Posts from the ‘Desserts’ Category

CAKES THAT SAY “ HI SPRING!”

For years I’ve been explaining why appropriate cakes are the ideal dessert for winter holiday events. They’re delicious, popular, decorative, can be made ahead, frozen and thawed before serving. (See post of Dec.9, 2020)  Last year, I suddenly realized a different line of appropriate cakes are ideal for the spring holiday feasts too, for the same reasons.

The general conception of ‘spring desserts’ is a berry presentation, but, as stated last week, Mother Nature is usually late, especially with fruits, for the holidays. There are fresh berries, particularly strawberries and blueberries, in markets all year but lacking the taste and texture of field grown local crops, they’re better for baking at this time. Pastry simply doesn’t shout ‘SPRING’. 

Cake can mimic the colorful candies of the season, even copy some textures and flavors, like chocolate and coconut. Still better, they provide wonderful spaces to use those berries to create fabulous decorations.

Spring Cakes are lighter in texture and more subtle in flavor. They bring a freshness to the table which personifies the spirit of the season. Spring Cakes are great as treats on a weeknight or weekend, such as the Vegetable Cake below, and with small alterations or optional frostings and garnishes, most become a decorative headliner at a holiday feast or special occasion.

Another feature of Spring Cakes is their individuality. All of the recipes below, with two exceptions, are made from scratch rather than commercial mixes. Yet all of them require little more effort and no more time or cost for additional ingredients than commercial products. So give them a try—You’ll be so glad you did!! P.S. I’ve put personal notes on several recipes.

RECIPES

Fresh Blueberry Cake: Serves 8-10

5 Tbs. butter

2 ¼ cups flour

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

¼ cup milk

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. EACH vanilla and cinnamon

2 cups fresh blueberries sprinkled with a little sugar

Cut 4 Tbs. butter into flour and sugar until it resembles pebbles. Reserve ¼ cup of mixture. Add remaining ingredients, except blueberries and cinnamon, and best until smooth. Pour batter into a greased spring form pan, turning pan so batter forms a rim around the pan edge, leaving a hallow in the center. Place berries in hallow. Mix 1 Tbs. butter, cinnamon and reserved batter with hands until small crumbles appear and scatter them over the berries. Bake in preheated 450 deg. oven for 5 min., reduce heat to 350 deg. and bake 30 min. more. Serve warm or cold.

Boston Cream Pie: Serves 10-Despite the name this is actually a cake and great for the season, Try it with a garnish of coconut for Easter.

CAKE

1/3 cup butter-softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 ¼ cups flour

1 ½ tsp. baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

¾ cup milk

FILLING

1/3 cup sugar

2 Tbs. cornstarch

1 ½ cups milk

2 egg yolks-slightly beaten

1 Tb. butter

1 tsp. vanilla

GLAZE

1 Tbs. water

1 Tbs. butter

3 Tbs. cocoa

1 cup confectioner’s sugar

½ tsp. vanilla

For cake-Beat first 4 ingredients until light and fluffy. Combine next 3 and add alternately to egg mix with milk. Pour batter into (2) 9 inch greased cake pans and bake in a preheated 350 deg. 30 min.

For Filling-Combine first 4 ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, constantly stirring, until mixture boils. Boil 1 min. until thickened. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Stir to incorporate, cool and chill covered.

For glaze-Bring butter and sugar to a frothing boil, in a saucepan. Remove from heat add cocoa and beat in sugar and vanilla until smooth. Immediately pour over assembled cake allowing it to drip down the sides.

For assembly– Make filling before cake. After cake is completely cooled, divide each layer in half to make 4 layers. Coat 3 of the layers with filling, and place on top of each other ending with the 4th layer. Pour hot glaze over. Cool and/or chill before serving.

Modified Opera Cake: Serves 10-12-A great dessert for events all year.

(3) 9 inch round cake pans—available as a 3-pack in a dollar store

Parchment paper or waxed paper

1 box yellow cake mix and ingredients listed on package*

8 oz. container whipped topping

8 oz. cream cheese

1 tsp. almond extract

1 can dark chocolate frosting

Toasted slivered almonds—optional for garnish

Cut parchment rounds to fit cake pans. Grease pan bottoms and paper rounds. Mix batter according to package directions and place 1/3 in each pan. Bake at package stated temperature for 1/3 the time recommended, usually about 15-18 min. or until top springs back when lightly pressed. Cool then invert onto plates and peel off paper. If necessary, slice tops to level them.

Beat cheese, topping and extract together until smooth. Plate one cake layer and cover with a thin layer of frosting, spread ½ the cheese mixture on top and repeat with a second layer. Top with the 3rd layer even side up making sure it’s level. Remove excess filling from sides with a knife if needed.

Microwave remaining frosting 20-30 sec. until easily pourable but not too runny and using a spoon as a guide if necessary, pour evenly over the top of the cake to create a smooth glazed effect . It’s O.K. if some runs decoratively down the sides. Decorate with toasted slivers of almonds or a sprig of holly in the center.

Authentic Opera Cake–This is a sponge cake recipe and the easiest one I’ve seen.

3 eggs separated

6 Tbs. sugar

Dash salt

¾ cup sifted cake flour

½ tsp. vanilla

3 Tbs. sugar

Beat yolks, sugar and salt until light and fluffy, about 5 min. Fold in flour. Beat whites until soft peaks form and then beat, adding sugar, until peaks are stiff. Fold a glob of whites into yolk mixture, and then fold in the rest. Pour into 3 pans, prepared as instructed above, and bake at 325 deg. for 15 min. Ice and store as for box mix.

Spring Rum Sponge Cake

The sponge cake batter for the Authentic Opera Cake above is wonderful baked in two layers with the rum frosting below. Simply prepare (2) 9 inch cake pans as directed above and bake at 350 deg. for 20-25 min. until a toothpick comes out clean. For many years this was my family’s choice for Easter dessert.

Rum Buttercream Frosting-From twosisterscrafting.com

1 pound (4 cups) of confectioner’s sugar

1 cup butter-softened

1-2 Tbs. milk

1 tsp. Rum Extract

Beat sugar and butter on low, add 1 Tbs. milk and continue beating until incorporated, then begin to bet on medium-high, scraping sides and bottom of bowl often and adding more milk a bit at a time  until icing is right consistency. Beat in rum extract.

Pistachio Marble Cake: Serves 10–A great every day cake, but one which easily dresses up.

Requirements: 1 mixing bowl; 2 layer cake pans or 1 tube pan

1 box marble cake mix WITHOUT pudding included. White or yellow will do if you can’t find marble*. The important thing is no pudding in the mix.

(1) 4 serving size box pistachio instant pudding and pie filling mix.

1 1/3 cup water

3 eggs

1/3 cup of oil

1 can dark chocolate creamy or whipped frosting mix OR make pistachio frosting if you want the cake to have a soft green appearance (Nice for Christmas and Easter)-see directions below

¾ cup coarsely chopped pistachio nuts (optional)

Cooking spray

3 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder*

This can be made in 2 layer pans but appears more attractive when cut if made in a tube or bunt pan. Prepare pan(s) by spraying liberally with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat the eggs, water, pudding mix and oil into the batter until it is smooth. See cake mix directions. Using a spoon, blend in ½ cup nuts. Pour 2/3 of the batter into the prepared pan(s) if using a marble mix directions will say to add contents of the enclosed envelope to the remaining 1/3 batter in the bowl. * * If not, add the cocoa powder to 1/3 cup reserved batter and blend well. The cake box directions will now tell you to pour the chocolate batter over that in the pan(s) and using a table knife, blade down, in a cutting motion, gently swirl the top layer into the one below, creating a marble effect. If using a tube pan, go down to reach the bottom, but don’t overdo.

Bake the cake for the times dictated on the box for your choice of pan. Cool as directed and frost with the chocolate frosting. Use the rest of the nuts as garnish. If using a pistachio frosting there is the option of garnishing with chocolate curls or chips.

Pistachio Frosting: Makes enough to fill and frost 2 layers

I don’t like very sugary frostings, nor do I need one high in calories and fat. So I’m offering 2 recipes here. The first is the classic Kraft recipe for pudding icing and the second is my own creation. There is a third choice which uses only whipped topping, but I find that is so light that it soaks into the cake in a day and can’t be made in advance.

1) Kraft Pudding Icing: Makes about 2 ½ cups

(1)4 oz. pkg. = ½ of 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

 1 stick= ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 ½ cups powdered sugar

 1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) Pistachio flavor instant pudding and pie filling

Using an electric mixer beat together cream cheese and butter until well combined. Add pudding and beat on high speed until light and fluffy and pale in color, approximately 5 min. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until fully incorporated and fluffy.

2) My Pudding Icing: Makes about 4 cups

(1) 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

(1) 8oz. tub whipped topping

(1) 4 serving box of pistachio instant pudding and pie mix

Beat all 3 ingredients together until completely blended, smooth and spreadable.

Vegetable Garden Cake: Serves 10

3 eggs beaten until fluffy

1 cup oil

2 cups sugar

1 ½ cups-packed-shredded zucchini

½ cup-packed-shredded carrots

2 cups flour

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. baking powder     

1 tsp. vanilla

½ cup ground almond

½ tsp. cinnamon

Grease and flour (2) 9 inch round cake pans. Stir first 3 ingredients together, add vegetables and mix well, add remaining cake ingredients and stir well. Pour batter into pans and bake at 350 deg. for 25-30 min. Cool in pans on rack for 0 min. Remove and cool completely. Optionally freeze one layer now.

Optional toppings for the Garden Cake above or as a quick solution for a boxed cake mix

Milk Glaze-for 1 layer. Double quantities for 2 layer cake.

1 cup sifted confectioner’s sugar

2 tsp. hot milk

½ tsp. vanilla

Combine ingredients and mix until smooth. Cover top of cake and decorate as desired.

Coconut Cake with Coconut Icing: Serves 10-Always a spring favorite-From https://abountifulkitchen.com coconut-cake-made-with-box-mix//the-best-

3 large eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup cold water

3/4 cup coconut milk 

1 white cake mix I like Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker

1 small package instant vanilla pudding*

Icing

1/2 cup butter, softened

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

4-5 cups powdered sugar

Dash of salt

2 tablespoons milk or half and half

1 7-10 oz. coconut flakes, sweetened

Grease and line 2-9 inch cake pans with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and set rack in center of oven. Beat eggs, sour cream, vanilla, water and coconut milk until blended well. Add cake mix and instant pudding.* Mix only till smooth.  Pour batter into pans; sprinkle a little coconut on top of cakes, if desired. Bake at 350 deg. for about 25-30 min. or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Invert onto rack and let cool completely.

Frosting:

Blend butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, salt and milk until desired consistency. Mix well. Spread frosting on cooled cake. Sprinkle remaining coconut on top and sides of cake and gently press into frosting.

Chill until serving. Remove about 30 minutes before serving for best results. Store any leftovers covered in refrigerator.

*Coconut pudding may be used in place of vanilla pudding.

Notes: Actually I prefer Betty Crocker Fluffy White Frosting mix in a box. Simply top with the coconut flakes

BISCOTTI STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE: Serves 5-6-From BonAppetit Magazine. I love New York Cheesecake, but it takes time and is costly to make. This mini version is actually, a budget item, is fast and easy and packed with all the flavor of a big one  

5 biscotti-OR 5 slices thin sourdough bread- baked with sugar and cinnamon OR ½ your favorite graham cracker crust recipe baked in the bottom of a 9×5 bread pan – lined on long side with parchment with overhang

(1) 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

½ cup sugar

1 egg

1/3 cup sour cream,

1 tsp. lemon zest

½ tsp. Vanilla

Salt

10 oz. fresh fruit

1 tsp. lemon juice

2 Tbs. sugar

Preheat oven to 350 deg.  allow fruit to marinate in sugar and lemon juice.   Combine cheese and sugar, mix well with a spatula. Add egg and whisk in, add rest of ingredients and combine well ‘til smooth. Pour over biscotti in pan. Bake 25-30 min.-center still quaky-cool completely on wire rack. Run a knife along ends of pan and lift out tart by paper. Cover with fruit. Cake can be made 3 days ahead.

