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As American As Apple Crisp

YumSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:15:29 -0800

Party must be able to predict the future, well, at least mine, because this past weekend a friend dropped off a bushel of apples! After reading through your wonderful ideas and strongly debating on making those scrumptious apple and brie nachos, I opted for a traditional, exceptionally tasty apple crisp!
Like crumbles, crisps are very easy to make and require little prep work. For an extra crunchy texture, I added old-fashioned oats and freshly roasted walnuts to my crisp. Crisps are a delightful alternative to the classic, time-consuming holiday pie and are easily adaptable to include a variety of fruits. Whatever fruit you choose, always serve warm with a large dollop of whipped cream! Get started on your own and

Dove Chocolatier: The Next Avon Lady?

YumSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:45:19 -0700

You've heard of the door-to-door Avon lady, and been to Tupperware parties. But have you ever been to a Dove Chocolate party?

Now you can. Two weeks ago, candy giant Mars launched its newest venture, a direct-selling company called Dove Chocolate Discoveries.

The company is targeting women and men who want to start an at-home business to become independent sales consultants. These "chocolatiers" then throw "tasting parties" where they teach friends how to make everything from chocolate martinis to chocolate truffles. The goal? To convince guests to buy chocolate rimmers, cupcake baking kits, and chocolate-covered graham crackers, among other things.

With Halloween around the corner, everyone has candy on the brain, so the prospects could be bright. Sales consultants make at least 25 percent of everything they sell, so it could also be lucrative. What do you think of the concept? Would you buy lots of Mars products at a chocolate party?

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Fondue + You = Skewer . . . Dip . . .Yum

YumSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:00:04 -0700

On Friday, I caught a quick glimpse of Nigella Lawson on the Today show. She featured a Fall fruit fondue recipe so delicious looking I had to try it! Seasonal fruit (apples and pears) served with a delectable caramel fondue make for a simple but stunning dessert. This unconventional caramel sauce is quick, easy, and doesn't require sugar chemistry knowledge or a candy thermometer! All of the ingredients are kitchen staples except for the golden syrup. Since I was unable to find this common British product, I substituted a mixture of corn syrup and molasses.

Don't be disappointed if initially the cooked sugar and butter have a grainy consistency. Once the cream is added the caramel's texture will become smooth, rich, and sheeny. To try something new with fondue,

Banana Nut Bread Two Ways — Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:00:22 -0700

Growing up, dessert nut breads were family favorites, and at a young age I discovered that these loaves make great gifts for many occasions. With the first recipe below, you don't have to worry about spending hours in the kitchen to make a delicious, pretty treat for yourself or someone else. Or, if you're feeling more adventurous (and patient), you can opt for a recipe that starts from scratch. To see both,

Reader Recipe: Honey Glacée

YumSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:00:57 -0700

The other day I was browsing the recipes on TeamSugar and this one by VirginSin caught my eye: Was it a breakfast item, a snack, or a dessert? I think the answer is all of the above! These bite-sized treats — a combination of cornflakes, honey, and peanuts — are served in paper cups making them a tasty, portion-controlled indulgence. The recipe calls for a few ingredients, all of which most likely already exist in your kitchen.

To make your own version,

Plum Delicious Crumble With Pistachios

YumSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:00:21 -0700

One of my favorite things about Summer is when friends occasionally stop by with a large bag of freshly picked fruit from their gardens. This past weekend, my dear friend bestowed on me a basket full of fresh plums. I could have made a pie, but I was in the mood for an easy, yet delicious crumble.
Crumbles are stewed fruit with a mixture of butter, flour, and sugar to make a crisp topping once baked. I added pistachios to the topping for extra crunch and spicy fresh ginger to the plum filling. Combine with a scoop of ice cream or dollop of whipped cream to make this fruity, nutty, and crunchy crumble the perfect Summer dessert. Crumbles are easily altered to suit just about any taste, so to learn how to make one,

Recipe Review: Slimmed Down Brownies

YumSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:10:05 -0700

Slimmed Down Brownies Recipe Review In lieu of butter, this brownie recipe calls for Greek yogurt — and sheds 170 calories per serving.

Rice Pudding: A Perfect Dessert For Your Summer Fruits

YumSugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:45:02 -0700

During a recent endeavor to make peach rice pudding popsicles, I loved the rice pudding so much (a good amount of it wound up in my stomach instead of the freezer!) that I decided it was time to make a batch.

