Desserts
It's the final Monday of 2020. Today's post deals with desserts, and include a little of this, a little of that, and a whole lot of yum. Check out the One-Layer Frosted Carrot Cake, the Frosted Peppermint Brownies, or any of the other yummy desserts here. Enjoy!
DOLESTER MILES'S COCONUT PECAN CAKE
This is from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kim wrote, "This is a rich, special-occasion cake that takes the traditional Southern coconut cake to another level, with ground toasted pecans in the batter and an easy-to-make Chantilly cream for frosting. It has become the signature dessert for Dolester Miles, who serves slices over a little puddle of crème anglaise at Chez Fonfon and Bottega, and sometimes at the Highlands Bar & Grill, the Birmingham, Ala., restaurants owned by Frank and Pardis Stitt. Assembly can be a challenge, so she suggests building the cake by stacking the delicate slabs of cake with filling in between each layer into a deep, round cake pan, then slipping it into the refrigerator for about an hour. The filling acts like a delicious glue. When the cake is inverted and unmolded, the edges have an even, professional appearance."
Yield: 12 to 14 servings; Time: About 1-1/2 hours, plus chilling
This was featured in "An Alabama Chef and Her Beloved Desserts Hit the Big Time", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019330-dolester-miless-coconut-pecan-cake.
Note: Seriously, check out the article that this was featured in (link above). Makes for some interesting reading.
Ingredients
For the cake:
1 cup firmly packed sweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup pecan halves, toasted
2 cups granulated sugar
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pans
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter (1-1/2 sticks), softened, plus more for the pans
1/4 cup cream of coconut
4 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk
For the filling and simple syrup:
2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
4 tablespoons/ unsalted butter
1 tablespoon cream of coconut
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup granulated sugar
For the icing:
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon coconut extract
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottom of each with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper, then dust with flour, tapping out excess.
Finely grind the coconut in a food processor, then transfer to a bowl. Add pecans to the food processor, along with 2 tablespoons sugar, and finely grind them.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in coconut and pecans.
In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, cream of coconut and the remaining sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the bowl as necessary, then beat in coconut extract.
Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the coconut milk, starting and ending with flour mixture. Divide batter between the pans and smooth the top of each with a spatula. Bake until cakes are golden and a tester comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cakes cool in the pans on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of each cake, invert onto rack, and remove the parchment. Let cool completely.
Meanwhile, make the filling: Place egg yolks in a small heatproof bowl and set aside. In a saucepan, combine condensed milk, butter and cream of coconut and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until hot, about 4 minutes. Whisk 1/3 of the hot milk into the egg yolks. Transfer egg mixture to the saucepan of milk and whisk constantly over medium-low heat until mixture has the consistency of pudding, about 4 minutes. Do not let the custard get too thick. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the shredded coconut. Let cool completely.
Make the simple syrup: In a saucepan, heat sugar and 1/2 cup water, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat.
Assemble the layer cake in a pan: Cut each cake in half horizontally. Place one layer in the bottom of a 9-inch cake pan, moisten the top with 2 to 3 tablespoons simple syrup and spread 1/2 cup of the coconut filling in a thin, even layer with an offset spatula. Repeat to make 2 more layers of cake and filling, then place the last layer on top. Refrigerate cake for about 1 hour. To unmold, run a spatula around the edges, invert a cake plate over the top, and flip the cake over onto the plate.
Make the icing: Whip the cream with the confectioners’ sugar and coconut extract until stiff peaks form. Spread on the top and sides of the cake and sprinkle with toasted coconut. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
Recipe Yield: Servings: 8
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chocolate-cheesecake.
Ingredients
Crust:
3/4 cup graham crackers crumbs
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons canola or olive oil
Filling:
3 large egg whites
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups nonfat ricotta cheese
1/4 cup cocoa
1/3 cup yogurt cheese **
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
** Place plain, nonfat yogurt into cheese cloth or a coffee filter. Place in strainer over a small bowl or cup. Allow to drain 2 to 24 hours, covered and refrigerated, until cheese reached desired consistency. Discard the whey (liquid). Store in covered container in refrigerator.
Directions
Part 1:
Preheat oven TO 350F. Spray 8-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Fill a 13x9x2-inch pan halfway with hot water.
