FOOD RECIPES : CLASSIC YELLOW CAKE

CLASSIC YELLOW CAKE Food Recipes, Everyone needs a great classic yellow cake recipe, so I would like to share mine. It is very moist, has a wonderful "scratch cake" flavor and texture and even though there are several steps in the recipe, they are all quick and easy.

1 cup butter (room temperature) no substitutions

1½ cups granulated sugar

8 egg YOLKS   (yes, EIGHT!!)

3/4 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups cake flour  (see note below)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat your oven to 350° and grease and flour two 9" cake pans that are at least 2" deep (this cake rises a lot!!)

Sift the cake flour, baking powder and salt together and set aside (I sift it twice).

Beat the butter and sugar together, on high, for two or three minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl about once a minute.

Add the egg YOLKS, one at a time (important), beating well in between each yolk. Add the vanilla.

Now you will need to add the flour alternately with the milk; start with flour and ending with flour. Make sure you scrape the sides of the bowl once in a while. I add the flour about 1/2 cup at a time, then add a little milk, then another half cup of flour. Batter will be very thick, like this:

Divide batter into two prepared pans evenly; I like to use this recipe for cupcakes. If you make cupcakes, only fill the papers about 1/3 full.

Bake 9" layers in preheated 350° oven for 25-30 minutes. If you are making cupcakes, bake them for about 20 minutes or until golden on top. With either pan, the cake will spring back a little when lightly touched when it's fully cooked.

Cool the layer cakes about 10 minutes before you remove them from the pans. If you make cupcakes, just cool them for 2 or 3 minutes before you remove them from the pans.

NOTE: This recipe calls for two cups of cake flour. If you don't have any, you can substitute the following: put 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a 1 cup measuring cup and then fill the cup with all purpose flour. This is a great substitution for cake flour. You will need to do this twice...once for each cup.
CLASSIC YELLOW CAKE FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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FOOD RECIPES : Super Moist Chocolate Cupcakes

Super Moist Chocolate Cupcakes Food Recipes,

I found this quick, easy, delightful recipe on the For the Love of Cooking web site. It makes one dozen super moist, super chocolate-y, super yummy cupcakes. This recipe is going into my "5 star file", that is for sure.

1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons flour
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup canola oil (I used vegetable oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup BOILING water

Preheat the oven to 350° and line a cupcake pan with 12 paper liners.

Sift together all of the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Add the egg, milk, oil and vanilla and beat together with an electric mixer until combined.

Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the boiling water, mix until just combined but smooth.

The batter will be very watery looking, so don't be alarmed.  Pour the batter evenly into the paper liners.

Bake in preheated oven for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick tests clean. Remove from oven and cool before frosting.

Do you have a craving for chocolate?

Give this a try, they are great.

Super Moist Chocolate Cupcakes FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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FOOD RECIPES : PEANUT BUTTER SNACK CAKE

PEANUT BUTTER SNACK CAKE Food Recipes, Are you old enough to remember the snack cake craze? Simple sweet cakes made for no special occasion, other than to just "snack on"; they were great. I don't  know when, or why, they faded from the scene, but I've decided to bring them back into my kitchen as a welcome change from the ever present cookie jar. Peanut butter cake, studded with mini-chocolate chips and frosted with a peanut butter and honey frosting...what's not to love?!

This cake is delicious and, if kept covered, stays moist for several days. The recipe ingredients listed here are for a 10" round cake, but you can double the ingredients and bake it in a 9"x13" pan as well.

1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter (room temperature)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup semi-sweet mini-chocolate chips

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the flour, sugar, peanut butter and butter until it is crumbly.

Add the rest of the ingredients (except the chocolate chips) and mix on low speed until everything is well combined, then mix on med-high speed for three minutes.

Dust the mini-chocolate chips with a tablespoon of flour and then shake off the excess (this will keep them from sinking in the batter as they bake). Stir chips into the batter.

Bake in a greased and floured 10" round pan at 350° fir 35-40 minutes or until toothpick tests clean (my electric oven took 35 minutes).

Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then turn out onto serving plate.

FROST THIS CAKE WHILE STILL HOT!!

