It's a Plaid World

I’m so excited.  I baked up a storm all day yesterday in preparation for round two of Jerry’s birthday.  I asked him what kind of cake he wanted.  His original request, a three tiered cake – now, let’s not get too excited.  We settled on a two tiered cake, German chocolate and banana. 

For the bottom cake, I’ve decided to make an inside out German chocolate cake so I can still decorate with fondant.  I’m using my favorite chocolate cake recipe, filled with the traditional German chocolate cake frosting.  To achieve a smooth service to place the fondant on, I’m frosting with my chocolate buttercream.  This cake is going to be so good. 

The next tier is banana cake with vanilla buttercream.  A moist banana cake with my famous vanilla buttercream.  With the left over batter I’m making mini banana cupcakes.  These are so cute.

Now for the fun part – decorating!  The theme of the party is plaid or print.  The birthday boy is wearing plaid, so that’s what the cake will dress in as well.  Fun colors decorate an ivory backdrop.  I was struggling with what to put on the top of the cake.  Meredith said "Didn't Jerry want a photo cake at one point?"  Brilliant!  Photos it is.  I cannot wait to cut into this cake!

Chocolate Cake

Filling

• Ingredients
• 7 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
• 4 ounces coarsely chopped pecans (1 cup)
• 14-ounces can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

Make filling:
Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.

Spread coconut in a large shallow baking pan and pecans in another. Bake pecans in upper third of oven and coconut in lower third, stirring occasionally, until golden, 12 to 18 minutes. Remove pans from oven.

Increase oven temperature to 425°F.

Pour condensed milk into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate and cover tightly with foil. Bake milk in a water bath in middle of oven 45 minutes. Refill baking pan with water to reach halfway up pie plate and bake milk until thick and brown, about 45 minutes more. Remove pie plate from water bath.

Stir in coconut, pecans, and vanilla and keep warm, covered with foil.

Assembly

Cut the top off the cake for a smooth layer.  Cut the cake in half, or in thirds, depending on how many layers you want.  Spoon the filling onto one layer, top with second layer of cake and frost.

Chocolate Buttercream

Ingredients

1 1/2 stick unsalted butter, room temperature (I use Kerrygold Pure Irish Butter)

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 1/4 cups powdered sugar (I typically use more than this to achieve the consistency I need)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup Ovaltine

Directions

Cream together butter, cocoa powder and salt.  Butter mixture will be extremely thick. Turn off the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl and add powdered sugar one cup at a time.  Turn mixer on low and mix in powdered sugar while adding milk and vanilla extract.  Beat until smooth.  Mix together heavy cream and Ovaltine.  Turn mixer speed to medium and pour cream mixture into the frosting in a slow, steady stream.  More powdered sugar may be added or less of the cream and Ovaltime to reach your desired consistency.

Banana Cake

For the Love of Truffles

"There are hundreds of species of truffles, but the fruiting body of some (mostly in the genus Tuber) are highly prized as a food: Brillat-Savarin called them "the diamond of the kitchen". Edible truffles are held in high esteem in French, Spanish, northern Italian and Greek cooking, as well as in international haute cuisine." - Wikipedia

That sums it up - "the diamond of the kitchen."  Which is interesting because I hate mushrooms.  It's a texture thing - I don't even like to touch them.  However, truffle oil - more please.  This fruiting body of a mushroom is extremely flavorful, and far less expensive than the entire truffle.  Needless to say, I have a slight obsession.  Truffle Mac & Cheese, forget about it.  Truffle fries, oh dear.  I had a craving that needed to be satisfied.

Today, I picked up a bottle of truffle oil.  What to put it in, what not to put it in?  I happened to also be craving carbs - the perfect pasta.

Creamy Pasta with Truffle Oil
Ingredients
8 oz. uncooked pasta
1 cup milk
4 oz. cream cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons garlic compound butter 
1 tablespoon flour
2 teaspoons truffle oil
Kerrygold Dubliner Cheese, shredded

Compound Garlic Butter

1 whole head garlic, papery skins removed and about 1/2-inch cut off the top to expose cloves
1 teaspoon olive oil
8 tablespoons European style butter, at room temperature
1 large clove garlic, minced
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions:
To make the butter, preheat oven to 400º.  Place the head of garlic on a square of foil and drizzle with olive oil.  Wrap tightly and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cloves feel soft to the touch.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.  Press each clove into a small mixing bowl and smash with a fork. Add the butter, minced garlic and black pepper and stir to combine.  Using a rubber spatula, scrape butter onto a sheet of wax paper.  Roll into a log, then twist the ends closed. Refrigerate until just firm enough to slice.  (Can be made ahead of time.)

