Spatulas, Corkscrews & Suitcases

Valentine's Day Dessert: Red Velvet Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting

This easy Valentine's Day Red Velvet Cake is deliciously moist, and oh so good. Similar to Devil's Food Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, this red cake and snow white frosting is perfect for Valentine's Day, or Christmas. Just change the sprinkles and decorations!

This is my favorite Red Velvet Cake recipe that I tweaked a bit after coming across Brown Eyed Baker's Red Velvet Poke Cake today. The difference between her cake and my original recipe is that she poked holes in the cake after it was baked, and poured sweetened condensed milk into it. Seriously! So, I pulled out my Red Velvet Cake and Cream Cheese Frosting recipes out, and made this cake my own!

I'll have more pictures of my Valentine's Day Red Velvet Cake tomorrow. The cake wasn't ready to cut into tonight. Once I do, you can bet it'll go quick, especially if the guys are around!

Red Velvet Cake Recipe

• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 Tablespoons dark Dutch process cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup canola oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring, or 1/8 teaspoon of Wilton red gel cake color
• 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk

How To Make Red Velvet Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray or butter one 8 X 8-inch square baking pan.
2. In a small bowl, whisk buttermilk and vanilla, and set aside.
3. Blend flour, cocoa, cinnamon, baking soda and salt together in another bowl, and set aside.
4. Cream the sugar and oil together on medium-high speed in a large bowl fitted with a whisk attachment. Add one egg at a time and whisk. Add vinegar and food coloring or gel, and beat the batter well.
5. With mixer on low-medium speed, add half the flour and cocoa mixture to the batter, alternating with the buttermilk, and scraping as needed between additions. Mix until batter is nice and smooth with no lumps.
6. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
7. Bake cake for 35-45 minutes, or until a pick comes out clean.
8. Cool cake for about 10 minutes on a wire rack, then using the end of a wooden spoon handle, poke holes into the cake about 1-inch apart.
9. Gently pour sweetened condensed milk over the top, making sure it drips down into the holes.
10. Cool cake completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 6 Tablespoons butter, softened
• 4 Tablespoons Marshmallow Fluff
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 Tablespoon milk, if necessary

How To Make Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Using a stand mixer, and fitted with a paddle attachment, or in a medium to large bowl and a hand mixer, beat softened cream cheese, butter and Marshmallow Fluff together on medium speed until creamy.
2. Add confectioners' sugar 1/2 cup at a time and beat after each addition, scraping the sides of the bowl when necessary. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
3. Turn mixer to low, add vanilla and beat again, adding milk only if needed for proper spreading or piping consistency. Cover bowl with damp towel until ready to use.

You can also make Red Velvet Cupcakes with this recipe! This size recipe makes between 12-15 cupcakes.

MARDI GRAS King Cake Cupcakes Recipe: A King Arthur Flour Dessert Recipe

Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, and Shrove Tuesday are all celebrated today, Tuesday, February 12. King Cake is served throughout the Mardi Gras Carnival season. Fat Tuesday is a feast day before the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

Mardi Gras King Cake and cupcakes are just two of the foods associated with this holiday and well worth the effort to make them yourself, especially if you can't find them at a bakery in your local area. The most traditional New Orleans King Cake is a ring of twisted cinnamon roll-style bread topped with icing or sugar, usually colored purple (which represents justice), green (faith), and gold (power) which are the traditional Mardi Gras colors. King Cake cupcakes are a lot easier to make since there is no yeast involved, and kids love to make them, and to eat them!

Most King Cakes have a small small plastic doll (usually a Baby Jesus figurine) or other trinket placed inside. Some traditions say the person who finds the trinket is declared the King or Queen of the day, bakes the next King Cake, or hosts the next Mardi Gras party. 