PEANUT BUTTER AND HONEY FROSTING

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups powdered sugar

4 to 5 tablespoons milk

Warm the peanut butter and honey in the microwave until it is soft but not melted. Add the rest of the ingredients and beat with electric mixer until smooth and creamy.  FROST CAKE WHILE STILL HOT.

NOTE:  If you double this recipe for a 9"x13" cake, 

make sure you double the frosting as well.



PEANUT BUTTER SNACK CAKE FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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FOOD RECIPES : COLD OVEN POUND CAKE

COLD OVEN POUND CAKE Food Recipes, I've been making this cold oven pound cake for over 25 years and it has never failed me. It is a wonderful old recipe that you start baking in a COLD oven. An hour and five minutes later, you have perfection in taste, texture, sweetness, moisture and shape.

1 pound powdered sugar (4 cups, see note)

1/2 pound of butter (room temperature)

4 large eggs

3 cups all purpose flour (see note)

1 cup warm water

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1 teaspoon coconut extract

This recipe calls for 1 pound of powdered sugar, but that was an inconvenient measurement for me, so I got out my new handy-dandy kitchen scale and (fluffed, scooped, leveled) it was exactly 4 cups.
DO NOT PREHEAT OVEN. Cream the room temperature butter and the powdered sugar together with electric mixer until it is very fluffy (this will take 2-3 minutes). Beat in egg's one at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl between eggs (to make sure it gets mixed well).

In separate bowl, measure out 3 cups of flour and stir in the baking powder. NOTE: to measure each cup of flour, sift it into a cup and level off the top with a straight edge. If you just dip your measuring cup into the flour, you will be getting too much flour.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternately, with the warm water. I usually do this in thirds. Stir in extracts. The final flavor of the cake has a very mild lemon flavor, you won't really taste the coconut extract, but it really adds something to the overall flavor of the cake.
Pour cake batter into a well greased and floured 10" bundt pan (I use a cooking spray with flour in it).  Shake the pan just a little to eliminate any small air pockets in the batter.

Put pan into COLD oven. Turn the oven to 350°F and set the timer for 1 hour and 5 minutes. Remove cake from oven and let it sit in the pan (on a rack) for 10 minutes, then turn it out.

Wrap the HOT cake tightly with plastic wrap (I do this to all of my cakes) and let it cool to room temperature before frosting.

This is the perfect cake for strawberry shortcake, petit fours, or just snacking!!



COLD OVEN POUND CAKE FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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FOOD RECIPES : APPLE CAKE

APPLE CAKE Food Recipes, Many years ago, a older lady named Virginia Spreen gave me this wonderful recipe. It is one of those great old recipes that turns out perfect every time and even improves on day two and three. No electric mixer is used with this cake, just a sturdy spoon. It's down home flavor and texture reminds me of one of grandma's delicous cakes!!

4 cups peeled and diced Rome apples
1½ cups white sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
.
Mix the above ingredients together and let stand at room temperature for an hour to extract some of the juice from the apples (juice goes into the recipe later)This is an important step, don't leave it out..

In large mixing bowl, combine (and set aside)

3 cups all purpose flour
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
.
Add the following to the chopped apple-sugar mixture and mix well
,
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup vegetable oil
2 beaten eggs
.
Combine the dry ingredients to the apple mixture (extracted juice from apples and all) and mix with a large spoon (do not use electric mixer).
.
Pour into a greased and floured bundt cake pan or an angel food pan. Bake at 350F for 1 hour and 10-15 minutes. Make sure you use the toothpick test to see if it is done after one hour and 10 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes then turn the cake out of the pan. Wrap hot cake in plastic wrap to cool.

People ask me why I wrap my cakes in plastic wrap while they are still very hot. The simple answer is that it not only keeps the cake extremely moist, but it enhances the flavor. I'm not sure "why" it works so well, but I use this method on EVERY cake I bake.
NOTE: Grease and flour cake pan liberally. I use the vegetable spray that has flour already in it, and that works fine.
.
NOTE: Store this cake covered, because the apples in the cake will continue to make this cake more moist (it is actually better on day two and three).

