Showing posts with label Dessert

Restaurant Quality Lemon Creme Brulee

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, March 23, 2022



Oh my, what a special dessert this is.  This Lemon Creme Brulee is a totally decadently richly lemon infused custard topped off with a crackly torched sugar top and it is beyond delicious.  If you are a fan of creme brulee, this takes it to a whole new level.  I first experienced this at The Cooper House, a wonderful little cafe in New Harmony, Indiana many years ago.  I had gone for a girls lunch with my friend, V, and we both were absolutely swooning over how wonderful this dessert was.

I came home, researched many recipes and adjusted them until I found this one that is just perfection.    It's one of those desserts that I don't make often, and only because of the calories.  This is absolutely sinfully delicious, but oh, it's so worth the calories for a special occasion. 

To ensure the custards cook gently and gradually, place the ramekins in a baking pan lined with a kitchen towel and partially fill the pan with hot water (known as a water bath). This helps insulate the delicate custards from the heat. 

Ingredients:

Juice of 2 lemons
2 cups heavy cream
Zest of 1 lemon
1/2 cup plus 6 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
5 egg yolks 

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 300°F. Line a shallow baking pan with a kitchen towel. Have a pot of boiling water ready.

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the lemon juice to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the juice is reduced to about 1 Tbs., 3 to 5 minutes.

In another saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream, lemon zest and the 1/2 cup sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until steam rises from the surface, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes.

In a bowl, whisk together the vanilla and egg yolks until smooth and combined. Slowly add the cream mixture, whisking constantly, then stir in the reduced lemon juice. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl and divide among six 3.5-oz. ramekins. Place the ramekins in the prepared baking pan and add boiling water to fill the pan halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil and bake until the custards are just set, about 40 minutes.

Remove the ramekins from the pan and transfer to a wire rack. Let the custards cool to room temperature, about 1 1/2 hours, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to overnight.

Just before serving, sprinkle 1 tsp. sugar evenly over the surface of each custard. Using a kitchen torch according to the manufacturer’s instructions, move the flame continuously in small circles over the surface until the sugar melts and lightly browns. Serve immediately. Serves 6.


#cremebrulee #lemon #lemoncremebrulee #restaurantdessert #yummy #foodie #jancooksrealfood #jancancook #janspicx

Delicious Restaurant Quality Lemon Creme Brulee

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, March 02, 2022


Oh my, what a special dessert this is.  This Lemon Creme Brulee is a totally decadently richly lemon infused custard topped off with a crackly torched sugar top and it is beyond delicious.  If you are a fan of creme brulee, this takes it to a whole new level.  I first experienced this in a little cafe in New Harmony, In years ago.  I had gone there with my friend, V, and we both were absolutely swooning over how wonderful this dessert was.

I came home, researched many recipes and adjusted them until I found this one that is just perfection.    It's one of those desserts that I don't make often, and only because of the calories.  This is absolutely sinfully delicious, but oh, it's so worth the calories for a special occasion. 

To ensure the custards cook gently and gradually, place the ramekins in a baking pan lined with a kitchen towel and partially fill the pan with hot water (known as a water bath). This helps insulate the delicate custards from the heat. 

Ingredients:

Juice of 2 lemons
2 cups heavy cream
Zest of 1 lemon
1/2 cup plus 6 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
5 egg yolks 

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 300°F. Line a shallow baking pan with a kitchen towel. Have a pot of boiling water ready.

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the lemon juice to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the juice is reduced to about 1 Tbs., 3 to 5 minutes.

In another saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream, lemon zest and the 1/2 cup sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until steam rises from the surface, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes.

In a bowl, whisk together the vanilla and egg yolks until smooth and combined. Slowly add the cream mixture, whisking constantly, then stir in the reduced lemon juice. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl and divide among six 3.5-oz. ramekins. Place the ramekins in the prepared baking pan and add boiling water to fill the pan halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil and bake until the custards are just set, about 40 minutes.

Remove the ramekins from the pan and transfer to a wire rack. Let the custards cool to room temperature, about 1 1/2 hours, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to overnight.

Just before serving, sprinkle 1 tsp. sugar evenly over the surface of each custard. Using a kitchen torch according to the manufacturer’s instructions, move the flame continuously in small circles over the surface until the sugar melts and lightly browns. Serve immediately. Serves 6.

