Glazed Lemon Cake

I've got itchy feet, y'all!  Not like, itchy-scratchy, but just, so super restless.  I want a new job, a new house, a new routine!  We tend to move house every 3 years or so, so the timing of our nomadic habits isn't all that shocking.  But I thought this was going to be our forever home, so I'm surprised that I am wanting to give up on all the conveniences that this location gives us, just for some country air.  I don't dig commuting, but I want a big ol' garden.  I like that my kids and I can walk to school & work, but I'm sick of car thefts and break-ins, not to mention all the big city violence.

Should I consider a career change?  I've been working for Calgary Public Library for almost 18 years...18 years!  How is that possible?!  It's possible, I suppose, because I truly do love working for the Library, how it allows me to help people in simple ways everyday.  But even that is on a mega shift right now, with all sorts of re-branding, and job description changes at all levels of employment.  If I'm gonna be honest, I love my job, but there's some people I just cant stand working with.  That is something I think everyone can relate to.  My rants have become a nightly routine, and perhaps its just hormones, or even spring fever, but somethings gotta give!  I feel worn out!

Maybe I should just take a chill pill, and paint a wall in my house, move some furniture, or do some baking, that usually helps me de-stress.  

Everyone should have a go-to lemon loaf cake recipe in their repertoire, it's like, an unwritten rule. This "Lemon Loaf cake with glaze" if from local foodie and author Gwendolyn Richards.  Gwendolyn is the voice behind the blog: Patent and the Pantry, numerous Calgary Herald articles, as well as the recently published cookbook: Pucker.  This lemon loaf is the bees knees because of the layers of lemon-y goodness.  Lemon in the cake, lemon in the syrup which also lends yummy moisture, and topped with yet more lemon in the glaze. Pucker-up!

Glazed Lemon Cake

Adapted from: Pucker: A Cookbook Citrus Lovers; page 134

Cake

1/1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 lemons, zested

2 eggs

1/3 cup plain yogurt or sour cream

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Syrup

3 Tablespoons sugar

3 Tablespoons lemon juice

Glaze

1 cup icing sugar

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

pinch salt

Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare a loaf, or bundt, or your fave pan (I used a cute gem shaped one from Ikea!) by buttering it and lining with parchment if you desire.  

Using a medium sized bowl, add together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda, stir slightly with a fork, and then set aside.

Using a small bowl, mix together the yogurt (or sour cream), and the lemon juice, set aside.

Using a stand or hand held mixer, cream the butter and the sugar, until pale and fluffy.  Add the lemon zest and mix until well distributed. Add the eggs and mix again.  

Add the flour mixture, and the yogurt mixture, in alternating additions, staring with the flour.  Mix until it just comes together, do not over mix.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan of your choosing, and bake until toothpick or cake tester comes out clean, about 45 minutes.

While the cake bakes, prepare your lemon-y syrup!  Using a small saucepan, over medium -high heat, combine the sugar and the lemon juice, and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.  Remove from the heat, and set aside.

Remove the baked cake/loaf/gem from the oven, and allow it to cool in it's pan for about 10-15 minutes.  Using a toothpick, poke the cake all over, and then spoon or pour the syrup over the top.  Allow the cake to cool completely, and then remove from pan.  

Mix together the glaze ingredients of icing sugar and lemon juice, and drizzle or pour over top of the cooled cake.  Allow it to set before serving.

Enjoy!

Lucky Charms Ice Cream

I like to skip all the boozy revelry of St Patricks Day, and just make it a fun day for the kids.  Last year they made one of those Leprechaun traps, which I failed to take pics of:(  Never heard of a leprechaun trap?!  Check out Pinterest!  But I did get a pic of my cuties enjoying their Shamrock Shakes...so adorable, and look at Presley's long hair!  It's hard to believe that was a year ago!

Fast forward to this year's St. Patrick's Day, and my current mid-winter crisis, where I am constantly craving frozen treats for some crazy reason.  Pair that with my latest obsession for all things cereal milk, and you get the drift.  I showed up at home last Friday, with a big ol' box of Lucky Charms cereal, and all sorts of ideas, from cupcakes to sweet squares.

When I told Presley (#1 cereal fan, as well as my #1 recipe taste tester), my idea of making  Lucky Charms into ice cream...he was practically shaking with excitement!
They're magically delicious, who could blame him!

