Fake-It Snickers Cake

Like Snickers? My husband does. So when I found this recipe for a faux Snickers Cake I knew it was a must try!

Trouble is, I didn't make it as soon as I saw the recipe. I know it had to have come from a magazine because it was in my notebook for recipes to try. You know, the notebooks I mentioned in the post about organizing recipes here...

So I'm not exactly what magazine I got it from. LOL It's really a great dessert to make in the summer time because you use a frozen pound cake loaf, so no baking! There are, however, several steps because you want to chill each step so if you plan that ahead, you're good to go!

Fake Snickers Cake

Frozen pound cake loaf (the recipe said 12 oz. I found a SaraLee that was 16 so that's what I used)

3 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

12 Tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) butter, room temperature

3-4 Tablespoons milk

One 1 lb box confectioners' sugar

3/4 cup salted, roasted peanuts

2 cans dulce de leche (I found mine in with the evaporated milk cans)

For the Coating:

10 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

1 stick cold, butter, cut into pieces

1. Trim 1/2 inch off the short ends of the pound cake, then trim the dome off the top is there is one, to make it flat. Stand the cake on it's side and slide in half horizontally to make two equal sized rectangles.

2. Microwave the chocolate in 30 second intervals, stirring until melted. Beat the butter, 3 TBSP milk and the confectioners' sugar with a mixer. Beat in the melted chocolate. Add more milk IF NEEDED, to make the frosting spreadable.

3. If you want one long cake, they lay the rectangles *on a rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Spread a little of the frosting on one short end of each cake (to act as "glue") and press together to form a long rectangle.

OR, do like I did and make two separate cakes! :-)

* 4. Spread the remaining frosting on the cake in a 1 inch thick layer, making the edges slightly higher than the center. Smooth the top and sides with an offset spatula. Freeze until firm (about 30 minutes)

5. Mix the peanuts and dulce de leche in a bowl.

6. Remove the came from freezer and spread the peanut mixture on the frosting in a flat, even layer. Freeze until the dulce de leche is firm (about 30 minutes)

7. Meanwhile, make the chocolate coating: Microwave the chocolate and butter in 30-second intervals, stirring until melted and smooth.

8 Spread the chocolate on the cake evenly over top and sides with an offset spatula. Freeze until chocolate cools slightly (6-8 minutes)

9. Now, with the chocolate slightly cooled, you can do little doo-dads on top to make it look like a snickers bar: Dip the edge of an offset spatula into the chocolate at an angle and gently pull up, repeating along the top of the cake to create a wave pattern. Chill 10 minutes before serving.

*Note: In step 4, I mentioned putting the cake onto a rack. This is to catch the chocolate that drips off. But then you have to transfer to a platter so I opted not to do that step and just put it on the platter from the start. You might need to take a little more time in pouring the chocolate to make sure you don't have a big puddle at the base, but it worked fine for me, and I didn't have more things to wash at the end! I'm just sayin'....

Well, there you go. That's it folks. I hope you'll try this and then come back and let me know how people adored you after eating it!

Enjoy!

PRAYER REQUEST TUESDAY

This is the day set aside for prayer, for you.

If you have a prayer request, please list it in the comments below. You don't have to give any information you don't feel comfortable with. (A simple "unspoken" comment is sufficient).

If you would like to pray, then please pray for the comment above yours.

Also, if you would like to share a "praise" for a blessing you have received please feel free to leave a comment so we can all rejoice with you!

Zucchini Crisp

Do you like zucchini?

I must admit,  I don't. Well, let me clarify that... I like zucchini bread.   I've even been heard to say, zucchini bread is the only way to eat zucchini.  (don't judge).  It really doesn't have any taste of its own really.  Or, maybe I should say, the taste is so mild that's it's non-existent.
But man cannot live by (zucchini) bread alone so when I found this recipe I thought I'd give it a try, skeptical as I might be, and see if I could find another way to use up this stuff.   I was so surprised!  It actually tasted like apple crisp!  WooHoo!!!

