Sunday, November 27, 2011

Recipe: Zebra Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting



For my oldest daughter's birthday this year, I wanted to make a cake for her.  In the past, we have purchased cakes, but because it was her 10th birthday, I wanted to make it special for her.  My baby loves zebra print and pink.  A couple of month's ago, I came across a recipe for a zebra cake and I knew that it would be the perfect cake for her. 


The cake itself is very easy to make.  I simplified it even further by using a box mix.  I actually used two mixes, one vanilla and one strawberry.  I was able to make a two layer cake and about 16 cupcakes.  Now, if I had it to do over again, I would have done a vanilla and chocolate cake mix so you could really see the stripes.  Or perhaps, made the pink brighter by adding food coloring.  As you can, the pink baked up somewhat light making it a bit harder to appreciate the stripes.  I wish I had some really good pictures to show you of the inside of the cake, but unfortunately, the lighting at the restaurant we celebrated her birthday at was very dim.  The cake was very moist as evident by all the cake on the plate but I also left my cake knife and server at home so we were cutting it with a butter knife and using fork as a server.  

I don't claim to be an expert at frosting cakes.  I just kind of go with it and hope it all comes out.  My daughter loved her cake and that is what mattered.  I will be remaking this soon but this time I will use a vanilla and chocolate mix or maybe even make it from scratch.

Enjoy!



Zebra Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
(recipe by Wende Rickett/The Rickett Chronicles)

Cake
Ingredients
1 box vanilla cake mix with ingredients as listed on the box
1 box strawberry cake mix (or chocolate) with ingredients as listed on the box

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray two 9" round cake pans with non-stick spray; set aside.  In two large bowls, make cake mix following the instructions on the back of the box. To make the stripes, spoon about three tablespoons of vanilla batter into the center of the cake pan. Next, spoon three tablespoons of the strawberry (or chocolate) batter into the center of the vanilla batter. This will cause the vanilla batter to spread. Continue to alternate batters in bulls-eye fashion until all batter has filled the pans halfway.  You will now have rings of each batter on the outer edges of the pan with thicker rings in the center.  Very lightly tap pans to allow air bubbles to escape.  Place pans in oven and cook according to package directions or until a skewer into the centre comes out clean and the outside is golden. Cool in pan for five minutes and then turn out the cake onto wire racks to cool completely.  Prepare cake for icing, you may need to trim the tops a bit to make sure they are level. Place first layer on top of cake platter.  Add a small amount of the frosting and frost almost to the edge of the cake.  Add top layer.  Crumb coat the cake and chill for 30 minutes. Once the cake has chilled, remove and frost however you want.  I piped my frosting with a large star tip.  On the top, I swirled the star.  I place the tip on the cake and piped a star and then swirled in a the shape of a "c" but going counter-clockwise.  I then filled in any holes with a star.  I piped the sides with the same tip, starting from the bottom, drag the tip to the top.  I then ran a continuous line horizontally for two rows. I then covered any empty spots with stars. Place the cake back in the fridge until ready to serve.

Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
1 8-oz package cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
4 to 5 cups powdered sugar, depending on the consistency you need
1 to 2 tbsp half and half (or milk), if needed
 
Directions
Mix cream cheese, butter and vanilla until well mixed and smooth.  Add a pinch of salt and mix.  Add two cups powdered sugar to cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth and incorporated.  Add one cup of the remaining powdered sugar at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.  If it gets to thick, you can add a little half and half to thin it out a bit.  

Linked To:
*My Sweet and Savory: Meatless Monday
*Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
*11th Heaven's Homemaker Haven: Homemaker Monday
*Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker: Your Recipe, My Kitchen
*DIY Home Sweet Home: More the Merrier 
*Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms: Melt in Your Mouth Monday
*Delightfully Dowling: Mangia Monday 
*A Southern Fairytale: Mouthwatering Monday 
*Marvelously Messy: A Marvelous Mess
*Keeping it Simple: Motivate Me Monday
*Sumo's Sweet Stuff: Market Yourself Monday
*Skip to my Lou: Made by You Monday 
*The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up
*Dittle Dattle: Amaze Me Monday 
*Blessed with Grace: Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
*It's a Blog Party: Delicious Dishes 
*Mandy's Recipe Box: Totally Tasty Tuesday
*33 Shades of Green: Tasty Tuesdays
*From Mess Hall to Bistro: Made From Scratch Tuesday
*Chef in Training: Tuesday Talent Show 
*My Sweet and Savory: Let's Do Brunch 
*Sweetology: Tea Party Tuesday 
*Crazy for Crust: Crazy Sweet Tuesday
*Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff 
*Sugar and Dots: What I Whipped Up Wednesday 
*This Chick Cooks: These Chicks Cooked 
*Bizzy Bakes: Bake with Bizzy 
*Around My Family Table: Turning the Table Thursday
*Talking Dollar and Cents: Sweet Tempations 
*Something Swanky: Sweet Treats Thursday
*Alli n Son: Sweeth Tooth Friday 
*Sweet as Sugar Cookies: Sweets for a Saturday 
*A Well-Seasoned Life: Sweet Indulgence Sunday   

