Martha Stewart
Chocolate-Peppermint Cake
Peppermint and chocolate are a classic Christmas combination -- serve this decadent cake for a memorable finale to your holiday dinner.
Ingredients
Makes one 9-inch layer cake.
* Nonstick cooking spray
* 3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
* 3/4 cup hot water
* 3/4 cup sour cream
* 3 cups cake flour (not self-rising), sifted
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
* 2 1/4 cups sugar
* 4 large eggs
* 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
* Swiss Meringue Buttercream
* 30 to 40 hard peppermint candies, finely crushed
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray six 9-by-2-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line each cake pan with parchment paper and spray parchment.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk cocoa with hot water until smooth. Whisk in sour cream; let cool. Into a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating to combine after each; scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in two parts, alternating with the cocoa mixture and beginning and ending with the flour; beat until combined.
4. Divide batter between prepared pans; smooth with an offset spatula. Bake until a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer pans to wire racks to cool 15 minutes. Invert cakes onto racks; peel off parchment. Reinvert cakes and let cool completely, top sides up.
5. Meanwhile, fit a pastry bag with a large plain round tip; fill pastry bag with one-third of the buttercream and set aside.
6. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a cake plate or lazy Susan. Transfer one layer to cake plate and pipe buttercream around the perimeter of the cake. Using about 1 cup remaining buttercream, fill between the buttercream perimeter to create an even layer of filling; sprinkle with some of the crushed peppermint candies. Top with another layer of cake, top side down. Repeat process, filling the cake, piping the buttercream perimeter, creating an even layer with remaining frosting, and sprinkling with peppermint candies, until all the cake layers have been stacked. Spread remaining frosting all over tops and sides of cake; sprinkle top with peppermint candies. Garnish sides of cake plate with any remaining candies; serve.
First published December 2010
Copyright 2010 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.
I'm a wife, mom of three boys. We are busy! My husband started his own IT company, we are home schooling and involved in our church. There is never a dull moment with three boys. One boy already eats like a teenager. I love to cook, sometimes simple and quick meals sometimes long fancy meals.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Molasses Sugar Cookies
Molasses Sugar Cookies
allrecipes.com
recipe image
Rated: rating
Submitted By: Karin Christian
Photo By: Jen S.
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Ready In: 3 Hours 40 Minutes
Servings: 72
"These are a wonderful chewy spice cookie. They are drop cookies that keep very well. I make them at the beginning of the holiday season and they keep all the way to New Year's!"
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups shortening
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Melt the shortening in a large pan on the stove, and cool.
2. Add sugar, eggs, and molasses, beat well.
3. In a separate bowl, sift dry ingredients together and add to the pan. Mix well and chill 3 hours or overnight.
4. Form into walnut-size balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 8-10 minutes.
6. Store in an airtight container to keep from getting overly crisp. If they do lose their softness, an easy way to restore it is to place one slice of fresh bread in the container with the cookies for a couple of hours or overnight and they will be soft again!
allrecipes.com
recipe image
Rated: rating
Submitted By: Karin Christian
Photo By: Jen S.
Prep Time: 25 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Ready In: 3 Hours 40 Minutes
Servings: 72
"These are a wonderful chewy spice cookie. They are drop cookies that keep very well. I make them at the beginning of the holiday season and they keep all the way to New Year's!"
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups shortening
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Melt the shortening in a large pan on the stove, and cool.
2. Add sugar, eggs, and molasses, beat well.
3. In a separate bowl, sift dry ingredients together and add to the pan. Mix well and chill 3 hours or overnight.
4. Form into walnut-size balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 8-10 minutes.
6. Store in an airtight container to keep from getting overly crisp. If they do lose their softness, an easy way to restore it is to place one slice of fresh bread in the container with the cookies for a couple of hours or overnight and they will be soft again!
Labels:
Cookies,
dairy free,
dessert
No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
allrecipes.com
recipe image
Rated: rating
Submitted By: Rachel
Photo By: hannah
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 3 Minutes
Ready In: 40 Minutes
Servings: 24
"Vegan, no-bake, chocolate, peanut butter oatmeal cookies!"
Ingredients:
2/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1. In a saucepan over medium heat combine the maple syrup, oil, cocoa and cinnamon. Boil for three minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter, rolled oats and vanilla until well blended. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto waxed paper and chill to set, about 30 minutes.
allrecipes.com
recipe image
Rated: rating
Submitted By: Rachel
Photo By: hannah
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 3 Minutes
Ready In: 40 Minutes
Servings: 24
"Vegan, no-bake, chocolate, peanut butter oatmeal cookies!"
