Sweets | From Patty's Pantry

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe- Simple Individual Dessert

Jun 062007

Now the last strawberry recipe Strawberry Bruschetta was a little different so here is more
of a classic, Strawberry Shortcake. These shortcakes are great because they
also could be served as a breakfast biscuit with jam and butter!
This is a simple recipe for making an individual dessert.

Shortcake
1/2 Cup of Sugar
2 Cups of Flour
2 Teaspoons of Baking Powder
1/2 Cup of Butter
1 Egg (beaten)
2/3 Cup of Buttermilk (a little extra to brush tops of Shortcakes)
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla

Preheat Oven 450

In a mixing bowl with your hands mix together butter, sugar, flour and baking soda- until butter is evenly blended in. Then add remaining ingredients and mix until well combined and can form a ball. Pat out the dough (about 1-1.25 inches thick) on a floured surface and with a 2.5 inch circular cookie cutter cut shortcakes and place on baking sheet. Brush the top of each shortcake with Buttermilk. Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown on top. Makes about 12 shortcakes

Strawberries
4 Cups of quartered Strawberries
1/4 Cup of Sugar
1 1/2 Cups of Whipped Cream

Mix Sugar and Strawberries- let stand for at least 1/2 hour to release the juices from the strawberries.

Assemble the Strawberry Shortcakes
Cut the shortcakes in half (width wise) on bottom half place a 1/3 cup of strawberries top with the other half of the shortcake and finish off with a dollop of whipped cream!

Strawberry Bruschetta- Simple Dessert Recipe

Appetizers, Recipes, Sweets 6 Comments »

May 302007

In California the strawberry season is going strong and the season has just begun back here. Growing up in Southern California one of my favorites memories was during strawberry season going to the local stands on the side of the road and picking up flats of strawberries. There are a million and one fabulous recipes with strawberries. One that I just had last night a Strawberry Mojito. This recipe is similar to the Strawberry Mojito in that it is combining Mint with Strawberries. This is a great refreshing light dessert for the summer or easily could be served as a hors d’oeuvres.

2 Cups of cut Strawberries
1.5 Tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar
1-2 Tablespoons of sugar- (if really fresh will need less sugar)
2 tablespoons of Chopped Mint
Spread
3 tablespoons of softened unsalted Butter
2 teaspoons of Cinnamon Sugar
12 slices of either a Baguette or Brioche (1/2 inch thick)

Preheat oven 350
In a bowl mix together strawberries, vinegar, sugar, and mint. Let sit
for at least a half an hour before assembling. In a separate bowl mix
together butter and cinnamon sugar and let stand preferably for at
least a day but if time does not permit, no worries. Spread each piece of
bread with cinnamon butter and bake for 15 minutes. Let stand for a few
minutes Top each piece of bread with strawberries and ready to serve.

Granola Bars

Make Your Own, Recipes, Sweets 3 Comments »

Apr 172007

These are great for both the novice and the experienced cook as they aren’t very complicated and are often a forgotten recipe. I know, for me, they were something I was interested in trying but never had until recently. The best part is you can make them however you want and can decide on your own toppings! This would be a great rainy day project with a child.

5 Cups of Granola
1 Cup of Light Brown Sugar
1 Cup of Honey
2 Teaspoons of Vanilla
1 Cup of White Chocolate Bits
1 Cup of Dried Cranberries

Preheat Oven 400 Degrees

In a large bowl mix all of the ingredients together and spread evenly in a greased 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes
Patience is a virtue I do not have when it comes to wanting to try things directly out of the oven. But with these, you have to let it cool or there is no way you will be able to cut them in to bars.

Chocolate Cake- Disney Pixar Lightening McQueen

Ideas, Recipes, Sweets 7 Comments »

Mar 262007

Remember your birthdays growing up? They were always a HUGE deal. Well, at least they were for me! This past weekend a little friend of mine was turning three and he loves the Disney Pixar movie- Cars. I was asked to make the cake for his big day with this theme in mind. I was a little nervous for two reasons: I was not sure if this cake was going to remotely resemble Lightening McQueen AND turning three is monumental at that age. In the end, after several hours of preparation, I have to say I was so excited about the final result! The best part is that this movie, like most Pixar films, is that it is for of all ages; it has become one of my sister’s new favorites- so she might be getting this cake for her 29th birthday.

