Recipes

Subterms

    consigliato per te

    • in Recipes

      Red White and Blue Firecracker Cake

      ha scritto per te

      Celebrate Independence Day with this colorful Red, White, and Blue Firecracker Cake. It’s patriotic inside and out!

      Summer is in full swing, and July Fourth is just around the corner. I’m always looking for new ways to make the holiday special. This year I dreamed up a fun way to decorate a cake for the occasion. It’s so festive and extremely simple using candy from the grocery store. Anyone can do it!

      Batter up!
      This cake is patriotic inside and out! Start by whipping up the cake batter. It’s a tangy and thick with buttermilk and Greek yogurt, and it’s pale enough to take food color well. For the colorful interior, three shades of food color does the trick! Use red, sky blue, and navy blue or royal blue gel food colors. I’ve been using Chefmaster gel food colors for a few years now, and this is a good starter set if you’re looking to try it out. Tint three bowls of batter with the food color and leave one plain.

      After the colorful cake batters are baked into 6″ cake layers and cooled, stack them and coat with good old fashioned American buttercream. (Was there any other choice for this cake?). I almost left the frosting white, but at the last minute I decided on pale sky blue. I l love this color with the red firecracker decors.

      Piping fun!
      The rope of multicolor frosting on top is a fun and really eye-catching element. The most labor intensive part of this process is tinting the frosting with food color. The rest is easy!
      First, divide and tint the frosting red, sky blue, and royal blue. Transfer each to a piping bag. Place some untinted frosting in a fourth piping bag. Next, lay a sheet of plastic wrap out on a work surface. Pipe a fat line of royal blue frosting on the center of the plastic, about 8 inches long. Pipe the light blue color frosting right next to the royal blue frosting. Follow with the white frosting, the red frosting, and another line of white. After the piping is done, fold the plastic over the frosting to roll it together.

      Next, squeeze out a some of the icing in a circular motion on a piece of scrap parchment. This will give you some practice piping the rope, and sometimes it takes a few passes for all of the colors to extrude together.Now you’re ready to pipe on the cake!

      Sprinkle now, not later.
      Immediately after piping the fat rope of frosting, add sprinkles. Have them ready to hand because this buttercream crusts in just a few minutes. If you wait too long the sprinkles will bounce right off! I used a combination of white confetti, white nonpareils and gold dragees.

      The firecrackers are TOO EASY to make. Just get yourself some SweeTarts Ropes in Cherry Punch flavor and black licorice laces. Trim the ropes down to about 2-inches and insert a small length of licorice into the cream center. I used a toothpick to remove a little of the cream filling to make room for the licorice. That’s pretty much it for assembly!

      By the time all of the firecrackers are assembled, the buttercream frosting on the cake will be well set. Use a little leftover buttercream to attach the firecrackers to the cake. I used a toothpick to apply a little to the backs of each candy.

      Because this cake requires quite a few of the firecracker decors, enlist some help! Kids can help put them together.

      This was a fun little bake, and it’s 6-inch size makes it small yet tall. A slice is a tower of color!

      This cake recipe was new to me. I found it in a community cookbook and decided to give it a spin. It has the tightest crumb and yet it is moist with all that yogurt in the batter. It’s tangy and relies on pure vanilla extract for its bakery-made flavor. I think it would be the perfect consistency to hold chunks of fresh fruit throughout, so I may try a summer peach version with it next!

      Red White and Blue Firecracker Cake

      Heather Baird

      This is the perfect party cake for a July Fourth party or cookout. The frosting recipe provides the large quantity needed to fill, frost, and make the rope border for the cake. You will have a little frosting leftover. Use it to attach the firecrackers to the outside of the cake. SweeTarts Ropes candies were used for the firecrackers can be found at most US grocery stores. You could also use strawberry licorice ropes or Twizzlers.

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 40 minsCook Time 40 minsTotal Time 1 hr 20 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 8