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Recipe: Blue Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting




This year, my daughter decided she didn't want pink cupcakes to celebrate her birthday with her classmates.  She wanted blue and white (our school colors) cupcakes to celebrate our varsity girl volleyball team that went to the state championship and come home ranked third in our great big state of Texas.  Go Lady Cougars! 

Well, I aim to please my baby girl but I had planned on making white cupcakes with pretty pink frosting.  I turned to the internet in search of blue velvet cupcakes and found several recipes.  A couple of recipes I found weren't exactly blue but a shade of green with a blue tint.   I came across a couple more that were very vibrant and a beautiful shade of blue, but I didn't have the right food coloring gel to make those cupcakes.  I also couldn't just run right out and pick up the needed colors because I am 45 minutes away from the nearest big store and my little country grocery store doesn't carry things like food coloring gel.  So, I searched through the gels that I had and this is what I came up with.  They were a deep dark blue which was perfect for our team color and thank goodness not a shade of green in them.  Best of all my daughter loved them! 

These really aren't traditional blue velvet cupcakes because I used a box cake mix and added coloring.  A traditional velvet cake is made from scratch with buttermilk.  At some point, I would like to make a traditional velvet cake, be it red, blue or green, but for now I am completely happy with the results I achieved with my shortcut.

Enjoy!


Blue Velvet Cupcakes with 
  Cream Cheese Frosting
(recipe by Wende Rickett/The Rickett Chronicles)

Cupcakes
Ingredients
1 box white cake mix with ingredients as listed on the box
1 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tsp cornflower blue food coloring gel
15 drops of blue food coloring (the liquid kind you dye your Easter eggs with)
1 smidgen of red food coloring gel

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin pans with liners.  In a large bowl, following the cake mix instructions, add ingredients for cake and mix.  In a small bowl, add cocoa powder and food colorings, mixing to make a paste.  Add paste to cake mix bowl and mix until very well blended.  Scoop the batter into the cupcake liners filling about 2/3 of the way up.  Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until done.  Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
1 8-oz package cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
4 to 5 cups powdered sugar, depending on the consistency you need
1 to 2 tbsp half and half (or milk), if needed

Directions
Mix cream cheese, butter and vanilla until well mixed and smooth.  Add a pinch of salt and mix.  Add two cups powdered sugar to cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth and incorporated.  Add one cup of the remaining powdered sugar at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.  If it gets to thick, you can add a little half and half to thin it out a bit.  Put frosting in a bag and pipe onto cupcakes.




Linked To:
*Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker: Your Recipe, My Kitchen
*Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms: Melt in you Mouth Monday
*Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
*11th Heaven's Homemaker Haven: Homemaker Monday
*Talking Dollar and Cents: Muffin Monday 
*DIY Home Sweet Home: More the Merrier Monday
*Delightfully Dowling: Mangia Monday
*A Southern Fairytale: Mouthwatering Monday 
*Marvelously Messy: Marvelous Mess 
*Sumo's Sweet Stuff: Market Yourself Monday
*The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up
*Skip to My Lou: Made by you Monday
*Project Queen: Turing the Daunting Into the Doable
*Blessed with Grace: Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
*All the Small Stuff: Tuesdays at the Table
*Hoosier Homemade: Cupcake Tuesday
*33 Shades of Green: Tasty Tuesdays 
*Chef in Training: Tuesday Talent Show
*Permanent Posies: Tuesday Tasty Tidbits 
*Reasons To Skip the Housework: Tuesday Timeout 
*My Sweet and Savory: Let's Do Brunch 
*Bizzy Bakes: Bake with Bizzy  
*Sweetology: Tea Party Tuesday
*This Chick Cooks: These Chicks Cooked 
*Stuff and Nonsense: Friday's Unfolded 
*Designs by Gollum: Foodie Friday 
*Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday
*Talking Dollar and Cents: Sweet Tempations 
*Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff
*What Allie's Making Now: Making It With Allie
*A Glimpse Inside: Catch a Glimpse 
*A Creative Princess: It's a Party!
*Ali n'Son: Sweet Tooth Friday
*Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hippo: Anything Goes
*EKat's Kitchen: Friday Potluck  
*Six Sisters' Stuff: Strut Your Stuff Saturday
*Sweet as Sugar Cookies: Sweets for a Saturday 
*Be Different, Act Normal: Show and Tell Saturday 
*Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday 
*A Well-Seasoned Life: Sweet Indulgence 
*LambAround: Not Baad Sunday 
*J&M's Eye Candy: Strut Your Stuff 
*Petite Hermine: Sunday Linky Party 
 
