Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee

Old-fashioned Banana Pudding I never cut corners with this recipe. Meaning, I make the entire recipe start to finish from scratch. Hope y'all will enjoy it!  Various banana recipes usually involve preparing a topping such as pudding, or whipped cream, to spread as the top layer on the dessert. Doing this keeps the sliced bananas from turning brown, slimy, and yucky. This is the reason why I always top my old-fashioned banana pudding with a layer of whipped cream. In another article, I shared how I make homemade vanilla wafers . So, please go to that post to see how you can make them. Below are the ingredients and instructions to prepare my country-style vanilla pudding. After I walk you through the steps of making it, you'll find my recipe to finish preparing my homemade whipped cream and banana pudding.  Ingredients and instructions to make homemade vanilla pudding ¾ cups of Splenda, or sugar 3 tablespoons of cornstarch, or 6 tablespoons of flour ⅛ teaspoon of kosher salt 3 c...

Celebrating Authentic Mexican Flavors: Delicious Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Welcome to Cooking With Gin Lee’s special edition during Authentic Mexican Cuisine Week! Today, we’re exploring a beloved traditional treat that perfectly blends the sweetness of American dessert favorites with the warm, comforting flavors of Mexico — Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, these bars are sure to impress with their creamy, flaky texture and irresistible cinnamon sugar topping. Let’s dive into the history, preparation tips, and why this dessert deserves a spot in your recipe collection. Table of Contents The Rich Heritage of Sopapillas Why Cheesecake Bars Make a Perfect Fusion Ingredients & Essential Tools Step-by-Step Recipe for Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars Pro Tips and Variations Conclusion & Invitation to Try The Rich Heritage of Sopapillas Sopapillas are a traditional fried bread that holds a special place in Mexican and ...

Country Apple Pie Nothing is more American than a delicious, homemade country apple pie; it's the perfect pie to create for the holidays or any other time. With its yummy, flaky crust, tender-sweet apples, and delightful hint of cinnamon, it's a perfect example of mouth-watering scrumptiousness! Ingredients: 9 large apples, peeled or unpeeled, sliced or diced 1/2 cup of Splenda, or sugar 1/4 cup of self-rising flour 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons of butter, cut into small pieces, plus about a tablespoon of melted butter to be brushed over the top pie crust You'll need 2 sheets of prepared pie dough . Instructions: In a bowl, add the prepared apples, 1/2 cup of Splenda or sugar, 1/4 cup of self-rising flour, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Mix well.    Add the apple filling to a prepared pie crust, and randomly lay the butter pieces over the filling. You can get all my pie crust recipes here at Newsbreak. (If you're interested, I also have numerous holida...

Chocolate Brownie Thumbprints with Fudge Centers Indulge in the deliciousness of Chocolate Brownie Thumbprints with Fudge Centers this holiday season! These decadent treats are sure to impress any chocolate lover. To create these mouthwatering delights, gather the following Ingredients: For the chocolate brownie thumbprints: 1 cup of flour 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 teaspoon of salt 1/2 cup of butter 3/4 cup of granulated Splenda, or sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract For the fudge filling: 1 (12-ounce) bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/4 cup of sugar-free powdered sugar, or regular powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract 6 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk Instructions for the fudge filling: Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, then add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir well and microwave for one minute, stirring every 30 seconds. Instructions for the chocolate brownie cookies: Prehea...

Creamy country-style custard The possibilities are endless! This custard can be used to make a variety of desserts or consumed alone. It's thick, creamy, velvety, and delightfully delicious. If you're looking for a cool treat to help you beat the summer heat, you can also freeze the custard. Ingredients: 2 cups of milk 1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract 4 to 6 eggs, depending on their size 2 teaspoons of cornstarch 2 heaping tablespoons of Splenda or sugar; add more if you prefer a sweeter custard. Instructions: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, add 2 cups of milk and 1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Allow the mixture to reach the boiling point. In a bowl, add 4 to 6 eggs, 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, and 2 heaping tablespoons of Splenda or sugar together (add more sweetener if you prefer a sweeter custard). Whisk the ingredients together well. When the milk is about to boil, pour it quickly onto the egg mixture while whisking constantly. You will need to really put your wrist...

