Chocolate Nutella Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 cup margarine
2/3 cup cocoa
2 eggs
1/2 cup cream
1 cup water
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 cup Nutella
caramel ice cream topping

Directions:
1. Melt margarine and 1 tbsp. of Nutella. Add cocoa and mix until all blended.
2. Add the eggs, cream, vanilla, water, and sugar. Mix well.
3. Gradually add the flour and baking powder.
4. In lined muffin tins, scoop even amounts of batter into muffin liners. Squirt a quarter sized drop of caramel topping onto the unbaked cupcakes.
5. Bake in 350 degree F oven for 15-20 minutes.
6. Once completely cooled, cut out the centre of the cupcake. Melt the remaining Nutella and spoon into the middle. Put the top of the cupcake back on.
7. Top with favourite frosting or whipped cream.

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup water
salt & pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed
pinch each oregano & basil
1 tsp. flour

Directions:
1. In medium saucepan, heat margarine until melted. Add margarine and let simmer for about 5 minutes on low heat.
2. Add seasoning gradually, letting simmer after each addition.
4. Add 1 tsp. flour, whisk to thicken.
5. Pour on top of grilled chicken and fettuccine noodles, serve with warm garlic bread.

Lemon Cake

So this is the same recipe as Orange Cream Cake except the frosting is a lemon buttercreaem, that's the only difference. Need that recipe? Here you go:

Lemon Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients:
1 cup margarine or butter, softened & whipped
2 1/2 cups icing sugar (may need more)
2 tbsp. cream
2 tsp. lemon juice (more or less depending on preference)

Directions:
1. Add lemon juice and cream to butter, cream together.
2. Gradually add icing sugar until you've reached desired consistency.
3. Spread on cake of choice and enjoy :)

I added two photos simply because I'm proud of my piping skills and how they've been improving =D)

baking can be therapeutic...

This week, my cousin of the same age as myself passed away from a quading accident. Like most people, I've cried -alot-, talked about it, looked at photos from years past, and shared memories.

I've dealt with death before but never of someone this close in age.

So for my therapy, I've been baking. I mean, I'm always baking something, but it was different now. I didn't rush through it so I could fit something more into my day. I took my time and tried a new recipe. Same idea as an old one, but new approach. I took my time and tried to process things.

My family was all upstairs so I couldn't have music playing. It was hard to get into my little baking bubble that I'm usually in, but in a way it helped, because I needed to focus more and pay attention.

I don't know if this is making any sense to those who are reading, but yeah. When I finished the cake, I couldn't believe how much of my heart and soul went into making it. When I was tired of crying, my heart went to something else. Something that will bless my friends tonight as we gather for out writers party before spring break.



Cousins; Britni, Dante, myself.


I lift my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth.
- Psalm 121:1

Cream Cheese Pizza Dip

Cream Cheese Pizza Dip

Ingredients:
1 block cream cheese (8 ounce)
2 tbsp. italian salad dressing
3/4 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup pizza sauce

Directions:
1. In small bowl, mix together the cream cheese and dressing. Press into the bottom of 9 inch oven-proof bowl.
2. Pour the pizza sauce over the cream cheese mixture and sprinkle the top with cheese.
3. Place in preheated 350 degree F oven until cheese is melted and bubbling. Serve with fresh French bread.


Sorry for the bad photo, I had friends over for a party thing and I didn't have time to make it look all fancy and such...

Orange Cream Cake

Orange Cream Cake

Please note: this recipe gives one 9 inch cake. In the photo I used two recipes to get two 9 inch cakes for the layered cake. This recipe will only give one layer.

Ingredients:
2 3/4 cup flour*
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 cup milk or light cream
1 tsp. vanilla
orange zest

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
3. In large bowl, whisk together to egg whites until foamy. Gradually add 1/2 cup of sugar until soft peaks form. Gradually add the rest of the sugar, again, until soft peaks form.
4. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk, in about 3 parts, beginning and ending with the flour, beat well.
5. In 9-inch springform pan, line with either parchement paper, wax paper, or grease with non-stick spray (ex. Pam). Pour batter into cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until inserted toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs on it.
6. Cool in pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling wrack to finish cooling.


*You may use either cake flour or all-purpose flour. I've tried both and they both give the same great result.


Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
1 block cream cheese (8 ounce), softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 tsp. squeezed orange juice
Enough icing sugar to give the consistancy you desire.

Directions:
1. Cream together to butter and cream cheese until smooth.
2. Add the lemon juice and mix well.
3. Gradually add in the icing sugar, mixing well until all is incorporated.
4. Spread over both cake layers, garnish with orange zest or orange slices.

Simply Pasta

Simply Pasta

Ingredients:
1 large handfull spaghetti (so basically, enough for roughly two people)
1 can crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp. tomato paste
1/2. clove garlic, minced
1 small handfull red onion, chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
2 medium sized mushrooms, sliced thin
Red Cooking Wine
Olive Oil
Basil

Directions:
1. Boil one medium pot of water with a sprinkling of salt, add spaghetti and let cook while making sauce.
2. In small pot, add a small splash of olive oil. Heat until runny, add carrots. Sautee until tender, add onion, mushroom and garlic. Sautee until onions turn a nice golden colour and mushrooms are soft.
3. Add a splash of wine, let simmer for about 5 minutes.
4. Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, stir until well combined. Add basil and let simmer until pasta is done cooking.
5. Drain pasta, serve with sauce and enjoy.


Sorry, there is no photo because I was in a hurry (I had to eat, clean up, change, and get to work all in 30 minutes by the time this was finished, I hope you understand).