Katie's Mint Chocolate Chip Icing

Ingredients:

5 large egg whites, or meringue powder equivalent
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature and cubed
1 tsp mint extract
3 oz chocolate, chopped

Green food coloring gel

Preparation:

1. Place egg whites and sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk until combined.

2. Place bowl over a hot water bath on the stove and whisk constantly until the mixture is no longer grainy to the touch (approx. 3 mins).

3. Place bowl back on mixer and whisk on med-high until the meringue is stiff and cooled (the bowl is no longer warm to the touch -- approx. 5-10 mins).

4. Switch to paddle attachment. Slowly add cubed butter and mix until smooth. 

5. Add peppermint extract.

6. Stop the mixer. Add desired amount of green food coloring gel and whip until smooth and evenly green. Add more color gel if desired.

7. Fold in chopped chocolate.

Katie's High Humidity Buttercream Icing (good for decorating)

Ingredients:

3 cups vegetable shortening 
9-10 cups confectioner's sugar
2 Tblsp. meringue powder 
1/2 tsp salt
6-8 Tblsp. milk or cream
2 tsp clear vanilla extract 
1/2 to 1 tsp butter extract

Preparation:

1. Mix shortening until smooth.

2. Add salt, 4 cups of the sugar, 3 Tblsp. of the milk and the meringue powder. Mix well.

3. Add in 5 cups of the sugar, plus another 3 Tblsp. milk and mix well.

4. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix in a Tblsp. or two of milk or cream if the buttercream is too thick.

5. Add the extracts and mix more.

6. Add in a Tblsp. at a time of milk if the icing is too thick.

7. Finish by mixing by hand with a rubber spatula to help press out any air bubbles.

NOTE: Makes enough to cover two 8" round cakes. Keep covered when not using.

Copycat Pizza Hut Deep Dish Pizza

Ingredients:

Pizza Crust

1 package dry yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup non-fat dry milk powder
1 1/3 cup warm water (105 degrees F)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for dough)
4 cups all-purpose flour

Pizza Sauce
1 can (8 ounce size) tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Assembly
9 ounces vegetable oil 
butter flavored cooking spray
mozzarella cheese
pizza toppings as desired

1. Combine the yeast, sugar, salt, and dry milk in a 2-quart size mixing bowl. 

2. Add the water and stir to mix. Let the mixture sit for 2 minutes or until the yeast starts to bubble.

3. Add the oil to the dough mixture, and stir to combine.

4. Add the flour in one cup increments, stirring after each addition, until a dough forms and the flour is all combined.

5. Turn the dough out onto a flat, lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes.

6. If making one large pizza, roll the dough into a ball. If you want to make 9" personal pan pizzas, divide the dough into three equal balls.

7. Place about 9 ounces of oil in a 12" cast iron skillet (or 3 ounces of oil in the bottom of each 9-inch cast iron skillet). Tilt the pan(s) to spread the oil evenly.

8. Using a rolling pin, roll out the ball of dough to a circle that is roughly the size of the skillet (s) and place in the prepared pan(s).

9. Lightly coat the dough disk with cooking spray or oil, and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm, draft-free location and let rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until puffy.

10. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by combining all the ingredients until blended. Let sit at room temperature for at least one hour. The sauce can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before using.

11. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees, or hotter, if your oven will go hotter.

12. Spoon sauce on the dough and spread to within 1 inch of the edges. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Place toppings of choice in the following order: thin meats like pepperoni or canadian bacon, vegetables, ground or cubed meats, additional mozzarella cheese.

13. Cook until the outer crust is brown and the cheese is bubbly in the center (11-15 minutes, depending on how many toppings you use). If the top gets too brown but it appears that the crust isn't done, the pizza can be finished on a stovetop to cook the bottom of the crust.

14. Remove from the oven. Let cool for 2-3 minutes before cutting.