Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pie

In today’s modern world, old-fashioned can attract a certain negative connotation.  It is tempting to think of old things as being past their prime, but this recipe turns this assumption on its head.  How can any recipe that has chocolate be less than desirable?  To me an old fashioned recipe means I have the directions to make something wonderful. This pie has a rich, delicious, old-world flavor.  If you’ve ever had trouble with a chocolate pie not setting properly, then let this tried and true recipe bolster your pie-making confidence.  This pie gels like a dream! Many of us have fond memories centered around family gatherings with a freshly-baked pie.  Here’s your opportunity to pass those moments down to the next generation with this lovely recipe. I think the best recipes have been around for awhile!  You might just agree with me when you taste of this little beauty. Just look at that wonderful slice of heaven! Ingredients: 1 deep dish pie shell (fully baked and cooled) 1/2 cup self-rising flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup sugar ( can add up to one cup of sugar according to taste) 3 cups whole milk 3 Large eggs separated 2 ounces of unsweetened chocolate melted OR 6 Tablespoons cocoa powder plus 2 Tablespoons shortening 2 Tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon vanilla Directions: In a double boiler add dry ingredients, flour, salt, and sugar.  Stir with a whisk to combine.  Stir in milk. Separate eggs and set the whites aside to come to room temperature.  Beat yolks slightly and add to milk mixture along with chocolate, shortening, (if using) and butter.  Heat over double...
Watermelon Sorbet

Watermelon Sorbet

Are you looking for a lighter, refreshing desert?  Try this watermelon sorbet.  This frozen treat has tons of flavor without all the guilt.  Healthy and tastes great, that combination doesn’t happen very often. I have one of the new “bowl” type ice cream makers, but you can use the older type too.  Just be sure to put your ice cream makers bowl in the freezer the day before you make this recipe. Lets get this started by making a simple syrup.  Mix water and sugar together in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Once the liquid has boiled, turn head down to medium and simmer, not long, just until all the sugar has completely dissolved.  Place syrup in a jar and put it in the refrigerator to cool completely. Place watermelon chunks, salt, vanilla, and lemon/lime juice in a blender and pulse until smooth.  If you all the watermelon will not fit in your blender, don’t worry, just fill the blender, pulse a few times then add the remaining melon.   Add cold simple syrup to melon liquid and pour into your electric ice cream maker.  Freeze mixture according to your manufacturers instructions, this usually takes about 20 minutes.     All that is left to do now is grab a spoon and dig into this heavenly treat!...

Grandma Mamie’s Chocolate Pie

This recipe has be in my family for many, many years. It is my great great great grandmothers recipe. Whenever this pie is cooked, the whole family fights over the last piece. I hope that everyone enjoys it as well as we do. By the way, the ingredients can be doubled for a deep dish pie. Ingredients: 1 baked pie shell 1 1/2 cup sugar 2 Tbsp cocoa 4 Tbsp. butter 3 egg yolks 2 cups milk Directions: Mix all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil on medium heat.  (soft ball stage)  Pour into cooked pie shell and cool to room temperature. Meringue: 3 egg whites 3 Tbsp sugar 1 tsp cream of tarter Beat egg whites & cream of tarter until it starts to peak stage with mixer.  With the mixer running, slowly add sugar, one Tbsp at a time until meringue peaks. Spread on top of pie and brown in oven at 375 degrees. Watch it closely to keep it from burning.                            ~Rhonda Lindsey...

White Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting

Adding white chocolate to this basic butter cream recipe makes this frosting extra special.  Great for those special occasion cakes or anytime.  This recipe makes enough to frost a 3 layer cake.  Enjoy! 4 oz white chocolate baking squares (4 squares) 1 stick butter ( at room temperature) plus 1 Tablespoon butter divided 2 Tablespoons shortening 5 to 5 1/2 cups confectioners sugar 2 Tablespoons buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla In a double boiler over simmering water melt white chocolate with 1 tablespoon butter. Set aside to cool.  Beat 1 stick of butter plus shortening until smooth. Mix in confectioners sugar and buttermilk until smooth.  Add vanilla and mix until combined. ~Marsha...
Pumpkin Apple Spice Bread

Pumpkin Apple Spice Bread

This bread is so good!  It has a nice blend of spices along with chunks of apple and ginger that makes this bread something special.  It smells so good cooking and fills the house with a wonderful aroma.  My family loved it! 3 2/3 cup bread flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 4 eggs 2 cups cooked sweet potato – mashed 1 cup apple -peel and chopped 1/3 cup canola oil 1 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 1/2 cup chopped candied ginger Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans(9x5x3 inch), set aside. Stir together dry ingredients, flour, soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger with a wire whisk until well mixed; set aside.  In a mixer bowl, beat eggs, sweet potato, buttermilk, applesauce and canola oil until blended. Blend in flour mixture until just mixed. (do not over beat).  Fold in apples and candied ginger.  Divide batter evenly between loaf pans and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Let cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool...
Punch Bowl Cake

Punch Bowl Cake

This is one of my favorite recipes.  I used to make this as a teenager to take to picnics and outings.  It is simple to make and the taste is out of this world good! This recipe makes enough to fill a large punch bowl, but if you want to make one for just your family just half the filling and berry topping recipe and it still works fine. I made one in 2 large bowls and shared some with my neighbors. This cake is heavenly! You can make this cake a day ahead and keep them in the refrigerator. Cake: 1 Angel Food Cake (baked or bought) cut or tear into one inch pieces Filling: 2 (8 oz) bars cream cheese 1 cup lite sour cream 1 1/2 cups sugar 12 oz. whipped topping (can use fat free too) In a mixer, combine cream cheese and sugar until blended.  Add sour cream and mix.  Fold in whipped topping.  Refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the cake. Berry topping: 2 pints strawberries 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup cold water 3 tablespoons cornstarch Wash and hull berries.  Mash enough berries to make 2 cups. (running them through the food processor works too)  Slice remaining berries and place all berries in a stock pot.  Add sugar to berries and stir.  Combine water and cornstarch in a measuring cup and stir until cornstarch is dissolved.  Add cornstarch mixture to berries and heat over medium heat stirring constantly until juice has thickened.  Cool completely. When all your parts are done, simply layer the cake in a punch bowl starting with a layer of cake, then a...