Cream Puffs

I know these look intimidating but they really aren't that hard to make, and they taste so good fresh. For an even easier finish just dust them with icing sugar or leave off the garnish altogether. 

 

Cream Puffs

1 c. boiling water
1/2 c. margarine
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. flour
4 eggs
whipped cream

Combine water, margarine and salt in a medium saucepan, stir to melt margarine and bring to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until it forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat. Add eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly after each is added. Drop by spoonful's onto greased baking sheet (leave room for them to expand). Bake at 425 for 30 minutes. (They should look dry) When cool you can either pipe whipping cream into each puff or cut off the tops and fill with whipping cream.
To garnish: you can melt chocolate in microwave and drizzle on top, dust with icing sugar or enjoy them as they are.

Chocolate Velvet Dessert

Some people buy their Valentine chocolates and flowers, I bake! And this was part of Lyndon's Valentines' gift this year, and oh boy! was it delicious! Don't count calories with this one, because you don't want to know, but once a year it is fun to make something special and memorable. You only need a thin slice because it is filling. This would be an awesome WOW dessert to make for a crowd :)

 

 

Chocolate Velvet Dessert

 

1 1/2 c. chocolate crumbs

1/4 c. butter, melted

2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

6 egg yolks

1 3/4 c. heavy whipping cream

1 tsp. vanilla

 

Combine crumbs and melted butter and press into a greased 9" spring form pan, bake at 350 for 10 min. Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips in a large pot, stir till smooth and allow to cool slightly. In a large bowl whisk together egg yolks, cream and vanilla, slowly add to melted chocolate whisking beating vigorously until smooth. Pour into crust and bake at 350 for an additional 45 minutes. Allow to cool for 1 hour, then run a knife around the edge and refrigerate overnight.

 

1/2 c. butter, room temperature

3 c. icing sugar

3 Tbsp. cocoa

3-4 Tbsp. milk

 

Beat together, and pipe onto cooled cake.

Christmas 2013

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas with their family and friends, and all the

Lords Blessings in 2014.

 

Links to my Christmas baking and appetizers:

Creamy Christmas Truffles
Candy Cane Cookies
Chocolate Filled Shortbread
Molasses-Spice Cookies
Cranberry Bliss Bars
Oatmeal Shortbread
Aunt Roses Fantastic Butter Toffee
Mixed Nut Bars

Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls
Mexican Spirals
Mushroom Turnovers

Vink Family Potatoes

These are a family favorite, and requested for every big family meal! They are make ahead and once you start bringing these to gatherings you can be sure they'll be requested again.

Vink Family Potatoes

5 lbs. potatoes, peeled and cubed
250g. cream cheese
1/4 c. margarine
2 tsp. onion salt
1-2 c. sour cream
salt
pepper
paprika

Boil potatoes till tender, drain and mash. Add cream cheese in cubes, also add margarine and onion salt and mash well. Add sour cream to desired consistency, add pepper and salt to taste and beat on low until smooth. Put into buttered 9 x 13 dish, sprinkle with paprika. Cover and put in fridge at least 6 hours or overnight. Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes.