Bread Pudding

INGREDIENTS

6 slices day-old bread
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
3/4 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract



DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Break bread into small pieces into an 8 inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter or margarine over bread. If desired, sprinkle with raisins.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped.

Tapioca Pudding

Ingredients:

•115g/4oz (1/2 cup) Asian pearl tapioca (known as "seed" tapioca in North American grocery stores)
•2 cups water
•Pinch of salt
•1 can of coconut milk
•table syrup or maple syrup to serve (approx. 2-3 Tbsp. per serving)
•optional: slices of fresh mango or other tropical fruit

Procedure:
About Pearl Tapioca: The tapioca used here is called "pearl tapioca" in Asian stores, but if you buy it in the baking aisle of your local grocery store, it will be called "seed tapioca". This is the best type - better than minute tapioca. Note that if you happen to buy the larger pearls (like small peas), they will take twice as long to soak and cook.

1.Cover the tapioca with luke warm water for 15-20 minutes, or until the granules expand and have softened. Pour off excess water.

2.Place tapioca, pinch of salt, and 2 cups water in a pot over high heat. Bring to a boil.

3.Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally, adding a little more water (if necessary) to prevent tapioca from bubbling and "spitting". Cooking Tip: Tapioca is cooked when the pearls turn very soft and translucent. If you're not sure whether your tapioca is cooked, sample a spoonful - if it is soft and a little "gooey", it is done (even if several of the pearls are still not translucent).

4.Serve immediately if you prefer a warm dessert (good in the fall and winter), or let the tapioca cool in the refrigerator if you prefer a cold dessert (good for spring/summer).

5.To serve, spoon out about 1/2 cup of the cooked tapioca into individual serving bowls. Drizzle about 1/4 cup of coconut milk over the tapioca in each bowl. If using fresh fruit, sprinkle the fruit overtop. Finally, let your guests add their own syrup (according to how sweet they like it)- about 2-3 Tbsp. per bowl. Now have each person stir their pudding a little before sampling this tropical delight!

Tiramisu

INGREDIENTS
6 egg yolks
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1 1/4 cups mascarpone cheese
1 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
2 (12 ounce) packages ladyfingers
1/3 cup coffee flavored liqueur
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
1 (1 ounce) square semisweet chocolate





DIRECTIONS
1.Combine egg yolks and sugar in the top of a double boiler, over boiling water. Reduce heat to low, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and whip yolks until thick and lemon colored.

2.Add mascarpone to whipped yolks. Beat until combined. In a separate bowl, whip cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold into yolk mixture and set aside.

3.Split the lady fingers in half, and line the bottom and sides of a large glass bowl. Brush with coffee liqueur. Spoon half of the cream filling over the lady fingers. Repeat ladyfingers, coffee liqueur and filling layers. Garnish with cocoa and chocolate curls. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

4.To make the chocolate curls, use a vegetable peeler and run it down the edge of the chocolate bar.

Lemon Ice Box Pie

INGREDIENTS
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 lemons, juiced
1 teaspoon lemon zest







DIRECTIONS
1.In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.

2.Add condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon rind. Mix until smooth.

3.Pour mixture into crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and mint leaves if desired.

Rainbow Cookies

INGREDIENTS
8 ounces almond paste
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
4 eggs, separated
2 cups all-purpose flour
6 drops red food coloring
6 drops green food coloring
6 drops yellow food coloring
1/4 cup seedless red raspberry jam
1/4 cup apricot jam
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted






DIRECTIONS
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line three 9x13 inch baking pans with parchment paper.

2.In a large bowl, break apart almond paste with a fork, and cream together with butter, sugar, and egg yolks. When mixture is fluffy and smooth, stir in flour to form a dough.

3.In a small bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold egg whites into the dough. Divide dough into 3 equal portions. Mix one portion with red food coloring, one with green food coloring, and one with yellow food coloring.

4.Spread each portion into one of the prepared baking pans.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned.

5.Carefully remove from pan and parchment paper, and cool completely on wire racks.

6.Place green layer onto a piece of plastic wrap large enough to wrap all three layers. Spread green layer with raspberry jam, and top with yellow layer. Spread with apricot jam, and top with pink layer. Transfer layers to a baking sheet, and enclose with plastic wrap.

7. Place a heavy pan or cutting board on top of wrapped layers to compress. Chill in the refrigerator 8 hours, or overnight.

8.Remove plastic wrap. Top with melted chocolate chips, and refrigerate 1 hour, or until chocolate is firm. Slice into small squares to serve.