FRUIT DESSERTS ANTICIPATING SPRING

People who live in four-season climates gain an acute awareness of spring’s approach. From late February, when they first notice increasing daylight hours, they watch the temperature, while keeping an eye on trees for buds and the ground for green shoots. They start craving lighter foods, specifically to replace the spicy rich desserts of winter with fruit based ones.

This isn’t modern behavior and some of the best recipes to appease it are hundreds of years old. Because spring fruit crops are still months from harvest, the desserts were made with preserved, or later, canned fruit, and still can be, but fortunately for us, we now have frozen fruits and most spring berries, fresh, in markets all year as well as apples.. As with most antique recipes, they’re simple to make and unlike commercial fruit desserts, served warm, which is perfect, since it’s still cold outside.

So let’s take a walk in time and look at 9 old desserts which are really delicious and as current now as they ever were, deserving of revival. You and your family will love them—Promise!

RECIPES-The fruits cited below, including rhubarb, are interchangeable 12 oz. of berries =2 cups. Be cautious of using strawberries alone. The extra water they contain tends to make pastry runny.

Easy Peach Bread Pudding: Serves 8—Recipe by jowolf2 at allrecipes.com

2 cups fresh, frozen or canned peaches*

(1) 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

3 eggs-lightly beaten

1 ¼ cups hot water

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

¼ cup butter- melted

4 cups French bread –torn into small pieces

Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Chop the peaches and lightly mash them in a mixing bowl. Combine the sweetened condensed milk and the eggs; add them to the peaches and mix well. Stir in the hot water, melted butter, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir the French bread into to the custard mixture until the bread is completely moistened. Turn the pudding into the prepared baking dish. Bake until a knife inserted in the center of the pudding comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

*Frozen peaches may need a bit of extra sugar

Clafoutis-Master Recipe: Serves 6-8

1) Have ready a greased ovenproof container equal in capacity to a 9 inch round cake pan. For a larger quantity double the size of the pan or use 2 pans.

2) Preheat oven to 350 deg.

3) You will need 3 cups, or 1 ¼ -1 ½ lb. fresh, prepared fruit, pitted and/or cored, peeled and sliced if large or equal amount of canned, well drained.

4) NOTE-Store leftovers chilled—if you have any

Batter

1 ¼ cups milk (or ¾-1 cup milk and ¼-1/2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half)

3 eggs

1/3 cup sugar

1 Tbs. vanilla

1/8 tsp. salt

2/3 cup sifted flour

1/3 cup sugar

Powdered sugar to sprinkle as garnish

If using a blender, add first 6 ingredients in order listed and blend 1 min. at top speed. If using a mixer, beat the eggs first, then add the solids and finally the liquid. Beat until smooth.

Pour about ¼ of the batter into the pan and bake 3-5 min. until set. Arrange fruit on top of the baked batter, sprinkle with the extra 1/3 cup sugar, and pour the rest of the batter over all. Bake in the center of the oven for about an hour, until puffed and golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Garnish with sprinkled powdered sugar just before serving.

The Clafoutis will fall a bit as it cools and is best served warm.

Cherry Clafoutis: Serves 6-8

Fresh pitted cherries or canned, drained Bing cherries.

¼ cup kirsch or cognac

1/3 cup sugar

Marinate cherries in above ingredients for 1 hr. Replace equal amount of the milk with the marinating liquid, omit the second 1/3 cup sugar sprinkled over the fruit in the master recipe and proceed as directed.

Apple Crisp: Serves 4

2 cups apples-peeled, cored and cubed OR 12 oz. berries

¼ cup sugar

½ cup chopped walnuts
Sprinkle cinnamon-for apples

1 egg

½ cup of flour

½ cup sugar

3/4 cup butter- melted

Lightly grease a 9 inch pie plate. Fill with apples, top with ¼ cup sugar, cinnamon and nuts. Beat egg until foamy, beat in butter, flour and remaining sugar until batter is smooth. Pour over berries. Bake in a preheated 325 deg. oven until browned, about 45 min. This is best served warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

NOTE: Peeled apples brown but this can be stored, using berries, in the pie plate, covered, and the batter in a container in the refrigerator for about 3 days. Combine and bake. Probably can also be reheated in the microwave the day after baking.

Rhubarb Kutchen: Serves 6

¾ + 2 Tbs. flour 2-3 cups rhubarb in1 inch pieces

1 Tbs. sugar *Meringue*

¼ tsp. salt 2 egg whites

¼ cup butter 1/8 tsp. salt

2 Tbs. chopped nuts 6 Tbs. sugar

1 egg yolk beaten lightly ½ tsp. vanilla

1 egg yolk 2 drips cider vinegar

1 cup sugar

¼ cup flour

Stir together the first 3 dry ingredients in column I. Cut in butter. Stir in nuts and lightly beaten egg yolk until well mixed. Press into the bottom of an 8 x 12 inch pan. Beat other egg yolk well, stir in next 2 ingredients, add rhubarb, and pour mixture into the pan… Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven 45mins. Remove from oven, and reduce temperature to 325 degrees. Meanwhile, have made *Meringue* by beating room temperature egg whites until soft peaks form, add vinegar and beat to incorporate, likewise with vanilla. Gradually add sugar and beat until whites are stiff and glossy. Spread Meringue over fruit, return to oven and bake until delicately brown-about 10 min. Serve at room temperature.

Berry Cobbler: Serves 4-Recipe by USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson 
4 tablespoons butter

¾ cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

¾ cup milk

2 cups of sliced fresh peaches or nectarines, or whole blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or a combination of fruits (or a 12-ounce package of frozen berries)

1 tablespoon sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 deg. with rack in the upper-middle position. Butter an 8-inch square or 9-inch round pan; place in the oven until butter is melted. Remove the pan from the oven and set aside. Whisk flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in milk until batter is smooth. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Scatter fruit over batter. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.

Bake until the top is lightly browned and fruit bubbles, 50 to 60 min. Serve warm or room temperature

Mixed Berry Buckle: Serves 8-10- from-https://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipes/2008-blueberry-buckle

Crumb Topping:

1 cup flour

½ cup brown sugar, packed

6 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

½ tsp table salt

½ tsp cinnamon

Berry Buckle:

½ cup whole milk

2 large eggs

4 Tbs unsalted butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup flour

½ cup white sugar, divided

1½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp lemon zest

½ tsp table salt

1 cup blueberries

1 cup raspberries, halved crosswise

1 cup strawberries, hulled & quartered

Preheat the oven to 350 deg. Line the bottom of a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper then coat the pan with cooking spray.

Prepare the streusel by combining the flour, brown sugar, melted butter, salt, and cinnamon together in a small bowl and mix until well combined and crumbly. Place into the refrigerator for 10 minutes before using. 

Prepare the cake by whisking together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla in a small bowl until well combined. 

In a larger bowl, combine the flour, 1/4 cup of white sugar, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt until well combined. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick.

Mix the remaining 1/4 cup of white sugar to the bowl of berries and toss to combine. Immediately pour half of the berry mixture into the cake batter and gently stir to combine. 

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan then spoon the remaining berries evenly on top.

Sprinkle the top evenly with the crumb topping. Place into the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, turning halfway during baking time, until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the cake pan for 2 hours.

To remove, run a sharp thin-bladed knife around the cake’s edges. Place a large plate over the cake and invert the cake onto the plate upside down. Next, put a serving plate on top (of the bottom of the cake) and flip so the cake is top-side up. If you’re baking the cake in a spring form pan, simply remove the sides before the cake has fully cooled.

Slice and serve plain, with whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream. 

Blueberry Grunt: Serves 4 –From-https://www.food.com/recipe/best-blueberry-grunt

4 cups blueberries (frozen or fresh)

1 cup granulated sugar

1⁄2 cup water

1⁄2 tsp lemon juice

2 cups flour

1⁄4 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1⁄2  tsp. salt

2 Tbs. butter

1 cup milk

4 cups blueberries (frozen or fresh)

1 cup granulated sugar

1⁄2 cup water

1⁄2 tsp lemon juice

2 cups flour

1⁄4 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1⁄2  tsp. salt

2 Tbs. butter

1 cup milk

In a saucepan, combine the berries, sugar, water and lemon juice. Heat to boiling and reduce to a simmer. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Cut in the butter. Add the milk, all at once and mix only until moistened. Drop by spoonfuls into the simmering berries. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. DO NOT LIFT THE LID. Serve warm with Whipped Cream, Cream or Ice Cream

Apple Pan Dowdy: Serves 4- From- Taste of Home.com/recipes/

1 cup packed brown sugar

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1/2 tsp. salt, divided

1 cup water

1 tsp. lemon juice Taste of Home.com/recipes/

2 tsp. baking powder

5 Tbs. butter, divided

3/4 cup 2% milk

5 cups sliced peeled apples

1/2 tsp, plus 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 Tbs.  coarse sugar

Whipped cream, optional

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour and 1/4 tsp.  salt. Add water and lemon juice; cook and stir over medium heat until thick. Cover and set aside In a bowl, combine baking powder and remaining flour and salt. Cut in 3 Tbs. butter. Add the milk and mix just until moistened (a few lumps will remain); set aside. Arrange apples in a 1-1/2-quart baking dish; sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Add nutmeg, vanilla and remaining butter to sauce; pour over apples. Drop dough by spoonfuls over sauce. Combine coarse sugar and remaining cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Bake at 350° until top is brown and apples are tender, about 55 minutes. Serve warm, with whipped cream if desired.

People who live in four-season climates gain an acute awareness of spring’s approach. From late February, when they first notice increasing daylight hours, they watch the temperature, while keeping an eye on trees for buds and the ground for green shoots. They start craving lighter foods, specifically to replace the spicy rich desserts of winter with fruit based ones.

This isn’t modern behavior and some of the best recipes to appease it are hundreds of years old. Because spring fruit crops are still months from harvest, the desserts were made with preserved, or later, canned fruit, and still can be, but fortunately for us, we now have frozen fruits and most spring berries, fresh, in markets all year as well as apples.. As with most antique recipes, they’re simple to make and unlike commercial fruit desserts, served warm, which is perfect, since it’s still cold outside.

So let’s take a walk in time and look at 9 old desserts which are really delicious and as current now as they ever were, deserving of revival. You and your family will love them—Promise!

RECIPES-The fruits cited below, including rhubarb, are interchangeable 12 oz. of berries =2 cups. Be cautious of using strawberries alone. The extra water they contain tends to make pastry runny.

Easy Peach Bread Pudding: Serves 8—Recipe by jowolf2 at allrecipes.com

2 cups fresh, frozen or canned peaches*

(1) 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

3 eggs-lightly beaten

1 ¼ cups hot water

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

¼ cup butter- melted

4 cups French bread –torn into small pieces

Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Chop the peaches and lightly mash them in a mixing bowl. Combine the sweetened condensed milk and the eggs; add them to the peaches and mix well. Stir in the hot water, melted butter, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir the French bread into to the custard mixture until the bread is completely moistened. Turn the pudding into the prepared baking dish. Bake until a knife inserted in the center of the pudding comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

*Frozen peaches may need a bit of extra sugar

Clafoutis-Master Recipe: Serves 6-8

1) Have ready a greased ovenproof container equal in capacity to a 9 inch round cake pan. For a larger quantity double the size of the pan or use 2 pans.

2) Preheat oven to 350 deg.

