Angel Food Cake with Berries

Today I'm going to show you how to make my absolute favorite cake from scratch. Angel Food Cake.

It's actually not that hard. 

Start by mixing 1 c. flour and 3/4 c. plus 2 T. sugar in a bowl and set aside.

Next mix together 12 egg whites, 1 1/2 t. cream of tartar and 1/4 t. salt.

 Beat until foamy.

Continue beating and add 3/4 c. more sugar VERY gradually. Beat until meringue holds stiff peaks.

See how that peak is not flopping over. That's how you want it.

Next fold in 1 1/2 t. vanilla and 1/2 t. almond extract. {I actually forgot to add them this time and it still tasted great}

Next add your reserved flour/sugar mixture. Add 1/4 c. at a time and FOLD it in. 

To fold, insert the spatula in the middle of the batter, scrape it along the bottom of the bowl and then bring it back up. Turn the bowl each time you do this until everything is incorporated. {Does that even make sense? Google "folding batter" if it doesn't and I'm sure you can find a video on YouTube demonstrating this}

Pour batter into a UNGREASED tube pan. {You can also use loaf pans}

Cut through the batter with a knife to level it out a bit. 

Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly with finger.

Invert pan on funnel until completely cool {if using loaf pans, let cool on side}

Now it's time to make a the topping.


Place 1/4 c. berries and 1/2 c. water in a pan, bring to a boil and simmer 3 minutes.

While that's boiling, mix together 1/2 c. sugar, 1 T. cornstarch and 1/4 c. water.

Stir into hot mixture. Cook until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute.

 Let cool and mix with the rest of your berries. I used two cartons of strawberries. But in the past I've used mixed frozen fruit. {I don't like cooked strawberries, so I usually fish them out before adding the fresh ones.}

Top a slice of angel food cake with the berries and enjoy a slice of heaven.

Here are the recipes courtesy of my mom.

Angel Food Cake
1 c. flour
3/4 c. plus 2 T. sugar
12 egg whites
1 1/2 t. cream of tartar
1/4 t. salt
3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. almond extract

Mix together flour and 3/4 c. plus 2 T. sugar. Set aside
Beat together egg whites, cream of tartar and salt.  Beat until foamy
Gradually add in sugar, beating to stiff peaks.
Gently fold in vanilla and almond extracts.
Gently fold in flour mixture 1/4 c. at a time. Mix only until flour mixture disappears.
Pour batter into ungreased tube pan. Gently cut through batter. Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly with finger. Invert pan on funnel. Let hang until completely cool. {You can use loaf pans, lay them on their sides to cool}

Berry Sauce
1/4 c. berries
1/2 c. water
Bring to a boil and simmer 3 minutes

1/2 c. sugar
1 T. cornstarch
1/4 c. water
mix together and add to hot mixture

Cook until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute. Cool slightly and mix with fresh or frozen berries. Cover with plastic wrap and chill.

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This recipe was featured at The NY Melrose Family! Go check it out here.

 and at Blissful and Domestic! Find it here.

It was also featured at  Seven Alive. Find it here.

It was also featured at Teaching "Good" Eaters

Bead Board Easter Eggs

I took a break from working in the basement yesterday and made this cute little Easter egg bead board. 

I was having a hard time deciding what to do for my Easter bead board. I was wanting to do eggs, but I knew that since I'm not an artist I would not be able to paint them and have them look good. 

Then it came to me: Just cut out egg holes and let some cute fabric be the decoration. 

This was super easy to make. I just took a board and traced on an egg shape. Then I drilled a hole, and then used a jigsaw to cut out the eggs.
I painted it with spray paint - Krylon Ivory in gloss.

Then I just glued the fabric to the back using Fabric Mod Podge. 

What do you think?

Paint in the Basement

I have a few before and after pictures of the paint in our basement. Please ignore the mess. After painting everyday for a solid week, I really didn't feel like cleaning it up for pictures. 

Here's our wall that the TV will go on. We chose Bittersweet Chocolate by Glidden

 This is our fireplace all taped off.

The color is Olivewood by Glidden

This is the color throughout the rest of the living room and the halls. 

In the guest room / craft room I chose Prairie Sage by Glidden. 

 I did one accent wall in Frosted Pine by Glidden. It's hard to tell in the picture. It's just a shade darker. 

I still want to do some stenciling in this room, I am just lacking gumption at this point. 

Linking up to these parties.

Terrific Tuesdays #8

Thank you all for linking up some terrific projects.

The most viewed link was:

He has Risen! Printable by One Woof Dog
 She did a great job. I love the colors and fonts she used.

 Some of my other favorites were:

This sweet little PB Inspired Quilt by Sew Sweet Cottage

I love the fabrics she chose. I really want to do something like this for my two youngest daughters rooms. 

You have to go check out this Mitered Stripe Pillow by Sew Passionate.

She starts with striped fabric and turns it into this pillow. Go see how she does it. It's so cool. 

I think it's so odd that I like throw pillows so much and yet I don't have a single one in my house.

This Chocolate Pudding by Keeping Up With The Cyperts looks sooo delicious. Would you believe it's made in the microwave?

If you were featured grab a featured button.

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Here's what I've been blogging about the last week:

Absolutely nothing! 

I think this is the first week that I haven't blogged since I started blogging. 

