Cucumber, Tomato & Avocado Salad

March 30, 2014
Fresh and simple salads make such wonderful dinnertime sides.  And salads don't come much fresher, simpler, or more tasty than this Cucumber, Tomato & Avocado Salad, dressed with a light, flavorful citrus and honey vinaigrette.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER

Fresh and simple Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad Image ~ dressed with a light, flavorful citrus and honey vinaigrette.

Spring is coming!  Spring is coming!  Yes, I know ... the way the weather has been this winter, I can hardly believe it myself.  But rest assured, spring is absolutely on its way.

And along with the arrival of spring comes my desire to eat fresher, lighter, more produce-filled dishes.

Never fails.

Salads don't come much fresher, simpler, or more tasty than this Cucumber, Tomato & Avocado Salad, dressed with a light, flavorful citrus and honey vinaigrette.  

The weather turns a tad warmer, and I want to start cooking with more fruits and vegetables.  Hmmmm ... is it the impending feeling that I'm going to be wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts soon?  Or, is it the knowledge that the farmers market and farm stands will soon be chock full with deliciously fresh locally-grown produce?  
11

White Chocolate Birthday {or Easter} Cake

March 18, 2014
Gorgeous White Chocolate Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting ~ loaded with decadently delicious white chocolate in both the cake itself and the frosting, it's just perfect for any occasion.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER

Slice of White Chocolate Birthday Cake with White Chocolate Frosting Image


Oh, I had so much fun creating this gorgeous White Chocolate Birthday Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.  Loaded with tons of white chocolate in both the cake itself and  the frosting, it's decadently delicious!

Seriously, if you're a white chocolate lover this cake is for you.


Melted white chocolate is stirred into the cake batter, bringing the sweetness of white chocolate all throughout the cake layers.  

Melted white chocolate is stirred into the cake batter, bringing the sweetness of white chocolate all throughout the cake layers.  White chocolate ganache is then used in the frosting, bringing white chocolate wonderfulness to every single bite.

And with the beautiful spring-colored confetti sprinkles decorating the cake, this scrumptious cake would be just perfect for Easter dinner, too.

Seriously, don't the sprinkles make you think of adorable little pastel Easter eggs scattered all around the cake?

White Chocolate Birthday {or Easter} Cake Image

And who doesn't love sprinkles?

Because sprinkles on a gorgeous cake just makes you smile, especially when that cake is a white chocolate-loaded delight.

Piece of White Chocolate Birthday Cake Image

Thank you for stopping by The Kitchen is My Playground. We'd love to have you back soon!


white chocolate cake recipe, white chocolate frosting recipe, white chocolate layer cake, cake recipes
Cakes
Yield: about 12-16 servings

White Chocolate Birthday {or Easter} Cake

Gorgeous White Chocolate Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting ~ loaded with decadently delicious white chocolate in both the cake itself and the frosting, it's just perfect for any occasion.
prep time: 45 Mcook time: 25 Mtotal time: 70 M

ingredients:

For the white chocolate cake:
  • 2 (4 oz.) white chocolate baking bars
  • 2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 10 T. butter, softened
  • 1 1/3 c. granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 c. milk
For the white chocolate buttercream frosting:
  • 1 (4 oz.) white chocolate baking bar
  • 1/3 c. heavy cream
  • 1 c. butter, softened
  • 1 (2 lb.) package confectioners' sugar (about 7 cups)
  • 1/4 c. heavy cream or milk
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp. salt

instructions:

How to make White Chocolate Birthday {or Easter} Cake

To prepare the white chocolate cake:
  1. Grease and flour 9-inch round cake pans {2 for a 2-layer cake or 3 for a 3-layer cake}; line bottoms of pans with parchment. Set aside
  2. Break or chop chocolate into small pieces and place in a microwaveable bowl. Heat in the microwave at 50% power for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes until melted and smooth, stirring after every 30 seconds. {Do not over heat.} Cool for 10 minutes.
  3. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
  4. With an electric mixer, beat butter at medium speed for 30 seconds. Slowly add sugar and beat until well combined. Reduce to low speed and add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla and mix in.
  5. With mixer on low speed, alternately add flour mixture and milk, mixing until just combined. Gently stir in white chocolate.
  6. Pour batter into prepared cake pans, dividing evenly. Bake at 350 degrees - 20 minutes for 3 layers or 30 minutes for 2 layers, using a toothpick inserted in the center to test for doneness. Cake is done when toothpick comes out clean. Do not over bake.
  7. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove cake layers from pan and place on wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Once cooled, frost with White Chocolate Buttercream frosting, using approximately 1 cup of frosting between the layers.
To prepare the white chocolate buttercream frosting:
  1. Break or chop white chocolate into small pieces. Combine chocolate pieces and 1/3 cup heavy cream in a small microwaveable bowl. Heat in the microwave at 50% power for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes until melted and smooth, stirring after every 30 seconds. Let cool to room temperature (approximately 30 minutes).
  2. Beat butter with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Gradually add confectioners sugar and 1/4 cup cream, beating at low speed until blended after each addition. If mixture becomes too thick, add a little of the white chocolate mixture and continue beating.
  3. Add salt, white chocolate, and vanilla extract; beat at low speed until combined. Increase speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, 3 minutes.
Created using The Recipes Generator

White Chocolate Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting ~ A gorgeous cake loaded with decadently delicious white chocolate in both the cake itself and the frosting. It's just perfect for any occasion! www.thekitchenismyplayground.com
55

Grasshopper Cheesecake Squares

March 14, 2014
The classic Grasshopper Cocktail combination of creme de cacao and creme de menthe with cream is turned into a beautifully layered cheesecake treat in these delectably delicious Grasshopper Cheesecake Squares.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER

Grasshopper Cheesecake Squares image ~ The classic combination of creme de cacao and creme de menthe with cream {a.k.a. ~ a Grasshopper cocktail} is turned into a beautifully layered cheesecake treat.


I recently discovered grasshoppers.  The minty-chocolatey beverage kind of grasshoppers ... not the little green things that hop around your yard.

I wish I'd known about the drink kind of grasshoppers much sooner.
10

Twix Cheesecake Pie

March 2, 2014
Love Twix candy bars?  Then you'll love them even more when they're surrounded by creamy cheesecake in this scrumptious Twix Cheesecake Pie.
CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR LATER

Twix Cheesecake Pie image - Love Twix candy bars?  Then you'll love them even more when they're surrounded by creamy cheesecake in this scrumptious Twix Cheesecake Pie.


Can you guess what my favorite candy bar is?  I'll give you a little hint ... it's mixed in with totally yummy cheesecake to make this totally scrumptious pie!  {Okay, so that may have been a big hint.}

Yes, my absolute favorite candy bar is Twix.  With their creamy caramel and chocolate coating mixed with the crunch of their crisp cookie center, I truly can't get enough of them.  They're the perfect combination of the sweet and crunchy combo I crave.

Give me a choice from a selection of candy bars, and I'll take a Twix every time.

A good dose of chopped Twix bars is stirred into the cheesecake mixture to bring that Twix deliciousness throughout the whole pie. 

I have certainly been known to raid my daughter's Halloween, Easter, or "whenever" candy to pick through for all the Twix, too.  She's even gotten to the point where she just sorts through her candy and sets them aside for me.  Such a sweet little girl!

So, just how can you make a Twix bar even better?
27
Blog Design: Tracimichele.com. Powered by Blogger.