My name is Jaders... and I''m a baker...

[Jaders731]

OK.. so I''m slightly obsessed with baking right now!!! and I was hoping for a little PS creativity...

So just a little background...

I have been baking FOREVER (probably since I was old enough to stand on a stool in front of the kitchen counter) .. and I finally found a way to use it to my advantage. About 8 months (or so) ago, I started baking desserts for a local restaurant... nothing really fancy, in fact I really do specialize in homestyle-type desserts... I have one dessert that I make for them every week: key lime pie.. and then I get to choose what I want to make in addition to the pie. I''ve done choc.chip Kahlua bread pudding, hot chocolate cake, red velvet cake, oatmeal scotchie ice cream sandwiches, brownies for various sundaes, etc.

Now I am venturing into cupcakes... this past weekend was s''mores cupcakes (I can post pictures later tonight from home)...man.. were they tastey AND a huge hit at the restaurant!

So.. as I am always looking for new recipes and/or flavor ideas, and I''ve just found out that the chef I bake for is starting his own catering business (wooohooooo more side work for me!!!!!!) I thought I would ask my PS friends if they have any recipes that they love or are really unique and YUMMY...

Just trying to get a feel for everyone''s dessert likes.. plus.. feel free to post pictures if you like... I figured if we can have a "travel candy" thread, then we sure can have a "tummy candy" thread!!!

 

[Mara]

haha okay so i will definitely NOT be visiting this thread again after this post...because I have a huge sweet tooth that I am always trying to control, so big honking pictures of cupcakes and treats doesn't really work in my fitinginjeans favor...but I just wanted to say that I have recently become really into Meyer Lemon items. Cupcakes, lemon tarts, cakes, whatever. I had some Meyer Lemon Pecan pancakes this weekend with blueberries and they were awesome.

So I would vote for looking into maybe testing out something with Meyer Lemon in it for those who are not so into chocolate (do people like that exist? hehe) or want something a bit more fresh. I recently had an amazing Meyer Lemon Mini Tart with fresh whipped cream on it...sooo tasty. Also right now out here in CA, Strawberries are hugely in-season, I eat them all week long in various dishes, even salads. And certainly there are tons of ways to use them in desserts. Oh and ever thought of a blueberry swirl cheesecake type dish? Yummy. Lastly, on my recommends, one of the best desserts I have EVER had is at this local place we love, it's an Oreo Cookie kind of dessert but totally homemade. The cookie crusts are like chocolate oreo and they hand make these big ice cream cookies with homemade fresh vanilla bean ice cream in the middle, then use a homemade high cocoa content bittersweet chocolate sauce they pour over the entire thing and top it with fresh real whipped cream. It's seriously divine..and I eat the whole thing by myself!

The one other thing I wanted to say is that I really wish there were more 'healthy' or 'lighter' desserts at restaurants. I am sure there is not a HUGE market for it, but there is this restaurant that is in various areas of Florida, and everything on their menu is under 500 cals. The menu online looks seriously phenomenal and I love that they are taking fresh foods and finding ways to make them tasty and appealing to the general public but without a ton of butter and oils and fats included. This is how I cook at home! And we enjoy dessert many times too.

I wish this restaurant was local to me because I would literally be there EVERY DAY. And even their desserts look awesome...and they are all under 500 cals. Most are even under 350ish. I love the idea of eating a pecan pie or a bread pudding or a cheesecake for 300 cals a slice. I hate having to make these types of desserts myself at home because no one ever thinks to lighten them up for mass consumption. Part of it is portions too of course, most restaurants give you huge desserts. But anyway just wanted to throw that out there...in case you ever think of making some desserts that are lighter or a bit more healthy than typical aka just using a bit less oil or butter or substituting applesauce can make a huge difference in health...I think there IS some sort of a small market out there. I know I have at least a handful of friends who are like me and would indulge more if it was better for them.

My thoughts anyway. Good luck and have fun!

 

[FireGoddess]

Not to totally reiterate what Mara said but I have to admit - the only thing I love as much as chocolate is lemon.

Lemon bars, lemon cakes, lemon tarts, cheesecake...yummy! Light tasting, fresh, delicious!

 

[wifey2b]

One of my new recipes and is absolutely scrumptious is Brown Betty, and the recipe comes from Company''s Coming most loved treats
This dessert is light and like Apple Crisp, but served warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream...oh dear, I am getting a hankering... Now let me see how I do with the recipe from memory

Ok So I have made it more than once in the last couple of weeks - giggle

Brown Betty

6 cups apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

Place apples in ungreased 9x13 pan ( I don''t bother measuring...just level pan with apples)

Sprinkle apples with 3/4 cup white sugar.

