Tag Archives: easter

Hummingbird Cake

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Filed under Sweet Tooth- Desserts

“We just need to find three hummingbirds and we will be ready!” I say to Whitaker as we are finishing up at Whole Foods.  “WHAT!?!”  Oh, his look was priceless and he was fully questioning everything about my baking at this point.

Hummingbird Cake is a staple of the south.  There is something about the pineapple, bananas, cream cheese frosting, and pecans that welcome the spring.  I fell in love with this cake about a decade ago while living in Virginia. Then I started making it for Easter each year.  You just need one slice of the rich cake to understand why it is looked forward to at our home. 
For planning purposes, you can make the cake layers ahead of time. You can freeze the layers until you are ready.  Then create your cake when ready.

Fun Tip:  Find a fun cake stand to display your cake on.  There is something special about a great cake stand.  

Hummingbird Cake

Cake Layers Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (8-oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
2 cups chopped ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Vegetable shortening

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
2 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 cup salted butter or margarine, softened
2 (16-oz.) pkg. powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cake Topping:
3/4 cup pecan halves, toasted

Prepare the Cake Layers: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon in a large bowl; add eggs and oil, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in vanilla, pineapple, bananas, and toasted pecans.

Divide batter evenly among 3 well-greased (with shortening) and floured 9-inch round cake pans.

Bake in a preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire

Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Increase speed to medium-high, and beat until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes.

Assemble Cake: Place 1 Cake Layer on a serving platter; spread top with 1 cup of the frosting. Top with the second layer, and spread with 1 cup frosting. Top with the third layer, and spread remaining frosting over top and sides of the cake. Arrange pecan halves on top of cake.

Shaving Cream Decorated Easter Eggs

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Filed under Memories in the Kitchen

Each year it is fun to experiment with different ways to decorate your Easter Eggs.  There are so many fun options out there.  This year we used shaving cream.  Not shaving gel or shaving butter, good ole’ shaving cream.

Whitaker and I had so much fun picking out colors for our designs.  He also loved rolling the eggs around in the shaving cream.

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It is so basic and easy!

You need:
Hard Boiled Eggs
Shaving Cream (we used )
Assorted Food Gel or Food Coloring
Rubber Gloves (my PSA- I got a little carried away with the color and had stained hands for 3 days!)

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Spray a 1″ layer of shaving cream in the bottom of the glass or metal casserole pan. If you want no clean up, use a disposable aluminum pan. Spread the shaving cream to make a smooth top.

Then using your selected colors, beginning adding small, random dots of food gel to the shaving cream.  We used 2-3 on each design.  If you use too many you will end up with a nasty brown or green color.  (that does not say “Happy Easter!”)

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Then using a wooden skewer or popsicle stick, drag the skewer through the shaving cream making lines.  You can make swirls, loops, zigzag, whatever!

Once you have the design the way you like, place an egg in the shaving cream on one end.

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Gently roll the egg in a straight line from one side to the other.  My little guy liked using a spoon to roll his egg.  Then carefully pick up the egg and place it on some paper towels. Leave the egg there until the shaving cream starts to dry up. Usually 10 minutes. Then you can rinse off the extra shaving cream under water or clean off with a wet paper towel.

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Each Easter Egg will have its own personality based on colors and swirl designs.

Happy Easter!
Amanda

The Best Hard Boiled Eggs

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Filed under Let's Get Cooking

How do you cook hard boiled eggs?  It is actually a question that has a lot of debate. Most cooks have their way they like to cook hard boiled eggs.  But you must be careful to not overcook.  I have tried it several ways and this is my favorite way to do it.  Another tip in cooking hard boiled eggs:  don’t use fresh eggs.  It is okay if they are a few weeks old.  That actually helps the shell peel easier.

So whether you are about whip up some deviled eggs (my sister’s recipe), egg salad, or just decorate Easter eggs, this is the easiest approach I have found.

Enjoy!
Amanda

Hard Boiled Eggs

You need:
Dozen large eggs
1 T Kosher salt
2 T white vinegar
Tap water

Start by gently placing your raw eggs in a large saucepan.  Cover with at least 2 inches of water. (If you don’t have enough water, your eggs will not cook throughly) Add salt and vinegar.
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Place the pan over high heat until it reaches a boil.  Let boil for 3 minutes.  Then turn off heat, cover and let it sit for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the eggs from the pan and place them in an ice-water bath and let them cool for five minutes.

 

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Soak Your Eggs In An Ice Bath

Now you can either carefully crack the egg shells and gently remove the shells.  OR  you are ready to decorate your Easter Eggs.  These eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for four days.

The Garden, The Curtain, and The Cross

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Filed under Around the House, on mission in the kitchen

Here in Atlanta, trees are beginning to bud, daffodils are blooming, and every one is beginning to complain about their allergies.  Yes, Spring is on its way.  I love watching all of God’s creativity show this time of year.  The incredible colors and breathtaking views of a new season get me excited.

With Spring on the way, We know EASTER is almost here.  We will put bunnies, eggs, and baskets in our decorations.  We will make plans for a perfect Easter dinner with family and friends.  We determine the best Easter Egg Hunt to take our children to.  We coordinate our family’s wardrobe to make sure we look our best on Easter Sunday. And we shop for the perfect items for our children’s Easter baskets.  We will talk about the Easter story and why we have a Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  But for many years, I felt that my children needed to know the Easter story but maybe I would leave out parts because they were not ready.  I felt maybe saying “Jesus died on Good Friday” was a little too much for my preschooler.  I would do the “Good Christian Mom Thing” and make sure there was a Bible story in their baskets along with chocolates and prizes.  We went to Easter Sunday Service and at Easter Dinner our prayers thanked God for sending Jesus to save us.  I felt good about what I was doing and then….

