Suggestions for "sweets swap"

[Cindy]

I could use some suggestions for an upcoming "sweets swap" that my social club is planning. The idea is for everyone to make a sweet...either cookies, cake, etc. and bring it for others to taste or take home a sample; at the same time, you're supposed to bring copies of the recipe of the item you've baked so that others can make it themselves. At the end of the evening you end up trying everyone else's sweets and taking home the recipe for each one. Although I have tried some good CL desserts, I don't bake that often and I'd like to bring something that's EASY to make (so others will be inspired to try it). So I'm hoping the bakers out there will help with out with some good suggestions?? Thanks!

[Susann]

I have a feeling that I am going to beat about 10 people to the same suggestion-monster cookies by Shelly. If you go to search and type the name of the recipe, you will find several posts devoted to these sinfully delicious and fairly easy cookie. Let me know if you can't find it. Enjoy!

[Natasha]

As Susann said, those monster cookies are very good. You might also want to check out the thread called "Calling All Bakers" or something to that effect. Enough chocolate, sugar, and other good 'n' sinful stuff there to keep a sweet tooth happy for months. And here is a picture of several sweet teeth! Are you ready? (*drumroll*)

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Sorry, guys, that s about it for me and graphics... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Hope I didn t disappoint you TOO much!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 07-30-2000).]

[Connie]

I have made several of the poundcakes in the April 2000 issue; they are all good. We especially like the black and white pound cake. It even looks like the photo!!

[MrsReber]

I tried the junior mint brownies last weekend that were in one of those posts mentioned- I believe it's in the Calling all bakers post. they were extremely easy to make. The only thing I did different was to melt some chocolate chips and a few junior mints to make a frosting since they seemed to need a little something extra (in my opinion).

Also, once again, CL's easy lemon squares are just that- very easy and very low in fat and calories.

[Maggie]

You might try the Texas Sheet Cake. I thought it was easy and really, really good. I also like to make oatmeal cookies using the recipe from the Quaker Oats canister. It's the best oatmeal cookie recipe I've ever found, though not at all light. I add lots of pecans and sometimes chocolate chips.

The Blueberry Poundcake recipe (from a couple of years ago, maybe 1998) is also very good and easy.

[joanieb]

Cindy--if you don't have enough ideas to go with at this point, I have a "honey bun cake" ("tastes just like a honey bun") recipe that I GUARANTEE people will be begging for the recipe (the house smells incredible while this bakes)--it's not CL-light, but it's not that unhealthy, and IT'S EASY! I get asked EVERY weekend now to bring this thing to an event! I think I've got the ingredients in my head, just not sure of baking time--will bring the recipe in and post Tuesday, if that's not too late, if you or anyone else would like it...
joanieb

[MrsReber]

Joanie, that cake sounds great! Please post for us all! I am always looking for cakes and desserts as my husband has a huge family and they frequently get together for birthdays, graduations, and just because they feel like it! That cake sounds like something a little different to bring to a get together.

There is a recipe for pumpkin crunch cake out on the bb as well. I made this last Wednesday night and it was really good and very easy. I copied it below from the original post:

Pumpkin Crunch Cake
1 package (18.25 oz.) yellow cake mix, divided
2 eggs or equivalent egg substitute
1 2/3 cups Libby's Pumpkin Pie Mix (not plain pumpkin)
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/3 cup flaked coconut
1/4 chopped nuts 3 T butter or margarine, softened

Combine 3 cups of the cake mix, eggs, pumpkin pie mix, and spice in large mixer bowl. Beat on low speed until moistened, them on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into greased 13x9 inch pan. Combine remaining cake mix, coconut, and nuts in small bowl; cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over batter. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack. Serves 20.

[This message has been edited by MrsReber (edited 07-31-2000).]

[lindrusso]

I would second a vote for the Blueberry Poundcake. Another item that I am always giving out the recipe for is CL's Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake - in the J/A 1998 issue along with the Blueberry Poundcake. Everyone LOVES this cake and they love it even more when I tell them the base for the recipe is a boxed cake mix!! The bundt cake would definitely fit the bill for something easy AND delicious. I most often make the recipe reversed - I use yellow cake mix instead of devil's food, vanilla pudding instead of chocolate and I skip the espresso/coffee granules. Yummy!!