Peach Dumplings Hey there, foodies! Today, we're going to learn how to make some mouthwatering peach dumplings in a homemade simple syrup. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this amazing dessert! Ingredients: 4 ripe peaches 1 can of crescent roll dough (or use homemade crescent dough). 1 cup of Splenda, or sugar 1 cup of water 1/2 cup of butter 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon of cinnamon Instructions: Peel and pit the peaches, then cut them into quarters. Roll out the crescent roll dough and wrap each peach quarter in a piece of dough. In a saucepan, combine the Splenda, or sugar, water, butter, pure vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Place the wrapped peaches in a baking dish and pour the simple syrup over them. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the dumplings are golden brown. Remove the peach dumplings from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanil...

Chocolate fudge pecan delight cake This cake was inspired by one of my favorite Russell Stovers chocolate candies.  1 box of Chocolate Fudge cake mix The ingredients that the cake mix requires 2 containers of Cream Cheese Frosting 1 package of cream cheese 1 small container of Cool Whip 1 bag of  pecan delights chocolate candy Instructions: Bake the cake in a prepared square cake pan. Allow the cake to cool completely, then cut the cake in half. Try to cut both halves to the same thickness. Take the top half of the cake and lay it on a cake board or platter. Now, in a medium bowl, combine one container of cream cheese and half of the Cool Whip. Combine well. In another bowl add the other container of cream cheese frosting and the package of cream cheese. With a mixer, combine the cream cheese in well with the frosting. Set both bowls aside for now. Next, unwrap the pecan delights and chop each one of them into smaller pieces. Now, add half of the chopped pieces of chocolate ca...

Layered chocolate chip fudge cake A few weeks ago, I made this cake eggless, without using cooking oil in the batter, and instead, I opted to use ¾ cup of applesauce, mixed with one cup of water and a box of dark chocolate fudge cake mix. The cake turned out to be a fudge lover's dream. It was so fudgy, moist, and delicious. Today, I am making the same cake but I am following the box ingredients list, then adding a ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter. I chose to use sugar-free milk chocolate chips in this recipe for contrast since the cake is already going to be dark chocolate. I also used a rectangular cake pan, 9-Inch by 13-Inch, to bake the cake in. You can use a square or round cake pan if you prefer. Ingredients: 1 dark fudge chocolate cake mix 3 eggs 1 cup of water ½ cup canola oil ½ cup of chocolate chips, and extra chocolate chips for the frosting 2 containers of cream cheese frosting  Cooking spray & enough flour to dust the cake pan Instructions:  First, prehe...

Homemade Chocolate Yum-Yum Bars For chocolate enthusiasts, crafting this nostalgic treat in the comfort of your own kitchen is a surefire way to bring joy. These homemade chocolate yum-yum bars are both simple to make and a fun activity that anyone can enjoy. Ingredients: 1/2 cup of cocoa powder 3 cups of sugar-free powdered sugar, or regular powdered sugar 3/4 cup of powdered milk 2 tablespoons of softened butter or margarine 1/2 cup of sugar-free corn syrup, or honey 1 teaspoon of chocolate extract 1 bag (12-ounces) of semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup of granola 1/2 cup of nuts (optional) Instructions: To begin creating the filling for the bars, combine 1/2 cup of cocoa powder, 3 cups of sugar-free powdered sugar or regular powdered sugar, and 3/4 cup of powdered milk in a large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly. Add 2 tablespoons of softened butter or margarine, 1/2 cup of sugar-free corn syrup or honey, and 1 teaspoon of chocolate extract to the mixture. Mix the ingredients together un...

Decadent Peanut Butter Cheesecake: A Sweet Tooth Dream Enjoy the oh-so-delicious Peanut Butter Cheesecake with Chocolate Chip Topping. Your taste buds will be dancing with delight as this delicious dessert leaves you craving more. Luckily, today is a guilt-free day when it comes to counting calories! For the crust: 12 Graham crackers 2 tablespoons of Splenda brown sugar blend or light brown sugar 6 tablespoons of melted butter For the filling: 4 (8-ounce) blocks of cream cheese, at room temperature 1/2 cup of sour cream or Greek yogurt, at room temperature 1 1/2 cups of creamy peanut butter 1 cup of granulated Splenda or sugar 4 large eggs, at room temperature 2/3 cup of heavy whipping cream Instructions: To begin, prepare the crust by crushing 12 Graham crackers and mixing them with 2 tablespoons of Splenda brown sugar blend or light brown sugar, along with 6 tablespoons of melted butter. Press this mixture into the bottom of a springform pan lined with aluminum foil and greased with ...

Yellow Cupcakes If you are in search of a delectable cupcake recipe for Easter, look no further. These cupcakes are not only delicious but also versatile with any flavored frosting of your choice. Ingredients: 1/2 cup of softened butter 2/3 cup of Splenda or sugar 1 cup of all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon of baking powder 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract 4 eggs Instructions: In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of softened butter and 1/3 cup of Splenda or sugar. Cream together until smooth. Add 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. Gradually add in 4 eggs, beating until the batter is creamy and smooth. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners, and fill them halfway with the cake batter. Transfer your muffin pan to a 350-degree oven and bake the cupcakes for about 10 to 15 minutes. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting them with your preferred topping. Serve and savor the delightful flavors of...

Cream Filling If you're on the hunt for a scrumptious cream filling to elevate your cookies, pastries, layered cakes, or cake logs, look no further! This cream is the ultimate choice for all those delightful treats and more! Ingredients: 2 cups of cold heavy cream 1/2 cup of sugar-free powdered sugar (or regular powdered sugar) 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract Instructions: Grab a bowl and pour in 1 cup of cold heavy cream, along with 1/4 cup of sugar-free powdered sugar (or regular powdered sugar), and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Whip up the mixture until it becomes irresistibly smooth and creamy. Pop the cream filling into the refrigerator, keeping it chilled until you're ready to unleash its deliciousness. So, whether you're planning to create a heavenly cookie sandwich, fill up some delectable pastries, or craft a show-stopping layered cake, this cream filling is your secret weapon. Get ready to indulge in pure creamy bliss!

Dreamy Whipped Topping—Made at Home! This recipe presents a delightful variation of the beloved classic Cool Whip. With just three simple ingredients, you can effortlessly whip up a delectable topping that is sure to impress your family and friends. Ingredients: 1 (14-ounce) can of unsweetened coconut milk 2 tablespoons of white granulated Splenda or granulated sugar; adjust to your taste. 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract Instructions: Begin by refrigerating a can of coconut milk for at least 8 hours or overnight. This step is crucial to ensuring the creaminess of the final product.   Prior to making the whipped cream, place a metal mixing bowl and beaters in the refrigerator or freezer for 1 hour. This will help maintain the cold temperature necessary for achieving perfect consistency.   Open the can of coconut milk carefully, making sure not to shake it. Scoop out the coconut cream solids into the chilled mixing bowl, reserving the remaining liquid for another use.   ...

Chocolate fudge pecan delight cake This cake was inspired by one of my favorite Russell Stovers chocolate candies.  1 box of Chocolate Fudge cake mix The ingredients that the cake mix requires 2 containers of Cream Cheese Frosting 1 package of cream cheese 1 small container of Cool Whip 1 bag of  pecan delights chocolate candy Instructions: Bake the cake in a prepared square cake pan. Allow the cake to cool completely, then cut the cake in half. Try to cut both halves to the same thickness. Take the top half of the cake and lay it on a cake board or platter. Now, in a medium bowl, combine one container of cream cheese and half of the Cool Whip. Combine well. In another bowl add the other container of cream cheese frosting and the package of cream cheese. With a mixer, combine the cream cheese in well with the frosting. Set both bowls aside for now. Next, unwrap the pecan delights and chop each one of them into smaller pieces. Now, add half of the chopped pieces of chocolate ca...

