Blueberry Breakfast Cake
Some would call this a coffee cake, but I like to call it a Breakfast Cake. It really is very easy to make and all you need it a Bundt type pan. If you don’t have a Bundt pan than improvise. I’ve been known to bake in all sorts of things like French Jam Jars. You can use fresh or frozen blueberries.
INGREDIENTS
2 Cups Unbleached Flour
3 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
3/4 Cup Softened Butter
1 Cup Sugar
3 Room Temperature Eggs
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
3/4 Cup Buttermilk or Sour Milk
1 Pint Blueberries
Preheat your oven to 350° F. In a large mixing bowl beat the eggs and sugar. Add the melted butter and continue mixing. Add the Vanilla and mix a bit more. In a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Alternately add the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the egg mixture ending with the flour mixture. Finally, add the blueberries and stir to combine. Pour into a prepared Bundt cake pan (grease and flour) and place on the middle rack of the oven for 50 minutes until the cake is golden brown. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes. Turn the cake out onto a cake plate and let cool completely before cutting into slices. You don’t want the cake to fall apart. Serve for breakfast or brunch. Serves 8
*Note: To Make Sour Milk Add 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice To Milk And Let Stand For 5 Minutes. The Lemon Juice Will Curdle The Milk.
Classic Chocolate Brownie Cookies
Everyone loves cookies and for me they’re an essential food group. The magic is proportions and the quality of the ingredients. These cookies will transform teatime, bring a smile to a neighbor’s face, picnics and make the sun come out for young ones coming home from school on a rainy afternoon. For efficiency and uniform results, invest in a small handheld cookie scoop. It looks and works just like an ice cream scoop and cuts your production time in half.
INGREDIENTS
12 Ounces Chopped Bittersweet Chocolate
4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
3 Eggs
3/4 Cup Turbinado Sugar
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1/3 Cup Unbleached Flour
1/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Cup Chopped Pecans or Walnuts (Optional)
Preheat your oven to 325° F. In a double boiler melt the chocolate and butter together over simmering water. Let cool. In a large size bowl mix together the eggs, sugar and vanilla. In a medium size bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Fold the chocolate and butter mixture into the egg mixture. Fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Finally, fold in the pecans or walnuts if you are using them. Make sure not to overmix. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes until puffed and cracked. Makes 4 dozen cookies.
Mixed Berry & Sour Cherry Cobbler
I cannot tell you how delicious this cobbler was! It was the perfect ending to a beautiful Sunday meal. For this cobbler I used Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries and Pitted Sour Cherries. The combination turned out fabulous.
INGREDIENTS
Filling:
8 Cups Fresh or Frozen Mixed Berries (Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries & Strawberries)
2 Pounds Pitted Sour Cherries
3/4 Cup Sugar
2 Tablespoons Finely Ground Instant Tapioca
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 Cup Orange Juice
Crust:
1 Cup Unbleached Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
8 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
1 Cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Grind the tapioca in a coffee grinder and set aside. The tapioca will thicken the juices so that the cobbler isn’t thin.
For the filling: In a large size bowl toss together the berries, cherries, 3/4 cup of sugar, ground tapioca, 1/2 teaspoon salt and orange juice. Transfer to a large glass baking dish (at least 2 1/2 quarts).
For the crust: Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. Cream together the butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a large size bowl. Slowly beat in the flour mixture until a moist dough forms. Spoon the dough over the filling.
Bake the cobbler for 1 1/4 hours until the juices are thick and bubbly and the topping is golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Serve with vanilla ice cream. Serves 12
Mother’s Day Breakfast Cobbler
Don’t be afraid to make this fruit dessert for Mother’s Day breakfast. Serve it with a scoop of plain yogurt on the top. Everyone loves this breakfast treat.
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Unbleached Flour
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 1/4 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
4 Tablespoons Chilled Unsalted Butter
1/4 Cup Room Temperature Honey
1/2 Cup Milk
1 Pound Ripe Plums (Split In Half & Pitted)
3 Tablespoons Light Brown Sugar
3 Tablespoons Wheat Germ
Plain Yogurt For Serving
Preheat your oven to 375° F. Lightly butter and flour a medium size glass baking dish. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon in a large size bowl. Using a hand held pastry blender or two forks cut 3 tablespoons of the butter into the mixture until it is all crumbly. In a small size bowl whisk together the honey and milk. Add all at once to the dry ingredients. Stir to combine all of the dry ingredients. The spread the batter into the prepared baking pan. Using a knife score an X through the skin of each plum half. Arrange the plums skin side up in a single layer over the batter. Mix the brown sugar, wheat germ and remaining 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter to form a cumbly topping. Sprinkle the topping over the plums. Bake for 30 minutes until the center of the cobbler is set and the topping is nicely browned. Remove the cobbler from the oven and cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Slice into wedges and serve topped with plain yogurt. Serves 4
Mother’s Day Chocolate Mousse
Here is an easy, but elegant Chocolate Mousse that is sure to make your mother smile.
