Apple Bundt Cake

Ingredients
STREUSEL
3/4 c sugar
3 tsp orange flavored instant drink mix (like tang)
2 tsp cinnamon

CAKE
3 c all purpose flour
2 c sugar
3 tsp baking powder
3 tsp orange flavored instant drink mix
1/2 tsp salt
1 c vegetable oil
1/2 c water
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 lg eggs
4 c apples, peeled and thinly sliced

GLAZE
2 c powdered sugar
1 Tbsp butter, softened
1/2 tsp apple pie spice or a combination of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg
2 - 4 Tbsp milk
Directions
1Heat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt pan
2Combine streusel ingredients in a small bowl; set aside.
3In a large bowl, combine all cake ingredients except apples. Pour 1/3 of batter (about 1 2/3 C) into Bundt pan. Layer 2 cups of apples over batter; sprinkle with half the streusel. Repeat layers with another 1/3 of batter, remaining apples and remaining streusel. End with remaining 1/3 of cake batter.
4Bake for 65-75 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean when tested. Cool in pan for 3 minutes, then invert onto a serving plate to cool completely.
5When cake is cool, prepare glaze. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar, butter and spice. Add milk one tbsp at a time until smooth and of drizzling consistency. Drizzle glaze over cooled cake.

Mini Peanut Butter Cheesecakes

Ingredients
Crust:
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
4 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
12 bite-size peanut butter cups

Filling:
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or almond extract
2 eggs
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place a paper cupcake liner in each cup of a standard muffin pan.


To make crust, in a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter until crumbs are moistened. Press crust into bottom of each muffin cup. Put 1 peanut butter cup into the center of each crust.


Beat cream cheese with a handheld electric mixer until fluffy. Add sugar, flour, and vanilla, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Spoon cream cheese mixture over peanut butter cups and graham cracker crusts. Bake until just set, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Raspberry Chocolate Cake

3 cups sugar
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup baking cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1-1/4 cups buttermilk
3/4 cup canola oil
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 eggs
1-1/2 cups strong brewed coffee, room temperature

FILLING:
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons milk
6 tablespoons shortening
3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons raspberry liqueur, optional
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 drops red food coloring, optional
4 tablespoons seedless raspberry jam, melted

FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cold cream cheese
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 tablespoon raspberry liqueur, optional
4 cups confectioners' sugar
Directions
Line three greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper and grease paper; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Combine the buttermilk, oil and vanilla; add to the dry ingredients. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat for 2 minutes. Gradually add coffee (batter will be thin).
Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely; discard waxed paper.
For filling, in a small saucepan, whisk together flour and milk until smooth. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and let stand until cool.
In a large bowl, cream shortening and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and mix well. Gradually add cooled milk mixture; beat for 4 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in liqueur, salt and food coloring if desired.
Level tops of cakes if necessary. Place one layer on a serving plate; spread with about 2 tablespoons jam. Place remaining layers on waxed paper; spread one of the remaining layers with remaining jam. Let stand for 30 minutes.
Spread 1/2 cup filling over cake on the plate to within 1/4 in. of edges. Top with jam-covered cake, then spread with remaining filling. Top with remaining cake layer.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add beat in cocoa and liqueur. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Frost top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 16 servings.

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup Louisiana-style hot sauce
1 cup ranch salad dressing
3 cans (4-1/2 ounces each) chunk white chicken, drained and shredded
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
Corn or tortilla chips
Thinly sliced green onions, optional
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, hot pepper sauce and salad dressing. Stir in chicken.
Spread into an ungreased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-22 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with green onions if desired. Serve with chips. Yield: 5 cups.

Hot Chocolate

2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 cups half-and-half
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped or chocolate chips
4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped or chocolate chips
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon instant espresso or coffee powder
4 to 5 vanilla beans or cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Directions
Heat the milk and half-and-half in a saucepan on medium heat to just below the simmering point. Remove the pan from the heat and add both chocolates. When the chocolates are melted, add the sugar, vanilla extract, and espresso and whisk vigorously. Reheat gently and serve immediately. Use a vanilla bean or cinnamon stick to garnish each serving. You can also top with whipped cream.

Hearty Greens Soup with Bowtie Pasta and Tomatoes

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
4 plum tomatoes, cored and chopped
2 carrots, chopped
8 cups water
1 bunch Swiss chard (about 3/4 pound), roughly chopped
1/2 bunch escarole (about 1/2 pound), stemmed and roughly chopped
1/2 pound dried bowtie (farfalle) pasta
1 (3-inch) Parmigiano Reggiano rind, plus grated Parmigiano Reggiano for garnish
1/4 pound baby spinach

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic, onions, bay leaf, salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until caramelized, about 15 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until most of the liquid is released and absorbed, about 5 minutes more. Add carrots and water and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Stir in Swiss chard, escarole, pasta and Parmigiano Reggiano rind, reduce heat, cover and simmer until broth is flavorful and greens and pasta are tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in spinach and season with salt and pepper.

Remove and discard bay leaf and rind from soup then ladle into bowls, garnish with grated cheese and serve.

Chocolate Chip Cake with Butterscotch filling

2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup milk
3 eggs
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces, finely chopped
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Butterscotch Filling
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon water

Chocolate Chip Glaze
1/2 cup semisweet or milk chocolate pieces
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup


Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 2 round layer pans. Measure all the ingredients except the filling, walnuts, and glaze into a large mixer bowl. Blend 30 seconds on low speed, scraping the bowl constantly.

Beat three minutes on high speed scraping bowl often. Pour into pans. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool. Fill the layers with Butterscotch Filling, sprinkling with nuts over filling. Spread with Chocolate Chip Glaze over top of cake.

For Filling: Stir together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in water. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Blend in butter. Cool

For Glaze: Heat all the ingredients over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted. Cool slightly. Spread over top of cake allowing some of the glaze to trickle down the sides.