emergency Cooking help!

[bekkiz]

If a recipe calls for 3/4 melted butter, is the measure before or after the butter has been melted?
Thanks so much!

 

[ryanpatricksmom]

It would be a stick and a-half. It's the same measurement whether melted or solid.

 

[bekkiz]

Okay, I'm a dummie, I just measured the melted, and you're right! Can you tell I'm sort of a newbie at this thing? I don't know whose bright idea it was to put me in charge of dessert for our family reunion this weekend!

 

[ryanpatricksmom]

You'll do fine, we all started someplace.

You may want to keep the number of the local bakery close at hand though!

 

[Boots]

bekkiz I have a chart I clipped out of a magazine a long time ago that is taped to the inside of one of my cabinets. It has conversion charts for several ounce to cup things and then it has a chart that has in order to get so many cups of, well let's say cup up apples you will need to use this many medium sized apples. Then it has nuts and other assorted things. It also has substitutions you can make. I know that it has been there for at least the majority of my 29 years of married life and I use it all the time. Cooks are constantly learning something new.

 

[Judy from Boise]

just think back to physics........and the concept of conservation of matter. Cooking has a lot of science application

 

[RUDisney]

OK, Judy, so ruin cooking for me by introducing science into it.

 

[bekkiz]

Well two of the four things have almost come together. The melted butter fiasco was for chocolate peppermint cookies. The dough is finally done, but needs to chill for 3 hours. I also made a pumpkin cranberry bar/cake which at least smells great. Now I just need to frost it, but I'm taking my lunch break first!

On tap tommorow. a cranberry-orange tart and a banana macadamina nut coffee cake. Hopefully, I won't have any more last-minute mishaps!

The funny thing is, I'm really good at meals (if I do say so myself , although cooking light is a godsend). I've just been afraid of baking and decided to force myself into it.

 

[RUDisney]

When you get a chance, please post the recipe for the pumpkin/cranberry creation. That sounds just yummy.

It also sounds like you've jumped in whole hog into this baking business. Most non-bakers start with instant jello pudding in a keebler pie crust. I congratulate your efforts!

 

[bekkiz]

It went together pretty easily, I'm off to make the frosting!

Frosted Pumpkin Cranberry Bars

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 24 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Desserts

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 1/2 c flour
1 1/4 c sugar
2 tsps baking powder
2 tsps cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ginger
3 eggs
15 ozs canned pumpkin
3/4 c melted butter
3/4 c dried cranberries
brown butter frosting:
1/2 c butter
4 c confectioner's sugar
1 tsp vanilla
4 tbsps milk -- (4 to 6 tbsp)

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin, and butter; stir into dry ingredients until well combined. Stir in cranberries. Spread into a greased 15x10 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes our until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

For frosting, heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat; cool 5 minutes. Stir in the confectioner's sugar, vanilla, and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Spread over bars.

 

[minniecarousel]

Oh my! That sounds sooo good! Good for you - tackling baking. You knew you'd get immediate answers to your ?'s here!

Good to see you bekkiz! Don't be a stranger!

 

[bekkiz]

Are you kidding me? This place is awesome. SO many different talents, I always know someone will know the answer!

In case anyone cares, the frosting is awesome. I think the brown butter gives it a neat flavor and I added some pumpkin pie spice to (a la Emeril) kick it up a notch! I bet it would frost similar things very nicely. I haven't tasted the finished product, but hopefully it's good enough to make for T-day!

 

[RUDisney]

Thanks for the recipe. I'll be trying it this weekend. It sounds too good to wait for Thanksgiving.