Monday, January 3, 2011

Let Him Eat Strawberry Cake

DESSERTS DON'T go well with New Year's resolutions, unless you resolve to eat them. For 2011, I've resolved to bake a birthday cake a month, starting with my dad's 60th birthday this weekend. My dad is a devout Dr. Oz worshiper but also has a hard time resisting dessert, so I knew he would have no qualms digging into a healthier strawberry cake covered in (not so healthy) vanilla glaze.


Yes, I'm aware the cake looks like it was designed for a 12-year-old girl, but he still loved it. I am going to tweak this recipe a little more because it's not quite as light as I would like. Please let me know if you have any changes to suggest! :-) Also, from this point on I'll be formatting my recipes on download-able cards. Just right click, select "Save Image as..." and enjoy!


DIRECTIONS
  1. Beat softened margarine, sugar, and strawberry gelatin together. Then, separating yolks and whites, mix eggs in little by little. Mix remaining dry ingredients flour and baking powder. Alternate flour mixture with milk into the batter, then blend in vanilla and strawberry purée (make sure to add a little bit of water/milk to your strawberries before puréeing).
  2. Grease and flour your cake pans. I used the recipe with two round 8" cake pans (to create a 2 layer cake), but I think 9" would work easily too. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

xoxo, margaret

    Thursday, December 30, 2010

    Cocktails & Countdowns

    PART OF THE FUN (OK, almost all of it) about New Year celebrations is drinking bubbly. Usually I pass on champagne because I find it to be too bland. It's not that I have it too much; in fact I rarely drink sparkling wine or any of the fancy schmancy stuff. For the holidays, I like to use flavored liqueurs and champagne to make glittering drinks... so for those of you eager to label me a lush, put a cork in it! ;-)


    DRYNESS & SWEETNESS SIMPLIFIED:











    This is a Strawberry cocktail that uses demi-sec wine (although any sparkling wine will do, really). It's fruity and delicious!

    INGREDIENTS
    • 4 fresh strawberries for garnish, 4 hulled and diced strawberries, distributed evenly
    • 4 teaspoons grenadine syrup
    • 4 ounces strawberry liqueur
    • 1 bottle sparkling wine, demi-secs pair well with desserts (and strawberries!)  

    Photo source unknown--but I will attribute if it's yours!

    Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011. Be happy and safe everyone!

    love,
    M A R G A R E T