American Baker in Germany

 This time, we're making a simple recipe for vanilla pudding. Vanilla Pudding: 3 cup (675mL) milk 3/4 cup (150g) sugar 3 tbsp cornstarch dash salt 3 egg yolks 1 tsp vanilla extract or 1 tbsp vanilla sugar 1 tbsp butter Whisk milk, sugar, salt and butter in a saucepan. Before heating, Add a few tablespoons cold milk into the cornstarch and whisk until smooth. Set aside.  Heat saucepan with milk mixture over medium-high heat until the mixture begins to steam, but is not yet boiling. Pour about half a cup or around 100mL into a bowl with the egg yolks, stirring constantly.  Then add the egg mixture back into the saucepan along with the cornstarch mixture. Whisk together. Allow to come to a boil.  Stir in the vanilla. Remove from heat. Pour into a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap touching the pudding mixture.  Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Watch us make this simple recipe on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/C9af9ctpvc0 Schaut zu wie wir dieses einfache Re...

 Mint chocolate being one of my favorite combinations, I decided it was time to make some cookies with it. Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies: 1 cup (250g) butter 1 1/2 cups (300g) sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp peppermint extract turquoise food coloring (optional) 3 1/4 cups flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda pinch salt 1 1/2 cups (200g) chocolate chips First, cream the butter. Cream sugar into the butter. Beat in eggs. Add peppermint extract, salt, baking powder, baking soda and food coloring. Stir in flour and fold in chocolate chips. Spoon onto lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F or 180°C for 10-12 minutes. These are delicious. The mint flavor comes through really well. And the chocolate adds a great complement to the mint. Watch us make these delicious cookies on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/7-QTe3PVihE Schaut zu wie wir diese leckere Kekse auf unserem YouTube Kanal machen hier: https://youtu.be/gWTHzGUiwcs

 I love cinnamon rolls. The only real downside is how long it takes to make the bread dough. So, I came up with a fast version that doesn't require rising. Snack Cinnamon Rolls: 2 cups (250g) flour 2/3 cup (190g) butter 1/4 tsp salt 3-4 tbsp cold water soft butter to spread 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar 2 tsp cinnamon Combine flour and salt.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles crumbs.  Slowly toss in water until mixture comes together as a dough. Briefly knead dough.  Roll dough out to between 1/4 and 1/8 of an inch. Spread with butter.  Sprinkle brown sugar on the dough.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  Roll dough together and cut into about inch-long pieces.  Place in greased casserole dish.  Bake at 350°F or 180°C for 15-20 minutes. Watch us make these easy snacks on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/LIqIUMPjOg0 Schaut zu wie wir diese einfache Snacks auf unserem YouTube Kanal machen hier: https://youtu.be/OgZFyra04eM

 I have found it difficult to find certain ingredients in Germany. Particularly refried beans. Sometimes I will get lucky and find a can or two in the international section of a large grocery store, but lately, my local large grocery store has completely stopped selling it. So, I decided it was time to learn to make it myself. It can't possibly be that difficult, right? And I wanted to share the way I found to make them with you. Refried Beans: Two cans (800g) chili beans (must be based on pinto beans) 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 cup (120mL) water salt garlic dried onions to taste The main ingredient you absolutely need is pinto beans. Now, pinto beans are not super popular in Germany, so I had to get creative. I had difficulty finding pinto beans alone, but if they are more readily available where you are from, then feel free to start with cooked and hydrated pinto beans.  I discovered that chili beans are typically made from pinto beans here, so I had to first drain the chili part ...