Place in oven on shelf below where chocolate cheesecake will be placed. This will prevent the top of cheesecake from cracking.
In small bowl, combine all crust ingredients. Press onto bottom and part-way up sides of pan. Set aside.
Part 2:
In food processor or blender, combine egg whites, sugar, ricotta, cocoa, yogurt cheese and vanilla; process, scraping sides occasionally, for 1 minute until smooth and thick. Pour into crust.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes until filling is just set (center will jiggle slightly). Turn off oven and leave cake in closed oven 5 minutes longer.
Remove from oven and cool about an hour on wire rack. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 176; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 140 m; Protein: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch; 1/2 skim milk
ONE-LAYER FROSTED CARROT CAKE
This comes from Diana Rattray, who writes for The Spruce Eats. She wrote, "This quick-and-easy one-layer frosted carrot cake is baked in an 8 or 9-inch square pan, a nice size for most small families.
"Adding raisins or chopped dates to this already moist cake makes for an even moister end product. The recipe easily can be doubled, and baked in a 13 x 9-inch pan. The frosting recipe will be ample for topping a sheet pan cake of this size.
"If you choose to make a layer cake, double the recipe for the batter and bake two (9-inch) round pans. Cut each 9-inch layer in half horizontally to make a four-layer cake. Fill and frost with a double recipe of cream cheese frosting."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes, Makes 9 servings
View this online at https://www.thespruceeats.com/one-layer-carrot-cake-3052459.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour (stirred before measuring)
1 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large room-temperature eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup chopped walnuts
Optional: 1/2 cup raisins or chopped dates
For the Frosting:
1 (3-ounce) package room-temperature cream cheese
1 tablespoon warm water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
Directions
Make the Cake
Gather the ingredients.
Preheat oven to 325 F/165 C. Grease and flour an 8- or 9-inch square pan and set aside.
Measure flour and add to a large mixing bowl along with the sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Blend for 1 minute on low speed of electric mixer.
Stir carrots, nuts, and optional raisins or dates into the batter. Pour into the prepared pan.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a wooden pick inserted in the center, comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack. Frost cooled cake with cream cheese frosting. Store leftovers in the refrigerator. Let come to room temperature before serving.
Make the Frosting
Gather the ingredients.
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with water and vanilla until well mixed. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth and of spreading consistency.
This recipe will yield about 1-1/2 cups, enough to frost the top and sides of a 9-inch square cake or the top of a 13x9-inch cake. Double this recipe to frost a layer cake.
Serve and enjoy!
BEST PECAN PIE
My step-dad loved pecan pies, so I'm sure he would've loved this one. It's from Linda Larsen, a contributor at The Spruce Eats. She wrote, "This recipe makes a perfect pecan pie. By that, we mean a balanced sweet flavor, lots of toasted pecans, and the pie slices beautifully into wedges, looking just like pictures of pecan pie in a cookbook. Using a 9-inch pie shell, prepare to bake the crust and construct the sweet and delicious filling that makes these pies so popular and well loved. The method to make the pecan pie filling for this recipe is a bit unusual and offbeat, but it's not difficult to make.
"Pecan pies are traditionally enjoyed on the holidays or why not whip one up for a special occasion. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an irresistible dessert."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 55 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Servings: 6 to 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/best-pecan-pie-483200.
Ingredients
1 (9-inch) pie shell
1/3 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups pecans (coarsely chopped)
Garnish: 1 cup large pecan halves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 F. Place the unbaked pie crust in the freezer until ready to bake. Then line pie crust with aluminum foil and pie weights or dried beans. Bake pie shell until set, about 5 to 6 minutes.
Remove the foil and weights and bake 2 to 3 minutes longer until crust is just beginning to brown on the edges.
As soon as the pie shell comes out of the oven, decrease the oven temperature to 300 F.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat; mix in sugars and salt with a wire whisk until combined. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then beat in corn syrup and vanilla.
Place the saucepan over very low heat. Cook and stir constantly with a wire whisk until the mixture is very warm and thickened, about 6 to 7 minutes. You have to stir constantly with a whisk so the mixture cooks evenly and the eggs don't scramble on the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat and strain into a large bowl using a medium-mesh strainer. (This is important to remove any cooked egg.) Then, stir in the chopped pecans.
