Sweet Sentiments - Confetti White Cake Recipe

My birthday was this past Wednesday, April 28th , right in the middle of the week – perfect for a week-long celebration! In our Burlington, Vermont office, the April Cornell team enjoyed a wonderful birthday lunch in our kitchen / dining room overlooking beautiful Lake Champlain in springtime. Our big natural wood dining table was set with the calm blue of our Shannon Patchwork tablecloth surrounded by an eclectic set of mix ‘n match chairs. Sitting or standing, fresh fruits, salads, a selection of Vermont cheeses and baguette breads were shared as glasses clinked in celebration. Following all this was a beautiful traditional confetti white cake with ambrosia orange frosting!! I call this “The Birthday Cake of Dreams”!!! Three tiers of perfectly layered cake is covered with smooth frosting and decorated with paintings of my flowers and birds, rendered in food coloring “paint”! This moist and decadent cake was made all the more delicious served surrounded by smiles and songs of ‘Happy Birthday’.

Spread sweet sentiments at your next birthday event and whip up this fabulous cake!

The Cake was made by doubling this recipe:

Ingredients

· 1 cup white sugar

· 1/2 cup butter

· 2 eggs

· 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

· 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

· 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

· 1/2 cup milk

· 1/4 cup rainbow jimmies

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x9 inch pan or line a muffin pan with paper liners.

2. In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Add the rainbow jimmies and fold slightly to spread them through the mix. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth. Pour or spoon batter into the prepared pan.

3. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. For cupcakes, bake 20 to 25 minutes. Cake is done when it springs back to the touch.

The frosting was made by doubling this recipe:

Ingredients

· 1 bag powdered sugar

· 1/2 cup Crisco

· 2 tablespoon orange extract

· 3/4 cup milk (add milk until desired consistency is achieved)

Directions

1. Combine powdered sugar, Crisco, orange extract, 1/2 cup milk. Mix with mixer on medium speed. Add milk in small doses until desired consistency is achieved.

NOTE for frosting cake the consistency should be light and fluffy. For piping and decoration the consistency should be stiff enough to hold shape.

To get a smooth surface after frosted, dip knife in hot water to warm blade and smooth over surface.

To paint – use bright vivid food colors and a fine paint brush. To give a water color effect, swirl brush in water before dipping in food color to soften the effect.

Enjoy!

April

Feel Beautiful, Be Beautiful, Live Beautiful

Part of

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Giving Back & Reaching Out

Giving Back – how important is a mother? How wonderful a child?

Good mothers, caring mothers cause us to grow and be good and caring too. Motherhood can change the world. And each child can in turn return the favor. As a mother myself, and as a daughter, I see part of my mission in life is to change the world. To give a hand up to others, especially young children and women in need. I learned to give back at home, from my mother. I learned what being cared for means, and what caring for others means. I have taken my mother’s lessons and applied them to my life – much of which has been in India.

India is a country rich in many things, textiles, skills, crafts, beauty, culture, wildlife and history. But it is also a country that is still beset by poverty, and where there is a large population of desperately poor people. People too poor to watch their children, people too uneducated to educate their children, people needing a hand up to success, a hand up to opportunity.

In the slums of Delhi there are some wonderful women and men who have reached into their hearts and into their pockets, to make a difference. In simple open street schools first generation learners – of 5 and 6 years old, are learning the alphabet and changing their legacy, learning to write and opening doors of opportunity. Safe in a small circle of care and respect, these little children, for a few hours every day, can play as a child should play, imagine and develop as all children should. These are the Gali Schools and I and my company have been involved in them through The Giving World Foundation for many years.

When I see a little boy or girl with hair brushed straight, smile bright, waving hands enthusiastically at the teacher; I see the future more positively, and I know that I have made a difference. I know that my mother would be proud of that, too!

In all seriousness and sincerity when you buy a little girl’s dress from my company, you are also supporting the dreams of a little child far away, a child who will laugh like your child, play like your child and read and write as all children should.

Thank you for buying our clothes, and supporting our company. We take our mission to Feel Beautiful, Live Beautiful and Be Beautiful very seriously.

Happy Mother’s Day,

April

To learn more about the Giving World Foundation go to:

www.givingworldfoundation.org

Tablescape Thursday - Blue Skies

Sunny Skies Up!

Despite any mention of April Showers, these days I find myself singing that old Irving Berlin song ‘Blue Skies’… “Blue skies smiling at me” - such a beautiful idea – to know that the sky smiles down on us. Whether outdoors or in, I love to recreate the beauty of a blue sky on my table. Layered here, on this quaint little table for two, is the Shannon Plaid breakfast cloth. Its powdery blues and soft yellow weave give it a wonderful country flavor and provides the perfect base for the Josephine Blue placemats. Named after my beautiful, vibrant granddaughter, the Josephine brings a gentle floral aspect to this scape while hints of sunny yellow add a cheerful note. The coordinating napkins are double-layered over Essential Napkins in pale yellow to bring forth even more sunshine! Napkin cuffs add a dash of sophistication while fresh floral arrangements herald the coming of our beloved garden season! With a table so fresh and welcoming, why not linger in comfort as well as style? Here the chairs are lined with comfy pillows in the Shannon Patchwork collection – a symphony of blue floral prints and plaids – once you sit down, you’ll never want to get up!

Here’s to beautiful spring blue skies and warm sunshine – when you smile up at them, rest assured they’re smiling back.

(For more information about Tablescape Thursday and all its beauty, click here)

Enjoy!

April

Feel Beautiful Live Beautiful Be Beautiful

Thank You Earth

On earth day tree hugging goddesses get the respect and recognition they so deserve.

On earth day we honor our earth, and mother nature, and all those who are her stewards.

Say thank you today, to the trees, the soil, the plants, the animals, our sun and the very air we breathe.

And say thank you to the environmentalists and all who stand watch over our planet.

Today, commit to protect and appreciate our very special world.

The Fruits of a New Season, Peach Ginger Crisp

Warm breezes are hinting at the bright sunshine to come. As we plant the seeds of spring and look forward to tomorrow’s summer gardens, what better way to enjoy the promise of the warm season than with a fabulous summer dessert? Here’s a favorite – Peach Ginger Crisp! Using fresh ingredients makes this recipe simply irresistible – sweet and juicy peaches marry beautifully with the pungent flavor of grated ginger (the heady aromas you’ll enjoy while preparing this dessert are testimony enough!) and the hardy crunch of sliced almonds, oats and brown sugar will have everyone coming back for more. Since this dish is inspired by the anticipation of fresh fruits from a summer orchard, it’s featured on our delicious Chelsea tablecloth in pale yellow with lots of coordinating Essential napkins for those lip-smacking moments!

Enjoy this easy country recipe with ice cream or whipped cream and savor spring and summer flavor all year long!

~April

Yield: 5 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 1/2 c quick-oats

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/8 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 / 4 c melted butter

• 3 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted

• 6 cups sliced peeled peaches (about 3 pounds)

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger

1 teaspoon allspice

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine the flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and butter in a bowl mix until crumbly. Stir in almonds.

Combine peaches and remaining ingredients in a bowl. Spoon peach mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish. Sprinkle with flour mixture. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly.

Quick Hostess Tips:

Hand-written recipe cards are a great way to make a lasting impression on your guests.

After serving up a scrumptious dessert, write the recipe on a pretty printed card

so your friends can make and enjoy it again and again!

Try including a recipe card with a basket of fresh peaches, lined with printed napkins

and tied with a pretty ribbon for an outstanding gift!

Foodie Friday