3) You will need 3 cups, or 1 ¼ -1 ½ lb. fresh, prepared fruit, pitted and/or cored, peeled and sliced if large or equal amount of canned, well drained.

4) NOTE-Store leftovers chilled—if you have any

Batter

1 ¼ cups milk (or ¾-1 cup milk and ¼-1/2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half)

3 eggs

1/3 cup sugar

1 Tbs. vanilla

1/8 tsp. salt

2/3 cup sifted flour

1/3 cup sugar

Powdered sugar to sprinkle as garnish

If using a blender, add first 6 ingredients in order listed and blend 1 min. at top speed. If using a mixer, beat the eggs first, then add the solids and finally the liquid. Beat until smooth.

Pour about ¼ of the batter into the pan and bake 3-5 min. until set. Arrange fruit on top of the baked batter, sprinkle with the extra 1/3 cup sugar, and pour the rest of the batter over all. Bake in the center of the oven for about an hour, until puffed and golden and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Garnish with sprinkled powdered sugar just before serving.

The Clafoutis will fall a bit as it cools and is best served warm.

Cherry Clafoutis: Serves 6-8

Fresh pitted cherries or canned, drained Bing cherries.

¼ cup kirsch or cognac

1/3 cup sugar

Marinate cherries in above ingredients for 1 hr. Replace equal amount of the milk with the marinating liquid, omit the second 1/3 cup sugar sprinkled over the fruit in the master recipe and proceed as directed.

Apple Crisp: Serves 4

2 cups apples-peeled, cored and cubed OR 12 oz. berries

¼ cup sugar

½ cup chopped walnuts
Sprinkle cinnamon-for apples

1 egg

½ cup of flour

½ cup sugar

3/4 cup butter- melted

Lightly grease a 9 inch pie plate. Fill with apples, top with ¼ cup sugar, cinnamon and nuts. Beat egg until foamy, beat in butter, flour and remaining sugar until batter is smooth. Pour over berries. Bake in a preheated 325 deg. oven until browned, about 45 min. This is best served warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

NOTE: Peeled apples brown but this can be stored, using berries, in the pie plate, covered, and the batter in a container in the refrigerator for about 3 days. Combine and bake. Probably can also be reheated in the microwave the day after baking.

Rhubarb Kutchen: Serves 6

¾ + 2 Tbs. flour 2-3 cups rhubarb in1 inch pieces

1 Tbs. sugar *Meringue*

¼ tsp. salt 2 egg whites

¼ cup butter 1/8 tsp. salt

2 Tbs. chopped nuts 6 Tbs. sugar

1 egg yolk beaten lightly ½ tsp. vanilla

1 egg yolk 2 drips cider vinegar

1 cup sugar

¼ cup flour

Stir together the first 3 dry ingredients in column I. Cut in butter. Stir in nuts and lightly beaten egg yolk until well mixed. Press into the bottom of an 8 x 12 inch pan. Beat other egg yolk well, stir in next 2 ingredients, add rhubarb, and pour mixture into the pan… Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven 45mins. Remove from oven, and reduce temperature to 325 degrees. Meanwhile, have made *Meringue* by beating room temperature egg whites until soft peaks form, add vinegar and beat to incorporate, likewise with vanilla. Gradually add sugar and beat until whites are stiff and glossy. Spread Meringue over fruit, return to oven and bake until delicately brown-about 10 min. Serve at room temperature.

Berry Cobbler: Serves 4-Recipe by USA WEEKEND columnist Pam Anderson 
4 tablespoons butter

¾ cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

¾ cup milk

2 cups of sliced fresh peaches or nectarines, or whole blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or a combination of fruits (or a 12-ounce package of frozen berries)

1 tablespoon sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 deg. with rack in the upper-middle position. Butter an 8-inch square or 9-inch round pan; place in the oven until butter is melted. Remove the pan from the oven and set aside. Whisk flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in milk until batter is smooth. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Scatter fruit over batter. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.

Bake until the top is lightly browned and fruit bubbles, 50 to 60 min. Serve warm or room temperature

Mixed Berry Buckle: Serves 8-10- from-https://www.americastestkitchen.com/recipes/2008-blueberry-buckle

Crumb Topping:

1 cup flour

½ cup brown sugar, packed

6 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted

½ tsp table salt

½ tsp cinnamon

Berry Buckle:

½ cup whole milk

2 large eggs

4 Tbs unsalted butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup flour

½ cup white sugar, divided

1½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp lemon zest

½ tsp table salt

1 cup blueberries

1 cup raspberries, halved crosswise

1 cup strawberries, hulled & quartered

Preheat the oven to 350 deg. Line the bottom of a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper then coat the pan with cooking spray.

Prepare the streusel by combining the flour, brown sugar, melted butter, salt, and cinnamon together in a small bowl and mix until well combined and crumbly. Place into the refrigerator for 10 minutes before using. 

Prepare the cake by whisking together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla in a small bowl until well combined. 

In a larger bowl, combine the flour, 1/4 cup of white sugar, baking powder, lemon zest, and salt until well combined. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until just combined. The batter will be thick.

Mix the remaining 1/4 cup of white sugar to the bowl of berries and toss to combine. Immediately pour half of the berry mixture into the cake batter and gently stir to combine. 

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan then spoon the remaining berries evenly on top.

Sprinkle the top evenly with the crumb topping. Place into the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, turning halfway during baking time, until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the cake pan for 2 hours.

To remove, run a sharp thin-bladed knife around the cake’s edges. Place a large plate over the cake and invert the cake onto the plate upside down. Next, put a serving plate on top (of the bottom of the cake) and flip so the cake is top-side up. If you’re baking the cake in a spring form pan, simply remove the sides before the cake has fully cooled.

Slice and serve plain, with whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream. 

Blueberry Grunt: Serves 4 –From-https://www.food.com/recipe/best-blueberry-grunt

4 cups blueberries (frozen or fresh)

1 cup granulated sugar

1⁄2 cup water

1⁄2 tsp lemon juice

2 cups flour

1⁄4 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1⁄2  tsp. salt

2 Tbs. butter

1 cup milk

4 cups blueberries (frozen or fresh)

1 cup granulated sugar

1⁄2 cup water

1⁄2 tsp lemon juice

2 cups flour

1⁄4 cup sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1⁄2  tsp. salt

2 Tbs. butter

1 cup milk

In a saucepan, combine the berries, sugar, water and lemon juice. Heat to boiling and reduce to a simmer. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Cut in the butter. Add the milk, all at once and mix only until moistened. Drop by spoonfuls into the simmering berries. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. DO NOT LIFT THE LID. Serve warm with Whipped Cream, Cream or Ice Cream

Apple Pan Dowdy: Serves 4- From- Taste of Home.com/recipes/

1 cup packed brown sugar

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1/2 tsp. salt, divided

1 cup water

1 tsp. lemon juice Taste of Home.com/recipes/

2 tsp. baking powder

5 Tbs. butter, divided

3/4 cup 2% milk

5 cups sliced peeled apples

1/2 tsp, plus 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 Tbs.  coarse sugar

Whipped cream, optional

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour and 1/4 tsp.  salt. Add water and lemon juice; cook and stir over medium heat until thick. Cover and set aside In a bowl, combine baking powder and remaining flour and salt. Cut in 3 Tbs. butter. Add the milk and mix just until moistened (a few lumps will remain); set aside. Arrange apples in a 1-1/2-quart baking dish; sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Add nutmeg, vanilla and remaining butter to sauce; pour over apples. Drop dough by spoonfuls over sauce. Combine coarse sugar and remaining cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Bake at 350° until top is brown and apples are tender, about 55 minutes. Serve warm, with whipped cream if desired.

Dump Cake: Serves 10-12
(1) box cake mix –yellow white or flavor complimentary to fruit used
4 cups fresh or frozen fruit PLUS
1/2cupsugar
OR
(3) 21 oz. cans fruit pie filling½ cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 350 deg. Mix fruit and sugar in the bottom of a 9 x13 inch pan OR spread out pie filling. Cover fruit with the cake mix and drizzle butter evenly over top. Bake 30min.until top is golden. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped topping or ice cream.

Dump Cake: Serves 10-12
(1) box cake mix –yellow white or flavor complimentary to fruit used
4 cups fresh or frozen fruit PLUS
1/2cupsugar
OR
(3) 21 oz. cans fruit pie filling½ cup melted butter
Preheat oven to 350 deg. Mix fruit and sugar in the bottom of a 9 x13 inch pan OR spread out pie filling. Cover fruit with the cake mix and drizzle butter evenly over top. Bake 30min.until top is golden. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped topping or ice cream.

PUMPKINS EVERYWHERE

It’s the height of pumpkin season and since we’re so used to seeing them everywhere, we don’t often stop to appreciate their uniqueness, aside from being the only food item with a spice mix flavoring things from coffee to bread. We think of pumpkin as a symbol of fall, but actually, since it’s sown in spring, it’s the last of the summer fruit harvests. That’s right; horticulturally pumpkin is a fruit, related to berries.

Native to North America, pumpkin has been grown globally for years, but except for sweet custards and purees in the Near East and Asia, it’s generally relegated to animal fodder, especially in Europe. I remember seeing pumpkins scattered around cattle food troughs in Italy. Only in North America is pumpkin considered primarily human food, suitable for many dishes at table; it’s recipes interchangeable with those of winter squash. 

Moreover, pumpkin is the only fruit iconic of not one, but two holidays and aptly so. It puts on a mask as a Jack-O-Lantern for Halloween and it was one of the first foods the Indians introduced to the settlers in Massachusetts. Finally, pumpkin is valued for both its meat and its seeds, which roasted are called Pepitas, favorites in several cuisines, especially those with Iberian roots.

Sadly, though we enjoy pumpkin while it’s in season, about 8 weeks, as is normal for fruit, we forget about it when autumn is over and focus on holiday party foods. Then comes deep winter, when pumpkin and the other hardly squash dishes would be perfect, but we don’t revisit them. Pumpkin custard pie would be a great dessert on a cold winter night, as would the chilled chiffon version on a hot summer one, but they aren’t offered despite pumpkin being available in cans all year.

The recipes below are a sampling of the many in posts on this site. For general recipes on pumpkin, go to Nov.8, 2012,   Oct. 21, 2014  and Oct. 15, 2020. For details of Stew in a Pumpkin, a favorite of mine click on Nov. 11, 2015. To see recipe examples of squash and pumpkin interchanged, go to Oct. 22, 2015. For Squash recipes go to Oct 24, 2019,  Nov. 4, 2021, and Oct. 22, 2022. Pumpkin desserts are on Nov. 8, 2018,     Nov. 18, 2021  and Nov. 17, 2022. Pumpkin desserts other than pie are on Oct. 6, 2016 and Oct 21, 2019.

RECIPES

Ham, Gouda, Pumpkin Canapes: 4 open sandwiches or 16 canapes

PUMPKIN BUTTER

15 oz. can pumpkin puree

⅓ cup ginger ale

¾ cup sugar

½ teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 30 minutes until thickened, stirring very frequently to avoid burning. Let cool completely and refrigerate until ready to use.

PROSCIUTTO TOASTS

4 slices hearty bread

¼ cup pumpkin butter

2 oz. prosciutto

¼ lb. Gouda cheese (smoked or regular) thinly sliced

Fresh thyme-or a sprinkle of dried

Set oven or toaster oven to broil. Top each slice of bread w. 1 tablespoon pumpkin butter. Divide prosciutto over pumpkin butter. Top with cheese slices and thyme. Broil toasts 8-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown in places. For Canapes cut each bread slice in 4 pieces before toasting. Serve hot.
NOTE: To make ahead, wrap and refrigerate before toasting. Toast to reheat.

