O.k…I know, Saturday blogsurfing hasn’t been happening.  I miss it.  You miss it.  My schedule is packed tighter than a Pork Terrine right now. Seriously.

But, better late than never, right?

I have been hungry for sweets as you will be able to tell when you check out these amazing posts.  Sorry for the lack of commentary.

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I like tea cakes.  They aren’t too sweet, they aren’t hard to make, and they aren’t impressive, they are just comfortable to have around.

Sort of like reading a book that does not challenge you in the least but satisfies you deep inside, you know?

Tea cakes.  A really good tea cake should look nice enough to put on a tea table but be plain enough that you can serve leftovers for breakfast next to some eggs and bacon.  Right?

This one will do it.

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This is LONG, be sure to read all the way to the end!

The Sees Candy Giveaway is going to be this weekend.  Our family got hit by a major bout of stomach virus..hitting each of us one at a time.  Needless ot say I haven’t felt much like dealing with candy.

Anyway.  A rep for Pillsbury contacted me and wants to sponsor a giveaway of two Pillsbury classic brownie mixes.  There will be two winners chosen.

Now here is the cool thing.  From now until Decembe 31 Pillsbury is sponsoring a Make America Sweeter contest. Here is the information I recieved:

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Ready?

Let’s go…

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I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is a mere two weeks away. It is going to be fun this year because Erin and Jon (my daughter and son in law) and their kids will be here this year…but sad too, because Chris will be in Iraq still.  You  gotta feel sorry for the boy, here I am writing a food blog, publishing a cookbook…and the only thing I have sent him is colloidal silver, echinacea, and other herbs and natural medicines…LOL!

What is that quote about the cobbler’s kids not having shoes?

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I had no idea what to name these.  First, I thought that peanut butter and jelly bars would be good, but that did not describe the copious amounts of chocolate in these…Peanut butter chocolate bars did not hint at the unrestrained use of Hershey’s Dark chocolate pieces filled with raspberry…So…Name them what ever you like…just try them. Read more

I looked at the calendar and I was amazed.

Oh my gosh! It will be Thanksgiving  in about a month!  I am usually so prepared but this year has absolutely been insane!

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Sopapillas are wonderful, there is just no other way to say it…Hollow squares of fried dough, dusted with sugar, and served with honey to pour in the hollow middle part.  Every bite is sweet, and sticky, messy and incredible.

You have to serve them hot.  And you HAVE to eat all of them at that meal. You can’t save any for later.  Why? Because cold sopapillas are as disgusting as the fresh ones are good. Just. Don’t. Go. There.

Here in Texas they are often served as the dessert at the small Mom and Pop Mexican restaurants.  They are perfect because they are simple, inexpensive, and actually quite filling.  Did I mention delicious? Did I mention my addiction to them?

When you drop them in the fryer be sure not to crowd them and only do about 2 or 3 at a time depending on the size.  As soon as the float to the top start spooning the hot oil over them to make them puff even more.  Turn them once and take them out of the oil when they are golden.

Sopapillas

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 cups warm water

Stir together the flour, baking powder, salt and shortening until it is crumbly. Stir in water and  mix until the dough is smooth.

Cover and let stand for 20 minutes for the gluten to relax.  Meanwhile heat the oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees.

Roll out on floured board 1/8  thick. Cut into large-ish squares. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain.  Dust with confectioner’s sugar or granulated sugar and serve hot with honey to pour in the hollow centers.

Image:Marye Audet

Here is a sad story with a happy ending..so stick with me.

I went to the grocery store. They had white peaches…RIPE AROMATIC white peaches on sale. I grabbed 13 of them, one for everyone in the house. I mean, who can resist a perfectly ripe peach?

I rarely buy fresh fruit like that. Honestly we can’t afford it. The peaches cost me 12.95. Yeah..just under a dollar each. But they were ripe. right? Read more

If you have been reading Baking Delights very long at all you will all ready be aware of my penchant for rose flavoring. It is a delicate flavor that seems to re-invent any other flavor that it comes in contact with.

Long before vanilla beans were being imported into Europe and North America, rosewater was being included in cakes, cookies, pies, and confections. A classic combination is rose and almond but the versatility of this flavor allows for more contemporary renditions. I love rose and white chocolate, and rose and lemon, for example. Don;t expect the flavor to jump out at you no matter how much you put in, it is a nuance not a major player.

If you have never added rose petals to a salad , cake, or other food, then you are missing out. Make sure that they are unsprayed! Red ones tend to be a touch bitter, but pink and white have the delicate rose flavor. Read more