SANDRA'S MILE HIGH LEMON CHIFFON PIE

 

A truly decadent dessert
your family and friends are bound to love...

Prep: 1 Hr.

Yield: 8-10 Servings: (1) 9" Pie

Bake: 10 Mins. (Crust)

 

INGREDIENTS

Crust

1-1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 stick unsalted butter, cold and cut into pieces

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup ice water (more or less, depending on your humidity)

 

Filling

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/3 cup cornstarch

1 1/2 cups cold water

2 egg yolks, beaten

1/4 cup lemon juice

Pinch of kosher salt

--1 (14-oz. can) Sweetened Condensed Milk (reserve for assembling pie later on)

 

Whipped Cream/Topping, divided

1-3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup sifted confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

METHOD

Crust

Add flour to a food processor, and then add the butter pieces.  Pulse a few times until the mixture resembles small peas.  Add the salt and a couple of teaspoons of water through the tube at a time while pulsing until the mixture forms chunky-type balls.  Remove from food processor and place onto a lightly dusted flour surface, and form into ball, and then press flat.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 4 hrs. or overnight.  Remove from refrigerator, and dough let return to room temperature for 30 minutes before rolling out crust(s).

 

Preheat oven to 425F.

 

Line the pie plate, and flute the edges of crust, and then carefully pierce bottom and sides with a fork.  Gently place tin foil over inside of crust, and place beans (or pie ball weights) over foil to weight bottom of crust down while baking.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool completely before adding cream filling. (Note: You can save the beans in a sealed jar for the same use again, but not for cooking.)

 

Filling

In a ‘cold’ small saucepan, mix together water and cornstarch.

When the cornstarch dissolves, add sugar, lemon juice, slightly beaten egg yolks, and kosher salt.

Cook over medium heat stirring constantly until it thickens and comes to a boil.

Remove the thicken lemon mixture from the heat (or cook longer if you’d like it thicker).

Let the filling cool completely before using (but first cover top of filling with plastic wrap to prevent a skin  from forming).

 

Whipped Cream/Topping, divided: (2/3 for incorporating into filling / 1/3 for topping)

Place the mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes to chill. Pour the heavy whipping cream into the chilled bowl and use an electric mixer to beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks start to form. Slowly add the powdered sugar in batches and continue beating on high speed until stiff peaks form. Add the vanilla extract and whip to incorporate. Set aside.

 

Assemble the Pie

 

In a large mixing bowl, combine lemon pie filling and sweetened condensed milk and stir until they are well combined. Add 2/3rds of the prepared whipped cream (reserving 1/3 for topping); fold together until well combined. Pour the filling into the prepared crust leaving a high mound in center, top with reserved 1/3 of whipped cream, and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours until the filling is set. ~ Enjoy!

 

SANDRA’S EASY PUMPKIN LOG ROLL with a CREAMY MAPLE FILLING

A phenomenal dessert that freezes well,

so the pumpkin log roll can be made ahead of time

and sliced while frozen into pieces for a stunning presentation...

Servings: (10 to 12)

Prep: 15 Mins.

Bake: 12-15 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Roll:

Wet Mixture:

3 large eggs, slightly beaten

1 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

2/3 cup pure pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

Filling:

1 (8 oz. tub), cold, whipped cream cheese

1 cup confectioners' (powdered) sugar, sifted

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 teaspoon mapleine

--Additional confectioners’ sugar (for decoration)

METHOD

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 15”x10” jelly-roll pan; line with parchment paper, then spray top of paper as well. Set aside a clean tea towel (large enough to cover unrolled pumpkin roll).

Beat eggs, granulated sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin and vanilla extract. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and salt into same bowl over wet ingredients. Using a wooden spoon, stir dry mixture into wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated. Spread batter evenly onto prepared pan.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until top of cake springs back when touched.

Immediately loosen sides of cake, place tea towel over top flush with beginning roll-up edge.

Turn onto working surface. Carefully peel off parchment paper.

Roll up cake and towel together, starting with shorter end.

Cool seam-side down on wire rack for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling by beating cold, whipped cream cheese, 1 cup sifted confectioners’ sugar, butter and mapleine in small bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over inside of cake to within 1/2” of all edges. 

Re-roll cake into log, gently but tightly. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate seam-side down for at least 1 hour.

Unwrap pumpkin log, generously sprinkle with sifted confectioners' sugar on entire outside, and cut into 1" slices, then serve (See main photograph above). ~ Enjoy!

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Tip:

If freezing pumpkin log roll, defrost first to serve whole, or I prefer to slice while frozen for cleaner cut cake slices, then serve individually.

SANDRA’S TANTALIZING TOASTED COCONUT-BANANA CREAM PIE

A lovely dessert of many wonderful flavors and textures...

