Fried Chicken and Cheesesteaks

 2 sticks butter, melted and slightly cool in blender:  4 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 T vanilla 1 t almond extract dash orange oil 1 t salt   2 C flour 2 t baking powder mix together dry ingredients, egg mixture & melted butter, whisk well.    Refrigerate overnight.  Preheat pizelle iron, brush with melted butter, bake 90 seconds each

 Do you want your tea to be just like Lucy's first visit into the wardrobe?   An appropriate cake for a girl and a faun sharing a pot of tea.       Grease a 13 x 9 pan, preheat oven to 350   In mixer bowl stir together: 3 cups flour (or sub GF) 2 cups sugar 4 tsp baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 tsp salt freshly grated nutmeg dash of mace   then mix in: 2 cups sour cream 4 eggs   Pour into 13 x 9 pan, then  use mixer and beater: swirl: cream together  3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) butter, softened 3/4 cup brown sugar 2 Tablespoons cinnamon (I like to use some each of cassia and ceylon if you have two types on hand) 1 teaspoon cardamom  (any other warming spices you'd like) put well creamed soft mixture into a zip-top bag, snip tiny corner of bag and swirl over the top of the cake.   It will sink in during baking.    Bake ~40 minutes, until tester comes out clean. If desired make a glaze:  2 cups ...

 Grease or spray a half sheet pan.     Preheat oven to 350. 1 stick butter, browned 2 sticks butter, melted Mix together dry ingredients in an extra large bowl: 3 cups flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt Combine browned and melted butter, stir in: 3 cups brown sugar then:  2 Tablespoons vanilla extract 4 eggs Gently mix wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then stir in: 1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped  (I accomplish this by putting nuts into a gallon ziploc bag and taking out my frustration with the bottom of a heavy saucepan!) Spread on prepared half-sheet pan.    Bake approximately 25 minutes until lightly golden brown.  

A beautiful, buttery, understated pound cake.     Elegant with an afternoon cup of Earl Grey.    Perfect with sliced strawberries and whipped cream.   cream together: 3 sticks butter, softened 3 cups white sugar meanwhile mix together: 6 eggs 1 T vanilla extract (dash of orange or other citrus oil, optional) 1 tsp salt 1/4 cup sour cream, 3/4 cup milk mix liquid into creamed butter/sugar. mix in 3 cups flour until just combined. Pour into two loaf pans lined with parchment paper.     Place in oven and turn oven to 325.    It took mine about 90 minutes, but start checking at 75 minutes - see if a knife inserted in center comes out clean. 

Homemade vanilla extract smells so wonderful and is a great gift for a wide range of people!    Even non bakers can add a splash to their coffee or fresh whipped cream or even their morning yogurt smoothie.  To make 1 quart: 3.5 cups vodka (not the good stuff, but get a decent brand) 1/2 cup bourbon or sometimes brandy or sometimes rum (another 1/2 cup vodka would also work) 2oz vanilla beans, each one split down the middle Place all in a quart jar and shake well - you should see the seeds in the liquid.    Repeat every couple days for three months. Vanilla extract, brewed in my Pennsylvania home for at least three months with three simple ingredients:   whole vanilla beans, vodka and a splash of bourbon. I started making my own vanilla because I wanted a strong vanilla with no fillers.   I only brew double strength.   What is "Double Strength" or "Double Fold" vanill...

A yummy new cookie, I put together with a variation from a rugelach dough! 2 cups flour 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 cup powdered sugar 1/4 cup vanilla sugar 2 sticks cold butter, cubed 1 (8oz) package cold cream cheese, cubed 1 egg yolk 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp almond extract squeeze of orange juice In a food processor quickly blend flour, salt and sugars.   (Just use a cup of powdered sugar if you don't have vanilla sugar).     Add butter and cream cheese and pulse until crumbly - about 12 pulses.     Whisk together egg yolk and flavorings and add, then run food processor until dough forms. Split dough into four pieces, and roll out between parchment paper.    Chill (I put mine out on my porch in December).     Then cut with round cookie cutters.   (I used the mouth of a standard canning jar).  Transfer each round to a parchment lined baking pan. Place a small (about 2 tsp) bit ...