Mardi Gras King Cupcakes from King Arthur Flour

The flavors of King Cake, Mardi Gras' signature confection, are mirrored in these nutmeg and lemon-scented cupcakes. Cream cheese icing, garnished with sparkling sugars in traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras colors, add the perfect touch. This King Cake cupcakes recipe comes from King Arthur Flour who provided the gold, purple and green sparkling sugars for the King Cake and cupcakes.

Cupcakes

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 2/3 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons soft butter
• 2/3 cup milk, at room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon Fiori di Sicilia; OR 1 teaspoon vanilla + 1/8 teaspoon lemon oil
• 2 large eggs

Icing

• 3 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (half of an 8-ounce package) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon lemon oil
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar1 to 2 tablespoons milk, enough to make a spreadable icing
• colored sugars, preferably purple, yellow, and green

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour a muffin tin. You can also line the muffin tins with papers, and spray the insides of the papers.
2. To make the cupcakes: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt.
3. Add the butter and beat with an electric mixer at low speed, until the mixture looks sandy.
4. Combine the milk and vanilla and add, all at once. Mix at low speed for 30 seconds, then increase the speed to medium and beat for 30 seconds. Scrape the bottom and sides of the mixing bowl.
5. With the mixer running at low speed, add 1 egg. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 30 seconds. Add the second egg, again beating for 30 seconds.
6. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl, and beat briefly, just till smooth.
7. Scoop the batter by heaping 1/4-cupfuls into the prepared muffin tin. A muffin scoop works well here.
8. Bake the cupcakes for 23 to 25 minutes, until they've domed, and are a light golden brown around the edges. They'll spring back when pressed gently on top, and a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean.
9. Remove the cupcakes from the oven, and place on a rack to cool completely before icing.

To make the icing:

1. Combine the butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and lemon oil in a medium-sized bowl, and beat them together until light and fluffy.
2. Add the sugar gradually, beating well.
3. Beat in the milk a little at a time, until the frosting is a spreadable consistency.
4. Spread each cake with icing, and immediately dip in gold, purple, and green sparkling sugars, covering about 1/3 of the cupcake with each color sugar.
5. Store at room temperature for several days. For longer storage, wrap well and freeze.
6. Yield: 12 cupcakes

Recipe and Photo used with permission from King Arthur Flour.

20 BEST CHRISTMAS DESSERTS: Most Popular Holiday Pies, Cheesecakes and Christmas Cookies Recipes

Christmas is finally here, so I thought I'd put together a list of my Top 20 Christmas dessert recipes. Homemade Apple Pie, Red Velvet Cheesecake, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Christmas Cookies, Chocolate French Silk Pie, Pumpkin Pie, New York Style Strawberry Cheesecake, Coconut Cake, and Cherry Cheesecake are definitely on my list this year. Not that I'm going to make them all this holiday, but I sure am craving them all! What are your favorite Christmas dessert recipes that you simply can't do without around the holidays?

Top 20 Christmas Desserts

Christmas Cookie Recipes - It seems you can never eat too many Christmas Cookies. Platters of festive Christmas cookies are already going to parties at schools, offices and cookie exchanges. Make a number of different Christmas Cookie recipes, eat some, and give the rest away!

Carrot Cake and Cupcakes Recipe - What would the holidays be without Carrot Cake or Carrot Cake Cupcakes? Ice this classic dessert with light and fluffy cream cheese frosting, and sprinkle with walnuts, or not! It's your holiday, enjoy it!

Coconut Cake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting - Snow white cake layers flavored with pure coconut extract and Coco Lopez, then frosted with pure white coconut frosting, and decorated with sweetened and toasted shredded coconut flakes. Very Christmasy!




Classic Pumpkin Pie - Everyone's favorite Thanksgiving pie, the Libby's Pumpkin Pie recipe is also great for Christmas too. Libby includes their recipe on the back of the can of pumpkin, but you can use any homemade Pumpkin Pie recipe made with canned pumpkin puree.

Homemade Apple Pie with Granny Smith Apples - Grandma's All-American dessert, the humble Apple Pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is everyone's favorite holiday pie - no matter what holiday it is.

