brownies w/ espresso-cream cheese frosting topped w/ salty shortbread crumbs

Yes that is a very long title for brownies isn't it? But I wanted to really dress up a good batch of brownies. I love brownies with frosting on them--sweet on top of salty-sweet. Killer cavity making material I know, but if you're gonna indulge you might as well make it grand. The topping came about when I had leftover crumbs from my creamsicle cheesecake; had stored them in the freezer for future use. Those crumbs are just so good I hate to waste. And I have used my espresso-cream cheese combo before on my espresso-cream cheese rice krispie treats which were to die for good. I had kept that combo in the back of mind to use again hopefully on a cake or cupcake. I need to make a cupcake with this frosting combo STAT.
These brownies are really good. I mean they just satisfy that sweet & salty craving instantly. I ate a fair share of them and yes, ate the frosting with a spoon; to taste test--a few times.

brownies w/ espresso-cream cheese frosting topped w/ salty shortbread crumbs
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Brownies:
(use your favorite brownie recipe or you can use what I used from alton brown)

Soft butter, for greasing the pan
Flour, for dusting the buttered pan
4 large eggs
1 cup sugar, sifted
1 cup brown sugar, sifted
8 ounces melted butter
11/4 cups cocoa, sifted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup flour, sifted
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8-inch square pan.

In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the eggs at medium speed until fluffy and light yellow. Add both sugars. Add remaining ingredients, and mix to combine.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured 8-inch square pan and bake for 45 minutes. Check for doneness with the tried-and-true toothpick method: a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan should come out clean. When it's done, remove to a rack to cool. Resist the temptation to cut into it until it's mostly cool.

Frosting:
1 – 8 oz pack of cream cheese, room temp
½ Starbuck Via, regular roast
¼ - ½ cup of sifted confectioners sugar (use more or less depending on your sweetness preference)
Sprinkle finished brownies with remaining Starbuck Via, (optional but wonderful)

Salty shortbread crumbs:
(I had leftover crumbs from when I made the creamsicle cheesecake, but I think this amount below would be enough for the topping?)
1 sleeve (more or less) of Lorna Doone cookies, crushed fine
A pinch or two of sea salt

Assemble:
Once brownies are cooled, spread frosting nice and thick, sprinkle with salty shortbread crumbs, then sprinkle with remaining Starbucks Via for decoration.

creamsicle cheesecake with buttery shortbread crust

I looked and looked to see if someone had done a creamsicle cheesecake. Couldn't find anything, so there in lies my homework assignment. After a few attempts I think I nailed it. Creamsicle and cheesecake just screams to be together doesn't it? And I wanted to add a layer of 'almost saltiness' to it (don't I always), so I used those Lorna Doone shortbread cookies as the crust. Do I even have to tell you how good this was? It was light and creamy with a hint of orange just like a true creamsicle. Please forgive me on this, for I did not write down the recipe. I am certain though I got it all down word for word though. Just taste-test it before you bake it to make sure it tastes, well, like a creamsicle. The only areas I might have been forgetful was the amount of chopped orange slices and heavy cream. So you might need to add or subtract these--that's why I say taste test as you go along. I promise you I will get better with writing down the recipes straight away. :-)
Can we talk about Top Chef Desserts for a bit? I mean since I have you here? I want to like the show I really do because I just love the concept, but the drama is such a huge turn off. I know a lot of chefs, and none of them have tempers, flare-ups, crying fits, etc... like those on Top Chef Desserts. Chefs and pastry chefs alike pride themselves on being cool, calm and INSPIRING in the kitchen (and out of the kitchen as well).
It was also shocking to see on the wedding cake episode how many of the pastry chefs didn't make a decent wedding cake. Sure the flavors were there in some of the cakes, but the overall stacking and presentation was lacking. I was asking my friends if these were indeed classically trained pastry chefs. Love the show, just wish there wasn't so much crying. Just like there's no crying in baseball, there's no crying in baking. What do you think of Top Chef Desserts? Is it what you thought it would be? I honestly thought it would be like Top Chef with, well, desserts--where everyone behaves and puts forth their very best creations.





creamsicle cheesecake w/ shortbread crust

by vanillasugarblog.com

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crust

1- 10 oz box of Lorna Doone shortbread cookies, crushed fine (I used all 2 sleeves)