   

 

Thursday, November 17, 2011

{#47} Must Try Tuesday: November 22, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!  Hope you are all cooking, baking and enjoying family and friends.  Here are some fabulous recipes that I found this week!

Enjoy!

 Oh my sweet goodness!
Hun...What's for Dinner?

~~~~~

Another version of spinach and artichoke dip...
this time with pasta!
Crumbs and Chaos

~~~~

I have been wanting to try to make these
cookies for years...now I have no excuse!
Mother Thyme

~~~~

Yummy! Yummy!
Perfect appetizer for the holidays...
Olla-Podrida

~~~~

I have some Girl Scout shortbread cookies that
I think would be great for these cuties...
Our Life in a Click

~~~~

Mmmmm....I think this would be perfect on family movie night...
Everyday Mom's Meals

~~~~

How yummy would this be for breakfast on
Thanksgiving or even Christmas morning?
Cooking with Chopin

~~~~

My girls are HUGE iCarly fans and
would totally get a kick of these...
The Misplaced Midwesterner

~~~~

How unique are these...and so yummy looking....

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffles




When I found out the Improv Cooking Challenge this month was pumpkin and cream cheese, I couldn't wait to play around with the combination.  I thought about making some muffins or maybe some pumpkin cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting.  But what really sounded good to me was a pumpkin cheesecake, but I didn't really have time this month to devote to making a good and proper cheesecake.  It came to me one day, that I could make truffles with a pumpkin cheesecake inside.  Now, I have never in my life made a truffle, but have wanted to for some time.  I searched through some blogs for a recipe but all of them required making a cheesecake first which I just couldn't do.  So, I played around with the ingredients one day and I think that I came up with a pretty good "faux" cheesecake center that requires no baking.  I had several people try them and everyone enjoyed them.  I love it when a plan comes together!  

Enjoy!



Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffles
by Wende Rickett/The Rickett Chronicles
Ingredients
  • 1 8 oz package cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup crushed shortbread cookies
  • 1/2 cup crushed graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 10 tbsp pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • white candy coating

Instructions
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except for the candy coating.
  2. Mix until smooth.
  3. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
  4. Scoop mixture by the tablespoon and roll into a ball form. I actually used a cookie scoop.
  5. Place the balls on a parchment or wax paper lined cookie sheet and place back in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours or longer. The balls will still be somewhat soft but should hold their shape. You could also freeze them for a hour if you want them to be more firm when you are dipping them in the chocolate.
  6. Melt candy coating according to the package directions.
  7. Dip each ball into the chocolate working quickly and place back on the lined cookie sheet.
  8. You can drizzle a little chocolate on any "bald" spots.
  9. Place them back into the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
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Improv Challenge 





Linked To:
*It's A Keeper: It's A Keeper Thursday
*Talking Dollar and Cents: Sweet Temptations
*Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday
*Frugal Follies: Frugal Food Thursday 
*Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff 
*What Allie's Making Now: Making It with Allie
*Something Swanky: Sweet Treats Thursday 
*A Glimpse Inside: Catch a Glimpse 
*Mom on Timeout: Taking a Timeout Thursday
*A Creative Princess: It's A Party
*This Chick Cooks: These Chicks Cooked 
*Momnivore's Dilemma: Creative Juice 
*Sugar and Dots: What I Whipped Up Wednesday
*My Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wednesday
*Project Queen: Turning the Daunting into Doable 
*Remodelaholic: Recipe Linky Party 
*Someday Crafts: Whatever Goes Wednesday 
*Simply Sweet Home: Friday Favorites 
*Alli n-Son: Sweet Tooth Friday
*Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hippo: Anything Goes
*eKat's Kitchen: Friday Potluck 
*Designs by Gollum: Foodie Friday 
*Just Call Me Blesses: Fabulous Friday Link Up 
*Six Sister's Stuff: Strut Your Stuff Saturday
*Sweet as Sugar Cookies: Sweets for Saturday
*Be Different Act Normal: Show and Tell Saturday
*A Well Seasoned Life: Sweet Indulgences Sunday 
*Lamb Around: Not Baad Sundays 
*I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 
*Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday 
*J&M's Eye Candy: Strut Your Stuff Sunday 
*Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sundays 
*Everyday Mom's Meals: Church Supper 
*Petite Hermine: Sunday Link Party 
*Cupcake Apothecary: A Themed Baker's Sunday
*Skip to My Lou: Made by You Monday
*It's A Blog Party: Delicious Dishes 
*Mandy's Recipe Box: Totally Tasty Tuesday 

