Creative Easter Cakes

Celebrate the holiday with tasty desserts and time with family

(Family Features) Sweet, delicious treats make Easter celebrations magical, putting the final touch on brunch, lunch or dinner gatherings. Whether your crowd enjoys the sweet-tart combination of fruit-infused cakes, mini bundts with personalized decorations or rich, creamy cheesecake, the dessert table is sure to be popular.

Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake and Carrot Cheesecake from “Cookin’ Savvy” are perfect desserts for sharing with loved ones, made with little effort and a lot of love. You can even let little ones help in the kitchen with Fun Mini Easter Bundts by allowing their creativity to run wild – just hand over the icing and chocolate toppers then watch the artistry unfold.

To ensure your feast goes off without a hitch, create these tempting cakes the day before for a no-hassle Easter.

Find more ways to elevate Easter celebrations with food by visiting Culinary.net.

Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 1 cake

• 1 pint fresh blueberries, rinsed
• 1 box lemon cake mix
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk

Glaze:

• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. Grease bundt pan and place rinsed blueberries in bottom. Mix cake mix, butter, eggs and milk; pour on top of blueberries. Bake 35 minutes. Let cool and remove from pan.
3. To make glaze: Mix butter, sugar and milk then pour over cake.

Fun Mini Easter Bundts

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 24 mini bundts

• 1 box confetti cake mix
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk

Chocolate Toppers:

• 1 cup each color melting chips of desired colors
• silicone Easter candy molds of desired shapes
• 1 pouch ready-made green icing

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. Mix cake mix, butter, eggs and milk. Pour into greased mini bundt pan and bake 20-25 minutes. Let cool and remove from pan.
3. To make chocolate toppers: In bowl for each color, melt melting chips in 1-minute intervals in microwave until thoroughly melted. Pour into baggies and snip corner. Pipe melted chips into molds and freeze 15-20 minutes. Pipe green icing onto mini bundt cakes for "grass" then place chocolate mold pieces on top.

Substitution: Save time on toppers by replacing with store-bought chocolate bunnies, eggs, crosses or marshmallow bunnies.

Carrot Cheesecake

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 1 cake

Cake:

• 1 box spice cake mix
• 1 cup grated carrot
• 1 cup coconut
• 4 eggs
• 1 stick butter, melted
• 2/3 cup vanilla Greek yogurt

Cheesecake:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Topping:

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup chopped white chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. To make cake: Mix cake mix with carrot and coconut. Using hand mixer, blend in eggs, butter and yogurt. Pour mixture into greased springform pan and bake 30 minutes. Let completely cool in pan.
3. To make cheesecake: Using hand mixer, whip whipping cream and sugar to form whipped cream and set aside.
4. Using hand mixer, whip cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar. Add in whipped cream and mix. Pour onto completely cooled carrot cake in springform pan. Let set in refrigerator at least 4 hours or overnight before unspringing pan.
5. For topping: Sprinkle chopped nuts and chocolate chips on cake before serving.

Tip: For extra festive appearance, add desired Easter candy on top.

 

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

Bring the Family Together with Baked Breakfast Pizzas

Bring the Family Together with Baked Breakfast Pizzas

(Family Features) If you feel like it’s a struggle to get the entire family together for a meal, it might be time to put fun back on the menu. A little creativity and a few favorite ingredients are all it takes to bring back family mealtime and spend precious moments at the table.

These Individual Sweetpotato Breakfast Pizzas are a perfect way to start a weekend morning, offering a delicious invitation to loved ones to join you in the kitchen. Equal parts sweet, savory and nutritious, you can enjoy seeing smiles on their faces while feeling good about what you’re serving them.

Providing just the right touch of sweetness are North Carolina Sweetpotatoes, one of the most versatile vegetables in the produce department. They’re easy to add to a variety of recipes – even breakfast pizza – to enhance flavor and nutrition. Try them on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled, slow-cooked or air-fried for quick and easy options that are a breeze in the kitchen.

Spelled as one word to avoid confusion with the white potato (a distinctly different species), sweetpotatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health and may help prevent disease. In fact, they’re even considered a “diabetes superfood” by the American Diabetes Association. As a natural sweetener, they give recipes that sweet flavor you crave without the added sugar.

Whether they become your favorite oft-used ingredient or you stock up on the abundant veggie, sweetpotatoes also boast a long shelf-life – up to 4 weeks if stored properly in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources – meaning you can buy in bulk without worrying about waste.

