tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77023549767994126782024-03-23T03:13:57.893-07:00The Cake DishA great place to dish about all things cake...Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-52607388575493739942011-10-26T20:02:00.000-07:002011-10-26T20:02:29.122-07:00Red Velvet Cupcake BitesSo, it's been a few weeks since I last posted... I thought about writing the obligatory post on balance and what having a blog means to me and how I'm gonna just do what I can when I can and let the rest fall where it may... But instead, I've decided to share with you one of the things I've actually had time to bake recently. Baking has definitely slowed down here since work has gone crazy. It's okay because I am taking a great cake decorating class where I'll be decorating my first non-styrofoam cake next week and I'm really excited!<br />
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On to the cuties that I made last week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw94q_N49DPvsnO0wgLUQY7fnZuJN9IzSqUUwDZs-TVxnFxm6pedlXGaxOSgI98I0Ba2YfHmzuV3i_UA_bCjOMKqFxl9v3_ObGZleAofs11m08_wkSzOEKKaLr4juFI7DsapXDQ8D7FT4/s1600/redvelvetraspberrybite.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw94q_N49DPvsnO0wgLUQY7fnZuJN9IzSqUUwDZs-TVxnFxm6pedlXGaxOSgI98I0Ba2YfHmzuV3i_UA_bCjOMKqFxl9v3_ObGZleAofs11m08_wkSzOEKKaLr4juFI7DsapXDQ8D7FT4/s640/redvelvetraspberrybite.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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These were the perfect two bite cupcake. I want to eat more now that I see them again :) The taste of red velvet cake and cream cheese icing with fresh raspberry is amazing! I had never really thought to put it together before seeing it in a photo. I thought it would just be a cute garnish but after eating it, I want a little raspberry in every bite of red velvet from now on.</div>
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I made these using a muffin pan from Ikea with the liners they sell to go with it. They are taller and thinner than our normal pans so I used about 2 tablespoons of batter per cake instead of the 3 that I normally use and it worked perfectly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3xBfT6QhnTuARlbTWO1HvYeU5HfWWWTZs2H-B4vhy88YYxifFs1pY89xb-cgvOTUMZDbpmltUHIfdBKgnaMHwFqOluGABtMIYBjyiQtx8Hl6sGT4wlaEpMI2zWvp4keOiIysg_yXz9A/s1600/57663739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3xBfT6QhnTuARlbTWO1HvYeU5HfWWWTZs2H-B4vhy88YYxifFs1pY89xb-cgvOTUMZDbpmltUHIfdBKgnaMHwFqOluGABtMIYBjyiQtx8Hl6sGT4wlaEpMI2zWvp4keOiIysg_yXz9A/s320/57663739.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The pan was about 10 bucks and totally worth it! I want to pick up a few more so that it will be quicker to make a bunch of these next time. Oh darn, another excuse to spend time at Ikea, like I needed that... We don't have one very close to our house so it's always a good day when we get to go and roam through Ikea or hang out in their decorated rooms and pretend that we live in those spaces.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 20px;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I'm linking up!!! </strong></span> </span><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.jamhands.net/" style="text-decoration: none;">Recipe Sharing Monday</a>, <a href="http://asouthernfairytale.com/">Mouthwatering Mondays</a>, <a href="http://mrshappyhomemaker.com/">Makin' You Crave Monday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tasty Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Too Cute Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tip Me Tuesday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tuesdays at the Table</a>, <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tempt My Tummy Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.thischickcooks.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">These Chicks Cooked</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Works for Me Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Cast Party Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">What I Whipped Up Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.dailyorganizedchaos.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Foodie Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.pinchofthisthatandtheother.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Whisking Wednesday</a>, <a href="http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Show & Share</a>, <a href="http://gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">{Wow Me} Wednesday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Full Plate Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Treats Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Turning the Table Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.alli-n-son.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Tooth Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Chic & Crafty Party</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.tidymom.net/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">I'm Lovin It</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.thehowtomommy.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tasty Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bake with Bizzy</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Friday Favorites</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Friday Flair</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/">Foodie Friday</a>, </span><a href="http://www.sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweets for a Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Strut Your Stuff Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Indulgences Sunday</span></a>, <a href="http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">My Inner Baker</a>, <a href="http://www.kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Simply Delish</a></strong></span></div>
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<br />Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-86284495833756644632011-10-07T09:00:00.000-07:002011-10-07T14:11:05.456-07:00Double Doozies: Chocolate Chip Cookies with Chocolate ButtercreamIt's time for the second edition of the Crazy Cooking Challenge! And for October, we are in search of the ULTIMATE chocolate chip cookie recipe! Enjoy the post and don't forget to vote at the bottom for your favorite recipe!<br />
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Growing up, my sister and I were always delighted when our mom would let us get a cookie at the local snack shop in the mall. We were beyond ecstatic when she agreed to a Double Doozie! Have you ever had one of those? It's two cookies with icing between them. We usually couldn't finish them because they were so big and it was just too much of good thing. Wait, did I really just say that? Is there such a thing as too much of a good thing???<br />
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So you can imagine my excitement when I stumbled across <a href="http://crumbsandchaos.blogspot.com/2011/09/double-doozies.html">Crumbs and Chaos' Double Doozie recipe</a> while surfing on Pinterest for chocolate chip cookie recipes. If you haven't checked out this blog, I highly recommend it! It's written by sisters who have so many creative and yummy ideas in the kitchen. So fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPoOWecv5NkIzltSlzHupQVynxGa9D9f_GN2LL-tapMILPsqg_LrXnvcQC1hN0fnyvip4GiTwlGzOVva4BBi6_EwUQLfPSYIx_u9W3ZIROS6D9aZv6WTKuKhDZFZegKKrCOdwwAeiBx4/s1600/dough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPoOWecv5NkIzltSlzHupQVynxGa9D9f_GN2LL-tapMILPsqg_LrXnvcQC1hN0fnyvip4GiTwlGzOVva4BBi6_EwUQLfPSYIx_u9W3ZIROS6D9aZv6WTKuKhDZFZegKKrCOdwwAeiBx4/s1600/dough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPoOWecv5NkIzltSlzHupQVynxGa9D9f_GN2LL-tapMILPsqg_LrXnvcQC1hN0fnyvip4GiTwlGzOVva4BBi6_EwUQLfPSYIx_u9W3ZIROS6D9aZv6WTKuKhDZFZegKKrCOdwwAeiBx4/s1600/dough.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPoOWecv5NkIzltSlzHupQVynxGa9D9f_GN2LL-tapMILPsqg_LrXnvcQC1hN0fnyvip4GiTwlGzOVva4BBi6_EwUQLfPSYIx_u9W3ZIROS6D9aZv6WTKuKhDZFZegKKrCOdwwAeiBx4/s400/dough.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made this delicious dough from the recipe (I'm sure you can't imagine how I know the dough is delicious...). It was so simple and quick that I forgot to take any photos of the process. Oops!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgky7SftjVQJqhb9l_iuHwInTA9kfxD2F8AMFh7-Ub895mWQIqNtGyHAvhJZeFOmOG7OVn1oW6i7FfqKsq_E1mr6EsAhePqfl_48uwoGD8xCII4JyLJuV-jRbJPs226KC-71ao77apJtnU/s1600/scoop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgky7SftjVQJqhb9l_iuHwInTA9kfxD2F8AMFh7-Ub895mWQIqNtGyHAvhJZeFOmOG7OVn1oW6i7FfqKsq_E1mr6EsAhePqfl_48uwoGD8xCII4JyLJuV-jRbJPs226KC-71ao77apJtnU/s400/scoop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I placed scoops of the dough on my bar pan stone spaced evenly apart from one another. These cookies didn't spread too much so next time I could probably place them a little closer to one another.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA12nAqiKef3tYWZyh2MTt0xa8sWULNAZmAZI5wh73Pp1GtJ-MSDgOdeBa7aveQZhly3-0EIoJKErfEk1H1H5DswOi2WlMpCMDBRme_OrIJBre5M94npW3l-0nHVuV1tMuA8ly0lhe98/s1600/spoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUA12nAqiKef3tYWZyh2MTt0xa8sWULNAZmAZI5wh73Pp1GtJ-MSDgOdeBa7aveQZhly3-0EIoJKErfEk1H1H5DswOi2WlMpCMDBRme_OrIJBre5M94npW3l-0nHVuV1tMuA8ly0lhe98/s400/spoon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I used the back of a spoon to flatten the dough a bit. I didn't do that on the first batch and they came out in the same shape as the scoop. Again, it's a thick batter that doesn't spread too much.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4411MUovMG6Cl9RVGNA7l_RfvjQRQRRM7YYjPJZoa1SkCNmi21Y-wWfOIHSvTWdEHLhSwMO373YHj36-JwJVtXHZgeJlmDa6U9wLET7o9CrKOD040WCHvUhGEJqDAjFeV7_LkrCmwoU/s1600/spatula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4411MUovMG6Cl9RVGNA7l_RfvjQRQRRM7YYjPJZoa1SkCNmi21Y-wWfOIHSvTWdEHLhSwMO373YHj36-JwJVtXHZgeJlmDa6U9wLET7o9CrKOD040WCHvUhGEJqDAjFeV7_LkrCmwoU/s400/spatula.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Golden brown and oh, so, yummy! It was hard to not eat them just like this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfGEjBOWj1A35TYEBKMzPvrNt_t00HqBr_Y7MzOQBXjDLWSDwkdgSTXOBaI7bLaMtmaOjf5n_D5skNfDT-ibYjkh1YEPpyj0lsg72h6wUsQqqtEYVaYz4sIHS0c1t6Bp0sKD0UeQ_RZU/s1600/yum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfGEjBOWj1A35TYEBKMzPvrNt_t00HqBr_Y7MzOQBXjDLWSDwkdgSTXOBaI7bLaMtmaOjf5n_D5skNfDT-ibYjkh1YEPpyj0lsg72h6wUsQqqtEYVaYz4sIHS0c1t6Bp0sKD0UeQ_RZU/s640/yum.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
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But once I had one like this, with the chocolate buttercream in the middle, I knew it was worth the wait!</div>
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Don't forget to check out all of the other wonderful recipes linked up below. And please vote for your favorite Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe!!! My recipe is number 65, just in case you're wondering... :)</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 20px;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I'm linking up!!! </strong></span> </span><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.jamhands.net/" style="text-decoration: none;">Recipe Sharing Monday</a>, <a href="http://asouthernfairytale.com/">Mouthwatering Mondays</a>, <a href="http://mrshappyhomemaker.com/">Makin' You Crave Monday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tasty Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Too Cute Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tip Me Tuesday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tuesdays at the Table</a>, <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tempt My Tummy Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.thischickcooks.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">These Chicks Cooked</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Works for Me Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Cast Party Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">What I Whipped Up Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.dailyorganizedchaos.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Foodie Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.pinchofthisthatandtheother.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Whisking Wednesday</a>, <a href="http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Show & Share</a>, <a href="http://gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">{Wow Me} Wednesday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Full Plate Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Treats Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Turning the Table Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.alli-n-son.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Tooth Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Chic & Crafty Party</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.tidymom.net/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">I'm Lovin It</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.thehowtomommy.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tasty Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bake with Bizzy</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Friday Favorites</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Friday Flair</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/">Foodie Friday</a>, </span><a href="http://www.sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweets for a Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Strut Your Stuff Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Indulgences Sunday</span></a>, <a href="http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">My Inner Baker</a>, <a href="http://www.kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Simply Delish</a></strong></span>
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</script>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-21781466726248407332011-09-28T19:24:00.000-07:002011-09-29T20:03:05.780-07:00Chocolate Caramel Apple PopsI don't know if you've found <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> yet, but it is my new <strike>addiction</strike>, uh, love! It is such an easy way to hang on to all of the amazing ideas that I find on everyone's blogs these days. You know, that's the part of blogging I didn't think about when I started my blog. I was already an avid blog reader but as I've expanded where I link my posts up to, I've found more and more great blogs to read which means more and more ideas to try! Pinterest lets you create different boards to organize all of the ideas you find. Take a look at my <a href="http://pinterest.com/jennifermbland/">boards</a> and follow me. I'm always looking for new people to follow myself! Just be careful, it will suck you in!<br />
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The more I started using it, the more I wanted my sister on there. I always email her links but I kept thinking it would be easier with her on there with me. So, I invited her and it's so much fun sharing all of our great finds with one another. There were a couple ideas we both fell for, hard! We love caramel apples and so many people have posted about making Apple Pops, Caramel Dipped Apple Slices, Apple Nachos -- so many apple recipes. And we live in North Carolina where apple season is starting and the apples are so good. So she tried to make caramel dipped apple slices. For some reason, she has trouble with making dipped snacks, and her slices didn't work. I decided to try to make some apple pops to see if I could find some pointers to help her out. Plus I had gotten these beauties delivered in <a href="http://www.theproducebox.com/">My Produce Box</a> on the same day that she called about her slice disaster...<br />
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Fresh, local produce always makes me happy!<br />
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My mom taught me to soak cut apples in salt water to prevent browning. It doesn't leave them tart like lemon juice -- it even makes them taste a little sweeter, in my opinion. So I filled a bowl with a few cups of water and about a teaspoon of salt and stirred until the salt dissolved.</div>
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I used my melon baller to cut balls of the apple and soaked each piece in the salt water. Since this was my first try, I only did two apples and it yielded almost 20 balls.<br />
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I didn't have any caramel candies at home so I just made some from scratch. It's cheaper and easier anyway... I added my sugar and butter to a small skillet and started heating it up over medium-high heat.<br />
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Melty sugar and butter... yum!</div>
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Bubbly...</div>
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It's getting there. Waiting on that gorgeous color to start showing up.<br />
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There it is! Caramel!!! I sat this off to the side while I melted some chocolate chips.<br />
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I added a spoonful of vegetable shortening to the chocolate chips just to smooth out the consistency a bit.<br />
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I melted the chocolate in the microwave this time. I put the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time and stirred it thoroughly each time. It only took 3 spins through the microwave to look like it does in the left-most photo above. I then stirred it until it looked smooth as in the right-most photo. I always rely on stirring to melt it in the end so that I don't risk burning my chocolate.<br />
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By this time, the caramel has cooled so I added a little cream to thin it out. I heated it over medium heat to combine.<br />
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It all came together and got all bubbly again.<br />
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I poured the caramel into a bowl and placed it close to the melted chocolate and some chocolate jimmies. Time to dip now :)<br />
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I pulled out the apple balls and dried them very well!!! I couldn't decide if I wanted to dip them peel side up or peel side down so I decided to try it both ways.<br />
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The caramel stuck just fine with the peel side up.<br />
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So it went into the chocolate. No problems here either.<br />
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The sprinkles finish it off.<br />
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I placed it in a paper cup to cool while I made the rest.<br />
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The pops with the skin side down worked, too :)<br />
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I will tell you that these were pretty yummy but I don't know if I'll make them again... I think the heat from the caramel made the apple balls release so much juice that these would not last very long. I placed them the refrigerator to cool all of the way and some were leaking apple juice within an hour. They were still yummy to eat that way but messy!<br />
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And I'll also share that while dipping, my caramel cooled too much and stopped sticking to the apple. Boo! I reheated and started dipping again right away.<br />
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And the caramel was too hot to really work then. So you will have to work with the caramel to get to just the right temperature for dipping.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Chocolate Caramel Apple Pops</span><br />
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2 medium apples - 18-20 balls<br />
3/4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips<br />
1/2 tbsp vegetable shortening<br />