Enter this rice pudding recipe, which highlights all the freshest Summer fruits. It's comfort food to the max, with a glutinous bite and creamy, vanilla undertones. Make sure you keep the saucepan at arm's length and stir the rice continuously. I got distracted watching the Olympics, and my saucepan overflowed on me! To get this simple recipe,

Sweet 'n' Tart Shortbread Cookies

YumSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:15:19 -0700

Overcome by a cookie craving, I baked up something light and summery to suit the season. These cookies are perfect for hot months when chocolate-laden desserts are too heavy. Flavored with lots of lime, these scrumptious cookies are sweet yet sour with a light, crumbly texture. The bite-sized treats are the ideal finish to a picnic or BBQ.
The recipe is simple, but be sure to bake the cookies to a light golden perfection, otherwise, the zesty lime flavor is lost to the buttery shortbread. To learn how to make these shortbread cookies with a refreshing lime twist

Definition: Profiterole

YumSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:15:39 -0700

Profiterole
Small, round, French pastries that are served cold. Also know as cream puffs, profiteroles are usually filled with whipped or pastry cream and often are topped with caramel, powdered sugar, or crème anglaise. The puffs are sliced at the top, filled using a pastry bag, and reassembled with the top replaced.

The savory variation of the profiterole is the gougère.

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Are You One Smart (Sugar) Cookie?

YumSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:30:31 -0700

When it comes to sweet treats, it doesn't get much simpler than a sugar cookie. But this basic biscuit is also incredibly versatile, which is what makes sugar cookies so much fun.

You can cut them in shapes, color them with food coloring, or cover them in icing and sprinkles for various holidays. Speaking of holidays, today is National Sugar Cookie day, so you know what that means: It's time for a test!

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Definition: Granita

YumSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:00:52 -0700

Granita
A grainy sweetened ice that's flavored with fruit puree, coffee, or wine. A granita is a traditional Italian dessert and can vary widely in texture based on its freezing method. Those produced in a gelato machine have fine ice crystals, while another technique that combines freezing and scraping will give you a coarser, crystalline texture. Still others have a slushy consistency and are served as drinks. For a simple, elegant finish, try topping a fresh fruit granita with orange or lemon zest.

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Time to Go Blonde

YumSugar — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:00:57 -0700

Recently my pal Julie and I got into a debate over which was better: blondies or brownies. In my opinion, nothing can trump a good brownie, but she doesn't agree. After our conversation I realized that even with all of my baking, I was guilty of blondie-discrimination. I've never actually made blondies! When Julie told me she was coming to town, I knew I had to whip her up a homemade treat and give blondies a fair chance. Were they better than brownies? Not really, but they were mighty tasty and I'll be making them again. To get the "Platinum Blondie" recipe I used,

Come Party With Me: Summer Solstice — Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:15:33 -0700

After serving the Italian style meal at your summer solstice dinner, wait at least a half an hour before offering guests dessert. Set up a decadent dessert buffet with fresh berries and store bought sorbet. Supplement the menu with one show stopping, homemade dessert. A cold, creamy chocolate silk pie is rich and delicious. The pie has to be made in advance making it an ideal finish to a party. To check out the recipe, which I found on MyRecipes.com,

10 Weird Ways to Celebrate National Candy Month

YumSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:00:10 -0700

It's hard to believe it's been a year since our I Heart Candy challenge, but it's true: National Candy Month is here again! Throughout the month of June, we'll be celebrating all that the candy world has to offer, so I thought I'd kick things off with 10 of the weirdest candy offerings I could find. Have you tried any of these? Start the slideshow and tell me what you think.

Definition: Butterscotch

YumSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:00:47 -0700

A friend of mine recently whipped up some delicious butterscotch-chip cookies, and I started thinking about all the ways to enjoy this oft-forgotten flavor, from butterscotch pudding and schnapps to ice-cream sundae toppings and other desserts.

Most of us have tasted it, but what exactly is butterscotch? In the same sweet family as caramel or toffee, butterscotch is a confectionery produced by the heating and cooking of sugar. To make it, you heat brown sugar and butter until it bubbles, then you add heavy cream and vanilla extract. The process is similar to making toffee, but butterscotch is cooked to a lower temperature.

The origin of the word butterscotch is uncertain. According to Wikipedia, "scotch" may indicate that the ingredient comes from Scotland, or it could merely be a nod to the scorching process used to make it.

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Do You Know Jell-O?

YumSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 05:28:32 -0700

On this day in 1897, Jell-O began its long, jiggly journey into American history. When Pearle B. Wait developed the first fruit-flavored gelatin dessert more than 100 years ago, he probably never could have guessed that his invention would later spawn such inventions as Jello-O shots and Jello-O wrestling.

Think you know something about Jell-O? Well, get a wiggle on and take my quiz!

