The Perfect TenThe 10 No-Fail Baking Recipes

YOU will love!

By Jill LodatoToday’s Creative Food

Do you have go-to recipes that you make without looking in a cookbook?

I call these no-fail recipes because they come out perfect everytime.

In my decades of baking I have tested and tasted hundreds of recipes. Of all of them there are ten (10) that have become not only my favorites, but my friends and family too.

Why these ten?1. They come out perfect every time.2. Everyone loves them.3. Easy to make.4. I can make in under 30 minutes.5. They are delicious!

The Perfect Ten:1. The Perfect Pie Crust2. The Perfect Cornbread Muffins3. The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies4. The Perfect Yellow Cake5. The Perfect Pancakes6. The Perfect Chocolate Cake7. The Perfect Brownies8. The Perfect Sugar Cookies9. The Perfect Oatmeal Raisin Cookies10. The Perfect Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Enjoy more cookbooks, recipes, and how-to tutorials.

TodaysCreativeFood.com

Enjoy!

Jill

The Perfect Ten

The PerfectPie CrustIngredients• 1 1/2 Cups all-purpose

flour• 2 tsp sugar• 1 tsp salt optional• 1/2 Cup cold salted butter

(1 stick)• 2 Tbsp cold milk

Instructions1. Add flour to a bowl.2. Add sugar and salt and mix.3. With a pastry blender or fork (or even your fingers), break the cold butter into small pieces the size of a pea.4. Pour over cold milk.5. With a fork, mix milk into the flour mixture.6. Form a ball. If you need to, add another tablespoon milk.7. Keep dough cold in airtight container until ready to use.8. If rolling out, use a floured board. 9. If you need to bake the crust, bake in preheated oven at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

The PerfectCornbread Muffins

When soup is on, you will want to make these muffins. They will become your families favorite.

Ingredients:• 1 ½ Cups flour• 1 Cup cornmeal• ½ Cup sugar• 1 Tbsp baking powder• 1 tsp salt• 1 Cup milk• ½ Cup butter (1 stick)• 2 eggs• ½ Cup vegetable or canola

oil

Step-by-Step1. In a bowl, mix flour, cornmeal

and sugar. 2. Mix in baking powder and salt.3. Make a well in the bowl. Add

milk, butter, eggs and oil.4. Mix all ingredients together.5. Do no overmix.6. Scoop batter into cupcake liners.

Fill to half-way.7. Bake in preheated 350F oven.8. Serve warm or cool.

30 minutes before making recipe, set all ingredients at room temperature.

Want a moist, soft with browned edges cookie that melts in your mouth?

This recipe is it!

Ingredients•2 sticks butter (softened)•1 Cup brown sugar•¾ Cup sugar•1 egg•2 teaspoons vanilla extract•2 ½ Cups flour•1 teaspoon baking soda•1 12 oz. bag chocolate chips

Step-by-Step1.Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.2. In a mixer, mix butter, sugar, and brown sugar together. 3. Add egg and vanilla.4. In a small bowl, mix flour and baking soda.5. Add flour mixture intosugar mixture. Mix together.6. Add chocolate chips and mix well.7.Place spoon of dough and place on cookie sheet.8.Bake 10-12 minutes.

The PerfectChocolate Chip Cookies

The PerfectYellow Cake

Want a moist and dreamy cake? Delicious cake you can add luscious filling and frosting.

Ingredients:• 3 Cups sifted all-purpose flour• 1 Tablespoon baking powder• 1/2 teaspoon salt• 1 Cup (2 sticks) butter, at

room temperature• 2 Cups granulated sugar• 4 large eggs, at room

temperature• 1 Cup milk, at room

temperature• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract

How to Make:Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).1. Grease the inside of pans with

shortening and dust with flour (or use parchment paper).

2. In large bowl, sift together the four, baking powder, and salt.

3. In a mixing bowl of a mixer, add butter and beat for at least one minute until creamy.

4. Gradually add the sugar. Scrape bowl when needed. Beat until fluffly.

5. Add eggs one at a time, beating with sugar mixture before adding another egg.

6. Slowly add flour and milk, alternating at 1/4 cup at a time.

7. Mix in the vanilla.8. Spread in pans about 1/2 to 2/3

high. Smooth evenly.Bake for 25 – 30 minutes until middle of cake bounces back slightly.

Take out of oven and let cool in pan.

The PerfectPancakesDo pancakes make you smile?It’s just a simple recipe but there are so many variations that make it fun.With this simple 5 ingredient recipe you can make delicious hot & ready pancakes at a moments notice.

Ingredients:• 1 1/2 Cup flour• 3 teaspoons baking powder• 2 Tablespoons sugar• 1 teaspoon salt (optional)• 1 1/2 Cup milk or

buttermilk• 1 egg

Want Add-Ins: Add in:• ½ Cup chocolate chips• ½ Cup fresh blueberries• ¼ Cup dried cranberries• ¼ Cup brown sugar • ¼ Cup unsweetened cocoa

How to Make:In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients well. Make a well in the flour mixture. Add the milk and egg. Stir until all the wet ingredients are incorporated into the dry ingredients.

