Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Crazy Cooking Challenge: Coca-Cola Fudge Cake




It's that time again...Crazy Cooking Challenge time!  This month the challenge is chocolate cake....yummy!  I really wanted to try something different so I searched and searched.  My search came up with all kinds of interesting chocolate cake recipes.  I almost made a Nutella chocolate cake but I ended up making this most delicious cake recipe on The Red Kitchen Project blog. It is a copycat of the cake served at Cracker Barrel.  I have not had the cake there because I am always stuffed after eating their yummy goodness but this cake will be tried the next time I eat there.

My family loved this cake!  It was rich, moist and very chocolaty.  I made the cake in a 9x13" pan.  When the cake came out of the oven and cooled a bit, I took a lollipop stick and poked lots of holes in it.  I then poured the icing over the cake and allowed it to sit overnight.  When I cut into the cake, there was a nice fudge-like bottom to the cake from the icing seeping through the holes.

I will be making this cake again because it was just that good.  Enjoy!

Coca-Cola Fudge Cake
{adapted from the original recipe by The Red Kitchen Project}
Ingredients
    Cake
    • 1/2 cup buttermilk
    • 1 cup coca-cola
    • 2 cups AP flour
    • t tsp baking soda
    • 1 cup butter, softened
    • 2 tsp vanilla
    • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
    • 2 eggs
    • 3/4 cup chocolate chips
    • 3/4 cup mini marshmallows
    Frosting
    • 1/2 cup butter
    • 1/2 cup coca-cola
    • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
    • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
    • 3 cups powdered sugar
    • 1 tsp vanilla

    Instructions

    Cake
    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    2. Spray a 9x13" pan with non-stick spray.
    3. In separate measuring cups, measure the buttermilk and soda. Once the foam from the soda has dissipated, combine the two and set aside.
    4. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda; set aside.
    5. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
    6. Add the vanilla and cocoa powder and beat until combined.
    7. Add the eggs and slowly add the buttermilk and soda, beating until well mixed.
    8. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated.
    9. With a spoon or spatula, fold the marshmallows and chocolate chips into the batter.
    10. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the center is no longer "jiggly."
    11. Remove from oven and allow to cool at least 20 minutes before frosting.
    12. Using a skewer or lollipop stick, poke lot of holes in the cake.

    Frosting
    1. Combine butter, soda, cocoa powder and chocolate chips in a saucepan over low heat; stirring constantly.
    2. Once the chocolate is melted, add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, stirring well until blended.
    3. Pour the warm frosting over the cake and allow to set for 30 minutes, preferably overnight.
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    Linked To: 
    *Dining with Debbie: What's Cooking Wednesday
    *This Chick Cooks: These Chicks Cooked
    *Bizzy Bakes: Bake with Bizzy
    *Crazy for Crust: Crazy Sweet Tuesday
    *From Mess Hall to Bistro: Made from Scratch Tuesday
    *It's A Keeper: It's A Keeper Thursday
    *Talking Dollar and Cents: Sweet Temptations
    *Momnivore's Dilemma: Creative Juice Thursday
    *Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday
    *Somewhat Simple: Strut Your Stuff
    *Something Swanky: Sweet Treat Thursday
    *A Glimpse Inside: Catch a Glimpse
    *Mom on Timeout: Taking a Timeout Thursday
    *A Creative Princess: It's a Party
    *Simply Sweet Home: Friday Favorites
    *Alli-n-sons: Sweet Tooth Friday
    *Happy Hour Project: Freestyle Friday
    *A Little Nosh: Tastetastic Thursday
    *Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hippo: Anything Goes
    *Rattlebridge Farm: Foodie Friday
    *Gingerbread: Sweet Saturday
    *Raising Oranges: Handmade 52
    *A Well-Seasoned Life: Sweet Indulgences Sunday
    *I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop
    *Nifty Thrifty Things: Nifty Thrifty Sunday
    *Simply Klassic Home: Simply Klassic Sunday
    *Flamingo Toes: Think Pink Sundays
    *Everyday Mom's Meals: Church Supper 
    *Two Maids a Milking: Two Maids a Baking
     




     





















    Posted by Wende at 11:00 AM 18 comments
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    {#55} Must Try Tuesday: February 7, 2012

    Whew!  We made it through another week.  We have been busy with school and Girl Scouts.  All three of my girls are selling cookies and we are working hard to meet our goal of 1000 boxes so we have been doing booth sales as well as begging and pleading with everyone we know.  Truth be told, the cookies really sell themselves, but it is a lot of work.