Strawberry Shortcake

INGREDIENTS
3 pints fresh strawberries
1/2 cup white sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
1 egg
2/3 cup milk
2 cups whipped heavy cream
Add to Recipe Box





DIRECTIONS
1.Slice the strawberries and toss them with 1/2 cup of white sugar. Set aside.

2.Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease and flour one 8 inch round cake pan.

3.In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, 2 tablespoons white sugar and the salt. With a pastry blender cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and add the beaten egg and milk. Stir until just combined.

4.Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool partially in pan on wire rack.

5.Slice partially cooled cake in half, making two layers. Place half of the strawberries on one layer and top with the other layer. Top with remaining strawberries and cover with the whipped cream.

Banana Pudding

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
6 T cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
4 cups milk
4 whole eggs beaten with fork or whisk
2 tsp vanilla extract.....not imitation
2 t butter
1 box vanilla wafers
5-6 bananas


Procedure
1.Mix sugar, cornstarch and salt in large boiler and stir or whisk
in milk.

2.Bring to a boil over medium high heat stirring
constantly. Remove from heat while you stir some of the hot mixture
into the eggs and then add the egg mixture back to the boiler and
return to heat and bring back to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.

3.Remove from heat and add vanilla and butter and stir until butter
is melted and mixed.

4.Make layers with the pudding, sliced bananas and vanilla wafers in that order until bowl is full or ingredients are used up. End with vanilla wafers and a last layer of pudding. Chill and serve.

Lemon Bars

Ingredients

CRUST:

1/2 cup (1 stick) (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/4 cup (25 grams) confectioner's (powdered or icing) sugar

1 cup (140 grams) all purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

FILLING:

1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar

2 large eggs

1/3 cup (80 ml) fresh lemon juice (approximately two large lemons)

1 tablespoons (5 grams) grated lemon zest (2 lemons)

2 tablespoons (25 grams) all purpose flour

TOPPING:

Confectioner's (powdered or icing) sugar


Procedure

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Grease with butter (or use a cooking spray) a 8 x 8 inch (20 x 28 cm) pan.

2.FOR CRUST: In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the flour and salt and beat until the dough just comes together. Press into the bottom of your greased pan and bake for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool while you make the filling.

3.FOR FILLING: In your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the sugar and eggs until nice and smooth. Add the lemon juice and zest and stir to combine. Fold in the flour. Pour the filling over the shortbread crust and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the filling is set. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

To serve: Cut into squares or triangles and dust with powdered sugar. These are best eaten the day they are made but can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for a day or two.

Fudge Brownies

INGREDIENTS

1 cup butter
4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped walnuts



DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.

In 3-quart saucepan over very low heat, melt butter or margarine and chocolate, stirring the mixture constantly. Remove from heat, and stir the sugar into the chocolate. Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour and salt; stir into the chocolate mixture. Fold in the walnuts. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake in oven 30 to 35 minutes. Brownies are done when toothpick inserted into center come out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

Marshmallow

Ingredients

About 1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons plus 2 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup hot water (about 115 degrees)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla


Directions

Oil bottom and sides of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch rectangular metal baking pan and dust bottom and sides with some confectioners' sugar.

In large bowl sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let stand to soften.

In a 3-quart heavy saucepan cook granulated sugar, corn syrup, hot water, and salt over low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until sugar is dissolved. Increase heat to moderate and boil mixture, without stirring, until a candy or digital thermometer registers 240 degrees, about 12 minutes. Remove pan from heat and pour sugar mixture over gelatin mixture, stirring until gelatin is dissolved.

With standing or a hand-held electric mixer beat mixture on high speed until white, thick and nearly tripled in volume, about 6 minutes if using standing mixer or about 10 minutes if using hand-held mixer. In a large bowl with cleaned beaters beat whites (or reconstituted powdered whites) until they just hold stiff peaks. Beat whites and vanilla into sugar mixture until just combined. Pour mixture into baking pan and sift 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar evenly over top. Chill marshmallow, uncovered, until firm, at least three hours, and up to 1 day.

Run a thin knife around edges of pan and invert pan onto large cutting board. Lifting up 1 corner of inverted pan, with fingers loosen marshmallow and let drop onto cutting board. With a large knife trim edges of marshmallow and cut marshmallows into roughly 1-inch cubes. Sift remaining confectioners' sugar into a large bowl and add marshmallows in batches, tossing to evenly coat. Marshmallow keep in an airtight container at cool room temperature 1 week

Chocolate Icing and Cake

Chocolate Frosting

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
4 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS
In a bowl with an electric mixer, cream the butter. Sift the sugar and cocoa powder together and gradually add to the butter, beating well after each addition. Add the cream and vanilla and beat until well blended and fluffy.




