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Tag Archives: tart

Chocolate Pecan Tart

Posted on June 2, 2012 by easybaked

This pecan tart with a hint of cocoa was inspired by my recent vacation to South Carolina.

I just got back from a trip to my cousin’s wedding in Raleigh and a family vacation in Myrtle Beach.  Besides the pralines (MUST learn to make these), I was tempted by all the varieties of pecan pies in each restaurant we visited (bourbon, chocolate chip, caramel, cheesecake….)

I’m visiting dear friends tomorrow afternoon and since I’ve been obsessing over pecan pies I thought I’d better give in and make one tonight to share with them.  I really think you’ll love this recipe.  The tart pan makes it beautiful and the cocoa makes it so rich and flavorful.  Plus it is really easy.  Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

  • Refrigerated pie crust (or your own favorite recipe!)
  • 4 T. butter
  • 2 T. cocoa powder
  • 1 c. corn syrup
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 c. dark brown sugar
  • 2 T. vanilla
  • 2 c. pecans (one cup chopped, one cup halves)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Lightly grease a 9 inch tart pan with removable bottom.  Line the pan with your crust, pressing it into the bottom and sides of pan and pricking the bottom a few times with a fork.
  • Melt butter on the stove in a saucepan.
  • Turn heat off and add the cocoa and corn syrup.
  • Lightly beat the eggs with the sugar and vanilla.
  • Stir egg mixture and one cup of chopped nuts into syrup.
  • Pour into crust and arrange the remaining pecans over the top.
  • Bake on a cookie sheet for 35-40 minutes (until the filling is just set).
  • Serve warm (with ice cream, I think!) or at room temperature.


My thoughts:  This is a quick dessert and it is SO yummy!  I’m laughing a little about how I have to cut a piece out of everything I make (for photography purposes, of course…) and how nothing I bring to share at a dinner ever looks pretty anymore.  My friends look at my chopped up dessert, roll their eyes and say– oh yeah….BLOG photos…  I hope you enjoy making this recipe.  I’ll leave you tonight with a couple of beach photos.  Enjoy!

My favorite pier at sunset….happy moment….

Appreciating the beach. Enjoy your week, friends!

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14 Comments

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Mocha Cheesecake Tart (gluten free!)

Posted on November 12, 2011 by easybaked

A little slice of happiness!!!

This recipe was created by myself and my gluten-free friend Brie.  It was an experiment and we LOVED it (mostly)…Our only mistake was adding too much coffee to our topping– and I am fixing the recipe to correct that!  If you LOVE coffee, add more (I LOVE coffee, so I thought the tart was perfect– but it is 11pm and I am still going strong…so maybe less is better!)

Brie is a photographer…so this post will be filled with her fun photos of the process!

My fun friend Brie!

INGREDIENTS:

Crust:

  • 2 1/2 cups of crushed graham cracker crumbs (gluten free!!!!)
  • 1/3 c. margarine
  • 2 T. sugar

Tart filling:

  • 1 box of PHILADELPHIA cream cheese- softened
  • 1/2c. sugar
  • 1/4 c. cocoa powder (Nestle)
  • 1 t. vanilla
  • 1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip- thawed
  • 1/2c. mini chocolate chips (Nestle are gluten free)

Topping:

  • 1c. heavy whipping cream
  • 1T. instant coffee granules
  • 1/4 c. powdered sugar (check ingredients- I used Wal-mart brand and no gluten!)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Mix crushed grahams with sugar and melted butter.
  • Press into an 8 inch tart pan.
  • Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes- until edges are firm and crispy.
  • Remove from oven and cool completely.  Remove out tart ring.
  • Mix coffee granules in whipping cream and allow to sit for about 10 minutes. (If you don’t like coffee, just skip this step and make topping by whipping cream and powdered sugar without the coffee granules!)

Whipping cream plus coffee!

  • In a large bowl, cream together cream cheese, sugar, cocoa and vanilla until smooth.

Adding vanilla to the rich chocolatey goodness!

  • Fold in Cool Whip and blend until smooth.
  • Mix in mini-chocolate chips (saving a few for the top).
  • Spread in cooled tart crust.

Spread the filling into the crust…

yum!

  • In medium bowl, mix whipping cream/coffee blend with powdered sugar and whip on high until stiff peaks form.
  • Spread over top of tart and sprinkle with a few mini- chocolate chips.
  • Serve immediately if you want– or keep refrigerated until use.
  • Take pictures!!!! :)

Give me all your chocolate chips and nobody gets hurt…..!