      Equipment6 inch cake pans, 4Kitchen scissorskitchen dedicated tweezers
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Cakes4 1/2 cups cake flour1 tablespoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature2 cups granulated sugar4 eggs1 egg white1 cup Greek yogurt1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract1 1/4 cups buttermilkRed sky blue, and royal blue (or navy blue) gel food colorAmerican buttercream and decors2 cups unsalted butter softened2 lb. confectioners’ sugarMilk or cream to thin1 tablespoon pure vanilla extractRed sky blue, and royal blue (or navy blue) gel food color2 tablespoons white confetti sprinkles2 tablespoons white nonpareils1 tablespoon gold drageesFirecrackers3 SweeTarts Ropes in Cherry flavor1 licorice lace about 12 inches long1 tablespoon white confetti star sprinkles
      Instructions CakesPreheat the oven to 350F. Coat four 6-inch round cake pans with flour-based baking spray.In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time until combined. Add the egg white and beat again. Add yogurt and vanilla extract.Add the flour and buttermilk alternately; begin and end with flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and fold together by hand until all the ingredients are well incorporated.Divide the batter evenly into four bowls (slightly more than 2 cups per bowl). Leave one bowl untinted. Mix red food color into one of the bowls; begin with 1/2 teaspoon and increase amount until the desired vibrant red hue is achieved. Tint another bowl with the sky blue food color, and the last bowl with the royal blue food color. Mix well until no streaks of white remain. Transfer batters to the prepared pans and bake for 40 minutes, or until cakes are completely set and a toothpick tester comes out clean.Remove cakes to a wire rack to cool completely. Trim domes from the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife to level.ButtercreamIn the bowl of an electric mixer with the whip attachment, beat butter until creamy. Add half of the confectioners’ sugar. Beat until combined. Add the remaining confectioners’ sugar and beat on low speed. Add milk or cream a little at a time until mixture whips and is of spreading consistency. Add the vanilla extract and beat again. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy.Remove about 2/3 cup of white frosting to a piping bag.Place 1/3 cup in each of three bowls. Cover remaining frosting in the bowl with a damp towel to prevent drying.Tint one bowl with red food color, one with sky blue, and one with royal blue. Transfer each to their own piping bags. Lay a piece of plastic wrap on a work surface and pipe a line of royal blue frosting 8-inches long. Pipe a light blue line alongside it, followed by a white line, and red line, and another white line of frosting, all touching each other. Roll the frostings up together in the plastic and twist the ends. Snip one end. Place the snipped end into a piping bag fitted with Ateco #824 open star tip. Set aside.Tint the remaining frosting with a small amount of sky blue food color and beat until a light blue color is achieved.AssemblyPlace the royal blue cake layer on a serving plate. Cover with a thin layer of buttercream. Stack the light blue layer on top; cover with a thin layer of buttercream. Continue with the with the white layer and frosting. Top with the red cake layer. Crumb coat the outside of the cake and refrigerate until set, 15 minutes. Coat the cake with a final layer of sky-blue buttercream. Use a bench scraper or cake smoother to smooth the edges of the cake. Refrigerate until firm, 15 minutes.Use the reserved bag of multicolor frosting to pipe a fat rope of buttercream along the top edge of the cake. Immediately add white confetti, white nonpareils, and gold dragees while the buttercream is still tacky. Reserve any leftover frosting.FirecrackersCut SweeTart Ropes int 1 1/2 to 2-inch pieces. Snip the licorice lace into small pieces using a kitchen-dedicated pair of scissors. Use a toothpick to make holes in the cream centers of the rope pieces. Insert a piece of licorice lace into the holes to make a firecracker ‘wick’.Using a toothpick place small dots of buttercream on the backs of each firecracker and attach to the outside of the cake. Repeat with star confetti sprinkles. Use a pair of kitchen dedicated tweezers to apply them to the outside of the cake. Refrigerate cake. Bring to room temperature before serving.
      NotesThe cake’s texture improves after a night in the refrigerator. Consider making the layers a day ahead. After they cool, wrap in plastic and store in the refrigerator until ready to use. 
      If you can’t find SweeTarts cherry ropes, try using red licorice ropes or Twizzlers.

      Keyword buttermilk, cake flour, candy ropes, greek yogurt, licorice laces

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Italian Cream Cake

      ha scritto per te

      Italian Cream Cake is a classic! Three soft cake layers are loaded with pecans and coconut. Rich cream cheese frosting is the true hallmark of this cake.

      This is my family’s recipe for Italian Cream Cake. Years ago my mom gave me a book of hand-written family recipes. It’s something I treasure, and it’s extremely useful, too! This recipe comes from those pages. You probably know by now that I love a good homestyle cake. This one is a classic, known and loved by many. I made it for our Father’s Day luncheon last Sunday because it’s my father-in-law’s favorite cake.

      My mom included tips, tricks, and stories with each recipe in the book. Here is what was written alongside the cake entry.
      “Our family discovered this recipe in the 1970’s. We loved it. My recipe card has spots all over it where I made it so much. I once made it for a co-worker. He paid me $20 for it. I thought that was outrageous.”-mom
      Haha! Who else thinks $20 sounds like a steal? You can almost spend that on a bag of good pecans.

      The batter comes together quickly, even though there’s the task of dividing the eggs and whipping the whites separately. It’s an extra step but so worth it. The cream cheese frosting in this recipe is probably my favorite of all time. It’s so easy, so smooth, and pipes well. It tastes great and performs – what more can you ask for?

      Let’s just take a moment to look at that interior. The cake layers stay moist because the smooth cream cheese frosting seals all that moisture in.

      The rolled wafer cookies on top were my addition. They’re optional, but they make a quick and easy final flourish – and they’re tasty, too!

      Italian Cream Cake

      Heather Baird

      Italian Cream Cake’s beginnings are murky, but it is said to originate from an Italian baker that moved to the southern US. This is our family recipe, passed down to me from my mom. It’s a delicious classic cake that everyone should try at least once. (I’m certain you’ll be hooked!)Make sure the cake layers are completely cool before frosting them. Cream cheese frosting is soft and easily meltable.

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 20 minsCook Time 25 minsTotal Time 45 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American, Italian

      Servings 10

      Equipment8 inch cake pans, 3
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Cake layers1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature1/2 cup vegetable oil2 cups granulated sugar5 eggs yolks and whites divided2 cups flour1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup buttermilk1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 cup sweetened flake coconut1 cup chopped pecansCream cheese frosting and décors16 oz. cream cheese at room temperature1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature7 cups confectioners’ sugar 2 boxes, 1 lb. each2 teaspoons vanilla extract1/3 cup ground pecans8 pecan halves8 striped rolled wafer cookie I used Pirouettes
      Instructions Cake layersPreheat oven to 350F. Generously coat three 8-inch cake pans with flour-based baking spray (or grease and flour pans).In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter, oil, and sugar. Add egg yolks one at a time, beat well after each addition.In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Beat the flour mixture into the creamed butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk; begin and end with the flour. Add vanilla, coconut, and pecans.In a separate bowl, beat together egg whites to stiff peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.Cream cheese frostingCream together the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer. Add the powdered sugar in two additions. Beat until smooth. Add vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat again until combined. Cover frosting with a damp towel to keep it from drying out while you work.Remove about 1 cup of the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large closed star tip. Set aside.AssemblyPlace a cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Top with a thin layer of frosting; stack another layer and frost. Top with the third cake layer. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting to the outside of the cake. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Cover the cake with the remaining frosting. Smooth top and sides using a cake smoother or bench scraper. Immediately press the ground pecans onto the lower edges of the cake.Pipe eight large swirls of frosting on the top edge of the cake using the reserved piping bag of frosting. Immediately sprinkle swirls with leftover ground pecans. Place a pecan half between each swirl. Top each mound with a rolled wafer cookie.Refrigerate cake. Bring to room temperature before serving.

