Dessert – The Funky Oven

Chocolate pound cake

Dessert, Uncategorized

Dense rich chocolate pound cake with a chocolate pecan glaze. My kids LOVED this cake.

For the cake:

1 1/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

4 ounces bittersweet cocoa

1 stick butter

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 cup half and half

1 teaspoon vanilla

For the glaze:

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup chopped pecans – optional

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour a loaf pan.

Place the stick of butter and semi sweet chocolate bars in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave 30 seconds. Stir. The chocolate will continue to melt slowly as you stir. Microwave in additional 10 second increments if needed. Continue stirring between cooking.

Once fully melted, stir in the sugar. Add the vanilla and then the eggs. Slowly add the half and half until fully combined.

Finally add the baking powder, baking soda, and flour.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake at 325 for 50-75 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow the cake to cool 10 minutes. Remove from the pan by inverting the pan.

Prepare the glaze by melting the butter and chocolate chips over low heat in a double boiler. Once melted, add the corn syrup and vanilla (and nuts if using). While hot, pour this over the cake. Continue to allow the cake to cool fully before cutting it.

Here is the final product.

Orange Cranberry Pecan Bread

Bread, Breakfast, Dessert

Oh my! This is really great. It is almost too sweet to be considered a brunch bread (in my opinion). Although, it is good enough that I cannot resist a slice. This bread cooks with a very moist loaf. Leaving the loaf in the pan until completely cool is essential or else it will fall apart. Also, know that the center of the loaf will sink slightly and appear to deflate once it is out of the oven. As long as the tooth pick is clean when inserted, it is done.

2 1/4 cups flour – divided

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons butter

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 salt

1 cup cranberries fresh or frozen

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 large egg

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoons orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice (one small cutie will do)

1 cup powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.

Prepare the topping by mixing the cold butter, 1/4 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and cinnamon. Cut all together until it is crumbly pea sized pieces.

For the bread, whisk together egg, brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. Add in the buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and orange zest. Slowly add in the remaining 2 cups flour, baking soda, salt, pecans, and cranberries. Stir until just combined.

Pour the batter into the pan. Top with the streusel.

Bake for 1 hour to 70 minutes. Test the bread using a toothpick. It is done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Make the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and orange juice. Remove the bread from the pan and pour the glaze over the top.

Peanut butter cookies with chocolate candies

Cookies, Dessert

These are literally the most giant, delicious, bakery style cookies ever. They will really amaze any person. The candies are so colorful. The size alone makes them irresistible.

1 1/3 cup all pourpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup softened butter (salted or unsalted)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1 egg

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large mixer, cream together the butter and sugars. Add the egg. Mix well. Continue to add the following ingredients in this order while mixing in between: vanilla, peanut butter, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Finally, add the flour. Mix fully. Roll into 2 tablespoon sized balls (very large). Leave 3 inches around each ball for spreading while baking. Place on a silicone mat lined baking sheet. Press the top of each ball using a fork. Sprinkle with mini chocolate candies. Bake in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 11-13 minutes or until centers are set. Do not over-bake. Allow to cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes prior to removing.

Cream cheese kolache

Bread, Breakfast, Dessert

2/3 cup whole milk

2 teaspoons instant yeast

2 tablespoons sugar

2 cups flour

6 tablespoons butter, melted

2 egg yolks (keep the whites for later)

1/4 teaspoons salt

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

egg wash – beaten egg white from above and a splash of milk

Make the filling by combining the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Mix this until creamy and smooth with no lumps. Set it aside in the refrigerator after mixing fully. You will need this again but in over an hour.

Warm the milk in a microwave for 30 seconds until warm. I use a Pyrex measuring cup for this. Measure the temperature of the milk and microwave an additional 10 seconds until the milk reaches 110 degrees. When it is 110 degrees, add the yeast, sugar, and 2/3 cups of baking flour. Do not add these ingredients if the milk is over 110 degrees. You must wait for it to cool. Once it cools properly, then add them.

Allow this mixture of milk, yeast, sugar, and flour to set in a warm place until it has doubled in size.

In another large bowl, melt the butter. Allow it to cool. Add in egg yolks and mix fully. Stir this mixture into the beginning dough mix that has risen. Slowly add in the remaining flour and salt. Mix well. You do not need to use a mixer for this step.

