Christmas Baking Recipes - Creme Brulee

This rich custard dessert is real favorite during the holidays. You can use a small blow torch to brown the sugar, instead of the broiler.

4 cups heavy whipping cream

9 egg yolks

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Brown sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a large and heavy saucepan, heat the cream to exactly 180 degrees over medium heat; stir frequently.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar and vanilla. When the cream reaches a temperature of 180 degrees, slowly stir the cream into the egg yolk mixture.

Pour mixture into eight 6-ounce custard cups. Place the cups into a baking pan. Add 1-inch of boiling water to the pan. Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Take custard cups out of the pan.

Before serving, sprinkle each cup with brown sugar. Put the cups onto a baking sheet. Heat up the broiler. Broil 6-inches from the heat source for 3 to 5 minutes or until the sugar on top is carmelized. Serve immediately.

Makes 8 servings.

Christmas Baking Recipes: French Vanilla Cream Puffs

These elegant cream puffs are surprisingly easy to make.

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter

1 cup all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 eggs

Cream Puff Filling

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Prepare baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.

In a saucepan, add butter to water and bring to a boil. Add in the flour and salt together; stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one. Beat until mixture is smooth and shiny.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2-inches apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove puffs to wire racks or plates. Immediately cut a slit into each puff to allow the steam to escape. Let puff cool.

Split puffs in two and remove the soft dough. Add filling.

Cream Puff Filling

1 1/2 cups cold milk

1 pkg. instant French vanilla pudding mix

1 cup whipped topping

1 pkg. miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a bowl, beat the milk and pudding mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Let sit in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. Fold in the whipped topping and chocolate chips. Remove puff pastry tops. Fill each puff pastry with cream filling right before serving; put tops back on puff pastry. Dust each pastry with confectioners' sugar.

Christmas Baking Recipes: Banana Cream Brownie Dessert

An irresistibly decadent chocolate dessert.

1 pkg. fudge brownie mix

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided

3/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped and divided

3 medium firm bananas

1 2/3 cups cold milk

2 pkgs. instant vanilla pudding mix

1 (8 oz.) carton frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare a 13x9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Prepare brownie batter according to package directions for making fudge-like brownies. Stir in 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips. Stir in 1/4 cup of the peanuts. Spread mixture into prepared pan.

Bake for 28 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let cool.

Slice up the bananas and arrange in a single layer on top of brownies, Take the remaining chocolate chips and chop them up. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of the peanuts over the banana layer.

In a large bowl, beat the milk and pudding mixes on low speed for 2 minutes. Fold the whipped topping into pudding mixture. Spread on top of chocolate chip and banana layer.

Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips and nuts on top.

Makes 12 to 15 servings.

Beer Brewing Breakfast Cereals