How you doin’? While pecan nuts used to be just a Southern thing, they have grown in popularity and become a favorite across our nation.
 
Pecan Tartlet Cookies come in many forms. Among the most common are drop cookies, thumbprint cookies, and (my personal favorite) Pecan Tartlet Cookies. While the first two are cookies with a pecan pie flavor, Pecan Tartlet Cookies are the closest to the classic pecan pie—with a decided crust and filling.
 
The real magic is in my crust. Whereas most cookie recipes have you beat softened butter and cream cheese with flour, I take a pie crust approach, pulsing cold, cubed butter and cream cheese with a blend of flour, sugar and salt to form the dough. This means the crust is light and flaky.
 
The filling should be simple to make, sweet but not cloying, and packed with pecans. Finally, and maybe most importantly, the ratio of filling and dough needs to be spot on. They need to be baked until golden brown, fragrant, and toasty good. These Pecan Tartlet Cookies will have everyone running to the kitchen to  grab one right out of the oven. They’re yummy any time of year, but keep the recipe handy for the year-end holidays, too!
 
Prep time:  30 minutes
Bake time 25 minutes
Yield:  24 cookies
 
Ingredients 
For the dough
Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing the pan
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 tablespoons cold and cubed unsalted butter
5 ounces cold and cubed cream cheese
 
For the filling
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
Confectioners’ sugar, as needed for dusting
 
Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350°F.
2. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven.
3. Lightly spray the cavities of a 24-cavity (or two 12-cavity) mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.

To make the dough:

1. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the cutting blade attachment, pulse the flour, sugar and salt.
2. Add the cold cubed butter and cream cheese and pulse until the dough comes together in one mass, about 30 to 50 one-second pulses.
3. The mixture will look dry at first and then turn pebbly. Do not add any water or liquid. Keep pulsing until it comes together.
4. Divide the dough into 24 one-tablespoon portions (about 2/3 ounce each).
5. Use your hands to roll each portion into a ball and place a ball into each cavity of the prepared mini muffin tin.
6. Chill the dough in the freezer for 5 minutes to firm up slightly.
7. Use a small measuring spoon, skinny shot glass, or your knuckle to push the dough into the cup and all the way and up the side, creating a well in the center. Take care to press the dough and create wells that are deep and wide because the dough and filling will puff as they bake.
8. Return the muffin tin to the freezer while you make the filling.

To make the filling

1. In a medium bowl, whisk the maple syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, salt and cinnamon until combined and there are no lumps of sugar. Add the pecans and stir to coat the nuts in the maple syrup mixture.
2. Equally divide the pecan filling into each dough well, about a heaping 1/2 tablespoon each.
3. Bake the Pecan Tartlet Cookies until puffed, the dough is golden to golden brown around the edges, and the filling is set; about 25 to 30 minutes.
4. Cool the Pecan Tartlet Cookies slightly in their pan set over a wire rack, about 2 minutes. Transfer the cookies directly to the rack to cool completely. If desired, dust very lightly with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
5. Leftover Pecan Tartlet Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

ChefSecrets:

• Take care to press the dough in the tin and create a deep well. The dough filling will rise a good amount which can lead to the syrup from the filling spilling over if the well isn’t deep enough.
• If the dough chills too long—it’ll crack along the top edge and will look jagged after baking. If it cracks, you can press the dough back together and the heat of your fingers will smooth it out.
• When you divide the filling into the wells, give it a stir every few portions. This helps evenly distribute the pecans and syrup.
• Sliding a small offset spatula or tip of a paring knife along the side helps to pop the Pecan Tartlet Cookies out of the pan.
• Don’t let the cookies cool completely in the pan. If any sugar bubbles over, which is totally normal, it can make them stick to the pan, making it a bit more difficult to remove.

