Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing (in a 9x13 pan)

 MY FAVORITE

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  2 teaspoons baking powder
  2 teaspoons baking soda
  ½ teaspoon salt
  2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  2 cups white sugar
  4 eggs
  1 ⅓ cups vegetable oil
  4 cups grated carrots
  ¾ cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Instructions Checklist

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.   Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

• Step 2

  In a large bowl, mix together the sugar and eggs until thick and pale. Stir in the oil, then gradually mix in the sifted dry ingredients. Fold in the carrots and nuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

• Step 3

  Bake for 40 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. When cool, frost with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 Cup Butter
8 oz. Cream Cheese
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Notes

Use 1 cup unsweetened applesauce and 1/3 cup oil inst4ead of the full amount of oil.

This recipe also makes great cupcakes.
Mini muffins cook about 15 minutes, regular size muffins about 25 minutes.

Apple Danish

 

Ingredients

3 Cups All Purpose Flour

1/2 Teaspoon salt

1 cup shortening

1 large egg yolk

1/2 cup milk

Filling

6 cups sliced, peeled apples

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 Tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Glaze

1 large egg white, slightly beaten

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

2-3 teaspoons water

Directions

1. In a bowl combine flour and salt, cut in shortening until mixture resembles course crumbs.  Combine egg yolk and milk, add to flour mixture.  Stir just until dough clings together.  Divide dough in half.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll half of dough into a 15 x 10 inch rectangle; transfer to a greased 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking pan.  Set aside.

3. In a bowl, toss together filling ingredients, spoon over pastry in pan.  Roll our remaining dough into another 15 x 10 in rectangle.  Place over filling/  Brush with egg white.  Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on a wire rack.

4. For glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and enough water to achieve a drizzling consistency.

Drizzle over warm pastry.  Cut into squares,  Serve warm or cold.

Cream Cheese Filled Pumpkin Bread

Plenty of people wait all year long for September to roll around so they can have pumpkin spice everything.  But this bread is so delicious I think I can eat it year round.

This cream cheese filled pumpkin bread is wonderful because it’s not over-the-top decadent. It’s just sweet enough, and the creamy cream cheese filling makes it really special.
This pumpkin bread is just as pretty as it is scrumptious. That’s the mark of a great pumpkin dessert.

You will LOVE this delicious cream cheese filled pumpkin bread with your coffee in the mornings, and it’s fantastic to send along with your husband as a quick and easy to-go breakfast when he’s rushing out the door to work.
Your kids love this bread too.  Send a little piece in their lunch boxes this week.

 One important note: when you go to layer your batter and filling in the pan, you put 1/3 of the batter in, then the cream cheese filling, then the rest of the batter. Make sure that the first layer is only about 1/3 of the batter. If that first layer is too thick, the bottom of the bread won’t bake through properly.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread
1 hour 15 minutes to prepare
serves 6-8

Ingredients

For the bread:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt


For the filling:
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation
Preheat oven to 325°F and lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Set aside.

For the bread:
In a medium bowl, beat together the oil, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin puree with an electric mixer on medium until well combined.
Add the cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, ginger, and salt, and mix until incorporated. Gradually add the flour and mix until just combined.

For cream cheese filling:
In a separate medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium until smooth and creamy.
Add the egg, sugar, vanilla and flour, and mix until smooth and well-blended.
Pour 1/3 of the pumpkin batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spoon the cream cheese filling over the batter and spread it out evenly with a rubber spatula. Pour remaining 2/3 of the batter over the top.
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 65-75 minutes. (The toothpick might have some cream cheese stuck to it.) If top and sides are looking too brown, tent the pan with foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
Let cool in pan for 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
 

From Dear Crissy.

Ultra Moist Rum Cake – Buttery, Boozy, and Irresistibly Delicious!

 

This isn’t just any cake—this is the kind of dessert that makes people close their eyes after the first bite. Ultra-moist, buttery, rich, and infused with vanilla and dark rum, this Rum Cake will instantly transport you to a sunny beach with a drink in hand.

