White Chocolate Cake with White Chocolate Whipped Frosting

During the summer I was at an event where this cake was served, and everyone there fell in love with it.  I immediately knew I needed to make this for my son, the self proclaimed cake aficionado. 

My recipe has been adapted to make a standard size cake ( 9 x 13 pan), while the original recipe makes a half sheet cake size.  I have posted the recipe for the larger size cake at the bottom of page.

These photo's are from the 1st cake I made, the 1/2 sheet size cake.
The adapted recipe makes a much thicker/taller cake.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE WHIPPED FROSTING

1 (18.75 oz) box golden vanilla cake mix

1 (3.4 oz) box instant white chocolate pudding mix

3 eggs

3/4 c. oil

1 c. sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bow, combine all of the cake ingredients and beat for 2-3 minutes.

Pour the batter into a 9 x 13 baking pan that has been coated with non stick spray.

Back for 28-32 min or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean.

Cool completely.

WHITE CHOCOLATE WHIPPED FROSTING

1 3/4 c. whipping cream

1/4 c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. milk

1 (3.4 oz) box instant white chocolate pudding mix

In a large mixing bowl partially whip the cream until it is about 1/2 way thickened.

In a medium mixing bowl combine the milk and pudding mix and whisk until it is just mixed. Pour the pudding mix into the half whipped cream and continue to whip until the frosting is thick and spreadable.  Add the sugar and vanilla extract and continue to mix until it is the desired consistency that you like.

Spread on cake and serve.

Note:  I like to chill this cake for a couple of hours before serving and I love serving it with fresh fruit.

1/2 sheet size recipe:

Cake

1 ½ boxes golden vanilla cake mix

1 white chocolate pudding mix (3.4 oz.)

6 eggs

¾ c. water

¾ c. oil

1 ½ c. sour cream

Prepare as directed above.

Whipped Frosting

2 ½ c. whipping cream

¼ c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. milk

1 white chocolate pudding mix (3.4 oz.)

Almost Guilt Free Cake Batter Dip

Of course I found this recipe on Pinterest, and the title of the pin {Skinny Cake Batter Dip} immediately caught my eye.  I love a treat that doesn't make me feel guilty for consuming extra calories and fat, but then, in truth that has never stopped me from eating up all the goodness.  This recipe excited me because I could see real possibilities with it, and HELLO~3 ingredients!

ALMOST GUILT FREE CAKE BATTER DIP

1 box (10.5 oz.) Funfetti Cake mix

2 c. fat free vanilla yogurt

1 c fat free frozen whipped topping, thawed

Graham Crackers, Nilla Wafers for dipping

(just pick whatever you like most!)

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix and yogurt.  Use an electric mixer to combine well.  Add in the thawed whipped topping, mix until everything is well incorporated.  Cover and chill for 2 or more hours.

That's it!  Serve with your choice of dipping items.

Note:  as this dip sat out, the little 'confetti' pieces in the cake mix started to "melt". Each time it was stirred, the colors seemed to streak through the dip.  I think kids would be over~the~moon happy with this dip! 

I served this dip at a Bunco game night with all my fun girlfriends to see what their opinions would be.  It was a thumbs up. It's addicting.  The more you eat, the more you seem to want (notice the Scooby Treats we used as our dippers, there were no graham cracker sticks at the store that day but it made for great commenting and laughter!).

I used a recipe calculator to figure the basic nutritional information for the recipe:
If you would like to check out the recipe calculator, you can find the link here: SPARKPEOPLE.COM

Nutritional Info

• Servings Per Recipe: 30
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories: 70.2

• Total Fat: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0.5 mg
• Sodium: 103.0 mg
• Total Carbs: 13.0 g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.1 g
• Protein: 1.2 g

The serving size was calculated at 4-5 Tbsp.

Think of the fun possibilities with this recipe-simply mix it up by using other cake mix flavors.  How about spice cake with gingersnap dippers?  Chocolate fudge cake with Nilla wafer cookies?  Strawberry cake mix with graham crackers?  Oh the idea's people will come up with...

Recipe source: The Pursuit of Happiness Blog

January is Slow Cooker Month!

JANUARY IS FOR CELEBRATING CROCK-POT COOKING!

I love the idea of celebrating slow cooker's (I still call them crock-pot's, I'm from THAT generation) all month long.

So far I've used my crock-pot 3 times this month, and today is January 6th...
I've been wondering for quite a while what the correct spelling for the term crockpot, and it turns out I've been mis-spelling it forever according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the correct spelling is Crock-pot (with the hyphen).  Sheeesh.  Another new thing to remember... 

With all of that rambling being said, I wanted to create a post linking back to  some of my personal favorite crock-pot recipes, as well as other popular recipes found via my Crock-pot Crazy Pinterest Board.
You will definitely want to create a link to this post, you'll want to come back often!

Crock-pot Beef Stroganoff

(This is our family favorite!)