Creamy Pumpkin Soup: Serves 6
1 ½ lb. pumpkin cut in chunks without rind
1 lb. white potatoes
1 Tbs. oil
2 Tbs. butter
1 large onion chopped|
2 cups vegetable stock
1 tsp. tarragon
½ tsp. nutmeg
2 cups milk
1-2 tsp. lemon juice
Salt and pepper
Heat the oil and butter and sauté onion until soft; add the pumpkin and potatoes and sweat over low heat, stirring often until tender. Add seasonings and stock, simmer 10 min Cool slightly and puree. Add milk and reheat to serve, but don’t allow to boil. Add lemon juice as a seasoning perk before serving.

Pumpkin Ravioli: Serves 4
1 lb. pumpkin cooked and mashed until smooth
½ tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbs. butter
24 wonton wrappers
Mix pumpkin with the cinnamon. Lay out the wrappers on a flat surface and place 1 tsp. of the squash mix. In the center of each; top with another wrapper and dampen the edges with water and press to seal. Alternately, place ½ tsp. filling in the center and fold the wrapper over to form a triangle.
Bring 4 qts. salted water to a boil and cook the ravioli, a few at a time, until they float. Remove and drain on a plate. Melt the butter, pour over the ravioli and rewarm in a microwave before serving. Garnish with parsley and/or Parmesan.

Spinach Ravioli: Serves 4 This dish is especially good when served combined with the squash ravioli in equal amount. With or without meat the combination makes a full entrée.
(1) 10 oz. package of chopped spinach- thawed and drained
1 cup ricotta or cream cheese
½ tsp. nutmeg
2 Tbs. butter
24 wonton wrappers
Repeat the process as directed above, substituting the spinach, mixed with the cheese and nutmeg for the ingredients in the squash recipe. Serve on the same plate with the squash ravioli using the full 4 Tb. butter as a sauce.

Stew in a Pumpkin: Serves 6
This is a favorite recipe of mine, and one I’ve also featured in a post on reasonably priced dinners. It’s great for a weekend or a dinner party at this season. Can also be made and served individually in small pumpkins.
3 Tbs. butter
2 lbs. beef cubed—well trimmed pork can also be used
3 Tbs. cornstarch
2 large onions diced
3 tomatoes chopped
2 Tbs. butter
¼ tsp. EACH salt and pepper
3 cups beef stock
½ lb. prunes
½ lb. dried apricots
3 sweet potatoes sliced
(2) 10 oz. packages corn –thawed and drained
1 pumpkin, top cut off and reserved, cleaned of pulp and seeds.
Melt 3 Tbs. butter in a Dutch oven. Roll the meat in the cornstarch and brown. Set aside. Melt 2 Tbs. butter in a separate pan and sauté vegetables until tender. Add to meat with juices. Add all remaining ingredients except pumpkin cover and simmer 1 hr. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Ladle stew into the pumpkin; set in a roasting pan with 1 inch of water, and bake for 1 hr. Carefully transfer pumpkin from the pan to a serving dish and replace its top as a lid for garnish. Serve at once scooping out some of the pumpkin meat as you ladle out the portions.

NOTE: I save clean-up by sautéing the vegetables in the Dutch oven first and then browning the meat. It’s one less pot. Also if you have it on hand, replace one cup of stock with beer. It deepens the flavor.

Pumpkin Crisp: Serves 4 From Homemade Magazine- Can double as turkey dressing
2 lb. pumpkin peeled, seeded and in 1 inch cubes
4 Tbs. butter divided
1 cup chopped onion
2 cups toasted bread cubes- stuffing mix is good
1 tsp. crushed dried rosemary
¼ cup chopped walnuts
Salt and pepper
Simmer the squash in water until tender, about 7 min., drain and toss in a 3 quart casserole dish with 1 Tbs. butter and salt and pepper to taste. Sauté onion in remaining butter until tender, about 5 min. Add bread and rosemary and cook about 2 min. more tossing to coat bread with butter. Stir in walnuts and spoon over squash. Bake in a 400 deg. oven until bread is browned. Toss before serving.

 Hands down the best custard pumpkin pie recipe is on any can of Libby’s pureed pumpkin.

For the traditionalists who simply want to upgrade the standard custard pie, here are some topping ideas:

Nut Topping: Mix 2/3 cup pecans or walnuts+ 2/3 cup brown sugar + 3 Tbs. butter. Sprinkle over pi. Place in a 425 deg. oven until it begins to melt. Spoon over pie.

Eggnog Cream: Reduce 2 cups commercial eggnog over low heat, by half about 20-25min. Chill well and spoon over pie before serving or pass on the side.

Meringue: Beat 2 egg whites until soft peaks form, add 1-2 drops vinegar and continue beating adding ¼ cup sugar gradually until stiff peaks form. Swirl over chilled pie, covering top, but not crust. Place in a 425 deg. oven until peaks turn golden.

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie– This is a great pie for anyone who doesn’t like the more intense flavor of pumpkin custard or to serve in warm weather.
1 baked pie shell- this is especially good with cinnamon and sugar and/or ground nuts added into the dough
1Tbs. gelatin softened in ¼ cup cold water
1 ½ cups cooked pumpkin
½ cup sugar
¾ tsp. salt
1 tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
2 eggs-separated
1 cup milk
¼ cup chopped toasted walnuts, pecans or Brazil nuts for garnish
Beat the egg yolks slightly; combine with the seasonings milk and pumpkin inch and cook over boiling water stirring constantly 5 min. Add the gelatin and stir until dissolved. Chill until slightly thickened. Beat the egg whites to soft peaks then add the sugar, beat to stiff peaks and fold into the pumpkin mixture. Pour into the baked shell, garnish with the nuts and chill until firm. Serve cold.

Pumpkin Tiramisu: Serves 10-12
1 ½ cups whipping cream
¾ cup sugar
8 oz. cream cheese
15oz. can pumpkin
¾ tsp. pumpkin pie spices
3 oz. pkg. ladyfingers halved
¼ cup rum
2 oz. amaretto  cookies -crushed
Beat the first 2 ingredients until stiff, beat in the next 3 until smooth. Line a 9 inch springform pan with half of the halved ladyfingers, squeezed together so no spaces remain. Sprinkle with 2Tbs. rum. Cover the ladyfingers with half the filling and top with the rest of the ladyfingers and 2 Tbs. rum. Spread the rest of the filling on top and Sprinkle with crushed cookies. Chill overnight.

Pepitas: Yields 2 cups- From https://www.rachelcooks.com/pumpkin-seeds-pepitas-eight-ways/

Traditional

2 cups Pepitas
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 to 1 tsp of freshly ground pepper

 Preheat oven to 300°F. Line cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper.  Combine all ingredients and spread in a single layer on prepared sheet pan. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Seeds should be golden and crunchy.

NOTE: This website lists 8 different flavorings such as pumpkin, chili-maple, and ginger-soy.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix:
1 cup sugar-preferably bar or super-fine sugar
½ tsp. EACH salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice
Stir everything together in a glass jar. Screw on the lid and shake well and put in a cool dark place for several days to incorporate the flavors, shaking every day or so to keep them blended. This can be adjusted to suit personal preference.

Summer Fruit Pastries

In much of the U.S. the end of July is a wonderful time to think of pastry. It’s the grand finale of berry season, especially raspberries and blueberries, and the beginning of peak ripeness for stone fruits, peaches, plums, apricots and nectarines. The delicious appeal of these colorful fruits raw, in pastry shells can only be equaled by their delectable aroma and taste when baked in flaky pastry. It’s dessert lover’s heaven!

I make no bones about the fact that I find commercial puff pastry and phyllo dough of excellent quality, less expensive, and far more convenient than home-made, but I do insist on making my own pie dough. It’s lighter, flakier and bakes up crispier and tastier than store bought. The recipe is below.

The key factor with any pastry, or pastry substitute, such as wonton wrappers, is that it be crisp, at least when first served. If allowed to sit, pastry will begin to absorb the fruit juices, so serving soon after baking is desirable. This doesn’t mean it has to be served hot, especially in summer, room temp is fine, but it does mean that unlike a cake, it can’t be baked the day before. Naturally any toppings are last minute additions.

For this reason, I love wonton wrap tart shells. They’re easy, crispy and light. The edges can be ruffled, or if placed diagonally in muffin cups, the corners flair out like wings. They make a wonderful presentation dressed up for desserts with decorative sugar on the edges, or plain filled with a salad, like tuna, or in a larger size Shrimp Louis. Best of all, they can be baked and kept, air-tight, for several days.

Making puff pastry is work, I’ve done it. For me, the cost and labor of DIY doesn’t offset the price of a package of a good commercial brand. Working with puff pastry though is easy. It’s butter-browned, puffy, flakey appearance in turn-overs or croissants is mouthwatering, but it’s equally as appetizing as a pie or tart shell. Hattie Brown, an Atlantic City chef, loved baking pies so much she opened a shop The Pie Lady. She was a huge success, especially known for her custard pies. The Lemon Meringue was a show stopper but it always surprised me that people didn’t realize the thing which gave those pies their special, signature texture was that she replaced the dough crust with a thin sheet of puff paste. Nothing is simpler than rolling a sheet out to line a pie tin, so remember it as an option for pies with pre-baked crusts.

Phyllo dough is similar to puff pastry, but much more delicate, the process more laborious with a large margin of error. I’ve assisted in making it, but though I love phyllo, I intend to continue working with commercial products. If you want to give it a try, the clearest directions are found here ——–https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/259481/homemade-phyllo-or-filo-dough/     Basically, phyllo can be used in any of the following recipes and is always an acceptable, lighter option to puff pastry.  However, when working with phyllo, remember to keep the sheets damp at all times. They quickly dry, become brittle and useless.

Pie dough is like tuna salad-everyone has their own recipe, the major differences being the flour/shortening ratio and type of shortening used. I stick to my family recipe with a few updates. I use ice water, resist handling the dough, gathering it into a ball as soon as it will stick together and chill it only about 15 min. before rolling. These practices seem to result in lighter dough. With fruit pies, where the juice will dampen the crust, I often substitute wheat pastry flour for 1/3 of the all-purpose flour. 

The three doughs, pie, phyllo paste are interchangeable in many recipes, while other recipes are geared to a specific one. Two crust pies for example, require pie dough. Phyllo and puff paste tart shells are better bought and baked then home-made, however if you want to try, there’s a puff paste recipe below. It’s up to the cook to make the right choice for the dish and for the serving situation.

RECIPES

Blueberry Lattice Pie: Serves 6-8

For Crust– * (Option –purchase a refrigerated pie crust)
1¼ cups flour
¼ cup sugar
¼ tsp. cinnamon –optional
½ cup shortening – recommended- Crisco,-optionally – butter or margarine
4 Tbs. ICE water
Place all the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Using the blades of two knives, mix cut cubes of the shortening into the dry ingredients until clumps are the size of small peas, or use your fingers to blend the mix until it resembles gravel. Add ice water 3 Tbs. at first and then the 4th, if needed, turning constantly with your hands, until dough can form a ball. It should be as moist as modeling clay, but the less handling the flakier the crust. Chill wrapped in plastic, or simply put the bowl in the fridge while you do the rest. When ready, roll on a floured board to a 12” round, put the rolled crust into an 8 or 9 inch pie pan. Add filling. Trim edges from around pie pan leaving a 1 inch margin. Re-roll the trimmings cut in 1-2 inch wide strips to form a lattice top by placing alternately over the top. Crimp edges.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees, bake 10 min. then reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking until golden and bubbly.
*Option—To use a refrigerated pie crust, dust with powdered sugar and roll to 12” round. If rolling is not required, dust with 1 Tbs. powdered sugar and ¼ tsp. cinnamon, before adding fruit.