The PerfectChocolate CakeYou do not need a mixer for this recipe, just a spoon and whisk.

Have ALL ingredients at room temperature before mixing.Ingredients:• 2 Cups sugar• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder (not hot cocoa mix)• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking

powder• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda• 1 teaspoon salt• 2 eggs• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 Cup milk

with teaspoon white vinegar)• 1/2 cup vegetable oil• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract• 1 cup boiling water or hot

flavored coffee (I like hazelnut)

Step-by-StepPre-heat oven to 350 F (180 C) degrees.

1. Line pans with parchment paper or lightly grease and flour.

2. Mix all dry ingredients together with a whisk. If you see lumps, sift before adding to liquid mixture.

3. In another larger bowl, mix milk, eggs, oil and vanilla.

4. Add the flour mixture and stir till mixed.

5. Once mixed, slowly add the hot water/coffee and stir with a whisk until well mixed.

6. Pour into pans or cupcake tins with liner.

7. Bake 30-35 minutes for two 8-inch pans and 18-20 minutes for cupcakes. checking for doneness after 25 minutes. Ovens vary so make sure the middle of the cake pops up when you lightly press with your finger for doneness.

8. Let cool before frosting.

The PerfectBrowniesYes, this is a recipe using amix. Yet, these are the most delicious brownies and they will be requested by family and friends.

Ingredients:• Brownie mix (I like Duncan Hines

fudge brownie mix)• 2 eggs – room temperature• 1/2 Cup oil (vegetable or canola)• 1/2 Cup water• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder• 1/2 cup brown sugar• 1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

How to Make:1. Whisk 2 eggs in a bowl.2. Add oil and whisk.3. Add brown sugar and mix.4. Add brownie mix and cocoa. Mix5. Add water and mix. Add

chocolate chips and mix.6. Spoon into a 9 x 9 pan. If you

have left over chocolate chips you can sprinkle on top for extra yum!

Bake for 25 – 30 minutes.

The PerfectSugar CookiesWhen you want a perfect cookie to decorate, this is it. It make a non-spreadable dough when baked to create a nice canvas for making beautiful cookies.

Ingredients:• 2 sticks butter (1 cup)• 1 Cup granulated sugar• 1 fresh egg• 1 fresh egg yolk• 1 teaspoons pure almond

extract (optional)• 1 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract• 1/2 Cup cornstarch (optional,

but does make cookies easier to roll out)

• 4 Cups flour (or more if dough is not thick)

How to Make:1. Beat butter until fluffy2. Add sugar and mix well3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing

each time4. Add extacts5. Add cornstarch and mix6. Add flour slowly and mix.

Dough will be thick7. Place dough into a ziploc bag

or wrap in saran wrap.8. Cool dough in refrigerator for at

least 2 hours9. On a flour board, roll out to 1/4

thicknessBake in preheated oven 350 F for 15 – 18 minutes (until lightly golden brown around edges)

Cool before decorating

The PerfectOatmeal Raisin Cookies

Ingredients1 Cup butter 2 sticks1 Cup granulated sugar1 Cup brown sugar2 large eggs1 tsp pure vanilla extract2 Cups flour1 tsp salt optional1 tsp baking soda1 tsp pumpkin pie spice1 tsp cinnamon3 Cups instant oatmeal3/4 Cup raisins optional

Instructions:Preheat oven to 350 F degrees (170 C)1. In a large bowl, mix butter until creamy.2. Add sugar and mix well.3. Add brown sugar and mix.4. Add eggs and mix well.5. Add vanilla and mix.6. In separate bowl, add flour, salt, baking soda, and spices. Mix until all incorporated.7. Pour flour mixture into butter/sugar mixture. Mix well.8. Add oatmeal and mix in well.9. Add raisins (optional)10. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper, or oil cookie sheet. Place golf ball size spoonfuls of dough 1 inch apart from each other.11. Bake 11 minutes or until almost completely baked. You will see that the wetness of the cookie has left, but not completely browned.12. Take out of oven but keep on cookie sheets until cooled.

The PerfectCarrot Cake CupcakesIngredients:1 1/2 Cup all-purpose flour1/2 Cup brown sugar1/3 Cup granulated sugar3/4 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon cinnamon1/4 teaspoon nutmeg1/2 teaspoon salt3/4 Cup canola oil2 eggs – room temperature1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract2 Tablespoons milk1 1/2 Cups grated carrots1/2 Cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

How to Make:1. Mix flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg,

and salt together.2. Make a well in the bowl to add oil, eggs, vanilla and milk. Mix till

incorporated.3. Add carrots and nuts and mix.4. Put cupcake liners in cupcake pan.Scoop batter into cupcake liners

and fill 3/4 high.5. Bake in pre-heated 350 degrees oven for 12 – 18 minutes –

depending on your oven. Tap middle of cupcake and if it bounces make, it’s done.

Let cool before frosting.Frost with our Cream Cheese Frosting.