Berry Custard Pie

This pie was tasty, but nothing crazily amazing to write about. I used some frozen blueberries and strawberries I had on hand, but you could probably use any extra fruit you have on hand.

Berry Custard Pie-adapated from One Hundred Dollars a Month
Total Time: 1 hour
Serves 8

• 1 pie crust
• 2 cups fruit (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc.)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/4 cup low fat milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Fit the pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish. Fill with berries and top with 1/4 cup sugar.

In a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients until well mixed. Pour over berries. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 and bake for another 30-45 minutes or until custard is set.

Apple Kuchen

I don't know about you, but when I hear the word "kuchen" I think of a giant pancake (like the Original Pancake House's Dutch Baby or Apple Pancake). I'm not quite sure where this recipe ended up. I didn't 100% follow it as I didn't include the marmalade. I feel like we always make fun of a place, like Perkins, when they have orange marmalade on the table and say "who eats that?" so I just assumed we wouldn't need it for the recipe.

While this wasn't a bad recipe, I think I was wrong. The marmalade is necessary. Or apple butter. Or something to bring it a bit of moisture. If you're a fan of kuchen, though, definitely let me know what i may have been missing. Or just give this a try and tell me if it's close to what you'd expect...I truly had no idea what to expect when I realized it wasn't a pancake--I just needed to use up some apples!

Apple Kuchen-adapted from Best Baking Recipes by Cooking Light
Total Time: 1 hour
Serves 15

• 3 baking apples, peeled, sliced and cored
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup sugar, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup butter, softened and divided
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup apricot preserves or apple butter
• 2 teaspoons apple juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine apple slices, lemon juice, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon salt and toss to combine.

Combine flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt and baking powder in a medium bowl, stirring well. Place remaining 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 6 tablespoons butter and cream cheese in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beating well. Stir in vanilla. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating just until combined.

Pour batter into a 13x9 inch baking pan coated with cooking spray. Arrange apples over batter. melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and brush over apples. Bake for 45 minutes or until set.

Combine preserves and apple juice; microwave on high for 30 seconds or until melted, stirring once. Brush mixture over apples; cool.

Lemon Dream Fruit Salad

A different fruity dessert!

Lemon Dream Fruit Salad

Serves 6

Total Time: 10 Minutes

• 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin orange segments, drained
• 1 can (8 ounce) pineapple chunks in juice, drained
• 2 bananas, cut in half lengthwise, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/4 cup halved maraschino cherries, drained
• 1 container (6 ounces) lemon supreme thick and creamy low-fat yogurt

In medium bowl, mix all ingredients. Serve immediately.

The Changes

None

The Lessons

I just sliced the bananas, and they real soggy real fast. I would definitely suggest halving it, then doing 1-inch chunks!

The Verdict

3/5. It was edible and a nice change from just having fruit, but not something I would make for guests. Kids, maybe. 

Apple-Cranberry Salad

So I forgot to buy the dried cranberries, which I was kind of upset about.  But I tried it anyway. I was super excited to try the poppyseed dressing--it was amazing! And fat free! I made a much smaller version of this and ate the rest of the apple as part of lunch. This would be great during a summer party or birthday, even adding some almonds to add a little extra crunch, or some grapes for some extra fruit! Plus it takes less than 15 minutes to make!

Apple-Cranberry Salad from Pillsbury

Apple-Cranberry Salad

• 5 cups torn romaine lettuce
• 1 medium unpeeled apple, diced (1 cup)
• 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions (4 medium)
• 1/3 cup refrigerated poppy seed dressing

 In large serving bowl, place lettuce, apple, cranberries and onions.

Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat.

Strawberry-Orange Fruit Dip

I got a brand new cookbook for Christmas and for the employee lunch I decided to make a fruit dip from it.  It was an interesting change from the normal dip you get!  Highly recommended as I had to email the recipe to almost the whole staff!

Strawberry-Orange Fruit Dip

Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes

1	package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4	cup powdered sugar
1/2	teaspoon grated orange peel
1/2	cup chopped strawberries (about 3 oz)
	Assorted fruit for dipping, as desired

DIRECTIONS

1.	In small bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and orange peel with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Stir in strawberries.
2.	Serve with assorted fruit. Cover and refrigerate any remaining dip. If you make the dip in advance (you can up to 24 hours) wait to stir in the strawberries until less than an hour before serving!

Creamy Dip for Fruit

One of my all-time favorites from the summer birthday parties!

Creamy Dip for Fruit
8oz package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
8oz carton light sour cream
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 to 3 teaspoons milk

In a small mixing bowl beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth.  Gradually add the sour cream, beating until combined.  Add the brown sugar and vanilla; beat just until combined.  Stir in enough milk to reach dipping consistency.  Cover and chill at least 1 hour before serving.  Serve with assorted fruit.

Makes 2 cups


Alternatives:
I have not tried these alternatives, but thought I would put them in here in case someone else wants to try & let me know how it goes!

Spice Dip
Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

Creamy Marshmallow Dip
Prepare as above, except substitute one 7-ounce jar of marshmallow creme for brown sugar