No-Bake Holiday Fruit Cake Recipe

fruit cake recipe

Try this easy, almost no-cooking fruit cake recipe for people who hate fruit cake.  Just tell the fruit cake haters it’s graham cracker chews.  They will taste it and fall in love. The holiday season is upon us and this is a great dish to take to parties, pot lucks, and family gatherings. This dessert recipe can be made quickly, is extremely adjustable and freezes well. Follow the recipe exactly, or use whatever nuts and dried fruit you prefer.

What You Need For A Refrigerator Fruit Cake Recipe

14 oz box of GRAHAM CRACKERS, smashed  [alternative:  VANILLA WAFERS]
10 oz bag MARSHMALLOWS
½ cup MILK
3 cups of NUTS, chopped*
4 cups of dried FRUIT, chopped*
2 Tbsp CINNAMON (optional)

*[What we used for this recipe:  2 cups walnuts, raw and 1 cup pecans, toasted; 6 oz unsweetened coconut, 5 oz dried pineapple (NOT candied like used in traditional fruit cake), 5 oz reduced sugar craisins, white raisins.  The coconut adds some moisture without adding a strong coconut flavor.]

How To Make This Fruit Cake Recipe

If you want to try an old-school store bought fruit cake, you can check out current prices for Claxton Fruit Cake on Amazon.

fruit cake recipe
  • In a large bowl, crush an entire box of graham crackers (or vanilla wafers). You can do this by hand or use a food processor, but crush crackers as small as possible.
  • Add in the dried fruit and nuts. There are no wrong fruits and nuts, whatever YOU LIKE will work.   Candied ginger? Dried cherries? Follow my ingredients exactly or use your own, it’s an extremely adjustable recipe, which is one of the reasons the recipe is so great!
  • Add in the cinnamon, and toss all the ingredients together well. Maybe a little cardamon, too? Added sugar? I think adding more sugar is crazy, but it’s an option. Brown sugar? Maybe.
  • On the stove top, heat a pot on low heat and add in the milk and marshmallows.
  • Stir milk and marshmallows together for about two minutes until they melt into a gooey liquid-like state. Stick to low heat, because using higher heat and getting in a hurry is just an invitation to disaster. it’ll only take a couple of minutes on low heat.
  • Once the marshmallows are melted, as quickly as possible–while the warm marshmallow mixture is at it’s “gooeyest”–pour the melted marshmallow in with the dry ingredients and mix everything together very well.
  • Then add the mixed ingredients into an ungreased dish and compress the mixture down into a dense loaf. You can do this with a spoon or spatula, or wax paper works very well, too. Use whatever size dish you like. The size of the dish will determine the shape of the cake. I generally use a flat dish, like an 8″ X 10″, then I cut the fruitcake pieces into nice cubes. My mother-in-law likes to use a loaf pan, and then cut the cake pieces into larger slices.
  • Put the dish in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours, and then it’ll be ready to slice and serve.

This cake recipe is so simple to make, and it stores and travels very well, which makes it perfect for parties and gatherings and gifts. Fruit cake is the perfect gift for someone you like, but don’t really love, so definitely give this refrigerator fruit cake a try.

If you want a fancier cake that’s crazy delicious and still pretty easy to make, try this Chocolate Cherry Cake Recipe.

chocolate cherry cake

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Pupusa Recipe for a Sweet Easy Dessert

pupusa recipe

Try this sweet twist on a pupusa recipe that turns gluten-free corn flour into a quick dessert treat. Pupusas are a traditional Latin American dish of corn tortilla filled with cheese, beans, peppers and meat, but you can use any combo of ingredients you like to cook pupusas, including sweet ingredients to make a variety of delicious dessert pupusas.

What you need for Dessert Pupusas

CORN FLOUR and warm water to create the dough
CINNAMON
BROWN SUGAR and/or POWDERED SUGAR
PEANUT BUTTER crunchy or creamy
CHOCOLATE CHIPS plus whatever other sweet filling you like!
OIL for cooking

for the creamy topping:
plain GREEK YOGURT
MAPLE SYRUP

and top the dessert pupusa with a sprinkling of
POWDERED SUGAR and
FRESH FRUIT

pupusa recipe

How to make a Dessert Pupusa Recipe

This pupusa dessert is super easy and almost foolproof. I’m not going to use ingredient amounts, because it’s really all to taste. Check here for current Corn Flour pricing on Amazon.

