Baking | Good Dinner Mrs Mellen

Category: Baking
- Fantastic Fall Apple Pie
  
  Posted at 4:05 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Sep 23rd
  I have made this apple pie for over 30 years with some changes along the way. A disclaimer this pie is very rich but sometimes you just have to let go and indulge. You can’t each low fat cottage cheese and fruit every day. I just tell myself an extra hot yoga class and this piece of pie has my name on it.
  
  French Custard Apple Pie
  
  Crust
  
  1 3/4 cup flour
  
  1/4 cup sugar
  
  1 teaspoon cinnamon
  
  1/3 lb of butter
  
  2/3 teaspoon salt
  
  6-7 tablespoon apple cider or water
  
  Filling
  
  6 large Granny Smith or Macintosh apples pared and diced (you can use a combination or just one kind of apple. I like the Granny Smith because they are tart and this is a sweet pie)
  
  1 2/3 cup sour cream
  
  1 egg(2 if small)
  
  1 cup sugar
  
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  
  2 teaspoon vanilla or 1 tablespoon Brandy
  
  1/3 cup flour
  
  Topping
  
  1/3 cup brown sugar
  
  1/3 cup sugar
  
  1/2 cup flour
  
  1 tablespoon cinnamon
  
  1 cup chopped walnuts
  
  1/2 cup dried crandberries
  
  1 stick butter
  
  Crust: Combine all the ingredients expcept the apple cider in a food procussor, pulse until combined. Add one tablespoon of cider at a time and pulse after each addition. Dough will form a soft ball. Roll dough out on lightly floured surface 2 inches larger than the pie plate, fite a 10 inch pie plate. This is a solf cookie like dough what I do is lightly dust the pie plate with flour before I fit the dough. This will prevent the pie crust from sticking when you cut the pie. Fold and roll pastry under and flute.
  
  Filling: Mix filling ingredients together and fill pie shell. Bake for 450 10 minuetes, then 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Blend topping ingredients together and place on top of pie . bake for additional 15 minuets.
  
  Enjoy!
  
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  Posted in Apples, Baking, Baking, Food | Tagged Apple Pie, Desserts, fall baking
- Luscious Nectarine Blueberry Pie
  
  Posted at 12:36 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Sep 22nd
  LUSCIOUS NECTARINE BLUEBERRY PIE
  
  Luscious end of the season ripe fruit makes the most delectable pies. Who can resist a delicious piece of pie with vanilla ice cream simple but oh so good! I especially love the combination of nectarine and blueberries. I made my own pie crust and the recipe follows. But for a quick and easy pie you can buy the refrigerated pie crust. I like the Pillsbury brand. Don’t be intimidated by a home made pie crust, as I’ve always said, the more you practice the better you become. If time is an issue you can make the pie crust the day before and refrigerate over night, then just roll out the dough the next day, add the filling, bake and in no time you have a wonderful home made pie.
  
  Pie Crust
  
  Makes 2 crusts
  
  3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  
  2 sticks chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 ” cubes
  
  1/4 cup vegetable shortening
  
  1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. sugar
  
  1 Tbsp. salt
  
  Process flour, butter, vegetable shortening, sugar and salt in a food processor until butter is crumbly, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a large bowl. Gradually add 3/4 cups ice water, using a folk stir mixture until dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate over night.
  
  Filling
  
  6 ripe large nectarines(halved, pitted and slice 1/2-inch thick)
  
  1 pint blueberries, washed and picked over
  
  3/4 cups sugar
  
  3 Tbsp. quick-cooking tapioca
  
  2 Tbsp. lemon juice
  
  1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
  
  Glaze;
  
  1 egg
  
  1 Tsp. milk
  
  1 Tsp. sugar(for sprinkling)
  
  Heat oven to 425 F and adjust rack to lower to middle position. In a large bowl toss nectarines, blueberries, sugar, tapioca, lemon juice and lemon zest. Set aside for 15 minutes.
  