I haven't been being lazy though. I've spent every waking moment painting the basement. Pictures to come this week so stay tuned.

Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

Here are my guidelines:

1. Link up any projects, crafts, or recipes you have blogged about recently. You can definitely link up several projects. No shops or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment.  My vision for this link party is not to link and go. Please comment on two other links.

3. I'd love for you to follow my blog.

4. Display my button somewhere on your blog - in the post, the sidebar, or on a party page.



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Terrific Tuesday #7

Thank you all for linking up some fabulous projects. I really enjoy looking through all the links.

The most viewed link was:

Cut your grocery bill in half by Blissful and Domestic
Go check it out and see how she does it! I like her tips and I do almost all the same things she does and it really does save money.

Some of my other favorites were:

 Easy Yeast Rolls by Country Momma Cooks
These look sooo yummy! I'm going to be trying them.

This pillow is super cute. Love the colors and all the ruffles. Find out more at Ode to Inspiration.

I love this bench by vixenMade. I need one for my entry.

If you were featured grab a featured button.

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Here's what I've been blogging about the last week:

St. Patty's Day Hair Clips

Tile in the Basement

and 

Mama's Homemade Wheat Bread and Scones

Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

Here are my guidelines:

1. Link up any projects, crafts, or recipes you have blogged about recently. You can definitely link up several projects. No shops or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment.  My vision for this link party is not to link and go. Please comment on two other links.

3. I'd love for you to follow my blog.

4. Display my button somewhere on your blog - in the post, the sidebar, or on a party page.




<center><a href="http://adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1173.photobucket.com/albums/r587/rchlnielsen/DIY-Mom_buttons-2small.png"/></a></center>

Mama's Homemade Wheat Bread and Scones

One of my favorite things to make is breads. I started making bread when I was in my early teens {probably 13 or 14}. And I made it by hand - no fancy machines to help with the kneading. I have to thank my mom for giving me such free reign in the kitchen.  Whenever I wanted to make something, I don't remember really asking, I would just do it. I think the best way to learn things is to JUST DO IT.  I picked up a lot of things by watching my mom, and then I would just try it myself.

Today I'm going to share my mom's homemade wheat bread recipe. This is the the best wheat bread I've had. Sometimes wheat bread tends to be dry, but this is moist and delicious. I made this using flour ground in my wheat grinder that my parents gave me for Christmas {Thanks again}

First we'll get our yeast going. Take 1/2 c. warm water (think baby bottle warm) and mix it with 

1 1/2 - 2 T. yeast and 1 t. sugar.

Stir it together.

Then let it sit about 5 minutes or until it looks like this.

Next mix together 2 c. warm water, 3/4 T. salt, 1/4 c. honey 1/4 c. oil, 2 c. whole wheat flour. Then add 1 more cup flour and yeast mixture and mix together. I always use my kitchenaid for breads now.

The next step is important - just let it sit there for 10 minutes.  This will allow the gluten to start working. I'm not sure about all the technical details, I just know it makes better bread if you do this. 

It will raise a little during this time.

Add up to 3 c. flour one cup at a time {You may only need 2 cups but do NOT add more than 3 cups. Too much flour leads to dry bread} Knead 10 minutes.

Let raise 30-40 minutes. It will start out looking like this...

and end up looking like this.

Punch down the dough.

Shape into loaves. I know lots of people roll out their dough and then roll it up to shape their loaves. I take the easy way and just shape it using my hands.  I don't really know how to explain it - I just learned from watching my mom. 

Another tip to keep the bread moist and not dry, is to spray the counter with cooking spray instead of using flour to keep it from sticking.

Let raise.

Bake at 375 for 35 minutes {I think my oven cooks hotter than my mom's, so I'm going to try 30 minutes next time}

Remove from pans immediately and let cool.

This recipe makes 2 1/2 medium sized loaves.  Something fun to do when making bread is to use some of the dough to make scones.  This recipe works perfect, you can make two loaves and have some dough left for scones. {Of course, if you're kids love them as much as mine, you'll only have enough dough left for one loaf}

To make the scones:

After the dough has risen, pinch off pieces of the dough and flatten. Place them in hot oil. {You can make a mini scone to test your oil temperature.}

When one side browns, flip with tongs. Place cooked scones on a paper towel covered plate. Let cool so you don't burn your fingers or tongue. 

We always dip them in jam or honey butter. Or sometimes a little of both.

Here's the recipe:

Mama's Best Bread

1/2 c. warm water

1 1/2 - 2 T. yeast

1 t. sugar

Mix and let rise.

2 c. warm water

3/4 T. salt

1/4 c. honey

1/4 c. oil

5-6 c. whole wheat flour

Mix water, salt, honey, oil and 2 c. of the flour. Then add yeast mixture and one more cup flour.

LET STAND 10 MINUTES.

Add up to 3 c. flour one cup at a time {You may only need 2 c.} Knead 10 minutes.

Let raise 30-40 minutes.

Shape into loaves and let raise.

Bake at 375 for 35 minutes.

Immediately remove from pans to let cool.

 Additions: add after 10 minutes resting just before final flour addition.

Seeds {use any or all of the following}:
1/4 c. ground flaxseed

1 T. whole flaxseed

4 T. sunflower seeds

2 T. poppyseeds

OR

Grains:

3/4 c. 10 grain cereal {or 6,7 9 grain cereal}

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