-Christine Chung

Let’s face it – you’re terrified for the Presidential election results. Both campaigns have been nothing less than controversial and the pressure to vote is at an all-time high. Here at Baked, we understand the stress of politics and encourage everyone to go vote. But what better way to destress than to eat? Calm your post-voting nerves with these all-American recipes.

Red Velvet Pancakes with Blueberries & Coconut Syrup

Start your election day off with these indulgent and patriotic pancakes that would even make Ron Swanson tear up.

INGREDIENTS:

Pancakes

• 2 cups Bisquick/other pancake mix
  
• 1 cup milk
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 2 tbsp. cocoa powder
  
• 2 tbsp. powdered sugar
  
• 5-6 drops of red food coloring (add as much needed)

Syrup

• 1 cup powdered sugar
  
• 1 tbsp. coconut cream
  
• 3 tbsp. regular or coconut milk
• 2 cups of blueberries to add on top

DIRECTIONS:

1. Put all the pancake ingredients in a large bowl to whisk and stir. Follow Bisquick or other pancake mix package directions. Add cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and food coloring to mix.
2. Spray non-stick cooking spray onto a large pan. Pour pancake mix on the pan to cook fluffy pancakes.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for the syrup and stir well, until all the lumps are gone.
4. When pancakes are all cooked, serve pancakes with the coconut syrup mixture on the side to serve or on top. Add fresh blueberries to finish.

Sweet & Salty Patriotic Popcorn

Elevate your stress eating habits with this sweet snack while you’re watching the election coverage.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 bags of microwave popcorn
• 12 oz. vanilla almond bark or 16 oz. package of white chocolate chips
• 1 cup pretzels sticks
• Red, white & blue sprinkles
• Red, white & blue M&M’s  

DIRECTIONS:  

1. Pop the popcorn in a large, microwavable bowl. Place pretzel sticks in the bowl set aside.
2. Unwrap and break the vanilla bark into smaller pieces or just put the white chocolate chips in another large, microwavable bowl.
3. Melt on the DEFROST setting on your microwave. Don’t use the cook or reheat setting or you will cook the almond bark instead of melting it.
4. Melt the bark in 3 minute intervals and stir in between. After the vanilla bark/white chocolate is completely melted, pour the melted chocolate over the popcorn. Mix it together with a large spoon, making sure all the popcorn is coated in the white chocolate.

Spread the popcorn mixture on a piece of waxed paper until the popcorn is dry. Add the red, white & blue sprinkles and the M&M’s so they stick to the popcorn mixture. Then put back into a bowl and begin snacking!

Red, White & Blue Sliders

Don’t have a sweet tooth? No problem. There’s nothing more American than sinking your teeth into a big, juicy burger.

INGREDIENTS:

Blue Cheese Sauce

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp. white vinegar
• 4 tbsp. granulated sugar
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 2 oz. blue cheese, crumbled

Burger

• 1 lb. ground beef
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/4 cup chopped sweet onions
• Lettuce
• Slider rolls or sandwich bread cut out into circles

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat grill or stove to medium high heat.
2. In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients for the blue cheese sauce. Refrigerate mixture.
3. Form ground beef into mini burger patties the size of the slider rolls. Sprinkle with salt and pepper on each side.
4. Grill or fry the patties for about 1-2 minutes per side or until cooked thoroughly. Let it cool for 5 minutes before putting together the sliders.
5. Put lettuce on the bottom of the slider roll, then with patty, a few of the strawberry slices, diced onion and blue cheese sauce. Dig in!