After Dinner Desserts 2

Stovetop Poached Pears
4 pears, peeled and cored
2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

To Make: Combine water, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Add pears and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, turning pears occasionally, until tender when pierced with a fork. Remove pears and boil the remaining liquid for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Spoon sauce over pears to serve.

Chocolate Mug Cake
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 large egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt

To Make: Stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a large microwave-safe mug. Add egg, milk, and oil and mix until smooth. Microwave on high for 1 minute and 30 seconds to 2 minutes until the cake is just set. Let stand for 1 minute before eating. The cake will be hot.

Cinnamon Baked Apples
4 medium apples
4 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup water

To Make: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Core each apple, leaving the bottom intact to form a cup. Place apples in a baking dish. Fill each apple with 1 tablespoon brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon. Top each with a small piece of butter or margarine. Pour water into the bottom of the dish. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the apples are tender. Spoon pan juices over apples before serving.

Sugar Cookies
1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To Make: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat butter or margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture until dough forms. Roll into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten slightly with your palm. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are just golden. Cool on a baking sheet for 2 minutes.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups chocolate chips

To Make: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Stir flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. In a large bowl, beat butter or margarine, sugar, and brown sugar until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Gradually mix in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until golden brown. Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes before removing.

Peanut Butter Fudge
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To Make: Combine sugar and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Quickly pour into a greased 8-inch square pan and spread evenly. Let cool completely at room temperature, then cut into squares.

Skillet Brownies
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

To Make: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter or margarine in a 10-inch oven-safe skillet over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder and stir until just combined. Spread evenly in the skillet. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Cool before slicing.

Creamy Banana Ice Cream
4 ripe bananas, sliced and frozen
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

To Make: Place frozen banana slices in a blender or food processor. Blend, stopping to scrape down sides as needed, until mixture is smooth and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add vanilla and blend for a few more seconds. Serve immediately as soft-serve or spread into a container and freeze for 1 to 2 hours for firmer ice cream.

Stovetop Chocolate Fondue
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
Banana slices, bread cubes, or apple slices for dipping

To Make: Combine chocolate chips, milk, and butter or margarine in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly until chips are melted and mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Do not let it boil. Transfer to a bowl and serve immediately with banana slices, bread cubes, or apple slices for dipping.

Homemade Caramel Sauce over Ice Cream
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla ice cream for serving

To Make: Combine sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves, then stop stirring and let it cook until it turns a deep amber color, about 8 to 10 minutes. Carefully stir in milk (mixture will bubble vigorously). Add butter or margarine and vanilla and stir until smooth. Let cool slightly and spoon over vanilla ice cream.

💗 Jo