It’s almost Halloween…..time for a treat!

It’s almost Halloween…..time for a treat!

It’s been a hot minute since the last time I posted here! There’s been alot going on, some good, some not, and I’ve just been doing what I gotta do to get through. I’ll share more about that in another post.

I watched the new Martha documentary on Netflix today and it was so good! She shared things from her past I’d never heard before which was a treat and kinda surprising for me because I am this woman’s untimate fan. She inspires me and most of what I’ve accomplished in the way of business, food and homekeeping come from sources she created, designed or wrote. I am a collector of her magazines, and have many years’ worth in my collection. I own many of her books on a variety of topics ranging from Entertaining, the book that made her famous to recipe books like Cookies and Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook. So after getting all fired up, I knew what I should make for a little Halloween treat for the family. It should be something baked…..and sweet! I wanted it to be something delicious and classic but easy to pull off. Out came the Instantpot! Years ago I’d made a few of the most delicious cheesecakes in my Instantpot and I knew this was the answer. A cheesecake that would bake to this level of perfection without having to hover over it. And it would be done in about a half hour. Perfect!

The cheesecake I’m referring to is the famous Cheesecake #17! It’s all over the internet and it’s not a wonder why! It’s the perfect blend of creamy cheesy goodness, it’s fluffy and has a soft creamy feel in your mouth kind of like an unbaked cheesecake would but it has a hint of that dense, rich flavour that comes with a baked cheesecake……and it’s rises so high!

New York Style Cheesecake #17 – Instantpot

shannonleger
A delicious creamy cheesecake, smooth and creamy interior with tons of tangy, cheesy flavour.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 26 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • 1 7×3 springform pan
  • 1 Parchment paper

Ingredients
  

For the crust:

  • 1 1/2 cups graham crumbs
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 pinch salt

For the Batter:

  • 16 oz Cream cheese (2 blocks), room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2/3 cups white granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, room temperature
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions
 

  • Line springform pan with parchment paper, no need to grease the paper. Set aside. Create a tin foil sling to lower pan into the Instantpot and remove when done cooking. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl place the 1/4 cup melted butter and pinch of salt. Stir in graham crumbs. Press mixture into springform pan using back of spoon or a glass. Freeze for approximately 20 minutes while you prepare batter.
  • In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch, salt and white sugar.
  • Using a hand mixer (stand mixers incorporate too much air into the batter), beat cream cheese till it begins to smooth out. Mix in sugar mixture above. Add small amounts and incorporate as you go so you don't end up with sugar and cornstarch everywhere! Do not overmix.
  • Add sour cream and vanilla. Again do not overmix or you will end up with a really puffy cheesecake. Blend in eggs.
  • Pour into prepared pan and tap the pan on counter several times to remove any air bubbles. Remaining bubbles can be removed by popping with a fork or toothpick.
  • Pour 1 cup water into bottom of Instantpot. Add steamer rack in the bottom and place cheesecake on the rack using the foil sling you made above. Put on lid and lock in place. Set Instantpot to High Pressure for 26 minutes. Once cooking time is complete, let pressure release naturally for about 7 minutes before removing cheesecake from Instantpot.
  • Cool for 10 minutes and run a small knife around inside or parchment paper. Remove springform and cool on wire rack. Store in fridge, removing parchment paper before cutting.

Happy Fall Y’All!

Happy Fall Y’All!

I haven’t been posting on the blog much lately but this summer has been “almost” too crazy to handle! There’s been lots of excitement in our house because we purchased a family cottage by the bay (Bay of Cocagne to be exact) and we have been travelling there every chance we get to work on it. It’s left me with little spare time because when we aren’t there, I’m back at home taking care of the family and madly searching for deals online, Facebook Marketplace for second hand items or new in box items that folks are selling for whatever reason. We are on a very tight budget so it just makes sense to shop around but it definitely adds a whole new level of challenge to this endeavour! I’m always up for a challenge though! I’ll be posting our renovation journey here on the blog over the coming days and weeks so stay tuned!