Kentucky Derby Chocolate Pecan Pie - This easy pie has toasted pecans or walnuts, bourbon, classic pecan pie filling with brown sugar and butter, and gourmet chocolate chips in a flaky pie crust. The Kentucky Derby Chocolate Pecan Pie can be whipped up in no time, making this is great last minute race recipe.

Chocolate French Silk Pie - A sinfully rich chocolate pie piled with heaps of whipped cream. Make it in either a flaky pie crust, chocolate cookie crust, or graham cracker crust.

NY Style Strawberry Cheesecake - Who doesn't love Strawberry Cheesecake? This one is the creamiest and most decadent, especially on a graham cracker crust, and topped with the juiciest Christmas red strawberries.

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust - Pumpkin Cheesecake isn't just for Thanksgiving. Christmas is also the perfect time for this ultra creamy pumpkin cheesecake that sits on a spicy molasses cookie crust.

Cherry Cheesecake with Graham Cracker Crust - This dessert is a favorite cheesecake for Christmas, especially with ruby red Christmas canned cherry pie filling.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake - Uber-rich & creamy chocolate cheesecake, studded with chunks of Reese's PB cups, all sitting on an Oreo Cookie crust, rivals anything the Cheesecake Factory can dish out!

Red Velvet Cheesecake Recipe - Just like the Red Velvet Cheesecake Factory Recipe, this rich red and white layered New York Style Cheesecake and Red Velvet Cake is decorated with buttercream frosting, and would be striking on a Christmas buffet table.

Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe - This dazzling Chocolate Red Velvet Cake is a total head-turner! With its bright red cake layers, and snow white frosting, this gorgeous cake will be the best dressed guest at this year's Christmas party!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake - Extra rich cheesecake studded with mini chocolate chips, baked in a sweet Oreo Cookie crust. Who doesn't love chocolate chips, especially when it comes in the form of a cheesecake?

Easy Kahlua Tiramisu Recipe - Ladyfingers soaked in Kahlua, layered with sweet brandy whipped cream and cream cheese filling. This Easy Kahlua Tiramisu is dusted with cocoa for a delicious finale!

Best Ever Pie Crust Recipe - How To Make A Perfect Flaky Pie Crust for the Holidays
 

3 Easy Pie Crust Recipes - Oreo Cookie Crust, Graham Cracker Crust and Sweet Short Dough

Flaky Pie Crust Recipe by Sweety Pies

Soooooo... I was just a few Christmas Cookies short of a Happy Meal—I mean cookie platter. But there's tons of festive Christmas Cookie recipes under that cookie link, so I'm going to fudge it a little and call it 30 instead :-) Have a Very Merry Christmas!

SEE'S CANDIES: Buy Chocolates, Truffles, Christmas Candy, Toffee in Over 200 Locations

Still looking for last minute Christmas gifts and ideas? Run down to your closest See's Candies store and buy a box of luxurious chocolate truffles, chocolate fudge, dipped chocolates, or crunchy butter toffee coated in chopped almonds.

See's Candies has over 200 chocolate shops, and loads of smaller kiosks and carts in malls and shopping centers during the holidays. Chances are you'll find a See's Candies location in your neck of the woods!

A holiday tradition for more than 90 years, See's Candies is now available at a gift center in the Providence Place Mall, Rhode Island. That's where we found them, right outside the Nordstrom wing on the first level. They have free samples and tempt you to try them while you're shopping! We couldn't resist and tried a gigantic Butterscotch Lollypop which lasted over an hour.

Read My Exclusive See's Candies Review Here

 

To produce the best possible boxed chocolates, they insist on using only the best ingredients and claim they never add preservatives.

Since 1921, See’s Candies has been one of America’s favorite candy makers. A tradition in the West, See’s has consistently maintained the timeless virtues of quality, caring and friendly service. Made in America, using no added preservatives and only the freshest, highest quality ingredients available, each piece of delicious See’s candy is sure to delight this holiday season.

