Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe

"Easy", especially during the fast-paced holidays, is always appreciated!

This pretty pineapple upside down cake is different from the traditional recipe because I used pineapple chunks instead of pineapple slices.  It was actually quite by accident that I tried this because I didn't have any pineapple slices on hand, but we wanted to make a pineapple upside down cake.  So, my sister and I improvised.

Cherries are always used on this type of cake, but the maraschino cherries added just the right  touch of Christmas red to our holiday cake.  By placing it on a green serving plate, it made it even more festive.  Sometimes, it really is all about presentation and timing.

Easy Skillet Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Everything in this cake was store bought, even the cake mix.  I used a white cake mix that I had on hand for emergencies.  Grabbing what I already had in the pantry and in my refrigerator without consideration of age, my sister and I quickly threw this cake together.  It truly was the very best Pineapple Upside Down Cake I have ever eaten!

It was fun to toss everything together and serve a delicious dessert to my family.  From now on, I will be using this special recipe.  However,  I'm not sure where to buy hardened brown sugar or aged cherries.  Guess I better buy them new today and plan ahead for 3 years from now.

Seriously, I am sure the cake would be just as good, if not better, with freshly purchased ingredients, but you can read my whole story about the cake shown in the photo by clicking the article link below.

You will find my recipe and instructions on my "House of Sylvestermouse" website.

---

Recipe and photo by Cynthia Sylvestermouse - Pineapple Upside Down Cake Made in a Cast Iron Skillet

Fabulous Ghost Train Cake for Halloween

Kids always love creating cool things and that includes really neat Halloween cakes!  

This fabulous Halloween Ghost Train cake would be perfect for kids to create with a little help from Mom or Dad.  Assembling it would be a really fun activity that you could share with your children. 


Not only will you be creating an awesome Halloween dessert, but you will be making memories that will be cherished forever.

Oh!  And, did I mention that it is chocolate?!!  Plus, it is no-bake which makes it the perfect cake idea for children to help make.

Making a Chocolate Halloween Ghost Train Cake

This is a very easy cake to assemble.  Simply purchase the needed ingredients and start building your own Halloween Ghost Train cake.  The shaped peeps and bat brownies really add the finishing touches to make it purely Halloween.  You will want to be sure to buy extra candy because it is truly impossible to resist snacking while you create.

Our Completed Halloween Ghost Train Cake

By simply looking at the photo, you will be able to see a lot of the ingredients required to make this wonderful ghost train cake.  However, you will find the complete list of supplies and the step by step tutorial with lots of photos published exclusively on Cooking for the Holidays.   I can assure you, it is a really fun cake to assemble and a delicious cake to eat. 

Our Inspiration to Create this Ghost Train Cake

My son has always loved trains.  When he was very young, we used to seek out trains for him to watch speed by.  This Halloween ghost train cake was a pure delight to design with him and brought back a lot of great memories for both of us.  

I know for a fact that children will love this train!

---

Tutorial & Image Credit: 

  The Halloween Ghost Train Cake image & tutorial published on Cooking for the Holidays.

Graveyard Cake Instructions

I love Halloween and all of the fabulous Halloween cakes, cupcakes and special treats.  This Graveyard Cake would be an awesome cake choice for any Halloween party.  It is eerie without being grotesque.  Plus, it is chocolate!

Jade has given us easy to follow instructions on exactly how to decorate this creative Graveyard Cake.  You will be amazed at how simple it is to recreate and how little decorating experience is required.

Making Your Own Graveyard Cake

I want to start by saying that I love the grated chocolate idea.  It would be great for any Halloween cake to give a textured foundation or background for the Halloween scene.  If you are planning a children's party, you might want to use the grated chocolate background idea and add Friendly Ghost Rings which would also double as party favors.

Everything about decorating the Graveyard cake as shown is basic and easy.  Jade uses sugar cookie dough, lady fingers and jelly to create this phenomenal graveyard scene.  But the very best part, it would be delicious to eat!  Although, admittedly, I might be hesitant to bite down on a finger.  They just look so realistic!!!

