Yesterday afternoon the kids at cooking camp made a delicious Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. It’s called an upside down cake because brown sugar, butter, and pineapples are placed in the bottom of the cake pan before the batter goes in. The result is a beautiful caramelized pineapple topping which is revealed when the cake is turned out of the pan. The cake is a fluffy and moist yellow cake that goes well with the sweet-tart pineapple topping. You gotta try this! The recipe is below. Come to cooking camp to get more delicious recipes!

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

(recipe adapted from Williams-Sonoma)

For the topping:
7 fresh or canned drained pineapple slices (1/4- inch slices)
6 Tbs. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbs. firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar

For the cake:
2 cups cake flour
1 1/8 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
6 Tbs. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
7 canned cherries in syrup, drained

Have all the ingredients at room temperature. Position a rack in the lower third of an oven and preheat to 350°F. Grease a 10 inch cake pan.
To prepare the topping, place the pineapple slices in the prepared pan. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar and heat until the butter melts. Stir to blend the ingredients, then spread the mixture over the pineapple slices. Set aside.
To make the cake sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, and vanilla. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the granulated sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk mixture and beginning and ending with the flour. Beat each addition just until incorporated, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake until the center of the cake springs back when touched and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool upright in the pan for 15 minutes.
Tap the pan gently on a work surface to loosen the cake, invert the pan onto a cake plate and lift off the pan. Place 1 cherry in the center of each pineapple slice. Let the cake cool for 45 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This afternoon the kids made mini pound cakes with campfire berries! It was awesome!

The theme of Culinary Camp this week is Campfire Cookin’ and the kids are making some delicious food inspired by the great outdoors! For lunch today students are having Hobo Hamburgers with Roasted Vegetables, Sweet and Smoky Baked Beans, Loaded Baked Potato Salad, and Tinfoil Roasted Corn. I can’t wait for dessert this afternoon!!!

Fall Camp Special Pricing: $325 for new students, $299 for returning students

Enchanted Forest Feast (Baking Techniques)

Travel to a far away land of fairies, gnomes, wizards, elves, and woodland creatures! Students will learn baking techniques while creating cakes and confections inspired by fairy tales and mystical stories.  Recipes include: Enchanted Heart Pizzas, Spaghetti Nests, Snail Cinnamon Rolls, Toadstool Cakes, Fairy Berry Cobbler, Unicorn Poop Cookies, Rumplestiltskin’s Golden Truffles, Jiminy Cricket’s Mint Chocolate Pie, and Werewolf Cupcakes.

September 8-12, September 29 – October 3, October 20-24, November 10-14

Harvest Soups and Stews (Healthy and Delicious Food)

Seasonal produce is the key to making healthy food taste delicious. This week students will learn how to make a variety of soups, stews, and side dishes with fall fruits and vegetables. Recipes include: Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons, Turkey & Sweet Potato Chili, Beef & Root Vegetable Stew, Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, Sweet Cornbread, Pear and Spinach Salad, Pumpkin Muffins, & Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars.

September 15-19, October 6-10, October 27-31 (Halloween Party on 10/29), November 17-21, Special Thanksgiving Treats 2-Day Camp November 24 & 25

End Zone Eats (Basic Fundamentals of Cooking)

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? Every fall Americans across the country gather together to watch the big games and enjoy delicious food. This week we will be preparing appetizers, snacks, and dips to serve at your next party! Items on the menu include: Pepperoni Pizza Burgers, Pimento Cheese Potato Skins, Mini Fried Chicken and Waffles, Queso Dip, Mac & Cheese Balls, Salad on a Stick, Buffalo Chicken Bites, & Candy Bar Pie.

September 22-26, October 13-17, November 3-7, December 1-5

Last week was Burger Week at CKC!  Students prepared sugar cookie “French Fries” along with brownie and vanilla cupcake “Hamburgers” for their afternoon snack.  Our next Burger Week Camp will be March 31- April 4th.  The cost for the full week is $299.  If you are interested in registering your child please fill out a registration form under the calendar or call the school at 919-481-1645.

