Desserts - The Perfect End for a Perfect Meal
Desserts are the last word in a meal. And the last word matters because if you remember nothing else from a debate or lecture you remember the last word (in fact, in ancient Greece the last word was highly prized). Check out some of these recipes for winning a culinary detate; or at least ending on a sweet note.
Sweet Potato Pie: Southern to the Core
Sweet Potato Pie is an old Southern favorite. It looks like and is usually flavored like pumpkin pie and I've had it many times in my life. This recipe intrigued me because it included buttermilk.
Sweet Potato Pie is an old Southern favorite. It looks like and is usually flavored like pumpkin pie and I've had it many times in my life. This recipe intrigued me because it included buttermilk.
Dutch Apple Pie: Is it Really Dutch?
My favorite apple pie is the Dutch variety, which features a streusel topping instead of pastry. The main reason I like it is the topping's flavor. Makes 6 servings.
My favorite apple pie is the Dutch variety, which features a streusel topping instead of pastry. The main reason I like it is the topping's flavor. Makes 6 servings.
Peach Crêpes: Light and lovely
Peach crepes are an easy and elegant dessert. They're best when made using fresh, locally grown peaches, but frozen peaches also work. Serves 2.
Peach crepes are an easy and elegant dessert. They're best when made using fresh, locally grown peaches, but frozen peaches also work. Serves 2.
Cooking with Fruit
Unadorned fruit is the ultimate dessert - perhaps with a bit of cheese for contrast and complement and a liqueur for sipping. But cooked fruit makes an excellent dessert (or side dish) too.
Unadorned fruit is the ultimate dessert - perhaps with a bit of cheese for contrast and complement and a liqueur for sipping. But cooked fruit makes an excellent dessert (or side dish) too.
Peach Cobbler: Eating the Sun
Peach cobbler may be my favorite dessert. Each year I look forward to locally-grown peaches more than anything else and when they finally appear at the farmers' market I always buy too many. Serves 2.
Peach cobbler may be my favorite dessert. Each year I look forward to locally-grown peaches more than anything else and when they finally appear at the farmers' market I always buy too many. Serves 2.
Coffee Ice Cream: Rich and Creamy
When I was a kid my favorite ice cream was coffee (aside from orange or lime sherbet) and I'm still fond of it. So one of the first things I made after buying an ice cream maker was coffee. Makes 1 1/2 quarts.
When I was a kid my favorite ice cream was coffee (aside from orange or lime sherbet) and I'm still fond of it. So one of the first things I made after buying an ice cream maker was coffee. Makes 1 1/2 quarts.
Ice Cream Recipes
July is National Ice Cream Month - and I seriously doubt if it's alignment with the 4th of July is an accident. After all, ice cream is as much a tradition on the 4th as grilling is.
July is National Ice Cream Month - and I seriously doubt if it's alignment with the 4th of July is an accident. After all, ice cream is as much a tradition on the 4th as grilling is.
Lavender Ice Cream: Edible Flowers
This recipe for Lavender Ice Cream has a lovely floral flavor - it really is like eating sweetened flowers, and honey adds to that.
This recipe for Lavender Ice Cream has a lovely floral flavor - it really is like eating sweetened flowers, and honey adds to that.
Blackberry Ice Cream: Beautifully Luscious
The rich color of this blackberry ice cream recipe is matched by its rich, creamy and slightly tart flavor. Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.
The rich color of this blackberry ice cream recipe is matched by its rich, creamy and slightly tart flavor. Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.
Chipotle Grilled Peaches: Spicy, Surprising, Really, really, really good
Chipotle Grilled Peaches are a delicious and surprising end to an al fresco meal. Try them first, then decide. Serves 2.
Chipotle Grilled Peaches are a delicious and surprising end to an al fresco meal. Try them first, then decide. Serves 2.
Rhubarb Ice Cream: Chilling in the Spring
The idea of making Rhubarb Ice Cream occurred to me last summer - just after rhubarb season. And so I've had to wait an entire year to try it out. One word - Yum! Makes 1 quart.
The idea of making Rhubarb Ice Cream occurred to me last summer - just after rhubarb season. And so I've had to wait an entire year to try it out. One word - Yum! Makes 1 quart.
Coffee Granita: Cool, Light and Refreshing
Coffee Granita is cool, light and refreshing and makes a great dessert after an al fresco meal on the patio. Serves 4.
