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Columns to Savor
Catherine Christensen

Cinnamon Girl: Cinnamon Streusel Coffee Cake, Rachel's Marshmallo Cinnamon Buns, and Snickerdoodles Cookies

Scrumptious Caramel Cheesecake

French Fruit Classics. Frangipane Tart
and Chocolate Cherry Clafoutis

Dog Days of Summer: "The Bomb" Pops: Strawberry Balsamic Yogurt Pops and Fudgesicles Two Ways

Frozen Delights: Pistachio and Chocolate Semifreddo and Nougat Glacé with Raspberry Coulis

Spark the Appetite!: Mangos Diablo, Pêches Louis, Bananas Foster and Basic Dessert Crêpes

The Amazing Erupting Volcano Cake

Pancakes and Waffles

Ooh la la...chocolat! Mousse au Chocolate and Mexican Chocolate Pots de Crème

Muffins: French Breakfast Muffins, Chocolate Raspberry Muffins, and Breakfast Power Muffins

Easy Holiday Cookies Plus Dried Cherry and Amaretto Nut Bread

Happy Thanksgiving! Divine Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie and Pumpkin White Chocolate Cheesecake

Spooky Cupcakes

Bar Cookies

Ice Cream Sandwiches

Decadent Cream Pies

Favorite Cakes for Summer Picnics, Barbecues, and Scrumptious Eating.

Glorious Cheesecake: Old-School Secret Recipe, Key Lime, and Chocolate-Mint Swirl Cheesecake.

Luscious Layers: Terrine, Classic and
Cooked Tiramisù, and Trifle.

Ganache!

Breakfast! Granola, Scones and Cinnamon Rolls

Fresh Pumpkin.

Quick Breads and Muffins.

Classic and Simple Fruit Pan Desserts.




 

Baking Expert
Catherine Christiansen



Pies and Tarts

“Talking of Pleasure, this moment I was writing with one hand, and with the other holding to my Mouth a Nectarine— how good how fine. It went down all pulpy, slushy, oozy, all its delicious embonpoint melted down my throat like a large, beatified Strawberry.”

John Keats (1795-1821)
 
 
  Summer Fruit Tarts

Fruit tarts are Cinderella’s Pumpkin Coach, Wonder Woman’s invisible plane, the perfect vehicle for the incredible luxury, strength and beauty of summer fruits. Just one step above popping fruit straight into the mouth, fruit tarts showcase summer’s bounty in all its sweet simplicity.

If you’ve bake the tart shell in advance, this scrumptious tart comes together in just a few minutes. A light, orange-scented mascarpone mixture replaces traditional pastry cream in the filling—another big time saver.

Simple Pate Sablée Crust recipe

Summer Fruit Tart recipe

 
 
  Rhubarb Pie with
Grandma's Pie Crust


My next-door neighbor’s pies win competitions left and right, probably because for her, pie making is both art and meditation. When she’s feeling blue, feeling happy, feeling the need to give thanks or relax, she turns to pie.

In a big plastic tub seasoned with flour she keeps sifter, pie pans, rolling pins and vintage Tupperware pie rolling sheet. When she brings it out her dog, Lulu the Bearded Lady, prepares a seat under the table to catch bits of butter and crust in her scruffy mouth. Billows of flour, care and grace mark each step. Her grandmother’s tried and true recipe of boiling water, cold butter and flour quickly produces pliable dough to be rolled and layered into pans. Out behind the garage, a sharp knife cuts fat stalks of rhubarb, and soon sprinkles of cinnamon scent the air. Lulu’s chops are set in a permanent grin. Crusts are crimped and the kitchen fills with humidity and sweet caramelizing bliss. The result: succulent bribes, treasures and gifts for friends and family, pleasure for the baker and the takers.

The following recipes come from three generations of great Midwest pie makers:

Grandma's Pie Crust recipe

Rhubarb Pie recipe

 

Read more about Catherine Christiansen.

 
 
     
  Summer Fruit Tart with Apricots dessert recipe  
  Summer Fruit Tart with Apricots  
     
  Summer Fruit Tart with Fresh Berries dessert recipe  
  Summer Fruit Tart with
Fresh Berries
 
     
  Summer Fruit Tart with Red Plums and Apricots dessert recipe  
 

Summer Fruit Tart with Red Plums and Apricots

 
     
  Rhubarb Pie with Grandma's Crust dessert recipe  
  Rhubarb Pie with Grandma's Crust  
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Barbara Adams Beyond Wonderful features large recipe collections of full-proof quick and easy recipes, classic family favorites, global cuisine, and party ideas. Get illustrated cooking tips and techniques,cooking for beginners, food features, and expert advice on baking, cheese, produce, and wine.

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