With a double dose of rum—in both the batter and the glaze—this cake is bursting with flavor and moisture. It’s sweet, slightly boozy, and so juicy that each bite practically melts in your mouth.

Despite its bold flavor and elegant texture, it’s surprisingly easy to make. No complicated steps, no fancy equipment—just a simple batter, a rich rum soak, and a bit of patience while it cools.

Perfect for the holidays, a celebration, or simply when you’re craving something a little indulgent, this homemade rum cake recipe is a total crowd-pleaser. Go ahead, make it today—you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy this island-inspired classic!

Ingredients:

flour- 2 cups
Sugar- 1 1/2 cups
1 stick of softened or melted butter
Instant vanilla pudding- 1/2 cup (1 package)
Baking powder- 2 teaspoons
Salt- 1 teaspoon
Vegetable oil- 1/2 cup
Milk- 1/2 cup of
eggs- 4 large
Dark rum- 1/2 cup of
Butterscotch schnapps- 1/4 cup of
Orange bitters- 1 tablespoon

Steps:

1 ) Add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and blend on medium for 5 to 7 minutes.

2 ) Grease a Bundt cake pan with cooking spray or butter and coat with flour.
      A Bundt pan is traditional and works best for even baking and an elegant look.

3 ) Pour all the mixture in to the Bundt cake pan and place in a preheated oven in the middle rack at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a skewer can be inserted in to the middle of the cake and be removed without any residue.

For the rum sauce topping:

Ingredients:

1 stick of butter
1/4 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of dark rum
Zest from 1 orange peel

Steps:

1 ) Add your sugar, butter, and water to a medium size cooking pan and bring to a boil. Once the butter has melted and the mixture begins to boil, place your orange zest in to a metal strainer and place over the top of the boiling mixture for about 5 minutes.

2 ) Use a spoon to press down on the zest when you’re done to remove the oils from the orange peel.

3 ) Once the cake is finished, test it with a skewer to make sure it’s cooked all the way through. Poke holes throughout the entire cake to allow the rum mixture to soak in better. Slowly pour your mixture over the top of the cake. Don’t pour it all at once. Pour a little, allow it to soak and repeat that process until you’ve used it all.

4 ) Allow the cake to completely cool, then insert a knife around the edges of the bundt cake and around the middle to loosen the cake from the pan. Place a large plate over the top of the Bundt cake pan and flip it over. Give it a minute and remove the pan. Serve and enjoy!

Note: Make sure you make your rum sauce topping close to the time your cake is finished cooking. If you make it too early you will develop a film over the top of the mixture as it cools.

Pro Tips for the Best Rum Cake

Use Good-Quality Rum

• Dark or spiced rum, like Myers’s, Captain Morgan, or Bacardi Black for the richest flavor. Don’t use anything labeled “cooking rum.”  

Soak It Well

• Let the cake sit for several hours (or overnight) after adding the glaze to fully absorb the rum and vanilla goodness.

Use Real Butter

• Butter makes the cake rich and flavorful. Margarine or oil just won’t do it justice.

Grease the Pan Generously

• Rum cakes are notorious for sticking. Use butter and flour, or a baking spray with flour for the best release.

Add Nuts for Texture (Optional)

• Chopped pecans or walnuts in the bottom of the pan add crunch and look gorgeous when the cake is flipped.

Poke Holes in the Cake Before Glazing

• This helps the buttery rum glaze seep into every bite of the cake.

Let It Rest

• The flavor intensifies and the texture improves after a day or two. It’s even better the next day!

How do I keep it moist?

• The rum glaze keeps the cake ultra-moist—store it tightly covered at room temperature.

Can I make this ahead of time?

• Yes! This cake gets better as it sits. Make it 1–2 days ahead for best results.

