Cakes, Desserts – Recipes, Serving Ideas + HM #246

It’s all about cakes, desserts – recipes and serving ideas! Let them eat cake and link up with us at Home Matters. #cake #cakes #desserts #HomeMattersParty

Cakes, Desserts – Recipes, Serving Ideas + HM #246

OK, it’s confession time. I am not big on cake. Sorry, but it’s true. I’d rather have a piece of pie any day. It takes a really amazing cake to make me want to have a slice. So here, I present to you some cakes that even I will eat. The gals of Home Matters have got an entire roundup of delicious and beautiful cakes and desserts for you this week. So, let’s eat cake and enjoy!

Caramel Pecan Topped Brownie Cake from Linda @ Tender Crumb

Cake with Pear from Anyzkowo

Italian Cannoli Cake with Rum and Chocolate Ganache from Tiffany @ Parsnips and Pastries

Fresh Orange Bundt Cake Recipe from Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai

Cakes, Desserts – Recipes, Serving Ideas Blog Hop

Click through all the Hosts and Co-hosts blogs to see the complete Themed Roundup!

A Home Matters Themed Roundup

Last Week’s Theme: Birthday Party Ideas – Unique & Fun

Next Week’s Theme: Labor Day

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Check out this week’s features below.

Lemon Decorated Sugar Cookies from Bird @ Bird’s Party

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Green and Black Summer Tablescape from Lori @ Dining DelightPlayground

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Smart Ways to Make Your Home Feel Cleaner from Kate @ The Organized Dream

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Dried Orange Peel Soap Recipe from Deborah @ Salvage Sister and Mister

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Burlap Mason Jars for Fall from Kendra @ A Proverbs 31 Wife

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Orange Mint Ricotta Cookies Recipe

A delicious cookie full of the bright flavors of orange and a hint of mint. Orange Mint Ricotta Cookies delight and tickle your taste buds. #Cookies #Recipe

Orange Mint Ricotta Cookies Recipe

A deliciously aromatic soft-style cookie

This easy to make cookie is a must add to your recipe box. Orange Mint Ricotta Cookies are perfect all year round. Citrus with a hint of mint is deliciously paired with ricotta cheese for a soft-style cookie. My family gobbles them up!

Are you looking for a new and refreshing recipe for a cookie exchange party this coming holiday season? Orange Mint Ricotta Cookies are a tasty option. Plus, the aromas from baking these cookies makes your home smell fantastic!

Orange Mint Ricotta Cookies - an aromatic and flavorful cookie your family will love! Get the recipe! #cookies #recipe #dessert #holiday Click To Tweet

Let’s get baking!

Ingredients:

2 Cups – Granulated Sugar
2 – 3 – fresh Oranges (for 6 Tablespoons Juice and 3 – 4 Tablespoons Zest)
Fresh Mint (for 1 – 2 Tablespoons finely chopped)
2-1/2 Cups – All-purpose Flour
1 teaspoon – Baking Powder
1 teaspoon – Salt
2 – large Eggs
1 Stick – Butter (softened)
15 Ounces (one container) – Ricotta Cheese
1-1/2 Cups – Powdered Sugar.

Directions:

for the cookies…

Preheat oven to 375° F.
Line baking sheets with Parchment Paper.
Zest the rinds of 2-3 Oranges (enough to get 3 – 4 tablespoons of zest).
Finely Chop Mint (enough to get 1 – 2 tablespoons).
In a medium bowl, pour 2-Cups Granulated Sugar.
Add 2 – 3 Tablespoons Orange Zest and all of the Chopped Mint to sugar, and mix well with your fingertips.

