Friday Desserts
It's finally Friday. (Yay!) Here are six yummy desserts to help you through the weekend, including Chocolate-Orange Maple Snaps and Pear and Gingersnap Crumble. Enjoy!
FUDGY MICROWAVE MUG BROWNIES
This is from Danilo Alfaro on TheSpruceEats. Danilo wrote, "I don't know why I ever rolled my eyes (figuratively) at the idea of microwave mug brownies. I even claim in my bio that I'm no food snob, and yet my first reaction to mug brownies was 'well, bless its little heart.'
"I've since come around. As anyone knows, brownies are wonderful no matter their shape or receptacle. Furthermore, any cooking technique that saves time is one worth considering.
"Mug brownies are also a real boon to anyone who, like myself, lacks restraint. Since it's a single serving, you need not fear waking up some morning and realizing that you ate a whole 9-inch pan of brownies by yourself the night before.
"Finally, mug brownies are, by definition, prepared and served in a mug, and anything served in a mug is warming and soothing to the spirit. If you've ever enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate after being out in the snow, you know what I'm talking about. Mug brownies are merely the next step in the evolution of hot chocolate.
"Maybe someday all food will be prepared and served in mugs. What about mug mac and cheese? Or mug pizza? I'm sure someone is working on those as we speak."
You can view the recipe (with photo) online, as well as read the rest of Danilo's post about this recipe at https://www.thespruceeats.com/fudgy-microwave-mug-brownies-recipe-4129137.
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 2 minutes; Total Time: 7 Minutes; Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
2 tablespoons/1 ounce vegetable oil
2 tablespoons/1 ounce brewed coffee
Dash vanilla extract
1/4 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Dash salt
2 tablespoons chocolate chips
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
In a mixing bowl with a spout, whisk the oil, coffee, and vanilla, until combined.
Do the same with the sugar, cocoa, and finally, the flour, one at a time, whisking until fully incorporated. Stir in the salt.
Finally, stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour the batter into a standard 12-ounce mug.
Microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the wattage of your microwave.
Let cool slightly before enjoying.
NUTELLA MUG CAKE
This easy yumminess is from TheSpruceEats, and begins, “This gloriously simple mug cake recipe puts you just 60 seconds away from a super indulgent dessert for Nutella lovers looking to satisfy a craving in a hurry. With ingredients you probably already have on hand, this is a perfect sweet treat for one.”
Total Time: 7 minutes; Prep: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 2 minutes; Yield: 1 Serving.
To view this yumminess online, click here.
Ingredients
1/4 cup whole milk (can also use 2 percent)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup Nutella
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Add milk, flour, and baking powder in a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug. Whisk until smooth.
Add the Nutella and stir until the batter has no lumps.
Microwave on high for about 45 to 60 seconds.
Continue microwaving slowly in 15-second intervals. Microwaves vary but what you’re looking for is to see the cake look set and dry, the edges will pull away from the side of the mug and the cake will feel springy and fluffy to the touch. It will probably take an additional 30 to 60 seconds in total.
For best results, serve immediately.
BUTTER MOCHI
This is from Genevieve Ko in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. She wrote, "Tender and chewy, this big-batch dessert — as comforting as cake and as fun as bar cookies — is always a hit at parties. Mochiko, sweet rice flour, not only gives it its distinctive marshmallow-like softness, but it also lends a natural sweetness. This version of butter mochi uses only coconut milk for its richness and subtle nutty taste, but you can substitute equivalent amounts of whole milk, evaporated milk or a combination of those liquids. Butter mochi develops a crackly top that stays crunchy the day it’s baked, making it a delicious dessert to eat without adornment. But, if you’d like more crunch, you can sprinkle dried shredded coconut evenly over the top before baking, or, for a tangy, colorful top, you can coat it with the passion fruit glaze below."
This was featured in "The Best Party Dessert Comes From Hawaii", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022347-butter-mochi.
Yield: 1 (9-by-13-inch) cake; Time: 2 hours, plus cooling
Ingredients
For the Mochi:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for greasing the pan
3 cups mochiko (sweet rice flour), like Blue Star brand
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
4 large eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
2 (13.5-ounce) cans unsweetened coconut milk (scant 3-1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
For the Passion Fruit Glaze (optional):
1-1/2 packed cups confectioners’ sugar
2 to 4 tablespoons passion fruit pulp or purée (see Tip)
Pink or red food coloring (optional)
Preparation
Make the mochi: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch cake pan, then line the bottom and sides with parchment paper.