Chocolate Cake
3/4 Cup of Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 1/2 Cups of Buttermilk
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla
1 3/4 Cup of Flour
2 Cups of Sugar
3 Eggs
2 Sticks of Of Softened Butter
1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder
Preheat Oven 350

In a mixing bowl mix together sugar, butter until well combined, then beat in vanilla and eggs one at a time. Once well combined stir in buttermilk. In a separate bowl combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. One cup at a time add flour mixture to sugar mixture until well combined. In this case I greased the Lightening McQueen Cake tin or the other option would be to grease 2- eight inch round cake pans. Bake for 35 minutes until a knife comes out clean. Let cool before flipping over to release the cake. This cake was decorated with a buttercream icing- more than anything it just took time and patience.

I also made Cup Cakes and put race flags in each of them to go along with the Cars Theme.

The favors were a little Lightening McQueen Car with candy wrapped in Cellophane paper and tied with a black and white checkers.

Apple Cake

Fruit, Recipes, Sweets 1 Comment »

Feb 152007

Recently I celebrated my birthday and a very dear friend of mine made me a birthday cake. Now, for about two years she has talked to me about her Apple Cake with Carmel Frosting, telling me how delicious it is. Two years was a long time to wait, but this year for my birthday I finally got to try it. I’m so glad I did because it was as good as she had promised. I asked her for the recipe so I could share with everyone and luckily for all of us, she agreed. Thank you Eliza!

Cake

2 1/3 Cups Flour

2 Cups Sugar

2 Teaspoons of Baking Soda

Â¾ Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

Â¼ Teaspoon Cloves

Â¼ Teaspoon Nutmeg

4 Cups Chopped, Peeled Apples

Â½ Cup Soft Shortening

Â½ Cup Chopped Walnuts

2 Eggs

Frosting

1/3 Cup Butter

Â½ Cup Brown Sugar

3 Tablespoons Milk

1 Â½ Cups Powder Sugar

Â¼ Teaspoon of Vanilla

Pinch of Salt

Preheat Oven 325

Cake

Combine flour, sugar, soda, salt and spices in a large mixing bowl. Mix until well combined. (You can use an electric mixer with the recipe but easily can be done spatula or wooden spoon.) Add Apples, Shortening, Nut and Eggs, beat until well combined. Pour into a greased 9×13 inch pan. Bake for about 45 minutes.

Frosting

Melt Butter in a saucepan, add brown sugar and salt. Stir over medium heat until sugar melts add milk and bring to a boil. Pour into a mixing bowl and let cool (about 10 minutes) add powder sugar and vanilla. Beat until spreading consistency, adding additional powdered sugar if necessary. Spread evenly over Apple Cake.
Eliza and I definitely think the frosting recipe should be doubled.

Individual Chocolate Souffles

Recipes, Sweets 5 Comments »

Feb 122007

The Chocolate Souffle is by far and away my favorite dessert to make. Some are easily disuaded from preparing it, thinking that this is a complicated dessert. The indimidation comes in the form of egg whites, which sometimes have a mind of their own and, also, the fact that souffles have to be served directly out of the oven. Like most things in life it is purely about timing!

2/3 Cup of Sugar (a little extra for coating ramekins)
6 oz of Bittersweet Chocolate Chopped
4 Egg yolks
7 Egg Whites
Pinch of cream of tartar
1 teaspoon of Butter to grease the inside of ramekins
6 (3 1/2) Inch ramekins

Pre Heat Oven 400

In a double boiler melt chocolate. In a separate bowl whip egg whites and cream of tartar until holds firms peaks. In another bowl whip together egg yolks and sugar. Combined sugared yolks and chocolate together and then fold into egg whites.
Butter the inside of six ramekin and then coat with sugar. take a piece of wax paper and wrap around the top of ramekin. This is done so when the souffle rises while cooking it holds shape.)
Pour evenly the souffle batter into each ramekin and bake for about 25 minutes.
Serve directly out of the oven with chocolate sauce and whipped cream!
(I sometimes cheat and make these earlier in the day and stick them in the fridge)

Double Boiler- There are special double boiler pots. I just use to different sized pots. Put about an inch of water in the larger pot and put the smaller pot in the larger one. This way the chocolate does not have direct heat which prevents from burning.

Egg Whites- When I say hold firm peaks. When you whip the egg whites the consistency changes. To know whipped enough take a fork and dip in and bring up there should be a peak the has formed with egg whites and will hold.

