Gourmet Cookie Bouquets Recipe Blog

Archive for the ‘Desserts’ Category

I love how each new season brings a new flavor of pie to mind.  Summer is here, which is the perfect time to make a delicious cherry pie.  Fresh or frozen cherries can be used, and tart are the best as they nicely complement the nutmeg and cinnamon spices! It's the best use of that fruit basket you just received.

Ingredients:

Filling:

• 1-1/4 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup cherry juice blend
• 4 cups fresh tart cherries, pitted or frozen pitted tart cherries, thawed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Crust:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup shortening
• 3 to 4 tablespoons cold water

Directions:

• In a large saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; gradually stir in cherry juice until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Add the cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg and extract; set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add cold water, tossing with a fork until a ball forms. Divide pastry in half so that one ball is slightly larger than the other.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out larger ball to fit a 9-in. pie plate. Transfer pastry to pie plate; trim even with edge of plate. Add filling. Roll out remaining pastry; make a lattice crust. Trim, seal and flute edges.
• Bake at 425° for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 375°; bake 45-50 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

If you're loving this cherry recipe, you must attempt this recipe for Easy Cherry Cobbler.

Everyone loves the ooey gooey deliciousness of caramel rolls fresh from the oven!  Start your weekend morning off right with this special treat.  You can make it with or without the nuts, depending on how your family like it.

Ingredients:

1 cup crushed walnuts (optional)
1 package of frozen bread dough balls
1 package regular vanilla or butterscotch pudding (not instant!)
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon cream (optional)

Directions:

1. Grease a bundt pan well and sprinkle the crushed walnuts in the bottom of the pan. Place the package of FROZEN dough balls on top the gourmet nuts - distributing them evenly around the pan.

2. In a saucepan or in the microwave, melt together the butter, sugar, cinnamon and cream. Let cool slightly and then pour over the dough balls.

3. Leave bundt pan on the kitchen counter to rise overnight (top with wax paper or tinfoil sprayed with pam).

4. When you get up in the morning, heat the oven to 350 F. Bake rolls for 25 - 30 minutes and flip them out onto a serving platter while they are still hot. Pull off as many rolls as you'd like an enjoy!

If you thought these rolls were delicious, try this recipe for Custard with Caramel Syrup.

Snack mixes are a great "throw together" treat for any occasion.  You can also put your favorite snack mix in a decorative jar or tin for that perfect just because gift.

Below are my 2 favorite sweet snack mixes that will have you hooked after the first handful!

Fritos Sweet Snack Mix

INGREDIENTS

*2 cups brown sugar
*2 sticks butter
*1/2 cup Karo® syrup
*1 box rice Chex®
*1 bag Fritos®
*1 can peanuts or mixed nuts (I used peanuts)
*1 bag M&M's®

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl mix all dry ingredients (minus the M&M's).
2. Bring sugar, butter and syrup to a boil.
3. Pour caramel mixture over the mix and stir.
4. Spread in two 9x13 cake pans.
5. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes, stir and bake another 8 minutes.
6. Pour in brown paper bag to cool, mixing every so often to keep from clumping together. 7. Once totally cool, add M&M's.

Puppy Chow

INGREDIENTS

*9 cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex®, Wheat Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
*1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
*1/2 cup peanut butter
*1/4 cup butter or margarine
*1 teaspoon vanilla
*1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

If you love this recipe, you'll really enjoy this article on the Top 10 Snack Mix Recipes.

Have you been hit by Spring Fever yet?  Here's a delicious trifle dessert that is bursting with sweet, juicy fruit basket flavor along with a creamy texture.

Ingredients:

* 4 cups fresh ripe peaches (about 5 large or 7 medium peaches)
* 3 Tbsp sugar
* 1 - 16 oz loaf of frozen pound cake, thawed and cut into 1 inch cubes
* 1 - 12 oz container Cool Whip, thawed
* 2 (3.9 oz) packages of instant vanilla pudding
* 3 cups of milk
* 1/4 cup slivered almonds

Directions:

1. Peel the peaches and slice into segments. Put in glass bowl and sprinkle them with sugar. Toss and let stand for 20 minutes or until juicy.

2. Prepare pudding by putting the mixes in a bowl and adding the 3 cups of milk. Beat on low speed for about 2 minutes or until it starts to thicken slightly.

3. Place 1/2 of the cubed pound cake in the bottom of the trifle bowl. Then 1/2 of the vanilla pudding spreading to make a nice layer. Then put in 1/2 of the peach slices (we don't use all the juice). Then 1/2 of the Cool Whip. Be sure to use a spatula to even out each layer. Repeat the process again adding the rest of the cake, then pudding, then peaches , then cool whip.

4. Cover the trifle and chill in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours. Sprinkle the top with the slivered almonds just prior to serving.

Want more trifle recipes? Give these a whirl:

• Chocolate and Fruit Trifle Recipe
• Strawberry Valentine Trifle Recipe
• Chocolate Brownie Trifle

Here's a great gourmet dessert that is both pretty to look at and delicious to eat!  Layering just a few ingredients in a trifle bowl makes for an impressive presentation.  Perfect for a Valentine brunch or romantic dinner for 2!

You do need to plan for this dessert ahead of time, as it needs to chill for 8 hours or overnight.