Fruit, Recipes, Sides

Brown Sugar Fruit Dip

Sarah

What can make sweet, decadent summer fruit better? Why, FRUIT DIP of course! And if I may be so bold to say so, I think I’ve found one of the best.

Meet Brown Sugar Fruit Dip.

I first sampled this tasty treat at a bridal shower in April and the moment its sweet, delicate flavor hit my lips, I couldn’t gobble it down fast enough. Too bad spoonfuls of fruit dip are inappropriate at these sort of events. Oh, propriety. Fortunately dip-maker Summer was willing to share her recipe, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Brown Sugar Fruit Dip | thepajamachef.com

There are two things about this dip that stand out: texture and flavor. Think of the smooth, creamy, frosting-like consistency achieved when cream cheese is whipped to oblivion. Then add a punch of rich, sophisticated sweetness of brown sugar followed by the slightly spicy, aromatic flavor of vanilla. Altogether, you have now created a simple yet delicious dip that will enhance the natural sweetness of your favorite fruit–be it apples or peaches or pineapple or mangoes or kiwi or anything else, or even contrast with the salty crunch of pretzel sticks or pita chips. This dip, of course, does not increase the nutritional value of your healthy snack but it’s sure tasty! This Brown Sugar Fruit Dip is a great fancy addition to any fruit plate for a summer party and could also be a fun take on fondue night as well.

Brown Sugar Fruit Dip | thepajamachef.com

Summer's Brown Sugar Fruit Dip

  • Servings: 10
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Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 3 tablespoons vanilla
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions:

In a stand mixer, beat cream cheese and vanilla on medium speed for 3-5 minutes until smooth. Then, fold in brown sugar and mix until well combined, about another minute or so.

Notes:

Amounts of vanilla and brown sugar can be adjusted based on your tastes. For a richer flavor, increase vanilla to 4 tablespoons. For a sweeter flavor, use 1/2 cup brown sugar. Other extracts, such as almond, could be used for a different flavor palate and sweet spices such as nutmeg or cinnamon could be added too. Feel free to play around with the proportions to find what you like best! This is just my preference, and it is slightly different from the original. Enjoy!

Cookies, Desserts, Recipes

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Sarah

In my mind, the epitome of summer is a tall, refreshing glass of lemonade. There’s just something about that sweet/tart taste that never lets you down. It’s so constant, so familiar, so good. If I could, I’d stay home all day long and squeeze lemon after lemon for neverending glasses of joy.

But I can’t, sadly enough.

So I make these:

When I saw this recipe on Jenna’s blog [and this is the Jenna of PB/chocolate treat fame, mind you], I knew they had to be good. And oh, they are.

They’re tangy, fresh, and sweet, reminiscent of my summertime beverage of choice, albeit with much less work [because powdered mixes just don’t cut it in my book]. These cookies are light enough for even the hottest summer day, which in this 114 degree [via the heat index] heat wave, is of utmost importance. Plus… they’re just so darn cute, with their crinkly tops that form as the cookies cool on the hot baking sheet and their crispy yet soft centers.

I just can’t get over how good these are, and how much joy they add to my life. My existence. My destiny…

Okay, maybe that’s getting a little too carried away but the point is clear:

These cookies are the center of my adulation, and I bet if you make them right now, they’ll be the center of yours too.

Just you wait. 🙂

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

  • Servings: 24 cookies
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Lemon Crinkle Cookies | thepajamachef.comfrom Jenna’s Everything Blog

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 egg
  • 1-3 teaspoons lemon zest [use 3 teaspoons for some punch, like I did]
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease two baking sheets.

Next, in a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add in vanilla, egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest and whip until completely mixed, scraping the bowl in the process.

Then, stir together all dry ingredients [minus the powdered sugar] and fold into the wet ingredients.

Shape the dough into rounded teaspoon-size balls and roll in powdered sugar to coat.

Bake for 7-9 minutes [dark baking sheets] or 9-11 minutes [lighter baking sheets] or until cookie tops are matte in color [not shiny/glossy] and bottoms are just golden. Allow to cool for about 3-4 minutes on the baking sheet before placing on cooling rack.

