Garden Muffins (or Cake)

Every week I meet with a couple girl friends for "breakfast with the ladies" as my husband likes to call it for some yummy eats and good conversation.  A while back Jen made this wonderful fool-proof 'garden cake' that the toddlers loved.  Who knew there were carrots and zucchini in it?!  Here's the recipe for anyone who wants to adapt their own version.  I swapped out some ingredients that I didn't have on hand and subbed in some other ones, so I guarantee it is "VERY flexible" as Jen told me.

Some of my changes...
Since I was only able to harvest one pathetic little zucchini from my garden, I had to use more carrots.  I also used half oil and half applesauce and then only added 1/2 c. granular sugar since the applesauce would provide a little sweetness and I didn't want my cake too sweet.  Somehow, I ran out of whole wheat flour, so I had to use the good old all-purpose variety.   No flax seed in house, so I added wheat germ instead.  Also, I didn't add any fun stuff like dried fruit or coconut because I didn't want any picky eaters to shy away.  For the topping, I didn't add nuts, but did throw in about 1/4 cup of oats...just because.

Garden Muffins (or Cake)  (as given to me by Jen)

1 large zucchini, grated and patted dry
2 large carrots, grated
1 c. canola oil (or you can sub some or all with applesauce)
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
3/4 c. granular sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Mix well.

1 3/4 c. whole wheat pastry flour or regular whole wheat flour
1/2 c. oat bran or oats
1/4 c. crushed flax seed
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (or 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. cloves, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg)
1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Mix dry ingredients thoroughly and add to zucchini/carrot mixture.

1 c. raisins (or cranberries, chopped dates, or chopped prunes)
1 c. walnuts or pecans
1/4 c. shredded coconut

Fold in the fruit and nut mixture.

Streusel Topping
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 T. butter
1/2 c. chopped pecans (opt.)

Cut butter into mixture, until well combined, then set aside.

Spray muffin pan/bundt pan with cooking spray. Spoon batter into muffin cups and fill 3/4 full or pour into a bundt pan.  Top with streusel topping. Bake at 350 F, 25-30 minutes for muffins or 1 hour for cake.

Enjoy!

Oreo Fudge Ice Cream Cake

Easy and good, that's what I was after for my husband's birthday cake.  He loves ice creams cakes, so I thought this one looked really good and would be easy enough to complete during my son's nap.  I cannot say enough how easy this cake was to make.  Some might say it was a piece of cake ;)  All you need are 5 ingredients: 1/2 cup hot fudge topping, 1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip, 1 (3.9 oz) package of chocolate instant pudding mix, 8 Oreo cookies, and 12 vanilla ice cream sandwiches.


Everyone really enjoyed this cake.  When we sliced it, it looked perfect, just like the picture on the Kraft website.   It had such a beautiful presentation.  (I forgot my camera, so I didn't get any pictures of my sliced cake, but trust me it looked great!)

Although the cake tasted great, I know it could have been better had I grabbed the regular full fat, full sugar ice cream sandwiches that I intended to buy.  In a whirlwind trip through Target with a tired kiddo, I grabbed the first box I found, which happened to be 'no sugar added'.  This essentially translates into 'no flavor' in my book.  Oh well, I'm sure I'll be making this again and will be sure to grab the good stuff!  I wonder how this cake would taste made with Klondike bars and Nutella instead of the hot fudge?  I just might have to try this out ;)

Fudge & Cool Whip; Add the pudding mix; Add the Oreo's;  All mixed up.

Layers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and the Cool Whip 'frosting'.

For the complete recipe, click here.

Chocolate Pistachio Marble Cake

Chocolate Pistachio Marble Cake

I don't make cakes very often, but when I decide to make a cake, this recipe is my absolute favorite!  My mom used to make it every once in a while when I was growing up. 

Sometimes frosting is a good thing, other times (like this) it's so over rated.  Just a little sprinkle of powdered sugar is all this cake needs to bring it to absolute perfection.

I love this cake, not only because it is so simple to make, but because it is so moist and practically melts in your mouth.  Believe it or not, I used a boxed cake mix.  I know, I know it's hard to believe I didn't do things from scratch this time.  Therefore, I dedicate this cake to all my readers (all 12 of them, haha....lol) who say they're too busy to bake. :)  Although, I did use my homemade chocolate syrup in place of the Hershey's stuff. ;)  It worked out beautifully!

Just a few simple ingredients, mix, and pour.

Add the chocolatey goodness, pour, then bake.

Marbled chocolate pistachio cake....yummo!

Click to ENLARGE. 

To print, left click> file> print. To save file to your computer, right click on image, then "save image as".

Sweet as Sugar Cookies is having a linky party, and I was invited!  So, stop by and check out all the other fantastic looking treats!  There are so many delicious treats it's hard to decide which one I should make first! Click on the button below to check it out...

Frosted Banana Cake

This is a fantastic banana cake that I had at a playdate about a month ago at Julia's house.  Being a family recipe, you know it's special.  Julia is quite the chef and everything she makes is delicious and this was cake was no different.  

I'm not exactly sure what classifies banana cake as a cake and say banana bread as a bread, but there is definitely a difference.  This cake is lighter in texture than a typical dense banana bread, so maybe that's the point of differentiation. 

The recipe says to use 2-3 bananas.  I used 3 bananas when I made mine and I think it came out wonderfully.  I suppose you can just use whatever amount you have on hand.  Also, Julia's recipe notes that you may substitute sour milk (1/4 cup reg. milk + 1 tsp vinegar) for the buttermilk in the recipe, but it's not exactly the same as using good ole buttermilk.

Spread the batter in the pan.

Baked and ready for frosting!

All frosted, dig in!

Click to ENLARGE.

To print, left click> file> print. To save file to your computer, right click on image, then "save image as".

 

Click to ENLARGE.

To print, left click> file> print. To save file to your computer, right click on image, then "save image as".

 

 

Enjoy!