Home made Carrot Cake & Cream cheese Icing

  

 WOW this cake is fantastically great not to mention super simple. Another recipe from my aunt, she made it this weekend for one of her grand daughters birthday party. I have never tried carrot cake before and I tell you this is the best time to try is home made. It was all organic and completely delicious. I was a little skeptical at first, but as soon as I took a taste of that cream cheese icing I was hooked. I just had to have a piece! I have had this recipe for quite some time now and haven't tried it out yet. Needless to say next get together this will be the dessert to bring, as I am usually in charge of desserts. I hope you try and enjoy, it is definitely a must make!

Carrot Cake Ingredients 

• 1-1/2 cup salad oil 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda

Mix oil, eggs, and salt. Add remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees in greased and floured pan for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.

Cream Cheese Icing

• 1 stick melted margarine
• (1) 8oz package
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 box sifted powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all ingredients and spread on cooled cake.

Home made Icing (perfect for fancy cakes)

    This recipe I got out of my baking cook book The Taste of Home Baking. I tried on Tuckers 4th birthday cake because he wanted a super hero cake. So I did a three layer cake and each layer was a different super hero theme, My cake came out pretty messy but I was on a time schedule, however I left the cake out over night and the icing got hard, which is good, If I had taken the time to smooth it out the icing would have been a lot prettier the next day once it hardened. I'm still proud of it though it was my first time making it and Tucker couldn't have been more happier! Next time I will take the time out to smooth everything.

(Note: All accessories were made from cardboard and construction paper)

What you will Need:

1-1/2 cups butter, softened 

15 cups confectioners' sugar

3/4 cup half-and-half cream

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

Food Coloring (any kind is fine, I used liquid)

    In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar ( I had to add confectioners' sugar a few cups at a time). Add the cream, vanilla and salt; beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. (Frosting may need to be made in batches, I did not have to but is in the book). Once frosting is mixed and ready (there will be a lot), separate into bowls, and add food coloring.

    For decorating, frosting can be put into pastry bags or heavy duty resealable plastic bags. Place decorating tips onto bags and viola. When decorating cover remaining frosting with a damp clean cloth until ready to use.

You can also find The Taste of Home Baking on Amazon.com

    

Keep It Simple ~ Pigs in a blanket

Pigs in a Blanket & Homemade Fries

     So I allow myself 1 or 2 nights a week to "Keep it Simple", its easy for me and my husband and 4 year old actually really like simple. So tonight I chose pigs in a blanket and homemade fries. Very easy meal if your looking for something simple to throw together in a short time.

What You Need:

 2 cans crescent rolls

 2 packs Hot dogs (8 in each)

 5-6 russet potatoes (can be more or less depending how much you want to make)

 Vegetable Oil

 Salt & Pepper

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel potatoes and slice into thin circular pieces, place in a bowl and cover with water until ready to cook. 

    Separate dough, take each triangular piece and fold pointed sides till you make a small square. Take a rolling pin, and roll out dough into a larger square. Place hot dog onto square and roll. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 - 22 minutes or until dough is Golden Brown.

     While baking pigs in blanket, Heat vegetable oil into skillet, about half a skillet full, or enough to cover potatoes while cooking. Drain potatoes out of water and place in hot oil. Fry until light or golden brown.

 Points of dough folded to make a square

After rolled with rolling pin

Oreo Balls (Warning: Highly Addictive)

Oreo Balls

Better than regular Cake balls!!  

      These Delicious little darlings I first tasted at my sisters wedding made by my aunt. They are a alternate version to cake balls and there absolutely amazing. Perfect for weddings, parties, showers etc. I'm so glad that my Aunt shared her recipe with me. I made them for a family christmas party at my mother's house and I had to sneak some aside because they were going so fast. 



Ingredients:



1 package Oreo cookies
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese (softened)...
1 pkg. chocolate bark (for dipppin' the Oreo balls)
1 pkg. white bark (for drizzling over the chocolate balls)


Put entire pkg. of cookies in food processor and chop finely.
Use a mixer to blend softened cream cheese.
Add chopped cookies into blended cream cheese and mix together.
Take a small amount of mixture and roll into small bite size balls.
Place balls on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and freeze.

Melt chocolate bark in a glass bowl per microwave directions on package.
I stick a toothpick into the ball before I dip into the melted chocolate bark.
Place dipped ball back on the cookie sheet to dry.
(Only dip a few balls at a time and keep the rest in the freezer to keep them firm.)

Store Oreo balls in an air-tight container until ready to eat.

**Yummy treat to die for!!! You can use Vanilla Oreo Cookies & dip in white chocolate too, very good. Or you can use any type of packaged cookie and 
prepare the same way as this recipe.