Archive for March, 2009
Easy Butter Tart Squares
Only 15 Minutes to Prep This Tasty Butter Tart Alternative!
One of my all-time favorite sweet treats is butter tarts…especially the ones my mom makes. She makes her own thick, flaky pastry from scratch…which isn’t easy or quick. If a recipe requires a homemade pastry crust I usually avoid it…I mean, I don’t even own a rolling pin! But I did find an easy and quick alternative to the traditional butter tart…it’s Butter Tart Squares which I found on Allrecipes.com. I once tried a similar recipe years ago from the same site which didn’t turn out well, but this one is a winner! It has all the taste of a butter tart without the hard work. I find these taste best when stored in the refrigerator…I added that detail to the directions. As well, I added raisins to the mix but left out the coconut…but next time I will try both. Please let me know how well you think these compare to the traditional kind. Enjoy!
BUTTER TART SQUARES
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar (I only used 1cup which was plenty)
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1/4 cup flaked coconut (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9×9 inch baking pan.
In a medium bowl, combine flour and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Press firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
Bake for 15 minutes in preheated oven. Crust should not be fully cooked.
In a large bowl, mix together the eggs and remaining brown sugar. Combine the oats, salt, and baking powder. By hand stir into the egg mixture along with the vanilla. Mix in raisins and coconut, if desired. Spread the mixture evenly over the partially baked crumb layer in pan.
Bake 20 minutes more. Cool, and cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator.
5 Minute Oreo Pudding
It Only Takes 4 Ingredients and 5 Minutes to Make This Treat!
I used to love getting the Kraft What’s Cooking magazines for free in the mail. They’re filled with so many easy dinner recipes…which is great for busy moms or people like me who were just learning to cook. And of course there were also numerous desserts…both easy and quick ones! I decided to try the Cookies ‘n Cream Pudding recipe when my friend, who’s not a big chocolate fan, was visiting. All I had to do was beat the pudding and mix in cool whip and cookie bits! It’s so simple…and very creamy and delicious too! Of course, if you are a chocolate lover, you can substitute the vanilla pudding for chocolate…I haven’t tried that but I’m sure it would be fantastic too. Let me know if you come up with any other delicious pudding and cookie combinations! And be sure that you use INSTANT PUDDING because that’s the reason this dessert is so quick. Enjoy!
COOKIES ‘N CREAM PUDDING
8 OREO Cookies, divided
1 pkg (4-serving size) JELL-O Vanilla Instant Pudding
2 cups cold milk
3/4 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided
BREAK 1 cookie into 4 pieces; reserve for garnish. Coarsley chop remaining cookies by placing them in a resealable bag. Seal the bag and bang with a rolling pin or bottom of skillet.
BEAT pudding mix and milk in medium bowl with whisk. Stir in chopped cookies and 1/2 cup Cool Whip.
SPOON into 4 dessert bowls. Top with remaining Cool Whip and reserved cookie pieces.