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Come Party With Me: Passover — Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:13:33 -0700

Although it's traditionally standard to serve macaroons and matzo brei at a Seder, why not shake up the customs and make a decadently modern dessert?

This chocolate torte is one hundred percent Passover friendly because it is made with nuts and matzo cake meal instead of flour or baking soda. The scrumptious fudge glaze is made using a popular vegan technique that combines nuts with water to create a milk like substitute.

To get the recipe for an extravagant finish to an elegant dinner, please

Yummy Link: Dessert Sandwich

YumSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:13:33 -0700

Don't let this sandwich fool you. Although it appears to be a standard lunch sandwich, it's actually a dessert sandwich made from white chocolate poundcake and strawberry ice cream. — No Special Effects

A Delicious Dessert: Lemon Ripple Cheesecake

partysugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:13:31 -0700

At the last minute, I decided not to make the white chocolate-lime cheesecake bars for my half birthday party. Instead, I opted for these lemon ripple bars. Lemon seemed to evoke the flavors of Spring more than lime and white chocolate. I cut them into small, bite-sized pieces and they went like hot cakes at the party!

This easy-to-follow recipe is divine. The crust is flecked with lemon zest and lemon curd is rippled with the creamy cheesecake filling. They are wonderful for a party because you can make them one or two days before the event. For the recipe,

Yummy Link: Frozen Rhubarb and Banana Charlottes

YumSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:21:11 -0700

I must confess, I've never been a huge fan of rhubarb. I suppose I just don't understand it. However these frozen rhubarb and banana charlottes are so beautiful and delicate looking that I'm starting to think twice about my rhubarb ban. — Tartelette

Reader Recipe: Mountain Dew Apple Dumplings

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:01:31 -0800

I was checking out the recipes in the Kitchen Goddess group, when I saw this one from TeamSugar member ashleyk4214. Her recipe is for a simple dessert, but unique dessert. Not any old apple dumplings, these ones are made with Mountain Dew! That's right, the golden pastries are cooked in a mixture of Mountain Dew, cinnamon, butter and sugar. If this sounds intriguing to you, get the recipe, just

An Edible Floral Arrangement — Rose and Poppy Seed Cupcakes

YumSugar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:01:51 -0800

Although rose and poppy seed was not my favorite of the 2008 flavor pairings, I couldn't help but think it would make for a great cupcake. So I set out to find a delicious poppy seed cake, and a nice rose-infused frosting. The result was a subtle floral flavor, that really took me by surprise. I figured that the rose and poppy seed would complement one another, but I didn't expect them to be quite so delicious. If you're interested in trying it yourself, get the recipe, just

Come Party With Me: Valentine's Day Single Gal Soirée — Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:13:31 -0800

No Valentine's Day fondue party is complete without chocolate fondue. This gooey and delicious dessert is decadent and festive. Serve with the classic accompaniments: fruit — strawberries, bananas, pineapple — salted pretzel sticks, biscotti, cubed pound or cheesecake. For a super special treat, make homemade marshmallows, tint them pink with red food coloring, and cut out with a heart shaped cookie cutter. For the classic chocolate fondue recipe and another for the marshmallows,

Come Party With Me: Chinese New Year — Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:13:31 -0800

Instead of baking the Chinese New Year Cake — Nian Gao — for your Chinese New Year dinner, why not modernize the tradition and serve a sweet version of spring rolls? Fill spring roll wrappers with a luscious mixture of bananas, brown sugar, ginger, and mangoes. Paired with a caramel rum dipping sauce, this is a truly decadent dessert.

Guests will have fun with this finger-licking-good treat, so get the recipe and

Make Chocolate Mousse For Your Sweetie

partysugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:17:31 -0800

My girlfriend Elizabeth has a little problem when it comes to making decadent desserts: She has no oven! However, she wants to make her boyfriend a romantic dessert for Valentine's Day, so I suggested she make a creamy chocolate mousse. Mousse is a wonderful dessert for any sort of party because 1) it's glamorous, 2) it has to be made in advance, and 3) it is served in individual portions. To get the rich mousse recipe — it has a subtle hint of coffee —

Easy Winter Treat: Pears With Cherries and Chocolate Sauce

YumSugar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:18:11 -0800

Winter isn't the most bountiful time for produce, but the season does bring deliciously fresh pears, which I add to everything from salads to cocktails. In fact, baked pears are one of my favorite desserts to make for a casual dinner party. They're insanely easy and relatively healthy. Plus, pear desserts look and taste sophisticated, so guests are always impressed.

