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Desserts/Questions Answered by Expert Deborah Robinson

SubjectDate Asked
Issue with homemade caramels1/29/2012
  Q: I made chocolate covered homemade caramels the other day and the caramel is way too hard - too chewy ...
  A: I'm not up on making candies (my waistline couldn't handle it), so I may not have the best answer, ...
Issue with homemade marshamallows1/21/2012
  Q: I've made homemade marshmallows for years with no problems. All of a sudden, it seems I'm making ...
  A: Joelle, I've never made marshmallows, although I have often wanted to give it a try. My problem is ...
Powdered sugar for cake12/27/2011
  Q: Does powdering sugar make cakes heavy? I tried making Lemon Chiffon Cake, and I powdered the sugar ...
  A: I'm not sure if YOU are making the powdered sugar from granulated sugar or if you are purchasing the ...
apple crisp12/22/2011
  Q: Is it possible to prepare apple crisp ahead of time (many hours ahead) and then bake it off just ...
  A: Pat, The only part of the dish that I think is ever 'crisp' is the topping. And that can be ...
Special12/16/2011
  Q: Howz you doin..? well i want to make something really special for my parents n brother. My father ...
  A: The chances of me picking a recipe from the thousands that I would have that might interest you or ...
Cupcakes verses 2 loaf pans12/15/2011
  Q: My recipe calls for 2 8x4 loaf pans at 375 for 45-55 minutes. I am trying the new cupcake pan where ...
  A: You will need to bake them for about 20 minutes. Below is a website that gives more detailed ...
wedding cake11/12/2011
  Q: I was asked to make a wedding cake for my son and daughter-in-law. They want the German chocolate ...
  A: While this can be a bit of a challenge, Wilton is always available to assist. Go visit this link: ...
Beating Egg Whites Into Submission11/6/2011
  Q: I have a recipe for Meringue Cookies that I found online and have been dying to try...which I did ...
  A: Candy, Yes, the plastic bowls hold residual grease and that is a guaranteed white-buster! In ...
weeping meringue10/27/2011
  Q: I do a lot of baking for restaurants and have recently had one request pies. I'm having a problem ...
  A: Vicki, This is such a common problem --- what I read at this website seems to suggest something ...
Heavy Cream Substitute10/11/2011
  Q: Deborah, Is there any substitute for heavy cream from the scratch?
  A: RJ - It depends on what you want to use it for. Here is what I found: ...
cheesecake9/27/2011
  Q: In a no bake cheesecake cream cheese condensed milk etc, can orange juice be used instead of lemon ...
  A: I don't see why you can't use orange juice. I believe that there is an expectation that there will ...
texture of cupcakes9/17/2011
  Q: What would cause a homemade white cake mix to give your mouth a dry after feeling. The cake was ...
  A: Boy, that's a good question. I guess my first avenue of thinking is that your flour may have been ...
cake recipes for 13x18 size sheet pan4/21/2011
  Q: I am looking specifically for any cake recipe that will fit a 13x18 size sheet pan. I have found ...
  A: This is always an issue - and if you are making a recipe that is from scratch or from a box, you ...
Tiramisu4/18/2011
  Q: Do you know of any good recps for Tiramisu? Thanks
  A: Priya, I'm not someone who has ever made Tiramisu, but I love the AllRecipes.com website and always ...
Cookies3/26/2011
  Q: Why do my cookies spread real thin when baking?
  A: Arlene, I'm going to guess that you are using butter as the shortening. I find that while butter ...
12x12x3 cake3/23/2011
  Q: Debb, I am attempting to make my first large cake 12x12x3 double layer for my daughters bday in ...
  A: Melissa - it's funny - I answered a similar question a while back. Here is what I said: There ...
Chocolate sauce3/12/2011
  Q: I hope you can help me. I am looking for a recipe for a cold chocolate sauce that I can make to use ...
  A: I'm not sure what you mean by a 'cold' chocolate sauce. Do you mean one that doesn't have to be ...
Is Cream of Tartar Necassary?2/2/2011
  Q: I was just wondering, is Cream of Tartar a necassary ingredient in making meringue cookies? What ...
  A: Gabby, Here is what I found. While they both say pretty much the same thing, there are some ...
Buttercream Frosting1/28/2011
  Q: Recently I have taken an interest in cakes, but I have not been able to find a good buttercream ...
  A: Maxine, Do you want to use this for decorating or just frosting a cake? I use a pound of 10x ...
Chocolate Cake1/28/2011
  Q: I have 2 questions, i am making a chocolate cake for my sons 2nd birthday, it says to use ...
  A: Kristan, You can substitute 1 cup of butter or 1 cup of margarine minus 1/2 teaspoon of salt for 1 ...
lemon bars12/17/2010
  Q: can I freeze lemon bars? ANSWER: Hi, Sue, I think it would help if you shared the exact recipe. ...
  A: Sue, Boy, it looks to me like it should do fine. The only thing you might find is that it weeps ...
underdone caramel12/15/2010
  Q: I didn't quite get my caramel to hard ball like I thought I had, but I added the vanilla and put it ...
