Impromptu Birthday Cake

The other night ds and some friends came in from dinner and announced that it was K's birthday. They were heading to the climbing gym and wondered it I could bake a cake for them to have when they go home. No pressure here! Bake a birthday cake from the pantry for the birthday girl I'd never baked for before. She asked for a lemon cake. Did I have fresh lemons? No I did not. So I had to wing it.

I have a yummy recipe for a lovely bundt cake, Treasure Toffee Cake. I had some of the ingredients for that, so I just went with it. The cake was a success and made lovely coffee cake the next morning.

1 yellow cake mix
(7 T. butter, 3 eggs, water)
1/3 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1/3 cup Heath toffee pieces
1/4 cup white chocolate chips (because I had them)
1/2 cup raw sugar (you could use brown sugar here)

Follow package instructions. Mine called for the items in (). Grease a bundt pan well. Pour 2/3rds of the batter into the pan, and sprinkle on the mixture of sugar and sweets. Top with remaining batter, and bake according to package directions. Invert on cooling rack as soon as you take it out of the oven.

Not a traditional birthday cake, I'll admit, but not too bad for a cake request at 8 pm on a Tuesday night.

Happy eating!

linking up with Made by You Monday

Treasure Toffee Cake

This is one of my all time favorite coffee cakes. I usually make it around the holidays, but I think that's just a trick I use to keep myself from making all the time! 

It's yummy for brunch; with a cup of coffee or tea; or even for dessert.

Hope you enjoy it!

1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1/4 cup chopped pecans
3 Heath Bars, crumbled (or the equivalent weight of Heath Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits)
1/4 cup melted butter
powdered sugar

Combine cinnamon and 1/4 c. sugar, and set aside. Combine remaining ingredients through eggs. Blend at low speed until moistened. Beat at medium speed 3 minutes. Spray or grease a 10-inch Bundt pan, and spoon half of batter into pan. Sprinkle with 2 Tbl. cinnamon mixture. Spoon remaining batter into pan. Top with remaining cinnamon mixture, nuts, and candy bits. Pour melted butter over the mixture. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool 15 minutes. Turn out from pan and dust with powdered sugar once cake is completely cooled. 

Serves 16.


linking up with Made by You Monday

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY . . . December 30, 2014

Outside my window . . . it is SUNNY! Finally after weeks of gray, drab days we have a nearly cloudless sky. Yes it's cold, but it is December after all.

I am thinking . . . that I am ready for everyone to get back into their normal routines. Why is it so difficult for me to go about my routines when their routines are off kilter?

I am thankful . . . that everyone in the house seems to be feeling better.

In the kitchen . . . Ham and Bean Soup. Yesterday I simmered the Honey Baked hambone to make broth and get all the yummy bits of ham off of it. Today I will make the soup and we will have a wonderful dinner tonight and for a few days to come. Oh and an apple pie on the spur of the moment at DH's request. (We were given an apple pie that wasn't very good at all, so he wanted one of mine!)

I am wearing . . . my t-shirt from The Well and my flannel robe and faux Crocs.

I am creating . . . my beautiful afghan (this pattern from Attic 24, and a lovely set of DK yarn from Stylecraft). I've got 93 rows completed which is (hopefully) 18,600 stitches. Whew!

I am going . . . to make breakfast RITI today. I'm making a Treasure Toffee Coffee Cake and Cheese Muffins. Breakfast has to be something they can take and eat, and I always try to include protein along with something sweet.

I am wondering . . . about some rearranging in the house. Not sure how to accommodate some hobbies.

I am reading . . . The Rule of Four by Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason. I read this when it first came out (2004), but I was caught up in healing then, so I'd like to reread it now. I'm really enjoying it, but find that I need a pen and paper to jot down notes. That way I can go to the computer later and look up references I am not familiar with. I read a fascinating passage last night about Old Testament translation issues that I want to read more about.

I am looking forward to . . . the return of routine! Are you sensing a theme here?

I am hearing . . . quiet right now, but DH is home and chatting at me even though he knows I'm trying to write.

Around the house . . . it's time to take down all the decorations and return the house to its usual state.

I am praying . . . an adoptive family that is struggling right now. Parenting is difficult at times, but more so when there is past trauma to deal with, and people are quick to offer advice and solutions that aren't appropriate in those situations. I am praying for more healing and less judgment by outsiders.

One of my favorite things . . . is a really good movie. DH and I watched The Station Agent again last night. I had forgotten about this little gem of a movie. 

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . errands, RITI, therapy, chiropractor, and a weekend get away with the extended family to Pickett State Park.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing . . .

a shot of the lake from my walk with DH last week

linking up with The Simple Woman