I got a KitchenAid stand mixer for our 18th anniversary last month. One of the first things I made was of course our anniversary cake, and frosting.
The recipe for the cake and the frosting came from the same place. They were paired on a Pin, and I'd been waiting to make them. Let me tell you, do NOT attempt a buttercream without a stand mixer. I've kind of made it before, but the KitchenAid makes a world of difference. Now it's actually good!
Anyway, I digress. These 2 recipes are very (very) good. Seriously, look no further. The cup(cake) recipe starts with a boxed mix; no shame in that! You doctor it though and by the time you're done it kinda feels like you did it from scratch ;-) The flavor is good, the cupcake is sturdy but moist, and not crumbly.
The buttercream is simply yum. Very simple, but sometimes simple is best. You can use it as a base and then flavor as desired, perhaps leaving out the vanilla if you do. I've made chocolate and strawberry.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Cinnamon Roll Cake
Ah, Cinnamon Roll Cake, how I love thee.
This one is a winner. Perfect. Not only is it delicious, it is just about as easy as it gets. I make a pan and that pan is empty within hours. I don't think I've ever had the chance to try it after it sits overnight, because there's never been leftovers!
You will not be sorry. Well, you might, because after the first bite you'll be addicted! ;-)
This one is a winner. Perfect. Not only is it delicious, it is just about as easy as it gets. I make a pan and that pan is empty within hours. I don't think I've ever had the chance to try it after it sits overnight, because there's never been leftovers!
You will not be sorry. Well, you might, because after the first bite you'll be addicted! ;-)
No-Bake Cake Batter Truffles
Are you sensing a theme here? No-Bake Cake Batter Balls were another new thing I tried during the holidays.
I messed up this recipe because I broke one cardinal rule: READ THE ENTIRE RECIPE before you make it! Whoops. Once I realized my mistake I did the best I could to fix it, but to give an honest opinion of this one, I really owe it to the cook to try again.
They were kind of dry for my liking, but that may well have been because of my mistake. I will try these again, next Christmas. Gotta do something besides "just" Oreos ;-)
I messed up this recipe because I broke one cardinal rule: READ THE ENTIRE RECIPE before you make it! Whoops. Once I realized my mistake I did the best I could to fix it, but to give an honest opinion of this one, I really owe it to the cook to try again.
They were kind of dry for my liking, but that may well have been because of my mistake. I will try these again, next Christmas. Gotta do something besides "just" Oreos ;-)
Sugar Cookie Truffles
For some years now I've been making Oreo Truffles during the holidays. Everyone loves them, it seems like you've spent a lot of time & effort, and the combination of Oreos & cream cheese turns ordinary items into something decadent.
So when I came across a recipe for Sugar Cookie Truffles, I was really jazzed. Unfortunately, I didn't find them to be as yummy as the Oreo version. They were a little dry and just not quite as good. Not terrible, just not the knock your socks off reaction the Oreo Truffles get.
Would I make them again? Not sure. Maybe if I let the cream cheese & sugar cookie mix set for awhile so that the cookie part would be a little softer it might be different. I think the missing element is that there's no "cream", like Oreos have. If there was something to add to the sugar cookie mixture it might work.
Thinking just now, I wonder how a sugar cookie dough, without eggs, would work. Yes, I'm talking raw cookie dough (either no eggs or a pasteurized egg substitute, maybe?) rolled into balls and dipped per the recipe. Might just give that a try next Christmas!
So when I came across a recipe for Sugar Cookie Truffles, I was really jazzed. Unfortunately, I didn't find them to be as yummy as the Oreo version. They were a little dry and just not quite as good. Not terrible, just not the knock your socks off reaction the Oreo Truffles get.
Would I make them again? Not sure. Maybe if I let the cream cheese & sugar cookie mix set for awhile so that the cookie part would be a little softer it might be different. I think the missing element is that there's no "cream", like Oreos have. If there was something to add to the sugar cookie mixture it might work.
Thinking just now, I wonder how a sugar cookie dough, without eggs, would work. Yes, I'm talking raw cookie dough (either no eggs or a pasteurized egg substitute, maybe?) rolled into balls and dipped per the recipe. Might just give that a try next Christmas!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Loaf
I love lemon. L.O.V.E. lemon.
Blueberries ain't too bad either.
I was really excited to see the recipe for lemon-blueberry bread. However, this was another "meh" result, darn it!
However, that might have been my own fault, so before I deliver a final verdict, I think I need to remake it.
Problem #1 - I used a mixture of whole wheat & white flours. Probably not the best choice. Whole wheat is better, but let's be honest, white flour makes better goodies.
Problem #2 - I doubled the recipe. Probably not the best idea, given it was my first time with it, but my aunt & uncle were to visit the next day and I wanted to send a loaf home with them. I should have just prepared as-is on the first go-round.
Problem #3 - I divided the batter between 2 pans. The loaves were HUGE. Huge!! Another site (where the original pin led) mentioned getting 2 loaves out of the single batch, and she was probably right; I no doubt could have had 2 nicely sized loaves from the un-doubled recipe.
So, as you can see, I really owe it to the author to give this bread another try. Next time I won't double and I'll use all white flour ;-)
I have to say that the glaze for the bread is absolutely delicious. Just terrific. I could see using it on other lemony items. Yum yum!
Blueberries ain't too bad either.
