Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

Apparently my “Cheesecake Flavor” is Adam’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple — An interesting combination that I wouldn’t generally pick, but it was fun taking The Cheesecake Factory’s ‘What Cheesecake Flavor Are You?’ Quiz.  I like the song on the site too.  Aside from the quiz, my favorite flavor has actually been White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. 

My designated flavor describes me (and the Cheesecake) as “The incredible mix of qualities that makes you so appreciated is nothing short of miraculous, much like this Cheesecake.  A lot goes into this flavor… Just like you, it’s an awe-inspiring combination of ingredients not soon forgotten.”

Learn About “Your Flavor” HERE:
https://promos.thecheesecakefactory.com/

My Flavor INFO:
https://promos.thecheesecakefactory.com/eslice.php?code=P4-T14-Shelly

My 2nd Flavor INFO:
https://promos.thecheesecakefactory.com/eslice.php?code=P4-T11-Borrell

* The photograph is unrelated to The Cheesecake Factory.  It’s what Lake Arrowhead looked like a week ago driving down the mountain.  It’s beautiful, but makes me want to stay warm inside, and take this quiz. 🙂

I read that Bristol Farm’s Cupcakes had been voted a local favorite by some — I don’t recall by whom, but I finally tried one.  I would usually chose a Raspberry over a Strawberry, but in this case the Strawberry was prettier.  The Raspberry Lemon Cupcake looked like it had a mound of Play Dough and Mozzarella on top – HA.

The Strawberry Cupcake was okay — Not fabulous.  I do love Bristol Farms.  They offer many great things, but the jury is still out on the Cupcakes in comparison to others I’ve recently tried.  Sprinkles Cupcakes is in the same parking lot at Corona Del Mar Plaza, and as of today I like theirs better.  It’s all good.

Related Links:

http://www.sprinklescupcakes.com/

http://www.bristolfarms.com/home.html

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=187

I’ll never forget that “Pound Cake” is the title of a Van Halen song.  My friends and I were once running late to a Van Halen concert at the Pacific Amphitheater, as Pound Cake was just starting to play.  I can’t write what my friend said as we were running in, but I’ll never forget it.  I like the song and the Cake.

Here I made the easy Betty Crocker Pound Cake Mix we’ve all seen in the grocery store for years.  It’s good and simple, but I like to doctor them up differently each time.  The mix makes two small loaves.  This time I added Cinnamon to one and Lemon Zest to the other.  I swirled both into the batter, then topped with leftover Streusel — I had made too much for a pie, so it came in handy here.  Both turned out yummy and are great to have on hand for guests.  Rock on. 🙂

Related Links:

http://www.bettycrocker.com/

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=153

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IWZcf2_aPY

Since I didn’t have all the ingredients on hand to make Banana Bread, I made improvised Banana Cakes.  The experiments started with a White Cake Mix, 3 large extra ripe Bananas and a box of Vanilla Pudding Mix. 

I mashed the Bananas, then added in the Cake Mix and Pudding Mix.  And I prepared as instructed on the Cake Box, less 1/4 Cup liquid.  The Cake Mix I used called for 3 Eggs, 1/3 Cup of Oil, and 1 1/4 Cup of Water – I added only 1 Cup of Water and used Walnut Oil.

For a second experiment I poured most of the batter into a baking tin for the oven, and the rest into a small glass bowl for the toaster oven.  I cooked both Cakes 5 minutes longer than directed on the Cake Box. 

And happily both Cakes turned out really good — Moist and Banana-Bready.  I mixed Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Extract and Milk to make a Glaze that’s seen on both Cakes. 

These experiments were born from over ripe Bananas with no flour on hand — And since there was an excess of batter, why not make a baby Cake too?!  Plus I’d never made a Cake in the toaster oven before, so I wanted to try it.  I had the larger Cake as a back up if it didn’t go well.  

Overall, I would make and enjoy the very same again.  The flavor and texture were agreeable and it was fun to have a “tasting” Cake.  Others really liked it too.

UPDATE (12/14/08):  Subsequent Toaster Oven cooking (experimentation) has revealed it’s necessary to add 5-15 minutes to the cooking time of a Cake, Bread or Custard.

Related Link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_bread

We saw this recipe in a cookbook I recent bought for my Niece’s Birthday  — We thought it was so clever and cute that we made it during a sleepover at a family cabin in Lake Arrowhead.  That’s us on the cake from left to right, my sister Ami, Niece Lexi, Mom, Me and Niece Bailee.    

