Saturday, October 30, 2010

Custom Chocolate Cake Part 2

Time for the Frosting.....

Okay So I did a few of these cupcakes decorated with Fondant Animals and then the rest were compiled into a Jack-O-Lantern cake.

My baby sister helped cut the Fondant in this one and it is held to the Cupcakes with Homemade Butter Cream frosting. 

Everyone tells me Fondant is so hard to work with and that it is a pain to make...Well I have an easy to work with and easy to make Recipe...and the Butter Frosting is super easy. 

So for the Fondant you need the following:
Vanilla
Marshmallows
Powdered sugar
1 cube softened butter

Grease up a Microwave safe Bowl. 
Pour in about half a pack of Marshmallows
Microwave for 45 seconds

Grease up a wood spoon
Mix in your Vanilla to taste I use 1 tsp
Start mixing in Powdered sugar you will use about 2 cups in total.
As the mixture starts to stiffen grease your hands.  
Knead the mixture into a ball and continue adding Powdered Sugar.

If needed microwave for 15 seconds to make it workable. 

To add color. Place the mixture in a greased Bowl. put in the food coloring. Microwave for 15 seconds. Then knead the mixture with Greased Hands. 


Once you have a good workable consistency wrap your balls up in Plastic Wrap and let set for about 4 hours. The color will set and even out over this time.

Place between two sheets of Wax paper (waxy sides in) to Roll out for use either with cookie cutters or to drape on your Cake. 

I use a simple butter Frosting between the Fondant and the cake. I mix 2 cubes of butter lightly softened. 1 tsp vanilla and 1to 2 cups of powdered sugar to taste. mix and Chill. It works great as a glue layer and then just spread out your Fondant. 

Super Simple...More hints to come

Custom Chocolate Cake Part 1

So I have been up and at it very early this morning. and Well I designed a yummy chocolate cake recipe I am  having a hard time not eating the batter....

Chocolate Cake Recipe #1

Items Needed:
2 cups Semi sweet or Dark Chocolate Chips Or one baking bar
3/4 cup water (boiling)
4 Egg yokes
4 Egg Whites
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Vanilla (yes you need it twice for two different parts of the recipe)
1 cup Milk (buttermilk or Soy unflavored work best but you can use whole milk too..just needs to be fatty)
2 1/4 cup sifted flour
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 cube softened)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp Baking Soda

Preheat oven at 350

In a medium mixing bowl place your Chocolate and pour in your boiling water. Mix until smooth and all chocolate is melted. Set this aside. I personally have a KitchenAid and LOVE IT...SO I use it for the rest of the recipe. In your mixing bowl place Butter, Sugar, Vanilla and Egg Yokes. Mix until light and fluffy. It will fall apart easy in your fingers. Add Chocolate. Mix for 1 minutes. Sift your flour and add in the Salt and Soda. Now slowly add this mixture to your Chocolate mix. Once it is all mixed it will be thick and yummy. Scoop your mix into a Bowl and Wash you mixer. Be sure to rinse with cold water last. Place your cold bowl back on the mixer and Add Vanilla and Egg Whites. Whip until you have tips. While this is whipping mix in by hand your 1 cup of milk. Mix slowly with a wooden spoon until smooth. Your eggs should be done. Fold the eggs into the batter. Do not mix. Place in your cake pans.


I used Cupcakes pans with liners. But this recipe will make enough for 2 large rounds, 3 small rounds, or a large sheet cake. Or two small sheets for a two layer cake.

The cupcakes will cook about 15 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Because you have used Egg white these cakes can collapse if not careful. On the Cupcakes you are more likely to have a few collapse but it is not a big deal. I got 2 1/2 dozen from the above recipe.

MY SECRET.... shh don't tell....Never bake your cake within 6 hours of frosting. If you do. Place in the Freezer so it is nice and cold....I should have baked this last night but Knowing I needed the time I got up at 5:30am to make it and now at 7am The Cupcakes are out and cooling.

Part 2 post later today will be Fondant and Frosting.....YUM!!!!


What I used: (My Mixer is Red)
   

Monday, October 18, 2010

Been asked to share

So I have been asked to share a few of my cooking hints. My husband says I am constantly opening the cupboard and coming up with new recipes. And I guess this one was such a hit that He wanted me to share it with you all

I have no clue what to call it except Yummy. This has become a new family favorite.

You will need:
Ground Meat (Hamburger, Turkey or Sausage work great) you can also use Polish Sausage cut up
about 6 large potatoes (this will feed about 5 people)
1 or 2 Onions (depending on Size and how much you like onions)
2 Cups Cheese
Sour Cream
Chives

And Frankly anything from your cupboard that sounds good. I honestly came up with this cause i was hungry and my brain would not work

lightly Grease a Large Cookie Sheet
Cut up your potatoes in to bite sized Pieces. I do medium Size pieces (Leave skin on if your family will eat it)
Lay the Potatoes out on the Pan.

On the stove top Cook your meat and onions.
Lay atop the Potatoes
Mix the potatoes and meat into a good mix while leveling out on the pan
Add any other Veggies or Additions at this point
Sprinkle Chives and any other seasoning you like on it. We add Garlic too.

Preheat oven to 425.
Once preheated switch to the Broiler

Place the pan under the broiler for about 15 minutes. Flip at the half way mark. Check the potatoes. They should be crispy on the edges but cooked all the way through. Sprinkle with cheese and place back under broiler so the cheese will melt

Dig in and enjoy.

Serve with Sour cream.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Fall Treats

So in the fall I love doing great things with Fall veggies...
two favorites are Squash and Sweet Potatoes...

Okay so th First is super easy...
All you need is Sweet Potatoes.

Clean the potatoes slice into long thin strips.
Place on a cookie Sheet.
Turn oven onto Broil
Cook just like French fries.
I usually sprinkle Extra Virgin Olive oil and Johnny's Garlic on them as I flip them.

I prefer to serve these with Ranch...Yummy

Second is a super easy one as well.
Pick your favorite Squash. Cut and clean. Be sure to cut into small pieces.
Place in a Microwave safe dish...Add butter and Microwave for about 12 minutes check at 8 and rotate. If needed add 2 or 3 minutes to the end. Let cool for about 5 minutes. Peel and Puree. We serve with a dollop of brown sugar.

Enjoy