Vegan/GF Fruit & Almond Shortbread Bars

Suggested Piece: 9" Small Skillet or 10" Gourmet Chef Skillet

Ingredients
1 c. vegan butter
1/2 c. sugar (or sugar substitute)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 c. almond flour
1 c. Pillsbury GF flour blend
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. fruit preserves
Sliced almonds, for topping

Directions
Grease skillet with coconut oil and set aside. In stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and almond extracts. In a separate bowl, mix flours and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the butter/sugar mixture and mix until just incorporated (don't over mix!) Press 2/3 of the dough into bottom of skillet, cover and cook over medium-low heat. Remember, at a true medium-low temperature the Vapo-Valve will NOT click. Cook until center of shortbread is firm and no long doughy. Remove from heat and spread fruit preserves evenly over the top (red raspberry shown). Dollop teaspoonfuls of remaining dough evenly on top the fruit preserve layer and sprinkle with sliced almonds. Cover and continue to cook over medium-low heat until top layer of shortbread is set. Or for a golden brown top, place in oven at 350F for approx. 15-20 min. Cut into bars and serve immediately or store in refrigerator. Thanks Duff Goldman for inspiring this one-of-a-kind dessert!

Tips: To make a non-GF/vegan version, use regular butter and substitute equal amounts all-purpose flour for the GF flour blend.

Creamed Corn

Suggested Piece: 9" Small Skillet

Ingredients
1  lb frozen corn
8 oz Neuftchatel cream cheese
1/4 c butter
1 tbsp sugar
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions
Place frozen corn in bottom of saucepan. Add remaining ingredients on top. Cover and cook over medium heat until Vapo-Valve clicks. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 5-7 minutes. Stir to incorporate all ingredients evenly before serving.

Alternatives:
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper: to kick it up a notch!
- 4 oz. canned green chilis
- 1-2 diced green onions as a garnish
- Substitute sugar for brown sugar and add 2 cloves minced garlic
- Substitute sugar for stevia for a healthier option.

To-Die-For Carrot Cake

Suggested Piece: 12" Electric Skillet

Ingredients
Bowl #1:
1 1/4 c apple (#1 cone, approx 2 apples)
2 c sugar
3 eggs, room temperature

Bowl #2:
2 c whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon

Bowl #3:
2 c carrots (#1 cone, approx 3 carrots)
1 c shredded sweetened coconut
1 c walnuts (#2 cone)
1 tsp vanilla
1 c crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/2 c butter softened
8 oz Neuftchatel cream cheese
1 lb powdered sugar

Toppings:
- toasted pecans
- shredded sweetened coconut

Directions
Preheat 12" Electric Skillet on 180F. Combine bowl #1, and add bowl #2, then bowl #3. Lightly coat skillet with coconut oil, pour cake batter in warm skillet, and cover. Increase temperature to 250F and "bake" for 30-40 minutes, or until the cake is no longer wet on top and springs to the touch. (Remember, cakes/dough should never "click.") Invert on a rack or plate and let cool. Meanwhile, make the frosting! Beat the butter and cream cheese until nice and fluffy. Add in the vanilla and powdered sugar, continue to beat until smooth. Apply a generous dollop of frosting on top a cooled cake and spread. Finish by sprinkling with toasted pecans and/or shredded sweetened coconut. For best results refrigerate for an hour before serving.

Alternative: To bake in the oven, pour batter in either a 9x13 Bake & Roast Pan or two (2) 9" Cake Pans. Bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Kung Pao Beef Zoodles

Suggested Piece: 10" Chef Gourmet Skillet

Ingredients
4 medium zucchinis (#2 cone)
16 oz steak, cut into 1" pieces
Salt & pepper to taste
1 red bell pepper (#3 cone)
2 tsp sesame oil
4 cloves garlic (#1 cone)
2 tsp ginger (#1 cone)
4 tbsp crushed dry roasted peanuts
4 tbsp green onions, sliced

Sauce:
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp red chili paste
4 tsp stevia (sugar)

Directions
Using the #2 cone processes zucchini's into "noodles" and set aside. Salt and pepper steak and brown in 10" Chef Gourmet Skillet over medium high heat. Reduce heat to medium and add bell pepper, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Cover and cook over medium heat until Vapo-Valve clicks. Reduce heat to low and cook for approximately 10 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together all ingredients for sauce in small bowl. Pour sauce over steak mixture and heat through. Remove from heat and fold in zucchini "noodles". Serve immediately.

