Quick Tiramisu

Cook Time: 10 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 package lady fingers sponge cakes
1/2 cup strong black coffee or espresso
2 ounces (shots) coffee flavor liqueur
2 cups mascarpone cheese, available in specialty cheese case of supermarket
1/2 cup powdered confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Open the ladyfingers and separate them. Paint the ladyfingers with coffee combined with the coffee liqueur using a pastry brush. Line 4 martini glasses with a single layer of ladyfingers, letting the cakes overlap a bit at the stem. Press the cakes down a bit to fit the lines of the glass. Beat cheese and sugar together 2 or 3 minutes. Spoon sweetened mascarpone into glasses. Top glasses off with a cap of the ladyfingers. Use any remaining mascarpone to dot the ladyfinger tops and sprinkle each glass with cocoa powder combined with a touch of cinnamon.

From: foodnetwork.com

Nothin' to Fret about Apple Fritters

Cook Time: 8 min
Level: Easy
Yield: 20 apple fritter rings


Ingredients

Vegetable oil, for frying
4 apples, Red or Golden Delicious or, 2 of each
2 teaspoons lemon juice (1 wedge will do)
2 cups complete pancake mix, any brand
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, or equivalent of freshly grated
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar


Directions

Heat 1-inch vegetable oil on moderate to medium high heat. If you wish to test the oil, add a 1-inch cube of bread to hot oil. If it turns deep golden brown in color in a count of 40, the oil is ready.


Core apples with an apple corer. Cut into 1/4-inch thick slices across, forming apple rings. Sprinkle sliced apples with the juice of a wedge of lemon to prevent browning.


Mix together pancake mix and water, season with nutmeg. Place confectioners' sugar in a sifter or a tea strainer. Place a piece of cardboard or brown paper sack on a work surface for draining fritters. Working in small batches of 5 to 6 slices, coat rings of apple in batter, and fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until evenly golden brown. Transfer to paper bag or towels to drain. When all the fritters are cooked, let oil cool before discarding.


Top fritters with confectioners' sugar and transfer to a serving platter.

From: foodnetwork.com