Basket of Flowers

Elephants

Quick German Coffee Cake

1 cup sweet milk

1 heaping tsp butter

1 egg

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup sugar

flour enough to make a stiff batter

Sift the baking powder with part of the flour. The egg can be omitted. Cover the top with sugar, cinnamon, and bits of butter. Bake. Very nice hot for breakfast. Can cover the top of this cake with apple or peach slices, be careful to bake without burning.

Three Meals a Day, 1889

Lemon Bars

Crust

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup flour

Press together with a fork. Press into the bottom of a greased square pan. Bake for about 15 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Filling

juice of 1 lemon

1/8 cup flour

2 eggs

3/4 cup sugar

Mix together and pour over crust. Bake again for 15- 20 minutes. Allow to cool before dusting with powdered sugar.

Spinach Ravioli with Mussels and Cheese Sauce

Ravioli

1 egg, beaten

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup flour

2 tbsp water

Combine ingredients into a dough and knead with flour until it is no longer sticky. Roll dough out into 2 very thin sheets. Place scoops of filling onto one side of the sheet, leaving two inches between each one. Brush areas around the filling with milk and place the second sheet over the filling. Press the sheets together around the filling being sure to get rid of any air. Use a biscuit cutter or pizza cutter to shape the ravioli. Place ravioli in boiling water and cook until soft.

Spinach Filling

Frozen Spinach, warmed and drained

Ricotta cheese

Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese, grated

salt and pepper

1 egg

Mussels

Place mussels in pan with butter, garlic, and lemon juice. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes.

Cheese Sauce

4 tbsp butter

2 tbsp lemon juice

minced onion

minced garlic

2 tbsp flour

1/2 cup milk

pepper

Monterrey and Colby cheese mix

Place onion and garlic in a pan with butter and lemon juice. When onion is transparent add flour. Stir to absorb flour. Cook 2-3 minutes over medium heat, stirring. Add milk and stir until smooth. Stir in cheese and pepper. Cook until melted and smooth.

Pretty in Pink

Frosting

1/2 cup shortening

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp almond

4 cups powdered sugar

water

1 tsp meringue powder

Cake

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs separated

1 1/2 cup flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream sugar and butter. Beat in egg yolks. Separate egg whites and beat until peaks form. Set aside. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to butter mixture. When well mixed add vanilla and beat. Fold in egg whites. Bake at 350 degrees.

Lasagna

1 lb sweet Italian sausage

1 lb ground beef

1/2 cup minced onion

2 cloves minced garlic

1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)

2 cans tomato paste (6 oz each)

2 cans canned tomato sauce (6.5 oz each)

1/2 cup water

2 tbsp white sugar

1 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tbsp salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

12 lasagna noodles

16 oz ricotta cheese

1 egg

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, Italian seasoning, 1 tbsp salt, pepper, and 2 tbsp parsley. Simmer covered stirring occasionally.

In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley and 1/2 tsp salt.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Assemble by spreading 1 1/2 cups meat sauce in bottom of a 9X13 inch pan. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Apple Dumplings

2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored

2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 can Mountain Dew

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9X13 inch pan. Cut each apple into 8 wedges and roll up in crescent roll dough. Melt butter in a saucepan and stir in the cinnamon and sugar. Pour over the apple dumplings. Pour Mountain Dew over the dumplings. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until golden brown.

Bread

5 tsp yeast

pinch of sugar

1/2 cup warm water

Combine and set to grow in a warm place.

2 cups warm water

2 eggs

1/2 cup melted butter

2 tsp salt

1/2 cup sugar

3 1/2 cup flour

Combine in a large bowl and blend until creamy. Add yeast to other ingredients. Gradually add 5-6 cups flour until dough is very stiff. Let dough stand 10 minutes. Knead 10 minutes adding 1 cup flour. Let rise. Punch down. Let rise, punch down, and form into rolls or loaves.

Beef Stroganoff

1 onion minced

1 lb ground beef

1 garlic clove minced

2 tsp flour

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 can cream of mushroom soup

8 oz fresh mushrooms sliced

2 tbsp ketchup

1/2-1 cup sour cream

parsley, chives, or dill

Brown ground beef with onion until beef is no longer pink and onion is clear; add garlic and mushrooms; sauté about 2 minutes.

Add soup and remaining ingredients except sour cream.

Simmer uncovered 15 minutes.

Stir in sour cream and parsley, chives or dill.

Petits Fours

Cinnamon Rolls

Rolls

3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup margarine, softened
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
1 egg
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup margarine, softened

Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in margarine; stir until melted. Let cool until lukewarm.

