Luscious Lemon Sour Cream Cake Recipe

*Disclosure: I received coupons for free dairy products from Darigold. All opinions expressed in this post are completely my own. #sponsored

When summer rolls around, I start craving food and drinks made with lemon. I love the flavor of lemon, and one of my favorite ways to use lemons is to use them to make desserts. I love lemon bars, lemon cream pie, lemon sorbet, and more.

This lemon cake is super yummy and super lemony, perfect for all you lemon lovers to bake and enjoy. The butter and sour cream make it a good, old fashioned dessert that reminds me of my own Mom. She was a lemon lover too, and this cake is very similar to the one she used to make in the summertime.

I sprinkled some coconut on top of it, but this is completely optional. The sweetened coconut did contrast nicely with the tart lemon flavor of the cake though.

I used Darigold butter and sour cream in my lemon cake. Darigold is a Northwest Dairy Co-op, representing over 500 family farms. They are Seattle area based, and I love buying products that are made locally, and supporting local dairy farmers. Darigold makes delicious, high quality, milk, sour cream, butter, cottage cheese, and other dairy products.

You can check out recipes using Darigold Dairy products on their Dariblog.

Recipe for Luscious Lemon Sour Cream Cake

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

3 eggs

grated zest of 1 large lemon

1 cup sour cream

2/3 cup sweetened, shredded coconut (optional)

Lemon Glaze:

1/4 cup melted butter

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan.  

Into a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.

In a mixing bowl with hand held electric mixer, cream 1 cup butter and granulated sugar; beat at high speed until mixture is light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Blend in lemon zest.

Add flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternating with sour cream, adding each in 3 additions.

Scrape sides of bowl frequently.

Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Bake in preheated oven 40-45 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, put lemon glaze ingredients in a bowl, blending until smooth. Carefully turn cake out onto a cake platter, frost or drizzle with glaze.

Sprinkle with coconut if desired.

Serves about 8.



Weekend In Pictures

Spending time with my family, and my daughter Megan, is always a joy.

A yummy salad and a favorite magazine are something I enjoy.

I made a batch of delicious Oatmeal Strawberry Jam Bars, with this recipe.

Megan has a sweet new kitty named Mango.

This is one of my favorite thrift stores, and it benefits Seattle Children's Hospital.

At the bookstore, I loved looking through this book of stylish ladies, written and photographed by a blogger.

Best Restaurants On Bainbridge Island, Washington State #cbias

Seattle is a very beautiful city, filled with many fabulous restaurants loved by locals and tourists alike.  But just thirty five minutes and a gorgeous ferry ride away, is a special place where I lived for twelve years, called Bainbridge Island.

If you are visiting or live in the Seattle area, I highly recommend you take a trip to this charming island. I have put together a list of some of my favorite restaurants to eat at, and this list is by no means complete, but I have eaten at all of the restaurants on the list, and can honestly say that I have enjoyed each of my visits there.
All of the Bainbridge Island restaurants are walking distance from the ferry terminal, so there is no need to bring your car to the island. Whether you are looking for a fine meal, a homey breakfast, a delicious organic salad, fish and chips, or just a sandwich, you are sure to find it at one of these great restaurants.

Pegasus Coffee House - 131 Parfitt Way SW Bainbridge Island, Wa.  (206) 842-6725

Don't let the name coffee house fool you, because Pegasus is so much more than that. Besides selling the best tasting coffee around, they are a great place for lunch or dinner, too.
Fresh, local, and organic  foods are used to make some of the most delicious salads, sandwiches, soups, and heartier fare available on the Island. Relax with a cocktail or glass of wine while listening to Northwest inspired live music, on many nights.
Pegasus is a wonderful place to come to no matter what time of the day you choose.

Café Nola - 101 Winslow Way East   Bainbridge Island, Wa.  (206) 842-3822

Café Nola is the place to come to if you want to experience a European style café offering eclectic and Northwest inspired cuisine.
It is a little on the expensive side, but I love coming here for a special lunch or dinner. On a beautiful day, it's really a treat to sit out on the patio, or at night, the interior of the restaurant takes on a romantic glow from the candlelight. They offer classic cocktails, an extensive wine list, and a full bar. The desserts are delicious, and it's wonderful to come here if you are looking for a truly lovely dining experience.


Streamliner Diner -  397 Winslow Way East  Bainbridge Island, Wa.  (206) 842-8595

As you walk up the hill from the ferry terminal, and turn onto the main street of Winslow Way, you will see an Island favorite of many years, the Streamliner Diner.
Breakfasts are legendary here, and the restaurant is a welcoming combination of homey and hip. Eggs, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, omelets, and more, are cooked in the open kitchen, and it's always fun to sit at the counter and watch your own breakfast being cooked. The food is delicious, and sure to please.
Streamliner Diner is also open for lunch, and limited dinner hours.

