Italian Cream Cake Recipe – Inspired by Sempre by J.M. Darhower @jmdarhower

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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grammy Night Bites – Recipe – Mini Manchego Tarts

I love watching the Grammy awards each year.  One quick and easy recipe anyone can make and enjoy while watching this star studded event is called  Mini Manchego Tarts.  Trust me, you will love them.

I just made my first batch.  These are samples.  Yummy!!

First you have to make the Romesco Dip.

Quick and easy, follow these steps.

Pulse together 1 cup of roasted red peppers, 3 garlic cloves, a pinch or more of red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon of red wine vinegar, 1/3 cup of toasted almonds and 1/3 cup of olive oil in a food processor until everything is combined and finely chopped.  That’s it!    (Keep in the refrigerator if not using right away)

For the Machego Tarts:

Purchase  mini phyllo dough shells from your market (frozen food section)   

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Place shells on a baking sheet. Spoon in Romesco dip into phyllo dough shell.

3. Top with a cube of/or shredded manchego cheese.

4. Bake until cheese melts. (about 7 minutes)

5. Top with chopped parsley.

Enjoy!

~Susi

Easy Date Night Chicken Recipe

I have always loved the flavors of dates and bacon.  My grandmother used to wrap bacon around dates and bake them during the holidays as an appetizer.  Try it.  It is really delicious.

This easy recipe is perfect for a Date Night, Well, it is made with dates and bacon and chicken.  Bacon… yes bacon.  It is a favorite at my house.

Date Night Chicken

Ingredients

10-12 pitted dates chopped

2 shallots

2 oz. deli goat cheese, crumbled (optional)

4 slices bacon (lean)

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips

garlic/herb seasoning (to taste)

pepper (to taste)

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 cup white wine or chicken broth

Instructions

Chop up the dates.  Slice your shallots into thin pieces. Crumble the goat cheese.  Cut your bacon slices into 1/2 inch pieces. Cut chicken breasts into thin strips.

1.  Preheat large saute pan on medium high for about 3 minutes.  Season the chicken with the herb seasoning and pepper. The amount of seasoning is up to you.  I lightly season my strips.

2. Pour oil in pan and add chicken.  Cook chicken strips until browned. Remove chicken from pan and set aside for later.

3.  Reduce the heat to medium and add the bacon.  Cook the bacon until crisp. Add the shallots to pan and add the dates.  Cook for about 3 more minutes.

4.  Remove the pan from the heat.  Add wine or chicken broth and return the chicken to the pan.  Reduce the heat to low and cover.  Simmer for about 10-12 minutes.  Add more wine or broth to make more sauce if you like.

5.  Remove the chicken from the pan.  Spoon date/bacon mixture on top of the chicken.  Top with goat cheese if you like.  Serve!

I made roasted broccoli as a side.  I skipped the goat cheese.  It is an acquired taste I have yet to acquire.  But, be sure to add it if you like it.  It balances the sweet and savory flavors of this easy dish.

Enjoy!