AAFES Connection

A great time was had by all on the judging panel for the 2009 Patriot Family recipe contest. The yummy treats were tasted and the votes tallied. Now it is my pleasure to announce the winners. Grand prize will go to Myrna for her Vanillaberry Holiday Delight. Start With a taste of vanilla and raspberry and finish with a subtle burst of strawberry. The perfect compliment to your holiday feast.

INGREDIENTS FOR STRAWBERRY CAKE:

-2 Boxes of strawberry cake mix

-1 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon sugar

-6 oz of pineapple juice

-1 tsp of almond extract

-1  10 0z. bag of frozen strawberries with syrup

-1 cup water

-1 1/3 cup of oil

-3 eggs

* Blend cake mix according to package directions. Blend until smooth. Next, add cinnamon sugar, pineapple juice, almond extract, and frozen strawberries and blend well.

*Pour into a greased 9″ pan only filling it 3/4 of the way with the batter.

INGREDIENTS FOR VANILLA CAKE:

-1 box of yellow cake mix

-3 eggs

-1 1/3 cup of water

-1/3 cup of oil

-2 tsp of green food coloring

* Blend ingredients according to package directions. Add food coloring and blend well.

* Pour into a greased 9″ pan only filling it 3/4 of the way with the batter.

* Place both strawberry and vanilla cakes in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 27 minutes.

* Insert a toothpick in the center and when it comes out clean, your cake is done. Remove from the oven and let cool.

TO ASSEMBLE CHECKERBOARD EFFECT :

Once both of your cake layers are cooled,cut a 6″ Circle on both of your layers. Next cut a 3″ circle on both of your layers. Swap inner circle rings with opposite layer. Place your first layer cake and add icing in the middle once you have cut it. Then stack the other layer on the top. Now your ready to ice your cake.

INGREDIENTS FOR RASPBERRY ICING:

- 2 cups of whipping cream

-1 tsp. of pure vanilla extract

-5 tablespoons of granulated sugar divided

-3/4 cup of Raspberry Jam

*Mix the Whipping cream, vanilla extract, and 2 1/2 tablespoons of sugar until soft peaks form. Slowly add raspberry jam a little at a time and beat until peaks form. Taste and fold in remaining granulated sugar.

* Ice cake layers with Raspberry icing .Place crunched toasted almonds around the bottom of your cake. Pipe a simple border around the top outer edger of your cake. Place Candy canes in the center of your cake as a garnish.

The Patriot Family Holiday Creations Decorating Contest ran Nov 1- Dec 31. Winning recipes will be published in the upcoming 2010 Holiday Creations guide. Check our FLICKR photostream for pictures of the other winners. Prize money sponsored by Hershey.

Winners:

Grand Prize-$2000

Vanillaberry Holiday Delight submitted by: Myrna-Germany

First prize-$1000

Chocolate Sundae Cupcakes submitted by: Kenneth-Georgia

Second prize-$500

Chocolate Candy Canes submitted by: Connie-United Kingdom

Third Prize-$200

Holiday Surprise Pudding Pots submitted by: Kristina-United Kingdom

Runners up-$25 gift card:

Campfire Smores Cupcakes submitted by: Brenda-Missouri

Sweetman Winter submitted by: Anastasia-Germany

Basic Layered White Cake filled Grandma’s Homemade Royal Almond Icing submitted by: Brandy-Germany

White Almond Sour Cream Cake submitted by: Sarah-Germany

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