Lemon Lush aka Robert Redford's Better Than Sex Dessert

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, March 01, 2022


Kicking off this month's worth of lemon desserts off with one of the very best.  

EVERYBODY loves this, recipe, initially the name draws them in, but one taste and they're hooked.     It's been reinvented as Lemon Lush, Lemon Delight, it's had many names over the years, but Robert Redford was the name that made this dessert famous back in the 70's.  

I've often thought of renaming this myself changing the name from Robert Redford to Sam Elliott ðŸĪŠ

I always make this a day ahead, it's wonderful for company, it's so bright and lively, it's just a totally, completely refreshing, yummy dessert...

1st Layer

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 sticks melted butter
1 cup chopped nuts


2nd Layer:


1 cup powdered sugar, I always sift mine, so it isn't lumpy
1 8 oz. package softened cream cheese
1 cup Cool Whip


3rd Layer:


1 large package lemon instant pudding mix
3 cups milk


4th Layer:


Remaining Cool Whip


Top with another 1/2-1 cup of chopped pecans


Mix 1st layer and press into 9×13 pan that you've sprayed with cooking spray.  It will seem skimpy, it's not, you just keep flattening it out in the pan. Bake 15 minutes at 375 degrees. 


Remove and cool. 


Mix 2nd layer together by blending the softened cream cheese with a mixer, then mix in the powdered sugar and last, fold in the Cool Whip.  Spread  over 1st layer. Place in fridge to chill. 


Mix the pudding with milk and whip for 2 minutes. Spread over second layer. Chill.


Spread remaining Cool Whip over all and chill. Garnish with chopped nuts
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#lemon #lemondessert #lemonrefrigeratordessert #robertredford #jancooksrealfood #yummy #food #lemonlush

Pumpkin Custard

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, September 08, 2021

Let's go back, way back to September 16, 1997.  I sent my bestie, V a recipe for Pumpkin Custard.  I loved that recipe and thought she would enjoy it as well.  Well, me, being me, lost the recipe, many times, MANY times, and I would have to ask her for it and she always came thru.  For some reason I never posted this online and it was on the hard drive of my old computer that crashed and had to be reformatted and I lost it once again.

MAGNOLIA BAKERY'S PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY CUPCAKES

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, May 19, 2014

NewImage

Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Makes 36

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1¼ cups whole milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1½ cups creamy peanut butter
4 oz. butter (at room temperature)
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
6 large eggs
Jelly, for filling

1. Preheat oven to 325°. Line the cupcake pan with paper liners.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.

3. In a liquid measuring cup combine milk and vanilla; set aside.

4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, place peanut butter, butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.

5. Add eggs to the creamed mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition and making sure to scrape sides and bottom of bowl.

6. Add flour mixture and milk with vanilla in three parts beginning and ending with the flour mixture, blending just until combined after each addition.

7. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixer bowl.

8. Bake 22-25 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean and cupcakes start to pull away from the sides of the pan.

9. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Remove from the pans and cool completely.

10. Using the blunt end of a wooden spoon, punch a hole into the center of each cupcake. Place jelly in a piping bag or small plastic bag with the end snipped off. Squeeze about 1 tbsp. of jelly into the center of each cupcake. Ice generously with buttercream frosting (recipe below).

Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting

1½ cups creamy peanut butter
8 oz. butter (at room temperature)
½ cup whole milk
1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
5 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted before you measure
2 cups jam (any flavor)

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat peanut butter and butter until light and fluffy and butter is completely incorporated (no lumps). Do not overmix.

2. In a liquid measuring cup, combine milk and vanilla; set aside.

3. Add half of the confectioner’s sugar and half of the milk-vanilla mixture and beat on low speed until just incorporated.

4. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.

5. Add the remaining confectioner’s sugar and milk-vanilla mixture and beat on low speed until just incorporated.

6. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Icing should be smooth and creamy—do not over mix.

Adapted from a recipe from People Magazine
Photo Courtesy of People Magazine

Olive Garden Pumpkin Cheesecake

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, November 14, 2012

olive

This fall favorite at Olive Garden can be made at home for a fraction at the cost.  This great adapted copycat recipe tastes similar to the real thing!

