Spiced Apple Cake....

Remember the Apple Pie Whiskey I posted a while back? (find  the recipe here)...Well, I used the soaked apples from the whiskey to make this cake! Amazing.....check out the recipe below!

Spiced Apple Cake

  The CattleQueen Cooks

Ingredients :

1. One boxed spice cake mix, mix according to the directions (eggs, oil, liquid, etc.)
2. 1 heaping cup of chopped apples, (whiskey soaked optional)
3. *1/2 cup of apple pie whiskey (optional, homemade recipe listed above) &
4. *1/2 cup of water, the whiskey & water will take the place of the liquid listed on the cake mix box
5. 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
6. 1/4 cup Almond, slices
7. Scant amount of water mixed with 1/4 cup of powered sugar for a glaze/topping

Directions:

• In a large bowl place the cake mix, eggs, oil & liquid as directed on the box. *For the liquid I used 1/2 water & half whiskey. Whisk together, set aside...
• In a food processor or blender add the whiskey soaked apples & 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. , making a chunky apple sauce. *(You can also pre-soak the apples in a small anount of whiskey, if you don't make the homemade Apple Pie Recipe.)
• Add the chopped apples to the cake batter and blend.
• After filling the cake pan with the batter, sprinkle the sliced almonds on the top and then bake.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• I used a large round pan or you may use two smaller round pans for your cake. 
• Bake as directed on the cake mix box.
• I greased and dusted the pan with sugar. After baking, I let it sit for 20 minutes and then turned it out of the pan.
• Glaze the warm cake with powdered sugar glaze.

Notes: This makes a wonderful coffee or dessert cake. I make my cake in a thin, single layer, but it could be layered with frosting as well.

 Yummy.....It's great  alone or with a splash in your coffee as well! Link to recipe posted above.

 In a blender, chop the apples fine and stir in some brown sugar.

 Everything is ready to blend

 Delicious!!!

The perfect fall dessert, serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream & coffee.

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Lemon Vodka Cake...Wedding Style...

This weekend, a family wedding was held....Our baby sister married her high school sweet heart, from 30 years ago.....She requested my Lemon Vodka Cake for her Wedding Cake.... I have never seen a wedding cake devoured quite so quickly...everyone was happy with the tasty results...Take a look at the photos & recipe below...Please read the recipe completely before starting....The original is based on 1 cake mix, the Wedding cake is based on 4 cake mixes.

