Mandarin Orange Cake with Pineapple Frosting

Well I went to the gym this morning, and worked hard, too! So I felt making a cake would be a good way to pat myself on the back... I now understand the problem. It has fruit, therefore it is healthy, right?
So here is my family pleasing Mandarin Orange Cake, found via Betty Crocker online.

Mandarin Orange Cake with Pineapple Frosting

Serves 20

1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist Yellow Cake mix

1/2 c. Canola or Vegetable Oil

11 oz. can Mandarin Oranges, NOT drained

4 eggs

1/2 c. chopped Walnuts, optional

20 oz. can Crushed Pineapple, NOT drained

3.4 oz. pkg Instant Vanilla Pudding, Sugar Free

1 1/2 c. Light Whipped Topping

1 t. Orange Zest (shredded orange peel)

Pre-heat oven to 350 for a glass dish and 325 for a dark dish.

On low speed mix cake mix, oil, mandarin oranges (including juice), eggs (and walnuts if you must...) for 30 seconds. Mix on med speed for 2 minutes. 

Grease or spray 9x13 pan. Pour cake mixture into pan and bake 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool completely.

In med bowl, stir together pineapple (including juice), pudding mix and orange zest. Fold in whipped topping. Spread on cake. Store in refrigerator. 

As you can see I used some extra oranges as a cute decoration to the cake. This cake is really good and very moist. I personally think the cake itself could use an extra kick or orange, but it is great the way it is! Let me know how you like it!

Mandarin

Sugar Cookies

It's the week before Christmas and all through Crin's house,
not a child is running, nor looking to pounce.
The children are seated 'round the table with cheer
for they know why the babysitter has seated them here.
They saw the pink box that sat hidd'n on the shelf
and felt for a moment just like Santa's elf.
Preparing for Christmas includes lots of cooking,
so into the box they started their looking.
Off flew the lid and amid all the clutter
their eyes open wide and their little hearts flutter.
There was cookies, and icing, and sprinkles, and frosting.
-Little did I realize this could be so exhausting.

Last week I was feeling adventurous and it was my friend Crin's birthday. I watch her kids a few days a week  (Girls - ages Kate 2 and Sophie 4 and Boy - Gavon 1) and I thought it would be fun to let them do some decorating of cookies for their mom's birthday! So the night before, while watching Bones on FOX, my aunt and I found an Alton Brown Sugar Cookie recipe off www.foodnetwork.com and we made cookies. The next morning on my way to babysit I picked up frostings, icing, and sprinkles.

The girls were so excited to decorate cookies (and devour them). We ate breakfast, then decorated some, watched some snow white, then finished them. Thankfully I thought to put plates with raised edges down, or the table and floor would have been a mess; for some ages, the wax paper place mat just doesn't cut it. They had so much fun.

I didn't get any picture of the cookies, but I have some of the kids being silly. Note: the looks on their faces have no relation to the taste of the cookie lol.

Sophie (pic #2) took my camera phone and took these pictures. I'm a bit more skilled with a camera, no worries.

Recipe Courtesy of Food Network and Alton Brown.

Sugar Cookies
makes 3 dozen... ish


3 c. All-Purpose Flour
3/4 t. Baking Powder
1/4 t. Salt
1 c. Butter, softened
1 c. Sugar
1 Egg, beaten
1 T. Milk
Powdered Sugar, for rolling out dough

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Cream the butter and sugar. Add butter and milk to combine. Put mixer on low and gradually beat in flour until dough pulls from sides of bowl.

Divide dough in half, wrap in cling wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, til firm.

Preheat oven to 375. Sprinkle flat surface with powdered sugar and roll out one half of the dough to a 1/4". Make sure dough is not sticking to counter.
Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place on cooking sheet. HELP: dip cutting edge of cookie cutter in powdered sugar to help with easy release, and spatula for moving dough shapes from counter to cookie sheet.

Bake 375 for 7-9 minutes or until edges just begin to brown. Let cookies sit on baking sheet 2 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.