Thursday, December 17, 2009

A Day of Shopping + Fabulous Holiday Desserts !

Another very rainy day, in Cajun Country! But, this was the only afternoon that I had to shop for the ingredients for my Christmas Eve buffet. So, I went over to my favorite specialty foods store and carefully selected the cheeses and wines that I will be serving, along with some fabulous seafood and meats . Joey's has a fantastic selection of everything that you might need and offers a lovely fireside lunch, too. I ordered my favorite shrimp salad sandwich, on whole grain bread and enjoyed the respite from the rain, which was pouring by this time. Sunny skies are predicted for the weekend.


When I returned home, I made a list of the fresh produce that I will need to make the side dishes and the ingredients needed for the baking. I will be gathering those tomorrow and will be baking over the weekend. So far, my dessert menu reads like this:

* Chocolate Praline Cheesecake * Grandma's Chocolate Cake * Mama's Apple Pie * Bayou Bread Pudding w/ Rum Sauce * Pecan Pie Brownies * Rum Balls *
Pecan Sandies*

This is one of my favorite bread pudding recipes. It will fit in nicely with your holiday dinner or brunch buffet , or on your dessert table , and it is also perfect for just anytime that you want a little something sweet. I especially love to eat this dish warm, topped with whipped cream, for breakfast, with a good cup of Community coffee. Heavenly! Enjoy!

Bayou Bread Pudding w/ Rum Sauce

1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple 
1 cup of golden raisins 
1 cup light rum 
1 lg. loaf of "day old " French bread 
1 qt. milk 
6 0z. melted butter
3 lg. eggs
1 small can Pet milk 
3 tbs.'s vanilla
1 1/2 cups sugar 
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 tsp.'s cinnamon

Place the pineapple and raisins in a bowl, add the rum and set aside to marinate. Break up the French bread in a large bowl and pour milk over and blend gently. Let stand for 1 hour, then drain excess milk. Drain the rum from the fruit and reserve for sauce. Add the fruit to the bread along with the melted butter, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the Pet milk, vanilla, and the sugars, and add to the bread and fruit. Mix with a large spoon, until blended. Transfer mixture into a buttered 9x13 inch baking dish and bake @ 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove and stir well. Spread the pudding evenly and bake for about 40 minutes.Serves 8. Serve warm with Rum Sauce.

Rum Sauce

2 cups sugar
8 ounces butter
2 large eggs
Reserved rum from fruit

Combine the sugar and butter in a double boiler. Beat the eggs and add to the pan and whisk rapidly until thick. Remove pan from the heat and allow to cool, then stir in the reserved rum. Heat and ladle over pudding before serving. Serves 6 to 8
Did I mention that this bread pudding is divinely delicious!

*******
And here are two all time favorite desserts, that I am re-posting that are guaranteed to please your guests. Out of this world, cher. Cest bon!

Chocolate-Praline Cheesecake

3 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 stick butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar

Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl and mix well. Press into a buttered pie pan , going half way up the sides. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for ten minutes and set aside to cool.
 

Chocolate Sauce

8 (1oz.) squares semisweet chocolate
1 tbs. butter
6 tbs.'s whipping cream

Combine all ingredients in saucepan and stir and cook over low heat, until melted and smooth. Pour half of the chocolate sauce over the graham cracker crust and spread evenly. Reserve other half for drizzling.
 
Filling

3 (8oz.) pkg.'s plain cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 eggs

In large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and beat well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well, after each addition. Pour on top of chocolate sauce layer and bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 40 minutes, until slightly set. Cool and refrigerate for 2 hours, preferably overnight.

Praline Sauce

1 cup chopped pecans, divided

1 cup light brown sugar
1 small can Pet milk
2 tbs.'s butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine 1/2 cup pecans, with all of the ingredients, in saucepan. Cook and stir on low heat until blended and smooth. Drizzle warm praline sauce and warmed, reserved chocolate sauce all over cheesecake when ready to serve. Garnish with chopped pecans. Bon Appetit! Enjoy!

*******


Pecan Pie Brownies

1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1 egg
2 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
3/4 cup dark Karo syrup
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. each, vanilla and almond extracts
1 cup pecans, chopped

Reserve 3/4 cup cake mix. Combine remaining cake mix and 1 egg in large bowl and beat until smooth. Add butter and mix well. Press into bottom of a 13x9 inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine brown sugar, corn syrup, 3 eggs, vanilla and almond extracts, chopped pecans and reserved cake mix in large bowl and mix well. Pour over the baked layer and bake for 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool and cut into squares. Heavenly!