Set aside and stir occasionally with fingertips. Allow sugar to become very fragrant.
Whisk together 2 1/2 Cups Flour, 1 teaspoon Baking Powder, and 1 teaspoon Salt in a medium bowl.
In a large bowl (or stand mixer), combine 1 stick Butter and the prepared Orange Sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.
Add 2 Eggs, one at a time, mixing slightly after each addition.
Mix in 15 ounces (1 container) Ricotta Cheese and 3 Tablespoons Orange Juice until incorporated.
Stir in dry ingredients a little at a time, until just combined.
Spoon dough onto prepared baking sheets (about 1 1/2 – 2 Tablespoons for each cookie).
Bake for 13 – 15 minutes, until just slightly turning golden at the edges.
Remove from the oven, let cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes.
Transfer to wire racks (placed on top of the wax paper), and allow to cool completely.
Prepare the Orange Glaze/Icing.

for the Glaze/Icing…

Sift 1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar into a small to medium bowl.
Add 2 – 3 Tablespoons Orange Juice, and 1 Tablespoon Orange Zest.
Mix well.
Adjust Powdered Sugar for the thickness of the glaze/icing.

A Printable Recipe for you.

5 from 1 reviews

Orange Mint Ricotta Cookies Recipe

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A delicious cookie full of the bright flavors of orange and a hint of mint. Orange Mint Ricotta Cookies delight and tickle your taste buds.

from: Life With Lorelai

Type: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Serves: 40 cookies

Ingredients:

2 Cups - Granulated Sugar
2 - 3 - fresh Oranges (for 6 Tablespoons Juice and 3 - 4 Tablespoons Zest)
Fresh Mint (for 1 - 2 Tablespoons finely chopped)
2-1/2 Cups - All-purpose Flour
1 teaspoon - Baking Powder
1 teaspoon - Salt
2 - large Eggs
1 Stick - Butter (softened)
15 Ounces (one container) - Ricotta Cheese
1-1/2 Cups - Powdered Sugar.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375° F.
Line baking sheets with Parchment Paper.
Zest the rinds of 2-3 Oranges (enough to get 3 - 4 tablespoons of zest).
Finely Chop Mint (enough to get 1 - 2 tablespoons).
In a medium bowl, pour 2-Cups Granulated Sugar.
Add 2 - 3 Tablespoons Orange Zest and all of the Chopped Mint to sugar, and mix well with your fingertips.
Set aside and stir occasionally with fingertips. Allow sugar to become very fragrant.
Whisk together 2 1/2 Cups Flour, 1 teaspoon Baking Powder, and 1 teaspoon Salt in a medium bowl.
In a large bowl (or stand mixer), combine 1 stick Butter and the prepared Orange Sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.
Add 2 Eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition.
Mix in 15 ounces (1 container) Ricotta Cheese and 3 Tablespoons Orange Juice until incorporated.
Stir in dry ingredients a little at a time, until just combined.
Spoon dough onto prepared baking sheets (about 1 1/2 - 2 Tablespoons for each cookie).
Bake for 13 - 15 minutes, until just slightly turning golden at the edges.
Remove from the oven, let cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes.
Transfer to wire racks (placed on top of the wax paper), and allow to cool completely.
Prepare the Orange Glaze/Icing.

For the Glaze/Icing:
Sift 1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar into a small to medium bowl.
Add 2 - 3 Tablespoons Orange Juice, and 1 Tablespoon Orange Zest.
Mix well.
Adjust Powdered Sugar for the thickness of the glaze/icing.

3.5.3226

More Cookies!

Try these cookies with other citrus flavors like my Lemon Ricotta Cookies. Looking for other cookie recipes for your jar? Check these out…

S’mores Cookies, Candy Corn Cookies, Haystacks, and Mexican Wedding Cakes.

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Halloween Mantel Decor Orange, Black, And Purple

I love this time of year — all the holidays inspire me. So, enjoy my Halloween Mantel Decor including a quick, easy, and spooky DIY project you’ll love! #Halloween #HalloweenDecor #HalloweenCraft

Halloween Mantel Decor

Plus a Quick, Easy, and Spooky DIY Project

It’s my favorite time of year! I absolutely love this season of holidays. From the rich colors to the heavenly aromas, to the yummy foods, and wonderful family memories in the making, I find it all heartwarming.