The "acid test" would be to see if passed the approval of the man of the house.  He was very impressed and, in fact, thought he was eating apple crisp.  So we have a keeper here!    So, in case you'd like to try it, here ya go...

Zucchini Crisp

8 cups peeled, cubed zucchini

2/3 cup lemon juice

1/2 to 2/3 cup raw sugar  (I used Splenda)

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground nutmeg

TOPPING:

1 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup unbleached all purpose flour

2/3 cup cold butter

Combine the first five ingredients in a 9 x 13 baking dish.

Combine the brown sugar, oats and flour in a bowl;, cut in butter until crumbly.

Sprinkle over the zucchini mixture.Bake at 375 degrees for 40-50 minutes, or until bubbly and zucchini is tender.

NOTE:  About the butter:  I just opted for cutting about 1/3 of the the butter into the mixture, and then dotting the top of the crisp with the rest.  That was just my own personal preference, do it how you like.

and, just in case you're wondering what to fix for a main dish to go along with this, today I've posted a pot roast recipe for the crockpot on Real Women Eat.  Head on over there and check that one out too!

PRAYER REQUEST TUESDAY

This is the day set aside for prayer, for you.

If you have a prayer request, please list it in the comments below. You don't have to give any information you don't feel comfortable with. (A simple "unspoken" comment is sufficient).

If you would like to pray, then please pray for the comment above yours.

Also, if you would like to share a "praise" for a blessing you have received please feel free to leave a comment so we can all rejoice with you!

National Day of Prayer and Prayer Request Tuesday is back

Today is the National Day of Prayer and I figure it's as good a time as any to reinstate  Prayer Request Tuesday.


Yes.  I realize it is Thursday and not Tuesday.  (great big smile).  But what better day to make my announcement than on the day set aside for prayer?
In case you're curious why I'm bringing Prayer Request Tuesday back, it all had to do with an email I got.  But first, maybe I should let you know why I ever stopped?
Prayer Request Tuesday had been running for some time, but I noticed the few comments had dwindled down to...none.  Could it be no one was interested?  Everybody was "all prayed up"?  Maybe my readers felt that this was uncalled for in the blogosphere?  I didn't know, but from the lack of comments I just figured nobody wanted it.  Then....
I received an email that convicted me and at the same time gave me a wake-up call.  Can I share it with you?  (the sender will remain anonymous)

" I'm sitting here with tears running down my cheeks. I'm pinning recipes and here's an invitation from someone willing to pray for me without even knowing me. What grace! (........)

Thank you. God bless you and your prayer time. "

I should add, that my word for 2012 was "grace"!  I had taken this time devoted to anyone who had a need or a desire to pray for someone else in the comments, and turned it into a popularity contest, for lack of a better description.  (If you don't comment, then you must not like it)
So, after that email which I have had saved for some time now while doing some serious soul searching, Prayer Request Tuesday will be back.

I have been wanting to make SweetJeanette.com a haven for ladies.  To find support, love, and acceptance through lowering or walls and allowing each other to be real...without fear of rejection.  Don't worry, you'll still hear my sometimes craziness, recipes, crafts and all the other "stuff" you're used to.  But I want to make this blog about you too.  Where you're always welcome,  and belong.

Now, don't misunderstand,  I don't claim to hold any special "powers" or any special standing with our Creator.  And I do not intend to bring up doctrines.  There is no "my way is best, and yours is lacking"  here.  
Life comes at us hard and fast and sometimes there are seasons where it's harder and faster and I know I, for one, need to know there are others who have my (spiritual) back... who care enough to remember me in their prayers.  And, there are times when I've received an answer to prayers and just want to share.  That can be done here too.   Not only is Prayer Request Tuesday for prayer/praise, but if you feel led, then by all means, pray for one another.  The requests are there, pick one that speaks to your heart, or pray for all.  (where there are two or more gathered in my name....)

So, on Tuesdays there will be no other posts other than the Prayer Request Tuesday.  Also, I print out the prayer requests on Wednesday morning and remove the names so they're anonymous and give a copy to other people who have since asked to be prayer partnering with this day (they don't have computer access). One being my mother who is a great "prayer warrior".

Thank you for listening.