Ingredients

    Crust

    • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
    • 1 cup gingersnap cookies
    • 1/4 cup sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 8 tablespoons melted butter

    Cheesecake Filling

    • 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
    • 1 (15 ounce) cans pumpkin puree
    • 2/3 cup light brown sugar
    • 3 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

    Sour Cream Layer

    • 1 cup sour cream
    • 1/4 cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Page 2 of 3Olive Garden Pumpkin Cheesecake (cont.)

Ingredients

    Whipped Cream

    • 2 pints heavy cream
    • 1/4 cup sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

    Additional toppings

    • caramel sauce
    • gingersnap crumbs

Directions

  1. Crust preparation:.
  2. In a medium sized bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, ginger snap crumbs, sugar, and butter; mix well. Press crust into a spring form pan. Press the crust about halfway up the side of the spring form pan. Refrigerate crust while you continue to prepare the cheesecake.
  3. Filling preparation:.
  4. Allow extra time for mixing up this filling. Remove the pure pumpkin puree from the can and place in a couple of large paper towels. Wrap the pumpkin puree with the paper towels; this will soak up the excess water in the pumpkin puree. Continue to remove excess water from the pumpkin puree for about 60 minutes before making cheesecake mixture. Bring the remaining ingredients for the filling to room temperature while the pumpkin puree is being drained. With a mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth; add eggs one at a time and then combine all ingredients for the filling in a mixer. Blend until very smooth. For best results, allow all ingredients to reach room temperature before mixing the filling. Remove crust from refrigerator, and pour in filling.
  5. Bake cheesecake at 350 for 30 minutes and then reduce temperature to 325 degrees for an additional 30 minutes. When you remove the cheesecake, it should be slightly jiggly in the center.The cheesecake will set up nicely as it cools.
  6. Sour Cream Layer:.
  7. When you remove the cheesecake from the oven, set aside and prepare the seasoned cream cheese layer. In a small bowl, combine sour cream, sugar, and spices. Blend well. Spread seasoned sour cream mixture over the baked cheesecake evenly. Place the cheesecake back into the 325 degree oven for about 8 minutes, until the sour cream layer is set.
  8. Whipped Cream:.
  9. Allow the cheesecake to cool. When the cheesecake is completely cool, you can add the whipped cream. In a medium sized bowl, combine heavy whipping cream, vanilla, and sugar; mix well with a blender or a stand mixer. Whip the cream until it forms stiff peaks. Remove ring from the spring-form pan and either pipe the whipped cream over the pumpkin cheesecake or spread with a knife.
  10. When you are ready to serve the Olive Garden Pumpkin Cheesecake, cut each slice, drizzle the top of the cheesecake with caramel sauce, and then sprinkle over ginger snap crumbs before serving.

Page 3 of 3Olive Garden Pumpkin Cheesecake (cont.)

Directions

  1. Additional notes about cheesecake making:.
  2. I personally do not use a waterbath. I do have a clay baking stone in my oven, and my cheesecakes come out very well. You may wish to use a waterbath when you prepare your cheesecake.
  3. Also, I would really urge you to let your ingredients reach room temperature before blending together the filling. This really makes a difference in getting a nice, smooth filling.

Source:  Food.com

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, October 03, 2010

 

IMG_7989Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Here is the original recipe:

3 cups French bread, cubed
⅔ cup 1% low fat milk
¼ cup canned pumpkin
1 egg
1 egg white
8 packets SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener with Fiber
¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons chopped pecans


DIRECTIONS

   1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray four (4 oz) ramekins with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside until ready to use.
   2. Cut bread into one-inch cubes. Set aside.
   3. Mix milk, pumpkin, egg, egg white SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener with Fiber, spices and vanilla together in a medium mixing bowl. Add bread chunks and stir until bread is coated. Allow bread to soak up moisture for 10-15 minutes.
   4. Spoon bread pudding into the prepared ramekins. Top with chopped pecans. Place ramekins on a cookie sheet and cover with foil. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes or until firm to the touch. Serve warm or chilled.

Serving Size: 1 ramekin (about 4 oz)

                    ************************************************

And here are my changes to make it even lower in calories

I used 4 slices of cubed 100% Whole Wheat Nature’s Own bread instead of the french bread the recipe calls for.

