GINGERBREAD HEAVEN

Oh my goodness, these are heavenly!! I'm putting together a quick blog on how to make them, please be patient while I recover from a baking frenzy.

 Check back for recipe and photos. You won't want to miss these beauties. Gingerbread cupcakes, with cinnamon cream cheese icing and a hint of orange zest. (gasp) SOOOOOO good.

EDIBLE PINECONE?? TURKEYS ON A STICK??

Pinecone Cheeseball: Homemade goodness that looks like a pinecone! Festive appetizer for your fall holiday table!

Pinecone Cheeseball:

1-1/4 cup whole almonds

1 Pkg. cream cheese (8 oz.), softened

1/2 Cup mayonnaise

5 bacon slices - crisply cooked and crumbled

1 Tablespoon. chopped green onion

1/2 teaspoon dill weed

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Cooking Directions:

Spread almonds in a single layer in a shallow pan. Bake at 300 degrees (F.) for 15 minutes, stirring often, until almonds just begin to turn color.

Combine cream cheese and mayonnaise, mixing well. Add the bacon, onion, dill and pepper. Mix well. Cover and chill overnight.

Form mixture into shapes of two pinecones on a serving platter. Beginning at the narrow edge (or point), arrange almonds at a slight angle into the cheese mixture, pressing gently in rows. Continue overlapping the rows until all the cheese is covered.

Garnish with fresh sprigs of rosemary. Serve with crackers or toasted baguette slices. Makes 1 ½ cups

NOW, here's the fun part , you can change out the ingredients to your liking.  Keep the cream cheese as a base, add mayo or even sour cream or greek yogurt, then play with the rest. Here are some ideas:

*shredded cheddar, dry ranch dressing mix (half packet)red onions, minced

*chopped ham instead of bacon

*just dried dill weed and minced sweet onions

 Chill before serving, 8-24 hrs is best. The flavors will have a chance to mingle.

NOW FOR A FUN PLACE MARKER AND/OR DESSERT!

Turkey Cookie Pops

Ingredients:

12 cream filled vanilla cookies such as vanilla Oreo’s

12 Nutter Butter bite size cookies

12 lollipop sticks

1 bag of candy corn

24 small (approx. 3/8 in.) candy eyeballs (found in cupcake decorations isle at craft store)

1 tube of pre-made red icing (not gel)

12 pre-cut  lengths of ribbon to match (approx. 6-8 in. each)

Optional:

12 blank placecards

Single Paper hole punch

Assembly Directions:   Open two vanilla cream cookies, save each half that has the most cream. 

 Put them together..

Place the now "double stuff" cream filled cookie on a flat surface. 

Gently insert a lollipop stick into the cream between the pieces until will stay in place. Press gently to adhere.

 At the opposite side of the cookie, insert individual pieces of candy corn, pointed side in first, to resemble tail feathers.

(side note= these nutter butter bites can also be used in an edible acorn treat as seen on another of my recent blog posts..check it out)

Carefully separate one side from a bite size nutter butter cookie, so that all or most of the cream is on one side. Use this piece, and cream side down, press gently but firmly to middle of vanilla oreo.

Make sure the lollipop stick is facing down and onto the nutter butter cookie, press two candy eyes with a tiny dab of red icing underneath to glue it in place. The red should not show. I apologize for not having a picture of the candle eyeballs. 

They are usually found with candy and cupcake decorations in your local craft store. Apparently, SOMEONE took them all and I had to make my own, from gum paste and dot them with an edible marker pen. So...use your imagination and creativity if there's a sudden rush on candy eyeballs and you arrive too late.

 Underneath the eyes, in the beak area, make a small oval horizontal shape with red icing, and press part of one candy corn (the smallest tip and part of the middle),onto the right side of the red icing. The red will show on the left side, making the turkey’s “wattle”. Make sure the tip is pointing down for the beak.

Repeat with the remaining 11. Let the cookies set on a flat surface so everything stays in place. When they are ready, carefully tie the ribbon around the stick into a bow, and push toward the cookie.

You may use these as placemarkers, and to do so, write the guests names on each card first, then punch two single holes at middle of top and bottom and insert onto lollipop stick. Lay the cookie on top of the folded napkin to mark the places. OR to make them stand up with even more visual POW...carefully push lollipop stick into a small apple, being sure that it will sit level and not tip over. Tipped over turkeys are sad turkeys.

