Category Archives: Recipes

Best Chocolate Whipped Cream In Only 20 Seconds Recipe Tutorial & Giveaway

You all know how much I love my Mealthy Pot, and I have something super exciting to share. Mealthy has done it again! They created another kitchen appliance that has made it easier for me to prep and cook my favorite recipes. The Mealthy HandBlend is an immersion blender that comes with useful accessories to help you blend, chop and whisk  your way to create culinary masterpieces.

Mealthy HandBlend Mixer Giveaway

The Mealthy HandBlend comes with a whisk attachment, blending attachment, chopper bowl, smoothie cup and a recipe booklet. Use the chopper bowl to chop onions, garlic, ginger, nuts, greens, herbs and so much more. Blend up soups right in the pot, make your favorite fruit smoothies, mix up gourmet coffee drinks better than a barista and it even has a Turbo mode to make sure you have the power to get the smoothest blends.

Mealthy HandBlend Mixer Giveaway

I have made my favorite chai lattes with the Handblend and it will be working overtime this week helping me cook and bake for Christmas. One thing I just have to show you is how quick it makes whipped cream, not just any whipped cream, my family’s favorite homemade chocolate whipped cream can be made in about 20 seconds.

Mealthy HandBlend Mixer Giveaway

This chocolate whipped cream is so light and fluffy with a delicious decadent chocolate flavor that you can eat alone as a dessert or use it to top hot chocolate, cakes, use in parfaits and trifle and so much more. It literally tastes like the airiest chocolate mouse you have ever had.

Mealthy HandBlend Mixer Giveaway

Watch this video below and I will unbox the Mealthy and then make up a batch of this delicious chocolate whipped cream before your eyes:

Did you see how easy it was to make that delicious chocolate whipped cream? You have to try it, you will thank me! We added the Mealthy HandBlend to our Holiday Gift Guide at Mommy Ramblings.

There are loads of recipes and videos on the Mealthy Mobile App for iOS and Android. Smoothie Cup and Chopper Bowl are BPA free and you can trust Mealthy to rigorously test their products for safety, giving you peace of mind. 

Giveaway:

Mealthy is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own Mealthy HandBlend! Thank you to Mealthy for the review HandBlend and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! Open to US residents.

Mealthy HandBlend Immersion Blender Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter through the Rafflecopter widget below for your chance to win. Good Luck!!!

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Best Pressure Cooker Pot Roast Recipe & #MealthyMoms Cooking Kit Giveaway

Oh, as much as I don’t want to acknowledge it, the weather is turning, and a nice homestyle pot roast with vegetables is so nice to have for dinner. However, if you are craving that melt-in-your mouth flavor, you might think you are out of luck if you did not start slow cooking early in the day. Well, procrastinators, busy people and just about everyone can rejoice. With the Mealthy Multipot, you can have tender, delicious pot roast in no time at all.

You might remember my unboxing video of the Mealthy Multipot 9-in-1 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker, or my delicious beef chili recipe made using the pressure cooker. Now, I want to show you how you can make a delicious, tender pot roast with root vegetables in the Mealthy Multipot. Check out my video recipe tutorial below that will take you step-by-step through the process.

If you want to learn more about the Mealthy Multipot or get your own, you can click HERE. I have even more exciting news, you can enter a giveaway below to win a #MealthyMoms Cooking Kit. 

Giveaway:

Mealthy is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. One lucky blog reader will win a #MealthyMoms Cooking Kit! Thank you to Mealthy  for sponsoring this recipe post and amazing giveaway. Open to US residents.

#MealthyMoms Cooking Kit Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

Each household is only eligible to win via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. The prize will be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please.

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Vietnamese Beef Stew (Thit Bo Kho) Recipe

Vietnamese cuisine is well-known for its utilization of fresh ingredients, an emphasis on meat and vegetables, as well as its flavorful use of seasonings. You will often find herbs and seasonings such as lemongrass, cinnamon, ginger, and bay leaves in Vietnamese dishes.

