Satisfying and Inexpensive Comfort Food Desserts

Great desserts for the whole family don't have to be elaborate or expensive. Some of the best dessert recipes just call for a few ingredients in the pantry and some time in the oven. Here are a few to think about for your next week's menu planning.

Baked Rice Pudding

Deeply satisfying and creamy, this simply recipe could be made with other ingredients to jazz it up like dried fruits or slivered almonds, or serve it plain with a bit of cinnamon sugar sprinkled over the top.

1/2 c white long-grain rice
1/2 c sugar
1/2 t salt
4 c milk

Place rice with sugar, salt and milk in a saucepan. Stir over low heat until the milk is hot. Transfer this to an 8 cup-capacity casserole or baking dish with a lid. Place cover on top and put in a preheated 325 degree oven. Set timer 90 minutes. Remove from oven and take off lid. Will be very hot; serve hot, warm or cold. This is a great rice pudding served on its own or with whipped cream. Leftovers are equally great for a morning treat for breakfast.

Chocolate Pudding

Use canned evaporated milk for this recipe for richness and ease in preparation.

1 quart evaporated milk (or use whole or 2% milk)
1/2 c sugar
5 Tbsp cornstarch
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

In the top of a double boiler, pour in the milk. Add in the sugar, cornstarch and cocoa powder and whisk until blended. Stir over moderate heat until thickened, about 7 to 10 minutes. Add in the vanilla and pour into serving dishes. Serve chilled.

Lemon Biscuit Cookies

Candied lemon or orange is easy to find in the bakery section, and can be stored in the pantry long after the holidays. Use what ever flavored citron you have or use other fruitcake candied fruits.

1/2 c shortening
1/2 c sugar
1/2 t vanilla
1 egg, beaten
2 1/2 c flour
1/4 t salt

Chopped up candied lemon, orange or other fruitcake-style candied fruits

Cream the shortening and sugar together well. Scrape the bottom of the bowl and add in the vanilla and beaten egg. Stir the flour and salt together, and add into the creamed mixture. Place in the refrigerator for about 2 hours, and roll out cookie dough. Cut in circles and place on a cookie sheet. Place chopped up candied fruits on the top, and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until lightly browned.