Cranberry Coconut Almond Cake

Yesterday amid my declining health I wanted to bake something.  So I looked to my cupboard for inspiration. I found a leftover can of cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving. I don't know about you, but I find that I always buy that one extra can that I don't use and then it stays in the cupboard until the following Thanksgiving. The next thing I found was some coconut flakes from my last batch of Rock Buns and then I wanted my second favorite flavoring Almond. I didn't have any slivered almonds, but that did not break the recipe. Enjoy this very delicious recipe.

Cranberry Coconut Almond Cake

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
3/4 cup butter (softened)
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs (beaten)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
1/2 cup coconut flakes


Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350F, grease and flour pan. 
• Sift the flour and baking powder, into a large bowl and add the butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla and almond extract.
• Beat well until the mixture is smooth.
• Stir in the cranberry sauce and coconut flakes.
• Pour mixture into prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. 
• Bake for 40 - 45 minutes or until risen, set and golden brown.
• Let cool and then turn upside down. 
• Enjoy. 

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Day

As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King day, most of us reflect on all the great things he has done. I'm breaking convention and not talk about his favorite dessert Pecan Pie and instead share a poem that my son wrote for this special day. I hope you enjoy it.

Martin Luther King Changed My Life

By Sheldon Smith

Martin Luther King changed my life                                                    

I could have been killed by a knife  

Martin Luther King Changed My Life                 

We would have been treated with no respect,

Black people sighed and wept

Martin Luther King Changed My Life

We wouldn’t be able to ride the bus,

They looked at us with disgust.

Martin Luther King Changed My Life                                                          

Blacks didn’t get any love,

So they looked up above.

Martin Luther King Changed My Life

Blacks showed kindness and peace,

But there wasn’t in the east.

Martin Luther King Change My Life

The war went on and on,

Until many Blacks were gone.

Martin Luther King Changed My Life

There was blood on the floors,

But now there is no more.

Martin Luther King Changed My Life

Blacks marched all day,

So we could have a say and get our own way.

Martin Luther King Changed My Life

His speech “I Have a Dream”,

Change everyone’s self esteem.

Martin Luther King Changed My Life

I’m glad he came and made a difference in our lives.

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

MEMBA WHEN is now available on AMAZON

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to share some exciting news with you. My second cookbook, "MEMBA WHEN" is now available on Amazon.com. I have been asked questions on where my book can be purchased and now I am happy to say besides my website : ) you can go to AMAZON.COM

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=memba+when+

I am hoping that all who stop by this blog every now and again will get a copy of my cookbook. Help make this the next bestseller.

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

Happy New Year

Last year I did all the talking and I never heard from you guys, not that I mind talking : )  This year I've decided I want this a little more interactive. If you have a question feel free to respond or comment on the blog. I would love to hear from you.

I'm thinking of all the recipes that I haven't tried and I am going work my way thru them, come along for the ride. I've also decided to walk more so I can eat more LOL.

Remember my new years mantra do more of the things I love. I encourage you to do the same.

Until the baking begins.....


Always remember to live one day at a time.

Happy New Year, Much Prosperity for 2013

As we embark on a New Year I want to say thank you to all my followers first and foremost for taking that brave step and signing up. It has been great having you aboard. Secondly I would like to say thank you to everyone that visits my blog and takes a read every now and again. It has been my pleasure entertaining you with my food talk. It has truly been a wonderful time spent with you.

As 2012 closes and 2013 begins I pray that we will all make the best use of whatever time we have, as time is so limited and so precious. I encourage you to try that recipe that you have always wanted to try. Sample that dessert you always wanted to, what are you waiting for ....just remember everything in moderation.

For me, in the new year I plan to do more writing, more reading, more sleeping, more eating, more of everything that I love. My goal is to live a fuller and less complicated life. Again everything in moderation.

A sweet treat for 2013

 

Wishing you all the very best for 2013. May God continue to bless you all.

 

Always remember to take life one day at a time.

 

Jamaican Plain Cake

Now this has to be one of my favorite cakes of all time, because just as the name suggest it is a plain cake. It is very easy to put together and it is a nice end to any meal.

I remember when I was a child growing up, my mom used to bake all the time. The rule of thumb was whenever the oven was on she would "throw" something else in there. For the most part the oven would be used on a Sunday when my dad would make bake chicken or some other meat kind for Sunday dinner, so of course you can expect my mom to bake plain cake or cornmeal pudding or good ole toto. (If you check a previous blog you will see the recipe for Jamaican Toto).

Earlier this week I was thinking of baking ..... when am I not thinking of baking : ) and I was thinking of baking some Rock Buns for the kids as a snack when they come home from school. My son says, "Mom can we have a cake or something?". So I decided to bake a Plain Cake. Lets just say its all gone now. It makes a great afternoon snack for the kids and it is very easy to make with ingredients you already have in your cupboard.

Even if you are a novice baker this is a simple recipe to make. It is also great if you half it.

Ingredients

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups butter (softened)
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract (makes it extra special)
6 eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans or 2 9"baking pans.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl.
3. Add butter, milk, vanilla and almond extract.
4. Mix on low speed for a minute then on high speed for 2 minutes. Stop and scrape the bowl. (Batter will be thick)
5. Add eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition.
6. Pour batter into prepared pans. 
7. Bake for 1hr 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
8. Cool completely and then enjoy.

***Note - Use grated lemon rind or lemon flavour to make lemon cake

For other Jamaican Recipes like this, you can find them in my cookbook - Jamaica's Forgotten Treats available for purchase at www.renaeescakes.com

If you like what you see, sign up and become a follower. I would love to hear from you. 

Always remember to take life one day at a time

Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin season is upon us, and I was thinking of another recipe to make with pumpkin. You have pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffin, pumpkin bread, but have you had pumpkin cookies. That's what I said interesting. So I decided to make some. It is soft, pumpkiny and oh so delicious.

You have to try this recipe. It is very easy to assembly and the kids will just eat them up. It makes about 36 and right now I have about 24. My kids gobbled them up : )

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter softened
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
 1/2 cup raisins

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets.


2. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and raisins in medium bowl. 


3. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. 


4. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. 


5. Gradually beat in flour mixture. 


6. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.


7. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. 


8. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. 


9. Drizzle Glaze over cookies.

For Glaze:

1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar

3  tbsp milk

1 tbsp melted butter 

1 tsp vanilla 

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. 

If you like what you see, sign up and become a follower. I would love to hear from you.

Always remember to take life one day at a time