For all of these reasons, Thit Bo Kho or Vietnamese Beef Stew is a perfect example of Vietnamese cuisine. Tender beef braised in cinnamon and stewed in a mix of vegetables and seasonings until it is ready to be served with a crisp toasted baguette.

The total meal prep time is roughly 30 minutes. Beyond prep, you need to account for 4 to 24 hours of marinating time, and 1.5 hours for stewing.

Our recommendation is to prep the meat mixture for marinatimg the night before you plan to cook the stew. Then let the mixture sit overnight in your refrigerator. This makes this recipe a great meal for families looking for a quick prepared fix during the week.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 pieces of ginger
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 whole Burma Spice Star Anise
  • 2 sticks of Burma Spice’s Ceylon Cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon of crushed lemongrass paste
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 4 cups of organic beef broth (used as needed)
  • 2 Burma Spice Mediterranean Bay Leaves
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 4 carrots, sliced ½-inch-thick
  • Chopped green onions
  • Cilantro
  • Toasted French baguette

The stars of the show

As with all Vietnamese cooking, the key to the flavors of the meal are the spices. Luckily for you, Burma Spice just happens to have the best trio to make your THIT BO KHO a smashing success.

Directions

Step 1

Add cut beef cubes, onions, ginger, garlic, oyster sauce, sugar, cinnamon, and star anise into a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly, coating the beef thoroughly with the oyster sauce.

Step 2

Place the mixture in a large sealable plastic bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours. As previously noted, Steps 1 and 2 are perfect for meal prep the night before you plan to serve the dish.

Step 3

Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven. Toast the Burma Spice Star Anise and Burma Spice Ceylon Cinnamon sticks for about 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn these ingredients. Simply brown until that amazingly fragrant smell hits you, and take off the heat. You will add these items back into the mixture once you are ready to simmer the stew.

Step 4

Brown the marinated beef mixture in batches.  As you brown it mix in some of your crushed lemongrass paste with each batch. If you put the entire mixture into the dutch oven at one time the amount of liquid produced will keep your meat from browning. You likely want to divide your mixture into 4 batches. Put each batch into a large bowl and move to brown the next.

Step 5

Stir in tomato paste to coat your beef mixture thoroughly.

Step 6

Add beef broth to your mixture. You just want to cover your beef, so add the broth slowly. Add your bay leaves, soy sauce, toasted ceylon cinnamon sticks, and star anise into the stew.

Step 7

Bring the stew to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 1 and 1/2 hours or until beef is tender.

Step 8

Add your cut carrots during the last 15 minutes of cooking time. Simply cook until the carrots are tender.

Step 9

Top with green onions and cilantro. Toast your baguette and serve! This recipe is a great meal for any day. It is a tender, flavorful dish that will have your family asking for more.

This is a collaborative guest recipe post.

 


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Mealthy Multipot Beef Chili Recipe and Giveaway #MealthyRecipes

Multipots are so popular these days, but it can be hard deciding what kind to get. I was thrilled to learn about the Mealthy Multipot recently. The Mealthy Multipot is a  9-in-1 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker. There are several reason I like this Multipot over the competition.

As a busy mom with a husband, 5 kids and an active life, I understand the struggle of getting a delicious, fresh and healthy dinner on the table when our lives have us always on-the-go.

The Mealthy MultiPot features 9 cooking functions in one appliance. With the MultiPot you can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, bake, cook rice, make yogurt and much more, all at the touch of button. With the MultiPot you can get your meals cooked and on the table up to 70% faster when you use one of the 14 pressure cooking preset programs. You can have fresh corn on the cob in just 2 minutes when you pressure cook it in the MultiPot!

With some of the other brands you don’t get an extra gasket, so you can use one for savory dishes and one for sweet dishes. With the Multipot you also get a steamer basket, silicone mitts, a trivet, easy touch control panel, access to the Multipot app and website where you will find hundreds of recipes and instructional videos.

