Natural Homemade Living

This is our favorite summer jello cake recipe from the vintage archives. 😀 It's easy to make and refreshing during the hot summer months. The kiddos love it too! Use your favorite flavors of cake mix and jello to change it up a little. Ingredients for cake: 1 box white cake mix 1 small box strawberry jello Ingredients for topping: 1 small box instant vanilla pudding 1 1/2 cups milk 1 cup whipped cream or Cool Whip Directions: Make cake according to the instructions on the box using a 9 x 13 pan. Let cake cool for 30 minutes. While cake is cooling, dissolve jello in 3/4 cup boiling water. Once the jello has dissolved, add 1/2 cup cold water. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Poke holes in the top of the cake with a fork about an inch apart. Using a large spoon, spoon jello over the top of the cake. The holes will soak up the jello. When all of the jello is gone, refrigerate the cake until you have the topping made. Whisk the dry pudding mix with the milk then fold in the Cool Whip with a ...

Simply Homemade: The Best Mini Cheesecake If you are looking for an easy and decadent dessert recipe, this is it! These mini cheesecakes are a family favorite at our house. I make them for our special occasions. I make them gluten free but you can use regular vanilla wafers if you don't need gluten free. These little bites are always the first thing to disappear from the table. They have a slight hint of almond flavor in each bite and let's face it, they look pretty! Ingredients : 1 box vanilla wafers (I used gluten-free) 1/4 c butter, melted 1/4 c sugar 1 package cream cheese, 8 ounces, softened 1/3 c sugar 1 egg 1 tsp almond extract Toppings - cherry pie filling, fresh fruit, lemon curd, blueberries or raspberries are a great choice or even caramel or chocolate syrup. Directions: Place vanilla wafers into a food processor (or crush them in a large baggie). Melt the butter and add to the wafer crumbs. Add 1/4 c sugar and pulse in the food processor until th...

Delicious! When you're short on time and ingredients you can make a delicious, rich chocolate cake from a boxed mix. This has become a favorite at our house and it's so easy to make.   Ingredients: 1 box chocolate cake mix 1 package instant chocolate pudding (small) 4 eggs 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup vegetable oil or 1/2 cup melted butter (cooled slightly) 1/2 cup water or milk Preheat oven to 350°. Mix all ingredients together and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter into a 9x13 greased or parchment paper lined pan. Bake 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes our clean. Let cake cool before frosting it.  Chocolate canned frosting is perfect if you don't have time to make frosting. Add 1 tsp vanilla to the frosting and mix it for 30 seconds with your mixer. It tastes better that way 😋 Enjoy! Love and peace, Tammi 

These adorable cupcakes are perfect for birthday parties. I let the kiddos pick out the little candies and the flavors and colors for the cupcakes. One of my favorite things about kids is that the little things bring the biggest smiles. This includes piñata cupcakes. Directions: Make the cupcakes by using your favorite cake mix or make the cupcakes from scratch.  After the cupcakes have cooled, using a sharp knife, cut a round section (about an inch) out of the top of each cupcake and cut about halfway into the cupcake. Use the knife tip to gently lift out the small circle of cake.  Save your cake circles and trim some of the cake off the bottom of each circle. You can add more candy that way! Mix your little candies together in a bowl and spoon about a tablespoon of candies into each cupcake hole.  The kiddos chose sprinkles, mini M&Ms and nerds for their candies. Place a cake circle on top of each cupcake once they are filled with candy. Frost yo...

Moist Greek Yogurt Bundt Cake  We are always looking for a yummy new cake recipe and this cake is awesome! It is moist and tasty and a hit with the taste testers! Ingredients 1/2 c softened butter 3 c sugar 4 eggs 1/2 tsp almond extract 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/2 c non-fat Greek yogurt, plain 3 c flour 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp baking soda Directions  In a large bowl, mix sugar, butter and yogurt together. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in extracts. Add dry ingredients and stir until everything is mixed together but don't over-mix. Pour the batter into a greased bundt pan, smooth the top if needed with a spatula.  Bake in a preheated oven at 325F for 50-60 minutes. I use a toothpick to check the cake, if it comes out clean, your cake is done. Remove the cake from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack for about 10 minutes, then tip the pan over and place your cake on the cooling rack. Ser...

