dessert

Apple Crisp in a Cast Iron Skillet {recipe}

~ freshcookingmeg

Recently we had a potluck with some fellow campers, and I pulled out this recipe from the past.

When I first started making and testing this recipe, I used a 6 inch cast iron skillet. I have since been gifted with an amazing 10 inch (#8) skillet! So I adjusted for that. And it’s actually way easier to make, because it doesn’t insist on bubbling over! Yay! 🙂

It’s kind of like apple pie, without the hassle of making a crust. 

Apple filling
Crumb topping

It’s great with some ice cream as a dessert. Or with some plain yogurt for breakfast- fruit and granola all in one! 

Apple Crisp
A great dessert or pair with yogurt!
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Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
40 min
Total Time
1 hr 10 min
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
40 min
Total Time
1 hr 10 min
Filling
  1. 8-12 cups apples - peeled, cored and sliced (approx 9 apples)
  2. 3 tablespoons honey or sugar
  3. 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  4. 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  5. 1 tablespoon cornstarch or tapioca starch
  6. 1 tablespoon butter
Topping
  1. 7 tablespoons butter - COLD
  2. 1 cup gluten free oatmeal
  3. 1 cup almond flour
  4. 3 tablespoons sugar
  5. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  6. dash of salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400.
  2. Put 1 tablespoon butter in cast iron skillet and heat in oven. After butter is melted, remove from oven before butter begins smoking. Rotate pan to coat bottom and edges with melted butter.
  3. Mix all filling ingredients together, stir to coat. Set aside.
  4. Mix dry topping ingredients together.
  5. Cut in butter till coarse "pebble" texture.
  6. Put apple mixture in skillet and spread out evenly.
  7. Add topping evenly to top.
  8. Bake for 35-40 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned on top.
Notes
  1. Fits nicely in a #8 or 10 inch cast iron skillet. Reduce by 1/2 or 1/3 for smaller skillet.
Fresh Cooking Meg http://freshcookingmeg.com/

Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream {recipe}

~ freshcookingmeg

It’s hot chocolate season again! Actually, I think anytime is a good time for hot chocolate, but colder temps do encourage it…

Hot chocolate-6

I used to use mix. Then I gave up on mix.

When you need to know exactly what you are eating, and cut back on your sugar, it’s easier to make your own. And it turns out way tastier…

Hot chocolate-1

I recommend making the whipped cream. Of course, you don’t need it every time… the hot chocolate is pretty dandy by itself. But everything is better with homemade whipped cream!! It does make a little more than you need for 2 cups of hot chocolate. I’ve found that much less than 1 cup of cream and it doesn’t whip up the same in my big stand mixer. But hey, plan your breakfast to use up the leftovers… 🙂

Hot chocolate-4

If you have a stand mixer, it’s even easier. You just start the cream whipping and check in on it every couple minutes while making the hot chocolate. If you are using a hand mixer, do the whipped cream first because sitting a couple minutes on the counter while you make the hot chocolate will have no effect on it. Whereas, if you made the hot chocolate first, and got it to the perfect temperature and then let it sit for 10 minutes or so while doing the whipped cream it would no longer be the “perfect temperature”…

Hot chocolate-5

Hot Chocolate
Serves 2
Almost dessert it's so good!!
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Cook Time
5 min
Cook Time
5 min
Hot Chocolate
  1. 2 c milk*
  2. 3 T sugar (or honey)
  3. 2 pinches sea salt
  4. 2 T cocoa powder (makes sure it's gluten free!)
Optional
  1. Splash of vanilla extract
  2. Splash of peppermint extract
  3. Candy cane
  4. Whipped cream
Instructions
  1. Measure milk using 2 cup measuring pitcher, add to pan. Set aside measuring pitcher for later
  2. Begin heating milk on low heat
  3. Add sugar and salt to milk
  4. Whisk and then add cocoa powder
  5. Continue heating on low to medium heat, whisking frequently, until desired temp
  6. Add flavoring if desired
  7. Pour cocoa back into measuring pitcher (I do this over the sink) and measure out into mugs
  8. Add whipped cream and/or candy cane if desired
Notes
  1. *I usually use raw cow's milk. But have also used almond and goat milk with no problem
Fresh Cooking Meg http://freshcookingmeg.com/
Whipped Cream
Perfect addition to Hot Chocolate, desserts, and the occasional breakfast!
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Prep Time
10 min
Prep Time
10 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 c heavy or whipping cream
  2. 2 T sugar*
  3. Splash of vanilla (optional)
Instructions
  1. Measure out heavy cream into mixer bowl
  2. Add sugar (and vanilla if using)
  3. Using mixer, starting on medium, whip cream gradually increasing speed (this method prevents it from flying all over the place to some degree. Unlike turning it straight to high, and cleaning your whole kitchen...)
  4. Whip until nice and thick. Set aside
Notes
  1. *as tempting as it is to cut this down, be careful with that. It helps the whipped cream hold it's fluffiness, especially overnight... You can replace with maple syrup for a slight maple flavor!
Fresh Cooking Meg http://freshcookingmeg.com/

Gluten Free Dessert & A Show

~ freshcookingmeg ~ 1 Comment

You can’t make this stuff up… I once read in order to help have an exciting blog you should lead an exciting life. Now I’ve never thought mine to be very exciting, though people tell me they never know what I’ll be up to next or what crazy thing I’ll try…

Tonight I was in the kitchen, finishing up dog food and getting ready to make some dessert when my PB said “COME HERE! Right now…!” And there was a peacock. On. Our. Lawn.

Raj
Raj

I recalled seeing my neighbor post to Facebook a few days earlier that they had a peacock visitor. I sent her a quick text, more as a haha. But she knew who it belonged to and texted me right back how to get a hold of the owner. So a quick call later and they were on the way to attempt to corral him. He’s named Raj. They arrived and thanks to some conveniently placed dog yard fencing they were able to grab him!

Coconut Rice Pudding
Coconut Rice Pudding

After all that excitement I did get back to making this yummy Coconut Rice Pudding, which I’ve made one other time. And we really liked… Tonight I made some whipped cream and hot chocolate to go with it.

Dessert!
Dessert!
RECIPE