NOTE: Any apple will work with this recipe, but I find that Rome apples taste the best (Granny Smiths work too, but are a little tart). Dice the apples in a little less than ½" squares (the size of dice is not critical). Do not use food processor...it cuts them too small.
APPLE CAKE FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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FOOD RECIPES : PUMPKIN SPICE CUPCAKES

PUMPKIN SPICE CUPCAKES Food Recipes, This is a wonderful recipe for several reasons: the cupcakes are super moist and tender, they are mildly spiced and the batter goes together with one bowl and a whisk; what could be easier? They are so tasty, that they really don't need a frosting, although I like to serve them frosted with a simple maple flavored butter cream (pumpkin and maple are MADE for each other). Everyone loves these simple cupcakes!!

In a large bowl, mix together with a whisk:

(1)  15 ounce can of pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 2/3  cup of granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
(scant) 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
(scant) 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Whisk together until very well mixed, then add:

2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Mix well, then stir in 1/2 cup of raisins (optional).

Fill cupcake papers 3/4 full.  Bake in a 350 oven for 23-25 minutes (my electric oven takes 23 minutes) or until toothpick tests clean.  Remove and cool.

After the cupcakes have cooled, dust the tops with powdered sugar or frost with your favorite frosting.

I never measure my "everyday" frosting, but here's a stab at it:

Melt 3 tablespoons butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon maple extract.
Add 1 to 1½ cups of powdered sugar and a couple tablespoons of cream.  Whisk till smooth. If it seems a little to dry, add another tablespoon of cream.  If it seems a little too wet, had another spoon of powdered sugar.  

MAKES 24 CUPCAKES

PUMPKIN SPICE CUPCAKES FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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FOOD RECIPES : NO ROLL JELLY ROLL

NO ROLL JELLY ROLL Food Recipes, Last year, I posted a recipe for an old fashioned jelly roll cake.  I heard from several people who said they had fond memories of their mom or grandma making jelly rolls, but they were afraid to make one themselves because they were nervous about rolling the cake.

Rolling the cake isn't hard, as long as you follow a few strict rules, but it IS messy with all of the "sprinkle towel with powdered sugar" stuff. That is why I came up with this "NO ROLL JELLY ROLL".  I think it is every bit as pretty as the classic jelly roll Grandma used to make but it is MUCH EASIER !!

This is definitely going on my holiday table this year

Basically, I baked the same 10 x 15 sponge cake that I use in the jelly roll, but I cut it into thirds and stacked them with jam in between each layer and on the top, then drizzled vanilla glaze over. I'm very happy with how it turned out. It is so simple, I know I will be making it a lot more often.

3 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon butter extract (see note)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup water (see note)
1 cup CAKE FLOUR
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup jelly or jam  (see note)

Preheat oven to 375 then line a 10" x 15" pan with parchment paper and spray the paper with cooking spray, set aside.

Beat the eggs, on high, until very thick and lemon colored (takes about 5 minutes).  After five minutes, and while the mixer is still running on high, slowly add the sugar.

Put the butter extract into a 1/3 measuring cup and then fill the cup with water (extract + water should = 1/3 cup). Add the extract-water and vanilla extract to the egg mixture and mix well.

Sift the cake flour, baking powder and salt into the egg mixture and beat just until the batter is smooth (I do this step with a whisk).

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in preheated 375 oven for 12-15 minutes (my electric oven takes 15 minutes) or until toothpick in center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and slide a sharp knife around the edges of the cake to loosen them.  Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing.

Place waxed paper or saran wrap on a cookie sheet (spray the paper/plastic wrap with cooking spray) and turn the cake out onto the cookie sheet.  This will help you transport the cake while its still hot.  The cake is much easier to cut and handle if its chilled, so I put the cake in the freezer for about half an hour before I tried to cut it.

When you are ready to assemble the cake, slice a VERY THIN edge off of each side of the cake (not necessary, but looks prettier).  Cut the cake in thirds.

Place the bottom layer on a serving plate and spread with jam (stir the jam to loosen it up before spreading). Repeat with next two layers.

Spread jam on the top of the cake and then drizzle with vanilla glaze. 

VANILLA GLAZE

1/3 cup melted butter

2 cups powdered sugar

1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon almond extract

2 tablespoons milk

Mix all together with a whisk.

