A Doggone Success- Wrigley's 7th Birthday!

Well it's wintertime, we are cooped up (for the most part) and looking for any reason to throw a party.  So, when I told Madeline it was our golden retriever Wrigley's birthday, she was all about it!  First, she started brainstorming possible party themes.  These included "Tangled (the Disney movie), "pajama party", or "tea party"?  She told me to mail invitations to my sister's dog Nash, and Abby & Buddy two goldens up the street that Wrigley plays with.  Then, came the party games..."How about pin the tail on the doggie?"  She cracked herself up with this one.  Finally, the cake, she decided it must be a bone shaped cake.  After I talked her down and made her realize that Wrigley doesn't wear pajamas nor drink tea, we decided we would simply celebrate his birthday with a family dinner which Wrigley could eat as well, a doggie cake, and a cake for us.  So the first stop was to the doggie boutique in downtown Naperville called Two Bostons  http://www.twobostons.com/  where Madeline and Jack proceeded to ransack the store proclaiming they were picking out presents for the dog and eventually settled on a cake for Wrigley.   Next we had to make dinner.  After a little persuasion, Madeline decided on meatloaf with noodles and gravy and corn as the vegetable.   Finally, the most anticipated feature was the cake for us to enjoy.  It was supposed to be in the shape of a bone, but as it was cooling a little too close to the edge of the counter, Jack took his pretend knife and began cutting the cake for real!   So, we improvised and cut the cake in half and layered it.  We in turn had to double the frosting recipe so we had some for the filling!  I let Madeline ice the cake with the blue frosting and then she made a number 7 using candles.  Then the kids doused the cake in blue sprinkles (Jack) and rainbow sprinkles (Madeline).  Let's just say Wrigley had the best day ever- no invitations, party games, or guests needed, just meatloaf and doggie cake!  Now if only my kid's parties could be that simple! 

Birthday Cake recipe
Yellow Cake
Betty Crocker's Yellow Cake mix- I mean it's really all about the frosting anyways!!! 

Buttercream Frosting (I doubled this and it was perfect for a layered cake)!

1/2 cup butter softened

1tsp vanilla

3-3/4 c powdered sugar

3-4 Tbsp. milk

food coloring (optional)

Combine in large bowl, with mixer at low speed, confectioners' sugar, butter, milk and vanilla.
Beat at medium speed 1-2 minutes until creamy. If desired, add more milk until frosting is spreading consistency.Makes enough to fill and frost 2-layer cake, 13x9x2-inch sheet cake, or 24 cupcakes.



Here is the final result- its no "Ace of Cakes" but it's cake, and any reason to eat it is a good one!

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread-  Way Too Good to Only Eat at the Holidays!

3 cups sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon each, cinnamon and nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon each baking powder, baking soda, and salt
3 eggs
1 can (15oz) pumpkin
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
In a bowl, combine the sugar, flour, spices, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  In another bowl, combine the eggs, pumpkin, oil, and vanilla; mix well.  Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.  Fold in pecans.  Spoon into greased and floured 8-in x4-in x2-in. baking pans.  Bake at 350 for 65-75 minutes.  Cool for 15 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.  Yield:2 loaves

So, I was taking inventory of pantry items I needed to replenish since it's the start of a new year, when Madeline bounced by, snatched a can of pumpkin, and exclaimed, "Mom, let's make pumpkin pie!"  I looked at the can which I had bought around Thanksgiving and realized it was probably a good idea to use it up.  I quickly responded, "I have a better idea.  How about pumpkin bread?"  Before I could say, "let me just finish this," Madeline was up the stairs, in the kitchen putting on her apron and chef hat.  We quickly got to work, and after a few cracked eggs on the table and flour everywhere but in the bowl, the bread was finally ready to be baked. 

Just the smell of the bread baking in the oven reminds me of my own childhood and the anticipation in the Maddie's eyes brought us right back to the Holidays.  This pumpkin recipe I got from my mom.  It's rather new but it's the best.  The bread is so moist and the pecans give it just the right crunch.  Madeline sprinkled whole pecans up on top just for fun and she wanted pink sprinkles too, but settled for some brown sugar.  The hardest part is waiting until the next morning to eat it!  I always find breads taste better after sitting overnight. 

Enjoy!