Caramel - recipe below<br />
chocolate jimmies<br />
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Use a melon baller to cut ball shaped sections of the apple, with skin still on the apple. Soak the cut apples in a bowl of salt water to prevent browning for at least 10 minutes. While apples are soaking, place chocolate chips in a bowl with the shortening and microwave for 30 seconds intervals, stirring thoroughly between each one. This should take no more than 1 to 1.5 minutes -- be careful not to overheat your chocolate. Once chocolate, caramel and jimmies have been placed into separate bowls and you are read to dip, remove apple pieces from water and dry completely with paper towels. Insert lollipop sticks and dip each apple segment into caramel, then chocolate, then jimmies. Place them in a mini candy liner to harden, in the refrigerator. Serve as soon as the chocolate has hardened and enjoy!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">______________________________________________________________________________</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Caramel for dipping</span><br />
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3 tbsp butter<br />
1/2 c sugar<br />
1/4 c half & half, optional<br />
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Place butter and sugar in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Stir together to combine while it heats. Continue stirring as the sugar melts and the mixture develops a gorgeous golden brown color. Once color develops, allow caramel to cool a little. If caramel thickens too much, half & half can be added to thin it over medium heat.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 20px;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I'm linking up!!! </strong></span> </span><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.jamhands.net/" style="text-decoration: none;">Recipe Sharing Monday</a>, <a href="http://asouthernfairytale.com/">Mouthwatering Mondays</a>, <a href="http://mrshappyhomemaker.com/">Makin' You Crave Monday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tasty Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Too Cute Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tip Me Tuesday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tuesdays at the Table</a>, <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tempt My Tummy Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.thischickcooks.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">These Chicks Cooked</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Works for Me Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Cast Party Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">What I Whipped Up Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.dailyorganizedchaos.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Foodie Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.pinchofthisthatandtheother.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Whisking Wednesday</a>, <a href="http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Show & Share</a>, <a href="http://gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">{Wow Me} Wednesday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Full Plate Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Treats Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Turning the Table Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.alli-n-son.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Tooth Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Chic & Crafty Party</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.tidymom.net/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">I'm Lovin It</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.thehowtomommy.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tasty Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bake with Bizzy</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Friday Favorites</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Friday Flair</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/">Foodie Friday</a>, </span><a href="http://www.sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweets for a Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Strut Your Stuff Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Indulgences Sunday</span></a>, <a href="http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">My Inner Baker</a>, <a href="http://www.kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Simply Delish</a></strong></span><br />
<br />Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-56702177605971491982011-09-14T18:44:00.000-07:002011-09-14T18:44:05.751-07:00Red Velvet CakeThis past Sunday, I was searching for comfort. It was a sad day. As I usually do, I turned to food.<br />
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I am a southern girl so it had to be Red Velvet Cake. I mean is there anything better to make you feel like all is right with the world?<br />
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I have tried tons and tons of Red Velvet recipes over the years and I've recently found one that I love! It was over at <a href="http://thisistolove.blogspot.com/2011/08/red-velvet-cake.html">Moments of Twenty</a>. My only modifications to this recipe are that I don't make a paste out of the cocoa and food coloring. I add them in separately. I don't like how the paste can be lumpy... And I use <a href="http://cakedish.blogspot.com/2011/05/very-vanilla-excitement.html">CREAM CHEESE FROSTING</a>. I do love the icing recipe featured in the post but not for Red Velvet Cake. For me, Red Velvet Cake must have Cream Cheese Frosting. It's just a law in my world.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWr8DyP8acgSCE3N6H4hHwunHzlceYzcu3tD_IhNWoBbcgsFJlmYhuLha6QE1HraOo1uAQ0G65xyX7GFX1KOQWYd0DBjxBvYC2U2BEdveO7hRGD50SVv3xmhhHmI-i-vNkFzFDVH0Tdk/s1600/slice_o2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWr8DyP8acgSCE3N6H4hHwunHzlceYzcu3tD_IhNWoBbcgsFJlmYhuLha6QE1HraOo1uAQ0G65xyX7GFX1KOQWYd0DBjxBvYC2U2BEdveO7hRGD50SVv3xmhhHmI-i-vNkFzFDVH0Tdk/s640/slice_o2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This cake makes everything better!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 20px;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I'm linking up!!! </strong></span> </span><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.jamhands.net/" style="text-decoration: none;">Recipe Sharing Monday</a>, <a href="http://asouthernfairytale.com/">Mouthwatering Mondays</a>, <a href="http://mrshappyhomemaker.com/">Makin' You Crave Monday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tasty Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Too Cute Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tip Me Tuesday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tuesdays at the Table</a>, <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tempt My Tummy Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.thischickcooks.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">These Chicks Cooked</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Works for Me Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Cast Party Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">What I Whipped Up Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.dailyorganizedchaos.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Foodie Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.pinchofthisthatandtheother.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Whisking Wednesday</a>, <a href="http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Show & Share</a>, <a href="http://gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">{Wow Me} Wednesday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Full Plate Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Treats Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Turning the Table Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.alli-n-son.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Tooth Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Chic & Crafty Party</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.tidymom.net/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">I'm Lovin It</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.thehowtomommy.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tasty Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bake with Bizzy</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Friday Favorites</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Friday Flair</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/">Foodie Friday</a>, </span><a href="http://www.sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweets for a Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Strut Your Stuff Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Indulgences Sunday</span></a>, <a href="http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">My Inner Baker</a>, <a href="http://www.kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Simply Delish</a></strong></span><br />
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<br />Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-72396871243678199572011-09-07T19:34:00.000-07:002011-09-12T07:05:04.476-07:00Fresh Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter FillingThis past January, my family took a trip to Washington, DC. A few months prior to that, a girlfriend had been and had told me that she and her daughters went to see Georgetown Cupcakes -- you know, as in DC Cupcakes on TLC? At the time that she told me this story, I didn't. I'm embarrassed to admit that now... I love cupcakes so I immediately looked the show up. My friend was unable to get in and try any cupcakes due to the long lines. I saw that you can order ahead and walk right in -- that's what they told Oprah or a morning show host or someone like that -- so I ordered one and a half dozen. Did I mention that we went in January? Why did I expect there to be a line around the building during snow and rain in January? More on that in a bit.<br />
So we took the Metro to the closest stop at the end of a day of walking the Mall and then realized that it was one mile to the shop from the Metro stop. Did I also mention that I had a 5 and 7 year old with me? And that it was cold? And that we hadn't had dinner? We thought about grabbing a cab but we reasoned that it would be better to walk there and take a cab back so off we went. I still have nightmares about that walk. I had half of a left over cookie in my purse that I used to lure my children forward several times during that walk. After what seemed like an eternity, we finally made it and walked right in -- in front of maybe 3 people -- a bit anti-climatic if you ask me. We picked up our cupcakes and grabbed a table. This is where you queue up the Hallelujah chorus... Once each of us bit into our cupcakes, the journey was worth it! They were delicious. We ended up buying more before we left and we had to wait in line to do that. I brought some home to my girlfriends. I couldn't bear the thought of not sharing them with the friend who had introduced me to this heavenly place.<br />
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I tell you this story because it is where I fell head over heels in love with their chocolate banana cupcake. I mean, I want to take a trip back just to eat one. So I figured that meant that I needed to come up with a recipe that I could make myself and I did! I have worked on this one all year and it is ready to be shared. Only, it's not chocolate. I really wanted to focus on the banana! And in this version, I added peanut butter ganache into center of the cupcake and peanut butter chips as a garnish. You can blame it on Elvis.</div>
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I started by mashing up bananas.<br />
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I added the vanilla and eggs to the bananas because it all gets added in together.<br />
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I creamed the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then I added in the banana mixture and combined that well. Next was the flour mixture. And last was the sour cream. I filled my cupcake liners and let them bake.<br />
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After cooling, the cupcakes were ready to be filled with a ganache I made mixing peanut butter chips with cream in double boiler and letting them melt together into a smooth sauce.<br />
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Yum!<br />
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I just used a spoon to pour the filling into the holes I made using my apple corer.<br />
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These are topped with the <a href="http://cakedish.blogspot.com/2011/05/very-vanilla-excitement.html">Vanilla Bean-Cream Cheese Buttercream icing</a> I've used before.<br />
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And then topped with a few peanut butter chips on top just because. These take me back to that wonderful trip. I still can't wait to visit again but until then, these always hit the spot!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">______________________________________________________________________________<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21px;"></span></span><br />
<h3 align="left" id="sites-page-title-header" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; position: relative;" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fresh Banana Cupcakes </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Printable recipe card </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://sites.google.com/site/thecakedishrecipes/home/banana-cupcakes">here</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">! </span></span></h3>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h3 align="left" id="sites-page-title-header" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; position: relative;" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">½ cup butter, room
temperature<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">1 ½ cup sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">2 cups mashed bananas (about
4 medium bananas)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">2 eggs, room temperature<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">2 cups cake flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">1 tsp baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">½ tsp salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">½ cup sour cream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350
degrees. Place cupcake liners in muffin
pan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Cream butter, slowly add
sugar and beat until light. Add banana,
eggs and vanilla and beat well. Mix the
flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.
Add to first mixture and blend.
Slowly add sour cream and beat until well blended. Fill cupcake liners with ¼ cup batter
each. Bake 15-18 minutes. Cool in pan on cooling rack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</span></span></h3>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 20px;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I'm linking up!!! </strong></span> </span><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.jamhands.net/" style="text-decoration: none;">Recipe Sharing Monday</a>, <a href="http://asouthernfairytale.com/">Mouthwatering Mondays</a>, <a href="http://mrshappyhomemaker.com/">Makin' You Crave Monday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tasty Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Too Cute Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tip Me Tuesday</a></span>, <a href="http://www.allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tuesdays at the Table</a>, <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/" style="text-decoration: none;">Tempt My Tummy Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.thischickcooks.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">These Chicks Cooked</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Works for Me Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Cast Party Wednesday</span></a><span 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style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Treats Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Turning the Table Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.alli-n-son.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Tooth Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Chic & Crafty Party</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.tidymom.net/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">I'm Lovin It</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.thehowtomommy.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Tasty Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bake with Bizzy</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Friday Favorites</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Friday Flair</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, <a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/">Foodie Friday</a>, </span><a href="http://www.sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweets for a Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Strut Your Stuff Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white;">Sweet Indulgences Sunday</span></a>, <a href="http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">My Inner Baker</a>, <a href="http://www.kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Simply Delish</a></strong></span>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-23323641631207326772011-09-07T12:02:00.000-07:002011-09-09T18:35:46.953-07:00Baked Macaroni and CheeseTina, over at <a href="http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/">Mom's Crazy Cooking</a>, has invited me to be a part of her first <a href="http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/p/crazy-cooking-challenge.html">Crazy Cooking Challenge</a>. This is a new challenge that will allow us all to find a recipe that a fellow blogger has shared with us in Blogland and give it a whirl. All of you, our readers, will be able to read the posts and vote for your favorite! How cool is that? (My post #20... just sayin') I'm really excited to see what everyone comes up with -- our theme for this month is one of my most favorite foods ever! Macaroni And Cheese! YUM!<br />
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I have scoured the blogs to find the ultimate macaroni and cheese recipe and I think I found the perfect one at <a href="http://www.ezrapoundcake.com/archives/9170">Ezra Pound Cake</a>! Macaroni and cheese is a staple at my house and it is almost always made from scratch. The recipe I found is similar to the way I usually make it -- it starts with a roux -- but it takes it a step further and instead of serving from the stove top as I do, it includes a trip through the oven to take it over the top! It also uses ground dry mustard which is something I typically avoid. My husband isn't a mustard fan so I usually just skip it even though every mac&cheese recipe calls for it. This time, I used it, and he is so glad that I did. It's wonderful! So is the blog that I found this recipe on, by the way. Its author, Rebecca, is so much fun to read and has great recipes to share!<br />
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The only modification that I made to Rebecca's recipe is that I doubled the amount of pasta it called for. And I didn't include the optional hot sauce. I may do that next time but this time it was for my kiddos so I was nice...<br />
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I don't know about you, but anything that starts with this makes me weak in the knees. Am I the only one? Sorry, but a plate of extra sharp cheddar shredded to pieces thrills me!<br />
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This is a bowl of the seasoning used in the dish. Yum! Fresh garlic also makes me happy!<br />
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Like I said, this recipe starts with a basic roux -- butter + flour + milk + heat = thick, bubbly white sauce.<br />