I'm thinking: for next year, just to mix it up a bit..I'm going to make these "blonde" turkeys but also make some out of regular chocolate oreos and use the "indian corn" candy corn with darker colors. More fun to have some variety in your flock!  Actually is it a flock? I know a bunch of geese is a "gaggle"..now I have to go look that up...

Making your life a little sweeter,

Liz

the Party Hostess Diva

http://www.facebook.com/partyhostessdiva

http://www.pinterest.com/lizcorbett

http://www.weddingcakeunder50.com

PINE CONE CHEESE BALL and TURKEY COOKIE POP

Please check in shortly at this blog for directions on making the pinecone cheeseball and the

adorable Turkey Cookie Pop. It should be up by 4pm today. If not, check this evening. Lots of baking and prepping going on here at Party Hostess Diva...stay tuned!

In the meantime, check out some fun cake and food photos at my facebook page;
http://www.facebook.com/partyhostessdiva

and on Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/lizcorbett

BAKED CRAB DIP, Super Powered Brain Food Dip and BAKED TORTILLAS!!

You MAY have been directed here as a result of watching the show, "Simply Talking" with hosts Betel Arnold and Lena Nascembeni . If so, thanks for watching, and a big THANK YOU to the awesome hosts for having me back. It's always a pleasure. We had fun making these things today. If you get to the end of this post and go "hey, where's the cute little acorn sweet treats?" Well, just mozey on over to my OTHER blog post on this site where I show how to make that. In fact, check them ALL out. You may find something else you want to make. 

Good Cook 9 Inch Ceramic Pie Plate, Red

As the holidays fast approach we think about having company more often, and also being invited as guests. 

Do you usually bring or serve the same appetizer every year? I have SO many recipes at my fingertips but there are a few that always get such good reviews, I end up making them by request, again..and again...and again.  This is one of those recipes. You'll be glad to know it is incredibly easy and you can even make it the day before, keep in the 'fridge and then bake just before you're ready.

This is not my original recipe , I believe in giving credit where it is due.  I found it years ago in a magazine advertisement for Louis Kemp imitation crab flakes. I have had that magazine page stuck in my favorite cookbook since then.

Elegance 5-1/2-Inch Stainless Steel Appetizer Spoons, Set Of 6

Baked Crab Dip 

2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened (reg. or light )
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Louis Kemp Crab Delights Flakes 
2 TBSP finely chopped onion
1 TBSP prepared horseradish (reg. or creamed style)
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
6-8 drops of hot sauce

topping:
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Paprika with a shaker top

Stir the cream cheese until softened. Blend in remaining ingredients except the nuts and paprika. Spread mixture into a lightly greased 9 inch glass pie plate. Top with chopped nuts (optional) and sprinkle generously with paprika.

Bake uncovered at 375 degrees F. for 25 minutes until lightly browned. 

Serve warm, on sturdy crackers or toasted baguette slices. 

Norpro 3 Piece Canape Bread Mold Set

You may stir this together up to 24 hrs. before baking. Cover tightly and refrigerate, then bake according to directions.

And, p.s.  - ANY brand of crab flakes will do. Grab whatever is on sale and pop extras in the freezer, you're gonna need them :) 

Another easy idea for an appetizer is Hummus, any flavor. By adding an equal amount of sour cream or even Greek Yogurt , you are doubling the Hummus volume into a creamy dip. I would recommend using a Hummus with a good strong flavor such as roasted red pepper or garlic, as the sour cream will lighten the overall flavor a bit.

No photo for this, I'm sorry. Imagine a container of Hummus...and....a container of sour cream. There, done.

Creative Home Espresso Stained Bamboo Chip-n-Dip Set

A great thing about this super healthy appetizer is that kids LOVE dip. Add some raw veggies or healthy chips (see below). You can name it anything you want, and for kids, something fun makes it even more enticing. Say, "Super Powers Action Hero Dip" or "Magical brain food". Whatever would appeal to the hungry child in front of you. 

If you say, however, "this, dear, is Hummus Dip. Hummus is made out of mashed up garbonzo beans ,or chic peas and it also has sour cream/yogurt. It's really really healthy so you need to have some."  Prepare for them to make a face (unless they are used to healthy food) and go "ick" and run away. The less you say, the better. This has been my parent tip for the day. You're welcome. :)

So what about a healthy chip for dipping ? IS there such a thing? Yes, Ma'am. Baked tortilla chips. Shown above are whole grain tortillas with guacamole. Buy a big package of the 7" round tortillas. You can go with basic white or for even more of a health kick, opt for the whole grain. There's even some colored ones with tomato and spinach, etc. Oooh, pretty!

