Funnel Cakes

There's nothing like a snow day that puts me in the mood to bake. But baking can sometimes be a messy process--a few mixing bowls, several measuring spoons, a couple baking sheets and a cookie scoop can add up to a sink full of dirty dishes. On a recent snow day I decided to keep it simple and still satisy my sweet tooth by making funnel cakes. Plus, it's a lot of fun to show the kids how this tasty carnival treat is made.

I've used this recipe for years and I'm not even sure where it came from but it's my favorite. Some recipes add sugar to the batter but the dusting of powdered sugar is enough sweetness for me.

Funnel Cakes

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
cooking oil

Mix egg and milk together. Add flour, baking powder and salt; stir. Heat about 1 inch of oil in a skillet. Pour batter into a funnel with one finger over the opening. Drizzle into hot oil. Cook until both sides are golden then place cakes onto paper towels. Top with powdered sugar.

Wordless Wednesday: I Think He Needs A Bigger Shovel

Snow. A Poem.

Today it was 70 degrees but last week there was snow. Lots of wonderful snow. Perfect for heading into the woods and shaking trees. I used to love doing that when I was a kid. However, it's all fun and games until the snow starts seeping down your coat and then it's time to head in for hot chocolate.

Today's poem is by one of my favorite poets...that kid up there in the red toboggan.

Snow
White, fluffy,
Falling, hunting, running,
Snow falls from clouds,
Snowflake.

Whoopie!

Being from Arkansas I have absolutely no business making whoopie pies but Robyn , one of my favorite bloggers (and native Mainer), has raved about the whoopie pie in the past and so I decided to give it a shot.

It all started with a recipe for Chocolate Malt Sandwiches I found in the Food Network magazine. I loved the idea of a cookie with a malt flavor so I tried it and it was a bust. It just didn't live up to what I thought it would taste like. Plus, the directions for the cookie part were rather involved. But I didn't want to give up on it so I decided to keep the recipe for the filling but look for a better cookie. That led me Robyn's recipe from Marjorie Standish's book Cooking Down East. I combined the two for a really great, non-traditional whoopie pie--a white chocolate malt whoopie pie!

White Chocolate Malt Whoopie Pie (adapted from Food Network Magazine and Marjorie Standish's recipe found here)

Cookie:

1/2 c shortening
1 c sugar
2 egg yolks
5 T cocoa
2 c flour
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 c milk
1 t vanilla

Cream together shortening and sugar. Add yolks. Sift together cocoa, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and add alternately to creamed mixture with milk and vanilla. Using a cookie scoop, drop batter onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes.

Filling:

8 oz white chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup malted milk powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream

In a large bowl, mix together chocolate, malted milk powder, salt and vanilla. Heat cream over medium heat in a saucepan and then pour over chocolate mixture. Stir until smooth and chocolate is melted. Refrigerate until cold. Beat with a mixer for several minutes until fluffy. Assemble whoopie pies in sandwich fashion and wrap individually with plastic wrap.

I know you'll be tempted to try one but they really do taste much better after hanging out in the fridge for awhile.

Wordless Wednesday: As Seen In Gone With The Wind

Best Valentine Ever

One more hour and Valentine's Day '11 will be over. The boys had the day off from school (winter break) so we all went to a local pasta place for lunch. Dessert involved such things as hot fudge, caramel and chocolate so it was a good day. But what really made it special was the Valentine card my youngest son gave to me...

Dear Alison,

you keep me helthy.

Well, aside from feeding him MoonPies for breakfast this morning, I try.