Azoresgal~Life on an Island

These are really easy, and are a great last-minute addition to Christmas cookie trays. I use red crystilized cherries with almond extract, and they are always scrumptious. They are just sweet enough, buttery,  airy and light, and just melt in your mouth. With so few ingredients, there is no excuse not to make them. I bake them every year, they have become a Christmas staple at our house. Ingredients 250 grams butter, softened (2 cups) 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup icing sugar 2 teaspoon vanilla extract/ or almond (optional) 1/4 cup red maraschino cherry/ or  crystallized fruit or glacé fruit 1/4 cup green maraschino cherry/ or  crystallized fruit or glacé fruit Preheat oven to180/ 350 degrees F. In a mixing bowl and using an electric mixer, combine butter, flour, icing sugar and vanilla extract; mix until mixture is a smooth consistency. ( I just use a wooden spoon) Prepare cookie sheets with parchment paper. Spoon out dough onto parchme...

Ready for a simple dessert ? Fresh cherries baked with an oatmeal streusel is a simple pleasure. Served with ice cream makes it total comfort food. It takes a little bit of time to pit the cherries, (  perhaps you can   count your blessings while you do this ) but it's so worth it. The crisp comes together rather quickly. The combination of tart, bright red cherries with the crunch of the oatmeal can’t be beat. Really simple, really delicious, perfect for the lazy days of summer that lie ahead. 4 cups pitted cherries 2 tablespoons flour 1/2 sugar 1 cup oats 1 cup flour 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup butter, COLD , cubed Pre-heat oven 180º/350 Grease a baking dish (8 inch) round or square Mix sliced strawberries, sugar, and flour, Place into baking dish. Next mix, oats, brown sugar and flour, add in cold, cubed butter, and using your finger, mix till crumbly. Spread over cherry mixture. Bake for 45 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream :)

 This is one of my favorite recipes, I have had for atleast 15 years. It is hand written on a tattered and yellowing page in my very old cookbook. I haven’t made it in such a long time and I’m wondering why since it’s SO good. It is a great coffee cake, very pretty and it tastes great too. For variety, you can use your choice of pie filling in place of cherry pie filling, strawberry or blueberry. The glaze is optional, but yummy, I did not add it today, as I was out of icing sugar. I hope you try it, you won't regret it. Enjoy your weekend ! 3/4 cup milk 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 1/4 cups flour 3/4 cup white sugar 3/4 cup butter 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 egg 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 can (19 oz.) cherry pie filling 1/3 cup sliced almonds Glaze (optional) 1 cup powdered sugar 2 tablespoons milk 1/2 teaspoon almond essence Directions: Combine milk and lemon juice. Set aside. Combine flour and sugar in food pr...