Spice Route Cuisine Of India - 403 Madison Ave. N  Bainbridge Island, Wa.  (206) 780-3545

If you love great Indian food, you will certainly enjoy eating here. The ambiance is very casual, and the service attentive.
The proportions are generous, and I have shared one meal at lunch time with my daughter, and it was plenty. The prices are reasonable, and take-out is available. The lamb curry is a favorite, and so are the garlic, or spinach naan, which is very fluffy and delicious.

Fork and Spoon - 120 Madrone Lane  Bainbridge Island, Wa.  (206) 842- 3675

If you are looking for a casual and delicious lunch, then Fork and Spoon is the place to go.
This is a cute little restaurant where you order at the counter, and then your food is brought out to you. On a good weather day, sitting in the outdoor patio is a nice choice.
From delicious sandwiches, soups, quiche, chopped salads, and more, you are sure to find something you will love. The Reuben Sandwich, soups, and chopped salads are a personal favorite. Beer and wine are also available.


Harbour Public House - 231 Parfitt Way SW  Bainbridge Island, Wa.  (206) 842- 0969

This 21 and over Pub and restaurant, is a great place to have a cold beer on a hot day. The building is an old 1881 house that has been turned into a very charming space. The sunny and spacious deck has a lovely view of the harbor and is a great place to enjoy your lunch or dinner.
The food here is quite delicious, using very high quality ingredients, and much of it is grown locally.
It is definitely a large step above the usual bar menu. With burgers, salads, seafood, chicken, and more, there is plenty to choose from. And of course the beer and wine selection is fabulous.

Doc's Marina Grill - 403 Madison Ave. South  Bainbridge Island, Wa.  (206) 842-8339

Doc's is located right on the waterfront, and has a great view of the harbor and all the boats there. There is a large patio for summer dining.
My family and I have been coming to Doc's since they opened in 2003, and always enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant caters to locals and tourists , and you may meet your neighbor there, or someone from across the globe.
Northwest cuisine and seafood are their specialties, along with burgers, fish and chips, pasta dishes and more. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served, and there is a  bar area with a TV for watching sports.


The Four Swallows - 481 Madison Ave. North  Bainbridge Island, Wa.  (206) 842-3397

If you are looking for a lovely and magical night of dining, there is no better place on the island than The Four Swallows.
Located in a large and beautiful old house, this restaurant is perfect for a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion dinner. Serving fine Northwest cuisine, and some of the most delicious seafood dishes around, the wait staff are welcoming and efficient. The restaurant offers a wonderful selection of Washington State wines, and the desserts are to die for.


San Carlos Restaurant - 279 Madison Ave. North  Bainbridge Island, Wa.  (206) 842- 1999

The San Carlos has been run by the same family since it opened almost twenty years ago. If an islander wants delicious Mexican food, this is where they will come. With a very extensive menu, featuring specialty beef, pork, and chicken dishes, there is also plenty of seafood dishes to choose from, including my favorite, crabmeat enchiladas.
With seven different kinds of margaritas to choose from, including The Santa Fe, The Lemon Drop, and The Prickly Pear, I always enjoy coming to The San Carlos.



*I was not compensated in any way for this blog post or restaurant recommendations. All opinions are strictly my own.
I am participating in a restaurant blog hop with other members of the Social Fabric Community.

Making Summer Treats, Blueberry Sour Cream Popsicles

When my kids were growing up, I made them a zillion popsicles during the summer months. They were pretty basic, using orange or grape juice or lemonade.

Now I'm making popsicles for my grandchildren, and I'm being more creative. These Blueberry Sour Cream Popsicles were easy to make, loaded with tasty blueberries, and the kids loved them.

Recipe for Blueberry Sour Cream Popsicles

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup regular sour cream
3/4 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons sugar
4 popsicle molds, 4 ounces each

Directions:

Lightly mash berries to release some juice. Whisk together milk and sour cream.
Stir in vanilla extract and sugar. Add blueberries, stir.
Spoon mixture into molds.
Freeze overnight, or at least 8 hours. Run warm water over molds to release popsicles, or leave them out until they easily come out of the molds.

Makes 4 popsicles.

Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake

Disclosure: I received coupons for free dairy products from Darigold. All opinions expressed in this post are completely my own. #sponsored

This weekend was wonderful, filled with family and delicious food. That is the best combination in the world for me.
I love making a yummy dessert for my family, and I now have the time to bake from scratch more often, something I didn't really have the time for while raising my five children. Chocolate cake is one of my very favorite desserts, and I have been trying out a few recipes to see which one I will use to make a permanent part of my favorite desserts file.
This rich and moist cake is super delicious, made with butter and sour cream, and coffee, which really brings out that deep chocolate flavor.

The cake is fabulous on it's own, but with strawberries and whipped cream on top, it is a perfect blend of flavors. And with so many strawberries in the refrigerator, this was a great way to use them up.
 My grandchildren think that anytime the whipped cream is brought out, it's a party, so they had a lot of fun eating this cake.