Sometimes we need to be able to take a few shortcuts when we are hosting a Halloween party.  Jade suggests that you could purchase a store bought chocolate cake to decorate, but she also provides a homemade cake recipe in case you have the time to bake and decorate.  

You will find Jade's step by step instructions for making this unique graveyard cake, as well as her additional tips on her site, Homemade by Jade.   You will also love her witty tutorial title, "Graveyard Cake - The Perfect Finger Food"! 

---

Recipe & Image Credit: 

  The Graveyard Cake image, recipe & tutorial published on Homemade by Jade Blog.

How to Make Easy Bunny Cakes

Imagine what you could do with a frozen pound cake, some sugar sprinkles, melting chocolate and the right cookie cutter!

Well, truthfully, you don't have to imagine.  Heidi from Happiness is Homemade gives us easy to follow step by step instructions on how to make these adorable Peep Inspired Bunny Cakes.   

Aren't they just the cutest little cakes for Easter!

Heidi's directions, along with her fabulous photos, show us exactly how to create our own Easy Easter Bunny Cakes that are truly adorable and almost too cute to eat.   As you can see in the photo, the colors for the bunnies will only be limited to your supply of sanding sugar colors, but the pastels shown sure do make a lovely presentation. 

Easy Enough for Children to Help Make

Decorating these bunny cakes could also be a fun event for you and your children.  They are so simple to make, it would be the perfect opportunity to work together and encourage your child's creativity.  Any child would be quite proud to say they had helped make the Easter treats.

Oh, and you will want to have your camera on hand to snap a few shots of them "crafting a bunny cake" for their scrapbooks.  The pictures alone will become a treasured keepsake in years to come.

Miniature Easter Bunny Cakes for Parties

Children and adults alike will love these bunny cakes.   Plus, they are just the right size for an individual serving, which would make them perfect for a party or Easter celebration at school or home.  

So, instead of making cupcakes this year for Easter, why not try these precious little bunny cakes?   They are sure to be delicious, a pretty table decoration, and an appreciated dessert or treat.

---

Recipe & Image Credit: 

 Peeps Inspired Easter Bunny Cakes by Heidi at Happiness is Homemade

Strawberry Upside Down Cake

For the Love of Strawberries! 

We are all familiar with Pineapple Upside Down Cake, but I want to show you a fabulous variation of that wonderful desert that uses strawberries instead of pineapple.

This is an extremely easy recipe that you could easily throw together in a few minutes, bake it for 50 minutes and have the perfect Valentine's Day cake for your sweetheart.

Strawberry Upside Down Cake Recipe

This Strawberry Upside Down Cake Recipe calls for for only 3 simple ingredients in addition to the fresh strawberries.  When you see the recipe, you will be very surprised to discover that this Strawberry Upside Down Cake is made with a store purchased box cake mix, marshmallows, gelatin and the strawberries.

It does have to bake for 50 minutes and cool for at least 1 hr., but the prep will be fast and easy.

Let me note however, the photo of the Strawberry Upside Down Cake shows a round cake.  The recipe calls for a 9 x 13 baking pan.   In order to get the round cake as shown, I would recommend using a non-stick springform pan like the one shown below.

Using a Springform Pan with This Recipe

If you use the springform pan, do not release the side until the cake is completely cool.   This will take at least 2 hrs.  

Also, this cake mixture is very runny.   It is not like a cheesecake.  You will need to put some type of protector like a thin cookie tray under the springform pan to protect the bottom of your oven.

 Wilton 2105-6799 Perfect Results Nonstick Springform Pan, 9-InchCheck Price

For step by step instructions, visit Kitchme and start baking this delicious cake today!

---

Recipe & Image Credit: 

Strawberry Upside Down Cake  on Kitchme

How to Make a Halloween Ghost Castle Cake

An Easy and Fun Cake for Halloween

 

If you are searching for an easy Halloween cake that the kids can help make, you need look no further!