Happy Holidays, Ya'll! Remember to relax, enjoy, and have a fun weekend, everyone!!

19 comments:

John said...

Recipes 'R Us; we woke up to 3 inches of snow this morning, more on the way.

Joanne said...

My daughters and I have done some cooking and freezing this week, so on Christmas we can just heat and serve! You must share my love of chocolate, we're making a good old-fashioned chocolate cake next week for dessert. Can't wait!

Carol Murdock said...

OH Marguerite! You make me want to get back in that kitchen ans start cooking some more! HA! KEEP DRY SWEETIE! We are about to float away!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

The cheesecake is on my IMMEDIATE MUST MAKE LIST!!!

Kat said...

That cheese cake looks scrumpdidlyicious! We are floating away too!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

your cheese cake has me drooling! I was thinking of figuring out how i wanted to make a Creme Brulee cheesecake, but I think I like yours so much better!

Joyeaux Noel Cher.

Boozy Tooth said...

My husband is working on an RFP for the St Johns Parish School System in New Orleans. Reminded me of you, so I came right over.

THANK YOU for the wonderful dessert recipes! They are making my mouth water... literally! And you know what? I'm pretty sure I could make the bread pudding with rum sauce, even though I'm not that great a dessert maker.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Chocolate praline cheesecake? My teeth are shivering just thinking about the sugar. Sounds divine.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

This is exactly what I needed, inspiration of the highest order!

Rosaria Williams said...

Oh, you know how to tempt!

T. said...

Pumpkin bread pudding?!! I can't think of anything more wonderful. YUM!

Cloudia said...

You know how to live.


And how to explain to the folks up north that winter rain is our show?


Aloha, Cher


Comfort Spiral

Deanna said...

I love pumpkin bread and bread pudding is my all-time favorite dessert. A combination of the two? Sounds divine! I'll definitely be giving this one a try.

Jeanne said...

Thanks for sharing your recipes! I think I'll just have to try that cheesecake.
Merry Christmas!

Marguerite said...

John- Tis' the season for holiday recipes and snow! Happy shoveling!

Joanne- That is the way to go! It is a bit too much to do, all at once. I love chocolate and will be posting my grandmother's recipe for chocolate cake, soon. Cheers!

Carol- I think that you baked enough for this year! We're finally dry and let's hope it stays that way, for a while.

Dave- Glad you like the recipe. I can't wait to see you make it! You'll love it, it's divine!

Kat- Thanks, cher! The cheesecake is sinfully delicious! Rain is better than snow!

Katherine- Merci, I am honored that you want to make my cheesecake, but the Creme Brulee sounds fab! Joyeaux Noel to you and yours, cher!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh my gosh, Marguerite...just looking at all these fabulous desserts causes me to gain weight!!! And that chocolate, praline cheesecake? To die for!!!! I love the look of Joey's...I'd probably do all my shopping there!!! Simply terrific!!! Your family and friends will be in for a spectacular buffet...you are such a gourmet!!! Love you, and sending you best wishes for a very Merry Christmas!! Janine XOXO

Vagabonde said...

These deserts look heavenly. I am going to be at my daughter’s, who does not have time for cooking and does not have many cooking utensils either. The Pecan Pie Brownies look so good and easy to make – I’ll take some Georgia pecans up north with me. Thanks for the recipes, Chère Marguerite.

Marguerite said...

Alix- How cool! Thank you so much for thinking of me and you're most welcome! You can do it, cher!!

Midlife- So good to see you! Worth the calories, cher, I promise you! Thanks for coming by!

Elizabeth- Merci for your sweet comment, bon ami! It is my pleasure to inspire you! Cheers!

lakeviewer- We have a lot of things, here in Cajun Country, that are very tempting, but especially the food! Wish you were here!

T. Clear- So nice of you to drop by and leave such a kind comment! Merci beaucoup for visiting! Enjoy!

Cloudia- Yes, mon amis, I do!! You have to make fun a #1 priority!! They can have all the snow! Merci for stopping by, Gal pal!

Marguerite said...

Deanna- Welcome and thanks so much for your nice comment and for visiting! So glad you like it! Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas!

Jeanne- Great to hear from you! You're so very welcome! I hope you make it! It is sinful! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

Janine- Merci beaucoup, cher amis, for your kind and flattering compliments! Joey's is the best! Thanks and hoping that your holidays are filled with joy!

Vagabonde- Merci, cher, so glad you want to make the brownies. You can add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips for an even more decadent taste. Bon Appetit and Joyeaux Noel!