Darigold is a dairy that is located right here in the Seattle area where I live. They are a dairy co-op, and represent over 500 family farms across the Northwest.
I have bought Darigold products for my family for many years, and have always enjoyed the high quality of their milk, butter, sour cream, cottage cheese and other dairy items.

You can find more fabulous dessert recipes using Darigold dairy products, on their Dariblog.

I always try to use the highest quality ingredients available. Real butter makes all the difference in a recipe, and sour cream makes this cake very moist.
No mixer is needed for this recipe, everything is done with a whisk. Whenever I make a Bundt cake, I am very careful about buttering and flouring the pan. I have had too many cakes not come out of the pan looking pretty!

Recipe for Chocolate Sour Cream Bundt Cake

Ingredients:

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more to grease the pan

1/3 cup quality cocoa powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt,

3/4 cup water

1/3 cup brewed coffee, room temperature

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pan

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 large eggs

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

confectioner's sugar, for dusting

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 10 or 12 cup Bundt cake pan, and set aside.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, cocoa powder, salt, water and coffee.

Cook, stirring until just melted and combined. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Place the flour, sugar, and baking soda in a large bowl and whisk to blend. Add half of the melted butter mixture and whisk until completely blended (the mixture will be thick). Add the remaining butter mixture and whisk until combined.

Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking until completely blended before adding the second egg.

Whisk in the sour cream and vanilla extract until smooth.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake 30-35 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Place cake on a cooling rack, and allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes. Invert cake onto a cake plate and allow cake to cool completely.

Lightly dust with confectioner's sugar.

Makes 8-10 servings.



Wordless Wednesday - Veggies At Seattle's Pike Place Market

Making Easy Cheesy Pizzas With Velveeta #VelveetaRecipes

There are several foods that my family seems like they have eaten for as long as I can remember. Velveeta is one of them, or liquid gold, as some people call it. We use it to make so many things, like macaroni and cheese, dips, and cheese sauces to put on veggies and meatloaf.

Lately I have been making pizzas, with a super easy homemade pizza dough recipe. I have become a little obsessed, and I now just love making pizzas!!

I decided to use Velveeta to make a yummy pizza with all my favorite toppings. I even got my three small grandchildren to make their very own little pizzas, and we had a great time together. They love being in the kitchen with Nana, and they were nibbling on Velveeta as we made our pizzas.

I had never used Velveeta before on a pizza, and I was a little concerned about the cheese being too runny, but it wasn't, it was delicious. Try to slice it fairly thinly, so you don't have too much cheese. I used pepperoni, black olives, a green bell pepper, mushrooms and a red onion as my toppings.

Of course you can vary your toppings as you like, but this is one of my favorite combinations.

My pizza dough recipe is a cinch to make and requires no kneading. My daughter was waiting for this pizza to be cooked because she adores Velveeta, and had never used Velveeta to make a pizza either.
I'm finding that using this easy dough recipe really lets me put together a pizza in no time, and I often just use leftover veggies or other ingredients that I already have on hand.

It's a great and easy way to get lunch or dinner on the table without spending a lot of time.

Oh yes, if you are a Velveeta lover like me and my family, you will adore this pizza!!!

The super cheesy taste perfectly compliments the pizza sauce and toppings. Between me, my daughter, and son-in-law, this pizza didn't last long. Next time I will make two, because I love eating leftover pizza the next day.

My six year old grandson Jayden often cooks with me in the kitchen, and I always try to make it a fun experience for him. He loves making his own pizzas, and he made a smiley face with olives on this one. For the kids pizzas, I used a three pack of premade crusts because they are easier for them to use.

The kids love cooking with me, and their Mom and Dad. We are encouraging them to be involved in the kitchen, and learn how to make basic things to eat. Using Velveeta to make their pizzas was super easy, and they love how the pizzas turned out. The kids said they were super yummy!

The kids love making their very own pizzas and being able to choose their own toppings. The Velveeta was so warm and cheesy, and good on these little pizzas, which I cooked all together on my regular pizza pan.

The only thing I will do differently the next time I make my favorite pizza with Velveeta is to make two of them!! And I am going to try some different kids of Velveeta too, like Mexican, Sharp Cheddar, or Jalapeno flavored.

If you would like to see my shopping trip to Walmart to buy Velveeta, take a look at my Google+ Album.

Recipe for Easy Cheesy Velveeta Pizza

Pizza Dough Ingredients:

1 package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups bread flour, or all purpose flour
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

Stir in flour, salt, and oil. Beat until smooth. Let the dough rest 5 minutes.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface, and pat or roll into round.

Transfer crust to a lightly greased large pizza pan.
Spread red pizza sauce evenly over pizza crust. Cover sauce with thinly cut slices of Velveeta.
Top with your favorite toppings, such as pepperoni, red onions, green bell peppers, or others.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let pizza rest 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Makes one large sized pizza.


You can find Velveeta on Facebook and Twitter. You can also go to www.velveeta.com to finds lots of recipes with Velveeta, including ones for dinner, appetizers, chicken, and even desserts.