Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winter. Show all posts

Citrus Almond Champagne Cake Recipe

This is one of those simple cake recipes that will surely leave the tummies of all who eat it happy and satisfied. Easy cake recipes that are both easy and delicious can be hard to find. This Citrus Almond Champagne Cake is both. Serve it a baby shower, birthday or dinner party or like I did: Just because.

easy champagne cake recipe

After reading about the Country Cook’s yummy 7-Up Cake, I was truly inspired. Her cake looks and sounds delicious. I was mulling over what I could do to add a “twist”. Not that it needed anything, but I wanted to make it my own. Enter champagne. We have had plenty of strawberries in the house lately (Thank you early strawberry season in California). So I thought “Ohh! Strawberries and Champagne Cake.”
Only one problem: It’s been done. A LOT.
But I still wanted to bake a cake with champagne in it. It sounded fun and I wanted to see how it would taste...What to do...I decided to blend the cake recipes together and create my own version. One with less ingredients. Because I had never made it before I wasn’t quite sure how it was going to turn out.

Here’s the recipe:


Citrus Almond Champagne Cake
Ingredients:

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 1 cup/8oz. Orange Almond Champagne (or Sparkling Wine) The brand I got is made by Wilson Creek, called “Orange Mimosa”.
  • 3 eggs

Directions:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
  • Mix Ingredients in a stand mixer or bowl and pour into a greased bundt pan
  • Bake at 350 according to the box directions (our oven is finicky and ended up being done at 30 mintues)

bundt cake recipe

Allow to cool, before you add the frosting. If you don’t the heat from the cake will absorb the frosting (not necessarily bad I guess).


Citrus Champagne Frosting

  • 1/4 cup of orange juice
  • 1/4 cup champagne (can omit and sub in more orange juice)
  • 1 lb of powdered sugar (I made mine with about 3/4 of a lb.)

**In a bowl, pour in champagne and OJ, slowly add in the powdered sugar and whisk as you go, mixing it to the desired consistency.
**Pour frosting over cooled bundt cake. Top with chopped almonds if desired.

easy champagne cake recipe 01Tips:

  • If you have any frosting left over, serve in a small bowl along side the champagne cake (warmed perhaps?), so you can pour on more if desired. (I love frosting).
  • The alcohol is not necessary for this simple cake recipe, so if you want to make a more kid-friendly version you can make the 7-Up cake I linked to above, or substitute sparkling cider for the champagne (Cream soda might be yummy).

Paper Muffin Liner Angel Craft



Today's holiday Christmas craft idea is inspired by Martha Stewart. I found these adorable snow lace cupcake muffin liners from Martha Stewart Crafts and I knew just what to do! Make little paper angel dolls.

To make these Sweet Christmas Paper Muffin Cup Angel Dolls, you'll need a few things:
  •  Paper Muffin Liners (I used these ones from Martha found online or in Michael's)
  • 1 Paper Doilie, cut into small sections for wings (see below) for angel head
  • 1 Circle Punch (or a way to cut out a circle from cardstock for the head)
  • Gold Glitter Dust and Glue ( Martha has that too ;) )
  • Craft Glue or adhesive (I used K & Co. Quick Dry Craft Bond because I had it on hand, but whatever works for you)


First step: Fold your muffin liner in half and in half again. 
Add a dab of glue to the inside fold for a little extra stability if desired.


Next: Cut out your circle for the head, add eyes and mouth with a pen.
 Add a line of glue at the top of the head and sprinkle with glitter. Allow a few minutes to try.
Cut out small sections of your paper doilie for wings
You should have all the pieces as seen below.

Now add them together: Glue the head to the body and the wings to the back.
 Poof out the sections on the bottom so it stands upright.


Look how cute she turned out! I just love them to pieces.  





Painted Pine Cones


Just a little fun crafting. Our house isn't about muffin tins every day. We love to craft too! Pine cones (rescued from the roadside), acrylic craft paints, and glitter. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle with glitter (we used ultra fine white). So easy. And it takes a bit of time to paint all the little pieces of the cone, so it is a great Christmas break craft or snow day craft (but you'll have to find the cones before you get snowed in! hee hee!)


Be sure to shake off the excess glitter, or you will have glitter.every.where.


Holiday Peppermint Milkshake With Chocolate



Peppermint is one of my favorite Christmas holiday flavors. And if you love peppermint like I do, then this simple peppermint chocolate milkshake is sure to please. Made with peppermint candies and hot cocoa mix, this treat is full of zing and pep.

What You'll Need:

5-6 ice cubes
1/4 cup Fresh and Easy Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix
1-2 scoops vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup milk
10 peppermint candies (circle kind) Crushed, 2 set aside for topping

Directions:
Place ingredients in a blender and blend on med-high until runs smooth.
Serve in a low tumbler with crushed peppermint on top.

What on your favorite holiday flavor list?