Coffee Granita is cool, light and refreshing and makes a great dessert after an al fresco meal on the patio. Serves 4.
Strawberries in Puff Pastry: Raising the Bar Again
This recipe for Strawberries in Puff Pastry began where the recipe for left off. Your taste buds will think they've died and gone to heaven. Serves 2.
This recipe for Strawberries in Puff Pastry began where the recipe for left off. Your taste buds will think they've died and gone to heaven. Serves 2.
Strawberry Trifle: Elegant Simplicity
Quick and easy, this Strawberry Trifle is an excellent last-minute dessert suitable for just the two of you or for company. Serves 2.
Quick and easy, this Strawberry Trifle is an excellent last-minute dessert suitable for just the two of you or for company. Serves 2.
Rhubarb-Apple Crisp: A Beautiful Marriage
This rhubarb/apple crisp is an even better combination than rhubarb and strawberries because apples can handle rhubarb's tartness with more aplomb than strawberries. It takes only 10 minutes to make and 45 minutes to cook. Makes 4 servings.
This rhubarb/apple crisp is an even better combination than rhubarb and strawberries because apples can handle rhubarb's tartness with more aplomb than strawberries. It takes only 10 minutes to make and 45 minutes to cook. Makes 4 servings.
Irish Bread Pudding with a Dram of Whiskey
Bread pudding with raisins and whiskey is a traditional Christmas treat in parts of Ireland. The addition of apples is my idea as is the cream topping. Makes 4 servings.
Bread pudding with raisins and whiskey is a traditional Christmas treat in parts of Ireland. The addition of apples is my idea as is the cream topping. Makes 4 servings.
Lime Icebox Pie: Tartly Satisfying
This Lime Icebox Pie is pleasantly tart, only takes about 5 minutes of hands-on effort and is ready to eat in 3 hours.
This Lime Icebox Pie is pleasantly tart, only takes about 5 minutes of hands-on effort and is ready to eat in 3 hours.
Chocolate Espresso Mousse: Sexy, Sensuous, Sensational
There are few desserts more sensual than chocolate mousse and the espresso in his recipes adds a delightful twist. Serves 2.
There are few desserts more sensual than chocolate mousse and the espresso in his recipes adds a delightful twist. Serves 2.
Ricotta & Apple Coffee Cake
This Apple-Ricotta Coffee Cake is delightfully moist and delicious with very nice textural contrasts between cake, apple, and strusel. Makes one 9-inch cake.
This Apple-Ricotta Coffee Cake is delightfully moist and delicious with very nice textural contrasts between cake, apple, and strusel. Makes one 9-inch cake.
Stewed Apples: Darkly Spicey
Stewed apples are dead easy to make and absolutely delicious. Serves 2.
Stewed apples are dead easy to make and absolutely delicious. Serves 2.
Cranberry Mousse: A Holiday Tradition Made New
Cranberry Mousse is light, luscious, sweet, tart and a wonderfully different take on a holiday meal tradition. Serves 2 to 3.
Cranberry Mousse is light, luscious, sweet, tart and a wonderfully different take on a holiday meal tradition. Serves 2 to 3.
Italian Apple Cake: So Good it Should be Illegal
This wonderful apple cake is easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect any time of year. I particularly like Braeburn apples in this recipe. Serves 9.
This wonderful apple cake is easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect any time of year. I particularly like Braeburn apples in this recipe. Serves 9.
Blueberry Crisp with Coconut Struesel Topping
These Individual Blueberry Crisps take no more than ten minutes to prep (provided you have my basic Fruit Crisp Struesel on hand) and cook in 25 minutes making them a great weeknight dessert.
These Individual Blueberry Crisps take no more than ten minutes to prep (provided you have my basic Fruit Crisp Struesel on hand) and cook in 25 minutes making them a great weeknight dessert.
Corn Pudding: Not Your Mama's Recipe
This recipe for corn pudding is somewhat unusual in that it's intended as a dessert rather than the traditional side. Lightly sweetened with brown sugar and flavored with cardomom, it's a a new face on an old friend. Serves 4.
This recipe for corn pudding is somewhat unusual in that it's intended as a dessert rather than the traditional side. Lightly sweetened with brown sugar and flavored with cardomom, it's a a new face on an old friend. Serves 4.