I didn’t have Splenda with Fiber, I just used 8 packets of regular Splenda

I doubled the pumpkin pie spice to a heaping 1/2 teaspoon and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

If you have almond milk, this will pull the calories down even further, but I didn’t have it so I used skim milk.

Weight Watcher Calculations for the entire recipe –

  • Wheat bread – 2 points for 4 slices
  • Pumpkin – 0 points
  • 1 egg and 1 egg white – 2 points
  • Skim milk – 1 point

That’s 5 points for the entire recipe.  So that comes to 1.25 points per serving, if you add a few pecans and Cool Whip, you will still have less than 2 Weight Watcher points per ramekin.

If you are one of those people who doesn’t care for Splenda, you can substitute sugar or brown sugar, but of course your calories are going to increase.

This would be great with a sauce on it, I personally didn’t think it needed it, and I didn’t want to add the calories. 

I served this with just a dollop of Cool Whip Lite…

The original recipe came from the Splenda web site, check out the original recipe and other great ideas using Splenda here>>>

Bill Nicholson’s Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding from Paula Deen

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, October 01, 2010

This recipe got fantastic reviews.  I would adapt it a bit by adding roasted pecan pieces to the top, and omitting the rum in the glaze.  Orange juice would be a nice substitue.

~ jan

Krispy Kreme Bread PuddingIngredients:
1   pinch salt
1   9 ounce box raisins
2   Eggs, beaten
2   4.5-oz cans fruit cocktail (undrained)
1   14-oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk (not evaporated)
2 dozen Krispy Kreme Donuts
1 or 2 teaspoon cinnamon

Butter Rum Sauce:
1 stick butter
1 pound box confectioner’s sugar
Rum to taste

Directions
Cube donuts into a large bowl.  Pour other ingredients on top of donuts and let soak for a few minutes.  Mix all ingredients together until donuts have soaked up the liquid as much as possible.

Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour until center has jelled.  Top with Butter Rum Sauce.

Butter Rum Sauce:

Melt butter and slowly stir in confectioner’s sugar.  Add Rum and heat until bubbly.  Pour over each serving of Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding.

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, June 14, 2010
6.14.12  Carlene gave me this recipe, she thinks it tastes like Juicy Fruit Gum.  I made it this weekend, it’s a winner,  ladies.  You won’t believe how moist this bread is, and there is only 4 tablespoons of butter in it!  It’s going into the Tried ‘n True Hall of fame it’s so good.  If you can let it sit for a couple of days, it gets so moist it’s soggy.  Oh, is this a yummy summer dessert bread!  Both of us tweaked the recipe, of course, changes follow the recipe… ~ jan

adapted by Our Best Bites from Cooking Light and further adapted by Jan and Carlene

2 C flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 C sugar
1/4 C (4 Tbs) real butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 1/2 C mashed ripe bananas (about 4 large bananas)
1/4 C sour cream or plain yogurt
3 Tbs apple juice or milk*
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 C coconut

Topping: 2 Tbs additional coconut

Glaze: 1/2 C powdered sugar whisked with 1 1/2 Tbs fresh lime juice
*as in: don't go buy apple juice just for this recipe.  If you don't already have some, just use milk!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until blended.  Add eggs and beat to combine.  Add banana, sour cream or yogurt, apple juice (or milk), and vanilla.  Beat until blended.

Add flour mixture and beat at a low speed until just combined.  Stir in 1/2 C coconut.
Pour batter into a 9x5" loaf pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.  Sprinkle additional 2 Tbs coconut on top. 

Bake in the oven for about 1 hour or until a knife or skewer inserted in center comes out clean. Note: Check bread after about 40 minutes.  If the top has browned and the coconut pieces are looking toasty, cover top of bread lightly with a piece of foil.  Continue baking until done.

