Sunday, April 4, 2010

Strawberry Cream Tunnel Cake

It was my day for dessert at our family Easter dinner. This dessert is beautiful, delicious, and SUPER easy!
It is from Gooseberry Patch's "Sweet & Simple" cookbook! Great for special occasions, but easy enough for everyday! As the Yo Gabba Gabba crew says "Try it, You'll Like It!" .

1 prepared angel food cake
8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup lemon juice
3/4 tsp almond extract
2 Cups strawberries, sliced
1 16 oz container "cool whip" style whipped topping

Cut a one inch thick crosswise slice from the top of the cake, set aside. Create a tunnel in the cake by cutting around the cake one inch from the center, then cut another circle 1 inch from the outside edge of the cake. (A serated bread slicing knife works great on the angel food cake). Using a fork, remove the cake between the two circles, being careful NOT to go all the way to the bottom of the cake! Leave about one inch of cake bottom. Set the chunks aside that you remove. In mixing bowl, blend cream cheese until fluffy. Blend in can of milk until smooth. Gently blend in lemon juice and almond extract. Fold in the cake chunks and strawberries. Spoon this mixture into the "tunnel" you created in your cake. Gently place the top of the cake back on. "Frost" the cake with the whipped topping . I colored my pink for a more festive look and used a few extra strawberries to "embellish" the cake. Let set in the fridge for 2 hours. Enjoy!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Makenna-creative ways to entertain yourself!

Part 2 of the Songbird Mini

Songbird Mini Album

Oh my gosh! It feels like so long since I have been able to do any crafting and video taping. Things around my house are a little nuts. Lots going on, a little stressful. But, I KNOW that all things work together for good, and eventually, all this chaos will work together for GOOD, right????  I have been working on this mini for a few weeks. I had a hard time coming up with ideas for it-kind of hit a creative block, but I think it turned out cute in the end! Leave me some feedback and let me know what you think!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Monday, February 8, 2010

Friday, February 5, 2010

Awesome Crock Pot Recipe

I don't know about y'all, but I love being able to throw stuff into my crock pot in the morning and have it all ready to go with some fresh rolls for dinner. This is a great recipe from Gooseberry Patch's Fall, Family and Friends cookbook. I made it this morning-it's only noon and my house smells A-MAZING!

Winter Warm Up Beef Simmer

3 lbs beef chuck stew meat
6 slices bacon (Ok, I cheat...I just throw in a whole bag of real bacon pieces)
1 C white onion, chopped
8 redskin potatoes, cubed
3 carrots, sliced ( my family doesn't like carrots-they are omitted at my house)
8 oz pkg mushroom slices
1/2 C fresh parsley (yeah right! Canned all the way, for me baby!)
1 can frozen apple juice, thawed
1 10 1/2 oz can beef broth
6 oz tomato PASTE
1/2  tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp garlic salt
2 large bay leaves (these are important!)

Cook beef, bacon and onion in a dutch oven over medium high heat until browned. Throw it and all remaing ingredients into the crock pot, stir well, and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Remove and discard bay leaves before serving.

Thursday, February 4, 2010