Serves: (8)

Prep and Stand Time: 2 Hours

Cook: About 1 Hour Total

INGREDIENTS (Updated as of 8-3/15)

Pie:

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup unsweetened condensed milk, divided (as you'll need to form a slurry with 1/2 cup)

1/4 cup cornstarch

5 egg yolks*

1/4 teaspoon fine-grained kosher salt

1-1/2 cup shaved, toasted sweetened coconut (or grated)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 (9”) baked pie shell (store-bought, or Sandra’s Homemade Pie Crust)

3 ripe bananas, sliced

Topping:

2 cups of prepared whipped cream

1/2 cup toasted sweetened coconut

METHOD

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Sweet shaved coconut...

Oven toasted coconut...

Meanwhile, toast 2 cups of shaved coconut in the oven by spreading in a thin layer on a dry foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes; stirring half way through to ensure coconut browns evenly.  Set aside to cool.

Increase oven to 350 degrees, and allow it to preheat.

Bake pie shell until golden, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, and cool completely before using.

In a medium saucepan, combine 3/4 cup sugar, coconut milk, and 1/2 cup milk; heat just prior to boiling point while occasionally stirring.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup milk and cornstarch together to make a slurry. Whisk egg yolks and salt in medium bowl. Temper yolks by adding 1/2 cup scaled milk mixture to yolks while whisking. Add yolk mixture and slurry back into milk mixture in the saucepan and whisk over medium heat until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1-1/2 cups toasted coconut (reserve other ½ cup for topping), vanilla, and butter; whisking until uniformly incorporated.  Cover and let filling cool to room temperature.

Banana slices in baked pie shell...

Filled pie shell...

Add a layer of bananas to the bottom of baked pie shell, and top with ½ the filling.  Add another layer of bananas, and the remaining filling over top.  Top with whipped cream, and remaining ½ cup toasted coconut.  

Whipped cream on top of filling...

Final layer of toasted coconut over whipped cream
and ready to refrigerate for 2 hours to set...

Loosely cover the pie with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to chill and set, about 2 hours.  Then slice, and serve. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA'S FABULOUS FRESH PEACH CRUMBLE

The absolute delightful dessert
where you'll savor every bite, seriously...

Servings: (12)
Prep: 15 mins. |
Bake: 1 hr. 15 mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Filling
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine-grain kosher salt
5 cups fresh peaches, blanched to peel, and sliced
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon unsalted butter, at room temperature

***Crumble
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup rolled oats (not quick cooking)
1/4 cup glazed pecans, chopped
1/2 cup dried blueberries
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of fine-grain kosher salt
1 stick unsalted butter, chilled, and cut into cubes

METHOD

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a 13”x9” baking dish with butter flavored oil, and set aside.

To make the peach filling, in a large bowl stir together brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon and kosher salt. Add peaches and gently toss to coat. Mix together cornstarch and lemon juice, and vanilla, and then stir into peaches to incorporate. Add the filling mixture into the prepared 9”x13” baking dish, and evenly spread mixture out. Dot with 1 teaspoon of butter by breaking into pieces beforehand.

To make the crumble, in a medium bowl combine dry ingredients, add in 1 stick of butter chilled cubes and combine with pastry cutter or fork, until the dry mixture is the size of small peas.

Top peaches with half of the crumble topping. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake Peach Crumble, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Add the remaining crumble topping, and reduce heat to 325 degrees and finish by baking, uncovered,  for another 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes to set Peach Crumble before serving. - Enjoy!


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Tip: I serve this Peach Crumble warm with french vanilla ice cream and/or fresh whipped cream.

SANDRA'S BLUEBERRY CHEESE-FILLED CREPES over CUSTARD

A very decadently delicious dessert
that once mastered I'm sure you'll be often making
using many variations of 
fillings, toppings, and sauces to your heart's desire...

Servings: (8 total = 2 ea.)
Prep: 30 mins. |
Stand: 30 mins. |
Cook: 30 mins.

Posted: by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Custard
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Pinch of kosher salt
3/4 cup milk
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

***Filling
1 lb. container ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg

***Blueberry-Cinnamon Sauce 
--[click here for optional: Apple Walnut Filling]
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 cup fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

***Sweet Crepes
1 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch kosher salt
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
½ teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
2 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup club soda
3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, plus 3 tablespoons for cooking the crepes

METHOD

In a small mixing bowl, add the flour and salt and make a well in the center. Add the remaining ingredients, including 3 tablespoons of melted butter, and whisk together to combine. The mixture should be a loose batter. If the mixture is too thick, whisk in a bit of milk. Set batter aside for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Meanwhile, make the custard in a small saucepan, by whisking the sugar, cornstarch and salt together until well blended. Whisk in the milk and cook over low heat until almost boiling, then remove from the heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and vanilla until well blended. Add a couple of tablespoons of the hot milk from the saucepan and whisk to temper the egg, and then add the tempered egg mixture to the rest of the warm milk in the pan, whisking to combine. Cook over low heat until the sauce begins to thicken (do not boil). Let the sauce cool slightly while making the filling, sauce, and assembling the crepes.

