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Black Forest Layer Cake

Black Forest Layer Cake

4.3

Prep
30 min
Cook
40 min
Total
130 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line the bottoms of two 8-inch round pans with parchment paper circles. Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and 1 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  2. 2 Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk, until combined. Pour into prepared pans.
  3. 3 Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Remove paper from the cakes. Cut each layer in half, horizontally, making 4 layers total. Sprinkle layers with the 1/2 cup kirshwasser.
  4. 4 Cream butter in a medium bowl until light and fluffy. Add confectioners sugar, pinch of salt, and coffee; beat until smooth. If the consistency is too thick, add a couple teaspoons of cherry juice or milk. Spread first layer of cake with 1/3 of the filling. Top with 1/3 of the cherries. Repeat with the remaining layers.
  5. 5 Whip cream in a separate clean bowl until stiff peaks form. Beat in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 tablespoon kirshwasser. Frost top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with chocolate curls made by using a potato peeler on semisweet baking chocolate.

By Valinda

Golden Sesame Balls

Golden Sesame Balls

Prep
30 min
Cook
10 min
Total
70 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine sugar and shortening in a bowl to make a paste. Add rice flour, baking powder, and ice water and mix everything into a dough ball. Wrap in plastic film and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  2. 2 Remove dough from fridge and separate into 6 equal portions. Roll into balls and flatten the balls into thin disks. Portion lotus paste into 6 equal parts and roll into small balls. Set a lotus paste ball in the center of the flattened dough disks and wrap dough around the lotus paste. Roll between the palms of your hands until all the seams are gone and no lotus paste is showing.
  3. 3 Pour sesame seeds onto a saucer and roll finished balls in the sesame seeds. Roll balls between your palms one more time to make sure sesame seeds stick.
  4. 4 Pour oil into a pot and heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Drop balls into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from the hot oil with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb the excess oil
  5. 5 Serve - be careful! The lotus paste inside the balls will be very hot.

By imperiallamianchi

Chinese Steamed Buns with Barbecued Pork Filling

Chinese Steamed Buns with Barbecued Pork Filling

4.6

Prep
180 min
Cook
15 min
Total
195 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place the warm water in a large bowl, and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Stir in 1 cup of the flour, and mix thoroughly. Cover with a cloth, and let stand until bubbles appear, about 20 minutes.
  2. 2 Dissolve sugar and shortening in boiling water, and allow to cool to lukewarm. Stir into the yeast mixture along with the remaining flour. When the dough becomes too stiff to stir, turn out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead until smooth, about 10 minutes. Coat a large bowl with sesame oil, and place the dough inside. Turn over to coat, and cover the bowl with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
  3. 3 Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add green onions and garlic, and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Add pork, and fry for a minute, then stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. Dissolve cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water, then stir the mixture into the pork. Cook, stirring constantly until the pork is coated with a thickened glaze. Remove to a bowl, and allow to cool.
  4. 4 Remove the dough from the bowl, and roll it out into one long log. Slice the log into 1 inch pieces. Flatten each piece into a 3 inch circle using the palm of your hand or a rolling pin. Place 2 tablespoons of the pork filling onto the center of each circle, and gather up the edges around the filling and pinch together to close the bun. Place each bun seam side down onto a square of aluminum foil. Cover with a towel, and let rise for about 1 hour.
  5. 5 Bring a couple inches of water to boil in a wok. Place a few buns at a time in a steamer, such as a bamboo steamer for a wok, or a fitted steam tray. Cover, and steam buns over briskly boiling water for 10 minutes. Repeat with remaining buns.

By Sneakyteaky

Chop Suey

Chop Suey

4.7

Prep
20 min
Cook
20 min
Total
40 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Gather all ingredients.
  2. 2 Heat shortening in a large, deep skillet over medium-high meat. Add pork and sear until it turns white.
  3. 3 Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in celery, hot water, salt, and pepper. Cover skillet and simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. 4 Add sprouts and bring mixture to a boil.
  5. 5 Combine cold water, cornstarch, soy sauce, and sugar in a small bowl.
  6. 6 Add to skillet mixture and cook until thickened to desired consistency, about 5 minutes.

