Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake

I really enjoy lemon treats.  To me, there is something refreshing about the lemon flavor.  I have a few favorite lemon desserts, but this pound cake is one of my favorites.  I honestly cannot remember where I got the recipe from, so although I would like to give credit where credit is due, I am going to blame the forgetfulness on my Mommy brain.

Ingredients
2 ½ cups sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon lemon extract
5 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk or evaporated milk
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1/4 cup poppy seeds
Powdered sugar, if desired

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and side of angel food cake pan, 10×4-inches, 12-cup bundt cake pan or 2 loaf pans, 9x5x3-inches, with shortening; lightly flour.
2. Beat sugar, butter, lemon extract and eggs in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 5 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Mix flour, baking powder and salt. Beta flour mixture into sugar mixture alternately with milk on low speed, beating just until smooth after each addition. Fold in lemon peel and poppy seeds. Pour into pan(s).
3. Bake angel food or bundt cake pan 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, loaf pans 55 to 60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes; remove form pan(s) to wire rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

I have now posted here every month for the last year and really enjoyed doing it.  It got me to think more about the fact that I do like cooking (more than I thought I did).  And also to see that I have come quite a ways since my first cooking experiences.  Of course, I am still far from calling myself a “cook”, but I am getting closer the more I try out Maria’s recipes!  I am going to go back to just posting recipes occasionally on my own blog now for this season of life.  I really appreciate Maria giving me the opportunity to do this and encourage her other friends to join in and share your recipes as well!

All the best,

Spaghetti Squash with Marinara Sauce

This past fall, we received some spaghetti squash in our CSA basket. I honestly was not sure what to do with it, though I figured I could bake it. Right? Fortunately, about the same time, Emily posted about how to cook it.  I was very relieved and jumped right in. I went a little light on the garlic for TB’s sake, but if I were making it for myself, I would have loaded up. I topped ours off with some pasta sauce I had canned.

Chewy Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

After four years, I will say my son has developed himself quite the sweet tooth. He enjoys having a cookie or dessert, and I can not say I blame him.  We are working with him on enjoying a little bit each day, but in the mean time, it gives me an excuse to bake.  I found this recipe for Chewy Vegan Chocolate Chip cookies on Daily Garnish, one of my favorite cooking websites, because Emily posts relatively easy to make recipes.

Dutch Apple Pie

Apple pie is probably my favorite kind of pie, but when it comes to rolling out a crust, I am not always up for it (ie. I am lazy).  That is why I discovered this delicious Dutch Apple Pie from All Recipes.  The crust is made with butter, flour, brown sugar and oats and is simply pressed into the pie plate.  The filling is pretty simple then.  And the end result is delicious.

Enjoy,

Menu Plan Monday: 5 December 2011

Like most weeks, I mess up the menu plan at least one day…or don’t plan for all of the existing leftovers.  As such, some items this week are repeats of last week simply because I didn’t make them when I said I would or decided to do something crazy like make ham and scalloped potatoes instead of lentil soup. Ha ha!

Monday:  Leftovers

Tuesday: Book club! Oh goodness! I need to bake cookies!

Wednesday:  Sandwiches and the town square Christmas Tree lighting ceremony! (Yes, I had the weeks mixed up, so this one is a do-over!)

Thursday: Work party, so the guys are on their own.

Friday: Lentil Soup (subbing vegetable broth for chicken to make it vegan)

Saturday:  Brunch at my place, so Quinoa Quiche, Pumpkin donuts, Meatballs and more!

Sunday:  Leftovers

Pop on over to OrgJunkie and plan with us!