Dana's Daydreaming Recipes : August 2014

It's Fair Time!

Fair time is always an exciting time of the year! This is my daughter, Alisha's entry in this years fair, pen and ink category. Her angel art, won a first place, blue ribbon! Congratulation's Alisha! You've got talent! Now it needs a pretty frame!

Opening day of our local fair is always a fun time! I love to be one of the first in the door on opening day of the exhibits. Not only to see if I have won any ribbons, but to also enjoy all of the exhibits. Especially the baked goods, while they still look the best. This is a photo, of some of the pickles, jams, jellies and preserves and some of the canned vegetables at the Salem, Va. Fair. Ribbons everywhere!

My pumpkin whoopie pies won a blue ribbon, champion ribbon and best in show ribbon again! That's two years in a row! This year I changed the flavoring in the filling. All I have to say, is...WHOOOPIEEEE ! Please visit my twin sister's new blog, for some of her winning recipes Denise's Country Basket

Amish Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

2 cups pumpkin

2 egg yolks

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup oil

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

~Mix flour, spices, baking powder and baking soda.

~In a separate bowl, beat together pumpkin, egg yolks, brown sugar, oil and vanilla. gradually add dry ingredients, beating well.

~Drop by teaspoonfuls (I used a tablespoon) onto lightly greased baking sheet.

~Bake at 350 degrees F. for 12 to 15 minutes, taking care not to burn.

~Let cool one minute on cookie sheet, then remove to wire cooling rack.

Filling:

~Beat 1/2 cup soft butter, 8-oz. soft cream cheese, and 1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla butternut flavoring.

~Gradually add in one pound of confectioners' sugar and beat until creamy.

~Spread generously between 2 cookies.

~Makes 2-1/2 -3 dozen 2-1/2 inch sandwich cookies.

It's Fair Time!

Things were a little overwhelming for me this year during the Salem, Va. Fair. I only entered 2 baked items, one was my pumpkin whoopie pies and a peanut butter cookie. When I visited the fair on opening day, I did not see a ribbon on my peanut butter cookies. So I just thought they did not place. But I received a Salem Fair envelope in the mail today. Inside, was the exhibitor's tag for my peanut butter cookies and attached to the tag....a blue ribbon. So my peanut butter cookies did place! I received a 1st place blue ribbon. A special thanks to Melissa Bassett de Pineda, the Salem Fair exhibits coordinator, for taking the time to mail me my ribbon. She does a wonderful job seeing that everything involving the fair exhibits, runs as smoothly as possible. Just want to let her know, how much I appreciate all of her hard work! This made my day Melissa! I love surprises!

The Best Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup white sugar
½ cup shortening
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup peanut butter
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 ¼ cups flour

The directions to this recipe can be found here http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-best-peanut-butter-cookies.html

Recipe Source: Lou Lou Girls Blogspot

2014 Salem, Va. Fair. Some of the candy, cake and cookie entries. Look at all of those ribbons! I think it's fun to see the exhibitor's reaction, when they first realize, that their entry, won a ribbon. I've heard quite a few squeals and saw some happy dances!