To make the pasta, bring water to the boil.  Add the pasta and cook as directed on package.  Meanwhile, heat the compound garlic butter until melted, add flour until just combined.  Add the cream cheese, stirring constantly.  Warm milk slightly in microwave; add to butter, flour and cream cheese mixture slowly, whisking constantly.

Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 - 1/2 pasta water and return to pot.  Pour cream mixture over pasta and stir to combine.  If pasta is too thick, add remaining pasta water.  Sprinkle grated cheese and freshly ground black pepper on top and serve immediately.

The Classic Peanut Butter and Jelly

Today is Jerry’s birthday!

How shall we celebrate?  The festivities kick off today and end with a big finish Saturday night.  A special home cooked meal is planned for this evening, dinner out on Friday and the birthday party with all of our friends Saturday.  I cannot wait!

I wanted to make a dessert that was totally off the wall.  Something unique and creative, but also screamed Jerry.  I had to think long and hard on this one.  He loves bananas, but I’m already making him a two tiered cake on Saturday; the top tier is banana cake (stay tuned for photos and recipes!).  I found myself asking what else does he love?  Then it dawned on me, he loves peanut butter sandwiches.  It took enough thinking to get to this point, that I had to look for inspiration for the actual cake elsewhere.  It just so happened that I was flipping thru the Food Network Magazine two days later and happened upon a cake that looks exactly like a giant peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  Brilliant!

He doesn’t typically make the traditional PB&J sandwich.  However, I couldn’t make this cake without the jelly – it wouldn’t be the same.  While I drew my inspiration from his favorite sandwich, I am going back to the traditional, well-loved classic.

Happy Birthday, Jerry!  

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cake

Adapted from Food Network Magazine

Prep Time: 25 min

Cook Time: 30 min

Ingredients

• 1 stick European style unsalted butter, at room temperature
• All purpose flour for the pan
• 1 box white cake mix, or your favorite homemade recipe
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
• 3/4 cup your favorite jelly, or 2 to 3 cups your favorite fruit

Directions

Butter or spray a 9-inch-square cake pan, line with parchment, then butter or spray again and dust with flour. Make the cake batter and fill the pan three-quarters full. Bake at 350 degrees F until a toothpick comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.

Let the cake cool in the pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and let cool completely. Transfer the cake to a work surface. Trim off the top using a serrated knife, then slice the cake in half horizontally.

Beat the butter and peanut butter with a mixer until smooth. Alternate adding the confectioners' sugar and milk, beating after each addition, until the frosting is fluffy and smooth. In another bowl, whisk the jelly until it is loose and spreadable.  If you are using whole fruit, blend with an immersion blender until smooth.

Spread a thick layer of peanut butter frosting on the bottom cake half.

Spread the jelly or fruit on top of the peanut butter frosting, making sure to reach the edges. Top with the remaining cake layer.

Cut the cake in half diagonally and transfer to a serving plate. Separate the halves slightly to show the filling.

Fluffy Vanilla Cake

Yield: One 2-layer, 8-inch round cake or one 2-layer, 8-inch square cake
Adapted from Classic White Cake recipe on Baking Bites

Ingredients

5 large egg whites, at room temperature

3/4 cup whole milk, at room temperature

2 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 3/4 cups cake flour, sifted 

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature and cut into cubes

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease, line with parchment, and flour two round 8-inch pans, or one square pan.

In a medium bowl or measuring cup, combine and stir the egg whites, 1/4 cup of milk, and the vanilla. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the dry ingredients together on low speed for 30 seconds.

Add the butter and remaining 1/2 cup of milk, and mix on low speed until just moistened. Increase to medium speed and mix for 1 1/2 minutes.

Scrape the sides of the bowl and begin to add the egg mixture in 3 separate batches; beat on medium speed for 20 seconds after each addition.

Divide the batter in two, if using two round pans.  Fill the pans 3/4 full.

Bake 25-35 minutes or until a cake tester comes clean when inserted into the center. Be so careful to not over bake. Let cool on racks prior to removing from pan.

Wrap tightly and store at room temperature for up to 2 days, refrigerator for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 2 months. Best eaten the same day as baked.

Fire and Ice

It’s that time of year again, the annual Fire and Ice party!  Every year my dear friends host their Fire and Ice party around the 4^th of July.  Fire breathing, ice shots, flaming shots – if it is related to fire or ice, you can bet it will make an appearance. 

Thinking: Fire or Ice?  What to bring?  No matter who is hosting, or what type of party, for some reason I always feel compelled to bake.  I love baking – it is my hobby after all.  I do wonder if there will ever be a day that I’ll just pick up a 6 pack or a bottle of wine instead of going to the great lengths of whipping something up in the kitchen.  Doubt it.  It’s way too much fun.