Ingredients:
2/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1. In a saucepan over medium heat combine the maple syrup, oil, cocoa and cinnamon. Boil for three minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter, rolled oats and vanilla until well blended. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto waxed paper and chill to set, about 30 minutes.
Labels:
Cookies,
dairy free,
dessert
Eggless Ginger Cookies
Eggless Ginger Cookies
allrecipes.com
recipe image
Rated: rating
Submitted By: Annette Dye
Photo By: Moe
Servings: 12
"A great eggless recipe."
Ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening
1 cup dark molasses
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups all-purpose flour
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly grease cookie sheets.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and shortening until smooth. Stir in the molasses. Combine the baking soda, ginger,cinnamon and 3 3/4 cups of the flour; blend into the molasses mixture. Add more flour if necessary to make dough stiff enough to roll out. Use remaining flour to dust rolling surface. Roll dough out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with cookie cutters.
3. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven. remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks.
allrecipes.com
recipe image
Rated: rating
Submitted By: Annette Dye
Photo By: Moe
Servings: 12
"A great eggless recipe."
Ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening
1 cup dark molasses
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 cups all-purpose flour
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly grease cookie sheets.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the sugar and shortening until smooth. Stir in the molasses. Combine the baking soda, ginger,cinnamon and 3 3/4 cups of the flour; blend into the molasses mixture. Add more flour if necessary to make dough stiff enough to roll out. Use remaining flour to dust rolling surface. Roll dough out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with cookie cutters.
3. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven. remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks.
Labels:
Cookies,
dairy free,
dessert
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Scones
Scones
Rachelle Mathia
2 Cups all purpose flour
1 Tbs baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/3 Cup sugar
1 Stick frozen butter
1 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
Orange zest
Dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 425.
In a mixing bowl, combine and sift together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Take a cheese grater and grate the frozen butter on top of the mixture. Combine gently (should be very easy and resemble sand).
Add zest and cranberries and stir. Mix in cream just enough to combine it all (dont want to overmix it).
Bring the mixture into a ball and transfer to a lightly floured board. Break apart the ball into 2 balls and flatten slightly so you have a mound. Cut into triangles and transfer onto an ungreased baking sheet and lightly brush cream on top. Sprinkle coarse sugar on the creamed scones and then put in oven for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.
For the blueberry version, I use lemon zest. If you have frozen berries, then wait until the end and add them to the top of the creamed and sugared scones, press them in slightly so they stay. I bake for 16 minutes, it's just long enough to get a deep crispy edge, mmm!
Enjoy!
Rachelle Mathia
2 Cups all purpose flour
1 Tbs baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/3 Cup sugar
1 Stick frozen butter
1 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
Orange zest
Dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 425.
In a mixing bowl, combine and sift together flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Take a cheese grater and grate the frozen butter on top of the mixture. Combine gently (should be very easy and resemble sand).
Add zest and cranberries and stir. Mix in cream just enough to combine it all (dont want to overmix it).
Bring the mixture into a ball and transfer to a lightly floured board. Break apart the ball into 2 balls and flatten slightly so you have a mound. Cut into triangles and transfer onto an ungreased baking sheet and lightly brush cream on top. Sprinkle coarse sugar on the creamed scones and then put in oven for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.
For the blueberry version, I use lemon zest. If you have frozen berries, then wait until the end and add them to the top of the creamed and sugared scones, press them in slightly so they stay. I bake for 16 minutes, it's just long enough to get a deep crispy edge, mmm!
Enjoy!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Pocket Pies Filled with Leftovers
Pocket Pies Filled with Leftovers
Put Thanksgiving leftovers to good use with this kid-friendly recipe, adapted from Lucinda Scala Quinn's "Mad Hungry" cookbook. For an easy on-the-go meal or quick lunch down the line, prepare and freeze an extra batch.
Please check back after the holiday for video.
Ingredients
Makes about 10.
* Cream Cheese Pastry Dough
* All-purpose flour, for rolling
* Cooked, shredded turkey (optional)
* Prepared mashed potatoes (optional)
* Prepared sweet potatoes (optional)
* Prepared stuffing (optional)
* Cranberry sauce (optional)
* 1 large egg, beaten
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Working with one disk of dough at a time, roll out dough on a lightly floured work surface. Using an overturned bowl about 5 inches in diameter as a guide, cut out three circles; set aside. Gather dough scraps, reroll, and repeat cutting process. Repeat process with remaining disk of dough.
