Grits Pie

Ingredients
3/4 cup water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup quick-cooking grits
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
3/4 cups sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 large eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (9-inch) frozen pie shell, thawed
Sweetened whipped cream and strawberries, optional

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a small saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil. Add the grits and cook for 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the butter and cook for 1 additional minute. Set aside and cool slightly.

In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Slowly stir into the cooled grits. Pour into the pie shell and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until set. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream and strawberries as a garnish, if desired.

SOURCE

Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Grilled Plums

Ingredients


Pound Cake:
Nonstick baking spray with flour
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, softened
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
6 large eggs


Grilled Plums:
Nonstick, nonflammable cooking spray
12 ripe plums, pitted and thickly sliced
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
Honey, for serving
Fresh mint, for garnish


Directions


For the cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a 10-inch fluted tube pan or Bundt pan with nonstick baking spray with flour .


In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese at medium-high speed with a mixer until creamy. Add the sugar, beating until fluffy. Beat in the extract.


In a medium bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beating until just combined. Add 2 eggs, beating until just combined. Repeat the procedure twice with the remaining flour mixture and eggs. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.


Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cover the cake with aluminum foil to prevent excess browning during last 10 minutes of baking, if necessary. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan, and cool completely on a wire rack.


For the plums: Spray the grill rack with nonstick, nonflammable cooking spray. Preheat the grill to medium heat.


Brush the plum slices evenly with the melted butter. Grill the plums until just softened, 2 minutes per side.


Slice the cake and serve with grilled plums. Drizzle with honey and garnish with mint, if desired.

SOURCE

Monogrammed Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon pure almond extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Granulated sugar

Royal Icing, recipe follows

Directions

In a bowl, cream together the sugar and butter, then mix in the egg and vanilla and almond extracts. In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tarter; mix the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, then cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours, or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Divide the chilled dough in half and roll it out on a lightly floured pastry cloth to a 1/4-inch thickness. Lightly grease some baking sheets. Cut the dough with a floured cookie cutter; sprinkle with sugar. Transfer the cookies to the prepared sheets and bake for 9 minutes.

Royal Icing:

*3 egg whites

1 (1-pound) box confectioners' sugar

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

Food coloring, optional

In a medium bowl, combine egg whites, sugar, and cream of tarter. Beat at low speed with an electric mixer until blended. Increase mixer speed to high, and beat 8 to 10 minutes, or until mixture holds a peak. Cover with a damp cloth when not in use. Separate into bowls and add food coloring, if desired.

SOURCE

Sweet Potato Doughnuts with Maple Icing

Ingredients
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cooked mashed sweet potato (about 1 medium potato)
Vegetable oil, for frying


Directions
Maple Icing, recipe follows


1 cup finely chopped pecans


In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In a large bowl, combine eggs, sour cream, and sweet potato. Gradually add flour mixture, stirring to combine. Turn dough out onto a heavily floured surface. Knead in flour with hands as needed (dough will be sticky). Roll out dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out dough with a 2 1/4-inch round cutter. Cut out center of doughnuts with a 3/4-inch round cutter. Re-roll dough as needed.


In a Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium heat to 360 degrees F. Cook doughnuts, in batches, in hot oil, 2 minutes per side, or until lightly browned. Drain on paper towels. Ice top of doughnuts with Maple Icing, and sprinkle with chopped pecans.


Maple Icing:
2 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar


3 to 4 tablespoons milk


1/4 teaspoon maple extract


In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and 3 tablespoons milk; stir well. Add additional milk to reach desired consistency. Stir in maple extract.


Yield: 1 cup icing


SOURCE


Doughnuts

Mama's Pound Cake

Ingredients
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, plus more for pan
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
3 cups sugar
5 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


With a mixer, cream butter and shortening together. Add sugar, a little at a time. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Stir dry ingredients together in a bowl and add to mixer alternately with milk, starting with the flour and ending with the flour. Mix in vanilla. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.


SOURCE



Buttermilk Pound Cake

Waffle Cones

Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 stick butter, melted
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch salt
Nonstick cooking spray
Special Equipment:
Pizzelle iron
Cone-shaped mold


Directions
1. In a large bowl, add sugar, vanilla extract and eggs and beat until creamy with a hand held electric beater. Add butter and mix well.
2. In a medium bowl, add flour cinnamon and salt. Slowly blend into wet ingredients.
3. Spray pizzelle iron with nonstick cooking spray and allow to warm up. Pour 3/4 tablespoon of batter onto the iron and cook until baked and brown.
4. While still hot, quickly roll the waffle around a cone-shaped mold, sealing the point. (The cones will harden as they cool; remove from the mold when cool.) Repeat with remaining batter.


SOURCE

Waffle Cone

Stuffed Cupcakes

Ingredients
Cupcake:
1 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 cups sifted self-rising flour
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line 2 standard 12-cup muffin/cupcake pans with papers.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour and milk, alternately, into the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Add the vanilla and continue to beat until well mixed. 
4. Divide the batter equally among the papers, filling them about 34 of the way up. Level the batter by dropping muffin pan on counter top to release the air bubbles.
5. Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 to 10 minutes and then remove the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.


