Cherry Bars

I know autumn is already here and everybody is thinking about pies and pumpkins, but this is a recipe I tried a few months ago and I  really enjoyed it. No more words said, I want to share it with all of you. Of course you can try it with many other fruits of your choice. I think peaches or apricots would be a great substitute ;)

And here is the recipe I found :)


INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 1 1/2 (21 oz) cans cherry pie filling

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 2 1/2 - 3 Tbsp half and half

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a medium baking dish.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. 

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. 

Mix in eggs one at a time, then blend in vanilla and almond extracts. 

With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix until combined.

Reserve and set aside 1 1/2 cups batter then spread remaining evenly into prepared baking dish. 

Top with cherry pie filling spreading into an even layer. ( I made my own cherry filling - see the recipe below)

Dollop small spoonfuls of the remaining batter evenly over top.

Bake in preheated oven about 30 - 37 minutes (near lesser time for 15 by 10 baking dish and greater time for 13 by 9). 

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

For the glaze:
In a small mixing bowl whisk together all glaze ingredients adding enough half and half to reach desired consistency. Pour into a resealable bag, seal bag and cut a small tip from one corner then drizzle over top of cooled bars. Allow glaze to set (to set it quicker chill in freezer) then cut into squares.

Home made cherry filling:

• 2 cups cherries
• 1/4  cup  sugar
• 1/2 cup water

Wash your cherries and take out the seeds.

Put them in a pan along with sugar and water.

Let them boil for 10 minutes or until cherries become soft. If needed, water can be added in small quantities.

Set aside for 10 minutes before use it.

Photo Credit: Emi Trasnitu

Tea Party

Last Saturday I hosted a tea party for some of my friends and neighbors. It was a nice and shinny day outside, just perfect for this kind of party.
We had a really good time together, chatting and laughing. 

For this occasion I made a selection of sweets such as cupcakes, tarts, raspberry - lemon bars and a mini rainbow cake. As my mother was also here, she made her delicious choux à la crème and they were the favorite.

To refresh our selves,  I made a special ice tea blend that I bought from London and also I created my own cocktail.  We also had Hugo, Prosecco, Apple Cider and an interesting turquoise cocktail brought as a gift by my friend Andreea, that was the ladies favorite ;)

Here you can see more photos with what I have prepared for the party. Some of the recipes you'll find later on the blog :) Sorry for the quality of some photos, they were taken with my phone :D 
Enjoy!