Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. (Yay!) Here are six desserts to help you through the weekend, including Pumpkin Swirl Cookies and Red Velvet Cheesecake. Enjoy!

EASY CHOCOLATE SAUCEPAN BROWNIES

This is from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “Chocolate saucepan brownies are a quick, super-easy and delicious preparation. Just melt the butter and chocolate, beat in the sugar, eggs, and dry ingredients, then bake. That's all there is to it!”

Total: 35 mins; Prep: 10 mins; Cook: 25 mins; Yield: 16 Brownies (16 servings)

To view this yummy brownie online, click here.

Ingredients

6 tablespoons butter

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions

Heat oven to 325 F. Grease and flour an 8-inch square baking pan.

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and chocolate, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let cool. With a whisk, beat in the vanilla and sugar. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Stir flour, measure into a small bowl, and stir in the baking powder and salt, blending well. With a wooden spoon, stir the flour mixture into the first mixture.

Stir in the chopped nuts, if using, blending well. Spoon into the prepared pan and spread evenly.

Bake the brownies for about 25 minutes.

Recipe Variations

Add chocolate chips or white chocolate chips

BLUEBERRY PIE

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sam wrote, “Perfection is a fool’s mission when it comes to blueberry pie. Sometimes the filling is a little runny. Other times, slightly thick, depending on the blueberries themselves. But this recipe helps even the odds, with the use of arrowroot starch in place of the more typical flour or cornstarch, and an awesome pre-thickening technique picked up from the pastry chef Kierin Baldwin. You could use a different pie crust, but I like the all-butter version below, at least with a pre-baked bottom and an artfully cut top that allows steam to escape.” Yield: Serves 8; Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.

This was featured in “The Perfect Imperfections of Blueberry Pie” and can also be viewed online here. Not sure how to make a pie crust? Check out “How to Make a Pie Crust” by Melissa Clark.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

2 - 1/ 2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 - 1/4 cups unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes

8-10 tablespoons of ice water

1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water

For the Filling:

8 cups blueberries, picked over and washed

1/2 cup raw sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2-3 tablespoons arrowroot flour or cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preparation

To make the crust, combine the flour and salt in a large bowl or food processor. Add the butter, and either use your fingers to rub the fat into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal or pulse the processor a few times to achieve a similar result. Gradually and lightly mix in ice water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the dough just comes together.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and gather into a ball. Divide the ball into two equal portions, and flatten each into a disc with the heel of your hand. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days.

Prebake the pie shell. Heat oven to 375. Roll out one of the discs of dough on a lightly floured surface, and fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the dough so that there is a slight overhang at the top of the pie plate, then place the shell in the freezer for 20 minutes or so to chill. Remove the pie shell from the freezer, cover the dough with parchment paper and fill the shell with pie weights or dried beans. Place the shell into the oven, and bake until the bottom has just started to brown, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Take the pie shell out of the oven, remove the parchment and pie weights and allow to cool.

Make the filling. Separate 1 cup of the blueberries, and combine them in the bowl of a food processor or blender with the sugar, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the arrowroot flour or cornstarch and the salt, then pulse to purée. Put the blueberry mixture into a small pot set over medium-high heat, and cook, whisking constantly, until the liquid has just thickened, approximately 1 minute. Pour the thickened mixture over the remaining blueberries, and stir to combine.

Bake the pie. Heat oven to 400. Mound the filling high in the center of the cooled pie shell, and apply the egg wash to the top edge of the cooked bottom crust. Roll out the second disc of dough, and place it over the top, gently crimping it onto the egg-washed edge of the bottom crust. Place the pie into the freezer to set, approximately 20 minutes, then cut vents into the top with a sharp knife, place the pie on a baking sheet and set it into the oven to bake for approximately 30 minutes. Then turn the pie, reduce heat to 350 and bake until the pie is golden and the filling has begun to bubble up through the vents, another 25 to 45 minutes. Allow pie to cool to room temperature before you cut into it.

STRAWBERRY MAPLE OAT COOKIES

This is from Crofter’s Organic, and was featured in the December 2018 issue of Taste For Life, which I’d picked up at one of my favorite places, Rollin’ Oats in St. Petersburg, Florida. If you’re ever in St. Pete (especially if you live nearby), check it out!

Anyway, the recipe begins, “This recipe is far from your grandma’s oatmeal cookie. These cookies are the epitome of summer - chewy oatmeal goodness bursting with juicy strawberry flavor all thanks to our strawberry premium fruit spread. Count us in. This flavor combination is one for the books and will take your cookie game to the next level. Not to mention, they’re healthier than your average cookie but shhh no one needs to know. That’s because they taste great. Give them a try and see for yourself! Yum!”

Serves 6 - 8; Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes.

Check them out online at https://croftersorganic.com/recipe/strawberry-maple-oat-cookies/.

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt

1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

1/2 cup coarsely ground walnuts

1 egg

2 tablespoons coconut oil melted and cooled

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 cup Crofter’s Organic Strawberry Premium Fruit Spread

Directions

In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients - flour, oats, baking powder, and salt. Add spices and walnuts. Mix all together until combined.

In a separate bowl whisk the egg, coconut oil, vanilla, and maple syrup. Mix well with a whisk until well combined.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix. Finally, stir in the diced strawberries. Mix gently with a spoon. Let the mixture sit for few minutes.

Preheat oven to 356F (180C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

With a scoop or spoon, scoop the dough, and place it on the baking sheet. Arrange the cookies 2-inches apart. Slightly flatten the dough with the spoon.