  A: Jenny, Yes, you can try to cook it again. The vanilla loses its alcohol if it's in something hot ...
chocolate ganache tore12/9/2010
  Q: If i make the ganache torte using the following for the filling, won't the filling be fluid?If yes ...
  A: Fatima, There are many types of ganache and a lot depends on what you wish to use it for. The ...
baking instructions11/30/2010
  Q: I have a pumpkin cake recipe that calls for a 11 x 17 pan -375 degrees for 20 minutes. I want to ...
  A: Mary, I hope you have more than one 8x8 pan ... generally, fill a pan 2/3 full ... 3/4 will work, ...
Substitute for evaporated milk in pumpkin pie?11/27/2010
  Q: I live in Norway and I want to make pumpkin pie. I have the can of Libby's pumpkin, but it calls for ...
  A: Carrie, Evaporated milk is simply milk with about 60% of the water removed. You can make it by ...
Pie Crust11/24/2010
  Q: I am trying my hand at baking a pie for the first time ever! As far as making the crust goes, is it ...
  A: Becki - Happy Thanksgiving to you, too! I have a pretty fool-proof crust recipe handed down from my ...
Spices for pumpkin pie11/23/2010
  Q: I'm bacckkk! Hi - I have a recipe for pumpkin mascrapone pie and it calls for the following spices: ...
  A: Ah, Anna Marie --- you gotta love 'em! And if you are on a tight budget, I can see making that ...
simple syrup11/23/2010
  Q: I'm making a syrup for a dessert. It's basically water, sugar, cinnamoon, and cloves. I'm doing ...
  A: Chris, You could be cooking it too long - so it tries to become a hard candy, or you are putting it ...
Pie crusts11/22/2010
  Q: I am baking a Pimpkin Mascrapone pie for Thanksgiving and wanted to know: 1. If I pre-bake the ...
  A: I think you can do it either way, but I would recommend that you make the crust and just refrigerate ...
poaching11/4/2010
  Q: I found a recipe for poached pears in red wine, but all I have is canned. Can I substitute canned ...
  A: Ty, This one is a toss-up to me. Basically, canned pears are in heavy syrup and I suspect it will ...
carrot cake10/31/2010
  Q: I have a recipe for carrot cake, which I have used on several occasions. I love the overall taste ...
  A: Lisa, Something tells me you are using a recipe that has you use coarsly shredded carrots --- I ...
apple pies10/23/2010
  Q: When I take my apple pie out of the oven to cool on my counter the apples sink and the crust stays ...
  A: The links below give a lot of thought to this subject. I don't bake a lot of pies although the ...
bettercream10/15/2010
  Q: Would bettercream taste good on lemon cake if so do you have a recipe for it. also do you have a ...
  A: I'm a little confused. I don't know what bettercream is nor do I know was pastillage is. I'm ...
lemon curd cake9/29/2010
  Q: Would a lemon curd cake be ok for a 3 tier wedding cake? If so how would you make it and do you have ...
  A: I don't have any personal recipe to fit the bill, but I did a Google search and came up with quite a ...
Pan Conversations9/29/2010
  Q: Buried in 1 of my many baking books was a chart to convert cake or quick bread recipes into ...
  A: Well, I don't know that I have the definitive answer, but I think it is what *I* would do. Cupcakes ...
frosting9/27/2010
  Q: I came across a basic recipe for frosting and I have a question. If I want to change the color of a ...
  A: Wilton makes paste food coloring and gives vibrant colors with just a little tiny bit. You can also ...
cake layers9/25/2010
  Q: I have a question about layer cakes. If you want to make a 4-layer cake would you just bake 2 ...
  A: You are right - you can make a 4 layer cake by cutting two halves --- Some people just make 4 thin ...
baking cakes and cupcakes9/24/2010
  Q: I have a couple of questions about baking cakes/cupcakes. I've come across recipes on the internet ...
  A: I'm so glad you asked! Yes, cupcakes and cakes are made from the same ingredients. You just have ...
meringue cookie problems9/14/2010
  Q: I get horizontal cracking at base of meringues. Why?
  A: Marilyn, It could be that your oven is too hot. Or, the surface you chose to cook them on caused ...
pecan pie filling9/10/2010
  Q: I made the pecan pie on the Karo Syrup bottle and the filling came out very runny! I followed the ...
  A: Your oven may not be as hot as it should be. I would get an oven thermometer and put it in the ...
chocolate syrup9/9/2010
  Q: Why does homemade chocolate syrup crystallize over time in the refrigerator, and is there something ...
  A: Most syrups that I know of will crystallize when refrigerated. Honey is notorious for doing so. ...
Cookie Dough Help! Urgent!9/9/2010
  Q: I am not a frequent or confident baker, but I have been baking my grandmother's Jewish holiday ...
  A: Missy, I know how frustrating this kind of thing can be - especially when you have apparently ...
lemon meringue pie problem9/3/2010
  Q: My lemon filling comes together really well, it seems, but after the whole thing has cooked and has ...
  A: Jan, This is an age-old problem. Below are the websites I visited to get the text beneath. Your ...
fruit cake8/17/2010
  Q: I need a recipe for a fruit cake from cake crumbs. Is there a German fruit bread with apricots and ...
