Salted Caramel Frosting + Salted Caramel Sauce Recipe

Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel Frosting

Photo by: DonnaMarie Photography

This is a truly surprising flavor frosting!!!!

I baked this cake for my mother-in-laws 83rd birthday & everyone went crazy over it...especially her!

It is my new favorite flavor frosting!!!!

You can use either your favorite cake recipe or box cake with this frosting...it will make ALL the difference in the world!

I baked a 9 X 13, but you can make it any way you wish...

even cupcakes would be great!

Bake your cake or cupcakes than prepare this frosting.

To start you have to make the salted caramel sauce 1st.

Salted Caramel Sauce
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1. Combine the sugar, water, and the corn syrup in a large saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
2. Cover the saucepan and let it cook over medium heat for 3 minutes.
3. After 3 minutes, remove the lid, increase the heat to medium-high, and bring to a boil.
4. Do not stir from this point on...."swirl" the liquid around the pan so that the caramel doesn’t burn.
5. Continue to cook until the caramel turns an even amber color then remove from the heat and let stand for about 30 seconds.
6. VERY CAREFULLY Pour the heavy cream into the mixture. The mixture will bubble up significantly and is very hot.7. Stir the mixture, again being careful. Add the butter, lemon juice, and salt. Stir until combined.
8. Pour mixture into a heat proof bowl.. Stirring occasionally, allow to cool until thick like molasses and warm to the touch, about 20 minutes.
(Store extra in a sealed container in the refrigerator.)

                                                        Salted Caramel Sauce


Salted Caramel Frosting

2 sticks butter at room temperature
8 ounces of cream cheese
3-4 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 cup salted caramel sauce (recipe above)
1. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed until creamy.
2. Add 2 cups of the powdered sugar into the butter/cream cheese mixture and beat to combine.
3. Add 1 cup of the salted caramel and beat to combine.
4. Add additional powdered sugar until the frosting is the consistency you desire.
5. Beat until light & fluffy (about 3 minutes)

To frost cake...begin by using the handle end of a wooden spoon & poke holes all over the entire cake.
Pour about 1 cup of caramel sauce over cake & spread quickly so that it drips down into the holes.
Allow to settle (about 3 minutes)
Spread frosting onto cake & add pecan or walnuts.
Using your wooden spoon, drizzle caramel sauce over cake.

             Than lightly sprinkle entire cake with coarse sea salt.

         Than get ready to watch this delicious cake disappear fast!

Hope you enjoy!!!!

How to make a Healthy Quick & Easy Veggie Personal Pizza Recipe

Personal Size Healthy Veggie Pizza

These make a great healthy lunch or dinner. So quick & easy too...just 15 minutes! Also great for Lent because they contain no meat. So gather up your veggies & lets get started!

1st select vegetables you would like for the toppings.

I chose spinach, red bell peppers, tomatoes, scallions, mushrooms & mozzarella cheese.

 Chop your vegetables into tiny pieces. (This allows the flavors to be dispersed evenly).

Lay tortilla on a lined baking sheet.

Spread your favorite tomato or pizza sauce onto tortilla than add cheese you toppings.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes...or until edges are toasty & cheese melted.

                                  Cut into slices & enjoy!



Valentines Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Peanut Butter Heart Recipe

In the heart of it all....there's CHOCOLATE!

What could be sweeter than a batch of these delicious freshly baked peanut butter cookies with a chocolate peanut butter filled heart? 

Your sweet heart deserves them!

Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Peanut Butter Heart Recipe

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• approx. 24 chocolate peanut butter filled chocolate hearts (remove foil)

1. Mix ingredients down to the vanilla.  Add soda, salt, and flour. 
2. Drop teaspoon size cookie dough onto baking sheet.
3. Cook for 8-10 minutes at 350.
4. Remove cookies from oven and lightly press a chocolate peanut butter heart into center of each cookie.  Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes before placing on cooling rack. 