Lucky Charms Ice Cream

3 cups whole milk
1/2 cups whipping cream
1 1/2 cups Lucky Charms cereal (marshmallows removed)
5 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon green food colouring (optional)
1 cup Lucky Charms reserved marshmallows


Using a food processor, blender, or mallet, pulse or crush the cereal until it becomes a loose sand-like texture.
In a medium pot, pour in the milk, cream, and then whisk in the crushed cereal.  Bring to a simmer, not a boil, stirring constantly so the bottom does not burn.
Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar. Once the milk mixture is heated through, add about a 1/2 cup of the hot milk to the egg mixture in a slow but steady stream, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.  This will make the eggs warm enough to add back into the saucepan without scrambling.
Slowly pour the tempered egg mixture into the pot, along with the the vanilla extract, whisking constantly.  Keep over a low heat until the mixture is thickened, it should coat the back of your spoon or spatula, so that when you run a finger through the custard, it leaves a path.
Remove from the heat, and place into the fridge, covered, for 2-4 hours, or overnight until chilled completely.
To make the ice cream, add the chilled mixture to your ice cream maker and churn according to the directions. In the last minute of churning, add in the reserved marshmallows. Place into an airtight container and put into the fridge for about 4 hours to firm before serving.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Cereal Milk Popcicles

Corn Pop-cicles?  Yes!  I figure I'm in the midst of a mid-winter crisis, kind of like a mid-life crisis? For some reason, despite the freezing temperatures of the last few weeks, I had a hankering for some ice cream.  Completely irrational, illogical, insane! 

Once you taste these frozen treats, you will question my sanity no longer!  I figured it was time to give the cereal milk trend a go.  Ya, I know, I'm waaaaay behind the times.  But, whateva - Better late than never, and now I can see what all the fuss is about.  I can foresee many cereal milk recipe creations in my future, especially if the boys in my house have anything to do with it.  

What I like about the cereal milk concept, is that you can "make it your own".  A nostalgic throwback to Saturday morning cartoons in your jammies, after consuming all the crunchy sugary goodness, slurping down the remaining milk straight from the bowl.  The flavour opportunities are endless: fruit loops, cinnamon toast crunch, captain crunch, just reminisce of your favourite cereal from your childhood. If its your thing, add some extra dry cereal to the end of the popcicle, for a little chewy treat waiting for you for an all-star finish! 

Cereal Milk Corn PopCicles


3 cups Corn Pops cereal (plus additional dry cereal to add to molds, if desired)
2 1/2 cups milk (I used 2%)
1/2 cup half and half cream
3 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract



Using a large bowl, stir together the milk, cream, and Corn Pops.  Let soak for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Strain out cereal and discard.
In a medium pot, over medium-high heat, whisk together the cereal milk, egg yolks, sugar and vanilla.  Bring mixture to a boil, while continuing to stir, to avoid scalding the milk.  Remove from heat, and cool in the in the fridge until completely cold.  
Pour the cooled cereal milk mixture into your Popsicle molds, and add additional dry cereal if using, before inserting the Popsicle sticks.  Place in the freezer for at least 6-8 hours.

Enjoy!

Vegan Peanut Butter & Jelly Breakfast Pie!

It's Peanut butter jelly breakfast pie! 

Peanut butter breakfast pie!

  Peanut butter breakfast pie!!

Now Where he at?
Where he at?

Where he at?

Where he at?

Now There he go
There he go
There he go
There he go

(Faster!) Its Peanut butter jelly
Peanut butter jelly
Peanut butter jelly with a baseball bat!
 

Now break it down ...

and freeze!

Every. Single. Time.  I make this Peanut Butter Breakfast Pie, I get this song in my head.  I'm all about sharing, so now you can sing along!
Pie for breakfast?!  Hell to the yes!   This creation, is actually more like a giant jelly filled cookie than a pie; if that makes you feel any better?!  You can opt for an alternative nut butter, and choose your favourite jam/jelly, I used my Mom's homemade huckleberry jam.  MmMmMmM ! 


Here you go:  10 Hours of PB Jelly Time!  Just try to get this out of your head now, Muahahahaha!



Vegan Peanut Butter Jelly Breakfast Pie
Recipe adapted from:the Frosted Vegan

1/3 cup peanut butter (or your fave nut butter!)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 flax egg (1 tablespoon flax + 4 Tablespoons water)
1/2 cup oat flour
1/2 cup spelt flour (WW or AP flour would be a fine substitute)

For the filling:
3/4 cup jelly or jam (your fave flavour!)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a pie pan or a skillet and set aside.  Make your flax egg, by whisking together water and flax, and set aside to thicken for at least 5-10 mins.
In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.  Next add the oat and spelt flour(s), baking powder, and flax egg, stirring until thoroughly combined.
Spread half of the mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pie pan or skillet, spreading evenly.
Top with the jelly, spreading it out, not quite to the edge.   Drop the remaining batter on top of the jelly, distributing as evenly, as possible.
Bake for about 30-40 minutes, until top is browned and filling is bubbling. Allow to cool for 10-15 before serving.

Enjoy!