Getting Started

1Freedom O Fighter Cupcakes

Cupcakes are one of my favorite things to bake. You can get very creative with them. These Freedom Fighter Cupcakes are inspired by people who motivate me to give back and support my community. The flavors are inspired by different things about the people, from where they come from, to their favorite desserts, or even their nicknames.

OVEN-TOASTED MARSHMALLOWS zLay your marshmallows on a baking sheet (it helps to put parchment paper or aluminum foil down beforehand to make cleanup easier later), and set your oven to broil. Broil the marshmallows about 4" from the broiler until the tops are toasted golden brown, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Keep a close eye on them to be sure they don’t burn (you can even leave the oven door cracked a bit to do this).

WHAT IS GOLDEN MILK? zGolden milk, also known as turmeric milk, is a bright yellow Indian drink with roots in Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest healing practices. The basic recipe combines animal or plant-based milk with turmeric and other spices, like cinnamon, ginger, and often some kind of sweetener. The recipe you see here was made with these ingredients, as well as black pepper and allspice.

CINNAMON CANDIED BACON zPreheat oven to 375°F. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in small bowl. Coat bacon with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Arrange bacon slices in single layer on foil-lined 15" x 10" x 1" baking pan. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until brown and crisp. Cool before crumbling.

LEMON MERINGUE PIE

2

Pies & Tarts

Pies are a great way to use in-season fruits and play with new flavors. They’re very versatile! You can make fruit pies, custard pies, hand pies, hot, cold, baked, fried, etc. All are delicious, and if you know how to make some pies, you should have no trouble making all of them. Pies are a big part of my baking arsenal and experience, especially sweet potato pie.

COFFEE IN BAKING z Coffee, in its many forms such as the instant coffee used here, is a versatile ingredient. Instant coffee is just brewed coffee that has been dehydrated and is a staple in my family’s pantry.