Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake

When your husband tells you last minute that you need to take a dessert somewhere, and you don't want to go to the store, this is your cake. I thought my last minute cake would be a fitting last post of 2014. :) It's not exactly last minute because of the baking time, but if you have all the basics, and about an hour, you can make this! The glaze I use when I don't want to do a lot of work is just powdered sugar and milk, but if you prefer frosting, you can easily top the cake with that.

Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake
adapted from allrecipes.com
Cake
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sour cream
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 TBSP cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 TBSPs milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 10-inch bundt pan.
2. Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer in a large bowl until light and fluffy. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to blend into the butter mixture before adding the next. Mix in vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Pour flour mixture into batter alternately with the sour cream, beginning and ending with flour, mixing until just incorporated. Fold in walnuts, mixing just enough to evenly combine. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan.
4. In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar with the cinnamon.
5. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the batter in the pan. Drop remaining cake batter in heaping spoonfuls over filling, covering it as best you can.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.
7. Combine powdered sugar and milk, adding enough milk to make desired consistency, and mix until combined. Drizzle over cooled cake.

Peanut Butter Ritz

I have been trying to keep it low key this Christmas with my baking and candy making. I haven't made much except for some Cranberry Orange Bread and a few cookies. One new thing I did try however, was these peanut butter crackers. I got the idea from a cook book I own called Eat More Dessert by Jenny Keller. I love this cookbook! It has such cute and easy dessert ideas for parties. I also love it because I was able to go to a book signing and she autographed my book. :) I won't post her recipe, because I'm sure she would like you to buy the book, but I'll give you the basics. I spread some peanut butter between 2 Ritz crackers and then dipped it in melted almond bark. I also tried it with green and red. You could make these for any occasion really, and they are extra cute with a little piped on design on the top.

Mulling Spice

This isn't a recipe, more of a suggestion. :) I'm in love with this mulling spice. I get it from Winco in the bulk spices section. I wrap up about 2 TBSPs in a little square of cheesecloth and tie it with some kitchen twine. I heat up 4 quarts of apple juice, dunk that little packet down in there, and let it simmer for about 2 hours. You can add orange slices for a citrus flavor. It makes the kitchen smell amazing and also makes a cute and cheap gift. Go buy some.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Shepherd's Pie

One more leftover turkey recipe I want to post before I forget. This is what I did with a bunch of our leftovers, and I might have liked it more than the original turkey dinner meal. :) I looked at my regular Shepherd's Pie recipe as a guide and this is that I came up with.

Thanksgiving Leftovers Shepherd's Pie

3 cups leftover turkey pieces, bite size
1 cup leftover turkey gravy
2 cups leftover vegetables (I used green beans and corn)
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
1 cup cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an 8 x 12 or 3 quart baking dish.
2. Combine turkey, gravy, and vegetables, and spoon into baking dish.
3. Cover with potatoes and sprinkle with cheese.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly.