Keeping your Brown Sugar.....Moist!

I bought this recently. I have eyed them for a few years now, but just haven't taken the step to purchase one.  I have been using the heels of bread to keep the Brown Sugar moist in my container after I had opened the bag.  This one is made by http://www.brownsugardiscs.com/.  It's a cute little bear....so my grandchildren should like it!

The instructions state that you should "soak (the) disc in water for 15 minutes, then pat dry. Place your disc in with your brown sugar.  Your disc will keep your brown sugar soft for up to 3 months.  When your sugar begins to harden, re-soak and re-use disc". 

I filled a small container with water.

Then soaked the disc in water.

After drying it with a paper towel, I dropped it into my Brown Sugar container.

Here is the disc.  I have wondered if a broken piece of a pot could work after it had been cleaned.  However, since I now have this cute disc......I will use it.

It will be nice to having to change the heel of bread every once-in-a-while.  I am glad I finally took the plunge. Now I will have moist brown sugar......without bread crumbs!

Gourmet Cupcakes!

(Image courtesy of therestisjusticing.com)

Hi all!  There has been a resurgence in the fine art of making Cupcakes, and our target item this week surely requires sugar.   In the past couple of years, I have seen Cupcake trees at receptions, for Birthday Parties, and just for fun.  They are a quick treat for gatherings as no one has to wait for the cake to be cut! 

Here are some recipes to consider trying and some lovely looks to try to emulate.  Your family will think you are a genius and you most likely will be surprised how easy it is to do.

Equipment needed:  Cupcake pans, liners, a Couple of Cake Decorating tips, optional: Cake decorating bags (can use a Ziploc bag).

Look at how simple this is to do:




In the video above it suggests using a purchased cake mix, which you certainly can do.  But, since we are all trying to be Food Storage conscience, consider making your own Cake Mix out of your supplies.  Here is a mix to consider:

Cake Mixes from Scratch and Variations


Prep Time: 20 Minutes


Cook Time: 35 Minutes Ready In: 55 Minutes (for a large cake), 15-18 minutes for Cupcakes


Servings: 24

"A convenient substitute for commercial mixes. Quick, easy, and yummy. Best of all, YOU control the ingredients!"


INGREDIENTS:


2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour


1 tablespoon baking powder


3/4 teaspoon salt


1 1/2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup shortening


2 eggs


1 cup milk


1 teaspoon vanilla extract


DIRECTIONS:


1. For a Yellow Cake: Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Cut in shortening until fine crumbs are formed. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, then high for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl frequently.


2. Pour batter into greased and floured 9x13 inch pan. Bake in preheated 350 degree F oven (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.


3. Variation for a White Cake: Prepare as for the basic cake except use 3 egg whites for the 2 whole eggs. Whites may be beaten separately and added for a lighter cake.


4. Variation for a Chocolate Cake: Add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to the basic cake mix prior to adding the milk.


5. Variation for a Spice Cake: Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice to the basic cake mix.


6. Variation for a Pineapple Upside Down Cake: Melt 1/2 cup butter in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Add 2/3 cup brown sugar, stirring into the butter. Arrange pineapple slices in the pan. Top with the basic (yellow cake) mix recipe. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, cool 5 minutes, and invert to serve.

Buttercream Frosting



A list of ingredients you will need:


1 - (1 lb.) pkg. Domino® Confectioners Sugar (approx. 3 3/4 cups)


1/2 cup - butter or margarine, softened


3 to 4 tablespoons - milk


1 teaspoon - vanilla


Instructions »


Combine in large bowl, with mixer at low speed, confectioners' sugar, butter, milk and vanilla.  Beat at medium speed 1-2 minutes until creamy. If desired, add more milk until frosting is spreading consistency. 
Makes enough to fill and frost 2-layer cake, 13x9x2-inch sheet cake, or 24 cupcakes.

For those of you who just have to have Chocolate Frosting, in my opinion there is not a better recipe anywhere than from Hersey's.

"Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine


2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa


3 cups powdered sugar


1/3 cup milk


1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

Now, here are some recipe ideas to try!

Boston Creme Cupcakes 

100 Cupcake Recipes

Cupcake Recipes.com

Our Best Cupcake Recipes


Let's look at the creativity of others who have embraced the easy art of making cupcakes!

(http://www.mycupcakerecipes.com/cupcakes/cupcake-recipes.jpg)

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1111/1429193332_84cfd13ba1.jpg)

(http://site.papersyoulove.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/tower-image.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2220/2256898882_c04187c032.jpg)

(http://www.alieliflorals.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/cupcakes-de-2155354.jpg)

And finally, one I really liked!

(http://normalteens.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/pacman-cupcakes1.jpg)

So, try some today!  They are quick and most can be embellished without much time or skill at all!

It's week #3 in July and our target item is.....Sugar!

(Image courtesy of www.yes-zim.com)

The focus item for this week is a very basic one....it is sugar.  As you most likely are aware, there are many different types.  The difference between most is the size of the crystal.  You may or may not have heard of all of the following:

Baker's Sugar (Used in the baking industry for things like sugaring doughnuts etc)

Confectioner's Sugar (Used for making frosting etc)

Course Sugar (Use for decorating)

Granulated Sugar

Sugar Cubes (remember using these for the various science fair projects your kids had to complete?)

Brown Sugar (retains some of the Molasses, can come in light or dark)

Of course, these will fit into the "Sugar" category of your long terms storage.  We have already added Corn Syrup, Jello, Jelly, Jam, and Honey to this category this year.

Think of all the fun things you do with sugar. 

Try a new recipe and expand your horizon's!

It's a matter of .....the availability of Sugar.

(Image courtesy of beaut.ie/blog/?tag=sugar-cravings

Wow, that photo looks a bit on the yummy side. Americans have a fascination with sugar and some die-hard souls try very hard to avoid it. In my experience....it is really hard to avoid sugar as it is present in many forms. It is even present in many convenience foods.

So, why am I discussing this delectable white powdery substance? Well, because of the conditions present in other countries, our ease at finding and purchasing Sugar may be challenged.

Here is a quote from Financial Times (dated July 30, 2009): "Traders and industry executives say, in rare agreement, that prices could hit a 28-year high – above 19.73 cents per pound (in the raw form) – this year because of poor weather, steady consumption and low global inventories".

What are the reasons stated for the proposed increase? Events outside of our state, and country. The article continues: "The latest wave of buying has come after a poor start to the monsoon in India, with districts in the critical Uttar Pradesh state already suffering from drought. As a result, India’s sugar cane output is likely to drop in 2009-10. As the world’s largest consumer and second-largest producer, India’s output swings, which move the country back and forth from exporter to importer, are a key factor in prices".

Also, in Brazil...."The wet weather is delaying the harvest and lowering the cane’s sucrose yield, which, in turn, will reduce potential raw sugar production".

So, what does this all mean to you? If you don't have enough sugar for your long-term storage.....you should probably stock up now. Save money and have the peace of mind that you are prepared. Knowing that you have staples readily available to you is a form of comfort that you cannot shake. Do it today!!