Month: July 2014

How to Make Homemade Blueberry Jam

~ mrsgooses ~ Leave a comment

It’s so easy and fun to make your own jam. Blueberry jam is one of my favorites!
This recipe makes 5 ½ x half pint jars – 5 to store or give as gifts and ½ for you to eat right away.

Ingredients:

4 cups blueberries, crushed* (about 6 cups whole berries)
3 tbsp lemon juice
4 ½ tbsp classic pectin
3 cups sugar

* to crush blueberries, place in a single layer in the bottom of your pan and crush with a potato masher.

Equipment:

8 qt. pan for jam
Smaller pan for extra hot water
Large pan/stockpot for canning – I use a 21 qt. canner that has a jar rack as well.
6 half pint mason jars
Funnel
Jar-lifting tongs
Ladle
Magnetic lid lifter or tongs

Buy equipment you need here:
Waterbath Canner Starter Set – http://amzn.to/1veExnU
Half Pint Jars – http://amzn.to/1tGft3L
Ball Classic Pectin – http://amzn.to/1tGgtEW
Ladle – http://amzn.to/1FLqkln

– wash jars and lids with hot and soapy water and rinse well.
– to sterilize jars, place jars in canner with just simmering water. Leave the jars in there until ready to use.
– warm lids (do not boil) in smaller pan.
– in 8 qt. pan, mix blueberries and lemon juice. Gradually stir in pectin.
– bring mixture to a boil on high heat, stirring constantly.
– add sugar all at once and stir to dissolve. Bring to a hard boil (that can’t be stirred down) and then boil for 1 minute.
– remove from heat and ladle into hot jars. Fill to about ¼ inch from the top.
– make sure there’s no jam on the rim of the jars that could affect the seal. Clean with a damp cloth.
– place lids on top of jars and screw on bands until finger tight.
– place jars in canner and lower into water. Make sure there’s at least 2 inches of water over the top of the jars. Bring water to a boil and process jars for 10 min. Use the following chart to adjust water canning times for different altitudes:

Altitude (feet)           Increase processing time

1001 – 3000                       5 minutes
3001 – 6000                      10 minutes
6001 – 8000                      15 minutes
8001 – 10000                     20 minutes

– turn off heat, remove lid and allow jars to sit for 5 min.
– remove jars from water and place on a towel for at least 12 hrs. During this time you’ll hear each of the lids pop as they seal.
– check the jars have sealed properly – they shouldn’t move up and down when you press in the middle of the lid. If a jar hasn’t sealed, you can refrigerate it and eat it or you can process the jar again using a new lid.
– keep processed jars in a cool, dry and dark place. They will last for about 1 year.

How to Make Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

~ mrsgooses ~ Leave a comment

These are nice chewy cookies. If you are looking for a more cakey cookie, use softened butter instead of the melted. If you are looking for a thicker cookie, chill dough before and after scooping into mounds. Chilling helps them to hold their shape better.

Buy your equipment here:
Cookie Sheet – http://amzn.to/1A9Gim9
Baking Parchment Roll – http://amzn.to/1vDu70Y
Cooling wire rack – http://amzn.to/1tIsHwU
Cookie Scoop – http://amzn.to/1pP1wow

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
2 1/2 cups oats (not quick cooking)
12 oz pkg chocolate chips (or heaped cup)

– Preheat oven to 350ºF.
– Mix together butter and sugars.
– Add eggs and mix well.
– Mix in vanilla extract.
– Stir in flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon (if using).
– Stir in oatmeal and chocolate chips.
– Chill dough in bowl in fridge for 30 min.
– Scoop out dough into mounds on cookie sheets and bake 15-18 min.
– Cool on wire rack.

How to Make Delicious Little Shortcakes for Strawberries and Cream

~ mrsgooses ~ Leave a comment

This is a quick and easy recipe for shortcakes. Perfect for strawberries and cream!

Buy equipment you need here:
Cookie Sheet – http://amzn.to/1A9Gim9
Baking Parchment Roll – http://amzn.to/1vDu70Y
Wire Rack – http://amzn.to/1tIsHwU

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 tbsp baking soda
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 – 3/4 tsp salt
3 tbsp butter, cold
3 tbsp shortening
3/4 cup buttermilk

– Preheat oven to 450ºF.
– Whisk flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
– Cut in butter and shortening.
– Stir in buttermilk with a fork until just holding together.
– Turn out onto work surface and gently knead a few times to combine.
– Roll or pat out dough to about 3/4 inch thick and cut into desired shapes.
– Bake 12-15 min or until light golden on top.
– Cool on wire rack.

How to Make 3D Butterflies with Cake Lace

~ mrsgooses ~ Leave a comment

You can use the butterfly Cake Lace mat to make 3D butterflies too.

Buy equipment you need here:
Cake Lace Silicone Mat Butterfly – http://amzn.to/1HSpRjc
Cake Lace White Mix – 200g – http://amzn.to/1B6m93H
Cake Lace Spreader – http://amzn.to/1vcsXcU
Cake Lace Premixed Pearlised White – http://amzn.to/1y5l6ee

1. Preheat oven to 170ºF.
2. Mix 1 tsp original white mix and 2 tsp pearlized white premix.
3. Spread over butterfly mat and bake 10 min, then cool.
4. Spread pearlized white premix over cooled butterflies and bake 10 min, then cool.
5. Fold aluminum foil sheet several times to create peaks.
6. Gently peel butterflies from mat and hang over foil peaks. Bake again for 20 min.
7. Store cooled butterflies in box until ready to use.

How to Make Sugar Cookies and Decorate with Wilton Color Flow Icing

~ mrsgooses ~ 1 Comment

This a great sugar cookie recipe for cutting out shapes and decorating. The Wilton Color Flow icing is great for getting a nice smooth finish on the top of your cookies.

Buy the equipment you need:
Cookie Sheet – http://amzn.to/1A9Gim9
Baking Parchment Roll – http://amzn.to/1vDu70Y
Wilton Color Flow Mix – http://amzn.to/1v8D5yf
Wilton Gel Colors – http://amzn.to/12k2X3h
Wilton Squeezy Bottle – http://amzn.to/1vcxDiZ
Wooden Rolling Pin – http://amzn.to/1v8JTft

Ingredients:

1 cup Butter, softened
1 cup Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp Almond Extract
1 tbsp Milk
1 Egg
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Salt
3 cups Flour

Method:
– whisk together flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.
– mix together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
– mix egg, extracts and milk.
– stir in flour.
– wrap dough in cling film and refrigerate about 1 hr.
– roll out dough on a floured surface to desired thickness.
– use cookie cutters and cut out shapes.
– bake in a 350ºF for 8-12 min.
– cool on wire rack.

Icing:
– follow directions on Wilton Color Flow container.