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Archives for August 2020

What’s old is new again!

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I recently had the honor of baking for a baby’s first birthday, and the theme was “Winnie the Pooh”.  A timeless theme (if you ask this Disney loving gal) for boys and girls alike, and for their parents as well. Mama sent a few  ideas , and I got to work figuring out how to make those ideas become a reality. 

I was also baking  a smash cake, and of course went with Pooh’s “hunny” pot. 

                                           

Off I went to “think think think” (as Pooh Bear would say) about the larger sheet cake design. 

You all know by now how much I love Disney, so Disney themed desserts are never an issue, as I have quite the collection of all things character shaped for cakes, cookies, and cupcakes.   As I looked through my stash, I came across a pan I hadn’t used in 19 years , and quickly sent the birthday mama a picture and asked if she liked the idea:  

It was my Wilton Pooh Cake pan from days gone by! She loved the idea, so I was off to collect the supplies. I didn’t stop at that pan though, and sorted through at least ten different Wilton pans that I know I can resurrect in the future.  Who here wouldn’t love to go back in time?

Waves of emotions flooded over me as I remembered baking that same Pooh cake three different times over the years for my kids first birthdays.  The “Barney the Dinosaur” cake pan for second and third birthdays, and the “PowerPuff Girls” pan for a special 5th birthday party, many years ago….

Those kids are in their 20’s now, but still love Disney, cartoons, and reminiscing over tv shows they watched as kids.  

They also love cake, lol!  I’m sure many of you reading this have kids that had similar party themes back in the day  (or maybe YOU were that kid)! 

I realized I could bring back those nostalgic times simply by baking a cake in an ages old pan , and decorate that cake using the tried and true Wilton method, bringing childhood characters to life.

Look what I discovered in my cupboards! 

  • Race car
  • Barbie
  • Seashell
  • The Little Mermaid
  • Thomas the Tank Engine
  • Jack O Lantern
  • Christmas tree 
  • Open Book (I used as a bible, and again as a volume of Shakespeare) 
  • Graduation cap
  • Bow Tie 

I’ll be adding these cake pan ideas to my menu starting today .  I’ll post prices and pictures as I can – but for now you get the idea. I’m going back to simpler times and sharing the love of all things old, as they can be new again.  

Have a great week, foodie friends! 

 

Gina 

 

 

 

Very Berry Brownie Crumble

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What a mouthful, foodie friends.   A mouthful to say , and a mouthful to enjoy!   Trust me,  Sunday dessert for the family this weekend was a hit! 

The original brownie recipe came from Food Network Magazine, and I adapted it to reflect what I had on hand.   I’m 8 months into “A year of Brownies” in the magazine, and this is the August brownie. Just in time for back to school for the college kids.  A pan of these will head back to school with my son when he leaves later this week! 

Although this brownie recipe involves multiple steps, it’s well worth the effort.  With a rich chocolate brownie layer, sweet/tart berry filling, and a topping of oats, flour and butter, what’s not to love?  Absolutely my favorite brownie yet!  I used a frozen mixed berry blend, omitted almonds, and substituted all purpose flour for almond flour (as I was out of the latter). Still, a delicious dessert treat that the whole family loved. 

Print Recipe

VERY BERRY BROWNIE CRUMBLE

Ingredients

Filling and topping ingredients:

  • 1 bag frozen mixed berry blend of your choice
  • 1/4 C Sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 1/4 C rolled oats
  • 1/2 C brown sugar
  • 7 tbsp butter softened

For the brownies:

  • 12 oz bag of chocolate chips
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 3/4 C brown sugar
  • 3/4 C sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 1 1/2 C all purpose flour

Instructions

Prepare the filling :

  • Combine fruit, sugar, and lemon juice in pot on stovetop. Cook over medium heat, bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, cook , stirring until juice is reduced, about 10 minutes.  In separate bowl, mix water and corn starch.  Add mixture to berries and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and add extracts. Allow to cool while making brownie batter and topping. 

Assemble the topping:

  • Combine topping ingredients in a bowl , then add in butter and mix until blended and crumbly. Refrigerate until ready to use. 

Make the brownies:

  • Preheat oven to 350. Spray 9×13 pan with butter/olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Then, melt chocolate and butter in saucepan on stove top.  Remove from heat and add sugars.  Whisk in eggs and extracts. Add flour  and pinch of salt , mix thoroughly. 

Assemble the layers:

  • Spread batter in prepared pan. Top with berry filling, then top the filling with the oat mixture. Bake until tester comes out clean- about 40-45 minutes. Cool about 20 minutes and cut into squares. 
  • Bake this in a disposable pan, and send off with your favorite college student, deliver to a neighbor, or serve at a picnic. 

Enjoy! 

 

Gina

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Julia!

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You  should all know by now my love of Julia Child.  Last year at this time I celebrated with my “partner in wine” Ann Marie Railing.

We shared a fun, lighthearted FB live, and shared a quiche and wine pairing that Julia would approve of!  I wish we had saved the video… but that was in our newbie days of not really understanding the ins and outs of technology, Iphone video and how to do a FB live.  

Good news- we have learned a lot over the last year, and are excited to release our second professionally done video, thanks to Prince William.TV!

HUGE shoutout to our sponsors. They make all of this foodie magic happen for us. Their support is much appreciated!

Please support them- Julia would want you to shop local, support local : ) 

Manassas Olive Oil Company 

The Selfish Mama

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Watch here on our You Tube Channel!  Make sure to subscribe while you are there. 

Let us know what you think of the latest video! You can email us at

sipsandswirls@gmail.com. 

Cheers! 

Gina 

 

 

 

 

Ocean Pudding Cups

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A fun little treat, dessert , or snack for kids of all ages ! 

This recipe is made with vanilla pudding tinted blue.  My good friend Rosemarie upped the healthy factor an used coconut yogurt to make hers!  I love when my friends get creative in their kitchens! 

The recipe is pretty simple, and only uses a few ingredients. 

Print Recipe

OCEAN PUDDING CUPS

Ingredients

  • 1 box Vanilla instant pudding 4 serving size
  • 2 C Milk
  • Blue food coloring
  • Graham cracker crumbs 
  • Life saver gummy rings candy
  • Teddy Grahams crackers
  • 4 clear plastic cups

Instructions

  • Prepare pudding as directed on the package. Once set, add a few drops of blue food coloring and mix until blended.
  • Layer graham cracker crumbs on bottom of each cup. Add a layer of pudding, then a thin layer of crumbs. Add remaining pudding until each cup has equal amounts. Sprinkle one side of pudding with more crumbs to resemble beach sand.
  • Take one bear cracker and fit a gummy ring around it, place in blue pudding for a perfect little floating beach visitor!
  • You can also add swedish fish candies for a fishing/lake themed treat.

Watch me make this recipe on my YouTube channel!

Remember, if you make this recipe , be sure to tag @fromginaskitchen on social media! 

Have a great weekend, foodie friends! 

 

Gina