This year, See’s Candies opened a convenient location in the Providence area, where candy-lovers can purchase an assortment of delicious selections for the holiday season, made with the finest ingredients, yet available at affordable prices.

See's Candies Selections Include:

Assorted Chocolates – A classic creation from See’s. Featuring a mix of customer favorites like Chocolate Butter, Caramel, Bordeaux, nut clusters, nougats and Scotchmallow. ($18.20 for 1 lb; $36.40 for 2 lbs)

Nuts & Chews – A variety of sensational milk and dark chocolates filled with See’s special caramel and nougat as well as top-quality almonds, peanuts and walnuts. ($18.20 for 1 lb; $36.40 for 2 lbs)

Truffles – The most divine chocolate See’s has to offer, each Truffle features a richly flavored center with a delicate chocolate coating. Flavors include Dark Chocolate Chip, Café au Lait, Hazelnut, Malt, Key Lime, Raspberry and Lemon, offered in a beautiful gold box. ($10.35 for a half-pound; $20.70 for 1 lb)

Toffee-ettes – A bite-sized version of See’s famous Victoria Toffee, everyone loves this rich combination of crunchy butter toffee and California-grown almonds, covered in creamy milk chocolate then rolled in toasted almonds. ($18.20 for 1 lb.)

Old-Fashioned Fudge Assortment – Made only for the holidays in a festive sampler box, using Mary See’s original recipe, See’s uses premium English walnuts and pecans, pure butter, heavy cream and sugar to create the richest and creamiest fudge in three flavors – Vanilla Walnut, Chocolate Walnut and Bordeaux. ($18.80 for 1 lb)

Gourmet Lollypops – Candy fanciers of all ages love these unique square Lollypops made from heavy cream, butter and flavors of real vanilla, Colombian coffee, smooth chocolate and rich butterscotch. Assorted flavors include Vanilla, Butterscotch, Chocolate and Café Latté. ($8.00 for 12 Lollypops; $17.65 for 30 Lollypops)

NEW! Holiday Fancy – Festively packaged for the holidays, this assortment features a popular selection of See’s finest milk, dark and white chocolates. ($20.90 for 1 lb)

Stocking Stuffers!

Polar Bear Box – Children will love the sweet bear box filled with kid-friendly candy like Sugar Sticks, Milk Chocolate Foil Balls, Lollypops and Chocolate Santas. ($6.95 for 7.5 oz)

Winter Wonderland Box – This special box is filled with chocolate – like Scotchmallows, Butterscotch Squares, Milk Chocolate Foil Balls and Molasses Chips. ($7.15 for 4.8 oz)

Snowman Candy Bar Gift Pack – Comes with four 1.5 oz candy bars that can be split into multiple stocking stuffers or given as one gift. Includes two Milk Chocolate, one Milk Chocolate with Toffee Nuggets and one Dark Chocolate with Almonds. ($6.80 for 4 – 1.5 oz bars)

WHEN: Now until December 26, 2012

WHERE: See's Candies

• Providence Place Mall
• 1 Providence Place
• Providence, RI 02903
• Located Bottom level, Nordstrom wing
• Phone (424) 214-8559

SHOP HOURS:

• Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
• Sun. noon - 5 p.m.
• See's Candies has extended hours during the holiday season. Please call for specifics.

LIKE See's Candies on Facebook!

Win a Lifetime of See's Candies Contest!

Order See's Candies Online

Get your gifts in time for Christmas. Upgraded shipping is on See's Candies! Pay standard shipping and they'll upgrade your order to 2-day shipping! Deadline: Shipping upgrade offer ends 10 a.m. PT, 12/21/12.

Source and Photo Credit Permission by See's Candies

BEST THANKSGIVING PIE RECIPES: A Touch of Orange Apple Pie

A top Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday pie recipe, this apple pie with fresh Granny Smith apples and fresh orange peel is nestled in a flaky pie crust made with Crisco shortening. 