My thoughts– YUM!!!!  Rich and creamy and I LOVED the gluten free crust (I would use it again for the flavor and consistency- and I’m not on a gluten free diet).  I really would use just whipped cream next time and skip the coffee altogether though- I think the two layers clashed in color- lol!  Really though– suprise your friends who have to be gluten free with this pie– they will love you for it!!!

10 Comments

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Blackberry Tart

Posted on August 26, 2011 by easybaked

There’s nothing like fresh blackberries in August!  I grew up picking berries in the woods behind our house- 4 cups made a pie.  I loved berry picking and HATED the pie (I can’t stand my fruit cooked!)  When I was home visiting family a week ago my mom and I went picking and I came home with a big bowl of fresh blackberries.  I wanted to see if I could make a fresh (UNCOOKED!) berry pie with them and it turned out wonderfully!  YUM!!!!  I used a tart pan and had LOTS of filling left over since it was so shallow- I recommend making 2 tarts or a pie with this recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

  • Blackberries! (aren’t they beautiful?)- about 4 cups.
  • One refrigerated pie crust (for pie).  (Two pie crusts for tarts.)
  • One small box (3oz.) of Jello- I used Blackberry Fusion- it was amazing- I’m sure Raspberry would work just fine if you can’t find the Blackberry.
  • One small box (3.4oz.) of Jello instant vanilla pudding
  • 2 1/4 c. cold water
  • Cool Whip

DIRECTIONS:

  • Spread pie crust into the bottom of a pie plate or tart pan and cook as directed on package.  Cool completely.  (I really think this pie would taste great in a pre-made graham cracker crust if you want to make this recipe REALLY easy!)
  • In a medium saucepan mix together the jello, pudding and water.  Cook over medium heat.
  • Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
  • Cool in refrigerator until slightly set.
  • Add berries and mix until all berries are incorporated (save a few out to decorate the top!!)
  • Spoon pie filling into crust(s) and chill overnight.
  • Before serving, spoon cool whip on top and decorate with fresh berries.  YUM!!

My thoughts:  You are going to LOVE this pie :)  Our berries were fairly tart and this pie was so sweet and tangy it was perfect!  Since I had only prepared one tart crust I had left over filling that I spooned into cups.  Just added Cool Whip and granola for a yummy breakfast treat.  I love how firm the pie got– no runny cooked fruit here!

On a side note:  My new obsession with food photography makes me laugh sometimes.  I was trying to catch some natural light staying INSIDE (since it was hot enough to actually cook my fruit pie outside).   I cleaned my kitchen floor, found a pretty placemat and a patch of good light and started taking pictures.  When I finally looked up I had to laugh –and take a picture of my VERY obedient puppy:

Have a great weekend everyone!!!!!    -r

9 Comments

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Raspberry Truffle Tart

Posted on July 9, 2011 by easybaked

Smooth dark chocolate and tangy raspberry filling topped with a shiny glaze make this tart one of the richest and creamiest desserts you’ve ever had!

INGREDIENTS:

  • One refrigerated pie crust
  • 1c. Ghirardelli Bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 2c. Ghirardelli Semi-sweet chocolate chips (divided)
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 5 T. heavy whipping cream
  • 3 cups plus 5 T. powdered sugar
  • 2 T. vanilla
  • 12 T. butter (divided and melted)
  • 2t. raspberry flavoring
  • red food coloring

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray an 8 or 9 inch tart pan with cooking spray and line with pie crust.  Poke holes into bottom with fork and set on a cookie sheet.
  • Melt together 1 cup of bittersweet chips and one cup of semi-sweet.  Allow this to cool to room temperature.
  • In a separate bowl combine eggs, cream, vanilla and 5 T. powdered sugar.
  • Add cream mixture to chocolate and blend well.  Pour into crust and bake for 20 – 25 minutes until center is set.
  • Cool tart completely and then remove outer ring.
  • For filling: Combine remaining 3 c. of powdered sugar with 6 T. melted butter and blend well. Add raspberry flavor and food color. Blend well (add extra powdered sugar if needed for thick frosting-like consistency) and spread over the top of cool tart.
  • For Glaze: Melt 6 T. butter (do not use margarine here!) with remaining cup of semi-sweet chips and stir until smooth.  Pour over top of tart and smooth to edges.
  • Garnish with fresh raspberries if desired.

My thoughts…soooo rich (take a small slice!) and so flavorful!  This tart recipe (minus the toppings) is one of my last-minute go-to recipes.  Its SO quick and easy and you can serve it right out of the oven warm -with cool-whip or ice cream.  The toppings are a bonus if you have a little more time- mix those flavors up!  Great with mint and peanut butter and maple and coconut– such a fun and versatile recipe!  ENJOY!!!

A special thanks to my friend Brie from Color Canvas Media who is teaching me about my camera and who helped me take these photos far better than I could have alone!  I’m addicted to Foodgawker and thus far I’ve had 36 photos rejected and 2 accepted (lol!!) I’ve never had any interest in photography and now I think I’m addicted- fun new hobby!   So here’s to better blog pictures! Thanks Brie!!!!!

19 Comments

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Confetti Cups!!!

Posted on June 7, 2011 by easybaked
Chewy “confetti” cookie cups are filled to overflowing with a tart blue raspberry lemonade cream. This is a kid-friendly, fun recipe that can double as a refreshing summer dessert for all ages!
INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 tube (18 oz.) of Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • 2  1/2 cups of Fruit Loops
  • 8 oz. of PHILADELPHIA cream cheese (room temp)
  • 1 packet (0.23oz.) of Kool-Aid (Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade)
  • 2 cups of Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme
  • 8 oz. Cool Whip Topping
DIRECTIONS:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Place 2 cups of Fruit Loops in a zip-top bag and roll then into crumbs using a rolling pin.
  • Place cookie dough into a mixing bowl and add Fruit Loop crumbs.  Using hands, mix together until well-blended.
  • Scoop cookie dough into a greased muffin tin, evenly dividing the dough between all 12 cups.
  • Bake cookie dough at 350 degrees for 12 minutes (or until browned around edges).
  • Remove from oven and allow cookies to sit in pan and firm up for about 3-5 minutes.
  • Run a small knife around the edges of each cup before popping it out and putting it on a plate.
  • Using a mini-tart shaper or the end of a wooden spoon, press the center of each cookie in to form a cup.
  • Chill cups until they are no longer warm to the touch (about 10 minutes)
  • For filling:  Cream together cream cheese and Kool-Aid until completely blended.
  • Add Marshmallow Creme and mix thoroughly.
  • Add 1 cup of Cool Whip and mix until smooth and creamy.
  • Place filling in a large zip-top bag and clip a corner.
  • Pipe filling evenly into each cookie cup.
  • Place about 1 c. of Cool Whip into a zip-top bag, clip a corner and pipe this on top of the filling.
  • Crush remaining 1/2 cup of Fruit Loops and sprinkle over the top.
  • Serve immediately or freeze and serve chilled.
My thoughts:  After making my Fruit Loop Pie for Real Women of Philadelphia and realizing that I couldn’t enter it into the contest because of the length of time required for the filling to set up I obsessed over how to make it work so I could use this filling (it is SO incredibly good!!!!!)  I knew the filling would work great in a cup and incorporating the cookie dough makes it quick and easy…I think I like these better than the original Fruit Loop Pie crust!  Individual desserts are just so fun!  ENJOY!!!


28 Comments

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Fruit Loop Pie!!!

Posted on May 22, 2011 by easybaked

Don’t wrinkle your nose at the name- this tart cream filling is perfectly balanced by a sweet fruity crust. Let your inner child rejoice– its FRUIT LOOPS in a PIE!!!!

INGREDIENTS:

Crust:

  • 3c. of crushed Fruit Loops (crush before you measure)
  • 1/2c. butter (melted)
  • 1/2c. sugar

Pie:

  • 8oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese
  • 1 (0.22 oz.) packet Kool Aid- Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade flavor
  • 2c. marshmallow fluff
  • 8 oz. Cool Whip (refrigerator temp).

DIRECTIONS:

  • Mix together Fruit Loops, butter and sugar.
  • Press mixture into an ungreased 9 inch pie plate.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
  • Cool completely.
  • Cream together Kool Aid and Philadelphia Cream Cheese
  • Add Marshmallow fluff and blend well.
  • Fold in 1c. of Cool Whip.
  • Spoon into cooled crust
  • Top with remaining Cool Whip
  • Sprinkle Fruit Loops over the top
  • Freeze for at least 2 hours.
  • Serve chilled.

My thoughts:  This recipe has been simmering in the back of my mind ever since I made my raspberry lemonade truffles for RWOP a few weeks ago.  Adding Kool Aid to Cream Cheese…using fun cereal as a crust…finally I just did it.  It won’t qualify for the contest as it really needs some time in the freezer to set properly– NOT within the one hour time limit!  What a fun and refreshing dessert this turned out to be– I hope you try it and love it!!  -r

This recipe was shared on these wonderful blogs:


26 Comments

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