Fruit for Dessert?

Fruit for dessert?  Really?  I know what you're thinking, but these desserts are great.  It's not like getting a box of raisins in your trick-or-treat bag, I promise.

The first recipe is for my son.  He loved this Disney cartoon about Johnny Appleseed.  So, I thought I'd try to make a version of the cake named for the man himself.  Bonus:  It's really easy!


JOHNNY APPLESEED CAKE

1 box spice cake mix
1 can apple pie filling
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.  In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together with a mixer until well combined.  Pour into prepared baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

You can see the big chunks of apple in the cake.  It comes out so moist and delicious!  Tastes like Autumn!
If desired,you can top it with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon.

The next fruit recipe is more summery.  But, I'll eat it anytime of year (shocker).

FLAT BOTTOM FRUIT PIE

1 pie crust
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1 lemon
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 TBS granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
a handful of fresh blueberries
a few fresh strawberries

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Lay pie crust flat onto a baking stone (cookie sheet will work).  If it's the refrigerated kind you unfold, it should just lay flat.  If it's a frozen one, make sure you thaw it, then roll it (or press it) flat onto the stone.

 Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl.  Sprinkle this evenly over the pie crust.

Bake in a preheated 450 degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden.

Let cool.  Meanwhile, mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and the zest from the lemon (use a mixer to incorporate air into the mixture).  Set aside.  Squeeze a little lemon juice over sliced strawberries and blueberries.  When the crust has cooled, spread cream cheese mixture over it.  Top with berries.

Easy, pretty and yummy to boot!  Cut into wedges to serve. (You can use any fruit that's in season.  Fresher is better)

The last fruit dessert is cobbler.  I've blogged (bragged) before about my Mama's peach cobbler.  It is simply delicious.  But I decided to put my own spin on it and make a cherry cobbler.


CHERRY COBBLER

1 stick butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 can cherry pie filling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  I like to use a cast iron skillet for this, but if you don't have one just use a square or round baking dish.  I cut up the butter a put it in the skillet.  Put the skillet in the oven while it preheats.  This will melt the butter.  But, you can just melt the butter in the microwave and pour it into your dish.  Either way.  While the butter is melting, make the batter.  In a large bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar until well combined.  Pour in milk and vanilla.  Stir just until the lumps disappear.  Do not over mix or your cobbler will be tough!  Pour the batter over the melted butter in the skillet.  Dollop spoonfuls of the cherry pie filling over the batter.  Try to distribute it evenly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown.  The middle will still be a bit juicy but it will set up as the cobbler cools.

I like to serve this with a dollop of whipped cream.  It's also really good with vanilla ice cream!

So, there you go.  Delicious desserts made with fruit that are super easy to make.  Seems like a win win to me.  Enjoy!