Carrot Cake

Ingredients

Unsalted butter, for the pan
12 ounces, approximately 2 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan
12 ounces grated carrots, medium grate, approximately 6 medium
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 ounces sugar, approximately 1 1/3 cups
2 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup firmly packed
3 large eggs
6 ounces plain yogurt
6 ounces vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter and flour a 9-inch round and 3-inch deep cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.

Put the carrots into a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 5 seconds. Add this mixture to the carrots and toss until they are well-coated with the flour.

In the bowl of the food processor combine the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and yogurt.

With the processor still running drizzle in the vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the carrot mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cake reaches 205 to 210 degrees F in the center.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow cake to cool 15 minutes in the pan. After 15 minutes, turn the cake out onto a rack and allow cake to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cake has cooled completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese

2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

9 ounces powdered sugar, sifted, approximately 2 cups

In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium just until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches and beat until smooth between each addition.

Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.

Yield: approximately 2 cups

Source

Bourbon Pecan Pie

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
3 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 to 2 cups pecan halves
2 tablespoons good-quality bourbon
1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie shell, unbaked

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar and melted butter. Add the corn syrup, eggs, pecans, and bourbon, and stir until all ingredients are combined. Pour mixture into an unbaked pie shell, and place on a heavy-duty cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F, and continue to bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until pie is set. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

Source

Apple Crisp

Ingredients

4 baking apples, peeled, cored and sliced in medium size wedges
1 1/2 tbs. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup melted butter
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
pinch of salt

Directions

Peel the apples and slice them in medium size wedges and place in a large bowl. Sprinkle the apples with the 1 1/2 tablespoon and cinnamon. Toss the apples to coat. Combine the melted butter, flour, sugar and salt. Toss with your hands to form a crumbled mixture. Grease a 9 inch pie plate with butter and lay down the apples. Spread the crumble mixture over the apples and bake at 350 degrees fahrenheit for 45 - 50 minutes. Let cool and serve with vanilla ice cream if you desire.

Source: Family Recipe

Jewish Apple Cake

Ingredients

6 cups peeled and thinly sliced Granny Smith apples (about 3 large)
1 1/2 cups, plus 5 tablespoons, granulated sugar, divided
4 teaspoons cinnamon
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup orange juice
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease, sugar and flour a 10-inch Bundt or tube pan.

2. Combine apple slices with 5 tablespoons granulated sugar and cinnamon; set aside.

3. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl and set aside.

4. Beat eggs with remaining granulated sugar and brown sugar. Add vegetable oil, orange juice and vanilla; beat well. Gradually blend in flour mixture and mix until well blended (about one minute).

5. Pour one third of the batter into the pan. Top with half the apple slices, draining off any liquid. Pour in half the remaining batter and top with remaining apple slices. Top with remaining batter, making sure the apples are covered.

6. Bake 55 to 60 minutes, until the top turns golden brown and a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes in pan. Turn out onto a wire rack and let cool completely.

Source

I made this for my father's birthday, his mother makes great apple cake so he found this recipe and I made it for him.

Original Nestle Toll House Mini Morsel Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Source

I made these for a Development Math Workshop at Middlesex County College where I work because we did multiplying and dividing fractions, so we halved a recipe, hence the cookies.

M&M's Miracle Cookies

Ingredients

1 egg
1 cup reduced fat creamy peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup M&M’S® MINIS® Milk Chocolate Candies

Directions

Place egg, sugar, peanut butter and vanilla in a mixing bowl and blend. Mixture will be stiff. Add M&M’S® MINIS® Milk Chocolate Candies. Drop by well-rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are brown. Remove from oven. Cool. Makes 24 small cookies or 18 larger cookies.

Source

Reese's Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup REESE'S Creamy Peanut Butter
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup REESE'S PIECES Candies

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F.

2. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, egg and vanilla in large bowl until fluffy. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in candies. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned; remove from oven. Cool slightly; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. About 2-1/2 dozen cookie.

Source

Chocolate-Raspberry Layer Cake

Ingredients

Cake
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1 3/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
3/4 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs

Chocolate ganache and raspberry topping
18 ounces bittersweet chocolate (do not exceed 61% cacao), chopped
2 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
6 tablespoons seedless raspberry jam, stirred to loosen, divided
2 6-ounce containers fresh raspberries
Powdered sugar

Special Equipment
2 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides

Test-Kitchen Tip
A two-step process ensures a picture-perfect dessert. First, a thin layer of ganache is spread over the cake and chilled briefly to set (this is called a crumb coat). Another layer of ganache is then poured over the cake, which gives the treat a smooth finish.