When done, remove pan from oven.  Let cool on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes and then carefully remove from pan.  Whisk powdered sugar and lime juice together for the glaze and then drizzle over top.    Cool for another 15 minutes before slicing.
Carlene’s tweaks:  If you use a glass pan, add 10-15 miutes to baking time.  She also used greek style pineapple yogurt instead of the sour cream or plain yogurt, and she added coconut flavoring extract and vanilla.  She also used 3 tablespoons of coconut milk and 1 tablespoon of fat free half and half.  She added lost of lime zest along with the juice in the icing….
Jan’s tweaks:  I baked this in an insulated metal pan, and it took quite a bit longer than an hour to bake.  I still underbaked a bit, I like my breads that way.  I tented the bread with foil with holes poked in it after an hour, as the coconut on top was starting to get golden and I didn’t want it to burn.  I used light sour cream instead of the pineapple or greek yogurt.  I used 3 heaping Tablespoons of Thai unsweetened coconut milk (in the Asian section of the supermarket, this is really thick like condensed milk. Make sure you buy the unsweetened, and I used the full fat, not the light version).  Oh, and the most important change, I added a small can of crushed pineapple to the batter, well drained and blotted with paper towel.  I love anything banana/pineapple, and this was a great addition to the original recipe.
I used RealLime concentrate in the glaze.  Omg, I bet Carlene is rolling her eyes, ;o).  It worked great, though…  Fresh lime and zest would have been better I’m sure, but I used all my limes in the ginger beer and didn’t want to go back to the store.
My bananas were extremely ripe.  So ripe that they were black on the outside, but it helped give this such a moist texture, I think.

Southern Living's Pavola with Lemon Cream and Berries

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, May 16, 2010
Pavlova With Lemon Cream and Berries


























Pavlova was the  signature dessert of was former Test Kitchen Professional (and mother of current Test Kitchen Professional Marian Cooper Cairns) Jane Cairns. You don't have to be a professional to make it though. Assemble the elegant berry dessert just before serving; you can make the meringue up to two days ahead and store it in an airtight container.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Other: 13 hours 30 minutes
Yield: Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1  cup  sugar
  • 1  tablespoon  cornstarch
  • 4  egg whites, at room temperature
  • 1/4  teaspoon  cream of tartar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/4  teaspoon  vanilla extract
  • Parchment paper
  • 1  (10-oz.) jar lemon curd
  • 1/3  cup  sour cream
  • Assorted fresh berries
  • Garnish: fresh lemon zest

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 225°. Whisk together sugar and cornstarch. Beat egg whites at medium-high speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer 1 minute; add cream of tartar and salt, beating until blended. Gradually add sugar mixture, 1 Tbsp. at a time, beating at medium-high speed until mixture is glossy, stiff peaks form, and sugar dissolves. (Do not overbeat.) Beat in vanilla. Gently spread mixture into a 7-inch round on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, making an indentation in center of meringue to hold filling.
2. Bake at 225° for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until pale golden and outside has formed a crust. Turn oven off; let meringue stand in oven, with door closed and light on, 12 hours.
3. Meanwhile, whisk together lemon curd and sour cream until smooth. Cover and chill.
4. Spoon lemon mixture into center of meringue, and top with berries. (Center of meringue may fall once the lemon mixture and berries have been added.) Garnish, if desired.
Marian Cooper Cairns, Southern Living, MAY 2010

Rhubarb Crisp

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, May 16, 2010

Get the recipe at  The Minimalist

The Pioneer Woman's Mocha Brownies

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, February 25, 2010
Mocha Brownies variation idea on this tasty dessert from The Pioneer Woman: "Serve in a bowl topped with coffee ice cream and drizzle with hot fudge sauce. Sinful."

-Ree Drummond

For Brownies:

Four 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate

1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs

3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

11/4 cups all-purpose flour

For Mae's Mocha Icing:

1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, softened

5 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 to 3/4 cup brewed coffee, cooled to room temperature

Preheat the oven to 325°F.
To make the brownie batter, place the chocolate in a microwave-safe
bowl. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second increments, being
careful not to let it burn. Set it aside to cool slightly.

In a medium mixing bowl, cream, the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs.


With the mixer on low speed, drizzle in the melted chocolate. Add the
vanilla extract and mix.


Add the flour to the bowl and mix just until combined; do not over mix.

Pour the batter into the baking pan. Spread it to even out the surface.
Bake at 325°F for 45 to 50 minutes, until the center is no longer soft.
Set the brownies aside to cool completely before icing.


To make the icing, in a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, powdered
sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla. Mix until slightly combined,
then add 1/2 cup of the coffee.

Whip until the icing is the desired consistency. If the icing is overly
thick, add 1/4 cup more coffee. It should be very light and fluffy.

Ice the cooled brownies, spreading the icing on thick. Refrigerate until
the icing is firm, then slice the brownies into squares.