ENJOY!

Valentine's Day Cookie Recipe White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake Cookie Recipe

White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake Cookie Recipe

Perfect for Valentine's Day!

                                               Bake up a batch of these yummy delights!



Nothing says "I LOVE YOU" like fresh baked cookies. Wrap them up into little packages & give them to all your "SPECIAL" Valentines.

Make little hang tags & tie them up with pretty ribbon.

                                 Your family & friends will love these!

             These would be great for teachers, co-works or neighbors too!

or

Serve them up for a tea party with girlfriends!

White Chocolate Cranberry Cheese Cookie Recipe

Ingredients

‎2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
4 oz. creamcheese
2 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup finely chopped dried cranberries

COMBINE:  flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, creamcheese, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and cranberries. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.







Chocolate Cupcake Recipe with Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting Valentines Day Cupcakes

For my Valentine (my hubby) I made these delisiously rich chocolate cupcakes topped with sweet red raspberry cream cheese frosting & decorated them with tiny white hearts & big chocolate heart. What says "I LOVE YOU" more than a special treat made just for him!

Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon vinegar

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together until moist and well blended.
2. Put in cupcake cups and bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F. (till toothpick comes out clean)

Red Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar (maybe more)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 T red raspberry seedless jam

In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla & jam then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar. Store in the refrigerator after use.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa Recipe

I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER!

                                                 Anyone who knows me can testify to that!

 Even as a small child I would eat it straight from the jar...back in the day when the jars were glass. So of course it would only be natural to incorporate peanut butter into another favorite...HOT CHOCOLATE!

Combining the winning flavors of chocolate & peanut butter into tasty delights is nothing new, but to turn it into a warm soothing drink form is revolutionary. Go ahead & treat yourself with this delisciously sweet creamy delight!  

     INGREDIENTS

     1 C. Milk

        1/2 C. Heavy Cream

               1 Tablespoon Creamy Peanut Butter

               1/2 C. Milk Chocolate Chips

Directions: In a small sauce pan combine milk & cream. Heat on low until steam appears. Add chocolate pieces & whisk until melted than add peanut butter & whisk until smooth & creamy. Pour into mug & top with miniature marshmallows, chocolate chips & salted peanuts. ENJOY!

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again;  there is nothing new under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

Mint Chocolate Hot Cocoa Recipe... this is so rich & creamy!

Who can resist such a rich & chocolatey treat. Nothing warms the body up like a good ol fashion hot chocolate...MINT hot chocolate at that! Go ahead & treat yourself to this wonderfully delcious drink.


RECIPE:
1 cup chocolate milk
2 T Andes Mint Chocolate Baking Chips
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Miniature Marshmallows
Whisk together chocolate milk, mint chocolate chips & vanilla in a small pan. Bring to a simmer. Pour into a mug &add  marshallows or whipped cream than top with a few more mint chocolate chips. ENJOY!

Zesty Mexican Taco Soup Recipe

Today was a perfect day for making this quick & easy zesty Mexican taco soup. It is so quick & easy! On a cold windy day it warms your heart & soul.
RECIPE:
Zesty Mexican Taco Soup Recipe
1 26 oz. can Cream of Tomatoe soup +1 can water
15 oz. Dark Red Kidney Beans
15 oz. can Black Beans
1 chopped scallion
1 sm. can (5.5 oz.) V-8 juice 
 1/2 lb ground beef 
 1/4 packet taco seasoning.
 Cheedar cheese (for topping)
White nacho corn chips
Dollop of sourcream
 Brown the ground beef & scallions than add beans & saute for about 5 minutes. Add beef & bean mixture to pot with tomatoe soup, v-8 juice, add salt & pepper + a bit of the taco seasoning. Let simmer for about 15 minutes. Serve in bowl with crumbled white corn chips & top with cheddar cheese, scallions & a dollop of sour cream. ENJOY!