1 stick salted butter, melted

Tiny pinch of sea salt

cheesecake filling

4 - 8 oz. packages of cream cheese, room temp

¾ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup heavy cream (might need more)

3 large eggs and 2 large egg yolks

½ cup (or a little more) of orange candy slices, chopped very fine (the jelly-like ones coated in sugar; a sort of half moon shape)

1 ts of orange zest

A splash of vanilla extract

cook notes: as I said above I might be off on the amount of chopped orange slices and heavy cream used. So please taste test as you go along and before it goes in the pan for baking. This makes a lot of crust for the 10-inch pan, but I like to have it thick, so if you don’t like it thick you could probably halve it. But with the remaining leftover crust I just put it in a bag and freeze or make a mini cheesecake. There will also be leftover cheesecake batter—haven’t figured out how to scale it down yet. But with the leftover crust and batter you can easily make 2 mini cheesecakes if you have the mini springform pans. Also, I do not have a mixer, I know, everyone always ask how I do it, but I do, been that way for decades. So I just use a food processer, works perfectly. But use what you feel comfortable with.

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

In a measuring cup, crack open the eggs and egg yolks, set aside until ready to use.

Spray a 10-inch springform pan with non stick spray. In a food processor grind up the cookies into a fine crumb. In a bowl, combine the cookies, a pinch of salt, and the melted butter. Mix, then press into the bottom and partially up the sides of the springform pan. (I use a flat bottomed glass to press it in evenly). Recipe & photos by Dawn Finicane of vanillakitchen.blogspot.com

Note: there will be some crumbs leftover; I normally use more crumbs than the average cheesecake because I love a thick crumb.

Bake for 12 minutes, set aside and let cool. Reduce the oven heat to 325°F.

cheesecake batter:

I used my food processor to make the cheesecake batter—I suppose you could use a mixer, but I don’t have one (I know, weird). With the food processor, mix the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and lump free. Add in the sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. .

Add in the eggs one at a time until all is mixed well; add in the heavy cream. Then add in the vanilla extract, and orange zest; then add in the chopped orange candy slices. Process until all is well mixed.

baking:

Most people like to do a water bath for their cheesecake. I never do, I find all too annoying. But if you want to do this please feel free; it’s best to bake your cheesecake how ever you feel most comfortable.

I baked this cheesecake at 325°F for one hour then at 300°F for an additional 40 to 60 minutes or until the center is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Top with freshly whipped cream and I used all natural sprinkles form Whole Foods. These orange ones taste like orange.

ham and cheese stuffed buttermilk pancakes

Ham and cheese buttermilk pancakes just in time for the weekend. How in the world did this creation come about? I am the type of food eater that loves a little bit of everything in one bite. Let's say it's thanksgiving: I'm going to put on my fork a little bit of turkey, some sweet potato, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and dip it all gently in a bit of gravy while having a bite of those buttered rolls. Yeah. See now that's how it's done. That's how all the chefs do it too. Next time you watch Top Chef watch the judges when they go and taste the dishes. They take a little bit of food from all that is on the dish in ONE bite; not only to see how it all tastes BUT to see if it all melds nicely together.
Any meal I eat I have to have various food flavors going on and eat them all at once. I am not one of those people that eats the meat first, then the vegetable, then the whatever.... That's eating to eat. I eat to savor, to mix, to meld, to satisfy every single craving I have in a day in one meal---if I can.
Get to the darn pancakes already! OK. We all know I love my sweet & salty fix--on an hourly basis, and breakfast is the most important meal for savory right? LOL. But I love pancakes with salty, fried ham, drenched in syrup!
So just like my love of having a peanut butter & jelly sandwich with a nice slab of sharp cheddar in there (try it, it's really good) I wanted to try and add a layer of cheddar cheese to the pancakes. So why not just make a nice thick, fluffy, greasy pancake with a little bit of ham and melted cheese in the middle? It's good to experiment right? Even the fussiest of fussy food eaters on the planet (my husband) loved it. So there.

ham & cheese stuffed buttermilk pancakes
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use your favorite buttermilk pancake recipe (this is a good one from alton brown)
a few slices of thinly sliced ham
a few slices of thinly sliced mild cheddar cheese
a few TB of butter for pan and for topping pancakes
pure maple syrup

make your pancake batter as you normally would. when you get ready to pour them onto the griddle: pour a little bit onto griddle, spreading out just a bit and quickly place a couple slices of the ham, then a slice of the cheese. top the pancake with just a little bit more of pancake batter to cover. you will have to spread the batter over and around the ham & cheese to make sure it's nice and covered. when bottom side of pancake is done carefully flip over. this takes some skill as you don't want to break apart the middle part.
serve with the butter and warmed maple syrup.

