Fruit and Root-Inspired Desserts

Ok, so before I became a teacher, I LOVED to bake! I mean, I was ALWAYS looking for an excuse to bake something. For me, it was just about the baking part, it was also about the garnishing part. Ever since becoming a teacher, my free time has been so golden and valued that I let the baking go to the wayside. In others, I got a little rusty after I started teaching. Well this summer, I was determined to get back into baking. As a person concerned with my health, I found inspiration from fruit and root-based recipes, and went from there.

The first dessert I made was a Sweet Potato Pie as a thank you for someone with some country roots. After that, I wanted to be All-American with a classic Apple Pie for the 4th of July! Then, I wanted to do something really fruity for my cousin’s surprise birthday celebration. I made Strawberry Cakes with Strawberry Frosting and Strawberries On Top… and my cousin and I tag teamed a Pineapple Upside Down Cake.

After eating a sweet summer peach this afternoon, I think I figured out the next dessert that I will try this summer!

Here are pictures from the process of making the Sweet Potato Pie and other shots of the other fruit and root inspired dishes that I have made!

Making the Sweet Potato Pie:

1. I washed the potatoes.

2. I baked the potatoes for over an hour.

3. I peeled and mashed them.

4. I mixed in the butter, milk, and seasonings… and once it tasted about right, I added in some eggs.

5. After making and chilling the crust, I rolled it out. Then I fitted it into the pie pan and filled a generous amount of filling. Then I finger-pressed the crust on top.