Meteors & Melting Chocolate

I’ve always been a sky junkie. It doesn’t matter if there is something special going on in the celestial realm … I could just sit and look at the stars for hours. Throw in a major meteor shower and clear skies, and I will just sit and look at the stars for hours! So was the case tonight as the Geminid meteor shower, the most prolific sky show of the year, was available to all who cast a heavenly gaze.
But, before I could head out for a couple hours of star staring, I had to help out with a few Holiday honey-do’s. Our annual Holiday card had to be signed ad-infinitum, and our Holiday cookies needed to be hand-dipped in melted chocolates. The former I begrudgingly agreed to. The latter, however, I readily raised my hand for! I mean, what could be better than dipping Double Stuf Oreos, Nutter Butters, Walker’s Shortbread, pretzel twists, and cashew-pretzel clusters in Milk and White Chocolate?!?! Of course, as a “Chef”, you have to sample your wares before they can be offered for public consumption. Plus, any dip-ables that don’t come out “clean” become fair game! Add in the fact that our photo-processed cards don’t quite have palpable flavor, and you can see why my allegiances lie where they do.
I know you are saying to yourself, “Hey, Cave! These look great, but how about sharing some of these choco-coated cookies with the rest of us????”. Well, until they improve computing/internet technology to be able to download some of these yummy seasonal treats, the best I can do is offer the recipe we posted last year for making these delicious delights: Hand-Dipped Holiday Cookies.

Image courtesy of NationalGeographic.com

As for the Geminid meteor shower, much like the cookies, it lived up to the hype! I stepped outside the house and immediately saw a bright streak cross a good portion of the visible sky. I walked up the street to a nearby neighborhood park to avoid the street lights, set up my lawn chair, and was instantly treated to an amazing show. Perhaps, not as amazing as Roger Waters performing “The Wall”, as he did tonight in Anaheim. But, certainly getting to see 3-5 meteors per minute, while only having a clear view of 1/3 of the skyline and fighting the effects of light-to-moderate light pollution, qualifies as a very impressive performance. And, it wasn’t all about the quantity, either. The quality of many of the small balls of fire were nothing short of majestic.
All in all, it was a great night. Got much of our Holiday bucket-list done, munched many hand-dipped delectables, and got my astral fix! If only every night could be so fulfilling. 😉
By the way, (insert shameless self-promoting plug here) tomorrow is the last day to enter our final giveaway of the year! Don’t miss your chance to be one of four lucky winners to score over $700 in professional cookware from Man Pans in our Want Pans? Giveaway.

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

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Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

This recipe won Post of the Day for 1/22/10!

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we have been inundated with inquiries seeking a “different” dessert recipe for the big day. This Pumpkin Whoopie Pie recipe from the Cavewoman fits the bill perfectly. While it is a repost of her first guest recipe here on C3, the response these little disks of yum receive make them well worth it. Besides, these Whoopie Pies also garnered Post Of The Day honors! Well … what are you waiting for?!? Read on!! 😉

INGREDIENTS

* 1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, 1 stick melted, 1/2 stick softened
* 1 cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
* 1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
* 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
* 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 3/4 teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt
* 1-2/3 cups flour
* 4 ounces cream cheese, chilled
* 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

RECIPE

Hi, I’m Dianne, Caveman’s favorite wife. I’m actually his only wife, but that is besides the point. He’s been lagging on posting recipes this week (he’s lazy … and sick). So, I thought I’d invade his blog and post the best Winter cookie ever. It’s the yummiest. Truly, I don’t lie. Well, on occasion I do, but I’m not now. I swear! 😉 Doesn’t this look good?!?! It is. I should know, I just ate three. (Don’t judge, I had to test them!!)
Whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Fold in flour with a rubber spatula.

I’m not condoning eating raw dough……but…..this dough tastes amazing! Like pumpkin mousse!! Soooo good!!!

Make 24 generous mounds on 2 cookie sheets. Bake 10 minutes at 350 until cookie is springy to touch.

Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the cream cheese. Add the confectioners’ sugar and the remaining 2 pinches salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; mix on low speed until blended, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Spread the flat side of 12 cakes with the cream cheese frosting. Top each with another cake.

This is how I eat them. That way there is more frosting to cookie ratio. 😉

Enjoy!!!

