Keep Calm and Eat Dessert – 2 Quick Emergency Recipes

Define “emergency”. Is one ever in dire need of dessert?

Sugarholics may argue “yes” and I am, of course, one of them. Here are some situations off the top of my head where throwing together an emergency dessert is necessary.

  • In-laws’ surprise visit
  • An excuse to invite your date over
  • Approaching morning deadline – brain can’t function without dessert
  • You’re pregnant

Whatever the case, you’re not obliged to explain yourself. Feel like dessert? Make it.

Here are my two favourite quicky desserts using ingredients found readily in my fridge and freezer. They are simple and fun to make with kids too. The best part is they do not require specific directions or measurements. I’ve also suggested some ingredient alternatives but use whatever tickles your fancy. After all, you only stock your fridge and pantry with what you love!

PB Banana Turnover

Peanut Butter, Mashed Banana, Candied Ginger Turnovers

  • Remove phyllo or puff pastry from the freezer. Preheat toaster oven.
  • Mash PB and nanner together in a bowl, add chopped candied ginger and sweeten with honey.
  • Puff Pastry: cut pastry into squares, add filling, press out air and seal.

    Phyllo: layer several sheets together by brushing on melted butter, cut into long rectangular strips, add filling, fold corner over into a right triangle, continue to follow the shape and fold over until pastry ends.

  • Brush with eggwash, sprinkle with sugar, bake.
  • Serve with ice cream (of course!)

For a savory alternative, try peanut butter and shredded sharp cheddar. This hits the spot like 3am Denny’s does, trust me.

More ideas: classic PB&J, dulce de leche and apple slices, marshmallows and chocolate chips, orange marmalade and sliced peaches.

Strawberry Parfait


Strawberry Mascarpone Yogurt Parfait

  • Whip 1 part Mascarpone cheese and 2 parts yogurt together. Add a dash of vanilla extract or lemon zest. Sweeten with honey.
  • Layer sliced strawberries, berries, or other fruit in glasses with the creamy mixture.
  • Sprinkle on something crunchy. I happened to love breakfast cereal.

Creamy ideas: sweetened condensed milk with cream espesa, whipped cream and crème fraiche … you get the idea :)

Topping ideas: chopped nuts, shaved chocolate, coconut flakes, crushed graham crackers, gingersnaps… crumbled Oreos, Reeses Pieces … ok, now you’re losing respect for me.

Strawberry Parfait

What’s your emergency dessert? Please share :)



Don’t forget, May is Battle Radish! Bring on your best spring recipes!


Friday, April 9, 2010

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Comments (18)

SuperChef

April 9th, 2010 at 7:47 pm    


I don’t need an emergency for desserts. Dessert craving is always there.

My emergency desserts are : banana/apple crisp, banana springrolls, smores!

allison from "a for aubergine"

April 9th, 2010 at 9:11 pm    


The peanut butter and mashed banana is brilliant! Perhaps I am bias because nanners and PB are one of my fav combos. :) Thanks for the idea!

Divina

April 9th, 2010 at 9:23 pm    


These are two beautiful desserts that would impress the guests. Thanks Mel.

Mai @ Flavor Boulevard

April 10th, 2010 at 3:07 am    


My emergency dessert: mashed avocado, served cold like ice cream :-P
http://flavorboulevard.com/the-avocados-sweet-side/
Yours is restaurant level, mine is no-kitchen level. :-P

Lynn

April 10th, 2010 at 7:48 am    


Hey Mel! My favourite is French toast with sweetened condensed milk. Super easy, super fast, super yummy!

Linn @ Swedish home cooking

April 11th, 2010 at 2:32 am    


In Sweden, we make Swedish Cupcakes as emergency dessert. But with a store bought muffin of course. Voilá! Look at the latest episode of my online cooking show to see the Swedish Cupcake recipe!

kamran siddiqi

April 11th, 2010 at 9:43 am    


Great post, Mel! I always have a dessert emergency, as I always crave the stuff! Yumm.

Simone

April 11th, 2010 at 10:02 am    


I never really need an emergency For dessert although i do try and limit making them ir i would burst Out of my clothes really fast! Having said that i would eat your desserts any day of the week!!

barb

April 11th, 2010 at 5:54 pm    


I’m going to try some of yours! I subscribe by rss. Mine is smore’s. I just put marshmallows under the broiler then add a few choc.chips & sandwich between grahman crackers,delish! Sometimes I do it with coconut instead of the marshmallows toasted of course!

Fearless Kitchen

April 12th, 2010 at 9:48 am    


These are two really creative solutions! When I really have a dessert emergency I usually just serve fruit with yogurt, nuts and honey.

Jen @ Tiny Urban Kitchen

April 12th, 2010 at 11:35 am    


Great post! My emergency dessert is pretty lame – I just serve cappuccinos and Belgian chocolate (that we always have lying around because my husband travels for business quite a bit and can always pick up some!)

justcooknyc

April 12th, 2010 at 11:51 am    


i don’t kow why i never learn my lesson and just stock puff pastry and filo dough at all times

Marisa

April 13th, 2010 at 1:17 am    


Some great ideas for when you’re in a pinch. Or just have a perpetual sweet tooth like myself. *ahem*

jennifer

April 14th, 2010 at 7:52 am    


My go to emergency dessert is ice cream with berries. I usually have fresh or frozen berries on hand and it makes ice cream even more special and delicious.

I love your in a pinch dessert recipes!

Teresa

April 14th, 2010 at 6:30 pm    


Excellent ideas for dessert! Love the idea of using cereal for dessert…since I eat cereal all day long might as well use it for something decadent too ;)

humberto

April 25th, 2010 at 1:36 am    


sometimes a realy need sugar…I always got a caramel to put in ice cram with any nut !

Anita

April 29th, 2010 at 1:15 pm    


HEHE I have a container of dulce de leche at home and the quick turnovers recipe is just what I need. :)

Sarah

May 10th, 2010 at 11:13 pm    


good emergency tips! One of my favorites is baked banana in its peel with butter, brown sugar and cardamom, served with ice cream.

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