CRANBERRY-ORANGE BUNDT CAKE #2

1 pkg (16-oz) pound cake mix

1 pkg (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix

5 eggs

3/4 cup butter, room temperature

2 tsp grated orange zest

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tbsp + 2 tsp milk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup fresh cranberries, halved

Powdered sugar for sprinkling, optional

Orange zest strips for garnish, optional

Mint leaves for garnish, optional

Heat oven to 325-degrees. Coat a 15-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray with flour.

On low, beat cake mixes, eggs, butter, 1 2/3 cups water, grated orange zest and nutmeg, 30 seconds; on medium, beat 2 minutes. Transfer to the pan. Bake at 325-degrees until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. This will take around an hour. Cool 20 minutes then transfer from pan to a wire rack to cool.

When cake is cool, stir together the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon of milk and the vanilla together in a bowl until smooth. Add the remaining a little at a time if frosting is too thick to drizzle.

Trim bottom of the cake if necessary. Place cake on serving plate. Spoon the icing over cake top allowing some to run down the sides. Top cake with the cranberries. If desired, sprinkle a little powdered sugar over the cake and add the oranze zest strips and mint as garnishes.

Yield: 16 servings

recipe idea and photo First for women 2022

WES'S CINNAMON ROLL CAKE

I got this today from Wes Hampton's page. He is a member of the Gaither Vocal Band and an accomplished cook and baker. Here is his link. [https://www.facebook.com/WesHamptonFans/subscribenow…]

 

SOUR CREAM APPLE TART

5 tbsp unsalted butter

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, divided
1 1/3 cups reduced-fat sour cream
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
5 cups coarsely chopped firm apples

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter; stir in the cracker crumbs and 1/2 teaspoon of the cinnamon until well blended.

Press mixture firmly onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes; remove from oven and set aside to cool.

In large mixer bowl, combine the sour cream, 1/2 cup of the sugar, and 2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons of the flour.  Beat mixture at medium speed until well blended.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well blended.  Using a large silicone spatula, gently stir in the chopped apples; place mixture over the prepared crust.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or just until the center is set.

Before serving, cut into 12 equal slices and make the following topping:

Preheat broiler.

Combine the remaining cinnamon, sugar, and flour together in a small bowl.  Cut in the remaining butter with a pastry blender until mixture is coarse crumbs.  Sprinkle evenly over the tart.

Broil 3 to 4 minutes until topping is a golden brown.

Let stand about 15 minutes before serving.

file photo

QUICK AND EASY MIXED BERRY TART

1 sheet refrigerated pie pastry

1 egg, beaten
1 to 2 tbsp granulated sugar
8-oz cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar + more for sprinkling, if desired
2 tsp grated orange zest
3 cups assorted berries ie strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
1/3 cup melted apple jelly

On a floured surface, roll out the sheet of pastry to a 14" x 11" rectangle. Fold the edges over to form an 11" x 7" rectangle. Prick the inside of the rectangle with the tines of a fork. Brush the beaten egg over the edges and sprinkle with the granulated sugar. Bake at 450 degrees for 8 minutes or until golden brown; cool.

Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and orange zest together and spread the mixture over the center of the crust. Combine the berries with the melted apple jelly and spoon over the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

 

file photo for reference only

ALMOND-FLAVORED COCONUT MACAROONS

4 egg whites

2/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut, chopped

2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp almond extract 

Heat oven to 350-degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. On medium-high speed, beat egg whites until light and frothy. Gradually beat in sugar until stiff peaks form.

Fold in coconut, flour and almond extract. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe on baking sheets 2-inches apart. Bake until lightly browned, about 14 minutes. Let cool.

Easy variations: To make chocolate dipped macaroons: In a double boiler over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips. Dip cooled macaroons in chocolate. Let dry.

file photo for reference

CANDY CORN-MARSHMALLOW CRISPY TREATS

1/4 cup butter

6 cups miniature marshmallows
12 drops yellow food coloring
4 drops red food coloring
6 cups crispy rice cereal
2 cups candy corn

In a large microwaveable bowl, microwave butter on high 45 seconds or until melted.  Add the marshmallows and toss to coat.  Microwave 1 1/2 minutes or until the marshmallows are completely melted and the mixture is well blended.  Stir in the food colors after the first 45 seconds.

Add the cereal and candy corn; mix well.  Press onto the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.  Allow to cool completely before cutting into 12 bars.  Cut each bar in two diagonally.

Yield: 24 diagonals

Note: This is a Kraft Foods Recipe and photo..

BLUEBERRY COBBLER SMOOTHIE

• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 tsp ground flax seed
• 1 frozen ripe banana, sliced
• 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1/2 cup fat free plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tsp maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Divide evenly between two tall glasses.

280 calories each

Basic recipe and photo from Everyday Health a few years ago.

CHERRY DUMP SALAD

3 cup miniature marshmallows

1 large can crushed pineapple, drained
1 can cherry pie filling
1 cup chopped pecans
1 can Eagle Brand milk
1 small carton frozen whipped topping, thawed

Mix whipped topping and milk together; stir in the pineapple, pie filling, and pecans.

Gently fold in the marshmallows to coat completely.

Cover and chill until serving time.

MINI FRENCH VANILLA TARTS WITH FRESH BERRIES AND MINT

These little tarts are quick and easy to make. They are easy, pretty, and tasty.

1 box (1.34 oz) French Vanilla Instant Pudding and Pie Filling Mix

1 pkg Graham cracker mini tart shells
Fresh seasonal berries
Mint sprigs for garnish, if desired

Prepare pudding mix as directed on box. Pour pudding into tart shells and refrigerate. Before serving, add 3 or 4 fresh berries and a mint sprig, if desired, for garnish.

This recipe and photo are from my quick fix blog.

RED VELVET CHERRY ALMOND TORTE

1 box (2-layer size) red velvet cake mix

1 can (21-oz) cherry pie filling
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 carton (8-oz) frozen nondairy whipped topping, thawed
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour 2 9-inch round cake pans; set aside.

Prepare and bake the cake as directed on package for two layers.  Cool and remove from pans according to package directions.

When cakes are cool, combine the pie filling and almond extract in a small bowl stirring until the extract is totally blended into the filling.

Place one cake layer on cake plate and spread with 1 cup of the whipped topping; top with half the pie filling mixture.  Add the second layer and top with the remaining pie filling mixture, spreading to within 1 1/2 inches of the edge of the cake.

Decorate the edges of the cake with the remaining whipped topping and garnish with the almonds.