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I added all of those awesome spices to the thickened white sauce and stirred them in.</div>
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And then the cheese! Not just the cheddar above but also Monterrey Jack and Parmesan. Sooooo good!<br />
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Once it's all mixed together and heated well, it turns into this amazing cheese sauce! And you can see all of the gorgeous flavor in it from here. </div>
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I mixed that awesome sauce with the cooked pasta and poured it into a buttered casserole dish.</div>
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I topped it with some extra cheese and placed it in the oven for 25 minutes.</div>
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This is it! Don't you want to dive right in???<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpV9jAvcFkBSPKt38NM4BYBCE5wZpv9E3gt8KonK-64TN_pOXlYjDv88Ldcpsfdkfqd4oLSNSWOO7V16yAJl6wSsZvIcCdM4NbaUdZ6wCHMeFcNaBY9KDQ0Frpi-M7_fF84LM2PTGzDbI/s1600/serve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpV9jAvcFkBSPKt38NM4BYBCE5wZpv9E3gt8KonK-64TN_pOXlYjDv88Ldcpsfdkfqd4oLSNSWOO7V16yAJl6wSsZvIcCdM4NbaUdZ6wCHMeFcNaBY9KDQ0Frpi-M7_fF84LM2PTGzDbI/s640/serve.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>
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We did!</div>
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And did it again! <br />
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Be sure to check out the other blogs participating in this cool challenge and don't forget to vote!<br />
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<a href="http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/p/crazy-cooking-challenge.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src=" http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k498/Hudgens6/Buttons/CrazyCookingChallengeButton-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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</script>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-78257913155068044432011-09-02T04:36:00.000-07:002011-09-09T18:29:31.638-07:00Marshmallow Fondant at Frosting for the Cause<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I am so excited to have a guest post over at <a href="http://www.frostingforthecause.com/2011/09/jennifers-marshmallow-fondant/">Frosting for the Cause</a> today! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpY_YoUNnJSwR0ivEMknvE5K_4qH05PUfqo_eIwlQHgrwBR-mueuuoDSZUjBWnctQqLKg6WWHTwlIJwC0wvVOwqnE_B48tsHteAZsf-kmSLp1U3c4CdhP8iOGQ896FYfd9EmMb8RRrZOQ/s1600/one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpY_YoUNnJSwR0ivEMknvE5K_4qH05PUfqo_eIwlQHgrwBR-mueuuoDSZUjBWnctQqLKg6WWHTwlIJwC0wvVOwqnE_B48tsHteAZsf-kmSLp1U3c4CdhP8iOGQ896FYfd9EmMb8RRrZOQ/s320/one.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you haven't yet discovered this amazing site, you should check it out. It is the beautiful idea of Paula, <a href="http://vanillabeanbaker.wordpress.com/">the Vanilla Bean Baker</a>, to have 365 days of guest posts this year from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">sugar cookie & cupcake bakers/decorators and bloggers from across Canada and the United States. It such a treat and you can discover amazing people, tips and treats there. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">What makes if even more special, is that each guest blogger donates money to the American or Canadian Cancer Society and donates their baked goods to a women's hospice or to their local hospital or cancer care facility. As a participant with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life for the last 7 years, I am so excited to be a part of another avenue that raises money for this vitally important cause! Please jump over and take a look at my post about how to make </span></span><a href="http://www.frostingforthecause.com/2011/09/jennifers-marshmallow-fondant/">homemade marshmallow fondant</a>. And then read from the other contributors, too. You'll be glad you did!<br />
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<br />Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-45174841861315616292011-08-31T19:38:00.000-07:002011-09-01T18:32:02.574-07:00Chocolate Irish Cream CupcakesI know, I know, I just did a filled chocolate cupcake recipe but I have to tell you about another one... And this one, well, I don't even have words. Just take a look at them!<br />
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I shared these with girlfriends tonight with rave reviews!<br />
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These started with my <a href="http://cakedish.blogspot.com/2011/08/cream-filled-chocolate-cupcakes.html">chocolate cupcake recipe</a> that I've previously shared. They are my favorite cupcakes to make and it's hard to imagine that these cupcakes can be made better. But what's not better with Bailey's Irish Cream? Or with a chocolate ganache filling? I filled these with my <a href="http://cakedish.blogspot.com/2011/05/chocolate-covered-strawberry-cupcakes.html">cooked chocolate sauce</a> and then saved some to drizzle over the top just for good measure!<br />
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The frosting I chose is a basic chocolate frosting recipe that I love but this time, I replaced the milk I typically use in it with Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur. And I am so glad that I did. And if you make these, you will be so glad that you did, too!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Irish Cream Chocolate Icing </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Printable recipe card <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/thecakedishrecipes/irish-cream-chocolate-icing">here</a>! </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />1 c semi sweet chocolate morsels<br />3/4 c butter, room temperature<br />2 tsp pure vanilla extract<br />3 c powdered sugar<br />3 tbsp Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur<br /><br />In microwave safe bowl, add chocolate chips. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. Remove bowl from microwave and stir the chocolate. Repeat these steps until chocolate is melted completely. Take care not to over cook. Set to the side and allow to cool but not harden.<br />Cream butter in mixing bowl of stand mixer with paddle attachment until whipped. Add vanilla and cooled chocolate and mix thoroughly. Add sugar, one cup at a time, fully incorporating each addition into the mixture.<br />Slowly add the Bailey's and allow the icing to whip at medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I'm linking up!!! </strong></span> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.jamhands.net/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Recipe Sharing Monday</span></a></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tasty Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; 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color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Strut Your Stuff Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Sweet Indulgences Sunday</span></span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">My Inner Baker</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Simply Delish</span></a></strong></span><br />
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<br />Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-87478313874977714762011-08-29T13:08:00.000-07:002011-08-29T13:09:57.724-07:00Chicken Pot Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwraGYRIZ1tHCuXJuvAUT-6sTiov_r3W5AOlnDKt3MTR361pkmcCJF5Uf7-nR5BmcTNzmcIZpV2R2GjBGFszjPPg7b8T2NM5It9VbplgGV9KiOcj4RKaGY83NUBf2jR2LzUydOmAZS760/s1600/serve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwraGYRIZ1tHCuXJuvAUT-6sTiov_r3W5AOlnDKt3MTR361pkmcCJF5Uf7-nR5BmcTNzmcIZpV2R2GjBGFszjPPg7b8T2NM5It9VbplgGV9KiOcj4RKaGY83NUBf2jR2LzUydOmAZS760/s640/serve.jpg" width="430px" /></a></div><br />
This is one of my favorite comfort foods! Since you can see lots of veggies in it, I don't let it make me feel too guilty. I am so excited to have a guest post over at <a href="http://www.alli-n-son.com/2011/08/28/chicken-pot-pie-guest-post/">Alli-n-son's</a> today. Be sure to jump on over there to learn how to make this awesome dish. Her blog is wonderfully funny and helpful! She just added to her family with a gorgeous baby boy so take some time to explore and coo over some of her sweet photos! You'll enjoy her take on parenting and life with a side of chocolate!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://alli-n-son.com/" mce_href="http://alli-n-son.com" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" mce_src="http://alli-n-son.com/wp-content/themes/thesis_17/custom/images/AllinSonButton_New.png" src="http://alli-n-son.com/wp-content/themes/thesis_17/custom/images/AllinSonButton_New.png" /></a></div>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-71692925357647892942011-08-24T16:55:00.000-07:002011-08-25T19:33:59.594-07:00Cream Filled Chocolate Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am going to let ya'll in on a little secret. I have always hated chocolate cake. There I said it... Growing up, my mother was the world's biggest chocoholic. She loved all things chocolate but my sister and I just couldn't get on board. At least not on board with chocolate cake or ice cream... Brownies were okay, as was candy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These days, I have found that I like GOOD chocolate cake. I've shared that one of my favorites is from Barefoot Contessa -- who's surprised that Ina can make anything delicious??? But today I want to share my favorite chocolate CUPcake recipe. And how I made it even better :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cqsnm1llvv8sO_R3R0hhwSGxdmpc-FXQ6c6TiU6qqMzn1MrIycXkpuF1aL1pOpa4TpYGgD1kX3njWAX0QCg1hyTr0KvMEt3zoOFddEX-f1INA8PxyvlYh9StdwaSLeUDP9ViMxVG42Q/s1600/cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cqsnm1llvv8sO_R3R0hhwSGxdmpc-FXQ6c6TiU6qqMzn1MrIycXkpuF1aL1pOpa4TpYGgD1kX3njWAX0QCg1hyTr0KvMEt3zoOFddEX-f1INA8PxyvlYh9StdwaSLeUDP9ViMxVG42Q/s640/cc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Aren't they pretty? Wait till you see what I did to these...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tAVxqiRZjmwc5DxmkiTr7lf8gO0df7RJGgzqzaHTf_GSXNR7lyoRoyQ3dOvEmejlMdIxgt_ntblvcss8Y8-Hxdk3dtKDy0riXSYbdw2G35465RVjsHzPAQQcJbdnJjdTXpv-XlPbqIk/s1600/cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tAVxqiRZjmwc5DxmkiTr7lf8gO0df7RJGgzqzaHTf_GSXNR7lyoRoyQ3dOvEmejlMdIxgt_ntblvcss8Y8-Hxdk3dtKDy0riXSYbdw2G35465RVjsHzPAQQcJbdnJjdTXpv-XlPbqIk/s640/cream.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I filled them up with CREAM! I was baking these cupcakes for a friend the other day. She only needed a dozen but if I'm baking, I might as well make two dozen and have some for my family, right? I'm sure you would do the same... I was also baking a key lime pie for her and I had some left over whipped cream from that. Inspiration struck! And now I'm sharing it with you!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRw41LpTfsgZwVW_iCrBbIwhCD7_p5qHr6kYk-2uLAQ_IzsGrvHOTCT3d0DRLb0x1HIdzJNDmdnoDx0r2bdtsr3gFTiob9LlAfUC_jLluV4e3KIqy6P0y6hDkx6Qt2i_GBEH7T-y-HELY/s1600/dry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRw41LpTfsgZwVW_iCrBbIwhCD7_p5qHr6kYk-2uLAQ_IzsGrvHOTCT3d0DRLb0x1HIdzJNDmdnoDx0r2bdtsr3gFTiob9LlAfUC_jLluV4e3KIqy6P0y6hDkx6Qt2i_GBEH7T-y-HELY/s320/dry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I sifted together cake flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gk8dzew5fhCDUUokJVef3OuWBZrtSs8YSAl566B3ilubYkLij1uX-UJ9MBGjbsAcWcSYUl1i8Or-B_HvTVRD5_XmSLce9sdKM8Z-XJbrdhgqmkte-eSqFRatLwRyGsydbC1v33anH7s/s1600/eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gk8dzew5fhCDUUokJVef3OuWBZrtSs8YSAl566B3ilubYkLij1uX-UJ9MBGjbsAcWcSYUl1i8Or-B_HvTVRD5_XmSLce9sdKM8Z-XJbrdhgqmkte-eSqFRatLwRyGsydbC1v33anH7s/s320/eggs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I creamed butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Then I added the eggs and vanilla and beat it until it was a beautiful golden batter.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUbCEb8U65GI8vV3Lh1hMq0UKLiCiSDVKbF6LiqWAOQ8rXuBbou7MdUNqKWtjKbi94gqeXglaaB6zDrlRpWlBx0fNZR6MSScnOW0SP3eBFHP6Yg_z8Jgh_nSo2pT6s5e5tdIneUQwgAk/s1600/bat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnUbCEb8U65GI8vV3Lh1hMq0UKLiCiSDVKbF6LiqWAOQ8rXuBbou7MdUNqKWtjKbi94gqeXglaaB6zDrlRpWlBx0fNZR6MSScnOW0SP3eBFHP6Yg_z8Jgh_nSo2pT6s5e5tdIneUQwgAk/s320/bat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
To this I added about a third of the dry ingredients I had sifted together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNABPsOqaqNIa8fwDZ-wvLzuZW6PxOj5M3uT1RAr_MqmThIFf8cO2W7YTPawQRQp91ZHB7aAlodKliLeQpZnoL9HnDY7nVaQ5eW7fVoaB4tEYyGBpTinDgQRFX6eoFL8plV1Be7Vfk9Qc/s1600/adddry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNABPsOqaqNIa8fwDZ-wvLzuZW6PxOj5M3uT1RAr_MqmThIFf8cO2W7YTPawQRQp91ZHB7aAlodKliLeQpZnoL9HnDY7nVaQ5eW7fVoaB4tEYyGBpTinDgQRFX6eoFL8plV1Be7Vfk9Qc/s320/adddry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And mixed it until it was just blended. Then I added half of the water.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02xDT04p1Zh_R0mIVpDpK4JydqKZMPPGVZA_jLIPboDzOIljz2OO_OoHaiAU7CxkqI9T_LwWPUOwTMsstIKIgGBxbgn2Vd277E_jz_uzj0dOeWkg6V4G2C6kCHPKowqM_EAnFT-RJNqY/s1600/addliq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02xDT04p1Zh_R0mIVpDpK4JydqKZMPPGVZA_jLIPboDzOIljz2OO_OoHaiAU7CxkqI9T_LwWPUOwTMsstIKIgGBxbgn2Vd277E_jz_uzj0dOeWkg6V4G2C6kCHPKowqM_EAnFT-RJNqY/s320/addliq.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I continued alternating until everything was mixed together into this gorgeous batter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCDN0IYzqSufRIoN44aWH1aKCr86ktswI2eaF52FXmiYUxDK2qJM66ysaiv3ut0HykrsAtBAg5HHNrOaSnmugOCaymx5bRYcKTAFggOJw1Hr648NCJgF2ACeGuib3srwzrK6jztGh_Kk/s1600/yum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCDN0IYzqSufRIoN44aWH1aKCr86ktswI2eaF52FXmiYUxDK2qJM66ysaiv3ut0HykrsAtBAg5HHNrOaSnmugOCaymx5bRYcKTAFggOJw1Hr648NCJgF2ACeGuib3srwzrK6jztGh_Kk/s320/yum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>I divided it between the cupcake liners and placed them into the oven to bake until done.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV-MAs8PX66tl-JbDxOCcmaW6N4Szqd2O-gBPN5-eIiuTMObn8_uPC1ah1Ybg93iVtPD6oIBYNWE8geYu0_n7ZP3HKuwMjDFNC7rGc5EULKj88ZJC9abufIfarZpoVswF13GvOv9nbns/s1600/oven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV-MAs8PX66tl-JbDxOCcmaW6N4Szqd2O-gBPN5-eIiuTMObn8_uPC1ah1Ybg93iVtPD6oIBYNWE8geYu0_n7ZP3HKuwMjDFNC7rGc5EULKj88ZJC9abufIfarZpoVswF13GvOv9nbns/s320/oven.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I iced these with a basic vanilla buttercream. And threw a few sprinkles on some. These were the dozen packed up for delivery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOzwwcvozJwak1zKX9gItiI6oLruILRjq_2IGcbrofNrPNN2eX11_xS_4OioGcRdKmNaagaVNbE2npTJmXIx3ImUETDZ_thaf0stVgQ_1QxtBN_wiMo2KvusJEBIhGtsbY-s2s_RW6dY/s1600/dozen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOzwwcvozJwak1zKX9gItiI6oLruILRjq_2IGcbrofNrPNN2eX11_xS_4OioGcRdKmNaagaVNbE2npTJmXIx3ImUETDZ_thaf0stVgQ_1QxtBN_wiMo2KvusJEBIhGtsbY-s2s_RW6dY/s400/dozen.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And these were all for me... I mean, my family... :) I filled them with whipped cream that I had blended with gelatin to make sure it would hold up well. I made it just like my <a href="http://cakedish.blogspot.com/2011/07/bourbon-spice-cupcakes.html">Bourbon Whipped Cream</a> but I replaced the bourbon with water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tAVxqiRZjmwc5DxmkiTr7lf8gO0df7RJGgzqzaHTf_GSXNR7lyoRoyQ3dOvEmejlMdIxgt_ntblvcss8Y8-Hxdk3dtKDy0riXSYbdw2G35465RVjsHzPAQQcJbdnJjdTXpv-XlPbqIk/s1600/cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tAVxqiRZjmwc5DxmkiTr7lf8gO0df7RJGgzqzaHTf_GSXNR7lyoRoyQ3dOvEmejlMdIxgt_ntblvcss8Y8-Hxdk3dtKDy0riXSYbdw2G35465RVjsHzPAQQcJbdnJjdTXpv-XlPbqIk/s320/cream.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">_________________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">My Favorite Chocolate Cupcakes</span></span>, adapted from Betty Crocker</div><br />
2 1/2 c cake flour, sifted<br />
2/3 c cocoa<br />
1/4 tsp baking powder<br />
1 1/4 tsp baking soda<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1 2/3 c sugar<br />
3/4 c butter, softened<br />
1 1/4 c water<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
2 large eggs, room temperature<br />
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners for 24-30 cupcakes.<br />
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Sift together the dry ingredients other than sugar -- the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt -- set aside. In the bowl of your mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs and mix until well incorporated. Alternate mixing in the dry ingredients and the water, mixing until just blended after each addition.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Divide batter evenly between the liners. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until the tops spring back when pressed. Place on cooling rack to cool.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I'm linking up!!! </strong></span> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.jamhands.net/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Recipe Sharing Monday</span></a></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tasty Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Too Cute Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tip Me Tuesday</span></a></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tuesdays at the Table</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tempt My Tummy Tuesday</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thischickcooks.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">These Chicks Cooked</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Works for Me Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Cast Party Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">What I Whipped Up Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.dailyorganizedchaos.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Foodie Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.pinchofthisthatandtheother.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Whisking Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Show & Share</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">{Wow Me} Wednesday</span></a></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Full Plate Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Sweet Treats Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Turning the Table Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.alli-n-son.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Sweet Tooth Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Chic & Crafty Party</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.tidymom.net/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">I'm Lovin It</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thehowtomommy.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tasty Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Bake with Bizzy</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Friday Favorites</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;">,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Friday Flair</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Sweets for a Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Strut Your Stuff Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Sweet Indulgences Sunday</span></span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">My Inner Baker</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Simply Delish</span></a></strong></span></span></div>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-35032308496298222752011-08-17T20:39:00.000-07:002011-08-19T05:38:25.346-07:00S'mores TrufflesI love s'mores! I mean, for real, I love them. I have tried to perfect a way to enjoy them without having to build a fire in the back yard for as long as I can remember. I have tried to heat them over candle light and an oven burner. My sister stacks chocolate and a marshmallow on a graham cracker and sticks it in the microwave. It works for her and it's okay... But it's not as good as a freshly roasted marshmallow -- golden brown and never burned -- and chocolate that isn't melted.<br />
