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The Cookie Rookie is a wife and mother who used to view her lack of culinary skill as a dirty secret. Ashamed and embarassed of her inability to convert cups to quarts or recognize the soft-ball stage, she avoided the kitchen except to microwave frozen dinners and reheat pizzas. Then, the Cookie Rookie decided that she couldn't be the only bake-o-phobe mom and that she needed to help herself and others like her become comfortable with their kitchen appliances, their recipe books, and themselves. You can learn more about her by visiting her homepage, or by sending her an email at: allison@allison-wood.com.
Warning: The Cookie Rookie recommends that all rookies make their first venture into the world of baking with a more experienced buddy. The Cookie Rookie values safety, first and foremost, in all kitchen endeavors.
The Cookie Rookie is not responsible for any damages or injuries incurred while attempting to make the following recipe.
In a bowl, combine flour and confectioners' sugar; cut in butter with fork until crumbly. Press into an ungreased 9-inch square baking pan. Bake at 375 for 15-18 minutes or until browned. Spread jam over warm crust. In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and milk until smooth. Add vanilla chips; beat until smooth. Spread carefully over jam layer. Cool completely. Chill until set, about 1 hour. For glaze, melt chocolate chips and shortening; spread over filling. Chill for 10 minutes. Cut into bars; chill another hour. Store in refrigerator. Yield: 3 dozen.
Softened: This recipe calls for softened cream cheese. The Cookie Rookie finds that the best method for softening the cream cheese is to place it on the counter for about 30 minutes prior to use (which is about how long it takes her to get to this step in the recipe). If you microwave the cheese, make sure you remove the foil wrapper first. Microwave no more than 20 seconds at a time and test the cheese after each interval.
Shortening: Crisco is the most familiar brand of shortening. The Cookie Rookie likes to buy it by the can, but it also comes in wrapped "logs," kind of like butter. This is stored at room temperature and can be found at the grocery store in the baking aisle.
Confectioners' sugar: Powdered sugar.
Click to view larger image. Why would you want to do this? I don't know.
| This Measurement... | Equals | This Measurement | 3 teaspoons | = | 1 tablespoon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 tablespoons | = | 1/4 cup | |||
| 1 tablespoon | = | 1/2 fluid ounce | |||
| 1 cup | = | 8 fluid ounces | |||
| 2 cups | = | 1 pint | |||
| 2 pints | = | 1 quart | |||
| 4 quarts | = | 1 gallon |
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