Thursday, October 25, 2012

Pig Lickin' Good Cake


Ingredients

1 box yellow butter cake mix
1 c. vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges with juice
1 (9 oz.) container Cool-Whip
1 lg. box vanilla pudding
1 can crushed pineapple (drained)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cake mix, mandarin oranges, eggs and oil. Beat 2 minutes on highest speed then reduce speed to lowest setting and and beat for 1 minute. Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 9" round... or 9x13" cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, remove layers and cool completely. Combine Cool Whip, dry pudding and pineapple. Beat for 2 minutes at medium speed. Let stand 5 minutes or until mixture is to spreading consistency. Spread pineapple mixture between layers and on top and sides of cake. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Store in refrigerator.

Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Lofthouse Sugar Cookies with Easy Buttercream Frosting


Yield 5 to 6 dozen
Prep Time: 25 minutes | Bake Time: 7 minutes
For the Cookies:
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1½ cups sour cream
For the Easy Buttercream Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar
Pinch of salt
6 tablespoons heavy cream
1. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the flat beater attached, cream the butter and granulated sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as needed. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated. Add the vanilla and sour cream and beat at low speed until combined.
3. Add the dry ingredients and beat at low speed until just combined, scraping down the bowl as needed. Dough will be a bit “sticky”. Divide dough into two sections. Flatten into rectangles about 1½ inches thick, then wrap with plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator overnight or at least two hours until firm.
4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
5. Flour the countertop and the top of the dough. With a rolling pin, roll the dough out to ¼-inch thickness. Using a 2 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut out circles and transfer to a baking sheet. Bake for 7 minutes, until pale golden. Immediately transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Cook cookies completely before frosting.
6. To make the frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and vanilla. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar and the pinch of salt. Once smooth and creamy, add in heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, then beat at medium-high speed for a minute or two until light and fluffy. If desired, add food coloring and beat until combined.

7. Once cookies have cooled completely, frost and add sprinkles. Allow frosting to set, then store in an air-tight container. Let cookies sit for several hours before serving to allow the flavors to develop.