Spicedapplejellyfromscratch Recipes

SPICED APPLE JELLY FROM SCRATCH

Steps:

• Cook apple peelings/cores and spices in water barely to cover for 10-15 minutes over medium heat.
• Strain through jelly bag or cheesecloth.
• There should be from 2 1/2 to 3 cups juice.
• Add sugar and cook until juice sheets from spoon.
• Skim away froth 3-4 times during cooking.
• Pour into hot sterilized jars, and seal.
• Makes about four 1/2 pint jars.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE FROM SCRATCH

Steps:

• Place strawberries in a bowl and stir in 1/4 cup sugar. Refrigerate until sugar has dissolved, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place flour, remaining sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Cut butter into 8 pieces and add to the bowl. Cut into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter or 2 knives until finely crumbled. Add milk and stir until dough just comes together.
• Place dough on a lightly floured surface and turn to coat with flour. Fold dough in half, press down, and push forward with the heel of your hand. Turn 90 degrees. Repeat 12 times. Roll dough out to 1/2- to 3/4-inch thickness and cut into 4-inch circles with a ring cutter or cookie cutter. Place shortcakes on an ungreased baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, pour heavy cream into a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until it has increased in volume but is still soft. Add confectioners' sugar and mix until combined.
• Top each shortcake with whipped cream and spoon strawberries on top.

SIMPLE SCRATCH CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 2 9-inch cake pans or a 9x12 inch baking dish.
• Sift the flour and baking soda together in a bowl, and set aside.
• Place the eggs, sugar, sour cream, sweetened condensed milk, and vinegar in a large bowl, and beat to combine. Stir in the flour mixture, about 1 cup at a time, mixing between additions to avoid lumps. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans or baking dishes.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack. When the cake is completely cool, run a paring knife between the cake and the edge of the pan. Hold the cake pan on its side and gently tap the sides of the pan against the counter to loosen it. Cover the cake pan with a plate or cooling rack, and invert it to tip the cake out of the pan and onto the plate.

WINTER SPICE JELLY

Steps:

• Wash and cut up the apples into small chunks, leaving the peel and cores in. Tip the apple into a large pan with the spices, orange peel and bay leaves, reserving 2 star anise, 4 cloves and 2 bay leaves for the jars. Cover with 600ml water. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and simmer with a lid on for 1 1⁄2 hrs.
• Pour the apple mixture into a jelly bag or a sieve lined with muslin or a J-cloth, suspended over a large bowl. Leave to drip for 2 hrs (until it stops dripping) or overnight. Do not be tempted to push the liquid though the sieve or your jelly will become cloudy.
• Measure the juice - you should have about 600ml. Pour the liquid into a large pan along with the jam sugar and vinegar.
• Set over a low heat to dissolve the sugar, stirring constantly. Once dissolved, turn up the heat and bring to the boil. Boil rapidly for 15 mins, or until setting point is reached, skimming away any scum that rises to the surface.
• Pour jelly into hot sterilised jars and place a star anise, bay leaf and 2 cloves into each jar. Chill for 3-4 hrs or overnight until set.