Rachael Ray

My 6th grader daughter (turning 12 in May) spends plenty of time on the family computer visiting YouTube and using the Photo Booth program. She has not yet asked to get on Facebook (she must know what the answer would be) but I have heard that some of her classmates are. They also have cell phones, which she knows better than to ask for as well, but I started wondering, if she did ask, what would the acceptable age be for her to get on Facebook. Never? In my dreams. Facebook seems to me to be yet another tool for kids to hurt each other and get into trouble. According to Facebook, the minimum age is 13. Tools are put in [...]...

So my Valentine’s Day went just as expected. My dog ate a pan of brownies that a customer had ordered from my baking business. We discovered we have a serious home pest issue and my husband and I spent the day with the exterminator (nothing says romance like the exterminator - and his bill). My Valentine’s Day family dinner prep took longer than expected and my kids were wound up by the time I got dinner on the table. Before the meal even started, my daughter spilled a giant glass of cranberry juice all over the table that was strewn with valentines. As we sat down, I suggested we all go around the table and say one small thing we loved about each [...]...

It’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow, so it’s the perfect time to whip up a batch of these Red Velvet Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. They are a great combination of a not-too-sweet chocolate cupcake perfectly complemented by a rich, sweet, cream cheese frosting. You will make a lot of sweethearts with these! Red Velvet Cupcakes (click here for printable recipe) (adapted from a recipe by Ina Garten) Ingredients For the cupcakes: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup unsweetened best quality cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup buttermilk, shaken 1 tablespoon liquid red food coloring 1 teaspoon white vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 eggs For the cream cheese frosting: 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 12 [...]...

It’s hard to believe that I (lover of all things chocolate) have never made chocolate chip muffins, but it’s true. My kids recently discovered them at Tim Horton’s with friends which inspired me to make some hopefully healthier and more reasonably sized versions at home. They make a great after-school snack or even dessert - the sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on their tops make them a little bit special. Like most muffins, they freeze well. Chocolate Chip Muffins (adapted from Joyofbaking.com) (click here for printable recipe) Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled 2 eggs 1 cup milk 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 2 cups flour 2/3 cups sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup chocolate chips Topping: 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line [...]...

I am primarily a cookie baker but once in a while I will try and pull out a cake. I made this chocolate mousse cake this weekend that had multiple steps and some chilling and assembly time, but was worth the effort. A layer of chocolate mousse is sandwiched between two thin layers of chocolate, orange and toasted hazelnut cake, with more mousse piled on top, and a chocolate glaze and chocolate shavings really puts cake this over the top. I served it sliced thinly with a scoop of coffee ice cream on the side. And I am wondering why my pants were snug Monday morning? This is a special cake perfect for a special occasion. Chocolate Mousse Cake (adapted from [...]...

Always on the lookout for a new muffin, I went to my old friend Joy the Baker’s blog and came across these berry streusel muffins with the right amount of jam (key - not too much) swirled in. A new regular in my repertoire for sure. Joy says any kind of berries (including frozen, which I used here) and jam can be used -added bonus. Raspberry Jam Streusel Muffins (adapted from www.JoytheBaker.com) (click here for printable recipe) Ingredients: 6 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup milk 2 eggs 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups flour 3/4 cups sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2- 1 cup frozen or fresh raspberries (or berry of your choice) 3 tablespoons raspberry jam (or fruit jam of your choice) For the topping: 3 tablespoons cold butter, [...]...

I am always on the lookout for a new bar recipe that is a little bit more upscale than your typical brownie. Think dinner party but your kids will also love them. These grasshopper bars fit that bill - elegant and delicious, and special enough for company. They have three layers and there is some chilling time required, so give yourself some time here. They store well in the fridge so you can make them up to 4 days in advance. Grasshopper Bars (adapted from Baked Explorations: Classic American Desserts Reinvented by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito) (click here for printable recipe) Ingredients For the brownie base: 3/4 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 5 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate (60-72%), chopped (or use [...]...

When should girls start wearing makeup? I think the the answer is to follow your daughter’s lead and make sure whatever she chooses to wear - be it clothes or makeup - is age appropriate. There is nothing worse than seeing a young girl who is trying to look too grown up. I want to grab her and say “Honey - don’t rush it! There is plenty of time.” I also think there is a fine line between being too controlling and setting some parameters for your kids when it comes to self expression. I used to walk to school with a neighborhood friend in 5th grade whose mother picked out her clothes for school and my friend had no choice [...]...

I know it’s winter, but I made this ice cream pie for a party last week and decided it is truly a year-round treat. You can make it ahead of time, it’s special, and loved by all ages. Remember the Fudgy the Whale cake from Carvel? How I wanted one of those cakes for my birthday. I never had one, but still remember the cookies crunchies in the middle of the traditional Carvel cake fondly. This ice cream pie is truly deluxe and brings it to an adult level. You can customize with your favorite ice cream - I used mint chip because I was serving it to kids and adults, but coffee ice cream would give it a grown up [...]...