Rustic Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake Tart

Ingredients: 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed but still cold 4 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling 2 Tbsp. heavy cream 1/3 cup lemon curd, homemade or store-bought 1 pint raspberries 1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam, warmed Powdered sugar Directions: For the tart: Preheat oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat. Unfold the thawed out puff pastry on a lightly flour dusted area and gently roll into a 10x11 inch rectangle. Carefully transfer to your baking sheet. Brush edges with a little bit of water and fold over all 4 sides to create a lip. Using a fork, poke holes all over the center of your tart. Gently brush the entire tart with an egg wash and sprinkle about 2 tsp. of sugar over the center. Bake until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully with the back of a spoon press the center back down if it has puffed. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. For the filling: In a bowl combine softened cream cheese and sugar. Mix with a hand-mixer or by hand until smooth and the sugar is well incorporated. Add the heavy cream and mix for about 1 minute. Fold in the lemon curd.  To assemble the tart: Carefully spread your lemon cheesecake mixture over the center of your cooled tart crust. Arrange berries decoratively over the curd and drizzle with the warmed jam. Dust the tart with powdered sugar. Notes: This tart is best made and eaten on the same day. You can prepare the tart along with the cheesecake filling ahead of time. Refrigerate the filling and assemble the tart right before eating. Other berries would be lovely as well. I bet blueberries, strawberries, blackberries or a combination would also be great! From the kitchen of Susi's Kochen und Backen Adventures (http://susikochenundbacken.blogspot.com/)

Grandmom's best easy bake cheesecake

1 ready crust graham cracker pie crust
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Dash of salt
2 eggs
1 c. sour cream
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

In medium bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually blend in sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Place crust on baking sheet and pour in filling. Bake on baking sheet in preheated 325 degree oven for 25-30 minutes or until knife inserted one inch from edge comes out clean.To prepare topping combine remaining ingredients. Spread over top of cheesecake. Bake 10 minutes longer. Cool on wire rack. Chill at least 3 hours

Blueberry Sauce

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1/4 cup water
1 cup orange juice
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cold water
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the blueberries, 1/4 cup of water, orange juice, and sugar. Stir gently, and bring to a boil.

In a cup or small bowl, mix together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water. Gently stir the cornstarch mixture into the blueberries so as not to mash the berries. Simmer gently until thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the almond extract and cinnamon. Thin sauce with water if it is too thick for your 

ISYBEL "Delicious, warm blueberry sauce which is fabulous on pancakes, waffles, cheesecake or ice cream! Fresh or frozen blueberries work equally well."

Allrecipes.com

candy corn cookies

I can't use her recipe without permission, and I'm too lazy for that.  So instead, here is the link to the Pinterest page. candy corn cookie

applesauce sandwiches

applesauce
8 slices of bread
softened butter
cinnamon/sugar

spread the applesauce on four slices of bread; top with remaining bread. Lightly butter the outsides of sandwiches. Toast on a hot griddle for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over hot sandwiches. Serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings.

Read more: applesauce sandwiches from Taste of Home

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

(Adapted from allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

* 1 cup peanut butter * 1 cup white sugar * 1 egg

Directions:

Combine peanut butter, sugar, and egg well in a mixing bowl. Drop tablespoon sized balls of dough on a cookie sheet. Smash down with a fork until more flat than round. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. Be careful not to burn. They should be slightly brown on the bottom and soft. Makes about 14 cookies.

Pavlova with Lemon Curd Pudding and Berries-Elysianna Ashcraft

 Low Carb Lemon Chiffon

Ingredients
3 eggs, separated
3 oz Splenda, Stevia, etc
juice of 1 lemon
grated rind of ¹/₂ lemon
Beat the egg yolks and Splenda together until creamy, then gradually add the lemon juice and rind. Heat gently in a thick-based pan or the top of a double boiler, stirring all the time, until the mixture thickens - do not overheat or it will curdle.
Allow to cool. Whisk the egg whites stiffly and fold into the lemon cream mixture. Pile into individual glasses and chill before serving. Eat the same day.
Instead of adding egg whites, I added heavy whipped cream, whipped with 1/3 c powdered sugar. It helped a lot with the bitter aftertaste of the Stevia.