 

You will understand what is happening every step of the way, thanks to the LCD screen with progress indicator and intuitive icons. You can also join two Multipot Facebook Community Groups where you can get inspiration, share recipes and ask questions. Besides the regular Multipot Community, you can check out the Vegan group too!

You can see my unboxing video of the Mealthy Multipot HERE!  I also made my first recipe the other day, a delicious beef chili that I made using one of the recipes included with my Multipot.

I made some small changes to suit our tastes, and it turned out fabulous. My 9-year-old even asked me if there was any more because he loved it so much! He was not alone and it is going to be one of our regular dinners from now on.

Check out my Beef Chili Recipe Tutorial Below:

You can do much more than make dinner in the Multipot, you can cook oatmeal and eggs for breakfast, make lunches, appetizers and even desserts like cheesecake! The Multipot has a 6 quart capacity enough for families of 4-6.

The everyday price of the Mealthy MultiPot on Amazon, which comes with extra accessories is $99.95.  You can also head over to Mealthy.com and get the same package for $94.95 with two-day free shipping. Let me know what you think of the Mealthy Multipot and don’t forget to enter for your chance to win your own below.

Giveaway:

Mealthy is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own Mealthy Multipot! Thank you to Mealthy for the review Multipot and for sponsoring this delectable giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. Open to US residents.

Melathy Multipot 9-in-1 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter for your chance to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. The prize will be sent via FedEx or USPS. No P.O. Boxes please.

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How To Make A Rose Swirl Cake

I cannot get over how foolproof this method of making a Rose Swirl Cake is. Do not be intimidated, because I think anyone can do this. This was my second time, and my first came out amazing too. For the cake, I used a moist yellow cake mix, then I made my chocolate buttercream frosting to use between the layers and crumb coat the whole cake.

I mixed up 1.5 batches of my vanilla buttercream frosting and added some pink gel coloring. Next, I filled a disposable piping bag fitted with an open star tip with the frosting. When you make the roses you start on the side of the cake. The height of the cake will determine how many rows of roses you will need. I made a traditional layer cake and I only needed to make 1 row of large roses on the side.

When you form the roses, you start in the center as if you are making a lowercase e. Go around in a circle surrounding the center until your rose is the desired size. Pick up your icing tip and start the next rose next to the first. Continue all the way around. Then start on the top of the cake. I piped a border around the bottom as well.

If you want to really enhance the cake, you can add pearl decor accents to the roses. The mixture of the yellow cake with the decadent chocolate buttercream and topped with the vanilla has become my family’s new favorite.

Check out my video tutorial for the specifics and to see how I make my buttercream frosting.

Let me know what you think and if you try this. If you are looking for a no bake cake recipe, check out my Carvel Style Ice Cream Cake, it is so good!


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The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

If you love the savory flavor of tender, hickory brown sugar pulled pork, you will love how easy it is to make in your slow cooker, crock pot, pressure cooker or Instant Pot.

We used a very large over 8 lb pork roast for this, so we a larger amount of spices. You can adjust the recipe for smaller or larger cuts of meat.

The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Ingredients

  • 1 TBSP Kosher Salt
  • 2 TBSP Paprika
  • 1 TBSP Garlic Powder
  • 1 TBSP Black Pepper
  • 1/3 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
  • 1 Cup Water
  • Pork Shoulder Roast
  • 1 Large Bottle of Hickory Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce

Instructions

  1. Stir together your rub ingredients in a bowl ( Kosher Salt, Paprika, Garlic Powder and Brown Sugar)
  2. Rinse and Pat Dry Your Roast
  3. Rub Roast with Spice Mixture
  4. Spray Slow Cooker with Oil Cooking Spray
  5. Place Roast In Cooker
  6. Add Water Down Side (Don't Rinse Rub Off)
  7. Cook on High for 5 to 6 Hours
  8. Shred Pork and Mix In Barbecue Sauce
  9. Serve on Rolls
https://www.mommyramblings.org/2018/04/16/slow-cooker-pulled-pork-recipe/

We made a video tutorial that will give you all of the specifics. Watch it below:

Let me know if you try this delicious recipe.