Chocolate Cake

INGREDIENTS
2 cups boiling water
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
2 1/4 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract




DIRECTIONS
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 3 - 9 inch round cake pans. In medium bowl, pour boiling water over cocoa, and whisk until smooth. Let mixture cool. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.

2.In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at time, then stir in vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the cocoa mixture. Spread batter evenly between the 3 prepared pans.

3.Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool.

Cheese Cake

INGREDIENTS
Gramah Cracker Crust
1 1/2 cups crushed graham crackers
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted



DIRECTIONS:
1.In a small bowl, combine the crumbs and sugar; add butter and blend well. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9-in. pie plate.

2.Bake at 375 degrees F for 7-10 minutes or until crust is lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack before filling.



INGREDIENTS:
Cheese Cake Filling
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
16 ounces cream cheese
2 eggs
3/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract





DIRECTIONS:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2.Beat softened cream cheese slightly. Add eggs, sugar, vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Pour mixture into crust.

3.Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until firm, about 25 minutes. Let cheesecake cool then top fresh berries, if desired. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours before serving.

Chocolate Mousee

Ingredients:2 cups chilled heavy cream
4 large egg yolks
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
7 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped

Procedure:
Heat 3/4 cup cream in a 1-quart heavy saucepan until hot. Whisk together yolks, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a metal bowl until combined well, then add hot cream in a slow stream, whisking until combined. Transfer mixture to saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly, until it registers 160°F on thermometer. Pour custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and stir in vanilla.

Melt chocolate in a double boiler or a metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water (or in a glass bowl in a microwave at 50 percent power 3 to 5 minutes), stirring frequently. Whisk custard into chocolate until smooth, then cool.

Beat remaining 1 1/4 cups cream in a bowl with an electric mixer until it just holds stiff peaks. Whisk one fourth of cream into chocolate custard to lighten, then fold in remaining cream gently but thoroughly.

Spoon mousse into 8 (6-ounce) stemmed glasses or ramekins and chill, covered, at least 6 hours. Let stand at room temperature about 20 minutes before serving. Makes 8servings

• To vary the flavor, you can replace the 1 teaspoon vanilla with 2 teaspoons instant-espresso powder (dissolve it in the hot cream) or 3 tablespoons Grand Marnier or 2 tablespoons Cognac (either one whisked into strained custard).

Fruit Tarts

Pastry Cream

INGREDIENTS
2 cups milk
1/4 cup white sugar
2 egg yolks
1 egg
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract





DIRECTIONS
1.In a heavy saucepan, stir together the milk and 1/4 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

2.In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and egg. Stir together the remaining sugar and cornstarch; then stir them into the egg until smooth. When the milk comes to a boil, drizzle it into the bowl in a thin stream while mixing so that you do not cook the eggs. Return the mixture to the saucepan, and slowly bring to a boil, stirring constantly so the eggs don' t curdle or scorch on the bottom.

3.When the mixture comes to a boil and thickens, remove from the heat. Stir in the butter and vanilla, mixing until the butter is completely blended in. Pour into a heat-proof container and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until chilled before using


Sweet Pastry Crust:

1 1/2 cups (200 grams) all purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter

1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar

1 large egg, lightly beaten


Topping:

2 - 3 cups mixed fruit, such as raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, kiwifruit, bananas, plums, pineapple, melon, etc.


Procedure:
Sweet Pastry Crust: In a separate bowl, sift or whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside. Place the butter in your mixer and beat until softened. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Gradually add the beaten egg, beating just until incorporated. Don't over mix or the butter will separate and lighten in color. Add flour mixture all at once and mix just until it forms a ball. Don't overwork or pastry will be hard when baked.
Flatten dough into disk, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 20 minutes or until firm.

Have ready an 8 - 9 inch (20 - 23 cm) tart pan with removable bottom. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry into an 11 - 12 inch (28 - 30 cm) circle that is about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick. To prevent the pastry from sticking to the counter and to ensure uniform thickness, keep lifting up and turning the pastry a quarter turn as you roll (always roll from the center of the pastry outwards to get uniform thickness). To make sure it is the right size, take your tart pan, flip it over, and place it on the rolled out pastry. The pastry should be about an inch larger than pan.