In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/4 cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt; mix well. Add water, egg and the milk mixture; beat well. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. When the dough has just pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes.Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let rest for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, softened margarine.

Roll out dough into a 12x9 inch rectangle. Spread dough with margarine/sugar mixture. Roll up dough and pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 equal size rolls and place cut side up in a lightly greased pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).Bake in the preheated oven until browned.

Cream Cheese Icing

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup softened margarine

2 oz cream cheese

1/2 teas vanilla

1/8 teas salt

Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 
  
• Cream shortening, brown sugar, and white sugar. Mix in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt and mix in. Add in chocolate chips by hand. Bake in 350 degree oven on ungreased cookie sheets for about 8 minutes.

Quiche

Pastry for 9 inch one-crust pie

12 slices bacon-fried and crumbled

1 cup shredded swiss cheese

1/3 cup finely chopped onion

4 eggs

2 cups half and half

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/8 cayenne

any other vegetables or meat you like

Sprinkle bacon, cheese, and onion in pastry lined pie plate. Beat eggs slightly, beat in remaining ingredients. Pour egg mixture into pie plate. Cook uncovered in 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temp to 300 degrees. Cook uncovered until knife inserted halfway between center and edge comes out clean, about 30 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Crepes

1 1/2 cups milk

4 eggs

1 cup flour

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

1/8 tsp salt

butter

Mix ingredients together and refrigerate for 1 hour. Add 1 tsp butter to your skillet. Pour 2 tbsp of batter into center of pan and lift and tilt pan to evenly coat bottom. Cook until top looks dry. Turn and cook 15-20 more seconds. Remove to wire rack. You can serve with your preferred toppings.

Tampa Bay Rays Cake

I made this Rays cake for my boyfriend. I tried three new recipes and found two keepers. I used a white velvet butter cake recipe from The Cake Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum. I also discovered a new fondant recipe without glycerin . It was fantastic! I had a few cracks, but it was my first attempt using fondant. I made mine almond flavored.

Fondant

• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup shortening
• 1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
• 2 pounds confectioners' sugar

Onion Bread

2 Tbsp yeast

1 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

2 Tbsp lard

1 medium onion

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

flour

chives

Combine yeast and water in small bowl. Set in warm place to rise. Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl. When yeast has doubled add to ingredients in large bowl. Stir adding enough flour to make a dough. Knead adding flour until dough is very stiff. Let dough rise. Punch down and form into loaves or rolls. Bake at 350 until golden brown.

Blondies

1 cup butter

16 oz brown sugar

3 eggs (beaten)

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

2 1/4 cup flour

16 oz chocolate chips

1 tsp vanilla

Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs. Then add flour and remaining ingredients. Bake on well greased cookie sheet for 25-30 minutes in 350 degree oven.

Pie Crust

2 cups flour

1 cup shortening

1 tsp salt

7-10 tbsp water

Mix ingredients together. Divide dough in half. Roll each out but do not work dough too much. Fit one crust into the bottom of a pie pan. Place pie filling on top. Cover the filling with the second layer. Decorate however you want. Bake at 425 degrees for 40 minutes.

Snickerdoodle Cookies

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons white sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.Combine 1 1/2 cups white sugar, butter or margarine, vanilla and eggs. Mix well. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Blend well. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Combine 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon. Roll dough in sugar/cinnamon mixture and place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from cookie sheets.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cake

1 cup oatmeal

1 3/4 cup boiling water

1 stick butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 3/4 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp cocoa

12 oz chocolate chips

Combine oatmeal, boiling water, and butter. Mix until cold. Add sugars, eggs, flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa. Mix in 1 cup of the chocolate chips. Pour in greased and floured 9X13 pan. Add the rest of the chocolate chips to the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Danish Apple Bar

2 1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup shortening

1 egg yolk

2/3 cup milk

8 cups apples, sliced thin

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup sugar

4 tablespoons tapioca

2 tablespoons flour

Combine the first 5 ingredients. Mix (with hands) until it forms a dough. Divide dough into 2 parts. Roll out the first part to line the bottom of your pan. Combine the apples, cinnamon, sugar, tapioca, and flour. Spoon this mixture onto the bottom crust. Roll out the left over dough and place on top. Brush with beaten egg whites. Bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes. When done but still warm, drizzle with a mixture of powder sugar and milk .

Gone Fishing Cake

For this cake I used a cinnamon chocolate cake recipe. It was frosted with butter cream frosting and decorated with gum paste and fondant.