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When I saw several S'mores Truffles recipes floating around, I got a little excited. (I tried not to.) The recipes sounded like they could be ok but could they really satisfy my cravings for the real thing? My daughter and I started playing around and...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ6N9JIdTRnVNrgxaUuNNweY5aE4n9aRIlsf719U93N9GPCKTjhm9eaWXCrYDOWKs0M7kFRY6T2dX6EpEWdtSPpOZhvlHz5br1qaWa1JRQBH2yjhfyrQS2f5bX3RfKUrCwUTGwPcIoQA/s1600/truf3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZ6N9JIdTRnVNrgxaUuNNweY5aE4n9aRIlsf719U93N9GPCKTjhm9eaWXCrYDOWKs0M7kFRY6T2dX6EpEWdtSPpOZhvlHz5br1qaWa1JRQBH2yjhfyrQS2f5bX3RfKUrCwUTGwPcIoQA/s400/truf3.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This was the result! They were beyond good!!! And so pretty! They tasted just like a s'more from around the campfire. I can't wait to make these for my sister to see what she thinks about them.<br />
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Here's how we made them --<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqXGI32TFk1BVai2m8vUkXQycwd6LzI91U3TNru-bwMCDOyGLHYexvqXs1REw4_wpD4OhmPyLYUhRJwnnk8K3LOpj7bCaIWaknJODXrw8fut-i1qG6alGRxTaOSf3cGwReRSnwE5yF2U/s1600/graham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqXGI32TFk1BVai2m8vUkXQycwd6LzI91U3TNru-bwMCDOyGLHYexvqXs1REw4_wpD4OhmPyLYUhRJwnnk8K3LOpj7bCaIWaknJODXrw8fut-i1qG6alGRxTaOSf3cGwReRSnwE5yF2U/s320/graham.jpg" width="276px" /></a></div><br />
I used a small circle fondant cutter and cut out graham cracker circles. We crushed the left over cracker pieces up for the topping.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWS4DI2_hQzNJnp3TthRUcaERgfLqrHex8qyqDGOr2U2p8m0Go198XV4ivNCgiB3QCQ7sa4WzrHFRO-8ifoMtdBXNH3eOTwIaOmwtR9_Ze11H58WzXLcC5dGTL3dPc9V2a2XBhqds5pRE/s1600/choccirc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWS4DI2_hQzNJnp3TthRUcaERgfLqrHex8qyqDGOr2U2p8m0Go198XV4ivNCgiB3QCQ7sa4WzrHFRO-8ifoMtdBXNH3eOTwIaOmwtR9_Ze11H58WzXLcC5dGTL3dPc9V2a2XBhqds5pRE/s320/choccirc.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I did the same thing with Hershey's bars. That is a requirement for me -- it must be Hershey's chocolate to taste like a proper s'mores treat.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0To7N9SqifvaEqmatKDO9cbALfDWRrxYIhwgaRZSRF7meYIrqT6bHeC_2hOjUyYN9-MaSR4eN_UQhN7OymjR3DeozqEu9oqxVFFHme0RYdX-9JyCD5hMJiBxlVQjNcYrI5X8iRDxWSw/s1600/chocgra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0To7N9SqifvaEqmatKDO9cbALfDWRrxYIhwgaRZSRF7meYIrqT6bHeC_2hOjUyYN9-MaSR4eN_UQhN7OymjR3DeozqEu9oqxVFFHme0RYdX-9JyCD5hMJiBxlVQjNcYrI5X8iRDxWSw/s320/chocgra.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Yum!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxClQemRhelQ0iWSooSf44X5QWthU4VSG1pKRzJPYVUAks-9T-Hpr6PrxGeag6x8QaKtPrhv3mI37V3coGXYA1OBAOK3-4p_6iMJ72LvuweD0T-G1UAjc4sxy4JeR1NgugufTZ6_N25PU/s1600/marsh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxClQemRhelQ0iWSooSf44X5QWthU4VSG1pKRzJPYVUAks-9T-Hpr6PrxGeag6x8QaKtPrhv3mI37V3coGXYA1OBAOK3-4p_6iMJ72LvuweD0T-G1UAjc4sxy4JeR1NgugufTZ6_N25PU/s320/marsh.jpg" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
We started with Marshmallow Fluff as the base of our filling for the truffle. We added in a little whipping cream, vanilla and powdered sugar.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKZsZx8NRp5TyY6aM3on2Sf1WIJv8sXJPfhtnE0KnVT_grVZfTAC3gXReEaj3DGxKRrNtEL4blmQQu_rDTlL2K6SfmCC9SU40EgGe8_07hEcRMQhX1-mDe9mouMMS-MR1ezwm7QoblTQ/s1600/fill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKZsZx8NRp5TyY6aM3on2Sf1WIJv8sXJPfhtnE0KnVT_grVZfTAC3gXReEaj3DGxKRrNtEL4blmQQu_rDTlL2K6SfmCC9SU40EgGe8_07hEcRMQhX1-mDe9mouMMS-MR1ezwm7QoblTQ/s320/fill.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Once it was mixed well and stiff, we rolled it into small balls.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kLLkqezaj7hD92HNFpS-k110FPuJz8wntcIx4uyOfuQhSzqSthvFzGDfYkSCFmvrZh-Qf1Bxj7VJuk3J1Vghpd5DAXb8G4HZMcU81RRnX0e4y1znQf-VUkjOmvDEhxBIHo513iZtQD4/s1600/stack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kLLkqezaj7hD92HNFpS-k110FPuJz8wntcIx4uyOfuQhSzqSthvFzGDfYkSCFmvrZh-Qf1Bxj7VJuk3J1Vghpd5DAXb8G4HZMcU81RRnX0e4y1znQf-VUkjOmvDEhxBIHo513iZtQD4/s400/stack.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
Then we placed the filling between a piece of chocolate and a piece of cracker. I think we could have eaten them just like this. Instead, we refrigerated them for about half an hour. Then, we melted the leftover chocolate pieces along with a few more Hershey's bars in a double boiler and dipped the beauties in. We put them on wax paper to harden and topped them with the cracker crumbs.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TUvKZDYwjkKDkO8YwlcP-BwRe2zYbyb74lNbm5RGmFOSBBCyjN3U_NVrtSjagXxMT1uoxskd_tajKAtNKp8jwoGrnVJp4rGUD2W2i5lK4KEJ9Hvl1it6u-c6vWxD_wu8XglAuwMuYIU/s1600/truf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TUvKZDYwjkKDkO8YwlcP-BwRe2zYbyb74lNbm5RGmFOSBBCyjN3U_NVrtSjagXxMT1uoxskd_tajKAtNKp8jwoGrnVJp4rGUD2W2i5lK4KEJ9Hvl1it6u-c6vWxD_wu8XglAuwMuYIU/s640/truf.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
After an hour or so in the frig, they were ready to eat. Then I promptly packed them up to take to work the next day as I knew I could not be trusted in the same house as them much longer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">_________________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">S'mores Truffles</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6 Hersheys bars, full size</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3 graham crackers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 c marshmallow fluff</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tbsp heavy whipping cream</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tsp double strength vanilla extract</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 1/2 c powdered sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cut 3 Hersheys bars and the graham crackers into same size pieces -- I cut 4 small circles from each cracker and chocolate bar. Save leftover bits of chocolate bar for chocolate coating. Save leftover graham cracker bits for crumbling over top of the truffles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the filling, mix marshmallow fluff, cream and vanilla with an electric mixer until well blended. Start adding the sugar a little at a time. Mix until combined and stiffened. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Roll into balls and place between a piece of chocolate and a graham cracker*. Chill these for at least a half hour. Melt remaining chocolate in double boiler and dip truffles. Place them on wax paper to harden and top with crushed graham crackers. Allow the truffles to harden in the refrigerater for about an hour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>*If you have leftover filling, it can be rolled into balls to be chilled, dipped and topped just like the other truffles.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I'm linking up!!! </strong></span> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.jamhands.net/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Recipe Sharing Monday</span></a></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tasty Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Too Cute Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tip Me Tuesday</span></a></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tuesdays at the Table</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tempt My Tummy Tuesday</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thischickcooks.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">These Chicks Cooked</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Works for Me Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Cast Party Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">What I Whipped Up Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.dailyorganizedchaos.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Foodie Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.pinchofthisthatandtheother.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Whisking Wednesday</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Show & Share</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">{Wow Me} Wednesday</span></a></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Full Plate Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Sweet Treats Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Turning the Table Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.alli-n-son.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Sweet Tooth Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Chic & Crafty Party</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.tidymom.net/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">I'm Lovin It</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thehowtomommy.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tasty Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Bake with Bizzy</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Friday Favorites</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;">,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Friday Flair</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Sweets for a Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Strut Your Stuff Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Sweet Indulgences Sunday</span></span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">My Inner Baker</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Simply Delish</span></a></strong></span></span>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-71692732120028816882011-08-10T16:09:00.000-07:002011-08-24T16:55:36.732-07:00Pie in a Jar Thank You Gifts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My kiddos are on a year round school schedule. That means that I was searching for an end of the year gift for their teachers about a month ago. I prefer to make something, if I can, to let our teachers know how important they are to our family. It seems everyone has made something in a jar lately so I decided to give it a try! I searched through my kitchen and craft dresser and came up with the following materials to use..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtY_jHFYmB1TmbNVMO5rzgvwa9GywDLd5WXtXySBnGf8z2jPr608ZA13kMoAvRVDG36IQwvMgJxczP0Z33N8cTIuuzViVOjhYBVP9AGr-UJDj-2abqYzTImjrvVdExs3NsaG5OmWwXLH8/s1600/materials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtY_jHFYmB1TmbNVMO5rzgvwa9GywDLd5WXtXySBnGf8z2jPr608ZA13kMoAvRVDG36IQwvMgJxczP0Z33N8cTIuuzViVOjhYBVP9AGr-UJDj-2abqYzTImjrvVdExs3NsaG5OmWwXLH8/s640/materials.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The crazy thing is that I bought all of this for different reasons and had no idea that there was coordinating craft paper and ribbon lurking in my drawers... But lucky for me as I had everything I needed on hand and didn't need to spend a thing on making our gifts cute! These are not the jars I would have chosen, but I had them on hand, so they are what I used.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV4GL8vaxPe5jqurFrml-fIELVQ9f5pW0_wah-IdDQouEZS1-XpjWbaTNaxr0a9gJ7Km7i86wTTIWV0wMupjefYX7Z7-s6F4KFu13vikMAPedOZfRgRgh9EVkNpDCuW-LFgPih0-UKkE/s1600/crusttop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV4GL8vaxPe5jqurFrml-fIELVQ9f5pW0_wah-IdDQouEZS1-XpjWbaTNaxr0a9gJ7Km7i86wTTIWV0wMupjefYX7Z7-s6F4KFu13vikMAPedOZfRgRgh9EVkNpDCuW-LFgPih0-UKkE/s320/crusttop.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/03/happy-pi-day/">Pioneer Woman's Key Lime Pie recipe</a>, again. It is my all time favorite! I divided the graham cracker crust between the jars. I placed the jars on a cookie sheet and baked the crusts while I whipped up the filling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRomhnDztYDMlI82I4Tk9sDcOWwnHOEYX8ZQgmaTt84Xm5wrVZm37F9-SbKsZ4Uz1QZGROaA9Oqq8yfwFjobSoAcH5HCtdCy_wHmMWzAxSd2844nhprwQ2_BI62jG3vORAq5BEv8r_kUk/s1600/oven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRomhnDztYDMlI82I4Tk9sDcOWwnHOEYX8ZQgmaTt84Xm5wrVZm37F9-SbKsZ4Uz1QZGROaA9Oqq8yfwFjobSoAcH5HCtdCy_wHmMWzAxSd2844nhprwQ2_BI62jG3vORAq5BEv8r_kUk/s400/oven.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I divided the filling between the jars and placed them back into the oven to bake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBv7_tJruiquupdhVgmvBUfOJtBEB1SqgB2w4uRPXeheXP2mDW4rvOaIQ4zbXnbf80ayUAPlaihy6wppSwwAt9rgBo4SVoA5MgF10kgyK6fPaqkAzk74K0BtDlWMYryoh3FbPO24rZ0Q/s1600/whipped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBv7_tJruiquupdhVgmvBUfOJtBEB1SqgB2w4uRPXeheXP2mDW4rvOaIQ4zbXnbf80ayUAPlaihy6wppSwwAt9rgBo4SVoA5MgF10kgyK6fPaqkAzk74K0BtDlWMYryoh3FbPO24rZ0Q/s400/whipped.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
While they baked and cooled, I whipped up some fresh sweetened whipped cream. I piped the whipped cream onto the cooled pie.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9EPibq2b1J0-fX8YVf4M5DyPOF-XHptDuBLPQd2smslnzYp4wsIG37eQDC3Y8tinoet-vSXpKXQQGqTz8mXSCcF4BDyW7ap5I8GtWbpPaOhk3MjQ12AGKGVpXeE-bfrxP9S17jKvy5A/s1600/bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9EPibq2b1J0-fX8YVf4M5DyPOF-XHptDuBLPQd2smslnzYp4wsIG37eQDC3Y8tinoet-vSXpKXQQGqTz8mXSCcF4BDyW7ap5I8GtWbpPaOhk3MjQ12AGKGVpXeE-bfrxP9S17jKvy5A/s400/bb.jpg" width="267px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I topped each one with a blueberry. It took all of my willpower not to dig into these myself!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3xHLqgPEtk8-Q19-wF3ZzjGKsEvnA_FEzmz5WrId3nJB-8nGyX6Z9d2BHtF4SmPH7WqLBJ2yf6acEpOQi96X7qEOsQOT8OfCVLSfd3gSZylfulgM9MOLyAxyW8CH8SHTYNyLUgRVBrk/s1600/lid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3xHLqgPEtk8-Q19-wF3ZzjGKsEvnA_FEzmz5WrId3nJB-8nGyX6Z9d2BHtF4SmPH7WqLBJ2yf6acEpOQi96X7qEOsQOT8OfCVLSfd3gSZylfulgM9MOLyAxyW8CH8SHTYNyLUgRVBrk/s320/lid.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had to get our decorated lids on these quickly!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DVTCVw9nBgjjC_1jS7oCEVF8sdeEPbIIm3iiKe5kFN26s2ZjfSei5buHRXZjvJr4jN90qg1SpzSIbKK3DxveBV32c-tYvpLjXDB8f9TWBCKD7dojh6rXNtkqoaUeUWo31iWqJrke1kU/s1600/done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DVTCVw9nBgjjC_1jS7oCEVF8sdeEPbIIm3iiKe5kFN26s2ZjfSei5buHRXZjvJr4jN90qg1SpzSIbKK3DxveBV32c-tYvpLjXDB8f9TWBCKD7dojh6rXNtkqoaUeUWo31iWqJrke1kU/s640/done.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then we added some ribbon and spoons to make sure they could be enjoyed as soon as their teachers wanted them. I sent these to school with the kiddos in small gift bags with reminders that they should be refrigerated and notes of appreciation.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I'm linking up!!! </strong></span> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.jamhands.net/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Recipe Sharing Monday</span></a></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tasty Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Too Cute Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.tipjunkie.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tip Me Tuesday</span></a></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tuesdays at the Table</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tempt My Tummy Tuesday</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thischickcooks.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">These Chicks Cooked</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Works for Me Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Cast Party Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">What I Whipped Up Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.dailyorganizedchaos.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Foodie Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Full Plate Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Sweet Treats Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Turning the Table Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.alli-n-son.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Sweet Tooth Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Chic & Crafty Party</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.tidymom.net/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">I'm Lovin It</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thehowtomommy.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Tasty Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Bake with Bizzy</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Friday Favorites</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Friday Flair</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Sweets for a Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Strut Your Stuff Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sweet Indulgences <span style="color: #e06666;">Sunday</span></span></span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">My Inner Baker</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><a href="http://kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">Simply Delish</span></a></strong></span></span></span>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com98tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-2390709598895321212011-08-02T19:47:00.000-07:002011-08-24T16:56:15.500-07:00Peach Cobbler with Bourbon Whipped CreamThis is what came in my Produce Box this week...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCIweGPFeQwvaEqJnvgVqeFjNbyAAZCXHnDYHoNG9F70nvmB8Lr6dCO6dn_OZzWMUNdACcK-tUHu9xZzZc_4sIhS5FDkqVZ816tp7Vu_zA1PexTJVb40CYYbWi4szAXnvF1VbJW6eK6s/s1600/peaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="515px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCIweGPFeQwvaEqJnvgVqeFjNbyAAZCXHnDYHoNG9F70nvmB8Lr6dCO6dn_OZzWMUNdACcK-tUHu9xZzZc_4sIhS5FDkqVZ816tp7Vu_zA1PexTJVb40CYYbWi4szAXnvF1VbJW6eK6s/s640/peaches.jpg" t$="true" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
Fresh picked NC peaches -- and we actually had two of these containers! I was beyond thrilled with these and really in the mood for a great peach cobbler. And I wanted to top it with the <a href="http://cakedish.blogspot.com/2011/07/bourbon-spice-cupcakes.html">Bourbon Whipped Cream</a> from my Bourbon Spice Cupcakes. There is just something about peaches and bourbon that just goes together like peas and carrots. Run, Forest, run.<br />
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I have a go-to cobbler recipe that I was going to use to make one for a dinner party this weekend. But then I stumbled upon <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/peach-cobbler-recipe/index.html">Paula Deen's recipe</a>... and sometimes, you know you have to do it Paula's way. I mean, I may choose my recipe over hers for a tossed salad or something. But for peach cobbler, I thought Paula deserved a try! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Qbpn17bqgnjHydAQGPjKUmSRR2RXPkThG1oTm_1ypbVuTziC6bkG8mmLI2qnXC9rcuwQGNtMzlBaZE-tIKhEOqVDYBw0jhgk2C6FcryExPVWVfSEEs8S1piqJXkYNNXHtlxHsK-uSDo/s1600/sliced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Qbpn17bqgnjHydAQGPjKUmSRR2RXPkThG1oTm_1ypbVuTziC6bkG8mmLI2qnXC9rcuwQGNtMzlBaZE-tIKhEOqVDYBw0jhgk2C6FcryExPVWVfSEEs8S1piqJXkYNNXHtlxHsK-uSDo/s400/sliced.jpg" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
