Summer vs. Winter Desserts

I warned you right off the bat that I don’t bake hardly ever because I don’t like to measure. Problem is I love sweets! I am the type of person that wants to have something sweet after every meal (thanks Mom and Dad). I tend to prefer fruity versus a lot of chocolate, maybe because I pretend it isn't as bad for me if there is fruit involved. I also love to make what I call small bites, which is basically just small versions of food. With desserts, again maybe it's so I don't feel as guilty. :)


Keep reading to see a couple of quick light desserts that I love to turn to for dinner parties or cookouts. 


Summer: Fruit and Cream Cups

Ingredients:
Won Ton wrappers, one package
Sugar
Whipped Topping, one 8 oz tub of store bought prepared works great

Lemon, one to two

Vanilla extract

Strawberries
Blueberries
Powdered sugar


Place won ton wrappers in mini cupcake pan cups and mold to shape cup. Spray with cooking spray and sprinkle with sugar. Broil on low until lightly golden brown. Make sure to watch closely, as they will burn quickly. Remove from oven and let cool.


You can make as little or as many of these fruit cups as you would like. I would start with the juice of one lemon and 1-2 tsp of vanilla extract with one tub of prepared whipped topping. Taste it and add more of either ingredient if you would like a stronger flavor. Place a spoonful of topping in each of the cooled won ton cups and top with a few pieces of fruit.


Finally, sprinkle with powdered sugar.


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Winter: Fruit Crisp
Serves 4 (this may vary depending on the size of container you use, adjust ingredients as needed)

Ingredients:
FILLING:
Apple, any variety (2-3 depending on size)
Lemon, 1/2 juiced
Molasses, 2 T
Cinnamon, 1 tsp



TOPPING:
Oats, 1/4 cup
Graham Cracker Crumbs, 1/4 cup
Brown Sugar 3 T
Butter, 4 T



Preheat oven to 375.  


Slice apples into thin slivers. Mix rest of filling ingredients in a bowl and add apples, stirring to coat. Fill individual ramekins with apples, pouring any remaining liquid on top. 


Mix first three topping ingredients and add on top of fruit. Add a few pieces of crumbled butter and bake for 30  minutes, until fruit bubbling and tender. Place under broiler for 1 minute or so to brown. 



Better Bonus Tip: If you haven't decided what your Thanksgiving desserts will be this year, try this in addition to a pumpkin or pecan pie. If you would rather not do individual containers, you can just multiple the ingredients until you have enough to fill a big pan.

Better Bonus Tip: For a different variety, try with other fruit such as peaches, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries or strawberries (or a combination). Delicious warm straight from the oven and also with a scoop of ice cream. 

~Ashley