In a medium sized bowl, mix together: 1 and 1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp. salt
Cut in until crumbly: 1/2 cup hard margarine or butter (I use Imperial margarine)

Spread this crumble mixture over apples and press down lightly.

Bake at 375 degrees F for about 40 minutes or until apples are tender.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Note: The recipe says you can also use fresh peaches instead of apples, but I have not had a chance yet - but I imagine I will try it when they are out here .



Sorry I do not have a picture to post...I almost took one the other day when I somehow or other had gotten a perfect scoop of ice cream...I was so impressed but my Mother couldn''t wait - lol...that tells you how yummy it is :} Oh dear, now I soooooo want some - lol
Let me know how many have tried this simple recipe - it is divine!!!

 

[Gypsy]

There is a restuarant in DC called Vidalia. They have this lemon pie that is from an OLD Junior League recipe and this peacan pie to DIE FOR (I don''t care for either of those normally). Do a seach on google and see if you can find any recipes for these versions of the recipes. They are not too sweet or heavy, but very flavorful and light.

 

[cdt1101]

Mara - I''ve been to that restaurant a few times (i used to travel to Orlando for work). And ALL the food, including desserts, is REALLY yummy...if you ever go to FL, you should definitely try it out. I live in NJ, and I so wish we had a restaurant like that here

 

[Ellen]

I''d love to taste your key lime pie, it''s one of my all time faves.


Cheesecakes are always good, regular or chocolate.

 

[Skippy123]

I love chocolate banana bread, yum!!! I love crepes w/nuttella.

 

[mrssalvo]

I love cheesecake with caramel drizzled over the top...

anytype of brownie or chocolate cake, lemon squares are a favorite of mine too.

i also love a good homemade apple pie..

 

[Skippy123]

MRSS reminded me that I love Apple everything! Pie, strudel, tarts, crumble w/ice cream

This is something easy to make Jaders. I buy it at a store called Relish here in New Mexico. It is a baguette that is cut in half then spread with Nuttella, banana slices a dash of cinamon and sugar. Then the grill it like a panini; it is to die for!

 

[Ann]

how fun you are doing this and the best part is you love it.

I''ll get on the lemon bandwagon - love it, especially as a tart

Other things I order at restaurants;
chocolate "lava" mini-cake
bread pudding with bourbon sauce
pure decadent chocolate sky high cake
love love love carrot cake with cream cheese frosting

 

[Miranda]

I love apple pies and tarts when the apples are sauted/carmelized prior to baking. Yummy! The apple tart at Ruth''s Chris (I think it''s a SO CA place) similar to that.

 

[NYCsparkle]

i love ice box cake....when i have parties i make them in little cups...i use crushed heath bars as the candy and everyone loves it.

layer graham crackers then pudding then cool whip and heath...keep layering ...i''ve used fruits and other candy, but everyone loves the heath.

 

[zoebartlett]

Hi Jaders! The sweets you've made sound heavenly, especially the chocolate chip Kahlua bread pudding and the hot chocolate cake! You wouldn't be willing to share your recipes, would you?

Also, a random aside -- I love your new avatar picture! Do you have more pics to share?

Zoe

PS -- I forgot to add one of my favorite restaurant desserts. Toll House cookie pie! It's best served hot with hot fudge and a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on the side.

 

[Jaders731]

You ladies are great!!! Thank you so much for all of your ideas.. and please, by all means.. please keep ''em coming!!!

Mara:

I totally get you on the lemon stuff... I love anything and everything lemon.. in fact Martha Stewart has a lemon tart this month (or was it lastmonth''s) issue... it has a shortbread/rosemary crust.. YUM...
I am thinking of doing a lemon cupcake of some sort.. that one is still in the works...
While I LOVE the idea of making some healthier versions of desserts.. i think that is some time off from now.. the restaurant I bake for is your typical island restaurant.. they serve bar food.. albeit.. REALLY good bar food. and until I started making their desserts, they bought from the one supplier on island.. which has CRAP for desserts. The restaurant is not exactly known for their desserts, but for the last 8 months.. there has seen a definite upswing in interest... which is good for me!

Sorry, I should have explained that I live in Turks and Caicos.. and that some of the specialty ingredients (i.e. Meyer Lemons and yummy in season ripe strawberries) arent exactly available. I am someone handcuffed to the one major grocery store on the island... and have to make desserts with what they have.. it makes for some interesting combinations...

Wifey2b.. I love baked apples like that.. sooo good... I will have to wait for a good shipment of apples to come in.. I''m thinking maybe the restaurant could feature that in the fall, when a lot of the americans start trickling in for the holidays! thanks a bunch!

Gypsy.. I''m going to look into the pecan pie... I think that is a GREAT homestyle dessert (being from the south!!!) and i think it would go over well.. I''m trying to think about how I could change it up a bit! maybe a little bourbon.. since it is a bar...