We look a bit like zombies, but it was fun to make.  Our heads are Nilla Wafers, the pillows are Marshmallows, and the bodies are Twinkies.  We used Jawbreakers for the eyes, sweet and sour Candy Rope for the bed skirt and trim, and made a Milk Chocolate Cake instead of a Vanilla one.

Here’s a picture of the book cover and recipe.  The original looks more polished — It was harder to make than we expected.  It’s tricky frosting over the Twinkies, we added toothpicks to hold them in place.  The softer the Frosting and bed trim Candy, the better.  It was a cool experience together.

Our Cake was posted on Culinarty by Lore as one of (10) Original Food Photos.  Take a look at it there and check out her other picks.  They are all pretty amazing.  Thanks Lore.

http://culinarty.sapiensworks.com/articles/lores-choice-10-original-food-photos-5/

Related Links:

http://www.cookingwithkids.com/

http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/

http://www.amazon.com/FamilyFun-Cooking-Kids-Deanna-Cook/dp/1423100867

I’m saving $3 a Cupcake.  The trick is to make them, so I created My Own Cupcake Shoppe.  I’ve tried to make mine better than those previously reported on Nibbles of Tidbits.  Some Cupcakes are better than I’ve purchased, but none as good as the best.  I’m still striving towards that. 

I made all Cupcakes pictured and will post the step by step process when advised that it’s not being published elsewhere.  That’s currently unknown.  Until then, enjoy the concept.  It was fun making them.  Better pictures to be provided in a future post.

So far I’ve made the following flavors:  Orange, Lemon, Lime, Raspberry, Pineapple Coconut, Carrot Pecan, Snickerdoodle, Marble, Bailey’s Irish Cream, White and Milk Chocolate Chips, and Chocolate Mint.

Related Links:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=187

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=12

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=808

http://www.ineedtext.com/index_files/Page2246.htm

Since several Cupcake Bakeries have popped up around town, I decided to conduct a taste comparison of the 3 closest to me — Dolcissiomo, Suzie Cakes and Mrs. Beasley.  I tried a small variety from each. 

(1)  Dolcissiomo Cupcakes were my overall favorite.  I’ve tried almost all the Cupcakes there.  They offer a lot of great flavors and look aesthetically best. http://www.dolcissimobakeshop.com/

Lemon Blueberry

Orange Dreamsicle & Coconut Snowball

Tiramisu & Lemonade

(2)  Suzie Cakes Cupcakes were very moist and appeared to have a filling, at least the two I tried did.  You can see it in the pictures.  http://www.susiecakesla.com/

Lemon and Vanilla

(3)  Mrs. Beasley’s Cupcakes have the most frosting by far, so if you’re into that, they’re definitely the Cupcakes for you. http://www.mrsbeasleys.com/Cupcakes.cfm

Orange and Mini Blueberry

The Grand Prize flavor winner was Dolcissiomo’s Orange Dreamsicle.  It may be the best Orange flavored Cake I’ve ever had.  I’m trying to confirm that opinion, but it’s only sold on Tuesdays.  I’ll report about more locations as I try them.

(POST UPDATE 08/20/08: It appears that Dolcissimo Cupcakes just moved or closed. This post will be further updated when that information is known)

Here’s a Cupcake Challenge on Food Frenzy:

http://foodfrenzy.freedomblogging.com/2008/05/28/oc-cupcake-challenge-the-results/#more-1140

Cupcake Blogs:

http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2008/03/five-sweets-bakery-costa-mesa.html

http://ooolala-cupcakes.blogspot.com/

My Cupcake Pics – The Story Told Later:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=12

Since I love everything Orange Flavored, I had to try it.  Here’s the naked Bundt Cake before a quick messy coat of Whipped Cream.  It was super moist, but I must admit that I added a 1/2 box of vanilla pudding mix to the mix.  I had an opened box and wanted to use it.  I’m not sure if it made a big difference or not, but the Cake was good.

BTW, I previously tried the Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix and found it to be too sweet.  The Pineapple flavor was a bit imitation tasting.  I hope they rework that recipe.

Duncan Hines – http://www.duncanhines.com/

Experimenting with a White Cake Mix.  The possibilities are endless…