Knead the dough for a full 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the dough should not be sticky.

Divide the dough into 12 equal sized balls. Place each of the 12 balls into a prepared baking dish. Allow this to rise until doubled in size (30-60 minutes).

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Indent the dough in the center. Add the filling. Brush the egg was over the dough areas and not the filling.

Bake for 18-21 minutes or until golden brown. Test the center of the kolache by inserting a tooth pick into the center before removing them from the oven. The toothpick should come out clean.

Step1 – allowing the initial milk to rise after adding the yeast

Mixing the egg yolks and combining them with the risen dough starter and the remaining flour and salt

The various stages of rising – looking good.

Blueberry cream muffins

Breakfast, Dessert

These are bakery style muffins. They are lightly sweetened, moist and incredible. I accidently made this recipe and then realized how amazing it was. The batter is thicker than you expect. Do not worry. It cooks perfectly. The blueberries do not sink because of the thickness. This recipe makes about 12-14 muffins.

2 1/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup salted butter, melted

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a muffin pan with crisco and flour or line with paper liners.

Mix the butter, vegetable oil, and sour cream. Add in the vanilla and eggs. Add in the sugar. One at a time, stir in the salt, baking soda, baking powder, and finally the flour. Stir just enough to mix but do not over-stir. Lastly, gently mix in the blueberries.

Fill the muffin cups 3/4 full of batter. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin comes out clean. Remove from the pan as soon as done. Allow to cool on a wire rack. Place in a sealed contained once fully cool. These muffins become more moist after 24 hours.

Maraschino shortbread cookies

Dessert

These must be made using a mixer. Hand mixing will just not work. Also, the butter needs to be completely soft yet not melted. These cookies will not turn out correctly with melted or cold butter. I am also always a fan of being able to bake a whole lot of cookies on one sheet pan in 15 minutes. That alone makes these super cookies to make.

1 cup flour

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 jar maraschino cherries

2/3 cup salted butter – room temperature

1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Using a mixer, cream the butter powdered sugar and cornstarch. Add in the salt. Roll 1 tablespoon sized balls. Place them about 1 inch apart on parchment paper. Indent the center of each cookie using a finger tip. Place 1 cherry of top of each cookie. Bake for 13-15 minutes. Do not allow them to brown. Best eaten when completely cool.

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies

Dessert, Uncategorized

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 stick butter, softened

1 egg

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup light brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/4 cup flour

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Using a mixer, combine peanut butter and butter until fluffy. Add the egg, then vanilla, then milk. Add the sugars. Next add the baking soda and baking powder. Finally add the flour. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.

Roll into 1-2 tablespoon amounts. Do not flatten. Place each 2-3 inches apart. Bake 11-12 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes prior to removing from pan.

Grandma Mullich’s Cheesecake

Dessert

No spring form pan? Don’t want to mess with baking in a water bath? No problem.

While this is not a super tall New York style cheesecake, it compares with any small bakery style cheesecakes that are typically frozen. This is MUCH better. Use any topping that you choose… fruit, snickers bars, whipped cream, nothing…. you choose.

1 graham cracker crust

12 ounces cream cheese, softened

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

2 large eggs – yolks and whites divided

1/3 cup sour cream

2 tablespoon powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind – optional

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until fluffy on high speed.

Add in the sweetened milk. Add in the yolks of 2 eggs. Add the sour cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, lemon rind, and salt.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Fold the beaten egg whites into the cream cheese mixture. Pour this mixture into the crumb crust.

Bake in 300 degree oven for 30-40 minutes or until center is set to a finger touch. Cool completely before adding any toppings. It is best to cool and refrigerate overnight before serving.

Peanut butter corn flake treats

Dessert, Snacks

These are not a giant new idea. It is almost the same as Rice Krispie treats with a twist. Sometimes when you do not have the correct ingredients, you have to compromise.

1 bag marshmallows

4 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

6 cups corn flakes

Mix the marshmallows and butter in a bowl. Microwave for about 3 minutes stirring every 30 seconds until fully melted. Stir in peanut butter. When fully mixed, add in corn flakes. Press the mixture into a greased 9×13 pan. Refrigerate until cool about 2-3 hours. Cut into bars.

For the cake:

For the glaze:

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