What Shall We Bake Today?

Uncategorized 1 Minute

This recipe looks delicious…Millionaire’s Shortbread!

Ingredients

Shortbread

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

1 cup plus 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Caramel Filling

1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Ganache

2 (4-oz.) bars bittersweet 60% chocolate, finely chopped

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1 tsp. coconut oil

Flaky salt, for sprinkling

Directions

For the shortbread: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with foil, allowing the edges to hang over the sides of the pan.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Pour in the melted butter, stirring until a crumbly dough forms. Do not over-work the dough. Press the dough into the prepared pan in an even layer.

Bake until lightly golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the pan to a wire rack and allow it to cool for 15 minutes.

For the filling: In a medium saucepan, stir together the sweetened condensed milk, brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, cream, and salt until well combined. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture darkens, begins to pull away from the sides of the pan, and reaches 235°F, 12 to 14 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract. Immediately pour the mixture over the shortbread crust, smoothing with a spatula. Allow to cool completely, about 1 hour.

For the ganache: Place the chocolate, cream, and oil in a glass measuring cup. Microwave the mixture at 50% power in 15-second intervals until the chocolate is melted, about 1 minute.

Pour the chocolate over the cooled caramel, smoothing it with an offset spatula. Sprinkle the surface with flaky salt.

Allow the bars to chill until set in the refrigerator, 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Using the foil edges, remove the bars from the pan and slice as desired.

ENJOY!

Unknown's avatar

Published by pat frederick

Published

86 thoughts on “What Shall We Bake Today?”

  1. Good Morning All!

    we ran the fan in the bedroom last night–too warm for comfort and it’s about 50* this morning. We didn’t use the wood stove at all yesterday and this morning the house feels chilly.

    Got to make a mini banana run into town and the Post Office sometime today.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Good morning, Pat

      Always enjoy Your “What Shall We Bake Today?” Such cute munchkin chefs! I did try your Blueberry muffins a while back. 😀

      Thunderstorms here, barely 40*. Water is beginning to “pond”.

      🤞 electricity stays on

      Take care. God bless.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. Good Morning Gina!
        I found a bunch of them (munchkin chefs) and I recycle them…lol
        We’ve got thunderstorms currently too and heavy rain. the ground was already saturated from the snow melt we experienced lately due to warmer temps…now we’ll have mud, mud, mud for a while.
        May God Bless you as well!

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply

    2. Morning, Pat! Things have flipped – I woke up to a couple of inches of snow on the ground and 28 on the thermometer! It will melt fast, tho – the roadway is already clear w/snow just remaining on the grass and walkway. I’ve always liked shortbread cookies – those look yummy! Wheezer came and ate again sometime during the night. I’ll probably make a run to Norfolk later today.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. Morning Filly!

        not worried–hubby says this warmer weather is on the way out…lol

        I probably won’t try this recipe till after Easter (gotta make some Easter candy soon), but when I do, I’ll send you some!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  3. Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  5. interesting perspective

    Cactus

    March 11, 2026 7:05 am

    JMO

    File under: How do “we the people” bring back into Constitutional Compliance the blue states / cities’ unconstitutional insurrections?
    ____________________________________________________________

    Over the past century the globalist / communist in the three branches of the federal government established unconstitutional rules to hamstring any pro-Constitution president who was elected.

    The treasonous-conspiracy within the federal government was legendary: To quote Congressman Schumer: Intelligence Agencies ‘Have Six Ways From Sunday Of Getting Back At You’.

    This globalist / communist, unconstitutional cabal remained protected for decades. That is, until the G.O.A.T. rope-a-doper-was elected in 2024 by “we the people” to be our weapon-of-choice against the globalist / communist creeps. That would be President Trump, The Executive Branch, lock/stock/ & barrel.

    The dirty little secret in DC was/is that the Executive Branch’s rogue CIA completely funded the national democrat party over the past 40+ years ….. picking candidates and stealing elections through the equipment and voting procedures at the state and local levels.

    Yup, the national democrat party hasn’t been Constitutionally elected by legal processes or citizens for decades.  

    They have been illegally selected and inserted into significant positions in the federal and local governments by the globalist / communist cabal, unbeknownst to law-abiding American citizens.

    That alone should form the legal basis for The Executive Branch, to immediately start overseeing the local voting procedures, equipment and schedules for the next decade until all of the local election fraud rings have been prosecuted and removed from our election systems.

