Individual Lemon Cream Pies

I think some of the best recipes are the ones that are really easy to make with very few ingredients. This absolutely delightful dessert is perfect for parties, family gatherings, or for yourself! Indulge! 

Ingredients:

- Individual Keebler ready pie crust

- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

- 1 can sweetened condensed milk

- 1/2 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice

- zest from a lemon, optional

- yellow food coloring, optional

In a mixer, combine all of the ingredients except lemon zest. If you desire a more yellow color, feel free to add a few drops of yellow food coloring. After blended and smooth pour into mini shells and refrigerate. Enjoy!! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply." - Anonymous

Strawberry Cake Squares

This very popular cake is always in great demand around here! Made with fresh strawberries, it goes from being a sweet magnificent dessert to health food! :) 

Ingredients:

- 3 cups flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup applesauce
- 4 eggs
- 4 cups strawberries, chopped small

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 15x10 baking dish. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. In a mixer, blend sugar, oil, applesauce, and eggs. After blended, add flour mixture. Combine flour mixture and add strawberries. Pour into baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle. If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"Action may not always bring happiness but there is no happiness without action." Benjamin Disraeli

Scallops with Warm Corn-Chorizo Salad

Melt-in-your-mouth scallops with this very savory warm salad is sure to delight your palate and keep you coming back for more. I am going to start making the salad by itself to have with other meals or just an egg on top! 

Ingredients:

- 2 Tbs olive oil, divided

- 5 oz. sweet Italian chorizo (or your favorite kind)

- 1/2 cup diced onions

- 2 tsp. minced garlic

- slightly charred corn from 4 ears of corn

- 6 cups packed baby spinach

- 1/2 lb. fresh scallops

- salt and pepper

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chorizo and cook for 5 minutes. Add the onions and garlic and sauté for 2 more minutes. Stir in kernels of corn (charred or uncharred) and the spinach. When the spinach starts to wilt, remove mixture from skillet to a bowl and set aside. Rinse and pat dry your scallops. Add salt and pepper to the scallops. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and turn up the heat to high. When skillet is very hot, add scallops and sear 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Serve over warm corn-chorizo salad. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." - Roald Dahl

French Toast Cupcakes with Bacon Maple Buttercream Frosting

Finally, a dessert fitting for breakfast! ;) These french toast cupcakes, with a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg offer a delightful bite that one can quickly become addicted to. Add the bacon maple buttercream icing and well.... good luck trying to stop yourself!

Ingredients:

- One box white cake mix

- 3 eggs

- 1 cup half and half

- 1 tsp. nutmeg

- 1 tsp. cinnamon

- 1 tsp. vanilla extract

- bacon, cooked crisp, for crumbling on top of icing

Preheat oven for 350 degrees. Mix together the cake mix, eggs, half and half, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla. Batter might seem a little thick. Scoop batter into cupcake liners, filling 3/4 full. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. (I used mini cupcake liners so my baking time was about 11 minutes). Cool completely and frost with maple buttercream frosting. Enjoy!

Bacon Maple Buttercream Frosting:

- 2 sticks butter, softened

- 1 lb. powdered sugar

- 1 1/2 tsp. maple flavoring (see note below)

- 3 Tbs heavy cream or more if desired

In a large mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Add maple flavoring and cream. Slowly add powdered sugar, and beat until light and fluffy. Feel free to add more cream until it reaches your desired consistency. 

NOTE: I did not have maple extract on hand. I did find maple sugar at the store so I used 1 tsp. maple sugar and 1 Tbs pure maple syrup for my frosting. 

If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"There's nothing better than dessert for breakfast." - Anonymous