Turtle Cake

 My sister-in-law, Ada made this for a recent family gathering.  It was delicious.

Turtle Cake

1 box German chocolate cake mix, mixed according to directions on box, but not baked yet

1- 14 oz bag of Kraft caramels (48 pieces)

1/2 cup evaporated milk

2 cups pecans, chopped

3/4 cup butter

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Whipped cream for topping, if desired

Heat oven to 350.  Spray a 9 x 13 pan.  Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.  While the cake is baking, melt the caramels, milk and butter together over medium heat.  Pour the mixture over the partially baked cake and sprinkle half of the nuts and half of the chocolate chips over that.  Pour on the rest of the cake batter, then sprinkle the nuts and chocolate chips over that.  Bake for 20 minutes.  It won't look done, but it will set up over time.  Top with whipped cream, if desired, or with ice cream as shown.

Brown Soda Bread

 We recently visited Shonna's family.  Her nine-year-old daughter, Lily, loves to cook and bake.  She got a children's cookbook for Christmas and has made many of the recipes in it.  Probably her favorite recipe is this delicious Brown Soda Bread.  It was really, really good.  Just like the little red hen, she made it start to finish- from grinding the wheat to cleaning up, washing, and putting away every dish.  She is amazing.  She doubled the recipe, making one loaf plain, as in the recipe, and the other loaf as lime/basil.  She is so creative.  In the past, she has made cranberry/nut and other creations.  She says she wants to own a bakery when she grows up.  

Brown Soda Bread

2 cups white flour 

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup toasted wheat germ

3 T. sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 3/4 cup buttermilk

2 T. butter, melted

Preheat oven to 400.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk the flours, wheat germ, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until combined.

In a liquid measuring cup, use fork to stir buttermilk and melted butter until the butter forms small clumps.

Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture.  Use a rubber spatula to stir until the dough comes together.

Sprinkle the counter or pastry sheet with flour.  Transfer the dough to the counter.  Using floured hands, knead the dough until smooth.   Pat and shape the dough into a ball.  Use a paring knife to cut a cross into the top of the loaf.  Transfer to the baking sheet.

Bake for about 45-50 minutes  until a skewer comes out clean.  Cool on a cooling rack for about 5 minutes before transferring to the cooling rack to cool completely.

Try Lily's delicious Brown Soda Bread!!

Sausage Roll

 I follow Jenna Bush Hager on Instagram.  She recently published this recipe for Sausage roll.  I had to try it.    I didn't get the back story, but it is someone's grandma's famous recipe.  It was fun and easy to make and very tasty.

Sausage Roll

1 lb pizza dough 

1 1/2 lbs sausage (you can use sweet or hot)

 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

Garlic powder

Black pepper

Olive oil for brushing the top

Dried oregano

Preheat oven to 350

On a floured pastry board, roll out dough to abou 12 x 8 inches.  Let dough rest for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, break up sausage in a skillet over med heat and cook until browned.  Drain.

Spread the sausage and the cheese onto the dough, leaving about 1/2 inch all around the edge.  Sprinkle with garlic powder and black pepper.  Roll the dough up like a cinnamon roll.  Crimp it closed and place seam side down on the baking sheet.  Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano.

  Bake until golden.  It should be about 30-35 minutes.

Slice.  We liked it served with  Marinara sauce for dipping or topping.