Random Cakes

Mia's 2-year old Birthday Cake

Mia, my adorable neighbor, turned 2 in January.  This was my gift to her.  As you can tell, she loves music--just like her mommy!

Veggie Bouquet, Strawberry Chocolate Tree, Fruit Platters

My team of five made these stunning edible displays for the Father Daughter Dance our church holds every year.  We amazed ourselves!

Birthday cake with Chocolate Ganache

I made this cake for my beautiful friend, Laurie Scott, on her something-something birthday.  I made two different cakes but both were covered in chocolate ganache.  The top one was chocolate cake with browned butter cream cheese filling with my homemade toffee bits added to that (4 layers).  The bottom cake was vanilla sour cream cake with a homemade bavarian cream filling (using a split vanilla bean--so yummy!).  Made with lots of love!  Happy Birthday, my dear friend.

Cookies with the Chula Vista Mayor

My husband and I are part of a volunteer team called CAST--Citizens' Adversity Support Team in Chula Vista.  I made cookies for the new graduates.  We are first responders when there is a death, fire or tragedy in Chula Vista.  The training is phenomenal!  The cookies are pretty good, too.

Chai Tea Cupcakes

This recipe is adapted from The Cakemix Doctor Returns book page 101 (Toffee Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting). 

Chai Cake/Cupcakes
1 box white cake mix with pudding in the mix
1/4 cup flour
1 cup sour cream
1 cup warm water
1 Tbl. vanilla extract
3 eggs
1/2 cup chai tea powder (I get at Costco-Chamba Chai spiced chai latte)
Mix all together beating on high 2 min. Bake as a cake or cupcakes.

Browned Butter Cream Cheese Chai Frosting
1/2 stick butter
1 package cream cheese (8 oz) chilled
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
1 - 2 Tbl. strong chai tea liquid (mix 8 oz. hot water with two scoops chai tea)

Melt butter and heat on med. low until it carmelizes and turns light brown. Place chilled cream cheese in mixing bowl. Pour hot butter over cream cheese and add vanilla. Beat on low speed with mixer until smooth. Add powdered sugar a little at a time until all is blended. Increase speed and mix until fluffy.

(I added my homemade toffee bits to the tops of these cupcakes.  I will sell you my toffee if you want it for these cupcakes or just to eat.)

Pecan Butterscotch Bars

I got this recipe from The Nate Burkus Show and started making these bars right away.  I tend to change recipes I get (improve?), so I'll add the "improvements" at the end.  This recipe is from Treats Truck in NYC.

PECAN BUTTERSCOTCH BARS
3 sticks Butter (1 1/2 cup)
4 cups Dark Brown Sugar
3 cups Flour
2 tsp. Salt
4 tsp. Vanilla
4 Eggs
4 tsp. Baking Powder
2 cups Pecans - chopped

In saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar.  Cook until bubbly.  Sift together flour, salt, baking powder.  Combine this with eggs, vanilla, sugar/butter mixture and half pecans.  Pour in greased cookie sheet or jelly roll pan.  Sprinkle other half of nuts on top.  Bake 350 degrees for 25 - 30 min.

Aimee's "Improvements"
*  Change nuts--walnuts, almonds, cashews, anything works
*  Add chocolate chips on top--milk, semi-sweet, white, butterscotch

Enjoy!