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!

There is something about the smell of homemade cookies baking in the oven that fills your home with warmth and comfort. When that sweet, buttery aroma fills your home, suddenly everyone is in the mood for dessert! Cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion because they are so versatile and convenient. What other dessert can be eaten on the go with one hand and no utensils?

There are endless possibilities to baking delicious cookies, but a classic sugar cookie is comfort food at its best. All you need is flour, butter, sugar and a few other simple ingredients to create a dessert that everyone loves. These drop cookies make baking homemade treats one step easier by skipping the rolling and cutting that most sugar cookie recipes call for. Sprinkle the dough with colored sugar or bake plain and serve with buttercream frosting. Either way you have a dessert that is delicious and makes your home smell warm and inviting.

Ingredients
1 1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 c butter
1 1/2 c shortening
3 tbsp milk
3 eggs
3 tsp vanilla
7 c flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt

Directions

1. Combine sugar, shortening and butter.

2. Add eggs, vanilla and milk. Mix until well combined.

3. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix well.

4. Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet.

5. Bake at 350 °F for 10 – 13 minutes or until golden brown.

Brownies are my favorite go-to last minute dessert. They’re easy, everyone likes them, and they are delicious. It’s hard to improve on the original warm, chewy goodness of a classic chocolate brownie, but this rocky road version can definitely compete. Marshmallows and chocolate chips are added to create a sinful treat. Serve them warm with vanilla ice cream and these rocky road brownies will become your go-to dessert favorite.

Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks butter. softened
1 1/2 c sugar
4 eggs
1 c flour
1/4 c cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 c chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Combine butter and sugar, then beat in the eggs.

3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt and slowly add to the butter mixture.

4. Fold in marshmallows and chocolate chips.

5. Spread in a 13×9 baking dish and bake for 35 – 40 minutes, or until the center is set.

6. Let cool before cutting into bars.

With the abundance of summer berries at their peak all season long, baking decadent desserts can be done any time of the year. This cobbler is both rich and super easy. You may substitute raspberries for blackberries in this recipe or combine both for a medley of summer berries. Serve with vanilla ice cream for the perfect summer treat. Enjoy!

Ingredients

3/4 cup of sugar

2 1/2 cups of blackberries

juice of 1/2 a lemon

1 cup of flour

1/2 tsp of salt

2 tsp of baking powder

1 cup of milk

1/2 cup of butter, softened

dash of cinnamon

Directions

1. Combine blackberries, sugar and lemon juice in a bowl and let sit for at least 20 minutes until a syrup forms.

2. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and milk.

3. Add softened butter until well combined.

4. Spread the berries in an 8×8 baking dish and cover with the flour mixture.

5. Bake at 375°F for 50 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Rice Krispies Squares are one of those classic desserts that simply never gets old. Whenever a batch of these delicious marshmallow inspired treats hits the table, people of all ages go positively wild. And the best part is, they only take a moment or two to make!

Courtesy of Michael Kwan

The Things You’ll Need:

3 tablespoons of butter (melted)

6 cups of Rice Krispies®

4 cups of small marshmallows

The Steps to Prep:

1. Melt the butter.
2. Stir in marshmallows until they too are melted.
3. Stir in the cereal until it is completely covered with a thin layer of the marshmallow mixture.
4. Line a pan with waxed paper and cover with non-stick cooking spray.
5. Spread mixture into pan and flatten.
6. Leave to cool, then cut into whatever shape you want (typically…squares!)

This recipe is amazingly easy to modify as well.  Add in chocolate chips, dried fruit, coat with chocolate, or drizzle with icing for something different.

Great for picnics, wonderful for birthday parties, the Rice Krispies Square is sure to have your back at all times.

Note: RICE KRISPIES TREATS® is a registered trademark of Kellogg NA Co. for cereal-based snack food.

Inspired by a recipe from Kraft Canada, and fit for any occasion, this uber easy decadent chocolate cake is made with only one  bowl (that’s right, only one!) Easy to make, easy to clean up after, super easy to eat and enjoy. What’s not to love?

Courtesy of bunchofpants

The Things You’ll Need:

3 full squares semi-sweet baking chocolate

6 tbsp butter

¾ cup sugar (whichever kind you prefer)

2 eggs

1 ¼ cup flour

¾ cup water

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp baking soda

How to Put It All Together:

1. Preheat your oven to 350F.
2. Melted chocolate and butter in a large microwave safe bowl. Stir until completely smooth.
3. Add each of the remaining ingredients one at a time, mixing with an electric beater after each new addition, until everything has become one rich mixture.
4. Grease a 9” pan. Pour mixture evenly into the aforementioned pan.
5. Bake for about 30 minutes.
6. Allow to cool, then garnish with a chocolate sauce or icing from a jar, and fresh seasonal fruit.
7. Serve and allow everyone to think you’ve slaved away for hours over a hot oven to bring them a divine chocolaty indulgence.

Courtesy of .ben*

To make this dessert suitable for Easter dinner, simply adjust the decorating style. Add a few mini chocolate Easter eggs or a chocolate bunny to keep it festive.

Also, if you have the time, salvage the egg shells used whilst baking and paint them. These can be used as table decorations, not only providing a little more flair to your Easter this year, but also making a small memento of your 2010 celebration, which can be admired in years to come.