  Divide dough into two balls, one sightly larger. On a lightly floured surface roll larger pastry ball into a circle about 2 inches larger than 9-inch pie plate. Line pie plate with pastry, trim edge leaving 1 inch overhang. Fill the pie plate with the fruit. Roll out smaller pastry ball for top curst. Place on top of fruit pie. Trim pastry edge leaving an inch overhang. Fold overhang under, then bring up over pie plate rim, pinch to form fluted edges. Brush top with some of the egg glaze. Make a few decorative slits in the top and bake for 10 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 and bake for 40 minutes. Then brush again with remaining egg glaze, sprinkle sugar and bake for about 5 minutes more until golden brown. Cool on wire rack before serving.
  
  I serve with my favorite vanilla ice cream Breyers!
  
  Enjoy!
  
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  Posted in Baking, Food, Pie | Tagged BLUEBERRY, BREYERS ICE CREAM, NECTARINE, PIES, Pillsbury Pie crust, VANILLA ICE CREAM
- Candied Apple Crumb Cake
  
  Posted at 3:56 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Sep 18th
  Fall at it’s best with fresh picked apples baked in a rich pound cake with crumb topping and caramel drizzled on top. Richly flavored with just a hint of orange juice, cinnamon and crisp tart apples. I used Granny Smith Apples in this cake for their tart flavor along with a firm consistency after baking. In this cake I want to bit into the apple with each bite as if I just had reach up picking the apple right off the tree. As gorgeous as this cake looks it is quite easy to make. Delicious, dazzling, easy to duplicate, what could be better.
  
  Candied Apple Crumb Cake
  
  Cake
  
  4 cups flour
  
  2 cups sugar
  
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  
  4 teaspoons baking powder
  
  1 cup oil
  
  1 cup orange juice
  
  3 large eggs (4 if small)
  
  1 teaspoon vanilla
  
  Apple Filling
  
  4 Granny Smith Apples peeled and slice
  
  1/2 cup sugar
  
  2 teaspoon cinnamon
  
  Crumb Topping
  
  1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
  
  1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  
  1 cup flour
  
  1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  
  1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  
  Caramel Sauce
  
  1 cup granulated sugar
  
  ½ cup heavy cream
  
  2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  
  1 teaspoon fleur de sel (or another sea salt)
  
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease tube cake pan and set aside. Sift together flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Place in a large mixing bowel making a well.
  
  2. Combine oil, orange juice, eggs and vanilla. Pour into center of well and beat for three minutes.
  
  3. Combine sugar and cinnamon in small bowel and set aside.
  
  4. Pour third of batter into prepared pan, add half sliced apples and half cinnamon-sugar. Cover with half the remaining batter. Top with remaining apples then cinnamon-sugar. Add remaining batter on top.
  
  5. Combine ingredients for crumb topping blending until thoroughly combined. A pastry blender works best to make the crumb topping but you can cut butter in with two knives.
  
  6. Sprinkle over cake. Bake 1 hour 30 minutes or until tester comes out clean.
  
  7. Cool for 1 hour before removing from tube pan.
  
  8. Make caramel sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium high heat combine the sugar with 1/4 cup cold water and stir to combine. Cook, without stirring, until the sugar has turned a deep amber color about 10 minutes. Meanwhile warm the cream in a small saucepan. When the caramel is ready, slowly, whisk in a warm cream and continue simmering for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat, then whisk in the butter,, and then salt. Slowly drizzle over cake.
  
  Serve with Vanilla ice cream or just plain.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Apples, Baking, Cake, Dessert, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen | Tagged apples, cake, caramel, fall baking
- Perfect Peach Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream
  
  Posted at 10:13 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Aug 25th
  August is peach month with beautiful ripe peaches coming to market in New England. Peaches
  
  are a favorite with my family from sliced peaches topped with yogurt and granola to elaborate
  
  peach pies, tarts, cakes, cobblers and crumbles. So many choices with to bake with delicious
  
  summer fruit to delight family and friends. A crumble differs from a cobbler, a biscuit topping
  
  while a crumble a topping of lose ingredients combined and place on top of the fruit. Don’t forget
  
  to serve with rich vanilla ice cream.
  