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Easy and Delicious Mini Cheesecake Recipe

I have been making these mini cheesecakes for my family for over 20 years. If I didn’t make them, my kids would be crushed, because it is one of my traditional dessert recipes that I bake for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, New Years Day, Easter and other special occasions.

They are very easy to make, and they are such a hit because you can top them several different ways which makes them even more appealing. If you are looking for a mini cheesecake recipe that is easy and delicious, you found it! This tried and true recipe is posted for you below.

 

This recipe is supposed to make 18 mini cheesecakes, but there is always enough filling for a few more, so I add the crumb mixture to 3 or 4 additional, lined muffin cups. I hope you give this recipe a try,  I think you will really like them.

Mini Cheesecakes

Mini Cheesecakes

Mini Cheesecakes

Ingredients

  • • 1-1/2 Cups of Graham Cracker Crumbs
  • • 5 Tbsp. Melted Butter
  • • 3 Softened 8 Ounce Packages of Softened PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese
  • • 3/4 Cup of Sugar
  • • 2 Tsp. of Pure Vanilla Extract
  • • Zest of 1 Fresh Lemon
  • • Fresh Lemon Juice (I use the juice from ½ of the lemon)
  • • 3 Large Eggs

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter; press evenly onto bottoms of 18 lined muffin cups. I always have enough mixture for more than 18 cheesecakes so I put the mixture into at least 21 lined muffin cups. Put these into the oven for 5 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
  3. Raise oven temperature to 350°F.
  4. Beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, lemon zest and lemon juice in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Fill your muffin cups about 3/4 of the way with this mixture.
  5. Bake 20 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 3 hours.
  6. Before Serving top each cheesecake with about a tablespoon of the pie topping. You could also top with whipped cream and fresh berries, fruit preserves or jam.
https://www.mommyramblings.org/2017/12/27/mini-cheesecake-recipe/

 

Let me know what you think if you try this recipe.


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Parmigiano Reggiano is a Staple in Our Home. #ParmesanAmbassador

Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is a staple in our home. As an Italian-American, I cannot imagine not having this cheese in the fridge.  Nor would I dream of eating pasta and may other dishes without it. That is why I was thrilled to be asked to be a blogger ambassador for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
If you truly want rich flavor, don’t settle for pre-grated parmesan cheese. There is nothing like the intense flavor you get from freshly grating a wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano right into and on top of your favorite recipes and dishes.  Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is made by a collective of farmers and producers in Italy. If you see the pin-dots on the rind, you know you have the real deal!
This cheese is great on way more than pasta, grate it on of your salad,  it is delicious in soups, I love it on veggies and a real favorite is using it to make oven baked potato wedges. Even the rind can be used to flavor a delicious homemade broth. If you want to see more ways to use this great cheese, click HERE.
If you are lactose intolerant, you will be glad to learn that due to the long aging process, Parmigiano Reggiano is naturally lactose-free. It is easily digestible and a great source of both protein and calcium. It is a healthy cheese for your whole family. One of my favorite comfort foods is pasta and a simple tomato sauce with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano on top.  It is easy to make, and so delicious.
Recently, after a long day running around,  I was looking forward to getting home and making some cheese tortellini with a tomato basil sauce and lots of grated Parmigiano Reggiano. I can tell you, sitting down with that delicious meal, the stress of the day just melted away and I was in heaven. What can I say,  we Italians are passionate about our food.
Yesterday, I made some super greens because they are so rich in iron. I sautéed them in garlic and olive oil and seasoned with pepper. When I plated them, I topped them with fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano! So healthy and delicious!
More About Parmigiano Reggiano:
Did you know that just three ingredients—milk, salt and rennet—and eight centuries of cheese making experience go into every wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano? From the local grasses and forage fed to the cows, to the milk they produce and then the cheese that is produced by nearly 400 cheese makers, Parmigiano Reggiano is a true reflection of its place of origin and the art of generations and generations of cheese artisans. Parmigiano Reggiano is produced exclusively in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and parts of the provinces of Mantua and Bologna, on the plains, hills and mountains enclosed between the rivers Po and Reno.