For Filling –
6 cups blueberries
½ cup sugar
2 Tbs. cornstarch
1 tsp. butter
1 Tbs lemon juice
When dough is ready, toss berries sugar and cornstarch gently and fill pie shell. Dot with butter and drizzle with juice. Place lattice over top. A nice finishing touch is to make a bow from extra dough and place it in the center of the pie with a dab of water

Plum Rustica: Serves 6-8
The French call this a Galette, the British a Rustic Tart. I like the simple Italian, Rustica, because it is pie baking at its most basic. Whatever they’re called, they’re enjoying a new popularity, but all the recipes are really the same.  It calls for 1 ½ lb. of any large pie fruit. Apples and peaches need to be peeled, cored, and sliced, while apricots and plums need only be pitted and halved.  Small amounts of dried fruit can also be added to prick the flavor, raisons, craisins, etc.
Crust- Option –purchase a refrigerated pie crust*

1¼ cups flour 

½ cup shortening – – this can be Crisco, butter or margarine

¼ cup sugar

¼ tsp cinnamon

4 Tbs.  ICE water

 Filling-

1 ½ lbs. plums-halved, pitted

¼ tsp powdered ginger

½ cup sugar + 2 tsp

1 Tbs. cornstarch

1 tsp butter

1 egg white OR ¼ cup milk

For crust—Place all the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Using the blades of two knives, mix cut cubes of the shortening into the dry ingredients until clumps are the size of small peas, or use your fingers to blend the mix until it resembles gravel. Add ice water 3 Tbs. at first and then the 4^th, if needed, turning constantly with your hands, until dough can form a ball. It should be as moist as modeling clay, but the less handling the flakier the crust. Chill wrapped in plastic, or simply put the bowl in the fridge while you do the rest. When ready, roll on a floured board to a 12” round, transfer to a parchment or foil covered cookie sheet.**

For Filling- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

Mix fruit and other ingredients in a bowl to coat well. Spoon the filling into the center of the crust, If using apricots or plums, place halves cut side down, leaving a 2 ½” margin. Dot top with the butter and fold the crust edges up over the filling, pleating them as you go to form a circle with an open center. Brush the crust with egg white or milk and sprinkle with extra 2 tsp. of sugar. Bake for 30 min. or until browned and bubbly. Cool completely on the baking sheet on a wire rack. When sufficiently cool, use a spatula to slide the rustica onto a plate. Serve alone, or with ice cream, whipped cream, warm caramel sauce or cheese.

*Option—To use a refrigerated pie crust, dust with powdered sugar and roll to 12” round. If rolling is not required, dust with 1 Tbs. powdered sugar and ¼ tsp cinnamon, before adding fruit.

**An easy way to do this is to cover the board with wax paper, liberally dusted with flour. Roll out the pastry, lay the parchment covered baking sheet over it, and flip the pastry, board and all over onto the sheet. Remove the wax paper and proceed with filling the pie.

Fresh Peach Meringue Pie: Serves 6-8
4-5 cups peeled, sliced peaches
Pastry for a 1 crust 9 inch pie
2 Tbs. peach or all fruit jam
2 egg whites
½ cup sugar
Few drops vinegar
Line pie plate and bake crust until golden. Cool and spread jam over the bottom, then fill with the peaches. Beat the whites until peaks form, add a few drops of vinegar, beat in and continue beating while adding sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue over the top of the pie, being sure to cover right up to the crust edging. Decoratively swirl the top with a spoon and run the pie under a hot broiler until golden on top,
about 2-3 min. Store several hours at room temperature, chill leftovers.

Puff Pastry Tart: Serves 6-8– A Martha Stewart Recipe
1 cup shelled toasted pistachios + 1 Tbs.
½ cup sugar
1 stick butter pulse
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch salt
Flour for dusting
1 lb. box puff pastry-thawed
1 ¼ lb. apricots cut in ¼ inch slices
1 egg yolk
1 Tbs. heavy cream
2 Tbs. raw sugar-granulated is O.K.
¼ cup apricot jam
Pulse the 1 cup nuts, sugar and butter into a paste. Add next 3 ingredients and pulse to combine. Set aside.
On a lightly floured surface, press edges of both pastry sheets together to form one large sheet. Roll out to a 9-by-17-inch rectangle; transfer to a baking sheet. Spread reserved pistachio mixture over dough, leaving a 3/4-inch border. Position rectangle so that a short end is nearest you. Arrange apricots on top in 4 vertical rows, alternating direction in which apricots face from row to row. Fold in edges of dough; use your index finger to make a scalloped border. Refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes. . Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Whisk together yolk and cream; brush egg wash over edges of tart shell. Chop remaining tablespoon nuts; sprinkle nuts and turbinado sugar over apricots. Bake, rotating sheet halfway through, until crust is deep golden brown and fruit is juicy, about 35 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack. . Meanwhile, heat jam with 1 ½ tablespoons water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring, until thinned, about 2 minutes. Pass through a fine sieve into a small bowl. Brush glaze over fruit.

Fruit Napoleons:  Serves 4
1 sheet puff pastry – rolled out to 9 x 12 inches
1 pint fresh berries of choice or equal amount of sliced fruit
1 ½ cup heavy cream or 2 cups whipped topping, or ice cream
Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the dough into (12) 3 x 3 inch squares. Bake on the paper in a preheated 400deg oven for 15 min. or until golden. Cool and store air-tight if not to be used at once.
TO SERVE: Whip cream if using. Lay a square of pastry on a plate, place a portion of the cream then berries on top. Place the next piece of pastry on an angle on top. If serving 6, garnish with powdered sugar. If serving 4, repeat layers, placing the top piece of pastry at another angle, garnish with powdered sugar.

Phyllo Balsamic Rolls-6 Rolls – From – https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/phyllo-fruit-tart/

½ lb. phyllo dough
1 ½ cups blueberries
2 Tbs maple syrup

1 ½ Tbs. balsamic vinegar
Glaze

1/8 tsp. powdered sugar
1 Tbs. maple syrup
½ tsp. oil
2 tsp. on-dairy milk
Mix glaze ingredients and preheat oven to 350 deg.
Lay out 3 sheets phyllo dough (Keep the rest moist) Place 3 Tbs. filling  slightly in from the corner nearest you, fold over and roll dough diagonally into a long tube.  About 2 1/2 -3 inches in from the end nearest you, fold dough over and continue folding until end of tube. Snip off any pieces of dough that stick out and place roll on a lightly greased baking sheet. When all 6 rolls are done, brush tops with glaze and bake for about 20 min until brown on top. Dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Turnovers: Using the saucer templates, cut pie or puff pastry dough as above or simply in 3 ½ inch squares. Place 1 soup spoon (about 3 Tbs.) of drained, prepared fruit on the center. Fold over to make a half moon or triangle. Dampen edges and crimp with a fork to seal and prick the top 2 or 3 times. Bake on a sheet in a preheated 450 deg. oven about 15min. until golden. Cool, garnish with powdered sugar, or whipped topping and serve. Alternatively, sprinkle with granulated sugar before baking and simply drizzle with reserved juice.

Phyllo Fruit Tart: Serves 6- From –  https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/phyllo-fruit-tart/

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1 tablespoon canola oil

8 sheets phyllo dough (14 inches x 9 inches)

1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese

3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

1 cup reduced-fat whipped topping

1 ½ cups sliced peaches, nectarines, plumbs and/or apricots-can use canned drained 

4 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced-or increase above fruits to 2 cups

1-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries or whole blueberries and/or raspberries

1 ounce white baking chocolate, melted

In a small bowl, combine butter and oil. Place one sheet of phyllo dough on a work surface; brush evenly with butter-oil mixture. Repeat with seven more sheets of phyllo, brushing each layer and stacking them on a lightly greased baking sheet. (Keep remaining phyllo dough covered with waxed paper to prevent it from drying out.) Crimp and fold up edges about 1 ¼ inches.  Bake at 400° for 5-7 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack.

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth; fold in whipped topping. Gently spread over cooled crust. Arrange fruits over cream cheese layer; drizzle with chocolate.

Individual Galettes: With above recipes as guides, cut dough in squares or using a saucer as a template, in rounds. Place on a baking sheet and fold up edges in pleats to make sides. Allow for about 1 ¼ inches all around. Fill with crumpled waxed paper or parchment paper to hold the shape and bake at 450 deg. about 12 min. Cool, carefully remove paper, fill and garnish.

Wonton Fruit Cups: Serves 12
24 wonton wrappers
2 Tbs. melted butter
1/3 cup fruit preserves—flavor complimentary to fruit filling
1 cup lemon yogurt or instant pudding-pie filling, flavor optional
1 ½ cups diced fruit
Line a 12 cup or (2) 6 cup muffin pans with a wonton wrapper. Brush with ½ the butter. Place a second wrapper diagonally across the first and brush with remaining butter. Bake in a preheated 350 deg. oven 10 min. or until golden. Remove and cool. Spread 1 tsp. fruit preserves in each cup. Fold yogurt or pudding with 1 cup fruit and spoon into cups. Garnish with remaining fruit.
NOTE: Or simply fill with fresh fruit, cut to size and top with whipped cream, topping confectioners’ sugar or ice cream

Tartlets: Makes 12

1 box Puff Pastry– -2 sheets (2) 6 cup muffin tins Roll the pastry out to the point where (6) 5 inch circles can be cut from each. Place a circle in each muffin hole. Cut (12) 5 inch circles of parchment or waxed paper and place on top of the pastry. Weigh them down with dried beans or rice. This is the way to maintain the cup shape as the pastry cooks and rises. Bake in a preheated 400 deg. oven 10 – 15 min. until pastry is golden. Remove paper and weights and cool pastry cups on a rack.
NOTE: Pie Dough is treated the same as puff pastry

Glazed Strawberry Topping: (1) 9 inch cooked tart shell or (6) 2 ½ inch tart shells
6 cups washed and hulled strawberries—divided in 2 parts= 3cups of the best berries and 3 cups regular
1/3 cup sugar
1Tbs. lemon juice
1Tbs.cornstarch
Drop+ red food coloring—as needed to give a rich color
Arrange the 3 cups of the best berries in the pastry shells and mash the others well. Strain through a fine sieve, pressing down to release juice. Cook the juice with the other ingredients over low heat until they form a thick, clear sauce. When slightly cool, pour the sauce over the berries in the shells. Serve chilled, optionally with whipped cream.
NOTE: Substitute equal amounts of other fruits, prepared-sliced etc. Red food color enhances all fruits

Fruit Pizza: Serves 8-10
Make pie dough as instructed above, increasing sugar to ½ cup and shortening to 2/3 cup.
If buying; purchase a roll of sugar cookie dough, not pie dough. Roll dough to fit a pizza pan, prick several times with a fork and bake as for cookies, 350 degrees for 10 to 12 min. until lightly browned, or as directions on package state.
Cool completely in pan.
Decoratively arrange raw fruit over the crust. The amount you will need depends on the chosen fruit, roughly about 1 ½ lbs. For July 4^th use a combination of strawberries and blueberries. Top with a glaze made from a clear jelly, apple or current, melted with 1 Tbs. water per ¼ cup jelly. For a thicker glaze dissolve ¼ tsp. cornstarch in 1 Tbs. water per ½ cup jelly, which is the amount I use for one of these. Boil until clear and spoon over the fruit. Chill until completely set. Serve in wedges and optionally pass whipped cream, or ice cream.

DIY FLAVORING ICE CREAM and FROZEN YOGURT

Ice cream and now, Frozen Yogurt or Fro-yo, seem a part of summer. Cooling pops and cones are acceptable all day and mothers readily give children money when the Ice Cream Man comes around. For cooks and chefs the whole category is a huge blank canvas full of options.

