Month: April 2011

Cakes

Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Strawberry Glaze

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Well, after looking back for this recipe, I found that I never put it on the blog. So will do so.

3 cups flour
3 cups sugar
6 eggs
1 teas vanilla
1 teas almond extract
1 8 oz softened cream cheese
3 sticks butter, softened
Cream butter ( I use 2 sticks of butter and 1 stick of margarine) and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in flavorings. Add flour 1 cup at a time. Pour 1/3 of batter into a well greased bundt pan. Spoon strawberry glaze (I found Maria’s with the fresh strawberries in the produce isle) by the tables onto the batter in the pan. Swirl it with a knife. (You will only use about 4 to 5 tables of the glaze) Pour rest of batter onto glaze making sure you have covered it completely.
Put into a cold oven, set at 300 and bake until knife comes out clean, about one hr. But test when you get to about 50 mins. Take out of oven and let sit for about 15 min before turning out onto a serving plate. Slice fresh strawberries and add the rest of the glaze to them. Spoon over slices of cut cake and top with whipping cream.

Cakes · Daily Thoughts · Desserts

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake

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If you have not tried this recipe that I put on the blog two weeks ago, do so. I made it and it is not only delish, it is so striking. The strawberry glaze that you buy in the produce dept with the fresh strawberries is just an absolutely wonderful addition to this already great cake. I bought fresh strawberries and used the rest of the glaze that didn’t go into the cake and served them on top of the cake slices with a dollop of fresh whipping cream and wow! Such a pretty presentation, and just melts in your mouth….a great dessert for Easter meal. Trust me on this…you will get raves from anyone that tastes it…..and it is easy to make.

Daily Thoughts

Anniversary Dinner for Two

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Thought I would write a couple of cute stories about Randy as the Creme Brulee for two is baking in the oven.
Today we have been married 15 years.
Since that day, there have been numerous memories, some so precious to write about, some a little humorous. There was the “memory” of driving down the Dallas Tollway that comes to mind. Randy was going to meet me at the car dealership, where I would be leaving my car for some work to be done to the air conditioner. As we were walking out of the house, he told me to go ahead, because the phone rang and he would follow after me in a few minutes. Yes, it was one of our kids, probably needing money, but I went on and was headed there thinking that since i would get there first, how was I going to explain what the air conditioner was doing, because men just have a better way of doing things like that. All of a sudden, going 60 miles an hour, the locks on my car began to go up and down, up and down and everytime I would look at them, they would quit. I continued to drive, now wondering how in the world I would explain this to the repair dept, when, there they went again, up and down, lock and unlock, over and over. Well, my head is going back and forth from the driver side to the passenger side, starrng back and forth, trying to decide how in the world I would explain this. I exit the Tollway, stop at the light and there, right behind me is Randall in his car, holding up the extra set of keys. He had been behind me, hiding behind a car, locking and unlocking my car with his set of keys. He was just cracking up laughing at me. He said that my head just kept going back and forth, watching in amazement at the door locks and he could just imagine what was going on in my mind. Let’s just say that the rest of the day, well, I did sign us up for a “what’s wrong with your marriage” seminar.
Then there was the time that he asked me to ride with him to get donuts for his office for the next morning. I already had slipped my jammies and robe on and taken my makeup off for the night. It was around 10 p.m., but since Krispy Kreme was open 24/7 I told him ok I would go with him, but I would just stay in the car. When we arrived, there was only 1 other car there and he parked right at the front door. After a few minutes I saw the salesgirl look out my direction and wondered why in the world would she be looking out at me. I saw her hand Randy a cup of coffee and a donut while she packed up the 15 dozen he was buying for his office. In a few minutes, here he comes, all smiles, loading all the donuts in the trunk. He gets in the car and proceeds to tell me that he got a free cup of coffee, thanks to me. When I asked him how in the world did I get him a free cup of coffee he tells me that, well, let him tell you what he told her.
“The young lady asked me what in the world was I going to do with 15 dz donuts and instead of telling her the boring story of buying them for the office, I decided to tell her that the donuts were for you…but that you were so big that it was hard for you to get out of the car, so I would just come and buy them and then you had your donuts for the rest of the week. I think she felt sorry for me so she gave me a free cup of coffee.” So that was why she kept starring out at the car. Then there was the time that he waited to long to buy tickets for the car races, and when the lady at the other end of the phone said that all they had left were seats at the very top, he asked if there was any possible way that we could have seats lower, as his wife was so big that I couldn’t climb to the top and if it were possible, “could we be on the end, because people, sitting behind us would get mad because it was hard to see around his wife,” we get to the races and there were our seats, 3rd row, end seats. Now i’m sure that if the opportunity arose today, surely Randy’s “spiritual side” wouldn’t let him do that anymore. I prefer to think that he would
only use my age, as a means to get us better seats, not my weight…But I’m just not sure…..will let you know tonight to see what kind of present he brings home to make up for all the “cute little memories” that have given us many hours of laughs and stories to tell our kids….
Seriously, thank you Randy for the most wonderful years and am glad this is my blog so I can write anything I want and not about the little “memories” I have given you. You are the love of my life.