A Touch of Orange Apple Pie Recipe

Prep Time: 25 min
Cook Time: 45 min
Yield: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS: Double Crust Classic Crisco Pie Crust

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 7 cups peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples, about 2 pounds or 7 medium 
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Milk
• Sugar

PREPARATION DIRECTIONS:

1. PREPARE recipe for double crust pie, using a 9-inch pie plate. Roll out dough for bottom crust and place in pie plate according to recipe directions.
2. HEAT oven to 400ºF.
3. COMBINE sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, orange peel, salt and nutmeg in small bowl. Place apples in unbaked pie crust. Sprinkle sugar mixture over apples. Dot with butter. Moisten pastry edge with water.
4. ROLL out dough for top crust, place onto filled pie and finish edges according to recipe directions. Cut slits in top crust or prick with fork to vent steam.
5. BAKE 35 minutes. Remove pie from oven. Brush with milk. Sprinkle with sugar. Cover edge of pie with foil, if necessary, to prevent overbrowning. Bake 10 minutes or until filling in center is bubbly and crust is golden brown.

Sources and Photo Credits: Recipes and photos used with permission by Crisco.com.

RED, WHITE and BLUE DESSERT RECIPES: Patriotic 4th of July Desserts

Have a Star Spangled Banner holiday with these red, white and blue patriotic dessert recipes! Red, White and Blue Flag Cake; Fresh Strawberry and Blueberry Pie; Strawberry and Blueberry Shortcakes; Red, White and Blueberry Dessert Pizza; Red, White and Blueberry Cobbler; Red, White and Blue Fruit Salad. See a recurring theme? All but a few of these are my own tried-and-true recipes that I've posted over the years with Examiner and Suite101. My family enjoyed every last bite! Have a safe, happy and delicious 4th of July holiday!

Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe: Big juicy strawberries chilled in homemade strawberry glaze, nestled in a graham cracker or vanilla cookie crust and topped with fresh whipped cream.

 

Red, White and Blue Flag Cake Recipe: What would the 4th of July be without a Red, White and Blue Flag Cake? Blueberry stars, strawberry stripes and sparklers set this Firecracker Cake off quite nicely!

 

 

Red, White and Blueberry Cobbler: Fresh Cherries, blueberries and raspberries found their way into a deep dish stoneware pie pan, sprinkled with some cinnamon and a bit of freshly grated lemon zest all topped with a buttery sweet cobbler dough and a dollop of whipped cream.

 

 

Red, White and Blue Dessert Pizza: Striking grilled pizza with raspberries, blueberries and pineapple all nestled in a sweet cheese topping on top of cinnamon dough. Perfect for a 4th of July cookout!

 

Red, White and Blue Strawberry Blueberry Tart: This strawberry tart is made with a sweet shortbread crust, filled with strawberry jam, fresh strawberries and blueberries. Top it all off with fresh whipped cream, or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

 

 

Red White and Blue Fruit Salad Recipe: It doesn't have to be cake or pastry to qualify as dessert, so why not make it a healthy dessert with his patriotic fruit salad with the colors of the flag! Red strawberries and raspberries, almost white bananas and pineapple, and as blue as you can get blueberries make one beautiful fruit salad!

 

 

Red, White and Blueberry Cheesecake Recipe: Take this Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe and add blueberries to the topping along with the strawberries. Fresh tastes best, but canned strawberry and blueberry pie filling work just fine too.

 

 

Red Velvet Cake with Blueberries: Traditional Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting topped with fresh blueberries. Can't get much better than this!

 

 

Strawberry Cream Cake with Blueberries: Yellow cake filled and frosted with fresh whipped cream, strawberries and blueberries. Very refreshing and perfect for a summer party.

 

Strawberry & Blueberry Shortcakes: Take the traditional Strawberry Shortcake recipe, split some homemade Buttermilk Biscuits in half, sprinkle with fresh blueberries, and add plenty of whipped cream to these delightful berry shortcakes!

