HowToDoThings.com Desserts & Pastries

How To Host a Kid's Ice Cream Party

Danielle16 — Tue, 03 Jan 2006 14:37:00 -0600

Most kids and adults love ice cream. It's cold, delicately surprising, and absolutely delicious. So why not host an ice cream party in honor of this tasty dessert?

Invitations: Create invitations shaped like ice cream trucks. Write on the truck with a marker so the information looks as if it were imprinted on the truck. If you can, stick on a "Scratch and Sniff" sticker of an ice cream sundae. Remember to add an R.S.V.P. so you have an idea of how much ice cream you'll need to buy.

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How To Make Professional-Looking Chocolates at Home

DivaChoc — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:52:41 -0500

Children as well as adults love chocolate. Why? Because it's an indulgent treat, a delicacy to be shared. You can go to a chocolate shop and spend $15 for a box of candy or...you can make great-looking chocolates for a fraction of the cost. I'm going to show you how to have a ball making delicious candy that everyone will enjoy!

You will need the chocolate-flavored candy coating known as candy melts. They look like Hershey kisses but they are chocolate wafers. The flavored wafers' ingredients include sugar, vegetable oils, color and flavorings. It is easier than using real chocolate and if you're a beginner, your results are more likely to be successful. Chocolate candy melts are available in milk, white, dark, mint, butterscotch and all colors of the rainbow.

There are several ways to melt chocolate candy melts: Microwave oven, double boiler, slow cooker (crock pot) and warming tray:

How To Make Creme Brulee

Uninvited Writer — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:28:36 -0500

Creme Brulee (burnt cream) is a custard dessert topped with browned sugar and usually baked in a ramekin. It is a very light and refreshing dish. It first appeared in a French cookbook in 1691.

I remember the first time I made this, it was so incredibly easy to make and had a very light taste. It really hits the spot when you want a dessert that isn't too filling. This recipe is for a basic creme brulee and will serve 4.

Tools and ingredients:

How To Buy Christmas Cookie Cutters

Tonya249 — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 18:38:00 -0500

Making Christmas cookies is a time-honored tradition in many households. Cut-out cookies are a particular favorite, especially among children. If you'd like to start your own tradition, there are a few things to know about cookie cutters before you start shopping.

How To Test if Jam or Marmalade Has Reached Its Setting Point

Sat, 15 Feb 2003 23:00:00 -0600

To test if Jam or Marmalade had reached setting point, ALWAYS TAKE THE PAN OFF THE HEAT AS YOU TEST and TEST EARLY !!

There are three good ways of testing:

1) Test with a sugar thermometer-jam sets at a temperature of 220 degrees F.

2) Stir preserve thoroughly with a wooden spoon, turn the spoon round to cool the jam adhering to it, then hold the spoon horizontally. If am has set it will form a firm drop or flake on the edge of the spoon.

3) Put a little on a cold saucer, cool it, and if adequately set it should wrinkle and feel firm.

Do not continually stir the jam/marmalade. Wait until it reaches setting point, stir for a minute (this will get rid of quite a lot of the scum), then remove the remainder. A knob of butter/margarine put in when making the jam/marmalade will not only safeguard the jam/marmalade from burning in a thin pan but will also help to prevent scum.

How To Make Doughnuts

ralexander — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:09:44 -0500

How To Roast Marshmallows

ralexander — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 19:18:20 -0500

Roasting marshmallow is an excellent way to bring families and friends together on a chilly outdoor evening. Children and adults alike enjoy sitting around the campfire and toasting their own marshmallows. Whether it be for making s'mores or eating them alone, make sure you know these basic tips so you can safely and effectively roast a marshmallow.

How To Make a Perfect Pie Crust

wendysm — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:17:20 -0500

Making a delicious, flaky homemade pie crust is becoming a lost art. Many people think it is too difficult and just buy the crust from the store; this is a shame because nothing beats homemade, and the crust really is simple to make. If you have butter (or Crisco), flour and salt, you have everything you need to make a great crust.

Ingredients:

Two cups of flour (This makes two nine-inch crusts.)

2/3 cup firm butter or Crisco (I prefer butter because it has better flavor.)

1 teaspoon of salt

2 teaspoons cold water

Steps

How To Make Homemade Holiday Candy

KiwiB — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:24:17 -0600

'Tis the season of family, friends and lots of holiday parties. No matter what you’re celebrating this time of year, a tin of homemade candy is usually quite welcome. The trouble is most candy recipes call for extra time, special equipment and lots of candy-making experience. Here are some “traditional “holiday candy recipes that have been simplified to save time without losing the integrity of the flavor or texture. These are simple enough to whip up at almost the last moment, if the ingredients are at hand. Doubling the batches for gift giving is simple, and I can finish all my holiday candies in an afternoon. Finished candy will keep, tightly wrapped, for a month. Recipes include: Deluxe Chocolate Fudge, Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge, Peanut Brittle, English Toffee, Glazed Walnuts.

Deluxe Chocolate Fudge
Yield: 24 servings (depending who slices)

Equipment

How To Make an Awesome Chocolate Cake

KiwiB — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:53:01 -0500

As a Pastry Chef, there is no recipe that I give out more, or offer more advice on than baking the perfect chocolate cake. No matter what your baking skill level, this is one of those things you want in your portfolio. This recipe is infallible if you follow the instructions, and even a child (properly supervised) can create a dessert to be proud of. Since this cake is so awesome, it doesn’t require frosting, but could be paired with a creamy frosting for a decadent dessert. My husband prefers it plain, but I like a little dusting of powdered sugar. See what new combinations you can come up with!

Ingredients: