Carrot Cake

~Carrot Cake~

Ingredients:
-315mL all-purpose flour
-8mL baking powder
-2mL salt
-5mL cinnamon
-1mL nutmeg
-1mL ground cloves
-190mL vegetable oil
-2 large eggs
-250mL granulated sugar
-5mL vanilla
-250mL finely grated carrots
Optional:
-80mL walnuts finely chopped
-80mL raisins

Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 325°F or 175°C.
   Spray non-stick spray onto the pan molds and dust with flour.
2. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves together in a medium bowl.
3. In another bowl, mix the oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla together until they are well blended.
4. Add the carrots (and optionally the raisins and walnuts) and mix until blended.
5. Spoon the batter evenly into molds. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of a cake.
   Cool for 5 minutes before removing the little cakes from the molds.
   Trim the edges with kitchen shears if needed for a neat presentation.

Ukrainian Easter Egg

~Ukrainian Easter Egg~

Equpment:
-An egg
-Kistka
-Beeswax
-Candle
-Dyes

Method:
1. Plan your design ahead of time.
2. Select a smooth egg.
3. Use a pencil and lightly transfer your design to the egg.
   *some people use elastic bands to help them make the line
4. Begin applying the wax. The dye will not go anywhere you apply wax.
   Heat the head of the kistka in the flame of the candle for 20-30 seconds.
   Then scoop a little beeswax into the funnel of the kistka. Reheat the kistka in the flame until the wax is melted. If you leave the kistka in the flame too long, it might catch on fire. (Don't worry, they are very easy to blow out!) After applying the wax for a color, double check your egg to make sure you didn't miss any lines.
5. Dip into the dye. Leave the egg in the dye until you have the colour you want. Remove the eggs with the spoon, and dab/dry with tissues.
   *remember you start with your lightest colour.
6. When the egg is completely finished and you have done your last colour the fun part begins!
   To remove the wax take the egg and hold it near the side of a candle flame.
   Do not hold it too close to the flame or it will get carbon on it and damage your design.
   Wait until the wax looks wet (only a few seconds) and wipe the wax off with a paper towel. Try to always use a fresh side for each wipe, or else you'll just be rubbing wax all over the egg, and it will take a lot longer to finish your egg.
7. Varnish can be applied to seal in the design.

I made the top one at school and the bottom one at Arbutus Mall~

Pulla - Finnish Coffee Bread

~Pulla - Finnish Coffee Bread~

Ingredients:

-250mL milk

-60mL warm water

-5mL white sugar

-8mL yeast

-60mL white sugar

-3mL salt

-3mL ground cardamom

-2 eggs, beaten

-1L all-purpose flour

-60mL margarine or butter, melted

-1 egg, beaten

-15mL course white sugar

Method:

1. Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. 

   Let cool until lukewarm.

2. Dissolve the yeast in the warm water and the 5mL sugar. 

   Stir in the lukewarm milk, 60mL sugar, salt, cardamom, eggs, and enough flour to make a sticky batter (approximately 250mL). 

   Add the melted butter or margarine, and stir well. Beat again until the dough looks glossy. Stir in the remaining flour until the dough is slightly sticky.

3. Knead the dough until smooth and satiny. Place in a lightly greased mixing bowl, and turn the dough to grease the top. Cover with a clean dishtowel.

   Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

   Punch down, and let rise again until almost doubled.

4. Turn out again on to a floured surface, and divide into 4 parts (if four unit members). Divide each third into 3 again. Roll each piece a strip. Braid 3 strips into a loaf. Lift the braids onto greased baking sheets.

   Let rise for 20 minutes.

5. Brush each loaf with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.

6. Bake at 400°F or 200°C for 25 to 30 minutes.

   Check occasionally because the bottom burns easily.