As the summer comes to an end, this blogger will be away on vacation.
I will schedule some posts to run while I am disconnecting and clearing my mind.
Of course, I will be reading some wonderful books that are all loaded and ready to go on my tablet.
I will have some exciting reviews when I get back.
Read, dine, drink wine, relax and be kind.
~Susi
As a baker, I always have baked goods in my kitchen. Sometimes the goodies are for customers, other times I am simply testing new recipes.
I was inspired to make an Italian Cream Cake after reading Sempre by J.M. Darhower.
Here is my easy Italian Cream Cake Recipe. I think Carmine will approve. 🙂
You can make this shape using round cake pans too. I used 3 9 x 5 loaf pans.
Ingredients
1 box White Cake Mix with pudding (any brand will do)
1 1/4 cup Buttermilk
3 large eggs
1/4 cup Vegetable oil
1 package flaked coconut 120z
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup of rum
3 9 x 5 inch loaf pans
Frosting Ingredients
2 8 oz creme cheese packages (softened)
2 sticks of unsalted butter (softened)
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Directions (Preheat oven to 350 degrees)
1. Beat cake mix, buttermilk, eggs and oil with electric mixer for 2 minutes at medium speed.
2. Fold in the coconut flakes and pecans
3. Pour even amounts of cake mixture into each of the loaf pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 17 -18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Cool cakes for about 30 minutes
6. Sprinkle rum on each cake layer and allow the rum to soak into cake (15 minutes)
7. Spread frosting over layer 1 and assemble cake. Frost over each layer. Top the final layer with frosting and pecans.
8. Refrigerate cake for at least 2 hours. Cake tastes best cold.
9. Serve and enjoy!
Frosting Directions
1. Using the stand mixer, mix 2 sticks of butter and cream cheese together.
2. Add vanilla extract
3. Slowly add powdered sugar to the mix
4. Ready to spread (refrigerate extra frosting)
THIS IS A STORY ABOUT SACRIFICE . . . DEATH . . . LOVE . . . FREEDOM. THIS IS A STORY ABOUT FOREVER.
Haven Antonelli and Carmine DeMarco grew up under vastly different circumstances. Haven, a second-generation slave, was isolated in the middle of the desert, her days full of hard work and terrifying abuse. Carmine, born into a wealthy Mafia family, lived a life of privilege and excess. Now, a twist of fate causes their worlds to collide. Entangled in a web of secrets and lies, they learn that while different on the surface, they have more in common than anyone would think. In a world full of chaos, where money and power rule, Haven and Carmine yearn to break free, but a string of events that began before either of them were born threatens to destroy them instead. Murder and betrayal are a way of life, and nothing comes without a price-especially not freedom. But how much will they have to sacrifice? Can they escape their pasts? And, most of all, what does it mean to be free?
The fourth story in the new adult series that began with the New York Times bestseller Real, featuring Brooke’s best friend, Melanie, and the ROGUE she can’t resist.
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About the Author
Katy Evans grew up with books and book-boyfriends until she found a real sexy boyfriend to love. They married and are now hard at work on their own happily ever after. Katy loves her family and friends, and she also loves reading, walking, baking, and being consumed by her characters until she reaches “The End.” Which is, hopefully, only the beginning…
Reading & Writing Between The Wines Blog 