NOTE: This recipe works best with a jam that doesn't have big pieces of fruit in it. Personally, I like Smuckers Simply Fruit; it not only tastes great but its PERFECT for this cake. Just make sure you stir or whisk the jam before spreading it, it will soften up and get smooth.

NOTE: If you do not have butter extract, just double the vanilla extract.

NOTE: This cake gets more moist after it sits for a few hours because the jam sinks into the cake a little.

NO ROLL JELLY ROLL FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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FOOD RECIPES : CREAM CHEESE POUND CAKE

CREAM CHEESE POUND CAKE Food Recipes, Don't let this unassuming photo deter you from this recipe. This is, by far, one of the best cakes we've had in a  very long time. It is everything you want in a pound cake... it is tender, it has a very fine crumb, it is sweet and rich. Whether you are slicing it up for the perfect strawberry shortcake or serving it with a big scoop of ice cream, this is the perfect cake ...even for the most picky guests!!

1½ cups butter at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
3 cups granulated sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups cake flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

In a LARGE bowl, with electric mixer, beat the room temperture butter for about a minute.  Add the room temperature cream cheese and beat for two more minutes (it should look light and fluffy). It is very important that both of these ingredients are at room temperature.

Gradually sprinkle in the sugar (while your mixer is running) 1/2 cup at a time; beat well.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg. Mix in extracts.

Measure out 3 cups of CAKE FLOUR and 1/8 tsp. salt, then sift it all.  Add slowly to butter mixture, on low speed, mixing well after each addition.

Generously grease AND FLOUR a 10" bundt pan (I used my angel food pan).  Bake in
preheated 300 degree oven for 1 hour 40 minutes, or till toothpick tests clean.

Fairly nondescript looking at this stage, don't let that sway you.  The genius of this recipe is in the taste. The combination of butter and cream cheese makes this cake to die for.

Let the cake cool, in the pan, for 15 minutes before you turn it out, then cover it with plastic wrap, directly on the surface of the hot cake, until it is completely cool. Frost as desired (we like a light maple frosting).

NOTE:  Yes, 300 degree oven is correct.

NOTE: Don't be tempted to grease your pan with vegetable spray. Make sure you grease and flour your pan well (tap out excess flour). This cake tends to want to stick a little, so if you are using an intricate bundt pan, make sure you grease and flour it well.

NOTE: Make sure you sift the cake flour. I know it is a pain, but cake flour tends to clump more than all purpose flour, so this step is important. You CAN make this cake with all purpose flour, but you won't get that very fine crumb that is so delicious.
CREAM CHEESE POUND CAKE FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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FOOD RECIPES : MANGO CAKE

MANGO CAKE Food Recipes, This cake brings rave reviews and is a nice change from the predictable pineapple upside-down cake. The cake is sweet, very light and tender and the fruit keeps it deliciously moist. We ate it warm, with ice cream after dinner tonight.

Preheat your oven to 350F and spray a round 9" x 2" cake pan with vegetable spray. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and then spray it again.

BOILED SYRUP LAYER (goes under the batter)
1 cup white sugar
¼ teaspoon lemon juice
¼ cup cold water
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arrange one pound of small diced mango in the bottom of the parchment lined cake pan, and sprinkle VERY LIGHTLY with some cinnamon sugar. Note: I threw in a few maraschino cherry pieces for color.

In a heavy bottomed  sauce pan, stir 1 cup sugar + lemon juice and cold water together. Bring to boil on medium heat, stirring once in a while, until it starts to turn amber. Watch carefully, because once it starts to turn color, because it will darken quickly. After it turns light amber, pour evenly over the mango and set aside while you make the batter.

CAKE LAYER
1½ cups all purpose flour
1¾ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup butter (room temperature)
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
.
In a small bowl, mix flour, baking powder, ginger and cinnamon together, set aside. In another small bowl, mix milk and vanilla extract, set aside.
.
With electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter for one minute, or until it is light and fluffy; add brown sugar and beat on high for 3 minutes. Reduce speed and add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Make sure you scrape down the sides of the bowl once in a while.

Now you need to mix in the milk mixture and the flour mixture, but make sure you alternate (dry...milk...dry...milk etc.). Scrape down the bowl and give it one final mix but don't mix too long. Pour the batter over the mango and syrup layer.

