The other day I needed to take a dessert to the boy’s school for a luncheon for the teachers. I was short on time so I was looking for a dessert that would be easy to throw together but still delicious. I thought about this fruit pizza that we have enjoyed several times around our table. I did adjust the recipe a bit and cooked it in a half-sheet pan instead of on my round pizza stone which is the norm at our house. It worked out perfectly.

It think it was well received because when I went to pick up my pan there were only 2 pieces left. It was a great way to take advantage of the yummy strawberries that are in season and so delicious. I added some kiwi for another color but you could top it with your favorite fruits. I have used mandarin oranges, peaches, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and kiwi. Pick your favorite fruit for topping and I know you will be pleased.

Deep Dish Fruit Pizza

Ingredients:
2 tubes sugar cookie dough (or your favorite sugar cookie recipe doubled)
2 packages cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
strawberries and kiwi for topping (or the fruits of your choice)

Directions:
Spray a half-sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray. Preheat the oven according to your sugar cookie recipe/package. Press the sugar cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared sheet pan. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cookie is set and starting to turn golden brown. Let the cookie cool.

Combine the sugar and cream cheese together and beat until smooth. Spread the cream cheese mixture over top of the baked cookie. Top with fruit of your choice. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Fruit pizza cut into pieces and ready to enjoy!

Yesterday was National Chocolate Chip Day. Who knew? Well if you know me, you know I couldn’t let this excellent excuse for having a chocolate chip cookie pass me by.

I have seen skillet cookies several times but had never tried one. I had no idea what I was missing. It was so yummy and I thought cooking it in my cast iron skillet made it seem so rustic. Everyone that had a wedge of the cookie thoroughly enjoyed it and the boys kept asking for just another sliver. Does that tell you anything about how yummy it was?

This will definitely be making it on my list of go-to recipes for treats. It was super easy to put together, I have all the ingredients on hand and I love the presentation.

Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

Printer Friendly Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semisweet-chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla; mix until they are fully incorporated. Add flour mixture, and beat until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Transfer dough to a 10 or 12-inch skillet, and press to flatten, covering bottom of pan. Bake until edges are brown and top is golden, 35 to 45 minutes.(I baked mine for about 40 minutes.) Don’t overbake; it will continue to cook a few minutes out of the oven. Let cool, 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

Adapted from Martha Stewart.

This recipe is an adaptation of a recipe I found online from Giada DeLaurentis. I had an abundance of grapes and goat cheese in my refrigerator and was looking at a way to use them for a catering event. I will be honest that I was a little apprehensive when I first put the ingredients together, but once I took the first bite I knew I had nothing to worry about. The flavor combination was fantastic! They were a huge hit.

Not only was the flavor excellent they were quite the sophisticated appetizer and fairly easy to put together. The only time consuming part is rolling them in the finely chopped walnuts. (I actually made 6 batches and would definitely make them again even although probably not on that scale.) If you are looking for a fun appetizer for a shower, brunch or evening get-together these would be a great addition. You will get lots of compliments!

Walnut and Chèvre Grapes

Ingredients:
2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup heavy cream
approximately 20 seedless red grapes, chilled
1 cup (4 ounces) finely chopped walnuts, toasted
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions
Line a small baking sheet or baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a food processor, blend together the cream cheese, goat cheese, and heavy cream until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add the grapes and stir until coated with the cheese mixture.

In another small bowl, mix together the walnuts, sugar, and parsley.

Using a fork, transfer the grapes, one at a time, to the walnut mixture and gently roll in the mixture until coated. Place the grapes on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours and serve.

I have been quite busy lately. It seems like I have been going nonstop from one thing to the next. End of school activities, catering, soccer, graduations and day to day life have kept me quite busy. Somehow I have managed to make it through so far, and hopefully I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

When you schedule activities back to back, you learn how to make the most of a situation. Scheduling multiple catering events back to back and then signing up to take treats to the teachers requires some creativity.  It also requires making enough of an item to use for more than just the next event.

I decided to use brownie bites for a catering event, but wanted to kick them up a notch. I decided brownie bites dipped in chocolate ganache would make a nice presentation and making a few extra meant killing two birds with one stone.

So if you need to jazz something up this ganache is perfect. I have used it to dip shortbread cookies, chocolate chip cookies, pecan bars, and brownies. It looks fantastic, is super easy, and tastes delicious.

Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients:
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder

Directions:
Combine all ingredients together in a 2-cup microwave safe measuring cup. Heat on high for 1 minute. Stir and repeat in 30 second intervals stirring after each 30 seconds until the ganache is smooth. (Mine normally comes together after the first 30 seconds.) Use as a topping for brownies, dip for strawberries, or desserts of your choice.

Adapted from Ina Garten.