      Keyword chopped pecans, cream cheese frosting, sweetened flake coconut

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Cinnamon-Vanilla Sugar Pretzels

      ha scritto per te

      A sweet twist on a classic, these vanilla bean seed-speckled soft pretzels are coated in a crunchy sugar blend punctuated with the aromatic flavors of cinnamon and Heilala Pure Vanilla Bean Paste. ¾ cup (150 grams) plus 3 teaspoons (12 grams) granulated sugar, divided 1⁄4 cup (55 grams) plus 1 tablespoon (14 grams) firmly packed […] LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Coconut Butterfly Pea Flower Boba Tea

      ha scritto per te

      Ice cold, brimming with coconut flavor and eye-popping color, this Coconut Butterfly Pea Flower Boba Tea is summer’s best refresher!

      I’ve been so eager to try butterfly pea flower tea for months now, but I didn’t know where to start. I’ve seen it used by pastry chefs in cakes and mousses with beautiful (naturally blue!) results. However, since I’m a butterfly pea flower tea newbie, I started with its intended purpose. Which is herbal tea. Paired with sweet coconut milk and boba (bubble) tea pearls, it makes a lovely sippable dessert.

      A magic ingredient.
      The butterfly pea flower plant is native to most South East Asian countries, but has only recently been introduced outside its natural territory. You won’t find it at the grocery store (but I hear Whole Foods is trying to procure some). Instead you’ll have to purchase it online.  Aside from being used for tea or as a food ingredient, it’s been used as a popular plant dye for centuries. One of the neatest things about the tea is its color-changing properties. In its brewed state it is vibrant blue. Change the pH level with a little lemon juice and it turns bright purple!  

      Wow! SO pretty. The brewed tea has a slightly wheat-y flavor that I think has the aroma of whole grain cereal. Other people have described it as earthy and grassy, but it’s not as assertive as, say, matcha green tea (which is my measuring stick for ‘earthy and grassy’). It’s so light, and hides itself behind other bolder flavors easily.

      Bubble love.
      You may remember my first boba tea post (here) from years ago. For those uninitiated, “Bubble tea” or boba originated in Taiwan in the 1980’s. It first came to the states through Asian American communities. Now boba enthusiasts are everywhere! (Including right here, hi!). Reportedly, boba tea shops are in the midst of a boba shortage due to supply chain issues, but smaller packages seem to still be available for purchase online. However, if your local bubble tea shop is experiencing a shortage, you can still support them by purchasing their other menu items. It’s the least we can do to keep these shops alive and well!
      So. The very first order of business is cooking up some boba. You can usually find a small bag at international markets and online. This is the kind I used, which cooks quickly. Use the 5-minute variety for this recipe.

      Next, brew up the tea. Let it stand for about 10 minutes. It will go through several beautiful color intensities as it steeps. You’ll know it’s ready when the color is deep sapphire blue.

      Strain the flowers out and press with the back of a spoon to remove as much liquid as possible. Let it cool down before you use it.

      Next – the sweetest part! Combine coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk in a glass measure. Whisk together until no lumps of coconut milk solids remain.

      The serving size of this recipe is variable depending on your glass size. Poured in 12 oz. glasses you’ll get about 5 servings. Layer in as much boba as you’d like (I like a lot!) and fill each glass about 1/3 of the way up with the milk mixture. Fill up the glass to the top with crushed ice.

      Tea time!
      Pour in the steeped tea to the top of the glass. The milk and tea will slightly swirl and intermingle but they’ll stay mostly separated because the sweetened milk mixture is heavier than the tea. They’ll stay beautifully semi-swirled until you decide it’s time to mix it all up!

      This drink is sweet and creamy with refreshing coconut flavor. The soft, chewy tapioca pearls make this half beverage, half snack. The butterfly pea flower tea is present more in color than flavor, but it’s more than just a novelty to me. It’s a whole new sandbox to play in! The color is so beautiful, it reminds me of ocean water and I just want to dive into it head-first. And I pretty much did just that (yum!)!

      Coconut Butterfly Pea Flower Boba Tea

      Heather Baird

      This beverage is like a cool breeze on a hot day! So refreshing and more than just a drink – it’s sippable dessert.
      This recipe will yield about 5 servings if portioned into 12 oz. glasses. Simple syrup, butterfly pea flower tea, and sweet coconut cream can all be made one day ahead and chilled, if desired. Boba pearls are best eaten the same day they are made.