Cranberry-Apple Chutney

Suggested Piece: Small Skillet

Ingredients
1 medium onion (#2 cone)
2 large tart apples (#2 cone)
12 oz. fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 c. golden raisins
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
1/2 c. walnuts (#2 cone)

Directions

In small skillet layer onion, apples, cranberries, golden raisins, sugars, seasonings, and vinegar. Cover and cook over medium heat until Vapo-Valve clicks, the reduce heat to low for 10-15 minutes. Remove lid and mash with potato masher until desired texture forms. Stir in walnuts just before serving. 

Corn Souffle

Suggested Piece: Bake & Roast Pan

Ingredients
6 eggs
3/4 c. sugar
Dash of salt
30 oz. canned creamed corn
15 oz. frozen corn
2/3 c. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 tbsp. flour
2 tbsp. butter

Directions
Cream eggs and sugar until a lemony yellow. Add sugar, salt, creamed corn, frozen corn, milk, vanilla, and flour and beat for 1 minute. Pour into a buttered pan and a dot with butter. Bake at 350F for 1 hour. Let sit for 10 minutes so that is sets and thickens. You know it's done when the edges are golden and slightly pulled away from the pan.

Chocolate Candy Cane Cheesecake

Suggested Piece: 12" Electric Skillet

Ingredients
2 c. chocolate graham crackers (#1 cone)
1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
24 oz. cream cheese
2 eggs
1 tbsp. cornstarch
8 oz. sour cream
1 box candy canes (#1 cone)

Directions
Mix cream cheese with sugar and mix in eggs. Add sour cream and cornstarch. Ground graham crackers in skillet with #1 cone and melt with butter to form crust. Add cream cheese mixture. Bake at 250F for 1 hour. Add candy cane crumb topping. Place in fridge for 1-2 hours before serving.

Note: You can substitute chocolate graham crackers for honey graham crackers. Also, you can substitute candy cane crumbs for any flavor fruit pie filling.

No Bake Cookies

Suggested Piece: 3 Qt. Saucepan & Cookie Sheet

Ingredients
2 c. sugar
2 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. milk
3 c. quick oats
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. peanut butter

Directions
Over medium heat combine sugar, cocoa, butter, and milk in a 3 Qt. Saucepan. Simmer until bubbling for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in quick oats, vanilla, and peanut butter. Work quickly to drop spoonfuls on parchment lined cookie sheet. Chill for 15-20 minutes or until the cookies are set.

Festive Fruit Salad

Suggested Piece: 6.5 Qt. Insulated Bowl + 1 Qt. Saucepan

Ingredients
2 lbs. strawberries, halved
1 (6 oz.) container raspberries
2 c. seedless green grapes
2 kiwi, peeled and thinly sliced

Mint-Lime Dressing
1 c. sugar
1 c. fresh mint leaves
1/4 c. fresh lime juice

Directions
Prepare dressing by stirring together sugar, mint, and 1 c. water in 1 Qt. Saucepan over medium heat. Cover and cook until Vapo-Valve clicks, then reduce temperature to low for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice and cool 30 minutes. Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl. Prepare salad by gently tossing strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and kiwi in 6.5 Qt. Insulated Bowl. Drizzle with 1/2 cup mint-lime dressing and gently stir to coat. Serve immediately, or cover and chill up to 2 weeks.

Super Simple Vanilla Ice Cream

Suggested Piece: 3.5 Qt. Insulated Bowl

Ingredients
2 c. heavy cream
2 c. whole milk
1 c. sugar
3 tbsp. vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Directions
Blend all ingredients in a blender until ingredients are completely combined and sugar is dissolved. Pour batter into ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's directions to freeze the ice cream.
Pour ice cream into 3.5 Qt Insulated Bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for 1 - 3 hours before serving to allow the ice cream to firm up a bit. Grab a spoon and enjoy!

Peggy's Quick Beer Bread

Suggested Piece: 11” Skillet

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
¼ cup sugar
1 – 12 oz can beer (Budweiser)
¼ cup butter

Directions
Preheat skillet on medium-low heat. Mix together all dry ingredients in large bowl. Pour in beer and mix well, batter will become sticky. Melt butter in bottom of skillet to coat and pour excess butter into small dish. Empty dough into skillet and drizzle with remaining butter. Cover and bake on medium-low for approximately 30-35 min. or until baked through. (Skillet should never click when baking dough!)   