Equipment Tip
This recipe calls for two 9-inch cake pans with 2-inch-high sides, which is a bit deeper than an average cake pan. You can find these pans at kitchen supply stores and restaurant supply stores, or buy them online at surlatable.com or culinarydistrict.com.

Directions

Cake

Position racks in top and bottom third of oven; preheat to 350°F. Coat two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides with nonstick spray. Line bottoms with parchment paper rounds; spray rounds. Sift flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into large bowl; whisk to blend and form well in center. Whisk 1 cup water, buttermilk, oil, and eggs in medium bowl to blend. Pour wet ingredients into well in dry ingredients; whisk just to blend. Divide cake batter between prepared pans (about 3 cups each).

Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. (If cakes form domes, place kitchen towel atop hot cakes, then press gently with palm of hand to level.) Cool completely in pans on cooling racks. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover cakes in pans and let stand at room temperature.

Chocolate ganache and raspberry topping

Place chopped chocolate in medium bowl. Bring cream just to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Pour over chocolate. Let stand 1 minute, then stir until ganache is melted and smooth. Transfer 1 1/4 cups ganache to small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ganache is thick enough to spread, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Let remaining ganache stand at room temperature to cool until barely lukewarm.

Place rack inside rimmed baking sheet. Carefully run knife around pan edges to release cakes. Invert 1 cake layer onto cardboard round or bottom of 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Peel off parchment paper. Place cake layer on round on prepared rack. Spread 3 tablespoons jam over top. Spoon dollops of chilled ganache over, then spread evenly. Invert second cake layer onto another cardboard round or tart pan bottom. Peel off parchment paper. Carefully slide cake off round and onto frosted cake layer on rack. Spread remaining 3 tablespoons raspberry jam over top of second cake layer. Pour half of barely lukewarm ganache over cake, spreading over sides to cover. Freeze until ganache sets, about 30 minutes. Pour remaining ganache over cake, allowing to drip down sides and spreading over sides if needed for even coverage and to smooth edges. Freeze to set ganache, about 30 minutes. DO AHEAD Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 2 hours before continuing.

Arrange raspberries in concentric circles atop cake. Sift powdered sugar lightly over raspberries and serve.

Source: Bon Appetit, June 2010

I made this for Father's Day and my dad picked this cake.

Fudge Ribbon Pie

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
1 5-ounce can evaporated milk (2/3 cup)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, cut up
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 pints (4 cups) peppermint ice cream
1 9-inch baked pastry shell, cooled
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup boiling water
1/4 cup meringue powder
1/4 cup crushed peppermint-stick candy

Directions

1. For fudge sauce, in a small saucepan combine the 1 cup sugar, the evaporated milk, butter or margarine, and chocolate. Cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly. Reduce heat and boil gently for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture is thickened and reduced to 1 1/2 cups. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. If necessary, beat until smooth with wire whisk or rotary beater. Set aside to cool completely.

2. In a chilled bowl, stir 1 pint of the ice cream until softened. Spread into cooled pastry shell. Cover with half of the cooled fudge sauce. Freeze until nearly firm. Repeat with remaining ice cream and fudge sauce. Return to freezer while preparing meringue.

3. In a medium mixing bowl dissolve 3/4 cup sugar in the boiling water. Cool to room temperature. Add the meringue powder. Beat on low speed until combined; beat on high speed until stiff peaks form (tips stand straight). By hand, fold 3 tablespoons of the crushed candy into the meringue. Spread meringue over chocolate sauce layer, sealing to edge. Sprinkle top with remaining crushed candy. Freeze until firm (several hours or overnight). Bake in a 475 degree F oven for 3 to 4 minutes or just until meringue is lightly browned. Cover loosely and return to freezer for a few hours or overnight before serving. Makes 8 servings.

Source

My friend Sean first made this at school. I made this for my brother and sisters birthdays. Instead of peppermint ice cream which is usually only available during the holidays I used mint chocolate chip. Also, I made my own meringue, I did not use the meringue powder.

Banana Pudding

So this recipe is kind of a hybrid, very appropriate since the earth is going to flood itself because of global warming. As I was making it for a Christmas party potluck I disregarded the directions a little bit. I combined the idea of a recipe that I saw in my Effective Speaking class and the recipe for Lorna Doone Spoon Pudding on the back of the shortbread cookie box of Lorna Doone. I just call it Banana Pudding because it simpler.

So I started to lay the shortbread cookies on the bottom of an aluminum pan, that I happened to get a two for one deal unintentionally and dishonestly. I was at Shop Rite and I put the pans on the conveyor belt, but they were inside of each other and I was only charged for one. It took me five seconds to realize this and I wanted just to use quarters to pay so I let it slide. Thanks for the free pan!

