Peaches and cream tarts are a summertime favorite. And they are great for parties. But these aren’t the only great summer dessert items. There are many delicious treats that come in the fall and winter time, too. Here are a few of my favorites:
Pecans – roasted chestnuts soak in butter and honey, then are grilled to perfection. A rich cinnamon-oatmeal combination with nutty overtones, this is a real treat that stays fresh for several days. Bake at 350 degrees, remove from the oven, let cool, slice into wedges, and drizzle with more honey and butter. Store in an airtight container. Reuse the slices throughout the year.
Pecan Tarts – These are almost like thin pancakes, only they have pecans instead of dough. Use fresh pecans instead of canned, and top with apple cider vinegar and some dried cranberries or raisins. Cook to perfection on a stovetop until golden brown. Then drizzle with some more cranberry or apple cider vinegar, if desired, and enjoy. Store in an airtight container.
Quick Breads – These frozen, drizzle-fried, breaded dishes are great for parties or just making a delicious snack. Cooked to perfection, they are easy to make ahead of time, and freezer friendly, too. Just defrost them when you need them, pop into a single-serving plastic bag, and serve. Serve with fresh seasonal fruit.
Tortillas – These Mexican-inspired dishes are a crowd-pleaser. They’re served with so much seasonings, such as mild Cayenne, chili powder, and black pepper, that you’ll barely notice them. Serve with corn or flour tortillas, and some homemade tortilla chips to dip them into. Add some salsa to the side.
Pie and Cream Popsicles – Baked peaches are fun, and these fun, light-filled dessert popsicles are so much fun to prepare! Start with fresh, fluffy homemade pastry cream and bake them to perfection. Top with sliced fresh peaches, and some fresh strawberries or raspberries for a sweet treat that kids will love.
Fruit Cheesecakes – Creamy, rich cheesecakes are the perfect summertime dessert. They’re loaded with ingredients like canned fruit, cheese, milk, eggs, and lots of whole sugar. Toppings can include things like sliced peaches, whipped cream, blueberries, walnuts, blueberries, and even fresh fruit. Serve with fresh fruit juices and your favorite ice cream for a treat that everyone will love.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries – Make a simple dessert with chocolate strawberries and use some fun toppings. You could put dried fruits on top, place a straw in the middle, and drizzle a little chocolate over it. You could even drizzle chocolate syrup over it and serve it with vanilla ice cream. This one is a great activity for children as well as adults – something you can do at home instead of having to go out to dinner.
Orange Pecan Tarts – If you’re not into summer foods, then this is the dessert for you. All you have to do is add peaches and cream to orange sauce. You can make it in advance and keep in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Then add nuts and other ingredients, fold it in half, and bake it. Serve with fresh berries and you’ll have a delicious dessert. Easy to make and great for parties too!
Cherry Walnut Pecan Tarts – These tasty tarts are a little different than the traditional fruit-cheese-and-peanut butter tarts. In this version, walnuts replace the cheese in the middle of the baked cake. You can bake the cake or prepare the walnuts and cream to go into the cake while it is still warm. Once cooled, the walnut crumbs are great on top of the dessert.
Simple Chocolate Pecan Tarts – This is a dessert that almost everyone will love, whether you’re trying to plan a romantic evening or just want to try something different. The basic recipe for these treats is the same as the one for the cherry walnut but you use a slightly different chocolate and walnut flavored confectioner’s glaze. Simply melt some of the chocolate chips and mix them with some chopped peaches or cream. Let the chocolate chips and peaches cool and you’re done!
So, how do you know that dessert is right for you? It’s all about what you like. If you don’t think you can pull off a particular recipe, try one of the other three mentioned above. You may be surprised by what you come up with. Don’t worry if it’s not something you’ve tried before. Just because you can’t make it exactly as someone else doesn’t mean it can’t be a hit for you.