"Good Morning America" food dishes styled by Karen Pickus.



Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake with Cream Cheese Frosting

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, February 11, 2010

Find this recipe at  Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Cherry Chocolate Cobbler

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, January 29, 2010
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Cherry Chocolate Cobbler

This is a seasonal favorite from the Cracker Barrel, but you can enjoy this rich chocolate goodness anytime.  Be sure to serve this with premium vanilla bean ice cream.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup butter

1 (6 ounce) package nestle semisweet chocolate morsels

1/4 cup milk

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling

1/2 cup finely chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter.  Cut with a pastry blender until the crumbs are the size of small peas.  Over hot (not boiling) water, melt the chocolate morsels.  Allow to cool 5 minutes at room temperature.
Add milk and egg to the chocolate mixture; mix well.  Blend into flour mixture; mix well.  Spread pie filling in the bottom of a 2 quart casserole.
Drop chocolate batter randomly over cherries.  Sprinkle nuts all over top.  Bake 40-45 minutes.

Source:  Copykat Recipes

Almost Cinnabons….

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, January 13, 2010
cinnamon_buns2 This recipe got great reviews. I like the addition of nutmeg to the dough. This one is a must try, ladies.  ~ jan
Almost-Famous Cinnamon Rolls
Adapted from the recipe at Food Network
Makes 6 enormous rolls, or 8 huge rolls
For the Dough:
1 cup whole milk
1 1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast
1/4 cup plus 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the bowl
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
For the Filling:
All-purpose flour, for dusting
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus more for the pan
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/3 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Make the dough: Warm the milk in a medium saucepan over low heat until it reaches about 100. Remove from the heat and sprinkle in the yeast and 1/4 teaspoon sugar (don’t stir). Set aside until foamy, 5 minutes. Whisk in the melted butter, egg yolk and vanilla.
Whisk the flour, the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, the salt and nutmeg in the bowl of a stand mixer. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed with the dough hook until thick and slightly sticky. Knead on medium speed until the dough gathers around the hook, 6 minutes. (Add up to 2 more tablespoons flour if necessary).
Remove the dough and shape into a ball. Butter the mixer bowl and return the dough to the bowl, turning to coat with butter. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, 1 hour 15 minutes.
Roll out the dough, fill and cut into buns (*see instructions below*). Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan; place the buns cut-side down in the pan, leaving space between each. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, 40 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325.
Bake the buns until golden brown, about 35 minutes. Cool in the pan 15 minutes. Meanwhile, make the glaze: Sift the confectioners’ sugar into a bowl, then whisk in the cream and melted butter. Transfer the buns to a rack and spoon the glaze on top while still warm.
*How to Form Cinnamon Buns*
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 12-by-14-inch rectangle with the longer side facing you.
Spread with the softened butter, leaving a 1/2-inch border on the far long edge. Mix the sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the butter.
Brush the unbuttered far edge with water. Roll the dough away from you into a tight cylinder and press on the long edge to seal.
Cut the cylinder with a sharp knife to make 6 or 8equal-size buns. 

Even easier, take a piece of thread, doubled, slip it under the bun where you want to cut it, bring it up, crisscross the thread and pull.  You have a perfectly cut bun.  Pinky swear.  ~ jan
Source:   Food Network

Julienne's graham cracker chewy bars

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, July 26, 2009

Graham cracker chewy bars 

These delicious little bars combine a dense graham cracker base with a velvety custard filling rich with brown sugar and chopped pecans. Sweet, but not overly so, each bar is like a perfect miniature pecan pie baked over a wonderfully crumbly graham cracker crust. Plan ahead and make an extra batch.
These bars are adapted from a recipe by Susan Campoy. Campoy, chef-owner of the French-inspired bistro Julienne, in San Marino, recently passed away due to complications from breast cancer. Her love of cooking and entertaining prompted Campoy to start a home-based catering business and after just a few years she opened Julienne in 1985. Her operation expanded over the years to include a gourmet market. Julienne continues to operate under the direction of Campoy's daughter and business partner, Julie Campoy.

This is just one example of the types of recipes in Campoy's new cookbook, "Celebrating With Julienne."

