Tie One On Tuesday!

If there is one thing I love, it's baking. The other thing I love, a good cocktail. So, this week on Tie One On Tuesday I've decided to combine my two loves into one great concoction.

The easiest and most versatile alcohol cake is a Rum Cake.
Rum Cake
Ingredients
1 cup chopped pecans - substitute with chopped walnuts if preferred
Jell-o instant vanilla pudding - 4 serving pack
1 18.5 ounce box yellow cake mix (make sure the ingredients does not contain 'pudding' in it)
4 eggs
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup oil - vegetable or corn
1/2 cup dark rum

Glaze
1/2 cup butter - substitute with margarine if preferred
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup dark  rum
 Excepting the pecans/walnuts, mix all the other ingredients of the cake and mix in blender for couple of minutes.
Grease a bundt pan.
Spread the pecans/walnuts at the bottom of pan. Pour the blended cake mixture over this
Heat oven to 325 degrees and bake the cake for 1 hour.
Just before cake is ready take prepare the glaze.
Take a pan and place on medium heat. Put in and melt the butter.
Put in the water and sugar. Allow to boil till sugar melts.
Turn off the heat and stir in the rum.
Once cake is ready, pierce the entire cake using a fork. Please do this gently. We do not want to shred the cake to pieces.
Keep the cake on a big plate and pour the warm glaze slowly over it, allowing it to seep into the cake.
Let the cake stand for at least a couple of hours. There is no need to refrigerate this cake, but it will taste better chilled.

This cheesecake recipe sounds so decadent and perfect for a small get together.
Cranberry-Tequila Cream Cheese Tart
Ingredients
Crust
1 cup all purpose flour
2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2/3 cup cream cheese, chilled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons (about) ice water

Filling
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons Cointreau or other orange liqueur
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon tequila
1 tablespoon (packed) grated orange peel
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cranberry glaze
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons Cointreau or other orange liqueur
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2 cups fresh cranberries

For crust:
Mix first 4 ingredients in processor. Add butter and cut in using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cream cheese and pulse 3 times to combine. Blend in enough ice water by tablespoonfuls until moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Transfer to lightly floured surface. Roll out dough to 15-inch round. Transfer dough to 11- to 12-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom. Fold in excess dough to form double-thick sides. Transfer tart pan to freezer and chill crust for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line crust with foil; fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until sides are set, about 15 minutes. Remove foil and beans and bake until crust is firm, about 20 minutes. Transfer tart pan to rack; let crust cool completely in pan.

For filling:
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until light. Beat in powdered sugar, then remaining ingredients.

Spread cream cheese filling evenly in crust. Refrigerate until filling sets, about 2 hours.

For glaze:
Combine first 6 ingredients in medium saucepan over high heat. Boil 2 minutes. Add cranberries. Return to boil. Boil 1 minute. Transfer glaze to bowl and cool completely.

Spoon glaze over filling. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)

Last but not least is a wonderful Stout beer brownie that will be a hit at the next bake sale.
Stout Beer Brownies
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted room temperature butter, cut into cubes
8 ounces dark bittersweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup superfine or granulated sugar
1-1/4 cups (10 ounces)Extra Stout beer
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/8 cup (about) confectioners' sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick foil.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour,cocoa powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
Melt butter, bittersweet chocolate, and white chocolate chips in a double-boiler over very low heat, stirring constantly until melted. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add melted chocolate mixture, beating until combined.
Beat reserved flour mixture into melted chocolate mixture. Whisk in stout beer. The batter will seem a bit thin. Drop semisweet chocolate chips evenly on top of batter (some will sink in).
Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes on center rack in the oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean.
Let brownies cool, uncovered, to room temperature. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.


Oh wow! My mouth is just watering from all these wonderful confections. These recipes make look like they take a bit of time, but believe me-they are worth it and you will be the booziest Betty Crocker around.

One of the Best

I love a good leading man. Someone who is tough as nails yet sensitive to his leading lady. Someone smooth, good dresser yet can get down and dirty when he needs to. I'm talking about Steve McQueen. I adore this man.

A young McQueen stars in one of my favorite "B" movies, The Blob. From the entrance music to the Blob oozing through the theater, you will be at the edge of you seat for the leading male. The story is very simple, alien life force comes to Earth, kids find out about it and try to stop it. The police and army aren't near as smart as Steve McQueen. He comes in and saves the day with his dashing good looks and nerves of steel. This movie was a huge hit, which surprised McQueen. It continues to be a cult horror classic.

 I'm not a huge western movie fan but The Magnificent Seven is one of those movies that breaks the general western movie genre. Maybe it was because it was an American version of The Seven Samurai.  A bandit threatens a small Mexican town and the villagers decide to get find gunmen to defend them. They come up with seven. Steve McQueen plays Vin Tanner and although his part was smaller, he stood out as a leading man. A little trivia-he absolutely hated Yule Brenner and tried to steal the scene every time they were on screen together.

As his career progressed, the smoother he got. He was already known as an action hero but Hollywood was worried about putting him in the role of  the sophisticated man. The Thomas Crown Affair showed that he could be rugged and debonair all at the same time. Steve plays a mulit-millionaire that is suspected by an insurance investigator (Faye Dunaway looking mighty fine herself) of pulling off a bank heist. Lines are crossed in this cat and mouse game.

There are so many other great Steve McQueen movie, Bullitt, The Great Escape, The Hunter-just to name a few. Steve played by his rules, which was practically unheard of at that time. He was a a broken child who not only achieved greatness but was one cool man. The smile, the voice-everything about him would just melt the coldest heart. Men like Steve McQueen are a lost breed.

Feel Good Friday!

Why hello there Friday..You are looking mighty cute today. Is that a new outfit?

This is just too much. Chunkychooky is wonderful. Check out her other work on her blog.

This song cracks me up. Such a southern girl thing to say.

I LOVE cowgirl boots! I don't even want to tell you how many pairs I have. Of course I always need more. Corral boots are handmade and I'm sure I need a pair.

For all of you in the Portland metro area-and even if you're not. You need to come out and see one of the best Alt-country/Traditional country bands out there-The Redeemed.They are playing Saturday night at Biddy McGraws.  Now, I'm not just saying that they are one of the best  because the drummer is super cute. Their lyrics are wonderfully written, the music is fun to dance to and you'll probably see me out there-so BONUS! Check out their facebook page and give them a listen.

The leg is killing me...seriously...dying...

Alright all you wonderful people. I am going to go fill up the kiddie pool, have OMP make me one of those fruity drinks and sun my buns. Have a wonderful weekend-you deserve it. 

Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open.  ~John Barrymore

Tears of Joy

 Special thanks for ingrido411

Have you ever been so happy that you just cry? Today was that day for me. I came home and just looked at my amazing husband, my wonderful pups and burst into tears. I felt so overjoyed that all my happiness had to go somewhere and my body decided that it would be in water form. Of course OMP looked at me like I was crazy but I didn't care.

After I wiped the tears from my eyes I started thinking about how I felt a twinge of guilt for feeling so happy. I had a brief internal struggle with myself. Here's what I came up with.

It is absolutely 100% okay to be happy. It's okay to have a smile so big that it hurts your face.

You don't have to feel guilty for taking care of yourself. So, you are looking for a job and play around on Facebook for a little while. The world will not stop spinning, you won't end up homeless, your mom won't ground you. You are taking care of yourself-you're under a lot of pressure and if visiting with friends is the way to ground yourself, by all means-do it! This includes reading trashy entertainment news, following your favorite blog or playing a quick game of Mah Jong.

Act like a kid. Dance, sing at the top of your lungs, and giggle. It is good for the soul.

 Be a tourist. Go somewhere in your hometown or maybe one town over and act like it's the first time you have ever been there. See your surrounding from a different view point. I guarantee you will appreciate what is around you a lot more.

NEVER EVER EVER feel guilty for your accomplishments, your glitz, your freedom. You deserve all that comes to you.

There are amazing adventures to have in your life and a million things to be happy about. Don't let guilt shield you from experiencing all that you want and need. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to grab my tissue box-I'm tearing up again.

Here Comes The Bride

My good friend Casey just got in engaged over the weekend. I'm so happy for her and Rey. She is like a little sister to me and I just adore Rey. So, in honor of their engagement, I'm giving you a few of my favorite wedding movies.

I love a good Ginger Rogers movie. It Had to Be You is one of the finest. Ginger stars as a runaway bride who has left 3 grooms at the alter. In order to "get her head straight" she takes a month long vacation and meets a very dashing yet rugged fireman. There are strange dream scenes, crazy antics and lots of love. It is a quirky little film that makes your heart feel good.