This was the hardest part of making this cobbler. Peeling and slicing 4 cups of peaches. And, to tell you the truth, next time I will peel and slice more. I definitely felt like there needed to be more fruit in the cobbler. Don't get me wrong, it was DELICIOUS, but who ever turned down extra peaches???<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zlWpjPQWduTP8w34MurX-47WTzz7hLtod9Fq70bx_B7kN8GJfl3sMZ7HhWW_7jeqQoDYl_no-ePfUeiIsN8ppP7BMnnAzrKoZP29oi8nwG2CyVawA8T1cf4ntdqqSRi9rr_5S37_Zvg/s1600/sugpot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zlWpjPQWduTP8w34MurX-47WTzz7hLtod9Fq70bx_B7kN8GJfl3sMZ7HhWW_7jeqQoDYl_no-ePfUeiIsN8ppP7BMnnAzrKoZP29oi8nwG2CyVawA8T1cf4ntdqqSRi9rr_5S37_Zvg/s640/sugpot.jpg" t$="true" width="640px" /></a></div>These get put into a saucepan with some water and part of the sugar. This mixture needs to simmer for around 10 minutes to get a little thick and bubbly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIGhhNq4-bFpy-NDJGcWkRMeV76FQg211CCpb1wR4_6p8Zzt0dmDWLAmqQT4qmIrXJLmzrxJHyIbMTENeAmSeEUA0Vx-c0Uh3nVq_3EIH4xO-B54j4sIaRShV421Y4Ku2jn9frQWsbH4/s1600/bubbly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBIGhhNq4-bFpy-NDJGcWkRMeV76FQg211CCpb1wR4_6p8Zzt0dmDWLAmqQT4qmIrXJLmzrxJHyIbMTENeAmSeEUA0Vx-c0Uh3nVq_3EIH4xO-B54j4sIaRShV421Y4Ku2jn9frQWsbH4/s320/bubbly.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
Are you getting excited yet? I could stop right here and eat this up! But I didn't! I put the stick of butter in my casserole dish (Am I the only one who is surprised that there is only one stick in Paula's recipe?) and sat that in the oven while my peaches cooked and the oven pre-heated so it could melt.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6btYe4_MfhY50Zza2JMBU_ailcI8WnKGO_CtAgYKutO4USM0f7fHNrIlfMDIKyTZhtNHGVyDw5voC3_KENYYDGyO-HQtE4cM-SQmia_F-_bYTUySQk3M72fFePaQzD2lF-GdGf0sJ7rU/s1600/dry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6btYe4_MfhY50Zza2JMBU_ailcI8WnKGO_CtAgYKutO4USM0f7fHNrIlfMDIKyTZhtNHGVyDw5voC3_KENYYDGyO-HQtE4cM-SQmia_F-_bYTUySQk3M72fFePaQzD2lF-GdGf0sJ7rU/s320/dry.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
While I was waiting, I mixed my dry ingredients together. The recipe called for self rising flour but I only had all purpose. No problem! I just mixed in 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder and a teaspoon of salt to my flour. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3MiEXBej3Tns9gAO9LKUL3EVTJBQzAWExeQOivAXo-wuSoxTfl0Z5bU6vuCAe-37V2DZNH-HdJtQqshv4wyo79xfCqecTi7ZjPeuv18oTP24Rx6TMJRjXgG4mgMfDe4ExF9G-C95Mrg/s1600/milk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3MiEXBej3Tns9gAO9LKUL3EVTJBQzAWExeQOivAXo-wuSoxTfl0Z5bU6vuCAe-37V2DZNH-HdJtQqshv4wyo79xfCqecTi7ZjPeuv18oTP24Rx6TMJRjXgG4mgMfDe4ExF9G-C95Mrg/s400/milk.jpg" t$="true" width="311px" /></a></div><br />
I added the milk to the dry ingredients and whisked everything together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lyrSz5pYLW6MgYriEoR_QUQKz5S2xAFTAIL_hrK4hxhM1vuwNnEeNR638G75EZj_CBlDkJO15LPVhWOfvch4Q8nq5fshyphenhyphenjoOrhvbrPbCdtGinC85sVBlJLt5Okoek2JH4gfHeDwqpYg/s1600/butter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lyrSz5pYLW6MgYriEoR_QUQKz5S2xAFTAIL_hrK4hxhM1vuwNnEeNR638G75EZj_CBlDkJO15LPVhWOfvch4Q8nq5fshyphenhyphenjoOrhvbrPbCdtGinC85sVBlJLt5Okoek2JH4gfHeDwqpYg/s400/butter.jpg" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time the batter was ready, the butter was melted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosfMFOC3dtvUs8VoB5hLZZxsY7iyDTkhOnMUBKVevxb7UGFWcq6kFg1LcqJpLKUcfX1zMF0qPPwiOFoIcJiKFLs3aOaDeZQLBgCNgj_pcL5UvzVUDijJ0JaDXZHtjrkyyL8nUm-b8CsA/s1600/batter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosfMFOC3dtvUs8VoB5hLZZxsY7iyDTkhOnMUBKVevxb7UGFWcq6kFg1LcqJpLKUcfX1zMF0qPPwiOFoIcJiKFLs3aOaDeZQLBgCNgj_pcL5UvzVUDijJ0JaDXZHtjrkyyL8nUm-b8CsA/s400/batter.jpg" t$="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I poured the batter over the melted butter and had. to. resist. stirring...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLKTdVVX6ElyTdwy5pi7IoL82x3vd4BfzZacNmBsN6yfKYPN-DmmzK0oVZXKwcCh1gAh_y83ci83uNJ-_SJArehiaFDYiLOa3-4EaJyUDIFjcjJFpnBDPsGy5YcbCqcceM2MmQDE_Qfc/s1600/fruitbatter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLKTdVVX6ElyTdwy5pi7IoL82x3vd4BfzZacNmBsN6yfKYPN-DmmzK0oVZXKwcCh1gAh_y83ci83uNJ-_SJArehiaFDYiLOa3-4EaJyUDIFjcjJFpnBDPsGy5YcbCqcceM2MmQDE_Qfc/s640/fruitbatter.jpg" t$="true" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I spooned the fruit and syrup gently over the top of the butter-batter layers. You can stick it in the oven just like this. Or...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4muWs-x6XEiX-OgGBxB98IR_q5nRuxLn2_1c9GgmRruI_usdbKqxVxnkXTMOYg8aAzxJrRMsTjLQyzdwUXIwXiLaXoEXOLjI-n8NdXbzbTrINjXfvbBErLTTpRxWwPLdHEFUANogEHM/s1600/cinnamon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4muWs-x6XEiX-OgGBxB98IR_q5nRuxLn2_1c9GgmRruI_usdbKqxVxnkXTMOYg8aAzxJrRMsTjLQyzdwUXIwXiLaXoEXOLjI-n8NdXbzbTrINjXfvbBErLTTpRxWwPLdHEFUANogEHM/s320/cinnamon.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
You can sprinkle it with cinnamon first, as Paula suggests. Next time, I'll add a cinnamon-sugar mixture mixture to the top. Then I baked it for about 30 minutes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVBJyOLC9Yj9IN1vakZQgn6JD8SXwHlxfvavLxHowapb5AsomWEc8prf3W2mCR6bBiXhJdAJK-3R0HWuV6jkRE_rA7d2qnKyDK9J8jXRp7hoAWclYnk2Mj-0FIhfaCad6Z8M3XJfRPlM/s1600/oven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJVBJyOLC9Yj9IN1vakZQgn6JD8SXwHlxfvavLxHowapb5AsomWEc8prf3W2mCR6bBiXhJdAJK-3R0HWuV6jkRE_rA7d2qnKyDK9J8jXRp7hoAWclYnk2Mj-0FIhfaCad6Z8M3XJfRPlM/s320/oven.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It came out so wonderful! While it was baking, I whipped up some Bourbon Whipped Cream to slather onto my cobbler!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8QppDFPLic1_oUUdpdkmL4GgXYBX99CCkxRppsXHJwu4pqyIw1_dlwPKKZVfv6zaFbBbH1yWWLJSAtAILQFBpPq3DGvqKHiEzLC4EGIQo2Wf831YyIgLGy3vEw6aI9tDfRxYlNnhppg/s1600/serving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8QppDFPLic1_oUUdpdkmL4GgXYBX99CCkxRppsXHJwu4pqyIw1_dlwPKKZVfv6zaFbBbH1yWWLJSAtAILQFBpPq3DGvqKHiEzLC4EGIQo2Wf831YyIgLGy3vEw6aI9tDfRxYlNnhppg/s640/serving.jpg" t$="true" width="556px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This dish is one that I will make again! And soon!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I'm linking up!!! </strong></span> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.jamhands.net/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Recipe Sharing Monday</span></a></span><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Tasty Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; 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color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Full Plate Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Sweet Treats Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Turning the Table Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.alli-n-son.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Sweet Tooth Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Chic & Crafty Party</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.tidymom.net/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">I'm Lovin It</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thehowtomommy.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Tasty Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Bake with Bizzy</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Friday Favorites</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fun <span style="color: #e06666;">with Food Friday</span></span></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.littlebrickranch.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Foodie Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Friday Flair</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Sweets for a Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Strut Your Stuff Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Sweet Indulgences <span style="color: #e06666;">Sunday</span></span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">My Inner Baker</span></a><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://kbandwhitesnakeshome.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-small;">Simply Delish</span></a>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-28298853251084492112011-07-26T19:13:00.000-07:002011-08-01T18:29:23.912-07:00Birdie Baby Shower Cake SquaresLast week, a girlfriend asked if I could make a cake for a baby shower she was throwing. I suggested that she go with cake squares instead of just a cake -- maybe that's a southern thing, they seem to be something new to alot of my friends. It's pretty much just a pre-cut sheet cake. It's really nice at a shower because no one gets stuck cutting slices of cake for everyone.<br />
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My friend sent me the invitation as inspiration and that's when I got really excited! Here's the top section of the invite -- I'm not even sure what the rest of the invite looks like because I just fell in love with that birdy at first sight.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3gFybzR37q0upR4A39_8fEmGqD3LVgLu4xa5RMRwVAyQZbWmc2iPQl90HsRhEP0Wq64P1ekQ0Trf7qj6Pr5VsDEgRXYXIJ-nB7EM6pmcGBBoPQtjV5wk45Maj-0dhopJr9I1HUTXhSw/s1600/bird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3gFybzR37q0upR4A39_8fEmGqD3LVgLu4xa5RMRwVAyQZbWmc2iPQl90HsRhEP0Wq64P1ekQ0Trf7qj6Pr5VsDEgRXYXIJ-nB7EM6pmcGBBoPQtjV5wk45Maj-0dhopJr9I1HUTXhSw/s320/bird.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just loved it! I knew I wanted to create that bird on the cake somehow. I started out with fondant but I couldn't get exactly what I wanted. So I pulled out the royal icing to see if I could make a little birdie worthy of the cake squares.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I traced the bird onto a sheet of paper that I used under a sheet of wax paper as a template that I piped white Royal Icing over. I let them dry overnight and then I used a white pearl dust (mixed with a little vodka to make it stick and then evaporate) for a little sparkle. I cut a few flowers out of my homemade pink fondant for a little color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK2BudxtGz-HGZHt9gGHOmHzNr13_SMZla4QeVM4x5msVFjtQgl1rwg0SEJCOu6OitARHhkHRDrYB6yXX7wrIl2_dkcbrTx4Zaq82zUx2E4LM6zQDGROwBU_Oej-AqFFBAz94TG_XJ0c/s1600/birdboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK2BudxtGz-HGZHt9gGHOmHzNr13_SMZla4QeVM4x5msVFjtQgl1rwg0SEJCOu6OitARHhkHRDrYB6yXX7wrIl2_dkcbrTx4Zaq82zUx2E4LM6zQDGROwBU_Oej-AqFFBAz94TG_XJ0c/s320/birdboard.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I baked a 13x9 chocolate cake using <a href="http://www.barefootcontessa.com/recipes.aspx?RecipeID=125&S=0">Barefoot Contessa's recipe</a> -- it's my favorite! I frosted it with a vanilla buttercream and cut it into squares. I bet it would be great to show you a picture here of what that looks like... but I didn't take one. Oops! I piped pretty pink icing to cover up the cuts and outline the squares. I used the flowers and birds to decorate each piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CeXSBZAzAt3YiSKqbHp2AinvuwHYBA8nSvcebwn6kB2Xh48UeDltmidOGTfEMpy6CyrQ4JKXi6AgGHv0f6_0iJogR1ZJHn-kO_JLRRMSbwDLjlcNC4DDes9E2OmdXQtkhyphenhyphen9qEVCl_j4/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CeXSBZAzAt3YiSKqbHp2AinvuwHYBA8nSvcebwn6kB2Xh48UeDltmidOGTfEMpy6CyrQ4JKXi6AgGHv0f6_0iJogR1ZJHn-kO_JLRRMSbwDLjlcNC4DDes9E2OmdXQtkhyphenhyphen9qEVCl_j4/s640/cake.jpg" t$="true" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope the shower guests enjoyed eating this cake as much as I enjoyed making it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wsRA5Q9yDeKLXmQB5UFD3D8-4AkuSfGccl7EBavAFU0uEJon9FpsHvFCFucZlGMCTCBlaXZtt9GA5DwgMZNeDryKvabGtwEvRhyr6aaM90DNskOLbVq6IE0NH1bfmikoGQ31aNdYRME/s1600/birdsquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_wsRA5Q9yDeKLXmQB5UFD3D8-4AkuSfGccl7EBavAFU0uEJon9FpsHvFCFucZlGMCTCBlaXZtt9GA5DwgMZNeDryKvabGtwEvRhyr6aaM90DNskOLbVq6IE0NH1bfmikoGQ31aNdYRME/s320/birdsquare.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>I'm linking up!!! </strong></span> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">, </span><a href="http://www.jamhands.net/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Recipe Sharing Monday</span></a></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">, </span><a href="http://www.nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Tasty Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Too Cute Tuesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thischickcooks.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">These Chicks Cooked</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Works for Me Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Cast Party Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">What I Whipped Up Wednesday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.dailyorganizedchaos.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Foodie Wednesday</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">, </span><a href="http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">Thrilling Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">, </span></span><a href="http://www.mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Full Plate Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Sweet Treats Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Turning the Table Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.alli-n-son.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Sweet Tooth Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Chic & Crafty Party</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.tidymom.net/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">I'm Lovin It</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.thehowtomommy.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Tasty Thursday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Bake with Bizzy</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Friday Favorites</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">, </span><a href="http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">Fun with Food Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">, </span></span><a href="http://www.littlebrickranch.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Foodie Friday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Friday Flair</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Sweets for a Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Strut Your Stuff Saturday</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">, </span><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">Sweet Indulgences Sunday</span></a>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-57089969314633266902011-07-20T19:55:00.000-07:002011-07-25T21:02:31.350-07:00Guest Post - Frying Pan Pot Roast<div class="MsoNormal">Hello! I am the other half of the Cake Dish family. I thought that I’d take a few minutes to write a “guest post” so I could share a quick and easy twist on traditional pot roast.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4y_Frcr7G6ghEDYXzUI-yt2Nym7h3X0pYdV-MawhazSYVw6i_T-bC_ZGqA4j8NQVHYlQ9ruHnZRiTtNiAen-RlfHwE3RSk8PwPdbB2zN2AUHtTfpaAEL3EFz9k1bRIKPhMNY0nG8P9s/s1600/dish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4y_Frcr7G6ghEDYXzUI-yt2Nym7h3X0pYdV-MawhazSYVw6i_T-bC_ZGqA4j8NQVHYlQ9ruHnZRiTtNiAen-RlfHwE3RSk8PwPdbB2zN2AUHtTfpaAEL3EFz9k1bRIKPhMNY0nG8P9s/s400/dish.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s easy, relatively quick, and very tasty.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You need two ingredients: a roast and 2 cans of Progresso French Onion Soup. I normally use a chuck roast. Any roast that will fit into your pan will work, I suppose, but the first time I ever made this dish I used a chuck roast and it’s always been good so I’ve never tried any other cut. However, the roast in the pictures does represent a major change for me, because it is not your typical grocery store chuck roast. It is all-natural, grass-fed beef from <a href="http://www.wilkersonfarms.com/index.html">Wilkerson Farms</a> in <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Willow Springs</city>, <state w:st="on">NC</state></place>. Also, it is bone-in….most grocery store chuck roasts are boneless</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNEt5x_vW2VoRvSpwofLlVwAgOlHtxhPg8glBRDjlDj1QYU8AQoOo9buk2x0dudJyJwq0YLLoSGF-xj0wQELpGZsg5I8E80B7F1XL_-eT-cYb_wLxhOIosDt9ReUx_Utw2jvzrW_Ml3A/s1600/ingred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNEt5x_vW2VoRvSpwofLlVwAgOlHtxhPg8glBRDjlDj1QYU8AQoOo9buk2x0dudJyJwq0YLLoSGF-xj0wQELpGZsg5I8E80B7F1XL_-eT-cYb_wLxhOIosDt9ReUx_Utw2jvzrW_Ml3A/s400/ingred.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I let the meat sit at room temperature for about half an hour or so, so that it isn’t very cold going into the pan. Season it just like you would a steak, but be careful if you use seasoning salt. The soup will add sodium, so I normally go heavier on pepper and lighter on salt. When you’re ready to start cooking, put a little oil (I use canola) into your pan and turn the heat to med-high. Once the oil is hot, put the roast in and sear it for just a couple of minutes on each side.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6cnKrkyDTiy13i5_1-mGpCvkaTZR6avx2y6DeEoc8Se0wMMDmdMb1Eg0uoRc3zqXItfLSzJW5fQ9G2556H_BgT_wdk2zy07vEk61MaTXqrZ9OXuzDzh7Mlx-id0D7bOiYxSdEtXl0Kw/s1600/sear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6cnKrkyDTiy13i5_1-mGpCvkaTZR6avx2y6DeEoc8Se0wMMDmdMb1Eg0uoRc3zqXItfLSzJW5fQ9G2556H_BgT_wdk2zy07vEk61MaTXqrZ9OXuzDzh7Mlx-id0D7bOiYxSdEtXl0Kw/s400/sear.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It won’t take long before you have the outside browned. When you do, open up the cans of soup, and pour them over the roast. After the soup is in the pan, drop the heat to low and cover.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVHXUTLt87MoQ0O5xxFqT8Al6G2qHgJPT0FDx68_7wG7xOepMYUVE4ZrPiAV_MWE7xo7AyGtM2Ceid90arXgRNEsExTCVqGawBopE4zs1u0-6KRhb7-0PcEr8mxGR5kVW_E_rXPfY-30/s1600/addsoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVHXUTLt87MoQ0O5xxFqT8Al6G2qHgJPT0FDx68_7wG7xOepMYUVE4ZrPiAV_MWE7xo7AyGtM2Ceid90arXgRNEsExTCVqGawBopE4zs1u0-6KRhb7-0PcEr8mxGR5kVW_E_rXPfY-30/s320/addsoup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">After about half an hour, you need to turn the roast. It’s a big cut of meat, and it isn’t easy to turn it without spilling the soup. Be very careful. Usually, I use two forks for the turns: One to start lifting it, and the other to “catch” it while it drops back into the soup. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">From this point, all you have to do is continue to turn the meat every half hour or so. In about 3 hours (depending on the size of the roast), it will be fork-tender and the soup will have reduced to a dark, savory gravy. Delicious!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwbBLxSPVocfDxTw9MPnK4pyGqfE_-vJal47Cm0CdSAAmioDcnoW2zX8uOsljH48DUG3CEIjoHnrbIgpgp4FpD0md1x8XbZPuHiHZ4sbxSNN4_j-SMhtCgKBtXQgurT25SL08XNOYOAY/s1600/bubble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwbBLxSPVocfDxTw9MPnK4pyGqfE_-vJal47Cm0CdSAAmioDcnoW2zX8uOsljH48DUG3CEIjoHnrbIgpgp4FpD0md1x8XbZPuHiHZ4sbxSNN4_j-SMhtCgKBtXQgurT25SL08XNOYOAY/s400/bubble.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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By the way….the bone-in aspect of this particular roast didn’t last very long. The second time I turned this roast the bone came out clean as a whistle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJuq9scZ7hLnZoZ-D3jcurIqgp1oUANrGyS504w_PQ6UdFofKVj1xLpRiSbSlAifPy4X0BywcCi3YeGhOqZlV3ri6wxy-HM7_oFe1FuxAngmx0onrHgD8CHok69AI6zUQkvBHylgPb4o/s1600/bone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJuq9scZ7hLnZoZ-D3jcurIqgp1oUANrGyS504w_PQ6UdFofKVj1xLpRiSbSlAifPy4X0BywcCi3YeGhOqZlV3ri6wxy-HM7_oFe1FuxAngmx0onrHgD8CHok69AI6zUQkvBHylgPb4o/s200/bone.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Normally, I make potatoes, carrots and onions to accompany this dish. There are two ways to prepare them, but both methods start with simply cutting the veggies into bite-sized pieces.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBM4T9uSwp_v9E5QnzR2p2gTc2z5r7qN8wLKrfZaiW3_JYHI0Q-5CeewPWIcxxxTEImA1M0A2DraykaAG438JHxsuI4ZstMKrHY7ALrFuX9YGyhu8nvVTtKDnhfJu1KIfR0o_WqlSKDDw/s1600/veg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBM4T9uSwp_v9E5QnzR2p2gTc2z5r7qN8wLKrfZaiW3_JYHI0Q-5CeewPWIcxxxTEImA1M0A2DraykaAG438JHxsuI4ZstMKrHY7ALrFuX9YGyhu8nvVTtKDnhfJu1KIfR0o_WqlSKDDw/s320/veg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Once that’s done, you can simply add the veggies to the soup/roast mixture if your pan’s space allows. If you have a “normal” frying pan, be careful. Everything <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i> fit, but turning the roast can become especially tricky. Also, you have to be careful with the timing. If the veggies stay in the soup mixture for more than 20 or 30 minutes, they can turn to mush.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The other option (and the one I usually choose) is to roast the veggies in the oven. After slicing them, I put them into a bowl and coat them with a little olive oil (just enough to cover all the veggies with a light coat). Then, I add salt and pepper and put them on a cookie sheet (actually a Pampered Chef bar board) and roast them at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes (the timing depends on the size of your bites).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuWGEKSLabWTdx3qQ2uI6q563T-RBGlZVHssa9Gat3OdqFETdeqxkhHOchY-zRIcdvXv6K80eDNnx79WFWj2SOil8YSGq-xV5msYTymOgb9a0fg8I6jkGufZ8wEurkTJduRhhvZESafE/s1600/roasted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuWGEKSLabWTdx3qQ2uI6q563T-RBGlZVHssa9Gat3OdqFETdeqxkhHOchY-zRIcdvXv6K80eDNnx79WFWj2SOil8YSGq-xV5msYTymOgb9a0fg8I6jkGufZ8wEurkTJduRhhvZESafE/s320/roasted.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