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Weekly Meal Plan: Week of November 28, 2011

Whew!  Last week was so busy getting ready for Thanksgiving and wrapping up at school for a long week that there were several nights we just grabbed something quick.  I just could not find time to get into the kitchen and cook.  As a mother, I felt some guilt feeding my kids fast food and frozen pizza, so I have made it my goal to have a very well stocked pantry and some meals in the freezer for the next time that I have zero time to get into the kitchen and cook a meal. And wahoo!  It is finally getting cold enough for us to enjoy soups more often so I have planned several nights of yummy soup!

Have a great week! 

Meal 1
Spaghetti
Garlic Bread
Salad

Meal 2
 Taco Soup
Corn Bread

Meal 3 
Crusty Bread

Meal 4
Hamburgers
Curly Fries

Meal 5
Leftovers

Meal 6

Red Velvet Pancakes

Meal 7
White Chicken Chili
Pimento Cheese Corn Muffins
BAKING

Friday, November 11, 2011

Recipe: Streusel Topped Pumpkin Spice Muffins {Revisited and Updated}


I am in the process of updating the pictures of my older recipes.  While I do not claim to be very good at taking photos, I am trying and learning.  And, let's be honest, anything is better than what they were!

We love all things muffin in our house.  My family loves them for breakfast, with their lunches, snacks...you name it.  These muffins are one of are very favorites (I think I say that about all the muffins I make) especially during the fall months.  When they are baking, not only does my house warm up from the oven, but the most delightfully warm scent fills the air.  These are super easy to make because they require three ingredients for the muffins...spice cake mix, canned pumpkin and water.  You can add the streusel topping, which takes these over the top, or you can leave them "naked."  

The recipe can be found here with newly updated pictures.

Enjoy!


Linked To:
*Alli n Sons: Sweet Tooth Friday
*Six Sister's Stuff: Strut Your Stuff Saturday
*Sweet as Sugar Cookies: Sweets for a Saturday 
*Be Different, Act Normal: Show and Tell Saturday
*A Well Seasoned Life: Sweet Indulgences Sunday 
*LambAround: Not Baad Sundays 
*Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday 
*J&M's Eye Candy: Strut Your Stuff Sunday 
*Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sundays 
*Petite Hermine: Sunday Linky Party
*My Sweet and Savory: Meatless Monday
*Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday
*11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven: Homemaker Monday
*Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker: Your Recipe, My Kitchen
*Talking Dollar and Cents: Muffin Monday 
*DIY Home Sweet Home: More the Merrier 
*Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms: Melt in Your Mouth Monday
*Delightfully Dowling: Mangia Monday
*A Southern Fairytale: Mouthwatering Monday 
*Marvelously Messy: A Marvelous Mess  
*The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up
   





Thursday, November 10, 2011

Must Try Tuesday: November 15, 2011

It feels like only yesterday it was hot and dry here....oh wait...that was yesterday!  Last week we had cooler temperatures but this week we are back in the 80's.  I thought we were going to have some fall like temperatures from here on out, but I guess not.  And can you believe it?  Thanksgiving is next week.  Crazy!

I found a ton of great recipes this week.  Here they are!

Enjoy!


This is a quick and easy meal for any weeknight...
Walking on Sunshine

~~~~

I love pork and apples...and it's a crock pot meal!
Crystal & Co.