Desserts, Other, Recipes

Linda’s Caramel Ritz Bits Crackers

Sarah

So, I don’t know who  this Linda character is, but I sure love her Caramel Ritz Bits Crackers.

Linda's Caramel Ritz Bits Crackers | thepajamachef.comWell, wait. I lied. I suppose Linda is likely one of the authors of The Potluck Club Cookbook, is the source for this tasty treat. Found at my local library, this cookbook was a fun little book to peruse. I definitely photocopied more than a few recipes to try and this was the first gem of the bunch.

I have to admit though, when I first pulled these treats out of the oven, I had my doubts. It kind of looked like gloppy cereal. But a few minutes to cool and a quick bite popped in my mouth a minute later, I swiftly apologized to Linda because I was fully convinced that these. are. awesome. Just as she said in her book.

Of course, why wouldn’t they be??!

Crunchy crackers, flavorful nuts, and a thick, rich caramel glaze… what’s not to love?

Linda's Caramel Ritz Bits Crackers | thepajamachef.com

I made these for a church event and they were gone fast–much to my relief. I guess others were not swayed by their looks but embraced their sweet, crunchy, crispy flavor. These are the perfect easy dessert for a potluck or a road trip/lunch box snack. Just a warning though: they are addicting!

Linda's Caramel Ritz Bits Crackers

  • Servings: 10-15
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from The Potluck Club Cookbook
Linda's Caramel Ritz Bits Crackers | thepajamachef.com #easy #addictive #snack
Ingredients:

  • 2 – 9 ounce boxes of Ritz Bits Crackers [either filled or the Buttery Pretzel Rounds Munchables, which I used]
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts [or dry roasted peanuts]
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions:

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

In a large, shallow, greased baking pan, mix crackers and nuts. Then, in a saucepan, melt butter. Add sugar and syrup and bring to a boil. Cook for five minutes, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla and baking soda.

Immediately pour mixture over crackers and stir well. Bake for 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and spoon out onto wax paper to cool. Break apart and store in air tight container.

Breakfast, Recipes, Waffles

Spiced Waffles

Sarah

Today, I am among the walking wounded. 😦
sore arm
My once slender forearm had an unfortunate meet-up with a wasp at the recycling center in our apartment complex and has now swollen larger than my upper arm and is quite itchy, red, and sore. It feels like a football is under my skin… ouch! Who knew recycling could be dangerous?
I was only trying to be good to the earth, and this is how I was repaid. Oh well, at least my arm has met its new BFFs: an ice pack, Benadryl cream, and Advil PM.

my poor arm
my poor arm 😦

But one thing–and one thing only– can make today better: Spiced Waffles. Won’t you indulge me?
Spiced Waffles - an easy make-ahead #breakfast you can enjoy all week long with fresh fruit via thepajamachef.com
These waffles are a delightful blend of simple and classy in one tender package. The familiar home style taste of fresh waffles shines through despite a plethora of rich, hearty spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. This typical fall-blend of spices works in the summer when paired with a topping of sweet, plump, and juicy berries and provides a window into the comfort food of cooler weather. Oh, how refreshing such a thought is in this heat wave!

Now, I might normally suggest to enjoy these precious treats leisurely on a breezy patio with a tall glass of iced coffee at hand to capture the essence of summer… but I dare say that all that sugar and sweetness might invite some unwelcome friends company to your door… the vicious, hideous, rude, ugly wasp that must die [ oh, sorry, did that slip out? Ooops.] So, I won’t suggest anything of the like, but what I will suggest is to make these, stat. You’ll be glad you did!

Spiced Waffles - an easy make-ahead #breakfast you can enjoy all week long with fresh fruit via thepajamachef.com

Spiced Waffles [simplified from Dorie Greenspan]
printable version

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup + 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 1/2 cups milk, at room temperature
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

Directions:

Preheat waffle iron. In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. In a separate bowl, beat eggs and slowly incorporate milk, vanilla, and melted coconut oil. [Try to have milk at room temperature or at least let coconut oil cool a little so it doesn’t seize up.] Pour liquids into dry ingredients and fold together until everything is just mixed. Scoop out onto hot waffle iron in 1/2-2/3 cup increments and cook until golden brown. Serve with butter, berries, and brown sugar or your favorite toppings. Enjoy–and try to eat just one! 🙂