FROM

https://www.superfashion.us/rum-cake-recipe/

The Great Pumpkin Dessert

Canned pumpkin and cake mix make these bars an effortless alternative to pumpkin pie. It's a tried-and-true dessert that always brings big smiles. —Linda Guyot, Fountain Valley, California

Ingredients

1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
3/4 cup butter, melted
1-1/2 cups California Walnuts

Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream

Directions

In a large bowl, beat first five ingredients until smooth.
Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cake mix and drizzle with butter. Top with walnuts.
Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Test Kitchen Tips 

If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can substitute 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice.

Unless otherwise specified, Taste of Home recipes are tested with lightly salted butter. Unsalted, or sweet, butter is sometimes used to achieve a buttery flavor, such as in shortbread cookies or buttercream frosting. In these recipes, added salt would detract from the buttery taste desired.

Nutrition Facts
1 piece: 385 calories, 21 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 70 mg cholesterol, 326 mg sodium, 44 g carbohydrate (30 g sugars, 3 g fiber), 8 g protein. 

FROM  Taste of Home

Chocolate Pumpkin Magic Cake

My very good friend, Theresa, served this cake to us for dessert.  I was hooked.  I knew I would share it in my weekly newsletter.  It is amazing.  ~Shelly


She told me this triple layer dessert is extremely easy to make, and comes out in perfect layers each time!

The bottom layer is a delightful pumpkin pie, the middle is a rich chocolate cake and then it’s topped off with a vanilla pudding frosting that is to die for.

The secret to this magical cake is how you bake it.
First you pour in the chocolate cake batter and then the pumpkin pie batter over the top.

Since the pumpkin pie filling is heavier, it will sink to the bottom and the cake will rise to the top.

Now… she got asked a lot, “Why don’t you just put the pumpkin on the bottom to begin with?” 
The pumpkin needs to bake longer in order to set, this little trick makes it so both the cake and pie come out perfect!

On the original pumpkin magic cake, the frosting had a hint of pumpkin pie spice, but you can opt to sprinkle some crushed gingersnap cookies on top.

Once your family tastes this cake… they’ll be hooked and asking for it all the time!


Grab a fork and dig in to this chocolate delight!

Ingredients

For the Cake:
1 box of devil's food cake mix PLUS ingredients needed to make (eggs, water, oil)
For the Pumpkin Pie:
1 (15oz) can Pumpkin Puree
1/2 cup evaporated milk

 

1/2 cup heavy cream
3 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
For the Frosting
1 (4 serving size) box vanilla instant pudding mix
1 cup cold milk
8 oz Cool Whip, thawed
4 to 5 gingersnap cookies, crushed into crumbs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Prepare box of cake mix according to package instructions, then pour into a lightly greased 9"x13" cake pan. DO NOT BAKE. Set aside.
3. In another bowl whisk together the ingredients for the Pumpkin Pie (pumpkin, evaporated milk, cream, eggs, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice), until smooth. Slowly pour the pumpkin pie mixture all over the cake mix.
4. Carefully place cake into the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes or until the center is no longer jiggly, and a toothpick inserted into cake mix comes out clean. Let cool to room temperature.
For the Frosting:
5. Place the vanilla pudding mix into a large bowl and pour in the cold milk. Whisk until combined and starting to thicken. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until it's completely combined. Spread on top of the cooled cake then sprinkle with the crushed gingersnap cookies.
6. You can serve now, or chill the cake, and serve when chilled. Either way tastes great. Enjoy!

Old Fashioned Apple Crisp

 

This easy apple crisp is made the old fashioned way like Grandma used to make, and is perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce!

Ingredients

6 golden delicious apples, peeled and chopped (other varieties can be used, can also be sliced)

2 Tbsp granulated sugar

1 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon, divided

1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

1 cup light brown sugar

3/4 cup old fashioned oats

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, diced into small cubes

pinch of kosher salt

 

 

Instructions

1.             Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.  Butter an 8×8 baking dish, or spray with non-stick cooking spray.  Set aside.

2.             In a mixing bowl, add chopped apples, granulated sugar, 3/4 tsp of the cinnamon and lemon juice.  Stir to combine, then transfer to prepared baking dish.