March – May 2014

5 Ingredients or Less

Healthy and Delicious Food

Is it possible to make healthy, delicious food with five ingredients or less?  Of Course!  For this camp, your children will explore classic and modern recipes that may seem simple, but taste fabulous!  Dishes include a “Perfect” Pot Roast, “Luxurious” Lemon Chicken Soup, and “Heavenly” Ham and Cheese Croquettes.  For dessert, your spirits will “rise” with our Chocolate Soufflé and you will go “bananas” for our Salted Chocolate Frozen Banana Bites.  After this class, your family will never panic that you don’t have enough groceries to cook dinner.  Instead, as your children will know, sometimes the simplest recipes make the best dinner!

March 24-28, April 14-18, May 5-9, May 27-30

Burger Week

Basic Fundamentals of Cooking

An exciting brand new theme we are introducing this year includes a broad arrange of burger dishes, twists on fries, homemade chips  and diner style desserts that will have your kids begging for more.  Students will make a complete meal while developing  the basic fundamentals of cooking.  Don’t forget dessert!  Your kids will “shake” with excitement as they blend their own milkshakes and “scream” for joy at the taste of their homemade ice cream sandwiches.  Some of the recipes included this week are Buffalo Chicken Burgers, Tatertots In Bacon, Breakfast Burgers, Chipotle Shoe String Fries, “Dessert Burgers” with Pie Fries, and Milkshakes!  If your youngster loves the All-American cuisine, this camp is for them! 

March 10-14, March 31-April 4, April 21-25, May 12-16

Family Night

Baking Techniques

Busy Schedules filled with soccer practices, basketball games,  dance recitals ,  and other conflicts make family mealtime seem like a thing of the past. But with that being said, one of the best childhood memories we have are family night dinners.  These are the meals that brought our family closer and had us laughing in tears.   Our goal with this new theme is to teach students staple recipes that will create delicious menus to bring the family together.  Each day of camp will focus on a different theme.  Go “loco” for Taco Night, be “awe-stricken” by Chicken and Rice Night, and say “delizioso” on Pizza and Movie Night.  Your kids won’t “argue” on BBQ Night, and will ask for more Chinese, “please”, on Chinese Night.  All days will have a baking focused lesson with recipes including Churros, Birthday Cake Whoopie Pies, and Banana Pudding Cake.

March 17-21, April 7-11, April 28 – May 2, May 19-23

Cost: $299 for 5 full days (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

$260 for 5 half days (8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.)  

$70 for single days (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) 

919-481-1645          [email protected]          www.ClassyKidsCook.com          

1240 NW Maynard Rd Cary, NC 27513 

The office is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

As the winter ends and spring is in the air, we wanted to offer an Afternoon Class Special. Buy 4 Afternoon Classes for only $100.00. That’s just $25 a class! regularly $45 per class. Classes do not expire. This special will be available to purchase now through Thursday February 27th at 3:00!

During our two- hour afternoon cooking classes students learn to prepare a variety of menu items, develop and refine kitchen skills, improve their self- esteem, cultivate creativity and imagination, and learn about healthy food choices.  These cooking classes are conveniently scheduled after school from 4:30pm to 6:30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, & Wednesdays.  Take a look at our calendar at www.classykidscook.com to sign up and discover what’s on the menu or call the school at (919-819-2849). Students are provided with all the recipes allowing them to re-create their favorite dishes at home.

Some of our upcoming menus include:

March 3rd: Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders, Cheese Biscuits, White Cheddar Mashed Sweet Potatoes, and Strawberry Cream Cheese Cobbler.

March 12th: Spaghetti and Meatballs, Garlic Twists, Caesar Salad, Tirimisu Cupcakes.

March 17th: Irish Stew, Soda Bread Muffins, Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshakes, and Rainbow Cupcakes.

March 31st: Cheesy Chicken Nachos, Sauteed Peppers and Onions, Quesadillas, Churro Cupcakes.

April 7th: Individual Pizzas, Caesar Salad, Spinach Ricotta Cups, and Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

Mondays: Fundamentals of Cooking, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Students learn essential cooking techniques such as sautéing, braising, grilling, steaming, stir frying, and more. The menu changes on a weekly basis, so please refer to the calendar. Students will eat the food that they prepare, so come with an appetite!