Lay the tortilla on a cutting board or baking stone if you have one (LOVE LOVE LOVE my stoneware) and brush lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle to your liking with sea salt. The courser grains of the sea salt are a must for this. With a pizza cutter cut the round in half, and half again till you have 4 wedges. Then each of those get cut in half, like a pie . You will have 8 wedges. Separate them slightly from each other so they will bake evenly. 

Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. WATCH THEM closely. Of the batches I've made, the white tortillas do well with 9 minutes. The whole grain take from 9-10 minutes tops to lightly brown. If they don't get slightly golden, they won't be crispy. All ovens vary slightly so again, watch them. It is a very sad thing to have them burn. Such a waste.

Remove from the oven and let them cool right on the pan or a rack.

Here are some other yummy options for the tortilla chips:

brush with flavored oils- garlic, herb infused,etc.

For even less fat, brush tortillas generously with fresh squeezed lime juice, then the sea salt. YUM!

Sprinkle with your choice of seasonings; garlic salt, chili pepper , crushed dried rosemary and crushed garlic..to name a few. Go wild and crazy. Try a different flavor on each round and ask for votes.

Rachael Ray Tools 2-Piece Silicone Pastry Brush Set, Blue

I would recommend making up a big batch, use all the racks in your oven at once and then once cooled, bag them up (HIDE them!) and have ready for healthy snacks. 

If you decide to make these or the crab dip, send me a comment on my Party Hostess Diva page on Facebook. I'd love to hear from you. Pictures are even better!

Making your life a little sweeter
and sometimes crunchier
and healthier,

Liz
the Party Hostess Diva
http://www.weddingcakeunder50.com

http://www.facebook.com/partyhostessdiva

http://www.twitter.com/hostessinheels

ADORABLE FALL SWEET TREATS & table decor!

For those of you in CT, you may have caught the segment on Channel 8 for "Connecticut Style" in which I showed how to make these (and more) very simple sweet treats for your fall buffet table. If not, here's your own private "show and tell".

Rosanna Small 9-Inch Pedestal, White

They are so easy, it's not even funny. All pre-made ingredients for those of you who are in a pinch for time or perhaps "creatively challenged". First let's look at the simple table decor...Up front, a teeny little pumpkin, carve out the center with a small sharp knife, scoop out seeds and guts (hee hee) with a melon baller. Every self-respecting cook has one. (what? you don't know what that is? I'm gonna make you look it up. :)

Chef Harvey Garnishing for the Beginner, Book and Five Tools

Then place a battery operated votive candle inside. So pretty and much safer than flames. Especially if you have little ones around who like to touch things. And why wouldn't they? 

This is also very cute with other kinds of produce..which I'll share in future posts. It's just not a tablescape or buffet without candles! Why not think outside the box? Or candle holder.

Unscented Drip 4x5 Battery Operated Candle with Timer

Note the small pillar candle (bigger than a taper, smaller than typical pillar) inside a glass vase. Stabilize with unpopped popcorn. How cute is that? You may use other dry ingredients for filler, such as dried split peas, dried beans of various colors, etc. Just be sure they are not highly flameable items and you leave sufficient space between the flame and the filler. Although popcorn heating up near the flames...hmm. could be a nice touch to have exploding popcorn as a finale at the end of your Thanksgiving or fall holiday dinner. Memorable, I'm sure. (I'm JUST kidding, this idea hasn't been safety tested)

Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Cooking Made Light

Now to the sweet treats; first up, the donut- hole acorns. 

ohmygosh, aren't these adorable? c'mon. seriously. they're really cute! These are not my original idea...I found the idea on Pinterest. HAD to make them. These here, are mine of course. Here's what you need:

plain donut holes
Nutella spread (or chocolate frosting)
chocolate sprinkles
small pretzel sticks

Spread Nutella or frosting onto about 1/3 of the donut hole like a little hat. Roll this area in the chocolate sprinkles. Break off (or bite off..oh, wait, this is for company!) about 1/3 of the pretzel stick and poke the rest into the sprinkle covered portion as a stem. Tah Dah! Done!! I recommend popping these in the refridgerator just for a little while to set the spread.

