Desserts

A wonderful friend shared a melt-in-your-mouth recipe for pumpkin bread, and it was just too delicious and moist to allow it only bread status. We felt compelled to do a Gilded Fork variation on the recipe, which adds even more decadence with a rich streusel topping and rum-infused glaze. Enjoy...

Something magical happens to the ginger when it is infused into the cream and baked with the honey in the custard.  The flavor is sweet, without being cloying, and the ginger on the afterpalate is divine.  Ultra rich and creamy thick, this is the very definition of elegance and indulgence. Makes eight (8) 4- to 6-ounce servings Ingredients 1/2 cup fresh peeled ginger, coarsely chopped 4 cups of heavy whipping cream 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoon wildflower honey 12 egg yolks Preparation Preheat the oven to 325 F.  Place the ramekins for the crème brûlée in a deep baking pan, making sure the ramekins do not touch each other. Using a garlic press, press the chopped ginger into a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan.  Collect the ginger juice and the fibrous pieces into the saucepan, along with the pressed ginger.  Add the heavy cream.  Place over medium heat.  Bring to a simmer.  Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.  Remove from the heat and let stand to infuse for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Place the egg yolks into a medium bowl, add the honey and whisk to combine.  Add the sugar and whisk vigorously for about 3 or 4 minutes until the sugar is melted and incorporated.  The mixture should be thick and pale yellow, with ribbons of the mixture falling from the whisk when lifted.  Gradually whisk in the cream mixture, tempering the egg, honey and sugar mixture if the cream and ginger are still hot.  Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl, pressing on the ginger to release all the liquid.  Discard the ginger solids.  Rap the bowl with the cream and egg mixture on the counter to release any air that was incorporated into the mixture during whisking.

When it comes to simple desserts, there are few things as comforting and satisfying as warm pears. Don't be deceived by the simplicity of this recipe; treated to a simple roasting, this is an elegant and flavorful way to enjoy them. Fragrant sprigs of sweet rosemary add a wonderful, yet unusually aromatic and peppery flavor to an otherwise ordinary dessert. This is also a perfect dessert for effortless entertaining -- just prepare ahead of time and pop into the oven to roast while enjoying your main course. Buy firm pears, as they maintain their shape best with heat. 6 servings Ingredients For the roasted pears: 3 large firm Bosc pears, peeled, quartered and cored 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces 1/2 cup good quality honey, such as Wildflower, Orange Blossom or even Rosemary Blossom honey 2 large sprigs of rosemary, cut in half 1 cinnamon stick Strips of lemon zest from 1/2 lemon For the whipped crème fraîche: 1 6-ounce container of crème fraîche 1 teaspoon honey Good quality aged balsamic vinegar, for drizzling

Nothing warms the heart more than a gift of buttery homemade caramels.  Fresh butter, rich cream and fragrant lavender make this delicious blend of sweet, salty and floral an amazingly delicate, soft and chewy treat.  Try dipping the cut caramels in tempered chocolate (we prefer white chocolate with the lavender)...