Great Summer Desserts
In the summer we look for cool desserts, light desserts, or - for picnics and cookouts - portable desserts. I've gathered some summer dessert recipes here, from ice cream to cookies, that are guaranteed to hit the spot this summer.
In the summer we look for cool desserts, light desserts, or - for picnics and cookouts - portable desserts. I've gathered some summer dessert recipes here, from ice cream to cookies, that are guaranteed to hit the spot this summer.
Sangria Granita: Something Special
This sangria granita (Italian Ice) recipe is delightfully cool, light and refreshing. Best of all it's relatively low in calories. Makes 2 cups.
This sangria granita (Italian Ice) recipe is delightfully cool, light and refreshing. Best of all it's relatively low in calories. Makes 2 cups.
Blueberry Ice Cream
This recipe for blueberry ice cream is simple and delicious. A great treat that can be made with either fresh or frozen blueberries. Makes 1 quart.
This recipe for blueberry ice cream is simple and delicious. A great treat that can be made with either fresh or frozen blueberries. Makes 1 quart.
Ranger Cookies - Fresh from the 50s
Ranger Cookies have long been a favorite of mine. This recipe for ranger cookies makes 15 large cookies or 3 dozen small cookies.
Ranger Cookies have long been a favorite of mine. This recipe for ranger cookies makes 15 large cookies or 3 dozen small cookies.
Pineapple Sherbet: The Perfect Summer Dessert
This Pineapple Sherbet is wonderfully fresh and a perfect end to meals consisting of grilled steak, smoked ribs, or fried chicken. Serves 4 - 6.
This Pineapple Sherbet is wonderfully fresh and a perfect end to meals consisting of grilled steak, smoked ribs, or fried chicken. Serves 4 - 6.
Strawberry Shortcake: Kicking Strawberry Shortcake up a Notch
Is there anyone who doesn't love strawberry shortcake? This recipe incorporates Fra Angelica and hazlenut flour to take an old favorite to new levels. Serves 4.
Is there anyone who doesn't love strawberry shortcake? This recipe incorporates Fra Angelica and hazlenut flour to take an old favorite to new levels. Serves 4.
Pineapple/Lime Tart
In this recipe for a Pineapple/Lime Tart the pineapple and lime complement each other beautifully, the mascarpone is a wonderfully rich base, and the puff pastry makes it easy. Serves 2 - 4.
In this recipe for a Pineapple/Lime Tart the pineapple and lime complement each other beautifully, the mascarpone is a wonderfully rich base, and the puff pastry makes it easy. Serves 2 - 4.
Applesauce Cookies - A Deliciously Spicy Treat
As a rule, I'm not a huge cookie fan, but I am a huge picnic fan and cookies can't be matched as a dessert to take on picnics. These Applesauce Cookies are soft, spicy and frankly irresitable.
As a rule, I'm not a huge cookie fan, but I am a huge picnic fan and cookies can't be matched as a dessert to take on picnics. These Applesauce Cookies are soft, spicy and frankly irresitable.
Apple Crisp - A Great Weeknight Dessert
Apple crisps (and fruit crisps in general) are among my favorite desserts. Crisps are quick to prepare, can be made with apples, blueberries, peaches, or almost any other fruit that's handy, including frozen fruit. Serves 2.
Apple crisps (and fruit crisps in general) are among my favorite desserts. Crisps are quick to prepare, can be made with apples, blueberries, peaches, or almost any other fruit that's handy, including frozen fruit. Serves 2.
Blood Orange Pots de Creme
Pots de Crème are deliciously rich and decadent desserts. This version based on blood oranges and has a beautiful Valentine's Day pink hue.
Pots de Crème are deliciously rich and decadent desserts. This version based on blood oranges and has a beautiful Valentine's Day pink hue.
Raspberry Trifle
Here's a quick and easy trifle recipe featuring raspberries. You might consider replacing the sherry that's called for with Amaretto. Serves 2.
Here's a quick and easy trifle recipe featuring raspberries. You might consider replacing the sherry that's called for with Amaretto. Serves 2.
Baked Bananas With Brown Sugar
Bananas are baked with butter and brown sugar, and an easy dessert for banana lovers. Serves 2.
Bananas are baked with butter and brown sugar, and an easy dessert for banana lovers. Serves 2.