Creme brulee…raspberry mousse…petit fours…ganache-smothered chocolate cake…hungry yet? Yes, these are absolutely scrumptious desserts and a wonderful indulgence on special occasions. On the other hand, sometimes desserts this rich and complex are just too much. Sometimes a simple, old-fashioned, whipped-up-with-whatever-is-in-the-kitchen dessert is just perfect. These easy dessert recipes deliver the right amount of homemade goodness, a sprinkling of heart-warming nostalgia and loads of just plain delicious, gooey flavor.
Recommended Reading: Get started with baking by reading our Ultimate Guide to the Best Baking Equipment for Beginners!
Juicy Cherry Cobbler
Perfect for last-minute guests or a sudden onset of “sweet-tooth-itis”, this easy cobbler recipe can be made and baked in under an hour. Serve hot with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 cup half & half creamer
- 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 21-oz. can cherry pie filling
- 1/4 stick unsalted butter
- 1 stick unsalted butter
Recommended reading: Best Cherry Pitters
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Combine flour, brown sugar, white sugar, half & half and baking powder in a mixing bowl. Stir vigorously to mix. Lumps are okay. Set aside.
- Place 1/4 stick butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium until completely melted.
- Empty can of cherry pie filling into a mixing bowl.
- Pour melted butter over the pie filling. Stir to mix.
- Place 1 stick butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on medium until completely melted.
- Pour melted butter into a glass baking dish.
- Pour flour mixture evenly over the butter. Do not stir.
- Drop large spoonfuls of cherry mixture evenly into the batter. Do not stir.
- Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until batter is golden and cherries are bubbling.
- Cover leftover cobbler and store in refrigerator.
Sweet Vanilla Custard
Rich in eggs and milk, this creamy dessert is definitely not for the diet-conscious. It is, however, a perfect dessert for fun family “get-togethers”, an indulgent ladies’ lunch or special holiday gatherings.
Ingredients:
- 9 whole eggs
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 6 cups whole milk
- 4 1/2 tbsp. evaporated milk
- 3 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Beat eggs with an electric mixer on high speed until yolks and whites are well-combined.
- Add sugar to the egg mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well in between each addition.
- Add whole milk, evaporated milk, vanilla extract and salt to the egg mixture. Beat on high until fluffy and well-combined.
- Pour mixture into custard ramekins.
- Fill the bottom of a shallow baking pan with hot water.
- Place filled custard ramekins into the baking pan.
- Bake for one hour or until a knife inserted into the center of the custard comes out clean. Note: Try to refrain from opening the oven door before one hour has passed, as the rush of cool air could affect custard quality.
- Allow custard to cool completely, top with fresh fruit and serve. Store leftover custard in the refrigerator.
Strawberry, Banana, Blueberry & Chocolate Chilled Dessert
Imagine relaxing on the back patio on a balmy summer evening, fireflies flitting among the trees, crickets chirping and a dish of this cool, creamy dessert with a smooth cup of coffee. Truly incomparable.
Ingredients:
- 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 4 cups crushed vanilla wafers
- 2 fresh bananas, chopped
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 8-oz. block cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 1 tub non-dairy whipped topping
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
Directions:
- Combine crushed vanilla wafers with 1 cup milk chocolate chips. Toss well to mix.
- Melt 1 stick butter in the microwave.
- Pour half the melted butter over crushed vanilla wafer/chocolate chip mixture. Mix well. Continue to add melted butter until mixture is just moist enough to pack down into a bottom layer crust.
- Spread vanilla wafer mixture over the bottom of a rectangular baking dish. Use hands to pack the mixture down. Set aside.
- Combine bananas, strawberries, blueberries and sugar in a bowl. Toss to coat the fruit with sugar. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, combine cream cheese, 3/4 cup butter and confectioner’s sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on high speed until light and fluffy.
- Drop cream cheese mixture over the crushed vanilla wafers. Spread evenly over the wafers. Don’t worry if the two mix together a bit.
- Spoon fruit mixture evenly over the cream cheese mixture.
- Spread non-dairy whipped topping over the fruit. The thicker, the better.
- Sprinkle 1 cup milk chocolate chips over the whipped topping.
- Cover well and refrigerate overnight.
- Cut into squares and serve. Store leftover dessert in the refrigerator.
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