By D Kosko

Chinese Pork Buns (Cha Siu Bao)

Chinese Pork Buns (Cha Siu Bao)

4.0

Prep
Cook
Total

Instructions

  1. 1 Dissolve 1/4 cup sugar in 1 3/4 cups warm water, and then add the yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes, or until mixture is frothy. Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons shortening and the yeast mixture; mix well.
  2. 2 Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, and cover it with a sheet of cling wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, or until it has tripled in bulk.
  3. 3 Cut the pork into 2 inch thick strips. Use fork to prick it all over. Marinate for 5 hours in a mixture made with 1 1/2 tablespoons light soy sauce, 1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce, and 1 teaspoon sweet soy sauce. Grill the pork until cooked and charred. Cut roasted port into 1/2 inch cubes.
  4. 4 Combine 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, oyster sauce, and 1 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil. Mix cornstarch with 2 1/2 tablespoons water; add to the saucepan, and stir until thickened. Mix in 2 tablespoons lard or shortening, sesame oil, and white pepper. Cool, and mix in the roasted pork.
  5. 5 Remove the dough from the bowl, and knead it on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth and elastic. Roll the dough into a long roll, and divide it into 24 pieces. Flatten each piece with the palm of the hand to form a thin circle. The center of the circle should be thicker than the edge. Place one portion of the pork filling in the center of each dough circle. Wrap the dough to enclose the filling. Pinch edges to form the bun. Let the buns stand for 10 minutes.
  6. 6 Steam buns for 12 minutes. Serve.

By Michelle Chen

Boiling Water Pastry

Boiling Water Pastry

4.4

Prep
15 min
Cook
Total
15 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place shortening into a heat-proof bowl. Pour in boiling water and whip mixture until creamy.
  2. 2 Mix together flour and salt in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to shortening mixture. Stir until pastry stops sticking to the sides of the bowl. Refrigerate pastry before rolling it out.

By phaylock

English Pie Crusts

English Pie Crusts

4.1

Prep
Cook
Total

Instructions

  1. 1 Cut the shortening into cubes, and toss into flour. Take your hands and crumble it up into a fine, pebbly, grainy sort of dough.
  2. 2 Add water, enough to make a soft dough. Form into a ball, and chill for about an hour.
  3. 3 When chilled, knead it a couple of times on a floured surface. Roll it out, and proceed to fill with your choice of pie fillings.

By Zoe

Easy Biscuits

Easy Biscuits

4.0

Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Total
35 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine and mix ingredients together. Pour out on floured waxed paper. Pat the dough out with your hands until dough is not sticky (add a little flour if necessary). Fold double. Cut biscuits with a biscuit cutter.
  2. 2 Bake on a cookie sheet at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 20-25 minutes.

By Brenda

Hot Water Pie Crust I

Hot Water Pie Crust I

4.3

Prep
Cook
Total

Instructions

  1. 1 In a large bowl, combine shortening, salt, milk and boiling water. Whip with fork until smooth and creamy.
  2. 2 Add 2 cups flour and stir with round-the-bowl strokes until all flour is incorporated.
  3. 3 Makes crust for one double crust pie.

By Ann Powell

Homemade Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Homemade Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

4.6

Prep
Cook
Total

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
  2. 2 Blend the above ingredients together with a pastry blender until mixed.
  3. 3 Roll in balls about the size of a quarter and place on ungreased baking sheets. Make an even number of balls.
  4. 4 Bake for 10 minutes. Let cookies stand on cookie sheet for 5-6 minutes before removing them to cooling rack. After cookies have cooled, put Cream Cheese Frosting (see recipe or use one can of pre-made frosting) between two cookies, putting bottom sides together.
  5. 5 NOTE: Adding chopped pecans to the cookies without making them into sandwiches is also very good. Spice cake mix can be used in place of Devil's food.

By John Crandall

Rick's Special Buttercream Frosting

Rick's Special Buttercream Frosting

4.6

Prep
30 min
Cook
Total
30 min

Instructions

  1. 1 In a mixing bowl, cream shortening until fluffy. Add sugar, and continue creaming until well blended.
  2. 2 Add salt, vanilla, and 6 ounces whipping cream. Blend on low speed until moistened. Add additional 2 ounces whipping cream if necessary. Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.