  A: Maggie - can you give me an e-mail address? A friend sent me a recipe but it is best sent as an ...
Cake5/25/2010
  Q: I asked you a question about a month ago and this time I have a specific question. I was wondering ...
  A: Kaylee, Here is our family's favorite recipe --- it's easy and just about fool-proof. Large ...
pineapple cake?5/25/2010
  Q: i want to add pineapples & juice.to the batter of a upside down cake.will this make the cake to ...
  A: Smith, I don't think there is any problem with adding the fruit and juice to the cake - just make ...
using licorice5/16/2010
  Q: My grandson and I are making a Wheel of fortune cake. We would like to use black licorice shoelaces ...
  A: Claudia, Doesn't that sound like fun. I think you can probably use toothpicks to outline the ...
chocolate chip cookies5/15/2010
  Q: I was wondering,what would happen if I tried to bake chocolate chip cookie dough in mini muffin pan ...
  A: Sharon, Personally, the hard part of making the cookies is measuring out the dough. I think you ...
making ice cream5/15/2010
  Q: i use flavored ice cream powder , i boil milk and then add that powder in milk and put the mixture ...
  A: Priyanka, Do you have a machine to make ice cream? It's easy to make if you don't, but far easier ...
cookies5/4/2010
  Q: Why do we call cookies "cookies" if we have to bake them? Why don't we call them bakies?
  A: To make you ask questions, my father would have said! I think it goes along the lines of why we ay ...
Mass Production Cookies4/30/2010
  Q: I am looking for a recipe or a way to alter a recipe to be able to make a couple hundred cookies or ...
  A: Right after I sent this off, my site information popped on! AUGH! Well, this site sounds like what ...
Making multiple cakes with one batter4/28/2010
  Q: I am preparing to make a multi-layer cake. I have a recipe to try, but I only have one round pan in ...
  A: Brandi, Simply measure out the portions you need (1/2 or 1/3 or 1/4) and put them in a covered ...
Ritual Cakes4/19/2010
  Q: Do you know what are the volopapilio ritual cakes? Where i can buy one? My daughter saw them in a ...
  A: Here is what I found when I Googled the item: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/702485 ...
Strawberry Torte4/15/2010
  Q: I have question about this recipe http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Strawberry-Torte/Detail.aspx. Can you ...
  A: Glady, If you use fresh strawberries, I would crush them and sweeten them to your taste. Let them ...
Kaylee4/15/2010
  Q: I was wondering what kind of batter could there be for a muffin? What flavors? What ingreadients ...
  A: Kaylee. Something tells me that you and Cassidy are in the same class! Right? :D The flavors are ...
Sheet cakes4/12/2010
  Q: Ok, this may be a stupid question but I'm just starting out at this. Do you have cut the sheet cake ...
  A: Julie, Sheet cakes are usually too big to easily maneuver. I would make two 9x13" cakes and layer ...
baking two mixes in one pan4/9/2010
  Q: When combining two cake mixes in one pan, do you adjust the amount of water, oil and eggs used?
  A: May - I don't - I often mix things separately though, and then put them in the pan together. That ...
large scale baking4/9/2010
  Q: I'm baking a birthday cake for 30-40 ppl so I'm thinking an 11x15 half sheet would work (??). I ...
  A: Heather. Such fun! What flavor do you want? I have some good recipes that I have doubled and ...
lemon meringue pie4/5/2010
  Q: When I make and store lemon meringue pie and then serve it, I find it is sometimes sitting in a ...
  A: Boy, I wish I had more time. I am CERTAIN that I have seen the solution for this but I can't find ...
Springform Pans4/1/2010
  Q: I will be baking a Ricotta Cake for Easter and it calls for an 8" springform and all I have is a 9". ...
  A: Can you increase the ingredients by 1/4 or 1/2? That seems to be the best thought that I have. ...
Buttercream roses3/29/2010
  Q: I don't know id you'll have any answer for me, but here goes. when I make butter cream roses the ...
  A: Sam, I love it! This is the first time someone actually has included a picture to help me! I love ...
garlic3/26/2010
  Q: I`ve been wondering for a while now whether anyone has tried sweet recipes with garlic in them...I ...
  A: Well, I've never had a hankering for the combination but I have never turned down mole and so I ...
Profiteroles3/14/2010
  Q: I am a high school student and am doing a french course for my assignment I am making profiteroles. ...
  A: Antionette, YUMMY! Good dessert! Well, I know that I have had profiteroles in restaurants in ...
grape tarts2/28/2010
  Q: When baking a grape tart with a crumb top, with ingredients of margarine, butter, brown sugar, sugar ...
  A: Michelle, I'm a butter person - so I would say do 100% butter. I know that years ago, people felt ...
Apple Pie Recipe10/9/2009
  Q: I'm have two apple pie recipes; one that uses butter and one that uses shortening, I was wondering ...
  A: Alice, I'm assuming the butter / shortening is to put in the crust. Personally, I prefer a crust ...
raisin in bottom of cake9/21/2009
  Q: how do i keep the raisin from faaling to the bottom of cake i tried adding it at the end but its ...