Post Game Wrap-up

Recipes, Sweets 4 Comments »

Feb 042007

This Super Bowl I took on the task of making stadium bundt cakes. I received the bundt pan as a gift (from my future big brother) and there are only a few opportunities to a year to use it. I had fun making them- got a little involved in it and definitely think that everyone should invest in a stadium bundt pan!

But this Super Bowl there was a dessert that was a huge success-wish i could take credit for it.
Rollo Covered Pretzels

Bite-Size salt Pretzels
Rollos
Pecans Halves
(Amounts are completely up to you…I recommend a lot!)

Preheat Oven to 300

Line a baking sheet with either a sil plat or tin foil. Place one Rollo on each Pretzel-bake for about 5 minutes watch closely because you do not want the Rollo to burst. Take them out of the oven a press one pecan halve on top. Do not press too hard. Let cool completely and ready serve. These will definitely be a huge success at your next event! Thank you N.A.

Pecan and Pumpkin Pies

Recipes, Sweets 4 Comments »

Nov 132006

Thanksgiving is just around the corner which means the glutenous season is about to begin! Okay, so my mother would be upset with meâ€¦but I cheat when it comes to making pies. Sure there are a lot of great crust recipes out there, but it just adds so much time to the pie baking experience, which otherwise could be so simple!
I recently went to a Pre-Thanksgiving potluck and it was my job to a bring pie. I brought two classics; Pecan and Pumpkin. I thought since it was a potluck it would be easier for people to take a piece if they were individual pies. I used pre-made crusts and just molded it to tart shells.

P.S. It happens to the best of usâ€¦after running an errand and taking the pies on the subway I crushed a few by the time I got to the dinner

Crusts:
Bake crusts as directed with which ever brade you decide onâ€¦I donâ€™t mean to discourage making your own!
9 inch pie crust

Pecan Filling
Pre Heat Oven 350

1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup Light Corn Syrup
3 eggs
3 Tablespoons of butter (cut up and softened)
2 Teaspoons Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Lemon zest
2 Teaspoons Brandy
1 3/4 Cup Toasted Chopped Pecans
1/3 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bits (optional)

Mix together: Sugar, Eggs, Butter and Corn Syrup then add vanilla, brandy and lemon zest. When all mixed well together add pecans. Pour pecan mixture into baked pie dish. (Optional on the bottom of pie crust spread evenly chocolate bits and pour pecan mixture over it) Bake for about 50- an Hour. Until it is stiffened.

Pumpkin Pie
Pre Heat Oven to 350
1 Cup of Pumpkin Puree
1/2 Cup Maple Syrup
1 Teasspoon of Cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon of Ginger
1/4 Teaspoon of Salt
3/4 Cup of Cream
1 Egg
1 Tablespoon of Brandy

Bring Maple syrup to a boil. In a mixing bowl mix together pumpkin, egg, and cream. Followed by mixing in ginger, cinnamon and salt. Once everything is well combined add maple syrup combine well. Lastly, add Brandy and pour pumkin mixture into pie shell and bake for 50 minutes. ( if doing mini ones around 25-30) Bake until puree has stiffened and setteled.

Raspberry Sauce

Fruit, Make Your Own, Recipes, Sides, Sweets, Tips, Terms & Tools No Comments »

Oct 152006

This is a perfect way to decorate a dessert plate as well as cut the richness of a rich chocolate dessert. You can either drip this around a plate with a spoon or use a bottle and squeeze it out for a more uniform look.
Â½ pint of raspberries
1 Tablespoon of sugar.

Blend raspberries and sugar to puree. Put raspberries sauce through sieve to get rid of all the seeds. And place in refrigerator until ready to use. This can be made two days in advance.

Sugared Pecans

Recipes, Sweets 3 Comments »

Sep 192006

As fall has arrived, additions to salads are now about to change. Recently, while I was making a pretty simple dinner, I wanted to spice up my field greens a little. These pecans are pretty easy to make and can be accompanied by both gorgonzola cheese and dried cranberries.
1 Cup Coarsely Chopped Pecans
1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
1/3 Cup Water
Pre Heat Oven to 300

In a sauce pan bring brown sugar and water to a boil and remove from heat and add pecans. On a baking sheet place a silplat and pour coated pecans over silplat and baking for 15 minutes remove and let cool completely. Now pecans are ready to add to salad!

Older Entries Newer Entries