Though there are many wonderful, even elegant desserts made with commercial product (see post June 27, 2019), several years ago a movement to DIY, particularly ice cream, from scratch formed. I joined the crowd and bought an ice cream machine and had success as far as creating a smooth product with great flavoring, especially fresh blueberry. However, I soon realized the machine requires more space and time than I could normally spare to make only a family sized, not even company sized, amount. (About 1.5 cubic feet of freezer space; yield-4 quarts or 5-8 servings; time; as long as it takes the ingredients to freeze solid in your freezer-several hours or overnight)

I still use the machine to make special flavors as gift offerings but with the effort involved, I’ve gone back to working with commercial products for dishes with added ingredients or creative flavorings. Those dishes include my three favorite major ice cream treats, all carry-overs from soda fountain days–Milkshakes, which have lived on as a fast food staple,  Banana Splits, which have been reborn in all sorts of heathy forms, including a cottage cheese breakfast one; and Ice Cream Sodas which truly deserve a revival. (See  posting for June 28, 2018)

The easiest way to modernize traditional ice cream recipes by transforming them into healthier versions is to substitute frozen yogurt, or fro-yo, for the ice cream.  Working with fro-yo is almost identical to working with ice cream, so there’s no problem in creating lots of flavors to mix and match, updating these old classics as well as other frozen desserts. I discuss this subject fully in my post for August 13, 2020.

First a word about yogurt and why fro-yo is considered a healthy option. Yogurt is made by fermenting any type of milk, cow, sheep, goat, even soy, full fat to skim, with bacterial cultures. It’s simple to make but whether commercial or home-made, once finished, it must be kept chilled and unlike ice cream products, should be used while fresh. About 2 weeks or 10 days after the sell-by date, the active cultures start to dissipate.

Heating kills the live cultures, so be aware that while yogurt tenderizes meat, moistens baked goods and adds flavor and body to soups and sauces, it doesn’t bring any special ‘health’ benefits to cooked food. On the other hand, freezing inhibits the cultures yet doesn’t totally destroy them, so Fro-Yo does have nutritional value. However it isn’t just a matter of freezing a container of fresh yogurt. Yogurt, even Greek yogurt contains too much water to freeze evenly; even strained it will separate and be ‘icy’ or ‘gritty’ when frozen.

There are several ways to overcome this. The addition of sugar or corn syrup, which inhibits ice crystals forming, cream, mascarpone, boosted by a bit of cornstarch, even beaten eggs to give a creamy texture all help, but the final step in starting with plain yogurt always involves the use of an ice cream maker.

This is one of the biggest differences between frozen yogurt and ice cream. Frozen yogurt was developed in the 1970s, whereas ice cream dates back to 800 B.C. Persia. In form it was more like what we call a Sno-Cone, but it was an icy dessert and became a great favorite of the Romans. Marco Polo introduced milk into the recipe in the 13^th century and Catherine De Medici brought it to France, and subsequently the rest of Europe, in the mid 16^th century. So, obviously, Ice cream can be, and was for centuries, made by hand. The recipe to do so is below.

Ice cream and frozen yogurt are interchangeable in dessert recipes, can be flavored In the same ways, so let’s take a look at the nutritional facts. On an all brand average a cup of frozen yogurt contains 10% fat, 37.3 gr of sugar, and 221 calories whereas an all brand average of a cup of vanilla ice-cream contains 22% fat, 28 gr of sugar, and 273 calories. Toppings or the type of ice cream or frozen yogurt may actually determine the healthier choice. 

I’ve made it a point in passing on recipes, to try to avoid space and time consuming requirements. So I’m going to simplify this right now. If you want to make Frozen Yogurt from scratch, to preserve the tartness, Google the directions and then use the following recipes to render it in your choice of flavor. Otherwise, start with a container of a commercial brand frozen yogurt or ice cream. Incidentally, the ice cream recipes from, July 30, 2020, work with Fro-Yo. In fact one famous diet disaster, the Banana Split, is transformed into a positively healthy treat by substituting yogurt and updating the topping ingredients. That recipe and a ripple one are found below.

BASIC RECIPES to CREATE FLAVORS

Have on hand 2 cups =1 pint vanilla frozen yogurt or ice cream for (4)1/2 cup=1 scoop servings. Soften in the refrigerator 20-30 min. then mix in the any of the following combinations and refreeze at least 30 min. When soft this can be spooned into Popsicle molds and frozen for easy eating.

Bananas Foster
1 large very ripe banana
2 Tbs. rum
1 Tbs. light brown sugar
Slice, then mash the banana with the rum and sugar. Mash again into the yogurt or ice cream until well mixed. Refreeze.

Burnt Almond
1/3 cup chopped toasted almonds
2 Tbs. grated chocolate
2 Tbs. Amaretto
2 tsp. honey
Mix ingredients and add yogurt or ice cream, mashing until blended. Refreeze

Peach-Bourbon: Recipes courtesy of Food Tips and Cooking Tricks by David Joachim

2 peeled peaches chopped
2 Tbs. bourbon
1 Tbs. dark brown sugar
Mash the ingredients well and mash again with the softened yogurt or ice cream until blended. Refreeze

Quick Apricot Ice Cream: Yield about 1 gallon
4lb. apricots-stoned and pureed
¼ cup sugar
Pinch salt
Drop almond, vanilla or rum extract-optional
½ gallon vanilla ice cream
Mix the extract, salt and sugar with the pulp and let stand to dissolve. Mix the pulp in with the softened ice cream-partially, leaving a ripple effect is attractive-or fully incorporate the two. Place in a covered container and freeze until firm-best overnight at least.

Peña-Colada: Recipe courtesy of Food Tips and Cooking Tricks by David Joachim

8 oz. can crushed pineapple-well drained
2 Tbs. dark rum
1 Tbs. dark brown sugar
1/8 tsp. coconut extract
Mash ingredients well, then mash again into yogurt or ice cream until well mixed. Refreeze

It’s easy to imagine more flavor combinations. For example, just off the top of my head:

Baked Apple
2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped
2 Tbs. light brown sugar
1 Tbs. apple juice or cider
1 Tbs. brandy
Microwave the apple with 1 Tbs. sugar, cider and cinnamon until soft -about 3-5 min. depending on machine. Mash with other ingredients and allow to cool. Mash again with yogurt or ice cream until well mixed and refreeze.

Cranberry Orange Walnut Ice Cream or Fro-Yo: Serves 6-Very quick and easy to make.
2 cups cranberries
¾ cup sugar
1 orange –quartered, seeds removed
½ cup chopped, toasted walnuts
1 pint vanilla ice cream0r yogurt- softened
Coarsely chop berries and orange, with rind. Stir in sugar and blend fruit mix, making sure the orange rind is pulverized, add walnuts and stir into softened ice cream. Pour into a mold and freeze until firm. Unmold and serve garnished with cranberries and walnuts. Or spoon ice cream into a freezer container; a couple of hours before serving fill a decorative freezer-proof bowl with individual scoops of ice cream and spoon them into dessert dishes at table
*This ice cream recipe is packed with fruit. I love it this way but some people, especially children, may prefer it if the quantity of vanilla ice cream is doubled in proportion to the fruit.

Banana Split: 1 Serving
Traditional Recipe

1 banana
3 scoops of ice cream-chocolate, vanilla, strawberry are traditional
¼ cup chocolate sauce- hot fudge is an option
3 Tbs. wet nuts
@1/4 cup whipped cream
3 cherries
Split the banana lengthwise and place each half along the long side of an oval dessert dish. Place the ice cream scoops in the center. Pour on the sauce and the nuts; top with the whipped cream and garnish with a cherry on top of each scoop.

Healthy Version
1 banana
3 scoops frozen yogurt*
¼ cup blueberry topping or other fruit compote
2 Tbs. toasted slivered almonds
3 Tbs. lite whipped topping
3 strawberries

Follow the directions above substituting the updated ingredients.

Basic Ice Cream Soda Recipe: Single serving
20 oz. glass
3 Tbs. flavored syrup or + to taste
2 scoops of ice cream or fro-yo
Chilled club soda, seltzer water (Not sparkling mineral water) or other carbonated drink, cola, ginger ale or other pale soda pop.
Pour the syrup into the bottom of the glass; add about of 1 oz. soda and 1 scoop of ice cream. Stir gently around the sides of the ice cream lifting the syrup up around the scoop. Slowly add more soda to fill the glass ¾, mixing the contents gently as you pour. Add the other scoop of ice cream, and fill the glass with the soda water, creating bubbles.

NOTE: An endless number of flavors can be achieved by mixing and matching ingredients in this recipe 

Easy Ripple Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt
Line a flat bottom, freezer safe container with wax paper or freezer wrap. Let the frozen product soften and spread it in the container. The quantity should come to about 1 1/2 inch from the top. Depending on your choice of flavor, spread about 1 inch syrup of a complimentary one over the surface and using a butter knife, swirl the syrup through the ice cream as is done with cake batter, Freeze several hours until firm.

Homemade Blueberry Ice Cream– An easy way to surprise people with unusual flavors.
3 cups (1 ½ pts.) half-and-half
(1) 14 oz. can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup lightly mashed fresh blueberries –OR other pureed or mashed fresh fruit, such as peaches, strawberries, bananas and raspberries*
Food coloring (optional)
COMBINE all ingredients in ice cream freezer container; mix well. Freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions.

REFRIGERATOR-FREEZER METHOD
Combine sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in large bowl; stir in 1 cup prepared fruit and food coloring, if desired. Fold in 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream (do not use non-dairy whipped topping). Pour into 9- x 5-inch loaf pan or a 2-quart freezer container; cover. Freeze 6 hours or until firm.
*NOTE: I found blanching the blueberries slightly before mashing them softens them enough so their texture blends well with the cream when frozen

Bonus
Chocolate Cups: Serves 6- From-The Three & Four Ingredient Cookbook by Jenny White and Joanna Farrow
These are an elegant way to dress up a couple of scoops of ice cream. Just add whipped topping, some fruit or other decorations and you have a party dessert! Make them ahead and you’ll always be set.
8 oz. chocolate broken in pieces-dark, white or milk
Waxed paper
1 baking sheet
(1) 3 inch round cookie cutter—OR tuna fish cans, washed and open at both ends
Cover the baking sheet with waxed paper. Cut (6) 12 x 5 inch strips of waxed paper. Fold each in half lengthwise and roll to fit inside the cookie cutter when standing on the baking sheet and tape paper in circles. Stand the cookie cutter on the baking sheet, fit a paper roll inside it and, with a teaspoon, spoon a little chocolate inside, spreading it over the bottom to form a base and unevenly up the sides. Careful not to crack the chocolate shell, remove the cutter and go on to the next cup. This is where tuna cans make the job easier; they stay in place until the cups harden, allowing several to be made quickly.
Each cup holds 2 normal scoops of ice cream.

Coconut Ice Cream: Serves 6– This doesn’t belong in either of the above categories, but it’s a fun addition, especially with the current popularity of coconut.
14 oz. can coconut milk
¼ cup sugar
2 limes, zested and juiced
Toasted coconut shreds, toasted almond slivers and/or chocolate shavings for garnish
Boil sugar with 2/3 cup water to dissolve, stirring constantly; cool then chill well. Add lime and coconut milk. Pour into a freezer-proof container and freeze 4-6 hrs. beating or processing twice in between to break up ice crystals. Freeze until firm. Serve in scoops topped with choice of garnish.

July 15, 2021

RECIPES

Basic Ice Cream Soda Recipe:

Single serving
20 oz. glass
3 Tbs. flavored syrup or + to taste
2 scoops of ice cream
Chilled club soda, seltzer water (Not sparkling mineral water) or other carbonated drink, cola, ginger ale or other pale soda pop.
Pour the syrup into the bottom of the glass; add about of 1 oz. soda and 1 scoop of ice cream. Stir gently around the sides of the ice cream lifting the syrup up around the scoop. Slowly add more soda to fill the glass ¾, mixing the contents gently as you pour. Add the other scoop of ice cream, and fill the glass with the soda water, creating bubbles.

