Sweetness CHRISTY JORDAN SOUTHERN RECIPES to celebrate the warmth, the love, and the blessings of a full life Workman Publishing New York Text copyright â 2016 by Christy Jordan All rights reserved No portion of this book may be reproduced—mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying—without written permission of the publisher Published simultaneously in Canada by Thomas Allen & Son Limited Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available ISBN 978-0-7611-8942-8 DESIGN by Jean-Marc Troadec PHOTOGRAPHY AUTHOR PHOTO by Lucy Schaeffer courtesy of Hoffman Media copyright © 2013 FOOD STYLING by Nora Singley PROP STYLING by Sara Abalan ILLUSTRATIONS by James Williamson All family photos appear courtesy of the Jordan family Workman books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk for premiums and sales promotions as well as for fund-raising or educational use Special editions or book excerpts can also be created to specification For details, contact the Special Sales Director at the address below, or send an email to specialmarkets@workman.com Workman Publishing Company, Inc 225 Varick Street New York, NY 10014-4381 workman.com WORKMAN is a registered trademark of the Workman Publishing Co., Inc Printed in the United States of America First printing September 2016 10 T his book is dedicated to that golden generation: your grandparents, my grandparents The people who blazed the trail for us and taught us how to cook, snap beans, ice cakes, and set the table This is dedicated to the strong arms that all too soon became frail and still managed to love us like no one else ever could To the folks who seemed to know a little bit about everything and had the biggest hearts we will ever know You are missed, but the sweetness you brought to our lives still remains To Grandmama, Granddaddy, and Lela: I sure miss you Contents Preface ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ix Why Is It That We Cook? ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������1 Chapter 1: From the Cookie Jar A cookie jar is meant to be filled with handmade treats, and these cookie recipes will ensure that it’s never empty! There’s something for everyone here: Graham Cracker Praline Cookies, Milk Dunkin’ Peanut Butter Cookies, Monster Cookies, Easy Coconut Macaroons, Flop Cookies, Candy Cane Cookies, Chewy Cranberry Zingers, and more Chapter 2: Deeply Delicious Brownies and Bars 34 There is something supremely satisfying about baking up a pan of brownies or bars and cutting them into squares for everyone to enjoy Please a crowd with Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars, Easiest S’mores Brownies, Chewy Pear Bars, Chocolate Chip Dream Bars, and Cranberry Bliss Bars Chapter 3: Poke Cakes, Pound Cakes, Layer Cakes, and Love 64 A homemade cake makes any occasion special, especially when frosted with the perfect icing or topped with a decadent drizzle of glaze Choose from all manner of cakes, like Mama Reed’s Jam Cake, Red Velvet Cupcakes, Hummingbird Cake, Lemon Custard Poke Cake, Buttermilk Lime Pound Cake, Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake, and Peanut Butter Cup Trifle Chapter 4: Homemade Pies Made Easy 132 No matter the reason or occasion, a slice of pie is always a welcome treat Here you’ll find some of my family’s favorite recipes plus tried-and-true classics, like Peach Buttermilk Pie, Chocolate Chess Pie, Faux Apple Pie, Frozen Oreo Pie, Strawberry Cream Pie, Fruit Cocktail Pie, and Old-Fashioned Coconut Pie Chapter 5: Cobblers, Puddings, and Sweet Rolls 166 Remarkably delicious but simple enough to whip up at a moment’s notice, dense cobblers and creamy puddings are a great addition to any gathering You can’t go wrong with recipes like Mimi’s Peach