Quip of the Day:  Why just dream it when you can go nuts and do it? Forget about nutting up or shutting up, always opt for the nut-up option.
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. We have added a new search feature to make it easier to navigate through our blogs.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Baking #Dessert #Cookies #PecanTartletCookies #Pecans #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  

                                                                        ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025

How you doin’? When I think about the best possible dessert for a Valentine dinner, I automatically think of my special Bistro Crème Brûlée. There’s a good reason it’s so popular—aside from being so easy to make, just beneath the crunchy browned sugar top is a rich, creamy, vanilla-flecked custard that’s velvety smooth. It all about the textures!
 
Another great thing about Bistro Crème Brûlée is that it’s served individually, meaning everyone gets to take a whack with their spoons against the sugar shell to shatter it, arguably the most fun aspect of this iconic French dessert. The individual serving dishes also make this the perfect sweet-creamy ending to a dinner party.
 
While Bistro Crème Brûlée might sound ultra fancy and seem difficult to make, it’s actually easier than making eclairs or chocolate mousse since the process is mostly hands-off—just pour the 5-ingredient custard, whisked together by hand, into ramekins and then bake in a water bath. Chill the custards down, then sprinkle sugar on the surface and caramelize it with the broiler or a kitchen torch. It truly is that easy!
 
And for those who love to play with fire they will get their chance to use a kitchen torch to brown the top. I’m just not sure which is more satisfying… cracking the top or that first spoonful of ultra creamy custard.
 
Prep time:  15 minutes
Cook time:  45 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield:  8 servings
 
Ingredients 
For the custard
1 vanilla bean, or 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
4 cups cold heavy cream, divided
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
9 large egg yolks
 
For serving
1/4 to 1/3 cup granulated sugar
Berries, for serving
 
To make the custard

1. If using vanilla bean, cut 1 in half lengthwise with a paring knife. Scrape the sticky seeds out with the non-sharp side of the knife. Place the seeds and vanilla pod in a small saucepan.

Note: If using vanilla bean paste, place 1 tablespoon in the saucepan.

1. Add 2 cups of the heavy cream, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Bring to a light simmer over medium heat, whisking until the sugar dissolves.
2. Remove from the heat, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300⁰ F.
4. Layer the bottom of a roasting pan or large baking dish with a small kitchen towel (fold as needed so it lies completely flat). Set 8 (6-ounce) ramekins or crème brûlée dishes on the towel, making sure they are not touching each other.
5. Bring about 8 cups water to a boil in a kettle or saucepan, then turn off the heat.
6. Stir the remaining 2 cups of cold heavy cream into the cream-sugar mixture.
7. Place 9 large egg yolks in a large bowl. While whisking the yolks constantly, slowly pour in the cream mixture and whisk until smooth.
8. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large measuring cup or pitcher with a spout; discard the contents of the strainer.
9. Pour, dividing the mixture among the ramekins.
10. Pull the oven rack out about halfway and place the roasting pan on it. Carefully and slowly pour enough of the hot water into the roasting pan (do not let any water splash into the ramekins) so that it comes about halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Make sure the towel is completely soaked.
11. Slowly push the oven rack back in.
12. Bake until the center of each crème brûlée is just barely set, it should jiggle but not be liquidy, about 45 to 50 minutes for round ramekins, or 30 to 40 minutes for flatter crème brûlée dishes.

Note: If baking in rounds, make sure to refill the roasting pan with hot water as needed.

1. Transfer the ramekins to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature, about 2 hours.
2. Transfer the ramekins on a baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.

To caramelize the top:

1. Pull the custard dishes from the refrigerator and gently blot the top of each crème brûlée with a paper towel to remove any moisture.
2. If using a broiler, heat the broiler for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour before serving; you want to be sure it’s really hot.
3. Sprinkle each ramekin with 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, or each crème brûlée dish with 2 teaspoons granulated sugar.
4. Gently tap the ramekins to cover the surface evenly with sugar, then tap out the excess sugar.

