Thursday, January 28, 2010

Chocolate Cinnamon Marshmallows


I wasn't going to post this one at first because it didn't turn out as fluffy and "marshmallowy" as my other marshmallow recipes, but today I find myself unable to stop eating them. So, I guess that makes this a winning recipe. Plus, they're easier to make than my other recipe. They're dense and yummy and just melt in your mouth.


3 .25 oz envelopes of unflavored gelatin
2 cups of sugar
3/4 cup of corn syrup
4 ounces of semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate
2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup of powdered sugar
Water


Coat 9x9 pan well with cooking spray.

In the bottom of your mixer, mix the gelatin with a 1/2 cup of water. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Melt the chocolate and then stir in the cocoa powder. Add to the gelatin and beat until combined.

In a large pot, mix together the sugar, corn syrup and 1/4 cup of water. Insert the candy thermometer and turn the heat onto medium low. Without stirring, let the syrup cook until it reaches 248 degrees.

Remove from heat and slowly add sugar syrup to the gelatin/chocolate mixture. Add the salt, cinnamon and chipotle and mix at high speed for 10 minutes or until it’s fluffy. Add the vanilla and pour marshmallow fluff into prepared pan.

Let it set for at least four hours. Remove marshmallow slab from the pan.

Dredge it in powdered sugar (I added a bit of cinnamon too). With a sharp knife (pizza cutter), cut marshmallow into squares or you can use a cookie cutter for more whimsical shapes.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Aebleskivers



These are Danish pancakes, that kind of look like light, fluffy pancake balls. You need a special pan to make them, but they're a lot of fun if you have it.

4 separated eggs
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 C. buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 C. flour
butter, margarine, or shortening

Beat egg whites until stiff. Set aside.

Beat rest of ingredients until batter is very smooth. Fold in egg whites.

Heat pan at medium with 1/8 tsp. butter in each hole. Cook for a few minutes on each side.

Serve with syrup, powdered sugar, jam, etc.

Makes approximately 48 pancakes (4-5 servings)

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Super Yum Blueberry Muffins

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 cup fresh blueberries
grated lemon rind (optional and wonderful)


1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Place vegetable oil into a 1 cup measuring cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup. Mix this with flour mixture. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin cups nearly to the top, and sprinkle with crumb topping mixture.

To Make Crumb Topping: Mix together 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 cup butter, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Mix with fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until done.