Basic Ice cream Float:

Single serving
20 oz. glass
1 scoop ice cream
Carbonated beverage, including beer or ale.
Fill the glass about ½ full with the liquid, add the ice cream and then pour over the liquid to fill.

Simple Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
Combine and heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves. If it seems thin, cook to evaporate water until desired 

consistency.

Brown Simple Syrup:
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
Follow above directions.

Coffee Syrup:
Method 1) Make either above syrup with strong coffee in place of water
Method 2) Add 1 Tbs. or to taste, instant coffee as you make it. I like Instant Espresso for flavor depth.

Vanilla Syrup:
While cooking simple syrup add from 2-3 tsp. or more vanilla to taste. This amount will also be determined by whether pure extract or imitation is used. The main thing is not to let it dilute the syrup recipe, so the length of cooking time will depend on the degree the fluid needs reducing to achieve the right consistency.

Fresh Fruit Syrups:

Examples of how fresh fruits can be used. Always store chilled. Traditionally these directions would have included straining, but I like the rustic appearance of a rougher texture.

Strawberry
Marinate sliced berries in sugar as for shortcake topping, then puree.

Peach
Method 1) about ½ cup peeled, sliced fruit and 1Tbs. simple syrup, or to consistency, pureed
Method 2) Roasted peach half(halves-depending on quantity wanted) pureed with simple syrup, if needed. Gives a more intense flavor

Blueberry
½ cup blueberries and 1+? Tbs. simple syrup microwaved at 1 min. intervals for 3 min. or until soft, then pureed.

Feel free to experiment—perhaps chopped apple, with cinnamon treated as blueberries or plums substituted for peaches. A few drops of liqueur or extract or a pinch of spice can add to the taste as well.”

GIVE A DESSERT PARTY

It’s hard not to get into the spirit of the winter holidays-the decorations, the music, the shopping, the entertainments, the parties. But this year, even a simple ‘get together’ might give party planners pause for thought. The sharply rising food prices will make any gathering cost almost double that of a few years ago.

I’m remembering a friend awhile back who was in a similar quandary. We were in a recession, which impacted her husband’s business, they had 3 kids in college, food prices were up and adding the cost of her annual cocktail-buffet to that of the three holiday family dinners she hosted, would be a strain. She couldn’t cancel the party or reduce the guest list without repercussions and then she came up with the perfect solution. She gave a dessert party—specifically a cheesecake tasting and wine party.

Guest’s calorie guilt was soothed by the several different cheesecakes being served in thin slices, each on a clean plate, so that four or five samples over the course of the hours of the party would only equal slightly more than a normal wedge. Rather than an open bar she offered choices of modest wins and coffee. The party was a huge success. Conversation flowed freely fueled by comparison of the cakes. In fact it was so successful that she repeated it in following years on New Year’s Eve.

To keep expenses down, my friend and her daughters baked the cheesecakes, but cheesecakes are time and labor intensive to make.  So for anyone interested in this party option, I’m suggesting switching to cake recipes, from mixes, easily made in advance and frozen, which are delicious and create a wonderful holiday presentation. The decorative opportunities are endless, especially for one who knows how to pipe icing.

Below are descriptions of 8 holiday cakes and their icings with a link to the recipes. For anyone wishing to explore the subject further and perhaps do some cake creation of their own, I recommend Anne Bryn’s book: The Cake Doctor for ideas.

My friend was able to pair wines with her cheesecakes, but table wine isn’t a great match for layer cakes. Liqueurs are suitable for an after dinner drink but not for a party. The choice of beverage here is the classic dessert wine-champagne-which is readily available in a wide price range over the holidays. Additionally, champagne is a popular punch base, which increases the number a bottle can serve. As a non-alcoholic option, I recommend Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider.

I list a recipe for a champagne punch below and one for the famous, signature Union League Punch, an exclusive dining club in Philadelphia. Also I’m giving my own recipes for Mulled Cider and Eggnog. These are non-alcoholic but easily altered with your choice of liquor additions. Coffee is a must at a dessert party, and for those who want to spice it up, I include two delicious ‘spiked’ coffees-Irish and Mexican.

Let’s look at the cakes first—

CAKES: For recipes go to Dec. 19, 2021—    https://www.dinnerwithjoy.com/make-ahead-holiday-event-cakes/

CHRISTMAS BREAD: Makes 2 cakes serving 8-10 per cake. People who normally hate fruitcake, like this, especially with a cup of coffee or tea, because it has a lighter texture—half way between bread and cake- this is kinda cheating because it’s based on two boxed Quick Bread mixes. I like Cranberry and Pumpkin, but have used Date and Nut as well, especially for other occasions. In fact, I might add them if I were to make more than 2 loaves. In each mix I replace half the liquid with red wine, which acts as a preservative. The alcohol doesn’t taste, but preserves and deepens flavor. They are fine to serve children. In fact they make great breakfast bread. To ‘spike’ it for an adult dessert, I drizzle 2-3 Tbs. bourbon, bandy or whisky over it every few weeks during the 2-3 months I store it before the holidays.

YULE LOG—Serves 16-18. I modify boxed gingerbread mix for my traditional cake with a walnut flavored filling with chopped toasted walnuts, and maple flavored icing. This cake is open to seasonal decorating options. Freeze until ready to serve. Allow to thaw 30 to 45 min. Refreeze leftovers.

GENERAL RECIPE FOR ROULADE CAKE: Adapted from The Cake Doctor by Ann Bryn. This General Recipe for Roulade Cake allows many options for flavor changes 

MODIFIED OPERA CAKE: Serves 10-12-This is a classic Viennese pastry and is not only delicious but makes a beautiful presentation, with multiple almond and chocolate frosted layers of sponge cake, and a rich chocolate frosting poured over top and dripping down the sides It sounds complicated, but my modified version simplifies the process to equal a simple layer cake. Traditionally made in square pans, I use round disposable ones, again for convenience. Top needs no decoration. Freeze if not to be served the day made and re-freeze leftovers.

AUTHENTIC OPERA CAKE RECIPE: For those who want to try the traditionally recipe

RED VELVER CHRISTMAS CAKE: Serves 12 Always a colorful presentation and a stunning cake can be made with the above technique baking the batter in 3 pans.  So many decorating options!!!

PISTACHIO MARBLE CAKE: Serves 8-10. This cake with its green batter, marbleized with dark chocolate streaks makes a stunning presentation when cut open and the chocolate-almond taste is just as delightful. With the green pistachio icing, it’s a perfect holiday dessert. It does show best when baked in a tube or Bundt pan. Again, decorating options are wide open.

PISTACHIO FROSTINGS: Makes enough to fill and frost 2 layers
I don’t like very sugary frostings, nor do I need one high in calories and fat. So I’m offering 2 recipes here. The first is the classic Kraft recipe for pudding icing and the second is my own creation. There is a third choice which uses only whipped topping, but I find that is so light that it soaks into the cake in a day and can’t be made in advance.
1) Kraft Pudding Icing: Makes about 2 ½ cups- contains butter, cream cheese and sugar + pudding mix

2)My Pudding Icing: Makes about 4 cups-Contains cream cheese, whipped topping and pudding mix

PECAN BARS: Yield 24 squares-Rich, nutty perfect for those who want a taste without commitment to a large serving.

BLACK FORREST BROWNIE SWIRL: Yield 24 brownies-topped with candies cherries before baking, these give a perfect holiday presentation

Tips for serving, storing and leftovers:
1) Protecting an iced or garnished cake’s appearance during packaging

2) Incidentally, leftovers re-freeze well, and can be sliced and served fanned on a plate for another occasion.

3) If you want to preserve some of these cakes for another occasion
4) The fruit bread is stored in the refrigerator not the freezer. 

BEVERAGES

SUNNY CHAMPGNE PUNCH
(1) fifth Curacao or Triple Sec
8 oz. lemon juice
(4) fifths dry champagne
Peel of 2 lemons-cut into 1 ½ -2 inch x ¼ inch strips
Chill all ingredients. Pour first into a punch owl and stir well, add champagne and float lemon peel. Do not add ice to punch. Pour into iced glasses or over a small amount of rushed ice in glass.

UNION LEAGUE PUNCH: Gallon Recipe
(1) fifth rye
16 oz. Jamaican rum
16 oz. Triple Sec
36 oz. half lemon juice and half water
26 oz. orange juice
8 oz. simple syrup or sugar syrup
Stir all ingredients in a bowl with a block of ice or cubes until cold

These 2 punch recipes are my innovations because, suddenly every gathering I hosted included children, people who didn’t drink alcohol or designated drivers. Also, they’re simpler than any comparable recipes I could find and, working alone, I needed shortcuts.  In addition, this Eggnog 

Is guaranteed to be Salmonella free. However, both punches can be made traditional by the addition of the liquors of choice 

MY MULLED CIDER: 1 Gallon
1 gallon jug of cider-preferably from an orchard or Ziegler’s, but commercially bottled will do

1 large, red apple-NOT Delicious
20-24 whole cloves
(3) 3 inch sticks cinnamon or (2) longer sticks
Stud the apple with the cloves. Put all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a rolling boil. Lower heat and simmer 1 min. Ladle the apple into the bottom of a metal punch bowl, and add the other ingredients. Serve hot or allow to cool to room temperature.

MY SAFE EGGNOG: Yield about 3 quarts – more with different optional additions

48 oz. container of eggnog ice cream
1 quart 1% or 2% very cold milk
1 tsp. rum extract
1 Tbs. brandy extract
1/3 cup whiskey

Ground nutmeg
Let the ice cream soften in the punch bowl, add the milk and beat to blend. Add the extracts and whiskey and beat until froth forms on top. Garnish with nutmeg. Serve cold.

IRISH COFFEE
5-6 oz. hot coffee
1 ½ oz. Irish whiskey
1 tsp. sugar
Sweetened whipped cream
Pour coffee and whiskey into a warm 8 oz. goblet. Stir in sugar and top with cream

MEXICAN COFFEE
4 oz. hot coffee
1 oz. coffee liqueur
Ground cinnamon
Sweetened whipped cream
Pour liqueur into a warmed 8 oz. goblet, add coffee to within ½ inch of top. Add cinnamon and stir. Top with whipped cream

FABULOUS PUMPKIN DESSERTS

As promised, here is the post on that autumn icon and Thanksgiving co-star, Pumpkin. I limit this post to desserts because, though winter squash recipes are interchangeable as to the squash meat, pumpkin is the only one with flesh I processed into canned puree, perfect for desserts. For soup, side and entrée pumpkin dishes, see my post for Oct. 27, 2022.

Pumpkin is unique in its own right and not just because it’s the only food to have become the traditional of an entire season, including 2 holidays. Though grouped with the winter squash, it’s really a late summer fruit, because its seeds are sown in spring. Although a table food for thousands of years in its native lands, it’s the only large squash grown globally, especially in Europe, for hundreds of years but as animal odder, not table food. You’d be hard pressed to find a European chef who can cook winter squash. Finally, only pumpkin seeds, Pepitas, are valued as a nutritional food in themselves.

The recipes below are a sampling of a rather large collection of pumpkin desserts recipes I’ve been posting before Thanksgiving for years. To find more, including James Beard’s Pumpkin Cake, Harvest Bread, Peach Pumpkin Cake, Pumpkin-Fruit Loaf, ad Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes go to  Sept. 15, 2020, Nov. 8, 2018,  Oct. 28,2015,  Oct. 2, 2014.  As for those who are not fond of pumpkin, simply want a change or to offer seasonal options with the holiday dinner, check out Fall Fruit Desserts Oct. 13, 2022, or options to pumpkin Oct.31, 2019 and Nov. 17, 2016.

