It’s getting to be Independence Day Soon. OK, still a bit over a week, but here is a quick and easy idea for the holiday, if you’re going to a BBQ or potluck. And yes, I make fron-scratch brownies, but I won’t tell if you make the “from the box” type either. The M&Ms (and the peanut variety) are everywhere right now, so pick yourself up a bag for baking. Or sharing. Or just plain eating. This from scratch recipe uses melted butter and lots of chocolate in multiple forms. Positively festive!
How to make a long week (despite a Monday bank-holiday) slightly more tolerable? Yes, you’ve got it: sticky sweet, very bananananana-y and gloriously delicious Bananas Foster Shortbread Bars. If you’ve ever been to New Orleans and ha Bananas Foster prepared table side, you’ll know that it can be a sugar-rush like no other. These Shortbread bars are no different. Find yourself a cold glass of milk or some whipped cream and enjoy. I didn’t, however, flambe the shortbread bars like the “real” Bananas Foster.
Have you ever heard of purple apricots? No? Me neither until about a week ago when I found some at a local green grocer. I suspect that they are actually a hybrid between apricots and small purple or black plums. They look unique but taste pretty much like apricots. This recipe works just as easily with regular apricots, so don’t let the unique ingredients throw you for a loop. It’s a dessert cake, a coffee cake or a cake for afternoon tea, take your pick. Would also be nice with a bit of custard, ice cream or whipped cream. The almonds and olive oil give it a great, subtle taste addition. When I have made this cake before (once with plums, once with cherries) the fruit stayed more on top, but this time they sunk in a little much. Not as pretty as I would have liked, but still delicious.
The local strawberry season will soon be here in Eastern Massachusetts — Some of the PYO places are already opening this weekend, though I suspect that it will be at least another 10 days (hopefully even 2 weeks) for my planning purposes, before they are at peak.In the meantime, I found two types of “unique” baking chips — strawberry chips and cream cheese chips, so I invented these Strawberry Cheesecake Chip Oatmeal Cookies. Almost even healthy! Definitely have some strawberry flavor and are small enough for a quick two bite snack.
Cookies that could be as good as Christmas Cookies as they are here in the summer-time: Chocolate-dipped Salted Caramel-candied Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies! Yes, that’s a mouthful to say (and to eat, har har). Hazelnut shortbread, dipped in decadent dark chocolate and then partially coated in a salted caramel hazelnut crunch — sort of like a topping that you put on ice cream or an ice cream cone. Not too sweet, just the right size for two bites. Would be a great “after dinner” dessert cookie.