  A: Jojo, The trick is to coat them in the dry ingredients - so add them to the flour and sugar mixture ...
chocolate bundt cake5/26/2009
  Q: I am serving a chocolate chip bundt cake for dessert at a friends dinner party. I would like to ...
  A: Pat, A lot depends on how rich you want it to be. I tend to be on the 'rich' side, myself - so my ...
Knox Gelitin5/25/2009
  Q: Years ago, there was a recipe for Almond Cream on the back of a Knox box. I have tried to find this ...
  A: I'm sorry, Leslie - I'm allergic to nuts and especially almonds, so I don't keep any recipes like ...
Milk chocolate candy5/15/2009
  Q: -) !! Hope u r having a good day !! Can u please give me a recipe for making milk chocolate candy ...
  A: Sally's Good Fudge Qty Measure Ingredient ...
Decorating tool5/1/2009
  Q: I am in charge of making a cake for a baby shower. My plan is to do a square 2-layer cake. I plan to ...
  A: Angela, That sounds like a fun cake to make - and to practice ahead of time. Yum-yum! OK - the ...
caramel-4/20/2009
  Q: I tried to make caramels last night. The syrup never set up, even tho I heated it to 250*F. It never ...
  A: Cecilia, I'm sorry that I've not gotten back to you ... too much to do - not enough hours in the ...
Substitue for coffee4/11/2009
  Q: What ingredient can I use as a substitute for coffee and coffee liqueur in a recipe? Can I use ...
  A: Debbie, It would help me to see the recipe to see what I think about the consistency changes that ...
roll cakes4/9/2009
  Q: i want to make a roll cake how do i go about rolling the cake so it don't crack
  A: Preheat your oven. Line a 15-by-10 inch jelly roll pan with aluminum foil then grease well with ...
white chocolate mouse4/4/2009
  Q: I am making a white chocolate mouse dessert and need to make the top completely smooth. The more I ...
  A: Meg, Right now I have more questions than answers - tell me more... recipe ingredients, directions, ...
Shrinking cupcakes3/23/2009
  Q: Why do my cupcakes look nice and full in the oven when they are cooking, buit as soon as they come ...
  A: Sorry for being late - part of living in Africa is having technological difficulties - and this past ...
carrot cake3/20/2009
  Q: i want to know if i can take a tradional bundt carrot cake recipe and use it in muffin pans?? do i ...
  A: Darlene, Remember that when you are baking a cake in a big cake pan, you have a lot more surface ...
carrot cake3/20/2009
  Q: i want to know if i can take a tradional bundt carrot cake recipe and use it in muffin pans?? do i ...
  A: Darlene, In general, you should be able to take the ingredients for your bundt cake and make ...
french charlotte cake3/18/2009
  Q: I would like to ask you if you have heard of a french charlotte cake. I've never heard of it, but a ...
  A: I'm not familiar with the cake - but I did a Google search and came up with a LOT of hits for ...
Cookies with no baking soda or powder3/10/2009
  Q: How can I make a simple cookie without using baking soda or powder?
  A: Enjoli, I have a couple recipes that might be what you want ... I hope one of them suits your ...
Replacement for Cream2/20/2009
  Q: So far, all the no-bake cheesecake recipes I found all use cream. Can I replace it with something ...
  A: Geraldine, In my experience, it's the fat content that helps set the texture. You can probably use ...
decorating cakes2/19/2009
  Q: I am decorating a cake for my childrens birthday. I will be using fondant ( for the first time) and ...
  A: I don't know much about Fondant but here is what I was able to find: ...
baking2/16/2009
  Q: I am an avid baker looking for new recipes whenever I run across people who also love to bake. My ...
  A: Sarah, WOW! This is quite a tall order. I don't know if you have explored any of the websites ...
Baked goods have strong flour taste12/8/2008
  Q: Every time I bake cookies, brownies, bars, etc. they always have a strong flour taste to them. I ...
  A: Jess - sorry - I've been busier than a one-armed paper hanger and now don't have internet at home, ...
Chocolate12/6/2008
  Q: Genesee. I have a question. I would be very grateful if you could answer my question. I want to make ...
  A: Hmmm - I'm not Genesee ... but I'll give ou one of my recipes: Large Devil's Food Cake Makes 24 ...
german chocolate12/5/2008
  Q: After baking a 2 layer german chocolate cake, how long is it good 4 before it should b thrown out? ...
  A: Kathryn, do you want the socially correct answer or MY answer (this is an attempt at humor because ...
cake baking11/25/2008
  Q: when baking a cake do you add liquids first or do batter first then add liquids? thanks for your ...
  A: This may sound odd - but what does the box say to do? Batter is the liquid form of whatever it is ...
Cylinder cookies?11/20/2008
  Q: I am looking for a recipe for/or a name(so I can do a recipe search) for a baked treat/cookie that ...
  A: I searched for Pirouette cookies ... I think another name might be waffle cones. ...
banana cake11/16/2008
  Q: I made banana cake(ingredients: 2cup flour-1 cup sugar-2 eggs-1/2 cup butter-1 tsp baking soda-1 tsp ...
  A: There could be several things that are causing your cake not to rise - if your baking soda and ...
No Bake, No gelatin Cheesecake10/3/2008
  Q: Robinson :-) !!! I live in India, and dont have an oven. Actually, Oven is not much used in Indian ...
