Dessert

Skillet Blueberry Cobbler

Sometimes a recipe comes along and between the experience of bringing it together, and the (happy) reaction of the consumers, you know you’ll be making it time and time again. This is one.

Skillet Blueberry Cobbler is EASY.

You melt some butter in a cast iron (or any oven proof) skillet, dump in the rest of the ingredients, give a quick stir, and pop in the oven. So fast, so tasty, so quickly finished off!

Another delicious way to use those fresh blueberries that are so plentiful right now.

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup (1 stick) butter

  • 2 cups fresh blueberries

  • 1 cup self-rising flour

  • 3/4 cup sugar

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/2 cup milk

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • 2T brown sugar

  • Zest of 1/2 lemon

Directions:

  1. Heat oven to 350o F

  2. On stovetop, melt butter in 10” oven proof skillet.

  3. Dump in flour, sugar, salt, milk, and vanilla. Give a quick stir, but not too much, a few lumps is perfect!

  4. Place blueberries evenly on top (no stirring.)

  5. Sprinkle on the brown sugar and grate lemon zest over the blueberries.

  6. Pop in the oven for 25-40 minutes. (Don’t overcook, the blueberries have a tendency to get mushy with too much time in the oven.) Toothpick should come out clean.

  7. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for perfect late summer treat!

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NNNNNanaimo Bars!

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In the Pacific Northwest, the delicious Nanaimo Bar (so named for the city in neighboring British Columbia, Canada) is somewhat of a holiday staple.

It is three distinctly different layers of flavors and textures that melt in your mouth and make you think you’ve visited nirvana.

This lovely no-bake treat does require refrigeration lest it lose it’s layers and become a gooey lump (probably be just as delicious!) And although it usually makes its appearance in the winter months, someone had the brilliant idea of bringing it out at a recent garden party and sharing it as a cool but decadent delight in the heat of the summer; a move I wholeheartedly applaud and encourage you to copy!

The addition of sea salt sprinkled on the top layer made these mini morsels next level! Here’s how its done:

Ingredients:

Layer 1:

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened

  • 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

  • ¼ cup white sugar

  • 1 egg, beaten

  • 1 ¾ cups graham cracker crumbs

  • 1 cup shredded coconut

  • ½ cup finely chopped almonds (Optional)

Layer 2:

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened

  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream

  • 2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix

  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Layer 3:

  • 1 cup (about 6 oz or 1/2 bag) semisweet chocolate chips

  • 4 tablespoons butter

  • Shredded coconut, nuts, and sea salt for garnish





Directions:

Clear enough room in your refrigerator to hold an 8x8” (or similar) baking dish

Layer 1: In the top of a double boiler, melt 1 stick of butter, mixing in cocoa powder and sugar. Beat in the egg. Remove from heat and combine with the crushed Graham crackers, shredded coconut, and nuts. Press the mixture into the bottom of your 8x8 baking dish.

Layer 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter, heavy cream, and vanilla pudding mix. Add the powdered sugar, beat until smooth, and spread the mixture over the bottom layer. Place in refrigerator.

Layer 3: Place chocolate chips and butter in a microwavable bowl. Heat 15 seconds at a time, stirring in between and allowing the chocolate to melt slowly. Spread over Layer 2. Sprinkle tops with your choice of crushed nuts, shredded coconut, and for some added zip, a little bit of sea salt. Place back into refrigerator.

When set, cut into bars or squares. Serve chilled. Your guests (or family, or office mates) will love you!


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SCRUMPTIOUS | DECEMBER BOOK CLUB

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Scrumptious

Oh December, delightful, decadent, delicious December!

So many things to do! So many things to make! So many things to eat!!! But if you (like me) have grown a little tired of the same-old, same-old, I’ve got a treat for you; a SCRUMPTIOUS treat!

My book club pick for the month of December is a big, beautiful cookbook, “Scrumptious”, by Christy Denny.

Christy has years of experience as a recipe writer for both Betty Crocker and General Mills, and writes the very popular blog, “The Girl Who Ate Everything”. (Woman after my own heart!) Her love of eating is life-long, and as one of 10 siblings, a wife, and mother of 5, cooking took it’s natural place in her life.

Scrumptious, is her second cookbook and it’s filled with over 100 recipes that are extremely family friendly! They are tasty, and thankfully, not overly-complicated. She heard her followers when they said they needed recipes to make their lives EASIER, and filled this cookbook with all the answers to the question of what to make for dinner, breakfast, and sweet treats. There are pages and pages of gorgeous photos, which are a feast for the eyes before even making it to the belly!

I’m especially happy with the big selection of One-Pan recipes, because, as a mom to too-many-to-count I’m usually looking to feed a big crew, fast! The ability to do this deliciously (and make a pretty presentation to boot) has me nearly breaking my arm patting myself on the back so enthusiastically! Scrumptious even has a whole low-carb/Keto-friendly chapter that Christy’s husband was heavily involved in making, that’s given me some great ideas when a few members of my big extended crew comes to visit.

This cookbook will make an EXCELLENT Christmas gift for anyone who, well, EATS. Young adults living on their own for the first time, couples, young families, established families, grandparents… Truly, it’s chock-full of fresh, fabulous ideas than anyone and everyone will find useful. And the results are absolutely scrumptious!

Get your copy HERE!

Christy Denney and her family.