Lemon Vodka Cake...Wedding Style

The original Lemon Vodka Cake

Lemon Vodka Cake Recipe, Wedding Style

My Grandma (Marge) always made me a Lemon Meringue Pie (See recipe here) for my Birthday! Later, (after Grandma wasn't able to bake due to Alzheimer's), my hubby's Mom continued the tradition by making my birthday pie.

~~~

 I was never a huge fan of cake...until several years ago. This year I wanted a special cake with lots of lemony-pucker power!

I wanted a cake that would represent my love of Lemon Meringue Pie.

And BOY did I get it with this cake! OMG...It was an Awesome CAKE!

Everyone loved it and there was NOT a CRUMB left!

 "Lemon Vodka Cake"

**See the Wedding Cake Style Notes below

 A Semi-Homemade Cake packed with flavor & moistness.

Based on a 2 layer cake.

Recipe:

1 box of Lemon cake mix (use your box recipe as your guide)

3 eggs (as called for on the box)

1 cup of Lemon infused Vodka (the box called for water)

1/8 cup of lemon vodka reserved for infusion after baking the cake...

1/3 cup of lemon infused olive oil ( box called for baking oil)

1 lemon for juice (1 tablespoon) & zest (1/4 teaspoon)

1 small box of lemon shortbread cookies for topping 

1 can of Lemon frosting

Cake bakes aprox. for 30 minutes at 350. Use the baking directions on the box as your guide.

 Mix all cake ingredients together adding the lemon juice & zest to the batter.

Place in your baking pan, prepare pan with baking spray and dust with sugar. *Omit the sugar dusting if making the Wedding cake

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

*Reserve the small portion of the lemon vodka for infusion after baking.

 Let the cake rest for 20 minutes before turning out of the pan.

Prepare a little more lemon zest to use for the frosting, set aside.

Notes for the  "Lemon Vodka Cake, Wedding Style"

~The above recipe is based on only 1 boxed cake mix, you will need to adjust to 4 cake mixes for a Wedding Cake serving about 60-70 people. This cake is very rich, so small servings are best.

~I make the cake 3 days prior to the wedding and froze the layers. On the morning of the Wedding, I removed from the freezer and frosted the cake.

~I used 4 cake mix's for the 3 tier cake, with 2 layers on each tier. 

~Add...1 jar of Lemon curd: Glaze the top of each layer with a thin layer of Lemon Curd

~For the Lemon Frosting/Icing: 4-5 cans of prepared Lemon frosting: In a bowl , add all of the cans. Stir in 2 tablespoons of Citrus Vodka and 1/2 cup of powder sugar. Blend Well. 

~You may add the crushed Lemon cookies between each layer. But do not use on the finished top, unless desired.

~Add a frosting layer to each layer of cake, on top of the lemon curd.

~Stack the layers to form the three tiers. 

~As you apply the layers, infuse the reserved vodka (1/4 cup, total) in each layer. * You may use an infusion needle or the poking method shown below.

~Next start applying the frosting to the outside of the cake. Apply in a thin layer to create the Naked Icing look, see the photo of the Wedding Cake for example.

~Choose your flower placements and add as desired to finish.

~Faux or real flowers may be used.

 Gently poke small holes on the top of the cake, then...

 Pour the small amount of lemon vodka on top of the baked cake. 

It will soak in.....

Below are a few photos of the Cake table and the Wedding. Enjoy!

 

 
Congratulations to our baby sister....Nanny & brother-by-love, Billy!

On a side note: When I came into the family 45 years ago, Nanny was just a small girl! This is how she looked the first time I met her! Love you Nanny!

XO

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Decadent Strawberry Tequila Cake...

A bakery style cake with home made taste! This cake was amazingly simple to make & the taste is heavenly!

 Decadent Strawberry Tequila Cake
          from Pine Creek Style

1. One white box cake mix
2. Tequila; enough to equal the liquid measurement on the cake mix * (My box called for 1 cup liquid)
3. 1 tablespoon of vanilla powder
4. 1/2 cup of strawberries for infusing: cut strawberries, place in a cheese cloth bouquet bag... see directions 
5. 1 tablespoon simple syrup or clear Karo syrup
6. Eggs & oil as called for on the cake mix box
7. additional 1/2 cup of fresh cut strawberries to be used for the filling
8. 1/2 can of prepared vanilla frosting for the filling
9. A heaping 1/2 cup of melting chocolate for ganache & 1/4 cup each of white & pink chocolate for candy topping 
10. 1/2 cup of Whipping cream for the Chocolate ganache/frosting

Directions:
First, make the Tequila infusion, then the cake batter.

•   In a large vessel, pour in the required tequila for the liquid measurement. Example: 1 cup of tequila, 1 tablespoon of simple syrup and the bouquet bag with the cut strawberries inside. Drop the bouquet bag in the tequila mixture and heat in the microwave for 40 seconds on high. Let cool. Then squeeze the bag into the pink tequila to drain. Set aside strawberry tequila to cool & use later to the cake batter. Discard the bouquet bag.
