"Hike up your skirt a little more"

I love listening to music while I cook.  I usually listen to one of those cable music stations; I love old school music and music from when I was in high school. While making this really simple apple cake for my MIL and Mudear, I was completely rocking out to Dave Matthews Band!  Crash Into Me is such a sexy little song!

Even though it is still in the upper 90s in the city, fall baking is in full swing in my kitchen!  I am always looking for quick breads to make for my grandmother and MIL.  I used a chunky applesauce but regular will do just fine.  It has classic fall spices that will make your house smell divine!

Applesauce Loaf Cake

One Loaf

What you need:

• 1 1/2 cups of flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup of softened butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 t of pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups of chunky applesauce

What to do:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
• Spray one loaf pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
• In a medium bowl whisk together all of the dry ingredients. 
• In a small bowl mix together the butter, egg and vanilla extract.
• Add the butter mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
• Pour in the applesauce and mix well.
• Pour mixture into your loaf pan. Bake for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Alon's Lemon-Lime Pound Cake

So, if you’ve been reading me for any amount of time you know that baking is really not my thing. I mean I have some things that I can successfully bang out but a pastry chef I will never be! I’m good on that...lol.



One of my sister's friends, is honing her housewifery skills by cooking more meals at home. My sister and her friend kept bragging about how great this cake was and how I needed to make it. So I did and hated I waited so long to prepare it.  This cake is junk in your trunk delicious! It is moist and flavorful; yet light and airy.  It would be great with a cup of coffee, glass of milk or spot of tea!

Alon's Lemon-Lime Pound Cake

What you need:

• 3 cups Sugar
• 2 sticks room temperature butter
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 5 large eggs
• 3 cups cake flour
• 8 ounces of regular lemon lime soda
• 1 tsp lemon extract
• 1 tsp coconut extract

What to do:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar, butter and oil
• Add eggs one at a time mixing thoroughly after each addition
• Add cake flour and lemon lime soda to cream mixture. Mix until just combined
• Add the lemon and coconut extracts to the batter and mix for about a minute
• Pour cake batter into a prepared Bundt cake pan or two prepared loaf pans
• Bake cake for 1½ hours at 325 degrees or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.

Originally posted February 1, 2011 on my old site. Updated with new pictures.

Cinnamon Crumb Cake

So we have previously established that I am not a baker. So when I find a pastry or cake or sweet treat that turns out really well, I make it over and over again.  See Fresh Lemon Tarts or my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. Luckily, the folks in my house don’t mind.

We have also established that I love, love, love Cui.sine at H.ome magazines.  It is my favorite, by far, of any food related magazine I have ever received.  I’ve been getting these for years now.  It is completely ad free, the magazine teaches technique, offers unbiased kitchen equipment buying guides, tips tricks, etc. It is a full color, unpretentious cooking magazine! I totally fan girl over it.  Additionally, every recipe I have ever tried out of any of their issues has required very little tweaking and has always been delicious.

This crumb cake was one of those recipes that I make over and over again.  This easy and delicious cake was a hit with the elders for Mother’s Day and the sweet tooth fiends in my house. It is rich and moist and just plain old good!

Cinnamon Crumb Cake

Adapted from http://www.cuisinerecipes.com

What you need for the crumb topping:

• 1⁄2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 1⁄2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 tsp. salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (8 Tbsp.)
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour

What you need for the cake:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1⁄2 tsp. salt
• 1⁄4 tsp. baking soda
• 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 cup sour cream

What to do:

• Preheat oven to 325° with rack in center position
• Coat an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter and flour
• For the crumb topping, combine brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, cinnamon, and ½ tsp. salt; add melted butter and stir to combine. Stir in 1½ cups flour until mixture forms moist clumps.
• For the cake, whisk together 1¼ cups flour, baking powder, ½ tsp. salt, and baking soda in a bowl.
• Cream softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar in a separate bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3–5 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then vanilla, beating just until incorporated. Add sour cream and beat just until blended.
• Beat in flour mixture in three additions on low speed just until incorporated.
• Transfer batter to prepared dish; smooth top. Crumble the topping evenly over the batter. Completely cover cake with crumbs (topping will be thick).
• Bake cake until topping is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 45–50 minutes.
• Let cake cool completely before serving.

