Christmas Wine Cake

I received this recipe in 2011.
It's from a friend in Denver, Colorado.
She said this is her mother's recipe and she made it every year for Christmas.
It's become a family Christmas Cake at our house.
I've made 2 of these Cakes this Christmas and I've posted photographs of several options of Wine to use.

NOTE:
After testing it several time, I prefer soaking the Raisins in the Wine of your choice, overnight.
Put 1 C of Raisins in a Glass Measuring Cup, fill it with Wine. Cover with Plastic Wrap and refrigerate overnight.
When you're ready to make the cake, Drain the Raisins and reserve the liquid and use it as part of the Cup of Wine in the Recipe.
I also prefer the Glüwein over Red Wine.

I opted to Dust the Top with Confectioner's Sugar.

This is the only Pan that works. Don't try to make it in a Bundt Pan.

A really nice French Red Wine.

I've made this cake with a very nice French Red Wine and
with Nürnberger Christlindles Glüwein.
I prefer the Glüwein.

This Mulled Cherry Wine is a great option.

You can also use Glögg.

The Butter, Sugar and Eggs are mixed with a Mixer.

Dry ingredients are sifted together and
added to the Egg and Butter mixture alternating with the Wine.

I start out folding this with a spatula and then I use the Mixer.

This is after it's mixed with a Mixer and the raisins are folded
in by hand.

Ready to bake for 45 minutes.

Christmas Wine Cake

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - Tube Pan, sprayed with a Cooking Spray.

2 Large Eggs
2 C Granulated Sugar
16 TBS Butter, room temperature.
1 C Wine. (Sweet White, Rosé, or Red) A Hearty Burgundy is best. I have also made it with German Glühwein.
3 C Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 C Raisins. Sultana Golden with Sweet Wine and Dark Raisins with Red. (See the note above about soaking the Raisins overnight)
Homemade Whipped Cream for Service. (Recipe to follow)

NOTE:
You can do this step or not. It's not in the original recipe.
The day before, put the Raisins in a 1 C Measuring Cup and cover with Wine to soak for a day. I cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it. When you're ready to make the cake, drain the raisins and use the liquid as part of the 1 C of Wine in the recipe.

In a Large Mixing Bowl with a hand mixer:
Eggs
Sugar
Butter
Beat until creamy smooth.

In another bowl, sift together:
Flour
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Salt
Whisk well and set aside.

Alternate the Dry Ingredients and the Wine into the Creamed Butter and Sugar Mixture.
Mix just until well combined.

Fold in Raisins by hand with a Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula.
Spoon evenly into the Pan.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Remove the Pan to a Rack to Cool for 10 minutes.
Invert the Cake onto the Rack to Cool Completely.
Transfer to a Serving Platter.
Cut with Confectioner's Sugar as an Option.
Garnish each serving with Whipped Cream.

This is my favorite recipe for homemade Whipped Cream.

Homemade Whipped Cream:

1 C Heavy Cream
1 tsp Vanilla
1 TBS Confectioner's Sugar.
Whip the Cream in a Stand Mixer with a Whisk Attachment.
Beat to Soft Peak.
Add:
Vanilla
Confectioner's Sugar
Beat to Stiff Peak.
Transfer to a Serving Bowl to serve.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Ritz Cracker/Peanut Butter Cookies

These can be made with White Chocolate and Valentine Sprinkles too. This is probably a well known recipe but it was the first time I had tasted them. There are so many options for decorating them, use you own imagination and creativity.
I recently went to a Holiday Event and someone brought the Chocolate ones. They are delicious.

http://www.averiecooks.com/…/chocolate-peanut-butter-stacks…

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Christmas Tree Cupcake Toppers

Here's a very cool treat to put on top of Holiday Cupcakes.
I am simply posting the link to the recipe so I can post a photograph.

Easy Christmas Tree Cupcake Toppers - YouTube

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Holiday Brickle

I received this recipe from my Niece in Kansas. I love family recipes, vintage recipes and recipes shared among neighbors and friends.
She got this one from her neighbor.
It's a great item to give as a gift to your neighbors during the Holidays.
There are Decorative Christmas Cellophane Bags that you can fill with some of this Brickle. They look festive when tied with a Christmas Ribbon, Attach a recipe card with it and you have the perfect gift to share with friends.
I'm simply posting the original recipe card and a photograph of the finished Brickle.
Thanks again Jennifer for sharing another great recipe with Uncle Hippy in the Kitchen!
Merry Christmas!