So, I’m kicking off the last quarter of the year by sharing my Halloween Mantel Decor. I have to tell you, I am in love with how this mantel turned out. Thanks to Oriental Trading for providing some of the decor items, and to Luke who made my dreams come true with the Mantel Makeover last year.

And, bonus, this little viewing comes with a spooktacular DIY project that is fun and creepy.

So, let’s get started…

Halloween Mantel Decor

Since Halloween is possibly my favorite holiday, I wanted to have something fun and festive with a simple elegance. And, I decided to stick with the traditional colors of orange and black with an added splash of purple.

The Black Metal Lanterns (above) are so pretty and how cute are they filled with candy corn? A variety of mini pumpkins on multi-level candle holders and lacy tin buckets in orange and black, and a glittery black cat to add some sparkle. Don’t you love the way the Halloween Mantel Decor turned out?

Black cats and pumpkins inspired me to make a printable for my mantel frame using a quote (source unknown) that I have loved for years.

“When Black Cats prowl and Pumpkins gleam,
May luck be yours on Halloween.”

Now, check out this Spider Web Candelabra! Isn’t it adorable? With all the spiders crawling on the candelabra, I knew I wanted to have some spidery candles. So, I decided to makeover some old candles that I had stored away — you know those ones you’ve used but there is a lot of candle leftover, and you know you’ll use them again sometime but you never do. Here is your chance!

DIY Spider Candles for Halloween

What You’ll Need:

Grab your used candles (or new ones if you must — LOL)
A Permanent Marker ( I used black for the white candles and silver for the purple candles)

How To:

Draw a spider web at the flame tip of the candle.
Draw a squiggly line down the candle and draw a black dot at the end. The black dot is your spider body.
Add eight legs to your spider body.
Create the look you want by adding more webs and/or spiders.

NOTE – For Halloween, using the old, perhaps discolored, candles make for a perfect creepy look. I had one that had a lot of candle wax dripped down the side, awesome. Also, with Halloween, you do not need to have your candles standing perfectly straight. So, if they teeter a bit in the candle holder or have a little curve to them makes it all the more spooky and eerie.

I hung my Halloween wreath above the mantel. It’s a piece I’ve had for years and is always fun to unearth each year.

Then, tying all the decor together is the amazing black Gauze Garland String Lights with purple bulbs — love it!

I draped the lights over and under the fireplace mantel and hung my Happy Halloween sign from the hidden hook beneath my mantel. It provided the perfect spooky touch to finish off my Halloween Mantel Decor.

Halloween Mantel Decor including a quick, easy, and spooky DIY project you’ll love! #Halloween

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I hope you have enjoyed this peek into my Halloween Mantel Decor, and wish you a spooky and fun Halloween!

Be sure to check out Oriental Trading for all your Halloween shopping.

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Rum Punch – A Girls’ Night Favorite

This shop, Rum Punch – A Girls’ Night Favorite, has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RumInTheSun #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

Your friends will love this fruity rum punch at your next girls’ night party. Refreshing, delicious, and pretty. Made with Bacardi Superior.

Fruity Rum Punch

A Girls’ Night Favorite

Getting together with my girl friends is something to which I look forward. We have such a fun and stress-free time on Girls’ Night. It doesn’t really matter if we just sit a round chatting, or if we are working on a charitable project, crafting, or playing games. What is always part of our time together is camaraderie, laughter, and great food and drink.

Today, I’d like to share one of our favorite recipes, Fruity Rum Punch. It is super easy to make and can be done one at a time or in a large batch — great for parties. This punch features Bacardi Superior, which is absolutely perfect for summer rum punches.

