Desserts have taken the world by storm. Sweet or tangy, traditional or unconventional, desserts are something that everyone knows about. How often does someone go out to dinner and not have a waiter or waitress approach them at some point to ask, “Would you like anything for dessert?”
From a time when something as simple as a strawberry dipped in melted chocolate would serve as a rare and delicious treat, to now, when desserts are oftentimes more complicated than the meal that precedes them, these delectable treats have the entire world under their grasp.
All cultures have some form of dessert. From chocolate ice cream in the United States, to bite-sized Welsh Cakes in Wales, to airy crêpes in France, to sweet puddings in England, dessert is always the part of the meal that people—children, in particular—look forward to with mouths watering.
Dessert: Welsh Cakes
Country of Origin: Wales
3¾ cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 sticks butter/margarine
¾ cup sugar
1½ cups dried fruit (any mixture)
1 egg
1 Tbs milk
1) Mix dry ingredients. Rub in fat until mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
2) Make a well in the center & add the beaten egg. Gently blend in,
adding enough milk to form a soft, but not sticky, dough.
3) Heat griddle/heavy flat-based pan over a low to medium heat. Rub with
the butter paper.
4) Roll out a piece of the dough on a floured board to about ¼” thick.
Cut into small rounds. Repeat with remaining dough. Reshape & use up leftovers.
5) Cook slowly on griddle, turning when the top becomes glazed & looks
puffy. Adjust heat as necessary. Don’t cook them too fast or the outsides will burn
but the insides won’t cook.
6) Cool on a wire rack. Dredge with superfine sugar to serve.
Dessert: Melting Moments
Country of Origin: Norway
1 Cup powdered sugar
2 Cups flour
1 Tsp soda
½ Tsp cream of tartar
½ Tsp salt
1 Cup butter
1 Egg
1Tsp vanilla
½ Cup finely chopped nuts
1) Sift flour, powdered sugar, cream of tartar, and salt together.
2) Cream butter, sugar, and egg.
3) Add vanilla and dry ingredients.
4) Drop by ½ teaspoon on greased cookie sheet.
5) Sprinkle chopped nuts on each cookie.
6) Bake at 350º about 8 minutes.
7) Very fragile and delicious!
Dessert: Crêpes
Country of Origin: France
4 eggs
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup milk
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 pinch salt
1) In medium mixing bowl, beat eggs.
2) Gradually add flour and sugar alternately with milk and water, beating with electric mixer or whisk until smooth.
3) Beat in the melted butter.
4) Ladle small amount of batter onto crêpe griddle and swirl into a circle.
5) Cook until one side is lightly browned, then flip over and repeat.
6) Serve with jams, chocolate, fruit, or icecream.
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