  A: http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1613,150189-252205,00.html Visit that website and I think you will ...
whipped icing10/1/2008
  Q: Can I add cool whip or heavy whip cream to the pre mix Wilton's buttercream icing? if so will it ...
  A: Sonia, Wilton has a toll free number for just this sort of question - I would hate to step on their ...
icing9/28/2008
  Q: I am looking for a cake frosting using fresh peaches or other fruit
  A: Dave, You are talking to someone who will KILL for anything peach ... so looking for this is making ...
Dessert for steak dinner9/24/2008
  Q: Hey Deborah, A guy I am dating is inviting me to his house for dinner. He's making steaks and ...
  A: Anie, The sky is the limit. It depends on how much work you want to go to. I would suggest Sara ...
Dessert for Indian Get-together9/10/2008
  Q: I am an Indian & have a get together of 10-12 people at my place. Since the menu is very elaborate ...
  A: Seema, I recently attended a 'do' where one guest brought a dump cake ... and it was a HUGE hit. ...
how much cake batter9/5/2008
  Q: help! i am making a two tiered cake for my sons first b-day I am making a 12x12x3 and a 8x8x3 to go ...
  A: Staci, There are several solutions I can suggest. One - who made the pans? Eko? Wilton? I will ...
Flour measurement8/19/2008
  Q: I mostly use White Lilly all purpose flour (which I understand is like cake flour) But I also use ...
  A: I'm an old-fashioned cook and since I live in the tropics and in third world countries, I sift ALL ...
microoven5/26/2008
  Q: i m using sanya em s3586wy micro oven can i bake cake in it n wats the procedure n how long will it ...
  A: Amrita, As far as I know, the only cakes you can bake successfully in a microwave are mixes that ...
shortening5/24/2008
  Q: i am making cup cakes, the recipe asks for shortening what is it and what can i use in its place
  A: Bernadette, Shortening is fat in solid form (as opposed to oil). Crisco is a popular name-brand ...
Cookie recipe needed5/16/2008
  Q: I am looking for a sugar cookie recipe I have tasted from a local baker, I will try and explain. It ...
  A: I am not really sure, from your description, if this is a cut-out recipe or if you just think you ...
Pavlova Roll5/13/2008
  Q: I am trying to perfect the Pavlova Roll. Each time i bake it though, it always seems to go ...
  A: 10 minutes just doesn't sound like long enough time to get the whites to set. So, of course they ...
Pavlova Roll5/12/2008
  Q: I am trying to perfect the Pavlova Roll. Each time i bake it though, it always seems to go ...
  A: Aneesha, When you bake meringues you need to bake them in a VERY slow oven. You should form them ...
chocolate chip cookie4/30/2008
  Q: A few years ago i found I chocolate chip cookie recipe on the the Betty Crocker website. It is no ...
  A: is this it? I did a search for Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookies and got a lot of hits. If you ...
Preserving?4/28/2008
  Q: is there anyway to permanently keep cookies that i baked? because i have these really prettily ...
  A: Lynn, I think you can cook them in a very slow oven so that all moisture is gone, then paint with ...
Recipe4/24/2008
  Q: I am going to a field trip and I want to bring cake. It's really warm out so I can't do anything ...
  A: I am giving you one of my favorite cake recipes - SIMPLE to make and moist and delicious. I hope ...
substitute for tapioca in a recipe?4/13/2008
  Q: I don't have tapioca on hand and I was wondering if I could use cornstarch as a substitute?
  A: I'm assuming you are substituting for a tablespoon or 2 of tapioca used to thicken in a pie. ...
CAKE RECIPE4/7/2008
  Q: I HAVE A CAKE RECIPE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SCALE DOWN FOR HOME USE. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME. MIDNIGHT ...
  A: I am not somewhere that I can easily convert measurements as I would need a scale for the US (I'm in ...
cooking with kids4/6/2008
  Q: i was wondering if you had any healthy recipes for cooking with kids
  A: Laura, I think I have answered this question for someone in the past. I don't have recipes ...
Coral cake4/2/2008
  Q: I'm trying to find out how to make a sea sponge for decorating a coral cake. Do you know how to do ...
  A: I suggest you contact Wilton directly - they are THE cake decorating people! You may even have an ...
hard candy suckers4/2/2008
  Q: I made some apple and grape hard candy suckers and I added the sour additive to it. I am now finding ...
  A: I'm going to guess that it has more to do with humidity and less to do with the cooking time. My ...
Molasses cookie recipe3/31/2008
  Q: What is the best molasses cookie recipe out there?
  A: Barbara - update: My sister sent me the one recipe ... still will try to remember to get you the ...
Easy Souffle Recipes3/27/2008
  Q: I recently saw Martha Stewart making a chocolate souffle on her show. Since I have never made a ...
  A: Here is a recipe that I found - with lots of very clear directions - : ...
angel food cake3/19/2008
  Q: I'm looking for a recipe that was in my Betty Crocker Recipe Box. It used an angel food cake which ...
  A: 2008 My sister no longer has the Betty Crocker recipes - but she found this information: "The only ...
