“Wow,” was the first word out of my mouth after I had my first bite of a Star Spangled Shortcake. What an awesome treat! It’s the perfect combination of salty, sweet, creamy, and crunchy. If you’ve never eaten shortcakes, you are really missing out.

Who could believe it is possible to create an easy and flavorful gourmet pizza in just a matter of minutes? Actually, I have made this pizza a number of times since I first tasted it during recipe testing in the Test Kitchens. The flavor was incredible and I knew right away it would be a recipe I would serve my family and friends. That is what I have done – three times to be exact.

Now that school is out for the summer, I’m already planning my entertaining. We have a deck on our roof, and the Taste of Minnesota food festival sets off fireworks four nights in a row. It’s pretty spectacular, and a great time for us to have friends over for dessert before the fireworks. The parties usually involve kids, so I like to make a dessert that is kid-friendly but also fabulous for adults. I choose Puff Pastry Stars with Custard Sauce, and I know it will be a hit. The flavors are simple and yet fantastic – creamy custard sauce with a hint of white chocolate, plus puff pastry cut-outs dusted with powdered sugar, and a sprinkling of berries. It’s easy to get everything ready in the morning or the day before, and just assemble before serving. The kids could even add their own berries and stars just for fun!

Lemon meringue was always one of my favorite pies to bake growing up. I learned to make it in home economics class in junior high, and loved to spend hours in the kitchen whipping up meringue and making pie crusts. I loved the filling extra tart so it made you pucker! My mom would take pies to meetings, we’d have pies for dinner or after-school snacks, and even the occasional slice for breakfast if there was ever any left over. It was like magic for me, making something so wonderful that everyone enjoyed.

It’s baseball season. The professional teams are in full swing and summer leagues are going strong. I’ve always enjoyed watching a good ball game. When my older son played in a summer league I looked forward to those lazy summer nights enjoying the beautiful weather and watching the boys play. I don’t know how many “end-of-the-season” parties I helped with over the years but, I do know that when I made Baseball Cap Cupcakes I hit a home run.

Juicy, red, ripe strawberries are at their finest right now. Although strawberries are available at the supermarket throughout the year, I always look forward to this time of year when strawberries are in season and at their best. A fresh strawberry pie really showcases these luscious berries and no one can resist a slice, or two.  Let me show you how easy it is to make.

I am a diehard chocolate lover. My favorite fruit is strawberries. Put those two together and I couldn’t be happier. The recipe I’m featuring today is one of my favorites. The brownie batter is made in a saucepan making it quick and easy to prepare. Topping these rich fudgy brownies with strawberries, hot fudge sauce and whipped cream creates the perfect dessert – at least in my world!

These kickin’ little burgers are a cinch to prepare and perfect for summer appetizers or hors d’oeuvres parties. I had never heard of adobo sauce before this challenge, but I’m definitely a believer now. While the flavor of the chilies gives some heat, it’s mild enough that there will be no complaints from kids.  The hubby liked them so much that he requested that we give the recipe an encore – next time making full-sized burgers so they could get center stage!

  One of my family’s favorite recipes is Chocolate Chip Banana Mini Loaves. I have been making this easy quick bread since my sons were little boys. All their friends have enjoyed warm slices of this moist bread over the years.