Msg 4 21+ Serve this delicious #BacardiSuperior Fruity Rum Punch for #GirlsNight! #RumInTheSun AD

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Fruity Rum Punch Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

2 Ounces – Bacardi Superior Rum

2 Ounces – Orange Juice

1-1/2 Ounces – Pineapple Juice

1/4 Ounce – Grenadine

Squeeze of Lime

Orange (slices for garnish)

Lime (slices for garnish, and the squeeze)

Pineapple Chunks (optional garnish)

Directions:

Fill glass with the desired amount of ice cubes.

Pour Bacardi Superior Rum over ice.

Add Orange Juice, Pineapple, and Grenadine.

Squeeze a little Lime into the drink, and stir.

Garnish with Orange slices and Lime slices.

Notes:

This recipe serves one, but you can easily multiply the recipe to make a pitcher or punch bowl full. Enjoy!

You can switch out the Bacardi Superior for Bacardi Banana Flavored Rum to add another fruity layer to the drink.

Check out #RumInTheSun for more tasty recipes using rum, a fabulously versatile spirit.

Rum Punch Printable Recipe!

5 from 1 reviews

Rum Punch

Save Print

Prep time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

Your friends will love this fruity rum punch at your next girls' night party. Refreshing, delicious, and pretty. Made with Bacardi Superior. Check out #RumInTheSun for more tasty recipes using rum, a fabulously versatile spirit.

from: Life With Lorelai

Type: Cocktail

Cuisine: American

Serves: 1 drink

Ingredients:

2 Ounces - Bacardi Superior Rum
2 Ounces - Orange Juice
1-1/2 Ounces - Pineapple Juice
1/4 Ounce - Grenadine
Squeeze of Lime
Ice
Orange (slices for garnish)
Lime (slices for garnish, and the squeeze)
Pineapple Chunks (optional garnish)
Add another layer of fruity deliciousness by switching out the Bacardi Superior for Bacardi Banana Flavored Rum.

Directions:

Fill glass with the desired amount of ice cubes.
Pour Bacardi Superior Rum over ice.
Add Orange Juice, Pineapple, and Grenadine.
Squeeze a little Lime into the drink, and stir.
Garnish with Orange slices and Lime slices.

Notes

This recipe serves one, but you can easily multiply the recipe to make a pitcher or punch bowl full. Enjoy!

3.5.3226

Girls’ Night Ideas

Looking for some great ideas for activities with your friends? Give these a try.

Outings:

Go to a Live Music Concert

Hit a local Street Fair or Festival

Go sing Karaoke

Right now, you can ENTER the Bacardi Summer Music Sweepstakes. Redeem an on-pack code placed on select Bacardi Superior bottles for $5 Live Nation Concert Cash®. With two codes you get $15 Live Nation Concert Cash®. You must be 21+ to enter. State exclusions apply. CLICK HERE for details and restrictions. WINNERS drawn DAILY!

Group Projects:

Organize a Locks of Love Cut-a-thon

Crochet hats for Knots of Love

Craft ornaments for a seniors’ home

Great Games:

Bunco

Catch Phrase

Taboo

Pictionary

Whatever you are doing, make the most of it with some great eats and drinks, like this Bacardi Superior Fruity Rum Punch!

Msg 4 21+ Summer #RumPunch w/ Bacardi Superior. Get the #Recipe! #RumInTheSun ENTER #Sweepstakes AD

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You can find more great recipe ideas and tons of fun with Bacardi Superior by following them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

So, do you have any great rum recipes or ideas for girls’ night?

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17 Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes Refreshing Summer

Beat the heat with these Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes – refreshing for summer! Perfect for relaxing outdoors and entertaining adults and kids alike. #NonAlcoholicDrinks #SummerDrinks

Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes Refreshing Summer

Enjoying the outdoors, summer parties, and beating the heat!

Summer is in full swing and that means it’s time to relax on the porch with friends and family. What better way to refresh than with a nice cold drink. So, here is a collection of delicious and amazing non-alcoholic beverages perfect for summer refreshment.

