Tuesday, September 21, 2010

{cheesy chicken soup}

One of our favorites!

CHEESY CHICKEN SOUP

1 c. carrots, thinly sliced
1/4 c. green onions, sliced
3 T. butter
1/4 c. flour
2 c. milk (at least 2%, or half and half)
1-10.75 oz. can chicken broth
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
1 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. black pepper

In a large pot, cook the carrots and onions in butter for 8-10 minutes, or until tender, not browned. Stir in flour. Slowly add milk, broth, W sauce, and pepper. Stir constantly until thickened, and until barely bubbling. Add chicken and cheese. Cook until cheese is melted. Serve warm.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

{cinnamon swirl bundt cake}

This cake is the epitome of fall. It's absolutely delicious (especially warm out of the oven), with swirls of cinnamon & sugar, and iced with a cinnamon buttercream icing. YUM!

Cinnamon Swirl Cake

3 c. flour
1 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. milk
1 cube melted butter
1 cube melted butter (yes, 2 total!)
2/3 c. brown sugar
1 T. flour
1 T. cinnamon

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs, vanilla, milk, and melted butter, and mix well. The batter will be on the thick side. Spoon into a sugared (sprayed with cooking spray, and coated with sugar) bundt pan. Melt the second cube of butter, then stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Pour on top of the cake, and with a butter knife, swirl it through the cake. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Prepare the buttercream icing, then melt it in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until you can pour it over the cake. **The original recipe calls for using a 9x13 pan--bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting


8 T. butter, room temperature
3 3/4 c. powdered sugar
3-4 T. whole milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Place the powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter, and 3 T of milk. Blend with the mixer on low speed until the powdered sugar is incorporated, then add the vanilla and cinnamon. Increase the speed to medium, and beat until fluffy. Add more milk if the frosting seems too stiff.

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Enjoy!!