Strawberries with Ice Cream

 

 

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It’s strawberry season here in Krakow! You can find baskets heaping with these bright red berries all over town. They’re super sweet and not expensive- a win win. I bought a basket, brought it home and ended up staring at it not sure what to make. There’s the obvious chocolate dipped ones which of course we made, but what else can I make with them? So…I decided that I’ll make a compilation of strawberry recipes for myself, and you reader, to refer to.

I’d love to hear of your favorite recipes that include strawberries!

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This first one isn’t really a recipe. OK it’s not. But it screams summer- simple ingredients and fresh fruit. And it’s what happens when the kiddos have 10 min before bed time but want a dessert. They helped put it together which made it taste even sweeter for them. 🙂IMG_20150624_182726

*Bowls from Istanbul, Turkey

Fruit Cake

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This cake is pretty simple and really tasty. I served this a couple times and at both times it was praised. I prefer it cold but it can be served luke warm/warm.

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You can add any fruit you like, I happen to have strawberries. Top with powdered sugar and you’re good to go!

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It takes maybe 10 min to put together and 40-45 min to cook. Did I mention it’s an easy cake? 🙂

Makes 1 9×13 cake | Preparation: Heat oven to 350 degrees F and line 9×13 pan with foil and cover with bake spray.

Ingredients:

Crust

  • 1 box of yellow cake mix
  • 4 ounces butter, melted
  • 1 egg

Berry Custard Filling

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cups sour cream
  • 1/2 cup flour plus 2 tablespoons
  • 12 oz strawberries
  • 4 oz berries

Instructions:

To make crust

  1. Place the dry cake mix, butter, 1 egg  in a bowl and mix until well blended. Press mixture into parchment-lined 9×13 inch pan. Set aside.

To make berry custard filling

  1. Place eggs in a bowl and beat eggs until well combined. Add in sugar and beat and until foamy. Add in sour cream, flour and mix to combine. Fold in strawberries and other berries.
  2. Pour mixture on top of crust and bake at 350 degrees for 40-55 minutes or until the edges are a light golden brown, and the center slightly jiggles when pan is tapped.
  3. Cool completely in pan. Turn out onto a cutting board and cut into squares.

Crazy Easy Peach Cobbler

Just put sugared (canned or fresh) fruit  in a pan. My peaches were too soft to be eaten so I thought this would be perfect. No need to grease the pan.

Just put fruit in…

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Add some yellow cake mix on top…

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Bake and then enjoy.

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Yup, that easy. Enjoy!

Apple Tart

I made a random apple tart. Partially random. I bought a package of pie crust and it came with two crusts. 🙂 So I made it with Trav in mind. One of his favorite desserts is apple pie. Thus this easy peezy artistic apple tart.

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The stand it’s on is made from two pieces I found at Goodwill. I like it. It makes me happy. 🙂

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The tart is, as I said above, just one of those refrigerated crusts. I think this is about 3 apples with a little flour, 1/4 cup sugar and butter to top. The flour I just sprinkled in. Sorry, no amount there. Make it for a ‘oh crap there’s company coming over and I have no dessert’ night. It’s awesome! 🙂

winner and cupcakes

Congratulations to MARIA!!! You are the new owners of the green bracelet and green glass earrings! 🙂 Email me with your address. Thanx!

New jewelry coming up later today! They are beautiful in my opinion!!! It’ll be worth it for you-trust me 🙂

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In other news, we… made cupcakes! (‘we’ being a relative over generalized term) From scratch. Yummo. They were a little more dense than I would have liked but they were tangy and I loved that. Eggnog cupcakes anyone?

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I wrapped them for Trav to take to his work but I guess he forgot them. Maybe tomorrow he’ll bring them. I’m also a little obsessed with cool plates like what’s pictured. Oh, anthropology, if only I have millions to spend on plates from you.

I topped them with toffee and chocolate chips. The icing is chai cream cheese.

NoneHere is a recipe for vanilla cupcakes. Have fun creating whatever you feel like!

Apple Crisp

I’ve been thinking about putting Emma in a cooking class a local Community Center offers. But the more I thought about it, I was like, ” Psh! Whatever! I cook and bake and I’ll just do it myself!” So today was day one. She did great, I wasn’t afraid of any messes she would make (it’s how you learn right?) and we had a great time together- which was the ultimate point.

I must say that it turned out pretty good. I like a crispier ‘Crisp’ but I think only picky Crisp people would have an opinion about it. I’m going to serve it for dessert tonight with whipped cream. It will be amazing.

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Ingredients. I also added vanilla extract and a t. of butter in the filling.

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I had the best helper. This is her ‘cheese’ smile. Not bad compared to mine when I was her age. I would smile so big and strained. It’s cute now, but in middle school I was less than excited to see those pictures of me resurface.

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I followed their recipe. It was easy and simple, perfect for a two year old helper. They cut the apples into little tiny piees. I didn’t do that, I like them big and chunky. It reminds me of the chunky sweaters and scarfs I like to wear in the winter time. And Emma’s chunky cheeks. I like to rub my nose on her cheeks. She giggles and probably thinks I’m weird. That’s probably true.

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The finished product. Beautiful huh. It kinda looks like peaches to me, which I wouldn’t mind a peach crisp, but it IS Fall season and apples are just right for this time of year. Yes, it was as good as it looks. I took it out still bubbling and felt that giddy, excited bubbly feeling when you make something and it turns out like you were hoping.

I was really looking forward to taking pictures. I’m trying a new twist on my food picture taking and we’ll see how they turn out. All in all, make this recipe when you’re feeling like you want to snuggle in a blanket and surf the internet for hours. Don’t deny it, we all have that craving. This is perfect for those evenings. Oh and don’t worry about always having it hot, eat it cold, it then tastes like the inside of an apple pie. Mmmmm.

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Warning: This is a dessert that has the possibility to become a ‘Comfort Food’. You know, one of those foods that you are happy to get out of bed in the mornings to eat. Still in your pj’s. Crazy hair. Smiling. (you know what I’ll be having for breakfast tomorrow) OK, you have been warned.

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Check back tomorrow for your own benefit. Yes, I am giving something away possibly to you! Oh and you want it- trust me.