Tag Archives: baking

Bacon Cookies

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Making cookies is always so much fun but at times it seems I really don’t want to roll dough, use cookie cutters and just do the same ole same ole which always makes such a mess.

Ingredients:

  • Sugar cookies recipe or pre made cookie dough works
  • Various food colorings coming close to maroon, beige and pink
  • Brown sugar
  • Sugar dyed black (to look like pepper for the edges)
  • Meringue powder
  • Small paintbrush
  • Wooden skewers to fit the width of your cookie sheet
  • A cookie sheet
  • Parchment paper

1.Use wooden skewers and put lengthways across the cookie sheet . This will give the cookies a realistic appearance.

2. Divide the cookie dough into 3 balls – two larger and one smaller. Dye the smaller dough ball a dark red. Dye one of the larger dough balls a beige color and dye the other large dough ball a pink red. Put the dough in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Once your dough is cold, start building your block of dough. Since we want to cut these cookies, you want the side view to look like a slice of bacon.

3. Take the darkest color of dough and place it on some plastic wrap, and make some funky shapes with it. If you ever look at bacon and study the colors you will notice the darkest meat of the bacon is usually concentrated to one side. Then add some of the beige dough and the pink dough in the random layers. Then back in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.

4. Uncover the dough and  cut the rest of the slices. Cover the skewers with parchment paper. Lay the slices on the cookie sheet, on top of the dowels.

5. Bake your cookies according to your recipe’s instructions taking note that the thickness of your cookies can change the time frame you need to bake them for. Allow cookies to cool.

6. Use brown and black colored sugars (readily available in stores) and place in bowl. Use meringue powder slightly damped with water and brush the edge of each cookie and just touch the cookies edge to the sugar.

 

Cake In A Jar

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Ingredients

  • 1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
  • 8 straight-sided wide-mouth pint canning jars with lids and rings
  • Icing

Directions

  1. Prepare the cake according to package instructions, or use any cake recipe.
  2. In pint size, straight-sided wide-mouth jars, put 1 cup of batter in each greased jar. Make sure to keep the rims of the jars clean. Put in preheated oven 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place jars on a cookie sheet to keep from tipping over while baking.
  3. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean.
  4. While they are baking, have your jar lids boiling in a pan of water. When the cake is done, take one jar out at a time and add the hot lid and screw on your jar ring and let set and cool.
  5. It will seal as it cools. Place the jars on the counter and listen for them to ‘ping’ as they seal. If you miss the ‘ping’, wait until they are completely cool and press on the top of the lid. If it doesn’t move at all, it’s sealed.
  6. After it cools it will pull away from the jar and when you are ready to eat, open and pop out the cake and enjoy.
  7. Unsealed jars should be stored in the refrigerator and eaten within 2 weeks. Sealed jars may be stored in a freezer.

 

Icing: If sending this to a loved one include a small amount of icing in a can. If you give this to someone in person you can top the jar with icing right before you give it to them.

If mailing these wrap securely with bubble wrap!

When giving as a gift, top with a ten inch square fabric tied on with a ribbon and tag. You can also attach a little baggie with sprinkles, chocolate chips etc.

Candied Orange Peels

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For candied orange peel, you need to save the zest (just the orange part). Use a very sharp knife to scrape or cut away the white pith. Slice the peels into strips and cook them in simple syrup (1 part water and 1 part sugar). Cook on a low simmer until the strips start to look translucent. Remove, roll in sugar, and place them on a plate to dry. Now you can use them in all kinds of baked goods. Chop them up to add to recipes, or use them to decorate the tops.

Cookie Leaves

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Break from raking—it’s time for baking. Whip up a batch of cookies in advance using a leaf-shape cookie cutter. While you’re working the stove, set the kids to work too, decorating cookies with frosting, sprinkles, licorice rope, and other edibles. Display the prettiest ones on a dessert table or save them to give as gifts to friends, family, or teachers.

 

Helpful Tips

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Shaving cream can be used as a spot cleaner on carpets, upholstery and even clothing. If you are not sure whether your upholstery can be cleaned with water, check first in an inconspicuous area.
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Need a nice-smelling house but don’t feel like baking cookies? Try simmering a pot of spices on the stove. Add several cloves and a teaspoon of cinnamon or pumpkin-pie spice to a few cups of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes or so. Your house will have a delicious scent — good enough to eat!
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If you have several items of clothing with grease stains on them, add a can of cola to the wash water. It can ease out grease stains.
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Clean out a stained coffee decanter by filling it with hot water and adding a denture tablet. Let it sit overnight, and the stains should come right off in the morning.
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Make a spray of equal parts liquid fabric softener and water. Mist the air daily to relieve static buildup during the fall and winter, when the air is very dry.
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To get streaks off of freshly cleaned windows, give them a final swipe with plain newspaper (not magazines or glossy pages).
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For troublesome-to-open jars of pickles, jam, etc., use a pair of standard dish washing gloves. They provide a sturdy grip, especially if your hands are the least bit damp.
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Use cotton swabs to touch up painting jobs. They are small enough to get into tight spaces, and the best part is that they are disposable.