Tuesdays: Cake Decorating , 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Students will learn cake decorating techniques used in professional bakeries, including coloring and shaping fondant. Each child decorates their own individual cake, and at the end of the night students have a beautiful and delicious cake to take home and enjoy with the family! Refer to the calendar to sign up.

Wednesdays: Baking Techniques, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Students learn the principles of baking, as well as roasting and broiling. The menu will include a mixture of sweet and savory dishes. The menu changes on a weekly basis, so please refer to the calendar. Students will eat the food that they prepare, so come with an appetite!

Register for summer camp early to receive a discount:

Register by February 28th:  $325 for new students and $299 for returning students

Register by March 31st:  $345 for new students and $325 for returning students
Register by May 31st: $365 for new students and $345 for returning students
All Prices after May 31st are $385 for new students and $349 for returning students

All registrations require a $100 deposit.  We do not require scheduling upon deposit.

Nutrition 101!

Healthy and Delicious Food

Nutritious food can be delicious, too! Take a “bite” out of breakfast pizza, Zucchini boats, and avocado fries. Create sweet treats like peach blueberry cobbler, raspberry cheesecake jars, and soft serve ice cream. By eating breakfast, eating in moderation, eating healthy snacks, and more, you will become a nutrition master.

June 2-6,  June 23-27,  July 14-18,  August 4-8,  August 25-29

Italian Week

Basic Fundamentals of Cooking

Let your tastes “Rome” across the delicious tastes of Italy! Say “ciao” to delicious recipes like homemade ravioli, stromboli, and pancetta wrapped chicken. Make “buono” desserts such as mini cannoli and Italian wedding cookies.  Your taste buds will say “grazie!”

June 9-13,  *June 30- July 3,  July 21-25,  August 11-15

*June 30- July 3 we will offer a 4-Day camp with an “All-American” Theme for the 4th of July Holiday (closed July 4th)

Campfire Cookin

Baking Techniques

 “Explore” all the delicious foods you can make while camping. Turn your “compass” to chili cheese fries, skillet cornbread, and salad in a jar. What could be more adventurous than fruit skewers, kebobs, and skewered hotdogs? You’ll want “s’more” angel food cake, campfire éclairs, and caramelized apples for dessert. With these recipes, you’ll want to go camping all the time!

June 16-20,  July 7-11,  July 28-August 1,  August 18-22

*For an additional $25 per day your child can stay for our Afternoon Class, offered Monday- Wednesday unil 6:30 pm.

A full week of camp is also available.

To register please give us a call at 919-481-1645 or you can register on our website.

Thanks and we hope to see you!!

 December 2013- March 2014

Winter White (Baking Techniques)

Come join us as we make dreams of a white winter come true through baked goods that could melt even the coldest snowman.  Together we will bake a winter wonderland full of white chocolate cupcakes; vanilla bean scones, and snowflake macaroons.  Make a winter week of wonderful with skills that will last a lifetime.

December 2-6, January 2-3, January 20-24, February 10-14, March 2-6

Olympic Week (Healthy and Delicious Food)

Be the gold medal winner of the culinary arts by learning to create foods to refuel the Olympian in you.  These recipes are not only nutritiously sound but are also a champion’s treat for any event. You will easily master the degree of difficulty of these recipes with the help of your team coach!  Learn to make Olympic Rings Cookies; Gold Medal Vegetable Dip; Refuel Energy Drinks; and other foods designed to keep you healthy and ever ready to perform at your peak.

December 9-13, January 6-10, January 27-31, February 17-21

Winter Holidays (Basic Fundamentals of Cooking)

Be the star of every Winter Holiday event from New Years Day through St Patrick’s Day .   The center piece of every holiday gathering is the food and you can be the Soup …er Bowl MVP  by providing delicious and innovative dishes that friends and family will want to devour.   Make your special someone valentine cake pops or a King Cake for that Mardi Gras party you will be the Life Of.  This week you will learn recipes for any party the little leprechaun’s may invite you to.

December 16-20, January 13-17, February 3-7, February 24-28

Cost: $299 for 5 full days (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)

$260 for 5 half days (8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.)  

$70 for single days (8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)