Cobbler, Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding, Lemon Syllabub, Sweet Potato Crème Brûlée, OldFashioned Butter Rolls (think cinnamon buns in a rich custard sauce), and Vanilla Wafer Pineapple Pudding Chapter 6: Quick Breads, Muffins, and Breakfast (or Anytime) Treats 184 No matter the time of day, homemade breads and muffins are the perfect treat to satisfy any sweet tooth Fill up a breakfast basket with Mom’s Banana Bread, Strawberry Pecan Bread, and Amazing Pineapple Bread, or bake up some Apple Oat Muffins, Hot Cocoa Muffins, and Bake Shop Blueberry Muffins and tuck them, still warm, into lunch boxes or snack bags Chapter 7: Old-Fashioned Fruit Salads 220 These classic dishes are staples of the Southern dessert table They’re refreshing, versatile, and have nearly endless variations—and you’ll find my favorites here: Peach Buttermilk Congealed Salad, Aunt Tina’s Dr Pepper Salad, Raspberry Salad, Five-Cup Fruit Salad, Guilt-Free Orange Dream Salad, Ambrosia, and more Chapter 8: Simple Candies and Sweet Snacks 234 These super easy crowd-pleasers are ideal for holidays and celebrations, easily transportable and even easier to devour! Make the party with a batch of Cream Cheese Mints, Cornetha’s Strawberry Candy, Chocolate Chip Meringues, Peanut Butter Cups, Cinnamon Cashews, and kinds of fudge Chapter 9: Sweet Sippins 250 Nothing’s more inviting than an icy cold beverage on a hot summer day—or a warm mug that takes the chill off a cold one Serve up Daddy’s Milkshakes, Old-Fashioned Egg Creams, Fresh Strawberry-ade, Southern Sweet Tea, and a whole host of simple, delectable drinks both cold and hot Chapter 10: Pantry 274 Missing something? There’s no need to make a special trip to the store when you can whip up simple basics like Cookie Crumb Crust, Mix-in-Pan Pie Crust, Meringue, Homemade Whipped Cream, and other pantry staples Acknowledgments �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������279 Conversion Tables ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 281 Index ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 282 M Preface y entire life has been lived hand in hand with memories First as a child, hearing the stories of folks long since gone, told amid laughter in rooms where there were so many assembled it was standing room only Often, the more tender memories were shared at my mother’s elbow in the kitchen, when she gave me a glimpse into her life when she had been my age As I grew, the stories began to include me from time to time, my life becoming its own thread in the tapestry of family and friends One of the great joys in my life now involves watching how my children, Brady and Katy, add their own threads to this ever-growing work of life Life is not always easy Sometimes the hardships seem almost insurmountable Stories of times in which my ancestors didn’t know how they would make it through have, over time, been woven in with similar experiences from my parents and eventually people in my own generation. I am reminded of my grandmama, Lucille, who always had a smile when a smile was needed most Being that she was a Southern woman, many of my memories of her are in the kitchen She had lived a hard life by anyone’s standards, but she managed to come to a point where food was plentiful—and her cooking followed suit. My grandmama never lacked appreciation for any dish that was set upon the table, and that genuine gratitude came from living in a place where food was scarce She didn’t dwell on that, though, as she placed bowls of vegetables and tender cuts of meat on a table that welcomed all The final dish always brought a particular twinkle to her eye and made her usual smile all the more bright: dessert. “We’ve got to have a little something sweet to finish it off,” she’d say To someone who