Monday Moments: My Love of Cookbooks:::Betty Crocker:::

Now, I have a lot of cookbooks. My mom tells me I have too much; I say you can never have too many books and in my humble opinion, cookbooks are in a class all on their own. I love reading through cookbooks. My Nana Jane started me going when she gave me the Taste of Home Annual Cookbook for Christmas when I was 14.

{Source}

{{{Those brownies on that gorgeous cake stand {{love those too and anything yellow :)} are SO good. Those were the first things I made from my cookbook :D}}}}

It was my favourite gift that year! I curled up on my bed and read the different entries. I loved looking at the pictures. Ooohing and aahhing over the many delicious looking and sounding recipes...and skipping over the ones that sounded...oh, groossss!!! not so appetizing. I read it cover to cover and then savoured my favourite parts: read anything to do with baking delicious desserts :)

Since that Christmas on, I have acquired a great deal of wonderful cookbooks. Mostly on baking because I like to cook by throwing in a little bit of this and that :) And, the fact that it's only me eating supper isn't a huge motivator to cook...especially since I've always been accustomed to making enough to feed a crowd of at least 10. I love to bake though, and I really want to cook/bake through my books. And where else to chronicle my journey but through this here ol' blog of mine?

These cupcakes are a classic. I love this recipe because you dump everything in your mixer, mix, bake, and frost. Very simple. And delicious...as long as you don't over-bake them ;)

Chocolate Layer Cake

Betty Crocker Cookbook

2+1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1+2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa

1+1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

1+1/4 cups water

3/4 cup butter, softened

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1. Heat oven to 350. Grease bottom and sides of  2 round pans {8 or 9 inch} with shortening {I've used butter} and lightly flour.

2. In large bowl, beat all ingredients with a mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pans.

3. Bake pans for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool pans for 10 minutes and then invert onto a cooling rack.

4. Fill and frost with your choice of frosting!

*Make sure you just use the baking time as a guideline. Use your eyes and nose to test for done-ness. The cake/cupcakes can get very dry if you don't pay attention. Also, make sure you know where your hotspots are in your oven. I always rotate my baking halfway through cooking time to ensure an even baked goodie.*

Raspberry Swirl Cheese{Cup}cakes

I first made these for our Christmas banquet. They were so yummy! And pretty--I had one person ask me if I bought them. I love that they are small. I love the use of fresh raspberries--love, love raspberries! And, I love that everybody loved them :) One batch was just not enough.

So I decided to make more and give them as gifts :)

Try them--you won't be disappointed.

Process cookies in a food processor until you have fine crumbs.  In a small bowl, combine the biscuit crumbs with the melted butter. Stir together with a fork until well blended and the crumbs are moistened.  

Press 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner.

{I used a drinking glass that narrowed at the bottom  to easily and evenly press the crumbs down.}

Next, you want to beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed in a bowl until fluffy. Blend in the sugar until smooth. Mix in the salt and vanilla.

Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

 

Once your filling is nice and creamy, spoon 3 tablespoons of the cheesecake batter over the crust in each cupcake liner. Dot a ½ teaspoon of the raspberry puree in a few dots over the cheesecake filling. Use a toothpick to lightly swirl and create a marbled effect.

To make the raspberry puree, combine the raspberries and sugar in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth, then pour through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds.

Bake until the filling is set; I used the convection setting on my oven and they were done in about 18 minutes. {Every oven is different, though, so I would definitely keep an eye  on them.} When you take them out of the oven, they look quite puffed--don't worry, they will return to normal quickly. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to the refrigerator and let chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

These are SO good! Hope you try them!

Raspberry Swirl Cheese{Cup}cake

Ingredients

Crust:

1½ cups biscuit crumbs

4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Raspberry Swirl:

6 oz. fresh raspberries

2 tbsp. sugar

Cheesecake:

4 packages {8oz each} cream cheese, at room temperature

1½ cups sugar

Pinch of salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

4 large eggs, at room temperature

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325˚ F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

Process cookies in a food processor until you have fine crumbs.  In a small bowl, combine the biscuit crumbs with the melted butter. Stir together with a fork until well blended and the crumbs are moistened. Press 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner. {I used a drinking glass that narrowed at the bottom  to easily and evenly press the crumbs down.}

To make the raspberry puree, combine the raspberries and sugar in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth, then pour through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds.

Once your filling is nice and creamy, spoon 3 tablespoons of the cheesecake batter over the crust in each cupcake liner. Dot a ½ teaspoon of the raspberry puree in a few dots over the cheesecake filling. Use a toothpick to lightly swirl and create a marbled effect.

Bake until the filling is set; I used the convection setting on my oven and they were done in about 18 minutes. {Every oven is different, though, so I would definitely keep an eye on them.} When you take them out of the oven, they look quite puffed--don't worry, they will return to normal quickly. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to the refrigerator and let chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

 

Found on Pinterest; adapted from Annie's Eats.

Pinterest {Easy, Festive Treat}

RECAP

The Christmas Story

A favorite tradition is the reading of the Christmas Story--particularly the account from the Gospel of Luke. This is the best Christmas "story" of all because I know it is Truth; this story gives us the true meaning of Christmas. As I was telling my chapel students, Christmas is not about getting together with family and friends; giving and receiving gifts; making and eating Christmas goodies; singing Christmas carols and seeing Christmas plays...the list could go on. The reason why we celebrate Christmas is to remember Christ's birth. The beginning of God's plan for the redemption of mankind.

Luke 2:1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

What Child is This

What Child is this who, laid to rest

On Mary's lap is sleeping?

Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

{CHORUS}

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,

Come peasant, king to own Him;

The King of kings salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,

The virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

These pictures were taken from Google Images.