There are fewer desserts that conjure up patriotism like the all American apple pie. But before you start singing the National Anthem, apple pie is not as American as you might think. The first apple pies were made in 14th century England. While the basic ingredients were almost the same as the modern day dessert, there were some pretty significant differences. The pastries for the original pies were inedible and used as a container to hold the filling inside. Also, sugar was omitted from the ingredient list as it was very expensive and not readily available so many spices like cinnamon and saffron were used to create a sweet flavor. Apple pie was first documented on U.S. soil after the pilgrims brought apples to the continent and it continues to be a favorite dessert for holidays and patriotic celebrations.

For a dessert that has had so many transformations, apple pie is a classic dish perfected by grandmothers and culinary experts alike. Today’s apple pie is sweet and flaky and rich. The ingredient list can be short or extensive with a lattice crust or closed top. This recipe is very simple and resembles the original pie with very basic ingredients combined to meld simple flavors into a big taste. Serve warm from the oven with vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

6 – 7 small apples
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp butter
prepared double pie crust

Directions

1. Peel, cored and thinly slice apples.

2. In pie dish, lay bottom layer of prepared pie crust down.

3. Mix sugar and cinnamon in bowl, set aside.

4. Layer apples in pie dish. Sprinkle each layer with cinnamon sugar mixture.

5. Top final layer with small pieces of butter. Cover pie with the second crust.

6. Bake at 450°F for 10 minutes. Then reduce heat to 350°F and bake for 35 more minutes or until the pie is golden and bubbly.

Enjoy!

photo courtesy of Sanctuary T Shop

Contest details: Until September 30th, Sanctuary T Shop will be hosting a tea-inspired recipe contest.

Prize: The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Sanctuary T Shop and have their winning recipe featured on the Shop’s site. The runner up will win a free bottle of T-Dust Seasoning and a 2oz tin of tea of their choice.

Full contest/submission details at: http://www.shopsanctuaryt.com/recipecontest

Good luck!

If you’re a coffee lover, it’s only natural to gravitate to desserts that offer a tasty jolt of caffeine. From hard candy to an oven full of espresso-laced cookies, consider the following suggestions when looking for sweet treats that please the coffee connoisseur in you.

Cookies

From Triple Chocolate Espresso Cookies to adding a bit of espresso powder to your favorite recipes, don’t be afraid to slip into your apron and put your oven to good use. The Internet is swarming with cookie recipes that incorporate coffee as one of the ingredients. Other ideas include Espresso Brownies and coffee-flavored biscotti.

Hard Candy

Hard candies come in many different forms and flavors. Some melt in your mouth, while others soften in your hand. Looking for a few ideas?  Bali’s Best Coffee Candy offers flavors such as espresso and latte. Also, don’t forget to take a walk on the wild side and explore international delights, such as the Kasugai Sumiyaki Roasted Coffee Candy, which is very popular in Japan. Other types of hard candy may include coffee-flavored chocolate discs (similar to plain M&Ms) – encased in colored sugary shells.

Chocolate Candy

Consider satisfying your sweet tooth with chocolate bars offering added coffee flavor or beans. For example, Charles Chocolates (at Chocolate.com) makes a Mocha Java Bar that combines mocha java pieces and 65% bittersweet chocolate. Other candy options include coffee-flavored truffles and coffee liqueur-filled chocolates.

Espresso Beans

Chocolate covered espresso beans are a popular sweet treat for coffee lovers, which come in many different varieties, including dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, and even mint chocolate.

Coffee Spoons

Similar to the concept of honey spoons for tea drinkers, coffee spoons offer a little something extra for a regular cup of Joe. Butterscotch, mocha, chocolate, whiskey, and cocoa are just some of the flavors and ingredients a coffee spoon can add to your favorite beverage.

Dessert Coffees

Whether you add a hint of Irish Cream to your java or top with fresh whipped cream, it’s simple to enjoy a dessert coffee. Sometimes, it’s as easy as purchasing a bag of dessert-flavored coffee, such as Chocolate Fudge Brownie Coffee.

If there is a dessert that screams Southern cuisine it has to be pralines. The buttery, melt-in-your-mouth candies have been perfected in Southern states like Louisiana and Georgia, but the treat hasn’t always been a Southern delicacy. Pralines first originated in France during the 17th century. The first pralines were made with almonds instead of pecans and were made for French dignitaries. Throughout the years, they were often given as Christmas gifts and were enjoyed on special occasions. These days, you can enjoy them year round in cities like Savannah and New Orleans where many bakeries and candy shops specialize in making the sweets.

Anytime you make your own candy, you need to allow room for error. There is a feel to candy making that only comes with practice. With that said, do not be discouraged! Pralines are simple to make and one of the foolproof candies. Make sure to watch your candy thermometer and do not cook past the soft ball stage and your pralines will be good enough for those New Orleans candy shops. Or even a French dignitary!