didn’t know her life, they would think she was talking about the meal, and she was in a way But when you sat back and listened to stories she told, the tales of hardship always ended on a good note, because no matter what trial the family had faced, they had grown closer, stronger, and more aware of the magnitude of blessings they possessed. Grandmama taught me that life is going to present challenges, storms to weather, and great losses We are going to fall down and it may take some time to stand up again But amid all of this, the blessings rise up around us in friends, experiences, and moments of warmth and tenderness that our hearts capture and hold dear as if they were precious photographs, enclosed in a gilded frame. And at the end of the day and at the end of a life, what we remember most is that special touch, the memories and laughter, the warmth and the love: the sweetness. ix Conversion Tables Approximate Equivalents Liquid Conversions stick butter = tbs = oz = 1⁄2 cup = 115 g U.S cup all-purpose presifted flour = 4.7 oz tbs fl oz 30 ml cup granulated sugar = oz = 220 g tbs 1 1⁄2 fl oz 45 ml cup (firmly packed) brown sugar = oz = 220 g to 230 g 1⁄4 cup fl oz 60 ml cup confectioners’ sugar = 4 1⁄2 oz = 115 g 1⁄3 cup 2 1⁄2 fl oz 75 ml cup honey or syrup = 12 oz 1⁄3 cup + tbs fl oz 90 ml large egg = about oz or about tbs 1⁄3 cup + tbs 3 1⁄2 fl oz 100 ml egg yolk = about tbs Imperial Metric 1⁄2 cup fl oz 125 ml 2⁄3 cup fl oz 150 ml egg white = about tbs 3⁄4 cup fl oz 175 ml Please note that all conversions are approximate but close enough to be useful when converting from one system to another 3⁄4 cup + tbs fl oz 200 ml cup fl oz 250 ml cup + tbs fl oz 275 ml 1 1⁄4 cups 10 fl oz 300 ml Weight Conversions 1 1⁄3 cups 11 fl oz 325 ml 1 1⁄2 cups 12 fl oz 350 ml 1 2⁄3 cups 13 fl oz 375 ml U.S./U.K Metric U.S./U.K Metric 1⁄2 oz 15 g oz 200 g oz 30 g oz 250 g 1 1⁄2 oz 45 g oz 275 g oz 60 g 10 oz 300 g 2 1⁄2 oz 75 g 11 oz 325 g oz 90 g 12 oz 350 g 3 1⁄2 oz 100 g 13 oz 375 g oz 125 g 14 oz 400 g oz 150 g 15 oz 450 g Oven Temperatures oz 175 g lb 500 g °F 1 3⁄4 cups 14 fl oz 400 ml 1 3⁄4 cups + tbs 15 fl oz 450 ml cups (1 pint) 16 fl oz 500 ml 2 1⁄2 cups 20 fl oz (1 pint) 600 ml 3 3⁄4 cups 1 1⁄2 pints 900 ml cups 1 3⁄4 pints liter Gas Mark °C °F Gas Mark °C 250 1⁄2 120 400 200 275 140 425 220 300 150 450 230 325 160 475 240 350 180 500 10 260 375 190 Note: Reduce the temperature by 20°C (68°F) for fan-assisted ovens 281 Index (Page references in italics refer to photographs.) A Ades See Fruit ades Almond bark, in tiger butter, 245–46 Ambrosia, 232–33 Amish friendship bread, shortcut, 185 Angel food dessert cake, 115–16 Angel sangria, 264 Apple: bread, amazing, 193–94 caramel cake, Mama Reed’s, 75–77, 76 cider, slow cooker caramel, 269 doozie dessert pizza, 135–36 juice brew, 265 juleps, blushing, 266 oat muffins, 197–98 pie, faux, 136–38 pie, golden, 139 salad, 225–26 Apricot, dried, muffins, 198–99 B Bake sale tips and tricks, 44 Baking in quantity, 189 Baking sheets, Banana(s): bread, Mom’s, 186–87 hummingbird cake, 89–91, 90 282 nut bread, Hawaiian, Miss Molcie’s, 191–93 oatmeal bread, 188–90 pudding, old-fashioned, 168–71, 169 Bananaritas, 261–62, 263 Bars and bar cookies, 34–63 basic baking mix bar cookies, 45–46 birthday cake cookie bars, Katy’s, 52–53, 51 blueberry crunch bars, 57–60, 58 brown sugar bars, love at first bite, 50 cherry bars, gooey, 54–55 chocolate chip bars, classic, 46 chocolate chip dream bars, 49–50 cranberry bliss bars, 55–57 fruitcake cookie bars, 46 harvest candy corn, 46 honey nut bars, 46–47 M&M’s cookie bars, 46 oatmeal scotchies, 46 peach pie bars, fried, Lela’s, 61–63 peanut butter cheesecake bars, 42, 43 pear bars, chewy, 53–54 pecan chewies, 47–48 rocky road brownie mix cookies, 48 snickerdoodle