3.             In a separate mixing bowl, add topping ingredients (brown sugar, oats, flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, salt, and diced cold butter).  Use a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the oat mixture, using a slight downward twisting motion, until mixture resembled pea-sized crumbs.  Alternatively, you can use two forks or even your hands to cut butter into the mixture.

4.             Spread topping over apples in baking dish, and gently pat to even it out.  Bake 40-50 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.

5.             Serve warm and enjoy!

 

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

Ingredients

1 cup butter at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour*
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups (12 oz.) chocolate chips or chunks
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and both types of sugar using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer if you have one. Cream but do not beat until fluffy, we don’t want to beat in air. Add eggs and vanilla and mix to combine. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Add it to the butter-sugar mixture and beat on low speed until flour is incorporated. Scrape mixing bowl to ensure flour is evenly distributed in the dough. Stir in chocolate and, if using, nuts. You may need to do this with a wooden spoon.

2. Tightly cover the bowl and chill dough for at least 3 hours or overnight.* Before baking, allow dough to stand at room temperature for about 45 minutes until it is soft enough to shape into balls.

3. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking tray with parchment paper. Roll dough into balls of about 1 ¼ inches (3 cm) in diameter (slightly smaller than golf balls). Place dough balls on baking tray, leaving plenty of room for the cookies to spread.

4. Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes. They should be golden brown and crispy on the edges, no longer shiny but still quite soft in the middles. Do not overbake! Take cookies out of the oven and allow them to cool on the baking tray for 2 minutes before transferring them with a spatula to cooling racks. The cookies firm and set as they cool.
5. Store cooled cookies tightly covered at room temperature for up to one week or for up to three months in the freezer.

Recipe Notes

*If you want to bake the cookies immediately, add an extra ¼ cup of flour, for a total of 2 ¾ cups of flour. OR freeze cookie dough balls for 20 minutes before baking.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake Bars

This recipe looks SO GOOD.
It comes from Michael at inspiredbycharm.com

Crunchy, creamy, smooth, and tart.

 Ingredients

6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup roasted peanuts finely crushed (in food processor)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt divided
2 pounds (four 8-ounce boxes) cream cheese softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup Concord grape jelly

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, crushed peanuts, brown sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix in melted butter and stir to combine. Mixture should resemble wet sand. Press into the bottom and about three-quarters of the way up the sides of the prepared pan. Bake the crust 12-15 minutes until it is set and just beginning to brown. Cool completely.
3. Set the oven to 325 degrees F. In the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and peanut butter about 5 minutes or until smooth. Gradually beat in the sugar and remaining ½ teaspoon salt until the mixture is light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the eggs one at a time; then add the vanilla. Again, scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
4. Pour the filling into the prepared crust. Use a spatula to level the top. Bake 40 - 45 minutes until slightly puffed, set along the edges, and still a bit wobbly in the center. Let cool completely.
5. In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk the jelly until melted and smooth. Allow to cool slightly. Pour evenly over the cheesecake. Spread lightly with a spatula to create a thin, even layer.
6. Refrigerate about 2 hours until the jelly is set. Cut into bars. Wipe off the knife between cuts to keep the edges of the bars clean. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Lemon Zucchini Bread

Zucchini bread is awesome, there’s no denying that…but lemon zucchini bread?? It’s unbelievably good.  This fruitier, sweeter, denser loaf makes a pretty perfect addition to any brunch or dessert buffet.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup canola oil

1 (6 oz.) container lemon Greek yogurt

3 eggs

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups zucchini, grated, drained and squeezed dry

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon lemon zest, optional

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350º F and lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. In a large bowl or mixer, beat together sugar and canola oil, then mix in eggs and Greek yogurt.
4. Once eggs are fully incorporated, mix in lemon juice and vanilla extract.
5. Gradually fold in dry ingredients until incorporated, then gently fold in grated zucchini and lemon zest.
6. Pour batter into greased loaf pan, then place in oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs.
7. Remove from oven and let cool.
8. For the glaze: whisk lemon juice into powdered sugar until smooth, stirring in lemon zest, if desired.
9. Once cake has fully cooled, pour glaze over cake and let set until hardened.
10. Slice, serve and enjoy.