Whisk the mochiko, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Prepare the batter in a stand mixer or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer or whisk: Whisk the eggs and sugar until pale yellow and thick. Continue whisking while pouring in the coconut milk, then the butter and vanilla. Continue whisking while gradually adding the mochiko mixture. Whisk until the batter is completely smooth. Pour into the prepared pan, then tap it against the counter to get rid of any air bubbles.
Bake until golden brown and crackly, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1-1/2 hours. When you press the center, it should bounce back but not indent at all. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Use the parchment paper to slide the cooled mochi out of the pan.
The mochi is delicious plain, but you can add a glaze if you’d like: Mix the confectioners’ sugar with 2 tablespoons passion fruit pulp until smooth. It should be thick but drippy. If needed, add another 1 to 2 tablespoons pulp. If you’d like to create an ombré or sunset effect, scrape some into another bowl or multiple bowls and tint with food coloring. Spread the glaze evenly over the mochi, in stripes if you’d like, and let stand until set.
Cut the mochi into squares or bars. Serve immediately, or keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tip
You can buy pure passion fruit purée from specialty markets and some grocery stores in the frozen fruit section. If you can’t find the fruit or purée, you can substitute passion fruit juice or nectar, but it will be much sweeter. To prepare passion fruit pulp from fresh fruit, halve 2 fruits and scrape the pulp into a small microwave-safe bowl or saucepan. Warm by microwaving for 15 seconds or heating on low until loose and runny. Press through a sieve to extract the pulp from the seeds.
PEAR AND GINGERSNAP CRUMBLE
This is from the November/December 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42), and begins, "Canned pears are already tender, so this crumble only needs to bake until the juices bubble, cutting the cooking time to less than half that of making this dessert with fresh fruit." Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/pear-and-gingersnap-crumble/.
Ingredients
2 29-oz. cans pear halves in heavy syrup
3 Tbs. diced crystallized ginger
5 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted
10 oz. (about 40) gingersnap cookies
3 Tbs. dark brown sugar
1 pint low-fat vanilla ice cream
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375F. Coat 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray, and set aside.
Drain all but 1/3 cup syrup from canned pears. Cut pears into large chunks. Toss pears, reserved 1/3 cup of syrup, ginger and 1 Tbs. butter in prepared baking dish.
Pulse cookies in food processor until coarsely crumbled. Add sugar and remaining 4 Tbs. butter, and pulse to blend. Sprinkle cookie mixture over pears. Bake 18 minutes, or until juices bubble. Spoon into bowls, top with dollop of ice cream, and serve.
PEACHY DESSERT
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves 12
Ingredients
1 angel food cake
3-1/2 oz. package instant vanilla pudding
1-1/2 cups milk
6 oz. peach yogurt
1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
21 oz. can peach pie filling
1 (8-oz.) container of Cool Whip
Directions
Trim crust from angel food cake and tear into bite-sized pieces. Beat instant vanilla pudding mix with the milk and then stir in peach yogurt. In a 9x13-inch pan (or a pretty glass truffle bowl) layer half of the angel food cake pieces, then half of the peach pie filling and half of the pudding mixture. Repeat layers. Cover the top with Cool Whip. Garnish with sliced almonds. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.
NOTE: For a lower calorie dessert you can substitute instant sugar free pudding, low fat yogurt and 1% or skim milk.
CHOCOLATE-ORANGE MAPLE SNAPS
This is from March 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 71), and begins, "These snaps are great on their own, or as wafers for sandwich cookies. Maple syrup lends flavor and moisture, which lets you cut down on oil in the dough." Makes 40 cookies in 30 minutes or less.
This can be viewed online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/chocolate-orange-maple-snaps/.
Ingredients
3/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup canola oil
1 Tbs. cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbs. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbs. grated orange zest
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
3 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat three baking sheets with cooking spray.
Whisk together maple syrup, oil, cornstarch mixture, vanilla, and orange zest in large bowl.
Sift together flours, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk dry ingredients into wet ingredients until smooth.
Measure out cookie dough in 1-tsp. scoops, and arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until cookies are firm on top and edges have darkened.
