Author: Northerly Nosh

I’m a married mother of 3. Who loves living in Minnesota, prep ahead cooking, and couldn’t live without them now. No more worries about the age old question “What’s for Dinner?”. I am also transitioning my family into the slow food and clean eating movement. I believe it’s best if we can eat food in it’s most natural state. I love to share the information I have been gaining through this whole experience. I’m also a trained personal chef. Cooking is a passion and hobby of mine. Hope your are enjoying the content of my blog.
Posted in Dessert

Let’s Celebrate!…Andes Mint Cake

Posted on by Northerly Nosh

This the season for celebrating the holidays with friends and family! This past Saturday my husband and I went to his work Christmas party. We were asked to bring dessert so I thought I would finally try doctoring up a cake mix. I’ve seen many post on Pinterest about making cake mixes taste like a bakery cake. I was able to do just that. Another win for my Pinterest Sweets board.

Andes Mint Sheet Cake

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Cake

Make your cake as directed, but use hot water, add 2 extra eggs, and use melted butter instead of oil. You will not be disappointed. Very dense, moist, and rich in flavor is what happens when you make these simple changes. I don’t think I will be making cakes from scratch anymore.

Mint Frosting

16 oz. heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup fine bakers sugar
2 packs of whipped cream stabilizer
2 teaspoon peppermint extract
3 drops green food coloring
Andes mint pieces

Beat all ingredients except mint pieces to stiff peaks.

Frost Cake and sprinkle mint pieces on top to your liking.

It taste just like thin mint cookies!

Posted in Dessert

Dessert: Make Ahead Cupcakes

Posted on by Northerly Nosh

I’m trying to get better at baking. Recently I learned how to make these wonderful vanilla cupcakes and I’m excited to share this recipe and tips with you. These can be made up ahead of time because of the stabilized frosting and another secret ingredient. Stabilized frosting lets your cupcakes sit at room temperature without spoiling.

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Make Ahead Vanilla Cupcakes

1 Pkg. of vanilla or white or golden cake mix
3 T. of instant pudding
1 1/3 Cup of milk
1/2 Cup of vegetable oil
4 Eggs
1 tsp. of vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together for about 30 seconds and then beat on medium high-speed for about 2 minutes. Scoop into cupcake liners.

Baking Tip: I found that sometime the bottom of my cupcakes would get burned and the top not fully cooked. I read somewhere to place a cookie sheet underneath your cupcake pan. That cookie sheet is another barrier to absorb heat for a more evenly cooked cupcake. That has worked fabulous for me!

Bake for about 20 minutes. Every oven is different so I start keeping an eye on them around the 15 minute mark.

Once the cupcakes are pulled from the oven, remove immediately and on to a cooling rack. If you don’t the cupcake may cook longer in the pan which may result in burned cupcakes.

Notes for Cupcakes: What makes these cupcakes last for days without drying out, is the pudding. It gives the cupcake a moist, light, spongy body that won’t turn into a brick the next day. One thing I found out about when using pudding is you don’t get a lot of height. Expect for the cupcake to rise just to the top of the wrapper.

Anyone have tips for me to get better height?

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Frosting

1 1/3 shortening
3 T. of Vanilla
3 T. of Dream Whip (a powdered whipped topping mix found in the same aisle as cake mix’s)
2 lbs. of Powdered Sugar
1/3 Cup of milk

I mix all together and beat on high for about 5-8 minutes. Add the powdered sugar slowly otherwise it will go all over the place and create a mess.

Make sure the cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting. If not the frosting might melt once you frost the cupcake.

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I use a 1M cupcake tip. For me it’s the most idiot proof for getting a great looking cupcake. I pipe the frosting with a pastry bag starting with the outside and working my way in. Once in the middle I lightly press my tip down before lifting up. By doing that it blends more rather than an abrupt peak in the middle.