Pies, Tarts, Crisps, & Cobblers

Purim 2021

Dear Sis,

We started our celebration yesterday. William took fruit filled pastries to school to share with his classmates and Carter’s family came over to have a festive dinner with us. 

I made five-bean soup, toss salad, warmed a loaf of challah I bought from a local international foods market, and roasted a chicken. Mama Jenn brought mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, corn, and green beans. William made a simple and delicious Chocolate Cream Cheese Pie for dessert. 

Chocolate Cream Cheese Pie

b
Print Recipe
Course Dessert
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pre-made graham cracker crust
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 T powdered sugar
  • 4 oz whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 (3.9) oz. pkg chocolate pudding mix
  • 1 3/4 c whole milk

Instructions
 

  • Cream together cream cheese and sugar. Fold in whipped topping. Spread into prepared crust.
  • Whisk together pudding mix and milk until smooth and thick. Spread over cream cheese layer. Chill a few hours to set.
  • Garnish with additional whipped topping and milk chocolate chips.

Our Purim Checklist

  • Read the story of Esther twice, The Queen Who Saved Her People by Tilda Baldly with noise makers.
  • Share a festive meal with friends and dress up.
  • Bake Hamantaschen and share them with Jewish friends.
  • Call and chat with Jewish friends. (Replaces going to temple during a pandemic)
  • Donate food to those in need. 

William got a new, larger rolling pin for Purim.

He also got a piggy bank and some change to put in it!

Charlotte, who is pig crazed, got a stuffed pig and a book:

Little Pig by L. Rigo

A Visitor

Our festive weekend happened to line up with William’s weekend with the class pet. A stuffed hedgehog, Quilly, was part of all our holiday happenings.

Love,

b

Lemon Blueberry Cookie Pizza

Dear Sis,

William loves to help in the kitchen. He was able to make this with very little help.

The recipe was inspired by one I found in the Taste of Home: Almost Homemade 2013 cookbook, I recently picked up at our local little free library.

Lemon Blueberry Cookie Pizza

Print Recipe
Course Dessert
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 1 (16.5 oz) pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • 1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese soft
  • 1 (5.3 oz) tub lemon yogurt
  • 2 T powdered sugar
  • 1-2 c fresh blueberries

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350. Press dough into a 12 inch round baking pan. Bake 15-18 minutes. Cool completely. Slice cookie.
  • Beat together cheese, yogurt, and sugar. Spread over sliced cookie. Top with berries. Serve. Chill leftovers.

Although any round cake, pie, or pie plate will do the trick, a tart pan creates a lovely fluted edge and makes for easy serving. We only had a 9 inch tart pan on hand, so we removed about a 1/4 c of dough and used it. In hindsight, we could have halved the icing, for the smaller cookie crust:)

Love,

b

Anniversary Treats

Dear Sis, 

Today Josh and I are celebrating 5 years of marriage. William and I spent the afternoon making treats for the occasion.

Fresh Peach Pie
Serves 8
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. double refrigerated pie crust
  2. 5 c peaches, peeled and sliced
  3. 1 T lemon juice
  4. 1 t orange zest
  5. 1/2 t almond extract
  6. 1 c sugar
  7. 1/4 c cornstarch
  8. 1/2 t nutmeg
  9. 1/4 t salt
  10. 2 T cold unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
  1. Line a pie plate with one crust, vent with a fork, and set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 400.
  3. Toss together all ingredients except butter. Pour fruit mixture into crust lined pie plate. Scatter butter cubes. Top with second crust. Tuck edges and press to seal. Vent top with a knife.
  4. Bake 45 minutes. Cool 30 minutes or more before serving. Cover and chill leftovers.
Adapted from Taste of Home - Shirley Olson
Adapted from Taste of Home - Shirley Olson
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

While the pie was baking, we made S’more Popcorn Balls. 

S'more Popcorn Balls
Yields 8
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1/4 c salted butter
  2. 1 (10 oz) pkg mini marshmallows
  3. 1 t vanilla extract
  4. 4 c popcorn (1/4 c kernels)
  5. 2 c Golden Graham cereal
  6. 1 c milk chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Melt together butter and marshmallows, on the stovetop or in a microwave safe bowl, until smooth.
  2. Stir in vanilla. Fold in popcorn and cereal. Cool enough to handle easily.
  3. Fold in chocolate chips. With buttered hands, shape 8 balls and place on waxed paper until set.
  4. Wrap balls individually in plastic wrap to store.
Adapted from I Heart Eating
Adapted from I Heart Eating
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

We mixed in our chocolate too soon, so it melted:)

Love,

b

Cranberry Apple Crisp

Dear Sis,

Today I tried a new recipe to use the remaining frozen cranberries from last year. 

Cranberry Apple Crisp
Serves 8
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Cranberry Apple Filling
  1. 3 c green apples, peeled and sliced
  2. 2 c fresh or frozen cranberries
  3. 1 c granulated sugar
  4. 3 T unbleached flour
Oat Topping
  1. 2 c old-fashioned oats
  2. 1/2 c brown sugar
  3. 1/2 c salted butter, melted
  4. 1/2 c unbleached flour
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a glass 9x13 baking dish.
  2. Toss together cranberry apple filling ingredients and pour into prepared dish.
  3. Combine topping ingredients and pour over fruit layer.
  4. Bake 45-55 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned.
Adapted from I Heart Eating
Adapted from I Heart Eating
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

This crisp is very nicely tart, so it pairs well with vanilla ice cream without being overwhelmingly sweet!