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 20 minsCook Time 7 minsTotal Time 27 mins

      Course Dessert, DrinksCuisine South East Asia, Taiwainese

      Servings 5

      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Simple syrup1 cup sugar1 cup water1 teaspoon coconut extractBoba10 cups water1 package 8.8 oz. dried boba tapioca pearls quick cooking 5-minute typeButterfly pea flower tea1 cup dried butterfly pea flower buds2 cups boiling waterSweet coconut cream1 can coconut milk well shaken2/3 cup sweetened condensed milkCrushed ice for serving
      Instructions Simple syrupMake the simple syrup: Combine the water and sugar in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave for 2 minutes at 100% power. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. If granules remain, heat at full power in 1-minute intervals thereafter until the sugar is melted. Stir in the coconut extract. Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator to cool. If you don’t have a microwave, the simple syrup can be made in a saucepan on the stove top.BobaBring the water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Add the boba and cook for 7 minutes, stirring gently until the pearls float to the surface of the water. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 3 more minutes. Remove the pot from the heat source and let it stand for 5 minutes. Drain the boba with a colander, and rinse them in cool water for 20 seconds. Remove the simple syrup from the refrigerator and transfer the boba to the simple syrup. Let stand until completely cool, about 1 hour. Or, speed cooling in the refrigerator, about 30 minutes.Butterfly pea flower teaPlace the buds in a large glass bowl or container and pour over the boiling water. Stir the buds around and then let steep uncovered for 10-15 minutes. When the liquid is deep sapphire blue, strain out the buds using a sieve and transfer the tea to the refrigerator to cool.Sweet coconut creamCombine the coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk in a large glass measure. Whisk until completely smooth.AssemblePut as little or as much boba as you like in the bottom of a 12-ounce glass (I used about 1/4 cup per glass). Pour sweet coconut cream about 1/3 of the way up the glass. Add crushed ice and fill to the top. Pour the butterfly pea flower tea over the ice to fill to the top of the glass. Serve immediately with bubble tea straws or with spoons. Stir together before enjoying. Assemble more glasses as needed. Store the boba tea in its syrup in the refrigerator. Also store the coconut cream and butterfly pea flower in the refrigerator until ready to use.
      NotesI cook the boba slightly longer than the package directions. This seems to keep them softer a little longer.
      Boba pearls are best fresh. Leftover boba should be tossed at the end of the day.

      Keyword boba tea, bubble tea, butterfly pea flower tea, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, tapioca pearls

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread

      ha scritto per te

      This cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread is a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Use ready-made pizza dough from the grocery store and you’ll have this on the table in a snap!

      I’m squeezing in a savory bake this week because this one was such a winner from the test kitchen. I simply could not wait to share. Plus, it’s something that a deserving dad might love for Father’s Day on Sunday. But honestly, I’d make it for no other reason than it’s totally perfect for snacking. Each little nugget of pizza dough holds melty mozzarella cheese and a single pepperoni slice. Get yourself some marinara for dipping and you’re all set!

      You could make your own pizza dough for this (I like this one) but ready-made refrigerated or frozen pizza dough is a terrific shortcut. You’ll need 2 lbs. of dough, so pick up a couple of bags from grocery store. Don’t go for anything in a can – we’re looking for true yeasty-stretchy pizza dough for this recipe.

      Roll & shape.
      Roll out the dough to a rough 13×9-inch rectangle. Cold dough will want to snap back when you roll it, but don’t let it boss you around! You’re the boss of it. Pick it up and stretch it to size with your hands. See the video at the end of this post for a few visual cues.
      Use a pizza wheel to cut the dough into 1 1/2- inch x 2-inch squares. It doesn’t have to be exact because the dough can stretch if needed. It should be large enough to fit a standard size pepperoni slice on a square.

      Cube up a block of mozzarella cheese to about 1/2-inch square pieces. Place a pepperoni and a cheese cube on top of a dough square pinch the dough around it tightly. Repeat, repeat, repeat! This part went faster than I expected. There are a lot of dough squares to fill, but the end result is totally worth it!

      Dress it up!
      Mix up some olive oil, Italian herbs, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl, then toss in the filled dough pieces. Mix ’em around to make sure they’re coated on all sides.

      Layer the pieces in a lightly greased bundt pan. When the pan is all filled up, lightly tamp them down with your fingers. Into the oven it goes!

      After about 5-10 minutes, turn the bread out onto a large plate. Add your favorite marinara sauce and start dipping! The bowl of sauce in the center is pretty, but this bread gets eaten so fast it didn’t stay put for very long! As a result, you may prefer it on the side.

      I opted for a simple sprinkle of Italian flatleaf parsley on this pepperoni pizza monkey bread, but you could load it up with more mozzarella, parmesan, black olives, – heck, anything! Pieces can be pulled off with appetizer picks, or pulled apart with fingers.

      This ended up as our lunch instead of being an appetizer. One pan will feed about 6 very hungry adults, or 10-12 as a party appetizer. I imagine this would be perfect as a game day snack, or even make-ahead tailgate party food. Actually, I can’t think of an occasion that I wouldn’t make this for. I kind of want it for my birthday next month. Enjoy!

      Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread

      Heather Baird

      This cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread is a true crowd-pleasing appetizer. Use ready-made pizza dough from the grocery store deli and you’ll have this on the table in a snap!

