Cooking Class with Ariella...

I have to tell you, Me + Ariella ABSOLUTELY LOVE to Cook and we have tons of fun doing it! For me, Cooking + Baking are a hobby, a form of relaxation, and great Family Fun Time with Ariella. I dont know if my Italian Heritage has instilled this Favorite Pastime in me, But I just have this crazy need to FEED EVERYONE + and do it in excess! LOL... All of my Friends love being my taste - testers and I love to cook for them. As far as I can remember, my favorite memories with my Nonna (Italian 4 grandmom) and my Mom all were in the kitchen! I come from a very close nit Italian Family and from them... I have learned that the kitchen is the heart that holds the family together.

I have surely passed on my love to cooking + baking on to Ariella. I go online daily looking for tons of new receipes and fun baking ideas for both of us to enjoy. I get alot of fun ideas from DisneyFamily.com. They list everything on that site from vacations to arts + crafts, to tons of kid-friendly cooking + baking fun. It is a awesome site to utilize for Family Fun! Check it out and try something new... hey even tell me about it later!!

Here is my + Ariella's latest find on site.....

Last week, My work hosted a bake sale so.... Me + Ariella decided to try a receipe I got from DisneyFamily.com.We had a blast, lots of gooie, sticky, messy fun baking up a giant version of a classic sweet treat. Shaped like a country-fair caramel apple, this fun dessert recipe is sure to inspire oohing and ahhing at any fall gathering. Here is the receipe..... have fun!!!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsps cinnamon

1 tsp ground cloves

1/2 tsp allspice

2 tsps baking soda

1 tsp salt 2 eggs

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2 cups unsweetened applesauce

1 cup vegetable oil

2 tsps vanilla extract

60 caramel candies

3/4 cup walnuts, toasted and finely chopped

wax paper

1 large craft stick

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Grease and flour two 1 1/2-quart oven-safe bowls.

3. Combine 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, 2 teaspoons baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt.

4. In a separate bowl, beat together 2 eggs, 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, 2 cups unsweetened applesauce, 1 cup vegetable oil and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and beat until well mixed.

5. Pour the batter into the prepared bowls and bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Allow the cakes to cool in the bowls for 10 minutes, then remove them from the bowls and set them inverted on wire racks to cool completely. Once the cakes have cooled, turn them over and use a long knife to even out their flat tops.

7. Topping: Place 60 caramel candies and 2 tablespoons of water in a medium bowl and microwave on high power for 1 minute. Stir, then heat 30 to 45 seconds more until the mixture is smooth and forms a slow, thick ribbon when dropped from a spoon.

8. Layer the cakes (flat sides together) using a few spoonfuls of the caramel to help hold them in place.

9. Pour the remaining sauce over the cake. The caramel will run down the sides of the cake to cover it completely, or you can spread it with a knife while it's still warm.

10. Let the caramel set for about 20 minutes before pressing the walnuts onto the bottom half of the cake.

11. Cover one half of the craft stick with waxed paper and insert the covered end into the top of the cake

END RESULT... 1. I was able to spend good quality time with Ariella having fun + doing what I do best, 2. The new treat was totally enjoyed by my Family (yes, we made 1 for home too!), 3. Our donation was greatly appreciated and best of all.... Our Donation raised $25.00!!!