Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Confessions

I have been always admired those gorgeous layered desserts made in shot glasses.  But as a non-drinker, there seemed to be very little reason to buy shot glasses...except to make gorgeous layered desserts.  And I just couldn't justify the expense.  Well, last week Target stocked a bunch of different glasses in their $1 bins...including heavy glass shot glasses.  Hallelujah!!  I'll take 16!  I even had them in my cart before I realized that there was no way that a normal spoon would fit into the very bottom of those very cute glasses.  Demoralized, I put the shot glasses back.

But wait!  Today while I was in World Market looking for glass cloches, I came across a little box full of taster spoons.  That's right.  Cute little spoons that will without a doubt fit into the very bottom recesses of those very cute shot glasses.  And at about a $1 each, well, I bought 16.


Then went to Target and bought me some damn shot glasses!  So if I start pinning a million shot glass dessert recipes, you'll know why.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

All Hallow's Eve

I have about given up on our blog because it is so much easier to post pictures and "kidisms" on Facebook, but I'm gonna try a little harder for the sake of our family blog book.
Our Halloween season was awesome. The ward "Trunk or Treat" was last week, all 3 kids had their class parties yesterday (I managed to hit all three schools...whew!) and we ended the night with our neighborhood trick-or-treating. Both neighbors, the Kings and the the Mitchells, and the Amsden family all met at our house about 6:00 and Tony got the fire pit going and handed out candy while the rest of us herded our collective TWELVE kids through the neighborhood. We had so much fun...the kids stayed together and the adults got a chance to chat as we walked. About 7:15, we headed home and the kids counted their candy while the adults had brownies and Caramel Apple Bread Pudding...the first time I have cooked with my ramakins and I can't wait to use this recipe again. YUM! But I forgot the best part...no jackets!! I love Halloween in Alabama!

 Caramel Apple Bread Pudding 

4 cups dried cinnamon bread cubes (8-10 pieces) 
2/3 cup finely chopped unpeeled tart apple 
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups whole milk 
1/4 cup butter, melted 
1/2 cup sugar 
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla 
1 tsp. apple pie spice 
1/4 tsp. salt 

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cups of cupcake tin or ramakins. In a large bowl, combine bread crumbs and chopped apple. In a medium bowl combine eggs, milk, melted butter, sugar, vanilla, apple pie spice and salt. Stir into bread mixture and let stand for 10 minutes to allow bread to soak up liquid, stirring occassionaly. Spoon bread mixture into cups. Place cupcake tin or ramakins on baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes or until puffed. Transfer tins or ramakins to wire rack. 

 Caramel Sauce: In a heavy saucepan, combine 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup whipping cream, 1/2 cup butter, and 2 Tbsp. light color Karo syrup. Bring to boiling over medium-high heat, whisking occasionally. Boil gently for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 tsp. vanilla. Let sauce cool. Add to top of bread puddings when ready to serve. Makes 12.