Easy and Easily Transportable Dessert?

[Natasha]

Hi,

I would like to prepare a simple yet delicious (of course!) dessert to take with us this weekend as we visit friends at the lake. It unfortunately does has to be quick to put together since I am cooking a big dinner tonight and don't have much time to bake anything else. It also can't be too fragile, since the hosts live 2 1/2 hours away and the car will be filled to the max with our bikes, gear, and backpacks. I'll just have to double-wrap the dessert really tight, and tuck it in the safest place I can find. ;)

I am thinking of coffeecakes, brownies, etc. I suppose could improvise or make a tried-and-true recipe, but thought I would toss out the question, because I'd really like to hear your inspired ideas. I'm always open to trying something new. :) Light is nice, but not a prerequisite at all.

Thanks in advance,
Natasha

[BlueMoose]

I've made this coffee cake once, and everyone really liked it (even asked for the recipe).

* Exported from MasterCook *

Apple-Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Desserts

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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1/2 cup butter -- softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups Granny Smith apple -- peeled and chopped
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup walnuts -- chopped
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/3 cup butter -- melted

Grease and flour a 9 x 13" baking pan; preheat oven to 350 F. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup sugar with an electric mixer until well combined. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Combine 2 2/3 cups flour, baking powder, soda and salt; add alternately to beaten mixture with buttermilk, beating until combined. Fold in apples. In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, nuts, 1/3 cup flour and cinnamon. Mix in 1/3 cup melted butter. Place 1/2 of cake batter in the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the crumb mixture. Repeat, ending with crumb mixture. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes.



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These are not at all light, but I make them about 1 time per year and they are soooooooo good.!


* Exported from MasterCook *

Peanut Butter Marbled Brownies

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 36 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Desserts

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
6 ounces cream cheese -- softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup butter -- melt
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 eggs
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 F. Grease a 13x9x2-inch pan. Prepare peanut butter filling: beat first 5 ingredients (cream cheese through milk) together; set aside. In another bowl stir together butter, sugar, and vanilla. Add eggs and beat. Add cocoa; beat until well blended. Add flour, baking powder, and salt; beat well. Stir in chocolate chips. Remove 1 cup of batter and set aside. Pour remaining batter into pan. Spread peanut butter filling over the top. Drop reserved batter over the filling. Using a knife, gently swirl through the top layers for a marbled effect. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out almost clean. Cool and cut into squares.

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[lorilei]

Natasha -

I just thought of an idea... why not bring along a couple of loaves of quick breads or muffins? Those can be whipped up relatively fast, and can be easily transported in a Tupperware container without being damaged.

Got lots of good recipes... if that sounds like a "go". ;)

[Natasha]

Thanks, Chrisi and Lori!

Chrisi, those recipes look divine. I am a peanut-butter fiend and the apple-cinnamon cake sounds great, too.

Lori, you're right about muffins & loaves being easy. Maybe I can make a tray of muffins/a loaf, and one of Chrisi's recipes.

Thanks again, both of you!

Natasha

[gertdog]

If you decide to go with the brownie theme, these are fantastic. It's a Maida Heatter recipe (I am a Maida disciple). The fussiness about the foil in the pan may seem, well, fussy, but it works so well, and it lets you cut perfect little brownie squares after baking.

Are they light? No. Are they moist and divine? Yes, yes, yes!

Heath Bar Brownies

Ingredients:

1 stick unsalted butter, plus more for the pan
3/4 cup pecan halves
5 (1.25 oz) Heath candy bars (or 20 miniatures)
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sifted unbleached flour

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees and position a rack in the bottom third. Line an 8 inch square baking dish with a 12 inch square of aluminum foil, shiny side up; gently press the foil into
place. Lightly butter the foil.

2. Spread pecans in a shallow baking pan and toast in the oven for about 12 minutes, or until very hot and fragrant. Set aside.

3. Using a large sharp knife, cut the Heath bars crosswise 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick; you will have about 1 1/2 cups. Chop a scant 1/4 cup of the bars into smaller pieces and reserve.

4. In a small double boiler, melt the unsweetened chocolate and the stick of butter over warm water, stirring occasionally. Set the chocolate aside to cool slightly.

5. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt at medium speed until mixed. Add the melted chocolate and beat only to mix. Then add the flour and beat at low
speed just until incorporated. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the toasted pecans and all but the reserved 1/4 cup of the Heath bars. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread smooth. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup Heath bars on top.

