Archives for April 2017

World Penguin Day, The AZA & Stonyfield YoKids! #StonyfieldBlogger

Today is World Penguin Day and my favorite yogurt company, Stonyfield Organic, is celebrating in a big way by partnering with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. 


Penguins are one of my favorite animals. They hold a special place in my heart. When my grandfather was alive, he was a great artist, and asked me if there was a painting I wanted. I immediately told him penguins. He worked on it and surprised me with a gorgeous painting that I cherish so much. Penguins were also the favorite animal of my late best friend, and every time I see one, I smile and think of him. They are adorable to watch and cute as can be scuttling around. I even took a behind-the-scenes tour, once, to get up close and personal with some rambunctious penguins.


Stonyfield is the country’s leading organic yogurt maker, focuses on conservation and sustainability, and recently received B-corp status, so it comes as no surprise that Stonyfield partnered with the AZA on World Penguin Day.

Stonyfield YoKids teamed up with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to sponsor the AZA SAFE program (Saving Animals From Extinction). The AZA has 232 accredited zoos and aquariums in 47 states with over 750,000 animals in the care of zoo and aquarium professionals. There are about 1,000 threatened or endangered species in these AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. AZA SAFE created a conservation plan that brings together zoos, aquariums and other partners to prevent the


Some of the 10 Signature Species (African penguin, Asian elephant, black rhinoceros, cheetah, gorilla, sea turtle, sharks, vaquita, Western pond turtle, and whooping crane) can be seen on the Stonyfield YoKid’s packaging this year. You can also find an offer for a FREE kids ticket (with the purchase of an adult ticket) for one of the hundreds of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums in your community when you purchase 2 specially-marked Stonyfield YoKids multi-packs.


Until next time,

LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

I have an ongoing relationship with Stonyfield Yogurt as a recipe developer and brand ambassador. I receive product, coupons and/or compensation for posts featuring their products. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Love and Confections possible. As always, all opinions are my own.

Red Velvet Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Red Velvet Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Icing is easily a family favorite. Use a box mix for a shortcut and top it off with adorable sprinkles!

Red Velvet Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting from LoveandConfections.com

Red Velvet is such a delicious cake, if made right. For most people it’s hit or miss. Some like it, some don’t but my family is in the first group. I came across this recipe in February and knew I had to make ASAP.

Red Velvet Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting from LoveandConfections.com

My sister loves red velvet cake and this one was definitely a hit. It is incredibly easy since I used my favorite box mix. While I do like to create baked goods from scratch, I also doctor up cake mixes because, let’s be real, sometimes it’s a lot easier to do that than scratch, especially with a three-year-old running around.

Red Velvet Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting from LoveandConfections.com

I live for homemade cream cheese frosting and this one was no exception. Smooth, creamy, just the right amount of sweetness – absolutely perfect! Toppings are optional, but everyone here loves sprinkles so I made it extra adorable with some heart sprinkles and nonpareils.

Red Velvet Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting from LoveandConfections.com

This pound cake was so delicious and you can play around with the flavors too. For Easter this year, I created one with lemon cake mix and lemon pudding. I cannot wait to try out different flavor combinations. I am also going to experiment with baking it in one loaf pan, as opposed to two like the recipe states, and also in a bundt pan. I am a bundt-lover and this would definitely be a delicious bundt cake too!

Red Velvet Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting from LoveandConfections.com

Red Velvet Pound Cake

By adapted from The Recipe Critic
Published 04/18/2017
Red Velvet Pound Cake

Red Velvet Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Icing is easily a family favorite. Use a box mix for a shortcut and top it off with adorable sprinkles!

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 box Red Velvet Cake Mix
  • 1 (4.3 ounce) package Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix, dry
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 325F. Prepare 2 bread pans with baking spray and set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until foamy. Combine the rest of the ingredients until mixed.
  3. Divide batter between loaf pans and bake for 45-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cakes.
  4. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pans for 10-15 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire rack or serving dish. Serve warm or room temperature. Optional Cream Cheese Frosting after completely cooled

Yield: 24 servings
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 05 mins.

