Salt Play Dough

A huge part of childhood is discovery and learning.  And let's be honest, who doesn't love playing with playdough.  I love when i make it and get to be creative with it.  This is a great recipe that makes silky smooth dough.  Enjoy it!

Ingredients

2 cups flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
Up to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right)
food coloring 
few drops glycerine (optional- adds more shine!)

Directions:

Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl.
If you are making your dough all one color the add your food coloring TO the boiling water then add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients Stir continuously until it becomes a sticky, combined dough
Add the glycerine (optional)
If you are going to color your dough multiple colors then Allow the dough to cool down then take it out of the bowl, add a small amount of food color gel and knead it vigorously* for a couple of minutes until all of the stickiness has gone and the color is well mixed. * This is the most important part of the process, so keep at it until it’s the perfect consistency!*
(If it remains a little sticky then add a touch more flour until just right)

Pineapple Coconut Cake

Growing up my best friends family was Polynesian.  I learned much of what I know about yummy food from them.  This cake is one that will always remind me of them, and luau season.  Talk about a delicious bit of sunshine, this cake is definitely a tried and true keeper.

1 yellow or lemon cake mix

8oz of cream cheese

1 C. Milk

Small Package of Instant Vanilla Pudding

20oz Can of Crushed Pineapple

Small Carton of Cool Whip

1 Package Sweetened Coconut

Prepare cake according to instructions on box. Pour into a greased jelly roll pan and bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Let cake cool completely. Soften the cream cheese, then beat cream cheese, milk and pudding; spread over top of cake. Spread pineapple over cream cheese mixture and cover with cool whip. Sprinkle coconut over cool whip. Chill before serving.

Grasshopper Bundt Cake

My mom shared this with me stating it was the hit of the Party she was at last night.  Thought we should share the yummy goodness with everyone.  Hope you Enjoy it!

Ingredients for the Cake:

1 box dark chocolate fudge cake mix (Duncan Hines)

1 pkg. chocolate pudding mix 3.4 ounces, instant

½ cup water

½ cup vegetable oil

1 cup sour cream

4 large eggs

1 ½ cups Andes mints (you can find the Andes baking chips in the baking section)

For the Mint Frosting:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature

8 tablespoons butter, softened

½ teaspoon peppermint extract

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

2 drops green food coloring

For the Chocolate Glaze:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray Bundt pan with vegetable oil spray, then lightly coat with flour.  Set aside.

2. In the bowl of your mixer, combine cake mix, pudding mix, water, vegetable oil, sour cream and eggs. Beat on low speed until just combined. Then beat for 3 minutes. Fold in chopped mints until combined.

3.  Spoon batter into prepared Bundt pan.  Spread evenly, bake for about 50 minutes, until cake is set and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

4. Let cake cool in pan for about 15 minutes, then very carefully turn onto a wire rack to continue cooling.

For the Frosting:

1.  In the bowl of your mixer, beat cream cheese, butter and peppermint extract on medium speed until smooth.

2.  Add powdered sugar and beat on medium low until combined.

3.  Add milk and food coloring and increase mixer speed to high.  Beat for one minute, until smooth.

4.  Spoon frosting around the top of the Bundt cake, then spread with an offset spatula.

5.  Place cake in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.

For the Glaze:

1.  Melt chocolate chips in the microwave until smooth. (You may need to add a little vegetable oil if too thin it)

2.  Drizzle over cooled frosted cake, top with additional chopped mints, if desired.