Pour the hot pecan mixture into the hot pie crust. Place large pecan halves on top of the filling in a decorative pattern.
Bake the pie until the center feels set but soft when touched with your finger, and moves slightly when the pie is gently jiggled, about 40 to 55 minutes. You may need to cover the edges of the crust with foil to prevent over-browning or cover the top of the pie with foil so it doesn't get too brown.
Transfer pie to a wire rack and let cool completely for at least 5 hours. It's best eaten within 12 to 14 hours.
FROSTED PEPPERMINT BROWNIES
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, “Easy brownie-mix brownies get dressed up for the holidays with frosting and crushed peppermint candy.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes; Servings: 16
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 box (16 oz) Betty Crocker™ Supreme original brownie mix
Water, oil and egg called for on brownie mix box
1-1/4 cups Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting (from 16 oz container)
1/8 teaspoon mint or peppermint extract
Betty Crocker™ green or pink gel food color
Peppermint or spearmint candies, crushed, if desired
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom of 9-inch square pan with shortening or cooking spray. Make and bake brownie batter as directed on box. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1-1/2 hours.In small bowl, stir together frosting, extract and food color until smooth. Spread frosting evenly over brownies. Sprinkle with crushed candies. For easier cutting, refrigerate about 15 minutes until frosting is set. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature.
Expert Tips
Cut brownies into bite-size pieces and serve in holiday paper liners for easy dessert pickups.
SHEET-PAN SWEET POTATO, PECAN AND PUMPKIN PIE
This is from Jocelyn Delk Adams on the Today website. It begins, "This is a fun recipe that will please everyone, even the pickiest people, on holidays! You can have three different flavors of pie all in one, so everyone is satisfied.
"Swap option: You can use canned sweet potato and canned pumpkin. Also puff pastry is a fun sub for refrigerated pie dough."
Prep Time: 60 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 16
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/sheet-pan-sweet-potato-pecan-pumpkin-pie-recipe-t200661.
Ingredients
Crust
2 boxes refrigerated rolled pie crust (4 crusts total)
1 egg plus 1 teaspoon water, whisked together
Pumpkin Pie Filling
1 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 large egg, room temperature
Pecan Pie Filling
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
4 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch kosher salt
2 cups pecans, roasted and roughly chopped
Sweet Potato Filling
2/3 cup granulated sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2/3 sweet potato, fully cooked and mashed
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup evaporated milk
Preparation
For the crusts:
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Unroll 3 of the pie crusts on a lightly floured work surface. Stack them on top of each other. Roll out the thick, layered dough to a 15- by 21-inch rectangle. Press into a rimmed baking sheet so that the crust comes up the sides and hangs over slightly. This will be the bottom crust.
Chill until ready to use, at least 30 minutes.
For the pumpkin pie filling:
Whisk together the pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice and the egg in a medium bowl until smooth. Cover and set aside.
For the pecan pie filling:
Whisk together the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, eggs, vanilla and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Fold in the pecans, cover and set aside.
For the sweet potato pie filling:
Using a handheld mixer, beat together the sugar and butter until fluffy, then carefully mix in the egg and vanilla. Once combined, add mashed sweet potato, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. As the mixture begins to smooth out, gradually pour in the evaporated milk. Mix until fully incorporated, cover and set aside.
To assemble:
Remove the prepared baking sheet with dough from the refrigerator. Using a fork, poke the pie crust about a dozen times, going all around the dough (except for the crust).
Using a large spatula, carefully scoop, spread and smooth each filling onto the crust. On the left side, start with the sweet potato and allow it to only take up 1/3 of the pan. Next, scoop out the pumpkin pie filling on the opposite right side leaving just the center open then add the pecan filling to the center (because there is a bit more liquid in the pecan mixture, it will spread a bit, do your best to control it by quickly scooping, spreading and smoothing).
Finally, decorate the outside pie dough that is hanging over and brush the outside of the pie crust with your egg wash.
Bake until all pies are set and the crust is golden-brown and crisp, about 50-60 minutes.
Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to completely cool, about 1-1 1/2 hours. Tightly cover the top with nonstick aluminum foil (or plastic wrap) and transfer to the refrigerator to set for at least 4 hours. Overnight is best.
Allow the pie to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving. Slice, serve and enjoy!
