Saturday, January 3, 2026

Baking Tutorials From These Websites Have Delicious Results

If you’re the type of person whose idea of baking includes placing store-bought cookie dough on a cookie sheet, read on: Though it may seem intimidating, learning to bake is much easier than it seems. Learn the basics of baking with these helpful websites!

Baker’s Corner
This accessible website provides just about every resource a beginning baker will need to make something warm and fluffy or gooey and sweet. The Learn to Bake page includes detailed descriptions of the necessary utensils, lists of staple ingredients, and a toolkit of weights and mass that will help you get the proportions straight. Once you become familiar with the ins and outs of baking, you can even browse the recipes to test out your new skills.

Become a Better Baker
Designed for bakers of all skill levels, Become a Better Baker aims to improve everyone’s baking skills and understanding. It offers tutorials for techniques like kneading with a dough hook, properly rolling cinnamon rolls, and even greasing a pan to perfection. If you prefer to learn from example, this is the site for you.

Homemade Fruit Rollups!

Ingredients:
-3 Cups of Fruit (I used Strawberries)
-Sugar (Optional)

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 170 degrees.
-Line a cookie sheet that has a lip with plastic wrap (be sure to overlap your sides). I know it seems strange but yes, plastic wrap. You are dehydrating it and the temperature is so low that you can touch the pan the whole time as it never really gets hot.
-Prepare strawberries (cut stems).
-Puree your fruit in food processor until smooth consistency.
-Add sweetener of your choice (I used sugar) and sweeten to taste.
-Pour mixture on to prepared cookie sheet about 1/8″ thick.
-Bake for 6-8 hours. Wait until your center is no longer tacky.
-Lift plastic wrap out of cookie sheet and place on the countertop to cool.
-Flip over onto parchment paper.
-Remove plastic wrap.
-Cut into strips and roll.

www.pinterest.com

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

Ingredients For Pancakes:
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 Tablespoon canola oil
1 large egg, lightly beaten

(OR use a boxed pancake batter)

Cinnamon Filling:
1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

Cream Cheese Glaze:
4 Tablespoons butter
2 ounces cream cheese
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

-Prepare Cinnamon Filling first: In a medium bowl, mix butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Scoop the filling into a small zip baggie and set aside. (You want this to rest and ‘set up’ while your preparing the other ingredients. It's best if it gets a little thicker, you don't want it liquidy)
-Prepare Pancake batter: In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk in milk, oil and egg just until batter is moistened. (a few small lumps are fine)
-OR If using a boxed mix, prepare according to package directions.
-Prepare Cream Cheese glaze: In a medium glass or microwave-safe bowl, heat the butter and cream cheese until melted. Whisk together until smooth, then whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla. Set aside.
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Ham and Cheese Ribbons

Ingredients:

  • 6 (1/2-ounce) slices smoked deli ham
  • 24 (7 to 8-inch) wooden party skewers
  • 1 (8-ounce) package LAND O LAKES® Cheddar Cheese, cubed 3/4-inch
  • 1 (8-ounce) package –LAND O LAKES® Monterey Jack Cheese, cubed 3/4-inch
  • 1 pint (24) small cherry tomatoes
  • 8 baby dill pickles, sliced 1/2-inch
  • Country-style Dijon mustard

Directions:

  • Cut each slice ham into 4 (1-inch) wide strips.
  • Thread one end of ham onto 1 wooden skewer. Thread 1 cube cheese onto skewer. Bring loose end of ham over cheese cube and onto skewer. Add 1 cherry tomato; bring loose end of ham over tomato and onto skewer.
  • Add 1 piece pickle; bring loose end of ham over pickle and onto skewer.
  • Add 1 piece cheese. Repeat with all remaining ingredients and skewers.

TIP: These appetizers can be made up to 8 hours ahead. Cover; store refrigerated until serving time.

www.pinterest.com

Honey Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

1 lb Fresh brussels sprouts
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp Onion powder
Pinch Pepper (or to taste)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/8 cup Honey

Directions:
– Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a sheet pan with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
– Place brussels sprouts on prepared pan and spray with cooking spray, (this helps seasonings to stick).
– Season with salt, pepper, and garlic and onion powder.
– Divide parmesan cheese evenly over brussels sprouts
– Roast brussels sprouts for 12-15 minutes, or until parmesan cheese becomes lightly golden brown
– Remove from the oven and drizzle honey evenly over brussels sprouts and enjoy!

www.pinterest.com
www.dashingdish.com

Caprese Tomato Bites Recipe

Ingredients:
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved 
3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream 
1/2 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 
6 fresh basil leaves 
1 garlic clove, minced 
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 

Directions:
– Scoop out and discard pulp of cherry tomatoes. Invert tomatoes onto paper towels to drain. 
– In a food processor, combine the cream, mozzarella cheese, basil and garlic; cover and process until blended. 
– Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or heavy-duty resealable plastic bag. Fill with cheese mixture. 
– Turn tomato halves over; drizzle with vinegar. Pipe cheese mixture into tomatoes. Refrigerate until serving.

Yield: about 3-1/2 dozen. 

www.pinterest.com
www.tasteofhome.com

Burger Cupcakes – A Fun Sunday Craft!

Ingredients:
1 batch Fun-da-middles cupcakes (12 cupcakes – sprinkle a few sesame seeds on top before baking or white sprinkles as sesame seeds)
3/4 cup sweetened chopped coconut
3 drops – 4 green food coloring
chocolate frosting, and red and yellow decorating frosting

Directions:
1. Remove the paper wrapped from the cupcakes and slice in half.
2. Place the coconut in a bowl. Add 3 to 4 drops green food coloring and mix well. Set aside.
3. Pipe a circle of chocolate frosting on each “bottom bun”.
4. Sprinkle the colored coconut on the chocolate frosting.
5. Top with red and yellow frosting to simulate ketchup and mustard.
6. Gently place cupcake tops on each frosted bottom half.
7. Refrigerate until about 20 minutes before serving time.

www.pinterest.com
http://www.tablespoon.com/

Basic Cooking Terms for Healthy Home Chefs

Are you the type of at-home cook who uses the same technique for “grilling” as you do for “sautéing”? Using the proper cooking techniques can make or break a nutritious dish, but many people don’t know the true meaning of most of these terms. This helpful list will ensure that you use the most effective cooking techniques for every healthy meal. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Grill. Ideal for chicken, firmer seafood and hearty vegetables, grilling is a common cooking method that can be done on a stovetop or an outdoor grill.

2. Broil. Broiling is a great technique for dishes that require a crispy surface. It can be used for chicken, salmon, tuna or other lean meats.

3. Sauté. This light stir-frying method is effective on thin cuts of chicken or most vegetables, from mushrooms to kale to zucchini. By using olive oil or another healthy oil, you can add robust flavor without adding fat to your dish.

4. Poach. Ideal for salmon, flounder, trout and other white fishes, poaching uses boiling water to gently cook and add moisture to fish.

5. Steam. Steaming vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, green beans or carrots is one of the healthiest ways to prepare them. By using boiling water in the bottom of a sauce pan, you’ll have tender vegetables in a matter of minutes.

Basic Cooking Instructions [NIH]

Public Domain/Public Domain

Explore in Style With Help From These Luxury Travel Sites

Is your idea of vacation something that involves a first class plane ticket, an exotic location, and plenty of fine dining? If you’re an avid traveler with expensive taste and a love of adventure, these high-end travel websites can show you where to visit, how to get there, and what to do once you arrive.

Travel and Leisure
Travel and Leisure magazine is a beloved resource for frequent explorers interested in dining in the best restaurants and sightseeing in the world’s most renowned places. The magazine’s website is full of luxury travel destinations from every corner of the world, from the beaches of Thailand to the royal palaces of England. Travel and Leisure also features trip ideas for family travel, outdoorsy adventures, cruise vacations, and romantic getaways at places that are off the beaten path but certainly not lacking in high class amenities.

Conde Nast Traveller
Traveller, Conde Nast’s travel magazine, is just what you would expect from the publisher of elegant and respected magazines that include Vogue and GQ. Combining the style of a fashion magazine with the adventurous spirit of a travel publication, this informative and beautifully curated magazine features trip guides for locations on every continent around the world. Traveller also features tips for the best times to book a winter beach vacation, itineraries for local weekend trips, and other helpful articles meant for the fashionable globetrotter.

Loaded Oatmeal Cookie Recipe

Ingredients:
1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 cup (150g) dark brown sugar (or light brown)
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon (20g) dark molasses
1 and 2/3 cups (140g) old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour, careful not to over measure
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/2 cups add-ins (I used butterscotch morsels, chopped peanut butter M&Ms, and chocolate chunks)

Directions:
1. Cream the softened butter and both sugars together on medium speed until smooth. Add the egg and mix on high until combined, about 1 minute
2. Add the vanilla and molasses and mix on high until combined
3. In a separate bowl, toss the oats, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt together
4. Add to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. Fold in the add-ins. Dough will be thick. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator
5. Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats
6. Roll balls of dough (about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie) and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets and bake for 10-11 minutes until very lightly browned on the sides

www.pinterest.com
www.sallysbakingaddiction.com

 

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