Last year I made cupcakes – regular vanilla with vanilla frosting.  I did red and blue sprinkles to stick with the fire and ice theme.  This year, I wanted to get more patriotic.  The 4^th had already passed, but sticking with the signature tune of stars and stripes, I decided to make my famous sugar cookies – in a star format of course!  Red, white and blue stars it is.

The Cooking Channel was on in the background.  Giada De Laurentiis – looking all smooth and styled and beautiful.  Here I was just after a workout, gym shorts and a tee, hair pulled up.  Why can’t  I look like Giada in the kitchen?  My roommate and her boyfriend were sitting at the kitchen counter keeping me company as I rolled out sugar cookie dough.  He says: “you and Giada look like you’re doing the same thing (she also happened to be rolling out dough).  You should have a show.”  If only!  A lovely compliment, but I don’t think I’ll ever be in the same realm as Giada.  That will be the day!

As we all watched Giada serve up a delicious meal, I was cutting out stars, baking feverishly so the cookies would be done in time.  Just over 4 dozen stars were baked, cooled and frosted.  I took them all to the party with me (so I wouldn’t be tempted to eat more later) – not a single cookie was left by the end of the night!  That always puts a smile on my face, knowing the baked goods I made were eaten AND the guests thought they were delicious.  

Roll-Out Cookies 
Color Flow Icing

Gooey. Caramel. Butter. Whoa.

Gooey.  Caramel.  Butter.  Whoa.

Yes, gooey caramel and butter together.  One dessert, one mouth experience.  Take gooey caramel and sandwich it between butter crust; result – a can’t eat only one, too good to be true dessert.  Where are the leftovers?

These knocked the socks off of everyone who ate them.  They are seriously that good.  You have to start with great ingredients though – Pure Irish Butter.  I honestly think if you make one batch with Kerrygold and one batch with Land O Lakes, people will only eat the batch made with Kerrygold.  With butter as the star ingredient, the quality can make or break this dessert.

I omitted the dark rum and doubled up on the vanilla.  You could easily substitute the rum for a caramel liqueur if you preferred.  You could also add peanuts or chocolate chips, but I decided for the ultimate caramel experience.  I’ll definitely be making these again soon – when is the next dinner party?  And if you want to keep the whole pan for yourself (I won’t judge) you may freeze them for up to one month.  Although I doubt these will last more than 48 hours.

Adapted from Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey by Jill O'Connor

Gooey Caramel Butter Bars

Makes 48 small bars

For the Crust

1 pound (16 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon kosher salt

4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

For the Filling

2 bags (14-ounces each) caramel candies (about 100 individual caramels) unwrapped

2/3 cup half and half or heavy cream

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup chopped peanuts (optional)

*You can also use 2 tablespoons Bailey’s Caramel liqueur, decreasing vanilla extract to 1 teaspoon.

For the Crust

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325° F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with a sheet of parchment paper with overhang on the sides of the pan to allow for easy removal of the baked bars; set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with a hand-held mixer, beat the butter and both sugars until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla and salt and beat until combined.  Add the flour and beat on low speed until a smooth, soft dough forms.  Press one-third of the dough evenly into the pan to form a bottom crust. Pat the remaining dough into a flat disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.  Bake until firm and the edges are a pale golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

For the Filling

Place the unwrapped caramels in a microwave-safe bowl. Add the half and half, vanilla, liqueur (if using), and salt. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and stir until smooth. If the caramels are not completely melted, microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until smooth.

Sprinkle the nuts (if using) over the bottom crust. Pour the caramel filling over the nuts using an off-set spatula to spread the filling evenly. Remove the remaining dough from the refrigerator and crumble it evenly over the caramel. Return the pan to the oven and bake until the filling is bubbly and the crumbled shortbread topping is firm and lightly golden, about 30-35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Using the parchment overhang, remove the bars and transfer to a cutting surface. Using a sharp knife, cut the bars into small squares. The bars will keep in an airtight container for 1 week. Individually wrap each bar into a sheet of plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container, then freeze for up to 1 month.

Happy 4th of July!

I love the 4th of July.  Fireworks, family time, great meals, even better desserts.  Poor me, I've taken so much vacation this year I can't take any time off and won't be able to make it to my parent's like every other year.  This year, I'll be staying put in Chicago, but will still be surrounded by people I love.

I'll miss the homemade ice cream, boating on the lake and catching up with the family.  Most of all I'll miss out on the cousin time and seeing my one and only niece!  I'll have to substitute with sunning myself on Lake Michigan and family time with J's family.  That should more than suffice!

