Dessert of the Week: Carrot Cake

Ingredients

Unsalted butter, for the pan
12 ounces, approximately 2 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan
12 ounces grated carrots, medium grate, approximately 6 medium
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 ounces sugar, approximately 1 1/3 cups
2 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup firmly packed
3 large eggs
6 ounces plain yogurt
6 ounces vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter and flour a 9-inch round and 3-inch deep cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.

Put the carrots into a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 5 seconds. Add this mixture to the carrots and toss until they are well-coated with the flour.

In the bowl of the food processor combine the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and yogurt.

With the processor still running drizzle in the vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the carrot mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cake reaches 205 to 210 degrees F in the center.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow cake to cool 15 minutes in the pan. After 15 minutes, turn the cake out onto a rack and allow cake to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cake has cooled completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese
2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
9 ounces powdered sugar, sifted, approximately 2 cups

In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium just until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches and beat until smooth between each addition.

Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.

Yield: approximately 2 cups

Happy Birthday Fred

Random Sillies

Ponytail

Madison is 21 months! Her hair is finally long enough to put up into a ponytail. However, I have no business trying to "do" Madi's hair.

Dinner of the Week: Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients
1 1/2 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1 whole egg
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup bread crumbs, divided

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, combine turkey, cheese, egg, basil, parsley, garlic powder, salt, red pepper flakes, and 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs. Using your hands, mix all ingredients until well incorporated. Use immediately or place in refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Place the remaining 1/4 cup of bread crumbs into a small bowl. Using a scale, weigh meatballs into 1.5-ounce portions and place on a sheet pan. Using your hands, shape the meatballs into rounds, roll in the bread crumbs and place the meatballs in individual, miniature muffin tin cups. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

Save the Date

Sin City

The Mister and I are about to head off for Vegas. We're leaving on Thursday, and meeting up with Gina & Mark, and the Stern sisters. Can't wait for this little vacation that has been months in the making. The last time we were away from the Kid was March of 2008. We went on a weekend cruise that was horrid!

Dessert of the Week: Brownies & Lemon Bars

We went to visit our friends Amber & J.R. Mills on Sunday. I bought them a Lime Zest platter from Crate and Barrel, and adorned it with my lemon bars.

I felt bad that the Mister didn't get any brownies the first time around this month, so I have 18 minutes left on them in the oven! I'm glad I'll have ample time to cool them this time, because cutting them fresh sucks.

Favorite Lunch

I was just looking in the freezer what goodies the Mister bought at the market. But I did not see my favorite lunch. So this is for the Mister...a reminder:

Halloween Poll

What should the Whiteleys be for Halloween?
	Alice in Wonderland
	Greasers
	Insects
	Witches
	Other
= see results =

Animal Sounds

Madison Rides a Roller Coaster!

So I don't have any pictures, because I was with her...but Madison rode Gadget's Go Coaster at Disneyland on Friday. She loved it!

Nap Time

So getting Madi down for a nap proved to be a bit of work. I put her
down, tucked her in. Quiet, for like 5 minutes, then I hear the pitter
patter of little feet. Busted.

I put Mad down again. Quiet for almost 10 minutes, she must be asleep.
Then the pitter patter of little feet again. This time she heard me
coming, and jumped back into bed and closed her eyes. But when I
confronted her about the situation she sported a mischevious smile.

So I ended up rocking her to sleep. Ugh.

The Mister suggests a nanny cam for her room. To record her naughtiness.

UP NEXT on my to conquer list

Naleśniki, otherwise known as crepes or blintzes. I used to make these regularly for a light dinner, but haven't made them since 2003. Also, I really want to make my own Pierogi. My mom makes the best ones (but which Polish mom doesn't). But I think it's my turn to learn the art.

Dessert of the Week: Banana Bread

Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
3 ripe bananas
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.

Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the milk, cinnamon and vanilla. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add the banana mixture to the creamed mixture and stir until combined. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until flour disappears.

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove bread from pan, invert onto rack and cool completely before slicing.

Spread slices with honey or serve with ice cream.

Big Girl Bed

My Parents are Polish

I got to thinking, where are my parents from. Granted I know, and I've been there, but for everyone else here it is...

My mom is from Stalowa Wola, Poland and my dad is from Miedzylesie, Poland.

Esther Williams Eat Your Heart Out

Dessert of the Week: Brownies

I baked these for the Crate & Barrel inventory potluck.


Ingredients
Soft butter, for greasing the pan
Flour, for dusting the buttered pan
4 large eggs
1 cup sugar, sifted
1 cup brown sugar, sifted
8 ounces melted butter
11/4 cups cocoa, sifted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup flour, sifted
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8-inch square pan.

In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the eggs at medium speed until fluffy and light yellow. Add both sugars. Add remaining ingredients, and mix to combine.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured 8-inch square pan and bake for 45 minutes. Check for doneness with the tried-and-true toothpick method: a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan should come out clean. When it's done, remove to a rack to cool. Resist the temptation to cut into it until it's mostly cool.

Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Star

I cannot believe it! Madison (20 months) has gone pee pee on the potty for a week straight right before her bath. This morning she said "Momma, pee pee," and headed for the bathroom. Turns out girlfriend had to go pee pee and went on the potty, not once, not twice, but something like 8 times in one day!

She's still in a diaper, because I have to go find Easy Ups in a size 4. However, she's making it difficult to put the diaper on. But I'm so proud of her! And of course she went pee pee before her bath, and after. You go Madi BOOM!