Recommend a good dessert

kmm13

Why, oh why, am I having such issues coming up with ideas of what to cook/bake?  Man my brain is fried.  Anyway, my nesties never disappoint.  We're going to my in-laws for dinner on Sunday, and I want to make a dessert to bring.  Got any suggestions for me?  Thanks!

pjscooby

I've been wanting to try this: Apple Enchilada Dessert

This just looks insane and has a little bit of stuff in it for everyone: Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding Trifle

There's always Jerrah's famous: Peanut Butter Cup Cake

And someone (Big Head perhaps) posted Oreo cupcakes the other day that looked incredible!

sethsgal05

If you want to be lazy, Trader Joes has some delicious frozen stuff! We had a Raspberry Tart for our teachers luncheon at Christmas that was so good and all you have to do it defrost it!

Jill070707

I made this dessert once for a family party last fall, and it has become the thing people DEMAND I make.  It has a few steps but they're all easy!  From Annie's Eats blog.  Also, the malted milk cookies Cheeky shared before the holidays are always a huge hit (I use Ovaltine, not the plain malted milk powder).  If you don't have far to go and can store them there, I was thinking they'd be awesome with ice cream sandwiched between two cookies. 

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pie

Ingredients:
For the crust:
1? cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tbsp. sugar
? tsp. cinnamon
5 1/3 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
?-? cup caramel
1 cup chopped pecans

For the apple filling:
5 tbsp. unsalted butter
? cup light brown sugar, tightly packed
? tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
5-6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

For the cheesecake:
8 oz. cream cheese
? cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

For the topping:
? cup heavy cream
3-4 tbsp. confectioners? sugar
?-? cup caramel
Chopped pecans

Directions:
To make the crust, preheat the oven to 375? F.  Line the bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan with parchment paper.  In a medium mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter.  Toss with a fork until all the crumbs are moistened and the ingredients are evenly mixed.  Transfer the mixture to the prepared springform pan and press the crumbs in an even layer over the pan bottom and about half to two-thirds of the way up the sides of the pan.  Bake for 6-8 minutes, until golden in color.  Let cool for about 10 minutes.  Pour a layer of caramel into the bottom of the crust and sprinkle evenly with the chopped pecans.  Refrigerate the crust while you prepare the filling.

To make the apple filling, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Mix in the brown sugar, salt and cinnamon and cook for 1 minute, until bubbling.  Mix in the apple slices and toss well to coat.  Cook over medium to medium-high heat until tender and most of the liquid has been reduced, about 15-20 minutes.  Let cool for a few minutes and pour into the prepared pie shell.  Set aside.

Reduce the heat of the oven to 350? F.  To make the cheesecake layer, combine the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.   Mix in the vanilla, egg and lemon juice until fully incorporated and smooth, 1-2 minutes.  Spread the cheesecake filling into an even layer over the top of the cooked apples in the crust.  Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes.  Remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.  Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

To serve, carefully remove the sides of the springform pan.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream and confectioners? sugar on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (being careful not to overbeat.)  Spread gently over the top of the chilled cheesecake layer.  Top with dollops of caramel sauce and swirl with a knife to create a marbled effect.  Sprinkle with a handful of chopped pecans if desired.  Slice with a long, thin knife to serve.

 

cheekywife

the Malted Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies are seriously good and i made some awesome ice cream sandwiches with them!

i recommend keeping the dough in the fridge for a few minutes before baking and using a small cookie scoop because the recipe made way more than 3 dozen cookies. i also only cook them for 7 minutes.

kmm13

Thanks ladies!  I just may do the Trader Joe's dessert (BIL/SIL must think I'm a terrible cook, because they often don't eat my food... sigh.. so a store-bought item would probably make sense), and something else as well.  Jill, that apple cheesecake thing sounds amazing!