Super Mommy Secrets: Measuring for Success

The other day my bloggy bud Heather of 3 Kids and Lots of Pigs were having some tea at Starbucks when the topic of measuring ingredients for recipes came up...

What? Is that not your typical Starbucks convo?

Well, as it turns out, Miss Heather is a by-the-book measurer, while I am more of a dash of this and a scoop of that kind of gal... which tends to lead to my baked goods (read: bread baking) to go a little astray... 

So, when Heather told me that she had to measure things out to a "t", I begged her to share her Super Mommy Secrets with us!

Measuring for Success

I started 4-H in the 4^th grade.  I had waited my whole life, up to that point, for the day I could join 4-H.  I’m a third generation 4-Her so joining 4-H was a pretty big deal for me and my family as the oldest grandchild on both sides of the family.

During that first year of 4-H, my mom made me do the demonstration contest.  So for a 1^st year member, I had 3-5 minutes to give a demonstration on whatever I wanted.  My mom came up with the idea of “Measuring for Success” where I would demonstrate how to correctly measure different baking ingredients:  sugar, brown sugar, shortening, and a liquid. 

At age 10, I hated my mother for making me participate in the demonstration contest as it was scary to get up in front of a room full of strangers and give a memorized demonstration as she would not let me use note cards.  However, I must admit, as I got older, I thanked her every day as I have never been afraid to talk in front of a crowd or take a speech class so for that… Thank you, Mom. 

I also wanted to thank her for the actual measuring skills she taught me during that demonstration that I am passing down to Big Sissy and Bubby and eventually Little Sissy.  I do think this is where my fear of not following recipes started. J

So here’s a brief version of Measuring for Success…

Sugar and most dry ingredients

Measure sugar with a dry ingredient measuring cup/spoon and use a knife to cut through and level off prior to adding to other ingredients to ensure exact measurement.

Brown Sugar

Use a spoon to pack brown sugar into dry ingredient measuring cup/spoon and level off when completely packed into cup/spoon.  Brown sugar will keep shape of the measuring container when added to other ingredients if properly packed and measured.

  

Shortening/Peanut Butter

Use a spoon to pack shortening into dry ingredient measuring cup/spoon and level off when completely packed into cup/spoon.  Be sure to scrape out all contents of cup/spoon when adding the shortening to your other ingredients.

Liquid

Use a measuring cup specifically made for liquids and always measure liquids at eye level.

If you follow these quick, easy steps, you will be ahead of the game when it comes to baking.  Good luck!

Thanks Heather! 

BTW, Dear Reader... Heather's daughter is starting an adorable cooking series on her blog called Cooking with an 8 Year Old! You will have to go check it out!!!

Do you have a Super Mommy Secret? Email me and I might just feature your tip in a future post!

Linked to: Works for Me Wednesday

Benefiel Yeast Rolls

There are plenty of reasons to love the holidays... tons. 

But the fact that mom makes these yeast rolls every holiday is at the top of the list.

Psst... Mom... ya know today is technically a holiday... just sayin'

Now to say my mom has been making these puppies as long as I can remember is a bit of an understatement. I give you EXHIBIT A.

No, that is not the original Bill of Rights stolen from Independence Hall... it is the original recipe card for this family favorite.

You start by dissolving 1 pkg of yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.

Then take 1/3 cup sugar and add 1/4 cup of oil in a large bowl.

Add 1 cup of milk after you scold it. Try not to hurt its feelings, but scold it just the same ;)

Now add 1 t salt. Mix 'er up and let cool until luke warm.

Now add in 1 1/2 cups sifted flour

Add in yeast and 1 beaten egg

Then blend in another 1-2 cups flour to form a soft dough.

Now place in a greased bowl turning once to coat the dough and set aside to let double (about 1 1/2 hrs)

XXX

(Photo missing due to multi-tasking)

Flatten dough with hands until about 3/4 inch thick and cut dough into rolls using a glass.

Place rolls in a pan and let double again. Mom used muffin and brownie pans to help the rolls keep their shape.

Now bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes

And top with butter.

Pass the rolls please!

Enjoy!

Linked to:

Works for Me Wednesday

Goode & Gooseberry Project: Frosted Orange Cookies

This yummy recipe intrigued me from the beginning of my Goode & Gooseberry Patch Project.

I KNEW right away that it was going to be in my Christmas baking plans.

Truth be told, I haven't got around to all those plans... ya see I wasn't planning on having my entire kitchen ripped up...

Long story...

It starts with a naughty fridge that had been secretly leaking for like ages... and ends with cardboard covered floors and a scheduled repair (and much-sooner-than-expected renovation) for next week. Now if you look at your handy dandy calendar you will see that the scheduled repair is AFTER the holidays... and that is my excuse for not baking as much as I wanted (but--truth be told--wayyy more than I needed ;) and I am sticking to it.

Anyhoo-- back to the cookies.

Grab 2 navel oranges

And zest those babies with a microplane into a blender.

Then peel and quarter the oranges and toss them in to--sans peels.

Blend until smooth.

Measure out 3/4 cup and set aside.

Now mix 1/2 cup of butter flavored shortening

with 1 cup of sugar

Now add 1/2 cup milk

and 6 T of the orange mixture

Meanwhile mix your dry goods... flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt

Gradually mix in the flour mixture with the shortening.

Drop teaspoonfuls onto a lined or greased pan and bake at 350 degrees for 10-13 minutes.

Cool on a wire rack...

Meanwhile, whip up your icing. Melt 1 T Butter

Add 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Toss in the remaining orange mixture

Blend up the icing

Now frost them cookies!

Yummy!

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!!!