Next up, teeny little acorns (almost life size) made from pre-made items. We're going with easy peasy, not complicated, for this post.

You will need:

1 package plain Hershey's kisses 
1 package Nabisco Nutter Butter bite size cookies.(red bag)
mini chocolate chips (about 1/4 cup?)

Carefully twist the cookie so one side pops off and leaves all or most of the creme filling on one side. Gently press an unwrapped Hershey's kiss onto the creme. (what you do with  all the cookie halves with no creme is up to you. I'm not watching and I won't judge. :)

Melt about 2 Tbsp of mini chocolate chips in a micro safe small bowl . Dab a TINY bit onto the center of the "top" of the acorn and press a mini chocolate chip onto it. A toothpick or tip of a sharp knife works well. Tah dah! you're done!

Harvest Leaf Jacquard Dining Tablecloth By Collections Etc

Now your guests or family will be all impressed with how creative you are! You can take all the credit. Well, send them to my blog or facebook page (see link below) and I'll love you forever. You're welcome.

Making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
the Party Hostess Diva

www.diyweddingcakeunder50.com

http://www.partyhostessdiva.com

http://www.facebook.com/partyhostesdiva

http://www.twitter.com/hostessinheels

ATTENTION BRIDES; WEDDING CAKE FOR $50

ATTENTION BRIDES! A Wedding cake for under $50 !!

BE THE FIRST TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS LIMITED TIME OFFER!

ATTENTION DIY BRIDES! ATTENTION FRUGAL DIVA'S!

Wilton Fancy Scrolls Cake Stand

The "Do-it-Yourself Wedding Cake for under $50" eBook is FINALLY available! It is a start-to finish, hold your hand along the way tutorial on how to make your own classic and delicious 2 or 3 tiered wedding cake!!(or get an awesome friend to help or do it for you !)

 Includes full color photos and a 40 minute narrated instructional video! This takes the mystery out of "how do they DO that?!" and puts it in your own capable hands. In fact, the method can be used over and over again to make impressive large cakes for other celebration events; Baby showers ..(first comes love, then comes marraige..then comes...? ..in the baby carraige), Christenings, Anniversaries, Birthday Parties, etc.

There is so much more, as well. Advice on transporting your cake, ideas for the cake table, suggestions for DIY cake toppers...resources listed.

Wilton 10 Inch Featherweight Piping Bag

The following link will take you to an information page where you can get it.

http://youtu.be/pC2nePyCcl4


Thanks, in advance, for sharing this with anyone and everyone. There will be a contest on my Pinterest for those who make the cakes using this book. Can't wait!

Making your life a little sweeter,
Liz
The Party Hostess Diva on Facebook
Elizabeth Corbett on Pinterest

3-D Pumpkin Bundt Cake!

If you happened to see the clip of my segment on Ch.22 ,WWLP, on the Mass Appeal show, making this 3-D pumpkin shaped bundt cake, you'll see that the ingredients were posted on their website.

Here are the basic instructions to go with it if you'd like to make this at home. 

Nordic Ware Pro Cast Original Bundt Pan

I didn't have time to demonstrate the face made out of gumdrops, but perhaps that will be a separate blog on "Fun with Gumdrops!" :)

Ingredients:

Cake:

2 classic spice cake mixes

2 ,15 oz. cans of solid pack pumpkin

(2 eggs optional-will improve texture and height)

Icing:

1 stick (1/4 lb) of pure butter

1 (8oz) pkg of cream cheese

4 cups confectioners sugar (1lb)

Scant 1 Tablespoon milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Red food coloring

Yellow food coloring

OR Wilton brand "orange"

Green food coloring

Decorations:

1 unpeeled banana

4 Green Airheads candy strips

OR, my favorite: approx..16-20 green tootsie rolls(found in candy by the pound section)

***Optional: (for jack-o-lantern face)

6 large white gumdrops or spice drops

6 large yellow gumdrops or spice drops

2 Tablespoons chocolate chips, melted

Granulated sugar (1/8 cup)

KitchenAid KSM75WH Classic Plus Tilt-Head 4-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer, White

Cooking Directions:

Grease a 9-10 cup oven safe bundt cake pan, preferably with a shape similar to sections of a pumpkin. Set aside.

