Mother’s Day

Whoopie Pies
courtesy of NY Times

For the cakes
1-stick of unsalted butter
1-cup brown sugar
1-egg
1-teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 -teaspoon baking soda
1-teaspoon sea salt
2-cups flour
1-cup buttermilk
1/2 -c cocoa

For the buttercream filling

3-large egg whites
3/4-cup sugar
2-sticks unsalted butter at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

For the cakes:  preheat oven to 350 degrees.  in a mixing bowl cream together the butter and brown sugar.  add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until light and creamy.  in a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, flour and cocoa.  Add dry ingredients to butter mixture in three parts, alternating with buttermilk.  Using and ice cream scoop, scoop out 12 1/4 cup mounds of batter and place about 6 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet or a whoopie pie pan.  Bake until tops are puffed and cakes spring back when touched, 12-14 minutes.  Cool completely before filling.

For the buttercream filling:  combine egg whites and sugar in a bowl and put over a double boiler.  Whisk just until sugar is dissolved and temperature reaches 180 degrees. Using a whisk attachment on a heavy duty mixer, whisk egg whites and sugar on high until they double in volume and become thick and shiny.  Continue to whisk until cool.  Reduce speed to medium and begin to add the butter about a tablespoon at a time until all the butter is incorporated.  Increase speed to high and whisk for 1 more minutes. 

Nutella Bread Pudding

4-5 croissants
3/4-cup Nutella Spread
1-cup heavy cream
2-eggs
1/2-cup sugar
1-teaspoon vanilla
pinch salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 2 quart Casserole Dish. Take 4 or 5 croissants or bread of your choice slather in nutella then cut into small pieces. Place bread pieces in casserole dish.  Beat eggs,  add cream, sugar, vanilla and salt.  Pour over bread mixture.  Let soak for 15 minutes, making sure to press mixture down to ensure all pieces are coated.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove foil and bake for 10 more minutes.

Assorted Mini Cheesecake

Smores/Creme Brulee/Chocolate Ganache

Peanut Butter Cup/Oreo