Cinnamon Chocolate Cake

2 1/2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup cinnamon

1 stick margarine

4 oz vegetable oil

1 cup water

1/3 cup cocoa

4 oz buttermilk

2 eggs

1/3 cup applesauce

2 cups sugar

Sift dry ingredients into mixing bowl. Stir margarine, oil, water, and cocoa together in saucepan. Heat on low until melted. Mix buttermilk, eggs, and applesauce together. Add sugar. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture. Beat until all lumps are gone. Slowly stir cocoa mixture into batter. Pour batter into greased and floured pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until done.

Grandma's Wedding Mints

1 pound powdered sugar

4 oz cream cheese

2 caps of mint extract

coloring

white sugar

Mix cream cheese and powder sugar by hand until it clumps together. Then add extract and coloring. Roll into balls and press into a sugar coated mold.

Rhubarb Crunch

1 cup flour

3/4 cup oatmeal

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup melted butter

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup sugar

2 tbsp cornstarch

1 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups diced rhubarb

Mix flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon. Press half of crumbs into greased 9X13 baking pan. Cover with rhubarb. Combine white sugar, cornstarch, water, and vanilla in a saucepan. Cook until thick and clear, then pour over rhubarb. Top with remaining crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

Ingredients:

1 cup red bell pepper

1/2 jalapeno pepper

5 cup white sugar

1 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

6 fluid ounces liquid pectin

Directions:

In a pot over high heat combine peppers, sugar, and vinegar. Bring to a boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool 5 minutes. Stirring constantly, add pectin and let cool 2 minutes. Then stir for one more minute. Pour into jar.

Lime Cake with Strawberry Frosting

This homemade lime cake is topped with strawberry frosting made with fresh strawberries!

Peanut Butter Cup Cake

This is a chocolate cake with a peanut butter frosting in the middle. The recipe for the frosting is:

1/2 cup Peanut Butter

6-8 Tbsp Milk

4-1/2 cups Confectioners' Sugar

1-1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

(makes about 3 cups)

St. Patrick's Day Birthday

I made this cake for my dad's 51st birthday. I decided to honor the St. Patrick's Day part by making a multi-layered cake with different shades of green. I used butter cream frosting to frost it and then piped a green shamrock on top. I also placed green shamrock sprinkles around the bottom. In honor of his love of the Chiefs, beer, and popcorn I molded a little version of him out of gum paste and fondant to stick on top. Everyone got a kick out of it!

Flower Birthday Cake

This was a birthday cake I made for a spring birthday using gum paste and frosting flowers. It was a strawberry cake with generic white frosting.

Pabst Blue Ribbon Cake

This was a cake requested for a 60th birthday party. It is a German chocolate cake baked in a tomato juice can. I put German chocolate frosting in between layers and covered it in white frosting. The beer can design was made out of marshmallow fondant. I cut out shapes and used white icing to write on it. It was glued onto the cake with extra icing.

Here is the recipe for the fondant:

http://candy.about.com/od/fondantcandyrecipes/r/mm_fondant.htm

20th Birthday Cake

This was a birthday cake for someone who doesn't like a lot of color or detail. It was a chocolate cake with butter cream frosting. I decorated it with chocolate clay flowers and ribbon as well as chocolate rosettes.

Pina Colada Cake

Pina Colada cake is very moist and fun to make. I used a yellow cake mix but added crushed pineapple before baking. I added a little bit of a pina colada mixer to the frosting and covered the whole thing with toasted coconut.

Chocolate Flowers

This was a chocolate layer cake with strawberries in the middle. I piped some white and chocolate frosting around the sides and used white frosting for a swag around the top. The chocolate flowers on top were an attempt at chocolate clay roses.

Here is a link to the recipe for the flowers:

http://www.extremechocolate.com/edible-decorations-how-to-make-chocolate-flowers.html

Go Hawks!

My Iowa Hawkeyes brownies covered in chocolate frosting and some yellow frosting.

Valentine's Day

I decided to make something special for Valentine's Day and came up with a red velvet cake with a strawberry filling between each layer. I cut a heart out of the top layer and covered the whole thing in a cream cheese frosting. Then, I drizzled the heart with melted chocolate and piped pink icing around the bottom layer. It was really yummy!!

Panther Pride

This cake was just for fun during basketball season. It was two small white cakes stacked on top of each other and decorated in school colors.

Ivory Indulgence

This is the first real cake I decorated. It is a French vanilla layer cake with butter cream frosting. I used white frosting for detailing and the ribbon roses.

Birthday Cupcakes

These are the very first flowers I ever made after receiving a cake decorating kit for Christmas. I decided to make cupcakes for my mother's birthday. I just used frosting out of a can and food coloring.