This Halloween Ghost Castle Cake is no bake and lots of fun to build and eat.  By supplying the children with a few "ingredients", you can let them build until their heart is content.


They will, no doubt, be very proud of the Halloween cake they made themselves.

How to Make a Halloween Ghost Castle Cake

Several years ago, I sat down at the table with my son and we constructed the Halloween Ghost castle in the photo.  We had a lot of fun adding our own special little finishing touches, like topping the towers with candy pumpkins! 

Of course, we ate while we constructed the Ghost Castle cake, we also talked and laughed a lot together.  Once, our "Oreo" wall was knocked over, and we rolled with laughter because the Oreo cookies broke, which meant we got to eat them.  To this day, I wonder if that wall fell on purpose.  shhhhhh, don't tell anyone!  I do love Oreo cookies!

Anyone can construct this Halloween Ghost Castle Cake.  It is truly a great way to spend some time with your child and also create a fabulous Halloween cake and centerpiece.

Ingredient suggestions and Directions for How to Build Your Own Halloween Ghost Castle Cake can be found by simply clicking this link! 

---

Recipe & Image Credit: 

How to Make a Chocolate Halloween Ghost Castle Cake Recipe  by Sylvestermouse Cynthia

Strawberry and Blueberry Cheesecake Icebox Cake

The fourth of July will be here before we know it!  We all want to celebrate the red, white and blue and what better way to do that than with strawberries and blueberries.

This delicious Strawberry and Blueberry Cheesecake Icebox Cake Recipe has been calling my name since I first discovered it on the Life, Love and Sugar website.  This no-bake recipe calls for a few simple ingredients layered to make this beautiful presentation.

You can't miss with this awesome icebox cake!

All of the individual ingredients are tasty alone, which makes assembling it a bit of a challenge because you will be temped to eat every little morsel along the way.

 

The Strawberry and Blueberry Cheesecake Icebox Cake Recipe

You can find the recipe for this fabulous Strawberry and Blueberry Cheesecake Icebox Cake by simply visiting Life, Love & Sugar.  I have no doubt as soon as you see how easy it is to create this lovely "patriotic" dessert, you will be jumping in the car to run get the necessary ingredients.  Just one little warning, you may want to make it a day ahead because it needs to be refrigerated for at least 4 hours.

For my readers that live in the United States, I would like to wish you a safe and happy Independence Day this 4th of July!

A Little Update:  My precious mother read this article a few weeks ago and made this fabulous cake for our family for the 4th of July.  I just have to say, mine could never compete with hers.  It seems she always includes that special ingredient in anything she makes, the love for her family.  Moms are simply awesome right?    Thank you Mom! 

PS:  Our son has eaten the leftovers for breakfast for the last 2 days.  Sorry to say, it is all gone now.

---

Recipe & Image Credit:  Strawberry and Blueberry Cheesecake Icebox Cake Recipe  by Life, Love & Sugar

King Cake Recipe for Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is a celebration filled with bright colors, fun food and tradition.  Nothing exemplifies that combination better than a King Cake.

The cinnamon filled cake itself sounds delicious, but I am fascinated by the origin and significance of the King Cake.

After reading about the history and the meaning behind the chosen colors, I understand why the King Cake would garner such loyalty from Mardi Gras enthusiasts.  There is even a little surprise baked into the cake for one fortuitous guest.

The cake is topped with a sweet glaze and sprinkled with colored sugars in the gold, purple, and green colors often associated with Mardi Gras. Purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold stands for power. Some modern King Cakes also contain various fillings. The King Cake also contains a very “special ingredient”, which is a baby.

I love the suggestion to host a children's party.  What a fabulous opportunity to teach history and tradition to a child by simply offering this fantastic and colorful treat!

Read here, to learn all about the tradition, the history, the significance of the King Cake.

---

Recipe & Image Credit:  How to Make a King Cake 

Temptingly Delicious Tiramisu Recipe

One of my son's favorite desserts is Tiramisu.  He has always had to purchase his Tiramisu at restaurants simply because I did not have a Tiramisu recipe.  