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe: Fresh strawberry rhubarb pie recipe is a summer favorite. Classic fruit pie with sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb mixed with sugar and spices, and baked in a double crust. Add some blueberries or blackberries for the holiday!

Blueberry Pie Recipe Made with Fresh Blueberries: Plump blueberries picked fresh from the blueberry bush, mixed with sugar and a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg and baked in a flaky doubled crusted pie crust. Serve with a side of fresh raspberries or strawberries for a red, white and blue dessert!

Fresh Strawberry Muffins: Made with my favorite blueberry muffin recipe, these strawberry muffins are chock full of fresh strawberries and topped with brown sugar streusel for an easy summer picnic or brunch. Add fresh blueberries or blackberries to your muffin batter for a red, white and blue treat!

BASIC WHITE BREAD LOAVES RECIPE: TWD Baking with Julia — Julia Child That is!

This easy WHITE BREAD RECIPE comes from the cookbook "Baking with Julia" (Child) by Dorie Greenspan, and is the very first Tuesday's with Dorie recipe... the second edition!

Some of you may remember me baking along with this group a few years ago way back in March 2008. WOW! Has it really been that long? I had to take some time out to write a cookbook for Penguin Publishing—an Idiot's Guide at that! (Yes, I know. It was a shamelss plug!)

I figured I was ready to get back to baking with the Tuesday's with Dorie group again, until I found out they were done with the book "Baking: From My Home to Yours." They spent the last 4 years baking through that cookbook!

That's OK though. They were starting up a brand new group baking out of the new cookbook, "Baking with Julia." If you don't already have the cookbook, I strongly urge you to buy one for yourself. It's a huge, heavy, and pricey hardcover cookbook, but totally worth it! See all the TWD recipes I made in the past here.

White Rolls and Nutella Buns

Since I didn't need two large loaves of bread right now, I decided to make nice soft white rolls out of the dough instead of big loaves this time around. This worked out perfectly as I made them on Super Bowl Sunday and we used them for little sandwiches. Check out the Nutella Chocolate Hazelnut Sticky Buns we made with the other half of the dough!

OK, I should confess here. John helped me make the dough. We have a shiny new KitchenAid mixer, and he wanted to be the first one to try it out by making bread dough. Besides our son John, BIG John has always been the best bread maker in the family, so I let him have his fun! I should also tell you something else while I'm at it. I'm using my cell phone camera for these shots. I apologize for the way they came out. Although I've had the phone since August, I'm still getting used to the camera. I should go back to taking photos with my good camera! Anyhoo...

The dough came together nicely, rose nicely, and baked nicely. John was totally impressed with his buns! The finished rolls were soft and tasted good, and although I'd rather have a little more taste, I think it's a good choice for an everyday bread. (I might add a pinch more salt the next time.)

Thanks to Laurie and Jules for hosting the first TWD: Baking with Julia recipe! Because Dorie would never sell any cookbooks if we ALL posted the recipe each time, the honor of posting that week's recipe will fall to the host. You can find the recipe on Jules' blog, Someone's in the Kitchen.

WORLD NUTELLA DAY 2012: Chocolate Hazelnut Sticky Buns Recipe

Celebrate World Nutella Day with Nutella Chocolate Fudge Brownies, Nutella S'mores, Nutella Hot Fudge Pudding Cake, and Nutella Chocolate Hazelnut Sticky Buns—my latest concoction!

World Nutella Day 2012 fell on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5th. Since I wasn't able to participate last year, I decided to try and whip something up this time. The timing couldn't have been better as it also fell on the day I was baking the first recipe with  Tuesday's with Dorie, so I was in the baking mode! The cookbook the group is using for the first recipe is "Baking with Julia" by Dorie Greenspan, but that's another story coming tomorrow!

 What is World Nutella Day?

