Lemon Whoopie Pies

Ingredients:
Cake batter:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 1 large egg
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

Lemon Cream Cheese Filling:

• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 3/4 cup powdered sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or foil

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl beat the butter, sugar and lemon zest on medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the egg, lemon juice and vanilla, mixing until blended, about 1 minute. Reduce the mixer to low speed and add half of the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Mix in the buttermilk. Mix in the remaining flour mixture just until just combined.

Drop heaping tablespoons of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 3-inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tops feel firm and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cookie comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely. 

Once cool, make the filling. In a large bowl, on low speed beat the butter, cream cheese, vanilla, lemon zest and lemon juice until thoroughly blended and smooth, about 1 minute. Add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth. (If the filling is too soft to hold its shape, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.)

Turn half of the cooled cookies upside down, flat side facing up. Drop a large dollop of filling onto the flat side of the cookie,  leaving a 1/4-inch plain edge. Place another cookie, flat side down, on top of the filling. Press down slightly so that the filling spreads to the edges of the cookie. Repeat until all cookies are used. Place whoopie pies into the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up before serving. Serve and Enjoy!

Pin It Now!

The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Appetizer

Calamari Fritti
Tutto Italia
Disney World's Epcot Italy Pavilion
Orlando, FL

So obviously this is one of my favorite restaurants if you have read my cannelloni al forno post.  Fried calamari may look very simple, but it is very difficult to cook well.  The breading either comes off and is soggy or the calamari is chewy and tough or there is just no flavor.  These are cooked perfectly.  A good amount come in each order (It fed my starving family of four) but honestly you could never have enough of these delicious bites.  Each calamari or squid is cut into ringlets that are the perfect size.  I do have to say it makes me sad that they don't serve the tentacles because I personally love them, but maybe it freaks out some Disney guests. So back to the calamari.  They are absolutely fried to perfection with the perfect amount of crust on the outside.  The crust is flavored with herbs and spices, I am assuming things like basil and parsley and other italian ingredients.  The crust is the perfect golden brown and is so crispy.  The calamari itself is so tender and juicy.  Not even a little bit tough.  Now they serve these calamari with a classic marinara sauce that has at least 2 tablespoons of crushed red pepper flakes on top.  My parents said it was delicious, but since I hate tomato sauce I leave it off of the calamari.  For me the best topping for these calamari is a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.  Now what is the most annoying thing about squeezing fresh lemon juice?  The seeds of course.  But this restaurant has thought of everything.  They wrap the lemon in a yellow cheesecloth that catches all of the seeds but allows the juice to go right through.  Pretty cool right?  And has soon as that lemon juice hits the hot calamari it starts to glisten a little.  You sink your teeth in and you hear the amazing crunch.  Then you taste that tender calamari and you know this is one of the best appetizers you have ever eaten.

Pin It Now!

Baked Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients:
1 lb shrimp
1 cup bread crumbs
2 lemons
1/4 cup parsley
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt

Directions:
Peel and devain the shrimp and rinse.  I like to leave the tails on as a handle. 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a baking dish put 1 tablespoon olive oil in the bottom. Put the shrimp on top of the olive oil and season with salt.  Zest both lemons and sprinkle the zest over the top of the shrimp.  Then cut the lemon in half and juice it over the shrimp.  Chop the parsley and mix it with the breadcrumbs.  Then sprinkle the parsley, bread crumb mixture over the shrimp.  Finish with a drizzle of olive oil over the top.

Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until shrimp turn pink.  Enjoy!

Pin It Now!