bars, 46 see also Brownie(s) Birthday cake cookie bars, Katy’s, 52–53, 51 Biscuits, chocolate, feather-light, 210–12, 211 Black pepper cake, 81–82 Black walnut pie, 160 Blueberry: crunch bars, 57–60, 58 muffins, bake shop, 195–97, 196 Blushing apple juleps, 266 Index Bran muffins, delectably moist, 203 Breads, quick, 184–95 Amish friendship, shortcut, 185 apple, amazing, 193–94 banana, Mom’s, 186–87 banana nut, Hawaiian, Miss Molcie’s, 191–93 king cake, super easy, 194–95 oatmeal banana, 188–90 packaging and storing, 188 pineapple, amazing, 187 strawberry pecan, 190 troubleshooting sunken centers, 191 turning into muffins, 192 see also Muffins Breakfast treats, 204–19 cherry rolls, 212–13 chocolate biscuits, feather-light, 210–12, 211 French toast with strawberry syrup, overnight stuffed, 205, 206 funnel cake, 208–9 harvest stuffed cinnamon rolls, 216–19, 217 orange rolls, almost famous, 213–16 peach oatmeal pudding, baked, 204 pineapple fritters, 209–10 sopaipillas, 207–8 see also Muffins Browned butter icing, 127 Brownie(s), 34–43, 44 bars, amazing, 36–37 dark chocolate, 35 rich and fudgy one-bowl, 35 s’mores, easiest, 37–39, 38 tie-dyed cheesecake, 40–43 Brownie mix: cookies, rocky road, 48 peanut butter cup trifle, 118, 119–20 sizes of, 39 Brown sugar: bars, love at first bite, 50 for chewy cookies, 25 fudge icing, 70 Butter, 21 browned, icing, 127 cookies, chocolate-tipped, 28, 29–31 cookies, old-fashioned, 27 pecan crinkles, 12, 13 rum cake, 91–92 Buttercream: cappuccino, whipped, 122–23 chocolate, creamy, 122 classic, 121 Buttermilk: cake with brown sugar fudge icing, bowl-licking, 69–70 glaze, 128 homemade, 277 lime pound cake, 102–3 peach congealed salad, 221 peach pie, 133 pie, 151–52 Butter rolls, 176 chocolate, Momma’s, 181–82 old-fashioned, 177–79 shortcut, 180 Butterscotch: chips, in harvest candy corn bars, 46 chips, in oatmeal scotchies, 46 syrup, in apple juice brew, 265 C Cake mix cookies, busy week, 12, 13 Cake mixes, sizes of, 39 283 Index Cakes, 64–120 angel food dessert, 115–16 black pepper, 81–82 buttermilk, with brown sugar fudge icing, bowllicking, 69–70 buttermilk lime pound, 102–3 butter rum, 91–92 cappuccino, 113–14 caramel apple, Mama Reed’s, 75–77, 76 chocolate snack, 66 Coca-Cola, 74–75 coconut, with no-fail seven-minute frosting, 105–9, 106 crumb, lotsa, 83–85, 84 dark chocolate mousse, 66–69, 67 dark chocolate pound, 96–97 decoration of, simple, no-skill-needed, 108 hummingbird, 89–91, 90 Italian cream, 78–79 jam, Mama Reed’s, 109–11 Key lime cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, Miss Barbara’s, 104–5 layer, how to make perfect, 110 lemon custard poke, 70–71 lemon juice, Katy’s, 72–74 oatmeal, 80–81 pecan pie, 79–80 pineapple upside down, always moist, 87–88 pound, in jars, 98, 99–100 red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing, 103–4 strawberrry, fresh, 111–13, 112 tropical pig pickin’, 85–86 wind, 93–96 wonder, 100–101 yellow, small batch, 65 284 yellow two-egg chiffon, lovelight, 92–93 see also Cheesecake Candies and sweet snacks, 234–49 candied peanuts, 247 cereal bars, everyone’s favorite, 247–49 chocolate chip meringues, 241–42 cinna-bun, chocolate, or peanut butter fudge, 240–41 cinnamon cashews, 246–47 cream cheese divinity, 236, 237–38 cream cheese mints, 235 fudge meltaways, easy, 239–40 peanut butter cups, 243–45 strawberry candy, Cornetha’s, 238–39 tiger butter, 244, 245–46 Candy cane cookies, 32 Candy corn bars, harvest, 46 Cappuccino: buttercream, whipped, 122–23 cake, 113–14 Caramel: apple cake, Mama Reed’s, 75–77, 76 apple cider, slow cooker, 269 frozen turtle pie, 164–65 fudge icing, 126 tiramisu, 117–19 Cashews, cinnamon, 246–47 Cereal bars, everyone’s favorite, 247–49 Cheesecake: bar, how to set up, 89 brownies, tie-dyed, 40–43 