Cinnamon Loaf Cake

I love sending fresh baked goods with E when he goes to visit his mom.  The problem? He tells me at the last minute when he plans to visit.  Since MIL has a serious sweet tooth also, I never want him going over there empty handed! Enter the easy, typically one bowl, loaf cake!

What you need:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon or vanilla extract
• 3 Tablespoons melted butter
• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

What to do:

• Preheat oven to 350°
• Grease one 9x5 inch loaf pan. 
• Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt
• Add buttermilk, oil, eggs and extract
• Mix just until combined
• Pour into prepared loaf pan. Smooth top
• In a small bowl, mix butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Pour topping over batter
• Using knife, cut in a light swirling motion to give a marbled effect
• Bake for 50-55 minutes; until toothpick inserted comes out clean
• Let cool for a few minutes before removing from pan

Coconut Milk Lemon Pound Cake

This post was going to be about an apology I gave someone.  I changed my mind.  After I apologized, I talked to E about it and the first thing he asked was, "Well when was the last time she called you? You're beating yourself up communicating with someone who doesn't reach out to you."

I, for real, had to think about the last time she sent a text OR called and COULD NOT remember.  And here it is four months into the new year and she has not so much as sent me a text.  The same thing she was upset with me about, not calling enough, is the same thing she has been doing to me since the inception of our friendship.  If I am the only one initiating contact what kind of friendship is that?

So instead I am going to write about a good girlfriend who stopped by a couple of weekends ago.  She is ALWAYS a blessing to me and she gives the most awesome hugs. The BEST.  She also has one of the most handsome little boys I have ever seen and he is as sweet as pie too!  I don't get to see her as often as I'd like but when we get together we never miss a beat! 

She is struggling with following her heart or remaining complacent.  Tuh! Y'all know encouraging people is one of my most favorite things to do! We talked about it and I encouraged her to FOLLOW HER HEART because it wouldn't be as hard as she thinks it would be.  She would be award winning if she did what her heart is calling her to do.

You just need to step out on faith

Leap without seeing the stairs

Trust that God will keep you

Follow your dream

Stop wasting your time and JUST DO IT!  I will cheer you on from the sidelines!

During our visit she mentioned how she hadn't been able to find a good pound cake recipe.  Well here's one of my favorites! I hope you enjoy them! Love you lots "RD."

Coconut Milk Lemon Pound Cake

What you need:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup grated lemon zest (10-12 large lemons)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3/4 cup coconut milk (NOT cream of coconut)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

What to do:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 (8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch) loaf pans 
• Cream the butter and 2 cups granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time. A the lemon zest.
• In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 
• In another bowl, combine the lemon juice, the coconut milk and vanilla. Add the flour and milk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 50-60 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.

Easy Pumpkin Bread

I have been a little pressed for time lately but I don't want to neglect the masses (eyeroll...lol).  If I had a go to dessert or quick bread, this would be it. Always moist, always easy, always delicious.

Easy Pumpkin Bread
Adapted from http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pumpkin_bread/

What you need:

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 15 oz can of pumpkin purée
• 1 cup olive oil (or canola, vegetable)
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon allspice

What to do:

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• In a large bowl sift together the flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda
• In a medium bowl mix the pumpkin, oil, eggs, water, and spices together
• Combine with the dry ingredients
• Pour evenly into two prepared loaf pan
• Bake 50-60 minutes until a cake tester poked in the center of the bread comes out clean

Easy Banana Cake w/Browned Butter Frosting

Another one bowl cake that was a quick addition to our Sunday dinner table! All of these over ripened bananas don't stand a chance!  The browned butter frosting complimented the toasted pecans beautifully!

Easy Banana Cake w/Browned Butter Frosting

What you need for the cake:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large bananas, mashed

What you need for the frosting:

• 4 Tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chopped and toasted pecans {optional}

What to do:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Spray an 8" or 9" round cake pan or an 8×8 square dish with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Stir to combine.
• Stir in oil, buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and mashed bananas
• Mix just until combined.
• Pour into prepared dish and bake 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted. 
• Cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting

• Place butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
• Just after the butter melts, start swirling the pan in small circles.
• After a few minutes, the butter should start foaming then it will turn an amber color and start to smell nutty and delicious.
• Remove from heat and pour into a mixing bowl. Cool to room temperature.
• Once butter has cooled, whip together with vanilla, powdered sugar and cream until smooth and creamy.
• Spread over cooled cake and top with chopped, toasted pecans if using.