INGREDIENTS
3/4 Cup Unsalted Butter
3/4 Cup Unsweetened Dutch Cocoa
3 Large Separated Eggs
3/4 Cup Sugar
1 1/4 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
3 Tablespoons Orange Liqueur
3 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
Extra Whipped Cream For Garnish
Raspberries For Garnish
In a medium saucepan melt the unsalted butter over a low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the cocoa. Mix until smooth. Set aside to cool. In a large size bowl beat the egg yolks, with a hand mixer, until they are nice and thick. They should have a lemon color. Slowly beat in 1/4 cup of sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Now beat in the cocoa mixture on low. Stir in 1/4 cup of the heavy cream and the orange liqueur. In a medium size bowl beat the egg whites until they are stiff. Fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Beat the remaining heavy cream, sugar and vanilla in a medium size bowl until soft peaks form. Be careful not to over beat. You don’t want to end up with butter. Fold into the chocolate mixture. Spoon into individual dessert dishes. Refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Garnish with whipped cream and raspberries. Serves 8
Belgian Chocolate Brownies
To get the best brownies use the best chocolate and use a lot of it.
INGREDIENTS
8 Ounces Chopped Unsweetened Belgian Chocolate
1 Cup Unsalted Butter
6 Large Eggs
2 Tablespoons Vanilla Extract
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
3 1/2 Cups Sugar
2 Cups Unbleached Flour
1 Tablespoon Half & Half
Preheat your oven to 375° F. Line a 13×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper or you can butter the baking dish. We don’t want the brownies sticking to the pan!
In a double boiler or a heavy saucepan melt the chocolate and butter together over a low heat. Stir often and make sure not to overcook the chocolate and butter mixture. Remove from the heat and set aside to let cool.
In a large size bowl combine the eggs, vanilla and salt and sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add the flour and the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture – alternating. Mix until the batter is nice and smooth. Pour the batter into the baking dish and then brush the half & half evenly on top. Bake for 35 minutes. The brownies should look risen and lightly cracked on top. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan before cutting. Makes 18 brownies.
Camille’s Chocolate Cheesecake
If you want friends then make this cheesecake!
INGREDIENTS
Cheesecake Crust:
1 1/3 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/2 Stick Butter
1 Tablespoon Cocoa
Cheesecake:
12 Ounces Semisweet Chocolate (Chopped Small)
3 (8 Ounces Each) Packages of Cream Cheese
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 Tablespoon Custard Powder
3 Large Eggs
3 Large Egg Yolks
2/3 Cup Sour Cream
1/2Teaspoon Cocoa (Dissolved in 1 Tablespoon Hot Water)
Sauce:
3 Ounces Finely Chopped Bittersweet Chocolate
1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
1 Teaspoon Dark Corn Syrup
Preheat your oven to 350° F. For the crust put the graham crackers in either a blender or food processor. Add the butter and cocoa. Pulse until the crumbs are damp. Pour the crumbs mixture into a 9 inch springform pan. Spread evenly into the bottom of the pan and press well. Place into the freezer while you are preparing the filling.
To make the filling: Boil a small pan of water. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler and then set it aside to slightly cool. Beat the cream cheese to get it nice and soft. Add the powdered sugar and the custard powder. Beat again until well combined. Add the 3 eggs and also the additional 3 egg yolks. Beat for 20 seconds. Add the sour cream, the cocoa dissolved in hot water and melted chocolate. Beat until you have a smooth batter.
Remove the pan from the freezer and pour in the cheesecake filling. Bake in the oven for 1 hour. You will notice that the top of the cheesecake will be set, but the underside will have a bit of a jiggle to it. Don’t worry about that. Remove from the oven and let the cheesecake fully cool, in the pan, on a wire rack. When it is fully cooled cover with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator overnight. When you are ready to serve remove from the fridge and let it sit on the courter for 45 minutes before removing from the springform pan.
Remove from the pan and place on a cake plate. To make the chocolate sauce: Slowly melt the chocolate, cream and syrup in a double boiler. When the chocolate has almost melted remove from the heat and whisk it to make a smooth sauce. Let the sauce cool, on the counter, for 10 minutes and then pour over the cheesecake on the cake plate. Serves 8
*Note: You should be able to find custard powder in any British section of the grocery store. I usually use Birds Custard.