Vanilla Cream Filling:
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup light corn syrup


1. With an electric mixer, cream shortening and butter together. Add confectioners' sugar and granulated sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla extract. Gradually beat in corn syrup. Continue beating until the mixture has thickened to a mayonnaise-like consistency, about 3 minutes.
2. When the cupcakes have cooled completely, fill a pastry bag, fitted with a medium-small plain, round tip with the vanilla filling. With a sharp, paring knife, cut a cross down into the center of each cupcake from the top, about 1-inch deep. Insert the tip of the pastry bag into the cross and gently squeeze about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the vanilla filling into the center of each cupcake. 
3. Wipe away any vanilla filling that oozes out when you remove the tip from the cupcake.


Peanut Butter Frosting:
1 1/2 sticks butter, room temperature
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup heavy cream
3 cups confectioners' sugar


1. Cream the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar and salt together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract and heavy cream. 2. Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar.
3. Frost the vanilla filled cupcakes with a butter knife or from a large star tipped pastry bag.


SOURCE



Cupcake

Arnold Palmer Cupcakes

Ingredients
1 cup milk
5 black tea bags
1 cups unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tablespoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons salt


Directions
In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat milk until hot to the touch. Place tea bags in hot milk, and let steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags. Let milk cool.


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with paper liners.


In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add 1/2 cup milk and tea mixture, lemon zest and lemon juice. Mix well.


In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add dry mix into the wet ingredients.


Spoon batter evenly into prepared muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread or pipe Arnold Palmer Frosting evenly over cupcakes.


Arnold Palmer Frosting:
1 cups unsalted butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
1/2 cup reserved milk/tea mixture
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
In a large bowl, beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar alternately with tea/milk mixture slowly. Beat in lemon juice until creamy.


SOURCE

Cupcake

Aunt Peggy's Cheesecake with Praline Topping

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Filling:

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Praline Topping:

• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup dark corn syrup
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Crust:

In a medium bowl combine the butter, crumbs, and sugar until well blended. Press into the bottom and 1-inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan, using the back of a large spoon.

Filling:

In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until creamy. Pour into the prepared crust and bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Be sure the center is firm before removing the cheesecake from the oven. Remove the pan from the oven to a rack and allow it to cool completely. Release the springform and transfer the cake to a platter to serve.

Praline Topping:

In a small heavy saucepan, stir together the brown sugar and cornstarch. Stir in the corn syrup and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in nuts and vanilla. Cool slightly.

Ladle the praline topping over the cooled cheesecake and serve. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

SOURCE

Cream Cheese

Apple Fritters

Ingredients
2 tablespoons oil
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup sour cream
1 cup self-rising flour
3 apples peeled, cored and sliced horizontally, about 1/4-inch thick
Powdered sugar, optional

Directions
Heat 2 tablespoons oil to 375 degrees F.
Combine in a bowl the beaten egg, milk, sugar, cinnamon and sour cream. Mix well and add flour.
Dip apples in batter and carefully place in oil. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn and cook 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove fritters and drain. Maybe sprinkled with powdered sugar, if desired. Serve warm.

SOURCE 

Apple Fritters

Candy Snack Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Chocolate Frosting, recipe follows
• Whipped cream, for topping, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 9-inch baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil.

In a large bowl, combine butter and sugar. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla extract.

In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until combined. Spoon batter into prepared pan.

Bake for 22 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Spread chocolate frosting over hot cake. Let cool completely. Cut into squares and serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Chocolate Frosting:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons buttermilk
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 (2.07-ounce) candy bars cut into 1/2-inch pieces (recommended: Snickers)

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add cocoa, buttermilk and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Stir in candy bars and allow to melt. Stir in remaining confectioners' sugar and immediately spread over hot cake.

Yield: 1 cup

SOURCE

Perfect Chocolate Cake

Cousin Johnnie's Caramel Apple Cheesecake

Ingredients

Crust:

• 3 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 22 crackers)
• 9 tablespoons (1 stick plus 1 tablespoon) butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar

Filling:

• 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 (16-ounce) container sour cream
• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 eggs

Topping:

• 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick)
• 1 1/2 pounds (about 3 large) Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Wrap the bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan tightly with foil to prevent moisture from the water bath from seeping into the cheesecake

Crust:

In a food processor, mix the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar. Press the mixture into the bottom and halfway up the sides of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven to cool completely.

Filling:

In a food processor or with an electric mixer, mix the cream cheese, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Add the sour cream,orange juice, and vanilla and blend until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, blending until just combined. *Cook's Note: It's important to blend well with no clumps as this will make the filling a smoother consistency when baked.

Pour the filling into the crust. Put a roasting pan on a rack in the center of the oven and transfer the cheesecake to the pan. Fill the roasting pan with hot water to come halfway up the sides of the cake pan and cover it loosely with foil. Bake until the center moves only slightly when the cake pan is shaken, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Check the water level about 1 hour into the baking, adding more water, if needed. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and transfer the cake pan to a wire rack to cool. Refrigerate overnight.

Topping:

Melt the butter in a large skillet over high heat. Add the apples and pecans and cook, stirring, until they are coated with butter, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves and the liquid comes to a boil, about 3 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the apples and pecans to a bowl. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook the remaining liquid, stirring often, until it turns a deep amber, about 6 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat to stop the cooking and add the cream. Be careful, as the cream may splatter. Return the skillet to the heat and bring it to a boil, whisking constantly. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the apples and pecans. Allow to cool until lukewarm.

Spread the caramel-apple mixture evenly over the top of the cheesecake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Use a knife dipped in hot water to cut through the cheesecake.

SOURCE

Cream Cheese