classic, made easy, 88–89 peanut butter bars, 42, 43 pecan pie, 158, 159 Cherry(ies): bars, gooey, 54–55 Dr Pepper salad, Aunt Tina’s, 221–23, 222 Index maraschino, in tropical pig pickin’ cake, 85–86 pecan pies, 157 rolls, 212–13 Chess pies: chocolate, 147–49, 148 orange, 146 pineapple, 146–47 Chiffon cake, lovelight yellow two-egg, 92–93 Chocolate: biscuits, feather-light, 210–12, 211 buttercream, creamy, 122 butter rolls, Momma’s, 181–82 chess pie, 147–49, 148 chip bars, classic, 46 chip dream bars, 49–50 chip meringues, 241–42 chip muffins, double, 200–201 chip oatmeal cookies, all-American, chippers, 12, 13 chips, in monster cookies, 3, chips, in rocky road brownie mix cookies, 48 chips, in tiger butter, 244, 245–46 chocolate chip cookies, Coca-Cola Pie, 145 dark, mousse cake, 66–69, 67 dark, pound cake, 96–97 frozen Oreo pie, 162–64, 163 frozen turtle pie, 164–65 fudge, 240–41 fudge icing, 125–26 fudge meltaways, easy, 239–40 hot cocoa muffins, 199–200 oatmeal no-bakes, Memom’s, 16–17 peanut butter cups, 243–45 pie, homemade, 142–43 rocky road brownie mix cookies, 48 shavings, to decorate cake, 108 snack cake, 66 -tipped butter cookies, 28, 29–31 see also Brownie(s); White chocolate Cinnamon: cashews, 246–47 cinna-bun fudge, 240–41 rolls, harvest stuffed, 216–19, 217 shortcut Amish friendship bread, 185 snickerdoodle bars, 46 Cobblers, 166–68 peach, Mimi’s, 167 strawberry (Mama’s favorite), 167–68 Coca-Cola (Coke): cake, 74–75 floats, Popa’s, 251–53, 252 pie, 145 Coconut: ambrosia, 232–33 cake with no-fail seven-minute frosting, 105–9, 106 flop cookies, 7–10 Hawaiian banana nut bread, Miss Molcie’s, 191–93 Italian cream cake, 78–79 Japanese fruit pie, 142 macaroons, easy, 14–15 oatmeal cake, 80–81 pecan icing, 124–25 pie, old-fashioned, 149–51 strawberry candy, Cornetha’s, 238–39 Coffee: cappuccino buttercream, whipped, 122–23 cappuccino cake, 113–14 caramel tiramisu, 117–19 frosting, 114 Confectioners’ sugar glaze, classic, 127 285 Index Congealed salads, 225 Dr Pepper, Aunt Tina’s, 221–23, 222 peach buttermilk, 221 raspberry, 224 Contributors: Amanda Dobbs, 191 Camille Ritter Williams, 181 Cindy Burton, 226 Erica Deermer, 142 Gwen Perry, 155 Judy Watts, 161 Kay West, 153 Laura Griffin, 16 Melissa Haydon, 251 Shay Baugh, 99 Shelia Teasley, 149 Stacey Sligh, 224 Vicki Perfetti, 212 Wayne Lammers, 19 Wendy Ball, 81 Cookie(s), 2–33 baking sheets for, butter, chocolate-tipped, 28, 29–31 butter, old-fashioned, 27 butter pecan crinkles, 12, 13 cake mix, busy week, 12, 13 candy cane, 32 chewy or crunchy, 25 chocolate chippers, 12, 13 chocolate chocolate chip, chocolate oatmeal no-bakes, Memom’s, 16–17 Christmas, baking in October, 31 coconut macaroons, easy, 14–15 cranberry zingers, chewy, 17–19, 18 crumb crust, 275 flop, 7–10 freezing dough for, 14 286 graham cracker praline, 23–24 lemon blossoms, sunshine, 15–16 monster, 3, oatmeal, icebox, 19–21 oatmeal chocolate chip, all-American, oatmeal raisin, pie, 160–61 Oreo, pie, frozen, 162–64, 163 peanut butter, milk-dunkin’, 10–11 peanut butter cream sandwiches, 21–23, 22 pecan thumbprints, 24–27 red velvet, 12, 13 shipping, 33 strawberry crinkles, 12, 13 see also Bars and bar cookies Cornflakes, in flop cookies, 7–10 Cracker(s): pie, 154–55 Ritz, in faux apple pie, 136–38 Cranberry(ies): bliss bars, 55–57 dried, in harvest stuffed cinnamon rolls, 216–19, 217 juice cocktail, in happy anniversary punch, 270, 271 zingers, chewy, 17–19, 18 Cream cheese: caramel tiramisu, 117–19 divinity, 236, 237–38 flop cookies, 7–10 frosting, 78, 103–4, 104–5, 123 frosting, strawberry, 111–13 fudge meltaways, easy, 239–40 king cake, super easy, 194–95 mints, 235 peanut butter frosting, 124 Cream pie, strawberry, 133–35, 134 Crème brûlée, sweet potato, 173–75, 174 Index Crumb cake, lotsa, 83–85, 