To serve, I place the roasted vegetables in a bowl and place the roast on top of them, and then pour the gravy (by the end, you can’t call it soup anymore) over all of it. The roasted veggies keep their texture, but the flavor of the gravy still comes through. It’s very tasty and very easy. Enjoy! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4y_Frcr7G6ghEDYXzUI-yt2Nym7h3X0pYdV-MawhazSYVw6i_T-bC_ZGqA4j8NQVHYlQ9ruHnZRiTtNiAen-RlfHwE3RSk8PwPdbB2zN2AUHtTfpaAEL3EFz9k1bRIKPhMNY0nG8P9s/s1600/dish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4y_Frcr7G6ghEDYXzUI-yt2Nym7h3X0pYdV-MawhazSYVw6i_T-bC_ZGqA4j8NQVHYlQ9ruHnZRiTtNiAen-RlfHwE3RSk8PwPdbB2zN2AUHtTfpaAEL3EFz9k1bRIKPhMNY0nG8P9s/s320/dish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Linking Up At:<br />
<a href="http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/full-plate-thursday-7-21-11.html">Full Plate Thursday</a><br />
<a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2011/07/turning-the-table-thursday-7/">Turning the Table Thursday</a><br />
<a href="http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/2011/07/thrilling-thursday-linky-party_20.html">Thrilling Thursday</a><br />
<a href="http://thefrugalgirls.com/2011/07/craft-blog-link-party.html">Chic & Crafty Party</a><br />
<a href="http://www.littlebrickranch.com/2011/07/foodie-friday-18-hot-hot-hot.html">Foodie Friday</a><br />
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<a href="http://tidymom.net/2011/watermelon/">I'm Lovin' It</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thehowtomommy.com/how-to-do-odds-ends/blog-hops-how-to-do-odds-ends/how-to-hop-tasty-thursday-week-10/">Tasty Thursday</a><br />
<a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/melt-in-your-mouth-monday-23/">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</a><br />
<a href="http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/indulging-in-summer-and-tasty-tuesday.html">Tasty Tuesday</a></div>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-46011226112157613562011-07-15T05:04:00.000-07:002011-08-01T18:20:04.101-07:00Bourbon Spice Cupcakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuJZH61RniPbGrnqVd0TpyPp044dyP__-E4hhY4BWOd_-TJbOguwQg49jdegpyyFupuO0O0wcLiP0q699NAMRMdarR0o4HcX85tgtHgi6kydgUKyM_DYH9r4jDRN5mEDMkvRq_vJ9fgA/s1600/bourbonspice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuJZH61RniPbGrnqVd0TpyPp044dyP__-E4hhY4BWOd_-TJbOguwQg49jdegpyyFupuO0O0wcLiP0q699NAMRMdarR0o4HcX85tgtHgi6kydgUKyM_DYH9r4jDRN5mEDMkvRq_vJ9fgA/s640/bourbonspice.jpg" width="585px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday was my dear friend, Emily's, birthday! I have been thinking about what to make for her all week! I wanted to make her something a little different... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I remembered this cake recipe that I used from The Pampered Chef a few years ago for a Caramel Bourbon Spice Cake. It starts with a cake mix but I always prefer cakes made from scratch so I looked for a spice cake recipe and found an awesome one at <a href="http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2009/02/10/buttermilk-spice-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/">The Hungry Mouse</a> for a Buttermilk Spice Cake. I will print this recipe at the bottom of the page as I did make one adjustment that I'll share with you, but there's already a nice tutorial for this cake there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once I made the cupcakes, I went back to <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/recipesearch/recipedetail.jsp?recipeId=83693">The Pampered Chef recipe</a> for the filling and topping. I decided to use the filling recipe as a start for the frosting on this cupcake and the caramel topping as a drizzle. I modified the filling by adding more whipping cream and less sugar. I made the caramel topping from scratch instead of from melting store bought caramel candy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxugMnLVuDlYwtbsukH28-VEdmv3ZGMsERttWj6ZiD3sDacdunGgGR00qbkhyKkuyZ8FXux4gseOJb6Aji9657-mSET-ET0ic8mb8bqYRt0C3BJftBNkTGfUdJtxbfXcJTRiXdUkyWzg/s1600/bourspice3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxugMnLVuDlYwtbsukH28-VEdmv3ZGMsERttWj6ZiD3sDacdunGgGR00qbkhyKkuyZ8FXux4gseOJb6Aji9657-mSET-ET0ic8mb8bqYRt0C3BJftBNkTGfUdJtxbfXcJTRiXdUkyWzg/s320/bourspice3.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
This turned out perfectly. Most of the people who tried this, had two. It was that good. Even my husband who doesn't like spice cake wanted to eat the whole pan of these! And most importantly, Emily liked them!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">_________________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Buttermilk Spice Cupcakes</span></span></div>adapted from The Hungry Mouse<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 c cake flour, sifted</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3/4 c sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3/4 tsp baking soda</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp ground nutmeg</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp ground cloves</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 tsp ground ginger</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3/4 tsp salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3/4 c brown sugar, packed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8 tbsp (1 stick) butter, softened</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3/4 c buttermilk</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 eggs, room temperature</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin pans with paper lines for 24 cupcakes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sift dry ingredients together into the bowl of yor mixer. Using the paddle attachment, mix it a bit to ensure that everything is combined. Add the milk and butter and mix until just incorporated. Add eggs and beat for 1-2 minutes to get a fluffy batter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fill cupcake liners evenly with batter. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cake center bounces back when pressed. Cool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">_________________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Bourbon Whipped Topping</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 tbsp bourbon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 c heavy whipping cream, chilled</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/4 c sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Place bourbon in small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin on top and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Microwave for 10 seconds and stir. Repeat up to 2 times until all gelatin is dissolved. Add this to the bowl of your mixer, along with whipping cream. Start mixer on low and gradually increase speed to high and allow cream to form stiff peaks. Slowly add sugar as the cream is mixing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">_________________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Spiked Caramel Sauce</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 c sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3 tbsp butter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tbsp bourbon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tbsp heavy cream</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Add sugar and butter to a small pan and heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. This will take several minutes but it will come together and look like a nice thick golden caramel. Add cream. Continue to stir until completely incorporated and desired thickness has been reached. Remove from heat. After cooling down, add bourbon and stir into sauce.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Linking up at:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thefrugalgirls.com/2011/07/chic-crafty-blogs.html">Chic and Crafty Party</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/2011/07/who-i-am-jamielyn-from-i-heart-naptime.html">Friday Flair</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.littlebrickranch.com/2011/07/foodie-friday-17-featuring-most-clicked.html">Foodie Friday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://alli-n-son.com/2011/07/14/dark-chocolate-sea-salt-caramel-ice-cream">Sweet Tooth Friday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://tidymom.net/2011/grilled-italian-pizza/">I'm Lovin It</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/2011/07/friday-favorites-week-72.html">Friday Favorites</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2011/07/sweets-for-saturday-26.html">Sweets for a Saturday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/2011/07/strut-your-stuff-saturday-week-2.html">Strut Your Stuff Saturday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/2011/07/sweet-indulgences-sunday-13.html">Sweet Indulgences Sunday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/melt-in-your-mouth-monday-22/#">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.talkingdollarsandcents.net/muffin-monday-banana-cinnamon-whole-wheat-muffins">Muffin Monday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/campfire-food-and-tasty-tuesday-party.html">Tasty Tuesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/07/too-cute-tuesday-linky-par-tay-37.html">TOO Cute Tuesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://screamingsardine.net/2011/07/join-the-month-long-cupcake-party/">Month Long Cupcake Party</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/2011/07/what-i-whipped-up-wednesday_19.html">What I Whipped Up Wednesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2011/07/wfmw-bleach-pen-craft/">Works for Me Wednesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thischickcooks.blogspot.com/2011/07/these-chicks-cooked-link-party_20.html">These Chicks Cooked</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/?p=9609">Cast Party Wednesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/full-plate-thursday-7-21-11.html">Full Plate Thursday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/2011/07/thrilling-thursday-linky-party_20.html">Thrilling Thursday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/2011/07/sweet-treats-thursday_20.html">Sweet Treats Thursday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2011/07/turning-the-table-thursday-7/">Turning the Table Thursday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.jamhands.net/2011/07/recipe-sharing-monday-1.html">Recipe Sharing Monday</a></div>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-26542487508373175652011-07-12T17:58:00.000-07:002011-07-18T06:23:48.979-07:00Zucchini BreadMy hometown is a small town in North Carolina on the Pamlico River. We spent our weekends on the boat skiing and tubing and hydra sliding. One of my favorite snacks when we were out on the boat was zucchini bread. My mom would bake it and wrap it with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator until it was time to head out. Then she'd pack it in the cooler with some drinks and off we'd go! After working up an appetite, there was just nothing better than that cool, dense, moist treat!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp97-uk5pMXpc-nEwMDj59N-21i1U2s4_BnMu9KH_mr7vOp-VBX3p-RZzRyKfwp6HSpzfb030nbo0mGuWrIoUOAE-qGFsBbl6POu9PBoV14xVqv6-b1HhzRDhe2qNPErelzDkS5ZFeVT4/s1600/loaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp97-uk5pMXpc-nEwMDj59N-21i1U2s4_BnMu9KH_mr7vOp-VBX3p-RZzRyKfwp6HSpzfb030nbo0mGuWrIoUOAE-qGFsBbl6POu9PBoV14xVqv6-b1HhzRDhe2qNPErelzDkS5ZFeVT4/s640/loaves.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This time of year, we seem to have tons of zucchini around and the other night I thought about this bread. I called my mom to get the recipe and she whipped it right off the top of her head. I want to share it with you all while zucchini is in season and so inexpensive. It's a very simple recipe and so worth your time!<br />
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You start out by beating 3 eggs with vegetable oil. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qQKVquSFDElz92BkMfNvdZnlvRG6Ff45UwEyb32G_i2idj3F9Bo_aKt4-I_T73nrAI0zxbj-YEk5hFaWwlRSUzrcHH9V5_cdS9hMC4w8jiVOXP3uSfRQepCG3Sv6mDCNVtFmkOFzt-c/s1600/eggsug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qQKVquSFDElz92BkMfNvdZnlvRG6Ff45UwEyb32G_i2idj3F9Bo_aKt4-I_T73nrAI0zxbj-YEk5hFaWwlRSUzrcHH9V5_cdS9hMC4w8jiVOXP3uSfRQepCG3Sv6mDCNVtFmkOFzt-c/s320/eggsug.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once they are well combined, add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Then you can add grated zucchini -- look at how yummy this is!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNQ-FCAMVDpbWMHY1C_VnycVhVQGjky5_cMADzrKMmmjhw1B7XcK-owwgGHnjbo-mi6u0oC5cXL3ksAzwcjpkYNU4jGu8d5vWqEyEdWLVKL2XGN83zdXK1jdZq6_Vh1LUeCCu-IPOtkQ/s1600/shred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNQ-FCAMVDpbWMHY1C_VnycVhVQGjky5_cMADzrKMmmjhw1B7XcK-owwgGHnjbo-mi6u0oC5cXL3ksAzwcjpkYNU4jGu8d5vWqEyEdWLVKL2XGN83zdXK1jdZq6_Vh1LUeCCu-IPOtkQ/s400/shred.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mix the zucchini into the mixture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo4JMRWAho3RBaa3t5_l4waa_rM33rDPy3gep099nW8Hb9nyoglDLJ9ycObk7GKZfVCHme7I2Ij-cn2SgmYciEoccEoo93BNhpFGdbPVLTJ3YtFQD4S9HpBwmF6NyYpRjk9JH1-LT6AI/s1600/zucmix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo4JMRWAho3RBaa3t5_l4waa_rM33rDPy3gep099nW8Hb9nyoglDLJ9ycObk7GKZfVCHme7I2Ij-cn2SgmYciEoccEoo93BNhpFGdbPVLTJ3YtFQD4S9HpBwmF6NyYpRjk9JH1-LT6AI/s320/zucmix.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once the zucchini is mixed in, add the flour and cinnamon and beat until just combined.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlaMn8-HCT-g9UCI2jhpqPXwY2XVgcSCAZmsgt63-1ItIRNCJibBrHPz6pPYUctRvQeXyc1MVaV4JI9aYXBUaGaZzmxowQbJCNQuumjno_LDFQeiLJo5UpFT05Kv6ao7mxuXcVKVhWEI/s1600/flsug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlaMn8-HCT-g9UCI2jhpqPXwY2XVgcSCAZmsgt63-1ItIRNCJibBrHPz6pPYUctRvQeXyc1MVaV4JI9aYXBUaGaZzmxowQbJCNQuumjno_LDFQeiLJo5UpFT05Kv6ao7mxuXcVKVhWEI/s320/flsug.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pour the batter into your loaf pans evenly -- I used the Pampered Chef mini loaf stoneware.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2qt8bv009CUfKe-Bs2ECxKjBhSpuCJmdZiwBRmF9pZP1xk-fjxsPYhH6CuW2DWBvF_YC6PUw4hQtykHkK6e8fTzqXkK7mCdI6Lf85CUHUQyHJUZHHm1_WoSMooLS3TCWNdKEMra3roA/s1600/batter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2qt8bv009CUfKe-Bs2ECxKjBhSpuCJmdZiwBRmF9pZP1xk-fjxsPYhH6CuW2DWBvF_YC6PUw4hQtykHkK6e8fTzqXkK7mCdI6Lf85CUHUQyHJUZHHm1_WoSMooLS3TCWNdKEMra3roA/s320/batter.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After an hour in the oven, each loaf comes out a lovely golden brown.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgPwvWuRRZlHRIs9s23UmJ2E5fO5QmibaP496Aeon7Qar43F3zt5i9dIE3S7aPNNTcGjOwfs95LYYr4RIVywqN2aJ44YMTboOvFaIYWNap0-jEZNjG3cmRyw6oUY-V9-ZTDbu19bS2mw/s1600/done.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgPwvWuRRZlHRIs9s23UmJ2E5fO5QmibaP496Aeon7Qar43F3zt5i9dIE3S7aPNNTcGjOwfs95LYYr4RIVywqN2aJ44YMTboOvFaIYWNap0-jEZNjG3cmRyw6oUY-V9-ZTDbu19bS2mw/s400/done.jpg" width="380px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The zucchini makes this so ooey and gooey and yummy! Even kiddos will love it and who doesn't love an easy way to get more veggies in their bellies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">_________________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Zucchini Bread</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3 eggs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3/4 c vegetable oil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 c sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 c grated zucchini</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 tsp vanilla</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 c flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 tsp cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Preheat oven to 325 degrees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beat eggs and oil together. Add sugar, zucchini and vanilla and combine well. Mix in flour and cinnamon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pour into greased loaf pans and bake for 1 hour or until toothpick in center comes out clean.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let cool and then refrigerate. Okay, that part isn't official, it's just the way I prefer it! Warm is good, too. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Linking up at:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/meals-in-freezer-and-tasty-tuesday_12.html">Nap Time Creation's Tasty Tuesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/07/too-cute-tuesday-linky-par-tay-40.html">Funky Polkadot Giraffe's Too Cute Tuesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/?p=8599">Lady Behind the Curtain's Cast Party Wednesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/2011/07/what-i-whipped-up-wednesday_12.html">Sugar and Dot's What I Whipped Up Wednesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2011/07/wfmw-whats-app/">Works for Me Wednesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thischickcooks.blogspot.com/2011/07/these-chicks-cooked-link-party_13.html">These Chicks Cooked</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.dailyorganizedchaos.com/spaghetti-with-faux-meat-sauce/">Daily Organized Chaos</a></div>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-5542490798578360112011-07-04T19:32:00.000-07:002011-08-08T18:51:44.996-07:00Red, White and Blueberry CobblerHope everyone is enjoying their 4th of July celebrations! I know I am! This is one of my most favorite holidays. It's always a time for family... and food! Or at least that's how it works in our family. <br />
<br />
