Baking with Betty
Picnic weather, barbecues, days at the beach — quick and easy desserts are nice to use and even with mixes they can taste better (and fresher) than store shelf items.
Triple Chocolate Cake
1 package chocolate cake mix
1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 package chocolate pudding mix
4 eggs
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Beat on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Fold in the cup of chocolate chips. Pour into a well-greased 10-inch bundt pan. Bake 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing form pan to a wire rack.
ABC Muffins
3 eggs
3/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup applesauce
1/4 cup honey
1 package yellow cake mix
1-1/2 cups wheat bran
2 teaspoons cinnamon
In a bowl, beat the eggs, oil, applesauce and honey. Mix cake mix, bran and cinnamon; add to egg mixture. Mix just until blended. Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.
Pumpkin Walnut Squares
1 package yellow cake mix, divided
1/4 cup canola oil
4 eggs
1 cup chopped walnuts, divided
1 can (15 ounce) solid-packed pumpkin
1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Set aside 1/2 cup cake mix for filling. In a bowl, mix oil, 1 egg and remaining cake mix. Press into a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup walnuts. In large bowl, combine the pumpkin, milk, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, reserved cake mix and remaining eggs. Pour over crust; sprinkle with remaining walnuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. cut into squares. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Giant Spice Cookies
1 package spice cake mix
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup molasses
6 teaspoon vanilla
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, ginger and baking soda. Stir in water, molasses and vanilla and mix well. Roll into 10 balls. Place the balls 3 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Flatten slightly with a glass coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375 degrees for 13-15 minutes or until the surface cracks and cookies are firm. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Raspberry Brownie Dessert
1 package fudge brownie mix (13x9 inch pan size)
2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1 package instant white chocolate pudding mix
1 can (21 ounce) raspberry pie filling
Prepare and bake brownies according to package directions, using a greased 13x9 in baking pan. Cool completely on a wire rack. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup cream and pudding mix; stir for 2 minutes or until very thick. In a small bowl, beat remaining cream until stiff peaks form; fold into pudding. Carefully spread over brownies; top with the pie filling. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting.
Our thought for the week: "A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." — Ronald Dahl
Call (207) 594-4401 or join online at knox.villagesoup.com/join.
Donate directly to keeping quality journalism alive at knox.villagesoup.com/donate.