I then mixed vanilla pudding mix from Trader Joe's and let it sit for five minutes. Now I have Trader Joe's pudding because I just like an excuse to buy things from other food stores besides the major chains. I was in there last weekend for who knows what reason. I wasn't sure how much Cool Whip to mix in with the vanilla pudding so I just did a cup, the recipe from Effective Speaking says 1/4 cup but what does it matter?

I realized I almost forgot the banana but I wanted another layer and I did not have enough shortbread cookies, because Marybeth and I ate them all, so I used some graham crackers from the S'mores bites from the other night and put a layer of those on top of the pudding. Then I sliced the banana and put a layer of Cool Whip on top adding peaks with the back of spoon. Then for garnish I crushed some shortbread cookies and sprinkled on top. Looks quite nice for all store bought food items. As I type it is sitting in the refrigerator chilling before the party at 8pm with some friends.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups cold milk
1 pkg. instant vanilla pudding
24 short bread cookies
1 large banana, sliced
1 container of Cool Whip
some graham crackers if you do not have enough cookies (optional)

Directions

1. Pour Milk into large bowl. Add pudding mix and beat for two minutes or until it is well blended.
2. Arrange the cookies on the bottom of an 8x8 pan, covering the whole bottom.
3. Pour the pudding on top of the cookies.
4. Add a layer of cookies, (if not enough cookies the graham crackers, break them up so when you serve they are small) on top of the pudding.
5. Slice the banana and put on top of the cookies.
6. Add a layer of cool whip covering the bananas completely.
7. Using the back of your spoon add peaks and garnish with crushed up cookies.

Source- back or Lorna Doone box

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Ingredients

2 1/2 lbs cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 egg yolks, lightly beaten
3 tbs. all purpose flour
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ginger
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbs. vanilla extract
1 can (1 lb.) mashed pumpkin (Libby's Brand is fine)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and yolks.

3. Add the flour, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.

4. Beat in the cream and the vanilla, then add the mashed pumpkin and beat at medium speed on an electric mixer until just mixed thoroughly.

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared crust and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 275 degrees and bake for an additional hour. Turn off the heat, but leave the cake in the oven overnight to cool.

6. As indicated above, serve the cake either warm or chilled, with whipped cream.

Source: The Joy of Cheesecake, Barron's, 1980.

Review: I found this cheesecake cookbook in my basement, as you can see it is really old, older than me. I made this cheesecake for Thanksgiving. It was really easy to make and it made the house smell of fall.

Shortbread Crust (for cheesecake)

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups (about 14 to 16) shortbread cookies, crushed
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions

1. PREHEAT oven to 350°F.

2. COMBINE cookie crumbs and butter in small bowl. Press onto bottom and 1-inch up side of 9-inch springform pan.

3. BAKE for 6 to 8 minutes (do not allow to brown). Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.

Source

Review: I used Lorna Doone shortbread cookies by Nabisco. It take about one box. I used more than 1 tablespoon of melted butter. I used this crust as oppose to making it from scratch for my pumpkin cheesecake.

Apple Coffee Cake with Crumble Topping and Brown Sugar Glaze

Ingredients

Cake:
1 stick plus 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups peeled, cored and chopped apples

Crumble Topping:
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Brown Sugar Glaze:
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons water

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with 2 teaspoons of the butter.

In a large bowl, cream together the remaining stick of butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating after the addition of each. In a separate bowl or on a piece of parchment, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream and vanilla. Fold in the apples. Pour into the prepared baking dish, spreading out to the edges.

To make the topping, in a bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter, and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the topping over the cake and bake until golden brown and set, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes.

To make the glaze, in a bowl, combine the sugar, vanilla, and water and mix until smooth. Drizzle the cake with the glaze and let harden slightly. Serve warm.

Source

Review: Made this for my Dad's birthday. It reminded all of us of our Nanny's apple cake. It was really moist the texture was great. A nice crumbly topping on top with a nice moist cake.

Pebbles Marshmallow Crispy Treats

Ingredients

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 pkg. (10-1/2 oz) miniature marshmallow (6 cups)
13 0z. Fruity Pebbles cereal (8-1/2 cups)

Directions

Microwave butter in 4 qt. microwavable bowl on high for 45 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows: toss to coat. Microwave 1-1/2 minutes or until marshmallow are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 45 seconds. Add cereal; mix well. Press firmly into greased foil-lined 13 x 9 pan. Cool. Cut into 24 squares

Source: Fruit Pebbles cereal box

Review: I saw this on a box and I had to make it because of the beautiful colors. They came out really good!