Desserts Archives - Page 5 of 8 - The Sparrow's Home

Upside Down Skillet Apple Pie

March 14, 2017 by Susan 8 Comments

Easy skillet apple pie. A quick apple dessert perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Ooey-gooey, homey and delicious!

Does anything taste more homey than apple pie? YES! This upside down skillet apple pie does. It has all the goodness of an apple pie – tender apples, flakey crust, sweet and spicy–but it has so much more.

The apples are nestled in the most luxurious warm caramel sauce, just begging to be spooned over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Plus, it’s about 10 times easier than traditional pie.

Easy King Cake for Mardi Gras

February 28, 2017 by Susan 7 Comments

I’ve made some delicious, but labor intensive king cakes. This recipe for an easy king cake will hit the spot this Mardi Gras without taking forever.

Do you know about king cakes? Growing up Yankee, I had never heard of them. One of my college roommates was from Louisiana and introduced me to them. They’re a food and party game in one.

You see, traditional king cakes have a plastic baby hidden inside of them. Yup, you heard me right. A plastic baby. Tradition says that the person who finds the baby in their slice of cake brings the cake to the next party. Nowadays, it’s just a fun addition, and many homemade cakes don’t have them (some recipes say you can use a coin or a dried bean instead). If you want to read about the history of the plastic baby in the king cake you can find it here and here.

Chocolate, Chocolate, & More Chocolate Recipes

February 14, 2017 by Susan 8 Comments

A collection of decadent chocolate recipes to satisfy your deepest craving.

Roald Dahl’s descriptions of chocolate in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are sumptuous and delicious. If you, like me, can feel where Augustus Gloop was coming from when he said of Willy Wonka’s chocolate river, “Gosh, I need a bucket to drink it properly.”

Well, you’re in the right place.

Let’s jump in that chocolate river together, ready? Hold your breath, make a wish, count to three.

1, 2, 3…..

Gooey Rice Crispy Bars….Really! They’re Not Dry!

February 7, 2017 by Susan 6 Comments

These rice crispy bars are not dry and crunchy like so many. They are ooey and gooey with pockets of melty marshmallow.

I have never been a huge fan of rice crispy treats. Dry and crunchy? No thanks, give me something chocolate.

But not too long ago, I found myself with about 10 bags of marshmallows, and needed to do something with them. And after making these once, I was pleased to have all of those bags….. so I could make more!

Almond Biscotti

December 13, 2016 by Susan 12 Comments

This almond biscotti was made for dipping. Biscotti, meaning ‘twice baked’, is a crunchy cookie perfect with a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, or even milk!

Are you a dipper or a non-dipper?

Biscotti was made for dipping. It’s name actually means twice baked. And that’s done so it gets good and dry and crispy so it has maximum absorption. I’m particular to dipping in a hot cup of coffee, but hot cocoa is yummy too!

These cookies have a reserved spot in my gift giving lineup. They’re fun to wrap up with some hot cocoa mix and chocolate dipped spoons.

Triple Layer Mint Brownies

December 6, 2016 by Susan 17 Comments

It wouldn’t be Christmas around my house without these fudgy, mint brownies. They’re a rich treat that is perfect for special occasions.

My kids have not known a Christmas without these brownies. And I’ve never made them!

I’m fortunate to have a group of ladies that I get together with every year to bake, dip, and decorate our way to a tasty Christmas season. We call it “Cookie Baking Day” and my family is happy to do whatever is required to accommodate it.

My sister, Amy, makes these mint brownies every year, and it just wouldn’t be Christmas without them.