Simply Homemade Lemon Cake This is one of our favorite lemon cake recipes. It is simply lemony, moist and amazing! I had several fresh lemons from some of my recent Bountiful Baskets contributions so I immediately thought of this recipe. Even the non-lemon lovers love it! Ingredients: 3 eggs 3 tsp lemon zest (about 2 large lemons) 3 Tbsp lemon juice 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/4 c plain yogurt 1 c sugar 1 1/2 c flour 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp baking powder 1/4 c canola oil Mix the eggs, lemon zest and juice, yogurt and vanilla extract with a whisk. I use a wooden spoon to mix the dry ingredients into the liquid ingredients. Add the oil last and fold it into the other ingredients. Grease the sides of a 9x5 loaf pan. I love parchment paper so I use that to line the bottom of the pan. Bake in a 350F oven for 50 minutes (depending on your oven). I stick a toothpick in the middle to check if it's done. If the toothpick comes out clean, it's done. When i...

Grandma's homemade peach upside down cake I spent most of the weekend in the kitchen and loved every minute! My canner was on the stove from Friday night through Sunday afternoon. I canned peach jam, peach butter, mint jelly, blueberry jam, pickled banana peppers and dilly beans. My basil was getting out of control in the garden so I picked enough to fill a basket then made and froze pesto. We visited the local farmer's market so I froze enough sweet corn, Simply Freezing Sweet Corn to take us through the winter months. I bought 2 lugs of peaches and had some left over so I froze about 6 quarts, Simply Freezing Peaches . Three peaches were left on the counter so I pulled out Grandma's 1929 cookbook and discovered a peach upside down cake recipe. I love the old recipes and once again the taste testers said it was the best ever! Ingredients: 1/4 cup butter 2/3 cups brown sugar, firmly packed 2-3 fresh sliced peaches Cake Dough: 1 1/2 cups flour 2 tsp baking powder...

Happy fall everyone! I love this time of year when the temperatures are cooling down, the trees are so beautiful with all of their autumn colors, the apples and pumpkins are plentiful and the baking has begun! I had some extra apples so I decided to make some apple crisp. I made it gluten-free today but you can use all-purpose flour for all of you gluten lovers - haha!! I wish I could send the smell of my kitchen through this post, it smells wonderfully fall-like and spicy! Ingredients: 8-9 apples, peeled, cored and cut into chunks (I used honey crisp apples) 1-2T lemon juice 1/2 c white or organic cane sugar 1 tsp cinnamon Topping Ingredients 2/3 c flour (I used King Arthur gluten-free all purpose flour) 1/2 c brown sugar 2 T white or organic cane sugar 1 tsp cinnamon Pinch of nutmeg Pinch of cloves or allspice Pinch of salt 1/2 c cold butter, cut into small pieces 1 c Old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats Directions:  Wash, peel, core, and cut apples into chunk...

The other day I was cleaning out my freezer and found 4 frozen bananas that I needed to use up. Since we are still in temporary housing, I don't have my baking pans. I only had one pan for banana bread and my recipe makes 2 loaves. I did have a 9x13 pan, so I decided to find a recipe for some type of banana cake. I adapted this recipe from several others, it turned out delicious...and I love the caramel frosting on top! Here's the recipe: Banana Cake 1 c butter 2 c sugar 2 eggs 4 very ripe bananas, mashed ( I usually have them frozen and thaw before I need them) 1 c milk 3 c flour 2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt (I don't add if I use salted butter) Cream butter, sugar, eggs, add bananas and milk. Combine flour, soda, salt. Add to other mixture. Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Bake 350 about 45 minutes. Caramel Frosting 1/2 c butter 1 c brown sugar, packed 1/4 c milk 3 1/4 c powdered sugar (add gradually, I only used 3 cups) Boil butter, ...

Peach Cobbler fresh from the oven! One of our favorite desserts is Dad's peach cobbler. This is a recipe that I use when I need a quick dessert. I always have the ingredients and it only takes a few minutes to mix it up. I modified it for gluten-free by making a change to the flour type, just in case you're looking for gluten-free. You can use fresh or frozen peaches, or even canned peaches work. I usually freeze enough Colorado peaches to take me through the seasons so I use those. This recipe makes about 6 servings. Ingredients : 1/3 c butter, melted 1-2 cups peaches, peeled and sliced 1 c sugar (white or organic cane) 1 c all-purpose flour ( or white rice flour for gluten-free ) 1 tsp cinnamon (this is optional, my family loves cinnamon!) 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp sea salt 1 c milk (I use organic 2%) Directions : Melt butter and pour it into a baking pan, a 9x9 square glass pan works great.  In a medium mixing bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and sa...

