UPDATE: This giveaway is now over. Congratulations to Nancy Cashwell, the winner of an autographed copy of A Season for Tending.
Today’s post was written by Melissa K. Norris. Melissa will be posting here once every other month. She’ll share recipes, tutorials, etc. that reflect the Amish lifestyle for those of us who still live in the modern world. I hope you’ll also scroll to the bottom of the post to participate in my giveaway of an autographed copy of A Season for Tending, the first book in the Amish Vines and Orchards series.
~Cindy
One thing I love about holidays is the chance to make something special in the kitchen. Recipes are more than just food—they are memories, past, present, and future.
Even though I barely remember my great-grandmother, I feel a connection to the woman she must have been when I use her recipes. It’s a way to reach back across the years and hold hands with the originator of the recipe. Flipping through my recipe book is like a photo album. I see family, friends, and loved ones again. No matter what separates us now, be it time, miles, or the grave, among the titles and ingredient lists, voices, laughter, and smiles weave their way through my memory and heart.
Valentine’s Day is a chance to create something and say I love you to the special people in your lives. Though we don’t need a holiday to do this, and shouldn’t wait for them, I think it’s a fun tradition to spread some love and homemade goodies on February 14th.
I want to share my recipe for my homemade raspberry cream cheese tarts with you. Many of my recipes use things I’ve canned and preserved throughout the summer. I had a few extra jars of raspberry jelly and decided to create a new recipe using my great-grandmother’s Best Ever Flaky Pastry and I came up with these tarts.
Raspberry Cream Cheese Tarts
Two pie crusts–my recipe only takes 15 minutes for wonderful homemade pastry
Raspberry Jelly
4 ounces (1/2 package) of softened cream cheese
2 tablespoons honey
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together the softened cream cheese and honey. (You can adjust amount of honey to taste.) Roll out your first chilled pastry dough to a ¼ inch thickness on a well-floured surface. Use a large heart cookie cutter or a glass turned upside down. Cut out your circles of dough. Place a large tablespoon of jelly in the center of each dough circle. Spoon a good-sized teaspoon of sweetened cream cheese on top.
Roll out your next chilled pastry dough and cut out tops. Place them on top of jelly and cream cheese mixture. Use the tines of a fork to press the edges together. Don’t worry if a little bit of jelly squishes out. Poke holes in the top of each tart with a fork to let out steam. Sprinkle top with a light dusting of sugar. (If you like cinnamon, a small amount would be tasty.)
Transfer to an ungreased baking stone or cookie sheet. Bake in 400 degree pre-heated oven for 15 minutes or until the top of the tarts start to turn golden. Remove from oven and cool. Share with someone you love.
I hope you enjoy them as much as we did. My son begged me to send them in his lunch for school.
What’s your favorite family recipe? Do you have any kind of recipe traditions for certain holidays?
Melissa K. Norris is a Christian novelist, newspaper columnist, and non-fiction writer. Her stories inspire people to draw closer to God and their pioneer roots. She’s a skilled artisan crafter, creating new traditions from old-time customs for her readers. She found her own little house in the big woods, where she lives with her husband and two children in the Cascade Mountains. She writes a monthly column, Pioneering Today, for the local newspaper that bridges her love of the past with its usefulness in modern life. Her books and articles are inspired by her family’s small herd of beef cattle, her amateur barrel racing days, and her forays into quilting and canning—without always reading the directions first.
Book Giveaway
In A Season for Tending, Rhoda Byler is searching for her Mammi Byler’s old apple recipes. They are a family heirloom and very special to Rhoda. In the back of the book, I’ve included two apple recipes (Dutch Apple Pie and Apple Dumplings) that are probably very similar to the ones Rhoda’s Mammi Byler might have used.
If you would like to enter for a chance to win an autographed copy of A Season for Tending, simply leave a comment at the bottom of this post on my website by going to http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/2013/02/13/homemade-tarts/.