I am not sure why I haven't thought to search one out before now, but as soon as I saw Lynne Schroeder's recipe, I knew I had found a recipe I had to keep.

Tiramisu Recipe

Sharing a recipe from her own personal travel diary, Lynne Schroeder tempts us to dive right into making our own temptingly delicious Tiramisu.   

According to Lynne, the traditional Tiramisu recipe uses brandy, but she opts to use Kahlua instead.  Could that be the secret to her tiramisu recipe becoming a family favorite?

Non-alcohol Tiramisu Recipe

Knowing that some of my readers prefer Non-alcohol Tiramisu, I did seek out a alternate recipe just for you!  This recipe also sounds divine!

 

---

Recipe & Image Credit:  Tiramisu Recipe by Lynne Schroeder

Non-alcohol Tiramisu Recipe:  Tiramisu Recipe by Sandra Lee

 

Mixed Berries Cheesecake

The perfect alternative to the traditional birthday cake!

Why not change things up a bit by serving this fabulous Mixed Berries Cheesecake at that next birthday party.  

Doesn't it just look divinely delicious with those beautiful whole strawberries on top, and drizzled with that luscious dark chocolate?!!!

Mixed Berries Cheesecake Recipe

Not only is it visually appealing, but this cheesecake is fast and easy to make.

Lynne aka ElleDeeEsse has been kind enough to invite us into her kitchen and she has graciously shared her own recipe for the Mixed Berries Cheesecake.  

Thank you Lynne!  We will enjoy it!

---

Recipe & Image Credit:  Recipe for Cheesecake | Mixed Berries Cheesecake by Lynne Schroeder

If you are searching for a truly gross cake for your Halloween party, you have come to the right place!

KimGiancaterino's Kitty Litter Cake is a perfectly disgusting cake for Halloween without being grotesque. 

It would be an excellent choice for a kids Halloween party. It is just gross enough to make you question what you are about to eat, without being gory. In fact, I happen to personally know a few college students who absolutely love this Halloween cake. 
 

Kitty Litter Cake Recipe

Kim shares the recipe so you too can make this delicious "mess" of a cake for your Halloween party or upcoming event.

Basically, you simply crumble & combine two baked cakes & vanilla cookies:  one German chocolate & one vanilla cake to make the "litter".   Stir in prepared large box of vanilla instant pudding mix.  Add shaped tootsie rolls, sprinkled with additional cookie crumbs.  (shape the tootsie rolls by softening them in the microwave.)
 
It may look unappealing, but it is actually delicious. Truly the perfect choice for any Halloween party treat.

 

Kitty Litter Cake Recipe, Instructions & Photo Credit

Kitty Litter Cake written by KimGiancaterino's

How to Make a Mario Birthday Cake

Why not bring a favorite character to the party!

Children love Mario and kids love having a specialty birthday cake make just for them that features a favorite character.

I recently discover this tutorial on how to make a Mario cake. It is truly amazing!

Blessedmomto7 has written and shared step by step directions for creating your own Mario masterpiece. She even included pictures showing exactly how to cut the round cakes into pieces to make the Mario's hat and face. A few cupcakes are also required, but in the end, you have a magnificent presentation and cake for the birthday boy or girl.

---

Recipe & Image Credit:  How to Make a Mario Birthday Cake by Blessedmombygrace

Decorating a Snake Cake

Let's celebrate the Year of the Snake with a Snake Cake!


Making this snake cake is made easy by simply following the step by step instructions provided in the featured article.  This cake truly turned out to be a lot of fun to make!  Honestly, I am not crazy about live snakes, but my son is and we, mothers, do a lot of things antithetical to our own nature just for our children.

Kids will love it!  Actually, surprisingly, I love it!  Even though in real life a Coral snake would be poisonous, the cake is not and he is rather endearing.  And, what a great conversation cake!  Everyone has something to say about the snake cake, but my favorite is when people are actually afraid to touch it.  Oh, and beware of the reaction you are bound to get if you put him in the refrigerator.  This snake cake sure is a lot of fun to have around.  

