Spice Cake

 Good year round, but I think of this as a perfect fall recipe.   I sometimes 1 teaspoon maple flavoring in place of the 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

SPICE CAKE

(serves 12)

Cake Ingredients:

*2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

*1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar

*1/2 cup granulated sugar

*1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

*1 teaspoon baking powder

*1 teaspoon salt

*2 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1 teaspoon ground ginger

*3/4 teaspoon ground allspice

*1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

*1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

*1 cup vegetable oil

*4 large room temperature eggs

*1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or 1 teaspoon maple flavoring)

*1/4 cup buttermilk

Frosting Ingredients:

*1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

*1/2 cup butter, softened

*2 teaspoons vanilla extract

*2 cup powered sugar 

Cake Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

~In a large mixing bowl, stir 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar,  1/2 granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

~Stir in 1 cup vegetable oil.

~Stir in 4 eggs, one at a time.

~Stir in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 1/4 cup buttermilk until batter is smooth.

~Pour into prepared pan.

~Bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick insert4ed in center comes out clean.

~Cook cake completely before frosting.

Frosting Directions:

~In a medium sized mixing bow, beat 1 (8 once) package softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup softened cream cheese together until light and fluffy.

~Add in 2 teaspoons vanilla and 2 cups powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.

Spaghetti Dog

Most kids love this one.

SPAHETTI SAUCE

Ingredients:

*1 hot dog

*thin spaghetti noodles

*1/8 cup marinara sauce

*1/8-1/4 cup mozzarella cheese

*garlic butter, melted (optional)

*1/8 cup ricotta cheese

*1/8 cup parmesan cheese

*1 hot dog bun

Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Take raw spaghetti noodles and poke them into the raw hot dog.

~In a large skillet, bring water to a boil (enough to cover a hot dog.

~Place hot dog and spaghetti into boiling water and cook until noodles are done.

~Remove from boiling water and place on a cookie sheet, with spaghetti noodles laid straight.

~Evenly spread marinara sauce over cooked noodles.

~Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over top of the sauce. 

~Roll hot dog inside of noodles.

~Open hot dog bun and spread melted garlic butter over inside and outside of bun.

~Spread ricotta cheese over inside of bun.

~Place spaghetti dog over ricotta cheese.

~Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top of spaghetti dog.

~Bake in preheated oven for about 5 minutes (just long enough to melt cheeses).

Dark Brown Sugar

 Super easy to make.  If you want it to be light brown sugar just decrease that molasses by half.  This recipe is easy to double or reduce.

Ingredients:

*4 cups granulated sugar

*1/2 cup black strap molasses 

Directions:

~Place 4 cups granulated sugar and 1/2 cup black strap molasses into a mixing bowl.

~Mix with paddle attachment for about 5 minutes, scraping the bowl half way through.

~Store in an airtight container.

Mushroom Gravy

 This is good over pork chops, chicken, and potatoes.

Mushroom Gravy

Ingredients:

*3 tablespoons butter

*1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

*1 (8 ounce) package mushrooms, sliced

*1/3 cup all-purpose flour

*1/2 teaspoon salt

*1 teaspoon ground black pepper 

*2 cups chicken stock 

*1/3 cup heavy cream

*2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

*1 tablespoon soy sauce

Directions:

~Melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat in a large skillet.

~Add 1 small finely chopped onion and 1 (8 ounce) package sliced mushrooms.

~Sauté for about 7-9 minutes, or until veggies are done,  stirring often.

~Stir in 1/3 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper until the flour is dissolved (about 1-2 minutes).

~Whisk in 2 cups chicken stock 1/4 cup at a time, whisking well after each addition.

~Whisk in 1/3 cup heavy cream, 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce until fully incorporated.

~Simmer for 5 more minutes.