I know you will love this roundup of drink recipes from some very talented bloggers. They are gorgeous and make a beautiful presentation. Plus, these summer drinks are kid-friendly. Enjoy!

Beat the heat with these Non-Alcoholic Drink #Recipes – refreshing for summer! #NonAlcoholicDrinks

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Sparkling Honey Limeade from Jaclyn @ Cooking Classy

Disneyland’s Louisiana Lemonade from Steph @ Six Sisters’ Stuff

Pineapple Lemonade from Aniko for The 36th Avenue

Raspberry Mint Julep from Julie @ Life Straight Up!

Non-Alcoholic Apple Cider Mimosa from Swati and Tushar @ Watch What U Eat

Mock Sangria from Aimee @ Wallflower Kitchen

Minty Non-Alcoholic Mojitos from Rowena @ Skinny Ms.

Melon Ball Punch AKA Bottled Summer from Monique @ Divas Can Cook

Bubbly Triple-Citrus Iced Tea from Tammi @ My Organized Chaos

Roasted Peach and Strawberry Fizz from Anja @ Use Your Noodle

Thai Tea Recipe from Todd and Diane @ White On Rice Couple

Orange Creamsicle Float from Tara @ Noshing With The Nolands

Watermelon Slushie from Aniko @ Place Of My Taste

Non-Alcoholic Mint Juleps from Julie @ The Farm Girl

Non-Alcoholic Piña Colada from Serene @ House Of Yumm

Lavender Lemonade from Kate @ Centsational Girl

Grapefruit and Rosemary Mocktail from Katie @ The Casual Craftlete

Refresh this summer with these Non-Alcoholic Drink #Recipes. Beat the heat! #Summer Drinks

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Looking for something fun and fabulous for your drinks? Try these DIY Bug Umbrellas For Party Drinks. Your guests will love them, and you can match whatever decor you use.

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17 Non-Alcoholic Drink Recipes Refreshing Summer

Have a lovely and relaxing summer, and try to stay cool.

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Make Your Furniture a Reflection of You

This shop, Make Your Furniture A Reflection Of You, has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PledgeReflectionOfYou #CollectiveBias

Make Your Furniture A Reflection Of You

Memories, Sentiment, and a Hutch

I am sure you all have something that reminds you of a special time, a special place, or a special someone. Whether it is a trinket, something handed down through the generations, or maybe even a piece of furniture, these items are a reflection of you.

When I was a kid, I loved our trips to my grandparents’ farm in Mississippi. It was so different from Southern California. Everything enthralled me, from the airplane ride to the long drive from Jackson to Carthage. We traveled through the beautiful Natchez Trace, an Indian reservation, and dirt roads to get to the farm. I would always think of that old song, “Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go…” (You sang those words in your head, didn’t you?) These sights and sounds were just the beginnings of a wonderful time of family, joy, and memory making.

My grandmother was a hard-working woman, and I liked following her around the farm helping with the chores. I’m not sure I helped all that much, but we had fun together just the same. When dinner time came around, grandma always asked us kids to set the table. Now, grandma was a woman of the Depression Era; she did not have a lot of fancy stuff, but what she had, she kept in a narrow hutch in her kitchen dining area. That was the one piece of furniture I wish I could have been blessed with, but my cousin was the lucky recipient.

Loving Reflection

One day, I found a hutch that was very similar and I fell in love. I had to have that piece of furniture, and I have cherished it ever since. Even though it is not my grandmother’s hutch, it reminds me of her and all the wonderful things we did and shared. Like my grandmother, I entrust the care of my prized hutch and the things I display on and in it to Pledge® Lemon Clean Furniture Spray. It keeps my hutch clean, while it conditions and protects the wood. The Allergens Trappers® remove dust and up to 90% of allergens found in dust. My hutch has a rustic rough-wood finish. This means that from time to time it needs a little extra care. The wood can dry out from sun and dry air easier than fully finished furniture.