Most of the time I really like making things myself and not using processed food, especially when it comes to anything I can bake or cook. However, there are the times when it's just cheaper and quicker to buy the cake mix in a box and call it a day!  My daughter picked out a Fun-Fetti cake mix with frosting for Valentines Day (I thought "how sweet she's baking a cake for the family!" after all, she is 18...as she reminds us almost daily :) Unfortunately she had plans on Valentines Day, so guess who ended up making the cake... I made the cake but I was also doing 3 other things and forgot to check on it until the timer went off and by that time it was a little over baked ...I hate dry, over baked cake...so there was only one thing to do...make cake pops!  Luckily my son was here to help me roll, dip and sprinkle.  These aren't hard to make but they are just a little time consuming. So this is the impatient, easily side tracked person way to do it. Here's w...

Fall is the perfect time to make you own vanilla extract. You can use it for gifts for the holidays or for your holiday baking. I heard the other day that the price of Vanilla Beans will be going up so if you haven't made your own vanilla extract before, now is the time!  It's easy and also makes a great gift. What you need: Clean glass jar and lid 16 ounces rum 4-6 vanilla beans Place whole vanilla beans (or you can split down the middle) in the jar and pour in the rum. Cover with tight fitting lid and shake the jar a few times. Place it cool dark place for 8 weeks. It will get darker over time. Remove your beans and pour into decorative bottles if giving as a gift. This has a slightly different taste than vanilla extract made with vodka. You can use Angie's recipe for traditional vanilla extract Homemade Vanilla Extract . Love and peace, - Simply Tammi Done! Day 1

If you like chocolate, these are for you!  This is our mom's recipe, it never fails and makes a moist, cake like brownie. Here's what you need: 1/2 c (one stick) softened butter 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 c sugar 4 eggs 1 c + 1 T flour 1 16 ounce can Hershey Syrup (usually found in the ice cream topping aisle) In a bowl cream together butter, sugar, eggs and salt. Then add flour and syrup and mix well. Pour onto a jelly roll pan or cookie sheet with sides. Bake 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Keep an eye on it, you don't want to over bake them. For the Ganache: 1 c whipping cream 2 c chocolate chips or about 8-12 ounces of chopped chocolate pieces You may have some Ganache left over, I keep it to top ice cream... or anything..YUM! I used to try to make homemade frosting but it would always turn out too thick or sugary, then I made Ganache, it can be whipped for filling or icing, or just poured over whatever while it'...

I wanted to post the chocolate buttercream frosting recipe but since we've had so many requests for the cupcake recipe, I decided to include them both. These are just the best chocolate cupcakes ever, I love family recipes! Ingredients : 1/4 c butter (room temperature) 1/4 c coconut oil (room temperature) 2 cups white sugar 6 T cocoa 2/3 c sour milk (add 1 T white vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk) 2 tsp baking soda (add it to the milk) 4 eggs 2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp vanilla 1 cup boiling water Mix butter and coconut oil with sugar. Then add ingredients as listed until you get to the water.  Beat ingredients on medium for about 1 minute the add the boiling water. Turn down your mixer speed or hot water will be splashing everywhere, trust me on this! The batter will be runny but don't panic! Preheat your oven to 350F. I used paper cupcake liners in my muffin pan. The regular size cupcakes will take about 20-25 m...

Lemon cupcakes are so fun for summer parties. If you're looking for a simple, reliable, and yummy-licious lemon cupcake recipe, this is one of my favorites! Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 2 cups white sugar 4 eggs 3 cups flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp sea salt 1 cup milk 3 T lemon zest 3 T lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best) Mix ingredients in the order listed. I used baking cups in a muffin pan and baked for 20-23 minutes in a 340F oven. This recipe makes 30-32 cupcakes. I frosted them with lemon butter cream frosting and added a few sprinkles of colored sugar - yummy and pretty! Frosting : 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 4-5 cups powdered sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 4 T lemon juice (I squeezed 1 lemon) 1 tsp lemon zest 3 T half-n-half or a little more until smooth consistency colored sugar for decoration is optional Mix butter and powdered sugar, then add liquid ingredients until frosting is smooth. You can use a decorator bag or just use...