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 40 minsCook Time 40 minsTotal Time 1 hr 20 mins

      Course Appetizer, BreadCuisine American, Italian

      Servings 10

      Equipment10 cup bundt pan
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric 1/3 cup olive oil1 tablespoon garlic powder2 tablespoons Italian seasoning1/2 teaspoon fine grain salt2 lb. frozen or refrigerated pizza dough thawed if frozen5 oz. package pepperoni slices8 oz. block low moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese cubed to 1/2 inch pieces2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf Italian parsley optionalMarinara sauce for serving
      Instructions Lightly coat a 10 cup bundt pan with cooking spray.In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Set aside.On a floured work surface, roll out 1 lb. of pizza dough using a rolling pin to roughly a 13×9 –inch rectangle. Cold dough will want to snap back, so pick up the dough and stretch it with your hands, working it to form the rectangle. Or, let the dough stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to loosen.Cut the rectangle using a pizza wheel or large chef’s knife into 1 1/2-inch x 2-inch squares (or thereabouts).Place a single pepperoni and a single cheese cube on top of dough square. Fold (and stretch if needed) the dough edges inward and pinch the edges together tightly. Repeat with remaining dough squares.Toss the stuffed dough pieces in the olive oil mixture and layer into the bundt pan.Repeat the rolling/shaping, cutting, and filling with the second 1 lb. pizza dough. Toss in the remaining olive oil mixture and transfer the pieces to the bundt pan. Tamp the pieces down gently with your fingertips.Preheat the oven to 350° F. Let the bread stand in the pan at room temperature while the oven preheats.Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes, or until it is well-puffed, fragrant, and golden brown on top. Let the bread cool in the pan 5-10 minutes before turning it out onto a large serving plate. Serve with marinara sauce on the side.
      NotesUse a bundt pan that doesn’t have a lot of detail. This recipe works best in a standard ridged pan (as pictured).
      If you don’t have a bottle of Italian seasoning on hand, you can make your own blend using 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried marjoram, 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme. This will equal the 2 tablespoons needed for this recipe. 

      Keyword italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, pizza dough

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Cherry Limeade Layer Cake

      ha scritto per te

      Celebrate summer with this sweet and tangy Cherry Limeade Layer Cake, inspired by the iconic fizzy beverage from Sonic Drive-In.

      Cherry limeades are nostalgic for me. I’ve loved them for ages – since my high school days. They always bring back memories of marching band. I was drum major my senior year, and a cherry limeade was often my reward after marching and practicing for hours in the blistering sun. Maybe someday I’ll digress on that amazing life-changing and very disciplined experience here, but for now I’ll stick to the sweet stuff. Sonic Drive In was on the way home from school, and the cold fizzy beverage was like an antidote to the heat and exhaustion. I’ve translated those sweet, tangy flavors into a summery cake made for sharing!

      The alternating layers of cherry and lime are doused in simple syrup. Cherry syrup for the cherry chip layers, and key lime syrup for the lime layers. It gives the cake a damp, almost wet crumb and really turns up the volume on the flavors.

      Baste those cake layers just like a turkey at Thanksgiving! Use a lot of syrup for a wet crumb, or a little syrup if you’re looking for a more spongy cake crumb. The texture you see here is a result of using all of the syrup. This makes the cake layers delicate to stack, so take a little extra care when handling them. Making this cake reminds me a lot of my 7UP cake – another beverage inspired confection!

      Now that get-togethers are a thing again, this cake is perfect for a crowd of people. Five 8-inch rounds makes a tall, generous cake, so it’s perfect for potlucks and all kinds of summertime events. The flavors are so refreshing. And with the syrup-soaked layers, I think this cake is fantastic chilled.

      Frosty-looking frosting? Yes!
      A hefty cake requires a lot of frosting to fill and cover it all, so expect to use a lot of butter. I must have tried five different frosting techniques before I found one that suited my vision. I wanted the cake to look frosty (like accumulated ice crystals) and white buttercream smudges over chilled pink frosting worked well enough. Just drag the white frosting around the cake using a bench scraper and don’t aim for perfection. I think I may try this technique on a winter-themed cake.

      To finish, add a few swirls of frosting on top, and the all-important maraschino cherry and lime garnishes. Sonic Cherry Limeades have exactly two cherries in the bottom of their large cups, unless you ask for extra. I always do.
      Side note – I dip-dyed the napkins you see here back in May, which matched this cake perfectly! I loved using them here. You can find my tutorial on how to dip dye your own right here on Confetti Fix.

      See all those soaked layers stacked up? So packed with flavor! I recommend using key lime juice in a bottle, because it’s one of those conveniences that doesn’t sacrifice taste. Key limes are tiny with bold, tart flavor, and juicing a bunch of them for this recipe would be a total pain. If you can’t find key lime juice in a bottle, then regular bottled lime juice would work, as well as fresh-squeezed standard limes.

      The cherry chip layers are so speckled with chopped maraschinos. If you’ve ever made a cherry chip cake, then you may see a familiar flavoring – almond extract. It really brings forth the maraschino flavor. Together with the lime layers you can’t help but feel like it’s party time. It’s just an all-around FUN cake!

      I have a summer bucket list this year, which involves lots of family time and patio parties and picnics on the lawn. I can’t wait to share this treat with my people. And it’s certain that I’ll be sending them home with a few slices.

      Cherry Limeade Layer Cake

      Heather Baird

      Celebrate summer with this sweet and tangy Cherry Limeade Cake, inspired by the iconic fizzy beverage from Sonic Drive-In. I recommend using bottled key lime juice in this recipe because it shortcuts to work of squeezing lots of tiny limes. This recipe also calls for ‘cherry juice’. By this I mean the juice from the jar of maraschino cherries. The soaking syrup in this recipe can be variable. Use all of the syrup on the cakes for a wet crumb, or lightly brush for a little moisture. The picture shows the texture when using the entire amount of syrup.