By Rick Mazzuca

Special Buttercream Frosting

Special Buttercream Frosting

4.5

Prep
30 min
Cook
Total
30 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Cream shortening until fluffy. Add confectioner's sugar and continue creaming until well blended.
  2. 2 Add salt, vanilla, and whipping cream blend on low speed until moistened. Add additional whipping cream if necessary (up to 2 ounces). Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.

By Rick Mazzuca

Chocolate Covered Blueberries

Chocolate Covered Blueberries

4.7

Prep
10 min
Cook
5 min
Total
15 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place chocolate in a microwave-safe glass bowl; microwave until melted and smooth, stirring frequently. (Or place chocolate in a metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water; heat until melted and smooth, stirring frequently.) Off heat, stir in shortening until melted.
  2. 2 Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
  3. 3 Add blueberries to chocolate mixture; gently stir to coat. Spoon small clumps of coated blueberries onto the prepared baking sheet.
  4. 4 Refrigerate until firm, about 10 minutes. Store in an airtight container in a cool place. These will last about two days.

By econo1943

Brown Rim Cookies

Brown Rim Cookies

4.4

Prep
10 min
Cook
10 min
Total
20 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
  2. 2 In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until well blended. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
  3. 3 Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. When cookies have cooled, turn them over and look at the bottom to see the "brown rim".

By Sandi Holman

Chocolate Almond Bark

Chocolate Almond Bark

4.3

Prep
5 min
Cook
10 min
Total
45 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper; set aside.
  2. 2 Toast chopped almonds in a skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until golden brown. Set aside.
  3. 3 Place chocolate chips and shortening into a metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water until melted and smooth. Off heat, stir in ½ toasted almonds. Spread into the prepared baking pan; sprinkle with remaining ½ almonds. Chill until solid, about 30 minutes. Break into bite-sized pieces to serve.

By BUCHKO

No Bake Cow Pies

No Bake Cow Pies

4.4

Prep
Cook
Total

Instructions

  1. 1 Melt the chocolate and shortening together over medium-low heat. Stir until smooth. Remove the mixture from heat and stir in raisins and nuts. Drop cookies by tablespoon onto waxed paper. Chill and serve.

By Cindy Carnes

Hoe Cake

Hoe Cake

4.8

Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a well-seasoned cast iron skillet with the shortening, and place it in the oven as it heats.
  2. 2 Whisk together flour and milk in a bowl, making a thick but still runny batter.
  3. 3 Remove the hot greased skillet from the preheated oven, and quickly sprinkle a pinch of garlic salt over the bottom of the skillet. Immediately pour in the batter, and sprinkle the top with a pinch of garlic salt.
  4. 4 Return the skillet to the preheated oven and bake until cake is risen and the top is golden brown, about 20 minutes.

By jbrink1

Basic Flaky Pie Crust

Basic Flaky Pie Crust

4.6

Prep
Cook
Total

Instructions

  1. 1 Whisk the flour and salt together in a medium size bowl. With a pastry blender, cut in the cold shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons ice water over flour. Toss mixture with a fork to moisten, adding more water a few drops at a time until the dough comes together.
  2. 2 Gently gather dough particles together into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling.
  3. 3 Roll out dough, and put in a pie plate. Fill with desired filling and bake.

By Stephanie

Lady Lock Filling II

Lady Lock Filling II

4.2

Prep
45 min
Cook
Total
55 min

Instructions

  1. 1 In a small saucepan, cook pudding mix and milk according to package directions. Remove from heat, cover and chill completely.
  2. 2 Using an electric mixer, beat the shortening and sugar until doubled in volume, about 30 minutes. Gradually add the chilled pudding to the shortening mixture. Continue to whip until sugar is dissolved and you can not feel it with your tongue when you taste the filling.
  3. 3 Use a pastry bag to fill the lady locks. Freeze or serve immediately.

