Sunday, May 1, 2011

Faux Tiramisu

Faux Tiramisu

8 oz cream cheese, softened
3 cups milk
2 pkgs sugar-free instant pudding (cheesecake or white chocolate flavor)
8 oz tub sugar-free whipped topping
1 pkg lady fingers(24 cookies)
2 cups brewed coffee, cooled
2 Tablespoon Kahlua or Kahlua flavored syrup
cocoa powder for dusting



Beat cream cheese until creamy. Add milk and pudding mixes and beat until thickened. Fold or mix in whipped topping. In separate bowl mix coffee and Kahlua. Dip lady fingers in coffee mix and line trifle dish. Top with half of the pudding mixture. Repeat with lady fingers and pudding. Top with remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours. When ready to serve dust with cocoa powder.

Can also be made into mini size (see video.)


** Can be made with regular instant pudding too.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Cottage Pie

In honor of the Royal wedding

Cottage Pie

2 Tablespoons oil
3/4 cup diced onions
3/4 cup diced (or shredded) carrots
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1/3 cup flour (gluten free option)
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups beef or chicken broth
1/2 Tablespoon Kitchen Bouquet*
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2-1/4 pounds potatoes (white or I used sweet potatoes)
1/4 cup heavy cream (I used 2% milk)
1 egg yolk
4 Tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
dash of white pepper
1 cup grated cheese

Heat oil in large sauce pan and saute onions and carrots until soft. 
Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink (or add precooked hamburger and heat.) 
 Stir in flour and cook for a minute or so.
Add broth, stirring as you pour since it will thicken.
Add thyme, broth, Kitchen Bouquet, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 25-30 minutes until everything is soft and sauce thickens.  I had to add a little bit of water as I went since the sauce was very thick and my carrots were not soft yet.  Next time I will shred my carrots.
Pour into baking dish.  This is my deep dish stoneware from Pampered Chef.
 While the meat is simmering, slice potatoes and place in large pot of cold water.  Cover pot and bring to boil.  Simmer until tender, about 20-25 minutes. 
 I used my Pampered Chef 1 Qt Micro Cooker and microwave for 16 minutes. Perfect every time! 
Dump into large mixing bowl and mix. 
Add cream, egg yolk, butter, and salt and pepper.
 Mix until nice and smooth.
 Cut hole in corner of gallon bag and drop in a frosting tip large enough to squeeze potatoes through.  Tape tip to bag so it does not slip. Dump potatoes into bag and seal. 
 My sweet potatoes were too soft that even though I piped it on the top the shape did not hold so I ended up smoothing it out.  White potatoes will do better. If you don't want to pipe you can just spread it on top.

Sprinkle with cheese (optional) and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.


*Kitchen Bouquet is a "browning and seasoning sauce" generally found in the ketchup/Worcestershire sauce aisle.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Ice Cream Cone Cake Ball Pops

What a fun twist on the cake pop.  They look like ice cream but hide a yummy cake secret inside!!

Ice Cream Cone Cake Ball Pops

1 box cake mix and ingredients to make cake
1 container ready made frosting
1 package almond bark
Frosting color (I prefer Wilton jarred) 
Sugar cones
Chocolate chips
Sprinkles

Bake cake according to directions and let cool.  
After it is completely cooled, crumble the cake into a large mixing bowl. 
Add 3/4 of the frosting to the cake mix and mix until thoroughly combined.  They should be sticky enough to form balls but not coat your hands when pressed together.
Roll into 1-1/2 inch balls, cover with plastic wrap, and cool for several hours in the refrigerator.
Cut the tops off of the sugar cones so that the hole is about 1-1/4 inches.
Use lollipop stick, meat thermometer, or skewer to hold the pop.  Coat with melted almond bark.  I tinted mine pink.

Press into top of ice cream cone.  Don't worry about drips, they just add to the effect.  Place into drying rack or styrofoam block to set up.
 Drizzle melted chocolate chips over top for 'hot fudge.'
 Sprinkle right away before chocolate sets up.
For the dropped cone look:  Press the dipped cake ball into cone and tip upside down and place on waxed paper.
Have fun!