    As shocking at this crime is to contemporary Americans, it was described and a solution prescribed by a founding father in the first years of our Constitutional Republic:

    President Thomas Jefferson wrote:

    “A strict observance of the written law is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to the written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the ends to the means.” (1),(2)

    footnotes:Jefferson, Writings (Washington Ed. of 1853), vol. 5, p. 542.  Brest, Paul; Sanford Levinson; Jack M. Balkin; Akhil Reed Amar; Reva B. Seigel (2006). Processes of Constitutional Decision making: Cases and Materials (Print) (6th ed.). New York: Aspen. pp. 65–67. _____________________________________________________

    Thomas Jefferson knew that at some point in America’s future, treasonous traitors would take over the law-and-order and judicial functions of the DC centered federal government and some territories / states. That time arrived starting in 2015. 

    So, when President Trump is faced with proof of the intermingling of the treasonous traitors in all levels of the DC judicial branch (including the jury pool), he can Constitutionally proceed, within his Executive Branch powers, to transfer the investigation, prosecution and sentencing of those cases out from underneath the corrupted, treasonous DOJ / FBI DC complex over to Pete at the Department of War at locations outside of DC for immediate action.

    All functions staying within the Executive Branch under overall control of President Trump, i.e., Constitutional.

    All appeal processes would stay within the Department of War structure, none going back into the DC appeal systems, including the not-so-Supreme Court. It wouldn’t make sense to send appeals to them until such time as the traitors have been brought to justice.

    Summary:

    President Trump is our weapon-of-choice, but it is our battle … support him. 

    Vote in MAGA / America First candidates in the primary elections and yank hard on the reins on your representatives and senators.

    President Trump is calling for immediate actions to be taken by the house and senate.

    You need to call your congressional employees (they do work for you) to vote for President Trump’s Agenda.

    MAGA / America First isn’t just our motto, it is our duty! 

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  6. i know nothing about fish…so does anyone know? Asian Carp? was it brought here? how did it get here and get to be such an invasive species??

    Donald J. Trump

    @realDonaldTrump
    I’m working with Governor Gretchen Whitmer on trying to save The Great Lakes from the rather violent and destructive Asian Carp, which is rapidly taking over Lake Michigan, and all of the beautiful surrounds. I’ll be asking other Governors to join into this fight, including those of Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, New York and, of course, the future Governor of Canada, Mark Carney, who I know will be happy to contribute to this worthy cause. Separately, I am also working to save The Great Salt Lake, in Utah, which, in a short period of time, if nothing is done, will have no water. This is on top of everything else I am doing. Only “TRUMP” CAN DO IT! President DONALD J. TRUMP

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. “Asian carp were introduced to American waters in the 1960s and 1970s primarily for aquaculture and wastewater management.  They were imported from eastern Asia, particularly China and Russia, to control excessive algae, aquatic plants, and snails in fish farms, aquaculture ponds, and sewage treatment lagoons. 

      The initial intent was to maintain clean water systems without using chemical treatments. However, flooding events, especially in the 1970s and 1990s, allowed the fish to escape from confinement and enter natural waterways.  Once in the Mississippi River system, they found ideal conditions—abundant food, warm temperatures, and no natural predators—leading to rapid population growth and spread across 31 states.

      Key species introduced include:

      • Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)
      • Silver carp (H. molitrix)
      • Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
      • Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) 

      These species have since become invasive, dominating ecosystems like the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, and pose a major threat to the Great Lakes via the Chicago Area Waterway System.” 

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. the author paints a picture with his opening sentence…LOLOLOLOL

    FTA
    Fani Willis, the disgraced Fulton County, Georgia DA who couldn’t keep her clam in her pants while prosecuting Donald Trump, was just dealt a serious blow this week after a judge denied her attempt to intervene in litigation over the reimbursement of legal fees stemming from her now-dismissed Georgia election case against Trump and several co-defendants.

    The ruling by Scott McAfee allows efforts to recover nearly $17 million in attorney fees and costs to proceed after the high-profile prosecution collapsed late last year.

    In August 2023, Trump and 18 others were indicted in Fulton County for allegedly conspiring to overturn then-President Joe Biden’s narrow election victory in Georgia. The case was dismissed in November, prompting Trump and several co-defendants to seek reimbursement for legal expenses incurred during the prosecution.

    https://thelibertydaily.com/fani-spanked-again-judge-allows-trump-co-defendants/

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  11. “SITREP Iran Conflict — Escalation Assessment”

    Michael T. Flynn LTG USA (RET), Mar 11, 2026

    “Iran has crossed a significant threshold. Following confirmed strikes on banking infrastructure inside Iran, Iranian military sources are now threatening retaliatory action against US and Israeli financial centers across the region, with specific signals pointing toward tech sector targets.