FUDGY MICROWAVE MUG BROWNIES
This is from Danilo Alfaro on TheSpruceEats. Danilo wrote, "I don't know why I ever rolled my eyes (figuratively) at the idea of microwave mug brownies. I even claim in my bio that I'm no food snob, and yet my first reaction to mug brownies was 'well, bless its little heart.'
"I've since come around. As anyone knows, brownies are wonderful no matter their shape or receptacle. Furthermore, any cooking technique that saves time is one worth considering.
"Mug brownies are also a real boon to anyone who, like myself, lacks restraint. Since it's a single serving, you need not fear waking up some morning and realizing that you ate a whole 9-inch pan of brownies by yourself the night before.
"Finally, mug brownies are, by definition, prepared and served in a mug, and anything served in a mug is warming and soothing to the spirit. If you've ever enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate after being out in the snow, you know what I'm talking about. Mug brownies are merely the next step in the evolution of hot chocolate.
"Maybe someday all food will be prepared and served in mugs. What about mug mac and cheese? Or mug pizza? I'm sure someone is working on those as we speak."
You can view the recipe (with photo) online, as well as read the rest of Danilo's post about this recipe at https://www.thespruceeats.com/fudgy-microwave-mug-brownies-recipe-4129137.
Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 2 minutes; Total Time: 7 Minutes; Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
2 tablespoons/1 ounce vegetable oil
2 tablespoons/1 ounce brewed coffee
Dash vanilla extract
1/4 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Dash salt
2 tablespoons chocolate chips
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
In a mixing bowl with a spout, whisk the oil, coffee, and vanilla, until combined.
Do the same with the sugar, cocoa, and finally, the flour, one at a time, whisking until fully incorporated. Stir in the salt.
Finally, stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour the batter into a standard 12-ounce mug.
Microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the wattage of your microwave.
Let cool slightly before enjoying.
NUTELLA MUG CAKE
This easy yumminess is from TheSpruceEats, and begins, “This gloriously simple mug cake recipe puts you just 60 seconds away from a super indulgent dessert for Nutella lovers looking to satisfy a craving in a hurry. With ingredients you probably already have on hand, this is a perfect sweet treat for one.”
Total Time: 7 minutes; Prep: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 2 minutes; Yield: 1 Serving.
To view this yumminess online, click here.
Ingredients
1/4 cup whole milk (can also use 2 percent)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup Nutella
Directions
Gather the ingredients.
Add milk, flour, and baking powder in a 12-ounce microwave-safe mug. Whisk until smooth.
Add the Nutella and stir until the batter has no lumps.
Microwave on high for about 45 to 60 seconds.
Continue microwaving slowly in 15-second intervals. Microwaves vary but what you’re looking for is to see the cake look set and dry, the edges will pull away from the side of the mug and the cake will feel springy and fluffy to the touch. It will probably take an additional 30 to 60 seconds in total.
For best results, serve immediately.
BUTTER MOCHI
This is from Genevieve Ko in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. She wrote, "Tender and chewy, this big-batch dessert — as comforting as cake and as fun as bar cookies — is always a hit at parties. Mochiko, sweet rice flour, not only gives it its distinctive marshmallow-like softness, but it also lends a natural sweetness. This version of butter mochi uses only coconut milk for its richness and subtle nutty taste, but you can substitute equivalent amounts of whole milk, evaporated milk or a combination of those liquids. Butter mochi develops a crackly top that stays crunchy the day it’s baked, making it a delicious dessert to eat without adornment. But, if you’d like more crunch, you can sprinkle dried shredded coconut evenly over the top before baking, or, for a tangy, colorful top, you can coat it with the passion fruit glaze below."
This was featured in "The Best Party Dessert Comes From Hawaii", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022347-butter-mochi.
Yield: 1 (9-by-13-inch) cake; Time: 2 hours, plus cooling
Ingredients
For the Mochi:
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for greasing the pan
3 cups mochiko (sweet rice flour), like Blue Star brand
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
4 large eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
2 (13.5-ounce) cans unsweetened coconut milk (scant 3-1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
For the Passion Fruit Glaze (optional):
1-1/2 packed cups confectioners’ sugar
2 to 4 tablespoons passion fruit pulp or purée (see Tip)
Pink or red food coloring (optional)
Preparation
Make the mochi: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch cake pan, then line the bottom and sides with parchment paper.
