S’more Cake

S'more CakeDid I say Picnic! The perfect dessert for the backyard barbecue. Yes, this is a doctored cake mix. But I have all the secrets to give this cake a homemade taste. Have you noticed the chocolate cake mixes are the most difficult to conceal that box taste. Even brownie mixes have that telltale taste. This is easily resolved by using a yellow cake mix and adding the cocoa, (better quality, I would bet). Here’s the other issue with box mixes … They have become smaller in weight. Now every recipe you have using a cake mix is thrown off. The recipes might work but only sorta … texture is different and the overall cake size is smaller.

So, if you can find a 18.25 ounce box mix for this recipe you are ahead but if not, here is something you can do. First, what is the size of your cake mix? Most likely 15.25 ounces instead. You are now 3 ounces off. Here are some choices:

The Perfect Solution
Buy two box mixes. With the second box mix contents measure out 3 ounces by your kitchen scale. Add this to your first box mix contents and save the remainder of the second box for your next cake. One extra box will provide enough additional contents for 5 recipes … if converting to 18.25 ounces from a 15.25 ounce box. Does this make sense?

Almost Perfect
You say you don’t have a kitchen scale. Neither do I. You can pour all the ingredients of the second box into a large multi-cup measuring cup and divide this measured amount by five. Then use this 1/5 as the amount to add to the ingredient shy box mix.

Stretching Perfection
First, there are approximately 2 tablespoons in a liquid ounce. How does that help us? It doesn’t! That’s trying to convert weight into a liquid measurement formula. OK, that understood, in my reading I have found, according to King Arthur Flour, 1 cup of all purpose flour is equivalent to 4.25 ounces weight. And since one cup is equivalent to 16 tablespoons then every tablespoon is .26 ounces. And if we use this math then 10 tablespoons would be equivalent to 3 ounces or close, 2.6 ounces. (Other reading I have found a claim that 6 tablespoons of all purpose weigh 1.75 ounces. Closer yet, .29 per tablespoon. I think we’re good.) How does this work with cake mix ingredients? Is cake mix equivalent in weight to all purpose flour? Probably close enough. But let’s take it a step further. How about just adding 10 tablespoons of all purpose flour to your 3 ounce shy cake mix and forget buying the extra box of cake mix that may end up wasted anyway. There you go!

Here, too, is another SMORE recipe for those days you’re not into a whole cake. Or it’s raining outside, Oven S’mores.

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Portuguese Meat Bread

Portuguese Meat Bread

 

Backyard chickens are busy this time of year. With the extra eggs I opted to bake this delicious Portuguese Meat Bread, a meal in itself with a little side of greens or green salad. My choice as a side today with my Portuguese Turnip Green Soup … coming up next!

This bread is rich in eggs & butter! What this means to bakers? This recipe requires extra time to rise … about 2 hours. Plus, it’s a little sticky during kneading.

It’s a forgiving recipe and certainly worth the effort because the outcome is amazing.

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Focaccia Chorizo Breakfast Sandwich

Focaccia Chorizo Breakfast SandwichYep, I do fast food … Starbucks to be exact! Not too often … Whatever that means! Their Chorizo Breakfast Sandwich has me. Potato bread bun with a slice of scrambled egg that has been cooked with caramelized onion, Monterey Jack cheese and a tender slice of chorizo. It’s the spicy chorizo that makes it. This thin tender patty of chorizo is a mystery. I’m not a chorizo expert but I do know Mexican and Spanish varieties are quite different … the Spanish is more like an Italian salami in texture … so I’ve been told. Mexican varieties are in castings that are not typically eaten. The contents are removed, crumbled and cooked. The Starbucks patty doesn’t seem to be either of these. We have a wonderful market here that provides many chorizo choices. Did I explore before hand? No, I already had a typical Mexican chorizo in the fridge and why go shopping. I’ll make it work. Let’s see what happens!

Why focaccia? Putting together a breakfast quickly is key for me. Buying prepared buns is not an option for this, and I’ve been wanting to try this focaccia recipe I found on allrecipes.com. I did simplify the recipe a bit. No need for a bread hook or mixer. Be cautious with salt here. Chorizo is pretty salty plus cheese and a salty bread? Too much.