~~~~

Pumpkin + Apple Butter + Buttercream= Yummy!
Plain Chicken

~~~~

Mmmmm....
33 Shades of Green

~~~~

This apple cake looks divine!
Collecting the Moments

~~~~

Dulce de Leche is one of my favorite things....
can't wait to try out these cupcakes
With love and Chevrons

~~~~

These would make great gifts for the holidays...
Kitty's Kozy Kitchen

~~~~

Umm...I don't think I need to say anything...
Something Swanky


Linked To:

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Recipe: Crock Pot Soup


First, let me start off by saying...please excuse my pictures.  The girls and I came home from a very long day of school and after school activities.  We were all hungry and I needed to get food on the table as soon as possible or my children would have fired me as their mother.  So, I was only able to snap a few pics of this most delicious soup while it was still in the crock pot.  Don't let my pictures deter you from making one of the easiest and tasty soups that I have had in a while.  Full of flavor and warming to the soul...this soup is fantastic!  If you are short on time but want to get something in the crock pot...this recipe is for you!  My kids ate it up and wanted more.  It makes a large amount so it will feed many hungry people with a hearty appetite or you can freeze the leftovers for a quick meal later.  I served my soup with some tortilla chips, shredded cheese and sour cream.  My oldest daughter dipped flour tortillas in hers.  I liked mine with a little salsa verde on it for a bit more "kick."  

I found this recipe on Pinterest but it did not have a source attached to it.  If this is your recipe let me know, so I can give you credit.  

I loved how super simple this recipe was to make and it only used a few ingredients, so I will be putting this on our menu more often.  I will update the pictures soon so they do justice to this awesome soup!

Enjoy!


Crock Pot Soup
{source unknown/adapted by Wende Rickett}
Ingredients
  • 1 can diced tomatoes with chilies
  • 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed (or black beans, pintos,etc.)
  • 2 cups frozen corn (you can also use canned corn)
  • 2 frozen chicken breasts
  • 1 8 oz package cream cheese
  • 1 package Ranch Dressing mix
  • 1 tbsp cumin (we love cumin, so adjust according to your family's taste)
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 can diced chilies, optional

Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients in the crock pot.
  2. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
  3. Remove chicken breast and shred.
  4. Return on pot and stir.
  5. If the soup is too thick for your liking, you could add warmed chicken stock to make it the consistency you prefer.

Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, shredded cheese and salsa on top.
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Linked To:
*Mandy's Recipe Box: Totally Tasty Tuesday
*33 Shades of Green: Tasty Tuesday 
*Permanent Posies: Tuesday Tasty Tidbits
*Chef in Training: Tuesday Talent Show 
*From Mess Hall to Bistro: Made From Scratch Tuesday
*My Sweet and Savory: Let's Do Brunch 
*A Creative Princess: It's a Party 
*This Chick Cooks: These Chicks Cooked
*It's a Keeper: It's a Keeper Thursday  
*Around My Family Table: Turn the Table Thursday
*Momnivore's Dilemma: Creative Juice
*Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday
*Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff
*What Allie's Making Now: Making It with Allie
*A Glimpse Inside: Catch a Glimpse Party 
*Mom On Timeout: Taking A Timeout Thursday
*Simply Sweet Home: Friday Favorites 
*Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hippo: Anything Goes 
*Stuff and Nonsense: Fridays Unfolded
*Amy's Finer Things: Finer Things Friday 
*Designs by Gollum: Foodie Friday 
*Be Different, Act Normal: Show and Tell Saturday 
*LambAround: Not Baad Sundays 
*I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop
*Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday
*The Sweet Details: Savory Sunday 
*Beyer Beware: Hunk of Meat Monday 
*Life as Mom: Ultimate Recipe Swap 
*Mom's Crazy Cooking: This Week's Craving
 
 
 





Monday, November 7, 2011

Must Try Tuesday: November 8, 2011

This week, I am posting on the right day.  Things were so hectic last week and the days flew by so fast.  I know that is how it will be for the next two months.  That's the way it goes around the holidays.  Can you believe we are already in the second week of November?  Before you know it, Thanksgiving will be here and then Christmas and a whole new year.  My new goal is to try to enjoy every day and be present in the day.  

Have a great week!

Chef in Training

~~~~

I love French Onion Soup...
that cheesy crust on top is almost as
good as the yummy broth and onions underneath it...
French Onion Soup
Cats and Casseroles

~~~~

This looks like some serious yum!
Chili's White Chocolate Molten Cake
Eat Cake For Dinner

~~~~

I would love a big bowl of this yummy goodness!
Tuscan Chicken Stew
Easy To Be Gluten Free

~~~~

A crock pot Mexican dish....score!
Mexican Pulled Pork
Like Mother, Like Daughter

~~~~

These cupcakes look fabulous!
Caramel Apple Cupcakes
The Sweet Swiper

~~~~

We always do snack type foods when
we have family movie night...
I will be making these soon!
Mexican Dips
4 Little Fergusons

~~~~



Linked To: