My mother gave me this book for my birthday last year. I am a constant baker.
"America's Best-Loved Community Cookbook Recipes - Desserts", published by Better Homes and Gardens. It is the best present I have received (except for my bread machine, of course!)
Each of the recipes is delicious (I've tried nearly all of them). Besides step-by-step instructions and beautiful photos, each has success tips and a background of the submitting cook. My favorite recipe (below) is very easy, inexpensive and efficient. The ingredients are items we generally have in our cupboards. My family and friends say it is the best, and always request it for get-togethers. I hope you will enjoy it.
CHOCOLATE CHESS PIE
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 T unsweetened cocoa powder
2 eggs, beaten
2/3 cup evaporated milk (I have used regular milk mixed with 1/3 cup powdered and it worked great!)
1/4 cup margarine or butter, melted
1 t pure vanilla
Dash salt
1 9-inch pie crust (may be unbaked, or bake for 5 minutes before filling - will be more tender and flaky that way).
Preheat oven to 325 F
In a medium mixing bowl combine the sugar and cocoa with a wire whisk. Add the eggs, milk, melted margarine, vanilla and salt. Carefully pour the mixture into the pie plate. Bake in the oven about 50 minutes or until puffy over the entire surface. Cool on a wire rack.
This pie needs to cool quite a bit before cutting so the custard can set more.
It is great at or a little above room temp with a little ice cream, or cold right out of the refrigerator (as my husband is often caught eating it).