Brickle:

Merry Christmas from:
Jennifer and The Hippy in the Kitchen!

Éclairs in a Pan!

This recipe is an American version of the Classic French Éclair.
This can be made with French Vanilla Pudding Mix or Chocolate Pudding Mix.

I hesitated to post this recipe. I ate it somewhere at some function and I can't even remember where it was. The only thing I remember was this delicious dessert.
I also hesitated to post it because I thought there was no way that everyone I know wouldn't already have this recipe.
It's easy, it's delicious, it's made in the Iconic All American 9" X 13" Baking Pan!

The Traditional French Éclair

Thi Iconic, All American 9" X 13" Baking Pan

Here's what you'll need:
1 - 9" X 13" Glass Baking Pan!

Pudding:

3- 3.5oz. Boxes of Instant French Vanilla Pudding (or Chocolate)
3 C Whole Milk
1 - 8oz. Tub of Frozen Cool Whip, thawed.
Graham Crackers

Topping:

1/3 C Baking Cocoa ( I use Rodelle)
1 C Granulated Sugar
1/4 C Whole Milk
8 TBS Butter, cut into pieces.
1 tsp Vanilla


Pudding Directions:

In a Medium Mixing Bowl with a Hand Mixer:
Vanilla Pudding
Milk
Beat to combine well.
Fold in Cool Whip.
Whisk well by hand until creamy smooth.

In the Pan:
Line the entire bottom with Graham Crackers. Break them as needed to fit.

Spread 1/2 of the Pudding over the Crackers.
Repeat with another layer of Crackers and the remaining Pudding.
Add a final layer of Crackers.
Refrigerate while you prepare the Topping.


Topping Directions:

In a Saucepan on Medium Heat:
Cocoa
Sugar
Milk
Heat just until it begins to Bubble. Whisking constantly.

Add:
Butter
Vanilla
Whisk well until thick and creamy.

Spread evenly over the last layer of Crackers.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight before serving.

Cut into squares to serve.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Enchilada Soup in a Crock Pot

Just another example of a recipe we love in Texas.

This is comfort food on a Chilly Day.

Enchilada Soup

Here's what you'll need:

A Crock Pot 

Soup Ingredients:

1 C diced Onion

2 Garlic Cloves, Minced

3 - 14oz. Cans of Black Beans, rinsed and drained well.

2 - 14oz. Cans of Vegetable Broth

1 - 10oz. Can of Enchilada Sauce

1 - 15oz. Can of Diced Tomatoes including the liquid.

1 - 15oz. Can of Corn, drained.

1 - 4.5oz. Can of Diced Green Chiles

2 TBS Lime Juice

1 1/2 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Chile Powder (this is not Chili Powder) there's a difference. It's CHILE! I use a Hatch Chile Powder or Chimayo Chile Powder. Don't use Chipotle, it's too smokey.

1/4 tsp Pepper

1/4 C Chopped Cilantro

Topping Ingredients:

Diced Avocado

Shredded Queso Quesadilla Cheese

Chopped Green Onion

Sour Cream

Tortilla Chips

Spoon all of the Soup Ingredients into a large Crock Pot.

Stir to combine well.

Heat on Low for 4 hours.

Stir occasionally.

Serve Hot with Toppings.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Candy Cane Martini

All I will say about this one is................. Happy Holidays!

Peppermint Schnapps

Red Berry Vodka

Clear Crême de Cacao

Grenadine

Here's what you'll need:
A Cocktail Shaker/Ice
A Chilled Martini Glass

3/4 oz. Peppermint Schnapps
3/4 oz. Berry Vodka (there are several choices available) I like Absolut.
3/4 oz. Creme de Cacao (just make sure it's a clear version)
3/4 oz. Half and Half
1/4 oz. Grenadine

In the Cocktail Shaker filled with Ice:
Schnapps
Vodka
Creme de Cacao
Half and Half
Shake well.

Strain into the Martini Glass.
Drizzle the Grenadine over the Martini and Swirl it with a toothpick.

Enjoy!
The Holidays!