1 cup chopped pecans

Put marge, milk, sugar in a pot.
Heat& stir until boiling.
Boil 1 minute Stirring constantly.
Remove from heat.
Add chips,pecans, stir well. Now add
the oatmeal & stir again.
Cool silghtly till it can be handled.
Drop onto greased cookie sheets.
Chill until firm.
Can be frozen for future use.

© 2007 Recipezaar. All Rights Reserved

Saturday, April 5, 2008

GRILLED PORK & ASPARAGUS WITH LEMON DRESSING




1 large lemon
1 tbs sugar
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp + 1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp + 1/4 tsp pepper
2 tbs + 3 tsp olive oil
1 tbs minced chives
4 boneless center cut pork chops
2 bunches asparagus, trimmed

Cut a thin slice from the top and bottom of the lemon, exposing the flesh. Stand lemon upright and cut off the thick peel following the contour of the fruit and removing all the white pith and membrane.

Holding lemon over a bowl, remove lemon sections from membrane. Discard seeds and let sections fall into the bowl. Squeeze remaining membrane to extract juice into bowl. Break sections into pieces.

Whisk 1 tbs water, sugar, mustard, 1/8 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper into the lemon. Whisk in 2 tbs oil. Stir in chives, set aside. Heat grill. Brush pork with 2 tsp oil. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Grill pork 4 min. on each side or until done.

Brush asparagus with remaining oil. Place on grill and grill 6 min. turning, or until crisp tender. Sprinkle with remaining salt. Serve pork and asparagus topped with dressing. Serve with lemon wedges. MAKES 4 SERVINGS.*

Italian Cream Cake # 1


INGREDIENTS FOR CAKE:

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup oil
5 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups flour
1 cup angel flake coconut
1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

INGREDIENTS FOR ICING:

One 8-ounce package cream cheese
1/2 cup margarine
One 1-pound box confectioners sugar
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

TO PREPARE CAKE:

Combine sugar, shortening, and oil. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir soda into buttermilk. Add buttermilk alternately with flour to batter. Fold in coconut. Beat egg whites and fold into mixture. Add flavorings. Pour into 3 greased and floured 9-inch pans. Bake in 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. Cool cake layers before icing.

TO PREPARE ICING:

Combine cream cheese and margarine. Beat in sugar gradually. Add pecans and flavorings. This makes lots of icing for each layer top and sides.
SERVES: 16
Copyright 1994 The Junior League of Baton Rouge, Inc. All rights reserved.

ITALIAN CREAM CAKE # 2


Italian Cream Cake

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter
2 cups sugar
6 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
1-1/2 cup flaked coconut, lightly toasted
6 eggs whites
---
Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 pound powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1teaspoon vanilla
1 cups chopped pecans, lightly toasted
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 8-inch round cake pans. With a wire whisk combine flour,
baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream shortening, butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla.
Add egg yolks, 1 at a time. Flour mixture is added alternately with buttermilk. Stir in coconut. Beat egg
whites until stiff. Gently fold whites into cake batter. Pour into prepared pans. Bake 25 minutes.
Cool cake layers in pans for 5 minutes. Remove to cool completely on racks. Blend together cream cheese,
butter. Add powdered sugar a little at a time. Stir in vanilla. Place bottom layer on serving plate. Frost
with 1/4 of the frosting. Sprinkle layer with 1/4-cup nuts. Top with next layer. Frost with 1/4 of the frosting.
Sprinkle layer with another 1/4 cup of nuts. Place top layer on middle layer. Ice sides of cake with half of
remaining icing. Frost top of cake with last of the frosting. Sprinkle remaining nuts all over the cake.

Refrigerate any leftover cake.

Favorite Toasted Oatmeal Cookies (T&T)


Favorite Toasted Oatmeal Cookies (T&T)

Source: Adapted from A Collection of the Very Finest Recipes Ever
Assembled into One Cookbook, 1979. (Yes, that really IS the title)!!

3/4 cup butter or margarine (I use butter)
2 1/2 cups old-fashioned raw oats
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla (I use 2 teaspoons)

Optional :
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins

Heat oven to 375 degrees. In medium skillet, over medium heat, heat
butter until melted. Add oats; stir constantly until golden, about 5
minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

Meanwhile, sift flour with cinnamon (if using), salt and soda; set
aside. In large bowl, combine sugar, egg and vanilla extract. Beat
until light with wooden spoon or mixer at medium speed.

Stir in oats and flour mixtures and mix well.

Drop by teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet. (I use a 2 tablespoon
capacity "ice cream" scoop, then flatten dough slightly before
baking).

Bake 10 to 12 minutes; cool and enjoy. A truly delicious oatmeal
cookie!!

Filled Oatmeal Cookies



Cookies:
1 cup shortening
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Filling:
1 box confectioners' sugar
5 tablespoons shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash of salt
5 tablespoons evaporated milk

Cookies:
Cream sugar and shortening, beat in eggs. Mix baking soda and flour,
then add all dry ingredients and mix with creamed mixture. Stir in
vanilla extract. Wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or longer.
Pinch off in small amounts to form a ball by rolling in hands. Bake at
350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.

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