Magic Food

I've never really liked magic. When a magician would be on television, I found that to be a good time to get a snack from the kitchen. I remember a series of shows that revealed the secrets of many magic tricks. I never watched them.

As much as I dislike magic, when it comes to food magic, I'm all for it. The recipes I've included are so cool. You mix the ingredients together and when the dish is done, you will be surprised at the outcome.

Pudding Puzzle Cakes

2 T. butter or margarine
1-oz. square unsweetened chocolate
1 C. all-purpose flour
3/4 C granulated sugar
2 t. baking powder
1/2 C. milk
1 t. vanilla
1/4 C light brown sugar, firmly packed
2 T. unsweetened cocoa

Pre-heat oven to 325 F. Spray six 6 ounce custard cups with cooking spray. In a small saucepan melt butter and chocolate, stirring often until blended and smooth. Remove heat and set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, 1/2 C. sugar, and baking powder. Add milk, vanilla, and chocolate mixture until blended well. Spoon the batter into the custard cups.

In a small bowl, stir brown sugar, the rest of the granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and 1/3 C. water. Mix well. Spoon about 1 1/2 T. of the mixture over the batter in each cup. Bake 20-25 minutes un tops spring back when lightly touched.

To serve, unmold pudding by inverting each cup onto individual dessert plates. Serve warm. Decorate with whipped cream and sliced strawberries, if desired.

Magic trick: While cakes bake, they separate into a chocolaty cake and fudge sauce.

Apple Pie Surprise

Filling:
2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1/2 C. raisins
2 T. grated lemon peel
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. grated nutmeg
2 large eggs
1 C. granulated sugar
1/2 C. baking mix
3/4 C. milk
2 T. butter or margarine, melted

Streusel Topping:
1 C. baking mix
1/2 C. chopped walnuts
1/3 C. light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 C. butter or margarine, melted
1 pint vanilla ice cream, optional

Preheat oven to 250 F. Filling: in an 8-inch square baking dish combine apples, raisins, lemon peel, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside. Mix together eggs, granulated sugar, 1/2 C. baking mix, milk, and 2 T. melted butter. Pour batter over apples and set aside.

Topping: In a bowl, stir together 1 C. baking mix, walnuts, brown sugar, and 1/4 C. melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over apple mixture. Bake for about 55 minutes or until it's bubbly and golden brown. Serve warm, with a scoop of ice cream.

Magic Trick: A flaky crust forms while the pie bakes.