However-You-Want-It Pizza

However-You-Want-It Pizza

Sauce:
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
3 tbsp. tomato paste
2 tbsp. basil
1 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. oregano

Cheese:
2 1/2 cups shredded cheese
3 drops liquid smoke

Dough:
2 cups flour
2 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cup water
2 tbsp. olive oil

Directions:
1. Mix together all ingredients for the sauce.
2. With the cheese, add the three drops of liquid smoke*.
3. (Dough) Combine the flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the water and oil slowly, kneading it well.
4. Roll out dough on a baking/pizza stone to form one large, thin 12 inch round crust*. Add the sauce and cheese and whatever ingredients you'd like.
5. Baking in 475 degree F oven for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is golden brown.

*Adding the liquid smoke to the cheese gives this pizza a nice deep flavour. This is optional, but tastes much better if added.
*When rolling out the dough, instead of using flour on the bottom to keep it from sticking to the stone, use cornstarch. It gives a softer crust and doesn't dry it out like flour would.

Chocolate Peppermint Cake

Chocolate Peppermint Cake

Ingredients:
1 cup margarine
1/2 cup cocoa
1 egg
1 cup water
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:
1. In microwave, melt margarine and mix in cocoa.
2. Add remaining ingredients in order listed.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes in 350 degree F. oven.
4. Let cool, then you can either frost it whole (with recipe below), or cut out the middle to get the look of a wreath (like I did).



Peppermint Frosting

Ingredients:
1/2 block (4 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 tsp. peppermint extract
Icing Sugar
Green food colouring

Directions:
1. In medium sized bowl, mix cream cheese and peppermint extract.
2. Add enough icing sugar to get a consistancy that you are pleased with (1 cup? 2 cups? It's up to you). Add one or two drops of green food colouring to give it that festive feel.
3. Garnish with crushed candy canes.

French Vanilla Cake w/Cream Cheese Icing

French Vanilla Cake w/Cream Cheese Icing
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup white sugar
4 eggs, room temperature
2 cups white flour
1 package french vanilla instant pudding mix
2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:
1. Mix together all the dry ingredients in small bowl, set aside.
2. Cream together the butter and white sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Alternately add the milk and the dry ingredients into the liquids, starting and ending with the milk. Fold together until everything is well blended.
4. Bake in 12 inch springform pan for 20-25 minutes in preheated 350 degree F. oven.


Cream Cheese Icing:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 block cream cheese (8 ounce)
4 cups icing sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:
1. Cream together the butter and cream cheese, add the vanilla.
2. Add the icing sugar and mix well.
4. Spread over prepared cake and garnish with lemon of orange zest.

Thanksgiving Ideas?

Hello readers!

So, in the time that I have had this blog I haven't written any frustrations down, and I think it's time I add one. Why on earth do almost ALL Thanksgiving desserts have pumpkin or apple in them? I mean, I understand that pumpkings and apples are in season this time of year, and the colours are gorgeous, but why?

Isn't there something else that we could put into recipes that most people have on hand? Or why can't we ever find a recipe that is simple and doesn't have those two things in it, but is still festive? I just don't understand.

So, if any of you actually follow this, which for some reason I doubt it...I have a challenge for you. Try and find a recipe that you love (or create one!) that is still festive, but doesn't involve pumpkin or apples.
I'd love to see what you come up with!


P.S. Have you noticed? I finally learned how to put up a photo with my post! No more "Picture: link"!!!!! I'm excited...and you should be too!

Vanilla Cupcakes w/Buttercream Frosting

Vanilla Cupcakes w/Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. cream

Directions:
1. Cream together the margarine and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
2. Add the flour and baking powder alternately with the cream until fully mixed.
3. Pour into lined muffin tins and bake for 15-20 minutes in 350 degree F. oven.
4. Once cooled, decorate as desired with buttercream frosting (recipe below).


Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
2 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. cream
food colouring, if desired

Directions:
1. Cream the margarine until smooth. Add the confectioners sugar, vanilla and cream. Blend together until smooth and creamy.
2. Add desired food colouring and mix well.
3. Decorate over cupcakes and enjoy :)

Chocolate Chip Cookies - With a Twist

Chocolate Chip Cookies - With a Twist
Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (1.34ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the pudding mix, eggs and vanilla, mix well.
2. Slowly add in the flour and baking soda, mix until just blended.
3. Add the chocolate chips.
4. Bake in 375 degree F. oven for 7-10 minutes. Enjoy :)

Vanilla Buttercake w/Cream Cheese Frosting

Vanilla Buttercake
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups white flour
4 rounded tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
4 egg whites
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup milk*
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and 1/2 cup sugar. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl with electric mixer, whisk the egg whites until foamy. Add 1/4 cup sugar and whisk on high until soft peaks form (creating a meringue).
3. In another bowl, cream together the butter and remaining 1/4 cup sugar until fluffy. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the milk until well blended.
4. Gently fold in the meringue so that is stays light and fluffy.
5. Distribute into two 9 inch springform pans and bake at 350 degrees F. for 20-25 minutes.
6. Once cooled, frost (cream cheese frosting recipe below) and decorate as desired.


*Instead of using milk, you can also you coconut milk. It create great moisture in the cake and adds a unique flavour. You can also use 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup of liquid coffee creamer (be sure to stay within the vanilla/nutty flavours, otherwise the colour and flavour would be very off; try using White Chocolate Macadamia Nut flavour :D).


Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
2 packages (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2ish cups icing sugar
2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:
1. Cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add the icing sugar slowly with the vanilla.
2. Frost over your favourite cake or cupcakes!