To whip up a pear dessert with local produce, why not try this version with dried cherries and a simple chocolate sauce? It's just a little bit decadent and requires a minimal amount of effort. To get the recipe,

Kitchen Experiments: "Heavenly" Banana Bread Pudding

YumSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:57:10 -0800

Although my 52 Weeks of Baking series is officially over, that doesn't mean I won't be in the kitchen all the time. This year, in addition to trying new recipes, I have vowed to share my kitchen experiments with you guys. As much as I love recipes, I also just enjoy throwing things together and seeing what I get. I'll warn you now, these don't always work like I planned, but sometimes I get lucky.

On New Year's Day, I woke up to a dirty kitchen — we had a small shindig the night before — two rotting bananas and half of an angel food cake. I was also crazy hungry. So I combined my random leftovers with my appetite for breakfast and threw it all together. The result was a simple bread pudding made with angel food cake as the base. To see what I created,

Reader Recipe: Chocolate and Peanut Butter Swirl

YumSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 01:18:11 -0800

I hope you've got a napkin nearby; if you're like me you'll be drooling all over the place! TeamSugar member Twinkle — our original Kitchen Goddess — has shared her recipe for Chocolate and Peanut Butter Swirl. It's a super simple sounding recipe and the hardest part looks like waiting for it all to set up! If you'd like to make these less than 30 minutes to make bars,

52 Weeks of Baking: Informal Croquembouche (Cream Puffs)

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 09:13:33 -0800

There are only a few weeks left in my 52 weeks of baking resolution, so I'm trying to find things on my "I can't believe I haven't made these before" list. Cream puffs were near the top of that list, but after last night, I'm officially able to cross them off.

I found a pastry recipe that looked simple and yielded a large haul of puffs. However, instead of a traditional custard cream — there wasn't enough time to let it set — I went with a whipped cream filling and a chocolate glaze. While mine isn't quite a traditional French Croquembouche — aka stacked cream puffs coated with caramel — it does work as a modern twist. To get the recipe that I put together on a weeknight just

Reader Recipe: Pumpkin Wontons

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:19:10 -0800

Tired of pumpkin pie and feeling quite adventurous, our very own TeamSugar decided to create bite-size pumpkin treats. She experimented with phyllo dough, pie crust, and wontons. The wontons won out, and she ended up serving them for Thanksgiving. However, baked pumpkin pillows made with super-thin pie crust was a wonderful second place. If you'd like to check out her technique and recipes, all you have to do is

Reader Recipe: Simple Chocolate Truffles

YumSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:18:33 -0800

If you're already gearing up for Christmas — and I know a bunch of you already are — why don't you get a head start by figuring out what treats you're going to make this year? Everyone expects cookies, so surprise them with homemade truffles. Recently, TeamSugar member issarocks shared her recipe for Simple Chocolate Truffles. It's a simple twist on mini cream-cheese balls, one that will be easy for you to re-create on your own. To get the recipe,

Peanut Butter + Banana = Delicious Cookies

YumSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:15:01 -0700

There's no doubt about it, peanut butter and bananas just go well together — and if you don't agree, just play along. When I saw this recipe for peanut butter and banana cookies, I couldn't believe that I'd never heard of it before. It seemed like such a no brainer, that I knew I'd have to highlight as part of our National Cookie Month coverage. If the idea of a bit of banana filling sandwiched between two delectable peanut butter cookies has you drooling, then get the recipe, just

Cookies So Good, I Had to Share Them Again!

YumSugar — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 10:15:33 -0700

When I found out that it was National Cookie Month, I was excited at the idea of sharing my favorite cookie recipe with you guys. If you're a long time reader of Yum, then you'll know that I've shared it before. However, if you've tried the recipe, then you know they're definitely worth talking about again! These Chewy Ginger cookies come out perfect each time; I make them super-sized and folks always ask where I bought them! To get your hands on my favorite cookie recipe,

Yummy Link: Giant Hostess Cupcakes

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:28:33 -0700

For those of you who love Hostess cupcakes, hold on to your seat. Here we have a giant pimped out version. Talk about awesome! — Baking Bites

Yummy Link: Double Chocolate Torte

YumSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:08:31 -0700

What could be better than a chocolate torte? How about a Double Chocolate Torte? I don't know about you, but I'm already drooling... - Smitten Kitchen

Come Party With Me: Luau Dinner For 8 - Main & Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:03:35 -0700

When planning a dinner party, look for simpler recipes that can be made in advance. After the tropical chicken skewer and vegetable spring roll appetizers, invite guests to join you at the table. A macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi bakes in the oven while its sauce waits warm on the stove. Place the sauce in a gravy bowl or small pitcher so guests can serve themselves at the table. Coconut rice will pair nicely on the side.

