bits of sunshine recipes

White Frosting

4 T shortening
2 t vanilla extract
3 c powdered sugar
3 - 4 T milk

Beat together until of spreading consistency.  Add more powdered sugar or milk as necessary. 

You may substitute 1 tsp almond extract for the vanilla if you wish.

Vanilla Chocolate-Chip Cake (Easy)

This batter is quick and simple to make.  No need for a mixer - just stir.

Makes 24 cupcakes, or a 9x13 cake, or 2 round layers.

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line muffin tins with liners or cake pans with non-stick foil or parchment paper. 

Mix ::

2 2/3 c flour
2 c sugar
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt

In another bowl, whisk together ::

1 c milk
1/3 c water
3/4 c oil
1 T vanilla extract
2 large eggs

Make a well in the flour mixture.  Gradually pour liquid mixture into the flour mixture.  Whisk until blended (a few lumps may remain).  Stir in 1 c mini chocolate-chips.

Bake cupcakes 20 -25 minutes, bake 9x13 pan or round layer pans 35 minutes, until wooden pick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean. 

Cool in pan 30 minutes.  Remove from pan and cool completely.

Frost with White Frosting.

Decorate - with sprinkles!

Oatmeal Carmelitas

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a 9x13 size pan.  (Grease the sides REALLY well.)

Beat the following ingredients until crumbly ::

2 c flour
2 c quick oats
1 1/2 c brown sugar
1 c butter, softened
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt

Press 1/2 - 2/3 of this mixture into the bottom of your greased pan.  Reserve the rest.  Bake for 10 minutes.

While baking, stir together 1 jar (12.25 oz) caramel ice cream topping and 4 T flour.

Sprinkle 1 c mini chocolate chips over the partially baked bars.  At this point you could sprinkle 1/2 c your choice of chopped nuts over the bars.  Drizzle the caramel evenly over the chocolate chips.  

Sprinkle your reserved crumb mix over the caramel layer.

Bake 20 minutes longer.

Cool in pan 1 hour.  Refridgerate 1 to 2 hours until filling is set.

Enjoy!

(Store in a tightly covered container at room temperature.)

Strawberry Oreo Pie

My sister-in-law made this for my wedding shower.  I love strawberry icecream.  I love oreos.  YUM!  So, when Ben asked me what kind of cake I wanted for my birthday (the first year we were married) I asked if he could get this recipe from his sister.  He did.  And he has, every year since.

Here are the instructions ::

Crush 1/2 a package of oreo cookies.  Mix in 1/4 cup melted butter.  Press into the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate.  Top with softened strawberry icecream  (about 2 pints).  Open some of the oroes and cover the cover the icecream with cookies.  Freeze.  Just before serving, whip and sweeten some cream.  (Or cheat and use prepared whipped topping.)  Top the pie.  You could even top this with fresh strawberries . . .

Enjoy!

(You could use any kind of icecream you like.  We made it with mint-chocolate-chip for Ben's sister Annie one year . . . )