Can I use Swans Down Cake Flour as regular flour?12/6/2007
  Q: I want to make my mother's recipe for sand tarts, the only problem is that we have only Swans Down ...
  A: I don't know if you recipe for sand tarts is the same as the one passed on in MY family, but they ...
cooking with kids11/23/2007
  Q: I run cooking classes for kids ages 3-12 years old, and i was wondering if you have any good ideas. ...
  A: I was away over the holiday weekend and managed to get sick - sorry I'm taking so long to get to you ...
cheesecake11/22/2007
  Q: im not sure if the recipe was written correctly but it called for four 8oz packages of cream cheese ...
  A: Laura, Can you send me the entire recipe? It will help to know what other ingredients you were ...
cake baking10/19/2007
  Q: Deborah, Sometimes when I bake a cake it has a lot of airholes. What do I do to avoid this?
  A: Denise, It might help to know what KIND of cake it is. If it is an angel food cake or sponge cake, ...
Wheat free coffee cake10/4/2007
  Q: My wife loves coffee cake but has an intolerance to wheat, do you have a recipe for the this kind of ...
  A: John, I don't have recipes of my own but I did a Google Search and came up with a ton of ...
betty crocker recipe9/29/2007
  Q: I am looking for a coffee cake recipe I use to make from Betty Crocker. The cook book had an ...
  A: Marge, I'm so sorry - I have done internet searches and asked my siblings to look through their ...
lustre dust5/2/2007
  Q: the package on the lustre dust says to use vodka with it. i just want to know if it leaves an ...
  A: Meghan, Because the alcohol will evaporate, it won't have a taste - and vodka actually doesn't have ...
A receipe for : date -custard pie4/24/2007
  Q: My sister has lost our mother's cook book and the receipe for this pie that she frequently made. I ...
  A: Dale, Do you know the name of the cookbook? If you contact people who sell old books, you will ...
tapioca pudding vs quick cooking tapioca3/25/2007
  Q: I am making a berry pie that calls for quick cooking tapioca. I only have instant vanilla tapioca ...
  A: I don't think it will work. The purpose of the tapioca is to provide a thickening agent that will ...
Low Fat Chocolate dessert recipes3/12/2007
  Q: Do you by any chance have some chocolate dessert recipes that are low in fat? I'm not overweight, ...
  A: Taryn, I don't have anything, in particular, that I have tried and know to be good - but I did a ...
Malts verses Milkshakes3/3/2007
  Q: What is the difference between a malt and a milkshake. I know that a malt contains a malt powder, ...
  A: You may have been a part of the thread that I'm going to share with you - I have NO idea the ...
frosting2/27/2007
  Q: I am looking for a great penuche frosting recipe. Might you have one or know of one? Also, this is ...
  A: Here is the recipe I have. But you should also be able to find bunches of recipes for it if you do ...
caramelizing2/7/2007
  Q: I have never made a caramel-type sauce (I am 76) and would like to make Flan with the brown caramel ...
  A: First of all, are you making this in a microwave or on the stove top? Do you have a microwave? I ...
baking cookies2/6/2007
  Q: Every time I bake cookies they spread out too much becoming very thin. I want my chocolate chip and ...
  A: Cris, It sounds to me like you have not used enough flour. I have found that when using butter, ...
Italian dessert12/12/2006
  Q: She says it is a small pie (2 1/2 - 3 inches) with fluted sides and filled with a dry custard. GailI ...
  A: OK - my resources tell me that they still aren't sure what you are describing beyond what they have ...
Italian dessert12/7/2006
  Q: I am trying to find the italian dessert that I do not know the correct spelling for. It sounds like ...
  A: You are in luck, I think. I happen to have a number of Italians in my school and so I asked them. ...
xmas gifts11/28/2006
  Q: .. The one that strikes me the most is the tree ornament idea. That would last for years, and my 2 ...
  A: Below are some recipes for the dough ornaments. I have inclulded several sites because each one ...
xmas gifts11/28/2006
  Q: I am looking for some ideas for xmas gifts and thought that something from the kitchen would be the ...
  A: I often make gooey rolls (yeast bread with cinnamon filling and lots of gooey stuff to drip down ...
chewy cookies11/26/2006
  Q: I bake quite extensively through the holidays and the one complaint that people have is that my ...
  A: Emilie, My solution is to shorten the baking time. But, even that won't keep them soft and chewy ...
Selling Recipes11/23/2006
  Q: Sorry I did not make my question clear enough. I did not say bake things to sell. I said to sell ...
  A: Telzie, I'm sorry - I don't know that I will be much help. Until you get people to taste your ...
Selling Recipes11/20/2006
  Q: Mrs. Deborah how do I sell my recipes to reputable companies. I constantly get, " I am in the wrong ...
  A: Telzie, There are so many laws in the US about where food is prepared that you can't really just up ...
Chocolate Pie11/14/2006
  Q: When I make chocolate pie using the jello instant pudding mix and following the pie directions, it ...
  A: Cindy Lou, There should be an 800 number on the box for help with just such problems. I know that ...
sugar on the stick11/1/2006
  Q: Could you let me know the way how I can make crystallized sugar on the stick. Should be used instead ...