DOLESTER MILES'S COCONUT PECAN CAKE
This is from Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Kim wrote, "This is a rich, special-occasion cake that takes the traditional Southern coconut cake to another level, with ground toasted pecans in the batter and an easy-to-make Chantilly cream for frosting. It has become the signature dessert for Dolester Miles, who serves slices over a little puddle of crème anglaise at Chez Fonfon and Bottega, and sometimes at the Highlands Bar & Grill, the Birmingham, Ala., restaurants owned by Frank and Pardis Stitt. Assembly can be a challenge, so she suggests building the cake by stacking the delicate slabs of cake with filling in between each layer into a deep, round cake pan, then slipping it into the refrigerator for about an hour. The filling acts like a delicious glue. When the cake is inverted and unmolded, the edges have an even, professional appearance."
Yield: 12 to 14 servings; Time: About 1-1/2 hours, plus chilling
This was featured in "An Alabama Chef and Her Beloved Desserts Hit the Big Time", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019330-dolester-miless-coconut-pecan-cake.
Note: Seriously, check out the article that this was featured in (link above). Makes for some interesting reading.
Ingredients
For the cake:
1 cup firmly packed sweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup pecan halves, toasted
2 cups granulated sugar
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pans
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter (1-1/2 sticks), softened, plus more for the pans
1/4 cup cream of coconut
4 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut milk
For the filling and simple syrup:
2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
4 tablespoons/ unsalted butter
1 tablespoon cream of coconut
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup granulated sugar
For the icing:
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon coconut extract
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottom of each with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper, then dust with flour, tapping out excess.
Finely grind the coconut in a food processor, then transfer to a bowl. Add pecans to the food processor, along with 2 tablespoons sugar, and finely grind them.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in coconut and pecans.
In the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, cream of coconut and the remaining sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the bowl as necessary, then beat in coconut extract.
Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the coconut milk, starting and ending with flour mixture. Divide batter between the pans and smooth the top of each with a spatula. Bake until cakes are golden and a tester comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cakes cool in the pans on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of each cake, invert onto rack, and remove the parchment. Let cool completely.
Meanwhile, make the filling: Place egg yolks in a small heatproof bowl and set aside. In a saucepan, combine condensed milk, butter and cream of coconut and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until hot, about 4 minutes. Whisk 1/3 of the hot milk into the egg yolks. Transfer egg mixture to the saucepan of milk and whisk constantly over medium-low heat until mixture has the consistency of pudding, about 4 minutes. Do not let the custard get too thick. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the shredded coconut. Let cool completely.
Make the simple syrup: In a saucepan, heat sugar and 1/2 cup water, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat.
Assemble the layer cake in a pan: Cut each cake in half horizontally. Place one layer in the bottom of a 9-inch cake pan, moisten the top with 2 to 3 tablespoons simple syrup and spread 1/2 cup of the coconut filling in a thin, even layer with an offset spatula. Repeat to make 2 more layers of cake and filling, then place the last layer on top. Refrigerate cake for about 1 hour. To unmold, run a spatula around the edges, invert a cake plate over the top, and flip the cake over onto the plate.
Make the icing: Whip the cream with the confectioners’ sugar and coconut extract until stiff peaks form. Spread on the top and sides of the cake and sprinkle with toasted coconut. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
Recipe Yield: Servings: 8
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chocolate-cheesecake.
Ingredients
Crust:
3/4 cup graham crackers crumbs
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons canola or olive oil
Filling:
3 large egg whites
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups nonfat ricotta cheese
1/4 cup cocoa
1/3 cup yogurt cheese **
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
** Place plain, nonfat yogurt into cheese cloth or a coffee filter. Place in strainer over a small bowl or cup. Allow to drain 2 to 24 hours, covered and refrigerated, until cheese reached desired consistency. Discard the whey (liquid). Store in covered container in refrigerator.
Directions
Part 1:
Preheat oven TO 350F. Spray 8-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Fill a 13x9x2-inch pan halfway with hot water.
Place in oven on shelf below where chocolate cheesecake will be placed. This will prevent the top of cheesecake from cracking.
In small bowl, combine all crust ingredients. Press onto bottom and part-way up sides of pan. Set aside.
