Strawberry Shortcake Minis

I had a party recently and made these adorable mini strawberry shortcakes. They looked adorable on the sweet table, and stayed neat. These are a lot simpler than making a full cake.

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

5 eggs, separated

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups white sugar

canned dairy whipped cream

DIRECTIONS:

-preheat an oven to 375ºF (190ºC)

-grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking dish.

-whisk the flour together with cornstarch, and baking powder in a mixing bowl.

-beat the egg yolks in a small bowl with the vanilla extract until smooth; set aside.

-whip the egg whites with an electric mixer, slowly add the sugar to the egg whites, until the sugar is incorporated and the whites are stiff..

-fold in the yolk mixture until almost fully blended into the whites.

-fold in the flour mixture until just combined.

-scrape the batter into the prepared baking dish. 

-bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 22 to 25 minutes.

-cool in the pan for 10 minutes.

-with a round cutter or bottom of a cup, cut as many circles as you can.

-whip your cream in a circular motion on top of each cake.

-decorate with 2-3 sliced strawberries on top.               

preparation: 35 minutes

bake time: 25 minutes

yields: 10-12 servings

notes: you may also bake these in seperate small cake pans, just be sure to bake it for a little less time, and check on it often. hope you enjoy!

credits: Arielle B.

Carrot Cake

Not only is this the best carrot cake recipe out there, it is also healthy with 4 full cups of grated carrots!! This is a nut free recipe. This cake is extremely moist and will stay great for even a few days. And the frosting is definitely my favorite part. So go ahead try it out, you wont be disappointed!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
4 eggs
1 cup oil
4 cups loosely grated carrots

glaze:

4 tablespoons margarine, melted
8 ounces cream cheese
2 teaspoons milk
3 1/2 cups powder sugar
1/2 teaspoons vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

-preheat oven to 350ºF
-mix flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon
-add rest of ingredients, and mix
-grease and flour a bundt pan, pour in the batter
-bake for 40 minutes
-combine glaze ingredients and pour over cake

preparation: 20 minutes
bake time: 40 minutes
yields: 12 servings

notes: this is truly the best carrot cake I have ever tasted, I'm so glad my friend was willing to give me this recipe. Alternatives for the glaze: you may use oil instead of margarine. For a non-dairy glaze you may replace the milk for creamer, and use tofu cream cheese. Add more or less sugar to create a thicker or thinner glaze.

credits: Miriam H.

Fondant

INGREDIENTS:

6 cups confectionary sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon almond extract
food coloring

DIRECTIONS:

-stir all ingredients in a double boiler until melted
-pour fondant over cake, starting from center and moving out in a circular motion. touch up sides with a spatula.               

preparation: 5 minutes
cook: 10 minutes

notes: this recipe is for white fondant, add food coloring for desired color.

Brownies

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

-preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC)
-mix cocoa and baking soda
-mix 1/2 cup oil and water, add to mixture and mix
-add the rest of the ingredients and mix well
-pour into a 9x13 pan
-bake for 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean

preparation: 20 minutes
baking: 35 minutes
yields: 12 servings

notes: do not overbake, or it will not come out moist. After 35 minutes, a toothpick inserted in the center should not be liquidy/battery. it is ok if it comes out crumy.

Marble Cake

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
2 teaspoons vanilla sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
6 eggs
1 tablespoon cocoa

DIRECTIONS:
-preheat oven to 325ºF
-mix all ingredients together except cocoa
-pour 2/3 of batter into bundt pan
-mix cocoa with rest of batter, and pour into pan
-swirl with a spatula for a marble effect
-bake for 45 minutes

preparation: 20 minutes
baking: 45 minutes
yields: 10 servings

notes: don't have a mixer handy? no worries, this recipe can be done using a fork as well.

Mississippi Mud Pie

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 sticks of margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs
1/2 cup cocoa
3/4 c flour
1/2 teaspoo baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

topping:

1/2 cup marshmallow fluff
1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 cup rice crispies

DIRECTIONS:

-preheat oven to 350ºF(180ºC)
-mix all ingredients together, pour into round baking pan, and bake for 20-30 minutes
-while still hot, spread the marshmallow fluff on the cake evenly
-freeze the cake, until the fluff hardens
-in a pot melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter on a low flame
-shut the flame, add rice crispies, and stir well
-remove cake from freezer and spread the rice crispies over the cake evenly
-serve warm or at room temperature

preparation: 45 minutes
yields: 10 servings

notes: serve warm with a scoop of your favorite flavored ice cream on the side