How-to Clean Rustic Rough-Wood Furniture:

Use a soft paintbrush (dedicated to dusting) to brush away dust that gets trapped in the rough texture.
Do not spray furniture polish directly on the wood.
Use a liberal amount of Pledge® Lemon Clean Furniture Spray on a soft cloth.
Wipe the prepared cloth against the wood, massaging the spray into the wood.

This will leave a beautiful glow and a lemony fresh scent.
If your furniture is getting dry and needs a little extra T.L.C., use the Pledge® Extra Moisturizing Furniture Spray.
Remember to care for your furniture and your home on a regular basis.

The lemon fresh scent takes me right back to grandma’s kitchen, when I’d pull open the silverware drawer in her hutch. Grandma would even polish her laminate kitchen table to a brilliant shine after dinner with the Pledge® Lemon Clean Furniture Spray. Like Grandma, I keep silverware in the drawer of my hutch. I have confidence in serving my family and friends at gatherings and holiday celebrations from my hutch, and I love the sentimentality and treasured memories it brings.

Here’s a couple helpful hints:

In need of a quick clean? Grab the Pledge® Lemon Wipes. They are fantastic for touch-ups! And the Pledge® Multi Surface Everyday Cleaner with Glade® Rainshower® is a winner for stainless steel and chrome, and many other surfaces.

It is easy to pick up Pledge® products at your local Kroger family of stores. Rory and I snag our furniture polish, cleaner, and wipes from the cleaning aisle at Ralphs. Follow Pledge® on Facebook for more helpful hints and tips.

What pieces of furniture do you have that bring back special memories and reflections of you? Are you giving them the care they deserve with Pledge®? Celebrate the beauty of your home! #PledgeReflectionOfYou

Celebrate your home as a reflection of you with Pledge®. #PledgeReflectionOfYou #home #clean AD

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Fresh Orange Bundt Cake Recipe

An orange grove baked in a cake! This amazing Orange Bundt Cake is made with fresh oranges – perfect for entertaining or anytime. Get the Recipe.

Fresh Orange Bundt Cake

Let Us All Eat Cake!

Some days you just feel like having a little treat. And, when you have a kitchen full of fresh fruit, you can easily be inspired… So, let us all eat cake!

One of Luke’s customers, at the classic car and hot rod shop, has avocado and citrus groves down in Fallbrook, California. And we have been so lucky this past month to have Gary bring us boxes of these fresh fruits. There is nothing more delicious than fresh picked produce. I wanted to do something with the amazingly sweet oranges I had on hand, so I decided to create a Fresh Orange Bundt Cake from scratch. I have to admit, I was excited to get baking and taste the results.

This Bundt cake did not disappoint. It is easy to whip together, and the aromas make your home smell heavenly. The refreshing orange flavor excites the taste buds, and the cake is moist and delicious. It is a perfect cake for spring and summer.

Let’s eat cake! Fresh Orange Bundt Cake #Recipe #Cake #Dessert #Bundt #Orange

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Fresh Orange Bundt Cake Recipe

Here’s What You Need

Ingredients:

3/4 Cups – Butter (softened)
1 1/2 Cups – Granulated Sugar
4 – Eggs
2 to 3 – Oranges (1/2 cup juice with pulp, 4 teaspoons zest)
3 Cups – Flour
1 teaspoon – Salt-
1 teaspoon – Baking Soda
1 teaspoon – Baking Powder
1 Cup – Yogurt (I used Greek vanilla yogurt)[br][br][b]The Glaze:[/b]
1 Cup – Powdered Sugar
1/8 Cup – Juice little to no pulp
1 teaspoon – Orange Zest for garnish (optional)
2 Orange Slices for garnish (optional)

Here’s What You Do

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Butter your Bundt pan, and dust with four. Be sure to get into all the nooks, crannies, and crevices of the Bundt pan.

The first thing you want to do is get your fresh oranges ready to go. Peel the oranges and remove the seeds. Cube the orange, and zest the orange peels. I chopped my zest to make it fine, but you do not have to. Place cubed oranges into your blender and puree.