Bake at 350F for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean (it takes 45 minutes in my electric oven). Remove from oven and let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Run a thin knife around the edge to loosen, then invert on a serving plate and peel off the parchment paper; serve warm. This cake is excellent with whipped cream or ice cream.

NOTE: Do not make this in a spring form pan because the sauce might leak out.

NOTE: You can make this with almost any kind of fruit, blueberries work nicely too.

NOTE: The fruit might appear quite wet when you first invert the cake, but as it cools off, the sauce thickens considerably.
MANGO CAKE FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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FOOD RECIPES : CAKE MIX FIX

CAKE MIX FIX Food Recipes, I am not a big fan of cake mixes, but I DO enjoy a good cake mix based recipe. I recently tried this versatile, ultra moist and flavorful recipe; it was a huge hit with my family.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can change the flavor combination to just about anything you can imagine, since the main ingredients are just a commercial cake mix, similar flavor  pudding mix and similar flavor baking chips.

Today, I made a butterscotch version of this recipe, using a yellow cake mix, butterscotch pudding mix and butterscotch baking chips....yum!!!  (see flavor combo suggestions below).

The original recipe was for a chocolate version; here is the basic recipe:

(1) 18¼ ounce devils food cake mix (ignore the directions on the box)
(1) 5.9 ounce instant chocolate pudding mix (ignore the directions on the box)
2 cups semi-sweet MINI chocolate chips (see note)
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water

IMPORTANT FIRST STEP: Put the DRY cake mix, DRY pudding mix and mini chocolate chips in a large mixing bowl and stir to coat the chocolate chips (this will keep the chips from sinking in the batter when you bake the cake).

Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until very smooth. The directions say to bake at 350 in a well greased 12 cup bundt pan, for 50 to 55 minutes, but I opted for cupcakes and I baked them with paper cupcake liners at 350 for 25 minutes. Test with toothpick for doneness.

If you are using the bundt pan, the recipe says to cool the cake in the pan for at least 1½ hours before removing. Since I made cupcakes, I let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes.

NOTE: This recipe calls for MINI chocolate chips because they do not sink like the full size chocolate chips tend to. However, today I used butterscotch chips (which do not come in the mini size) so I put them in the food processor and chopped them up and it worked well.

NOTE: Flavor combinations are endless. Next time, I'm trying a Cherry Chip cake mix + vanilla pudding + cherry mini baking chips (chips sold by King Arthur)...what a great idea for kids!!!  Other combos that sound good are chocolate cake + chocolate pudding + chocolate mint chips or even peanut butter chips....Just remember to run the chips through the food processor if they are full size chips.
CAKE MIX FIX FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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FOOD RECIPES : SWEET CHERRY COFFEE CAKE

SWEET CHERRY COFFEE CAKE Food Recipes, This coffee cake is sweet, moist and perfect for Sunday morning. I made it with frozen dark sweet cherries, but it works just as well with fresh raspberries.

It is excellent warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

2 cups frozen dark sweet cherries (thawed and drained well)

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter room temperature
½ cup sliced almonds
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 cup sour cream

Thaw and drain the frozen dark sweet cherries completely (I put them in a colander overnight in the fridge). The next morning, drain completely, cut the cherries in half and mix with the brown sugar and almond extract. Set aside.

Beat butter till creamy, add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, add extracts and sour cream, mix well. Add dry ingredients and beat until smooth.

Spread 2/3 of the batter into greased 9" spring form pan. Top with fruit and then spoon dollops of the remaining 1/3 of the batter, over the fruit, like this:

Sprinkle the sliced almond over the top of everything and sprinkle it with a little cinnamon sugar.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Let the coffee cake cool in the pan for about 15 minute before removing it. Drizzle the cake with a simple vanilla glaze.