Vanilla Cupcakes Vanilla cupcakes are my favorite! So you probably know what that means, I'm really fussy about my vanilla cupcakes. I've changed my grandma's recipe a little, for example she did not use a vanilla bean, yogurt or canola oil. But even with my changes, they still taste great! Ingredients : 1 cup white sugar 1 vanilla bean (inside seeds scraped out) 1 3/4 cup cake flour (you can use all purpose flour just decrease each cup by 1 Tablespoon) 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/4 cup butter, softened 2 eggs 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream 1/4 cup canola oil 1 T vanilla extract 1/3 cup milk 1/3 cup heavy cream (whipping cream) Combine all dry ingredients and whisk together. Add butter and stir on low speed (I used a stand mixer). Mix in a small bowl, the yogurt, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Add to the dry ingredients. Add heavy cream and milk and keep your mixer on low. The batter will be rather th...

My cupcake baking days have arrived! I am baking more than 200 cupcakes for our upcoming graduation party and only the best tasting cupcakes will be chosen! So if you have a great cupcake recipe please share it! I am making chocolate cupcakes (previously posted) because it is our favorite, really moist and oh so chocolately! Today I made lemon cupcakes and I have a feeling, upon the approval of the graduating princess, these will be chosen. I personally loved loved loved them; they are moist, not too tart but still taste like lemon with a hint of buttery goodness! Ingredients: 1 cup butter, room temperature 2 cups white sugar 3 eggs 2 tsp lemon zest 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 1/2 cups all purpose unbleached flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp sea salt 2 cups plain Greek yogurt (I used our homemade yogurt previously posted) I used my stand mixer and combined the butter and white sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in the lemon zest, and vanill...

I heard the other day that the price of Vanilla Beans will be going up so if you haven't made your own vanilla extract before, now is the time!  It's easy and also makes a great gift. What you need: 16 ounce clean glass jar or bottle with a tight fitting lid 16 ounces of vodka 5 vanilla beans Using a sharp knife, slice the vanilla beans open lengthwise to expose the seeds. Put the beans in a jar or bottle and pour in the vodka. Close it, shake the jar a few times and place in a cool dark place.  Let it rest there for 6-8 weeks and shake once or twice a week.  It will get darker over time.  (this batch has been sitting about 4 weeks) Use just as you would the vanilla extract you buy at the store. When you start getting low, add more vodka and shake. Also, whenever you use a vanilla bean, toss it in the jar after you use it.  This will last a long time and should keep forever. ~Simply Angie

I got this recipe from a friend of mine. It is such a moist and delicious cake.  Even my kids, who aren't really carrot eaters, LOVED it! Here's what you need: 2 c flour 2 c sugar 2 tsp cinnamon 2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 1/2 c oil (I used Canola) 4 eggs 3 c shredded carrots (I used the small bag of regular size carrots, it's a little over 3 cups shredded, but works) crushed walnuts (optional) Mix dry ingredients with cooking oil, and then add eggs all at once. Blend in carrots and nuts Pour into greased and floured 9x13 pan (can also be made into cupcakes) Bake 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Bake about 30 minutes for cupcakes. Cream Cheese Frosting 1/2 c butter softened 8 oz cream cheese 2 1/2 tsp vanilla 1 lb. powdered sugar Beat all ingredients until creamy.  When cake has cooled, frost and enjoy! I kept the leftover cake (there wasn't much) in the fridge because of the cream cheese in the frostin...

Today I'm making cupcakes for a birthday party tomorrow! Our twin granddaughters are turning 1 today and my daughter's birthday is tomorrow on St Patrick's Day! I am baking the twins their own 6 inch cakes (relatively healthy vanilla cakes that I will post later) and chocolate cupcakes for the rest of the family! I'm trying some different recipes because in 2 short months our oldest granddaughter is graduating from high school. She has requested cupcakes for her open house so being the overachiever I am, they must be perfect! This recipe is my favorite that I've used for years, it is a moist chocolate cake and of course it is yummy-licious! You can bake it in a greased, floured 9x13 pan, 2 round pans for a layer cake or cupcakes in liners. (When I bake cupcakes I always use an aluminum pan rather than the non stick pans. For me they seem to bake more evenly and no dark or burned bottoms)! Ingredients : 1/4 c butter (room temperature) 1/4 c coconut oil (room t...