Real Fruit Birthday Cake

Hello Everybody!  Sorry I have been MIA lately.  I have been busy moving and working.  I have still been baking just not posting.   I really wanted to share this post with because I think it is so fun for birthdays and any other celebrations!   You can put whatever fruit you want on it to change the colors.  I made this cake for my aunt because every year she wants me to make carrot cake.  I don't like making carrot cake so I found this to make her.  She was asking me for weeks before if I was going to make her a carrot cake and I kept saying "NO! I am making you a cake but its not baked."  It kept her guess and she was so surprised when she did see the cake.  She is the kinda of person who only eats fruit for breakfast every morning so this cake didn't last long.

Making this cake I had some difficulties.  It was hard making all the layers flat, and the grape flowers were impossible.   You will use a lot of toothpicks and its kinda tedious.  It was fun to make though and my aunt loved it!

Adapted from Simplify, Live, Love - She has great directions and measuring techniques that I didn't use, but might have been helpful!

Ingredients:
1 Large Watermelon
1 Large Honeydew
1 Large Cantaloupe
1 Bag of Grapes - Red or Green
Any other fruit you want ( I used Kiwi for the "65" and blueberries)

Directions:

1. Cut up melons, use toothpicks to hold together.
2. Add decorations.
3. Enjoy!

Acai Bowl

So I know this is a baking blog, but this is one of my favorite meals and I really wanted to share this!  I have always loved smoothies, but this is 10x's better!  I first tried an Acai bowl a few years ago at a small Brazilian restaurant in Santa Cruz, Ca.  Since then I have been scouting restaurants in California that have them on their menu.  Last summer I found a place in Encinitas, called Lotus Cafe & Juice Bar.  They have delicious Acai Bowls but I am only home in Encinitas every few weeks.   A few weeks ago I found a place in Newport Beach called Nekter Juice Bar.   I had a few from there but I really wanted to just make these at home.  I know you can get these at some of the chain smoothie places, but homemade is always better.  I bought a pack of the Acai Smoothie Mix made by Sambazon, some bananas, frozen berries, blueberries, strawberries, granola, apple juice, soymilk, coconut, and honey.  It seems like a lot of ingredients, but if you eat a lot of fruit, then I bet you already have most of the ingredients.    These only take a few minutes to whip up and its a super healthy summer treat.   My favorite breakfast!!

Nekter Acai Bowl

This bowl is huge, but so DELICIOUS!

My homemade Acai Bowl

Acai Bowl - Me
Yield - 2-3 Person Bowl
Smoothie Ingredients:
1 Package of Acai Smoothie Mix
1 Frozen Banana
1 Cup Frozen Mixed Berries
1 Cup Soymilk or Apple Juice or Almond Milk - Could be more or less depending on thickness

Topping:
1-2 Cups Granola, your favorite type....
1 Banana, sliced
1/4 Cup Blueberries
A few Strawberries sliced
1/4 Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
Honey, drizzled on top

Directions:

1. Add the frozen acai, frozen berries, frozen banana, and soymilk or apple juice to blender.  Blend on low speeds until you get things moving.  Increase speed to high and blend until smooth but still thick.  
2. Pick a medium size bowl and put some granola in the bottom.  Pour the smoothie on top.  Add the blueberries, sliced banana, and sliced strawberries.   Put more granola on top, and the shredded coconut.  Drizzle some honey on top.
3. Enjoy!!

Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies

So this cookie recipe is my mothers.  Every year she hosts a fundraiser at the UCSD Cancer center called the Mad Hatter Tea Party which supports the Healing Foods Kitchen.  It is a great event where you get to decorate these colorful paper mache hats, then sit down for a delicious tea.  Every year I help her make tons of cookies, scones, brownies, cakes and of course tea sandwiches.   All of the recipes have been modified by my mother to be healthy but still taste delicious.  This recipe makes 4 dozen cookies and only has 1/4 cup of butter.  That is almost unheard of in the baking world.  Instead of butter, the recipe uses orange juice to keep the cookies moist while also adding flavor and nutrients.  I had a friend call these cookies trail mix breakfast cookies because they are so delicious and healthy that you don't feel guilty eating a cookie for breakfast.  My mother also makes a very delicious deep dark chocolate cookies that is flour-less and butter-less.  I will posting that recipe soon too!  Anyway, these cookies are delicious and healthy all in the same bite!   If you live in the San Diego or Orange County area and are interested in attending this event let me know and I can send you all the information.  It is Sunday, May 15th and I hope to meet some fellow food bloggers there!

Oatmeal Cookies with A-Peel

Yield: 4 dozen

Ingredients:

1 cup sweetened dried cranberries (such as Craisins) or raisins
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or stick margarine, softened
2 tablespoons honey or light-colored corn syrup
1 large egg
1 cups all-purpose flour

½ cup whole wheat pastry flour 1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups regular oats
1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

¼ cup chocolate chips - (I used 1 cup)
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare baking sheets.
2. Combine cranberries and orange juice in a bowl; cover and let stand 10 minutes.
3. Beat the sugars and butter at medium speed of a mixer until light and fluffy. Add honey and egg; beat well. Stir in cranberry mixture.
4. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add the oats, walnuts, and orange rind; stir well. Add to sugar mixture; stir until well-blended.
5. Drop by level tablespoons 2 inches apart onto baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 8 minutes or until almost set. Cool on a wire rack. 
6. Enjoy!!