3. For each pocket pie, mix together a 1/4 cup of filling using turkey, mashed or sweet potatoes, stuffing, and/or cranberry sauce as desired. Place each 1/4 cup filling on one side of each dough circle. Moisten edges lightly with water and fold dough over filling to form a half circle. Pinch edges of dough together to seal and crimp with a fork.
4. Place pocket pies on a prepared baking sheet; transfer to refrigerator until chilled slightly, about 10 minutes. Pierce each pie on the top twice using the tines of a fork and brush with egg.
5. Transfer to oven and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let pies cool 5 minutes before serving. Pies can also be cooled and frozen, then reheated in the microwave.
Put Thanksgiving leftovers to good use with this kid-friendly recipe, adapted from Lucinda Scala Quinn's "Mad Hungry" cookbook. For an easy on-the-go meal or quick lunch down the line, prepare and freeze an extra batch.
Please check back after the holiday for video.
Ingredients
Makes about 10.
* Cream Cheese Pastry Dough
* All-purpose flour, for rolling
* Cooked, shredded turkey (optional)
* Prepared mashed potatoes (optional)
* Prepared sweet potatoes (optional)
* Prepared stuffing (optional)
* Cranberry sauce (optional)
* 1 large egg, beaten
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Working with one disk of dough at a time, roll out dough on a lightly floured work surface. Using an overturned bowl about 5 inches in diameter as a guide, cut out three circles; set aside. Gather dough scraps, reroll, and repeat cutting process. Repeat process with remaining disk of dough.
3. For each pocket pie, mix together a 1/4 cup of filling using turkey, mashed or sweet potatoes, stuffing, and/or cranberry sauce as desired. Place each 1/4 cup filling on one side of each dough circle. Moisten edges lightly with water and fold dough over filling to form a half circle. Pinch edges of dough together to seal and crimp with a fork.
4. Place pocket pies on a prepared baking sheet; transfer to refrigerator until chilled slightly, about 10 minutes. Pierce each pie on the top twice using the tines of a fork and brush with egg.
5. Transfer to oven and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let pies cool 5 minutes before serving. Pies can also be cooled and frozen, then reheated in the microwave.
Cream Cheese Pastry Dough
Cream Cheese Pastry Dough
For a novice baker, this is the most forgiving dough to work with. The cream cheese allows this pastry some elasticity but still produces tender and flaky results.
This dough can be used to make Pocket Pies Filled with Leftovers.
From the book "Mad Hungry," by Lucinda Scala Quinn (Artisan Books).
Ingredients
Makes 10 pocket pies or 1 double-crusted 10-inch pie.
* 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
* 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
* 1/4 cup heavy cream
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons, plus more for rolling out the dough
* 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Directions
1. Process the butter, cream cheese, and cream in a food processor, electric mixer, or by hand to thoroughly combine.
2. Add the flour and salt. Process just until combined and the dough holds together in a ball. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Divide into 2 pieces. Flatten into disks and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before rolling out. If the dough is chilled overnight, take it out 15 minutes before rolling out.
3. Rub flour all over a rolling pin. Working with one dough disk at a time, place the disk on a clean, well-floured surface. Applying some pressure with the rolling pin, roll gently from the center of the dough to the top and bottom edges. Rotate the disk and roll to the top and bottom edges again. Reflour the work surface and rolling pin, turn the dough over, and continue to roll the dough from the center out to the edges. Turn over and roll again, rotating the disk to ensure even rolling until the dough is about 12 inches in diameter, thin but not transparent.
For a novice baker, this is the most forgiving dough to work with. The cream cheese allows this pastry some elasticity but still produces tender and flaky results.
This dough can be used to make Pocket Pies Filled with Leftovers.
From the book "Mad Hungry," by Lucinda Scala Quinn (Artisan Books).
Ingredients
Makes 10 pocket pies or 1 double-crusted 10-inch pie.
* 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
* 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
* 1/4 cup heavy cream
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons, plus more for rolling out the dough
* 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Directions
1. Process the butter, cream cheese, and cream in a food processor, electric mixer, or by hand to thoroughly combine.
2. Add the flour and salt. Process just until combined and the dough holds together in a ball. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Divide into 2 pieces. Flatten into disks and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before rolling out. If the dough is chilled overnight, take it out 15 minutes before rolling out.
3. Rub flour all over a rolling pin. Working with one dough disk at a time, place the disk on a clean, well-floured surface. Applying some pressure with the rolling pin, roll gently from the center of the dough to the top and bottom edges. Rotate the disk and roll to the top and bottom edges again. Reflour the work surface and rolling pin, turn the dough over, and continue to roll the dough from the center out to the edges. Turn over and roll again, rotating the disk to ensure even rolling until the dough is about 12 inches in diameter, thin but not transparent.
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