Apple Brown Betty

Memorial day potluck... Apple Brown Betty. The recipe for this was from a Cook's Illustrated issue I got about two years ago and I just now got to make it. Not counting the prep time for chopping and whatnot, this dish was pretty quick and simple to make. First, toasting breadcrumbs, butter, and brown sugar on the stove. Then, cooking butter, chopped apples, more brown sugar, and a bit of cinnamon and ginger, reusing the same pan. At the very end, adding some apple cider and lemon juice, tossing in half of the breadcrumbs, and garnishing with the rest. Basically an apple pie casserole.

Strawberry Cream Cake

My siblings and I put together a little parade of desserts for Mother's Day and this was my contribution... a Strawberry Cream Cake, recipe courtesy of Cook's Illustrated magazine. Layers of vanilla sponge cake filled with a chopped strawberry mixture and a really rich whipped cream and cream cheese frosting. Good stuff, and photogenic.

Double Chocolate Espresso and Cashew Cookies

For shipment to various friends around the country, I made a double batch of Double Chocolate Espresso and Cashew Cookies. Cocoa and instant coffee (I can't find powdered espresso anywhere) in the dough, with chocolate chips and chopped, toasted cashews mixed in. I know not absolutely everyone likes chocolate, but it's usually a fairly safe bet. Also made a few regular chocolate chip cookies. Both recipes were from The Great Book of Chocolate. Hope everyone enjoys them.

Fresh Ginger Cake

Tonight I made the Fresh Ginger Cake from Room for Dessert. Why? Because I just needed to bake something tonight. I was starting to think my whole kitchen might start to atrophy. David Lebovitz extols this recipe in his book, so I'm really looking forward to trying it tomorrow. I'm bringing it in to work, so coworkers... start your engines.