Bake 12-15 minutes until the edges of the cookies begin to brown.

Remove cookies from the oven, and let them cool for few minutes on a baking sheet. Then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

ICED MOCHA SHERBET

Yield: 4 servings

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/24.shtml

View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/576.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups evaporated non-fat milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 tablespoons carob powder

1 tablespoon crystalline fructose

2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

1 tablespoon instant coffee granules

1 tablespoon part-skim ricotta cheese

Directions

Mix all ingredients together in blender and turn into metal trays.

Place in freezer and stir with fork from time to time to break up ice crystals.

When ready to serve, process again so the sherbet is soft.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 12; Protein: 8g; Sodium: 117mg; Cholesterol: 5mg; Fat: 0.5g; Carbohydrates: 22g

RED VELVET CHEESECAKE

Recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchen

Total: 2 hr; Prep: 20 min; Cook: 1 hr 40 min; Yield: 10 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the crust:

1 1/2 cups finely crushed chocolate wafer cookies (about 28 cookies)

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/3 cup sugar

Pinch of salt

For the filling:

4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

1 1/4 cups sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

4 large eggs

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon red food coloring

Directions

Watch how to make this recipe.

Make the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the cookie crumbs, melted butter, sugar and salt in a bowl. Press into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Put the pan on a baking sheet and bake until set, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely.

Make the filling: Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the flour, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Transfer 2 cups batter to a bowl; stir in the cocoa powder and food coloring. Pour the red batter into the crust, then pour the white batter on top. Using a spoon, pull some of the red batter up from the bottom of the cake and swirl. Bake until the edges are set but the center is still wobbly, about 1 hour, 20 minutes.

Turn off the oven but keep the cake inside to cool, 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan (don't remove the springform side), then transfer to a rack to cool. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before slicing.

PUMPKIN SWIRL COOKIES

This is from the Food Network, and begins, “Break open these oversized cookies, fragrant with pumpkin and spice, to reveal a soft interior with a beautiful swirl.”

Level: Easy; Total: 4 hr 20 min (includes chilling and cooling times); Active: 55 min; Yield: 12 large cookies

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Sugar Cookie Dough:

2 - 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)

1 - 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 - 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Pumpkin Cookie Dough:

2 - 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for dusting (see Cook's Note)

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 - 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar

1 - 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 large egg, at room temperature

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Glaze:

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 cup milk

Directions

For the sugar cookie dough: Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

Beat together the granulated sugar and butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, scraping down the bowl and paddle once, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat to fully combine. Add the vanilla and beat to combine. Turn off the mixer. Add half of the dry ingredients and turn the mixer to low; beat until incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and paddle, add the remaining dry ingredients and beat on low until just incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and increase the mixer speed to medium low for 1 minute to make sure the dough is well combined.

Transfer the dough to a piece of plastic wrap. Use a rubber spatula to spread and press the dough into a flat rectangle. Add a second piece of plastic wrap on top, and flatten the rectangle using a rolling pin to approximately 8 by 10 inches. Wrap tightly and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight.

For the pumpkin cookie dough: Whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

Beat together the brown sugar and butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, scraping down the bowl and paddle once, until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat to fully combine. Add the pumpkin and vanilla and beat to combine. Turn off the mixer. Add half the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and paddle, then add the remaining dry ingredients and beat on low speed until just incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and beat on medium low for 1 minute to make sure the dough is well combined.

Transfer the dough to a piece of plastic wrap. Use a rubber spatula to spread and press the dough into a flat rectangle. Add a second piece of plastic wrap on top and flatten with a rolling pin to approximately 8 inches by 10 inches. Wrap tightly and refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to overnight.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment.

Unwrap the pumpkin cookie dough and place on a lightly floured piece of parchment. Lightly flour the top and a rolling pin and roll into a larger rectangle about 10 1/2 by 16 inches (see Cook's Note). Slide the parchment with the dough onto a baking sheet and refrigerate while you repeat the process with the sugar cookie dough. Roll and refrigerate the sugar cookie dough in the same manner.

Use a pastry brush to dust off any excess flour from the top of the pumpkin cookie dough. Using the parchment to help you, flip the pumpkin cookie dough onto the sugar cookie dough, lining up the 2 rectangles as closely as possible. Cut the dough in half crosswise with a very sharp knife or pastry cutter so you now have 2 rectangles that are 10 1/2 by 7 inches. Stack the dough rectangles on top of one another so you now have 4 layers of alternating cookie dough. Cut this stack crosswise into 6 rows, then lengthwise into 4 rows so you end up with a total of 24 squares. Stack one layered square on top of a second one and, using lightly floured hands, gently press the edges together and round into a domed ball. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining squares, evenly spacing 6 dough balls on each lined baking sheet.

Bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until the cookies are puffed in the center and golden brown around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool on the pans 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack set inside a baking sheet to cool completely.

For the glaze: Meanwhile, whisk together the confectioners' sugar with the pumpkin pie spice in a medium bowl. Add the milk and whisk until completely incorporated. Transfer to a quart-sized resealable plastic bag or piping bag. Snip the end and drizzle the cooled cookies with the icing. Let set, about 20 minutes.

Cook’s Note

When measuring flour, we spoon it into a dry measuring cup and level off excess. (Scooping directly from the bag compacts the flour, resulting in dry baked goods.) The pumpkin dough will be much softer than the sugar cookie dough so you will have to use more flour when rolling out to prevent sticking. Work quickly; if the dough gets too soft or warm, place the whole piece of parchment on a sheet pan and place in the freezer for a few minutes.

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