World Nutella Day is a day set aside every year to celebrate and enjoy eating Nutella. You know the stuff! The silky smooth and sinfully sweet chocolate hazelnut spread that's a narcotic to some people—something that can't be stopped!

According to NutellaDay.com, "World Nutella Day was created in 2007 when Sara Rosso, an American blogger living in Italy, thought that there were many days in the year but no day set aside to appreciate Nutella." Sara then recruited a few friends to join in the fun, and Nutella Day was born.

This is from their site, "Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso solemnly declare Sunday, February 5th “World Nutella Day 2012? – a day to celebrate, to get creative with, and most importantly, to EAT Nutella."

Follow along with the World Nutella Day Community

• Check out the action at the World Nutella Day Fan Page on Facebook!
• Follow their Twitter stream @nutelladay for updates and follow & use the Twitter hashtag #nutelladay to participate!
  
• Get creative with more than 700 Nutella recipes
• Drool at Nutella food p*rn in the World Nutella Day Flickr Pool
• New to Nutella? Learn what the fuss is about

 

Nutella Chocolate Hazelnut Sticky Buns Recipe

I used the remaining dough for White Loaves (page 81-82) in the Tuesday's with Dorie recipe yesterday. They came out very good for an everyday sweet treat. I would definitely use the dough again for these Nutella Sticky Buns, although I would rather use my own sweet dough for these delicious gems.

Nutella Chocolate Hazelnut Sticky Buns Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 Tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup pure Vermont syrup
• 1 Tablespoon liquid or granular soy lecithin, optional
• 1 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons vital wheat gluten
• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 Tablespoon instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup Nutella
  

Directions:

Using the ingredients listed above, continue to follow the directions for my Maple Cinnamon Rolls: Soft Homemade Sticky Buns with Icing on Suite101. Unfortunately, Suite's one year copyright prevents me from including the entire recipe right now.

Leave out the cinnamon in the Suite101 recipe and also in the Sticky Goo ingredients... unless of course you love cinnamon, in which case you should definitely try it! Follow the rest of the directions and you'll have about 10-12 of the best and sweetest Nutella Chocolate Hazelnut Sticky Buns ever!

 

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE RECIPE with Molasses Cookie Crust: A Thanksgiving Favorite

The holidays are right around the corner, and this decadently rich Pumpkin Cheesecake will make a perfect addition to any Thanksgiving or Christmas buffet table. Not surprising, Pumpkin Cheesecake is one of the most requested Thanksgiving desserts.

This Pumpkin Cheesecake is m and is very similar to Junior's Pumpkin Mousse Cheesecake recipe. It has a sour cream topping that makes the cheesecake irresistible, but you can leave it off if you wish. You've probably been the victim of cracked cheesecakes or overbaked and dry cheesecakes once or twice in your baking life. Make sure to read "How to Make the Perfect Cheesecake" before turning your oven on!

Ingredients: Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe with a Molasses Cookie Crust

• 1/4 recipe of Soft Molasses Cookie dough
  
• 1 pound 8 ounces (three 8 ounces packages) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
• 1 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2/3 cup evaporated milk

Sour Cream Topping

• 1 pound (2 cups) sour cream
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

 

If you make the entire batch of Molasses Cookie Dough, you can scoop and bake the rest into the scrumptious Molasses Cookies you see below!

