Sweet Cherry Pie

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Sweet Cherry PieThey say nothing is as American as cherry pie. Or is it apple? I’ve been baking a lot of my pies in my kitchen as of late. I don’t know if it’s that I’m finally comfortable working with pie dough, or the abundance of gorgeous fruits available right now (finally starting to see some local peaches!). However, one filling I’d yet to tackle was cherry.

Most cherry pie recipes call for tart or sour cherries, which are impossible to find – fresh or frozen – in my rural area. I did find canned, but I couldn’t justify that with gorgeous fresh sweet cherries available in the produce department for under $3/lb. A quick internet search led to a recipe from Martha that utilized the gorgeous in-season beauties. Turned out wonderfully – cut beautifully, and the filling was absolutely delicious…not too sweet. Paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it’s the quintessential summer dessert.

I couldn’t think of a better way to say “Happy Birthday” to our country than this. Today we’re spending the day with our little family, heading to the beach by the rocket pads in a bit – then dinner with the parents. Looks like NASA will be launching two sounding rockets today – a couple of early candles for the old girl before the fireworks show on our little coastal island tonight…along with what I feel like is half the Eastern seaboard (holy tourons!). Ahh, a small price to pay for being able to call this place home. Happy Fourth, everyone!

Sweet Cherry Pie

2 (9-inch) pie crusts
2 pounds sweet cherries (Bing or Ranier), pitted and halved
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 Tbsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
All-purpose flour, for rolling
1 large egg yolk, beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
1 Tbsp turbinado or granulated sugar, for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with rack in lowest position. On a floured piece of parchment paper, roll one disk of dough to a 14-inch round. Wrap dough around rolling pin; unroll over a 9-inch pie plate. Gently fit into bottom and sides of plate (do not stretch dough). Using kitchen shears, trim dough to a 1-inch overhand all around.

In a large bowl, combine cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice; toss until cherries are coated. Pour into prepared bottom crust.

Roll out second piece of dough to 12-inch disk and place over filling. Trim top and bottom edges to 1/2-inch beyond pan lip. Tuck this rim of dough underneath itself so that folded edge is flush with pan lip. Flute edging or press with fork tines to seal. Cut four slits on dough top. Brush egg wash onto top of crust and sprinkle evenly with turbandino sugar.

Place pie on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until filling is bubbling rapidly all over, 60 to 70 minutes (tent with aluminum foil when crust starts to brown, about 40 minutes). Transfer pie to a wire rack, and let cool to room temperature, at least 3 hours.

Source: adapted from Martha Stewart

Black Forest Tart

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Black Forest Tart

Cherries. Glorious cherries. It’s rare that I get to actually make anything with them, as they usually get eaten within hours of bringing them home from the grocery store. But on rare occasions it does happen, and the results that ensue are usually out of this world.

Case in point? This Black Forest Tart. A rich chocolate crust, a light fluffy whipped cream filling, and plenty of delicious roasted cherries. Roasting fruit is a great way to reduce the water content, and intensifying flavor at the same time. That way you don’t end up with a waterlogged tart!

For as decadent and over-the-top as it looks, it was surprisingly light to the palette. Which, is perfect for these hot summer evenings when you want something sweet – but don’t want something that’s sure to weigh you down. And, let me just advise to go ahead and make the homemade chocolate syrup. It’s pure perfection drizzled over this dessert. You won’t regret it, I promise.

Black Forest Tart

For the tart shell:
1 large egg yolk
1 tbsp. heavy cream
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the work surface
1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
8 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

For the filling:
4 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
3-4 tbsp. sugar
1 cup heavy cream
3 tbsp. confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
chocolate syrup, for drizzle

To make the tart shell, whisk together the egg yolk, cream and vanilla in a small bowl; set aside. Place the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Process briefly to combine. Scatter the butter pieces over the flour mixture; process to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal, about fifteen 1-second pulses. (Note: This can just as easily be done with a stand mixer or by hand with a pastry cutter.) With the machine running, add the egg mixture and process until the dough just comes together, about 12 seconds. Turn the dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap and press into a 6-inch disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 48 hours.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator. (If refrigerated for more than an hour, let stand at room temperature until malleable.) Unwrap and roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to a 13-inch round. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch tart pan. Mold the dough to the sides of the tart pan and remove the excess off the top. Set the dough-lined tart pan on a large plate and freeze for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, adjust an oven rack to middle position. Preheat the oven to 375° F. Set the dough-lined tart pan on a baking sheet, press a 12-inch square of foil into the frozen shell and over the edge, and fill with pie weights. Bake for 30 minutes, rotating halfway through the baking time. Remove from the oven and carefully remove the foil and weights. Continue to bake until deep golden brown, 5-8 minutes longer. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Increase the oven temperature to 450 F. Combine the cherries and sugar in a baking dish. Toss to combine. Bake for about 10 minutes, until the cherries have softened slightly and start to release their juices. Let the cherries cool completely before assembling the tart.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the heavy cream and confectioners’ sugar. Whip on medium-high speed until medium-stiff peaks form. Blend in the vanilla. Spoon about two-thirds of the roasted cherries into the cooled tart shell to form an even layer. Top with the whipped cream and smooth into an even layer over the cherries. Spoon the remaining cherries over the top of the whipped cream. If desired, drizzle a bit of chocolate syrup over the top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Source: Annie’s Eats