84 Crusts: cookie crumb, 275 mix-in-pan pie, 275 Cupcakes: Key lime, with cream cheese frosting, Miss Barbara’s, 104–5 red velvet, with cream cheese icing, 103–4 Custard: glaze, thinned, 129 lemon, poke cake, 70–71 lemon, sauce, 131 D Dark chocolate: brownies, 35 mousse cake, 66–69, 67 pound cake, 96–97 Divinity, cream cheese, 236, 237–38 Dr Pepper salad, Aunt Tina’s, 221–23, 222 Double chocolate chip muffins, 200–201 Dried fruit: apricot muffins, 198–99 bran muffins, delectably moist, 203 fried pies, basic, 152–53 Drink bar, family-friendly, 262 Drinks, 250–73 angel sangria, 264 apple juice brew, 265 apple juleps, blushing, 266 bananaritas, 262, 263 caramel apple cider, slow cooker, 269 Coke floats, Popa’s, 251–53, 252 egg cream, old-fashioned, 253 milkshakes, Daddy’s, 251 mulled pineapple juice, 266–68 OJ, sunrise, 264 orange juice special, 255 tropical pink, 260–61 see also Fruit ades; Punch; Tea Dumplings: sweet potato, 182–83 vinegar, 155–56 E Egg creams, 262 old-fashioned, 253 Eggs, tempering, 142–43 Egg whites, in meringue, 276 F Faux apple pie, 136–38 Feather-light chocolate biscuits, 210–12, 211 Five-cup fruit salad, 226–27 Floats, Coke, Popa’s, 251–53, 252 Flop cookies, 7–10 Flour, self-rising, homemade, 276–77 French mint tea, 259 French toast with strawberry syrup, overnight stuffed, 205, 206 Fried desserts and treats: funnel cake, 208–9 peach pie bars, Lela’s, 61–63 pies, basic, 152–53 pineapple fritters, 209–10 sopaipillas, 207–8 Fritters, pineapple, 209–10 Frostings, 121–24 287 Index buttercream, classic, 121 cappuccino buttercream, whipped, 122–23 chocolate buttercream, creamy, 122 chocolate mousse, 66–69, 67 Coca-Cola, 75 coffee, 114 cream cheese, 78, 104–5, 123 peanut butter cream cheese, 124 seven-minute, no-fail, 106, 107–9 strawberry cream cheese, 111–13 tropical, 85–86 see also Fudge icings; Icings Fruit ades, 255–58 peach, fresh, 258 strawberry, fresh, 255–56 watermelon, 256–58, 257 Fruitcake cookie bars, 46 Fruit cocktail: ambrosia, 232–33 canned, 226 cracker pie, 154–55 five-cup fruit salad, 226–27 pie, 138–39 super fruit, 231–32 Fruit pie, Japanese, 142 Fruit pie filling, in angel food dessert cake, 115–16 Fruit salads, old-fashioned, 220–33 ambrosia, 232–33 apple, 225–26 canned fruit in, 226 Dr Pepper, Aunt Tina’s, 221–23, 222 five-cup, 226–27 grape, Miss Barbara’s must-have, 229–31 orange dream, guilt-free, 228, 229 peach buttermilk congealed, 221 raspberry, 224 288 super fruit, 231–32 whoa horsey, 233 Fudge: cinna-bun, chocolate, or peanut butter, 240–41 meltaways, easy, 239–40 Fudge icings, 125 brown sugar, 70 caramel, 126 chocolate, 125–26 peanut butter, 126 Funnel cakes, 208–9 G Gelatin: in congealed salads, 225 Dr Pepper salad, Aunt Tina’s, 221–23, 222 orange dream salad, guilt-free, 228, 229 peach buttermilk congealed salad, 221 raspberry salad, 224 strawberry candy, Cornetha’s, 238–39 Glazes, 73–74, 127–31 almond, 25 basics, 128 buttermilk, 128 confectioners’ sugar, classic, 127 custard, thinned, 129 dark chocolate, 97 lemon, 15–16, 131 lime, 102, 130–31 peanut butter, one-minute, 130 rum, 92 Golden apple pie, 139 Gooey cherry bars, 54–55 Index Graham cracker: praline cookies, 23–24 s’mores brownies, easiest, 37–39, 38 Grape: juice, in angel sangria, 264 salad, Miss Barbara’s must-have, 229–31 H Happy anniversary punch, 270, 271 Harvest candy corn bars, 46 Harvest stuffed cinnamon rolls, 216–19, 217 Hawaiian banana nut bread, Miss Molcie’s, 191–93 Honey, 256 for chewy cookies, 25 nut bars, 46–47 Hot cocoa muffins, 199–200 Hummingbird cake, 89–91, 90 I Icebox oatmeal cookies, 19–21 Ice cream, vanilla: Coke floats, Popa’s, 251–53, 252 milkshakes, Daddy’s, 251 sunshine punch, 273 Icings, 52–53, 124–27 browned butter, 127 coconut pecan, 124–25 see also Frostings; Fudge icings Italian: caramel