It was so clear the day I realized I had been watering down Jesus to my children.  I had not been talking about how we were sinners and God sent his only Son to Earth to ultimately die for us.  My words never said because of Jesus we have hope.  Easter was about Jesus to us but not letting them know how it is only about Jesus was my conviction. I would teach them that Jesus taught us how to live, love, and obey God.  I guess I didn’t want to scare my preschooler.  I didn’t want them to worry about death and how Jesus was beaten and hung on a cross for them.  But why?  It is the story they need to know more than any other story out there.

Don’t get me wrong.  I love to decorate with all the beautiful eggs, sweet bunnies, and monogrammed baskets. I will create yummy Easter treats and attend a fun Easter Egg hunt.  However, I am clear the whole purpose of Easter is to celebrate Jesus.  It all points to Jesus and what He did for us.

Recently I found the best book for children.  The Garden, The Curtain and The Cross is beautifully illustrated,  Biblically accurate, and captures your child’s attention. The book begins with God’s creation of The Garden of Eden.  Quickly we learn about how our sins keep us from living in a perfect garden with God.  We had a true separation from God. But God had a wonderful plan.  He sent His son, Jesus, to come live on Earth and die for us.  After Jesus had died on the cross, He was placed a in tomb guarded by soldiers.  But spoiler alert:  On the third day, the tomb was empty!  Jesus arose!  He conquered the grave.

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As a mom, I want to make sure that I am representing the truth of Jesus to my children. We read from the Bible on many nights.  When we read other Bible stories that are not out of our Bible, I want to make sure they are telling the true, Biblical story.

The Good Book Company has published this wonderful book and so many more.  The talented Carl Laferton and Catalina Echeverri made this book come to life.  I encourage you to check out their other books.  I hope to feature more soon.

And now……

arrowgiveaway

I am so excited to announce my FIRST giveaway!  The great people over at Good Book Company have given me FIVE copies to giveaway to those who follow Sing and Dance in the Kitchen blog, Instagram & Facebook.

Here’s how to enter:

  1. Follow this blog.  Follow Sing and Dance in the Kitchen on Instagram and Facebook.
  2. Comment on this blog and tell me what you love about Sing and Dance in the Kitchen and what you would like to see more posts about.
  3. Tag at least 3 friends in the comments of Instagram and Facebook.  Make sure they begin to follow and you will get extra entries.
  4. Winners will be selected at random and will be announced on Friday, 3/9.  Good Luck!

Just Growing Grass….

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Filed under Around the House

Although it is 40 degrees outside today, we are preparing for spring and Easter in our home.  I have a tradition that about one month before Easter, I begin growing grass in the house.  Yes, it may seem silly but it bring me such joy.  And when the grass is perfect, I add eggs to complete my happiness.  It requires no thought.  You put dirt in your favorite container (I usually line my container with a plastic bag or trash sack), add some grass seed, and water!  This year Whitaker got in on the fun and got it all over the kitchen but he found happiness with the process.

I know there is worry and doubt.  What if my grass gets too long and I need to mow it?  Simple!   You have scissors to help you mow your little patch of grass.  What is my grass does not grow?  It will.  Just water and watch. And don’t store it in a closet.  The grass needs a little sun.  What if someone else’s grass is green?!?  Ha!  It always will be.

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The past two years I have used an old bread pan to grow my grass.  I found this bread pan with my sister on 6th Street in Amarillo, TX.  Other times of the year, this pan holds mail, things I need to get to, and even hot wheels.  It is an equal opportunity pan!

Once your grass takes off, you can go crazy decorating and adding your favorite spring items.  Last year, our grass made its way to the dining table.

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Life can be so simple at times.  The joy of seeing grass grow is one of those moments.  Spring is around the corner and it’s a reminder of all the new growth and the beauty that will surround us.  Easter is all about the new growth and life we have in Christ.  Enjoy this time of the year.  Sing and Dance!  We have been so blessed!

Looking Forward,
Amanda

Lesley’s Deviled Eggs

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Filed under Morning Glory, Simple Beginnings

This past week I spent time with my family.  We all love to gather around the table for yummy meals and then debrief in the kitchen.  My sister, Lesley, has taken over the responsibility of making deviled eggs.  This trade was taught by my mom and Lesley has mastered her skill.  In the south we know that deviled eggs are not just for Easter.  They are the perfect addition to any brunch, party, or special occasion.  I’m excited to share Lesley’s recipe as only she could write it!

Lesley’s Deviled Eggs

1 dozen eggs, boiled
3 T yellow mustard
1/2 cup mayo
paprika

Peel egg shells from all eggs. Cut eggs long ways and empty yolk into a small bowl.  In a food processor blend yolks, mustard, and mayo until creamy.  You may alter the taste by adding more mustard or mayo.

After you are done blending, you want to get all that yummy goodness into the center of your egg.

A couple of options: first one, my favorite, is using the accent decorator from pampered chef. Put the yummy goodness that you have blended into the decorator and it will squirt it mess free into your egg.

The second option is putting the yummy goodness into a ziploc bag, and cutting one corner off at the bottom and then squirting it into the egg.

Both will limit the time and mess of your creation.

After finishing the eggs, it’s a great idea to sprinkle with paprika for some color and a little taste.