They’re never “just desserts”

Some kids eat their meals just to get to the desserts. I can well remember when dear old Mom would tell me to eat my supper because it was good for me. My eyes were on the grand finale aka the dessert that only came once I had finished the main event. Often, I would sneak one to take up to bed with me. With this in mind, this week I’m offering up some of those tasty treats from the good old days.

Yorkshire parkin

Some kids eat their meals just to get to the desserts. I can well remember when dear old Mom would tell me to eat my supper because it was good for me. My eyes were on the grand finale aka the dessert that only came once I had finished the main event. Often, I would sneak one to take up to bed with me. 

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Ingredients

• 1 lb fine oatmeal
• 1 lb corn syrup
• ½ cup shortening
• 2 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp milk

Instructions

1. Rub some shortening into oatmeal. Add sugar and ginger.
2. Melt the syrup and dissolve soda in milk.
3. Mix all together.
4. Line shallow tin with parchment paper.
5. Bake in shallow tin at 325 F for one hour.

Fruit cocktail squares

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 14 oz can fruit cocktail (do not drain)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp baking powder
• PDeinch of salt
• 2 cups white flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 cup nuts

Instructions

1. Mix sugar, fruit, egg, baking powder and salt thoroughly.
2. Pour into buttered 9 x 13 pan.
3. Sprinkle top with brown sugar and nuts. Bake at 350 F for 50 minutes.
4. Cut into squares. Serve with whipped topping.

Maple tarts

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter
• 2 beaten eggs
• 2 tsp maple flavoring
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup walnuts
• Raspberry jam
• Dozen tart shells

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients except raspberry jam in a large bowl.
2. Line baking tin with tart shells.
3. Put ½ tsp of jam in the bottom of each shell.
4. Spoon mixture into tart shells.
5. Bake  at 350 F for 25 minutes.
6. Ice with maple butter icing. (optional)

Cinnamon puffs

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 2 ¼ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 5 Tbsp shortening
• ½ cup white sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 6 Tbsp melted butter
• ½ cup white sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Measure flour and baking powder, salt and nutmeg.
2. Cream shortening and ½ cup sugar. Add beaten egg yolk.
3. Sift dry ingredients and add alternately with milk.
4. Fold in beaten egg whites. Sift but do not dry.
5. Fill well-greased muffin pans.
6. Bake in a moderate oven (about 350 F).
7. Roll in melted butter, then the other ½ cup sugar mixed with cinnamon.

Old-fashioned ginger snaps

Ingredients

• 1 cup molasses
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup melted shortening
• ½ cup boiling water
• Some all-purpose white flour

Instructions

1. Mix in above order, using enough flour to make a soft dough. Do not roll.
2. Pinch off pieces the size of marbles and roll with hands.
3. Place 1 inch apart in pan as snaps will spread while baking.
4. Bake at about 325 F until the right golden shade is obtained.

Old-fashioned mixed but delight cookies

Ingredients

• ¾ cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup coconut
• ½ cup chopped nuts
• ½ cup chopped maraschino cherries

Instructions  

1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Add egg and beat well.
3. Add vanilla.
4. Sift dry ingredients and add to mixture.
5. Blend well.
6. Add coconut, nuts and cherries.
7. Drop from spoon on well-greased cookie sheets.
8. Bake in oven at 350 F until done.

Oldie butterscotch muffins

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup white sugar
• ⅔ cup milk
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ cup raisins
• 4 tbsp shortening
• ½ cup butter

Instructions

1. Make a biscuit dough of the first seven ingredients.
2. Roll to ½ inch thickness.
3. Sprinkle with sugar and raisins.
4. Roll up and cut into 1-inch sections.
5. Grease pan, sprinkle with sugar and dot with butter.
6. Place biscuits on this (you may also use muffin tins) with cut side up.
7. Bake in a hot oven for 10 minutes.

Old-fashioned brownies

Ingredients

• ½  cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup cocoa
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Melt butter.
2. Stir in sugar and eggs, whisk until smooth.
3. Add vanilla, then all dry ingredients and mix well.
4. Mix in chocolate chips.
5. Pour into greased 9 X 13 inch  pan.
6. Bake at 350 F for 25 to 30 minutes.

This week’s saying: “You know when you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.”