This year we are enjoying a getaway at my parents' house and they live on a big beautiful river that we have been swimming and boating in all weekend. And fishing! Last night, the fish were jumping on the docks to get in our bellies. We had a wonderful fish fry this evening and needed a special red, white, and blue dessert. Here's what I came up with...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsauB7hxY-VJL4g4hHhv0UTABsrszOFlZOqSeg7KqbXL82lf3jIoNw6kq1Z1A1UhzjSG0k8zRc8znFfAMbFsr3qMDVEoerQJhMh5H5TRamG3AQsTw4_CbsuL5JgmAGdnRUB2EqshxWd1g/s1600/cobbler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="419" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsauB7hxY-VJL4g4hHhv0UTABsrszOFlZOqSeg7KqbXL82lf3jIoNw6kq1Z1A1UhzjSG0k8zRc8znFfAMbFsr3qMDVEoerQJhMh5H5TRamG3AQsTw4_CbsuL5JgmAGdnRUB2EqshxWd1g/s640/cobbler.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll apologize now for not having more photos. I took bunches as I made this but as I finished watching all of the firework displays up and down the river, I realized that my cord to connect my camera to my laptop is at home. Boo! I snapped this shot with my phone earlier today so I'm sharing it now. I would wait to share the recipe but this one cannot wait -- make it NOW! It's worth it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had 2 pints of blueberries in the refrigerator and there's not much that we love more than cobbler. I figured blueberry cobbler would be perfect. But when's the last time I made something regular and expected for my family. They are always willing to be guinea pigs when I want to try something new. Last night, I was reading some other blogs and saw someone had make Lemon Blueberry cupcakes. Is there a better flavor combination? And what if I threw in some cream cheese? I went to bed with yummy dreams last night and this morning I knew exactly what I wanted to try.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My aunt taught me to make cobbler many years ago with what we called the 'Cupa Cupa' method. It was so easy to remember! Melt a stick of butter in your pan, mix a cupa flour and a cupa sugar and a cupa milk and pour it over the melted butter. Then top with fruit of your choice and bake. Easy Peasy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used this basic idea but I added a few twists... of lemon, that is! And a little cheesecake batter, just for fun! I started by mixing up the cheesecake mixture -- just cream cheese, lemon zest, sugar, and eggs. I preheated the oven and put my pan with a stick of butter in it into the oven as it preheated. Why dirty up another dish to melt butter? While that was going on, I heated my blueberries over medium heat with some sugar, lemon juice and zest. They began to soften and bubble and smell so good! I could have let them cool and eaten them all by myself! My family better be glad that I love them! I mixed the flour and sugar together in another bowl and then added milk with a splash of vinegar to make it curdle like buttermilk. Why not?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So now for the good part... Just pour the flour batter over the melted butter. Then pour the fruit over that, then the cream cheese mixture over that. That's all! No stirring! It went into the oven and came out perfect! I hate to admit that I had two bowls of this. But it was that good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh! And you may wonder why I'm calling this red, white and blue. We topped each BLUEberry serving with WHITE vanilla icecream and RED strawberry whipped cream. Festive!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since I don't have anymore pictures to share now, here's the recipe... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">_________________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Cobbler</span></span></div>8 oz cream cheese, softened<br />
zest of 1 lemon, divided<br />
juice of 1 lemon<br />
2 1/4 c sugar, divided<br />
1 c self rising flour<br />
1 c milk<br />
1 tsp vinegar<br />
2 pints fresh blueberries<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 stick of butter<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.<br />
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Using an electric mixer on low, mix cream cheese, 1/2 c sugar, 1/2 of the lemon zest and 2 eggs until smooth. Set aside.<br />
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Place stick of butter in 9x13 baker and place in oven to melt while mixing the rest of the ingredients.<br />
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In small saucepan, heat blueberries, 3/4 c sugar, lemon juice, and other 1/2 of lemon zest until berries start to soften and all sugar is dissolved in the juice.<br />
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In a separate mixing bowl, mix flour and 1 c sugar until blended. Then add milk and vinegar. Let it sit for about a minute so that the milk will curdle a little. Blend everything together until smooth.<br />
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Pour batter over the melted butter. Do not stir. Top batter with blueberries and juice. Then added cream cheese mixture in spoonfuls over the fruit. Sprinkle with sugar and place in oven for 35-40 minutes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">_________________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Optional: Strawberry Whipped Cream</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">8 oz heavy whipping cream</div>1/4 c strawberry preserves*<br />
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Use an electric mixture to whip the cream until stiff peaks begin to form. Add preserves and beat until just mixed.<br />
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*I use my homemade strawberry freezer jelly -- made according to the directions found on the Ball freezer pectin.<br />
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I'm linking up at:<br />
<a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/melt-in-your-mouth-monday-week-20/">Melt in Your Mouth Mondays</a><br />
<a href="http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/07/this-weeks-cravings-linky-party-36-red.html">This Week's Cravings</a><br />
<a href="http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/summer-cuccumber-pickles-and-tasty.html">Nap Time Creations' Tasty Tuesday</a><br />
<a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/2011/07/what-i-whipped-up-wednesday.html">Sugar and Dot's What I Whipped Up Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://thischickcooks.blogspot.com/2011/07/these-chicks-cooked-link-party.html">This Chick Cooks' These Chicks Cooked</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/?p=8077">Lady Behind the Curtain's Cast Party Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dailyorganizedchaos.com/meatballs-stroganoff/">Daily Organized Chaos' Foodie Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/2011/07/thrilling-thursday-linky-party.html">Paisley Passions' Thrilling Thursday</a><br />
<a href="http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/07/full-plate-thursday-7-7-11.html">Miz Helen's Country Cottage's Full Plate Thursday</a><br />
<a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/2011/07/sweet-treats-thursday.html">Something Swanky's Sweet Treats Thursday</a><br />
<a href="http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2011/07/turning-the-table-thursday-5/">Around My Family Table's Turning the Table Thursday</a><br />
<a href="http://www.littlebrickranch.com/2011/07/foodie-friday-16-sweet-sixteen.html">Little Brick Ranch's Foodie Friday</a><br />
<a href="http://tidymom.net/2011/im-lovin-it-french-fries/">Tidy Mom's I'm Lovin It</a><br />
<a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/2011/07/friday-favorites-week-71.html">Simply Sweet Home's Friday Favorites</a><br />
<a href="http://thefrugalgirls.com/2011/07/chic-crafty-party-77-come-link-up.html">The Frugal Girls' Chic & Crafty Party</a><br />
<a href="http://alli-n-son.com/2011/07/07/sweet-tooth-friday-cookie-dough-ice-cream-cake/">Alli n Son's Sweet Tooth Friday</a><br />
<a href="http://cakedish.blogspot.com/2011/07/red-white-and-blueberry-cobbler.html">Whipperberry's Friday Flair</a><br />
<a href="http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2011/07/sweets-for-saturday-25.html">Sweet As Sugar Cookie's Sweets for Saturday</a><br />
<a href="http://sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/2011/07/strut-your-stuff-saturday-week-1.html">Six Sister's Stuff's Strut Your Stuff Saturday</a><br />
<a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/2011/07/sweet-indulgences-sunday-12.html">A Well Seasoned Life's Sweet Indulgences Sunday</a><br />
<a href="http://bizzybakesb.blogspot.com/2011/07/bake-with-bizzy-8.html">Bizzy B Bakes' Baking with Bizzy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.jamhands.net/2011/07/recipe-sharing-monday-1.html">Recipe Sharing Monday</a>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-25775428405330206892011-06-30T12:10:00.000-07:002011-07-19T03:54:18.289-07:00Beach Party Cupcake ToppersFor the last few years, I have been charged with creating my nephews' birthday cakes. It's always something fun and I love working with the boys to decide what they want! This past weekend we had a birthday party for my oldest nephew and it was at the river - a beach party theme. Lot's of swimming and splashing and... CUPCAKES!<br />
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I loved making him cupcakes. He has decided that he likes chocolate cake. His mommy does not. So usually, I don't make chocolate cake for him. When you do cupcakes, it's easy to do a variety. I made some vanilla cupcakes along with these chocolate beauties.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1YANw7-GmV8zu_8-JNBreVezPbq2vdKCD8x2-bcaj0oOJcZ0LYvAKLHKn8qHFmSknzcx4Bq-KBwTDN00zNDDnU9ivNiYOuTMkcJWoV9ybeOGRKVW4ZykaXMLHqW3nRvFyPklLubzhGc/s1600/cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY1YANw7-GmV8zu_8-JNBreVezPbq2vdKCD8x2-bcaj0oOJcZ0LYvAKLHKn8qHFmSknzcx4Bq-KBwTDN00zNDDnU9ivNiYOuTMkcJWoV9ybeOGRKVW4ZykaXMLHqW3nRvFyPklLubzhGc/s320/cc.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>So they looked really yummy and I know he would have been happy with these, but... he really wanted them decorated with some of his favorite sea creatures. He had adorable pajamas on one morning that had crabs, sharks, and octopuses. I snapped a photo of each creature with my iPhone and thought about how to make them. Here's what I came up with...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-DVCvtOb74KnRSM3hFW8T2hoWP6vNUn9e2IESi8dhZqSKnAhHTUUWHjjjoiT7yblcTctmcp-1S_15nku5SSCyjaN6xgkmng2d39Z9m9B1WAnoqMasPzRQ4hAJeUwJu_G7w2-dHhQTbw/s1600/all3tops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-DVCvtOb74KnRSM3hFW8T2hoWP6vNUn9e2IESi8dhZqSKnAhHTUUWHjjjoiT7yblcTctmcp-1S_15nku5SSCyjaN6xgkmng2d39Z9m9B1WAnoqMasPzRQ4hAJeUwJu_G7w2-dHhQTbw/s400/all3tops.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cannot believe how cute they turned out! I used the pictures on my iPhone as a template for the designs. I pulled up the photos on my phone and laid wax paper on top. I then traced the basic design of each. I used these outlines under the sheets of wax paper that I piped Royal Icing onto as guides for where to draw. I just used the basic Wilton recipe for the icing. I outlined the shape of each animal and immediately flooded each one and let them dry overnight. The next day, after removing them from the wax paper, I piped on the white for the eyes, gills, and mouths. I used a black food color pen to add the black dots to the eyes on each design. The day before the party, I rolled out homemade marshmallow fondant and cut our the circles to mount them on. I used a little of the leftover icing to secure the critters to the fondant and then I decided to add <em>bubbles</em>! That always makes me think of Finding Nemo :)... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here they are on the cupcakes - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEIKYJPg1Zcm1z8iMZBhsh8l4-VFk56pPwEsgmtplMoOWdpMgbGZwkQcvo7Y0U9CZqqlCe0kvMRCDUAR72tWfIGX5DhmRgYSHIFKpZrbn80ZzphesHJnbzlrJb-M6DnIi6LR5D7Y-p78/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEIKYJPg1Zcm1z8iMZBhsh8l4-VFk56pPwEsgmtplMoOWdpMgbGZwkQcvo7Y0U9CZqqlCe0kvMRCDUAR72tWfIGX5DhmRgYSHIFKpZrbn80ZzphesHJnbzlrJb-M6DnIi6LR5D7Y-p78/s640/tree.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here's the Happy Birthday boy with his cupcakes! He's a cutie!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwxRhA4l3FFZnQxH_6tIPPmI5m5g3WklD01a3-B2vZlOwf-2bssFbg67xNH3py56TovJ-hiSj1-mkVYy6MTT_-XuOEzPCgrXzLz-pmj6WbHY7YMXk13iaMQqpBq0xsDx9AI2-uNVttaU/s1600/cohcc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwxRhA4l3FFZnQxH_6tIPPmI5m5g3WklD01a3-B2vZlOwf-2bssFbg67xNH3py56TovJ-hiSj1-mkVYy6MTT_-XuOEzPCgrXzLz-pmj6WbHY7YMXk13iaMQqpBq0xsDx9AI2-uNVttaU/s400/cohcc.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Linking up at </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thischickcooks.blogspot.com/2011/06/these-chicks-cooked-link-party_29.html">This Chick Cooks' These Chicks Cooked</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2011/06/wfmw-summer-swim-tip/">We Are That Family's Worked for Me Wednesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/2011/06/what-i-whipped-up-wednesday_28.html">Sugar and Dot's What I Whipped Up Wednesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/?p=8599">Lady Behind the Curtain's Cast Party Wednesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/2011/06/thrilling-thursday-linky-party_30.html">Paisley Passions' Thrilling Thursday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/2011/06/sweet-treats-thursday_30.html">Something Swanky's Sweet Treats Thursday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thefrugalgirls.com/2011/06/crafts-diy-projects.html">The Frugal Girls' Chic & Crafty Party</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/2011/06/friday-favorites-week-70.html">Simply Sweet Home's Friday Favorites</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://tidymom.net/2011/igo-charge-anywhere/">Tidy Mom's I'm Lovin' It</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://alli-n-son.com/2011/06/30/4th-july-dessert-lemon-bars/">Alli-n-Son's Sweet Tooth Friday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.littlebrickranch.com/2011/06/foodie-friday-15-quick-dishes-for-busy.html">Little Brick Ranch's Foodie Friday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/2011/06/who-i-am-kiki-creates-friday-flair.html">WhipperBerry's Friday Flair</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2011/07/sweets-for-saturday-23.html">Sweet as Sugar Cookie's Sweets for Saturday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/2011/07/sweet-indulgences-sunday-11.html">A Well Seasoned Life's Sweet Indulgences Sunday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/summer-cuccumber-pickles-and-tasty.html">Nap Time Creations' Tasty Tuesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/07/too-cute-tuesday-linky-par-tay-39.html">Funky Polkadot Giraffe's Too Cute Tuesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://screamingsardine.net/2011/07/join-the-month-long-cupcake-party/">Screaming Sardine's Month Long Cupcake Party</a></div>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-14748116398770990102011-06-22T19:14:00.000-07:002011-06-22T19:14:29.337-07:00Featured on Nap Time CreationsWow! I never imagined that I write a 3rd "Featured" post in the same week. This is so exciting!<br />
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Emily, over at Nap Time Creations, included my <a href="http://cakedish.blogspot.com/2011/06/sausage-zucchini-pasta-sauce.html">Sausage Zucchini Pasta Sauce</a> post as part of her <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cdiv%20align=%22center%22%3E%3Ca%20href=%22http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/%22%20title=%22Nap-Time%20Creations%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy168/thompsone1/header.jpg%22%20alt=%22Nap-Time%20Creations%22%20style=%22border:none;%22%20/%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/div%3E%20Project%20Time!">dream meal</a>. How nice! <br />
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<div align="center"><a href="http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Nap-Time Creations"><img alt="Nap-Time Creations" src="http://i788.photobucket.com/albums/yy168/thompsone1/header.jpg" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-40993275663692246572011-06-22T18:46:00.000-07:002011-08-13T05:29:20.607-07:00Margarita PieOh, margarita, how do I love thee? And I can love you even more as a dessert!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_aLCwXkOjOSXi0yTwYdvCp7I__CfS31KHvrkB6AIacW_348buk8WrrzOcMsXPMu5gO18AM9-gTTm7zxpUczLzapZCACx52Rh2ZAKsyEzUX_lhJiDJ5MMBS1J2XqG-6AvLA_2BVoBReg/s1600/margslice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="339px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_aLCwXkOjOSXi0yTwYdvCp7I__CfS31KHvrkB6AIacW_348buk8WrrzOcMsXPMu5gO18AM9-gTTm7zxpUczLzapZCACx52Rh2ZAKsyEzUX_lhJiDJ5MMBS1J2XqG-6AvLA_2BVoBReg/s640/margslice.jpg" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
My hubby and I hosted a dinner party this weekend. We provided the main dish and everyone else was to bring the rest of the meal. I realized on the day of the party that no one was bringing dessert. You can't come to my house and not have dessert! I had to come up with something fun and fast. <br />
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A few weeks ago, I tried <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/06/key-lime-pie-sorta/">Pioneer Woman's Key Lime Pie recipe</a>. It was delicious! I used to make a no-bake margarita pie with a pretzel crust. It was always yummy and a big hit! Thinking of both of those desserts gave me an idea...<br />
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I started by placing a few handfuls of pretzels into my food processor and chopping them into crumbs.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuF8d69DusJuvnikGHC-I69h0omFCSnmUx2drH_3IXvbb_BkohQAjFOW7wZchCA-MUyTifQnsnYb0jy9L8SJVKcPEG9Xgl-IWnriZJIcBe04DFJpl66XGFthninMZVXXYj79U76sg3Q8/s1600/pretzelcrumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuF8d69DusJuvnikGHC-I69h0omFCSnmUx2drH_3IXvbb_BkohQAjFOW7wZchCA-MUyTifQnsnYb0jy9L8SJVKcPEG9Xgl-IWnriZJIcBe04DFJpl66XGFthninMZVXXYj79U76sg3Q8/s320/pretzelcrumb.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I put 4 tablespoons of butter into my pie plate and melted it in the microwave. I then added 1/4 c. sugar and the pretzel crumbs, a little over a cup into the pie plate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDeDMdObJmo8Zxz8u29cbf9PPDfuK7YIk7_jr7sWaS0a1_0yN2JlDuHqzVN6hPeWrlqhH-Sm7b0e1cjW03QTJLms-XdmIMwOnjtf7pZMr1HjKDbRCCenjVEuDsevYJmc7SCOzm0dfPsM/s1600/crustingred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDeDMdObJmo8Zxz8u29cbf9PPDfuK7YIk7_jr7sWaS0a1_0yN2JlDuHqzVN6hPeWrlqhH-Sm7b0e1cjW03QTJLms-XdmIMwOnjtf7pZMr1HjKDbRCCenjVEuDsevYJmc7SCOzm0dfPsM/s320/crustingred.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I mixed everything together and pressed the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptoSimme4mYO3H6YiairNyEgqJ5tfSU2izfdcvAXG94R7mE8IBBrevQF_gOGzOYgU24yxtERCgJJdEoWJ7gPSOJzvFcAgUmYPOtmYhwxzjrWXzB2FWdNisTeaQbElHvZGvF1qESzbAm4/s1600/crustpress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptoSimme4mYO3H6YiairNyEgqJ5tfSU2izfdcvAXG94R7mE8IBBrevQF_gOGzOYgU24yxtERCgJJdEoWJ7gPSOJzvFcAgUmYPOtmYhwxzjrWXzB2FWdNisTeaQbElHvZGvF1qESzbAm4/s200/crustpress.jpg" width="140px" /></a></div><br />
The pretzels provide that wonderful salty compenent to the margarita flavor of this pie. I put the crust into a 325 degree oven and baked it for 9 minutes. I let it cool while I made the filling. This is where the recipe from Pioneer Woman comes in, I used her <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/06/key-lime-pie-sorta/">recipe</a> for the filling.<br />
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It started with gobs and gobs of fresh lime zest!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC8nU29-SkL-cbVB4hb4tMFO0I3Vy-5o6hBp8lT7_YbUi2E6W7E3w7U8Mo7t72Jb_MQoBCcX1yx4TvTn19KoJYpH1oIY2gqBVFHB18grwoex2SApeY0ymfbyi7HznDIoZD5aoZq7gTIs/s1600/zest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC8nU29-SkL-cbVB4hb4tMFO0I3Vy-5o6hBp8lT7_YbUi2E6W7E3w7U8Mo7t72Jb_MQoBCcX1yx4TvTn19KoJYpH1oIY2gqBVFHB18grwoex2SApeY0ymfbyi7HznDIoZD5aoZq7gTIs/s320/zest.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I used two limes worth because they were pretty small limes. Then I juiced those two limes along with 3 of their friends!<br />