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 1 hrCook Time 1 hrTotal Time 2 hrs

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 20

      Equipment8 inch round cake pans (3)cake smootherPiping bag with large closed star tip
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Cherry chip layers1 3/4 cups whole milk room temperature6 egg whites room temperature3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice1 teaspoon pure almond extract2 1/4 cups granulated sugar3/4 cups unsalted butter room temperature3 1/3 cups cake flour1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder3/4 teaspoon fine grain salt1 drop red soft gel food color1 cup finely chopped maraschino cherriesCherry soaking syrup1 cup sugar1 cup water1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice2 teaspoons almond extractLime layers4 large eggs room temperature1 cup milk2 Tablespoons vegetable oil1/4 cup key lime juice2 1/2 cups cake flour1 1/2 cups granulated sugar1/2 teaspoon) salt2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder1 tablespoon lime zest fine1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter softenedA few drops of lime green soft gel food color such as Chefmaster Neon Brite GreenLime syrup1 cup sugar1 cup water1/4 cup key lime juiceLime buttercream and decors2 1/2 cups unsalted butter room temperature6 cups confectioners’ sugar6 tablespoons key lime juiceMilk or cream to thin1/2 teaspoon fine grain saltA few drops of soft red gel food color such a Chefmaster Super Red8 maraschino cherries with stems8 fresh lime wheels2 tablespoons white nonpareils optional
      Instructions Cherry chip layers and cherry syrupPreheat the oven to 350°F. Coat three round 8-inch pans with flour-based baking spray.In a large glass measure, whisk together the milk, egg whites, cherry juice, and almond extract.Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a medium-sized bowl.In the bowl of an electric mixer cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy.Set the mixer to medium speed and alternately add the flour mixture and liquid mixture; begin and end with the flour. Scrape down the bowl. Continue mixing on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add a small drop of red gel food color; mix. Fold in the chopped cherries.Evenly divide the batter evenly between the 2 prepared pans. Bake 30 minutes, or until a toothpick tester comes out with a few moist crumbs. Cool in the pans 5 minutes before turning them out on a wire rack to cool completely.For the cherry syrup, heat the sugar and water in a microwave-safe glass measure for 2 minutes at 100% power. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved. Add the cherry juice and almond extract; stir. Baste the cake layers on all sides using a pastry brush. Use all of the liquid for wet crumb, or use about half of the syrup for a drier crumb.Lime cake layers and lime syrupPreheat the oven to 350 degrees.Coat two round 8-inch pans with flour-based baking spray.In a large glass measure, combine the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and lime juice. Whisk together until combined.In the bowl of an electric mixer add the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and lime zest. Whisk to combine.Turn the mixer to medium speed and add butter a little at a time. Increase to medium speed until the butter has coated the flour and the appearance resembles coarse wet sand.Slowly add half of the wet ingredients until a thick batter is achieved. Mix for 1 minute and scrape down the bowl. Add 1-2 drops of lime gel food color; mix. Add remaining wet ingredients and beat until incorporated. Divide batter between the two pans.Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick tester inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool cakes 10 minutes in the pan and then turn out on a wire rack to cool completely.For the lime syrup, heat the sugar and water in a microwave-safe glass measure for 2 minutes at 100% power. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved. Add the lime juice; stir. Baste the cake layers on all sides using a pastry brush. Use all of the liquid for wet crumb, or use about half of the syrup for a drier crumb.Buttercream and assemblyCream the butter in the bowl of a large standing mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Add half of the confectioners’ sugar and mix until incorporated. Add the remaining sugar and mix on low. Dribble in the lime juice a tablespoon at a time. Increase mixer speed. Add milk or cream a little at a time to bring to spreading consistency. Beat in the salt. Whip on high speed for 3-5 minutes, until lightened and fluffy.Remove 1 1/2 cups of frosting to piping bag fitted with a large closed star tip. Cover the tip with a damp paper towel so the frosting doesn’t dry out.Begin with a cherry chip layer placed on a serving plate of cake board. Do this carefully if you used all of the soaking syrup as the wet cake layers will be delicate. Spread a thin layer of buttercream on top. Repeat process alternating lime and cherry cake layers. (Order: cherry, lime, cherry, lime, cherry.) Coat the entire cake with a thin layer of buttercream (crumb coat). Refrigerate until firm, 15 minutes.Tint the remaining frosting with 1 small drop of red gel food color. Mix well. Increase color intensity if desired with more food color (aim for a medium pinky-red color). Cover the chilled cake with the tinted buttercream and smooth evenly with a cake smoother or bench scraper. Refrigerate until firm, 15 minutes.Place a few dots of white frosting from the piping bag on the outside of the cake over the pink frosting. Use a cake smoother or bench scraper to lightly scrape the white frosting over the first layer of frosting. Don’t aim for a perfectly smooth surface, the outside edge should look like accumulated frost (small accumulated ice crystals).Use the bag of white buttercream to pipe 8 mounds of frosting on the top edge of the cake. Top each mound with a maraschino cherry. Add a fresh lime wheel half between each mound. Sprinkle over the white sprinkles, if using.Serve slices of cake at room temperature or chilled. Cakes with a wet crumb are especially good chilled and eaten on a hot day.
      NotesThis cake is more enjoyable to make if you divide the work over two days. Bake the cake layers and refrigerate them. Also make the soaking syrups. The next day baste the cakes, make the buttercream then fill, frost and decorate the cake.
      Hand the soaked cake layers with care. They will be tender and will break apart if not handled gently.
      Food colors in the cake layers can be optional. If you choose to leave them out, the cherry layers will be mostly colorless with specks of red throughout. The lime layers will be creamy light yellow.

      Keyword cherry chip cake, key lime buttercream, key lime cake, key lime juice, marachino cherries

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Giant Hostess Cupcake Cake

      ha scritto per te

      What’s better than a Hostess Cupcake? A super-sized one! This Giant Hostess Cupcake Cake is three chocolate layers with a cream-filled center and rich ganache frosting.

