Tuesday, May 20, 2008

The Best Carrot Pineapple Cake

carrot pineapple cake

It was delicious, let me tell ya. We omitted the pine nuts and almonds, which I would have liked actually, but my mom was not having any of that nut action, so we skipped them. Very moist, very delicious. You can thank me later.

The Best Carrot Pineapple Cake
Makes one 3-layer cake

2 c. AP flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. cloves
1 c. whole, toasted almonds
1 c. toasted pine nuts
1 c. olive oil
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
4 eggs
3 Tbsp. dark molasses
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
2 c. chopped fresh pineapple, or 1 (16 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained
3 heaping cups shredded carrots

Frosting:
4 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese (room temp.)
2 sticks (1 c.) butter, room temperature
2 c. powdered sugar
Half-and-half (as needed)

For the cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 350-f degrees. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, almonds, and pine nuts and mix very well.

2. In another large bowl, combine the olive oil, sugar, butter, brown sugar, eggs, molasses, maple syrup, pineapple, and carrots and mix well. Add them to the dry mixture. Mix very well.

3. Generously butter three 9-inch cake pans and dust with flour. Divide the cake batter evenly into the cake pans. Use a measuring cup for accuracy.

4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

5. Insert a toothpick into the cakes to make sure the are done. The toothpick should come out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove and cool completely.

To make the frosting:

1. With an electric mixer, mix the cream cheese, butter, sugar, and powdered sugar until fluffy, but stiff. Add half-and-half to thin.

2. Use the frosting to fill and frost the cooked layers.

Recipe from Beautiful Breads and Fabulous Fillings: The Best Sandwiches in America

Post and Images by Ali from Divine Domesticity

Monday, May 19, 2008

Monday Morning Coffee...

Some fun Apron-y stuff I came across this week...

Kellie at "And She Can't Even Cook!" may not be able to cook (don't let her fool you-she totally CAN!), but she sure knows how to sew! I just got one of her ADORABLE aprons from her Etsy store, and I featured her Black & White Toile Apron over at Blissfully Domestic.

Over at the Apronista Network, we are doing a Ruffled Apron Project, doing our first swap, and collecting Aprons to give to women affected by the devastating tornados in SW Missouri. If you aren't a member yet, go HERE for your invitation - we have almost 400 members now!

If you haven't see Calamity Jane's newest Apron Creation, Tea with Jane Austen, you are missing not only a great Apron, but a true work of Art...

Go HERE for an insanely cute 20 minute Apron Tutorial from an insanely cute blog. 20 minutes and $3 for an APRON? I am SO there!

I am currently looking for guest posters here and at Blissfully Domestic. If you would like to see your tutorial here, or show off your apron-y goodness, AND get a bit of traffic for your site, email me at theapronista (at) gmail.com.

Monday, May 12, 2008

New Carolyn's Kitchen Aprons!

How cute are these new aprons from Carolyn's Kitchen? I just got the Cupcake Apron, and it is TOO stinkin' cute! Of course there are gloves to match as well, so you can have your own color-coordinated Kitchen Diva look!


CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOURS!!!

Soft Cutout Sugar Cookies

soft cutout sugar cookies

Just look at these darling little cookies. Sanding sugar on top of colored icing makes these gems really sparkle.

soft cutout sugar cookies

Soft Cutout Sugar Cookies
Makes 4-5 dozen, depending on cookie cutter size

2 3/4 cups ap flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, very soft
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract

1. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

2. In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter. Beat in buttermilk, egg and extracts. With the mixer on low speed or by hand, add in the flour mixture, mixing until no flour remains.

3. Divide dough into two pieces. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 2 hours.

4. Preheat oven to 375-F degrees.

5. Working with 1 piece of dough at a time, roll out to 1/4-inch thick on a lightly floured surface and use a floured cookie cutter to make desired shapes. Transfer cookies to a parchment lined baking sheet. Re-roll remaining dough, chilling for a few minutes if it becomes too warm to handle easily. Repeat with second piece of dough.

6. Bake for 6-7 minutes at 375F, until the edges are slightly firm to the touch but cookies are not browned (The bottom of the cookies will be light brown).
Cool completely on a wire rack before icing.


