Thursday, December 6, 2007

baking



And how does one counteract the effects of the Navman, you ask?

Cake! Cookies! Muffins! Brownies!

Here are two more of my FAVORITE Things, both of which were Christmas presents.

The first is 101 Things to do with a Cake Mix - a book full of recipes that have a box of cake mix as the main ingredient. My copy is well loved and used...I am even using it tonight! When I use it tonight I will be using ingredients that I have on hand and just need to use - have that in your pantry? I do.

I even used it the other day when I had a chocolate craving and found the perfect recipe for Death by Chocolate Cake. Here's the recipe for a tasting of what the book has to offer:

Death By Chocolate Cake

3/4 Cup Sour Cream
4 Eggs
1/2 Cup Water
1/2 Cup Oil
1 Chocolate Cake Mix
1 Small box instant chocolate pudding
1 Cup chocolate chips
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350*

Beat sour cream, eggs, water and oil together in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed. Add cake mix and pudding mix. Stir in chocolate chips. Place batter in greased and floured bundt pan.

Bake 45-55 minutes, or until a fork inserted into cake comes out clean.

While still hot invert cake onto a serving platter. When cool, sift powdered sugar over the top of cake.

*I had this with Cool Whip and it tasted like a Hostess Cupcake. Yum!

My second Favorite Thing ties in with baking and also just general cooking. It's my Kitchenaid Stand Mixer - courtesy of Matt a couple of years ago. Ever since I got this baby I can't imagine my kitchen without it. It helps me quickly bake cakes, cookies, brownies, shreds cheese, mashes potatoes...the uses go on and on.

OK, so one favorite thing is very affordable, the other is an investment. Both definitely worthwhile in my book.

Happy Day!

8 comments:

Seni said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Seni said...

I have the same mixer in slate. It was a Christmas gift last year but I have yet to use it. I plan to use it to make pumpkin cookies (a little late, right?). I cant wait to use it because of all the great things I have heard about it.

Your brother is coming over with my sister and brother-in-law next week for dinner. We are all going to cook together but maybe we could try to make that cake. That might be fun!

Anonymous said...

This sounds so good. I can't wait to try it!
Cheryl

Seni said...

I realized last night, I dont have a cake pan, do you think we could make cupcakes?

Ariana said...

Definitely! They will be rich cupcakes and you can unwrap them on the plates with Cool Whip. Mmmm!!!

Seni said...

So my sisters came over today to spend some time with me and we made the cupcakes! They loved them, so did A, he had two of them! If they make it through the weekend, I am sharing them with my co-workers.

Ariana said...

Yaa! Did you use the Kitchenaid???

Seni said...

Yes, I took it out of the box and used it for the first time. I love it!!!! I even made breakfast this morning for my sisters and used it to beat the eggs.

I am now going to use it all the time!!!