Jessica's in the kitchen

Jessica tried her hand at fondant icing this week. I think she did awesome!

Five cakes this week!

Jessica iced this last cake for me -- it was one just for us! I think we only have 2 pieces left :-)

decorated cakes, again.....

Pancakes

Since today is Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) I thought I'd post my pancake recipe. Before I found this recipe, we were making the boxed mix and thought they were alright. Well, let's just say we'll never go back to the boxed mix! LOL!

PANCAKES

1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
4 Tbsp vegetable oil (I usually omit this)
2 cups buttermilk (I use regular milk with a splash of vinegar)

In a small bowl, combine the oats, flours, baking soda, salt and sugar. In another small bowl, beat the eggs, oil, and buttermilk. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Pour batter onto greased hot griddle (we use olive oil in our pan). Flip when bubbles from around the edges. Cook until the second side is golden brown.

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Okay, here's what we find works for us :-)

We have done these with 2 cups all-purpose flour, when we didn't have the whole wheat. They still turn out fine. We also add about 2 tsp of cinnamon in our batter. Delicious! Our pancakes are usually about 7-inch and we can make probably 8 pancakes with this recipe. Believe me, one pancake per person is plenty! They are very filling, especially when you top them with fruit or yogurt.

cakes.... again :-)

hockey fan!

For a skating party

Lightning McQueen is popular for the little boys.

I know there's no High School Musical 7, but that's the age of the little girl :-)

Nanaimo Squares

These are probably our most favorite cookies. I usually only make them at Christmas time.
NANAIMO SQUARES

BOTTOM LAYER:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
5 Tbsp cocoa powder
3/4 cup coconut
1 egg (beaten)
1 3/4 cup graham wafer crumbs
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Melt butter in saucepan. Mix in cocoa and sugar. Add egg and stir until egg is cooked and mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients. Press firmly into ungreased 9x9 pan. I usually like the pan with foil wrap to make them easier to remove from the pan. Set in refrigerator to cool.

MIDDLE LAYER:
1/2 cup butter
3 Tbsp milk
2 Tbsp vanilla custard powder
2 cups icing sugar

Mix and beat until light. Spread over cooled bottom layer.

TOP LAYER:
4 semisweet chocolate squares
2 Tbsp butter

Melt and let cool slightly. Spoon over middle layer. Chill

The best way to cut these squares with cracking the chocolate layer is to first run a knife around the edges of the pan. Turn out unto cutting board. Heat a big knife with hot water, then cut into squares. The heat from the knife should slice the chocolate nicely.

Ginger Sparkles

GINGER SPARKLES

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups flour
1 TBSP ginger
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Cream shortening and sugar. Add egg and beat well. Add molasses. Sift together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Fold into the creamed mixture. You may have to use your hands to blend this.

Roll cookies dough into 1-inch balls, then roll into additional white sugar. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 deg for 10-12 minutes.

NOTE: they will look like they're not cooked, but they're done! They'll finish cooking on the pan when you take them out.

Enjoy alone or with a nice cup of tea :-)