Here's another cool dessert for an out door gathering. 12 ounces gingersnap cookies (about 50 cookies) 1/3 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided 1/2 cup butter, melted and slightly cooled 6 cups chopped fresh peaches (5 to 6 medium peaches) 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons water1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 (3.4-ounce) box vanilla instant pudding mix 1 cup half-and-half 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened 3 cups heavy

Here's a nice refreshing dessert for a summer cookout. Crust: 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 5 to 6 tablespoons butter, melted Filling: 1 cup fresh blueberries 1/4 cup water 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 tablespoon light corn syrup 3/4 teaspoon cornstarch 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Garnish: fresh blueberrie

Blackberries always brings me back to my grndmothers yard. We would pick the blackberries for her to make many different things with. 1 1/4 cups butter, softened 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 2 cups quick-cooking oats 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 13 ounces blackberry preserves 1 1/2 cups fresh blackberries, sliced lengthwise 1 tablespoon lemon zest Preheat oven to 350℉. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting excess extend over si

With the opening of our Farmer's market, I often find the best fresh berries. This week, we will celebrate them witha couple of dessert recipes. 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour 1/3 cup plus 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar, divided 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1/2 cup cold butter, softened 1/3 cup ice cold water 3 cups mixed fresh berries (ie. Sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1 larg

Here's the filling and assembly instructions for Monday's recipe Lemon Curd 1 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch Pinch of salt 6 egg yolks, beaten 2/3 cup water 4 teaspoons lemon zest 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice Mix sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a heavy saucepan. Place over medium-high heat; stir in egg yolks, water, lemon zest, and lemon juice; cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Transfer to a heatproof dish and cover with plastic wrap, pressing

Time to bring out your pastry skills. This week is a two for one group of recipes. Cream Puffs 1 cup water 1 stick butter 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup all-purpose flour 4 large eggs Preheat oven to 400℉. Grease a baking sheet. Crack eggs into individual prep bowls and place near cooktop. Place water, butter and salt in a heavy saucepan; bring to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture forms a cohesive ball. Re

Snickerdoodles are one of my favorite cookies. Here, we dress them up with carnival colors. 1 cup butter, softened 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar 2 large eggs, room temperature 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 cup purple sanding sugar 1/4 cup yellow sanding sugar 1/4 cup green sanding sugar In the bowl

This week, I am going to share a couple of dessert finger foods. THis first one could also be served for breakfast. Canola oil, for frying 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1 cup whole buttermilk 2 large eggs, room temperature 2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Buttermilk Glaze (recipe follows) In a large D

Happy New Years! Here's a recipe for my favorite kond of fudge 6 cups sugar 4 tablespoons cocoa powder 13 ounces evaporated milk 1 stick butter 18 ounces smooth peanut butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Combine sugar and cocoa powder in a Dutch oven; whisk to blend. Add evaporated milk and butter. Place over medium heat; bring to a hard simmer and cook, stirring constantly while scraping the bottom of the pot, until a candy thermometer registers 240℉, about 5 to 6 minutes. Rem

We are going to end this year and start next year with a sweet tooth. 7 ounces marshmallow créme 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels 1 teaspoon vanilla Caramel 1 1/2 sticks butter 5 ounces evaporated milk 3 cups sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt Spoon marshmallow créme into a large mixing bowl. Add chocolate morsels and vanilla extract; set aside. In a large heavy sauce pot (not cast iron or non-stick), bring butter and evaporated milk to a boil over medium-high heat. Add sugar and sal

Merry Christmas! Here's something sweet for your day. 3 cups sugar (white, brown or combination) 1 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons water 1/2 teaspoon salt 2/3 stick butter 2 cups chopped pecans 1 teaspoon vanilla Combine sugar, cream, water, and salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and stir well. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once at a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until a candy thermometer registers 236℉ to 240

These are great either for breakfast or dessert. 1 (17.3 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed (2 sheets) 1 large egg, lightly beaten 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 tablespoon butter, softened 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 egg yolk, room temperature 1 teaspoon vailiia extracy 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted, plus more for drizzling Confectioners' sugar 36 small raspberries Preheat oven to 400℉. Line

This week, a couple of bite sized sweets that are perfect for holiday gatherings. 3 cups finely ground gingersnap cookies 2 1/3 cups sugar, divided 4 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted 2 tablespoons lightly packed orange zest, divided 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 5 large eggs, room temperature 1 cup sour cream, room temperature 1/3 cup heavy cream, room temperature Garnish: chopped c

Here's an oldie but a goodie. It was popular in the 1980's. 2 cups sugar 1 cup shortening 4 eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt...

This week, I want to feature some iconic cakes. Let's start with on from the 50's. 3 cups sifted cake or all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon...

To make beignets from scratch is a labor of love. Her's a recipe. 3/4 cup lukewarm water (no hotter than 110℉) 1 (1/4-ounce) package...

This week, I want to share a two part breakfast/dessert dish. Here is the sauce component. 1 1/2 cups strong coffee 3/4 cup heavy cream...

Here's a new way to make bread pudding. You can't go wrong with the flavor of Bananas Foster. 8 cups day-old French bread, cubed 1 cup...

6 ounces cream cheese, softened 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar 1 egg yolk 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2...

This week, we will use the King Cake dough from Jan 6 to prepare a traditional King Cake. Here's the frosting 4 ounces cream cheese,...