Lemon Berry Cheesecake Trifles

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Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Trifles

Can you believe the 4th of July is almost here? I feel like the summer is just flying by. Our local fireman’s carnival opens up this weekend – we’re anxiously awaiting oyster and clam fritters, flaked ice in our soda, and the freshly made caramel corn that we’ll feast on Friday night. It’s a right of passage of summer around these parts…

One thing that is a lifesaver in the summertime is no-bake desserts. It doesn’t do anyone any good to heat up the oven for hours on end when it’s over 100 degrees outside. Well, anyone except your electric company I suppose… So, it’s good to have a little trick like this delicious trifle up your sleeve. Not to mention it’s quick – giving you more time to play outside in the sunshine!

I used blueberries, but  would be equally good with raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries. Or a combo..how cute would they be decorated for the 4th with strawberries and blueberries? I loved the addition of almonds into the streusel topping too, really deepened the flavor and gave it a nice nutty quality. And the lemon cheesecake filling was perfect – a nice lemon flavor from the Lucky Leaf pie filling, but not too sweet.

I layered them in mason jars – because, I’m just obsessed with them lately. This would also make for great portability to a potluck or barbeque. I will admit it makes for a large portion. I’ll probably try them in half-pint size next time. Or, couples could always share – just offer 2 spoons! A delicious, beautiful dessert for any warm summer night. 

Lemon Berry Cheesecake Trifles

1 store-bought pound cake, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 cups fresh blueberries

For the graham cracker streusel:
6 cinnamon graham crackers, crushed to crumbs in a food processor
1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup finely chopped almonds
4 Tbsp butter, melted
pinch salt

For the cheesecake filling:
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup Lucky Leaf Premium Lemon Pie Filling

To make the graham cracker streusel, toss all ingredients in a medium bowl until the butter is evenly distributed.

Beat cream cheese and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy – set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the whipping cream at medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Slowly add the powdered sugar and vanilla, and increase speed to high. Beat until stiff peaks form, about 30 seconds more. Carefully fold the whipped cream and lemon pie filling into the cream cheese mixture until thoroughly combined.

Layer the graham cracker streusel, blueberries, lemon cheesecake mixture, and pound cake cubes in a medium mason jar until filled. Repeat with remaining jars, garnish with leftover strusel topping, blueberries, and lemon sliceds.

Makes about 6 servings, depending on the size of your jars.

Source: adapted from A Bitchin’ Kitchen via Lucky Leaf

Disclaimer: Lucky Leaf provided me with products to sample. As always, all opinions and thoughts are my own.

Raspberry Lemonade Bars

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Raspberry Lemonade Bars

Have you guys been having mega-deals on gorgeous berries in the grocery stores right now too? The past couple weeks I’ve been coming home with at least one clamshell package each of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Ahh, I love summertime!

I’d had these bars on my radar for quite some time now, and finally got around to making them this week. If you like sweet-tart treats, well then this one is nothing short of amazing. Truly like raspberry lemonade in bar form. The filling is stiffer than you’d find in a traditional lemon bar, but still soft and gooey. And the color – isn’t it pure gorgeousness?

This is one I’m can’t wait to take to potlucks this summer, just because it’s so fun and different. Also looking forward to trying other varieties – blackberry or strawberry immediately comes to mind. Have a great weekend everyone!

Raspberry Lemonade Bars

For the crust:
2 1/4 sticks (18 tbsp.) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt

For the raspberry lemon layer:
3 cups sugar
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tbsp. lemon zest
1/4 tsp. salt
3 cups frozen raspberries, thawed
6 large egg whites
2 large eggs
1 1/3 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Preheat the oven to 350? F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar. Beat on medium-high speed until smooth, 1-2 minutes. Reduce mixer speed to low, and mix in the flour and salt just until incorporated. Add the dough to the prepared baking pan. Using floured hands, press into an even layer over the bottom of the pan. Bake for about 25 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from the oven, leaving oven on.

While the crust is baking, make the top layer. Combine the sugar, flour, lemon zest and salt in a large bowl and whisk to blend. Add the raspberries to a fine mesh sieve and press through, mashing with a spatula, to extract as much juice and pulp as possible, straining out the seeds. Add the egg whites and eggs to the bowl with the dry ingredients and whisk well to blend. Whisk in the raspberry puree and lemon juice until smooth.

Pour the mixture over the crust and bake until the center is just set and not longer jiggles when gently shaken, about 35-40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool to room temperature. Cover and chill well in the refrigerator, at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, use the parchment paper to lift the bars from the pan. Place on a cutting board and slice into bars. Dust the tops with confectioners’ sugar if desired.

Source: adapted from sophistimom, via Annie’s Eats