Cassies Calico Squares Recipes

CHOCOLATE CASSIS CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake, Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch round springform pan with baking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and spray it again with baking spray.
• Melt the butter and chocolate together in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in the cocoa powder, cassis, and vanilla and set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (you can also use a hand mixer), beat the eggs, sugar, and salt on high speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until pale yellow and triple in volume. Pour the chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and carefully but thoroughly fold them together with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until just barely set in the center. Allow to cool in the pan for 30 minutes and then release the sides of the pan. Invert the cake carefully onto a flat serving plate, remove the parchment paper, and cool completely.
• For the glaze, melt the chocolate and cream together in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir until smooth. Off the heat, whisk in the cassis and vanilla. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and spread over just the top of the cake.
• Fifteen minutes before serving, toss the berries gently with the sugar and cassis. Cut the cake in wedges and serve with the berries on the side.

~ CREAMY CALICO POTATOES ~ CASSIES

Steps:

• Cook potatoes in lightly salted water to cover, drain. Lightly toss with parsley and pimento, set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, melt butter, add onion and garlic, salute until onion is tender.
• Blend in salt, pepper, nutmeg and milk and cook until thickened, stirring constantly.
• Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Carefully combine cream sauce with the potatoes, trying not to break up potatoes. Mix melted butter with panko crumbs and season if you like.
• Grease a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Pour the potato mixture into dish and spread evenly. Top with cheese and then crumbs. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until bubbly and golden.
• Serve hot as an accompaniment to just about any meat, I served with ham steak.

CASSIS CRISPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Put butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add eggs and creme de cassis, and mix until combined. Add flour mixture, and mix on low speed until smooth.
• Divide dough in half, and wrap each half in plastic; refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour. Working with 1 half at a time, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick, and cut into 3-inch squares. Space 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Reroll scraps; repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake cookies until golden brown all over, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets on wire racks. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.

CASSIE'S CALICO SQUARES

Steps:

• Turn on the oven to 350°. Lightly grease an 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking pan with shortening. In a small bowl, stir together flour and salt with a wooden spoon set aside.In a small mixer bowl with the mixer at medium speed, beat butter or margarine until creamy. Add brown sugar and beat for 2 minutes or until fluffy, stopping mixer to scrape sides of bowl a few times.Add eggs and vanilla. Beat at medium speed for 1 minute or until fluffy, stopping mixer to scrape sides of bowl once or twice. With a wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture. Spread mixture in the baking pan.Sprinkle candies on top of batter. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the baking pan from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack. With a table knife, cut into 2-inch squares.