  • In a bowl, combine corn flour, sugar, and cinnamon. For measurements, it will be hard to make a bad ratio, just follow your heart. If you must have something to work with, try 1 cup of flour with 2 Tbsp of sugar and 1 Tbsp of cinnamon, but really, you can use twice as much sugar and cinnamon and it will still taste great. It’s dessert! Nobody wants to do math! The dough is easy to make, and the pupusas can be any size you like.
  • To make the corn dough you simply combine the corn flour mixture with warm water and mix by hand until you achieve a doughy consistency. If the dough is too dry, add more water, and if it’s too wet, add more flour.
  • Mix in a large ball and then divide into smaller golf ball sizes.
  • Flatten each ball into a flat disc shape and spread lightly with peanut butter.
  • Add chocolate chips, or any flavor chips, or meltable candies. Marshmallows? Sure! Although I find it to chewy with marshmallow, but you might love it!
  • Close the flat flour disc around the peanut butter and fillings and shape into a ball again.
  • Now flatten the ball, but with the fillings now inside. If some of the filling peeks through, it’s no big deal. A little leakage is fine.
  • Heat a skillet and about 1 Tbsp of coconut oil on medium low heat.
  • When the oil is heated, add each pupusa to the skillet and cook 1-2 minutes on each side. The longer they cook the crunchier the pupusa will get, because it’s corn flour just the same as used to make tortillas. Cook lightly to make a soft cookie consistency, or cook longer for a crunch.
  • After cooking, set pupusas aside on a paper towel.
  • For the creamy topping, I simply combine a rich Greek yogurt with Maple syrup, and sometimes I even use maple syrup to make the pupusa dough instead of sugar. Mix the yogurt and syrup well, and that’s it. Or simply use whipped cream!
  • To serve, place a dollop of cream on each pupusa. If desired, top with sliced fruit and a sprinkling of powdered sugar. This will make the desert look extra fancy pants with very little effort.

Give this sweet dessert pupusas recipe a try and let me know what you think, and bon appétit! And for a savory version, check out this Traditional Pupusa Recipe.

pupusas recipe
A pupusas recipe can be cooked quickly on a lightly greased skillet or griddle.

Thanks for checking out the pupusa recipe. Be sure and sign up for our mailing list so you’ll never miss a Chef Buck cooking video, and click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!
–Chef Buck

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Creme Fraiche – Great Homemade Sour Cream

creme fraiche recipe

This Crème Fraîche recipe is like a homemade sour cream but less tangy, and it’s easy to make, just heavy cream mixed with live cultures. Crème Fraîche is easy to make and can be 3-4 times cheaper than store-bought crème fraîche. It’s is a thickened cream, similar in consistency to sour cream, but without the sharp tanginess. 

Homemade Crème Fraîche Recipe

All you need to make crème fraîche is
HEAVY CREAM also called Heavy Whipping Cream
YOGURT or BUTTERMILK with live cultures A crème fraîche made with buttermilk has more tang.

A Crème Fraîche recipe practically makes itself. All you have to do is introduce the two parties, put them together in a warm environment around 70F, and then let them hang out for 12-24 hours. How long it takes for the cream to thicken will mostly depend on the room temperature; if it’s a bit warmer or cooler in the room, it might take a bit shorter or longer time to make crème fraîche.

I generally make 16oz of crème fraîche at a time. This is a convenient size for heavy whipping cream. Heavy whipping cream and heavy cream are similarly used names for the exact same product, so whichever label you buy will work fine. Heavy cream is cream with a milkfat content greater than 35%, by contrast, half and half is ½ milk and ½ cream, with a milkfat content around 12%. This higher fat content allows crème fraîche be added to simmering dishes without curdling, adding creaminess to soups and sauces, eggs, etc..

In a jar, combine 16oz of heavy cream with 2 Tbsp of cultured buttermilk or yogurt. It is essential that the yogurt or buttermilk contain live cultures, since this is the agent that will allow the heavy cream to thicken.

Need a jar? Check current prices for Mason Jars on Amazon.

Stir the ingredients together, and then top the jar with a loose fitting lid or mesh, a coffee filter works great. Set jar aside and allow to rest at room temperature for 12-24 hours.
The cream will thicken over time, stir occasionally if desired. Once the cream thickens to the consistency of yogurt, place the crème fraîche in the refrigerator. It will continue to thicken and
will keep 8 to 10 days in the refrigerator.

creme fraiche recipe
Delicious crème fraîche can be made at home simply and inexpensively.

What can you do with Crème Fraîche?

It makes an ideal topping for desserts; it is rich and velvety smooth and can transform whatever it tops into a dessert, especially fruit. Or it can add creaminess to savory dishes as well. Crème fraîche has a high fat content, so it can be added into dishes as they cook and the cream will resist curdling. Add crème fraîche to soups and sauces to create a smooth, creamy richness. Crème fraîche can be used in any way you might use a whipped topping or sour cream, but the simplicity and richness of this thickened cream can elevate a dish to something special.

Love Mexican food? You can use this recipe to make a fresh, delicious Mexican crema that is better than what you buy in the stores. Mexican crema is basically crème fraîche with a bit of lime juice and salt added after it has sat in the frig for a day. And for an extra tang, use cultured buttermilk instead of the yogurt. What you will get is thick, creamy goodness that is a great topping for chilaquiles, pozole, tacos …. the list is endless!

My Favorite Ways To Use Crème Fraîche

Use crème fraîche as a fruit topping. It turns fruit into dessert. An actual dessert if you top with powdered sugar as well.
Saute apples in butter and cinnamon and then top with crème fraîche. Holy cow it’s good.
Or just drop a dollop of crème fraîche on pie or cake.
Stir crème fraîche into pasta to add a decadent creaminess. Mac ‘n cheese!
Stir crème fraîche into soups and sauces, it will add creaminess without curdling.
Top oatmeal with crème fraîche to turn a bland breakfast into a better breakfast.
Add crème fraîche to scrambled eggs for the creamiest eggs ever.

If you’ve never tried crème fraîche then give it a go. And if you’ve only previously bought it from the store, definitely try this homemade crème fraîche recipe.

Here’s some desserts that would look nice under a dollop of crème fraîche!
Try a homemade Fruit Cobbler Recipe.

creme fraiche
homemade fruit cobbler

Or try crème fraîche on a fancy French Baked Pear Recipe.

pear salad

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We include affiliate links for products on our website, so if you make a purchase after clicking on our links, we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program providing a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.

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Blackberry Cobbler Recipe with an Oatmeal Twist

blackberry cobbler

You can make this blackberry cobbler recipe using any kind of berries or fruit. CG loves to use oatmeal when she can, which pairs well with the flour to make the batter for this dessert.

What you need for a Blackberry Cobbler Recipe

2 cups BERRIES (any kind)
1 Tbsp CORN STARCH
1 cup QUICK OATS
½ cup ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
1½ tsp BAKING POWDER
1 tsp CINNAMON (optional)
½ cup SUGAR (use partial brown sugar if desired)
¼ cup BUTTER
1 lg EGG
½ tsp VANILLA EXTRACT
¼ cup MILK

How to make Blackberry Cobbler

Use any berries you like for this cobbler dessert–it’s a cobbler, but with a little twist on the batter–we’re pairing Quick-cook Oatmeal along with the flour. This recipe doesn’t make a huge amount, but it’s perfect for about 4 human-sized portions–just double the recipe for a bigger dessert. We’re using blackberries because we’ve got fresh ones.

To start, put your berries in a bowl and add 2-4 Tbsp of sugar–if desired–if your berries are already sweet enough, don’t bother with the added sugar. Add corn starch and toss with the berries and set aside.

In a second bowl, combine your Quick Oats, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and sugar. Mix Thoroughly, then cut butter into the mix. Stir until the butter is integrated into the mix, then add 1 beaten egg, vanilla extract, and milk. We’re using almond milk, but use whatever kind of milk you like. Stir ingredients together.

Grease an 8×8 oven friendly dish. We’re using an 8″ deep dish pie tin with a little butter spray; check prices for Pie Plates on Amazon. Spread the berry mixture evenly on the bottom of the dish, and then top the berries with spoonfuls of the batter. Don’t worry about spreading the batter neatly, spoon it evenly around the top and it will spread evenly in the oven.