Cream butter and granulated sugar. Add eggs one at a time, and beat with each addition. Add the orange puree and zest. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder) to the batter a little at a time, and mix well. Add yogurt and combine until well blended. Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan. Bake at 350° F for 50 minutes, or until done. Test with a toothpick.

A Few Helpful Hints:

Let your cake cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes in the pan.
Place your cooling rack over the top of your Bundt pan.
Pick-up the Bundt pan with the cooling rack, and turn it over.
The cake will fall out of the Bundt pan without breaking.

After the cake is completely cooled, it is time to give it a beautiful glaze. Mix up your powdered sugar and some fresh orange juice, then drizzle over the top of your Bundt cake. If you like your glaze thicker, do not use as much juice. That’s simple, right? Garnish with orange zest and a couple twists of orange to give your finished presentation a little pop.

You’ll want to Save this Printable Recipe!

5 from 1 reviews

Fresh Orange Bundt Cake Recipe

Save Print

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

50 mins

Total time

1 hour

Fresh Orange Bundt Cake is perfect for your spring and summer entertaining.

from: Life With Lorelai

Type: Dessert

Serves: 16 servings

Ingredients:

3/4 Cups - Butter (softened)
1 1/2 Cups - Granulated Sugar
4 - Eggs
2 to 3 - Oranges (1/2 cup juice with pulp, 4 teaspoons zest)
3 Cups - Flour
1 teaspoon - Salt
1 teaspoon - Baking Soda
1 teaspoon - Baking Powder
1 Cup - Yogurt (I used Greek vanilla yogurt)

The Glaze:
1 Cup - Powdered Sugar
1/8 Cup - Juice little to no pulp
1 teaspoon - Orange Zest for garnish (optional)
2 Orange Slices for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F
Butter Bundt pan and dust with flour (be sure to get all the nooks and crannies of the pan)
Peel the Oranges and remove the seeds.
Cube the orange.
Zest the orange peels. (I chop my zest to make it fine, but you do not have to.)
Place cubed oranges into your blender and puree (juice with pulp).
Cream Butter and Granulated Sugar.
Add Eggs one at a time, and beat with each addition.
Add the Orange Puree and Zest.
In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients - Flour, Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder.
Add dry ingredients to the batter a little at a time, and mix well.
Add yogurt and combine until well blended.
Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan.
Bake at 350° F for 50 minutes, or until done.
Test with a toothpick.

The Glaze:
Mix Powdered Sugar and fresh orange juice.
Drizzle glaze over completely cooled cake.
Garnish with Orange Zest and a couple twists of orange slices.
NOTE: If you like your glaze thicker, do not use as much juice.

3.5.3208

This is such an easy cake to make. If you love oranges, you are going to love this Bundt cake — from the Golden State to the Sunshine State, and every where in between tantalize your taste buds.

Get baking, and enjoy!

Tantalize your taste buds with this Fresh Orange Bundt Cake! #Fresh #Orange #Cake #Recipe

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If you like this recipe, you’ll definitely want to try my Rustic Raspberry Ricotta Galette and Fresh Nectarine Pie With Lattice Top Pie Crust recipes.

This Fresh Orange Bundt Cake is FEATURED on Foodgawker and RecipeThis.

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~Lorelai

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Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com

Hot Rods & Classic Cars

Hot Rods and Classic Cars

And some of the awesome Car Shows of Summer

Every Saturday morning, just about a mile from my home, hot rods, classic cars, and muscle cars gather for possibly the biggest and best weekly car show and cruise around, Donut Derelicts. People bring their cars from miles (even counties) around to take part. You can read more about this here.

But summer brings some extra special once-a-year shows to our area. Since building and restoring Hot Rods and Classic Cars is Luke’s line of business, we go to these great shows and have a wonderful time.