When the pastry is rolled to the desired size, lightly roll pastry around your rolling pin, dusting off any excess flour as you roll. Unroll onto top of tart pan. Never pull pastry or you will get shrinkage (shrinkage is caused by too much pulling of the pastry when placing it in the pan). Gently lay in pan and with a small floured piece of pastry, lightly press pastry into bottom and up sides of pan. Roll your rolling pin over top of pan to get rid of excess pastry. With a thumb up movement, again press dough into pan. Roll rolling pin over top again to get rid of any extra pastry. Prick bottom of dough (this will prevent the dough from puffing up as it bakes). Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes to chill the butter and to rest the gluten.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven. Line unbaked pastry shell with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Fill tart pan with pie weights, rice or beans, making sure the weights are to the top of the pan and evenly distributed over the entire surface. Bake crust for 20 to 25 minutes until crust is dry and lightly golden brown. Remove weights and cool crust on wire rack before filling.

To Assemble Tart:
To remove the tart from the fluted sides of the pan, place your hand under the pan, touching only the removable bottom not the sides. Gently push the tart straight up, away from the sides. The fluted tart ring will fall away and slide down your arm. If you want to remove the bottom of the pan, run a knife or thin metal spatula between the crust and metal bottom, then slide the tart onto a cardboard cake round.

Spread the Pastry Cream into the tart, filling about 3/4 full. Level with an offset spatula.

To decorate the tart you will need 2 to 3 cups (480 - 620 ml) of mixed fresh fruit (such as berries, bananas, oranges, kiwifruit, plums, pineapple, and melon). Prepare the fruit by gently washing and drying. Peel and slice the bananas, plums and kiwifruit. The strawberries will need to be sliced also. Arranging the fruit on the tart can be done either randomly or in concentric overlapping circles, starting at the outside edge. Try to cover all the pastry cream with fruit so that no pastry cream is showing through.

Vanilla Pastry Cream

INGREDIENTS
2 cups milk
1/4 cup white sugar
2 egg yolks
1 egg
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract





DIRECTIONS
1.In a heavy saucepan, stir together the milk and 1/4 cup of sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

2.In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and egg. Stir together the remaining sugar and cornstarch; then stir them into the egg until smooth. When the milk comes to a boil, drizzle it into the bowl in a thin stream while mixing so that you do not cook the eggs. Return the mixture to the saucepan, and slowly bring to a boil, stirring constantly so the eggs don' t curdle or scorch on the bottom.

3.When the mixture comes to a boil and thickens, remove from the heat. Stir in the butter and vanilla, mixing until the butter is completely blended in. Pour into a heat-proof container and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until chilled before using

Apple Crisp

Topping:

1/2 cup (65 grams) all purpose flour

1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar

1/4 cup (55 grams) light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon fresh or ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons (84 grams) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1/3 cup (30 grams) old-fashioned rolled oats

1/3 cup (40 grams) chopped walnuts or pecans

Filling:

2 1/2 pounds (1.2 kg) or 6 cups Granny Smith Apples or other firm, tart-tasting apple (peeled, cored, and cut into 1 inch (2.54 cm) chunks)

1 cup fresh blackberries or raspberries (optional)

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1 teaspoon lemon zest

3 tablespoons (40 grams) white granulated sugar


Procedure
Apple Crisp: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. Butter or spray with a cooking spray, a 9 inch (23 cm) deep dish pie plate or an 8 x 8 x 2 inch (20 x 20 x 5 cm) baking dish. (Can also make 8 individual ramekins.) Set aside.

For Topping: Place all the topping ingredients (flour, sugars, spices, butter, oats and nuts) in a food processor and process until the mixture is crumbly (looks like coarse meal) and there are no large pieces of butter visible. (This can also be done with two knives or your fingertips.) Set aside while you prepare the filling.

For Filling: Place the apple chunks in a large bowl, along with the berries (if using) and lemon zest. Toss with the lemon juice and sugar. Transfer to your prepared baking dish Spread the topping evenly over the apples.

Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes (20 - 25 minutes for individual ramekins) or until bubbly, and the topping is golden brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for about 30 minutes before serving.

Serve with softly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Refrigerate leftovers and reheat before serving.

Makes 4 servings

Blueberry Muffin

Blueberry Muffin ingredients list:
2 cups of blueberries.
2 eggs.
2 cups of flour.
1 cup of sugar.
1/2 cup of milk.
1/4 cup of butter.
2 teaspoon of baking powder.
1 teaspoon of vanilla.
1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Instructions for Blueberry Muffin:
Preheat your oven to 350F.

Grease and floor muffin pan. Beat together the butter, eggs, salt and sugar.

Mix the flour with baking powder and sift into first mixture, alternating with milk.

Blend in the vanilla.

Add the blueberries.

Pour into the muffin pan and bake for about thirty minutes.