Ellen... I would love to let you try my key lime pie... I do a little tweeking to an existing recipe.. and its YUMMY... I do make a good cheesecake that I take to the restaurant.. that gets some pretty good raves.

Zoebartlett: I wouldnt mind sharing at all.. and I''ll try and post pictures to.. I''ve taken quite a bit over the last 8 months to catalog what I am doing!!!
Thanks for the compliment on my new avatar... I have some pics.. but I cant share them yet as I dont have the release from my photog.. I thought I would cheat a little and make it my avatar.. LOL.. maybe in a day or two I''ll change it up.. show a new one! I promise to post them as soon as I get them though!

Thanks ladies.. please please keep the ideas flowing... I so wish I could try a lot of the things you have suggested.. so sorry I didnt mention earlier that I was somewhat limited in my available ingredients!!!

 

[zoebartlett]

Hi Jaders! I''ve tried posting in other threads but for some reason, they haven''t shown up. Hopefully this one will. I keep meaning to ask but how did you end up living and working in T & C?

 

[peridot83]

On the pecan pie front, I make a bourbon & chocolate pecan pie. I am not enough of a baker to tinker w/ the proportions to get it just right, but my boyfriend and my whole family love that pie w/ vanilla icecream.

 

[Allisonfaye]

Ahhh...since you mentioned pecan pie, I have a variation that is to die for. You make it in a flatter pan, like a quiche pan or a springform pan. Instead of a regular crust, you use graham cracker crumbs. I use the box kind but you could use the actual crackers if you want to put them in the food processor. You make the mix as directed with butter and sugar (for the crust) and you build it up about an inch to an inch and a half. You fill it with any regular pecan pie filling recipe that you have. There are tons of variations on those. You can use light karo or dark karo or light brown sugar or whatever your recipe calls for. The only thing I haven''t worked out is the oven temp and cooking time. My pies tend to come out a little hard around the edges. I only make them once in a while so I haven''t spent tons of time tweaking it to solve the problem. Maybe with your baking skills, you could figure it out. This dessert is good because the graham crackers absorb the syrup and it is not all goopy like traditional pecan pie.

Ok. Now this alone is out of this world but this next part puts it over the top. You top it with brandied hard sauce. I have to look up the exact recipe but it basically butter, confectioner''s sugar and brandy and it is unbelievable. You only use a small scoop. It is kind of a whipped butter texture. I heat the pie a tiny bit and you add just about a teaspoon of the hardsauce on top. If you want the details, let me know.

 

[Jaders731]

Peridot and Allisonfaye:

Ok.. i would love to have your pecan pie recipes.. I think it sound wonderful with chocolate.. and i think that hard sauce sounds great.. I''m thinking a combination of the two.. the bourbon chocolate pecan pie.. with a bourbon hard sauce? what do you think.. ??? you two might be on to something.

Zoe:

My now husband was offered a job with a company that REALLY wanted him, and so to get him, they offered me a job as well.. After working for the company for 8 months, we were relocated to begin the project we now working on. We are currently managing the construction of a resort here in Turks and Caicos. On the whole.. its wonderful.. but it definitely has its drawbacks somedays... like when I go to the store for something specific.. and they dont have it.. OR.. when I want to make a specific recipe and have to have a second recipe on hand in case the store doesnt have a particular ingredient for the first recipe!.. its sooo aggravating!!!

I promise.. baking pictures are coming!!! and recipes too!!!

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks Jaders! I was just curious. Your job sounds interesting. I can imagine that it must be hard to be in a different place though, especially a place without some things we''re used to. The bourbon chocolate pecan pie sounds SOOO good. Really, anything with chocolate is just fabulous.

 

[peridot83]

Here''s the recipe for bourbon chocolate pecan pie, barely modified from a Tyler Florence recipe (I''ve tried Emerils as well but like this one better). I am still working on getting this recipe tweaked, cause right now I need some serious amounts of vanilla ice cream to eat it (I''m not into really rich deserts...but me bf loves this pie):

I would use whatever pie crust recipe works for you (maybe add in a little bit of ground pecans for kicks) for a 9 inch pan.

The Filling:

1 1/2 cups of pecan halves. (there should be enough that you have like 1 1/2 layers of pecans on the bottom, I often add extra)
1/4 cup unsalted butter.
1 - 1 1/2 ounches of chocolate (it gets really rich really quickly, the original recipe states 2 ounces...but it comes out so rich its impossible for me to eat)
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp of salt
3 eggs
3/4 tsp of vanilla (I like me some vanilla, the original recipe calls for 1/2 a tsp)
3 tablespoons of bourbon (or if you don''t have any around, just add 1/2 tsp more vanilla!)
3/4 cup dark cane syrup

Melt the butter and chocolate together. Set aside let cool.

