Tres Leches Cake

Cake:
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
5 eggs, separated
3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Soaking Liquid:
1 can coconut milk
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh milk

Frosting:
1 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp. sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Coat 9x13 with cooking spray and line bottom of pan with wax paper; coat paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.

In a large bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form.  Add 1/4 cup of sugar.  Beat until stiff peaks form.

In a separate large bowl, beat egg yolks with remaining 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. sugar until thick, about 3 minutes.  Fold in egg whites, then flour mixture. 

Pour batter into pan and spread to edges.  Bake at 350 degrees for 27 minutes or until top springs back when pressed.  Invert onto a wire rack and cool completely.

In medium bowl, whisk together the 3 milks.  Remove wax paper from the cake and with a wooden skewer, poke holes all over cake, 1 inch apart.  Return cake to pan upside down.

Slowly pour half of the soaking liquid over top, letting it seep into the holes.  Repeat.  It's ok to have some liquid sitting on top of the cake.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Whip heavy cream and sugar on medium high speed until medium stiff peaks form.  Spread over cake.

Dole Whip (Like they serve in Disneyland at the Tiki Room)

2 cans (20 oz. each) DOLE crushed pineapple
2 tbs...p. lemon juice
2 tbsp. lime juice
1/3 cup sugar ( i Used Stevia)
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

How to make it
Drain pineapple: reserve 2 tbsp. juice.
Set aside.
Place pineapple, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar and reserved pineapple juice in blender.
Cover and blend until smooth.
Pour into two 1-quart freezer zipped bags.
Store bags flat in freezer.
Freeze 1 1/2 hours or until slushy.
Stir pineapple slush gently into whipped cream until slightly blended in large bowl. Return to freezer until completely frozen, about 1 hour and serve.

Homemade Thin Mints (Easy No Bake Cookies)

Homemade Thin Mints (Easy No Bake Cookie)

If you’re a fan of Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies, then you are gonna love this recipe! This super quick and easy recipe requires just 4 ingredients (including Ritz crackers) and it requires no baking! These homemade cookies have the same crunch and minty chocolate flavor as the Girl Scout variety – I personally like them right out of the freezer with a glass of milk! Homemade Thin Mint Cookies (Adapted from Averie Cooks) Ingredients: One sleeve of Ritz crackers (or about 27) 1 cup of andes mints broken up 1 teaspoon coconut oil, shortening, or vegetable oil Directions: In a microwave safe bowl, mix chocolate chips with mint extract and coconut oil. Microwave in 15 second increments until melted and smooth, stirring each time. My microwave takes about 3 times. (Note: Using some sort of oil helps the chocolate melt smoother with less clumps). Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Dip the crackers into the chocolate, turning your hand to drip off the excess chocolate. I used a toothpick since the crackers have small holes in the middle. Place on top of the wax paper and freeze or refrigerate until set. These are so delicious and super quick to make on the days you want something sweet but don’t want to turn on your oven. They are a favorite in my family and I hope your family loves them too!

Snickerdoodle Bars

4 c flour

3 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp salt

3 c brown sugar

1 1/2 c butter

3 eggs

1 1/2 Tbsp vanilla

Topping:  2 Tbsp white sugar, 2 tsp ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 10x15 inch jelly roll baking pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and beat until well blended.

4. Press the dough evenly in the prepared pan.

5. In a small bowl, combine the white sugar and cinnamon.

6. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the batter in the baking pan.

7. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until the surface springs back when gently pressed. Remove from oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack. While still warm, cut into squares with a sharp knife.....or cut into shapes using a metal cookie cutter

8. Share with friends and family. Enjoy!

Ramen Noodle Salad

4 cups chopped cabbage
1-2 pkgs ramen noodles
2 T. sesame seeds
1/4 cup oil
2 T. sugar (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1 flavor packet
1/4 c. vinegar

Break up noodles.  Run under hot water until a little soft.  Mix with rest of salad ingredients.  The longer it sits, the better the flavors mix.  If you plan on serving immediately, use 2 ramen flavor packets.  May also add lettuce, slivered almonds and chicken chunks.

Easy Lettuce Wraps

7 oz. ground turkey - DO NOT SALT IT
1/2 red bell pepper
other misc. veggies as desired (mushrooms, onions, etc.)
1/4 cup Yoshida's sauce
Large iceberg or butter lettuce leaves

Peel lettuce leaves from head of lettuce (trying to keep them as intact as possible).  Wash and pat dry.

Meanwhile, heat skillet with medium heat.  Add ground turkey and chopped pepper.  Cook until turkey is no longer pink.  Add in Yoshida’s Sauce, stir to combine.  Remove from heat.  Spoon mixture onto individual lettuce leaves, wrap them up, and enjoy.  Serve with a side of rice.

Note:  Yoshidas is pretty salty already.  Do not add extra salt.

Almond Butter Sheet Cake

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar 
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup butter
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp. almond extract
Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
1/2-1 tsp. almond extract (if you love almond flavor, use the entire teaspoon)
3 cups powdered sugar
In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Whisk together. In a medium sized sauce pan put the milk, and butter. Turn on medium heat and cook until melted. Bring to a low boil and then remove from heat. Pour the butter/milk mixture into the bowl with the flour and sugar. Whisk together and then add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Mix together the batter until combined and then pour into a jelly roll pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 22-23 minutes, or until the cake is cooked through. Remove from the oven and set aside. While the cake is baking make the frosting. In a bowl, add the butter, peanut butter and milk together. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar and continue to beat until smooth and fluffy. Once the cake is out of the oven, spread the frosting on the hot cake. Serve the cake warm or cold. If you want to drizzle chocolate on top of the cake you could also do that.