If you are reading this anywhere other than my website, such as on Facebook, in an email, or on Goodreads, please hop on over to my website and leave a comment at the bottom of my post to enter the giveaway.
Only comments left on my website will be entered into the giveaway.
The deadline for this contest is Tuesday, February 19, 2013, at noon. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be contacted privately, as well as announced on next week’s post.
Book Giveaway Results
Last week, I gave away autographed copies of A Season for Tending and The Winnowing Season to one recipient. Random.org was used to select the winner, and that winner is Brandie W. Congratulations! Brandie, please send your name and mailing address to cindy@cindywoodsmall.com to claim your books.
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I thoroughly enjoy reading about the Amish lifestyle and I hope to have the opportunity to read your writings.
Lena Ruddy
I love all your books and would love to win your new ones.
I would love this. I collect books.
I would love to be the winner of your books. I really enjoy reading your books and have many . Once I start reading your books I have a hard time putting them down. I WOULD LOVE TO BETHE WINNER
I would be honored to be the winner of your contest .
Cindy
I would be very thankful to win your book.I have a friend who has been real sick I think it would cheer her up to get and autographed book from you,
I would like to be entered in the giveaway for A Season for Tending. I love your books!
Thanks for entering me in the giveaway for “Season of Tending”. I can’t wait to try the recipe for the raspberry cream chesse tarts.
Please enter me in this book give-away. Your mentioning of Apple Dumplings reminds me of the recipe I got from my mother. Hers were cooked in a big kettle on top of the stove in a cinnamon flavored sauce and were very delicious. Now I can’t wait to make these Rasberry Tarts. Thanks for this recipe.
Cindy, i just love to read your books, i would like to be interred in to win your book “A Season for Tending” Thank you and God bless you and your writing.
Norma Stanforth
n38stanforth(at)yahoo(dot)com
Would simply love to own an autographed copy of A Season for Tending. I so enjoy your books, Joyce
Raspberry Tarts look so yummy!
Enjoy your emails as well as your books and website. Keep them coming and thank you. Blessings!… Valeria
I would like to enter the contest to win your book.
Lawanda
I thoroughly loved your book A Season for Tending. I can’t wait for your next one to come out. I have read everything that you have written thus far. Please enter me in your contest to win your next in the series. Jeannie Powers
I’d love to win…….
Love ALL these books!!
I would LOVE to win one of your books!!! How exciting of a giveaway. Thank you.
Love family recipes handed down through the generations ! Would love to win the book, A Season for Tending.
Love to read and especially Amish & Christian Fiction !!
retate@millry.net
I would love to win,Enter me!!!
Thanks for the giveaway and God Bless!!!
Sarah Richmond
sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com
Lucky me for finding your site!
I have been holding off on this series because I have ZERO
patience! When you write a new series I try to hold off until the last one
comes out and then I block 2 days off my schedule, start brewing the coffee and
find a quiet place to disappear into your books. I cannot wait to get into the
Amish Vines and Orchards series! I would love to win signed copies of your
latest books. Even if I don’t win I would like to say a huge THANK YOU for
writing such fantastic novels. The Sisters of the Quilt series was the first
Christian fiction books that I had ever read. Your books opened my eyes to the
world of Christian authors. I am an avid reader and I never thought there would
be enough to keep me busy or entertained outside of the secular book realm. I
was wrong as that was over 3 years ago and I still have stacks of wonderful
literature waiting on me! I have discovered that the sweetest love stories are
pure and sweet and I don’t need to pollute my mind for the sake of
entertainment. At times I have struggled with an anxious and worried mind but
ever since I cut out most secular reading, except for some non-fiction works
and the classics that I adore, I have found it much easier to overcome this
problem. I can take every thought captive to obey Christ when I am not
willfully injecting poison into my mind on a weekly basis. Thank you so much
for the pure, uplifting entertainment that you have provided me and countless
others. Your books have truly been a blessing!
Love reading your books and always enjoy your newsletters. Looking forward to “A season of Tending”
I am really excited about this new series and would LOVE an autographed copy. Please enter me in your contest.
Jayne
Those tarts look awesome!! My Mom used to make cookie sheet lined with pie crust, and fill it with apricot jam, cover with another crust. Bake and them frost with a glaze! Oh YUM!!
I so enjoy reading your books! Thank YOU!
Love the thought of adding a glaze! Thanks for the tip.
Those look amazing!! Thanks for sharing~ a must try!! Thanks for the giveaway, too!! I would love to win!
The tart recipe sure got my attention, YUM! I would enjoy reading “A Season for Tending”.
Oh, how I love your books! Have read almost every single one and just can’t wait for the next! Yes Mamm, please enter me to win a copy of A Season for Tending. Sharon Jones
Wow that tart looks so good I love raspberry’s. I’m going to have to try it……………… Cindy I would love to win any of your books, thank you for the chance .
The Raspberry Cream Cheese Tart recipe sounds wonderful!
For all our family gathering I make a Mississippi Mud Cake! Delicous!! And rich! It is my husband and kids favorite!
Tammy, I adore Mississippi Mud Cake. I used to love spelling it as a kid, too. lol Hope you enjoy the tarts!
Happy Valentine’s The Tarts look so good. I would love to win a book from you. I love to read stories about the Amish family I feel so close to them and God when I read the BOOKS. God Bless your gift that god has given you To share his words. Debbie Voelker
Oh my these Raspberry Cream Cheese tarts use two of my favorite flavors, cream cheese and raspberries! I have everything I need to make these so this weekend I am going to try them! I would love to win any of your books!
Those look so yummy, might have to try them, would love any of your books.
I would love to win a copy of “A Season for Tending”. There are so many recipes that bring my grandma to mind. She loved to cook and bake, and loved food. She was an excellent cook. I remember the sugar cookies she would bake during the Christmas holiday. I was priveleged many years to be able to help her and usually was given the task of decorating them before they went into the oven. Such fond memories. I loved my grandma and miss her dearly. She was 97 years old when she passed.
Thank you Cindy for another opportunity to win one of your books.
Sue, I’m so glad you have the wonderful memories of your grandmother. Her sugar cookies will keep her near to your heart for years to come. Thanks for sharing.
My husband loves Dutch Apple Pie and I like new recipes!
Always up for a good book.
We love to make my Grandma’s sugar cookie recipe at the holidays! It doesn’t quite seem like Christmas until we bake and decorate cookies…
Would love a copy of your book!
Can’t wait to read it
Your books are an absolute treasure. I have so enjoyed every one of them. I would love to win one of your signed copies! – Caryn
Anxiously awaiting your new book!
I really enjoy your stories and the many things you tell about the Amish. Thank you for a chance to win this book. Love reading the many stories and sharing them with others. Would love to win this signed one. Thank you Diane
Cindy, thank you so much for the opportunity to win a signed copy of A SEASON FOR TENDING. I do not have a signed book in my small library. I have enjoyed your stories so much over the years. It would be an honor to have one actually signed by you. Thank you for considering me. Sharry
I love your website and your books! I’d love to get an autographed copy of your book ” A season For Tending”.
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe…and Thanks to Miss Cindy for her wonderful books…hard to find good clean, thought provoking books these days…May God richly bless you both! Denise
I would love to win this contest. And finding recipes in a book is always a pleasure!
I would love love love to win this contest you are wonderful
Would love to have a signed copy of A Season For Tending. Thank you for having a giving heart. God Bless you!!
Thanks for being so generous and writing such wonderful stories. I would love to win a copy of “A Season For Tending” to add to my library. Thanks again.
About to start reading it, but it’s from the library and having my own copy would be wonderful.
Thanks again for your generosity and your beautiful stories.
Thank you so much for a chance to win your generous author gift of “A Season for Tending”.
I love your books and would love to win a copy of “A Season for Tending.”
I will make these tarts. They look yummy! I loved A Season for Tending and also look forward to The Winnowing Season.
I sure like to read Amish fiction and I also love recipes. Would enjoy winning A Season for Tending so much. Thanks for the contest. sharon, san diego
Those tarts look delicious!
Thanks for this post,Cindy, and another opportunity to win one of your books. I have finished “A Season for Tending,” and am so looking forward to “The Winnowing Season!”
I have just recently started reading my books electronically, and have already pre-ordered the second book. The first book was amazing!
Blessings!
~Pat in New Hampshire
Yumm!!!! Recipes sound great and truly enjoy your books! Thanks for the blessings!
Cindy I love your books & would love to win an autographed copy of A Season for Tending. Thanks for the contest.
Would love to win a autographed copy of your book. Thanks so much for the chance. And the recipe sounds really good too.
I love raspberries and cream cheese! They are my favorite and will be sure to try these tarts.
thanks for the chance to you one of your books.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
This cheese cake sounds yummy.
Thanks for contest. I love reading your books Cindy.
Carolyn Jefferson
carolynj63@att.net
This recipe will be a “must try” for me. I love your books and would love to win an autographed copy.
Your recipe sounds delicious. It will be a nice surprise for me to make for tomorrow Valentine’s Day for my husband. He will love it. Thanks for the chance to win your book. I love your books.
The recipe sounds wonderful. Cooking special treats for my husband is something I enjoy but as we get older we don’t need them. When there are two people, 24 Red Velvet cupcakes is not necessarily a good thing. That’s when it’s necessary to share. Thanks for the opportunity to win…love, love, love your books!
I would love a free book
Melissa has a yummy recipe here and I like her idea of connecting with those who have
gone before us by using their recipes. My Dutch grandmother loved making homemade
candy. I still have her original cookbook. Love your new book series Cindy!!!
I haven’t ventured very far into candy making, what a neat skill your grandmother handed down!
Would love to win one of your books. I love reading everything Amish.
I sure do like your books. It is so nice for you to be giving away one of your books. I would love to win one. Thanks again for all your good books.
Thanks for the raspberry tart recipe….and the chance to win a book!
Cindy, thanks for your great books! I’m reading “A Season For Tending” now.
A book and recipes…what an added bonus! Thank you for the chance to win.
I have a sugar cookie recipe that has been in our family for a very long time. I have collected cookie cutters for all the holidays. My grandchildren love helping roll, cut, and sugar the cookies. We have lots of memories.
Enter me please!! =)
So enjoy Amish books, keep on writing them because I hope to keep reading them
I love your books! I would love to win this one. Keep writing, please.
I would like to win this book. It was very good and I can’t wait for the next one to come out. Keep writing and I will keep reading.
sounds like a good book coming again. would love to win it!
I love my Hubby’s home-made apple pies. I also love his shepards pie. Yumm-O!
The Raspberry Cream Cheese Tarts look yummy!
I would love to win your book, Cindy.
Looking forward to reading more of your books. I too feel such a connection when I get out my Grandmother’s recipe book and make some of her recipes, The book was passed down to my mom & I inherited it when she passed away a year ago – so when I use that recipe book, I have wonderful memories of both my mom & Grandma. rejordan79@msn.com
I really enjoy your book you are a good writer.I have read all your books and can’t wait for new book.If I win I would like to sell tickets and donate the money to my church for the needy in my neighborhood.
Looks YUMMY!!! Please enter me…Thanks!!!
I really love to win the giveaway book “A Season for Tending” thank you for giving me a chance. I love all the books of Cindy Woodsmall that i have read. I sure hoe i win this book! God bless you
Norma Stanforth
n38stanforth(at)yahoo(dot)com
Would love to read this book.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Would love to win your book. Love reading Amish fiction.
Tart looks delicious. God Blessdonnac.taylor@hotmail.com
Always enjoy reading your books!
I will have to try this recipe. I would love to win!
These look so good!!
Looks like I have a weekend project to make….Raspberry Tarts. Sounds so yummy.
Thank you for the recipe for a great dessert!
I would love to recieve an autograph copy of your book, A Season For Tending. I so enjoy reading your books. Thank you,
Cindy LaMay
smiles48624_2@yahoo:disqus .com
I really want to try these now, I have lots of raspberry jelly too, so we’re good to go!
This would be a great addition to my library. Thank you for the chance!
Love your books, Cindy. The raspberry tarts look yummy!
Kathy Faberge
Sounds yummy.Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. It looks wonderful! Would be a great snack while reading Cindys book!
Can’t wait to try this thanks for sharing with all of us.
I absolutely love your books! And I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog posts! Thanks!
Thanks for recipe. Looks good. Thanks for the chance to win.
Wonderful recipe and giveaway. I would be thrilled to have a copy of this book — I could read it while sampling the tart:) Thank you.
These tarts sound wonderful and I am so blessed to be entered to possibly win your new book. Thank you for the recipe and the oppertunity.
oh my goodness, that recipe looks awesome. I wonder what would happen if instead fo using jam, open a can of cherry pie filling, then add the honey creamcheese mixture & then finish the recipe as is written above.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe. I also would love to win a copy of your book!
Love to win Cindy Woodsmall’s newest book….enjoyed the recipe for Raspberry Cream Cheese Tarts….they were soo yummy
Can not wait to read your book!! The first one was great!
These tarts look and sound delicious!
Thanks for sharing your recipe. I am going to try it, as it looks yummy. I also would love to win a copy of your book A Season for Tending.
gonna try the tart recipe!
Raspberry tarts and apple recipes, even if I don’t win a book I still have a mouth watering for these foods.
Cant wait to make the tarts and also read your book!!
The tarts look delicious! Thanks for the chance to win your book!
Looks delicious!
What’s your favorite family recipe? A favorite family recipe is my Grandmother’s chocolate chip cookies although as hard as I try, I still cannot make them as good as she did. She didn’t measure things – it was always a handful of this, a pinch of that…
Do you have any kind of recipe traditions for certain holidays? Our family doesn’t really have any tradtional recipes for the holidays.
Please enter me in the contest to win The Season For Tending.
Looks great and has no eggs so my LOs could actually try these too!
Great – and easy – recipe. Thanks, Dee
This looks delicious! I will be trying that maybe tomorrow for Valentines Day. I happen to have all the ingredients as raspberry jam and jelly are always on hand in my house. I may even try it with some blackberry jam. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I have been wanting to start this series of yours so I hope I do win the book. My husband will love this recipe tomorrow.
Would love to win this one!
The recipe looks delicious. A tart, some hot tea, and your book…heavenly.
Looks delicious, Melissa. Thanks for sharing and keeping the loving tradition of baking alive.
I love your books, A Season for Tending sounds like such a good book. Those raspberry tarts look really good and they look easy enough to make. I think I will make them for my grandsons tomorrow for Valentines Day. They will Love them.
Yay! I can totally do this, and I have everything I need!
I would absolutely love to win!!!! Live your books!!!!
These tarts sound delicious and look easy enough for me to make! I will definitely have to give them a try!
I would like to receive this book, and know it will be good reading. The recipes also would be good to have.
Would love to receive one of your books. Thank you!
The tarts lok and sound yummy .
Recipe sounds great, will have to try it. Don’t have this book yet, it is on my wish list.
I want to be entered to win. I love your books. Sharma Darby rdarby@roadrunner.com
Sounds wonderful!
Your books are all special to me!
Thanks for the recipe! Keep sharing!
These sound delicious!
We’ll be trying the recipe this weekend. Soo easy, and ingredients we normally have around the house anyway. Please enter me into the contest. I’d love another of your books to help me thru the rest of this Michigan winter………
Hope you enjoy the tarts.
I truly enjoy reading your books… I live in northern New York( on the canadian border) we have many Amish neighbors .
This recipe looks yummy!
this looks so good and wish to enter!
That sounds delicious AND easy…a combination I love! Will have to try it soon. Thanks for offering signed books so often. Someday I’ll win one of them, I”m sure!