Beat the eggs, slowly add in sugar. Then add all the rest of the ingredients and mix in a bowl.

Lay the pecan halves on the bottom, put the mixture on top. Bake for about 45 minutes and let cool. (better its a little raw than over burnt)

Again I''m no great baker, so I''m sure you could make this recipe even more yummy than it already is. Let me know if you come upon a big revelation

 

[Gypsy]

Cobbler.

the salt lick in Austin had this great Cobbler made with an almondy cake and fruit. YUMMY! You could do it up tropical... and maybe at that hard sauce.

 

[Jaders731]

Without further ado...

Last weekends project: S'mores Cupcakes

ETA: hmmm.. not entirely sure why that didnt work... lemme see

 

[Jaders731]

Argggh.. sorry ladies.. I cant figure out why that didnt work.. i dont usually have issues posting the pictures.. I''ll try again in a little bit..

 

[wifey2b]

Date: 5/1/2007 3:29:30 PM
Author: wifey2b
One of my new recipes and is absolutely scrumptious is Brown Betty, and the recipe comes from Company''s Coming most loved treats
This dessert is light and like Apple Crisp, but served warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream...oh dear, I am getting a hankering... Now let me see how I do with the recipe from memory

Ok So I have made it more than once in the last couple of weeks - giggle

Brown Betty

6 cups apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

Place apples in ungreased 9x13 pan ( I don''t bother measuring...just level pan with apples)

Sprinkle apples with 3/4 cup white sugar.

In a medium sized bowl, mix together: 1 and 1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp. salt
Cut in until crumbly: 1/2 cup hard margarine or butter (I use Imperial margarine)

Spread this crumble mixture over apples and press down lightly.

Bake at 375 degrees F for about 40 minutes or until apples are tender.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Note: The recipe says you can also use fresh peaches instead of apples, but I have not had a chance yet - but I imagine I will try it when they are out here .



Sorry I do not have a picture to post...I almost took one the other day when I somehow or other had gotten a perfect scoop of ice cream...I was so impressed but my Mother couldn''t wait - lol...that tells you how yummy it is :} Oh dear, now I soooooo want some - lol
Let me know how many have tried this simple recipe - it is divine!!!

Had to make 2 of these the other night for a group of young people - needless to say, I didn''t even get a piece - most had seconds and they loved it - one of the mother''s had to make it for Mother''s Day because her husband was here and raved about it - giggle...
Just wanted to share a pic of the yummy dessert :}

 

[Kaleigh]

You''re making me hungry wifey2b!!! That looks delish!!!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 5/15/2007 4:05:35 PM
Author: Kaleigh
You''re making me hungry wifey2b!!! That looks delish!!!

Me too!!!

 

[oshinbreez]

This is a few weeks late, but a to die for pie is Derby Pie. It''s rich, chocolatey, creamy, nutty....and sooooo fattening.

Unbaked refrigerated (not frozen) pie shell - Pillsbury is best

¾ cups of light brown sugar

¾ cups of white Karo corn syrup (or you can substitute 1/2 cup of Karo and 1/4 cup of honey)

3 large eggs

½ stick of butter, barely melted

1 tsp. vanilla

½ tsp. salt

1 heaping tablespoon of cornstarch

1 cup broken, not crushed, walnuts (you can substitute pecans, but walnuts are better)

1 cup or so semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 375. While the oven''s heating, prepare your pie shell. Using a fork, gently blend the cornstarch into the butter until it''s dissolved. Now mix all the ingredients together by hand. It will look brown, lumpy, and somewhat disgusting if you''ve done it right. Pour the whole thing into the pie shell, making sure all those precious chocolate chips get into the shell.

Now cover the edges of your pie shell with Reynolds wrap or other aluminum foil to protect it from overbaking. Place your pie on the middle rack in your heated oven and turn the heat down just a little, to about 360. Bake for 45-60 minutes - until the pie doesn''t jiggle when you pull it out of the oven. Then remove the aluminum foil from the pie crust and let bake about ten more minutes, until the crust and top of the pie are a nice golden brown.

You can eat this as is, or top with ice cream. A more traditional Kentucky topping is bourbon whipped cream. Use a pint of heavy whipping cream and a tablespoon of bourbon to make this. Whip your cream with a blender until it''s just fluffy; then pour your bourbon in a few drops at a time while you continue whipping until your cream is stiff and ready to serve. A dollop of this on top of the pie makes for a tasty authentic Kentucky Derby treat.

 

[VRBeauty]

Where to start???

I''m a huge fan of flans and creme brulee. I could eat either with all three meals!

I recently had a dessert at Applebees that was to die for. I think they called it fried bread pudding. Think deep fried french toast-type chunks, served with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. OK, maybe it isn''t baker stuff, but it is delicious!

Getting hungry here...!