Directions: How to Make a Perfect Pumpkin Cheesecake

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Take a 9 inch springform pan apart, line the bottom plate with aluminum foil, then reassemble the pan. Pull the excess foil up and around the pan to prevent any batter from leaking into the oven. Spray sides and bottom with vegetable spray.
3. Make 1/4 batch of Soft Molasses Cookies Recipe. Or better yet, make the whole batch and bake cookies with the rest of the dough!
4. Pat the molasses cookie dough on the bottom only of the springform pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes for a soft cookie crust. Bake a few minutes longer for a crispier gingersnap crust. Remove from oven, set aside, and let cool while making the cheesecake batter.
5. Leave oven on 350 degrees. Place a pan of hot water in the bottom of the oven and close the door.
6. In a mixing bowl on medium speed, beat cream cheese until smooth ~ about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides half way through.
7. Add sugars and cornstarch and beat again, scraping a few times. The mixture should be smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time. Beat until creamy.
8. Fold the pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg into the mixture and beat again.
9. Slowly add the evaporated milk and beat only enough so there are no lumps and the filling is nice and fluffy. Scrape as needed.
10. Pour batter into prepared pan on top of previously baked molasses cookie crust, and bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes.
11. About 15 minutes before the pumpkin cheesecake is done, mix all sour cream topping ingredients (see below) until smooth and sugar is dissolved.
12. When cheesecake comes out of the oven, carefully pour sour cream batter on top of cheesecake. Immediately return cheesecake to oven, and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until set.
13. See the link above for further baking, cooling, serving and freezing instructions.
14. Makes one 9 inch cheesecake. Serves 14. Wrap and refrigerate any leftovers.

 

Photo: Saying grace before carving the turkey at Thanksgiving dinner in the home of Earle Landis in Neffsville, Pennsylvania, November 1942. Photo by Marjory Collins. Farm Security Administration. Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain

BEST THANKSGIVING PIE RECIPES: Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Pecan Pie Recipe and More!

Still looking for the most popular THANKSGIVING PIE recipes for your Thanksgiving dinner this week? Stop looking! All your favorite Thanksgiving pie recipes are right here! Since Thanksgiving pie making begins in ernest on Wednesday, I've made up a list of all my favorite pies. These are the same pies we made in the bakery and for wholesale orders for over 15 years, so I know the recipes work.

Start off with the BEST PIE CRUST RECIPE. This is the tried and true, Best Ever Pie Crust that we made for years at the bakery, and I'm talking about thousands upon thousands of pies! And if John can make pie crust, anyone can! Just follow the directions to the letter and it'll come out fine.

Pie Crust Recipes

• Best Ever Pie Crust Recipe - How To Make A Perfect Flaky Pie Crust for the Holidays
• 3 Easy Pie Crust Recipes - Oreo Cookie Crust, Graham Cracker Crust and Sweet Short Dough
• Flaky Pie Crust Recipe by Sweety Pies

 

Apple and Pumpkin Pies

• Homemade Apple Pie Recipe With Granny Smith Apples
• Apple Streusel Pie Recipe
• Classic Pumpkin Pie - Just like Libby's
• Pumpkin Pecan Pie Recipe

 

Nut Pies

• Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
• Classic Pecan Pie with Toasted Pecans
• Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe with Roasted Pecans
• Maple Walnut Pie Recipe with Pure Vermont Syrup
• Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe
• White Chocolate Brandy Almond Pie

 

Fruit Pies and Galettes

• Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe
• All-American Cherry Pie Recipe
• Blueberry Pie Recipe
• Fresh Blackberry Pie Recipe
• Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Recipe
• Fresh Peach Pie Recipe
• Fresh Peach Pie with Streusel Topping
• Fresh Raspberry Pie Recipe
• Fresh Strawberry Pie Recipe
• Apple Cranberry Tart & Galette Recipe
• Rustic Free-form Peach Galette Recipe

 

Cream and Mousse Pies

• Chocolate French Silk Pie
• Boston Cream Pie Recipe
• Key Lime Pie with Whipped Cream
• Coconut Custard Pie Recipe
• Chocolate Cream Pie
• Strawberry Mousse Pie Recipe
• Peanut Butter Cream Pie Recipe
• Chocolate Kahlua Mousse Pie
• Butterscotch Cream Pie
• Bailey's Irish Cream Pie
• Peanut Butter Pie with Oreo Cookie Crust

 

Frozen and Ice Cream Pies

• Frozen Peach Ice Cream Pie
• Frozen Peach Yogurt Pie Recipe
• Pina Colada Frozen Pie Recipe
• Strawberry Daiquiri Frozen Pie