Burnt Sugar (Caramel) Cake

Marilyn Says: You can substitute 2½ c. Softasilk cake flour for the sifted regular flour.

Burnt Sugar (Caramel) Cake
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 2⅓ c. sugar
  • ½ c. water, boiling
  • ½ c. shortening, softened
  • 1⅓ tsp salt
  • 3 eggs
  • 2⅓ c. sifted flour
  • 2½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ c. cream
  • 6 tbsp butter
  • 3 c. sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
  1. Melt 1 c. sugar in heavy skillet over low heat, stirring constantly. Heat until melted to a golden brown syrup, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add boiling water & stir over low heat until lumps are dissolved. Pour into measuring cup ¼ c. of caramel mixture & add enough cold water to make 1 c. of liquid.
  2. Cream together the softened shortening & remaining sugar until fluffy. Beat in thoroughly eggs. Sift together the flour, baking powder, & 1 tsp. salt. Stir in alternately with caramel mixture. Pour into two 9" layer pans or 13"x9" oblong pan & bake 35 minutes in preheated 350°F oven.
  3. Heat together remaining caramel mixture, cream, & butter to make the burnt sugar frosting. Beat in the powdered sugar, salt, & vanilla extract.

 

Photo Courtesy of Personal Creations on Flickr

Toasted Butter Pecan Cake

Toasted Butter Pecan Cake
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
Cake
  • 1 c. butter, softened
  • 2 c. chopped pecans, toasted
  • 2 c. sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 c. flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 c. milk
Frosting
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 c. butter, softened
  • 2 lb. powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2-3 tbsp milk
  • ⅔ c. chopped pecans, toasted
Instructions
  1. In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar & butter. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Add vanilla.
  2. Combine the flour, baking powder, & salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat just until combined.
  3. Fold in pecans.
  4. Pour into three greased 9" round baking pans. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans; set aside & cool completely.
  5. For frosting, beat the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, & vanilla. Beat in enough milk to achieve spreading consistency.
  6. Spread frosting between layers, inserting toothpicks to stabilize layers.
  7. Frost top & sides of cakes. Sprinkle with pecans. Store in refrigerator.

Photo Courtesy of Richard Elzey on Flickr

Easy Fudge

Submitted by Dason

Ingredients

16 oz container of cake frosting (your choice of flavor) 12 oz bag of chocolate chips

Directions

  1. The great thing about this recipe is the possibilities are endless. 
  2. You decide what flavors would go well together, then you melt the chips over medium heat. 
  3. Remove from heat & stir in the frosting. 
  4. Pour into a container (8″x8″ makes for a thickness of about an inch, which seems reasonable for fudge) & chill in the fridge until set.

Chef’s Note: You would think that with how simple this is, it would taste “cheap” or not “real” but let me tell you – it’s INCREDIBLE. So far I’ve tried Butterscotch (chips) & Dark Chocolate Fudge (frosting), & also I’ve done White Chocolate (chips) & Strawberry (frosting). Both were divine, & taste every bit as rich & decadent as a much more complicated recipe or something that would cost $10 a pound at a gourmet shoppe. Enjoy!