    This represents a deliberate strategic shift from military-to-military engagement toward targeting civilian economic infrastructure, a move that places ordinary American workers, employees of major technology companies, directly in the crosshairs of a regime at war.

    This escalation is not a sign of Iranian strength. It is the signature of a losing force making a desperate play.

    Regimes that are winning wars fight on the battlefield. They do not threaten banks, financial centers, and technology campuses populated by civilian workers. The decision to escalate toward economic and civilian targets is a calculated gamble by Tehran, an attempt to generate enough global economic disruption and political pressure to force Washington and Jerusalem to stand down before the military situation deteriorates further.

    It will not work, but it must be recognized for what it is.

    Iran’s air defense architecture has been severely degraded since strikes began on February 28. Their missile and drone stockpiles are being systematically reduced. Proxy networks across Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen are fractured or operating under significant constraint. The transition in the supreme leadership with Mojtaba Khamenei installed only days ago creates internal uncertainty at the command level. These are the conditions that produce exactly this kind of escalatory threat: loud, broad, and designed to intimidate rather than defeat.

    Threatening US tech sector targets is significant for one specific reason.

    It signals Iran is willing to accept international condemnation for targeting civilian economic infrastructure in exchange for the psychological and political impact of threatening American workers on American soil or in American-affiliated facilities abroad. That is a terrorism calculus, not a military one.

    Iran is making a massive, desperate move because they are losing and they know it. The targeting of financial centers and technology infrastructure is designed to change the psychological terrain of this conflict when they can no longer change the physical terrain.

    Desperation dressed as escalation is still desperation. Do not be deceived by it. 5th Generation Warfare at its most defined level.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. EXCERPT: “In 1964, the agricultural lobby warned that ending the Bracero guest worker program would destroy American farming. President Lyndon Johnson and Congress ended it anyway. Within five years, mechanical tomato harvesters revolutionized California agriculture. Labor costs fell. Wages for American farmworkers rose. By the 1970s yields had tripled. The doomsayers were wrong then — and they’re wrong now.

    Today, the same lobby is running the same playbook with the H-2A guest worker program. They insist crops will rot without endless foreign labor. They demand amnesty for millions of illegal alien farmworkers. They want carve-outs from E-Verify and exemptions from immigration enforcement. And too many Republicans, influenced by donor pressure and decades of cheap-labor orthodoxy, are tempted to comply.

    Here’s what they won’t tell you: The H-2A program has exploded from roughly 50,000 workers in 2005 to nearly 400,000 today — an eightfold increase — while nearly half of all crop farmworkers remain illegal aliens. H-2A hasn’t replaced the illegal workforce. It’s been layered on top of it. The program isn’t solving the problem. It is the problem. Immigration policy should not function as an agricultural input.

    Worse, a new Labor Department rule reduces required H-2A wage rates by as much as $5 to $7 an hour in some states — a $24 billion giveaway to Big Agriculture over the next decade. That makes imported labor cheaper than American workers and cheaper than automation. It’s a government-engineered subsidy for avoiding modernization, paid for by American workers who cannot compete with politically depressed wages.

    Meanwhile, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act — reintroduced in 2025 as H.R. 3227 — would open H-2A to year-round industries and freeze wages for a year before capping increases for a decade. It is estimated that it would also grant amnesty and eventual green cards to more than 2 million illegal aliens, including the current illegal farmwork population and those who qualify based on past agricultural work, along with spouses and dependents. Sponsors call it “modernization.”

    It’s the opposite: a permanent lock-in of the cheap-labor model dressed up in reform language. The same bait-and-switch Americans saw in 1986. Amnesty now. Enforcement later. Enforcement never.

    This is what happens when Washington subsidizes an outdated labor model instead of forcing change. Employers import workers on favorable terms, fight E-Verify and interior enforcement at every turn, and lobby relentlessly for amnesty for the illegal workforce already in the fields. It’s a racket — one that has endured for decades because immigration law has been selectively enforced whenever powerful industries demanded exceptions.