Berry Cobbler

Suggested Piece: Small Skillet

Ingredients
2 small bags frozen fruit
(e.g. blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.)
- or -
2-3 c. fresh berries
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 box yellow cake mix
1/2 c. melted butter

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover and cook berries over medium heat in bottom of small skillet until VapoValve begins to click. Pour off 1/2 c. fruit liquid in a cup; set aside. Add sugar to fruit, mix, and cook using the medium - click - low method for 5 additional minutes. Meanwhile stir cornstarch into reserved juice until well mixed. Add to fruit mixture and stir until thickened. Remove from heat and sprinkle dry cake mix on top and drizzle with melted butter. Remove lid and handles. Bake in oven at 350°F until cake is browned and butter is absorbed. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Carmel Apple Crumb Bars

Suggested Piece: Double Burner Griddle, 1 Qt. Saucepan,

Ingredients
Glaze:
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 to 2 Tbsp milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Crust:
1/2 cup unsalted butter melted, cooled
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
Filling:
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c apple butter or applesauce
1/2 medium Granny Smith apple shredded

Directions
Glaze:
In a 1 Qt. Saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add sugar and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and simmer the mixture for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in 1 tablespoon of milk. Heat to boil. Take of the heat, cool for 5 minutes. Transfer into a medium mixing bowl. Cool to lukewarm, about 30 minutes. If the sauce hardens, reheat on low heat. Add powdered sugar and whisk. If the mixture is crumbly, add another tablespoon of warm milk. Whisk until drizzling consistency. Makes about 1/2 cup of glaze.

Line Double Burner Griddle with parchment paper. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Crust:
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk melted butter with sugar. Add remaining ingredients and stir everything until a thick dough forms. Reserve 3/4 of a cup for the crumb topping. Press the remaining dough onto the bottom of prepared pan.

Filling:
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk all ingredients until smooth. Pour over the crust.

Top with little bits of the reserved dough to make the crumb topping. Bake the bars for 25 to 28 minutes. Cool completely in the pan. Drizzle with caramel sauce or glaze

Cranberry Orange Cake

Suggested Piece: Small Skillet


Ingredients
1/2 box pound cake mix
1/4 c. sour cream
2 large eggs
Zest of 1/2 orange (#1 cone)
Juice of 1/2 an orange (#1 cone)
1/2 c. fresh cranberries
1 tbsp. sugar
For the Icing:
1/2 c. powdered sugar
Juice of 1/2 an orange (#1 cone)

Directions
Spray a skillet with cooking spray. Sprinkle the 1 tablespoons of sugar on the bottom of the pan. Add cranberries on the bottom of the skillet. Set aside.
In separate bowl combine cake mix with sour cream, eggs, orange zest and juice. Pour mix over cranberries in skillet. Cover and bake over medium-low heat until center firm and cooked through. Invert onto a plate; let cool. Meanwhile, whisk your glaze ingredients and drizzle on top.

Tip: This makes a delicious cake with a tart cranberry cake. If the tartness of the cranberries is not your thing use Crasins instead for a sweeter cake.

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Suggested Pieces: Stainless Steel Cookie Sheets

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
3/4 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions
Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg & ground cloves. In a separate large bowl beat together the butter and sugars until fluffy. Turn the mixer down to low then beat in the egg, vanilla and pumpkin. Slowly add in the flour mixture. The dough will be very sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days. When ready to bake, take the dough out of the fridge. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees and line 2 cookie trays with parchment paper. In a small bowl whisk together the sugar and cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar coating. Form the dough into balls of about 1 1/2 tablespoons in size, then roll in the cinnamon sugar coating and flatten slightly. Place the cookies on the cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for about 8-10 minutes until the tops look just set.

Chocolate Berry Trifle

Suggested Piece: 11" Large Skillet

Ingredients
1 box devils food cake mix
1 zucchini (#1 cone)
3 eggs
1 pint strawberries, halved
1 pint blueberries
1 pint raspberries
1 qt. heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
2 tbsp. sugar

Directions
Combine cake mix, zucchini, and eggs in large mixing bowl. Bake cake using the stove top method. Let cool completely. Cut into 1-inch cubes. In a stand mixer whip heavy cream, cocoa, and sugar until stiff peaks form. In a large glass bowl or trifle dish, layer half of the cake cubes, half of the whipped topping, and half of the berries. Repeat!

Grape & Broccoli Salad

Suggested Pieces: 3.5 Qt. Insulated Bowl

Ingredients
3 lbs. fresh broccoli florets, chopped
2 c. red seedless grapes, halved
1 1/2 c. celery (#2 cone)
1 red onion (#2 cone)
1 lb. bacon, cooked and chopped
1/4 c. sunflower seeds
1/2 c. chopped pecans (#3 cone)
Dressing
1 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. sugar (or honey)
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
Black pepper to taste

Directions
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, and pepper until smooth. In a 3.5 Qt. Insulated Bowl, combine broccoli, grapes, celery, onion, and bacon. Pour dressing over salad mixture; toss until evenly coated. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate, about 2 hours. Just before serving, add sunflower seeds and nuts. Mix well. Serve chilled.