Photo source by BarelyDevi / Pixabay / Virginia Watkins/ Desygner Chocolate eclairs In 1884, the first learned recipe for the chocolate eclair appeared in "The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book". The chocolate eclair is similar to a cream puff. The only difference is that a cream puff is round, filled with thick cream, then dusted with powdered sugar, with no chocolate added. Whereas the chocolate eclair is piped oblong, cream-filled, and normally frosted with a chocolate frosting or chocolate glaze dripped over it.  For this chocolate eclair recipe, the pastry dough is piped out of a pastry bag, then baked, cooled, and sliced to pipe in the filling. The filling of the chocolate eclair can be a vanilla pastry cream or whipped cream. This recipe uses both an instant vanilla pudding mix, and heavy whipping cream. When the thick vanilla cream is prepared it's then piped onto the center of the sliced bottom layer, then the tops of the eclairs are placed back on. Then the chocol...

Posted: 18 Aug 2021 07:04 AM PDT Dreamy, soft-batch, triple chocolate cookies  If you love chocolate cookies you are going to enjoy these dreamy, soft-batch, triple chocolate cookies too.  Now that the fall season is near, the baking begins again. In the summer months, my Arkansas kitchen gets way too muggy to enjoy having the oven on for long durations. It's nice to be in the kitchen baking cookies, cakes, and pastries once again now that the days are beginning to get shorter, and the temperatures are somewhat cooler. I have spent the majority of the sultry days of summer whipping up no-bake, homemade desserts. Although cold desserts are delicious, it's delightful to be baking these dreamy, soft-batch triple chocolate cookies in my oven again. Ingredients: 2 cups bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 3/4 unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 package of sugar-free chocolate Jello pudding mix 4 tablespoons butter 1 cup self-ris...

Gin Lee Original- Chocolate Eclair Cake Gin Lee Original- Chocolate Eclair Cake This cake couldn't be any easier to make. Seriously! I used a sugar-free chocolate fudge cake mix, cream cheese, cocoa powder, one container of sugar-free vanilla frosting, and topped it with some chunky chopped morsels of Russell Stover Sugar-free Peacan Delights. The cake seriously resembles the taste of a Ding-Don cupcake. However, I would say it's much... Um... Yummier!  This is the first time that I had ever made this delicious cake. One of the things that I would probably do differently the next time I make it- would be to finely chop the Russell Stover Pecan Delights. The reasons why is because this cake has to be kept cold in the refrigerator, and the pecan delights chopped in chunkier size pieces tends to get hard.  Ingredients: .  1 box chocolate fudge cake mix (I used sugar-free)  Follow the box cake mix instructions but add 3-4 large eggs instead of whatever the box says to ad...

Sugar Free Microwavable Chocolate Mug Cake If you love chocolate cake, but you don't have a lot of spare time to bake a full sized cake in the oven- Then this chocolate mug cake recipe is the perfect match for you!  This mug cake only takes a few minutes to make. It's the perfect, gooey, fudgy, sugar free chocolate snack- And requires only a few simple ingredients. Just follow the steps below, then enjoy a mouthwatering chocolate treat within a few mere minutes! Ingredients: ¼ cup of flour 6 tablespoons of Splenda 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder 1 large egg 3 tablespoons of milk 3 tablespoons of canola oil ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract a smidgen of salt Instructions: In a large mug, combine the flour, Splenda, cocoa powder, egg, milk, canola oil, pure vanilla extract, and a smidgen of salt. Whisk until smooth. Place the mug in the microwave. Microwave just until the cake is puffy on top. This will take about 2-3 minutes depending on the wattage of your microwave. Allow the m...