Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Lemon Yogurt Cake

This is a recipe from the Barefoot Contessa. It's delicious. The size of the cake is more of a loaf than a regular cake size. Perfect for a brunch or to take to a loved one. But, the intense lemon flavor is like non other I've ever made. It's fantastic! So good with coffee!

Lemon Yogurt Cake

Cake:
1 1/2 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup yogurt
1 1/3 cup sugar, divided
3 eggs
2 tsp lemon zest (2 lemons)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup veg oil
1/3 cup lemon juice

Glaze:
1 cup powder sugar
2 Tbsp lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 loaf pan. Line with parchment paper, grease and flour again.
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
Whisk together yogurt, 1 cup sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla.
Slowly whisk dry ingredients into yogurt mixture.
Using a rubber spatula, fold in vegetable oil until incorporated. May take a few minutes.
Pour in pan. Bake for 50 minutes.
Cook 1/3 c lemon juice and 1/3 c sugar until clear. Set aside.
Allow cake to cool for 10 minutes. Place on sheet pan or serving dish. Pour lemon sugar mix over warm cake. Cool completely.
Combine powder sugar and lemon juice. Pour over cake.

This recipe had several comments on the Food Network website. I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out great. Remember, do not use a mixer, just a whisk and rubber spatula.

This is the perfect dessert for the lemon lover in your life! I will definitely be making this again!

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

This is a good recipe - not too lemony. I would recommend adding more lemon zest or lemon juice to enhance the flavor, if you want.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, at room temp
1 tsp lemon zest
2/3 c sugar
2 eggs, at room temp
4 tsp poppy seeds
1/2 c milk

Preheat oven to 350.
Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
With mixer cream butter, zest, and 2/3 cup sugar; about 2 minutes.
Add eggs. Stir in seeds.
Fold in flour in 3 parts, alternate with milk in 2 parts. Mix until just combined.
Bake for 25 minutes.

Here's a basic topping for them -
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 cup cream
1/2 tsp vanilla

Melt butter and sugar together. Add cream and vanilla.
Spoon over warm muffins.

*Some things to add more lemon flavor are to use 1/2 cup lemon yogurt instead of milk and to add lemon juice or extract.

Dog Bisquits

This may appear to be a strange recipe to post, but my kids love to make these...and to give them to their canine cousins! We cut them out with any cookie cutters. The favorites are ducks and bone shaped ones. If you google for a recipe, you'll find several varieties. This is a simple one - I usually have the ingredients in my pantry.

Dog Bisquits

2 c flour
2 c whole wheat flour
2 c boiling water
4 beef bouillon cubes
3 Tbsp oil
1 tsp baking powder

Dissolve the bouillon cubes in the boiling water. Mix the dry ingredients together. Add the wet ingredients.
Roll out to 1/4 inch thick. Cut.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Let treats set out overnight to dry out. These can also be frozen.