Having dessert the other night got me thinking about how when we want dessert during the work week we usually have to bake the dessert on the weekends. Making dessert during the work week can be extremely difficult considering the time and effort it takes to bake cookies, brownies, cakes and cupcakes. If we want dessert most of us usually go without or go to the nearest ice cream parlor during the summer months. The good news is that there are desserts that are quick and simple to make with only a few indigents.
Coffee Cream Pie is something very popular in my house and only takes minutes to make. The recipe calls for graham cracker crust with instant coffee, Cool Whip and instant Jell-O sprinkled with espresso shavings. All of these ingredients can be bought in advance and stored for future use. I recommend making this recipe once you have dinner in the oven to give it time to chill before serving.
Chocolate mousse tastes best when it is homemade. However, this can take up to two hours to make and prepare, requiring about one hour to chill. Quick chocolate mousse can be prepared with one package of instant pudding with the flavor of your choosing, Cool Whip and milk. I suggest using about one and a half cups of milk instead of the two cups the package states for thicker mousse.
Just remember to defrost the Cool Whip before using. If you do forget, you can soak it in warm water for a bit or zap it in the microwave for a few seconds.
A personal favorite of mine is chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate covered strawberries. These can be made in the comfort of your kitchen and a great idea for a family activity. There are two ways you can make chocolate covered strawberries and pretzels.
In a small saucepan, melt about 12 ounces of chocolate, on low heat, with a few tablespoons of olive oil or shortening and mix until thick. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and place the dipped chocolate covered strawberries or pretzels on the wax paper. They should bake at 300 degrees in the oven for about five minutes. Keep an eye on them because it may bake for less time depending on your oven.
In a small saucepan, melt about 12 ounces of chocolate, on low heat, with a few tablespoons of olive oil or shortening and mix until thick. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and place the dipped chocolate covered strawberries or pretzels on the wax paper. They should bake at 300 degrees in the oven for about five minutes. Keep an eye on them because it may bake for less time depending on your oven.
You can also put them in the fridge and let them. The cold will harden the chocolate and should be ready to eat within a half an hour to 45 minutes.
If there are any treats leftover, place them in the fridge to enjoy over the next few days.
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