Whisk the mochiko, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Prepare the batter in a stand mixer or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer or whisk: Whisk the eggs and sugar until pale yellow and thick. Continue whisking while pouring in the coconut milk, then the butter and vanilla. Continue whisking while gradually adding the mochiko mixture. Whisk until the batter is completely smooth. Pour into the prepared pan, then tap it against the counter to get rid of any air bubbles.
Bake until golden brown and crackly, 1 hour 15 minutes to 1-1/2 hours. When you press the center, it should bounce back but not indent at all. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Use the parchment paper to slide the cooled mochi out of the pan.
The mochi is delicious plain, but you can add a glaze if you’d like: Mix the confectioners’ sugar with 2 tablespoons passion fruit pulp until smooth. It should be thick but drippy. If needed, add another 1 to 2 tablespoons pulp. If you’d like to create an ombré or sunset effect, scrape some into another bowl or multiple bowls and tint with food coloring. Spread the glaze evenly over the mochi, in stripes if you’d like, and let stand until set.
Cut the mochi into squares or bars. Serve immediately, or keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Tip
You can buy pure passion fruit purée from specialty markets and some grocery stores in the frozen fruit section. If you can’t find the fruit or purée, you can substitute passion fruit juice or nectar, but it will be much sweeter. To prepare passion fruit pulp from fresh fruit, halve 2 fruits and scrape the pulp into a small microwave-safe bowl or saucepan. Warm by microwaving for 15 seconds or heating on low until loose and runny. Press through a sieve to extract the pulp from the seeds.
PEAR AND GINGERSNAP CRUMBLE
This is from the November/December 2006 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 42), and begins, "Canned pears are already tender, so this crumble only needs to bake until the juices bubble, cutting the cooking time to less than half that of making this dessert with fresh fruit." Makes 8 servings
To view this online, go to https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/pear-and-gingersnap-crumble/.
Ingredients
2 29-oz. cans pear halves in heavy syrup
3 Tbs. diced crystallized ginger
5 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted
10 oz. (about 40) gingersnap cookies
3 Tbs. dark brown sugar
1 pint low-fat vanilla ice cream
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375F. Coat 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray, and set aside.
Drain all but 1/3 cup syrup from canned pears. Cut pears into large chunks. Toss pears, reserved 1/3 cup of syrup, ginger and 1 Tbs. butter in prepared baking dish.
Pulse cookies in food processor until coarsely crumbled. Add sugar and remaining 4 Tbs. butter, and pulse to blend. Sprinkle cookie mixture over pears. Bake 18 minutes, or until juices bubble. Spoon into bowls, top with dollop of ice cream, and serve.
PEACHY DESSERT
This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. Serves 12
Ingredients
1 angel food cake
3-1/2 oz. package instant vanilla pudding
1-1/2 cups milk
6 oz. peach yogurt
1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
21 oz. can peach pie filling
1 (8-oz.) container of Cool Whip
Directions
Trim crust from angel food cake and tear into bite-sized pieces. Beat instant vanilla pudding mix with the milk and then stir in peach yogurt. In a 9x13-inch pan (or a pretty glass truffle bowl) layer half of the angel food cake pieces, then half of the peach pie filling and half of the pudding mixture. Repeat layers. Cover the top with Cool Whip. Garnish with sliced almonds. Refrigerate at least 4 hours.
NOTE: For a lower calorie dessert you can substitute instant sugar free pudding, low fat yogurt and 1% or skim milk.
CHOCOLATE-ORANGE MAPLE SNAPS
This is from March 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times (page 71), and begins, "These snaps are great on their own, or as wafers for sandwich cookies. Maple syrup lends flavor and moisture, which lets you cut down on oil in the dough." Makes 40 cookies in 30 minutes or less.
This can be viewed online at https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/chocolate-orange-maple-snaps/.
Ingredients
3/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup canola oil
1 Tbs. cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbs. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbs. grated orange zest
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
3 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat three baking sheets with cooking spray.
Whisk together maple syrup, oil, cornstarch mixture, vanilla, and orange zest in large bowl.
Sift together flours, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk dry ingredients into wet ingredients until smooth.
Measure out cookie dough in 1-tsp. scoops, and arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until cookies are firm on top and edges have darkened.


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