Love,

b

Cherry Crumb Bars

Dear Sis,

It was wonderful that your brother-in-law and sister-in-law were able to visit for dinner to see you and Evelyn last night. We made dessert with all the yummy cherries you brought:)

We even had enough leftover to serve it for our lunch today with Aunt Angel and cousin Charity. 

Cherry Crumb Bars
Yields 24
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Crust and Crumble
  1. 3 c unbleached flour
  2. 1 c granulated sugar
  3. 1 t baking powder
  4. 1 t almond extract
  5. 1/2 t vanilla extract
  6. 1/4 t salt
  7. 1 c unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  8. 1 egg, beaten
Cherry Filling
  1. 5 c cherries, pitted and halved
  2. 1 c granulated sugar
  3. 1/2 c unbleached flour
  4. 2 T lemon juice
  5. 1 t almond extract
  6. 1 t cornstarch
  7. 1 t vanilla extract
  8. 1/4 t salt
Crust and Crumble
  1. Preheat oven to 375. Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  2. Combine dry ingredients and extracts. Crumble in cold butter and beaten egg.
  3. Press half crumble mixture into prepared pan. Set aside remaining crumble for topping.
Cherry Filling
  1. Toss together filling ingredients. Pour over crust. Top with remaining crumble.
  2. Bake 50-60 minutes. Cool before cutting into bars.
Adapted from Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen
Adapted from Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Love,

b

Watermelon First Birthday Party

Dear Sis,

I was super fun planning and preparing a party for Evelyn! She looked adorable in her watermelon dress with her hair braided:)

Her Mama looked lovely too! One would never guess she is expecting Evelyn’s new sister or brother this coming winter:)

Menu

Ice Water & Pink Lemonade

Meatball Hoagies & Chili Dogs

Minted Cucumber Finger Sandwiches with Red Grapes

Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels with Carrots, Celery, & Ranch Dip

Potato Salad, Deviled Eggs, & Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Fruit Pizza & Watermelon Rice Krispy Treats

Watermelon Slices

Watermelon Cupcakes & Fondant Toppers

Ice Cream Cones

Love,

b

 

Easy Blueberry Breakfast Cake

Dear Sis,

I haven’t made this in years. My blueberry loving toddler enjoyed it very much:)

Easy Blueberry Breakfast Cake
Serves 12
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Ingredients
  1. 1 c butter, melted
  2. 1 1/3 c whole milk
  3. 1 c granulated sugar
  4. 1 t vanilla extract
  5. 3 c baking mix
  6. 1 (16 oz pkg.) frozen blueberries
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking sheet. Set aside.
  2. Beat together butter, milk, sugar, and vanilla.
  3. Stir in baking mix until smooth.
  4. Fold in frozen berries. Pour into prepared pan.
  5. Bake 40-45 minutes until lightly browned.
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Love,

b

Recipe Testing for Evelyn’s First Birthday Party

Dear Sis,

I am super excited to be working on recipes for Evelyn’s First Birthday Picnic! We tried one of our watermelon theme desserts and a sandwich option.

Fruit Pizza
Serves 16
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Sugar Cookie Crust
  1. 1 pkg. Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix
  2. 1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
  3. 1 T all-purpose flour
  4. 1 t almond extract
  5. 1 egg
Cream Cheese Frosting
  1. 2 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
  2. 1/2 c powdered sugar
  3. 1 t vanilla extract
Fruit Toppings
  1. 2 kiwi fruits
  2. 1 lb. strawberries
  3. 2 T semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
Sugar Cookie Crust
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and line 2 (9 inch) round baking pans or pie plates with parchment cut to fit the base.
  2. Combine cookie dough ingredients until dough forms. Divide dough into two portions and press one portion into the bottom of each prepared baking pan.
  3. Bake 15-18 minutes. Cool completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting
  1. Beat together frosting ingredients until smooth and fluffy.
  2. Remove crust from baking pans and place on serving plates or boards. Cut each cookie into 8 slices before frosting. It makes serving much easier later! Spread half frosting over each crust. Chill.
Fruit Toppings
  1. Peel, half, and thinly slice kiwi fruits. Layer sliced kiwi around the outer edge of the fruit pizza.
  2. Wash, remove greens, and slice strawberries. Layer sliced berries in the center of the fruit pizza.
  3. Sprinkle each pizza with 1 T mini chocolate chips.
  4. Chill until ready to serve.
Notes
  1. Fruit Pizza doesn't have to look like a watermelon. You can use your favorite fruits in any design you desire!
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Pinwheel Sandwiches
Yields 32
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Cheese Spread
  1. 1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
  2. 1 c cheddar cheese, shredded
  3. 1/4 c blue cheese, crumbled
  4. 2 T sour cream
Buffalo Chicken Filling
  1. 2 c rotisseri chicken, shredded
  2. 1/2 c Buffalo wing sauce
  3. 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  4. 8 (8 inch) flour tortillas
Cheese Spread
  1. Cream together all ingredients until smooth.
  2. Place equal portions in the center of each tortilla and spread smooth.
Buffalo Chicken Filling
  1. Toss together chicken, wing sauce, and onion.
  2. Spread equal portions over the cheese layer on each tortilla.
  3. Roll up each tortilla and chill 2 hours.
  4. Cut away ends and slice each tortilla into four equal pinwheel sandwiches. Serve.
Adapted from Sugar Apron
Adapted from Sugar Apron
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
I am going to put these sandwiches on a platter with ranch dip, baby carrots, and celery sticks. The flavors complement each other so well and remind me of eating real wings… only less messy:) 

We went to a library program, while the wraps were chilling, and ate them for lunch. William has an amazing tolerance for spicy considering he is only 2.5!

Love,

b