Place the dish in an oven pre-heated to 350 degrees F and let bake for about 30 minutes until the topping is a golden brown. If your cooking dish is particularly small, place it on a baking sheet or tinfoil to catch any drippings.

Let the cobbler cool for 10-15 minutes and then serve with ice cream (or without ice cream, but that would be crazy).

creme fraiche
homemade fruit cobbler

For another great dessert, try this delicious but deadly but delicious Scone Recipe.

maple pecan scones

Thanks For Watching Our Cobbler Recipe!

Thanks for checking out our scones, and all of our recipes. Be sure and sign up for our mailing list so you’ll never miss a new recipe. Also click a button below and share the dishes with your friends. You can also follow Chef Buck on Youtube. We appreciate all the kind comments and support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!

If you like what CG and I do, you can also support us on Patreon, or throw us a tip in our Paypal Tip Jar. We’ll happily enjoy a coffee on the road – Thanks! We appreciate all the support, and we’ll see you next time in the kitchen!

We include affiliate links for products on our website. So, if you make a purchase after clicking on our links, we may earn a commission which helps us produce more videos and drink more coffee :^) We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program. It provides a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, so we can make more videos.

Share and Enjoy !

Pear Salad Recipe — a Classic Southern Pear Dessert

pear salad

A pear salad recipe might be a dish you’re familiar with if you grew up in the South, but maybe not. Is this pear dessert familiar throughout the USA and abroad? My mom made canned pear salad quite often when I was a kid. It’s an super simple and surprisingly tasty pear dessert. This pear treat is cheap and quick, so ideal for kids. In this pear recipe video we’re matching a classic southern pear salad up against a fancy-pants hipster version of pear salad. Both pear recipes are winners in my book, but since I grew up eating the canned pear version, I have a slight bias. If you’ve never tried a pear salad, it might seem like a weird combination of ingredients, but trust me, it’s delicious.

Classic Southern Pear Salad Recipe

canned PEAR HALVES
a dollop of real MAYONNAISE
shredded CHEDDAR CHEESE
MARASCHINO CHERRIES
optional:
top with toasted nuts

pear salad
classic Southern style pear salad dessert

How to Make a Classic Pear Salad Recipe

  • Crack open a can of pear halves.
  • If your inner engineer craves stability, you can shave off the bottom of each pear so that the
    halves will sit flat on a plate.
  • Arrange pear halves on a plate.
  • Place a dollop of mayonnaise in the hollow of each pear half.
  • Sprinkle shedded cheese over the mayonnaise.
  • Top each pear with a maraschino cherry.
  • Serve immediately, or chill before serving. There’s never a wrong time to eat pear salad.

Is that too quick and easy? Are you a hipster? Or a fancy Wall Street big shot? Need something fancier?

How to Make a Pretentious Pear Salad Recipe

fresh PEARS (ripe, but firm; any kind of pear will do)
fancy-pants CREME FRAICHE
expensive CHEESE
toasted WALNUTS or PECANS
but still use MARASCHINO CHERRIES (because they’re easy, and perfect)

pear salad
pretentious pear salad with attitutde

  • Any pears will do for this dish, as long as they’re ripe, but firm. I don’t like my pears mushy, and I like to bake them with the skin on.
  • Halve the pears and remove the core.
  • Lightly grease a baking dish and place the pears cut side down.
  • Bake pears in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 30 minutes.
  • Remove pears from oven and allow to cool.
  • Arrange pears on a plate and place a dollop of crème fraîche or small-batch vegan yogurt in each pear hollow.
  • Top each pear with finely shredded artisinal cheese.
  • Add a sprinkling of toasted walnuts of pecans.
  • And crown each with a maraschino cherry.

And Voilà! You’re a snob, but at least you’re a snob with a very tasty pear salad.

If you’ve never tried a pear salad recipe, definitely give one of these a go, there’s a 95% chance you will love it.

If you prefer pears with a European flair, try this French inspired creamy Baked Pears Recipe

pear salad
click pic for French-style baked pear dessert

Thanks for checking out the video and recipes. If you liked it, then click a button or two below and share it with your friends. I appreciate it!
–Chef Buck

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