cake

Strawberry Doughnut Cake (and a creative giveaway!)

Strawberry Doughnut Cake
Strawberry Doughnut Cake

Strawberry Doughnut Cake



Recipe by: Willow Bird Baking with strawberry glaze adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction
Yield: 8-10 servings

You’re going to be shocked by how delicious this super cute and super quick cake is. SHOCKED, I tell you!

Cake Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup water
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons cake flour
1 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Glaze Ingredients:
5-6 strawberries, chopped
1 tablespoon strawberry jam
1 tablespoon milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
sprinkles (optional)

Directions:
To make the cake: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the butter and water to a boil. In the meantime, in a separate large bowl, whisk together the cake flour and sugar before adding the eggs, sour cream, almond extract, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt. Mix to combine. While mixing, slowly pour in the boiling butter and water mixture. Mix to combine completely. Your batter will be very runny. Pour the batter into a 10-inch cast iron skillet (alternatively, I think this would work fine in a 8-inch square baking pan lined with parchment paper.)

Bake at 375 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in several places comes out with a few moist crumbs (don’t wait for the top to get golden brown, necessarily — mine stayed pale). Cast iron skillet cook times can be variable, so check early and often. Cool completely.

To make the glaze: Put chopped strawberries and jam into a food processor or blender to puree. Pour into a medium bowl and mix in milk and vanilla extract. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar. Pour glaze over the cake to cover (I used most but not all of it) and top with sprinkles.

Intense Chocolate Mocha Cake

Intense Chocolate Mocha Cake
Intense Chocolate Mocha Cake

Intense Chocolate Mocha Cake



Recipe by: Willow Bird Baking, with frosting adapted from Martha Stewart
Yield: 9 servings

This easy snack cake packs an intense mocha punch! The espresso powder deepens the already fantastic chocolate flavor of the cake and smooth-as-silk frosting. Be sure to pour a tall glass of milk with this cake (or maybe a nice cup of coffee?)

Cake Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon espresso powder
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2/3 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Frosting Ingredients:
7 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
7 tablespoons warm water
1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips, melted and cooled
coffee ice cream (for serving)

Directions:
Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with Baker’s Joy® nonstick cooking spray. Place a square of parchment in the bottom and spray this with Baker’s Joy® as well.

In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt together and set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring the butter, vegetable oil, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and water to a boil, whisking to mix. After it boils, whisk it into the dry ingredients until combined. Whisk in the buttermilk, egg, and vanilla. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs (a clean toothpick means a dry cake, so be sure to pull it out before then!) Let the cake cool for about 20 minutes before cooling the rest of the way in the fridge. When your cake is completely cool, invert it onto a square plate or platter.

Make the frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa, espresso powder, and warm water. In a separate bowl, beat together butter, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the melted, cooled chocolate and the cocoa mixture. Let this sit for exactly 30 minutes (no really, exactly 30!) before you use it to obtain the perfect spreadability. Pile the frosting on the top of the cake and smooth it out to an even, thick layer. Cut into slices and serve with coffee ice cream.

Cherry Icebox Birthday Cake

Cherry Icebox Birthday Cake
Cherry Icebox Birthday Cake

Cherry Icebox Birthday Cake



Recipe by: Willow Bird Baking
Yield: 4 servings

SO EASY, SO GOOD! I fashioned this cheery Cherry Icebox Birthday “Cake” in two 2-cup apothecary jars for a cute presentation, but if you don’t have a 2-cup vessel, you can always make it in one loaf pan lined with parchment paper and, after chilling overnight, turn it out on a platter. Grab yourself a bag of the new birthday cake Oreos and enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
7 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 tablespoons Kirsch (cherry flavored liqueur)*
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 package birthday cake Oreos
maraschino cherries
sprinkles (optional)
*If you don’t have any Kirsch or don’t want to use it, try subbing in 1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice. I haven’t tried it, but I bet it’d be good.

Directions:
Whip the cream, powdered sugar, Kirsch, and vanilla extract together in a chilled bowl to stiff peaks. In two, 2-cup glasses or in one loaf pan lined with parchment paper, layer birthday cake Oreos and cherry whipped cream, starting with Oreos and ending with cream. If you want to get fancy, you could include a maraschino cherry layer! Cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, top with sprinkles and maraschino cherries!

Coconut Pudding Spoon Cake

Coconut Pudding Spoon Cake
Coconut Pudding Spoon Cake: Hard to Photograph, So Easy to Eat

Coconut Pudding Spoon Cake



Recipe by: Adapted from Baked Lemon Pudding Cake
Yield: 4-6 servings

This cloudlike Coconut Pudding Spoon Cake takes just around 15 minutes to whip up and get in the oven, but it’s so warm, satisfying, and moist. The texture alone is enough to knock you right off your feet. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
4 eggs, separated
1 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cup coconut milk (the unsweetened kind you buy in cans)
1/2 cup shredded coconut

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put some water in a saucepan on to boil; you’ll use this for the water bath later. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip 4 egg whites on medium speed until foamy and then slowly add 1/4 cup of sugar. Turn mixer to high and whip the egg whites to stiff, glossy peaks.

In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter and remaining sugar for 2-3 minutes until pale, fluffy yellow. Mix in the egg yolks and extracts until just combined, scraping down the sides as needed. Mix in the flour and salt until just combined. Mix in the coconut milk until just combined.