We started our summer car show stops at the legendary LA Roadster Show at the Pomona Fair Grounds. At this classy event, The L.A. Roadster Club showcases the Original Hot Rod–the 1932 Deuce, along with 1928 to 1934 hot rod Roadsters, plus rows of specialty cars, coupes, sedans, woodies and wagons ranging from 1910 to 1975. This annual Father’s Day weekend event is a fundraiser to benefit worthy non-profit organizations. Here are some of the cars we saw…

(hover over the slideshow to stop it for a better look)

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Get a flash from the past, today with these #HotRods and #ClassicCars check out the slideshows!

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Next on our list was the 75th Anniversary of the 1940 Ford, at the Forties Limited of Orange County‘s 39th Annual Forty Ford Day at La Palma Park in Anaheim. This show celebrates the 1940 Fords, but you can find other cool street rods and classics there as well…

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Do these amazing cars inspire you to come out and share the experience? If so, you haven’t missed your chance. The Great Labor Day Cruise at the Orange County Fair Grounds is coming September 4th through 6th, 2015. This 33rd Annual, weekend-long event hosted by the Orange County Cruising Association (OCCA), benefits the Warrior Foundation – Freedom Station. Get the general information here.

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I hope you have enjoyed this little glimpse into Hot Rods and Classic Cars!

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Do you or someone you know own a Hot Rod or Classic Car?

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Do you have any car shows or cruises in your area?

…

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Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

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~Lorelai

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Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com

Cranberry Orange Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

A Low Fat Recipe

Last week I needed just a little something as a treat for a birthday gift. I wanted to bake something, but I didn’t want to make a trip to the store. I could have made some yummy Mexican Wedding Cakes, but I was looking for something super fast. Checking my cupboards, I found a box of Krusteaz Fat Free Cranberry Orange Muffin Mix and a partial bag of Chocolate Chips. So, I decided to create these wonderful Low Fat Cranberry Orange Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins!

This recipe is quick and easy, and bonus, it uses up those leftover chocolate chips that keep tempting you. All you have to do is follow the directions on the muffin box, toss in your chocolate chips (I had about 3 tablespoons of chocolate chips), mix well, and load up your mini muffin tin.

Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Once out of the oven, I turn my mini muffins out of the pan and onto tea towels in the middle of the table. This was always my kids favorite part when they were young. They’d sit down and pluck the muffins right off the table for breakfast. Serve the muffins with some eggs and yogurt, and you have a healthy and nutritious start to your day.

Now, even though a few of these muffins were devoured in our traditional manor. I had to keep it to a minimum–these tiny treats had another future to meet. They were a birthday gift.

So, I grabbed a clear cellophane bag along with some sparkly starred twisty cord and package my Low Fat Cranberry Orange Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins in festive style.

Here’s a Printable Recipe, so you don’t forget this fantastic idea!

5 from 1 reviews

Cranberry Orange Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

Save Print

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

12 mins

Total time

17 mins

from: Life With Lorelai

Type: Low Fat Muffins

Cuisine: Breakfast, Brunch, Snacks

Serves: 3 - 4 dozen

Ingredients:

1 Box - Krusteaz Fat Free Cranberry Orange Muffin Mix
Chocolate Chips - whatever you have leftover in the bag. (I had about 3 Tbs)
1 Cup - Water

Directions:

Follow the instructions from the Muffin Mix Box for Mixing the Batter.
Add Chocolate Chips
Mix well
Spoon into prepared Mini Muffin Tin
Bake at 400 degrees for 12 - 15 minutes

Notes

Package these mini muffins to make great little gifts.

3.3.3077

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Do you have any fun Baked Treats you use for Gift Ideas?

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What flavor of Muffins is your favorite?

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Share using our Hashtag!

Leave me a comment… I’d love to hear from you!

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~Lorelai

Sign up today, and don't miss anything! Enjoy EXCLUSIVES, FREEBIES, and FUN.

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Contact Lorelai at Lorelai@LifeWithLorelai.com