Mix one spice cake mix, with one can of solid pack pumpkin and blend well, (using a whisk or electric mixer) ,incorporating the dry mix thoroughly so there are no dry lumps. Pour batter into prepared pan, spreading evenly and bake for approximately 30 min. at 350 degrees. It may take a few minutes longer depending on your oven and the size of the pan.

 Cake is done when the top appears slightly dry and feels firm to the touch, leaving no indentation. Or if a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out dry. Let the cake cool in the pan on a cooling rack until pan is only warm to the touch.

Human Brain Gelatin Mold Halloween Party Prop

Gently loosen sides of cake with a thin rounded metal spatula. Place cooling rack over cake pan and holding firmly, flip over and remove pan so the cake will continue cooling on the rack. Wash and prepare the cake pan for the second bundt cake. Repeat bundt cake pan prep and cake baking as shown above.

Make the icing:

While cakes are cooling, prepare cream cheese icing. Use an electric mixer for best results. Cream softened butter (not melted) and softened cream cheese until very smooth, scraping often, and there are no lumps. Gradually add confectioners sugar, one cup at a time and blend until smooth. Add vanilla extract, blend well.

 Add milk , one teaspoon at a time only if needed, until the icing reaches a smooth and thick consistency. It should hold its shape and not be too runny. You may end up not using any or all the milk.

Remove ½ cup of icing to a small bowl and add several drops of green food coloring until desired hue for a stem. This will cover half the banana.

Wilton 601-5580 1/2-Ounce Certified-Kosher Icing Colors, Set of 12

To the remaining icing , add at least 4 drops each of both red and yellow food coloring, mixing slowly and thoroughly after each addition until it has reached the desired hue for your pumpkin color. Or use Wilton coloring, “orange”. Just a dab with a toothpick until desired color is reached.

Putting it together;

When cakes have cooled completely; (you may even refridgerate them to help cool faster) set one bundt cake on a serving platter or plate,(use a pretty pedastal plate if you have one!)  upside down, so the flat side is on top. With a large serated bread knife, gently even off the top so it is level and very flat. Spread a thin layer of icing onto the cut surface.

For the second bundt cake, level the flat side as above, and gently place it on the first cake, right side up, so the cut sides are together, taking care to line up the ridges, and it now resembles a three dimensional pumpkin shape. 

3 Size Commercial Baker Icing Spatula Set, Baking Spatulas, Cake Decorating Spatulas, Stainless Steel, Flexible Resistant Blades

Carefully spread the orange colored icing over the entire cake, make sure it is not too thick, so it does not run down the sides. Follow the sections of the pumpkin with your spatula so it adds to the effect. Set cake aside.

Open the green airhead candies and microwave them on a paper plate for only 5 seconds at a time at half power, checking often, until they are slightly soft but not melted. You can also warm them with your hand before unwrapping, to make them pliable. Place side by side and flatten with your hands or a rolling pin to make one large piece. With a small sharp knife, cut out one large pumpkin leaf shape. Set aside.

Place whole banana, peel still on, and upside down, inside the center cavity of pumpkin cake and lean it to one side. If the banana goes too far down, you may wedge pieces of the leveled off cake into the center first, then the banana. With green icing, carefully cover only the part that shows. Place green candy leaf next to green iced stem, covering the center hole. Keep cake cool (not refridgerated) until ready to enjoy. Take pictures first! 

Rosanna Small 9-Inch Pedestal, White

***Optional decorations:

You may make a jack-o-lantern face with gumdrops. Place yellow and white gumdrops close together on granulated sugar covered board. Press down, then roll to make into one large flat piece.

 Add granulated sugar on top to keep from sticking to rolling pin. Turn piece often and sprinkle board with granulated sugar. With a small knife, cut out two triangle shapes for eyes, and with the remaining, cut a mouth shape. Set aside.

Melt 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips in a small mug in the microwave for approximately 60 seconds. Stir and brush just edges of gumdrop eyes and mouth pieces. This will define the shapes when they are on the pumpkin. Chill the pieces until the chocolate is set.

 Press the face pieces onto the side of the cake that you want as the front. If the icing has dried and it won’t stick, gently wet the icing first where you will place the pieces, with a dab of water on your finger, then press the pieces on.

Be sure to place them high enough on the pumpkin so the mouth will show.

Make a comment on my facebook page (see below) if you make this, or on my blog. I'd love to hear from you!