Graham cracker chewy bars


Total time: 45 minutes, plus cooling time
Servings: 24 bars
Note: Adapted from "Celebrating With Julienne" by Susan Campoy. Campoy writes, "I adapted this recipe from one of my favorite books, 'Nantucket Open-House Cookbook,' by Sarah Leah Chase. I love watching people's expressions when they bite into these bars for the first time. The textures and flavors -- rich toffee, a chewy center and a crunchy bottom -- make everyone smile. The secret is not to over-bake the crust. Serve them at room temperature, so the flavors meld together."

Crust


3 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar and flour until moist and well-blended. Press the mixture firmly and evenly over the bottom of a 13-inch by 9-inch baking pan. Bake until the crust is golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes.

Topping and assembly


2 1/2 cups brown sugar
4 extra-large eggs
2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 prepared crust

Powdered sugar, if desired
1. While the crust is baking, in a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and eggs to blend. Whisk in the graham cracker crumbs, vanilla, salt and baking powder until well-blended. Stir in the pecans.
2. Spread the mixture over the baked crust and return to the 350-degree oven until the filling is dark-golden on top and jiggles slightly when tapped, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and cool completely.
3. Sprinkle a light coating of sifted powdered sugar over the pan if desired, and cut into 24 bars. The bars can be made 1 day in advance. Wrap in plastic and keep at room temperature.
Each bar: 247 calories; 2 grams protein; 36 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram fiber;11 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 50 mg. cholesterol; 184 mg. sodium.

Source: L.A. Food Times S.O.S.

Creamy Lemonade Pie

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, July 23, 2009
I made this for the first time July 4th, 09, and it was a huge hit!  A definite keeper, everybody really enjoyed this outstanding 4Star recipe.  ~ jan


Prep: 10 min., Freeze: 4 hrs.

Yield

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2  (5-oz.) cans evaporated milk
  • 2  (3.4-oz.) packages lemon instant pudding mix
  • 2  (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 2  (3-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1  (12-oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate, completely  thawed
  • 1  (9-oz.) ready-made prepared graham cracker crust
  • Garnishes: whipped cream, fresh mint sprigs, lemon slices

Preparation

1. Whisk together evaporated milk and pudding mix in a bowl 2 minutes or until thickened.
2. Beat cream cheeses at medium speed with an electric mixer, using whisk attachment, until fluffy. Add lemonade concentrate, beating until blended; add pudding mixture, and beat until blended.
3. Pour into crust; freeze 4 hours or until firm. Garnish, if desired.
Note:  The original recipe called for partially thawed lemonade concentrate – that’s what I did, but when I incorporated it with the softened cream cheese, the cream cheese congealed into small pieces, and it was really difficult to get it smooth again.  This can easily be remedied by using thawed concentrate.  ~ jan
Jean Voan, Shepherd, Texas, Southern Living, MAY 2007

Luna Park S’Mores from The Best Food I Ever Ate

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, July 08, 2009
http://www.tvweek.com/images/random/20MelsDinerSLipscomb4.jpg

Another recipe from The Best Food I Ever Ate.  This time it’s S’mores from Luna Park Restaurant.  The chef makes his own graham crackers, fudge sauce and toasts the marshmallows.  This recipe is for the kid in all of us…

Graham Crackers

Blend together in a kitchenaid fitted paddle:

½ C Sugar

1 C brown sugar

1 C pastry or all purpose flour

2 C graham flour

½ tsp. Baking powder

pinch salt

Add, and paddle at med speed until resembles sand:

½ C shortening

Stir together, and add the following:

½ tsp vanilla extract

½ C (or more, as needed) whole milk

Blend until comes together, do not over mix. Portion onto sheets of parchment paper, top with second sheet, and roll very thin, approx. 1/16” thick. Remove top sheet. Bake in a 375-degree oven, scoring halfway through baking with a pizza cutter. Finish until golden brown. Cool completely, and store in an airtight container.

Hot Fudge

Stir together:

5 oz unsweetened cocoa

6 oz brown sugar

6 oz sugar

Bring to a boil:

1 ¼ C Heavy cream

8 oz butter

pinch salt

Pour over dry ingredients, return to low heat, and whisk until smooth

Toast a ramekin of miniature marshmallows in a 400 degree oven until melted and toasty brown -

Serve in individual bowls so everyone can make their own s’mores..  Enjoy!