I'm making a few go-to desserts that will be easy to transport for the holiday.  The classics - Dutch Apple Pie and Chocolate Chip Cookies.  These are two of my favorites.  What American doesn't love Dutch Apple Pie?  Or, for that matter, apple pie?  Perhaps it's only my family.  

Since I can remember my grandmother (then my mother) was serving up warm apple crisp for dessert.  Hot apples covered in a crunch sugar crust that melted in your mouth.  It was a welcoming dish that spoke of love and home, and then there was the apple pie.  Succulent apple pie covered with a flaky butter crust that was good to the very last bite.

For the love of apple crisp and apple pie, I went in search for the recipe that combined the two.  After several attempts that just wouldn't hold up, I decided to make my own, using my grandmother's apple crisp topping of course!  The result, a mouthwatering, irresistible, harmonious combination, Dutch Apple Pie.  Wow.

The key to making this dish so succulent, European style butter.  I prefer Kerrygold Unsalted to all others.  It brings a creamy flavor and adds a richness to the pie.  Others have a waxy finish and don't do this dessert justice.

My family can't get enough of the soft, warm, sugar covered apples and the sweet crunch of the brown sugar topping.  Don't forget the flaky butter crust that this sits on.  This is the perfect dessert year-round.  Some even eat if for breakfast!   

Megan's Dutch Apple Pie
Ingredients
Pie

• 1 (9 inch) pie shell (Make from scratch or use Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust)
• 5 cups apples - peeled, cored and sliced (roughly six apples, I prefer Jonagold)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 2 tablespoons European style unsalted butter

Bubu's Streusel Topping

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup European style unsalted butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Fit pastry shell into pie pan and place in freezer.
2. Make apple filling: Place apples in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl combine 2 tablespoons flour, white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.  Mix well, then add to apples.  Toss until apples are evenly coated.
3. Remove pie shell from freezer.  Place apple mixture in pie shell and dot with 2 tablespoon butter.  Lay a sheet of aluminum foil lightly on top of filling, but do not seal.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
5. While filling is baking, make Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, combine 3/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, brown sugar and salt.  Mix thoroughly, then cut in 1/2 cup butter until mixture is crumbly.  Remove filling from oven and sprinkle streusel on top.
6. Reduce heat to 375 degrees F.  Bake an additional 30 to 35 minutes, until streusel is browned and apples are tender (the pie should be bubbling on the sides).  Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excess browning.

Perfect Chocolate Cupcakes

I’ve been striving for the perfect chocolate cupcake.  Impeccable chocolate flavor, super moist and intoxicatingly indulgent.  I have an extraordinary challenge approaching fast – I’m making all of the desserts, including the wedding cake for my brother’s wedding (stay tuned for other test approved recipes!).  So finding the perfect chocolate cupcake wasn’t just fun experiments anymore, it was necessity. 

Previous batches have been dry, crumbly, not sweet enough, too sweet, you name it, I baked it.  So I was on the hunt, again, for that perfect chocolate cupcake.  Several recipes I came across called for coffee.  Why do all of these recipes call for coffee?  I know.  I know.  Coffee might enhance the flavor of the chocolate, making it richer.  I think you can add cocoa powder or melted chocolate to achieve that really rich chocolate flavor, right?  More chocolate flavor - yes please.  I’m sorry to all of those coffee lovers, but I don’t like the taste either.  Coffee flavored desserts just aren't my style, and if I’m going to consume the calories, I want it to be on something decadent and worthwhile.  Don’t get me wrong, coffee desserts do have a time and a place, just not usually in my kitchen. 

After several trials (and errors) and a few tweaks, the results were magically delicious.  The bride and groom want one of their cupcake varieties to be chocolate with Oreo buttercream frosting.  Easy.  I have the cake part down now, and I’ll turn to my classic buttercream frosting, adding crushed Oreo’s.  Wowza.  After this last batch, I think I’ll stop.  Success is mine. 

Perfect Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients:
2 Cups Flour
2 Cups Sugar
3/4 Cup Ghirardelli Cocoa Powder
2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
2 Large Eggs
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Buttermilk
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Boiling Water


Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F  Mix all ingredients with the paddle attachment on medium speed until blended.  Pour into cupcake tins (pour batter 3/4 high).  Bake for 20-25 minutes.  Test with a cake tester.


For a 9x13 in cake - bake for one hour.


Let cool on wire racks.  Frost and decorate.


My Vanilla Buttercream:
2 pounds confectioner's sugar (1 package)
2 sticks butter (European style preferred), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Milk, as needed for consistency 
*Add as many crushed Oreo's as needed for an Oreo buttercream