I missed the whole late summer/early autumn posting opportunity, I had plans to share pickle recipes, Thanksgiving recipes and various fall baking recipes but only managed to crank out one Pumpkin Cookie recipe! So……I couldn’t let another day pass without posting an apple recipe! Apples are one of my favourite fall foods. Fun to bake with for sure! I decided to attempt a version of Dutch Apple Pie (or some might call it a French Apple Pie). It’s really just a perfect cross between pie and crumble! So if you can’t decide what to make, make a Dutch Apple Pie! Make sure you set aside a couple hours for this pie making adventure because this one is a little time consuming. Well worth the effort and the wait though!

First you’ll want to make a single crust pie dough. I used my favourite, Classic Crisco “no fail” recipe here. You’ll then blind bake it and proceed with the recipe that follows. I hope this pie will bring all the wonderful fall flavours, smells and feels into your home!

Dutch Apple Pie

Shannon’s Dutch Apple Pie

shannonleger
A gorgeous and delicious apple pie full of fall flavour. A wonderful combination of pie and crumble, this fall dessert is sure to please.
Prep Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings

Equipment

  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Whisk
  • Baking Sheet
  • Aluminum foil
  • Parchment paper
  • Pie plate 9 inch
  • Fork
  • Mixing bowl
  • Rolling Pin

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Single pie crust – see link above

Crumb Topping

  • 1/2 Cup brown sugar, packed
  • 3/4 Cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 Tsp nutmeg
  • 1/8 Tsp salt
  • 6 Tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 Tsp vanilla extract

Apple Filling

  • 5-8 apples, peeled, cored and sliced
  • 2 Tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 Cup granulated sugar
  • 3 Tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1/2 Tsp cinnamon

Instructions
 

Crust

  • Make crust as instructed in Crisco recipe link above. Shape into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and flatten into a 6 inch round disk.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour or freeze 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Meanwhile, make crumb topping and filling.
  • Once crust has been chilled for 1 hour in the refrigerator, roll out dough on a floured surface to fit a 9 inch pie plate. Fit into pie plate and flute edges if desired.
  • Prick the bottom of pie with a fork about 10 times and line with parchment paper. Add pie weights (you can also use rice, dried beans for weight) and bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees F. Remove pie weights and return to oven and bake 8-12 minutes longer.
    Pie crust with pie weights
  • Move oven rack down one from center and reduce temperature to 350 degrees F.

Crumb Topping

  • Whisk together brown sugar, flour, nutmeg and salt.
  • Add vanilla, melted butter and toss evenly with a fork until moistened. Refrigerate.

Filling

  • Toss sliced apples with melted butter and lemon juice.
  • Add sugar, flour and cinnamon. Toss to coat the apples evenly. Set aside.

To Assemble

  • Fill cooled pie crust with filling, break topping into small chunks and sprinkle over top of pie. Place pie on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet and bake for 45-55 minutes.
  • Remove pie from oven and cool on a wire rack for about 2 hours. Serve with whipped cream or French Vanilla ice cream.

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice!

Well, it’s been a hot minute since I last posted here on the blog! We’ve had such a busy summer and I have so much to share with you! For today though I just want to share this recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are so delicious and bring all the fall feels! I have nice memories associated with these cookies, my Mom has made this recipe as long as I can remember. If you are from the Maritimes, I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of the Barbour Cookbook and that’s where this recipe is from.

I usually use the canned pumpkin but if I have fresh pumpkin, I will use that. The pumpkin flavour taste is not as pronounced but still pretty darned tasty! I hope you’ll give these cookies a try this fall season! I bet they will become a family favourite!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

shannonleger
Moist and delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Spatula
  • Baking Sheet
  • Small scoop
  • Kitchenaid Mixer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 Cup Shortening
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 1/2 Cups Pumpkin
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • 1/4 Tsp Ginger
  • 1/2 Tsp Nutmeg
  • 1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
  • 1 Tsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla
  • 2 1/2 Cups Flour
  • 4 Tsps Baking Powder
  • 2 Cups Chocolate Chips

Instructions
 

  • Cream the shortening and sugar.
  • Add the pumpkin, eggs,, seasonings and extracts.
  • Sift dry ingredients and add to sugar mixture.. Add chocolate chips and blend.
  • Drop from a small #40 scoop onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Notes

The original recipe calls for 1 cup raisins and 1 cup chopped nuts.  I substitute 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips for the raisins and nuts.