MERINGUE NESTS:

 1 teaspoon vanilla extract OR 1 vanilla bean (seeds only)
juice of half a lemon
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/4 cups sugar
6 ounces egg white, about 5-6 large eggs

I did 1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup Stevia, to cut down a little on the carbs. :)

Divide the egg whites from the yolks. Save the yolks for a later use, such as Citrus Curd or another favorite recipe that requires egg yolks. Bring the egg whites to room temperature for 30 minutes before beginning the recipe.
Prepare by preheating your oven to 250 degrees F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Whisk the cornstarch and sugar together in a small bowl. Set aside.
Add the egg whites and cream of tartar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment, turn the speed on to low. Mix for 1 minute, then gradually increase the speed to medium-low.
Continue to beat at medium-low for another minute, then increase mixer's speed to medium. Continue until the mixture has small bubbles and soft peaks start to develop, about 2 minutes.
Slowly add the sugar mixture into the bowl as the mixture continues to beat. Increase the speed to medium-high. Beat for 2 minutes.
Add the vanilla and lemon juice. Increase the speed to high and beat for an additional 2-3 minutes. It is ready when the meringue is shiny and has developed stiff peaks.
For individual pavlovas, you can spoon little nests (6-8 total) of meringue onto the prepared baking sheet. Then, bake at 250 degrees F for 45 – 65 minutes. Rotate the pan(s) halfway through baking.
Finished meringue should be crisp and dry, but not cracked. The insides will have a marshmallow-like consistency. Cool baked meringue on a wire rack.
Tip: Form a dip in the center of each pavlova with the back of the spoon before baking to act as a dish to hold the lemon curd and berries.
After pavlova has cooled, top with lemon curd and fresh berries. Best served immediately. If you assemble the dessert too soon then the lemon curd with begin to dissolve the meringue.

Sweetened Ricotta with Berries

Ricotta:
8 cups milk (any kind)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup lemon juice

Dessert:
1 cup fresh black berries
1 cup fresh raspberries
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons honey
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:

1. In a Dutch oven, heat milk and cream to 180° over low heat, stirring constantly. Stir in lemon juice. Remove from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes (milk and whey will separate).
2. Line a large strainer with four layers of cheesecloth and place over a large bowl. Pour milk mixture into prepared strainer; strain for 1 hour or until most of the liquid is strained. Discard liquid. Wrap ricotta with edges of cheesecloth. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Squeeze out any liquid; remove cheesecloth and discard liquid from bowl.
3. In a small bowl, combine berries and sugar; set aside. Place ricotta in a food processor. Add honey and salt; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add cream in a steady stream; process until creamy. Serve with berries.

Yield: 7 servings.

Basbousa Semolina Cake

Basbousa Semolina Cake with Lime Syrup and Lime Curd

Basbousa cake is a not-too-sweet semolina confection soaked in lime syrup, often hawked on the streets of Egypt. Cut in rounds, this version is topped with lime curd, whipped cream, and berries.
Recipe created by Susan Feniger

Recipe created by Susan Fenige

Servings: Serves 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup lime juice (3 limes)
• 8 Tbsp. (1 stick) butter , melted
• 2 eggs

• 1 cup and 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 6 Tbsp. lime juice (2 to 3 limes)

• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
• 12 Tbsp. (1 1/2 sticks) butter , melted
• 1 Tbsp. lime zest
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 cups semolina semolina flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• Whipped cream , for garnish
• Fresh Fresh berries , for garnish

Directions

Note: The lime curd and lime syrup can both be made ahead and refrigerated.

To make lime curd: Fill a medium pot with 1 1/2 inches water; bring to a simmer. In a medium, heatproof bowl, whisk together sugar, lime juice, butter, and eggs for 1 minute. Arrange bowl over simmering water and stir mixture constantly until thick, 8 to 10 minutes; let cool 20 minutes; cover and refrigerate.

To make lime syrup: Combine 2 cups water, sugar, and lime juice in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook gently until reduced to approximately 2 cups syrup, about 20 minutes; set aside.

To make cake: Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9" square cake pan with cooking spray; set aside. Whisk together buttermilk, butter, lime zest, and vanilla in a large bowl. In a second large bowl, stir together semolina flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture and stir until combined. Transfer to prepared pan and smooth the batter. Bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. While cake is hot, pour lime syrup evenly over surface.

Serve cake warm or at room temperature, topped with spoonfuls of lime curd, berries, and whipped cream.

Marshmallow Dressing

Ingredients

2 cup sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup hot water
2 egg whites
dash of salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
2-4 tablespoons orange concentrate (to taste) (straight from the can before water is added to make juice)

Directions

In heavy pan, combine sugar, corn syrup, hot water.  Heat slowly, stirring until sugar dissolves.  Then boil without stirring to firm ball or thread stage. (248° F.)  Beat egg whites with salt.  When stiff gradually beat in the hot syrup, beating until thick and fluffy. Add vanilla and fold in mayonnaise, orange rind and orange concentrate.

Makes 3-1/2 cups.  (I store it in a quart jar)

Serve with fruit

J'Deanne Rackham (originally called Nut Tree Marshmallow Dressing - but adapted with a couple of slight changes) now a holiday tradition in the Larry Rackham household!

Churros

Ingredients:

1 cup water
2-1/2 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 quarts oil for frying
1/2 cup white sugar, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine water, 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar, salt and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in flour until mixture forms a ball.

1. Heat oil for frying in deep-fryer or deep skillet to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Pipe strips of dough into hot oil using a pastry bag. Fry until golden; drain on paper towels.

1. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Roll drained churros in cinnamon and sugar mixture.

Serve with Chocolate Sauce

Chocolate Syrup

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups water

1-1/2 cups white sugar

1 cup cocoa powder

1 dash salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1.      Combine the water, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt together in a saucepan over low heat; whisk constantly until the mixture thickens and begins to simmer. Remove from heat and stir the vanilla into the sauce. Serve warm or cover and refrigerate until serving.

Blueberry Lemon Sweet Rolls

Blueberry Lemon Sweet Rolls photo by Tasty Kitchen

Ingredients:

• 
  
• FOR THE DOUGH:
• 4 cups Whole Milk
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1 cup Canola Oil
• 2 packages Active Dry Yeast, 0.25 Ounce Packets
• 8 cups All-purpose Flour
• 1 cup (additional) All-purpose Four
• 1 Tablespoon (heaping) Salt
• 1 teaspoon (scant) Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon (heaping) Baking Powder
• 
  
• FOR THE FILLING:
• 1 stick Butter
• ¾ cups Sugar
• 2 whole Lemons, Zested
• 2 cups (Heaping) Fresh Blueberries
• FOR THE GLAZE:
• 1 whole Lemon, Juiced
• 2 whole Lemons, Zested
• 3 cups Powdered Sugar
• 2 cups Whole Milk, Or As Needed
• 1 dash Salt
• 3 Tablespoons Melted Butter

Preparation

For the dough:
Mix milk, 1 cup sugar, and canola oil in a large pot or Dutch oven. Heat over medium heat until very warm but not boiling. Remove from heat and allow to cool until warmer than lukewarm but not hot.

Sprinkle yeast over the surface of the liquid, then add in 8 cups flour. Stir gently until totally combined. Mixture will be very wet and sticky. Cover with a tea towel, keep in a draft-free place, and allow to sit for 1 hour.

After 1 hour, add in an additional cup of flour, as well as the salt, baking soda and baking powder. Mix until combined. Refrigerate dough, covered, until you need it. (Refrigerating the dough helps make it easier to handle.)

Preheat oven to 375 F. Butter a large baking dish (or a couple of smaller dishes) generously. you could use a 9×13 or two 9-inch pie pans which is what I did.

Melt 1 stick of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted remove from heat.

Divide dough in half. Store one half in the fridge for another use (another batch of these, a batch of cinnamon rolls, a batch of dinner rolls). Turn the other half of the dough onto a floured surface. Roll into a large rectangle, about 30 inches wide by 10 inches deep. Roll as thin as possible! Drizzle melted butter over the dough, using your fingers to spread evenly.

Using your fingers, mix sugar and lemon zest so that it’s a nice, light yellow sugar. Sprinkle it all over the butter. Sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the surface.

Beginning at the side furthest from you, roll dough toward you until it’s in the shape of a tight log. Tuck as you go so the roll stays tight. Pinch the edges to seal the seam shut. With a sharp knife, slice into 1/2 thick hick rolls and lay the slices, cut side down, into the buttered baking dishes. Allow to rise for 20 minutes, then place in oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until deep golden brown on top.

To make the glaze: Add lemon juice, lemon zest, powdered sugar, milk, and dash of salt in a bowl. Add melted butter and whisk together until smooth. Taste it and add more of whatever it needs.

Remove rolls from oven and drizzle the glaze all over the rolls. Be sure to get it all around the edges and covering the surface so they’ll be nice and moist!

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/4 cups butter, room temperature
1 tsp peppermint extract (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup finely chopped Candy Cane flavored Hershey’s Kisses
Granulated Sugar
About 30 unwrapped Candy Cane Kisses

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Make room in either refrigerator or freezer for your cookie sheet.

2. In large mixer bowl, combine powdered sugar, butter, extracts and egg. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often until creamy (2-3 minutes). In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to wet mixture and beat, scraping bowl often until well blended (1-2 minutes). The mixture will be a bit crumbly. Stir in chopped Kisses.

3. Shape dough into ¾-inch to 1-inch balls; roll in granulated sugar. Place 1-inch apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set. As soon as they come out of the oven, press a Candy Cane Kiss in the center of each cookie. They’ll crack a little around the edges, so just use your fingers to hold the cookie together while you set the kiss inside. Put cookie sheet (with cookies) immediately into the freezer (preferred) or refrigerator, so that the Kisses will set quickly. As soon as you press them into the cookie, they will begin to soften… so if you can get them into the freezer then they will keep their Kiss shape.

4. Store in a covered container- at room temperature for up to a week. In the freezer they should be  good for a couple of weeks.

Walnut Bread (Cozonac cu Nuca)

Prep Time: 3 hours
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 3 loaves

60 grams fresh yeast
250 grams chopped walnuts or pecans
1 kilogram all purpose flour
300 grams white sugar
5 eggs
500 milliliters milk
250 grams butter melted
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup vegetable oil
zest from one lemon

Instructions:
In a sauce pan add the sugar, milk, butter and lemon zest then warm it up. Do not boil it, it just needs to be hot.

Meanwhile, take the yeast and mix it with 2 tbsp of warm milk, 2 tbsp of sugar and 1 tbsp of flour and mix it well. Let it rest, if the yeast is fresh you will see the mixture rise. Leave it for about ten minutes. In a big bowl add the flour and if you're using vanilla powder add it to the flour otherwise add it to the milk mixture. Add 5 egg yolks (the whites will be used for the pecan cream) to the milk mixture and mix well. Next I usually use my kitchen aid mixer with the dough or paddle attachment. Add the flour to the bowl of the mixer, the milk mixture and the yeast mixture as well. Mix well for a few minutes. In the old days you'd have to knead this by hand for at least half hour. The more it mixes the fluffier the dough will be. Add the raisins and mix well.

Let the dough rise for an hour or two until it doubles in size.

In the meantime, in a food processor add the pecans or walnuts, add 5 more tablespoons of sugar and the 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder and mix. In the mixer put the egg whites and mix until stiff then add the pecan mixture and mix. Put this mixture in the fridge.

After the dough has risen, divide it in 3 pieces. On a big surface where you can work the dough, oil the surface, we will not use flour here, oil or butter works better. Take one piece and roll it out and then add a third of the pecan mixture to the dough and roll it out. Put each roll in a buttered bread pan and let rise again until doubled in size. Next make an egg wash and wash each bread with egg then sprinkle some sugar over each loaf.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 35-45 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into this.

Divinity

2-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon powdered sugar

In a 2-quart saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, salt and water. Cook to a hard ball stage (260 degrees), stirring only until sugar dissolves.

Meanwhile, beat egg whites in a large mixer bowl/ beat to stiff peaks.
Gradually pour hot syrup over egg whites, beating at high speed of electric mixer. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until candy holds its shape, 4 to 5 minutes. (this is the trickiest part – watch it carefully, it will start to lose its gloss. Check it often to see if it is holding its shape.)

Quickly drop from a teaspoon onto waxed paper. (If it cools too quickly and starts to harden, spread on waxed paper and cut into squares with pizza cutter.) Makes about 40 pieces.

(this recipe can be cut in half for easier handling)

Basic Sweet Dough

Makes enough dough to make 12 buns or rolls
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

¾ cup buttermilk, warm
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled until warm
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
4¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
1 envelope (2 ¼ teaspoons) instant or rapid-rise yeast
1¼ teaspoons salt

1. Whisk the buttermilk, butter, and eggs together in a large liquid measuring cup. Mix 4 cups of the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook. With the mixer on low speed, add the buttermilk mixture and mix until the dough comes together, about 1 minute.

2. Increase the speed to medium-low and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. (if, after 5 minutes, more, flour is needed, add the remaining ¼ cup flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough clears the side of the bowl but sticks to the bottom.

3. Turn the dough out onto a clean counter and knead by hand to form a smooth, round ball, about 1 minute. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 2 to 2½ hours.

Cucumber salad

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dill
1/4 cup mayonnaise
5 cucumbers
1/2 cup white onion

 Mix everything except cucumbers and onions well then add cucumbers and onion.
 You can also add celery if you like it, but I don't.

Cinnamon Sugar Baked Pita Chips

about 4 whole wheat or multigrain pitas

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon white sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. in a small mixing bowl, combine both cinnamon and sugar.
3. cut pitas into triangles or any shape your kids enjoy!
4. lay pita in a single layer onto a baking sheet. you man need two baking sheets.
5. gently brush oil over each pita
6. dust each pita with cinnamon sugar mixture
7. bake for 10-12 minutes or until pita looks golden in color
8. let cool. they last about 3-4 days in an airtight container (if you have any left over!).

Popsicles

Popsicles

Bobbie Crawford               Makes 3 doz. 

1 pkg jello, or any flavor you like

1 pkg Kool Aid, any flavor you like

1 Cup sugar

2 Cups boiling water

2 Cups cold water

Mix first four ingredients until dissolved.

Add cold water.

Pour into pour into popsicle holders.

Freeze.