Prep Time = 20 minutes
Cook Time = 10
Makes 12 two-sided Whoopie Pies

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This recipe originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This recipe may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

Blameless Cinnamon Rolls

The Cavewoman is back! And you know what that means?!? Sweet treats for us all to eat!! Dough, butter, sugar, cinnamon … what could be bad, right? Well, except for the massive amounts of exercise you’ll need to work these off! If you need to blame someone after you polish off half a dozen of these, that’s what we’re here for. 😉

My daughter and I have a weekly “girls day” at Cinnabon. Yes, I know, not exactly a healthy date, but I’m addicted. When I walk into the mall I can smell them calling me. Anyone old enough to remember Fred Flintstone floating through the air following smells of food? That’s how I feel at malls with Cinnabons. It’s joyful and horrible all at the same time. So I got the idea of Googling the recipe and giving it a shot. I found the following at AllRecipes.com:

INGREDIENTS

* 1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
* 2 eggs, room temperature
* 1/3 cup margarine, melted
* 4 1/2 cups bread flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 2 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/3 cup butter, very softened

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

RECIPE

Put the first seven ingredients (the one’s with an “*”) in your bread-making machine according to it’s directions. When the dough is ready role it into a rectangle shape on your counter top. I really really love the cinnamon buttery goodness that is in Cinnabon so I used a little extra brown sugar and doubled the cinnamon. After you have rolled out the dough, spread the very softened (almost melted) butter on the surface saving a little to put on the bottom of your pan.

Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon and spread it evenly on the dough. I put some on the bottom of the pan as well. The recipe didn’t call for that either, but how can that be bad????

Here’s how my pan looked, I had to taste this a few more times than was likely necessary.

Then the fun part. Start rolling. I made the mistake of not putting enough flour on my surface so this was a bit stickier than it needed to be but it wasn’t bad.

Then start cutting …

… and placing in the pan

Cover pan and let rolls rise until they’ve doubled. Should take an hour or two.

Preheat oven to 400°. Bake rolls until they turn golden brown, usually about 15 minutes. In the meantime, make the frosting by beating together the last five ingredients. Spread the frosting on the rolls while they are still warm.
Mmmmmmm, they are good! We each had two … can you blame us? Plus, the kids had scrambled eggs and potatoes, as well. Pigs! 😉

Prep Time = 30 minutes
Dough Rising Time = 1-2 Hours
Cooking Time = 15 Minutes
Makes 20 Rolls

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This recipe originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at https://cavemancooking.wordpress.com authored by Caveman. This recipe may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

Cognac Marinated Mint Strawberries

Secret Ingredient Series: Mint #1
The first in a series of three recipes featuring a common key ingredient. For our inaugural series we will be focusing on an oft overlooked herb: Mint. Normally, I am not a huge fan of the pungent herb because it is used too heavily in recipes. Personally, I like a hint of mint. If used correctly, though, it can really add the perfect subtle flavor to a dish!

INGREDIENTS

6-8 Ounces Fresh Strawberries, sliced
1 Teaspoon Fresh Mint, minced
1/4 Small Lemon
1.5 Ounces Cognac

RECIPE

Rinse and drain strawberries. Remove stems and slice lengthwise about 1/4″ thick. Place into bowl.

Sprinkle minced mint over berries. Squeeze juice from lemon over berries (be sure to remove seeds first or squeeze juice through a strainer). Pour cognac over berries. With a spoon mix gently, but well.
NOTE: I don’t want to sound like a “Lemon Snob”, but there really is only one type of lemon to use for this, or any, recipe: a Meyer Lemon. Their sweet, tangy flavor adds so much more to any recipe calling for the yellow citrus fruit.

Again, not wanting to sound like a snob – this time a “Cognac Snob” – but, Delamain is the be-all, end-all brandy. It is an amazingly complex yet pleasing nectar, whether you are sipping it or cooking with it. And, yes, quality ingredients really do make a huge difference.

Once thoroughly mixed, cover bowl and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

These are great solo; with ice cream; or, as pictured below, with your favorite piece of cake. Here they are paired with a Cheese Filled Crumb Coffee Cake. Yummmmmmmm!

Prep Time = 10 Minutes
Marinate Time = 1 to 2 Hours
Serves 4

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This recipe originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This recipe may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

Easy Peasy Cherry Crumble Cake

Cavewoman is back with another great dessert recipe. This is goooooood!

