Prepping for St. Patrick

If you enjoy key lime pie, then you'll love this cake. And what better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and to encourage spring to arrive than to bake this cake - Key Lime Cake. The pretty pastel green color, the glaze, the cream cheese icing and the combination of lemon, lime and orange flavors really make this an easy and delicious cake.

Key Lime Cake (adapted from Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood)

1 (3 oz) package lime Jello
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 eggs

Glaze:
3/4 cup key lime juice

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Icing:
½ cup butter, room temperature
1 (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla
 4 cups confectioners' sugar

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix Jello, sugar, flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Stir to mix well.

2. Add the oil, orange juice, lemon juice, vanilla, and eggs. Mix until well combined.

3. Pour the batter evenly in greased and floured 9X13 pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

4. Cool the cake in the pan for 5 minutes.

For the glaze: While the cake is still hot, mix the lime juice and confectioners' sugar together well. Pierce the cake with a fork to allow the glaze to soak in better and pour it over the cake on the cooling rack. Allow cake to cool completely as you prepare the icing.

For the icing: Cream the butter and cream cheese. Beat in the confectioners' sugar until mixture is smooth and easy to spread. Spread the icing on the top and sides of the cake.

You can also use three 9-inch round cake pans and make this into a layer cake.
Enjoy...

A Glimpse of Christmas

 

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without cookies.

 

Sand Dabs

1 cup butter, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ¼ cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup pecans, chopped

1.Cream butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.
2.Whisk together flour and salt and add gradually to butter mixture.
3.Stir in pecans.
4.Chill if dough is too soft.
5.Form into small balls and place on ungreased baking sheets.
6.Bake at 400º for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly brown.
7.Cool slightly and roll in powdered sugar.

 Snickerdoodles (adapted from Taste of Home)

½ cup butter, softened

1 cup plus 2 tablespoon sugar, divided

1 egg

½ teaspoon vanilla

1 ½ cups flour

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon cream of tartar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1.Beat butter and 1 cup of sugar until fluffy.  Beat in egg and vanilla.
2.Combine flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Gradually add to butter mixture.
3.In small bowl combine cinnamon and remaining sugar.
4.Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in cinnamon sugar.
5.Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375° for 10 to 12 minutes.

Orange Cookies (adapted from Your HomeBased Mom)

2 cups flour

¼ teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ sticks butter

1 ¼ cups sugar

2 tablespoons grated orange zest

1 egg

1 teaspoon orange extract

Icing:

2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice.

1 ½ cup powdered sugar

1.Beat butter, sugar and 1 tablespoon orange zest until fluffy.
2.Add egg and extract. Mix until combined.
3.Add flour and baking soda until combined.
4.Spoon onto a ungreased cookie sheet.
5.Bake 350° about 15 minutes or lightly golden brown.
6.Once cooled, mix powdered sugar, juice and remaining orange zest together. Spread on cookies.

Enjoy...