Valentine’s Toffee

I can’t believe January is already gone.  The hubby and I have been fighting colds all month (he gave me his cold).  It seems we get something this time of year every year.  Oh, well…

Do you want to make something special for your Valentine?  Why not make some delicious Valentine’s Toffee.  I would eat the entire batch in one sitting but I can’t let myself eat that much butter at one time.

Valentine’s Toffee | Bakewell Junction

Mega M and M Blondies

I had seen Mega M&M’s on sale a short while ago.  Now the sale wasn’t a huge savings but the lure of Mega M&M’s was too strong, so I bought them.  Of course, I wasn’t going to open the package until I was ready to bake with them because they would disappear.  Hence, these yummy Mega M&M Blondies were born.  The hubby, family and friends loved these chocolaty bars.

Mega M and M Blondies | Bakewell Junction

S’mores Pie

A few weeks ago I went to my niece’s Birthday gathering at my sister’s house and I brought this pie S’mores Pie.  It is decadent and delicious and got rave reviews.  The photos need a little help though.  I tried to rush since it was the middle of the party and everyone wanted a piece.

S’mores Pie | Bakewell Junction

Ultimate Crumb Peach Pie

We have two peach trees in the back yard and aside from my hubby giving some away and eating ten a day, I needed to make something with them that would use a lot of them so I made this yummy Ultimate Crumb Peach Pie.  The hubby and friends loved the pie.  I love the crumbs on anything.

Ultimate Crumb Peach Pie | Bakewell Junction

Sluttier Slutty Brownies

We had a family get together about a week and a half ago for my Mom’s 81st Birthday.  I love to try out new things at these gatherings but I don’t leave out the tried and true.  I made a sluttier version of the Slutty Brownies everyone has seen on the internet.  I topped them with whipped ganache and they were a hit with the family.  The co-workers loved them too when the hubby and I took them to work.

Sluttier Slutty Brownies | Bakewell Junction

Gooey Butter Cake

I’m late to the Gooey Butter Cake party but I’m a fan now.  I was curious to see what the hoopla was all about and this cake definitely warrants hoopla.  I used Paula Deen’s recipe which calls for boxed cake mix.  It’s a great way to use up cake mixes before they expire.  After making so many wonderful homemade baked goods, I can’t go back to plain cake mix cakes.

Gooey Butter Cake | Bakewell Junction

All Butter Pound Cake

Butter Pound Cake | Bakewell Junction

When I had recently made Peach Brandy Pound Cake with Peach Brandy Glaze my hubby said he wanted a plain butter pound cake.  This in no way stopped him from devouring the flavored one.  Anyhow, I set out to find an all butter pound cake.  After reviewing many different recipes, I narrowed it down to this one.

I recently purchased a Nordic mini bundt pan and was dying to use it.  I was not compensated to say this but I love Nordic pans.  They’re made in the USA, they’re a quality product and they last forever.  I’m still using the bundt pan my Mom bought in the seventies.

I made sure I used my new pan for part of the batter in this recipe.  The mini bundts looked so cute and I thought they tasted even better than the loaves.  My loaves turned out a little dense but I think that’s because I only made two loaves and six mini bundts when I should have made three loaves and the mini bundts.  I didn’t cover my loaves with aluminum quickly enough so they were a little darker than they should have been but that didn’t hurt the flavor any.  All the cakes were super moist.  Hubby loved the cake and so did my co-workers.  This recipe would be great for gift giving or a Christmas morning brunch.

I’m posting a little early but why don’t you join us for the fourth week of 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats on Wednesday.

Brenda from Meal Planning Magic hosts 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats and I hope you’ll join us this year.  I’ve participated for the last two and had a great time each year.

Enjoy!

So cute.

Share with friends and family.

Want some?

All Butter Pound Cake

Yield:  4 – 8 by 4 loaves                 Cook Time:  45 – 55 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound butter (4 sticks), room temperature
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 eggs, room temperature
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups cake flour
• 2 cups milk
• powdered sugar for sprinkling

Step 1:  Use cooking spray to liberally grease 4 8 inch by 4 inch loaf pans and then flour.  In my case I prepared my mini bundt pan in the same way.  Beat butter for 30 seconds to soften it a little bit.  Add the sugar and beat on high for three minutes.  Scrape down the the bowl and beat again for another minute.

Step 2:  Add the vanilla extract, eggs, salt and baking powder.  Beat another three minutes until the mix becomes light an fluffy.  Scrape down the bowl and beat again for another minute.

Step 3:  Spoon in the flour and add the milk in alternate additions.  Mix to combine completely after each addition.  Scrape down the bowl and beat to ensure the ingredients are completely combined.  The batter should be light and fluffy and hold a peak.

