Pineapple Mojito Cake

Something a little different - quick and easy to make as you use a white cake mix and vanilla frosting and then jazz them up.

I wanted to make something a little different so I thought I would try this and it turned out well, although I might try more of whipped topping instead of vanilla frosting next time.  It was very moist and flavorful with the pineapple being the main flavor with just a hint of the lime, mint and rum flavors.

Ingredients
Cake:
1 box white cake mix
1 lime
3 eggs whites (or whatever your cake mix calls for)
1/3 cup vegetable oil (or whatever your cake mix calls for)
1 20 oz can crushed Pineapple
1 teaspoon artificial Mint flavoring
Non-Stick Coating Spray

Frosting
1 can vanilla frosting
Zest of 1 lime (off of lime used in the cake)
1 teaspoon artificial rum flavoring

Preheat the oven to the degree specified on the cake mix (mine was 350 degrees).  Separate the egg whites from the yolk.

Zest the lime (which is just running it over a grater) then cut the lime in half.  Set aside the zest for the frosting.

Squeeze the juice of one lime into a large bowl, then put box of cake mix in , add in Pineapple, oil, eggs whites, and the mint flavoring.

Mix until well blended - will still look a bit lumpy but it is just the pineapple bits.

Spray a 9 x 13 pan with non-stick coating spray then pour the mix into the pan and bake according the the cake mix package (mine was 28-35 mins).

Bake until it springs up when touched in the center then remove and allow to cool before frosting the cake.

To make the frosting, put the canned frosting in a bowl, add the zest of lime and the artificial rum flavoring and mix thoroughly.

Frost the cake and then serve.

Mint Chip Brownies

A fun minty twist on a brownie!   The entire batch lasted less than a day in my house.


This was inspired St. Patrick's Day Recipe post over at http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/2010/03/st-patrick-day-recipes.html and decided to make a version of it.

Ingredients:

• Brownie Mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 10 oz bag Mint Chocolate Chips
• 1 16 oz can white frosting
• 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
• 12-15 drops green food coloring
• Non-stick cooking spray.

Make the brownies according to the instructions on the package; I used Pillsbury brownie mix and it called for 1/2 cup oil, 1/4 water and 2 eggs but mixes can vary. Once mixed, add 1/2 cup of the mint chips and stir until mixed in.   Spray non-stick 9X13 baking pan and pour in batter and bake according to instructions on browine package, the mix I used was at 350 degrees 28-31 mins.   Once done, remove from oven and allow to cool.

Once the brownies are cool, open up the can of frosting and pour in the mint extract and green food coloring and mix thoroughly with a knife.




















Frost the brownies with the icing

Shake the remaining chips over the top of the frosted brownies, cut into squares then serve.

Mint Limeaid

A cool, refreshing summer drink!

http://www.nofussfabulous.com/?p=7111

I made this twice as the first pitcher was consumed almost immediately after it was made. The first time around I chopped up the mint and then crushed it against the side of the pitcher, but even after I removed most of it my son said he liked the taste, but not the bits of mint in the drink, so the second time I used mint extract and just garnished with mint leaves that he can pick out.

Items used:

• 3 12 oz cans (or 4 1/2 cups) of Sprite Zero or other lemon/lime drink.
• 1 Can Frozen Limeaid or 3 fresh limes
• 1/2-1 tsp Mint Extract or approx. 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves
• Ice
• 1 lime (for garnishment)
• A few mint leaves (for garnishment)
• 1 large pitcher
• 1 large spoon

If using fresh mint leaves, put them in the pitcher first.

Pour the can of limeaid (I let it thaw in the fridge first to make it easier to mix) into the pitcher Pour in the cans of Sprite Zero

Add in the 1/2 tsp-1 tsp (I used 1/2 tsp) to the pitcher.

Chop up the lime, then add it and the mint leaves to the pitcher for garnishing.