tiramisu, 117–19 cream cake, 78–79 J Jam cake, Mama Reed’s, 109–11 Japanese fruit pie, 142 Juleps, blushing apple, 266 K Key lime cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, Miss Barbara’s, 104–5 King cake, super easy, 194–95 Kool-Aid fruit punch, easy, 273 L Ladyfingers, in caramel tiramisu, 117–19 Lemon: blossoms, sunshine, 15–16 custard poke cake, 70–71 custard sauce, 131 glaze, 15–16, 131 juice cake, Katy’s, 72–74 meringue pie, 140 syllabub, 172–73 Lemonade: concentrate, in party punch, 271 mix, in fresh peach-ade, 258 mix, pink, in fresh strawberry-ade, 255–56 Lemon-lime soda: Kool-Aid fruit punch, easy, 273 party punch, 271 sunshine punch, 273 tropical pink, 260–61 289 Index Lime: buttermilk pound cake, 102–3 glaze, 130–31 Lotsa crumb cake, 83–85, 84 Love at first bite brown sugar bars, 50 Lovelight yellow two-egg chiffon cake, 92–93 M Macaroons, coconut, easy, 14–15 Mandarin oranges: ambrosia, 232–33 five-cup fruit salad, 226–27 tropical pig pickin’ cake, 85–86 whoa horsey salad, 233 M&M’s: cookie bars, 46 mini, in monster cookies, 3, Marshmallow cream: apple juice brew, 265 cereal bars, everyone’s favorite, 247–49 cinna-bun, chocolate, or peanut butter fudge, 240–41 peanut butter cream sandwiches, 21–23, 22 s’mores brownies, easiest, 37–39, 38 Marshmallows, mini: ambrosia, 232–33 five-cup fruit salad, 226–27 rocky road brownie mix cookies, 48 Meringue(s), 276 chocolate chip, 241–42 pie, lemon, 140 pie, orange, best ever, 140, 141 Mexican sopaipillas, 207–8 Milkshakes, Daddy’s, 251 Mints, cream cheese, 235 290 Mint tea, French, 259 Monster cookies, 3, Mousse frosting, chocolate, 66–69, 67 Muffins, 195–203 apple oat, 197–98 blueberry, bake shop, 195–97, 196 bran, delectably moist, 203 double chocolate chip, 200–201 dried apricot, 198–99 hot cocoa, 199–200 oatmeal, anytime, any kind, 201–2 packaging and storing, 188 troubleshooting sunken centers, 191 turning quick breads into, 192 Mulled pineapple juice, 266–68 N Nut(s): honey bars, 46–47 see also specific nuts O Oat(meal)(s): apple muffins, 197–98 banana bread, 188–90 blueberry crunch bars, 57–60, 58 cake, 80–81 for chewy cookies, 25 chocolate chip cookies, all-American, chocolate no-bakes, Memom’s, 16–17 cookies, icebox, 19–21 cranberry zingers, chewy, 17–19, 18 monster cookies, 3, Index muffins, anytime, any kind, 201–2 raisin cookie pie, 160–61 scotchies, 46 Orange: chess pie, 146 dream salad, guilt-free, 228, 229 meringue pie, best ever, 140, 141 rolls, almost famous, 213–16 zest, in harvest stuffed cinnamon rolls, 216–19, 217 see also Mandarin oranges Orange juice: blushing apple juleps, 266 French mint tea, 259 special, 255 sunrise OJ, 264 Oreo pie, frozen, 162–64, 163 P Pantry list for baking, 41 Party punch, 271 Peach: -ade, fresh, 258 buttermilk congealed salad, 221 buttermilk pie, 133 cobbler, Mimi’s, 167 oatmeal pudding, baked, 204 pie bars, fried, Lela’s, 61–63 Peanut butter: cheesecake bars, 42, 43 cookies, milk-dunkin’, 10–11 cream cheese frosting, 124 cream sandwiches, 21–23, 22 cups, 243–45 cup trifle, 118, 119–20 fudge, 240–41 fudge icing, 126 glaze, one-minute, 130 monster cookies, 3, pie, my nephew’s, 161–62 tiger butter, 245–46 Peanuts, candied, 247 Pear bars, chewy, 53–54 Pecan(s): ambrosia, 232–33 butter, crinkles, 12, 13 cherry pies, 157 chewies, 47–48 coconut icing, 124–25 frozen turtle pie, 164–65 graham cracker praline cookies, 23–24 harvest stuffed cinnamon rolls, 216–19, 217 Hawaiian banana nut bread, Miss Molcie’s, 191–93 hummingbird cake, 89–91, 90 Italian cream cake, 78–79 Japanese fruit pie, 142 love at first bite brown sugar bars, 50 oatmeal cake, 80–81 pie cake, 79–80 pie cheesecake, 158, 159 strawberry bread, 190 strawberry candy, Cornetha’s, 238–39 thumbprints, 24–27 wonder cake, 100–101 Pie(s), 132–65 apple, faux, 