Pineapple Sunshine Cake

 

One of my associates at Harter House, Adele, told me about this recipe.
She said it is one of her favorites.  And Super Easy.

Ingredients
Cake

1 box yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice

Icing

1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping, thawed
1 small box instant vanilla pudding
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Cake: In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, oil and crushed pineapple with juice. Mix well.
3. Pour into prepared baking pan, and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of cakes comes out clean.
4. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Icing: In a medium-size bowl, fold together whipped topping, vanilla pudding and 1 can crushed pineapple with the juice.
6. Spread over the top of cooled cake.
7. Store in the refrigerator.

this recipe from Recipe Gold Mine

Texas Cowboy Cookies

 Makes about 18 large cookies        

Everything's bigger in Texas and these Cowboy cookies (sometimes called Texas Cow Chips) are no exception. They are crispy on the edges but chewy and moist in the middle, and have about a hundred mix-ins that all combine to create the Texas of all cookies.

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour, spooned and leveled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup corn flakes
1 cup pecans, roughly chopped (and toasted!)
1/2 cup coconut flakes
1 cup (6 ounces) peanut butter chips (I used Reese's)
1 cup (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. If you want to toast your pecans (you do! you do!) chop them up and throw them in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3-5 minutes, until fragrant. Don't let them burn! Remove from heat and let cool while you make the dough.
2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter until it is light and fluffy.
3. Add both sugars and beat well, scraping sides and bottom.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.
5. Add the flour but don't mix it in. Add the salt, baking powder, and baking soda to the flour and use a small spoon to blend it with the flour a bit. Then mix in the flour, but stop before it's fully incorporated.
6. Add the oats, corn flakes, pecans, and coconut to the bowl. Mix in gently.
7. Add the peanut butter chips and chocolate chips and mix until everything is incorporated. Don't over mix, it will make your dough tough.
8. Chill the dough in the fridge for at least an hour, or up to 24 hours.*
9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a couple baking sheets with parchment paper.
10. Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop these onto the pan. Leave at least a couple inches in between each ball of dough.
11. Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes, until the cookies are golden on the edges and they are not too shiny in the middle. (A little shine is okay.)
12. Let cool as long as you can before stuffing your face! These are great dipped in milk.

Recipe Notes

*If you are in a big hurry like I always am (Who's not in a hurry to eat cookies?) do my cheat-chill: Shape the dough onto pans as described above and toss in the freezer for 30 minutes. Then bake as directed. Or you could put the shaped dough into ziplock bags, freeze, and have cookies ready to be baked at a moments notice! (I always have cookies in my freezer. Always.)

Check out the lighter version here: Skinny Texas Cowboy Cookies

FROM  The Food Charlatan

Peanut Butter Bars with Salted Chocolate Ganache

This recipe comes from Nancy at foodnetwork.com

It's an easy recipe to make and yields 16 squares.

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray, for baking dish

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 

1 cup creamy peanut butter 

Kosher salt 

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted 

8 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, chopped into small pieces 

1 cup heavy cream 

1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, optional

Directions

1. Coat the bottom and sides of an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. In a large bowl, stir to combine the confectioners' sugar, graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and melted butter. Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish and set aside.
3. Place the chocolate and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan until bubbles start to form around the edges. Pour the cream over the chocolate, let sit for 1 minute and then whisk until completely melted and smooth.
4. Pour the ganache over the peanut butter mixture and refrigerate until the chocolate is cooled and set, at least 45 minutes and up to overnight.
5. Sprinkle evenly with the flaky sea salt. Cut into squares to serve.
   
   
   
    

Easy Cheese Danish

This recipe is definitely a keeper!
Who doesn't LOVE a Cheese Danish? 

INGREDIENTS

2 Cans Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
2 (8 oz.) packages Cream Cheese
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg white

GLAZE
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 359 degrees F.
Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.