Ingredients
1 cup whole pecans
1 1/2 cup sugar
6 tbsp butter
3/4 brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1. Line a baking sheet with buttered foil. Prepare an ice bath in the sink.

2. Combine the first six ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat.

3. Heat to a boil. With a candy thermometer, heat to 234° F (approximately 3 minutes from boiling point).

4. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

5. Place saucepan in ice bath and stir mixture until the color lightens and the texture thickens.

6. Drop by spoonfuls onto foiled baking sheet. Cool.

Espresso isn’t just a morning pick-me-up, but the popular beverage also has a place in the world of cooking and baking. Hot water forced through finely ground coffee at high pressure is how the darkly colored drink espresso is made. Originating in Italy, the coffee is typically served in small glasses or in “shots” measuring about one ounce. For instance, making the average latte or cappuccino calls for two shots of espresso.

Starbucks is not the only place that you can enjoy a hot cup of rich, dark espresso. Coffee lovers can make their own at home with an espresso maker, which differs from the regular coffeemaker.  Outside of the beverage world, espresso can provide a distinct taste to dishes and desserts.

A few ideas for baking and cooking with espresso include:

Baking with Espresso

Adding a small amount of espresso to your typical dessert recipes can provide a different experience for your taste buds. A few ways to incorporate a coffee flavor for your next sweet treat include:

Espresso Biscotti: When making your favorite biscotti recipe, experiment with instant espresso powder. Start off by adding 1 teaspoon to your typical ingredients list and adjust according to your taste.

Espresso Brownies: Coffee lovers can add 2 tablespoons of espresso powder to any boxed brownie mix to enhance the taste of their next batch. If you like glazing your brownies with a powdered sugar coating, add 2 teaspoons of espresso powder to your recipe.

Espresso Sugar Cream Pie: After brushing the inside of an unbaked pie crust with melted butter, whisk together 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, and 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder until well blended. Pour the ingredients into the prepared pie crust. Bake in a 350-degree preheated oven until pie has set – about 50 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to completely cool on a rack. Add one cup of chocolate whipped cream as piping for the edge of the pie.

Chocolate Espresso Cookies: Deliver an extra kick to your cookies with about 2 ¼ teaspoons of finely ground espresso beans added to your favorite chocolate cookie recipe.

Cooking with Espresso

There are also a variety of creative ways to incorporate espresso into some of your favorite meat-related dishes. For example, when you’re looking to shake things up for your next BBQ, consider serving Espresso Rubbed Barbecued Burgers, which are sprinkled with a mixture of espresso powder and freshly ground black pepper on both sides of the patties before grilling.

You could also make an Espresso-Bourbon Sauce to coat grilled meats, such as beef steaks. Combine 1/4 cup bourbon, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and 2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder in a small saucepan. Bring the ingredients to a boil and then reduce the heat. Simmer the sauce uncovered for 8 minutes or until the sauce thickens and is reduced to about half. Occasionally stir and then add in 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Keep warm until grilled meat is ready for eating.

For a non-bake treat, consider Espresso Bark. First, combine 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon margarine in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 30-second stretches of time until the ingredients have melted and show a smooth consistency. Stir between each round of heating. Mix in 3/4 cup whole coffee beans. Pour the chocolate mix onto the waxed paper and create an even layer. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of chopped white chocolate pieces onto the top of the chocolate. Lightly press the bark and place in freezer until set – around 5 minutes. Break the bark into pieces and store in an airtight container.

Cupcakes are one of the trendiest desserts around. From simple vanilla to more extravagant flavors like lemon and red velvet, cupcakes are always a fun and delicious treat. The pint sized dessert has only been around for about 200 years but they have always been popular. Once called 1-2-3-4 cakes for the simplicity of ingredients, this dessert was revolutionary for its portability and easiness to prepare. The original cupcake recipe was very similar to a butter cake, only baked in small tin cups, hence the name cupcake.

This recipe is much like the original cupcake recipe of the 19th century. It’s simple, it’s easy, and it is yummy. Homemade cupcakes have a certain something special about them. Maybe it’s the real butter and the vanilla bean flecks from the vanilla bean extract peppered throughout the light, airy cake that make them special or maybe it’s the simple, pure ingredients from a timeless recipe. Whatever it is, this is one dessert that you will be proud to serve. And eat. Top with homemade chocolate frosting or eat them warm from the oven with a glass of milk. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 c sugar
1/2 c butter, softened
2 eggs
2 tsps vanilla bean extract
1 1/2 c all purpose flour
1 3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 c milk

Directions:

1. Beat butter and sugar until well combined.

2. Add eggs one at a time.

3. Stir in the vanilla bean extract.

4. Add flour and baking powder into the mix, then slowly incorporate the milk.

5. Spoon batter into paper cups or in a greased muffin pan and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.