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I put the lime juice and zest into the bowl of my mixer with two egg yolks and beat it all together. Next, I added a can of sweetened condensed milk...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vxZDS8Uzx1X8jEdocZ2X8WvKAN2VUAArz9aHCIzxj2G33N2IJSBT0XW-UDWF9-8mnElGL5odIORuMu9iMgMFGH_T9kOTB5kQsPhuSgGl0L5Je-jdWNZ7WASOjspcWtzddl6lNAZHQbs/s1600/mix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vxZDS8Uzx1X8jEdocZ2X8WvKAN2VUAArz9aHCIzxj2G33N2IJSBT0XW-UDWF9-8mnElGL5odIORuMu9iMgMFGH_T9kOTB5kQsPhuSgGl0L5Je-jdWNZ7WASOjspcWtzddl6lNAZHQbs/s320/mix.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I beat it all until it was nice and frothy and then... I strayed from the recipe and took it down my favorite path...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtcnCn_dBYwlTfF19u7hq1AJF3MoBhsZFmngMAygGA_Sk888jj8AV7WODWcLaL4Xf4EKrIhBFSjuM19zaEhCv1M8BBDEAL-b7kTQy8qptLG6DL-aPLMQN16pADoTsvWGCGRpiGCpB7tM/s1600/patron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtcnCn_dBYwlTfF19u7hq1AJF3MoBhsZFmngMAygGA_Sk888jj8AV7WODWcLaL4Xf4EKrIhBFSjuM19zaEhCv1M8BBDEAL-b7kTQy8qptLG6DL-aPLMQN16pADoTsvWGCGRpiGCpB7tM/s400/patron.jpg" width="371px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I added 2 tablespoons of Patron Anejo and...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorvxjzu4y_f7iE2xWFrG-HRL9szagCngHX0DUjYVQPJSmq_a3IjeZd3SM1N0rhRIQ3-sarm54EA3pASiGSjmQTqetxndiC7WZy8259wQ5weK-UVutDNYpmjcpvVGmiiLoVg_xWUWMnxo/s1600/cointreau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorvxjzu4y_f7iE2xWFrG-HRL9szagCngHX0DUjYVQPJSmq_a3IjeZd3SM1N0rhRIQ3-sarm54EA3pASiGSjmQTqetxndiC7WZy8259wQ5weK-UVutDNYpmjcpvVGmiiLoVg_xWUWMnxo/s320/cointreau.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I added 2 teaspoons of Cointreau Orange Liqueur. I'm telling you, I could eat this straight from the bowl!!! I poured all of this goodness into the pretzel pie crust.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjq8gI1nKKG6c_dducenmgSgLu1GBMayQ68eCLU5ydWY-DpOzXIG2zhAAuNO6wd0oqy1bftdmnH8GIcpIBdRcUTbHscBLBdWtdOrqUzE9gYq8XqvidVfvVCDoFsCt9dHCaSwCqxYe04M/s1600/margcool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjq8gI1nKKG6c_dducenmgSgLu1GBMayQ68eCLU5ydWY-DpOzXIG2zhAAuNO6wd0oqy1bftdmnH8GIcpIBdRcUTbHscBLBdWtdOrqUzE9gYq8XqvidVfvVCDoFsCt9dHCaSwCqxYe04M/s400/margcool.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I baked this for 16 minutes and placed it on the cooling rack. Once it was cool enough to go in the refrigerator, I wrapped it with plastic wrap and stored it in the frig until we finished dinner -- probably about 4 hours. When I was ready to serve the pie, I whipped some fresh whipping cream with a few tablespoons of sugar and topped the pie with that and some more zest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydQ6aKKEuMIktgmmUo283x9eCo5FM6N6Xr5chlZgoiPC_tzlmdrbC_Uf213ZFTRflJ9ZHdZX9SzeUYM3OPN_j1DeWim-b4kjegVQ426AoKy9nrvCNghbePHv24oaNO3EMfrGw5rVWfnw/s1600/margwhole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydQ6aKKEuMIktgmmUo283x9eCo5FM6N6Xr5chlZgoiPC_tzlmdrbC_Uf213ZFTRflJ9ZHdZX9SzeUYM3OPN_j1DeWim-b4kjegVQ426AoKy9nrvCNghbePHv24oaNO3EMfrGw5rVWfnw/s320/margwhole.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We all dug in and ohhhed and ahhhed our way through this pie. And I have to admit that sharing this with friends made it taste even better!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Linking up at:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-creative-cooking-space-and-tasty.html">Nap Time Creation's Tasty Tuesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2011/06/wfmw-summer-cooking-tip/">Works for Me Wednesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.simplysweethome.com/2011/06/friday-favorites-week-69.html">Simply Sweet Home's Friday Favorites</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/2011/06/fun-w-food-friday-linky-party.html">Paisley Passions' Fun with Food Friday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thefrugalgirls.com/2011/06/blog-party-crafts.html">The Frugal Girls' Chic and Crafty</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://tidymom.net/2011/spiced-mocha-cupcakes/">TidyMom's I'm Lovin It</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://alli-n-son.com/2011/06/23/maple-bacon-cupcakes/">Alli-n-son's Sweet Tooth Friday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/2011/06/sweet-indulgences-sunday-10.html">Well Seasoned Life's Sweet Indulgences Sunday</a></div>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-25526378596849917262011-06-21T19:15:00.000-07:002011-06-21T19:23:51.018-07:00Featured on Alli N Son's Sweet Tooth FavoritesI was so excited to see that my <a href="http://cakedish.blogspot.com/2011/06/strawberry-lemon-cake.html">Strawberry Lemon Cake post</a> was featured on <a href="http://alli-n-son.com/2011/06/17/sweet-tooth-favorites-16/">Alli N Son's Sweet Tooth Favorites</a> this week! Alli is sweet enough to host a weekly link up party that is so fun to participate in each Friday. Four other gorgeous blog posts also were featured, so be sure to check them all out!<br />
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<a href="http://alli-n-son.com/sweet-tooth-friday"><img src="http://alli-n-son.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/FaturedOn-SweetToothFriday.jpg " alt="BWS tips button" width="125" height="125" /></a>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-25947269330458008822011-06-20T08:27:00.000-07:002011-06-21T19:18:10.942-07:00Featured on Debt Free SpendingStephanie at Debt Free Spending has graciously featured my <a href="http://cakedish.blogspot.com/2011/05/chocolate-covered-strawberry-cupcakes.html">Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes post</a> over on her <a href="http://www.debtfreespending.com/2011/06/amazing-chocolate-covered-strawberry.html">site</a>. <br />
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Be sure to visit today for great tips on couponing and living debt free! She has lots of helpful information and also runs a local ministry to provide for the needs of her community. What wonderful company to be in!<br />
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<a href="http://www.debtfreespending.com"><img src="http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee442/brandste1976/Button-1.png " alt="BWS tips button" width="125" height="125" /></a>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-91509128467033694702011-06-14T18:51:00.000-07:002011-06-22T18:55:47.802-07:00Sausage & Zucchini Pasta SauceGrowing up, I had a friend whose family would order <em>junkyard</em> pizza. It was a pizza with every conceivable topping on it. Now this was just not something my family ever did -- everyone had too many topping they didn't like and we could have never agreed on what to include or exclude... I was shocked when I finally got brave enough to try a slice. It was delicious. Everything worked together even when they didn't work alone.<br />
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We don't order too much pizza these days, but the <em>junkyard</em> concept comes into play at our house still. It's usually a last minute meal and it starts when I look in the fridge and pull something together. It happened the other night and I thought I'd share the yummy results.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWYoddNDOCJhCaSynQc-30jfwNK1K2UjA3Dxmq776fREI04cSLGLnIGnGZ9J6gixwZaPJxRznV9HwqkXahS9asGS_tgMQREUe1l4LoA_ucDVdaRWdGLcjdVL6UyzkpnELlEBWF0Nrt1Y/s1600/sauszuccdish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWYoddNDOCJhCaSynQc-30jfwNK1K2UjA3Dxmq776fREI04cSLGLnIGnGZ9J6gixwZaPJxRznV9HwqkXahS9asGS_tgMQREUe1l4LoA_ucDVdaRWdGLcjdVL6UyzkpnELlEBWF0Nrt1Y/s640/sauszuccdish.jpg" t8="true" width="428px" /></a></div><br />
I opened the refrigerator and discovered that I had the following leftovers already cooked -- 2 large sausage links, 3 grilled chicken tenders and a bowl of spaghetti noodles. Hmm... what could I do? I grabbed a couple of large zucchinis and half an onion and a can of diced tomatoes and got started. <br />
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I sliced the chicken tenders and sausage links on the diagonal -- just to make them look bigger and strech it a bit. I do this often and it helps us use less meat and still feel satisfied because it looks like there's more meat there. It works for us :). I then sliced the onion and zucchini up very thinly. I heated a few tablespoons of olive oil in my skillet and added the meat and onions, along with 2 cloves of freshly pressed garlic. I stirred this around until the onions became almost clear. I then added the zucchini. I sprinkled on salt and freshly ground pepper and bruschetta seasoning. I get this seasoning in its own grinder bottle from our local Italian food supplier and it's the Cannamela brand. So delicious!!! Once the zucchini were just softened, I added in the can of tomatoes. I kept stirring this all together and let it simmer for a few minutes. I tasted it a few times while simmering and adjusted the seasoning as needed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjP8QVUWn65eNy2M9vTmtd0aaxeSwuceG_YysZpajnKuG1_xTKjPBwqx3LmdjRHrzvC5U8uPt8pPmQU7BPaC1tJ64_zsCgTx7jP1Cu9DRAurbndkglXftCEfBS-VnablERr9H3Tdt0bk/s1600/sauszuccpan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjP8QVUWn65eNy2M9vTmtd0aaxeSwuceG_YysZpajnKuG1_xTKjPBwqx3LmdjRHrzvC5U8uPt8pPmQU7BPaC1tJ64_zsCgTx7jP1Cu9DRAurbndkglXftCEfBS-VnablERr9H3Tdt0bk/s320/sauszuccpan.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I ran the cooked pasta under warm water from the faucet until they were warmed. I put some noodles on each plate and topped with the sauce. It was delicious. Even the kids cleaned their plates.<br />
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Do you ever just throw things in a pan and see what happens?<br />
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<div align="center">Linked up at: <a href="http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/2011/06/authentic-fried-rice-tasty-tuesday-link.html">Nap Time Creation's Tasty Tuesday</a><br />
<a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2011/06/wfmw-road-trip-tips/">Works for Me Wednesday</a> -- say a prayer for Kristen, the hostess, as she's in the hospital this week :(<br />
<a href="http://www.sugaranddots.com/2011/06/what-i-whipped-up-wednesday_14.html">Sugar and Dots' What I Whipped Up Wednesday</a><br />
<a href="http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/2011/06/thrilling-thursday-linky-party_15.html">Paisley Passion's Thrilling Thursday</a><br />
<a href="http://thefrugalgirls.com/2011/06/chic-and-crafty.html">The Frugal Girl's Chic and Crafty</a><br />
<a href="http://tidymom.net/2011/meal-planning/#more-11620">Tidy Mom's I'm Lovin It</a><br />
<a href="http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/06/this-weeks-cravings-linky-party-34-30.html">Mom's Crazy Cooking's This Week's Cravings</a></div>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7702354976799412678.post-44786059492699040202011-06-09T20:38:00.000-07:002011-06-14T04:12:20.005-07:00Strawberry Lemon CakeSo here is the Strawberry Cake recipe I promised in my last post. I don't think I mentioned the lemon part, but there is just something about the combination of these two flavors that screams summer to me! And as you saw in the <a href="http://cakedish.blogspot.com/2011/06/blueberry-ruffle-cake.html">decorating post</a>, I topped it with plenty of icing and fresh blueberries. The icing is a Lemon Vanilla Buttercream. It all worked together really well!<br />
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This cake started with the strawberry puree. I could dive right in this and swim there forever...<br />
I had sliced a pint of strawberries and sprinkled them with a few tablespoons of sugar the day before. I pulsed them a bit in the food processor until they looked like this --<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3VWKerJeJV0zU2N2HeoEMxGLmDbXMd0XVcHdI_xUd-to4pL9dLHLthmXyay1CkP5VrYN0dxr0fat-xDuLqZS7DoLXMk-qYt0jSctivKF6S1-cBZHzGU8nlKlhv6IE31EbbjTvjhlR7A/s1600/puree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3VWKerJeJV0zU2N2HeoEMxGLmDbXMd0XVcHdI_xUd-to4pL9dLHLthmXyay1CkP5VrYN0dxr0fat-xDuLqZS7DoLXMk-qYt0jSctivKF6S1-cBZHzGU8nlKlhv6IE31EbbjTvjhlR7A/s320/puree.jpg" t8="true" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I put the butter and sugar into the mixer bowl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTasKJnF71Yi8_budx5y3C-86MeIyyfv6zKMKZjRIHN953svB0zE0VrKoYN2NtWRZfvrV76wYgTaJBJHQARuUOT4tXFm7TKTMZYPK2T1Qn2CdyK6UhTAPLqMZNnxEnjGUBs6FmFEc4uA/s1600/cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTasKJnF71Yi8_budx5y3C-86MeIyyfv6zKMKZjRIHN953svB0zE0VrKoYN2NtWRZfvrV76wYgTaJBJHQARuUOT4tXFm7TKTMZYPK2T1Qn2CdyK6UhTAPLqMZNnxEnjGUBs6FmFEc4uA/s320/cream.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And creamed them together until light and fluffy. Then I mixed in the vanilla and strawberry puree. I added the eggs one at a time and mixed them well after adding each one.<br />
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In a separate bowl, I had sifted together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. I then added the zest of a lemon to that mixture. It is always a good idea to mix zest or fruit that you are putting in a cake batter with some flour to keep the items from sinking to the bottom. Instead of adding a pinch of flour to the zest, I figured I would just throw it all in together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwVEfaNIQXP77V_fC3uBTkm_RTwqJC4bpB-gIWifywHuy5OhxXbMTSg_XbvYzkplIor_Bk6MjfZK1KjUiXXJeAMKvSSBfJrfWHDeziTNv0oYP9zq2dm7iCwTCcZY3RjSkAVJ6n2aFY4M/s1600/zest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwVEfaNIQXP77V_fC3uBTkm_RTwqJC4bpB-gIWifywHuy5OhxXbMTSg_XbvYzkplIor_Bk6MjfZK1KjUiXXJeAMKvSSBfJrfWHDeziTNv0oYP9zq2dm7iCwTCcZY3RjSkAVJ6n2aFY4M/s320/zest.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>I added the flour in about 3 portions, mixing well between each addition. Don't forget to scrape down the paddle and the sides of the bowl.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaRH50555Vwa1IL5c40Qgc7YhnqJD0QLNqMe97Z94rqptHdVGoMMovB_2z8mUeB4cZ0rpaq_65bN7d_nWXsdjdsAXz73zd4nMs_EyAYWzTeBzgeo4eRGOrowz0McLH_D8u8IRigOkQxQ/s1600/mix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaRH50555Vwa1IL5c40Qgc7YhnqJD0QLNqMe97Z94rqptHdVGoMMovB_2z8mUeB4cZ0rpaq_65bN7d_nWXsdjdsAXz73zd4nMs_EyAYWzTeBzgeo4eRGOrowz0McLH_D8u8IRigOkQxQ/s320/mix.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once the batter was complete, I split it equally between two prepared pans. I placed them into a 325 degree oven for about 25 minutes. They were moved to a cooling rack for a 10 or 15 minutes and removed from the pans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once they were completely cool, the fun began...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMSwJ9BPGIX96p54srx_Abxf1d7lJqkFv5NO7NhDWq08rSd_bVhktALW5NCAPDMLlmI0WYIDlEM9UWWXKOqa49CPpHPvtK0TtQBCdGq1isOE5Px1SFnuJEppY4gda-OnBxZZp8IdCOAY/s1600/icing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMSwJ9BPGIX96p54srx_Abxf1d7lJqkFv5NO7NhDWq08rSd_bVhktALW5NCAPDMLlmI0WYIDlEM9UWWXKOqa49CPpHPvtK0TtQBCdGq1isOE5Px1SFnuJEppY4gda-OnBxZZp8IdCOAY/s320/icing.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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ICING! I spread a generous amount of icing on top of the first layer. Then I topped that with some more strawberry puree.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiARwcHFCSxtAPxc9yglMbU8xQZ8p5sqKeHBBoPOhU8mubZbqMx3TQ-Cfy5G_fzCX_EHi5P9MkysKs1IA2Aun1C-Moby1aFZm_Dt2Q0CzApP_HjQQRU7Q3KuXuWn3mgE6D6NewYUyZNE/s1600/fill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiARwcHFCSxtAPxc9yglMbU8xQZ8p5sqKeHBBoPOhU8mubZbqMx3TQ-Cfy5G_fzCX_EHi5P9MkysKs1IA2Aun1C-Moby1aFZm_Dt2Q0CzApP_HjQQRU7Q3KuXuWn3mgE6D6NewYUyZNE/s320/fill.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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I topped all of that deliciousness with the other cake layer and iced the rest of the cake. You can see more about my icing technique in my previous post (linked at the top of the post). It turned out cute and yummy -- very moist and strawberryie -- ok, maybe not a word, but it should be!<br />
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Here's the finished cake.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9uyUKEEwIxD339urTTVmEDpf4CLR3Y8XJa1cEZ5V6jfnONypDYqPWkXGgkiFZ_u3zLbyzar0qEp_G0qzia6SozcFE8ICFXJzUrhwYyT-sFis190yOddpUN9JO9qa5k79M22SMXe0gY4/s1600/mainview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9uyUKEEwIxD339urTTVmEDpf4CLR3Y8XJa1cEZ5V6jfnONypDYqPWkXGgkiFZ_u3zLbyzar0qEp_G0qzia6SozcFE8ICFXJzUrhwYyT-sFis190yOddpUN9JO9qa5k79M22SMXe0gY4/s320/mainview.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">_________________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Strawberry Lemon Cake</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">1 1/2 sticks butter, room temperature</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">1 3/4 c sugar</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">2 1/2 c cake flour, sifted</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">1/2 tsp baking powder</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">1 tsp baking soda</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">1/2 tsp salt</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">zest of 1 lemon</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">1/2 tsp double strength pure vanilla extract</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">3/4 c strawberry puree *</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">2 eggs, room temperature</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">*I sliced 1 pint of strawberries and mixed with about 2 tbsp sugar and pulsed in the food processor until pureed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">Preheat oven to 325 degrees.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">Spray two 9 inch round pans with non-stick cooking spray that has flour added.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">With the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Then add vanilla and eggs one a time, mixing well in between each addition. In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix the lemon zest into the flour mixture. Add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients in 2-3 additions, mix between each one.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">Divide the batter evenly between the two pans. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool and ice and enjoy!</span></div><span style="color: #444444;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">_________________________________________________________</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">Lemon Vanilla Buttercream</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">2 1/2 sticks butter, room temperature</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4 1/2 c powdered sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tsp double strength pure vanilla extract</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 tsp lemon extract</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2-3 tbsp half & half</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cream the butter. Add the vanilla and lemon extracts and mix well. Add the sugar about a cup at a time. Once all of the sugar is incorporated, add the half & half a tbsp at a time until the desired consistency is reached.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This post will be linked up at:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/2011/06/thrilling-thursday-linky-party.html">Paisley Passions' Thrilling Thursday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/2011/06/sweet-treats-thursday_09.html">Something Swanky's Sweet Treat Thursday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thefrugalgirls.com/2011/06/fun-chic-crafts.html">The Frugal Girl's Chic & Crafty Party</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tidymom.net/2011/hair-care-tips/">Tidy Mom's I'm Lovin' It Fridays</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://alli-n-son.com/2011/06/09/key-lime-strawberry-shortcake/">Alli n Son's Sweet Tooth Friday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlebrickranch.com/2011/06/foodie-friday-12-bikini-friendly-eats.html">Little Brick Ranch's Foodie Fridays</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wellseasonedlife.com/2011/06/sweet-indulgences-sunday-8.html">Well Seasoned Life's Sweet Indulgences Sunday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://nap-timecreations.blogspot.com/2011/06/authentic-fried-rice-tasty-tuesday-link.html">Nap Time Creations' Tasty Tuesday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jenn@TheCakeDishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18306980927151454577noreply@blogger.com20