Fruity Flavoured Dessert

(Culinary.net) Comfort food typically calls to mind soups, stews and hearty meals meant to warm you up on a chilly day. However, you can also turn to tasty treats as a way to end a cold day on a hot note.

For example, warm fruits baked into a crisp dessert provide an easy, heartwarming option for putting a smile on loved ones faces when the weather turns south. This Walnut Apple Pear Crisp combines two fall favourite fruits in a sweet and simple yet flavourful nibble.

Start by mixing the walnut crisp topping separate from the soul of the recipe: the apple pear filling. Then layer in a cast-iron pan and bake for an easy treat that cooks while you enjoy dinner with the family. In the end, the crunch of the crispy walnut crust provides a savory contrast to the sweetness of the fruity filling.

Find more comforting dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

Walnut Apple Pear Crisp

Total time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Servings: 4

Walnut Crisp Topping:

1 1/2 cups walnuts, divided

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup butter, chilled and sliced into pieces

Apple Pear Filling:

4 apples, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices

3 pears, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch slices

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon lemon juice

ice cream (optional)

caramel sauce (optional)

Heat oven to 350 F.

To make walnut crisp topping: In food processor, pulse 1 cup walnuts until finely ground. Set aside in separate bowl. In food processor, pulse remaining 1/2 cup walnuts until chopped. Set aside.

In medium bowl, combine ground walnuts, flour, brown sugar, oats and cinnamon. Cut butter into mix- ture until coarse crumb forms.

To make apple pear filling: In large bowl, toss apples, pears, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt and lemon juice.

Pour fruit mixture in bottom of 12-inch cast-iron pan.

Layer walnut crisp topping mixture over fruit.

Bake 45 minutes, or until fruit mixture is hot and bubbly and topping is golden brown.

Top with ice cream and caramel sauce, if desired.

A Perfectly Dreamy Dessert

(Culinary.net) Some desserts deliver sweet taste that satisfy taste buds while others provide a rich flavour that lingers long after you’ve finished that last delicious bite. When you’re pondering which type of dessert you’d like to make at home, it may be difficult to decide which direction to take.

Instead of making that nearly impossible decision, keep in mind you can have the best of both worlds with this Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Pie. On top of the hard-to beat flavour, this recipe requires a short list of ingredients and limited time in the kitchen for an easy-to-make treat to satisfy your loved ones’ dessert desires.

Just mix together cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter, milk and whipped topping before layer- ing together in a graham cracker crust that adds just enough crunch to the creamy texture. Top with chocolate chips and drizzle with chocolate and caramel syrups before freezing, serving and putting smiles on all the faces in the room.

Find more dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Pie

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup milk

1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping

1 graham cracker crust

chocolate chips

chocolate syrup

caramel syrup

In bowl of stand mixer, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and peanut butter; mix until blended. Add milk; mix until blended. Fold in whipped topping.

Pour into crust. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and caramel syrup. Freeze until set.