  Perfect Peach Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream
  
  For the peach filling:
  
  1/4 cup brown sugar
  
  1/4 cup white sugar
  
  1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  
  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  
  8 cups peaches, thinly sliced
  
  1 teaspoon cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tablespoon water
  
  1 lemon, juiced
  
  For the crumb topping:
  
  3/4 cup brown sugar
  
  1/4 cup sugar
  
  3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  
  3/4 cup oats
  
  1/4 cup slivered almonds
  
  1/2 cup dried cranberries
  
  1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  
  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  
       1 egg, slightly beaten
  
       1 stick unsalted butter, melted
  
  Vanilla ice cream* or whipped cream, for serving
  
  Directions
  
  Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. To make the peach filling: In a large bowl, stir together sugars, flour, cinnamon and salt. Add peaches and gently toss to coat. Mix together cornstarch slurry and lemon juice and stir into peaches to incorporate. Butter a 12 by 8-inch oval dish and add peach mixture.
  
  To make the crumb topping: In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients. Top peaches  crumb topping. Poor melted butter over crumb topping. Place in oven, bake uncovered for 35 – 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream
  
  * I love Breyer’s Ice Cream!
  
  Enjoy!
  
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  Posted in Baking, Dessert, desserts, entertaining, Farm Fresh Produce, Food, peaches, summertime recipes | Tagged Breyer's Ice Cram, Peach Crumble
- Traditional Pecan Pie
  
  Posted at 10:33 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Dec 23rd
  My family just loves a traditional Pecan Pie. For years I’ve wanted them to try different flavors like, chocolate and more but no, no, no, they tell me. So I am going to share how I make my traditional Pecan Pie. It’s easy and delicious!
  
  Traditional Pecan Pie
  
  Pie Crust
  
  1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  
  1/4 teaspoon salt
  
  1/3 cup shortening
  
  4 – 5 tablespoons cold water
  
  1. Stir together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until pieces are pea-size.
  
  2. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the water over part of the mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to the side of the bowl. Repeat moistening dough, using 1 tablespoon of the water at a time, until all the dough is moistened. Form dough into a ball.
  
  3. On a lightly floured surface, use your hands to slightly flatten dough. Roll dough from center to edges into a circle about 12 inches in diameter.
  
  4. To transfer pastry, wrap it around the rolling pin. Unroll pastry into a 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into pie plate, being careful not to stretch pastry.
  
  5. Rim pastry to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold under extra pastry. Crimp edge as desired. Do not prick pastry. Or you can use a pre-made pie crust(I like Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust)
  
  Filling
  
  1/2 cup dark corn syrup
  
  1/2 cup light corn syrup
  
  3 eggs
  
  1 cup sugar
  
  2 Tbs. butter, melted
  
  1 tsp vanilla extract
  
  1 1/2 cups pecans halves
  
  Pre-heat oven to 350 F.Whisk the first five ingredients thoroughly. Pour into pie crust. I like to place the pecan halves in a circular design.
  
  Bake on center rack of oven for 55 to 60 minutes. Do not over bake.
  
  TIP: Pie is done when center reaches 200 F. Tap center surface of pie lightly; it should spring back when done.
  
  Enjoy!
  
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  Posted in Baking, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Pie | Tagged Desserts, easy, Pecan pie, Pie
- Sweet Potato Cranberry Pound Cake
  
  Posted at 9:01 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Nov 18th
  Fall is a wonderful baking season filling with all the fruits and veggies that give your bake goods that fall crisp flavor and aroma. I just love this new take on pound cake adding cooked sweet potatoes and cranberries. Cream cheese make the cake very moist while the pumpkin spice adds the fall flavor.
  