136–38 apple, golden, 139 black walnut, 160 buttermilk, 151–52 cherry pecan, 157 chocolate, homemade, 142–43 chocolate chess, 147–49, 148 291 Index Coca-Cola, 145 coconut, old-fashioned, 149–51 converting recipes into, 137 cracker, 154–55 crust, mix-in-pan, 275 fried, basic, 152–53 fruit, Japanese, 142 fruit cocktail, 138–39 lemon meringue, 140 oatmeal raisin cookie, 160–61 orange chess, 146 orange meringue, best ever, 140, 141 Oreo, frozen, 162–64, 163 peach buttermilk, 133 peanut butter, my nephew’s, 161–62 pecan, cheesecake, 158, 159 pineapple chess, 146–47 strawberry cream, 133–35, 134 turtle, frozen, 164–65 water, 153 Pig pickin’ cake, tropical, 85–86 Piña colada mix, in tropical pink, 260–61 Pineapple: ambrosia, 232–33 apple salad, 225–26 bread, amazing, 187 chess pie, 146–47 Dr Pepper salad, Aunt Tina’s, 221–23, 222 five-cup fruit salad, 226–27 fritters, 209–10 Hawaiian banana nut bread, Miss Molcie’s, 191–93 hummingbird cake, 89–91, 90 sherbet, in sunshine punch, 273 tropical pig pickin’ cake, 85–86 upside down cake, always moist, 87–88 vanilla wafer pudding, 171–72 292 whoa horsey salad, 233 wonder cake, 100–101 Pineapple juice: blushing apple juleps, 266 happy anniversary punch, 270, 271 Kool-Aid fruit punch, easy, 273 mulled, 266–68 party punch, 271 sunshine punch, 273 Pizza, apple doozie dessert, 135–36 Poke cake, lemon custard, 70–71 Pound cakes: buttermilk lime, 102–3 dark chocolate, 96–97 in jars, 98, 99–100 wonder cake, 100–101 Praline graham cracker cookies, 23–24 Puddings, 166, 168–75 banana, old-fashioned, 168–71, 169 lemon syllabub, 172–73 peach oatmeal, baked, 204 sweet potato crème brûlée, 173–75, 174 vanilla wafer pineapple, 171–72 Punch: happy anniversary, 270, 271 Kool-Aid fruit, easy, 273 party, 271 sunshine, 273 R Raisin(s): Japanese fruit pie, 142 oatmeal cookie pie, 160–61 Raspberry salad, 224 Red velvet cookies, 12, 13 Index Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing, 103–4 Ritz crackers, in faux apple pie, 136–38 Rocky road brownie mix cookies, 48 Rolls: cherry, 212–13 cinnamon, harvest stuffed, 216–19, 217 orange, almost famous, 213–16 see also Butter rolls Rum cake, butter, 91–92 Sunshine lemon blossoms, 15–16 Sunshine punch, 273 Super fruit, 231–32 Sweet potato: crème brûlée, 173–75, 174 dumplings, 182–83 Syllabub, lemon, 172–73 S Tea: Salads See Fruit salads, old-fashioned Saltine crackers, in cracker pie, 154–55 Sandwiches, peanut butter cream, 21–23, 22 Sangria, angel, 264 Sauce, lemon custard, 131 Self-rising flour, homemade, 276–77 Seven-minute frosting, no-fail, 106, 107–9 Shipping cookies, 33 Small batch yellow cake, 65 S’mores brownies, easiest, 37–39, 38 Snickerdoodle bars, 46 Sopaipillas, 207–8 Strawberry: -ade, fresh, 255–56 cake, fresh, 111–13, 112 candy, Cornetha’s, 238–39 cobbler (Mama’s favorite), 167–68 cream pie, 133–35, 134 crinkles, 12, 13 pecan bread, 190 syrup, overnight stuffed French toast with, 205, 206 Sugar-free ingredients, 232 Sunrise OJ, 264 T growing your own, 258 mint, French, 259 sweet, Southern, 259–60 uncloudy, secret to, 260 Thinned custard glaze, 129 Thumbprints, pecan, 24–27 Tie-dyed cheesecake brownies, 40–43 Tiger butter, 245–46 Tiramisu, caramel, 117–19 Trifle, peanut butter cup, 118, 119–20 Tropical pig pickin’ cake, 85–86 Tropical pink, 260–61 Turtle pie, frozen, 164–65 U Upside down cake, pineapple, always moist, 87–88 V Vanilla, imitation, 10 Vanilla wafer pineapple pudding, 171–72 Vinegar dumplings, 155–56 293 Index W Walnut, black, pie, 160 Watermelon-ade, 256–58, 257 Water pie, 153 Whipped cream: homemade, 277 lemon syllabub, 172–73 White chocolate: cranberry bliss bars, 55–57 strawberry crinkles, 12, 13 294 Whoa horsey salad, 233 Wind cake, 93–96 Wonder cake, 100–101 Y Yellow cakes: small batch, 65 two-egg chiffon, lovelight, 92–93