Find more ways to cook with sweetpotatoes by visiting ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Individual Sweetpotato Breakfast Pizzas
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Servings: 4

• 4          medium North Carolina sweetpotatoes (about 2 pounds), divided
• 1          tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon, olive oil, divided
• 1/4       teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4       teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4       teaspoon paprika
• 1/8       teaspoon cayenne pepper
• kosher salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• all-purpose flour, for rolling out dough
• 1          pound whole-wheat pizza dough at room temperature, divided into four equal portions (4 ounces each)
• 1          cup freshly shredded Gouda cheese
• 4          large eggs
• 1/4       cup diced chives

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Place 1 pound sweetpotatoes directly on rack and bake until soft, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool 5-10 minutes. Peel and puree flesh until smooth; reserve 1 cup.
2. Increase oven heat to 450 F. Peel remaining sweetpotatoes and dice into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss 2 cups diced sweetpotatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne and salt and pepper, to taste; place in even layer on baking sheet. Roast until softened but not crisp, 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway. Remove from oven.
3. Lightly flour clean, flat work surface. Roll each ball of dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness (about 7 inches diameter).
4. With remaining oil, lightly coat rimless baking sheet. Transfer rolled out dough to baking sheet.
5. Spread pureed sweetpotato over surface of each dough round, about 1/4 cup each, leaving about 1/2-inch border. Top each with 1/4 cup shredded Gouda. Add 1/2 cup roasted sweetpotato cubes, leaving open space in center of pizzas.
6. Carefully crack one egg into center of each pizza; bake 15 minutes until crusts are golden brown on bottom, cheese is melted and egg whites are fully set. Carefully remove pizzas from oven.
7. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Top each pizza with 1 tablespoon diced chives.

SOURCE:
North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

Easter Apps Made Easy

(Family Features) If you’ll be hosting friends and family for Easter this year, creating the perfect spread doesn’t have to be hard. Make your gathering as simple as it is delicious by serving dishes that can be made ahead of time then easily put together on the big day.

Opting for an array of appetizers can help keep hungry people out of the kitchen until the main course is ready. Featuring easy prep and short cook times, these apps from “Cookin’ Savvy” can let you spend more time creating memories with loved ones.

Whether you’re celebrating with your nearest and dearest or hosting a larger crowd, these Deviled Eggs, Pimento Cheese Bites and Spinach Bites recipes can be halved or doubled to fit your needs. Plus, they feature many ingredients you may already have on-hand, making them easy to prep ahead of time to avoid spending too much time in the kitchen while trying to host.

Find more recipe inspiration to make your Easter celebration extraordinary at Culinary.net.

Deviled Eggs

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 16 deviled eggs

• 8 boiled eggs
• 1/2-3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice
• 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• smoked paprika, for garnish (optional)

1. Slice each egg and place whites on plate and yolks in bowl.
2. In bowl of yolks, add 1/2 cup mayonnaise, mustard, pickle juice, bacon pieces, garlic powder, onion powder and salt and pepper, to taste. With fork or hand mixer, blend until smooth. Add more mayonnaise until mixture reaches desired smoothness.
3. Spoon or pipe mixture into egg whites. Garish with smoked paprika, if desired.

Note: Deviled eggs can be made day before and kept covered in refrigerator until needed.

Pimento Cheese Bites

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 12 shells and 12 tops

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 jar (4 ounces) pimentos, drained
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 2 packages frozen puff pastry shells

1. With hand mixer, blend cheddar cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, garlic powder, onion powder, bacon pieces and salt and pepper, to taste, until smooth; set aside.
2. Heat oven to 400 F.
3. Thaw then bake pastry shells 15 minutes.
4. Remove tops and set aside. Spoon pimento cheese mixture into each shell.
5. Place dab of pimento cheese mixture on tops for smaller appetizers.

Notes: Pimento cheese mixture can be made in advance and kept in refrigerator up to 5 days before using. Recipe can be halved or doubled depending on needs.

Spinach Bites

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Yield: 24 spinach bites

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup thawed frozen spinach
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry

1. With hand mixer, blend cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, spinach, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, bacon pieces, garlic powder, onion powder and salt and pepper, to taste.
2. Heat oven to 400 F.
3. Thaw and roll out puff pastry sheets. Cut each sheet into 12 squares. Place each puff pastry square into hole in muffin pan then spoon spinach mixture into each square and pinch corners together. Bake 15 minutes and serve warm.

Notes: Spinach mixture can be made in advance and kept in refrigerator up to 5 days before using. Recipe can be halved or doubled depending on needs.

 

SOURCE:
Culinary.net