  Sweet Potato Cranberry Pound Cake
  
  1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
  
  1/2 cup butter, softened
  
  2 cups sugar
  
  4 large eggs
  
  2 1/2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes (I baked, peeled then mashed)
  
  3 cups all-purpose flour
  
  2 teaspoons baking powder
  
  1 teaspoon baking soda
  
  1/4 teaspoon salt
  
  2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  
  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  2 cups fresh cranberries, washed and picked over
  
  1. Preheat oven to 350º. Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears. Add sweet potatoes, and beat well.
  
  2. Stir together flour, next 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Add cranberries folding over until cranberries are evenly distributed in batter. Spoon batter into a greased and floured 10-inch (12-cup) tube pan.
  
  3. Bake at 350º for 1 hour and 5 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack, and cool completely (about 1 hour).
  
  or try:
  
  Sweet Potato Pound Cake Loaves: Prepare batter as directed; pour into 2 greased and floured 8 1/2- x 4 1/2-inch loaf pans. Bake and cool as directed.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Baking, Baking, Cake, Dessert, desserts, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Thanksgiving | Tagged cranberry, easy baking, pound cake, Sweet Potato
- Candied Apple Fudge Bundt Cake
  
  Posted at 8:45 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Nov 17th
  Bundt cakes have gotten a bad name over the years, remember ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’, where the wishy-washy mother-in-law brings a bundt cake to the over the top engagement party and the bride’s Greek families reaction. Bundt cakes can be elevated to a show stopping dessert so easily. I have a repertoire of deliciously eye popping bundt cakes that are a great addition to any dinner or party. My Candied Apple Fudge Bundt Cake is a great dessert for your Thanksgiving table. Or if you are asked to bring a dessert dazzle your host and hostess with this fabulous cake.
  
  Candied Apple Fudge Bundt Cake
  
  CREAM CHEESE FILLING:
  1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
  1/4 cup butter, softened
  1/2 cup granulated sugar
  1 large egg
  2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  APPLE CAKE BATTER:
  1 cup finely chopped pecans
  3 cups all-purpose flour
  1 cup granulated sugar
  1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  1 teaspoon salt
  1 teaspoon baking soda
  1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  3/4 cup canola oil
  3/4 cup applesauce
  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  3 cups peeled and finely chopped Gala apples (about 1 1/2 lb.)
  
  PRALINE FROSTING:
  1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  1/4 cup butter
  3 tablespoons milk
  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  1 cup powdered sugar
  
  CARAMEL TOPPING
  
  1 bag of caramels
  
  1 tablespoon water
  
  CHOCOLATE GLAZE
  3/4 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
  3 tablespoons butter
  1 tablespoon light corn syrup
  1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  Pecan halves
  
  Preparation
  
  1. Prepare Filling: Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended and smooth. Add egg, flour, and vanilla; beat just until blended.
  
  2. Prepare Batter: Preheat oven to 350º. Bake pecans in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Stir together 3 cups flour and next 7 ingredients in a large bowl; stir in eggs and next 3 ingredients, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in apples and pecans.
  
  3. Spoon two-thirds of apple mixture into a greased and floured 14-cup Bundt pan. Spoon Cream Cheese Filling over apple mixture, leaving a 1-inch border around edges of pan. Swirl filling through apple mixture using a paring knife. Spoon remaining apple mixture over Cream Cheese Filling.
  
  4. Bake at 350º for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack, and cool completely (about 2 hours).
  
  5. Prepare Praline Frosting: Bring 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, and 3 Tbsp. milk to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly; boil 1 minute, whisking constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth; stir gently 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture begins to cool and thickens slightly. Pour immediately over cooled cake.
  
  6. Combine caramels with water in microwave proof bowl. Microwave on high for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Stir for one minute and drizzle over cake.
  