Pavlova with Lemon Creme, Berries and Grapes

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, April 19, 2009

apav

For the meringue...
1 cup superfine granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 large eggs at room temperature 30 minutes
3 tablespoons cold water
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
For the filling...
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 stick unsalted butter
3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups mixed berries
2 cups grapes
Preheat oven to 300šF and position a rack in the center.
To prepare the lemon cream, stir sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan. Add the lemon juice and butter, bringing the mixture to a simmer over medium high heat. Continue to whisk at a simmer, about 1 minute. Whisk about 1/4 of the mixture into the beaten egg yolks, then transfer the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan. Over low heat, continue to cook, but make sure not to boil, whisking constantly until the lemon curd is thick, about 2 minutes. Scrape into a shallow bowl, stir in the lemon zest, and place a piece of parchment over the surface. Refrigerate for about 1-1/2 hours.
To prepare the meringue, line a baking sheet with parchment and trace a circle about 7" in diameter in the center. Turn the parchment over.
Whisk superfine sugar and cornstarch together in a small bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat whites with a pinch of salt at medium speed until soft peaks form. Add the water and beat until whites hold soft peaks once again.
On medium-high, beat in sugar mixture 1 Tbsp at a time. After all sugar has been added, beat 1 minute longer. Add vinegar, then beat at high speed until glossy and stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes (longer if using hand-held mixer). The meringue will be extremely thick.
Spread meringue carefully to cover the circle on the parchment, creating a cavity in the center (for the filling). Bake until meringue is pale golden and has a crust, about 45 minutes. Avoid opening the oven door! Turn oven off and prop door open slightly with a wooden spoon. Cool meringue in oven 1 hour. The exterior will be dry and possibly cracked, the inside more like the consistency of marshmallow.
To assemble the pavlova, beat the heavy cream just as it holds stiff peaks, then 1/4 cup at a time, whisk cream into the lemon curd. Check consistency each time before adding more cream. It should be able to mound. Spoon lemon cream into cooled meringue and mound fruit in the center. Serve with extra whipped cream if desired.

Applebee’s Triple Chocolate Meltdown with Ice Cream….

by ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ Cooking With a Southern Vibe in Music City USA ðŸ‘Đ‍ðŸģ, April 06, 2009

Applebee's Triple Chocolate Meltdown

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/2752/zxabil6.jpgChocolate Cake
8 (1 oz.) squares semisweet chocolate
1/2 C. unsalted butter
3 whole eggs
3 egg yolks
1/3 C. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 C. flour

Preheat oven to 425šF. Heavily butter and then flour 8 (1-cup) ramekins or coffee cups. Set cups on a cookie sheet. Chop chocolate into small even pieces. Melt with the butter in a double boiler over barely simmering water (or microwave, uncovered, on MEDIUM, stirring every 20 to 30 seconds after the first one or two minutes, until only a small chunk of solid chocolate remains). Remove from heat and stir until melted, smoother and cooled.

Beat eggs, yolks and sugar together at high speed for 6 to 8 minutes. The mixture will become thick like cream and become beige-colored. Fold in the cooled chocolate and vanilla extract. Sift the flour over chocolate and fold in. Pour batter into prepared cups. Bake 7 minutes. Pull out of oven and tuck a piece of frozen lava deep into the center of the half-baked batter in each cup. Return to oven and bake for 6 to 7 minutes more. Cakes will rise straight over the rims of the cups and may crack slightly. Cool in cups on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Chocolate Sauce
8 (1 oz.) squares semisweet chocolate
1 C. cream
1/2 C. sugar

Chop chocolate evenly. In a saucepan, heat half the cream with sugar until it boils. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and stir until it melts and sauce is smooth. Add remaining cream and stir again, patiently, until thick and smooth. Warm sauce gently for pouring. If allowed to set at room temperature, it will turn the consistency of sour cream and can be used like frosting. Makes 2 cups.

To assemble, make Chocolate Sauce. Drizzle Chocolate Sauce in a north-south zigzag over the caramel. Pull a wooden pick or knife back and forth cross the chocolate, going east-west to create a feathering effect. Run a thin knife around each cake to carefully loosen, then invert onto the sauce. Top with warm Chocolate Sauce, letting sauce drip down the sides of the cakes. If desired, decorate with fresh berries. Serve warm. When cut, chocolate will spill out of the warm cake

Source:  Yahoo Answers

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