Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee

Vintage black magic cake Don't let the ingredients detour you from wanting to create this magnificent chocolate cake. Because it's the condensed tomato soup that oddly adds the magic to this awesome vintage cake. (You honestly can't taste the tomato soup.) The cake turns out super fudgy and really moist. I am uncertain of where the cake originated from. I found the recipe on a handwritten recipe card that my grandmother wrote years ago. I thought it sounded weird, but definitely wanted to give it a chance. Glad that I did, because it's really delicious. I hope y'all will give it a try too. Ingredients: 1-¾ cups self-rising flour 2 cups of granulated sugar (I used Splenda) ¾ cup of cocoa powder ½ cup of unsweetened applesauce, or 2 eggs (I used applesauce) 1 can of tomato soup 1 cup of buttermilk ½ cup of oil (I used canola oil) 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract Instructions: In a large bowl, sift the self-rising flour, Splenda, or sugar, and cocoa powder together. ...

Bake Melt-in-Your-Mouth Homemade Butter Cookies From Scratch A tin of store-bought cookies rarely beats a fresh batch pulled straight from your own oven. The smell of baking butter and sugar is one of the best kitchen aromas. Homemade butter cookies offer a texture that is crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, a balance often missing from mass-produced snacks. Making these at home lets you control exactly what goes into your dessert. You only need a few simple pantry staples to get started on this classic treat. The Magic of Simple Ingredients Great results start with quality ingredients. Since this recipe relies on just a few items, each one needs to carry its own weight. Butter: Always use unsalted, high-quality butter. Salted butter can make your cookies taste overly briny, especially since you will add a pinch of salt yourself. Butter provides the flavor and the tender crumb. Make sure it is softened to room temperature, which is about 65°F to 67°F. Sugar: Granulated white...

Grandma Ball’s Southern Chocolate Frosting: A Timeless Family Recipe There's something truly special about recipes handed down through generations. For me, one of the most treasured keepsakes is my grandmother Ball’s handwritten cookbook, filled with recipes that evoke memories of family gatherings, holiday celebrations, and the simple joy of homemade treats. Among these cherished recipes, her Southern chocolate frosting stands out—a rich, velvety delight that has become my go-to for every cake I bake. Today, I’m excited to share this beloved recipe with you, along with a little history and tips on how to perfect it in your own kitchen. Table of Contents Introduction The Heritage of Grandma Ball’s Recipe Ingredients Needed Step-by-Step Instructions Tips for Perfect Frosting Conclusion The Heritage of Grandma Ball’s Recipe After losing my grandmother in 2001, I inherited her collection of cookbooks—two of which are her very own handwritten volumes. Flipping through these pages felt ...

Crafting Creamy Homemade Butter: A Simple Recipe There is something deeply satisfying about slathering warm, toasted bread with butter you made yourself. The process takes only minutes and transforms heavy cream into a rich, golden spread. Unlike store-bought options that sit on shelves for weeks, your own homemade butter is fresh and free of additives. You get full control over the quality, saltiness, and flavor of every single batch. By shaking or whipping heavy cream, you agitate the fat globules until they bond together. It sounds like kitchen magic, but it is just simple science at work. You do not need expensive gadgets to pull this off, just a little patience and a few minutes of effort. Unlock Richer Flavors with Fresh Homemade Butter When you make butter from scratch, you notice a change in quality immediately. The taste is cleaner, brighter, and more vibrant than what you buy in standard plastic wrappers. Commercial brands often use cream that is past its peak or add stabiliz...

Indulge in Tradition: Grandma Ball’s Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake Recipe There’s something truly special about a classic chocolate cake, especially when it’s crafted with love and time-honored recipes passed down through generations. Grandma Ball’s Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake is a testament to those warm, nostalgic moments in the kitchen, where every bite transports you back to simpler times. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a rich, decadent dessert, this cake promises to delight your senses and satisfy your sweet tooth. Here’s what you’ll need: All-purpose flour – 1 ½ cups Granulated sugar – 1 ¼ cups Sifted cocoa powder – ½ cup Chocolate Jell-O Pudding – 1 large box Baking powder – 1 teaspoon Baking soda – 1 teaspoon Salt – 1 small pinch Softened butter – ½ cup Eggs – 3-4 (depending on the size). Vanilla extract – 1 1/2 teaspoons Hot water – 1 cup Pro tip: Using high-quality cocoa powder will significantly enhance the chocolate flavor—don’t ...

Easy Homemade Buttermilk: A Simple Recipe for Better Baking Standing in the baking aisle, staring at an empty shelf where the carton of buttermilk should be? We have all been there. A recipe calls for it, and you do not want to drive back to the store. The good news is that you can make a version that works for almost any recipe right in your own kitchen. It takes two common items and ten minutes of prep time to get the tangy flavor and tenderizing effect you need. This method removes the stress of missing ingredients. It ensures your pancakes stay fluffy, your biscuits remain light, and your fried chicken turns out juicy every single time. By mastering this quick technique, you ensure that your pantry is always ready for your next baking project. The Science of Buttermilk Magic Understanding how buttermilk works helps you appreciate why this simple swap is so effective. It is not just about the flavor; it is about how the liquid interacts with other ingredients in your bowl. What Make...