Easy Caramel Latte Cake

Recently read some light inspirational fiction, Pièce de Résistance by Sandra Byrd, and came across this amazing cake recipe. From the moment it was mentioned in the book, I was salivating for a piece of this cake. Although this book isn't one I would add to my library (not that it was offensive, just not much to it), this recipe is definitely one I will use over and over again! Chris liked it so much he had two pieces after dinner tonight!

From the Bakery of Lexi Stuart: Easy Caramel Latte Cake

CAKE:
1 18.25 ounce package yellow
or golden butter cake mix
1 small package French vanilla instant pudding mix
1 cup full-fat sour cream
1/2 cup brewed espresso
1/2 stick butter, softened
4 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Have all ingredients at room temperature. Grease and fl our a 9x13 pan, or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Combine all cake ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Slowly beat for 30 seconds to incorporate, then beat on high for 2 minutes. Pour into pan and bake for about 35 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Cool cake in pan for 25 minutes. Cake is heavy, and will pull away from the sides of the pan. Spread 2/3 cup of caramel over the cake top.

LAYER:
1 jar of high-quality caramel

TOPPING:
2 cups whipping cream
1 cup powdered sugar
1 T vanilla

Place all ingredients in cool bowl and mix on high until cream holds soft
peaks. When cake is completely cool, spread topping over caramel,
or serve slices of cake with topping mounded on top.

I used two round pans instead of a 9x13 and baked them for about 30 minutes. Since I have no clue how to make expresso, I just used strong coffee (I couldn't really taste any coffee in the cake so maybe I'll make even stronger coffee next time). Also, I thought the topping was too sweet so I may cut some of the sugar next time I make it. You MUST make this cake! Absolutely delicious.

Remember Our Veterans

Teriyaki Pork Roast

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsweetened apple juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 boneless pork loin roast (about 3 pounds), halved
• 7-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons cold water

Directions

• In a greased 3-qt. slow cooker, combine the first seven ingredients. Add roast and turn to coat. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until a thermometer inserted into the roast reads 160°.
• Remove roast and keep warm. In a small saucepan, combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir in cooking juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with roast. Yield: 8 servings.

Taste of Home recipe

We had this for dinner tonight and it was really good! I don't think it really tastes like teriyaki, but the meat is very tender and moist. The sauce is sort of a sweet gravy, not right for potatoes but delicious over the meat. I use the leftovers to make pork barbecue and that turns out great too. The best part is, its a cheap meal, especially since pork is only $1.49/lb this week at Meijer.

What's cookin

Sun~Chili, cornbread
Mon~Worcestshire chicken, potato wedges, corn, salad
Tues~Teriyaki pork roast, rice pilaf, green beans
Wed~Lasagne or Baked ziti for church potluck
Thurs~Sirloin Tips and mushrooms over egg noodles, broccoli (I think we're having guests this day.)
Fri~Pork barbecue, chips, salad, something chocolate for dessert (my friend Missy is coming for dinner)
Sat~Grandpa and Grandma VT 60th anniversary dinner

I also really want to make these. Yum!

So I did something strange a couple weeks ago, I bought 60 lbs. of steak from a guy that came to my door! I paid approx. $2.50/lb . We just ate some filet mignon tonight and it was excellent! However, I'm going to have to carve out portions of my grocery bill for the next few months to pay for it. Not sure if it was the best idea for our family, but it will be nice to try some different cuts of beef.
I'm toying with the idea of planning a month's worth of meals at a time. I buy a lot of meat ahead of time, so I think it would be fairly easy. We have a large freezer stocked with chicken, ground beef, and now steak. It may be useful, especially during the upcoming holidays when things will be a bit busier.

Advance notice: I am having a Pamper Chef party on Tues, Dec. 8 and would love it if you all came!

Story Time

Chris telling the boys a Bible story before bed.


Looks like they are all enthralled!


No wonder, Daddy is a very animated story teller!

What's cookin'

Mon~Oven barbecued chicken (recipe from Martha Stewart), potatoes, corn
Tues~Out with Chris
Wed~Chicken Tetrazzini (recipe from $5 dinners), brocolli
Thurs~Worcestshire Chicken, baked potatoes, cauliflower
Fri-Mon~Visiting my grandparents in Canada
Mon~Eggs and sausage

Mexican Casserole

My good friend Jen made this casserole for us after we had Joel and it was great!
(I just edited the above sentence after posting because my husband got ahold of it)

Mexican Casserole

1 lb bulk pork sausage (I used some sweet Italian sausage)
2 14.5 oz cans of Mexican-style stewed tomatoes (I used diced tomatoes with green chiles~added a bit of zip to the dish!)
2 c. cooked white rice
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained (I used dried beans I had cooked~much cheaper, and you can even cook a big batch of them in the crockpot and freeze them for later use.)
3/4 cup sweet green pepper (I mixed in a bit of red as well.)
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1. In a large skillet, cook sausage over med heat until brown; drain. Stir in undrained tomatoes, rice, beans and pepper. Transfer to an ungreased 3 qt. baking dish.
2. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 45 min or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese and bake an additional 5 min, uncovered.

Serve with sour cream if desired (You definitely must serve with sour cream!)

Chris thought this would taste good with warm tortillas. We ate it with these biscuits (best biscuits I have ever made and super easy!)

What's cookin' (the rest of the week)

Thurs~Mexican casserole, homemade biscuits (I will share the recipe if they turn out), and green beans (29 cents a can at Family Fare this week! I bought 24 cans already and hope to go back for at least 12 more.)
Fri~Chicken rolls, baked potatoes, carrots and brocolli
Sat~Wedding
Sun~Teriyaki pork roast, cheesy potatoes, corn

Andrewisms

Andrew: Mom, why is my birthday taking so long to get here?
Me: It'll come when the snow comes.
Andrew: God, make it snow soon!
(We had a talk about when it was appropriate to use God's name at this point. :-) )

______________________________________________________________________

Chris: Hurry up and pick up your toys!
Andrew: Daddy, remember I'm just a little boy!