Instructions for creating this fabulous snake cake are provided in this article.  I will even tell you the secret for making the reptilian skin:
How to Decorate a Snake Cake 

---

Image Credit:  How to Decorate a Snake Cake by Cynthia (Sylvestermouse) on Cooking for the Holidays

FONDANT IS FUN!

I love it when a writer makes something so easy for all of us by writing an exceptional tutorial!

Intermarks not only provides inspiration through photos, she also shares the fondant recipe in this article.  You will want to read the entire article because the tips and advice are honest and straightforward.

If you are new to fondant, you will find the photos invaluable!  So often recipes call for ingredients that we have never used and would not easily recognize.  In her article, How to Make Fondant for Cakes , Intermarks takes the guess work out of it by featuring large pictures in her step by step tutorial.


You will not believe how easy it is to make the rose in the photo above by simply following her instructions!  When you have finished decorating your cake, no one will believe how easy it was to make.  Of course, you may not want to them them :)
  

---

Image Credit:  Flower photo featured above is from the article below.


Visit:  How to Make Fondant for Cakes written by Intermarks

DECORATING A KITTY CAT CAKE

If you love cats, you will definitely love this Kitty Cat Cake!


Making this kitty cat cake has truly been made easy by simply following the step by step instructions and using the cat cake template provided in the article.  I have also provided lots of pictures of the cutting and decorating steps to make it even easier for you.  Frankly, you could almost make the cat cake by just looking at the pictures and following along with them.

Children will love it!  You guests will love it!  And, you will love how simple it is to decorate this Kitty Cat cake. This cat would be awesome for a kid's birthday party, a school party, or even a Halloween party if you chose to make it black instead of white.  Honestly, if you love cats, it would be a perfect cake for any party or special occasion.

Instructions and cake template for creating this amazing 3-D Cat cake are provided in this article:
How to Decorate a Cat Cake 

---

Image Credit:  How to Decorate a Cat Cake by Sylvestermouse

How to Make a Tier Cake Decorated with Flowers

If you are looking for directions to make a fast and easy tiered cake decorated with flowers, you need look no further!
 
Not only is this tier cake fast and easy to make, it is lovely and would be beautiful at any party, shower, tea, birthday or luncheon. 


How to Decorate a Tier Cake with Flowers by Sylvestermouse gives step by step instructions for creating this food masterpiece, as well as, tons of photos of the process and finished Tier Cakes with Flowers.  There is also a list of needed tools and supplies included in the article and recommendations for where to find the exact items I used in making this cake.

Oh, the really awesome benefit, you never have to tell anyone else how easy this cake was to decorate!
 

Step by step instructions for the cake are 
provided in this article: 
How to Decorate a Tier Cake with Flowers 

If you would prefer to make cupcakes, step by step instructions for cupcakes are provided in this article:
How to Make Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes

---

Image Credit and Article: How to Decorate a Tier Cake with Flowers by Sylvestermouse.

Beginners Fondant Cake

Can you believe this cake was this baker's first fondant cake?

I am personally more than impressed with this fabulous fondant cake!  I do believe there was a bit of Tinkerbell magic used in creating this fun food work of art.


Jennie also gives great tips to beginners. 


Seriously, this is an article you will not want to miss.  I suspect even experienced bakers will find a new trick or tip here.  I know she has inspired me!

She has also included many great photos and the design instructions are included in this impressive article!   

---

Image Credit: My First Fondant Cake: A Beginner's Experience photo from article below.


Visit: My First Fondant Cake: A Beginner's Experience written by Aunt Jennie

Fat Rat Cake for Halloween

If you are looking for a fabulous Halloween treat, you will love this Fat Rat Cake!

Lestroischenes fast and easy instructions will make you jump with glee and the finished treat is sure to make you friends and family jump at the sight.  Perfect for Halloween :)

Recipe and design instructions are included in this fabulous article!  

---

Image Credit: The Fat Rat Halloween Cake photo from article below.


Visit: The Fat Rat Halloween Cake by BLouw