Red Velvet Pancakes

I made these heart-shaped red velvet pancakes for John's birthday. I poured the batter into an empty syrup bottle so I could easily make heart shapes. I thought they were good, and the kids really loved them, but John didn't seem very impressed. This recipe made plenty for the four of us.

Red Velvet Pancakes

2 c. flour

2 T. cocoa

1 t. baking soda

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

2 T. sugar

2 eggs

2 T. melted butter or oil

2 c. buttermilk (milk with a dash of vinegar)

2 t. vanilla extract

red food coloring

Mix dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients. Add food coloring if desired. I added a few drops of pink food coloring and the finished pancakes don't look very red. I served them with fresh whipped cream.

Texas Sheet Cake

Why is this recipe not on my blog? Sheesh. Here it is NOT in a sheet pan, since I made this one in a tiny toaster oven, but it's too delicious to keep from you any longer. Grandma June LOVED this cake and I always made sure to bring her a piece.

Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

2 cubes butter

1 c. water

1/4 c. cocoa

1/4 t. salt

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

1/4 c. buttermilk (milk with a dash of vinegar)

1 t. baking soda

2 eggs

1 t. cinnamon

1 t. vanilla

Boil butter, water, and cocoa. Stir in flour, sugar and salt. Add remaining ingredients and beat until smooth. Grease and flour a sheet pan. Bake 20 minutes at 375.

Fudge Frosting

1 cube butter

1/4 c. cocoa

6 T. milk

3 c. icing sugar

1 t. vanilla

Boil butter, cocoa and milk. Stir in vanilla, and add powdered sugar until smooth. Pour over cake while hot.

Empanadas

Like the Mini Beef and Potato Pies, this recipe freezes well. There's something about encasing food in dough that makes it delicious and freezable. I used shredded taco chicken and cheese as filling, and we dipped the empanadas in ranch dressing.

Empanada Dough Recipe

4 c. all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 t. baking powder
2 t. salt
1/2 c. cold butter, cut up
1 c. cold water
1 lightly beaten with 1.5 T. water

Cut butter into dry ingredients. Add cold water until dough comes together. Knead into two smooth balls. Roll 1/4" thick and cut into 4 or 5 inch circles. Fill with 2 t. filling, fold in half, and crimp the edges.

Brush with egg and bake at 400° for 25-35 minutes.