CHOCOLATE
BLENDER
FROSTING
Blend 2 cups s u g a r, a 14-
ounce can of evaporated milk
(1½ cups), and 8 ounces
melted and cooled unsweet-
ened chocolate until smooth
and thickened, about 1 minute.
(The blender’s sound will
change when the frosting
reaches the right consis-
tency.) Transfer to an airtight
container; let stand at room
temperature until thickened
slightly, about 1 hour. Refrig-
erate for up to 3 days (bring
to room temperature before
using). Makes about 3 cups,
enough for a 9-inch layer cake.
Party
Animals
The birthday boy is begging for
a cake topped with his beloved
prehistoric creatures (or zoo pals
or superheroes). You want one
that will delight taste buds young
and old. Our party-pleasing com-
promise: Grab a handful of birth-
day-candle holders and some
prized figurines: protoceratopses,
sharks, unicorns. Snip the spikes
off the bottom of the holders, glue
the bases to the tops of the toys,
and insert candles. Arrange them
on a cake iced with our fudgy
three-ingredient frosting, and
make everyone’s wishes come true.
THE DETAILS: Darice plastic creatures,
$7.25 for 14, amazon.com. Meri Meri bright
party candles with holders, $10 for 24,
merimeri.com.
| CELEBRATE |
MULTICOOKER
YOGURT
Pour ½ gallon whole or 2 percent
milk into the bowl of a multi cooker.
Secure lid; press “yogurt” setting
until display reads “boil.” Once cycle
is complete, remove bowl from
cooker; let cool until a thermometer
reads 115°, about 1 hour. Transfer
1 cup to a small bowl; whisk in ½ cup
cultured yogurt. Return mixture to
cooker bowl; return to cooker. Secure
lid; press “yogurt” setting until
display reads “normal.” Set timer for
10 hours. Once cycle is complete,
stir mixture, then spoon into airtight
containers. Let cool completely,
then refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Dairy Made
Old MacDonald might have a farm,
but if you have a multicooker,
you can whip up ultrafresh yogurt
without a single cow. A half-cup
of the store-bought kind serves as
a starter for an eight-cup batch
that cooks overnight. Divvy it up
into reusable glass jars for a week’s
worth of breakfasts or snacks
you can top off any way you like.
| TEST-KITCHEN TRICK |
28 SEPTEMBER 2019