  7. Prepare White Chocolate Glaze: Melt chocolate and cream in double boiler. Let cool slightly. Whisk in powdered sugar. Drizzle glaze over cake.
  Top with pecan halves.7. Prepare White Chocolate Glaze: Melt chocolate and cream in double boiler. Let cool slightly. Whisk in powdered sugar. Drizzle glaze over cake. Top with pecan halves.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Apples, Baking, Baking, Cake, Chocolate, Dessert, desserts, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen | Tagged Apple, bundt cake, chocolate, cream cheese filling, fudge
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Coffee Cake
  
  Posted at 10:15 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Nov 11th
  I love this cake because it combines the wonderful taste of chocolate and pumpkin. What makes it even more delicious is the wonderful spices added to the batter. This cake not only taste great but smells like spiced hot chocolate. I love a pretty presentation for my cooking and baking and by adding the mini chocolate chips and powered sugar not only does that enhance the taste but also adds a nice visual presentation. You can do more to this cake to dress it up. I sometimes decorate the cake with chocolate dipped strawberries or dried apricots, both are very easy to do. I just place the fruit around the base of the cake on the cake dish. This is very nice for a buffet table. As I like to say just use your imagination and try different ideas. Remember no fear, just enjoy. I’ve included the recipe for chocolate dipped fruit.
  
  Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Coffee Cake
  
  3 1/2 cups sugar
  
  1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  
  3 large eggs
  
  1 can (29 oz) solid pumpkin
  
  3 squares (1 oz) unsweetened chocolate melted, cooled
  
  1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  3 3/4 cups all purpose flour
  
  1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
  1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  
  1 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  
  1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  
  2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  
  Topping
  
  1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
  
  powdered sugar for dusting
  
  Pre-heat over to 350 F. Grease 10 ” tub pan. In a large bowl combine sugar and oil. Add eggs; mix well. Stir in pumpkin, chocolate and vanilla, mix well. Sift together the dry ingredients and stir into pumpkin mixture until just blended. Add chocolate chips. Pour cake batter into prepared tub pan. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top and bake for 1 hour and 30-40 minutes or until wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. (use the long bamboo skewers). Cool for 1 hour in pan before removing. Dust top of cake with powdered sugar.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Baking, Baking, Chocolate, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen | Tagged cake, chocolate chips, easy, Pumpkin
- Blueberry Poppy Seed Scones
  
  Posted at 6:33 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Mar 14th
  In my world of 24/7 where warp speed isn’t fast enough, where quantity not quality is the norm, how luxuriating enjoying a cup of tea with all the accompaniments, so Downton Abbey – tea hold a special place in my life. Slowing time, if just a little, Afternoon Tea is a wonderful pleasure I thank the British for cultivating. My spirit fills with joy sipping a cup of tea from a beautifully crafted English china tea cup while eating dainty little tea sandwiches along with freshly baked Scones topped with a dollop of clotted cream. Over time I’ve amassed an extensive collection of English tea china and accoutrements to host my own teas which have marked special moments in my life. Christmas mother/daughter teas with my daughter’s friends and their mothers, Mother’s Day Teas to celebrate the women in my life and a Bridal Shower Tea for my daughter – afternoon tea shares many cherished memories throughout my life. When traveling I am not only on the hunt for an additions to my collection but for new venues to enjoy afternoon tea. I enviable find a uniquely special new place to enjoy afternoon tea; an elegant stately hotel , an Alice in Wonderland-Mad Hatter room, a Tea Houses among the roses, all sharing impeccable British style service, aromatic teas and delectable treats. Life doesn’t get any better than this I’m reminded as I slowly savor life’s pleasures one sip at a time!
  
  Blueberry Poppy Scones:
  
  2 cups all-purpose flour – I use King Arthur Flour
  1 tablespoon baking powder
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  2 tablespoons sugar
  1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold, cut in chunks
  1 cup fresh blueberries
  1 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing the scones
  
  Clotted Cream- Devon Cream Company
  
  Strawberry Preserves – Bonne Maman
  
  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  
  Sift together the dry ingredients; the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and poppy seeds. Using 2 forks or a pastry blender, cut in the butter to coat the pieces with the flour. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Fold the blueberries into the batter. Take care not to mash or bruise the blueberries because their strong color will bleed into the dough. Make a well in the center and pour in the heavy cream. Fold everything together just to incorporate; do not overwork the dough.
  
  Press the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle about 12 by 3 by 1 1/4 inches. Cut the rectangle in 1/2 then cut the pieces in 1/2 again, giving you 4 (3-inch) squares. Cut the squares in 1/2 on a diagonal to give you the classic triangle shape. Place the scones on a parchment lined cookie sheet and brush the tops with a little heavy cream. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until beautiful and brown. Serve with Clotted Cream and Strawberry Preserves.
  
  Enjoy!
  
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  Posted in Baking, Baking, Dessert, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen | Tagged Scones, tea
- The Ultimate Cheesecake
  
  Posted at 12:31 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Mar 5th
  My mother passed this recipe to me many years ago. It is the richest cheesecake that you can make. I save it for special occasions when I want to share a show stopping dessert that tops off a dinner or a party. I have included a recipe for a pineapple glaze, or you can thickly spread sour cream on top. Or if you want to make this for Christmas as I did this year I put candied cranberries on top. Ether way this cheesecake is the star of the show!
  
  Crust:
  
  1 cup sifted flour
  
  1/4 cup sugar
  
  1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
  
  1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  1 egg yolk
  
  1/4 cup butter, softened
  
  Filling:
  
  5 pkg(8-oz) cream cheese softened
  
  1 3/4 cups sugar
  
  3 tablespoon flour
  
  2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
  
  1 1/2 grated orange peel
  
  1/4 teaspoon vanilla
  
  5 eggs, plus 2 egg yolks
  
  1/4 cup heavy cream
  
  Pineapple Glaze:
  
  2 tablespoon sugar
  
  4 teaspoon cornstarch
  
  2 cans(8 1/4-oz) crushed pineapple in heavy syrup, undrained
  
  2 tablespoon lemon juice
  
  Sugared cranberries
  
  2 cups fresh cranberries
  
  1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
  
  1 cup water
  
  Crust:
  
  Preheat over to 400F. Grease the inside of 9-inch springform pan(3 inches high). Remove side. Make crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, lemon, peel, vanilla. Make well in center; with fork, blend in yolk and butter. Mix with fingertips until smooth. Form half of dough into a ball and place on bottom of springform pan. Place wax paper on top; roll pastry to edge of pan. Remove paper. Bake 6 to ;8 minutes or until golden. Cool. Meanwhile divide rest of dough into three parts. Between waxed paper roll each part 2 1/4 inch wide and 9 inch long. Assemble springform pan with the crust on the bottom. Line sides fo the pan with pastry strips, over lapping ends. Remove waxed paper. Preheat oven 450F.
  
  Filling: In large mixer bowl, blend cheese, sugar, flour, peels and vanilla at high speed. Beat in eggs and yolks, one at a time: beat until smooth, occasionally scraping bowl with spatula. Beat in cream. Pour into pan. Bake 10 minutes. Lower oven to 250F. Bake 1 hour longer. Remove pan to rack to cool, 2 hours. Make glaze.
  
  Glaze: In small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in remaining ingredients. Over medium heat, bring to boiling, stirring; boil 1 minute, or until thickened and translucent. Cool.
  
  Spread surface of cheese cake with glaze; refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
  
  Sugared Cranberries: Bring 1 cup sugar and water to a simmer in a saucepan. Simmer until sugar is completely dissolved. Pour simple syrup into a heatproof bowl and allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Add cranberries and stir to coat. Refrigerate cranberries in syrup overnight, stirred a couple times to coat with syrup.
  
  Remove cranberries from syrup and roll in remaining 1/2 cup of sugar. You’ll need to roll them a few times to get a couple layers of sugar on them.
  
  Set cranberries aside to dry for a hour or so.
  
  To serve: Loosen pastry fro side of pan with spatula. Remove sides of springform pan. Top with either Pineapple glaze or sugared cranberries. Serves 16
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  Posted in Baking, Baking, Cake, Dessert, Elegant, entertaining, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
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