An FCAT Snack

I am so sorry I have not posted a blog in a while, but I have been busy! So here is a cupcake recipe (Finally!) to make up for it.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 was FCAT Writes – a state writing test that is graded by the county, not even my own teacher. All 4th graders have to write for 45 minutes about the same topic. I didn’t really like the topic, but I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings. So since it was FCAT Writes, I wanted to make a cupcake treat for my class.

About a week ago, I saw a show called “Unique Sweets – Childhood Favorites” and saw a recipe for Snickerdoodle Cupcakes. They sounded good to me because Snickerdoodles are my favorite cookies and I couldn’t stop thinking about them all week.

First, I made Vanilla Cupcakes – you can make your favorite Vanilla Cupcakes. Before you put them in the oven, you need to sprinkle Sugar in the Raw and Cinnamon over the top of each cupcake. For the cinnamon and sugar mixture, I used about 1/4 Cup of Sugar in the Raw and about 1/2 Teaspoon of Cinnamon.

When they are done, you make Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting – I just Googled “Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting Recipe” and found one that sounded good to me.

After you frost them, sprinkle more of the Sugar in the Raw and Cinnamon on top of the frosting – and Enjoy!

My class loved them and I hope you will too. They taste JUST LIKE a Snickerdoodle.

The Great Miracle Whip Cake Experiment

On Sunday I wanted to make a cake, so I Googled “Sunday afternoon easy cake recipe”. I found a recipe for Chocolate Miracle Whip Cake so I gave it a shot.

I guess I wanted cake so bad, I didn’t care what it had in it – unless it had been a flavor like Sausage Cake or something, I would not make that cake in a million years.

For my own twist, I also added chocolate chips because I like when you take a bite of cake with chips and they are all melty and gooey. Then I decided to be nice and put nuts on half for my mom.

I topped each piece with whipped cream. Mmmm!

Here’s the recipe so you try it yourself (adapted from cooks.com):

Sunday Afternoon Easy Chocolate Cake

1/2 cup cocoa
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup Miracle Whip Salad Dressing
1 cup cold water
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Note: Do not use mayonnaise or fat-free dressing.

Combine cocoa, flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir with a whisk.

In a separate bowl, beat together sugar, Miracle Whip, water, and vanilla on high speed for 1 minute.

On low speed, gradually add flour mixture to Miracle Whip mixture, one cup at a time. Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl, beat until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Pour into 9×13 baking pan coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle nuts over top, if using. Bake at 350°F oven until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (about 25-30 minutes).