      Nostalgic childhood treats prove to be a very rich well of inspiration for me. You may remember this Snowball Cake that I made all the way back in 2012. It’s still such a favorite! Well, today I’m adding a new one to the recipe index. This Giant Hostess Cupcake Cake has been a while in the making, with repeat testing and even a few fails along the way. Now it’s just right. I’m totally obsessed with the texture of these cake layers. And, there’s a literal core of cream filling inside!

      It’s easy to complicate things when developing a recipe. Usually the secret to success is to keep things as simple as possible. I had to remind my self of that after a few setbacks. This recipe has three main components, each fairly simple. The first is really great chocolate cake. It freezes well and has a firm yet moist crumb. Second – whipped filling that’s actually a frosting your grandma might have made. Seven minute frosting is so light it’s almost like marshmallow. And third is good ol’ trusty ganache. You just can’t go wrong here!

      It’s what’s inside that counts.
      The filling little more than cooked egg whites and sugar with the whipping power of an electric mixer. It’s so easy. Always keep in mind that the enemy of meringue is fat. Always make sure your mixing bowl and whip is without a trace. To be sure, cut a lemon in half and wipe down the bowl with it. Do the same to the whip then wipe them down with a paper towel. This removes any trace of fat or grease.

      The word billowy comes to mind! Other frostings were attempted, but this one was the lightest and best contrasted all of that chocolate.

      The buttermilk cake layers don’t really puff up much during baking, so I didn’t even have to level them (who doesn’t love that?!). Cut out the centers of the bottom two layers using a large round cutter, or just free-hand it with a serrated knife.

      Fill the cake all the way to the top with that amazing fluff!

      Removing a cake slice reveals the creamy center, which will sigh down slightly, but won’t totally spill out of the cake. It just kind of relaxes.

      See? I feel relaxed just looking at it (wink). A slice of this cake will definitely remind you of the flavors of a Hostess Cupcake. The soft outer covering of creamy ganache just seals the deal. The creamy center makes this so decadent. I wish I could teleport a slice to each and every one of you!

      Serve slices on their sides instead of upright. They’ll be a little top heavy and the cream filling will ooze out otherwise. The flavor and texture of the chocolate cake is just outstanding. I refrigerated my layers overnight and I think this made the texture even better. Enjoy!

      Giant Hostess Cupcake Cake

      Heather Baird

      This Giant Hostess Cupcake Cake is three chocolate cake layers with a cream-filled center and rich ganache frosting. It’s a great all-purpose cake for nearly any special occasion. Save the cut-out cake centers. You’ll have a little leftover cream filling and can assemble your own personal-sized mini cake with the scraps and leftovers.

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 45 minsCook Time 35 minsTotal Time 1 hr 20 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 15

      Equipment8 inch round cake pans (3)
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Cake layers1 cup unsweet cocoa powder1 cup hot water1 cup unsalted butter room temperature2 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs room temperature1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon fine grain salt1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder1 cup full fat buttermilk3 cups all-purpose flourGanache3 cups semisweet chocolate chips1 1/2 cups heavy creamCream filling1/2 cup egg whites about 2 1/2 egg whites, I used carton egg whites1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar1/2 teaspoon vanilla extractConfectioners’ glaze for décor1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar plus more if needed1-2 teaspoons of milk or cream plus more if needed
      Instructions Cake layersPreheat the oven to 350F. Grease three 8-inch round cake pans with flour-based baking spray.Combine the dark cocoa powder and hot water in a small bowl and whisk together until smooth and dissolved. Set aside.In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, combine the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in eggs one at a time. Scrape down the bowl and mix again. To the creamed mixture add the baking soda, salt and baking powder. Mix again briefly.In a 4 cup or larger glass measure with a pour spout, combine the dissolved cocoa mixture and buttermilk. Whisk until combined.Mix in the flour in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk/cocoa mixture (Order: 1/3 of the flour, 1/2 the liquid, 1/3 flour, remaining liquid, remaining 1/3 flour). Mix on low speed until each is incorporated.Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick tester inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool cakes in the pans for 5 minutes, then turn out to cool completely on wire racks. When cakes are cool, cut out and remove a 3.5 inch circle from two of the cakes. Save cake scraps for snacks, cake pops, or for a quick hot fudge sundae.GanachePour the chocolate chips in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add the cream and tamp the chips down into the cream so they are all covered. Microwave at 100% power for 2 minutes. Let mixture stand for 1 minute then whisk together until a shiny, thick ganache is formed. Transfer to the refrigerator to firm. Stir ganache intermittently until mixture is of soft spreading consistency, like buttercream, which should take about 20-30 minutes.Cream fillingBring a pot with 2 inches of water to a simmer. Place egg whites, cream of tartar and sugar into a stainless-steel mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Set the bowl on top of the simmering water and whisk constantly until the mixture is hot and sugar is dissolved. Check by rubbing a little of the mixture between your fingers. If the mixture is still grainy, keep whisking and cooking. Mixture is ready when the sugar is melted and an instant-read thermometer registers 160F.Remove the bowl from the simmering water and pour into an electric stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment. Beat for 5-7 minutes on medium high until the mixture is thick and billowy, and holds stiff peaks. Beat in the vanilla extract.Place a cake layer with a hole in the center on a cake board or server. Frost top edges with ganache. Top with the second cake layer with a hole in the center. Frost top with ganache. Pour cream filling into the center, filling the hole all the way to the top of the hole (You will have a little cream filling left over). Top with the final cake layer without a hole. Frost the entire cake with a crumb coat of ganache. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.Ganache will set, so re-heat, if necessary, in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or until loosened. Remove cake from the refrigerator and apply a second thick coat of ganache.Confectioners’ glazeMix the confectioners’ sugar and 1 teaspoon of milk in a small bowl. Whisk together until a very thick paste is formed. It should hold in the balloon of the whisk and very slowly fall out. Use more or less of each of the sugar and milk to reach this correct consistency. Remove to a piping bag or zip-top bag with a small hole snipped in the corner. Pipe a series of consecutive loops on top of the cake in Hostess Cupcake fashion.Serve slices of cake on their sides instead of standing upright. The filling will fall out of the cake slices otherwise. Serve with ice cold glasses of milk for an extra dose of childhood nostalgia.Cover cake leftovers with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.
      NotesIf you’re not using carton egg whites as I did, beat three whole egg whites lightly in a bowl, then pour into a 1/2 cup measure. 