Chinese Almond Cookies

Suggested Piece: Stand Mixer & Stainless Steel Cookie Sheets

Ingredients
2 eggs
1 c. butter
1 3/4 c. flour
1 tsp. almond extract
1 1/3 c. almond flour, lightly packed
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/8 c. sugar
Sliced almonds

Directions

1. Place the almond flour, butter, and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. Beat on low speed for 3 minutes. The mixture will be coarse and chunky looking.
2. Add one of the eggs, reserving one for later, and the almond extract. Beat together until just incorporated.
3. Whisk together flour, sugar, and baking soda in a medium bowl and add to the stand mixer. Mix until just combined.
4. Pour mixture out onto plastic wrap and form into a disc. Wrap it up and chill in the fridge for 2 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat the egg you saved in a small bowl and have a pastry brush ready.
6. Take pieces of dough and roll them into balls, about 1 inch wide. Place on the cookie sheets and gently press them down with your palms to flatten into coin shapes.
7. Take your pastry brush and brush the tops of the cookies generously with the egg wash then place a sliced almond on top, pressing gently to keep it in place.
8. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until the cookies start to turn a dark golden color on top.
9. Remove and let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Ridiculously Easy Maple Pecan Scones

Suggested Piece: Cookie Sheet & 1 Qt. Saucepan

Ingredients

SCONES

1 c. heavy cream, plus more for brushing on top of scones

8 tbsp. butter

2 c. flour

¼ c. sugar

1 tbsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

½ c. chopped pecans

GLAZE

2 tbsp. maple syrup

2 tbsp. butter

2-3 tbsp. heavy cream or half & half, or milk

2 tbsp. dark brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

¾ c. confectioners’ sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Measure 1 c. heavy cream and place in the freezer while proceeding with recipe. (You want the cream to be in the freezer about 10 minutes.) Place butter in a 1 Qt. Saucepan and melt over medium-low heat. Once melted set aside to cool a bit while prepping other ingredients. Whisk flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and pecans in large bowl. After heavy cream has been chilled in freezer for 10 minutes, combine it with the melted butter. Stir with a fork until butter forms small clumps or globules. Add butter/cream mixture to dry ingredients and stir with rubber spatula until all flour is incorporated and batter pulls away from sides of bowl. Don’t over mix. Generously flour a work surface. Dump dough onto prepared work surface and turn to coat all surfaces with flour. Knead on counter 5-6 times (about 30 seconds). Flip over on work surface to coat with flour then pat into a 6-inch circle. Cut dough in 8 equal pie-shaped pieces. Transfer wedges onto prepared cookie sheet pan and brush tops with heavy cream. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let the scones cool before icing. While the scones are baking, make the maple glaze: place maple syrup, half and half, butter and brown sugar in a clean 1 Qt. Saucepan. Cook over medium heat whisking well to smooth out any lumps. Cook for another minute or until mixture is vigorously bubbling. Add powdered sugar to make a thick, but drizzle-able glaze. If glaze is too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar, if too thick add a little more cream. Drizzle glaze over scones. Let scones sit for 15 minutes to let glaze set before serving.

Blueberry Cheesecake French Toast

Suggested Piece: 12” Electric Skillet -or- Bake and Roast Pan

Ingredients

1 loaf day old French bread cubed

1 pkg. cream cheese

1/3 c. granulated sugar

1 1/2 c. frozen blueberries, tossed lightly with flour (leave frozen)

8 large eggs

1 1/2 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Countertop Directions

Spray a 12” Electric Skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Layer half the cubed bread in bottom. With a mixer cream sugar, cream cheese and vanilla. Drop by teaspoonfuls over bread. Toss the frozen blueberries in flour. Layer blueberries. Cover with remaining bread. Whisk the eggs and milk until combined. Pour over bread. Press bread with spatula to help soak up mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight…

The next morning set 12” Electric Skillet temperature to medium-low (250F). Cover and cook for approx. 45-50 minutes. (The Vapo-Valve should not click as you are “baking.”)

Oven Directions

Spray a Bake and Roast Pan with nonstick cooking spray (really get those corners). Layer half the cubed bread in bottom. With a mixer cream sugar, cream cheese and vanilla. Drop by teaspoonfuls over bread. Toss the frozen blueberries in flour. Layer blueberries. Cover with remaining bread. Whisk the eggs and milk until combined. Pour over bread. Press bread with spatula to help soak up mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight…

The next morning preheat oven to 350F. Bake for approx. 45-50 minutes.