• Mix the cake batter as directed (eggs, oil etc.) on the box using the infused strawberry tequila. Also add the vanilla powder at this time. Mix well and place in a prepared baking pan.
• Cook the cake according to the directions on the cake box. Cool.

Filling:
 Between the cake layers, mix:
1/2 cup of chopped strawberries, fold gently into 1/2 (-3/4) cup of canned frosting. Use this to fill between the cake layers.

Frosting/Ganache:
Make a Dark Chocolate Ganache for the top.

1. 1/2 to 3/4 cup of melting chocolate in a sauce pan
2. Slowly add 1/2 cup of whipping cream to the chocolate , stirring constantly
3. 1 tablespoon of tequila, optional
4. Stir until melted completely and shiny in appearance.
5. Cool, slightly warm, and pour over the top of the cake

Chocolate Candies

• Melt the chocolate's (1/4 cup per color)  and use a teaspoon to drizzle melted chocolate in a desired pattern onto waxed paper. Let harden and use as candy decor on top of the ganache/cake. See photo for example

The above photo shows the different steps of the cake.

Drizzle chocolate in the pattern you wish....Let harden then place on cake top.
This Cake has Decadent Style & Taste!

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Cherry Cola Cupcakes....

We were celebrating a Grandson's birthday last month! He loves, cherries, cola and chocolate...and he wanted cupcakess...Simple and Sweet...

Cherry Cola Cupcakes...
 from PineCreekStyle

• 1 box of chocolate cake mix, prepare as directed on the box including eggs & oil...EXCEPT, replace liquid with cherry cola...see below
• Enough Cherry Cola to equal amount of liquid on the cake box directions
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla powder or 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla , optional
• 1/2 cup of pureed cherry pie filling, *reserve 1 tablespoon for the frosting.
• Several fresh cherries for the garnish on top of the frosting, reserve for last

Mix all ingredients well and place in cupcake papers to bake. Follow the cake box directions

Frosting: I used a canned chocolate frosting and added 1 tablespoon of purred cherry pie filling. Mix well. I frosted the top with the Cherry Chocolate Frosting, then drizzled a little powder sugar glaze on top. Top it off with a fresh Cherry and candy sprinkles!...Remind your guests to watch for the cherry pits!!!

Bug-A-Boo loved his cupcakes...We surprised him with an extra large cupcake of his very own! Check out the size difference in the photos above!

A Boy's Birthday Party with Style & Cherries on Top...

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Vodka Infused Strawberry Shortcake...

It was dice night with the girls....I was making the dessert! I had a package of strawberries that needed to be used...Mmmm...Strawberry Shortcake, Infused with Vodka Strawberry Syrup...Yep... sounded wonderful! I love to create new recipes and this one turned out...AmaZinG!

 Vodka Infused Strawberry Shortcake:
                  from PineCreekStyle

• 1 box of yellow Cake Mix...follow the directions on the box. I used a sugar free mix, 2 eggs, oil and instead of 1 cup of water, I used Iced Cake Vodka. Plain vodka would work just fine. I prepared the cake pan; greased and coated with sugar. 
• Wash and slice 1 1/2 cups of strawberries

*Mix the cake as directed with the ingredients as called for, replacing the water with vodka in equal measurements. Blend well.

*Pour 1/2 the batter into the prepared cake pan, layer with the fresh, sliced strawberries. Pour the remaining batter over the top and place in the preheated oven.

*Bake according to the boxes directions. After removing the cake from the oven let set for 15-20 minutes, then turn out of the pan onto a cake plate.

While the Cake is baking, prepare the topping as follows....

Strawberry Vodka Syrup:

*In a sauce pan, place the ingredients according to the directions

• 1/4 cup of vodka, flavored or plain
• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice

Cook ingredients over medium heat until it starts to blend & boil. Reduce to low and cook until the sugar is dissolved and the syrup has thickened. NEXT....

• Add 1 1/2 cups of washed & sliced strawberries, fold in gently

Set aside to slightly cool...about 5-10 minutes

* Poke the cooled cake in several places around the top with a wooden skewer. This will allow the infused syrup to filter through the cake.

*With a large spoon, ladle the syrup and berries over the top of the cake. Let it soak in, don't rush it.
Any additional syrup may be served with the cake, simply drizzle over the cut piece and add a dollop of whip cream.

