Making Magic with Krystal

We here at Partners Behind the Mouse got to thinking and we came up with that something that is becoming huge within our world is "Do It Yourself" or "DIY" and crafting. In our economy these days, it isn't always easy to go out and purchase items for home decor, fun, etc. With that, we thought it would be fun to implement a segment involving this. Thus, Making Magic with Krystal was born.


Up and coming is the holiday that sometimes makes everyone sweat and that is Valentine's Day. It is such a fun holiday for kids though being able to share with them the giving and receiving of the best gift of all: love for one another. It is another big crafty holiday with making cards to decor for the whole family.

I thought it would be fun to do something straight from Disney at www.DisneyFamily.com: The Fairy Valentine Tree. Since we implemented this new segment late in the game, I have not been able to take personal photos of the project but I am ready to give you the instructions and how this fun tabletop decor can be created. So grab the family and let's create magic!

Photo from DisneyFamily.com

You will need:

• Template for Fairy Valentine Tree (printed HERE)
• Scissors
• Brown cardstock
• Craft knife or Exacto Knife
• Scrap of craft paper (gold, pink, or red)
• Glue stick
• Sticker hearts or small scrapbooking hearts
• Marker
  

Instructions via www.DisneyFamily.com:


1. Print the template and use it as a pattern for cutting out the pieces from the specified types and colors of cardstock and paper.

2. Place the tree template piece atop the matching cardstock cutout and use the craft knife (adult's only) to cut through both layers along the solid line of the heart-shaped door (leave the dotted portion uncut for the hinge.

3. Have your child write a valentine note on the message rectangle. Then glue the rectangle to the back of the tree trunk so the message shows when you open the door.

4. Now your child can decorate the tree boughs with lots and lots of mini hearts. (If you're using scrapbooking hearts instead of stickers, simply apply glue to the boughs and press the hearts in place.)

5. For the finishing touch, create a tree stand by folding the two stand halves along the dotted lines and then gluing the curved sides together.

6. Glue the stand to the back of the trunk, covering the blank side of the message rectangle.

From there you can enjoy your work with your family and friends! It's that easy.

Be sure to check out next month here for Magic Magic with Krystal where I will be showing you how to make your own Mickey and Minnie Ears! We'll See You Real Soon!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Bake - Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen Beignets!

Thank you for coming back for another baking segment with me. I am truly having a wonderful time sharing my love of Disney baking with every one of you!

For those of you who did not listen to the show today, what I chose to do this month were Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen Beignets; however, instead of making them in the usual square shape I decided to make them Mickey shaped. As mentioned on the show, this is a two day process, but really isn't as time consuming as it sounds.

What you'll need:

1 package Active Dry Yeast (make sure to double check the type of yeast)
1-1/2 cups Warm Water
1/2 cup Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
2 Eggs, beaten
1 cup Evaporated Milk (undiluted)
7 cups All Purpose Flour
1/4 cup Soft Shortening (I prefer the butter flavor)
Oil for Frying
Confectioners Powdered Sugar

Yields 5 dozen (really this depends on the size - mine are usually on the large side)

Day 1: To start, sprinkle the yeast over warm water and mix well. Then, add sugar, salt, eggs, and milk and blend. Add 4 cups of flour and blend until smooth. After that add in the shortening and remaining 4 cups of flour.


Now, cover the dough with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight.

Day 2: Fill a pan full of oil about an inch to an inch and a half high, and heat it to about 400 degrees. Then, lightly flour a surface to roll out the dough. Remove the dough from the fridge, and roll it out to an 1/8th inch thick.



It is now time to cut the dough into the shape of Mickey Mouse! Like I mentioned on the show, I would normally make this much easier by using a Mickey shaped cookie cutter, but it hasn't arrived from the Disney Store yet. So, what I did was use a very sharp knife, and cut by hand.




Shaping by hand (and messing with the dough in general) may sound difficult but it really isn't - my five year old daughter, Reyna, was right along side me after watching some of Princess and the Frog!



My three year old son, Ken, also tried to get in on the baking action!



After getting the shapes correctly done, place the beignets in the hot pan full of oil.



Because of how hot the oil is, make sure to have full attention on the beignets for safety! The beignets are done once both sides are a golden brown (in my pan, this was about two minutes on each side). Now that they're done, remove and set on a plate and give a generous dusting with powdered sugar.





I hope every one of you takes the time to do these - they really are a wonderful treat, and something the whole family will enjoy!

Make sure to check back next month for my tribute to St Patty's Day with green churros!

Bibbidi Bobbidi Bake with Mia - Yule Log

Merry Christmas everyone! What we're making this month is a yule log (or more commonly known as Bouche Noel) with a yummy peppermint filling, and gorgeous red roses on top. Normally I would make the roses from frosting, but as everyone knows, the holidays are hectic so this time of year is all about producing something quality (and pretty), while simplifying. What I ended up doing was purchasing a few red roses from my local store, and placing them on top of, and around, the yule log to create hints of Beauty and the Beast.

Permet de commencer (lets begin)!

What you will need:

The log
1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 egg yolks
5 egg whites
2 tablespoons sherry
Powdered sugar for dusting
jelly roll pan
dish towel

Filling
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 sifted powdered sugar
3 teaspoons peppermint hot chocolate powder

Frosting
2 ounces ghiradelli (or any other brand) unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 tablespoons of milk

Yeilds 10 servings

Begin by greasing and lightly flouring a 15x10x1 inch jelly roll pan, and then set aside. Stir together the flour and salt in a small bowl. Then beat egg yolks and sherry in a large bowl on high for about 5 minutes, till the mixture is thick and lemon colored. Gradually add 1/2 cup of the sugar, beating till sugar is almost disolved.

Then wash the beaters. Beat egg whits and cream of tarter on medium speed till soft peaks appear. Gradually add remaining sugar, 2 tabelspoons at a time, beating on medium to high speed till stiff peaks form (what that means is the tips stand strait). Fold in 2 cup of the egg white mixture into egg yolk mixture. Fold egg yolk mixture into remaining egg white mixture. Fold in flour mixture, and spread in prepared pan.

Bake on 375 degree for about 12 to 15 minutes, or till top springs back. Immediately loosen cake from pan. Invert cake on to a towel sprinkled with powdere sugar. Roll up warm cake and towel jelly roll style, staring from a short side.







For the filling all you'll need to do is beat the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and peppermint hot chocolate powder together until soft peaks form. After the roll has cooled, gently unroll and put a generous helping of the filling, and spread eveninly. Then roll the log back up and prepare for frosting.







To make the frosting, create a double boiler effect by putting the unsweetened chocolate into a metal bowel, and placing that on top of a saucepan that has some boiling water in it. Add in the butter and stir until it has evenly melted. After that, stir in the sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Remove from stove top, and let cool for a few minutes. Then, it's time to frost the yule log.



After covering with the frosting,the log effect is created by taking a fork and lightly pulling it through the frosting. Then, place your roses and petals on and around the yule log (I added powdered sugar for a snow effect, and actually prefer it with just the dark chocolate). You are now finit!





Avoir un Joyeux Noel et Bonne Nouvelle Annee (have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)!

Krystal in the EPCOT ChristmasTree Lighting Show!

In 2005, I got to participate in the EPCOT Christmas Tree Lighting show during selected nights. My dear friend Carolyn finally just came across a video with me in it! I am excited to share it. Check out the girl in the American Adventure costume next to the box that Goofy pops out of. That's me!