Enter to Win:

Would you like  a chance to win a Holiday Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Feast? I knew you would! All you need to do is click HERE to enter. Good Luck!

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A Healthier Way To Slow-Cook Your Food!

Did you know that many slow cookers and crock pots leach lead into food when heated up? Lead can cause many detrimental health issues. There are safer ways to slow cook your food. The VitaClay is the Smart Top Rated Clay Pot Cooker. This cooker has computerized, electronic technology that makes it easy to use. It works with hundreds of recipes and best of all it is a healthy way to cook.

multicooker 1

The secret is in the centuries old, slow-cooking, organic clay pot, combined with the perfect computerized balance of temperature, fused to bring out the textures and flavors that will please the health conscious first timer or pro.

The clay pot is non-stick and chemical free. This cooker is perfect for everyone whether you are vegan, vegetarian, health-conscious or just like great food and awesome kitchen appliances.

multicooker 2

We recently tested out the  HIGH-FIRED VITACLAY® SMART ORGANIC MULTICOOKER -in the largest, 8 cup size with a 4.2 qt. capacity. This multicooker also is a Slow Cooker, Steamer, Rice Cooker and Yogurt Maker.

multicooker 3

The VitaClay was designed for the passionate, healthy cook. The award-winning VitaClay®Chef Gourmet Rice and Slow Cooker Pro is now updated to a Smart Organic Multicooker! The cooker features a natural, unglazed, Zisha clay pot that enhances the flavor of food and preserves nutrients, vitamins and enzymes.

The clay pot is free of any non-stick glazes, chemicals or aluminum. To season the pot all you have to do is make rice! That’s right you cook white rice in it for about 2.5 hours and your pot is seasoned. That is very easy to do! The multicooker is programmable and has settings to let you cook stews, soups, all kinds of rice, pot roast and other meats, beans, vegetarian dishes, and even probiotic-rich yogurt.

The all-natural clay pot promotes uniform cooking and the double lid design creates micro-pressure that gives you the most tender meats and flavorful food you can imagine. It also cooks in less time and with less energy! A whole meal can be made in this in as little as 30 minutes!

multicooker 4

After seasoning our pot, I decided to try a chicken recipe in it. I initially thought I was going to make Chicken Cacciatore but I ended up with a slight variation which was a delicious chicken and vegetable dish served over angel hair pasta. The chicken when it was done was so moist and shredded so beautifully. All of the vegetables and colors were delicious and vibrant.

It was simple to make, I just cut up onions, carrots, bell pepper and celery and put in the bottom of the pot. I added some sliced mushrooms and then seasoned with some pepper and garlic powder. I put the skinless, boneless chicken breasts on top of that and then added tomato sauce and Italian style stewed tomatoes. After that I took fresh Italian parsley, basil and oregano from my garden and added that.

multicooker 6

multicooker 7

We cooked it for about 2.5 hours and it was just so delicious and perfect for summer because we literally turned it on and left to go swimming at our dock. When we came back after swimming and were famished, everything was ready! I love how it keeps food warm for up to 12 hours without drying it out or overcooking it. That is so nice when you have a large family where everyone may not be eating at the same time. It is also great for those second or third helpings an hour or so later!

multicooker closed

multicooker with cheese

The multicooker came with a nice recipe book and there are more recipes on their website. However you can basically cook all your tried and true slow cooker recipes in it. It has a nice design and does not take up too much room on the counter. It is easy to care for and is something we are going to be cooking in a lot. I will update as I try new things in it.

Enter The Giveaway:

Would you like the chance to win the same multicooker I reviewed? I thought you would, just enter below and good luck!!!