[joanieb]

Cindy and interested others--Here's the Honey Bun Cake recipe for your swap! Got this from a BHG board earlier this year. It really does taste just like a honey bun! AND THAT AROMA!

HONEY BUN CAKE

Cake:
l box yellow cake mix w/pudding
4 eggs
2/3 c. vegetable oil
l/3 c. water
l 8 oz. carton sour cream

Filling:
Mix 3/4 c. brown sugar (I prefer the stronger flavor of dark in this)
2 tsp. cinnamon

Icing:
l c. confectioner's sugar
2 Tbs. milk
l/2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Beat all cake ingredients at med. speed til mixed well, pour half of batter into greased l3x9 pan. Sprinkle half of brown sugar mixture over batter. Repeat w/rest of batter and brown sugar mixture. Swirl knife through cake. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes til toothpick comes clean. Drizzle icing over warm cake.

I've made this thing so much lately, I've taken to using 8" square pans (bake per time on cake mix box) and freezing them. They freeze well for at least a week--that's as long as I can keep one!

Hope you folks enjoy this as much as my family/friends have! Happy baking!
joanieb

[Cindy]

Thanks to all of you for the great suggestions! Joanieb: I just printed out your recipe and I'm dying to try it. I'm also going to make the others mentioned - my husband will love being my 'taster'! Thanks again!

[joanieb]

Cindy--Just made a new cake (chocolate w/a fudgie icing!) yesterday that had 'em swooning at the office (as much as the Honey Bun Cake, and this is almost as easy!). Thought this would be another "asked for" at your sweet swap, if it's not too late! Got this from The Cake Mix Dr. book.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRY CAKE (serves 20)

Cake:
l pkg. (l8.25 oz) plain or w/pudding devil's food cake mix
l can (2l oz) cherry pie filling
2 large eggs
l tsp. pure almond extract

Chocolate glaze:
l c. sugar
l/3 c. butter
l/3 c. whole milk (I used l% ok)
l 6 oz. pkg. (l cup) semisweet choc. chips

Preheat over to 350. Lightly mist l3x9 baking pan w/cooking spray. Place cake mix, pie filling, eggs, & extract in large mixing bowl. Blend on low for l min., stop & scrape side w/spatula. Beat 2 min. more on medium. Pour into pan, place on center rack of oven. Bake 30-35 min., til cake springs back when lightly pressed and just starts to pull away from sides of pan. Cool on wire rack while making glaze.

Place sugar, butter, milk in small saucepan over medium-low/low heat, cook, stirring constantly, til mixture comes to a boil. Boil l min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in chips til melted & smooth. Pour over warm cake (glaze is thin but firms up quickly!). Cool 20 min. (yeah, right!) before cutting.
Store covered in foil, room temp, up to 5 days, or in fridge l wk. Freeze wrapped in foil up to 6 mos. (thaw overnite on counter before serving).

Let us know how this one goes over if you try it!

joanieb

[lindrusso]

Thanks Beth for mentioning that the bundt cake is in the recipe finder (on the CL main page) - I never think to use that!

Jennyliz - Here are the links for the two cakes.

Chocolate-Chip Bundt Cake: http://www.cookinglight.com/recipefinder/recipe.asp?rid=7465

Blueberry Pound Cake: http://www.cookinglight.com/recipefinder/recipe.asp?rid=7435

Enjoy!!


[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 08-09-2000).]

[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 08-09-2000).]

[JennyLiz]

Lindrusso- would you please post the recipes for the chocolate chip bundt cake and the blueberry bundt cake? Both sound yummy!
JennyLiz

[BethH]

Ditto on the chocolate chip bundt cake--it sounds super and I always love things made with conveience items that taste good! I would love the recipe!

Never mind--I found it in the recipe finder! I should have checked there first!

[This message has been edited by BethH (edited 08-09-2000).]