chocolate ganache cupcakes

Does the Barefoot Contessa ever let you down? I think not. I remember back last winter when I was sick in bed, all day, watching horrible daytime TV. But thankfully the Food Network saved the day! The Barefoot Contessa was on twice during the day! Thank goodness--I was feeling better already! So if you're sick in bed, remember the Barefoot Contessa is on not once, but twice in one day; midday then at dinnertime (I think it's still that way). Nothing like watching Ina to cheer you right up. She had made these gorgeous chocolate ganche cupcakes that were topped with bright candied violets. Of course she breezed through them with ease; they came out perfect, and then she topped them with stunning purple candied violets. I saved this recipe to create when I found candied violets. Never found them, don't even know where to look unless you go to a big city? Have you ever seen candied violets? So very pretty, and make the simplest of things like cupcakes into stunning little works of art. How fabulous is that? (I just LOVE when she says that).

chocolate ganache cupcakes
by barefoot contessa
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1/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 (16-ounce) can chocolate syrup (recommended: Hershey's)
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour

For the ganache:
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces good semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
Candied violets, for decoration, optional

Line muffin pans with 12 paper liners. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in the chocolate syrup and vanilla. Add the flour and mix until just combined. Don't overbeat, or the cupcakes will be tough.
Scoop the batter into the muffin cups and bake for 30 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Don't overbake! Let the cupcakes cool thoroughly in the pan.

For the ganache, cook the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally. Dip the top of each cupcake in the ganache. Decorate with candied violets, if desired. Do not refrigerate. I decorated with toffee bits and coarse colored sugar sprinkles.

broiled prosecco-scallops w/ panko crumbs

We eat a lot of scallops here; seafood I never tire of. My local fishmonger is wonderful, patient (because I ask way too many questions) and always knows what's the best catch of the day. He has the best and biggest scallops, as well as the best lobster around. I'm a huge fan of the big scallops not so much of the bay scallops. Although bay scallops are perfect for a seafood sherry bisque. This broiled prosecco-scallop dish came about by the mere fact that I had no white wine in the house, nor any lemons!. And refusing to freeze the scallops because I just think they freeze awful unless you vac-seal them to perfection, I searched the cupboards for something to use. Not finding anything I remembered the bottles of champagne and prosecco I have stored in the garage for special occasions. Perfect! I knew instinctly champagne might be too bitter when cooked, but prosecco is perfect because of it's sweetness.
What a hit these were. I was shocked at how super moist the prosecco kept the scallops while broiling, as well as lending a gentle extra sweetness to the scallops. The best part was how easy and fast this was to throw together. A recipe keeper for sure. Keep this one in mind when you what to impress friends and haven't a lot of time.

cook notes: lemon will not go so well with this. you can try it, but it doesn't taste right and overpowers the sweetness of the prosecco. i love using panko crumbs because the stay nice and crispy. serve the remaining cold prosecco when serving this dish. PLEASE make sure you know your oven broiler well, as these are scallops and they cook fast! i think adding a pinch of tarrgon to the panko crumb mixture might be nice next time.

broiled prosecco-scallops w/ panko crumbs
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about 10 - 12 large scallops, washed, nibs removed
1/4 cup of cold prosecco (or so)

fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

in a large (high heat) casserole dish spray the dish w/ olive oil or coat with butter. place scallops in a single layer not too close to each other. salt & pepper the scallops. then pour 1/4 cup or so of the ice cold prosecco over the scallops. let them soak all that goodness in for a few minutes. prepare crumb topping. most important: don't walk away from broiler when scallops are in there!

crumb topping:
about 3/4 to 1 cup of panko crumbs (more or less?)
1 stick of melted butter

combine both in a dish; season with a hint of salt & pepper; set aside.

Preheat oven broiler to 450/500 degrees. bake the scallops till just done maybe 4-5 minutes? recipe by dawn finicane of vanillakitchen.blogspot.com. add on the panko crumb mixture and put back under broiler until panko crumb topping is nice and brown--maybe 2 minutes? watch it, it cooks quick