GLAZE
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

IMPORTANT NOTE: When you thaw the frozen dark sweet cherries, you will get a considerable amount of "juice". DO NOT USE that juice in this recipe (save it for a different recipe). However, after they are drained and you mix the cherries with the brown sugar and almond extract (after it sits a few minutes) you will get even MORE "juice"...make sure you use this extra juice in the recipe.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  This recipe calls for a 9" spring form pan, but you can make it in a regular 9" round cake pan. The spring form pan just makes for a prettier presentation. IF YOU USE A SPRING FORM PAN, make sure you wrap the bottom of the pan in foil, in case your pan does not have a super tight seal (I also set the whole thing on a baking sheet).
SWEET CHERRY COFFEE CAKE FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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FOOD RECIPES : BEST CARROT CAKE IN THE WORLD

BEST CARROT CAKE IN THE WORLD Food Recipes, Carrot Cake recipes are a dime a dozen, everyone has one. I have been making the same old recipe (not this one) for as long as I can remember, but today's post is replacing that old recipe card for sure. This recipe is SO good ...full of carrots, pineapple, coconut, pecans and raisins; it is beyond delicious.

DESSERT IDEA - NOT JUST A CUPCAKE

 While still warm,  slice the cupcakes, vertically into 4-5 slices and

arranged them on a dessert plate and top the slices with a big

dollop of vanilla whipped cream. It made a wonderful dessert!!

The rest of the cupcakes went into the cookie jar.

3/4 cup buttermilk
3 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1½ cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup flaked coconut (do not pack)
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped pecans (I use walnuts)
8 ounce can of crushed pineapple with juice

Preheat oven to 350 and put paper cupcake liners in cupcake pan (recipe makes 2 dozen cupcakes).

Mix the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a small bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix eggs, buttermilk, oil, sugar and vanilla, mix well, beat in flour mixture and mix well.

Stir in carrots, coconut, nuts,  pineapple and raisins. Let batter sit for about 5 minutes. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full (an ice cream scoop works well for this).

Bake in preheated 350 oven for 25-30 minutes (my oven took 25 minutes). Cool and frost.

These cupcakes just keep getting more and more moist (if you keep them covered).

BEST CARROT CAKE IN THE WORLD FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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CHERRY-ALMOND COFFEE CAKE

CHERRY-ALMOND COFFEE CAKE Food Recipes, A lot of us have company over the holidays and it is always nice to having something tasty to serve with coffee or tea. This recipe is not only pretty, but would be wonderful for company of all ages.  Picky-picky hubby loves cherry, so I made this with cherry pie filling, but ANY pie filling would work well.

This cake is moist, rich and "holiday perfect" !!

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter room temperature
½ cup sliced almonds
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 cup sour cream
1 (14 oz) can cherry pie filling (see note)

Grease a 9” spring form bundt pan. Beat butter till creamy, add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, add extracts and sour cream, mix well. Add dry ingredients and beat until smooth. Spread half of batter into prepared pan. Top with half of pie filling (see important note below) and half of the almonds. Spoon remaining batter into pan and spread out. Top with the remaining pie filling and almonds.


Bake at 350° preheated oven for 45-60 minutes (my oven takes 52 minutes). Test with toothpick to make sure its done. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with a vanilla glaze.

NOTE: Recipe says to use a whole can of pie filling, but I use the whole cherries in the pie filling and only about ¾ of the “goo”.
CHERRY-ALMOND COFFEE CAKE FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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APPLE SNACK CAKE

APPLE SNACK CAKE Food Recipes, Many years ago, "snack cakes" were all the rage. They were quick to fix, usually rich flavored, moist and dense little cakes and they were almost always baked in an 8" x 8" or 9" x 9" pan. They were perfect for... "snacking!!"

This snack cake is over the top delicious. Three whole apples are packed into this cake, so you can imagine how moist it is.  On day two (if there is any left) it is twice as moist!!

½ cup butter (room temperature)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
3 medium apples, chopped
½ cup chopped walnuts
1 cup flour
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla

Grease a 9" x 9" baking pan and preheat your oven to 350.

Cream butter and sugar, then add egg and vanilla and beat until fluffy, add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg and beat until smooth. Fold in apples and walnuts.

Mix (by hand) just until everything is well combined. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until toothpick tests clean (my oven took 43 minutes).  Frost with simple vanilla glaze if you like (but it isn't necessary).

NOTE: Use any good baking apple, I like to use Granny Smiths.
APPLE SNACK CAKE FOOD RECIPES
By Coleen Marie

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