1-2-3-4 Cupcakes

Here are the cupcakes I made for my boys for Easter! I used my mother's recipe for "1-2-3-4 Cake". My boys will always have very fond memories of the cakes my mother would bring them. She was an expert at making this delicious cake with a fudge frosting. She perfected the frosting and it was just fabulous. I have yet to be successful with the fudge frosting. It always sets too fast for me and it becomes one large un-spreadable mess. I really wish I knew her secret.

For today's cupcakes I just used Wilton's buttercream frosting and sprinkled them with rainbow jimmies or sprinkles.

1-2-3-4 Cake

1 cup shortening or butter, margarine (I use canola oil)
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream shortening, sugar, add eggs, beat well. Add flour and baking powder mixed well alternately with milk. Add vanilla.

Bake in a 9 x 11" pan 350° for 30 minutes.
Cupcakes: 18-19 large cupcakes 350° for 25 minutes.

Enjoy :)

SWEET CHILI-GLAZED CHICKEN WINGS

Here's a fabulous recipe for "SWEET CHILI-GLAZED CHICKEN WINGS" . Just made this for dinner today and I highly recommend it.
g-girl posted a link to this recipe recently and it sounded so good I had to try it. I'm not a big chicken wing person, but thought I would try this one as I'm always looking for something new. The recipe can be found here.

I incorporated a few modifications - I didn't use the cilantro, but substituted chopped green onions. Although the recipe called for 2 pounds of chicken wings, I used 3 1/2 pounds instead, adjusting the ingredients more or less to the increase in wings, but I didn't increase the amount of glaze and there was more than enough for the dish. We finished every last wing...they were incredibly delicious. It was noted in the comments in the recipe link that these were restaurant quality wings and I have to agree...finger licking good as they are messy to eat, but boy are they good!! I also want to note that it does take more like an hour to thicken the glaze instead of the 20 minutes, so judge accordingly and allow time for that.This recipe is definitely a keeper in my house!

Enjoy :)

Chocolate Tea Bread

Chocolate Tea Bread is one of my families favorite snacks. You can enjoy this bread as is, drizzle with glaze or sprinkle with powdered sugar. This easy recipe makes 2 breads.

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

2/3 cup canola oil
4 large eggs
2/3 cup water
2 1/2 cups sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour (or 2 cups all-purpose + 1 cup whole wheat white)
2/3 cup cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (12 oz. = 1 package)
2/3 cup chopped walnuts ( optional)

Glaze (optional)
1/2 cup confectioner's (powdered) suar
1 - 2 tbsp. milk
1/4 tsp. vanilla
pinch salt

Preheat oven 350°. In a large mixing bowl combine applesauce, oil, eggs water, and sugar. Beat well. Combine dry ingredients and add to applesauce mixture. Beat well. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Pour into 2 greased 9X5X3" loaf pans. Bake 350° for 60-70 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing and then finish cooling on a wire rack. Leave as is or drizzle with glaze or just sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Enjoy :)