Gingerbread Cake

Often, my son likes to help me in the kitchen. Normally, we are cooking and not baking. So, I decided it would be a nice change. We decided to use the mixer. This way all he had to do was add the ingredients. Easy, right? Well, I handed him the spices. He didn't even measure them. After he added the amount he thought was appropriate, I asked him why he decided not to measure the spices. He figured it was too much work to get the measuring spoons. While I measured the flour, I asked him if we forgot any ingredients. He read over the recipe twice. He reassured me all the ingredients had been added. Then we baked this wonderful cake. The moment it came out of the oven I knew the ingredient we forgot-the baking soda. He did confirm that we didn't add any baking soda. It tasted good with the whip cream even if it was a dense and spicy cake. I am posting the correct recipe. If you make this recipe, please don't follow by our example. 

Gingerbread Cake
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup molasses
3/4 cup hot water
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp salt
2 1/3 cup all purpose flour
 
Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Grease and flour a square baking pan about 9x9x2. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the butter, sugar, molasses, hot water, and egg.
4. Add the baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, salt, and flour. Mix until incorporated.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
6. Bake the cake for 50 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
7. Serve warm.

Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker's 40th Anniversary Edition Cookbook.

One year ago.........................I made Bacon and Cheddar Quiche.
Two years ago.......................I made Vanilla Cookies.
Three years ago.....................I made Spiced Cranberry Punch.

Did you already know............
-In Medieval England, gingerbread meant any preserved ginger. 
-In Medieval Europe, gingerbread were served at festivals & fairs.
-During the tournaments, ladies would give their favorite knight a piece of gingerbread.

Roasted Provolone

I love cheese like my husband loves peanut butter. Normally, I do not just make a a dish of cheese but that is what I did. My children loved this dish. I thought it tasted wonderful but it was stingy. The kids didn't care. They told me that I should share this recipe with you. I think next time I make garlic bread this would be the best topping.

Roasted Provolone
6 oz. Provolone slices
1/4 tsp oregano

Directions:

1. Preheat the broiler. 
2. In a small baking dish, place the provolone cheese. 
3. Broiler the cheese for about 8  minutes or until browned.
4. Sprinkle the oregano on top.
5. Serve immediately with toast.

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit.

One year ago....................................I made Bacon Cheeseball.
Two years ago..................................I made Penne Aglio-olio.
Three years ago................................I made Honey Butter Pork.

Did you already know....................
-Provolone cheese originates from Southern Italy.
-Provolone cheese is made from cow's milk.
-In America, provolone tends to be Provolone Dolce which is aged only a couple of months and is milder than Provolone Piccante.

Snickers Caramel Cheesecake Minis

Do you need a recipe for the holidays? Something you can make ahead and can grab to go? Well, I think cheesecake is always a winner. I wanted to make little mini ones since I think they are easier to share. Since I had a package of snickers in the cabinet, I thought they would be an excellent topper. Also, my daughter wanted a package of shortbread cookies but then decided she didn't like them. Guess what I used as my cheesecake crust? I did make these for my husband as an anniversary gift. Sometimes the best gifts are the simple ones.

Snickers Caramel Cheesecake Mini
1/2 cup shortbread cookies, crushed
1/2 cups plus 1 tsp sugar, split
1 tsp salt
3 Tbsp butter, melted
12 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 egg
6 caramel candy
2 tsp water
6 mini snickers,chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
3. In a small bowl, combine the shortbread cookies, with 1 tsp sugar, salt, and the melted butter.
4. Press the shortbread mixture evenly into the cupcake liners. Set aside.
5. In a large bowl, cream the cream cheese with the 1/2 cup sugar. Mix until fluffy.
6. Add the egg and beat until just combined.
7. Evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture on top of the shortbread mixture.
8. Bake the cheesecake for 15 minutes or until the cheesecake center is almost set.
9. Allow to cool and transfer to the refrigerator for 1 hour.
10. Over a double boiler, melt the caramels with the water. Mix until melted.
11. Drizzle some of the melted caramel over cheesecake.
12. Top the cheesecakes with the pieces of snickers.
13. Drizzle the remaining melted caramel over the snickers and cheesecake.
14. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

Recipe adapted from Kraft.com.

One year ago...............................I made Jumbo 4 Chip Cookies.
Two years ago.............................I made Tomato Soup.
Three years ago...........................I made Blueberry Muffins.

Did you already know..................
-In 1930, Mars Incorporated launched the Snickers candy bar.
-In 1930, the Snickers candy bar cost five cents. 
-Snickers candy bar was named after the Mars family's horse.

Baked Hot Chocolate Pudding

Sometimes, I just want chocolate. It could be a hard day. It is cold outside. It could be there are craters on the moon. I can give you many reasons why I would like chocolate. Well, I decided to try this recipe for baked pudding. Since moving, I didn't realize I had no cocoa powder. I hadn't made it to the store and didn't check the cabinet so I figured hot chocolate would do. My family like pudding and chocolate so this was a good combination for us. It is very rich with a crunchy top and a smooth filling.

Baked Hot Chocolate Pudding
1/2 lb. unsalted butter
4 large eggs
1 3/4 cups sugar
3 packages of hot chocolate mix
1/2 cup all purpose flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Lightly butter a 2 quart baking dish or 6 small baking dishes.
3. Melt the butter and set aside to cool.
4. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar for 5 minutes. 
5. Add the hot chocolate mix and flour. Mix until just combined.
6. Slowly, add the cooled butter and mix until just combined.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared dishes. 
8. Set the dishes into a larger baking dish.
9. Add hot water to the larger baking dish so it comes up to half way to the smaller baking dishes. Don't allow any water to get onto the batter. 
10. Bake the dish for 1 hour for the larger dish. (Check about 30 minutes for the smaller dishes.) The dish is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out 3/4 clean. The center should appear undercooked since it is a baked pudding. 
11. Allow to cool before serving.

Recipe adapted from Back to Basics cookbook by Barefoot Contessa.

Two years ago............................I made Bacon Fontina Panini.
Three years ago..........................I made Nutella Hot Chocolate.

Did you already know............
-The moon is shaped like a lemon. 
-The moon is larger than Pluto.
-The moon does have small quakes called moonquakes.

PB Delightfull Cookies

I normally do not try to succumb to commercials but I saw the Toll House Delightfulls morsels and was intrigued. I figured I would check them out the next time I was at the store. Well, I forgot about the commercial. My son wasn't feeling good with strep throat and all. When we happen to be at the store again, I made the mistake of showing my husband. Guess what I was baking later that night? Yes, they are good. Yes, my husband and daughter had several. I was good and limited it to one cookie. They are very rich.

PB Delightfulls Cookies
2 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
9 oz. DelighFulls Peanut Butter morsels
4 oz. miniature milk chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and sugar until fluffy.
5. Add the vanilla extract and the eggs. Mix until incorporated. 
6. Slowly, add the flour mixture. Mix until incorporated.
7. Fold in the morsels and chocolate chips.
8. Scoop mounds of batter onto the baking sheet.
9. Bake the cookies for at least 13 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe adapted from the Toll House Delightfulls package.

One year ago..................I made Sweet Potato Muffins.
Two years ago................I made Chocolate-Macadamia Nut Cookies.
Three years ago.............I made Easy Chocolate Fudge.

Did you already know................
-Besides a sore throat and fever, a rash may develop.
-All ages can get strep throat but it is more common in children  the ages of 5 to 15.
-Strep throat must be tested to be verified and can't be diagnosed by appearance only.