Making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
the Party Hostess Diva

http://www.facebook.com/partyhostessdiva

http://www.pinterest.com/lizcorbett

http://www.twitter.com/hostessinheels

AND MY LATEST PROJECT;

http://www.diyweddingcakeunder50.com

SOUR CREAM PUMPKIN BUNDT CAKE, SOOO GOOD!

SOUR CREAM PUMPKIN BUNDT CAKE has gotten rave reviews, so here is the recipe! I found it on the Libby's (canned) Pumpkin website, just so you know I'm giving credit where it's due. I would want credit for MY recipe.

And I KNOW you were wondering how the name came about so here goes...this is my condensation of information gathered from Wikipedia. 

Nordic Ware Pro Cast Original Bundt Pan

The dessert cake known as a "bundt cake" is baked in a pan 

with a distinctive ring shape and a hole in the middle.

It appears that "bundt" comes from the German ring-shaped 

tea-time cake called, Bundkuchen The word Bundt is used 

instead of bund in a recipe for "Bundt Kuchen. The German 

word bund in bundkuchen was derived from the bundling or 

wrapping of cake dough around the center hole of the pan. 

 The aluminum bundt pan, was trademarked in 1950 by 

H.David Dalquist, the founder of Nordic Ware, based in St.

 Louis Park, Minnesota

 Pillsbury sponsored a baking contest in 1966  and a bundt 

cake won second place. An immediate scramble for the 

pans, prompted the bundt pan to become the most-sold pan

 in the United States. More than 50 million bundt pans have 

been sold by the Nordic Ware company, since it's 

introduction.

Silicone Solutions 12 Cup Fluted Tube Pans

 Let me say that a bundt pan is my first choice, because it is

 so pretty! But this could be made as a layer cake, or a 

simple 9x13. Me personally, I'd go for a fun shape, as shown

 above, in a mini bundt pan. Mine makes 6 minis and it 

bakes faster too.  And it's round like a pumpkin, how cute is

 that?

Nordic Ware Platinum Collection Cast Aluminum Garland Bundt Pan

This recipe also makes wonderful cupcakes. Here are mine, 

coated with orange sugar, pretzel stick stems and piped 

buttercream leaves and vine tendrils. Makes a nice dessert 

presentation, don't you think?

Fall Pumpkin Patch: Orange Leaf Harvest Cupcake Wrappers - Set of 12 - Autumn or Halloween Decorations


SOUR CREAM PUMPKIN BUNDT CAKE
by Libby brand Pumpkin

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened (I did 1 stick + 1/2 cup shortening)
4 large eggs
1 cup Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
1 container ( 8 oz.) sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 deg.F . Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. 

Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat granulated sugar and butter in a large mixer bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin, sour cream and vanilla extract; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture.

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in cake comes out clean. Cool for 30 minutes in pan on wire rack. Invert onto wire rack to cool completely. 
_________________________________________________
The original recipe also includes a streusel filling. I did not use it because I was icing it with cream cheese frosting and didn't want it too sweet. You could do the streusel and eliminate the frosting. Here are the streusel ingredients if you want to use it:

STREUSEL
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2 teaspoons butter or margarine

combine brown sugar, cinnamon and allspice in a small bowl, cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly.

OXO Good Grips Dough Blender with Blades

To assemble in cake, spoon HALF of the batter into prepared pan, sprinkle streusel over batter, not allowing streusel to touch sides of pan. Top with remaining batter. Make sure batter layer touches edges of pan.

_________________________________________________


Now to Make the Cream Cheese Icing:

CREAM CHEESE ICING

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened (not melted)
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
4 cups confectioners sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In mixer,blend softened butter and cream cheese until very smooth. Gradually add confectioners sugar, mixing on low, and scraping bowl often. Add the vanilla extract. Add milk, one teaspoon at a time until desired consistency.

When cake has cooled completely, spoon icing over top edge and spread it partially down the sides, allowing it to run down in delicious, uneven rivers. Some of the cake should be exposed. This is the classic way to ice a bundt cake. Leftover icing? Store in a covered container and spoon additional gooey goodness onto slices if desired. Cream cheese icing is also lovely on toasted cinnamon raisin bread instead of butter or jam. 

Let me know if you've made this recipe and what you thought. I'd love to hear from you!

Making your life a little sweeter,

Liz
The Party Hostess Diva

my newly released book! :

http://www.diyweddingcakeunder50.com

http://www.facebook.com/partyhostessdiva

http://www.pinterest.com/lizcorbett

http://www.twitter.com/hostessinheels