Part 2:
In food processor or blender, combine egg whites, sugar, ricotta, cocoa, yogurt cheese and vanilla; process, scraping sides occasionally, for 1 minute until smooth and thick. Pour into crust.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes until filling is just set (center will jiggle slightly). Turn off oven and leave cake in closed oven 5 minutes longer.
Remove from oven and cool about an hour on wire rack. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 176; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 140 m; Protein: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch; 1/2 skim milk
ONE-LAYER FROSTED CARROT CAKE
This comes from Diana Rattray, who writes for The Spruce Eats. She wrote, "This quick-and-easy one-layer frosted carrot cake is baked in an 8 or 9-inch square pan, a nice size for most small families.
"Adding raisins or chopped dates to this already moist cake makes for an even moister end product. The recipe easily can be doubled, and baked in a 13 x 9-inch pan. The frosting recipe will be ample for topping a sheet pan cake of this size.
"If you choose to make a layer cake, double the recipe for the batter and bake two (9-inch) round pans. Cut each 9-inch layer in half horizontally to make a four-layer cake. Fill and frost with a double recipe of cream cheese frosting."
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 60 minutes, Makes 9 servings
View this online at https://www.thespruceeats.com/one-layer-carrot-cake-3052459.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour (stirred before measuring)
1 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large room-temperature eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup grated carrots
1 cup chopped walnuts
Optional: 1/2 cup raisins or chopped dates
For the Frosting:
1 (3-ounce) package room-temperature cream cheese
1 tablespoon warm water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
Directions
Make the Cake
Gather the ingredients.
Preheat oven to 325 F/165 C. Grease and flour an 8- or 9-inch square pan and set aside.
Measure flour and add to a large mixing bowl along with the sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Blend for 1 minute on low speed of electric mixer.
Stir carrots, nuts, and optional raisins or dates into the batter. Pour into the prepared pan.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a wooden pick inserted in the center, comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack. Frost cooled cake with cream cheese frosting. Store leftovers in the refrigerator. Let come to room temperature before serving.
Make the Frosting
Gather the ingredients.
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with water and vanilla until well mixed. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth and of spreading consistency.
This recipe will yield about 1-1/2 cups, enough to frost the top and sides of a 9-inch square cake or the top of a 13x9-inch cake. Double this recipe to frost a layer cake.
Serve and enjoy!
BEST PECAN PIE
My step-dad loved pecan pies, so I'm sure he would've loved this one. It's from Linda Larsen, a contributor at The Spruce Eats. She wrote, "This recipe makes a perfect pecan pie. By that, we mean a balanced sweet flavor, lots of toasted pecans, and the pie slices beautifully into wedges, looking just like pictures of pecan pie in a cookbook. Using a 9-inch pie shell, prepare to bake the crust and construct the sweet and delicious filling that makes these pies so popular and well loved. The method to make the pecan pie filling for this recipe is a bit unusual and offbeat, but it's not difficult to make.
"Pecan pies are traditionally enjoyed on the holidays or why not whip one up for a special occasion. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an irresistible dessert."
Prep Time: 25 minutes; Cook Time: 55 minutes; Total Time: 80 minutes; Servings: 6 to 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.thespruceeats.com/best-pecan-pie-483200.
Ingredients
1 (9-inch) pie shell
1/3 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups pecans (coarsely chopped)
Garnish: 1 cup large pecan halves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 F. Place the unbaked pie crust in the freezer until ready to bake. Then line pie crust with aluminum foil and pie weights or dried beans. Bake pie shell until set, about 5 to 6 minutes.
Remove the foil and weights and bake 2 to 3 minutes longer until crust is just beginning to brown on the edges.
As soon as the pie shell comes out of the oven, decrease the oven temperature to 300 F.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan. Remove from heat; mix in sugars and salt with a wire whisk until combined. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then beat in corn syrup and vanilla.
Place the saucepan over very low heat. Cook and stir constantly with a wire whisk until the mixture is very warm and thickened, about 6 to 7 minutes. You have to stir constantly with a whisk so the mixture cooks evenly and the eggs don't scramble on the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat and strain into a large bowl using a medium-mesh strainer. (This is important to remove any cooked egg.) Then, stir in the chopped pecans.
Pour the hot pecan mixture into the hot pie crust. Place large pecan halves on top of the filling in a decorative pattern.
