Sous Chef, Erik

The other day Erik said, "I gunna make you pancakes for dee-ner, Mama!" And, so we did. We made teddy bear, smiley face, heart-shaped, a jelly fish (for M) and all our initials with pancake batter. E was an excellent helper. We used the Multigrain Pancake Mix from Trader Joes, which is delicious and healthy, but the important part was the shapes (and the speed - E wanted them NOW)!!
My Nonnie used to make us Teddy Bear Pancakes, which then meant my mom had to as well (and she would do Mickey Mouse, etc. too). Great memories there growing up, and I think my wee sous chef is catching on to loving to create in the kitchen! Yes, he's the one that ran to find his little chef's hat.

Sam, I Am!

Green Eggs and Ham... in honor of Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss's birthday! The cake was lime coconut (with extra green food coloring and green sprinkles baked in), and the frosting was a fabulous buttercream that I altered to make it really lime-alicious, but didn't write down the changes. Drat! I did write down the modifications to this sugar cookie recipe though, and it is the best ever!

Sugar Cookies

3/4 c powdered sugar
1 c unsalted butter softened
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 egg
2 1/2 c flour
3/4 c granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
colored sugar, sprinkles or frosting to decorate!

Cream butter and powdered sugar. Add next three ingredients and beat to combine. Stir in flour, granulated sugar (even better with vanilla sugar!), soda & tartar. Roll out, cut and bake. No need to fridge the dough! Easy!!

Heat oven to 375-degrees F, put cookies on parchment and bake 7-8 mins or until edges are golden.

Yummerific Buttercream

1 c. butter, softened
4 c. powdered sugar
1 T. vanilla
1/4 c. whole or 2% milk
drops of food coloring or paste

Beat butter and sugar, add vanilla, then pour in milk and beat for 4-5 minutes on high. Add color as desired.