Tag flaky

NATIONAL SPONGE CAKE DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

On August 23rd, enjoy National Sponge Cake Day with the quintessential classic of the cake world. This airy queen of teas is the guest of honor, but we get the pleasure of tasting! 

One of the trickiest cakes for bakers to master, a perfect sponge stands tall. Another balancing trick for bakers includes maintaining a fine crumb while keeping the cake moist. If you enjoy layering berries and whipped cream, the sponge handles this task beautifully. 

The sponge cake is believed to be one of the first non-yeasted cakes. 

The sponge cake is thought to have originated in the Caribbean. However, the earliest English printed recipe for sponge cake comes from an English poet and author, Gervase Markham. In 1615 he published a sponge cake recipe in the book The English Huswife, Containing the Inward and Outward Virtues Which Ought to Be in a Complete Woman.

I can’t knit or make plum jam, but I can bake a bloody Victoria sponge. ~ Helen Mirren as Chris in Calendar Girls (2003)

In 2003, the sponge cake played a tiny role in the movie Calendar Girls starring Helen Mirren. In the scene, Mirren’s character, Chris, enters a baking competition. However, she forgets she entered, and instead of entering a sponge cake of her own making, she submits a store-bought Victoria sponge cake.

Want More Cake…

HOW TO OBSERVE #SpongeCakeDay

Be sure to find more of your favorite cakes here.

Get some sponge cake and enjoy it. Or, if you are up to the challenge, try this Glorious Sponge Cake recipe. Serve it with berries or a preserve. Use #SpongeCakeDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL GRAHAM CRACKER DAY

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July 5th recognizes 1/3rd of the s’more. It’s National Graham Cracker Day! Hopefully, you saved a few crackers if you were busy making s’mores over the Independence Day holiday. 

When Sylvester Graham first invented the slightly sweetened cracker, he intended it as a health food. In the early 1800s, the Presbyterian minister developed the cracker as part of his “Graham Diet” program. They were made from whole wheat graham flour with added bran and wheat germs. He believed his snack would curb sinful cravings. 

Today, makers use bleached white flour and blend a variety of flavors including honey, cinnamon, and chocolate. They also come in smaller bite-size snacks and fun shapes. 

While a delicious snack on their own, they also make terrific ingredients for desserts. Crushed graham crackers blended with butter and pressed into pie tins, or springform pans make excellent crusts when lightly toasted. Graham crackers layered between yogurt and fruit taste delicious in a parfait. When it comes to crumb toppings, oats, brown sugar, butter, and crushed graham crackers blended together and lightly toasted will always satisfy.

Graham Cracker Sandwiches

Some of the easiest ways of using graham crackers are making a type of sandwich. Of course, one of the most popular treats made with graham crackers is the S’more. However, that’s not the only type of sandwich we can make with these sturdy crackers.

  • Ice cream sandwiches – It’s summer, so head to the freezer. Just one scoop of ice cream between two crackers is all it takes. Wrap the sandwich in wax paper and place it back in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour. 
  • Nut butter sandwiches – Whether it’s peanut butter, hazelnut, or sun butter, spread your favorite between two crackers and enjoy. 
  • Fruit sandwiches – Layer banana or strawberry slices between two crackers. Add nut butter. 
  • Frozen fruit sandwiches – Puree your favorite fruit and then freeze slightly. Spread the pulp on the crackers and refreeze just like you did the ice cream. These sweet treats are delightfully refreshing!

During Christmastime, graham crackers go into overtime. They join forces with gingerbread and create magical houses with frosting. The edible delights may not last very long, but they make memories that last a lifetime. 

HOW TO OBSERVE #GrahamCrackerDay

Pick up some graham crackers and start making some memories. No matter how you celebrate, there are numerous, delicious ways to share.  Post on social media using #GrahamCrackerDay to encourage others to join in paying it forward.

HONEY MAID Graham Crackers, Lunch Snacks, Party Size, 28.8 oz #GrahamCrackerDay
HONEY MAID Graham Crackers, Lunch Snacks, Party Size, 28.8 oz
Annie's Organic Honey Graham Crackers, Made With Whole Grain, 14.4 oz#GrahamCrackerDay
Annie’s Organic Honey Graham Crackers, Made With Whole Grain, 14.4 oz
2 in 1 Electric S’mores Maker & Fondue Pot, Tabletop Indoor Smores kit with 4 Roasting Forks, 4 Detachable Trays & 1 Flameless Temperature-controlled Heater, Movie Night Supplies & Housewarming Gifts#GrahamCrackerDay
2 in 1 Electric S’mores Maker & Fondue Pot, Tabletop Indoor Smores kit with 4 Roasting Forks, 4 Detachable Trays & 1 Flameless Temperature-controlled Heater, Movie Night Supplies & Housewarming Gifts

NATIONAL ICE CREAM CAKE DAY

Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

National Ice Cream Cake Day is observed annually on June 27. In the height of summer, an ice cream cake is the perfect dessert.

