DAZZLING PEACH TRIFFLE

1 box (16-oz) Angel food cake mix
1 tbsp chopped crystallized ginger
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, divided
3/4 cup peach preserves
1 quart peach slices
1 pint blueberries
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup prepared lemon curd

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the cake batter by preparing the mix according to package directions then stir in the crystallized ginger. Line a jelly roll pan, 11 x 17-inches, with parchment paper. Pour batter into the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cake cool for 10 minutes. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the confectioners' sugar and remove the parchment paper. Cut cake lengthwise into 3 equal pieces. Starting with the long side, tightly roll each piece in paper towel. Let cool completely. Unroll cakes and spread each piece with 1/4 cup of the peach preserves. Re-roll the cakes. Cut each roll into 12 slices.

In a bowl, combine the peach slices, blueberries, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar; toss gently to coat.

In medium bowl of electric mixer, beat on high speed the heavy cream and remaining confectioners' sugar. Beat for 2 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Fold in the lemon curd.

To assemble: Place 12 cake slices, spiral side out, along bottom of trifle bowl. Arrange Arrange peach slices above each cake slice. Add another layer of cake spirals above peaches. Place remaining cake slices in the center of bowl. Spoon the blueberries around the cake slices and peaches. Top the berries with the whipped cream mixture. Add a couple of peach slices to the top along with a sprig of fresh mint as garnish, if desired.

 Sorry, I do not have a picture of this recipe. I received this recipe from a friend after I was diagnosed with diabetes so I have never made it. Sure sounds good, though.

ANGEL PILLOWS

1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
1 pkg (3-oz) cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp milk
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup apricot preserves
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Cream shortening, cream cheese, and milk in a medium mixing bowl at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Beat in the brown sugar and the preserves. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Mix the flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir in nuts.Drop two level tablespoonfuls of dough into a mound for each cookie. Place 2-inches apart on baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 14 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 1 minute then removing to wire racks to cool. Cool completely then frost with the frosting recipe below.

FROSTING:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup apricot preserves
1 tbsp butter flavored shortening
flaked coconut, chopped

Combine the powdered sugar preserves and shortening in a small mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer until well blended. Frost cooled cookies. Sprinkle with coconut.

 Note: File Photo

PECAN PENUCHE

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
dash of salt
2 tbsp butter flavored shortening
3/4 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup chopped pecans

Lightly grease an 8-inch loaf pan; set aside.

In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, cream, and salt. Heat to boiling, over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cover and boil for 1 minute. Remove lid. Insert candy thermometer and cook over medium heat, without stirring, until temperature reaches 236 degrees. Remove from heat.

Add the shortening but do not stir. Cool, undisturbed, until temperature is lowered to 120 degrees. Add the vanilla and beat vigorously until mixture starts to thicken and loses its sheen. Stir in pecans. Spread in the prepared pan. Cut into 1-inch squares. Cool until firm.

Note: Make orange-flavored penuche by adding 1 tablespoon grated orange rind when you add the shortening.

 Note: File Photo

ORANGE COCONUT COOKIES

1 cup shortening
2 tbsp grated orange rind
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup shredded coconut
1 cup quick oats
2 cups sifted cake flour
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup milk

Cream shortening and orange rind; add sugar gradually and cream thoroughly. Add eggs, 1 at a time; beat well. Blend in coconut and oats. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon together. Add alternately with milk to creamed mixture. Drop from teaspoon about 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly; remove from pan.

Yield: 4 dozen cookies

 Note: File Photo

OREO WHITE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

1 pkg (18-oz) chocolate sandwich cookies with white filling, finely crushed
1 pkg (8-oz) cream cheese, softened
1 lb white baking chocolate, melted

In a large mixing bowl, combine the crushed cookies with cream cheese. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until well blended. Form into 1-inch balls. Dip balls in the white chocolate; place on a baking sheet covered with waxed paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. To store, cover and refrigerate.

Yield: 50 truffles. Per truffle: 115 calories, 13 g carbs, 2 g protein, 7 g fat (3 saturated)

 My granddaughter made these Oreo truffles for a party. She drizzled them with chocolate in the party colors.

PINEAPPLE BREAD PUDDING

3 slices bread, cubed
1 stick butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 can crushed pineapple, drained

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In casserole dish combine bread cubes with melted butter. Mix the sugar, eggs, and pineapple together. Combine the pineapple mixture with the bread cubes in the casserole dish. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

 Note: File Photo

FAVORITE HOLIDAY FLAVORS

As we start thinking about the upcoming holidays and all the goodies we will bake, make, etc, here is a little bit of trivia for you. Last year there was a survey done of Americans favorite holiday flavor. If your favorite is peppermint or pumpkin spice you are with a 52% of Americans surveyed. Peppermint and pumpkin spice tied for first place with 26% each. If gingerbread is your favorite you are with 24% of Americans surveyed and last was eggnog (gross, in my opinion) at 23%.

REFRIGERATED BLUEBERRY TORTE

CRUST:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 stick butter,melted
1/2 cup sugar

Mix the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar. Press the mixture into a glass baking dish.

FILLING:
8-oz cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 can blueberry pie filling

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, eggs, and sugar together. Beat until thoroughly combined. Pour over the crust and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. When cool, spread the blueberry pie filling over the top. Refrigerate.

Note: This recipe is fine to make a day ahead and add pie filling prior to serving.

Note: File photo

APPLE RAISIN NUT COOKIES

2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup raisins
1 1/2 cups chopped apples
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour and baking soda; set aside.

Put milk, egg, shortening, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar into a blender. Blend until smooth. Remove mixture from the blender and add to the flour mixture. Mix well. Add the raisins, apples, and nuts to the mixture; blend well. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Box at 400 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

 Note: File Photo

JONAS'S FAVORITE WHITE VELVET CAKE

4 large egg whites
1 cup milk
3 tsp vanilla
3 cups sifted white flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
12 tbsp softened butter

Mix the egg whites, 1/4 cup of milk, and vanilla in a small bowl.

In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients and blend on low. Add the softened butter and rest of the milk. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and continue to beat. Add the egg mixture a little at a time. Mix for 30 seconds after each addition.

Pour the batter into two greased 9-inch pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes and then loosen the sides with a metal spatula. Invert onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting with buttercream icing.

This cake is from a novel I read entitled How Sweet It Is by Alice J. Wisler. The photo is a file photo. This is very good white cake.