Crock-pot Refried Beans

(from our blog)

Amber's Chili

(from our blog)

Six Sisters' Stuff~ Crock-pot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken


Paula Deen's~ Crock-pot Macaroni and Cheese


Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen's~ Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

Better Home's and Garden's~ Creamy Tortellini Soup

The Little Kitchen's~ French Onion Pot Roast

Bubble Crumb's~ Rootbeer Pulled Pork

Creating Through Life's~ Crock-pot Lasagna

Family Fresh Meals'~ Slow cooker Scalloped Potatoes

Plain Chicken's~ Slow cooker Ham and White Beans

Six Sister's Stuff~ Parmesan Honey Pork Roast



Inspired Housewife's~ Gluten Free Bread in the Crock-pot

Crockpot Ladies'~ Carrot Cake w/Cream Cheese Frosting

Six Sister's Stuff~ Crock-pot Apple Cobbler

Life As A Lofthouse's~ Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake

Plain Chicken's~ Crock-pot Creme Brulee French Toast

The Gingerbread Blog's~ Sugared Pecans

What Is Your Cupcake Personality?

Have you ever wondered if your favorite kind of cupcake says anything about the type of person you are (probably not, but hey, new info is always good, right?)?
Over the last several months I have spent a great deal of time sitting in one doctor's office or another (or the dreaded dentist),  killing time. So boring! The highlight of 1 such visit was discovering a fun and simple article about cupcakes, so I thought I would share it, and 
30 different recipes, with you.

So... what is your cupcake personality?

~~CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES!~~

Intense

These are for people who are serious and focused. The double-chocolate combo is usually preferred by deep thinkers.  Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting lovers are slightly less intense.

Brown-eyed Baker-Best chocolate butter cream cupcakes

Lauren's Latest-Double-chocolate cupcakes with dark chocolate butter cream frosting

Betty Crocker-Dark chocolate cupcakes

Betty Crocker-Chocolate cupcakes with white truffle frosting

Betty Crocker-Chocolate extreme cupcakes

Martha Stewart-Devils Food cupcakes

My Baking Addiction-Chocolate-Chocolate cupcakes

~~VANILLA CUPCAKES!~~

Traditional

These cupcakes are for those who want something sweet but don't want to get too crazy.  If you choose vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting you're more open to taking risks.

Brown-eyed Baker-Vanilla cupcakes with Vanilla butter cream frosting

Cupcake Project-Ultimate Vanilla cupcakes

Flourishing Foodie-Vanilla Cupcakes with chocolate frosting

Baked Perfection-Vanilla Cupcakes with chocolate frosting

~~CARROT CUPCAKES!~~

Practical

As a carrot cake lover, you make decisions from a commonsense standpoint.  Here your getting your veggies and your treat.

(I wonder if this applies to pumpkin spice-because that's my favorite)

All Recipes-Carrot cupcakes with white chocolate cream cheese icing

Simply Recipes-Carrot cake cupcakes

Group Recipes-Paula Deen The best ever carrot cake cupcakes

Smitten Kitten-Carrot cake cupcakes with maple cream cheese frosting

~~PEANUT BUTTER CUPCAKES!~~

Adventurous

Choosing a rich, messy, over the top flavor shows you like to jump into new activities feet first.  You don't worry or hesitate.

Taste of Home-Chocolate fudge cupcakes with Peanut butter frosting

Tasty Kitchen-Peanut Butter stuffed Hot fudge cupcakes

Sugar Duchess-Chocolate fudge cupcakes with Peanut butter frosting

Taste Of Home-Peanut butter cupcake with Peanut butter frosting

~~LEMON BERRY CUPCAKES!~~

Spunky

People drawn to bright colors and flavors love to embrace life in the most colorful ways.  You are always fun to be around.

Food Network-Lemon Blueberry cupcakes with Lemon cream cheese frosting

Yummly-Lemon Raspberry cupcakes from Epicurious

Cupcake Adventures-Lemon raspberry cupcakes

Caulk and Crinolines-Lemon berry cupcakes

Annie's Eats-Strawberry lemonade cupcakes

Smells Like Home-Lemon cupcakes with Fresh raspberry curd filling

~~RED VELVET CUPCAKES!~~

Romantic

This cupcake is the first choice for anyone who is in a lovin' mood. With the deep red color,and it's reminder of Valentines Day, its the one you buy to share with someone special.

Simply Recipes-Red Velvet cupcakes with Cream cheese frosting

Epicurious-Red Velvet cupcakes with creamy vanilla icing

Country Living-Red Velvet cupcakes

Handle The Heat-Chocolate stuffed Red Velvet cupcakes

Skinny Taste-Skinny Red Velvet cupcakes

Well, how do you think this article holds up to your personality?

This was a fun post for me to create.  I spent A LOT of time browsing blogs and recipe sites, and now I've got a huge list of "to try" cupcake recipes.

Visit the links that accompany these recipes-every site is amazing!

Blog Post Article Source:  Reader's Digest Article