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Lazy Daisy Cake

How good can this cake be! Thumbing through old family recipes, and I know this is old … written in fountain pen, I’ve reviewed this recipe several times. I’ve tasted it in my mind and just haven’t been inspired to bake it … Not until I reeded a dessert at the last minute and the cupboards were bare. You’ll see the ingredients are few. You might even wonder … Will this really make an 8″ by 8″ square, 3″ high cake? Not only does this recipe make 6 to 8 servings, it is rich (with only 4 tablespoons of butter) and amazingly moist. AND absolutely delicious! Seriously!

The technique is the secret. So, even if you are skeptical, like I was, follow closely to the instructions. I promise a great outcome!

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Pineapple Macadamia Nut Cookies

Pineapple Macadamia Nut CookiesStill under the influence of my recent trip to Hawaii. The recipe is a long time favorite with a switch to macadamia nuts from walnuts. The crushed pineapple is easy but chopping chunks of pineapple may give more pineapple taste. A deliciously sweet pineapple cookie with sea salt macadamia nuts. Yum.

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Malted Milk Balls Frosting

 

 

 

The taste of this cake (cupcake) recipe reminds me of a chocolate malted, mildly chocolate. For years I’ve baked this recipe and dressed it with all sorts of frostings … from coconut pecan to chocolate coffee, chocolate buttercream to vanilla buttercream. This moist cake is perfect for everyone. With a slight change up of frosting it becomes a special cake for that special someone. And yes, someone in our family likes Malted Milk Ball candies. I believed I had come up with something original only to find Malted Milk Balls have been used for sometime in this way. Ha. BUT not with this cake recipe. Cake recipe here.

Just about any candies can be treated in this way. Try my Peanut Butter Cake and suggested frosting with chopped up Butterfingers or Peanut Butter Cups or Heath Bars.

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Valentine’s Desserts

Valentine's DessertsComing up … Have I a new delicious dessert for you. Soon! Get your 9″ springform pan ready. Here are a few of my favs for Valentine’s. Some are time intensive and others, not so much. All perfectly delicious. Enjoy!

Tiramisu    Red Wine Dessert Sauce    Chocolate Pie    Oatmeal Raspberry

Bread with Heart            Decorated Hearts            Italian Cream Cake

Butterscotch Pie                                                      Blondies

German Chocolate      Fudge Sauce      Brownies      Chocolate Eclairs


Oatmeal Raisin Bars

Triple Good Bars

Oatmeal Raisin Bars

When the sun’s out everything gets done. At least for me! I’ve been wanting to plant geraniums in my kitchen window box and bake these Triple Good Bars, an old Quaker Oats recipe. Today was the day! I wasn’t sure about this old recipe from my mother’s recipe box. Sweetened condensed milk and raisins, hmm? (Sweetened condensed milk is often used in dessert recipes.) I admit when cooking with this stovetop the smell is sometimes more than strong. But I have used this product many times with wonderful results. It more than works here too! You may already know sweetened condensed milk is evaporated milk sweetened with sugar. You can make your own if you choose but I appreciate the fine product Borden’s puts out.

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Breads

Great Accompaniments

Garlic Bread

Portuguese Sweet Bread

Sweet Bread

Italian Flat Bread

Cornbread Portuguese-style

Rustic Cornbread

Sweet or Savory Tea Ring

Savory Tea Ring

Whole Wheat & Honey Banana

Wheat Honey Banana

Home Ground Wheat Loaf

Wheat Loaf

Pineapple Loaded Hawaiian Muffins

Hawaiian Muffins

Easy Sticky Buns

Easy Sticky Buns

Scones in Any Flavor

Scones in Any Flavor

Gingerbread Muffins

Gingerbread Muffins

Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins

Oatmeal Muffins

Hint of Orange Banana Nut Bread

Banana Nut

Easy Bagels

Easy Bagels

Country Cornbread

Perfect Vegan Muffin

Vegan Muffin

Onion Biscuits

Onion Biscuits


Cranberry (or Raisin) Spice Drops

 

 

 

Influenced by a Quaker Oats recipe. A little different take on an oatmeal cookie. Crispy edges surround this buttery spicy cookie. A great change up.

Here are a few previously posted Oatmeal Cookie or Bar Recipes you may enjoy too!

Oatmeal Cookies

Slice & Bake

Moistest Oatmeal Bars or Cookies

Moist Oatmeal

Molasses Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

Molasses Oatmeal

Oatmeal Bars

Oatmeal Berry

Buttery Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

Buttery & Chewy

Breakfast Bars

Breakfast Bars

Vegan Molasses Cookies

Vegan Molasses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date Nut Bars

Date Nut

Oaties

Oaties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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