02 February

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February 8, 2012

Frosted Molasses Bars

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Frosted Molasses Bars

Frosted Molasses Bars

February 8: National Molasses Bar Day

We have baked brownies many times before. So making molasses bars is a nice alternative or addition on a party/potluck platter. Molasses is a thick, dark syrup derived from sugar cane and is a natural sweetener. When added as an ingredient to the molasses bars and frosting, it makes this dessert a unique treat! Make frosted molasses bars for National Molasses Bar Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from About.com / Southern Food)

For the molasses bars

  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ cup shortening
  • ½ cup sugar, granulated white
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup molasses
  • 1/3 cup water

Directions

In a large bowl, sift together the flower, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Set aside. In another bowl or mixer, cream the shortening with the sugar. Beat in the egg and water.

Frosted Molasses Bars

Add the molasses. Gradually blend in the flour mixture until smooth. Pour into a generously greased, foil-lined 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Spread out the batter evenly. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until done. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack. Meanwhile, make the frosting.

Frosted Molasses Bars

For the molasses frosting

  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 2-3 tablespoons water

Directions

In a bowl or mixer, cream the butter with the sugar. Add the molasses and mix until thick. Thin with water until a spreadable consistency is reached.

Frosted Molasses Bars

Spread the frosting on the molasses bar while it is still warm. Cool to let the frosting set. Slice into squares and serve.

Frosted Molasses Bars

Notes

  • The texture of these frosted molasses bars is soft and cake-like.
  • Search our blog for other brownie recipes.
 

February 4, 2012

Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Posted by HI Cookery under 02 February | Tags: , , , |
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Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Cream Cheese Stuffed Brownies

February 4: National Stuffed Mushroom Day

Stuffed mushrooms are one of our favorite appetizers. We order them at restaurants before our main meal and eat (a lot of) them when they are served at social functions. Sometimes we also prepare stuffed mushrooms when company comes to visit us at our home. This particular recipe uses cream cheese instead of the usual bread crumbs in the filling and it is hearty and quite tasty. So try this version and stuff your faces with cream cheese stuffed mushrooms on National Stuffed Mushroom Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from AllRecipes.com)

Ingredients

  • 12 whole button mushrooms, washed and towel dried
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced to equal 1 tablespoon
  • 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or olive)
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Line a baking sheet with foil and mist with cooking spray. Detach the stems from the cleaned mushrooms. Chop the stems finely. Saute the stems with the minced garlic and oil in a skillet. Fry until the moisture has evaporated somewhat. Set aside until cool.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Brownies

In a bowl, stir the cream cheese until smooth. Add the mushroom stems-garlic mixture. Season with onion powder and the peppers. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and blend the stuffing well.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Brownies

Divide mixture into 12 and spoon into the mushroom caps. Place the caps on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer the stuffed mushrooms to a plate. Serve hot.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Brownies

Notes

  • Sprinkle parsley flakes on top of the cream cheese stuffed mushrooms and around the serving platter to add a more colorful contrast and presentation to the dish.
 

February 3, 2012

Elmo Cupcakes

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Elmo Cupcakes

Elmo Cupcakes

February 3: Elmo’s Birthday

Happy birthday to our favorite, fuzzy red monster from Sesame Street—Elmo! He is extremely popular with kids (and kids-at-heart like middle-aged Islander) and has a positive impact all over the world. To celebrate his birthday, we made simple but adorable chocolate cupcakes covered in red and orange frosting and decorated with vanilla candy wafers and an Oreo fudge creme cookie. We share these irresistably cute creations with co-workers and college students and they are always tickled at the sight of smiling edible Elmo cupcakes! Spread some smiles today and give the gift of an Elmo cupcake on his birthday.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • Cupcakes, baked and cooled
  • Red frosting (for Elmo’s fur)
  • Oreo fudge creme cookies (for Elmo’s mouth)
  • Vanilla candy wafers or melts (for Elmo’s eyes)
  • Black tube frosting (for Elmo’s pupils)
  • Orange tube frosting (for Elmo’s nose)

Directions

Bake and cool cupcakes. Stir the red frosting to a spreadable consistency. Use the “grass” tip to pipe in Elmo’s fur. Begin piping the frosting on the outer edges of the cupcake and generously finish filling in the middle.

Elmo Cupcakes

Cut the Oreo fudge creme cookies in half. Place a piece on top of the cupcake. Pipe around the edges to cover any cookie seams.

Elmo Cupcakes

Prepare Elmo’s eyes by matching pairs of vanilla candy wafers. Use the black tube frosting with a small round tip to pipe in the pupils. Position the eyes on the cupcake above the cookie mouth.

Elmo Cupcakes

Use the orange tube frosting with a large round tip to pipe in the nose. Complete the rest of the Elmo cupcakes in the same technique.

Elmo Cupcakes

Notes

  • Use your favorite flavor cupcakes. We recommend a red velvet or chocolate cupcake recipe from our previous blog posts. Bake them in red cupcake papers or Elmo-themed liners.
  • We used CK brand tub of red frosting since the Wilton brand has been discontinued. The latter yields a more vibrant and brighter red color. Pre-made frostings are not the best tasting but they are convenient for decorating a big batch of baked goods in color.
  • Substitute blue frosting, eliminate the orange nose and mix up the eyeballs to make Cookie Monster cupcakes. We used a “star” instead of “grass” tip to make a similar version of Cookie Monster cupcakes on November 2, which is Cookie Monster’s birthday.
  • For a baking challenge, make Elmo macarons for his birthday! Check out our MacAttack post for decorating techniques.
  • See more Elmo cake and cupcake decorating ideas on the Elmo Cake website.
 

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