Coconut Cream Pie
Forget the diner and make your own delicious Coconut Cream Pie. It will be much better than the diner’s…trust me!
INGREDIENTS
Crust:
6 Ounces Animal Crackers
2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
1 Tablespoon Raw Sugar
5 Tablespoons Melted & Cooled Unsalted Butter
Filling:
1 Cup Whole Milk
14 Ounces Coconut Milk
1/2 Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
1/2 Cup Plus 1 Tablespoon Sugar
3/8 Teaspoon Salt
5 Large Egg Yolks
1/4Cup Cornstarch
2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter (Cut Into 2 Pieces)
1 1/2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
Whipped Cream:
1 1/2 Cups Cold Heavy Whipping Cream
2 Tablespoons Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Tablespoon Toasted Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
Move your oven rack to the lower middle and preheat to 325° F. In a blender or food processor combine the animal crackers, coconut and sugar. Pulse for about 20 seconds until the crumbs are almost powdery. Pour the crumbs into a medium size bowl and add the butter. Stir until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Pour the moistened crumbs into a 9 inch pie plate. Using the bottom of a drinking glass press the crumbs evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate. Bake for 15 minutes until medium brown. Remove from the oven and cool for 30 minutes on a wire rack.
While the crust is cooling make the filling. In a medium saucepan bring the coconut milk, while milk, shredded coconut, 1/2 cup sugar and salt to a simmer over a medium high heat. Stir occasionally to make sure that the sugar dissolves. In a medium size bowl whisk together the egg yolks, cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of sugar until well mixed. Gradually pour about 1 cup of the hot milk mixture over the egg yolk mixture. Whisk constantly and whisk well to combine. Slowly add the remaining milk mixture to the yolk mixture in 4 additions. Make sure to whisk constantly. You don’t want to end up with scrambled eggs! Return the mixture back to the saucepan and cook until thickened and the mixture reached a boil. Whisk constantly for 1 minute. The filling must boil in order to fully thicken. Turn off the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla until the butter is fully melted. Give a stir and then pour the hot filling into the cooled pie shell. Smooth the surface with a spatula. Press plastic wrap directly against the surface of the filling and refrigerate for 4 hours until firm. You may refrigerate up to 12 hours.
Just before serving you want to make the whipped cream. Beat the cream, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer for 2 minutes until soft peaks form. Top the pie with the whipped cream. To toast the coconut take a small dry skillet and toast 1 tablespoon of the unsweetened shredded coconut until it turns a golden brown. Sprinkle the whipped cream with the toasted coconut. Cut the pie into wedges and serve. Makes one 9 inch pie – Serves 8
Rice Krispie Treats
INGREDIENTS
1/4 Cup Butter
1 (10 ounces – approx 40) package regular marshmallows or 3 cups miniature marshmallows
6 Cups Rice Krispies Cereal
In a large saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter over low heat. Next, add the marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in the cereal – coating them well with the melted marshmallow mixture. Using a silicone spatula, press the mixture evenly into a 13x9x2 inch pan which has been greased or lined with wax paper. Cut into squares when the mixture cools. Makes approximately 24 squares.
This is sticky to make, but you’ll have fun licking your fingers!
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Cream Cheese Pound Cake
This cake is moist, tender, golden brown and very velvety. It has all the richness and pure buttery flavor of classic pound cake, but with a delicate tang.
INGREDIENTS
3 Cups Cake Flour
1 Teaspoon Salt
4 Large Room Temperature Eggs
2 Room Temperature Egg Yolks
1/4 Cup Milk
3 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
3 Cups Sugar
24 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter (3 Sticks)
6 Ounces Softened Cream Cheese
Before you turn on the oven adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Preheat your oven to 300° F. Grease and flour 12 cup nonstick Bundt pan. In a medium size bowl, combine the flour and salt. In a 2 cup liquid measuring cup whisk the eggs, 2 yolks, milk and vanilla. In a separate large size bowl, beat together (by hand or with an electric mixer) the sugar, butter and cream cheese for 3 minutes until fluffy. Reduce the speed to low and very slowly add the egg mixture until incorporated. The batter may look slightly curdled. Add the flour mixture in 3 additions. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Give the batter a final stir by hand. Scrap the batter into a prepared pan and gently tap the pan on the counter to release air bubbles. Bake for 80 to 90 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through baking. Remove from the oven and cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and cool completely, for about 2 hours. Serve plain or topped with frosting or fruit. Serves 12