      Keyword buttercream filling, chocolate cake, ganache frosting

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Pink Pineapple Pie

      ha scritto per te

      Pink Pineapple Pie has a hint of berry flavor thanks to a little strawberry puree mixed into the batter. Colorful sprinkles baked right into the graham cracker crust add an extra ounce of fun!

      It’s been a while since I’ve made a pie, and this one has all the summer vibes. Pink Pineapple Pie – it’s fun to say, isn’t it? I recently learned that pink pineapples are totally a thing, but I didn’t use them for this recipe. Instead I decided to add a little strawberry goodness to my favorite no-cook pineapple pie filling.

      I really wanted this pie to look happy and fun. So first thing I did was whip up a graham cracker crust and add some pink and yellow sprinkles. (I’m a crust sprinkle-er from way back, see here and here). It’s too easy, with just graham crumbs, butter, and sprinkles. It bakes for 10 minutes to set the crumb, and the rest is a no-bake affair.

      The pie filling is so creamy with a no-nonsense list of ingredients: sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, crushed pineapple, and strawberry puree. I had hoped the puree would give the filling a more pink color, but in the end it needed a little help with drops of pink food color. Whisk this up until well combined.

      Next add in some whipped cream -ah! This makes the pie so light. Fold it all together until no obvious white streaks remain.

      Pour the filling into the cooled crust and chill. It takes about 3 hours to firm in the refrigerator. The spring form collar will slide right off easily because of the butter in the crust. If you don’t have a 9-inch spring form pan, you can make this in a 9 inch deep dish pie pan.

      I had so much fun with the garnishes. I used more whipped cream, more sprinkles, some pineapple leaves, a strawberry half, and a little pineapple cube. It kind of looks like an umbrella drink you’d get at Benihana!

      I’d almost re-name this ‘Happy Pie’ if Pink Pineapple Pie wasn’t so darn catchy and a much better description. It’s cheerful-looking for sure, and so tasty! It’s a cold, creamy treat that’s easy to make when you crave something tropical on a hot day.

      Pink Pineapple Pie

      Heather Baird

      This creamy, tropical-tasting pie is a refreshing dessert that’s easy to make. Serve slices chilled on a hot day.

      .wprm-recipe-rating .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 20 minsCook Time 10 minsTotal Time 30 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 8

      Equipment9-inch spring form pan
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Crust1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs1/2 cup unsalted butter melted1/3 cup pink and yellow jimmies ice cream sprinklesPie filling14 oz. sweetened condensed milk 1 can8 oz. crushed pineapple undrained 1 small can1/4 cup lemon juice1/4 cup strawberry puree sieved to remove seeds2-3 drops liquid pink food color1 cup heavy cream3 tablespoons granulated sugarGarnishes1/2 cup heavy cream whipped to stiff peaks1 tablespoon granulated sugar1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract3 tablespoons pink and yellow sprinklesPineapple leaves1/2 strawberry1 cube pineapples or wedge
      Instructions CrustPreheat the oven to 350F.Combine the graham cracker crumbs and unsalted butter in a bowl. Mix with a rubber spatula until all the crumbs are coated with butter and the texture resembles wet sand. Add the sprinkles and fold them in until well dispersed. Pour the crumbs into a 9-inch spring form pan and press in the bottom and 2 inches up the sides. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool crust completely.Pie fillingCombine sweetened condensed milk, undrained pineapple, lemon juice, and strawberry puree in a large bowl. Whisk together until well combined. Add drops of pink food color. Whisk again to disperse color.In a separate medium bowl, whip the heavy cream until slightly thickened. Slowly add in the granulated sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat to stiff peaks. Add the whipped cream to the pineapple mixture and fold together until well incorporated. Pour the filling into the crust. Refrigerate until set, 3-4 hours.GarnishesBeat the heavy cream in a medium while gradually adding the granulated sugar. Add the vanilla extract and beat to stiff peaks. Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a large closed start tip. Pipe stars of whipped cream around the top edge of the pie. Pipe stars in the center of the pie also. Immediately add sprinkles. Place three or more pineapple leaves standing upright in the center of the pie. Add the strawberry half and pineapple to finish. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
      NotesIf you don’t have a spring form pan, this pie can be made in a 9-inch-deep dish pie pan.
      If you don’t have pink food color on hand, try using a few drops of red.
      You’ll need about 5 oz. of fresh or frozen strawberries (thawed) to yield the 1/4 cup of puree for this recipe.

      Keyword crused pineapple, heavy cream, strawberry puree

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO