Cool Summer Dessert

I'm not a huge dessert person at all. I normally leave that to my hubby. So, when I find a dessert I really like, that means it's a knock out. Well, I've found a knock out...Stawberry Shortcut Cake. It's moist and light and a perfect dessert for the Summer months. And as the name suggests, it's pretty easy and quick to prepare. Give it a try!

Strawberry Shortcut Cake



Ingredients

1 (18.25-ounce) box strawberry cake mix
3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
2 tablespoons cognac
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (3-ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Follow cake directions as written on cake mix box.
3. Remove from oven and cool cake completely.
4. In a medium bowl, combine strawberries, cognac and sugar. Let strawberries macerate 20 minutes.
5. Mix gelatin as directed on box. Refrigerate gelatin mix but do not let it harden, it should cool to a liquid consistency.
6. Invert and release cake onto a decorative platter.
7. Using a straw, poke holes all over the cake.
8. Pour gelatin into holes and spread over the top of the cake.
9. Spread layer of macerated strawberries on top of cake.
10. Whip cream with confectioners' sugar and vanilla at medium-high speed until it reaches stiff peaks. Do not over whip.
11. Spread layer of whipped cream on top of the strawberries, making pretty swirls and ripples.
12. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Apple Dumplings

This is the BEST comfort food dessert ever! It is so sinfully good and super easy to make. If you like apple pie, this is the dessert for you!

Apple Dumplings
Recipe Courtesy of The Pioneer Woman



Ingredients

2 Granny Smith apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoons vanilla
cinnamon
1 small can Mountain Dew

Directions

1. Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each.
2. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll.
3. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan.
4. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir.
5. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples.
6. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan.
7. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
8. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

And voilà!

Sweets for My Sweetie

Ken LOVES sweets! So I decided to try and step it up in the dessert area and keep him a nice variety of sweets around the house. I'm not a huge dessert person, but I do love a good cookie...especially if it has nuts in it! Soooo, chocolate chip pecan cookies fit us both perfectly!

Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
5 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
3/4 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch salt
8 ounces milk chocolate and peanut butter swirl morsels
8 ounces pecans, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.



2. Place the butter, and both sugars in a mixer bowl, and cream until well mixed.

3. Add the vanilla extract and egg. Mix well.

4. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

5. Add small amounts of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, and mix well.

6. Fold in the chocolate pieces and nuts.



7. Refrigerate dough for 1/2 hour.



8. Spoon out 1/2 tablespoon portions on a parchment lined baking sheet, 1 1/2 inches apart.



9. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool.

Beware of the Cookie Monster!

My favorite type cookie of all time is Oatmeal Walnut Raisin! So of course I had to try my hand at baking some...and I'm soooo glad that I did because they were so yummy!

Oatmeal Walnut Raisin Cookies


Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts


Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
4. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until just blended.
5. Mix in the quick oats, walnuts, and butterscotch.
6. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.
7. Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.