After dinner gather the guests back in your kitchen and let them caramelize the sugar on their very own Tahitian vanilla creme brulees! Take a look at these tempting tropical recipes, just

52 Weeks of Baking: Orange Blossom Pound Cake

YumSugar — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:29:39 -0700

As I was leaving work yesterday, it dawned on me that I had not baked anything this week. Panicking, I said to PartySugar, "Gah, I don't have a lot of time, what should I make?" Surprisingly, she handed me a printout for a Sour Cream Pound Cake and said, "Bake this, I printed out two copies on accident." I checked out the recipe, decided that it sounded simple and tasty and thought, sure why not?! The only ingredient that wasn't in my pantry was sour cream, so I popped by the cornerstore and a little while later I was noshing on pound cake cupcakes (the easy to whip up - no mixer necessary - recipe has enough batter for a full loaf and a few cupcakes extra). To make this lovely cake tonight (honest, it's simple, just give yourself a little time - it needs to stay in the oven for over an hour),

52 Weeks of Baking: Fresh Lime Chiffon Cake with Strawberries & Blackberries

YumSugar — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:01:18 -0700

I first saw this recipe for a fresh lime chiffon cake last June, but was reminded of it a few months ago when kmcconne79 posted it to the Kitchen Goddess group. Knowing that my sister is a big fan of light, tart cakes, I decided to file it away for her birthday. Fast forward to last weekend and we've got the next installment of 52 Weeks of Baking. The cake is a little complicated and time consuming, however if you're intimidated or pressed for time, you could take the flavor concept, fillings and frosting and substitute the homemade cake with box cake. Also, I added in strawberries, but feel free to use your favorite flavor pairings. To check out the recipe,

52 Weeks of Baking: Peanut Butter Cookies

YumSugar — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 15:38:11 -0700

Since today is National Peanut Butter Cookie Day, I figured I'd go ahead and whip up a batch for myself. I thought about making a traditional peanut butter cookie, but I don't really know how to leave a good thing alone and decided that it needed some tweaking. After all, everything tastes better when Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are involved, right? Right! So I headed to the kitchen and made a cookie concoction. To see the ups and downs in creating my own peanut butter cookie recipe,

You Put Peanut Butter In My Cookie!

YumSugar — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 01:18:31 -0700

Believe it or not, today is another one of those "who came up with this holiday" days! This time it's National Peanut Butter Cookie day and ooohwee, I am excited about this one! Although my personal favorite is chocolate chip, I have been known to dig in to my fair share of their peanut butter cousin. To celebrate peanut butter cookie day, run to the kitchen and whip up a batch of these sweet treats. To check it out, just

I'm Sorry I Devoured All Of The Clairesquares

YumSugar — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 14:38:19 -0700

This weekend I went to a new pal's birthday bash and wow does she know how to entertain! The table had a nice spread of local quiches, breads, meats and more, but my favorite nibbles - the ones I literally had to tell myself "STOP. BACK AWAY. YOU LOOK LIKE A PIG!" - were the Clairesquares - a delicious three layer concoctions consisting of buttery shortbread, smooth caramel and fine Belgian chocolate. I've had combinations like this before, but these were amazing. They're made with 100% preservative free ingredients and contain no trans fatty acids. If you like chocolate, caramel, shortbread and all things delicious, then do yourself a favor and order a pack. Actually, you should order two, you'll thank me later. A pack of five squares is available for $12.

If you'd rather make your own, we've got a recipe for something similiar, to check it out, just

Happy Hour: Root Beer Floats (Maybe Even Free!)

YumSugar — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:55:11 -0700

If you're lucky enough to have a Sonic Drive-In in your neighborhood, then be sure to stop by tomorrow, Thursday, June 7 between 8pm and midnight for a free root beer float (thanks for the tip GirlC). For those of you that can't make it to a Sonic, grab some simple ingredients and treat yourself at home! I found a great recipe for a root beer float with a kick, to check it out just

Loukoumades, The Great Greek Doughnut

YumSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:58:31 -0700

When I was in college, there was a Greek food festival every year. My housemate and I would jump on our bikes and head down there in order to load up on tasty treats. There were a lot of great things to try, but my favorite was definitely an order of freshly fried loukoumades (imagine plump balls of deep fried dough, coated in sugar syrup or honey!). The festival is only once a year, but I decided I had to learn how to make them myself. To find a recipe and celebrate our Greek food coverage, as well as National Doughnut Day,

What's Your Favorite Meal of the Day?

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:58:31 -0800

What Meal Do You Go Out For the Most?

YumSugar — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 03:30:11 -0800