Lemon – Raspberry Bundt Cake

Lemon – Raspberry Bundt Cake

Lemon – Raspberry Bundt Cake

Ingredients for the cake

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour ( plus 3 Tablespoons for raspberry prep )

2 tsp. baking powder

2 sticks of unsalted butter ( room temperature )

1/2 tsp. salt

8 oz. cream cheese ( room temperature )

2 c. sugar

4 large eggs ( room temperature )

2 c. fresh raspberries

1/4 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice

2 Tablespoons lemon zest

Ingredients for the frosting

4 oz. cream cheese  ( room temperature )

1/2 stick of unsalted butter ( room temperature )

1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

dash of salt

Ingredients for the decoration

1 c. fresh raspberries 

zest of one lemon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Prepare bundt pan by coating the pan with butter and flour

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and lemon juice and zest and beat until creamy ( about three minutes).

Add the eggs one at a time and beat an additional 1 minute.

In a small mixing bowl. Place the fresh raspberries and sprinkle with the 3 Tablespoons of flour. Toss until the berries are coated and then with a rubber spatula fold the berries into the cake batter.

Bake for 55- 60 minutes, until golden brown and tooth pick test comes out clean.

Let the cake rest in the pan on the counter for about 20 minutes before inverting the pan onto your cake stand or platter.  Allow it to cool an additional 30 minutes before frosting.

Prepare the frosting, beating until smooth and creamy then proceed to frost the cake.  Arrange the fresh berries and lemon zest on top.

This cake is super easy, so pretty, and perfect for Easter or a Springtime Brunch.

Enjoy!

Easy Holiday Punch

Easy Holiday Punch

2 Qt Cranberry/Mango Juice

2 Qt. Pulp Free Orange Juice

2 Liter 7 Up

For Garnish

2 Mandarin Oranges

2 Limes

1/2 c. Pomegranate seeds

1/2 c. Fresh Cranberries

Fresh Rosemary Sprigs

In large punch bowl combine juices and 7 Up.  Add ice

Then slice oranges and limes.  Add sliced fruit, pomegranate seeds, cranberries and fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish.

  • This can easily be turned into a Holiday Rum Punch by adding Blue Chair Coconut Rum *

Cheesy Brussel Sprouts

Cheesy Brussel Sprouts

Cheesy Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

4 slices of Bacon

1 Large Yellow Onion, chopped 

1 clove Garlic, minced

2 lbs. Fresh Brussel Sprouts, cut in half

1 1/2 c. Whole Milk

1 c. Chicken Broth

4 Tablespoons of Unsalted Butter

5 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour

3/4 c. Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/4 Tablespoon Dried Thyme

Ground Pepper to taste

1 1/ 2 c. Grated Sharp White Cheddar

Paprika for Garnish

Step 1 :

Heat a large skillet and crisp cook the bacon.  Transfer to a plate and cool.  Pour off all but approximately 2 Tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pan.  Add the onion and minced garlic.  Cook until onion is translucent.  Scrape the onions and garlic into the bottom of a large shallow 9×13 baking dish.  Spreading evenly across the bottom.  Set aside.

Step  2:

Preheat Oven to 375 degrees.  Bring large pot of salted water to a boil then add the sprouts and cook until tender.  Drain thoroughly and transfer to the baking dish.

Step 3:  

Combine Milk and Chicken Broth in saucepan Bring to simmer, remove from heat.

Step 4:

Melt butter in a large saucepan .  Add the flour and cook at medium heat for approximately 1 minute until golden brown.  Whisk in half of the hot milk and broth.  Heat and whisk for another minute or so until mixture is thickened.  Add the remaining liquid and cook for 5 minutes, whisking frequently.

Step 5:

Whisk in the parmesan cheese , mustard , thyme, salt and pepper.  Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the sprouts.  Crumble the crisp bacon over the top and then sprinkle evenly the white cheddar cheese.  Dust lightly with paprika.

Step 6:

Bake at 375 degrees in center oven for approximately 30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.

ENJOY!

Traditions

Traditions

It is Thanksgiving week in the United States and nothing screams tradition to me more than the Thanksgiving holiday. We have traditions in our family and I bet you have them in yours. Where did they come from?  Are they worth passing on?  Those are the questions I have been asking myself at the beginning of this holiday season.

“It’s that time again!” Having something to look forward to that is just around the corner is a wonderful part of our human experience.  I will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner for my side of the family and I am really looking forward to it.  We eat a very traditional meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie and the like.  We are a family that is ok with trying new things too and many of the recipes we have explored in recent years have now become part of the tradition.  Our favorite being a brussels sprout casserole and a cranberry salad.  I might add that only my sister in law, Tanja, is allowed to make them.  She just has the magic touch.  * see sherricrandall.com for recipes*

Food and the holidays can trigger nostalgia and anticipation.  I realize for many it can also trigger unpleasant memories and can be a difficult time of the year.  The great thing about traditions is you get to decide what you want to move forward with.  I am challenging myself to think about why I have continued with something and have I made it worthwhile for my kids to continue one day when they have their own families.  Good things to ponder.

Traditions help us with a healthier and happier outlook on life.  They bond us with our family and friends.  I believe we have an innate drive to build them which in turn helps with our finding fulfillment and belonging.  It is the anticipation and the joy.

Traditions may change and evolve over the years and some just need to stay the same. I hope I got you thinking about yours. From my home to yours – I wish you a season to be thankful for!

I would love to hear about your favorite Thanksgiving traditions.

Blueberry Crumble

Blueberry Crumble

Blueberry Crumble

For the Crust

2 Sticks of unsalted butter

1/2 c. sugar

2 1/2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

For the Filling

2 blocks of cream cheese ( room temperature )

1/2 c. sugar

1 large egg ( room temperature)

1/ 2 c. sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

1 Tbsp. lemon zest

juice of one lemon

3 c. fresh blueberries

For the Topping

1 stick of melted unsalted butter

1/3 c. sugar

1 c. all purpose flour

1 tablespoon light brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray cooking spray on bottom and sides of a 9×13 pan

Mix with hand mixer the ingredients for the crust and spread on the bottom of pan.  Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool

While the crust is cooling, mix ingredients together for the filling, minus blueberries.  Mix until creamy then fold in the fresh berries. Layer the filling over the cooled crust.

Mix together the ingredients for the topping and layer evenly over the filling.

Place the crumble in the oven for approximately 40 minutes.  Until the topping is golden and the center is set.  Let the crumble cool at room temperature and then refrigerate until ready to serve.

Of course this tastes great solo or with a side serving of vanilla bean ice-cream.  A perfect Easter treat.  Enjoy!