An ice cream cake consists of any flavor of ice cream in the shape of a cake.  It can include many different ingredients such as cake, cookie crumbs, sponge cake, fudge, fruit or caramel between the layers of ice cream.  It is then frosted with either whipped cream or a similar icing.  Ice cream cakes are kept frozen until served.  They are typically decorated and served at a wide variety of parties.

Although the origin of the ice cream cake remains somewhat of a mystery, this popular dessert combines the classic summer treat, ice cream, with the time-honored celebratory cake, which makes it one of the best culinary inventions to date.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Order an ice cream cake from your favorite bakery or make your own to share with friends.  Use #nationalicecreamcakeday to share your photos on social media.

HIWARE 7 Inch Non-stick Springform Pan/Cheesecake Pan/Leakproof Cake Pan#nationalicecreamcakeday
HIWARE 7 Inch Non-stick Springform Pan/Cheesecake Pan/Leakproof Cake Pan
SOUJOY Springform Cake Pan, Non-stick Cheesecake Pan, 14 x 9 Inch Large Rectangle Cake Pan with Removable Bottom, Ice Cream Cake Bakeware#nationalicecreamcakeday
SOUJOY Springform Cake Pan, Non-stick Cheesecake Pan, 14 x 9 Inch Large Rectangle Cake Pan with Removable Bottom, Ice Cream Cake Bakeware

NATIONAL DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE DAY

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Observed annually on May 19, National Devil’s Food Cake Day is enjoyed by chocolate cake lovers throughout the country and around the world.

Devil’s Food cake is a heavenly chocolate cake.  It differs from a regular chocolate cake by its darker color and tends to be more moist and airy.  Devil’s Food cake recipes use hot or boiling water as the primary liquid. Cocoa is typically utilized in the batter, as opposed to chocolate, and coffee can be added for a distinctive flavor.  A delicious chocolate frosting usually accompanies the cake.

Recipes for Devil’s Food cakes often appeared alongside recipes for Angel Food cakes.  One of the earliest recipes appeared in the August 10, 1898, edition of the Hagerstown Exponent of Hagerstown, Indiana.

The once Queen of France said, “Let them eat cake“, I cant think of a better idea in today’s world.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Mix up this irresistible Devil’s Food Cake I recipe. Use #DevilsFoodCakeDay to post on social media.

Jen’s Keto Quiche

Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner this low carb option is super good and loaded with enough meat, eggs vegetables, and cheeses, to satisfy for any meal.  To keep it Keto friendly, I chose low carb vegetables and loaded it with cheeses too. I stayed crustless, but there are lots of options out there if you really want a crust.

Ingredients

  • 12 eggs
  • 16 Oz Sliced fresh mushrooms ( retain about 12 pretty slices for top of quiche
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1/2 cup diced green pepper
  • 1 lb cubed ham
  • 10 Oz fresh spinach (using paper towel ring out as much water as you can)
  • 16oz grape tomatoes cut in half
  • 8 Oz sliced Colby Jack cheese
  • 8 oz  sliced Sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 8oz slices Provolone cheese
  • 1 cup heavy whipping Cream
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Coat 13 x 9 glass baking dish in non stick spray. Really important for crustless quiche. Layers are about 1/3 of each ingredient except mushrooms. These are done about half in each layer, with retained ones going on top.
  • Layer in ingredients starting with onions, green pepper, ham, tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach.
  • Top with Colby/Jack cheese slices
  • Second layer onions green pepper, ham, mushrooms, tomatoes, and spinach.
  • Top with Provaline cheese slices
  • Layer last of onions, green pepper, ham, tomatoes and spinach.
  • Top with sliced cheddar cheese. Arrange remaining mushroom slices on top.
  • Whish eggs, heavy Cream, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic.
  • Slowly pour egg mixture over filled casserole dish. Cover with aluminum foil for oven.
  • Bake in pre-heated oven for 45 minutes at 350°.

I usually slice into 12 squares. Makes a wonderful dinner and we can have leftovers for breakfasts. Can be frozen in portions for breakfasts too. Simply freeze individually and separate with parchment paper in gallon zip lock bag.

There are a ton of options and variations to ingredients and sizes. For smaller individual servings assemble in a Muffin tin. Try your own vegetable choices. Asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, the choices are only really defined by your tastes. My family loves this version and we are trying out new varieties presently. So I hope your family love to dish this up too…

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It’s what for dinner!