**Extra Syrup may also be reserved & used for pancakes, pound cakes, ice-cream, infused iced teas, punches and more....

***The Alcohol will cook out of the cake leaving a unique & moist taste behind.

Please read all the instructions before starting any recipe. We'd LOVE to have you Like & Share all of our posts...Don't forget to visit us also on our PineCreekStyle Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram Pages...
Infused with Taste & Style...

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Death by Chocolate & Tequila Cake...

"Death by Chocolate & Tequila" Cake
formally known as Chocolate Mocha Tequila Cake
This cake is so moist.  It is one of my most requested cakes. The flavor is unbelievable. There is a total of over 1,000 views of this recipe, along with countless requests just on my blog alone.

"Death by Chocolate & Tequila" Cake
Chocolate Mocha Tequila Cake with Tequila Icing from Pine Creek Style

 
Ingredients:

• 1 box of Triple Chocolate Cake Mix, gather all items needed to make the cake according to the package directions, eggs, oil, etc.  * Instead of the water/liquid called for on the box see below:
• If your Box calls for 1 cup of water, replace the same amount with 2/3 cup cold coffee & 1/3 cup of Tequila Coffee Liquor. *If your cake mix includes a chocolate pouch to use as a filling to be mixed with water...then use equally divided amounts of cold coffee & Tequila Coffee Liquor to mix with the chocolate pouch. Use as directed.

Mix together all ingredients call for on the box; cake mix, eggs, oil, the cold coffee & liquor. Blend well, place in a prepared bundt pan bake according to the directions. Mine called for the standard 350 degrees, judge the time according to the pan you use. When the cake is done, let set for 15-20 minutes before turning out onto your desired cake plate.

Tequila Icing

My cake mix had a chocolate glaze pouch included for the topping/icing. If your does not, there are chocolate glazes in the baking isle near the canned frosting. Place this glaze on the cooled cake first, then add the homemade Tequila Icing for the next layer.

• 1 cube of soften Butter
• 4 ounces of softened  Cream Cheese
• 1 cup of Powdered Sugar
• 2 tablespoons of Tequila Coffee Liquor

Cream the ingredients together then pipe or drizzle on top the glazed cake

Finishing touches: Grate a chocolate bar over the top of icing is desired. You may use, white, milk or dark chocolate or a combination of all. On the photo above I also used melting chocolate & made  candy swirls. Let harden and use as a finish for your frosted top.

* If your cake does not come with a glaze...I make a chocolate ganache/frosting

Ganache:

• 1/2 to 1/4 cup of melting chocolate in a small sauce pan
• Slowly add 1/2 cup of whipping cream to the chocolate, over medium to low heat. Stir constantly
• 1 teaspoon of coffee liquor tequila, optional
• Stir continuously until melded together and has a shiny texture
• Cool slightly and pour over the top of the cake
• *I layer the candy swirls on top of the ganache after it has cooled completely, see photo above

 

A semi-homemade recipe from Pine Creek Style @2011

Have your Cake & Eat it Too with Style...

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Lemon Vodka Crumb Cake...

A Foodie Faux Pas for sure....I was baking desserts for New Year's Eve. Everything was going perfect, the kitchen aroma was heavenly. The cakes were looking awesome! My Vodka Lemon Cake had been requested for the evening by my sister-in-law. So the timer went off...I pulled out the Lemon cake and was surprised to see it had shrunk in height! Hmmm, I let it cool! My little voice in my head was screaming...."It doesn't look right!" Fast forward...YEP! Stuck to the pan!!!! Oh MY,what Do I DO?
Sooo, in talking to myself...I am Telling ME to not panic! I didn't have time to re-bake the cake!

Solution found! The CAKE was a hit! Everyone LOVED it!...Lesson Learned....Use a product you KNOW!
Next time....buy the NAME brand, experiment when you are NOT sharing a recipe with the WORLD! Heehee..... When you are given Lemons, Make Lemonade! See how I went from 0-to-60 and did a quick fix below......

Lemon Vodka Crumb Cake

• 1 Lemon cake mix;, make as directed except replace half the liquid, milk or water with Citrus Flavored Vodka
• After mixing the vodka, eggs, oil or butter, etc. mix well and bake according to directions in a prepared baking dish at the required temperature & time. (My recipe called for two eggs, 1/2 cup of butter, milk; I used whipping cream.)
• When done, let rest for 15-20 minutes before turning out
• Since the bottom of the (my) pan stuck...I improvised and came up with a new plan. You can easily improvise any recipe to adapt, stuck or not! My cake was not burnt, just stuck! I don't know why???
• Place the loose pieces back onto the top of the cake. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of flavored Citrus Vodka over the top of the cake. ( If cake is in one piece, just drizzle! Heehee)
