The only thing better than the smell and taste of a freshly baked apple pie is an apple pie with pears in it! The pears add juice and texture to the pie. While nothing can replace the prominence of chocolatey things as a dessert staple in my house, this pie has definitely become a family favorite. It is definitely worth the extra effort. Use your favorite recipe for pie crust for a 9-inch pie. If you don’t have one, I suggest my favorite pie crust recipe. For the filling you will need: 1/2 lemon 3 pounds baking apples, such as … Continue reading →

My husband was raised in Alabama. Or so he says. The truth is, he moved to New England in between 5th and 6th grade. But he still claims that toddlerhood through 5th grade were his formative years and therefore, he is a Southerner. Every once in awhile, you can still hear the southern accent in his voice and he has a taste for things like grits, which I disdain. Southerner or not, I have decided to feature some “southern” recipes during this holiday season in honor of him. So enjoy honey! This recipe has bourbon in it, but it is … Continue reading →

If you want to make a plain old pumpkin pie. . .go check the back of a can of Libby’s canned pumpkin. I am a pumpkin pie bigot, I admit. But this particular pie was so good, I had to share it. It came to me via my e-mail from those lovely folks at the Food Network. . .and then I started playing with it. I know you really wouldn’t think that cranberry and pumpkin go together. . .but trust me. You want to try this pie. For the pastry, check out this blog on making a perfect pie crust. … Continue reading →

In my “Abandon the Pumpkin Pie” series, I’ve been offering up desserts that are different from your traditional pumpkin pie. This particular dessert will likely remind you of peanut covered caramel apples. Super yummy and super easy, this is a great dessert to impress your holiday guests! You will need: 1 cup butter, softened 2 cups packed brown sugar 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 cup light corn syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts 10 Gala apples – peeled, cored and sliced 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup white sugar … Continue reading →

As summer fruit is in season, bakers everywhere are ogling the produce section planning their next pie. Okay. . .maybe it’s just me ogling the produce section but I seriously, seriously love spring and summer when the juiciest fruit comes out in abundance. I have no reason for sharing this recipe with you, other than it simply looked delicious. I mean who wouldn’t love rhubarb, blueberries and raspberries together? (This recipe was modified from Cooking Pleasures magazine, June/July 2007 issue.) First you’ll need dough to make the perfect pie crust! You’ll also need: 2 cups of rhubarb cut into 1/2 … Continue reading →

Angel food cake is a popular cake in my home. I add strawberries and cool whip to it to make it complete. My kids also top it with different berries and now, the different flavors of cool whip. I have cut it up into squares and but it in a dish. Then added fresh berries to it. Then on the side, I would have chocolate syrup and caramel sauce so that everyone can help themselves to their own taste. My kids like it in their lunches too. One of my kin folk shared a recipe from her in laws. I … Continue reading →

If you like strawberries, chances are you’ll love this pie. It’s fresh. It’s flavorful. And it’ll remind you that summer is always just around the corner. For the crust: In a large bowl, add 2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon sugar, 1-teaspoon kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon all spice. Cut up 2 sticks of cold butter and add to the flour. Using a pastry cutter or your hands (or a food processor), work the mixture until the butter is the size of peas throughout the flour mixture. Next add ¼ to ½ cup ice-cold water. To do this, make a … Continue reading →