    I found some awesome recipes that I can't wait to give a try.  Enjoy!



    Green Goddess Enchiladas

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    Three Cheese Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta

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    Baked Chicken with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto, 
    Basil and Goat Cheese

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    Gnocchi Gratin with Spinach and Gorgonzola

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    Crockpot Chicken Quesadillas

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    Brownie Peanut Butter Cups
    Posted by Wende at 12:00 AM 4 comments
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    Friday, February 3, 2012

    Recipe: Apple Cake with Caramel Sour Cream Glaze



    I am always looking for new recipes to try and when I found this cake recipe on Michaela's blog, Collecting the Moments, I just knew I had to try it.  I love apple cake because they always turn out moist and this one is no exception.  The apples were definitely the star in this most delightful cake.  The cake was very good by itself but once the glaze was poured on it was over the top good!  

    This recipe is definitely a keeper.  Enjoy!



    Apple Cake with Caramel Sour Cream Glaze
    {recipe by Michaela/Collecting the Moments}
    Ingredients
      Cake
      • 1 cup butter (or 3/4 cup oil)
      • 1/2 cup white sugar
      • 3/4 cup brown sugar
      • 2 eggs
      • 2 cups flour
      • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
      • 1 tsp cinnamon
      • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
      • 1 tsp salt
      • 4 cups diced apple unpeeled
      Glaze
      • 1/4 cup butter
      • 1/4 cup brown sugar
      • 1/4 cup white sugar
      • 1/2 cup sour cream
      • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

      Instructions
      Cake
      1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
      2. Spray a 9x13" pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
      3. Cream the butter (or oil) and sugars.
      4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
      5. In another bowl, add dry ingredients, mixing with a whisk.
      6. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just Incorporated.
      7. Fold in apples.
      8. Spoon into prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes.
      Glaze
      1. Add the butter, sugars and vanilla to a small saucepan.
      2. Cook to a soft ball stage.
      3. Remove from heat and add sour cream, whisking to blend. 
      4.  Serve both the cake and the glaze warm.
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      Posted by Wende at 12:00 AM 5 comments
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      Wednesday, February 1, 2012

      Holiday Projects: Valentine Peppermint Pops



      Aren't these so cute?  I know that this idea has been around for years, but one afternoon my daughter and I wanted to do a project together, so this is what we decided to do.  We had a LOT of candy canes left over from the holidays (secretly I bought more than we needed with the hopes that I could make these this year).  It also helps that my husband LOVES candy canes so I had excuse to buy boxes and boxes of candy canes, especially when they went on super clearance after the holidays.  

      This is a fun project.  The hardest part is peeling the wrappers off the candy canes.  We used mini candy canes because they made the perfect lollipop size, but I am sure you could use the bigger size.  This is a perfect project to do with your kids.  Have fun and enjoy!


      Supplies Needed
      Mini Candy Canes
      White Bark/Candy Coating
      Sprinkles
      Lollipop Sticks

      Line a baking sheet with wax paper.  Unwrap candy canes and place in a heart shape.  Melt bark/candy coating according to package directions.  I use a Ziploc bag to melt my coating.  Place the bark/candy coating in the bag, do not seal.  Place the bag in a mug and melt according to the package directions.  You can squeeze the bag to mix the coating.  Once it has been completely melted, snip a small opening in the corner of the bag.  Squeeze the coating into the open area of the heart (between the candy canes).  If the coating it a bit lumpy, use the end of the lollipop stick to even the surface out and stick the stick halfway up the heart and in between the bottom opening of the candy canes.  While the coating is "wet" add any sprinkles or decorations.  Allow the coating to cool completely before removing from the wax paper.






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      Posted by Wende at 8:28 PM 1 comments
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