• Spread a layer of Lemon Curd over the top of the cake, like you would frosting. But only on the top of the cake.  *(I had placed my cake in a shallow casserole dish to help hold the pieces together.)
• Blend together some powder sugar & a small amount of Citrus Vodka to create a thick sugar glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the cake. Let stand for at least an hour to let the glaze set.

Serve the cake either by slicing like a cake or with a spoon/ice cream scoop & a dollop of Brown Sugar Cool Whip on top. *(Brown Sugar Cool whip is just that, blend in a small amount of brown sugar into the cool whip to flavor). This cake (even though it stuck to the pan) was full of flavor and was the talk of the evening! Hands down, everyone agreed this cake was amazing. The cake was moist and packed full of flavor! Two weeks later, I'm still getting compliments on the Lemon Cake. Haha and no one knew I had had a foodie faux pas with the cake...until now anyway! Heehee

Making Lemons into Lemonade with Style,

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Pear Vodka Strudel Cake...

This cake was amazing! This new recipe of mine was devoured this past Holiday. It would be perfect for the New Years Holiday too! Whether you choose to serve it after dinner for dessert or in the morning with coffee, you will be happy with the results.

 My special ingredient was "Iced Cake Vodka"...

This cake was so moist & flavorful! A real treat!

A small amount of canned pumpkin is the secret ingredient...this helps to keep the cake so moist. 

Yum...The Almond Strudel adds a wonderful nutty sweet flavor...

Pear Vodka Strudel Cake

1 cake mix, vanilla bean flavor (or you may use "white")

1/2 cup of Sour Cream

1/2 cup of canned pumpkin puree'

3 eggs. beaten

1/3 cup of canola oil

1/3 cup of Iced Cake Vodka (or regular Vodka no flavoring added) 

**( In addition: 1/8 cup Vodka reserved for when the cake is cooked, see instructions below)

1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

1 teaspoon of almond extract

1 1/2 cups of diced pears, drained

Mix well, EXCEPT the Pears...*see baking instructions below

Almond Strudel Topping

3/4 cup of brown sugar

1/2 cup of Old Fashion rolled Oats

1/4 cup of butter, melted

1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

3/4 cup of sliced almonds

Mix well & set aside...

(*You may want to add a piece of foil to lightly cover the almond mixture while baking)

Baking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a springform pan with Cooking Spray, then sugar coat the pan.

Mix together everything for the cake except the Pears...mix well

Pour Batter in the pan. 

Next: Add the pears... place on top of the batter

NOW: Add the Almond Strudel to the top of the pears & cake batter. Pat down lightly.

 Bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes. Use a toothpick to check cake, should come out clean. 

WHEN the cake is done, let cool for 20 minutes before removing the outside ring on the Springform pan.

THEN...with a tooth pick poke holes around the top of the finished cake.

**Then drizzle the 1/4 vodka around the top of the cooked cake. Let  the cake sit another 10 minutes to allow the vodka to soak in. This step is optional.

Time to Serve....with Champagne or Coffee!

 Ready to mix...

 Add the pears on top of the batter...

 Strudle ready to add to the batter...

 Sooo...Yummy!

 I had to hurry and take photos....The cake was disappearing fast!

This cake was divine!

A Special Cake Served with Style...

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Rum & Apple Spice Cake...

This cake is easy and quick! It's a wonderful Fall treat when served with coffee...It's the season for Family & Friends to drop by for a visit!

*I used a powder sugar glaze & made it look like spider webs. Added a few Black toy Spiders...and TaDah...Halloween Cake! 

So... Why not whip-up this delicious cake in a hurry?

It's a BOXED cake mix with a little extra goodies thrown in....

 My Spider Web glaze puts some Halloween Spirit into the cake.

 Simple instructions:

Make the boxed Spice cake according to directions on the box. Mine called for 3 eggs and 1/3 cup of oil, and 1 cup of water...

WHICH I replaced with 1 cup of Rum!

Then I used 1 apple (fuji), peeled & chopped in small chunks.

Bake according to the directions on the box 

(Mine: 350 degrees for 30 minutes in a bundt style pan)

Icing Glaze:

 I mixed a glaze of 2 cups of Powder sugar, 1 tablespoon of butter, a dash of vanilla, pinch of salt and enough milk to make the glaze thick, yet runny enough to drizzle across the cake. *(I used Almond Milk)

I drizzled the glaze in a spiderweb fashion and added fake spiders to achieve my Halloween Style look!

Very tasty, easy & gone in a FLASH!!!

Halloween Dessert served with Style...

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