Shine On Shine On

98% of our major kitchen appliances are stainless steel. I have a 9 month old and a dog. They both like to lick the dishwasher and fridge. Ok that is so gross! Anyway, I am constantly faced with smudge marks and tongue residue on the appliances. Weiman Stainless Steel Wipes work wonders! When you first use the wipes on, say the fridge, it looks awful and more smudgy looking. Although I have used these wipes over and over, every time one is used, I panic. However, once the stuff dries you are left with a beautiful and once again shiny fridge. Hallelujah!

Celebrate Applesauce Cake Day

The people who come up with some of these "holidays" must have some serious free time on their hands. However bizarre they may be, I enjoy seeing what different days are going on. Today we celebrate Applesauce Cake Day.

Chocolate Applesauce Chocolate Chip Cake

1/2 cup shortening

1-1/2 cups sugar, plus 2 tablespoons for sprinkling

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups applesauce

1/2 bag chocolate chips

1 cup powdered sugar

Cream together 1-1/2 cups sugar, shortening, and eggs. Sift in flour, salt, cocoa, baking soda and cinnamon. Add the applesauce and stir together.

Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan. Pour batter into the pan. Sprinkle the batter with remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and chocolate chips.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Mix approximately 1 cup powdered sugar and 1/4 cup water to make a very soupy glaze. Allow cake to cool slightly before glazing.

*The original recipe said to glaze it right away while the cake was still hot, but I found that the glaze just sorta melted and ran off the top to the sides so it would probably be better to wait until the cake is slightly cooled before glazing it.

Oops! How did that picture get in here? You weren't supposed to see that.

Equivalent To...

Bread

1 loaf = 16 to 20 slices

Egg whites

1 cup = 8 to 10 whites

Cream cheese

8 ounces = 16 tablespoons

Brown sugar

1 pound = 2-1/4 cups

Gelatin, unflavored

1 envelope = 1 tablespoon

Ground nuts

3-3/4 ounces = 1 cup

Shredded cheese

4 ounces = 1 cup

All purpose flour

1 pound = about 3-1/2 cups

National Rocky Road Day

We are halfway there to beginning the 25 Days of Christmas Cookies which is where this whole blog started! In honor of this glorious day and the fact that today is National Rocky Road Day, indulge yourself with these yummy cookies!

Rocky Road Cookies

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup chopped nuts

About 48 miniature marshmallows

Melt 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips and the butter in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth; remove from heat. Cool slightly.

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix melted chocolate mixture, flour, sugar, baking powder, vanilla, salt and eggs in large bowl with spoon. Stir in nuts and remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Press 1 marshmallow into center of each cookie. Bake 8 to 12 minutes Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

Yield: About 4 dozen cookies (or 2 dozen if you make them big enough to eat in more than 1 bite)

*Try using colored or the fun seasonal-shaped miniature marshmallows in place of the little white ones.

NOTE: I did not use nuts in my batch this time so I guess they are technically S'more Cookies.

The Secret Spa in Your Kitchen - Papaya Cream Honey Masque

Papaya Cream Honey Masque

1 medium papaya

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons honey

Scoop out flesh of papaya, blend with heavy cream. Set aside. Take skin of papaya and rub in circular motion over face with inside of skin. Rinse. Then place mixture over face. Allow 15-20 minutes on skin. Rinse with warm water, finish with splashing cold water on face to close pores.

*For all skin types.