Life is uncertain; eat dessert first.
While I may not always actually eat dessert first, I have enough of a sweet tooth that it is almost always the first part of a meal that I plan.
I have a preference for simple, easy to make desserts. While not all of the recipes I'm going to share fall into that category, all of them are very much tried and true, old family favorites that always work. I know there are some people who don't share family recipes, but I have no problem with it - in fact, I think it's a great tribute to some remarkable women.....
So, without further ado, let's sweeten this place up and get right to the recipes.....
First, my great-great-grandmother's recipe for sugar gingerbread. Very much plain and simple [in the everyday dessert category], it's a great base for applesauce, cream, ice cream (especially good vanilla!), sugared berries, chocolate sauce, or various combinations of such things.
Sugar Gingerbread
Mix in a large bowl:
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup shortening
1/3 teaspoon ginger
some cinnamon
1 egg
Add:
1/8 teaspoon salt
1.5 cups flour
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup milk
Spread in cake pan and sprinkle sugar on top.
Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.
Next, a shortbread recipe from a grandmother on the other [Scottish] side of the family:
Shortbread
Soften* 1 cup (= 1/2 lb.) of butter**.
Mix in 1/2 cup of confectioner's sugar (or light brown sugar).
Add 2 cups flour and 1/4 teaspoon baking powder.
Press onto cookie sheet until about 1/4 inch thick.
Bake at 350 deg. for 20 to 25 minutes.
* I often come close to melting it......Softened butter with confectioner's sugar makes the flakiest shortbread, melted butter with brown sugar the least crumbly, and the other two combinations [conf. sugar with melted or brown sugar with softened] come out in-between.
** This recipe NEEDS real butter. Margarine does NOT work. Do NOT make this with anything but butter. {I've warned you......}
In the fairly quick and simple, but a bit different, category, there's this candy-like treat:
Macadamia Nut Brittle
1 cup unsalted macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
½ cup butter, room temp.
½ cup sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Line bottom and sides of a 9" round pan with foil, generously buttered.
Cook 1st 4 ingredients in heavy skillet over low heat, stirring, until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Increase heat and boil until mixture turns golden brown and begins to mass together, stirring constantly.
Pour into prepared pan, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips. Let melt about 2 minutes then spread evenly over the top.
Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan and peel off foil. Break into pieces.
Refrigerate.
I grew up with brownies made from the following recipe (and no other version of a brownie has ever tasted 'right' for me) - these are deliciously rich ;-)
Mincemeat Brownies
Cream together
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
Add
2 eggs
1/2 cup mincemeat (one of those little boxes of condensed mincemeat works)
1 1/2 squares unsweetened chocolate [melted and cooled] (I usually use 2, just to make life simple.....)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts work well) – optional but much better with them
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
Spread in greased 8x8 pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.
Cut into squares and coat with confectioner’s sugar to serve.
Skip the confectioner's sugar at the end, and these freeze really well.
Similarly, a different take on Rice Krispie treats (who doesn't look for ways to add chocolate to their life?):
Rice Krispy Squares
In a large pan, heat
1 cup sugar
1 cup white corn syrup
until the sugar melts.
Take off stove and add
1 cup peanut butter
8 cups Rice Krispies
Spread on buttered cookie sheet.
In a double boiler, melt
6 ounces chocolate bits
6 ounces butterscotch bits
Spread on top of the Rice Krispy mix.
Good for a decent-sized crowd, the most elaborate dessert I make is full of chocolate goodness:
Sheath Cake
Cake:
Place in a large bowl:
2 cups sugar
2 cups sifted flour
Place 1 stick of oleo in saucepan.
Pour over it:
1/2 cup Crisco
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 cup cold water
Mix well, then boil.
Remove from heat and pour over the flour and sugar; mix well.
Add
1/2 cup buttermilk (ok to use dry mix version instead of fresh)
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix together
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
Add boiled mixture and mix well.
Pour into greased and floured cake pan (15x10 or slightly larger). Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Frosting:
Combine and boil:
1 stick oleo
4 tablespoons cocoa
1/3 cup milk
Remove from heat and add:
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup nut meats (walnuts work well)
1 box (3.5 cups) powdered sugar
1 cup coconut
Beat well and spread on hot cake.
Cool and serve.