Stir in about 1/3 of the egg white mixture into the butter mixture to lighten it up. Then add the rest of the egg white mixture and the shredded coconut, folding them in gently until there are no streaks in the mixture. Pour the mixture into a shallow, ungreased 2-quart baking dish (mine is the oval seen above and is actually about 1.9 quarts.) Place the filled dish in a larger 9×13-inch baking dish on your oven rack and carefully pour boiling water up to about 1/2-inch deep around it to form a water bath. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until set and golden brown. Carefully remove from the oven and serve warm.

The BEST Valentine’s Day Recipes from Willow Bird Baking

The BEST Valentine's Day Recipes from Willow Bird Baking
Thanks, Foodie, for sponsoring this post showcasing the BEST Valentine’s Day Recipes from Willow Bird Baking.

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite food holidays. Everything’s so CUTE and CHOCOLATE and CUTE and PINK. Since it’s my fave, I go all out on heart day recipes. See the caption under each recipe for a description and difficulty level.

Red Velvet CHEESECAKE-STUFFED Cake Balls
Red Velvet Cheesecake-Stuffed Cake Balls

That’s right. They’re STUFFED WITH CHEESECAKE. This was one of the best ideas I’ve ever had. You should pretend it was yours. Difficulty level: Intermediate.



Gooey Chocolate Coconut Cream Skillet Cake
Gooey Chocolate Coconut Cream Skillet Cake

Not all of the best Valentine’s desserts are red. This is a romantic favorite, eaten straight from the skillet! Difficulty Level: Easy.



Gooey Turtle Brownie Sticky Buns
Gooey Turtle Brownie Sticky Buns

Brownies + sticky Buns = Love. Difficulty Level: Intermediate.



Raspberry Cheesecake Morning Buns
Raspberry Cheesecake Morning Buns

Incredibly indulgent Raspberry Cheesecake buns that are perfect for breakfast or dessert! Difficulty Level: Intermediate.



Gooey Chocolate Skillet Cake Ice Cream Sundae
Gooey Chocolate Skillet Cake Ice Cream Sundae

Another incredible, chocolate skillet dessert that’s quick and simple to make. Difficulty Level: Easy.



Samoa Monkey Bread with Ganache Dipping Sauce
Samoa Monkey Bread with Ganache Dipping Sauce

So romantic. Trust me. Difficulty Level: Easy.



Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade
Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade

A sweet, puckery way to brighten your sweetheart’s day! Difficulty Level: Easy.



Spiked Mocha Mousse Bars
Spiked Mocha Mousse Bars

A little sassy, a little sultry, a lot delicious. Difficulty Level: Easy.



Lemon Cheesecake Morning Buns
Lemon Cheesecake Morning Buns

The absolute 100% perfect Valentine’s breakfast. Like, don’t even wake me up if these aren’t sittin’ in the kitchen. Difficulty Level: Intermediate.



The Ultimate Moist, Fluffy, Ridiculous Coconut Cake
The Ultimate Moist, Fluffy, Ridiculous Coconut Cake

Coconut is for lovers. Difficulty Level: Intermediate.



Deep Dish Pizza Cupfakes
Deep Dish Pizza Cupfakes

A fun dinner idea for your Valentine. It’ll look like you skipped right to dessert! Difficulty Level: Intermediate.



Heart-Shaped Palmiers
Heart-Shaped Palmiers

Another lovely savory treat for Valentine’s Day. Difficulty Level: Easy.



Chocolate & Coconut Cream Pie Bars
Chocolate & Coconut Cream Pie Bars

I would marry someone immediately if they made me these. And I weren’t already married or whatever. Difficulty level: Easy. (NOT ME, THE BARS.)



Gooey Carmelitas
Gooey Carmelitas

I don’t know if you should make these, actually. Your girlfriend might love them more than you. Difficulty level: Easy.



(Freshly Picked!) Strawberry Cream Pie
(Freshly Picked!) Strawberry Cream Pie

A stunning and indulgent pie. Difficulty level: Intermediate.



Strawberry Coconut Cream Pie
Strawberry Coconut Cream Pie

Mike likes this version with coconut cream even better. It’s nuts. Well, really it’s strawberries. Whatever. Difficulty level: Intermediate.



Itsy Bitsy Berry Cream Pies
Itsy Bitsy Berry Cream Pies

Teensy, adorable mini pies! Difficulty level: Intermediate.



Red Velvet Cheesecake
Red Velvet Cheesecake

This recipe is easy if you make it over a few days. It’s got some serious curb appeal! Difficulty Level: Intermediate.



Thick Chocolate Cake with a Big Red (Velvet!) Heart
Thick Chocolate Cake with a Big Red (Velvet!) Heart

LOOK AT THE HEART. Difficulty level: Easy with the right cake pan!



Chocolatey Red Velvet Pull-Apart Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze
Chocolatey Red Velvet Pull-Apart Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze

Another idea I’m unabashedly proud of. Difficulty level: Intermediate.



Gooey Butter Strawberry Shortcake
Gooey Butter Strawberry Shortcake

This is one of my favorite desserts everrrr and so easy to make! And so pretty! Difficulty Level: Easy.


Brownie-Bottom Coconut Chocolate Cream Cake
Brownie-Bottom Coconut Chocolate Cream Cake

This dessert seems fussy, but it’s incredibly easy and everyone loves it! Difficulty Level: Easy.


Want some amazing Valentine’s Day recipes from other blogs around the interwebz? I have you covered there, too. Here are some I collected:

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