By Debbie Druga

Anise Cookies IV

Anise Cookies IV

4.6

Prep
10 min
Cook
8 min
Total
30 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. 2 In a medium bowl, cream together the shortening, sugar and eggs until smooth. Stir in the anise extract. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the wet ingredients. Scoop out spoonfuls and roll into balls. Place balls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  3. 3 Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until light brown. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost when cool if desired.

By Louise

Tea Cakes II

Tea Cakes II

4.4

Prep
Cook
Total

Instructions

  1. 1 Cream together eggs, butter, sugar and baking powder. Stir in the flour. Dough will be stiff.
  2. 2 Shape in walnut sized balls and flatten with the bottom of a glass.
  3. 3 Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 8 minutes. If you brown them, you've overbaked them. These may also be rolled out and cut with cookie cutters.

By Susan Rains

Molasses Snowballs

Molasses Snowballs

4.5

Prep
Cook
Total

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  2. 2 In a medium bowl, cream the shortening, molasses and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the flour and walnuts. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on an unprepared cookie sheet.
  3. 3 Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Roll cookies in confectioners' sugar when cool.

By Crystal

Simple and Delicious Buttercream Frosting

Simple and Delicious Buttercream Frosting

4.6

Prep
15 min
Cook
Total
15 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Beat butter and shortening together with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Beat vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Add sugar, one cup at a time, beating on medium speed until fully incorporated. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, beating on high until fully incorporated and you have frosting.

By Denise

Rolled Buttercream Fondant

Rolled Buttercream Fondant

3.7

Prep
10 min
Cook
Total
10 min

Instructions

  1. 1 In a large bowl, stir together shortening and corn syrup. Mix in salt and vanilla flavoring, then gradually mix in confectioners' sugar until it is a stiff dough. If you are using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment. Otherwise, knead by hand. If the dough is sticky, knead in more confectioners' sugar until it is smooth. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
  2. 2 To use: Roll fondant out on a clean surface that has been dusted with confectioners' sugar until 1/8-inch thick. Drape over frosted and chilled cakes and smooth the sides down, or cut into strips to make bows and other decorations.

By Kelley

Fantastic Funnel Cakes

Fantastic Funnel Cakes

2.0

Prep
10 min
Cook
4 min
Total
14 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Put enough shortening in a deep skillet to fill about 1 1/2 inches and heat to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  2. 2 Mix milk, eggs, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl; slowly add flour, while continually mixing, until batter is smooth. Transfer batter to a squeeze bottle or funnel. Working quickly, squeeze or funnel batter into the hot oil, starting in the center of the skillet and moving bottle or funnel in a spiral shape.
  3. 3 Fry funnel cake in the hot oil until lightly browned, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer funnel cakes to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon.

By Benjaman Harre

Refrigerator Cookies II

Refrigerator Cookies II

4.4

Prep
Cook
Total

Instructions

  1. 1 Mix shortening, sugar, egg and vanilla thoroughly. Blend flour, soda and salt; stir in.
  2. 2 Form into roll 2 1/2" across. Wrap in waxed paper. Chill until firm.
  3. 3 Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  4. 4 With a thin sharp knife, slice 1/8 inch thick. Place a little apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes.

By Martha

Jan's Chocolate Coffee Bean Bark

Jan's Chocolate Coffee Bean Bark

Prep
20 min
Cook
10 min
Total
40 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Line a 9x14-inch baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
  2. 2 Place coffee beans in a food processor and pulse a few times just until coarsely chopped.
  3. 3 Melt milk chocolate in top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, about 5 minutes. Add shortening to make melted milk chocolate smoother; stir until smooth. Stir coffee beans into melted milk chocolate until coated.
  4. 4 Pour milk chocolate mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading mixture to the edges. Refrigerate.
  5. 5 Melt dark chocolate in top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, about 5 minutes. Add shortening to make melted dark chocolate smoother; stir until smooth. Remove from heat.
  6. 6 Pour melted dark chocolate over refrigerated milk chocolate mixture, spreading evenly over the top. Refrigerate until set, 10 to 15 minutes.
  7. 7 Peel the silicone mat from the bottom of the chocolate mixture and place onto a work surface. Cut into pieces using a sharp knife. The bark will crack and break as you go.

By What's for dinner, mom?