[TEA TIME TREAT] Mint Chocolate Cake

Heat oven to 350°F for shiny metal or glass pan (or 325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 13x9 inch pan with baking spray with flour. Make cake mix as directed on the box, using water, oil, 1½ teaspoons of mint extract, and the egg whites. Reserve 1 cup of batter. Stir 3 drops of the green food color into reserved batter; set aside. Pour remaining batter into pan. Drop green batter by generous tablespoonfuls randomly into 12-14 mounds onto batter in pan. Cut through batter with metal spatula or knife with S-shaped curves in one continuous motion. Turn pan ¼ turn; repeat cutting for swirled design.  Bake 28 to 33 minutes or until toothpick inserted center comes clean. Run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Cool completely for about an hour. Carefully spread fudge topping evenly over cake. In medium bowl, stir whipped topping, remaining extract, 9 drops of green food color and yellow food color until blended. Spread whipped topping over fudge. Garnish with candy pieces. Store in refrigerator. 

[TEA TIME TREAT] Chocolate and Peanut Butter Coconut Fudge

Melt chocolate, peanut butter, condensed milk, and butter in microwave. Add a cup of shredded coconut. Disperse into a square pan. Refrigerate until solid. In the meantime, mix 1 cup of powdered sugar, ½ cup peanut butter, ¼ cup maple syrup, and 4 tablespoons of water in a saucepan on a stove top, until smooth. Finally, spread the icing on top of the fudge, and sprinkle with some shredded coconut. Place back in refrigerator for an additional 15-30 minutes or until thickened.

[FOOD DIARY] Peanut Butter Delight Cake

 Heat oven to 350°F. Grease 10-inch bundt pan with shortening and flour lightly. 

For cake, combine granulated sugar, ¾ cup shortening, peanut butter, and brown sugar in large bowl. Beat at low speed until creamy. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 

 

Combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda in medium bowl. Add to peanut butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating after each addition until well blended. 

 

Spoon two cups batter into medium bowl. Stir in ¾ cups of chocolate syrup. 

 

Spoon plain batter into pan. Spoon chocolate batter over plain batter. Do not mix. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour and 10-20 minutes (or until toothpick inserted in center comes clean). Do not overbake. Cool 45 minutes on wire rack before removing from pan.

Place cake onto plate and cool completely.

For glaze, combine powdered sugar, ¼ cup chocolate syrup, and vanilla in small bowl. Stir to blend. Spoon over cake, then sprinkle with nuts. 

Until next week,

 Shannon