Fruit · Salads

Frozen Fruit Ring

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If you are looking through magazines this week, trying to decide about your Easter menu, let me give you one more to ponder. I have served this at numerous luncheons and holiday meals and it is always one that people love to go back to the fridge and get another bowl, after dishes are done and they are wanting just to nibble on something. You can prepare it a few days before serving and that is one less food you have to worry about cooking on the special day.
1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1 tables sugar
1 (16 oz) can whole cranberry sauce (or I use canned cherry pie filling)
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup Cool Whip
In a medium mixing bowl, whip together cream cheese and sugar. Stir in cranberry sauce or canned cherries, pineapple and pecans. Fold in whipped topping.
Pour into a 8 cup mold lined with plastic wrap. Freeze 24 hours. Unmold onto serving platter and remove plastic wrap. Let set 5 min prior to serving. Yield 10-12 servings.

Casseroles · Starches

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

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Oh boy, I just received in the mail yesterday the little Gooseberry Patch order form for one of their new cookbooks. One of the recipes from them is this mashed potato casserole which can be made with the already prepared meals from the grocery stores, such as Owens brand of mashed potatoes. It is a great family dish and goes wonderfully with Easter ham or roast.
5 1/2 cups mashed potatoes
1/2 cup milk
8 oz pak softened cream cheese
8 oz container sour cream
2 teas dried parsley
1 teas garlic powder
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices bacon crisply cooked and crumbled
Combine all ingredients except cheddar cheese and bacon in a large mixing bowl. (if you are using the store bought mashed potatoes, you will have to get them to room temperature so you can stir them and blend in the ingredients.)
If you are using homemade mashed potatoes and have not mashed them, you will need a mixer for this and will need to beat the potatoes with all of the ingredients except the cheese and bacon.
(* I like to use fresh garlic pods to cut and rub all over the 13×9 dish before spooning the mixture into it.)Spoon into a lighly greased 13×9 baking dish; top with cheese and bacon. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 min. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes or until cheese melts. Serves 12.

Cakes · Desserts · Fruit

Spiced Apple-Date Bundt Cake

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I know I have posted an apple cake on here before, but this one was over the top. Took it to church this morning, as it was my turn to bring “breakfast” for our group. Decided to try a different cake and I have to say, I like this one even better than my fresh apple cake I posed last year. This one seems to be even more moist, a little more flavorful, with lots of spices. Got lots of “yums” from the ladies…..
Even though I forgot to buy dates at the store, this cake was delicioius even without the dates, so cannot wait to try it again, with the dates.
3 cups flour
1 tables ground cinnamon
1 teas baking soda
1 teas salt
1/2 teas ground allspice
1/2 teas ground cloves
1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
3 eggs
3 cups grated apple
1 cup chopped dates
2 teas vanilla
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a bundt pan with baking spray; set aside
Sift together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, allspice and cloves. Set aside. In a medium bowl, and using an electric mixer at high speed, combine oil, brown sugar, and eggs. Beat until pale yellow in color, about 5 mins.
Gradually add the flour mixture to theh oil mixture. Fold in grated apple, dates and vanilla. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for about 1 hr to 1 hour, 15 min (mine only took 1 hr.) until toothpick comes out clean when poked into the center. Cool in pan for 10 min. Remove cake from pan onto serving plate. You can either serve it without frosting. I choose to poke holes with a wooden stick and poured frosting, which is below into the holes and then over the top letting it run over the sides of the cake.
Frosting:
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 3 tables heavy cream, 1/4 stick butter (4 tables), 1 teas vanilla and 1/2 cup powdered sugar.
Place all ingredients except the vanilla and powdered sugar into a saucepan. Slowly bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and powdered sugar. Stir well until powdered sugar is dissolved and no lumps remain. Let frosting run into the holes you have poked in the cake and then pour the remaining over the entire cake, letting it run over the sides. This frosting hardens pretty fast, so you have to pour over pretty quickly, while cake is still warm…..Enjoy!

Chocolate · Daily Thoughts

Brownies in a Jar

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Thought you might like to use this idea. For Easter, I have several ladies who I would just like to give a little something to tell them “thank you for opening up their hearts and homes to us here”. It has made it so much easier to feel “at home” and also has helped us to already have some great beginnings to new friendships. Since I love to bake, I thought it would be nice to give them something homemade. I went on-line and found a recipe for Double Fudge Brownies, which you can mix up the dry ingredients, put in a mason jar and give away. All they have to do is add the eggs, butter and vanilla, pour in a pan and they have a great bunch of homemade brownies. WalMart has mason jars, sold by the dozen, cute little lids, squares of fabic, already cut and matching labels. So for the prize of $20.00 or under, I am able to make about 8 or 9 gifts to give away. Below is listed the recipe I used. I have made the brownies and they are so fudgy and good. Baking a blessing…………Trudy (of course you will want to use your name, not mine, ha)

Each qt jar will hold the following:
2 cups sugar
1 cup cocoa
1 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chocolate chips
Throughly mix all of the above and pour into a cleaned and throughly dried qt jar. I mixed up the ingredients before pouring them into the jar. Then attach to the jar:

Double Fudge Brownies
Makes 24
1 cup softened butter
4 eggs
2 teas vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 325. Grease a 12×9 in pan. In a large bowl, cream the butter, adding the eggs one a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla and then the brownies mix. Continue to stir until all is smooth. Spread the mixture into the greased pan and bake for 35-40 min. I sprinkle about 1 tables granulated sugar over the top as soon as they come out of the oven.