Cook time: 00 hrs. 45 mins.
Total time: 50 mins.
Tags: Red Velvet, Red Velvet Cake, Pound Cake, Cake

Cream Cheese Frosting

By Love and Confections
Published 04/18/2017

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 4 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3-5 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

  • Cream together cream cheese and butter. Beat in powdered sugar, vanilla and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream at a time, until desired consistency. Spread onto cake with offset spatula and decorate with sprinkles. 

Prep Time: 00 hrs. 10 mins.

Total time: 10 mins.

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTIONS!

Red Velvet Pound Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting from LoveandConfections.com

Sweet Cream Tres Leches #SplashofDelight

Sweet Cream Tres Leches is a delicious spin on the classic dessert. Moist cake is soaked with three different milks, including International Delight® Cold Stone Creamery™ Sweet Cream.

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

Sweet Cream Tres Leches from LoveandConfections.com #SplashofDelight

Tres Leches has always been a favorite cake. I grew up in Miami and enjoyed it often. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started making Tres Leches on my own and had fun experimenting with flavors. I created a Pumpkin, Chocolate and Tiramisu Tres Leches so far.

Sweet Cream Tres Leches from LoveandConfections.com #SplashofDelight

I knew my next version had to be unique and loved having the opportunity to use International Delight® Cold Stone Creamery™ Sweet Cream half gallon, from Walmart, as one of the “three milks”. I knew I wanted to create a twist on my traditional cake and International Delight® was just what I was looking for in my Tres Leches. I love looking at all the fun flavors – there are over 30!

Sweet Cream Tres Leches from LoveandConfections.com #SplashofDelight

I also picked up a half gallon of International Delight® French Vanilla, which is sweet and mellow, is my go-to for my morning cup of coffee. The half-gallon container is much easier to hold than conventional carton packaging too, making my mornings easier and tastier. I might switch it up next time and try the International Delight® Caramel Macchiato, it sounds so delicious – creamy richness swirled with luscious caramel is right up my alley! I chose International Delight® Cold Stone Creamery™ Sweet Cream because it is rich, delicious and reminiscent of homemade ice cream – the perfect flavor for my cake – especially because I topped it with whipped cream and colorful sprinkles. It’s almost like a cake sundae, and who wouldn’t want that?

Sweet Cream Tres Leches from LoveandConfections.com #SplashofDelight

I hope you enjoy my Tres Leches and more delicious and unique recipes and baked goods using International Delight®!

Sweet Cream Tres Leches

By Love and Confections
Published 04/11/2017

Sweet Cream Tres Leches is a delicious spin on the classic dessert. Moist cake is soaked with three different milks, including International Delight® Cold Stone Creamery™ Sweet Cream.

Ingredients

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • Water
  • Vegetable oil
  • Egg whites
  • 12-ounce can Evaporated Milk
  • 14-ounce can Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 8 ounces International Delight® Cold Stone Creamery™ Sweet Cream
  • 11/2 cups Heavy Cream, very cold
  • 2 cups Powdered Sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350F. Prepare a 9×13 pan with baking spray and set aside. Mix and bake cake according to package directions. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Using a toothpick or skewer, poke holes all around the cake.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk, condensed milk and International Delight® Cold Stone Creamery™ Sweet Cream. Slowly ladle the mixture all over the cake, trying to get as much into the holes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate a minimum 6 hours, preferably overnight.
  3. 30 minutes before making the topping, place the bowl and whisk attachment from your stand mixer into the freezer. Whip the Heavy Cream on medium-high, until it starts to thicken and form soft peaks. Add in the Vanilla Extract and combine. Slowly add in the Powdered Sugar while the mixer is on low. Once it is incorporated, mix on high to whip until firm peaks.
  4. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and spread the whipped topping on with an offset spatula. The cake needs to remain refrigerated and covered because of the whipped topping. If necessary, use toothpicks on the cake so the plastic wrap does not touch the whipped topping. If not serving immediately, store in the refrigerator and do not put the sprinkles on until right before serving.

Yield: 24 servings
Prep Time: 6 hrs. 15 mins.

Cook time: 00 hrs. 35 mins.
Total time: 6 hrs. 50 mins.

Until next time,
LOVE & CONFECTION!


Sweet Cream Tres Leches from LoveandConfections.com #SplashofDelight