Browned Butter Brownies

Brownies, minus any types of nuts, are my oldest daughter's favorite.  Any time she is going to visit she makes a list of the food she'd like me to cook and this is always at the top of her list! Have these warm brownies along with some really good vanilla bean ice cream and some warm chocolate syrup and your life will be rightER.  Not even kidding!

Browned Butter Brownies
Adapted from Bon Appetit, February 2011


What you need:

• Nonstick vegetable oil spray
• 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder (spooned into cup to measure, then leveled)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup walnut pieces, or nuts of your choice, optional

What to do:

• Position rack in bottom third of oven; preheat to 325°F. Line 8x8x2-inch baking pan with foil, pressing foil firmly against pan sides and leaving 2-inch overhang. Coat foil with nonstick spray.
• Melt butter in medium boiler over medium heat. Continue cooking until butter stops foaming and browned bits form at bottom of pan, stirring often, about 5-7 minutes.
• Remove from heat; immediately add sugar, cocoa, 2 teaspoons water, vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to blend. Let cool 5 minutes (mixture will still be hot).
• Add eggs to hot mixture 1 at a time, beating vigorously to blend after each addition.
• When mixture looks thick and shiny, add flour and stir until blended.
• Stir in nuts. Transfer batter to prepared pan.
• Bake brownies until toothpick inserted into center comes out almost clean (with a few moist crumbs attached), about 25 minutes.
• Cool in pan on rack. Using foil overhang, lift brownies from pan.

Vanilla Cake Bites

So I have been really rolling through my Pinterest Recipe To Try Board. So far I've not been disappointed. You folks can cook!  These are really rich, there's an entire bag of white chocolate chips (vanilla chips) in the batter! Also, this recipe only makes a 9x9 cake. This one pot cake is perfect for tapas.

Vanilla Cake Bites

Adapted from: http://cookiesandcups.com/death-by-vanilla/

What you need:

Cake

• ½ cup butter
• 1½-2 cups white chocolate chips 
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3 large eggs

Frosting

• 1½ cups powdered sugar sifted
• 3 Tbs butter, softened
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 - 2 Tbsp of milk (until smooth spreadable consistency)

Mix all frosting ingredients until smooth and set aside.

What to do:

• Preheat to 350
• Spray 9x9 pan with cooking spray
• In medium sized saucepan melt the butter and white chips over low heat. Stir constantly so the chocolate doesn't burn.
• When melted the chocolate will look curdled
• Remove melted chocolate from the heat and add remaining cake ingredients in the saucepan. Stir until combined and smooth (I didn't even use a hand mixer for these, just a rubber spatula)
• Spread in prepared pan.
• Bake for approx 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
• Let cool and then frost 

Coconut Pound Cake w/Coconut Lime Glaze

Apparently, I am going to have to change my stance on coconut cause I've been cooking with it a lot lately. Coconut is a flavor I can take or leave unless it is in a cocktail.  However, sweetened coconut flakes add a really nice subtle flavor to baked goods that I think I might like after all.

This was an easy one bowl cake that I will definitely add to my growing cake arsenal! The glaze is optional because the flavor of the cake holds its on.

Coconut Pound Cake w/Coconut Lime Glaze Adapted from: http://www.twirlandtaste.com/2012/12/old-fashioned-southern-coconut-pound.html
What you need:

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup oil (canola, vegetable, olive, etc)
• 5 large eggs
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1/2 cup coconut milk or whole milk (NOT cream of coconut)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded and sweetened coconut
• 2 teaspoons coconut extract
• Non-stick spray

For the glaze 1 cup sugar Juice and zest from one lime 2 Tbs butter 1 tsp coconut extract
What to do:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Prepare bundt or tube pan with the non-stick spray, set aside
• Mix all ingredients in a large bowl
• Bake for one hour or until toothpick comes out clean

To make the glaze:

• Mix all ingredients over medium high heat until mixture comes to a boil and the sugar melts.
• Remove from heat and carefully pour glaze over cake.
• Let the glaze firm up for about ten minutes before