Don't have time to bake a cake from scratch? That's okay! Make the cake from a "box" and spend a few moments whisking up deliciously silky, swiss meringue buttercream to top it off! It's the perfect way to bring a professional touch (and taste) to your home-baked treats. Great for decorating cakes and cupcakes!

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Click here to download the recipe as a PDF file

4 oz (1/2 cup) egg whites
8 oz ( 1 cup) granulated sugar
12 oz (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Pinch of salt

1. Combine the egg whites, salt and sugar in a mixing bowl and place over simmering water.
2. Continuously beating with a whisk, heat until egg whites are hot and all the sugar is dissolved (~140 degrees). If the sugar is not completely melted, your final product will be grainy, so make sure!
3. Remove from the heat and place on the mixer. Whisk on medium speed until meringue is stiff, and the mixing bowl is cool to the touch. The meringue will be white with a bright sheen, and very sticky!
4. Switch to the paddle attachment, and on medium speed add the butter a few cubes at a time. Please note, if the meringue is not completely cool, the butter will melt instead of combining evenly.
5. Continue beating until all the butter is incorporated. At one point it may appear as if the mixture has �broken�, looking watery and separated like curdled milk. Continue mixing�it will all come together, I promise!
6. Increase speed to high, and beat until smooth.
7. Add flavorings of your choice and tint with coloring paste

The language used in baking recipes can sometimes be vague and unclear. Grease your pan. Why? Prepare your pan. How? What do you use? Butter, a pastry brush and a touch of flour... works every time!

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Sorbet is a delicious and simple frozen dessert that's oh so easy to make! Pureed fruit along with a few other ingredients make this refreshing (and non-fat!) treat a welcome alternative to ice cream!

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1/2 to 3/4 pound of fresh strawberries, sliced
3/4 cup of granulated sugar ( a bit more or less depending on the sweetness of the berries)
The juice of 1 large lemon (~2 tablespoons)
1/4 cup corn syrup
2 cups of cold water
STEP 1 - Combine the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice in a mixing bowl. Refrigerate covered for at least one hour (preferably overnight)
STEP 2 - When ready to freeze the mixture, purée strawberries, using the pulse setting on a blender
STEP 3 -Add the corn syrup and cold water, and mix until combined
STEP 4 -Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and freeze following the manufacturer's instructions.
Makes 1 generous quart

Egg yolk mixed with your egg white? Bits of shell in your egg yolk? Here's an efficient and nearly foolproof way to separate whole eggs. With an added bonus... you get to play with your food! (sorry Mom...)

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Sharp knives and moving objects. Needless to say, not the best of combinations to have in the kitchen. Be safe and concentrate on the task at hand by keeping that slippery plastic cutting board in place. See how a damp paper towel is all you need to get the job done.

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Craving something a little sweet with your afternoon cup of coffee, but not quite sure if it's vanilla or chocolate that will do the trick? No need to choose 'cause buttery chocolate and vanilla checkered shortbread cookies are here for the making!

Come join our vodcast as we prepare the 2 doughs for these delicious treats and assemble checked cookie logs ready to slice and bake at a moment's notice!

Vanilla Shortbread
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) of unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup of granulated sugar
1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

Chocolate Shortbread
8 tablespoons (1 stick) of unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
1/3 cup of Dutch processed cocoa powder (sifted after measuring)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon of table salt (not kosher)

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As you can see, we have a preference for iTunes, but just because we like it, does not mean you have to use it. There are many other pod-catchers out there that will suit your needs. portablemedia expo lists most of the working ones for you.

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Of course, your not limited to watching the show on your computer, if you own an "iPod With Video", or some other Personal Video Player, you can watch this and many other shows from anywhere you happen to be at the moment.

We hope you find this information useful. If you have any questions or comments or tips, feel free to leave one below.

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