February 14, 1956 French Bread, Three on a Ribbon Valentine

French Bread

1/2 cup milk
1 cup water
2 T. shortening
1 pkg. dry or fresh yeast
1/4 c. lukewarm water
1 T. granulated sugar
4 3/4 c. all purpose flour
2 1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 t. granulated sugar

Combine milk and 1 cup water and bring to a boil. Add shortening, then cool to lukewarm. Meanwhile sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water, and 1 T. sugar and let stand 5-10 minutes to soften. Place flour, salt and 1 1/2 t. sugar in large mixing bowl. Make well or hole in center. Pour in the combined milk and water. Stir up the yeast and add. Mix well, BUT DO NOT KNEAD. Dough should be soft. Cover bowl with a towel and let rise in a warm place 85 degrees F. until doubled in bulk. When dough is doubled, turn into a lightly floured cloth covered board. DO NOT KNEAD. Divide into 3 parts. Form each into french loaf. 1. Flatten dough with the palms of your hands. 2. Fold opposite sides into center to meet. 3. Fold dough lengthwise in 1/2. 4. Press dough outward from center until a long thin roll (15" x 1 1/4" is formed. Place in greased baking sheet (largest you can find) or use a roasting pan, upside down. With a knife make 1/8" deep diagonal gashes on top. Let rise uncovered in a warm place until little more than doubled in bulk. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake another 30 minutes. Remove from oven and brush quickly and lightly with a slightly beaten egg white  and water. (1 egg white mixed with 2 T. water). Return to oven to bake 5-10 minutes until golden. Cool loaves in a draft. This makes crust crackle. Yield: 3 loaves.

Three on a Ribbon Valentine

1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 T. water
1 egg
2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. vanilla

Cream butter and sugar. Combine water and egg and add. Sift flour and baking powder and stir in. Add vanilla. Roll. Bake 350 degrees 10 to 12 minutes.

Cut three small cookies with heart cutter, or cut around cardboard heart pattern. Place the three cookies on two narrow white ribbons, the ribbons running parallel a little space apart. Press the cookies into the ribbons. When the cookies have bakes, they will be strung together on the ribbons. With chocolate frosting inscribe the words "I Love You," one word to a cookie, so that the hang on the ribbons and spell a Valentine message. To make frosting, melt over hot, not boiling water, one 6 oz. package (1 cup) of semi-sweet chocolate morsels; add 1 cup sifted confectioners sugar and 1/3 cup evaporated milk. Beat until smooth. The secret of this quick professional frosting is to keep the frosting over hot water while decorating. Use a small amount at a time in a decorating set, or a paper cone works as well for the Valentine greeting.