6. Bake the brownies for 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out just barely clean. Transfer to a rack to cool. Remove from pan and cut into small squares with a serrated knife.

[aggie94]

What about one of the one-bowl, one-whisk cakes from August? There have been some great reviews of them so far. I've only made the pineapple upside-down cake, but it was really delicious, went over very well with the crowd I took it to, and it was SO easy.

[BlueMoose]

Natasha...you say you are a peanut butter fiend? Here is a recipe for you! I usually use 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour and 1 cup all purpose flour, and make these into muffins instead of bread. These are my favorite muffins right now!

* Exported from MasterCook *

Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 12 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Breads & Muffins

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
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2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 ripe large bananas -- mashed
1 cup skim milk
3/4 cup peanut butter
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 cup milk chocolate chips

In a large bowl stir together flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In another bowl combine mashed bananas, milk, peanut butter, oil, vanilla and egg. Add to flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 F for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

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[Beth]

The Texas Sheet Cake (CL's lightened or the original) is a classic in these parts. You bake it in a 13x9 pan, pour the frosting on it while warm and that's it. Very portable (if you don't mind carrying the pan - regular or foil).

[Robyncz]

I second the vote on Chocolate Sheet Cake. If you want the "not-so-light" version I grew up with, I'd be happy to share, but I thought the CL version was great!

[Personal Chef]

What about Cooking Light's Lemon Bars? I loved'em and they were super easy.

[Wendy w]

Originally posted by Personal Chef
What about Cooking Light's Lemon Bars? I loved'em and they were super easy.

I second it!!

[Beth]

Are those the lemon bars in the CL Complete? I am baking cookies for two parties in the next couple of weeks and am gathering my ideas for the assortment. Thanks

[Personal Chef]

Here's the recipe. Believe it or not it's on CL's recipe site. The correct name is Easy Lemon Squares!

Easy Lemon Squares

Ingredients
Crust:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons butter or stick margarine, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour

Topping:
3 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons powdered sugar


Directions
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Preheat oven to 350º.

To prepare the crust, beat 1/4 cup granulated sugar and the butter at medium speed of a mixer until creamy. Lightly spoon 1 cup flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Gradually add 1 cup flour to sugar mixture, beating at low speed until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Gently press mixture into bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan. Bake at 350º for 15 minutes; cool on a wire rack.

To prepare topping, beat eggs at medium speed until foamy. Add 3/4 cup granulated sugar and next 5 ingredients (3/4 cup granulated sugar through salt), and beat until well-blended. Pour mixture over partially baked crust. Bake at 350º for 20 to 25 minutes or until set. Cool on wire rack. Sift powdered sugar evenly over top.

[Beth]

That is the same one, they just call it plain old Lemon Squares in the CL Complete. Thanks for posting. Now I have it in two places.

[Natasha]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I do appreciate your help. :)

I will print out the thread and will decide what to make depending on what time I leave work today. I have to say that they all sound good, so whatever I do not make for our hosts will have to be made another time. :D

I have made the Lemon Squares before and they are definitely easy and a hit all around. I am excited about the recipes I have not yet tried, though, and will make one of those today if I can.

Hey Chrisi, thanks for the bonus peanut butter recipe!! Looks awesome.

Thanks again, all, and I wish you a wonderful weekend.

Natasha

[Natasha]

Made this last night and it was very good! Thanks again for posting it, Chrisi. :)

Natasha

[Peggy C.]

OK, this does not count as cooking, but I've been making this since I was about 14 and everyone loves it. I actually am embarrased that people request it. Be sure to make the night ahead of time so graham crachers soften.

1 box of graham crackers
2 cans Thank You brand canned Vanilla Pudding
1 can Thank you brand canned Chocolate Pudding
Cool whip

In a 9x13 pan cover bottom of pan with a single layer of whole graham crackers. Usually about 6 whole rectangles and 1 rectangle broken apart. This doesn't have to be fancy and if there are little gaps don't sweat it. Spread with 1 of the cans of vanilla pudding. Repeat with graham crackers and choc pudding then gc and vanilla top with cool whip. Cover and refrigerate over night.

I have on occasion added sliced bananna &/or chopped walnuts.

A pyrex portable works well to cary and cool this if you have one.