Warm Cherry Puff Recipes

CHERRY TURNOVERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate for 30 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine cherries and sugar. Mash slightly; let stand for 15-20 minutes. Stir in cornstarch until blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in cinnamon. Cool. , Divide dough into eight portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each portion into a 5-in. circle. Place about 3 tablespoons cherry mixture on one side of each circle; fold dough over filling. Press edges with a fork to seal. Prick tops with a fork., Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the confectioner's sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Drizzle over warm turnovers. Serve warm.

EASY CHERRY STRUDELS

Steps:

• Drain cherries, reserving 1/3 cup juice. In a large saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, cranberries and butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through. Combine cornstarch and reserved juice and add to the pan. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes longer or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in walnuts. , Unfold one pastry sheet and cut in half. Mound half of the cherry mixture on one pastry half to within 1/2 in. of edges. Top with remaining pastry half; pinch edges to seal. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling. , Place on a greased foil-lined baking sheet. With a sharp knife, cut diagonal slits into tops of strudels; brush with egg. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

NORTHERN CHERRY PUFFS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine cherries, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon extract and food coloring if desired; toss to coat. Spoon into four greased 10-oz. custard cups or ramekins. , In a small bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Beat in egg and remaining extract. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk. Spoon over cherry mixture. , Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in cups for 10 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water until blended. Add cherries and food coloring if desired. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Invert puffs onto dessert plates; top with warm cherry sauce and whipped cream.

CHERRY MERINGUE PUFFS

Steps:

• In medium bowl, place egg whites; set aside until room temperature, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, line 2 large cookie sheets with cooking parchment paper or foil; set aside.
• Heat oven to 300°F. Beat egg whites, vinegar and salt with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar and gelatin until stiff peaks form, scraping bowl occasionally. Spoon half of the mixture into large decorating bag fitted with large star tip #824 (at least 1/2-inch opening). Pipe puffs about 1 inch wide and 1 inch high onto cookie sheets, about 1 inch apart. Repeat with remaining mixture.
• Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until dry but not brown. Turn off oven; let stand in oven 15 minutes.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave 1 1/3 cups of the baking chips uncovered on High 45 to 60 seconds, stirring after 35 seconds, until melted and smooth. Peel cookies from paper or foil; dip bottoms into melted chocolate, and place on waxed paper. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Place remaining baking chips in small resealable freezer plastic bag. Microwave on High 45 to 50 seconds, turning bag over after 25 seconds. Squeeze bag until chips are melted and smooth. Cut small tip off one corner of bag, and drizzle over cooled puffs. Let stand until drizzle hardens, about 10 minutes.

CHERRY-CHOCOLATE CREAM PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a small saucepan, bring water, butter, sugar and salt to a rolling boil. Add flour all at once and beat until blended. Cook over medium heat, stirring vigorously until mixture pulls away from sides of pan and forms a ball. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes., Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until smooth. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny., Drop dough by scant 1/4 cupfuls 3 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake 30-35 minutes or until puffed, very firm and golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Split puffs open. Pull out and discard soft dough from inside tops and bottoms. Cool puffs completely on a wire rack. , Let whipped topping stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring sugar and milk to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat to low; stir in chocolate until melted. Transfer to a large bowl. Cool to room temperature, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Fold in whipped topping. , Just before serving, fill each cream puff with a heaping tablespoonful of cherries; top with chocolate filling. Replace tops. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Refrigerate leftovers.

CHERRY FLUFF

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the cherry pie filling, sweetened condensed milk, crushed pineapple and whipped topping. Chill in the refrigerator at least 2 hours before serving.

WARM CHERRY PUFF

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Blend milk, eggs, biscuit mix, sugar, almond estract and butter in blender for 15 seconds, or with electric mixer beat on HIGH speed or 1 minute.
• Pour into greased 10" pie pan or 11x7" baking pan.
• Spoon cherry filling over the top.
• Bake 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.