Option 1: If using a culinary torch, torch the sugar on each until it is melted and light golden-brown.

Option 2: If using a broiler, place the ramekins on a baking sheet. Broil on an oven rack positioned closest to the broiler element until the sugar is melted and light golden-brown, 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Check on them often: Move them around as needed so they brown evenly, and remove any crème brûlées that brown more quickly than the others.

1. Refrigerate the sugar-crusted dishes uncovered for at least 30 minutes but no more than 1 hour before serving so that the custard chills down again. Do not chill longer or the sugar crust will soften.
2. Serve with berries if desired.

ChefSecret:  If using pure vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract can be substituted for the vanilla bean or vanilla bean paste. Do not heat with the cream and sugar but whisk into the egg yolks.

Store: The custards can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated. Leftover crème brûlée can be covered and refrigerated for up to 4 days, but the sugar crust will soften. That said, it’s best to caramelize the sugar on only the crème brûlées that you plan to eat in a sitting. After caramelizing the sugar on top of the crème brûlées, they can be refrigerated for up to 1 hour before serving. Don’t wait longer, or the sugar top will lose its crunch.

Quip of the Day:  Finding love is like making Crème Brûlée. It may take a few tries before you get it right.”
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. We have added a new search feature to make it easier to navigate through our blogs.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Baking #Dessert #BistroCremeBrulee #CremeBrulee #Custard #ValentineDessert #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 
                                                                               ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025

How you doin’? No one has never doubted my taste for all things sweet—and Original Danish Kringles are high on my list.
 
What’s a Kringle? A Kringle is a hand-rolled Danish-style pastry dough that’s been rested overnight before shaping, filling and baking. After filling with fruit, nuts or other flavor combinations, the pastry is baked and topped with a sweet almond scented white glaze.
 
Joan’s native Wisconsin state has historically been a center of Danish-American culture and Kringle-making. A typical Racine-made Kringle is a large, flat oval measuring approximately 14 inches by 10 inches and weighing about a pound and a half. The Kringle became the official state pastry of Wisconsin in 2013.
 
Prep time:  20 minutes
Refrigerate time:  overnight
Bake time:  20 to 25 minutes
Yield:  2-Kringles / 8 to 10 Servings
 
Ingredients 
For dough
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened
2 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon fine kosher salt
1 package instant yeast
2 large beaten eggs
1 cup whole milk
 
For the filling
1/2 cup granulated  sugar, divided
1/2 cup packed brown sugar, divided
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, divided
1 cup finely chopped almonds, divided
 
For glaze
2-2/3 cups confectioner’s sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
4 tablespoons hot water
1 tablespoon whole milk
1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
 
Directions
To make the dough

1. Put the flour, butter, sugar and salt into a large mixing bowl. Using a pastry blender, two knives, or your hands, blend together until the mixture is crumbly.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the dry yeast, beaten eggs and milk.
3. Add milk mixture to dry ingredients.  Mix well with a fork until all ingredients are blended. The  mixture will pull away from the sides and form a ball.
4. Divide the dough into two pieces and flatten into discs.
5. Wrap the discs in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

The next day / assemble the Kringles

1. Preheat the oven to 350⁰ F.
2. Mix together the two sugars and the cinnamon in a small bowl.
3. Melt the butter and set aside.
4. Roll out each piece of dough to 1/8 inch thickness about the length of your cookie sheet and as wide as 1/8 inch will allow.
5. Brush each piece of dough with half of the melted butter; sprinkle each piece with half of the sugar mixture and top with half of the almonds.
6. Rolling from the short ends, roll each side in toward the center.  Pinch the center together and roll the ends under. Repeat with the second piece of dough.
7. Place each Kringle on an ungreased cookie sheet. Gently shape each Kringle into an oval.
8. Allow the Kringles to proof for 30 minutes.
9. Split the top of the dough with a sharp knife.
10. Bake 20-25 minutes rotate the pans halfway through the baking time.
11. Remove Kringles from cookie sheets to a cooling rack and let cool for about 10 minutes before glazing.

To glaze the Kringles

1. Mix glaze ingredients together and whisk until smooth.
2. Drizzle and spread the glaze over the top of the Kringles.

ChefSecret:  Baker's guilds in Europe have used the Kringle or pretzel as a symbol for centuries. It is told that when Vienna was besieged by the Turkish Ottoman armies in 1529, local bakers working in the night gave the city defense an early warning of the attacking enemy. For this, they were later rewarded by the Pope, with permission to use a crown as part of their Kringle Guild Symbol.

Quip of the Day:  Have you heard about the dippy Dane; he spent the whole day staring at a can of frozen orange juice because the label said concentrate!
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Do you have a question or comment?  Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Baking #DanishKringle #WisconsinKringle #Breakfast #Brunch #HolidayRecipes #2024Recipes #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
 
                                                                                                        PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024

How you doin’? I know I’ve shared my feelings on county fair foods in previous editions. I don’t go to the County fairs to look at the rabbits or purchase some gadgets that break the moment you try them at home. I go there to “pig-out” on fair fare. I always start with the giant cinnamon rolls, eat as much fun, fried foods as I can and finish up with old-fashioned praline frosted pecans.
 
Of all the Southern frosted pecan recipes I’ve developed, I know my Cinnamon-Sugar-Coated Pecans are an absolute crowd favorite. You can eat them in the fall, winter, spring or summer. Their flavor makes them the perfect snack, side dish topping or crunchy salad garnish.
 
You’ll find these are great for sharing or gifting. They make a tasty addition for a personalized holiday gift basket. Traditionally, Cinnamon-Sugar-Coated Pecans are best eaten by the handful, but they're just as good on a fruit or Caesar salad.
 
Where did these wonderful, sugar coated pecans originate? You can thank the French!  It is believed that pralines were brought over from France by the Ursuline nuns, who came to New Orleans in 1727. The praline became a sugary, creamy, pecan-laden candy patty. The nuns replaced the traditional almonds with pecans. Individual sugar coated pecans were considered seconds when the pecan fell through the pralines and were sold as sugar covered pecans.
 
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 cups+
 
Ingredients 
1/2 cup (1 stick) melted unsalted butter
3 large egg whites
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 cups pecan halves
 
Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350⁰ F.
2. Line a large, rimmed sheet pan with aluminum foil.
3. Pour the melted butter onto the lined sheet pan and spread it evenly over the foil.
4. In a large bowl, mix the egg whites, sugar and cinnamon.
5. Add the pecan halves and toss in the egg white mixture until they are fully coated.
6. Evenly spread the pecans onto the sheet pan.
7. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring the pecans every 10 minutes.
8. Cool on the baking sheet for 10 to 15 minutes before serving or storing.

ChefSecret:  Add a touch of moonshine! Just one or two ounces of good old American whisky makes for a different and wonderful flavor profile.

Quip of the Day:  I got pulled over by a cop last night. He asked me if I had a police record? Apparently,
“Roxanne” was not the answer he wanted to hear.
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Snack #Praline #CinnamonSugarCoatedPecans #FairFood #GiftBasketGoodies #HolidayRecipes #2024Recipes #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 
 
                                                                                 ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024

How you doin’? A couple of years ago we were asked to create a line of holiday gingerbread houses. We researched gingerbread houses, people and even Old Saint Nick himself to their origins. We learned the history and found quite a few good recipes as well. This is the recipe we went with.
 
Gingerbread cookies should not be just for the holiday… they’re great to munch on all-year ‘round. Unfrosted gingerbread cookies can even be crushed and used for cookie crumb crusts for special cheesecakes.
 
The first documented commercial trade of gingerbread “biscuits” in England dates back to the 17th century, where they were sold in monasteries, pharmacies, and town square farmers' markets. In England, gingerbread was thought to have medicinal properties. They were kind of a rough crude cookie… nothing that would be acceptable in today’s market.
 
In the 16th century, the English had replaced the breadcrumbs with fine-milled flour, and added eggs and sweeteners, resulting in a lighter, tastier cookie. The first gingerbread “man” is credited to Queen Elizabeth I, who surprised visiting dignitaries by presenting them with gingerbread men baked and decorated in their own likeness. Then she would bite their heads off—only kidding.  Just checking to see if you’re paying attention.
 
In the story The Gingerbread Man, he springs out of the oven alive and is transformed from a piece of gingerbread to a live, gingerbread man. Thus, an inanimate object springs to life, signaling the desire the woman has for a child. Aww… isn’t that cute?
 
Moving right along… Gingerbread Houses originated in Germany during the 16th century. The elaborate cookie-walled houses, decorated with foil in addition to gold leaf, became associated with Christmas tradition. It is unclear whether gingerbread houses were a result of the popular fairy tale, or vice versa.
 
Gingerbread houses are quite edible, and absolutely delicious. You have to eat it, because it will turn moldy and lose its flavor the older it gets. That is, unless you're participating in a contest, in which case eating the house would be ill-advised until you receive your prize!
 
Prep time:  20 minutes
Chill time:  3 hours
Bake time:  10 to 12 minutes
Decorating time:  allow 30 to 60 minutes
Yield: 2 dozen cookies
 
For the cookies
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light molasses (room temperature)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup hot water
 
For the icing
2 cups powdered sugar
6 to 7 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
Food coloring of your choice
 
To bake the cookies

1. In a medium-sized bowl, sift together the flour, ginger and salt; set aside. 
2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat.  Remove from heat and stir in the sugar, then the molasses. 
3. In a cup, dissolve the baking soda in the hot water. 
4. In alternating steps add the flour mixture and dissolved baking soda to the molasses mixture; begin with the flour and end with the baking soda. 
5. When a medium-firm dough has formed, (one that feels firm to the touch and yet rolls out easily), cover and refrigerate until well chilled, about 3 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 350⁰F and grease your cookie sheets.
7. Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and turn onto a floured surface.  Using a small portion at a time, roll out the dough to 1/8-inch thickness. 
8. Cut out the dough with a cookie cutter.
9. Place the cookies about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. 
10. Bake the cookies until lightly browned, about 10 to 12 minutes.
11. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for about 3 minutes on the cookie sheet.  Then lift them onto wire racks to finish cooling.

To make the frosting

1. Add the cream or milk, a little at a time, to powdered sugar to make a good spreading consistency. 
2. Divide the frosting into separate dishes and tint with food coloring in the colors you want to decorate with.
3. When the cookies are thoroughly cooled, spoon the frosting into pastry bags fitted with a small nozzle and pipe on eyes, boots, suits, and hair.
4. Let the frosting harden completely before storage. 
5. Store the cookies in an airtight container until ready to devour.

ChefSecret:  Handle the dough as little as possible and work quickly so the warmth of your hands doesn't soften it too much. 

Special Note:  If making Mr. or Mrs. Claus gingerbread cookies, the colors will be red and black for suits, hats and eyes. Leave majority of frosting white for beards, hair and fur.

Quip of the Day:  “Kids would be a lot cooler if every time they shouted “MOM,” it was followed by, “You’re Awesome,” “Thanks for keeping me well-fed,” or “Thanks for keeping me alive!” Just kind of dreaming, I guess.
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Do you have a question or comment?  Do you want to share a favorite recipe or pictures with our readers?  Send your thoughts to [email protected].  All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide. We have added a new search feature to make it easier to navigate through our blogs. 
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Baking #GingerbreadPeople #GingerbreadMan #ChristmasCookies #SantasCookies #DecoraredCookies #HolidayRecipes #2024Recipes #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
 
                                                                                                               ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2024