This Tasty Treat Thursday is with the help of Wendy Paul’s new book 101 Gourmet Cakes Bites.
These little treats have been making a big trend and have even worked their way into retails such as Starbucks’ pastry counter. Who knew cake on a stick would be so popular, but best part of these is portion control!
Our choice for the Mom Start feature from 101 Gourmet Cake Bites had to be something that suited me and my family, so my sons and I chose New York Cheesecake with a Football theme. Our family couldn’t be more excited for the NFL lockout to be over. We’re Chicago Bears fans; we’re sad that Olan Kreutz has been let go to the Saints and for poor Jay Culter ‘s canceled engagement (but more time to focus on his game). Preseason is around the corner and open practices, in our area, for the Seattle Seahawks have begun. But let’s get into food …
Recipe:
New York Cheesecake
1 box white cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup half-and –half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ cup vanilla buttercream frosting (from page 125)*
1 pound dark melting chocolate
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
White gel pen
1. Mix together cake mi, eggs, half-and-half, and vanilla extract. Batter will be thick. Pour into greased 9×13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 28-32 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Remove from oven and cool completely. Crumble cake into small, even pieces, placing crumbs in a large bowl.
2. With the back of a spoon mix together cake crumbles with cream cheese and frosting until a thick dough consistency forms. Shape into evenly sized oblong-shaped cake bites and cool 1-2 hours in the refrigerator, or 20 minutes in the freezer.
3. Heat dark melting chocolate per directions on the package. Add oil and stir to combine with warm chocolate. Dip cake bits into dark chocolate, covering all sides. Gently tap cake bite until excess chocolate slides off.
4. Set cake bite in a form block until chocolate firms. Use your white gel pen to draw the white laces of the football.
Makes 26-40
* Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
½ cup (1 stick) butter, room temperature
3¾ cups powdered sugar, sifted
3-4 Tablespoons milk or cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1. Place butter in a large mixing bowl. Beat until lightly and fluffy, about 30 seconds. Stop the mixer before adding the sugar or you will have a large mess to clean up.
2. Add sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Beat frosting, starting on slow and increasing your speed until frosting is nice and creamy. Add one Tablespoon of milk if frosting is too thick.
Get your own copy of 101 Gourmet Cake Bitesnow at Amazon for only about $13 (USD). Baker and author, Wendy Paul, offers more in the 101 Gourmet series — cupcakes and cookies.
If you’re interesting in getting more free recipes from Wendy Paul check out her website. You can also track Wendy on Twitter @ReasonToBake to keep on top of what’s fresh out of her oven.
About Summer:
Summer is very active in our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living while cooking up a storm.