Step 4:  Gently scoop the batter into the prepared pans.  Even out the top with a rubber spatula.  Do not tap the pan to settle the batter as this would make the cake denser.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 to 55 minutes for the loaf pans.  If you see that the tops of the loaves are getting too brown, cover them with aluminum foil.  If you’re using mini bundt pans or cupcakes bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes.  Test cakes for doneness using a toothpick – it comes out clean when inserted in the center.

Step 5:  Cool cakes in the pans for 15 minutes before extracting them.  The tender and delicate cakes need to firm up before removing.  Ensure the cakes aren’t stuck before depanning.  Remove cakes and cool completely on racks.  Serve with powdered sugar if desired.

Storing:  Be sure not to tap pans or slamming the oven door.  Store in a sealed plastic container for a few weeks.

Enjoy!!!

Recipe adapted from Chefs Ref.

This post may also be entered in these linky parties.  Click the here to visit the other great posts in the blog hops.

You can find out all about the 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats by clicking here for more information and details about joining in.
If you’re a blogger, be sure to check the guidelines, join the challenge and then link up your own post each week.

And everyone, don’t forget to check out all the recipes at Meal Planning Magic for even more inspiration!

Brown Sugar Caramels

Brown Sugar Caramel by Bakewell Junction

My hubby has been trying to watch what he eats, so I decided it was time to make something he doesn’t like.  I had seen the Brown Sugar Caramels recipe in a guest post Liz from That Skinny Chick Can Bake wrote for Lora from Cake Duchess on December 10th and since my hubby doesn’t like caramels, I made the recipe thinking it would prevent him from being tempted.  He hasn’t been tempted all that much but he did taste them and he really liked them.

While my caramels tasted delicious, they didn’t look as good a Liz’s.  They turned out a little soft too.  This could be because of a few factors.  I didn’t have half and half, so I substituted half with heavy whipping cream and half with whole milk – isn’t that what half and half is?  The 3 quart sauce pan I started cooking in was too small and the mixture was about to boil over, so I had to switch to a 4 quart stock pot when I got to about 225 degrees.  I would recommend making this recipe in a pot that is at least 3.5 quarts.  I also didn’t have non-stick aluminum foil, so I lined the 8 by 8 inch pan with regular foil and sprayed with cooking spray.  Liz’s tips were very helpful and the caramels turned out wonderfully since I’d never made them before.  I’ll enjoy making these again.  You can find the Brown Sugar Caramels recipe on Lora’s site.

Enjoy!!!

This post may also be entered in the following linky party.  Click the buttons below to see the other great posts in the blog hop.

Homemade Devil Dogs

For Memorial Day my husband and I were invited to my friend and neighbor’s house for a barbecue.  His brother and sister were visiting and we hadn’t seen them for a few years, so it was a nice get together for us all.  I usually like to bring a few things but they didn’t want me to do any work until I suggested making some dessert.  Who can say no to Devil Dogs and Fauxtess Cupcakes.  Yes, I made them again.

There are plenty of copy-cat recipes for Devil Dogs on the internet but I haven’t tried them because I get so many protests from my husband, family and friends that have tasted this recipe.  Although I’m not partial to the filling, this recipe is a hit with everyone that’s tried it.

Enjoy.

Homemade Devil Dogs

Yield:  15 – 18 cake sandwiches                Cook Time:  12 – 14 minutes

Ingredients

Cakes:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

• 1 cup milk
• 2 1/2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Step 1:  For the cakes:  Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2:  Whisk together the first five ingredients for the cake to combine.  Stir in the remaining three ingredients until moistened.

Step 3:  Transfer the mixture into a large Ziploc plastic bag.  Cut a 1/2 inch from the corner of the bag.  Pipe 3 1/2  by 1 inch logs, about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheets.  There should be approximately 12 per cookie sheet.  Bake 12 – 14 minutes.  The cakes should be firm to the touch.  Cool on wire racks.

Step 4:  For the filling:  In a medium saucepan, begin heating milk over medium heat.  Whisk in the flour.  Continue cooking over medium heat until thickened for about 5 minutes.  Be sure to whisk often while cooking.  Cool mixture in a bowl.

Step 5:  Using a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until fluffy.  Add the vanilla and milk mixture and beat until smooth.

Step 6:  Pair together like sized cakes.  Using a spatula, spread about 2 – 3 tablespoons of the filling on the flat side of one of the paired cakes and top with the second cake, flat side down.  Repeat with remaining cakes.

Enjoy!!!

Cakes adapted from Family Circle.
Filling adapted from Country Living.