Bake the pie until the center feels set but soft when touched with your finger, and moves slightly when the pie is gently jiggled, about 40 to 55 minutes. You may need to cover the edges of the crust with foil to prevent over-browning or cover the top of the pie with foil so it doesn't get too brown.
Transfer pie to a wire rack and let cool completely for at least 5 hours. It's best eaten within 12 to 14 hours.
FROSTED PEPPERMINT BROWNIES
This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, “Easy brownie-mix brownies get dressed up for the holidays with frosting and crushed peppermint candy.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes; Servings: 16
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 box (16 oz) Betty Crocker™ Supreme original brownie mix
Water, oil and egg called for on brownie mix box
1-1/4 cups Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting (from 16 oz container)
1/8 teaspoon mint or peppermint extract
Betty Crocker™ green or pink gel food color
Peppermint or spearmint candies, crushed, if desired
Directions
Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom of 9-inch square pan with shortening or cooking spray. Make and bake brownie batter as directed on box. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1-1/2 hours.In small bowl, stir together frosting, extract and food color until smooth. Spread frosting evenly over brownies. Sprinkle with crushed candies. For easier cutting, refrigerate about 15 minutes until frosting is set. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature.
Expert Tips
Cut brownies into bite-size pieces and serve in holiday paper liners for easy dessert pickups.
SHEET-PAN SWEET POTATO, PECAN AND PUMPKIN PIE
This is from Jocelyn Delk Adams on the Today website. It begins, "This is a fun recipe that will please everyone, even the pickiest people, on holidays! You can have three different flavors of pie all in one, so everyone is satisfied.
"Swap option: You can use canned sweet potato and canned pumpkin. Also puff pastry is a fun sub for refrigerated pie dough."
Prep Time: 60 minutes; Cook Time: 60 minutes; Servings: 16
To view this online, go to https://www.today.com/recipes/sheet-pan-sweet-potato-pecan-pumpkin-pie-recipe-t200661.
Ingredients
Crust
2 boxes refrigerated rolled pie crust (4 crusts total)
1 egg plus 1 teaspoon water, whisked together
Pumpkin Pie Filling
1 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 large egg, room temperature
Pecan Pie Filling
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
4 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch kosher salt
2 cups pecans, roasted and roughly chopped
Sweet Potato Filling
2/3 cup granulated sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2/3 sweet potato, fully cooked and mashed
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup evaporated milk
Preparation
For the crusts:
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Unroll 3 of the pie crusts on a lightly floured work surface. Stack them on top of each other. Roll out the thick, layered dough to a 15- by 21-inch rectangle. Press into a rimmed baking sheet so that the crust comes up the sides and hangs over slightly. This will be the bottom crust.
Chill until ready to use, at least 30 minutes.
For the pumpkin pie filling:
Whisk together the pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice and the egg in a medium bowl until smooth. Cover and set aside.
For the pecan pie filling:
Whisk together the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, eggs, vanilla and salt in a medium bowl until smooth. Fold in the pecans, cover and set aside.
For the sweet potato pie filling:
Using a handheld mixer, beat together the sugar and butter until fluffy, then carefully mix in the egg and vanilla. Once combined, add mashed sweet potato, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. As the mixture begins to smooth out, gradually pour in the evaporated milk. Mix until fully incorporated, cover and set aside.
To assemble:
Remove the prepared baking sheet with dough from the refrigerator. Using a fork, poke the pie crust about a dozen times, going all around the dough (except for the crust).
Using a large spatula, carefully scoop, spread and smooth each filling onto the crust. On the left side, start with the sweet potato and allow it to only take up 1/3 of the pan. Next, scoop out the pumpkin pie filling on the opposite right side leaving just the center open then add the pecan filling to the center (because there is a bit more liquid in the pecan mixture, it will spread a bit, do your best to control it by quickly scooping, spreading and smoothing).
Finally, decorate the outside pie dough that is hanging over and brush the outside of the pie crust with your egg wash.
Bake until all pies are set and the crust is golden-brown and crisp, about 50-60 minutes.
Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to completely cool, about 1-1 1/2 hours. Tightly cover the top with nonstick aluminum foil (or plastic wrap) and transfer to the refrigerator to set for at least 4 hours. Overnight is best.
Allow the pie to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving. Slice, serve and enjoy!
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