Challenges with baking

Yesterday, I was making whoopie pies to bring to my son and his fiancé’s open house today. I had no problem making the chocolate cookies, but when it came time to make the filling, I had some problems.

The recipe that I use is an old family recipe that I got from my mom. It has taken me a while to perfect the cream. It starts by cooking corn starch and water. Years ago, I used to make these every couple of months for bake sales to raise scholarship money for our youth bowlers. The last time that I can remember that I made these was about two years ago. The reason that I can remember this is because my oldest son was here visiting from the west coast. I remember making them when he visited.

The first time that I tried making the filling, I didn't think that I cooked it long enough, so I dumped the cream out and I started making it again. As I cooked the corn starch and water and continued to stir it, I wondered how I was going to make sure that I cooked it enough. I kept cooking and stirring. I even said to my myself, “I’m not sure if it is thicker than the first time, because I couldn’t remember what consistency it was.” So, I kept cooking and stirring it, afraid to take it off the burner too soon. I was determined to get this done right!

I thought that it finally looked thicker than earlier, so I just cooked it a few minutes more, just to be sure. After it was cooled, I added it to the other ingredients until it looked right. Then I checked it and it still didn’t look thick enough. I was frustrated, but I just decided to look in my cabinet and see if I had something that I could add to it to thicken it a little more. I ended up deciding to put some sugar and some fluff and beat it. It finally thickened up and I was happy! Mission accomplished!

I know that over the past few years, baking has become a bit challenging for me. I really enjoy doing it, so I have managed to make it work. Now, when I’m baking or cooking, I usually have the recipe written or typed on a piece of paper. As I put each cup of flour etc. in the bowl, I make a tally on the paper. When all of the same ingredient has been added, I either put a line through it or a check mark. If I don’t do this, I will forget what ingredients I have already used.