VitaClay___Smart_50a2bc38baa4f2

FEATURES

  • All natural unglazed pure clay pot intensifies flavors of your favorite dishes
  • No aluminum, lead and non-stick chemical coating contacting your food!
  • Up to 4 times faster than conventional slow cooker
  • Easy whole meals are ready in under 45 minutes
  • Food is simmered in its own juices
  • Preserves natural juices, important nutrients, enzymes and vitamins
  • Makes probiotic rich Greek yogurt or yogurt or yogurt cheese
  • 10 minutes up to 5 hours programmable cooking time with 10 minutes increment!
  • Delay timer and automatic Keep Warm
  • Push-button controls and an easy-to-read LCD display / Clock eliminate guesswork
  • Rice paddle & measuring cup included
  • UL listed, FDA, CA Prop 65 and RoHS laboratory tested

 vitaclay logo

 

VitaClay is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win an 8 Cup VITACLAY® SMART ORGANIC MULTICOOKER !  Thank you to VitaClay for the review product and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

VITACLAY® SMART ORGANIC 8 CUP MULTICOOKER Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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How To Make Marshmallow Fondant & Decorate A Cake With It!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MinionsMovieNight #CollectiveBias

minions movie watching collage

What was your family’s favorite movie from last summer?  If you are like us, it was  Minions © 2015 Universal Studios-all rights reserved . If you loved the movie like we did, then it’s time to celebrate, because Minions is coming to Blu-ray/DVD at Target on Tuesday, December 8th! We are super excited for this release and we are really ready to celebrate minion style.

If you want to celebrate with a great family movie night, Target is a perfect one-stop-shop for every thing you need to have an award-winning night! If you can’t wait, you can pre-order Minions online at Target and if you do, you will get a $5 Target gift card.  The Minions Metalpak Blu-ray/DVD-Deluxe is only available at Target and has 40 minutes of exclusive content! Pre-ordering is easy, just order online and pick it up at the store!

minions metalpak plain

 

You really get a great deal when you order the Target exclusive Minions Metalpak Blu-ray/DVD because you get bonus content not available anywhere else. You get a minions Party Planner that will help you create some fun party flair inspired by the minion movie. Have the perfect party with mask invitations, balloons, banners, cup sleeves and goody bags. Every party has to have yummy treats and recipes for frozen bananas, munch, cupcakes, cookies and cake pops are included. On to fun and games with a Pinata and Pin the Goggles. Finally get creative with balloons and bracelet arts and crafts!

We wanted to make something really special to show how excited we are for the Minions movie release. We decided to make a minions cake. In doing so we made our own marshmallow fondant for the first time. I was a little nervous before we started but found it was very easy and taste so much better than store-bought fondant. I was in Target recently and picked up their Market Pantry Powdered Sugar to use in our marshmallow fondant recipe.

market pantry sugar

My husband was a huge help and we had a great time doing this together. In case you want to try it, just follow the step by step tutorial below.

PicMonkey Collage minion cake hero

The ingredients you need to make the fondant are one 16 ounce package of mini-marshmallows, 2 Tbsp. of water, 2 pounds of confectioner’s sugar and some vegetable shortening for your hands and work surface. Our counters are quartz and they are excellent for rolling and kneading directly on. Find out if your surfaces are suitable or use a board.

ingredients

Place the marshmallows in a microwave safe bowl and put the 2 Tbsp. of water over them. Toss a little bit and put in the microwave for 30 seconds, remove and stir. You will see little change after 30 seconds but it is important to work in 30 second increments.

Marshmallow Fondant

Mashmallow 2

Marshmallow first 30

You will keep repeating the process of microwaving and then stirring the marshmallows until they are all melted with no lumps.

marshmallow fondant stir

Marshmallow fondant keep cooking

Marshmallow fondant cook

Marshmallow Fondant stirring

Next you will add in your confectioner’s sugar a little bit at a time. When you have a consistency that is hard to stir in the bowl you will turn it out onto your work surface you have coated with vegetable shortening. You will also need to coat your hands.