Simple Colored Icing

4 cups confectioners sugar, divided
2 tbsp milk or light cream per bowl
1/2 tsp vanilla extract per bowl
white, red, green and blue food coloring

1. Place 1 cup of sugar in each of 4 small bowls. Add 2 tbsp milk or light cream, 1/2 tsp vanilla and a few drops of your desired food color to each bowl. Mix thoroughly with a fork, until smooth and a good consistency: thin for filling in large spaces and thick for making clear lines. Add extra milk if necessary.

2. Scrape each color into a small zip-lock plastic bag. Snip the corner of the bag to ice cookies.

Many thanks to Baking Bites for providing this recipe.

Post and Images by Ali from Divine Domesticity

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Even Ikea is getting in on the act...

How adorable are these?? And only $7.99!! Available now at Ikea.

Via Apartment Therapy

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Summer is almost here!

What could be better than sitting down with a buttery English mufffin (or ahem, a hot krispy kreme, as picture) and some fresh strawberry jam? Not much, I tell you!



Strawberry Freezer Jam is one of my favorite treats ever. So simple but the flavor is amazing. You won’t buy store bought strawberry jam ever again.

Strawberry Freezer Jam
Makes Five - 8 oz. Jars

4 cups mashed strawberries
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 packet freezer jam pectin

1. In a large bowl, crush st until only small pieces remain and mixture is quite liquid. This may take a few minutes.

2. In a small bowl, mix Pectin and sugar together until incorporated. Add to mashed strawberries. Stir for 3 minutes.

3. Ladle into clean jam jars, leaving 1/2″ space at the top. Cap and let sit for 30 minutes. Store in your freezer until ready to use, or transfer to fridge and eat!

Jam keeps several weeks in the fridge or up to one year in the freezer.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Summer Fun Apron Swap!

Photobucket



You have just a few more days to join Abby over at A Feathered Nest for her "Summer Fun Apron Swap"...and for inspiration, she has also posted a great "Quick & Easy Apron Tutorial!"

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Wake up with caffeinated brownies? Yup, you read that right.

It is about time for some chocolate, don't you think? These brownies are ultra rich, ultra chewy, and ultra caffeinated. Enjoy them with a big glass of milk.

Freezing these brownies for a few days, then defrosting, made them much less potent on the coffee flavor, and also incredibly moist. If you make these and they have too much of a coffee taste, I highly recommend freezing and trying them after a few days.

Mocha Toffee Brownies
Makes one 9"-square pan

Image and recipe from Divine Domesticity

Cooking spray
2 tablespoons instant coffee granules
1/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/4 cup toffee chips

1. Preheat oven to 350-f degrees.

2. Coat bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.

3. Combine coffee and hot water, stirring until coffee dissolves.

4. Combine butter and chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at high 1 minute or until butter melts; stir until chocolate is smooth.

5. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine coffee mixture, butter mixture, vanilla, and eggs in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add coffee mixture to flour mixture; stir just until combined. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle evenly with toffee chips. Bake at 350º for 22 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

If they haven't all been gobbled up, store leftover brownies in an airtight container for up to a week or wrap tightly in aluminum foil and freeze for up to four months.

From Cooking Light

Monday, April 28, 2008

Apronista Giveaway Winner

Wow-aprons seem to be pretty popular for giveaways - we had 534 entries! Of course there can only be one winner, but the ladies at Flirty Aprons are generously giving 10% off to everyone who uses the code "apronista" - and don't forget, the day after Mother's Day is "Wear your Apron Out" day...what better incentive to get a pretty new apron to wear out all day? We are having a giveaway for everyone who posts their "wear your apron out" day pictures on the Apronista Network - If you haven't joined yet, the invitation is right here!

Oh, right, you wanna know who won, don't you?? No problem, I got it right here...
The winner of the Flirty Apron giveaway made the following comment:

Kayla said...
It's always so difficult to choose, but I narrowed it down to: Pink Chocolate-I'll be back with a link!

Congratulations Kayla! I will be emailing you with the details I need from you right away. Thanks to everyone who entered, and if you would like to be considered to sponsor a giveaway, just drop me a line at theapronista (at) gmail.com - we would be happy to have you!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Jan Carroll Mother's Day Giveaway

J. Carrell Originals is going to have a Mother’s Day Giveaway!




The Giveaway consists of a Pink Frilly Tea Apron, Teapot and Cozie along with a set of teapot cookie cutters. This will be a really nice gift for mom or yourself!





There are three ways to win:








The winner will be chosen by random drawing at 9:00 P.M. on May 4, 2008. Apron will be mailed the following Monday so that you will receive it in time for Mother’s Day. Good Luck!