Summer is here!




Raspberry Ice

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water and ½ cupsugar. Bring to a boil, stirring; let cool.
2. In a blender, puree 3 cups raspberries (12 ounces) with the sugar syrup. Strain into a loaf pan or shallow dish and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours.
3. Whip ½ cup heavy cream until soft peaks form. Using a fork, scrape the surface of the raspberry ice to create icy flakes; divide among bowls. Serve with the whipped cream and additional raspberries, if desired

Fancy Shmancy


Ever want to impress your guests with an easy gourmet dessert that will knock their socks off? Well Banana on a Stick will do just that.




Ingredients:

Bananas
Honey
Coconut, finely chopped
Chocolate, finely chopped
Walnuts or Pecans or Almonds toasted and finely chopped
skewers (I used plastic skewers from Crate&Barrel)

Instructions:   

Cut bananas into 1-1/2-inch chunks; insert a skewer, smear with honey then roll in coconut or chocolate or walnuts, or your favorite topping choice.
For a party, put all the skewers in a vase to impress your guests. Enjoy!

Mother's day Lemon Bars

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

For the filling:

• 6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 lemons)
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 cup flour
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.

Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.

For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.

Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners' sugar.

Mascarpone Mini Cupcakes with Strawberry     

                                   Glaze

Ingredients

• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese (about 1 cup), softened
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup frozen strawberries, thawed and drained
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions

Special equipment: 4 mini muffin tins and 48 mini muffin paper cupcake liners

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the mini tins with paper liners.

In a large bowl combine the mascarpone cheese, egg whites and vegetable oil. Using a hand mixer, beat the ingredients until combined and creamy. Add the cake mix and water and mix until smooth, about 3 minutes. Fill the mini cups to just below the rim and bake until puffed and golden, about 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly in the tin then transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack.

Meanwhile, puree the strawberries in a blender or small food processor. Place the powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Pour in the strawberry puree and whisk until smooth. Top the cooled cupcakes with the strawberry glaze. Let the cupcakes sit for a few minutes for the glaze to firm up, then serve.

             Dessert Gifts with a twist

          We have all been there...that time when you accidently forget your friend's birthday. Now what? You have no time to go out and get a gift, so what do you do?! Cookies in a jar is what you do. This easy, creative gift will get you through any awkward situation. You'll never forget their birthday's again.

How to do:

Gathering Supplies

Start off by gathering these basic supplies. You will use the same basic supplies no matter what recipe you choose.

• Quart Size Canning Jars with Lids
• Scrap Fabric
• Ribbon
• Glue
• Paper
• Recipe and Required Ingredients (below)

Filling the Jar

Follow these simple instructions when you are ready to start filling your jars with the cookie ingredients.

1. Thoroughly wash and dry the jars and lids.
2. Pick a recipe and gather your ingredients.
3. Use the instructions and tips from the recipe you choose and fill the jar

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies 

Ingredients

• 1  package dark chocolate cake mix
• 1  package low calorie chocolate cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
•  
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the dark and light chocolate cake mix. Add the eggs and oil, mix until well blended. Roll dough into 2 inch balls, and place them onto the prepared cookie sheet. Flatten the balls slightly with the back of a spoon.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.
4. To make the filling, beat the cream cheese and confectioner' sugar together until smooth. Spread between two cooled cookies. Eat, and Enjoy!