    If Republicans are serious about border security and mass deportation, agriculture cannot operate on special terms. No carve outs. No amnesty. No exceptions…..”

    https://thefederalist.com/2026/03/11/trump-needs-to-end-big-agricultures-cheap-foreign-labor-racket/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I was just reading this!

      as much as i want to preserve our farms and their way of life, it cannot exist on the backs of illegals. they’ve got to innovate to survive like every other industry. and if they do, maybe even thrive and dominate world markets.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. The finches are back finally, as are the woodpeckers, altho I’ve not seen a RH’ed WP yet – just Ladder-back (or Hairy, hard to tell the diff) and Downy so far, Robins and Nuthatches.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. hubby thought he saw a robin this morning but i haven’t. We do have a red headed woodpecker– they stay here i believe in the woods year round.
      but all of a sudden the chipmunks are running all over the place…LOL

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I haven’t seen any ground squirrels around here in years! I used to see them all the time. Maybe because of Wheezer and the other cats in the neighborhood.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  14. “America is returning to REAL ENERGY DOMINANCE! Today I am proud to announce that America First Refining is opening the FIRST new U.S. Oil Refinery in 50 YEARS in Brownsville, Texas. THIS IS A HISTORIC $300 BILLION DOLLAR DEAL — THE BIGGEST IN U.S. HISTORY, A MASSIVE WIN for American Workers, Energy, and the GREAT People of South Texas! Thank you to our partners in India, and their largest privately held Energy Company, Reliance, for this tremendous Investment. It is because of our America First Agenda, streamlining Permits, and lowering Taxes, that have attracted Billions of Dollars in Deals coming back to our Nation. A new Refinery at the Port of Brownsville, will fuel U.S. Markets, strengthen our National Security, boost American Energy production, deliver Billions of Dollars in Economic impact, and will be THE CLEANEST REFINERY IN THE WORLD. It will power Global Exports, and bring THOUSANDS of long overdue Jobs and Growth to a Region that deserves it. This is what AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE looks like. AMERICA FIRST, ALWAYS!”

    https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116206958726200848

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  16. FOX – Secretary of State Marco Rubio and New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are both hopeful about becoming their party’s presidential nominee in 2028. They both have a shot. Odds-makers place the New York congresswoman second only to California Gov. Gavin Newsom in the race to be the Democratic nominee (HOLY FUCK!), while President Donald Trump, asked whether Vice President JD Vance is his chosen successor, has more than once suggested that Rubio is also in the running.

    Recently, both spoke at the Munich Security Conference. While Rubio earned well-deserved applause from policymakers at home and abroad for his speech, Ocasio-Cortez showed she was not ready for prime time – not even close.

    In what may prove a preview of the presidential race two years from now, Rubio and Ocasio-Cortez squared off on geopolitics. For Rubio, the occasion was another opportunity to articulate President Trump’s foreign policy vision – one that embraces American leadership powered by a strong military, a forceful trade agenda, energy independence and a robust economy. And, as we have seen, the Trump White House is not shy about using that military. Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez delivered remarks at a forum on the sidelines of the Munich conference and reminded us why she should not be allowed anywhere near the Oval Office. 

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

        1. i have not seen ANYONE issue glowing statement about her work on a committee or a piece of legislation.

          Rubio is demonstrating skills she couldn’t dream of having.

          I wonder about the NBC issues though. his parents weren’t citizens when he was born. it might finally come to SCOTUS for a decision on this.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply

            1. it does have to be settled because we have too many anchor babies–which facilitates chain migration–and a whole tourist birthing industry and selling our citizenship thru surrogates…sigh.
              mostly chinese too,

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply

  25. Just The News: “The International Energy Agency announced Wednesday that its member countries, which includes the United States, would release 400 million barrels of oil from reserves. 

    However, whether the U.S. will participate in any releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is unclear. 

    The act will be the largest release of crude from global strategic reserves in history, and it’s part of an effort to bring down crude oil prices, the according to The Wall Street Journal. 

    The release would be twice the size of the next largest release, which occurred in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. That release put 182 million barrels of oil on the market.

    Members of the Group of Seven finance ministers decided Monday not to release strategic oil reserves, Reuters reported. The G7 includes Canada, Japan, Italy, Britain, Germany, France and the United States.” 

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  30. Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  34. I’m back – quite a few more people in WM today but it still wasn’t too bad. It’s clouded up some and I ran thru a few sprinkles on my way home. Temp only made it up to 48 today – calling for high 60’s tomorrow.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  35. Just The News: “The FBI warned several California police departments recently that Iran could target the West Coast with drone attacks as part of its retaliation campaign for the conflict in the Middle East.

