Just~One~Donna

Ah, peanut butter pie. That rich, creamy comfort food that melts in your mouth and sends shivers of pure happiness down your spine. I, like many, have fallen victim to its tasty charms.  But my obsession wasn't born in any ordinary kitchen. No, it all started many years ago with a bite of Emeril Lagasse's  peanut butter pie at one of his restaurants.  Forget the fork, I practically inhaled that slice! Peanut Butter Pie Perfection Now, replicating a restaurant masterpiece at home can be daunting. Mountains of chopped peanuts? Hours of whisking? Not in my kitchen! I craved that silky, peanut-buttery perfection, but with an easy-breezy twist.  Enter my Emeril-Inspired Peanut Butter Pie Recipe: it makes a symphony of creamy indulgence, made possible with a few strategic shortcuts and a secret weapon you won't believe is homemade. This recipe is all about flavor without fuss. We're talking about a store-bought crust (graham or chocol...

If it's that time of year when the weather cools down and leaves change colors in your neighborhood, I bet you are starting to crave some cozy fall flavors. One of the best ways to embrace the season is by baking a classic apple pie at home. You'll fill your home with warmth and seasonal aromas. Today I'm sharing my recipe for apple pie along with all the tips and tricks I use to keep pie-making simple. How to Bake an Apple Pie (This post contains paid links.) This is the ideal time to make the most of apple season and whip up a comforting apple pie right in your kitchen. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just getting started, making a homemade apple pie is a rewarding and tasty experience you'll want to try.

Have you made a pie lately?   While spring and summer are usually the best for making pies with all the beautiful fruits and berries that are available, you can make a delicious blueberry pie anytime with frozen, wild blueberries.  How to Make the Best Blueberry Pie with Frozen Blueberries (This post contains affiliate links that support the costs of publishing this blog.) Blueberry pie can be a challenge when you are making it at home because thickening the filling's juice with the right mix can be a guessing game.  It's a breeze with my secret ingredient.

It's pie season. Whether you are making a sweet dessert pie or a savory pie like an asparagus quiche  or chicken pot pie for dinner you will need a pie crust.  I know from talking with friends, family, and co-workers year after year, that making pie crust fills more people than not with dread and fear.  You don't have to be an expert to make pie crust. How to Make Pie Dough with a Food Processor Making Food Processor Pie Dough Making pie dough is not rocket science.  A simple combination of flour, fat, salt, sugar, and water magically comes together to create the foundation for a delectable filling.  What's so hard about that?

 A simple pumpkin pie is a quintessential fall dessert.  Most of us only think of pumpkin pie during those few months of the year reserved for all things fall.   Nowadays you can make pumpkin pie any time of year now that canned pumpkin is readily available all year.   Easy Pumpkin Pie for Fall The spices used in the pumpkin pie filling create a flavor that is for me, uniquely fall. Just gather some cinnamon, ginger, ground cloves, and allspice from your pantry.  You can make your own pumpkin pie spice by following this recipe.   

With Halloween on the horizon, it is time to start thinking about your holiday baking.  Are you hosting a holiday dinner this year?   One of my favorite tasks in planning our holiday menu is thinking about the dessert options.   As you start thinking about the pie selection for your upcoming holiday dinner, are you wondering if you should try a new and different pie, or stick to tradition?  How about trying a spin on tradition with a bourbon pecan pie? A Bourbon Pecan Pie for Your Holiday Dinner Bourbon Pecan Pie One of the traditional pies that are always a favorite on our holiday table is a pecan pie because it is my Hubby's favorite pie.  This Bourbon Pecan Pie recipe adds a twist with the addition of bourbon for flavoring.

Blueberry pie has been one of my all-time favorite desserts.  As pies go, blueberry battles for top billing with apple and lemon meringue.  They each served as stand-ins for my birthday cake when I was a kid.  I've always preferred pie over cake. Have you made a pie lately?  Any time of year is the right time to make a pie, but spring and summer are the best for all the beautiful fruits and berries that are available.  If making pie crust gives you fits, try my recipe for food processor pie crust .  It's easy as pie! How to Make the Best Blueberry Pie (This post contains affiliate links that support the costs of publishing this blog.) A Classic Blueberry Pie is Perfect for Summer Blueberry pie can be a challenge when you are making it at home because thickening the filling's juice with the right mix can be a guessing game.  I've started using Clearjel in my blueberry pie filling to take out the guesswork.  The resulting filling holds ...

How many of you watch America's Test Kitchen shows on your local PBS station?  Show of hands, please.  Well, those of you who don't have your hands raised really should check your local TV listings and catch one of the shows soon.  The programs are full of ideas and tips, like this suggestion that you can make a better pie dough using vodka as one of the ingredients.  I know, sounds crazy doesn't it? Vodka Pie Dough Pie dough is not my thing.  No, not at all.  Yes, I've been known to purchase the prepared pie dough from my local grocery store.  No, I'm not ashamed to admit it, and neither should you be.  My mom, keeps telling me that making pie dough is easy.  Yes, easy as pie.  Well, I'm finally willing to tackle the art of making pie dough.  I actually started about a year ago.  I selected different dough recipes, made some pies and compared the crust results.  I had no clear winner with my first attempt a...

Are you crazy about anything lemon-flavored? You are not alone. My lemon craving reared its ugly head this week when I started to get lemons on the brain.  Thoughts of lemons would enter my head at odd, but frequent moments.  Luckily, this lemon chess pie recipe came to mind.  This Lemon Chess Pie is the perfect antidote to a lemon craving. Lemon Chess Pie for Lemon Lovers You'll be amazed at how quick and easy this pie is to make and it is lemony delicious!