Marshmallow Fondant Crisco

fondant sugar 3

Fondant Sugar Knead

Next you will knead the fondant and get it blended together with the sugar, you will need to add more sugar until you can stretch it for about 2 inches before it breaks.

marshamallow fondant 22

marshmallow fondant kneading

Marshmallow Fondant kneading 2

Fondant Sugar 4

After you have kneaded it to the right consistency you need to wrap in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator at least 12 hours.

Fondant Away

In the meantime, I used a yellow cake mix to make two 9″ round cake layers.

cakes

cake mix cakes out

cake mix bake

cakes out 2

Next, we need to make the buttercream chocolate frosting. So you will need 2 sticks of butter, I let my soften at room temperature. You will also need 4 cups of confectioner’s sugar, 3/4 cup of good cocoa powder, 2 tsp. of pure vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp. of milk. You mix all of the frosting ingredients except the milk in a mixer and add the milk a little bit at a time to get to the desired consistency.

butter

butercream

buttercream 1

butterceam

buttercream 6

When the layers have cooled, you are going to frost the cake as you would for a regular layer cake.  Level the layers so your cake is as even as possible. Keep the frosting as smooth as you can. You can store the cake in the refrigerator to allow it to crust.

cake level

buttercream 7

cake frost

cake frost 1

Cake frost 2

When your fondant has been chilled enough, take it out and plan your colors. I needed a little white, a little blue, a little gray, a little black and a lot of yellow. So I cut small pieces and left the largest piece for the yellow. I have learned that the best kinds of colors that mix easily and completely are gel colors.

fondant

We happened to have a minions cutter that was made for sandwiches that worked well for the eyes and goggles. If you do not have something like this you can use round cookie cutters and improvise.  We cut out the white eyes first.

fondant 3

Then we did the gray goggles. You color the fondant by adding a little bit of gel color and folding the fondant on top of the gel and kneading it until well blended. The gel color works best and I saw that first hand because we used it for every thing but the blue. The blue was a lot harder to color and did not blend as well using traditional liquid food coloring.

fondant 5

Fondant 6

We made black and I shaped some hair, my husband shaped the eyeballs and I did the mouth. Then on to the yellow. My husband was a real help in all this and did most of the fondant work while I took the pictures. To get the right amount of fondant to cover the cake, you need to measure across your cake and then the height of each side. The total will be how large your fondant will need to be.

fondant 7

fondant 9

fondant 8

fondant 10

fondant 11

When it was rolled to the right consistency we brushed a little water on the top and sides of the cake using a pastry brush. This helps the fondant stick and not slip.

fondant 14

Next, drape the fondant in half over your rolling-pin.  Then carefully place it on top of the cake.  You smooth the top and as you go down the sides you don’t press down but up slightly and work to just smooth it all over your cake. When you have it smooth without wrinkles, you want to trim the bottom with a small pastry wheel or pizza cutter.  You can dust off the powdered sugar and then put the final fondant pieces on your cake. If you wet the back of them, it will help them stick.

fondant 15

fondant 16

fondant 17

fondant 18

fondant 20

fondant 21

Lastly sit back and enjoy your minion cake before you cut into him to have something sweet to eat while you watch the movie. We felt bad cutting him, especially my 6 year old but in the end we knew we needed to. Everyone enjoyed our tasty minion cake.

minion cake

minion cake 1

minion cake 4

minion cake 5

 

If you really want to have some fun with a lot of other Illumination Entertainment’s Minions movie fans there is a Twitter viewing part on December 11th from 7-9pm EST! You can RSVP at www.SoFabChats.com and follow along with the #MinionsMovieNight on Twitter!

Please let me know if you try this, I would love to hear how it comes out.


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Filed under Baking, Cooking, Family Fun, Kitchen, Recipes, Shoppertunity