Tagged: ‘unsalted butter’

Magical Ink Buttermilk Scones



Ink is one of the oldest tools of magic. Whether needed to write a spell or symbol, magical ink can invoke or banish potentially dangerous beings. To make invisible ink appear, hold the paper over a candle flame to gently…

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Chocolate Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cake with Vanilla Sauce

This is a fudge-like little chocolate cake, adapted from my old chocolate truffle cake I made during my restaurant days. It is for intense chocolate lovers and because of its unique texture, tastes best within an hour of baking, while…

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Chocolate Chip Cookie-Cake Heart

This chocolate chip cookie-cake heart is the handiwork of my friend and incredibly versatile cook Jacquie McMahan. Jacquie’s daughter-in-law fell in love with a cookie-cake with her name written on it available by mail order from a bakery in San…

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Favorite All-Butter Pastry Crust

In an electric stand mixer (such as a Kitchen Aid) or food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the butter on low or with short pulses until the mixture resembles very coarse meal with some pieces the size of corn kernels still visible (be sure to leave some chunks to create the flakiness). Sprinkle in the ice water and vinegar over the mixture, tossing or pulsing to moisten evenly, dribbling in more ice water if the dough is too dry. Gather the shaggy dough into a ball with your hands and flatten into a disc. Divide into two portions. You can roll out immediately, or wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate if rolling out the next day and bring back to cool room temperature to roll out, or freeze up to 3 months in a small plastic freezer bag.

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