-Recipes-

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Hi, my name is Ashlee Smith and I am the new writer for the culinary section of the Hogwarts Entertainment Magazine. I have always loved the Harry Potter series and I am hoping to take you back to the books with a culinary tour of notable foods from the series.

The first stop we will be making is to the Hogwarts Express, to check out some goodies from the train! The train is one of the first magical milestones in Harry’s life and who could forget how Harry, with a new pile of coins, splurges on goodies for him and his new friend Ron to share? This month’s recipes include Cauldron Cakes and Hopping Chocolate Frogs.

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~ Cauldron Cakes ~

Cake Ingredients:

1 ¼ cups sugar

2/3 cup Crisco

2 eggs

2 tsps Vanilla extract

½ cup cocoa

1 cup milk

2 ½ cups flour

1 ½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp salt

Directions:

1) Mix ingredients until everything is incorporated.

2) Drop rounded tablespoons of batter onto a greased cookie sheet about 8-10 cm apart. (You can use teaspoon sized scoops if you wish to make miniature cakes)

3) Bake for 15-20 minutes in a 350˚F oven

4) Allow to cool

Filling mix:

1 lb confectionary sugar

½ cup Crisco

½ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

Milk just to moisten

Beat until smooth

Add ½ cup marshmallow fluff

Directions:

1) Mix until well incorporated

2) Find matching cakes according to size.

3) Cut off the top edge of the cakes to make a cauldron shape.

4) Spread the filling mix on one side of the cake, place the two cakes together.

5) Spread filling mix on the straight edge of the cakes to make it look like a cauldron full of potion.

Feel free to use food coloring for different colored potions and sprinkles to liven it up.

If not serving right away, you can place the cakes in the freezer to firm up the filling.

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~ Hopping Chocolate Frogs ~

You will need:

A silicone frog mold

Chocolate of your choice

Directions: 

1) Bring about an inch of water to a simmer in a saucepan. Place your chocolate in a heat resistant bowl. Once the water begins to simmer, place the bowl inside the lip of the saucepan, making sure the bottom does not touch the water in the pan. Stir the chocolate occasionally until melted.

An alternative to this is to melt the chocolate in the microwave. This can be done for 1 minute, and then after stirring, continue in 15-20 second intervals, stirring each time, until your chocolate reaches a smooth consistency.

2) Once melted you can pour the chocolate into the silicone mold.

3) The chocolate molds should then be placed in the refrigerator until fully hardened.

4) To add a little life to your frogs obtain some small springs, you will want ones that are able to stand up to the weight of the frogs, but are still small and springy enough to move your frog around.

5) To attach the spring to your frogs, melt some chocolate, then pour a puddle on the middle of the underside of your frog, then dip the top of the cleaned spring in chocolate and attach the two, place back in the fridge until fully hardened. Once properly hardened, the bottom of the spring can be placed into more chocolate, a small amount of clay, or any food that is sturdy enough to hold up to the spring and frogs weight.

WARNING: Make sure guests remove the springs before eating their frogs!

I hope you enjoyed the treats from the train and hope to see you next month at the Opening Feast!

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