I was really excited to see the recipe for lemon-blueberry bread. However, this was another "meh" result, darn it!
However, that might have been my own fault, so before I deliver a final verdict, I think I need to remake it.
Problem #1 - I used a mixture of whole wheat & white flours. Probably not the best choice. Whole wheat is better, but let's be honest, white flour makes better goodies.
Problem #2 - I doubled the recipe. Probably not the best idea, given it was my first time with it, but my aunt & uncle were to visit the next day and I wanted to send a loaf home with them. I should have just prepared as-is on the first go-round.
Problem #3 - I divided the batter between 2 pans. The loaves were HUGE. Huge!! Another site (where the original pin led) mentioned getting 2 loaves out of the single batch, and she was probably right; I no doubt could have had 2 nicely sized loaves from the un-doubled recipe.
So, as you can see, I really owe it to the author to give this bread another try. Next time I won't double and I'll use all white flour ;-)
I have to say that the glaze for the bread is absolutely delicious. Just terrific. I could see using it on other lemony items. Yum yum!
Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Casserole
Oh yes. Another hit, this Chicken Alfredo Biscuit Casserole!
The first time I made it, I followed directions exactly. The next time, I tweaked it. I made a larger batch and so had more broccoli in it, and didn't bother with cutting the biscuits. I used two packs of biscuits and pretty much covered the top almost completely. Kids loved it, very satisfying. A keeper!
The first time I made it, I followed directions exactly. The next time, I tweaked it. I made a larger batch and so had more broccoli in it, and didn't bother with cutting the biscuits. I used two packs of biscuits and pretty much covered the top almost completely. Kids loved it, very satisfying. A keeper!
Cheddar Chicken
Cheddar Chicken is the first one I remember being less than pleased with. Now, that said, the kids liked it, but I was just "meh". I won't make it again, and in fact it's one I probably will un-pin. It's a bit of work. Not a lot, really, but more than I have time for given the end result. I can't even put my finger on exactly why I didn't like it. I wanted to love it but I just didn't.
Asparagus
This one is a little different, in that the Pin I have for it doesn't link directly to the recipe. So, while I happily credit the site it seemingly came from, I'll break my self-imposed rule and post the recipe here, such as it is:
The absolute best way to cook asparagus, and SO SIMPLE! Season with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese; bake 350 10-15 minutes.
Yeah, it's good. I will make asparagus this way any time I can! You need to watch the cooking time, as it's easy to over-cook and under-cook. So just pay attention to the stalk tenderness and you're good to go!
The absolute best way to cook asparagus, and SO SIMPLE! Season with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese; bake 350 10-15 minutes.
Yeah, it's good. I will make asparagus this way any time I can! You need to watch the cooking time, as it's easy to over-cook and under-cook. So just pay attention to the stalk tenderness and you're good to go!
Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken Stacks
This one I tried well before Pinterest. In fact, I pinned this one myself, I like it so well! I bet you'll become a fan of Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken Stacks too!
You can't really mess this up, and it's so easy to customize. Add more this or that, leave out something you don't care for, substitute the type of beans, whatever you want to do! Very yummy, and best of all, very easy.
You can't really mess this up, and it's so easy to customize. Add more this or that, leave out something you don't care for, substitute the type of beans, whatever you want to do! Very yummy, and best of all, very easy.
Pizza Casserole
I think this recipe was the first one I made: Pizza Casserole.
Since I'm linking to everything, I'm not going to post the originals here. That way I avoid any copyright issues as well.
My family loved this one. It was a hit from the start, and will definitely be in the rotation of meals. I actually double the recipe because I have 3 big boys, 1 littler guy, and my husband to feed (along with me). Add some salad and bread and you've got a good meal. Because I make a large batch we always have leftovers too.
Since I'm linking to everything, I'm not going to post the originals here. That way I avoid any copyright issues as well.
My family loved this one. It was a hit from the start, and will definitely be in the rotation of meals. I actually double the recipe because I have 3 big boys, 1 littler guy, and my husband to feed (along with me). Add some salad and bread and you've got a good meal. Because I make a large batch we always have leftovers too.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
One Thing You'll Find Plenty Of....
If there's one thing that abounds on Pinterest (besides Ryan Gosling memes), it's recipes. Mostly desserts. Seems most Pinners (myself included) have a penchant for stuff that tastes good, and is (usually) fattening. Even better if it's easy.
Of course, there are recipes for other things too - laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, various cleaners and bug poisons, all kinds of stuff. But mostly food. I've got my pinned recipes divided as such: Breads, Cookies, Desserts, Random, and Savory. Categorizing as I pin makes it much easier when I go searching for one.
Of course, there are recipes for other things too - laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, various cleaners and bug poisons, all kinds of stuff. But mostly food. I've got my pinned recipes divided as such: Breads, Cookies, Desserts, Random, and Savory. Categorizing as I pin makes it much easier when I go searching for one.
It All Started With A Virtual Bulletin Board
About a year ago, or close to it, I started hearing about something called "Pinterest". The site describes itself as such:
Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.
Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.
To be honest, that sounded kind of boring, and for awhile I ignored it. Then more and more people started talking about it, so I checked it out.
And a pin-session was born.
Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.
Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.
To be honest, that sounded kind of boring, and for awhile I ignored it. Then more and more people started talking about it, so I checked it out.
And a pin-session was born.
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