Category: MISC

CHOCOLATE LEMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING – this frosting turned out fabulous – like eating fudge!
1 package 8-ounce cream cheese softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 (1 ounce)  block Baker’s semi-sweet chocolate
1 teaspoon Lorann Professional Kitchen Lemon Bakery Emulsion

3 cups powdered sugar

•  In a medium bowl beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
• Add lemon emulsion and vanilla.  Beat until well blended.
• Add powdered sugar gradually until well blended and smooth.
• Refrigerate 1 hour to set icing before serving.
  

SALTED CHOCOLATE CARAMEL CUPCAKES

 BROWN SUGAR CUPCAKES
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 teaspoon SEA salt
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla
1/2 teaspoon PURE maple syrup
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk, at room temperature

CARAMEL FILLING
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons salted butter, cubed
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream, at room temperature

CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon PURE maple syrup (extract is okay)
1 stick salted butter, softened
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

• Preheat the oven to 325 ˚ and line a muffin tin with your favorite cupcake liners.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar over medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about three minutes. 
• Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides as needed. 
• Mix in the vanilla and maple.
• Add the flour mixture in batches, alternating with the buttermilk, beating until well blended.
• Using a medium ice cream scoop, divide the batter evenly between the lined cups, filling each a little over half way.
• Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 
• Place on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes, then turn the cupcakes out onto wire racks to cool completely.

• In a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat, melt the sugar, whisking occasionally. Cook until the sugar turns a deep amber.
• Stir in the butter until melted. 
• Pour in the heavy cream carefully as the mixture will bubble and foam. Whisk until the mixture becomes a smooth sauce. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
• To fill the cupcakes, with a small pairing knife, cut out a circle in the center of each cupcake about 1 inch deep. Don’t discard the cutouts. Spoon 1 teaspoon of sauce in the center of each cupcake and place the tops back on.

• In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together the sugar and water. Bring to a boil and cook without stirring until the mixture turns a deep amber. Remove from heat. 
• Slowly add the cream, maple and vanilla, stirring until smooth. Set aside and let cool for at least 20 minutes. It will still be pourable, just not burn your face off hot any more.
• In the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
• Reduce the speed of the mixer to low and slowly add the confectioners’ sugar. Scrape down the sides and with the motor still running on low, pour in the cooled caramel.  Increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• Spoon icing into an pastry bag fitted with desired tip and ice cupcakes.

Now I don’t know whether these are true or hypothetical stories, but I like their morals.  We can all learn from the following 5 lessons about the way we treat people:

#1 – First Important Lesson – Cleaning Lady
During my second month of college, our professor Gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50’s, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.  Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. “Absolutely, ” said the professor.. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello…”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

#2 – Second Important Lesson – Pickup in the Rain
One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride.  Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. 

A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960’s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home.

A Special note was attached.  It read:

“Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s’ bedside just before he passed away… God Bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.”

Sincerely,

Mrs. Nat King Cole.

#3 – Third Important Lesson – Always remember those Who serve
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked. “Fifty cents,” replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. “Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. “Thirty-five cents,” she brusquely replied.  The little boy again counted his coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

#4 – Fourth Important Lesson – The obstacle in Our Path
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the King’s’ wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it.. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded.

After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

#5 – Fifth Important Lesson – Giving When it Counts
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.

I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes I’ll do it if it will
save her.” As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away”.  Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

”Live with no regrets, 
Treat people the way you want to be treated,
Work like you don’t need the money,
Love like you’ve never been hurt,
and Dance like you do when nobody’s watching.”

I found this recipe over at Frugal Antics of a Harried Housewife and instantly fell in love.  I made it this afternoon and it’s already almost all gone.  I have some summer cherries and blueberries in the freezer that I think I’ll be trying next.

BANANA COBBLER

• In a bowl, stir together the flour, sugar and milk until smooth.
• Add the melted butter.
• Spread the batter into a greased 11X7 pan.
• Slice bananas evenly over batter.
• In another bowl, combine remaining ingredients.
• Sprinkle over bananas.
• Bake at 375 ˚ for 40 minutes or until filling bubbles.
• Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.