Wednesday, September 30, 2009

OMG!

I want these in my kitchen!!
They are the cutest little pie molds and perfect for fall!! And, they're somewhat easy on the budget - $17 for both the pumpkin and apple pie molds. Check it out at Williams-Sonoma. {Thanks to Summer Wind for the heads up!)

And, I am totally going to make these over the weekend!!
{Pumpkin Pie Bites courtesy of Bakerella}

Saturday, September 26, 2009

My Apologies

I'm sorry for my lack of posts on sweets.

The shortbread tarts are still lingering in the kitchen...

They need to be eaten before I make anything else!

Friday, September 11, 2009

#1 - Shortbread Tarts with Cream Filling

If you have not discovered the Joy of Baking website yet, I suggest you do so now.
They have many great recipes!

The deliciousness that I am making today is not from any of my cookbooks, but from that website.
My fiance Mr. GrapeJuice put in a special request for Shortbread Tarts.
He claims this is what lead him to fall in love with me.
:)

These are quite easy to make; it just takes a little time.

SHORTBREAD TARTS:

1 cup (227 grams) (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup (72 grams) confectioners

(powdered or icing) sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups (210 grams) all purpose flour

2 tablespoons (30 grams) cornstarch or rice flour

1/8 teaspoon salt



CREAM CHEESE FILLING:

1-8-oz. (227 grams) package cream cheese - softened

1-14 ounce (396 grams) can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup (80 ml) lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

Zest of one lemon

1 teaspoon (4 grams) pure vanilla extract

{Mr. GrapeJuice is not a fan of lemon so I leave that part out. You can do what ever you want with the cream cheese!!}


GARNISH:

Any combination of berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries) or other fruit such as slices of kiwi.


Saturday, September 5, 2009

Williams-Sonoma Dessert

The last Williams-Sonoma book that I own.
We made it through!!!

Onto the desserts:
1. Flourless Chocolate Torte
2. Raspberry Tart
3. Vanilla Cheesecake
4. Creme Burlee
5. Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Topping
6. Berry Fool
7. Brownies
8. Pound Cake
9. Strawberry Shortcakes
10. Lemon Curd Squares
11. Blueberry Turnovers
12. Blackberry Cobbler
13. Peach Ice Cream
14. Mango Sorbet
15. Summer Fruit Compote
16. Pumpkin Pie
17. Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese
18. Pecan Tart
19. Gingerbread
20. Tiramisu
21. Frozen Citrus Mousse
22. White Chocolate and Raspberry Parfaits

Friday, September 4, 2009

Williams-Sonoma Hors D'Oeuvre

This is book 4 of my 5 book series.
We're almost there!!
I can't wait to make all of these either.

What to make when hosting a party:
1. Three-Cheese Filo Triangles
2. Leek and Red Pepper Mini Quiches
3. Moroccan-Style Meatballs
4. Deviled Eggs with Capers
5. Shrimp Cocktail
6. Crab Cakes
7. Tomato and Basil Bruschetta
8. Chinese Duck Parcels in Rice Paper
9. Cremini Mushroom Stuffed with Spanish Ham
10. Tiny Roquefort Popovers
11. Blue Cheese Dip
12. Thai Guacamole
13. Crisp Oyster Skewers with Lemon Butter
14. Deep-Fried Wontons with Creamy Curried Chicken
15. Pork Pinchitos with Tomato Romesco Sauce
16. Smoky Shrimp with Garlic-Parsley Mojo

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Williams-Sonoma Cake

I have 5 Williams-Sonoma cookbooks.
Did I mention that??
Oh, well, we're halfway through the WS books!!
:)

Yummy cakes to bake:
1. Carrot Cake
2. Coconut Layer Cake
3. Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
4. Black Forest Cake
5. Linzertorte
6. Cinnamon-Applesauce Cake
7. Espresso Pound Cake
8. Chocolate-Orange Cupcakes
9. Yogurt Cake with Peach Puree
10. Almond Cake
11. Chocolate-Almond Cake with Caramel Sauce
12. Lemon Sponge Cake
13. Strawberry Genoise with Whipped Cream
14. Almond and Cherry Cheesecake
15. Raspberry Charlotte
16. Chiffon Cake with Summer Fruit Compote
17. Carmelized Pear Upside-Down Gingerbread
18. Pecan Torte with Bourbon Whipped Cream
19. Pumpkin Mousse Cake

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Williams-Sonoma Pie & Tart

As you can tell, I got Williams-Sonoma cookbooks for Christmas.
I'm very excited to be able to use these...finally!!!
(This book is probably my favorite. I love fruit!!)

The Pies and Tarts on my to-do list:
1. Apple Pie
2. Cherry Pie
3. Fruit Tart with Pastry Cream
4. Key Lime Pie
5. Lemon Meringue Pie
6. Mississippi Mud Pie
7. Summer Berry Pie
8. Blueberry Pie
9. Georgia Peach Pie
10. Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie
11. Apple Pandowdy Pie
13. Cinnamon Apple Crumb Pie
14. Spiced Pumpkin Pie
15. Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Streuse
16. Caramel Cranberry-Almond Tart
17. Chocolate Silk Pie
18. Citrus Chiffon Pie
19. Chocolate Pudding Pie
20. Lemon Curd Tart
21. Raspberry Cream Pie
22. Creme Brulee Tartlets
23. Fresh Mint-Chocolate Truffle Tart
24. Raspberry and Chocolate Tartlets
25. Strawberry Tart with Orange Cream
26. Blackberry Pockets
27. Tossed Fresh Fruit Tart

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Williams-Sonoma Cookies

For Christmas 2008, I asked for a bunch of cookbooks and a stand mixer.
(This was when I thought I'd have my own place after I graduated.)
Although I do not have my own place, I still have a place to live and bake...as much as I want!!

Here are the cookie recipes I intend to try:
1. Chocolate Chip Cookies
2. Scotch Shortbread
3. Sugar Cookies
4. Lemon Bars
5. Anise Biscotti
6. Linzer Cookies
7. Chocolate Cookie Sandwiches
8. Ruby Jewel Cookies
9. Almond Sand Cookies
10. Chocolate Espresso Bars
11. Almond Crisps Drizzled with Chocolate
12. Peanut Butter Cookies
13. Cigarette Russes
14. Spritz Cookies
15. Mexican Wedding Cookies