  A: Slatko, I'm not sure what you are asking about sugar in bags for coffee and tea ... they are both ...
wine snacks10/30/2006
  Q: I recently moved to a neighborhood where many of the wives are stay at home moms or retired. They ...
  A: Torre, I could scream. I took a moment during my lunch hour to answer your question - had it 90% ...
PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES10/25/2006
  Q: HAVEN'T MADE THE COOKIES YET, BUT WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW THEY TURN OUT. I BOUGHT SOME AT SUPERMARKET ...
  A: Sherri, For sure, you can freeze them. Frequently, I also freeze the dough. I put it into the ...
PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES10/24/2006
  Q: I HAVE A PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE MIX THAT U JUST ADD WATER, OIL AND AN EGG TO. CAN I ADD HONEY TO KEEP ...
  A: I suspect that the easiest way to make cookies soft is to bake them for shorter periods of time. ...
Peanut Brittle10/24/2006
  Q: On occasion I enjoy making candies such as caramel corn, toffy candies and my favorite..Peanut ...
  A: I've never heard of heating the cookie-sheet. It sounds like you are at the correct temperature for ...
pineapple struesel (cofffe cake)10/18/2006
  Q: I have been hunting for this recipe which I found I think several years ago in a Betty Crocker ...
  A: I urge you to go to the Betty Crocker website and contact them directly. I am 99 percent sure that ...
2 ?'s custard and pie10/17/2006
  Q: I have two questions here, completely unrelated, other than they both are dessert questions, No. 1 ...
  A: Here is the response I got from my friend whose mother is an award winning chef and trains chefs: ...
no bake cookies10/3/2006
  Q: How in the world do I make no bakes? I have tryed a bunch of times and different ways, all failed. ...
  A: Dori, I don't know what recipes you have tried, but the one I'm attaching should be pretty simple. ...
Red Velvet Cake & Yellow Cake9/28/2006
  Q: I am glad you are knowledgeable in Southern baking. I need help with first the Red Velvet Cake. ...
  A: Nancy, Please accept my apologies - my internet connection was not cooperating this weekend and I ...
Pound Cake9/16/2006
  Q: Do you have a simple or basic reciepe for Pound Cake?
  A: The true 'pound cake' is called that because you put a pound of eggs, a pound of flour, a pound of ...
banana bread8/24/2006
  Q: My brother used to be on a special diet for Candida. I remember my Mom one time making banana bread ...
  A: I wish I had more time. I did a bunch of Google searches for banana bread recipes using orange ...
cool whip substitute8/23/2006
  Q: I have recipes from Canada that have Cool whip in them. As we don't have cool whip in Australia can ...
  A: Robyn, Cool Whip is simply a fake whipped cream ... it has the same number of calories as the real ...
caramel bits5/14/2006
  Q: I just wanted to follow up on your recipe of caramel bits. Can I have a copy? Thanks. BrianHi ...
  A: Brian, So sorry - we didn't really come up with anything that would solve your problem. I ...
desserts5/6/2006
  Q: MY MOM USE TO HAVE THE BETTY CROCKER COOKBOOK, 1956 2ND EDITION. THERE WAS A RECIPE FOR BLONDE ...
  A: (follow up) My sister looked in her 1950, first edition version of Betty Crocker and found nothing ...
Recipe Ideas4/25/2006
  Q: I was just wondering if you have any simple cake or brownie ideas that are slightly out of the ...
  A: Heather, I'm sure this could be done as a cake, as well. Just glob the 'filling' around the cake ...
caramel bits4/21/2006
  Q: Do you know how to make caramel bits( the ones you use to put on top of cookies)? We don't have ...
  A: Brian, I don't know how, but my daughter's fiance is a chef and he's going to ask his professors ...
pie3/22/2006
  Q: what is a good key lime pie recipe?
  A: Here is MY favorite version: Key Lime Pie Recipe By: Debba Serving Size: 8 Preparation Time: 2:00 ...
chocolate cups12/9/2005
  Q: Can you help me? Thank-you Andrea
  A: I'm not sure what chocolate cups are, but I would suggest getting to the library or doing a search ...
Cookies11/27/2005
  Q: I am looking for easy cookie receipes that can be made ahead of time and frozen until needed. Thank ...
  A: My apologies for not getting to your question in the 3 days promised. I had to go to Jakarta ...
Fruit Cake11/25/2005
  Q: I have just made some fruit cake from a recipe of my Mother's and she always wrapped it in cloth and ...
  A: Sorry for the delay. I live in Indonesia and was without electricity and then without phone ...
substituting11/16/2005
  Q: I was wondering if I could substitute whole wheat flour in any recipe that calls for regular white ...
  A: Here is what I have been told about using whole wheat flour: ...
Flaun10/26/2005
  Q: Do you have a recipe for flaun? (think thats how u spell it! the jelly/custardy thing)
  A: You are looking for flan - the British pronunciation softens the 'a' sound. I am sad because I ...
Gelatin?10/4/2005
  Q: I am getting into decorative Jello, and I've been looking for white gelatin. Not white like the ...
  A: Alex, I think you might want to try agar-agar. You can get it at many health-food stores and maybe ...
Dough10/3/2005
  Q: Why is pastry does the best dough? How long do you have to wait for the dough to finish ...
  A: Carmen, I am a bit confused. Your first sentence doesn't really make sense to me. "Why is pastry ...
Removing bitterness from Chocolate8/25/2005
  Q: I have discovered an almost zero calorie chocolate spread that I find delicious. The only problem is ...
  A: I'm back - below is what I sent before - but now you might want to try adding Splenda or Equal ... ...
Reciepe for Raspberry Cream Pie8/21/2005
  Q: I, too,love to cook & always searching for new recipes. For 2 yrs, now have been looking for ...
  A: Blanche, I don't have any recipe like that at the moment, but found this Amish website recipe. ...
Improving the texture of ice-cream8/19/2005
  Q: I have been trying to make a decent homemade ice cream but I’m working under a restriction, I am ...
  A: Paul, I'm sorry - I don't really know what to tell you here. I am a milk, eggs and cream person ...
Chocolate Icing Problem.4/4/2005
  Q: I have been trying for years to make the perfect Chocolate Icing, but just cannot seem to get it ...
  A: I FOUND my recipe! OK - This is for vanilla, but I'm sure, if you add some unsweetened chocolate ...
french dessert3/12/2005
  Q: I am looking for an easy recipe, maybe a cookie,or bread for my daughters school project. I was ...
  A: I have come across a few things that might work. Personally, I LOVE crepes .. you can fill them ...
orange cake recipe3/2/2005
  Q: this is a recipe from parade magazine from the 1980's that I have lost. it had orange peel, walnuts ...
  A: I suggest you visit <http://www.parade.com/> and contact them directly. You MIGHT be able to find ...
sugar apples2/20/2005
  Q: Do you know any recipes that have to do with the tropical fruit "sugar apple"? I've been looking all ...
  A: Here is a site that lists cookbooks you can get: http://www.capetrib.com.au/books.htm Here is a ...
ice cream2/3/2005
  Q: I received an ice cream maker for Christmas. If I serve the ice cream immediately after I make it, ...
  A: I'm sure they have something they add to the ice cream to make it be less liquid ... but something ...
Keeping baked goods fresh?11/13/2004
  Q: I will be flying out soon to visit my boyfriend for the holidays. I'm planning on baking him fresh ...
  A: You have your work cut out for you ... I'm wondering if you mightn't be better off just to bake them ...
Monster Cookies9/9/2004
  Q: Deb I'm looking for a cookie recipe we made years back and it was called Monster Cookies...the real ...
  A: My apologies for not answering this on time. I was sure I was all caught up but your letter got ...
Dirt Dessert4/30/2004
  Q: My family is coming to my house for Mother's Day and I was thinking about having the Flower Pot Dirt ...
  A: Rachel, You didn't say you needed the recipe in so many words, but I think that is what you want. ...
cheesecake4/13/2004
  Q: good thinking, i found the packing, and it says, when baking mini pastries follow the same cooking ...
  A: Darlene, That's what I was talking about - it says it's the same time. Now, I'm assuming it means ...
cheesecake4/13/2004
  Q: is there a difference in baking time for 4" spring pan as opposed to a 9" spring pan? want to use ...
  A: Darlene, Generally, I have found that the baking time is almost the same. That doesn't mean you ...
Cookie Question3/3/2004
  Q: I recently went with my boyfriend to an Italian pastry shop and he said his favorite kind of cookie ...
  A: Jaclyn, See if any of these sites have what you are looking for. ...
Angel Food Cake Reciepe2/24/2004
  Q: My Brother in Law wants me to bake an angel food cake ...tomorrow nite...HELP! All I know is that ...
  A: Rose, First of all, the Better Than Sex Cake has SO many different versions. I have chosen 2 sites ...
Receipe11/6/2003
  Q: I have been looking for a Jello receipe that I lost. I only remember a few ingredients. It had, (I ...
  A: Joyce, I'm looking ... have found these sites: ...
Peach/Apple Crisp Recipe10/25/2003
  Q: Greetings! I am looking for a recipe for a very tasty, very hearty peach or apple crisp. Calories ...
  A: April, I don't really know if any of these will suit you but I will send along what I have and hope ...
searching for a recipe10/19/2003
  Q: My son-in-law has a birthday coming up, & has requested we make him Red Lobsters Sensational Seven ...
  A: I'm sorry - I've never heard of the recipe ... but if you visit the copycat recipe website you might ...

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Desserts

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Deborah Robinson

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Expertise

I cook for fun and relaxation - not into professional cooking. But I have a great supply of recipes - desserts as well as other goodies. If I don`t know of the recipe for which you are searching I enjoy trying to find new things. Please DO NOT ask me anything about FONDANT or MARZIPAN ... I don't have a clue - have never used them.

Experience

I have cooked since I was 5 years old (over 50 years now) and enjoy cooking for family and friends. I decorate cakes for birthdays to weddings and everything in between.   I collect recipes from around the world (I live and work overseas) and enjoy trying new foods and cooking techniques.

Education/Credentials
BA in Elementary Education / Speech; MEd in Reading and Language Arts; Principal K-12 Certification

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