Breads

Pimento Cheese Scones

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Another winner from Tea Time Magazine, July 2009. These are just so pretty and so flavorful, even if you don’t like pimento cheese, these are delicious with soups or salads or as in Paula Deen style, with a slab of butter melted on top.

Makes 24
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teas baking powder
1/2 teas salt
1/4 teas baking soda
1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, diced

3 oz cold cream cheese, diced
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 (4 oz) jar diced pimientos, drained
3/4 cup plus 1 tables heavy cream, divided
Preheat oven to 450. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter and cream cheese until mixture resembles coarse meal. Fold in 1/4 cup cheddar and the pimientos.
Make a well in center of the mixture and add 3/4 cup cream. Using a fork, blend mixture until a loose dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 3 to 4 turns. Roll dough out to 1/2 in thickness. Using a 2″ cutter, cut scones, rerolling scraps no more than twice. (doing more than 2 times will make them dry and hard after baking).
Place the scones on the prepared baking sheets, spacing at least 1′ apart. Using a pastry brush, lightly coat scones with remaining cream and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheddar. Bake for 12 to 15 min, or until light golden brown.

Daily Thoughts

Grocery Store Blues

Chocolate Castles6 Comments

I am totally depressed. Not only do the grocery stores in California NOT have Sister Schubert rolls, which are totally necessary for dinner parties, they are short on a few items necessary for this butter queen to bake like a true southern belle. We are having company for dinner tonight and took the menu straight out of Southern Living Magazine which is right next to the Bible in things I would take with me if my house caught on fire. I notice that the recipe that I have chosen, calls for a chocolate cookie crust and chocolate covered York mints. So I grab my purse, head for the grocery store only to discover that the grocery store doesn’t stock chocolate graham cracker crusts. That’s ok, I will just buy chocolate graham crackers and make my own. I walk excitedly to the cookie isle thinking how proud I will be when I have to announce that I made my own crusts because the store didn’t carry the prepared kind I needed. That is when I discover that low and behold, they do not carry chocolate graham cookies. That’s ok, this is even better, now I can brag that I had to buy chocolate cookies and use those since there were no chocolate graham cookies, but….feeling my heart beat faster as I comb the isle going back and forth looking for chocolate cookies other than oreos or fudge marshmellow cookies, I discover that there are no chocolate wafer cookies. I head over to the butter isle just to be sure that there is real butter, pick up a stick to smell it to recover from my fainting spell…I did come to the grocery store, and not the hardware store, right? I look around and see the bottled water, the salad fixings and take a deep breath. Yes, I am in a grocery store. Well, I decide that I will do the only thing I can do, I buy a package of chocolate chip cookies to use for my chocolate cookie crust. At least they had those. But York mints, no, don’t have those either. I have to buy several little boxes of Jr Mints, which were not fun to try to dice. So I buy a few more items head to the check out counter and pay for my groceries. Still fuming that they do not have items that are considered “stationary grocery items in Dallas” I am walking out to the door, trying to decide who I can call and complain that these California grocery stores are just not going to cut it in my “southern butter belt” cooking world, when all of a sudden I hear a young lady yell, “ma’m, ma’m”. Is she talking to me? When I see everyone looking in my direction, I decide that she is and I turn around to see the sweet young checker who is proably not over 13 years old, running to me holding up a magnifying glass telling me, “oh ma’m, you forgot your magnifying glass”…..I quickly told her that that was not mine, that I had perfect vision; why I could even clearly see the tattoo on her ankle without even bending over. I am not going back to the grocery store, I am now ordering on-line and having groceries delivered. The whole experience was just too much for me, am even having my anti-depressants delivered, not going to take the chance of going to Walgreens, they might think the “Depends” coupon on the floor is mine.

Chocolate · Desserts

Minty Ice Cream Pie

Chocolate Castles2 Comments

I know, here I go again with the chocolate, but I just can’t help it. I see these recipes and immediately, I have to go make them when they sound this good. And….it is! Perfect for those spring dinners and great to have in the freezer for unexpected friends dropping by.

1 (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
2 tables sugar
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
1 chocolate crumb crust (9 in)
2 pacakges (4 3/4 oz each) chocolate covered min candies, divided
1 pint chocolate ice cream or fudge ripple ice cream
1/4 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
2 tables powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and 2 tables sugar until blended. Beat in 1 cup cream until soft peaks form. Fold in nuts and spread into pie crust. Coarsely chop 1 package mint candies and fold into softened ice cream. Spread over cream cheese mixture. Drizzle with fudge topping. Freeze for 1 hr.
In a small bowl, beat remaining cream until it begins to thicken. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and beat until stiff peaks form. Garnish pie with whipped cream mixture and remaining candies. Freeze. Remove from the freezer 15 min before serving.