Banana Crepes With Brown Sugar Rum Sauce

Ingredients:
Crepes:
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
.
Sauce:1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons dark corn syrup
2 tablespoons Dark rum
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
.
4 to 5 bananas
cinnamon sugar
berries, pecans, or more banana slices for garnish

Preparation:
In a blender, blend eggs with milk. Add the flour, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons sugar, salt, cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Blend until smooth. Pour into a container, cover, and refrigerate let stand for 1 hour or refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
To cook, heat a lightly buttered 7" or 8" crepe pan. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter in the hot pan and swirl the pan so the batter coats the bottom of the pan. Cook until the edges begin to brown. Carefully lift with a thin spatula and flip over. Cook for a few seconds, just until lightly browned. Place on a plate and repeat with remaining batter. If you will be storing the crepes for a short time, separate the crepes with small squares of waxed paper.

Make the sauce: In a medium saucepan combine 1 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons dark corn syrup, 2 tablespoons rum, 2 tablespoons butter, the heavy cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. The mixture will foam, so be careful it doesn't boil over. Set aside and let cool to room temperature.

Slice a banana; arrange half of the slices down the center of a crepe and drizzle with a little of the sauce and sprinkle with a little cinnamon sugar; roll up and place on a serving plate. If desired, sprinkle with a few berries, extra slices of banana, or pecans. Drizzle the crepe with more rum sauce and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Repeat with remaining crepes and bananas. Makes about 8 crepes, depending on size.

Red Velvet Cupcakes
2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour*
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 oz. red food coloring (two bottles)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda


Cream Cheese Frosting

16 oz. cream cheese (2 packages), softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter (one stick), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
pinch of salt


Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake papers.

2. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. In a small bowl, mix food coloring and cocoa powder to form a thin paste without lumps; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then beat in vanilla and the red cocoa paste, scraping down the bowl with a spatula as you go. Add one third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beat well, then beat in half of the buttermilk. Beat in another third of flour mixture, then second half of buttermilk. End with the last third of the flour mixture, beat until well combined, making sure to scrape down the bowl with a spatula.

4. In a small bowl, mix vinegar and baking soda. Yes, it will fizz! Add vinegar mixture to the cake batter and stir well to combine. Using an ice cream scoop, fill cupcake cups with cake batter (they should be 2/3 - 3/4 full). You may not fill all the cups, I ended up with 20 cupcakes. Place muffin tins on the middle rack of a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake for approximately 20-22 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Check early and don’t overbake!

5. Cool the cupcakes in their tins on a wire rack for 10 minutes then remove and allow to cool completely before frosting. Frost cupcakes with cream cheese icing (recipe below) and decorate with red sprinkles if desired. The cupcakes above were decorated using the Wilton Cupcake Decorating Kit and Valentine’s Sprinkles. They can usually be found at craft stores like Michaels or Joann.

6. Enjoy the cupcakes with those you love!

Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice cream

1 cup milk

A pinch of salt

3/4 cups sugar

1 vanilla bean

5 egg yolks

2 cup heavy cream

A few drops of vanilla extract


Procedure
1. Heat the milk, salt, and sugar in a saucepan. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the milk with the tip of a paring knife. Add the bean pod to the milk.

2. Stir together the egg yolks in a bowl and gradually add some of the warmed milk, stirring constantly as you pour. Pour the warmed yolks back into the saucepan.

3. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom with a heat-resistant spatula until the custard thickens enough to coat the spatula. Strain the custard into the heavy cream. Rinse the vanilla bean and put it back into the custard and cream to continue steeping. Chill thoroughly, then remove the vanilla bean and freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturers instructions.

Creme Brulee

8 egg yolks

1/3 cup granulated white sugar

2 cups heavy cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup granulated white sugar (for the caramelized tops)

Procedure:

Preheat oven to 300ºF. In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is thick and pale yellow. Add cream and vanilla, and continue to whisk until well blended. Strain into a large bowl, skimming off any foam or bubbles.
Divide mixture among 6 ramekins or custard cups. Place ramekins in a water bath (large pan filled with 1 or 2 inches of hot water) and bake until set around the edges, but still loose in the center, about 50 to 60 minutes. Remove from oven and leave in the water bath until cooled. Remove cups from water bath and chill for at least 2 hours, or up to 2 days. When ready to serve, sprinkle about 2 teaspoons of sugar over each custard. For best results, use a small, hand-held torch to melt sugar. If you don't have a torch, place under the broiler until sugar melts. Re-chill custards for a few minutes before serving.
Serves 6