INGREDIENTS

1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
1 Can Cherry Pie Filling
1 Stick Of Butter

RECIPE

I absolutely love this recipe. It’s super easy and super yummy. The only problem that I have with this recipe is that when I make it, it’s all that I eat for two days. It’s that good!!

This is so amazingly yummy and so easy to make. In a 9×13 pan spread a can of cherry pie filling. Then a layer of yellow cake mix. Then a layer of thinly sliced cold butter. Warm butter doesn’t work for obvious reasons. 🙂

Cook 350 – 40 minutes. Don’t undercook, it’s nasty raw. I’m all for raw dough, but not with this recipe.

Enjoy!

Prep Time = 10 minutes
Cook Time = 40 Minutes
Serves 8-12

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This recipe originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This recipe may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

Mouthwatering Macaroons

With Passover here, we are sharing a few recipes that we contributed to Cavemom’s Sedar. This is another one courtesy of the Cavewoman!

INGREDIENTS

14 Ounces of Shredded Coconut
14 Ounce Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Teaspoons Real Vanilla
OPTIONAL: 7 Ounces of Melting/Dipping Chocolate

RECIPE

These are simple to make and always a crowd favorite. What’s not to love, coconut, vanilla and sweet condensed milk (aka “nectar of the Gods”)?
To make, in a large bowl, you simply place together the shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Mix well with a rubber spatula.

Generously coat two cookie trays with cooking spray. I tried it with buttered pans and it didn’t work as well as using Pam. This picture was with the butter and they were harder to remove, the next batch was with Pam and it was MUCH easier.
Before you bake, form them into little pyramids.

Bake at 350° for 9 to 11 minutes depending on how brown you like them. I actually prefer them a little over cooked because the sweetened condensed milk nearly burnt should be a food group all it’s own. I probably broke off a part of each cookie and ate myself before the party. Don’t judge, I’m weak.
I found that removing them from the tray after settling for a minute or so is the best. Use two spatulas to remove and place on wax paper. When they cool just a bit more, reform them back into little pyramids.

If you are lazy, or don’t like chocolate, you can just call it a day and be done. These are excellent plain. But, if you want to take them to the next level, read on!
Now for the fun part…….melted chocolate!! We got this from the party store and it was okay, but not as good as the melting chocolate you get from the cake decorating stores. We just moved so we had to settle for what we could find.

After the cookies have cooled sufficiently, place the chocolate pieces into the double boiler on low. Be careful to not overheat and remove from heat once melted. I made the mistake of overdoing it with the second batch and had to form the chocolate like Playdoh onto each cookie. They turned out tasting great but weren’t nearly as pretty.

Look how our girl’s face lights up when chocolate is in her future. Actually, from the look of her upper lip, it looks like she was sneaking licks from the spoon when I wasn’t looking!

Just dip each cooled cookie into the chocolate … we dipped all sides and left the bottom plain. After dipping place on wax paper again. It worked out great. Our only mistake was not doing more! They were the first to go!! Next time I’ll dip at least 2/3’s of the batch … if not the whole thing.

Once chocolate has completely hardened, remove from wax paper and store in an airtight container layered with even more wax paper. Wax paper companies must love this recipe. 😉
If you have extra dipping chocolate, don’t let it go to waste. Crumble up pretzels and pour some nuts in to make yummy chocolate pretzel balls.
Enjoy!!

Prep Time = 10 minutes
Cook Time = 10
Makes 24 Cookies

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This recipe originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This recipe may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

This recipe won Post of the Day for 1/22/10!

This is our very first guest recipe … WoooHOOOOO! Please welcome the Cavewoman (aka Dianne) as she helps us end the week with something sweet!

INGREDIENTS

* 1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, 1 stick melted, 1/2 stick softened
* 1 cup packed light brown sugar
* 2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
* 1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
* 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
* 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 3/4 teaspoon plus 2 pinches salt
* 1-2/3 cups flour
* 4 ounces cream cheese, chilled
* 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

RECIPE

Hi, I’m Dianne, Caveman’s favorite wife. I’m actually his only wife, but that is besides the point. He’s been lagging on posting recipes this week (he’s lazy … and sick). So, I thought I’d invade his blog and post the best Winter cookie ever. It’s the yummiest. Truly, I don’t lie. Well, on occasion I do, but I’m not now. I swear! 😉 Doesn’t this look good?!?! It is. I should know, I just ate three. (Don’t judge, I had to test them!!)
Whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Fold in flour with a rubber spatula.

I’m not condoning eating dough……but…..this dough tastes amazing! Like pumpkin mousse!! Soooo good!!!

Make 24 generous mounds on 2 cookie sheets. Bake 10 minutes at 350 until cookie is springy to touch.

Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with the cream cheese. Add the confectioners’ sugar and the remaining 2 pinches salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; mix on low speed until blended, then beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Spread the flat side of 12 cakes with the cream cheese frosting. Top each with another cake.

This is how I eat them. That way there is more frosting to cookie ratio. 😉

Enjoy!!!

Prep Time = 20 minutes
Cook Time = 10
Makes 12 two-sided Whoopie Pies

©2010 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This recipe originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at http://cavemancooking.net authored by Caveman. This recipe may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.

Hand-Dipped Holiday Cookies

Who says you have to know how to bake to make some tantalizing Holiday treats? The Cavewoman (who is actually an incredible baker) and I easily dipped our way to some much ballyhooed Holiday cheer. Let me show you how we did it.

INGREDIENTS

2 Pounds Merckens Chocolate Melts (1 Dark Cocoa, 1 Super White)
4 Ounces Non-Pariels (“Sprinkle Balls”)
3 24+ Ounce packages of your favorite cookies
1 Medium bag of pretzels
1/4 Pound of your favorite nuts

RECIPE

First, make sure you get the real deal when it comes to melting chocolates. Merckens makes great stuff and is widely available in stores and on the web. We prefer the Dark Cocoa Dark and the Super White.
HINT #1: When you go in to get the “Sprinkle Balls”, don’t call them that! Use the term “Non-Pariels”, or you are likely to be roundly corrected. I speak from experience! Though, for our purposes, “Sprinkle Balls” will be gladly accepted here. 😉

Next, spread some wax paper or tin foil on your counter while heating some water in a double boiler. When water boils, add one pound (do just one color at a time) of chocolate wafers to the top half of the double boiler. Stir with a rubber spatula constantly until chocolate becomes creamy and smooth. Be careful to not overcook or it will become clumpy.
HINT #2: Save about 1/4 cup of each wafer color to do some easy, yet fancy decorating later on.

While they offer tools specifically made to dip cookies, all you need is a large two-pronged fork. Just put a cookie into the melted chocolate, turn with the fork making sure to coat cookie entirely.

Allow excess coating to drip off of the cookie before placing onto wax paper/foil. If you are decorating with “Sprinkle Balls”, or other toppings, add them now.

Follow the same procedure for other cookies and pretzels.
HINT #3: Our favorites for this recipe include Double Stuf Oreos, Nutter Butter, Shortbread, and Waffle Cookies. Also, we like both the small pretzels and the large pretzel sticks.

When the chocolate level gets too low to dip the cookies, use a spoon to “paint” the cookie with the coating. This is especially effective when coating the shortbread.

When you get to the very last of the chocolate coating, crush up a handful of small pretzels in a plastic bag.

Throw crushed pretzels directly into chocolate pan, add a handful of nuts (we prefer Cashews), and stir with rubber spatula until completely coated with remaining chocolate. Take a large spoon and scoop cookie-sized clusters onto wax paper/foil. You can also use Rice Crispies for this step … either way, it becomes a big clump of chocolate goodness and adds variety, too!

When cookies and clusters are completely dry, take reserved wafers and place into sandwich sized-baggie. Microwave in 20 second intervals until melted smooth and creamy. Be sure to knead the bag between intervals to aid the smoothing process. Again, don’t overcook! When fully melted, cut a very small hole in the corner of the baggy making, in effect, a small disposable frosting bag. Drizzle the chocolate in fun decorative patterns on cookies and clusters.

When drizzles have dried, arrange various cookies, clusters and pretzels onto plates, garnish with foil-wrapped Holiday candies, cover with tin foil, top with a bow, and present to friends and family as a tasty Holiday gift. That is, if you don’t eat them all first! 😉

Prep Time = 15 minutes
Cook Time = 30-45 minutes
Makes 60-70 Cookies, plus Pretzels and Clusters

©2009 Caution: Caveman Cooking/UHearMe, Inc. All rights reserved. This recipe originally appeared on the Caution: Caveman Cooking blog at https://cavemancooking.wordpress.com authored by Caveman. This recipe may be shared and reprinted as long as this entire copyright message accompanies it.