For the blueberry sauce, whisk together sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the remaining ingredients and stir with spoon constantly until mixture boils, and then reduce heat to simmer for 5 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Set aside to let cool.

For the cheese filling, mix all ingredients together in a small bowl, and set aside.

Melt the 3 remaining tablespoons of butter in a small glass bowl in the microwave. Place a small non-stick skillet over medium heat, and with a paper towel dip into butter and swipe lightly to butter skillet. Keep the buttered paper towel close by, as you will need it for making further crepes.

Begin making crepes. Fill a ladle, almost about 3 tablespoons full, with batter and pour it into the preheated pan, while tipping and rolling the pan to evenly coat the bottom. When the edges of the crepe begin to pull away from the edges of the pan and the bottom begins to brown a little, about 1 minute, use a spatula to loosen the crepe, and turn over to cook for about 1 minute more on the other side. Remove the crepe from the pan between parchment-lined squares stacked on platter to let cool. Repeat this process, until all the batter is used, wiping the pan with your buttered paper towel, as needed.

To make individual crepe desserts (allowing 2 per serving), spoon 2 tablespoons of the custard sauce on each dessert plate, spread 2 tablespoons of the cheese filling in a line down the center of each crepe with the same amount of blueberry filling and roll up, and place 2 crepes on top of custard. Drizzle remaining blueberry sauce over the crepes. Repeat until all 8 plates are finished, and serve. – Enjoy!

SANDRA'S APPLE WALNUT FILLING (or Sauce)

A very versatile apple and walnut filling
that can be used to enhance a variety of dishes...

Yields: (2 cups)

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
2 cups of fresh granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and cubed small
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cornstarch

METHOD:

Combine butter, brown sugar, and chopped walnuts in a small saucepan, and cook while stirring for 3 minutes. Add apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, vanilla, and cornstarch.  Heat while stirring until filling thickens and apples are tender, but not mushy. Let filling cool completely.


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Tip:  This filling (or sauce) can be used to fill crepes, stuff braided bread, serve along side pork chops, or over vanilla ice cream, over hot oatmeal, waffles, pancakes, and so on.  -- The uses are endless - Enjoy!

SANDRA'S FABULOUS FRESH PEACH COBBLER

A wonderful cobbler 
that you'll have fun making with your family...

Servings: (12)
Prep: 15 mins. |
Crust resting time: 1 hr. |
Bake: 45 to 50 mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS:

***Crust
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
¾ cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons shortening (or lard, my preference)
ice water

***Peach filling
8 fresh peaches sliced, (enough to equal 4 cups)
¼ cup cornstarch
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest, grated
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

***Topping
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into very small cubes for dotting between lattice crust holes
Cinnamon/sugar for sprinkling on top before baking

METHOD:

Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl to easily work with hands to form into pea-sized pieces. Add the flour, and drop small pieces of shortening in as well and do the same. Toss to coat the butter and shortening with the flour using your fingers, then begin to rub them into the flour with your fingers using the same method. After you've mixed about half of the butter and shortening into flour, wet your hands, shaking off the excess, then continue to mix the butter and flour with your fingers. Continue doing this 3 or 4 times while you're combining the flour and butter. Leave some larger pea-size pieces of butter in crust. Spoon about 5 tablespoons of the iced water in your flour, and then using a fork to slowly incorporate the water, adding more water if need be. Gather it into a ball and place it on plastic wrap, wrapping tight, and place in refrigerator to chill for 1 hour.

Score an “X” on the bottom of each peach with a paring knife. Drop them into boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon, and place in a bowl of ice water for a couple of seconds.  Peel skin back beginning at “X,” and remove skin, and then slice peaches into a large bowl.

Combine cornstarch and sugar in a small bowl, separately. Add to sliced peaches in large bowl and fold carefully to combine. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla; folding to combine.

Spray a 9”x13” baking dish with baking spray, and pour peaches into prepared dish.

To prepare lattice crust, roll out dough on a floured surface into a 1/8” thick rectangle (a bit larger than your baking dish). Slice the dough into long strips, and weave them through by lifting every other strip, alternatively, on top of your peach mixture in baking dish.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In the "holes" created by the lattice crust, place small pieces of cold butter in them. Sprinkle the overall top with sugar and cinnamon, then spray with baking spray. Bake for 45 minutes to 50 minutes, until crust is golden brown. Serve warm with French vanilla ice cream. – Enjoy!


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Tip: If using frozen peaches, thaw first, then drain – or if using canned peaches, drain first.