Anyone can learn to cook with the right recipes. It’s even easier if you take a group cooking class where you can ask questions and interact with other students. Here are a few memorable recipes you can learn in class.
1. Pancakes
Breakfast foods are always good staples to add to any recipe collection, and pancakes are popular with all ages. They are easy to make from scratch and take ingredients most people recognize and have on hand.
It takes 5 minutes of prep and 20 minutes total for four servings.
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Directions:
Whisk milk, butter and egg. Add dry ingredients, mixing until moistened. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Dip 2 to 3 tablespoons of batter into a hot skillet and spread into circle with back of spoon.
Cook until the pancakes begin to bubble, about 1 to 2 minutes. Flip over and cook another 1 to 2 minutes until browned. Remove and place on platter.
The fun of this recipe in group cooking classes is you can get ideas to add special ingredients like chocolate chips or fruit and decorate with whipped cream or other fun treats.
2. Iced Monkey Bread
This recipe can be served for breakfast, with a meal or as a dessert. It’s fun and easy to make and ideal for a group class because you can play with it.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons shortening
¼ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup warm milk
1 large egg
¼ cup warm water
1 tablespoon yeast
1 teaspoon salt
3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
For the topping:
8 tablespoons butter, melted
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
¾ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup pecans, chopped
For the icing:
¼ cup milk
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Directions:
Coat a 10-inch Bundt pan with cooking spray or shortening. Combine warm water and a pinch of sugar in a bowl and sprinkle the yeast on top. Stir together and let the yeast soften about five minutes. Combine shortening, milk, sugar, salt and egg in bowl and mix. Add yeast mixture to the mix and combine. Add flour slowly. Knead the dough and transfer to clean greased bowl. Set aside for 20 minutes in a warm place.
Meanwhile, mix brown sugar, cinnamon and nuts. Place melted butter in a second bowl. Sprinkle two tablespoons of the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture into the Bundt pan. Cut town into ½-inch pieces and roll into a ball. Coat the ball in butter then roll it in brown sugar mixture. Place in Bundt pan. Cover with plastic wrap when all dough is formed and let stand until it rises double, which is about one hour.
Cook in 350-degree oven for 30 – 35 minutes and cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove from pan onto serving plate. Mix milk and confectioners’ sugar and drizzle over bread after it cools.
3. Chocolate Surprise Cookies
This recipe is easy to make and comes with a fun surprise at the first bite. Because it’s a process, it makes the perfect choice for a group class.
It takes 25 minutes of prep time and 35 minutes total for 2 dozen cookies.
Ingredients:
1-3/4 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup cocoa powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
12 large marshmallows, cut in half
Directions:
Mix together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add milk, egg, and vanilla and beat until combined. Add flour mixture until combined. Use a tablespoon to drop dough onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake in a 350-degree oven until firm, about 10 to 12 minutes. When you remove the cookies from the oven, immediately place a marshmallow in the center and press it down. Continue baking for about 2 minutes, until marshmallow starts to melt.
Cool completely and frost with icing. Make sure marshmallows are covered.
Where to Take Cooking Classes
You can find fun cooking classes within your community. Look for classes designed for beginners or kids cooking classes to easy recipes that are tasty and easy to make.