Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Treasured Tip #3

If your cake breaks apart when you're removing it from the pan, simply place the pieces back together and wrap them in foil.  The trapped heat will mold the cake back into a full piece-- no one will ever know what happened!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Treasured Tip #2

To test the freshness of eggs, place them in about 5 inches of water.  If they sink to the bottom, they are fresh.  If they suspend vertically (one end tips up), they should be used soon.  If they float, throw them out!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

New Cookies



Like what you see?  Buy my sugar, lemon honey, and citrus cookies here.

Spiced Vanilla Cookies Recipe

 A recipe I found on myrecipes.com-- only 98 calories per serving

44 Cookies (serving size: 2 cookies)
  • 10 1/10 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar 
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil 
  • 1/4 cup light-colored corn syrup
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg white

Preparation

  1. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine sugar, butter, and oil in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add syrup, vanilla, and egg white to sugar mixture, beating until well blended. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat at low speed just until combined. Divide dough in half; roll each half into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap; chill 1 hour.
  2. Working with 1 portion at a time, gently press dough into a 4-inch square on heavy-duty plastic wrap. Cover with additional plastic wrap. Roll dough, still covered, to a 1/16-inch thickness. Repeat procedure with the remaining dough; freeze 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat oven to 375°.
  4. Working with 1 portion at a time, remove top sheet of plastic wrap. Turn dough over; remove remaining plastic wrap. Cut with a 2-inch round cutter into 22 cookies; place cookies 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat procedure with remaining dough portion. Bake at 375° for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks. Repeat procedure with remaining dough.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Specialty Orders

I am now offering a "specialty order" option in my business.  If you would like a birthday cake, cookie basket, or any other item not currently listed in my shop, simply email me at mariesmorsels@gmail.com with your request.  I will bake your order and personally deliver it to the desired address. 
Note: only available to residents of Howard County, Maryland. 

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Citrus Shortcake with Yogurt Sauce and Berries


This light shortcake is a delicious treat that can be eaten plain, with jam, butter, a special sauce.. you name it!  Look at the Cooking Light website or subscribe to the magazines for more ideas-- they have a similar recipe called Lemon Cornmeal Pound cake with Berries and Cream.