RECIPES

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Seeds from one large pumpkin
Cooking spray
Salt
Cumin and/or Chili powder – option
Cinnamon and/or sugar – option
Cajun seasoning – option
Old Bay Seasoning – option
Pull the seeds out of the pumpkin and rinse them clean in a colander, under cold running water; pat dry with paper towels. Spray a cooking sheet with the oil, lay out the seeds and lightly spray the tops; sprinkle with seasoning of choice. Place in a Preheated 300 deg. oven and roast for 30 min, stirring at 10 min intervals to cook evenly and prevent burning. Toss in a bowl and correct seasoning. Allow to cool completely. Store air-tight.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix 
1 cup sugar-preferably bar or super-fine sugar
½ tsp. EACH salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice
Stir everything together in a glass jar. Screw on the lid and shake well and put in a cool dark place for several days to incorporate the flavors, shaking every day or so to keep them blended. This can be adjusted to suit personal preference.

Cold Pumpkin Chiffon Pie: Serves 6-8-This pie is a lovely warm weather dessert, but even better, it can be made a day ahead, because it needs to be well chilled.

Double Boiler 

1 pie crust – home-made or purchased or a 9” pie pan– baked*
1 Tbs. gelatin
¼ cup cold water
11/2 cups cooked pumpkin – 1 can
½ cup sugar
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon + dash for pastry.+ dash for nuts.
1-2 Tbs. sugar for pastry + 1 Tbs. for nuts
½ tsp. ginger
2 eggs – separated
1 cup milk
¼ cup toasted spiced walnut pieces **

Line the pie plate with pastry, crimp or flute, and bake in a preheated 450 degree oven for 10 – 15 min, until brown.* If homemade, incorporate dash cinnamon, and 2 Tbs. sugar into the dough. If purchased, sprinkle cinnamon and 1 Tbs. sugar over the pastry in the pan.
Soften gelatin in cold water. Combine pumpkin, ¼ cup sugar, salt, spices, slightly beaten egg yolks and milk. Cook over boiling water 5 min, stirring constantly.
Add softened gelatin and stir until gelatin is dissolved. Chill until slightly thickened. Beat egg whites until stiff, (remember to use clean beaters) and gradually add remaining ¼ cup sugar. Fold into thickened pumpkin mixture. Pour into lined pie plate and garnish with nuts. Chill until firm.
*To stop an empty pie shell from buckling, line the bottom with a piece of foil filled with about a cup of raw rice or dried beans. Remove the foil after 10 min. if the crust isn’t brown enough by then. An alternative method is to prick the crust several times with a fork, but this allows juices from the filling to seep through and make it soggy after a few hours. The beans and rice are reusable in future pies, but if you plan on frequent baking, go to a home hardware center and buy 18 – 24 inches of the beaded chain used to make key chains. It works beautifully!
**Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt a thin sliver of butter on a piece of foil. Toss walnuts in butter, separate into one layer allowing ample room, sprinkle with 1 Tbs. of sugar and a dash of cinnamon. Toast for 6-8 min. until beginning to brown. Remove from oven, trying not to disturb the coating, allow to cool completely. Sprinkle nuts over the pie, and gently press, if needed, to make them stick.

A Twist on Classic Pumpkin Pie
The very best traditional Pumpkin Pie recipe is Libby’s. This post is running long, but the recipe is on every can of that brand of pumpkin and at this season featured in every ad for that product, and headlined on the Libby’s website. However I do have a twist to add to it.

Anyone who reads this blog knows I’m a huge fan of meringue. It can be used in so many ways, not the least of which is to dress up a dish while keeping the contents from drying out. This is true of adding a meringue topping to pumpkin pie.

For a normal 8-9 inch pie, beat 2 egg whites until soft peaks form, then gradually add ¼ cups sugar and beat to stiff, glossy peaks. Using a spatula, spread meringue over the top of the pie covering the filling up to but not touching the crust. Swirl leaving a few peaks. Bake in a 300 deg. oven for about 20 min until edges begin to brown. Cool to room temperature.

Pumpkin Flan Serves 8
¾ cup sugar

Custard

1 cup pumpkin
1 cup milk
1 cup light cream
6 eggs
½ cup sugar
½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup brandy
Boiling water
2 Tbs. brandy
Cook sugar in a large heavy skillet over medium heat stirring until it melts into a light brown syrup. Immediately pour syrup into a heated 8 ½ inch round shallow baking dish. Using pot holders swirl to cover bottom and sides. Set aside. In a saucepan combine pumpkin, milk and cream. Stirring to blend, heat over low until bubbles form around the edges. In a large bowl, beat eggs slightly then add sugar, salt and vanilla. Gradually stir in the hot milk mix and the 1/3 cup brandy. Pour into the prepared dish. Set dish in a baking pan and add boiling water to a depth of ½ inch. Bake in a preheated 325 deg. oven 50-60 min. until a silver knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Col custard and refrigerate overnight.

To serve: run a spatula around the edge to loosen and invert onto a serving plate. At the table, pour the 2 Tbs. brandy into a ladle, ignite and pour flaming over the flan.

Cold Pumpkin Chiffon Pie –This should be made a day ahead, because it needs to 

Pumpkin Roulade: Serves 16
Filling
8 oz. cream cheese
(1) 8 oz. tub Cool Whip
1 tsp. maple flavoring or vanilla
½ cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans

Cake
1 box plain spice cake mix
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup buttermilk (or 1 ½ tsp. vinegar in ½ cup milk, allow to stand 10 min.)
1/3 cup vegetable, seed or nut oil
4 eggs
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Parchment paper
Butter for preparing pan
Make the cake: Butter the bottom only of a 16 ½ X 11 ½ X 1 inch jelly roll pan. Line it with the parchment, leaving a couple inches overlap on the ends, and butter the paper. Put the cake ingredients in a bowl and beat, scraping the sides, until batter is thick and combined about3min. Pour into the prepared pan, smoothing it out with a spatula. Bake on the center rack of a preheated 350 deg. oven for 15-17 min. until it springs back when pressed with a finger. Liberally dust a clean kitchen towel and starting with the long side, carefully roll the cake away from you in the towel. Place seam side down on a flat surface to cool for about 20 min.
Make the filling: Beat the first 3 ingredients until smooth. Stir in the nuts.
Assembly: Carefully unroll the cake enough to generously spread the inside with the filling; reroll, pulling the towel away as you go. Place the filled cake seam side down on a serving platter and chill. Just before serving, generously dust with confectioners’ sugar.
Optionally: If you think the cake seems split in places, and it will as it’s rolled, have a can of vanilla or cream cheese frosting ready. Garnish with sprinkled cinnamon or nuts.

*These two recipes are based on but modified from ones in The Cake Doctor by Ann Byrn

Pumpkin Cheese Cake: Serves 12–From Philadelphia Cream Cheese Classic Recipes
Crust
2 cups gingersnap crumbs
½ cup finely chopped pecans
6 Tbs. melted butter
Filling
(3) 8 oz. cream cheese- softened
1 cup sugar-divided
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. nutmeg
Dash cloves
Mix crust ingredients and press over bottom and 2 inches up the sides of a 9 inch springform pan. Chill.
Mix ¾ cup sugar, cheese and vanilla on medium until blended, add eggs, beating on low, until just Spoon ½ the pumpkin batter into the crust, top with spoonfuls of plain. Repeat layers. Cut through batters with a knife several times to get the marble effect.
Bake at 325 deg. for 55 min. if using a silver tone pan, 300 deg. if using a dark, nonstick one. Run a knife around the edge to loosen the cake. Cool before removing pan sides. Chill 4hours or overnight.

Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie: Serves 6 – From Dream Dinners by Stephanie Allen and Tina Kuna
(1) 9 x 13 inch baking dish-sprayed with nonstick spray
Crust
2 cups crushed graham crackers
¼ cup butter-melted
1 ¼ cup sugar+ 2 Tbs.
Filling
1 can pumpkin
1 tsp. EACH salt and ginger
½ tsp. nutmeg
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
2 cups whipped topping
½ tsp. vanilla
3 cups vanilla ice cream-softened
½ cup chopped pecans
Combine the crust ingredients and press into the bottom of the prepared dish. Fold the pumpkin and spices together and spread over the crust. Stir the topping, ice cream and vanilla until well mixed and spread over the pumpkin. Sprinkle with the pecans. Cover and freeze, or cover and wrap with foil and freeze for up to 3 months.

Pumpkin Fruit Cups: Serves 6
3 pumpkins-halved lengthwise and seeded
1 large cooking apple-peeled, cored and diced
3 Tbs. raspberry jam
1 Tbs. honey
4 tsp. butter
1 ½ cups fresh cranberries
Heat jam, honey and butter until bubbly, add cranberries and cook until they pop. Add apples and spoon into pumpkin. Bake at 375 deg. 15 min. Serve hot.

Lite Pumpkin Cake: Serves 16- From Eat Up and Slim Down by Jane Kirby and David Joachim
1 can pumpkin
1 ½ cups skim milk
¾ cup non-fat dry milk
6 egg whites
¾ cup sugar
1 ½ tsp. EACH cinnamon and allspice
9 oz. yellow cake mix
1/3 cup brown sugar
¼ cup butter
¾ cup chopped walnuts
Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Beat pumpkin and milks until smooth. Add eggs, sugar and spices. Pour into pan. Combine cake mix and sugar and cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over pumpkin mix and scatter walnuts over all. Cover with foil and bake at 350 deg.45 min. Uncover and bake 15-20 min. until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan before slicing. Freezes well.

Pumpkin Tiramisu: Serves 10-12
1 ½ cups whipping cream
¾ cup sugar
8 oz. cream cheese
15oz. can pumpkin
¾ tsp. pumpkin pie spices
3 oz. pkg. ladyfingers halved
¼ cup rum
2 oz. Amaretti  cookies -crushed
Beat the first 2 ingredients until stiff, beat in the next 3 until smooth. Line a 9 inch springform pan with half of the halved ladyfingers, squeezed together so no spaces remain. Sprinkle with 2Tbs. rum. Cover the ladyfingers with half the filling and top with the rest of the ladyfingers and 2 Tbs. rum. Spread the rest of the filling on top and Sprinkle with crushed cookies. Chill overnight.

Pumpkin Crumble: Serves 18-20*
1 box plain yellow cake mix
1 stick butter or margarine at room temp. + 4 Tbs. chilled
4 eggs
(2) 15 oz. cans pumpkin
(1) 5 oz. can evaporated milk
1 ¼ cups sugar
1 Tbs. Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix –See blend recipe above
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Whipped cream for topping
Grease and flour a 13X9 inch baking pan. Reserve 1 cup of the cake mix and blend the rest on low speed, with 1 egg and the stick butter until combined. Press into the bottom and slightly up sides of the pan. Using same bowl and beaters, combine the pumpkin, 1 cup sugar, spices, milk and remaining eggs and beat until lighter in color and texture, about 2 min. Pour into prepared pan. With clean bowl and beaters, on low speed, beat the reserved cake mix, sugar and butter until crumbly; stir in the nuts and sprinkle it over the custard. Bake in a 350 deg. preheated oven 70-75 min. Center should still jiggle, but nuts should have browned. Cook 20 min. on a wire rack. Serve topped with whipped cream. Cake can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Pumpkin Cookies: Yield about 3 ½ doz. From the Moosewood Restaurant New Classics Cookbook
1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin
1 egg beaten
2 cups flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. allspice
½ tsp. salt
1 cup chopped toasted peanuts
1 cup raisins
½ cup chocolate chips-optional
Sift dry ingredients. Cream together the butter and sugar; add the eggs and pumpkin and blend well. Add the dry ingredients and stir into a soft batter. Stir in the nuts, raisins and chips, if using. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an unoiled cookie sheet, leaving a little room to spread. Bake in a preheated 375 deg. oven for 10-15 min. until edges begin to brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack and store in an airtight jar.