Friday, December 23, 2011

Chocolate Sour Cream Cookies

These are one of my favorite kind of cookies to make and eat!  The whole sour cream thing sounds weird but it is amazing.  The cookies are basically like a little cake.  Me trying to describe it will not do them any justice!  Here is the recipe...


Mix together and set aside...
4 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt (I use salted butter and don't add salt)
1 teaspoon baking soda

Cream together...
3/4 cup butter - softened
2 cups of sugar
3 1 oz. squares of unsweetened chocolate - melted
Sugar, butter, AND chocolate? Resist the temptation to eat!
Okay a little bite isn't bad, right? :)

Add to creamed mixture...
2 large eggs
1/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

Add the dry ingredients and mix until blended. It should look something like...


Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar and bake at 350 degrees for 11 minutes.



ENJOY! 













Sunday, December 4, 2011

Cupcakes {Yummy!}

Sweet Potato Cupcakes with Toasted Marshmallow Frosting.  
The perfect execution of a sweet potato casserole in a cupcake.  One of my new favorite things to make AND eat!  Here is the recipe...
 
For the cupcakes:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
16 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups sugar
3 large eggs
17 oz. sweet potato puree
½ tsp. vanilla extract
 
Preheat the oven to 350° F.  Line two cupcake pans with paper liners.  In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; stir together with a fork and set aside.  In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition.  Mix in the sweet potatoes and vanilla extract, beating just until combined.  Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cupcake liners.  Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the frosting:
8 large egg whites (Make scrambled eggs to use the yolks!)
2 cups sugar
½ tsp. cream of tartar
2 tsp. vanilla extract

 To make the frosting, combine the egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar in the top of a double boiler. Heat the mixture, whisking frequently, until it reaches 160° F with an instant-read thermometer. (It does take a while!) Transfer the mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk starting at low speed and gradually increasing to medium-high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form. Mix in the vanilla until combined. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired. Brown with a kitchen torch and enjoy!! :)