High Society is another great wedding movie. Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby star in the musical comedy about love lost and found in the 1950's. Kelly plays an ice queen who had a quicky marriage and divorce from Bing Crosby. She decides to get married again and Bing comes to wish her luck. Frankie plays a tabloid journalist who covers the wedding and begins to fall for Grace. Who wins her heart? You just have to wait and see.

The last on my list is the original Father of the Bride with Spencer Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. The movie centers around the trials and tribulations of a father losing his daughter but gaining a son. This gem was directed by Vincent Minelli and is a funny romp around a wedding and a father's love for his daughter. It is a delightful sweet comedy that is great for the whole family.

Casey and Rey, may you have many years together and may your weddings never turn out like these movies. I wish the both of you happiness, health and love. You are two of my favorite people and I'm glad that you found eachother.

Scrappy Dog Sunday!

Okay! I'm sorry! I've been gone for a week. I took a little vacation, slowed down a little bit and now I am back in the saddle and ready to go! Yehaw! Now that I've got that out of the way-here's a little public service announcement

4 out of 5 teddy bears say....

Having a Jack Russell Terrier in your house, could be hazardous to your health.

The 5th teddy bear....blames the Min Pin

So, if you are a teddy bear, stay away from these animals. Do not approach! Do not look cute! Don't even play dead! 

Your very life may depend on it. This message was brought to you by the Center for Mangled  Teddy Bears. Repairing teddy bears, one stitch at a time.

Sweet Saturday

This Saturday I am handing the writing over to my friend missmuffcake. She is an amazing Vegan baker, her blog has great recipes and right now she is having a giveaway! Let's find out more about missmuffcake in her own words...

Imagine adding up small numbers from the minute you wake up to the minute you fall asleep...little pieces of paper littering your purse, your room, your kitchen. Numbers consumed my life and I hate math....   
I was counting calories, starving myself and for what I do not know. I had anorexia and exercise bulima for most of my twenties, my skin hung off my body, at 5'10" I got close to 100 pounds...I never used my stove because my meals consisted of plain cereals and fat free soy milk...Then it changed.
I was about 7 months into a new relationship and my boyfriend was over after we had a date night and I was so hungry when I got home I ate everything in the house, I felt ill but also like a burden was lifted off my shoulder. I remember picking up a vegan cookbook and found a recipe for a simple coffee cake and decided to try and make it. My boyfriend thought it tasted like oatmeal and I set out to improve it and myself.
Fast forward to about 4 years later and I am trying out new recipes daily and have plans of opening my very own vegan bakery! Right now I am doing catering, organizing vegan bake sales in my town to help shelter animals and getting feed back from my boyfriend on new ideas in the works.
Anorexia is something one never leaves behind and I still have my days but I try to stay positive and think about my sweet new life.


I am giving away a new copy of Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar: 100 Dairy-Free Recipes for Everyone's Favorite Treats by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, and Terry Hope Romero. Head over to my blog (http://missmuffcake.com/), tell me what your favorite cookie is. I will pick a winner and contact them via email on Aug. 15.


Because this is Sweet Saturday, I can't leave you hanging with just a story, you need some treats! Check out these yummy cupcakes by Kendy.

Super Walnut Coffee Cupcakes + Coffee Butter Cream Frosting
[makes 12 standard sized cupcakes]

3/4 cup Earth Balance (room temp)
3/4 sugar
3 tbsp. of Egg Replacer with 9 generous tbsp water - mixed
1 1/4 cups ap flour
½ tsp. baking powder
½ cup walnut pieces
1 packet* of Via Instant coffee -Italian Roast- dissolved in 1 tbsp. of hot water

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners.

Beat the Earth Balance and sugar together until creamy and then slowly add the Egg Replacer mixture. Sift in the flour and baking powder and then mix in. Fold in the walnuts (checking for big chunks, discard those). Divide the mixture between the cupcake liners evenly. Bake for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

[Coffee Butter Cream Frosting]
2 tbsp. of plain soy milk
1* packet of Via Instant coffee -Italian Roast-
6 tbsp. of Earth Balance
1 1/4 cups of sifted powdered sugar
large walnut halves to decorate

Warm the soy milk in a pan (do not boil) add coffee and stir until dissolved. Let cool in a medium sized bowl till warm - not hot. Beat in the Earth Balance and frosting till creamy. Frost each cupcake and decorate with a walnut half.

*About 2 teaspoons

Thank you so much missmuffcake for your wonderful inspiring post. I can't wait to see what else you bake. I'm sure it will be super yummy! Don't forget! Head on over to missmuffcake's blog and sign up for the giveaway.