Tomorrow is National Homemade Cookie Day. A friend recently asked for my Mom’s Whoopie Pie recipe, as she had misplaced Volume 1 of my “Fifty Years of Fabulous Family Favorites: Starters, Sippers & Sweets.” I understand; these are the very best Whoopie Pies ever! So, instead of just sending the requested recipe to her, I thought this would be a great day to share it with you. Enjoy!
Mom Burnham’s Whoopie Pies
A family summer outing was not complete without these! Many wonderful memories include Mom’s wonderful Whoopie Pies.
½ c Crisco shortening
1 c sugar
2 eggs
1 c milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 c flour
1½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
5 heaping T cocoa
Filling:
1 c Crisco shortening
2 c sifted Confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 T hot water
½ jar marshmallow fluff
Make cookies by creaming sugar into Crisco shortening. Stir in eggs, milk & vanilla; beat until smooth. Sift dry ingredients together & mix into shortening mixture. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheets; bake 7 min at 400°F. Cool. Meanwhile, make the filling. Cream sugar into shortening. Stir in vanilla & water. Beating on med-high, add marshmallow a little at a time until light & creamy. Spread onto cooled cookie halves; top with another cookie to make mini sandwiches.
KISS Note: Mom always doubled this recipe because there never seemed to be enough! If she could hide any in the freezer, she always tried, because they do freeze beautifully. I also make mini versions of these for any reception where you are serving finger foods and want to include some sweet bite-sized treats. (Bake them 1-2 minutes less.)
Find all three volumes of “Fifty Years of Fabulous Family Favorites” wherever books and digital books are sold.
The entire Gatsby-inspired event was held at the Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, the site of the lavish parties in the 1974 film “The Great Gatsby.”
Who needs a little humor? “
I find it healthy to pause daily and express gratitude for the sage advice and guidance I have received from my elders. We are very blessed when those who have lived much longer than we set great examples and create a path which we can follow.
America felt a wide swath of hatred and intolerance on 9/11/2001. Today, we pause to reflect on more weaknesses in our human existence. From Martin Luther King, Jr. to Charlie Kirk, our nation has endured political and philosophical assassinations and assassination attempts. No matter what one’s philosophy, politics, or faith, violent responses or even advocating violent responses to someone whose views may differ from our own is ALWAYS wrong.
August 30 is National Mai Tai Day. The timeless rum-based cocktail was created in 1944 by Victor Bergeron (founder of Trader Vic’s) in Oakland, California. The name hails from his Tahitian friends, who said it translates to “out of this world” or “the best.”
KISS Tips: Remove steak, onions, and mushrooms from pan with slotted spoon, reserving liquids in pan. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. (Thaw in refrigerator.) This makes a creamy sauce, which we like as pasta absorbs sauce liquids, but you can cut back on the broth for a thicker sauce. You can also keep this warm in a slow cooker, with or without the pasta stirred into the mixture. While cooking steak and veggies, boil water and cook & drain pasta.
Naturally, we can’t all be in Venice, Italy, and pop into the famed establishment where the classic beverage was first created. However, we can easily make genuine Bellinis at home. Harry’s Bar has a full-time staff member dedicated to pureeing white peaches for their Bellinis.
KISS Note: To get the slightly rosy color right, add a bit of raspberry sorbet or puree