Lay a package of crescent rolls in the pan and pinch the openings together.
Beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and 1 egg together until smooth. 
Spread the mixture over the crescent rolls evenly and then lay the second pack of crescent rolls on top of the cheese mixture and brush with egg white.
Bake for 35 - 45 minutes until the top is golden brown.
Let cool for 20 minutes and top with the glaze.

Peach Kuchen

This recipe comes from Mary Brown, one of my very favorite customers.
It was delicious!  ~Shelly

Sassy Cinnamon enhances the custard-like topper.

1  2-layer size white cake mix

1/2 cup flaked coconut, toasted

1/2 cup butter

1  1-pound 13-ounce can sliced peaches, drained (3 cups)

5 tablespoons sugar

1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon

2 cups sour cream

2 slightly beaten eggs

Combine cake mix and coconut.

Cut in softened butter till mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Lightly press into bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of a 13 x 9 baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 15  minutes.  

Arrange peach slices over crust.

Blend sour cream and egg; pour over all.

Bake at 350 degrees, just till sour cream is set.  About 10 minutes.

Makes 10-12 servings.

Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies

I had these cookies at a party and they were mouth watering, to be sure.

INGREDIENTS

1 Cup unsalted butter
2 Cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 Cup dark brown sugar0, packed
1/2 Cup granulated sugar
1tbsp molasses
2 large eggs
2 tsp; vanilla extract
1 1/2 Cups dark chocolate (chips or chopped) + more for topping
1 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped = more for topping
Flakey Sea Salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. First, brown the butter. Add 1 cup of butter to a saucepan over medium heat.  Melt and continue to stir until it turns a rich amber color and gives off a nutty scent.

2. Pour into a large mixing bow, (make sure to scrape in the browned bits at the bottom of the pot.) and set aside to cool.

3. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.  Set aside.

4. Once the brown butter is no longer hot add the brown sugar, sugar, and molasses to the bowl.  Whisk to combine.  You can either do so by hand or with an electric mixer.  it should resemble the texture of a slushy.

5. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla until fully combined.

6. Pour in all of the dry ingredients and mix to incorporate.  Switch to a rubber spatula to fold in the ingredients once the dough starts to thicken.

7. Fold in the dark chocolate and pecans.  At this point, the dough should be sticky and be able to hold its shape when scooped.  If it's too thin, place it in the refrigerator uncovered for about 30 minutes to cool.

8. But if its already at the right consistency, scoop out the cookie dough using a 2 oz. scoop or a 1/4 measuring cup.  Place the scoops side by side on a plate or small baking sheet lined with wax or parchment paper.

9. Place extra chocolate chips and pecans on top of each cookie and chill for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.

10. When ready, place 5-6 large cookies on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350 degrees for 13 - 15 minutes.  If your cookies are smaller than 2 oz., bake for 10 - 12 minutes.  The cookies are ready when the edges are golden and the middle looks puffed, pale, and a bit underdone.

11. When they are hot from the oven, sprinkle the tops with a bit of sea salt and transfer to a cooling rack.  If the cookies are too soft to move, let them sit on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes and then try again.

12. Bake the remaining cookie dough and dig in!

This recipe comes from butternut bakery blog 

Cherry Pie Bars

 “The recipe makes a lovely, buttery pound cake intertwined with cherry pie filling.”

Makes one - 9 x 13 -inch pan (about 18 servings)

INGREDIENTS

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
One 21-ounce can cherry pie filling
Confectioners’ sugar, for glazing (optional; see note)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9-by-13-inch pan with parchment paper.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until just combined. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and mix to combine. Spread a little over half the cake batter into the pan. Evenly spread the cherries over top, then spoon the rest of the cake batter over the cherries. (It’s fine if the cherries show through.)

3. Bake until the top has turned slightly golden, 30 to 35 minutes. (Do not over-bake.) Cool before slicing into squares.

Note: Optionally, you can finish the cherry pie bars with a glaze made from confectioners’ sugar. Combine about ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar with enough water to make a drizzly consistency, then drizzle over the bars before cutting and serving.