    Iran has not attacked the U.S. mainland since conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran broke out late last month, but it has attacked American military bases in the Middle East, killing at least seven U.S. service members so far.

    The FBI notified California of the potential attacks in an alert obtained by ABC News, which was sent out in late February.

    “We recently acquired information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United States Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event that the US conducted strikes against Iran,” the alert reads. “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.”

    The FBI has not commented on the alert so far but California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office told the outlet that its Emergency Services office is working with “state, local and federal security officials to protect our communities.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  36. “Judge denies request for new trial for convicted killer of Laken Riley”

    ATHENS, GA - JANUARY 30: Jose Ibarra enters court during a hearing on a motion for a new trial for Ibarra in an Athens-Clark County courtroom, on January 30, 2026, in Athens, Georgia. A judge found Ibarra guilty of murder and other crimes in Laken Riley's 2024 murder. (Photo by Mike Stewart-Pool/Getty Images)
    Jose Ibarra enters court during a hearing on a motion for a new trial for Ibarra in an Athens-Clark County courtroom, on January 30, 2026, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Stewart-Pool/Getty Images)

    OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
    7:40 AM – Wednesday, March 11, 2026

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “A judge in Athens, Georgia, has decided against initiating a new trial for Venezuelan national Jose Antonio Ibarra, who was convicted of viciously killing nursing student Laken Riley.

    Ibarra’s defense team sought a new trial, arguing that his constitutional rights were “violated” during the original 2024 proceedings. They contended that the judge erred by refusing to delay the trial for DNA expert analysis and by declining to exclude specific mobile phone evidence.

    However, Clarke County Superior Court Judge H. Patrick Haggard denied the motion on Monday. In his order, Haggard described the evidence against Ibarra as “overwhelming and powerful,” noting that the facts presented during the initial trial remained largely uncontested.

    Now 28, Ibarra is serving a life sentence following his November 2024 conviction on multiple charges, including murder, kidnapping with bodily injury, aggravated battery, and intent to rape. He was also found guilty of tampering with evidence, concealing a death, and hindering an emergency telephone call.

    A spokesperson for Ibarra’s legal team has said that they plan to file an appeal, for which they have 30 days.

    Ibarra entered the United States illegally in 2022, under the Biden administration, and was allowed to stay while pursuing an immigration case.

    He crossed paths with Riley in February 2024, while she was on a run at the University of Georgia campus, where she was studying nursing. Ibarra killed Riley while attempting to sexually assault her. Campus police testified that her clothing was partially removed when her body was found.

    Her cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma and asphyxiation. Prosecutors emphasized that Ibarra had been “hunting for females” at the time.

    A year later, following President Donald Trump’s return to office, the Laken Riley Act was signed into law.

    This legislation mandates the federal detention of illegal aliens who commit local crimes, such as theft or assault. Proponents of the bill argue that had it been in effect sooner, Ibarra would have been detained for a prior shoplifting citation, preventing his encounter with the 22-year-old nursing student.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  42. “The FDA’s New “Transparency” Database: You can’t find, what you don’t look for.”

    Dr. Robert W. Malone, Mar 11, 2026

    The FDA’s New “Transparency” Database –Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS)

    On March 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced what it describes as the largest technical overhaul in its history: a unified safety database called the FDA Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS). According to the agency, the platform will merge multiple legacy reporting systems into one searchable dashboard covering drugs, vaccines, cosmetics, animal products, and more.

    Commissioner Marty Makary called the project a step toward “radical transparency.” The FDA says the new system will modernize the analysis of adverse event reports while saving taxpayers about $120 million over five years.

    About six million reports per year, which were previously scattered across seven databases, will eventually appear in one place. That is the official explanation. The more interesting question is what happens once the data becomes easier to see.

    A Long-Overdue Cleanup

    For years, the FDA’s adverse event reporting systems looked like something built in the early internet era, and at best, were never fully functional.

    Drug and biologic reports went into FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Vaccine reactions were tracked in Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), jointly managed with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical devices, animal drugs, cosmetics, tobacco products, and dietary supplements all had separate systems as well.

    Seven databases in total. Anyone who has tried to use them knows the experience. Searches were awkward. Interfaces were dated. Data extraction was often frustrating. According to the FDA, maintaining this patchwork cost about $37 million per year. Consolidation is therefore not controversial. It was overdue.

    A unified platform could allow researchers to detect patterns across product categories that were previously difficult to analyze. At least in theory…..”

    https://www.malone.news/p/the-fdas-new-transparency-database

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment