Snacks | Simple By Cindy

Rustic Honey Cake

May. 27
2021

I don’t know about you, but I am so looking forward to the summer. This past year has been a long one and I am hearing about so many people with so many problems. Many have had covid with devastating aftereffects. Some of us have lost loved ones, and most of us are just not ourselves, maybe feeling a little depressed dispirited.

How can we lift ourselves after such a crazy year? The answer is certainly not a simple one and not as easy as taking a shower or washing our hands. But there are some things we can do to help improve our moods. Here are a few ideas if you feel down:

Double down on your exercise. I know there are a million excuses not to exercise. Don’t give in, and make exercise a priority. Even if you can only dedicate ten minute to exercise, that adds up quickly over the course of a few months. Going for a walk or run is so beneficial for you in every way. Gretchen Rubin, author of numerous books including “The Happiness Project” and host of the weekly podcast “Happier with Gretchen Rubin,” says that the first step in boosting happiness is to take care of your body. “Your physical experience will always influence your emotional experience,” she says. “And exercise is the magical elixir of life.” Even light yoga can do the trick, she says, adding: “Research shows that even a 12-minute walk is sufficient to create an upbeat, happy mood.” I’m sure you can find that time in your day somewhere!

Connect with people. It is important to maintain our social relationships with friends and loved ones during this economic downturn. My favorite is a good old-fashioned phone call. Hearing people’s voices and speaking to them will definitely lift your spirits. During this past year, I made sure to stay in touch with everyone, especially my elderly aunts and uncles. Not only does it make me feel better, but it will help to make them feel better as well. Since we are not hugging and kissing like we were, hearing a familiar voice may be the next best thing.

Utilize social media. I have subscribed to a couple of different workout sites this year, trying things I would never have done before. There are so many different choices, no matter what your exercise preference or living situation! From yoga to Zumba to live-stream concerts or music, the internet is a perfect place for you to find something that will make you feel good and accomplished.

Finally, find something that makes you laugh. This can be a new baby, a pet, TV show, or podcast. A little laughter goes a long way for positive mental health. Certainly, you should not take yourself too seriously, so laugh at your mistakes too! Your upbeat mood may catch on, and you may find yourself a little happier than you were a minute ago.

Or, you can cook! Like this delicious honey cake that is so simple to make and wonderful to eat. This cake bakes up to a delightful treat that will surely put a smile on your face. The yogurt and eggs make this cake moist and satisfying. The honey brings a fragrant sweetness, and the vanilla adds savory goodness. Top it off with some of your favorite fruits and you have happiness in every bite. Perfect for anytime of the day or night.

This recipe is courtesy of a Taste of Home and will serve 12 people who will be all smiles after a taste of this delightful treat.

Ingredients for Rustic Honey Cake:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup honey
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Assorted fresh fruit and additional honey
Chopped pistachios, optional

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 9-in. cast-iron skillet.

In a large bowl, beat butter and honey until blended.

Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

Beat in yogurt and vanilla.

In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt.

Add to butter mixture.

Transfer batter to prepared skillet.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes.

Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

Serve with fruit, additional honey and, if desired, chopped pistachios.

Freeze option:

Securely wrap cooled cake in foil; freeze.

To use, thaw at room temperature and top as directed.

It’s that simple!

Banana-Honey Cake

May. 13
2021

Spring is in the air! Finally. I just love spring for so many reasons. It’s hard to get through all of them, so I will just name a few things that make this season my favorite.

The most obvious reason is that daytime is longer. When spring rolls around, Daylight Savings Time means it stays lighter longer, which means (for most of us), getting more done. Or at least feeling like we do. A sunset run is such a luxury!

You can begin to feel the warm sun on your body and face, and we all want to get out and enjoy the sunlight. Say goodbye to all the winter layers we need to stay warm– out comes our beautiful, brightly colored clothes. As a bonus, you can take your exercise routine outdoors as well!

The earth begins to come to life once again in a burst of color. The trees are budding and the flowers are starting to bloom. So many lovely fragrances hang in the air, and we get such pleasure to be a part of this new beginning.

Butterflies and bees zip delightfully around the garden.The birds, silent during the winter, gleefully sing as they make their nests and raise their young. If you’re lucky, you may see puppies, kittens, or baby bunnies in your neighborhood too!

Let’s not forget the wonderful produce that comes with this outstanding season. I always look forward to purchasing the fresh, delicious veggies and fruits that pop up in all the grocery stores and produce stands.

To sum it up, everyone loves spring. It comes with happiness, hope, and joy at the beauty of so much abundance. It also signals that summer is on the way, another season of fun in the sun and going to the beach. I just can’t wait!

On to the recipe. Few things are better than bananas and honey. Put them both in a cake and the result is a delicious treat for the spring. The honey, bananas, and eggs ensure that this cake is delightfully moist and incredibly delicious. The cinnamon and sugar work together perfectly as spicy and sweet. The nuts give this cake a nice crunch, but you can omit them if you’d like. You are not going to be able to eat just one piece. Take some to the office or a friend and make their day even better.

This recipe is courtesy of Allrecipes and makes 9 enticing servings for your friends and family.

Ingredients for Banana-Honey Cake:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
2 eggs
2 bananas, peeled and mashed
2/3 cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)

Position a rack in the middle of an oven and preheat to 350°F.

Butter a 9-inch square baking pan.

Sprinkle with flour and tap out the excess.

Make the Batter:

In a bowl, stir together the 2 1/4 cups flour, the baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the butter and brown sugar until creamy.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in 2 additions, alternating with the bananas and beating on medium speed after each addition until smooth.

Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.

Sprinkle evenly with the nuts, if using.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.

Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Cut into squares and serve.

Makes one 9-inch square cake.

It’s that simple!

Passion Bars

Mar. 25
2021

“The year of the pandemic” has been a challenge in so many ways. Across the country, almost within a day, everything was shut down and we were required to stay in our homes to keep the virus at bay. Even still, hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, and countless others changed forever. When the first lockdown was announced, I remember being overwhelmed with the fact that not only had the United States shut down but almost every country in the world had done the same. No matter where you looked, everything had stopped.

As I spoke to my friends, I constantly told them that it wasn’t only us who had been stopped in our tracks, it was everyone everywhere. When we finally managed to venture out for supplies, we were met with lines that reached around the block, and stockouts in once-common items at the store. No one saw this coming (well, those who did see it didn’t do anything about it), and so many of us had a very difficult time with making adjustments to our well-worn routines. But we all complied, hoping we would change the direction of the virus and slow it down, eventually stopping it entirely.

Because of the inability to do our daily activities, life should have become simpler, but it got ever more complex. Many of us faced extreme anxiety due to the isolation and pressure to continue working. Moms and Dads with school aged children had to suddenly stop working and homeschool their kids– or worse, continue working and homeschool their kids. Let’s face it, teaching is the hardest job there is, and not all of us are good at it. Education has changed so much since we were in school. Math, english and history are now taught differently than we learned them. We first had to learn the new way ourselves in order to teach our kids in the way that they were expected to learn.

Some of you had the responsibility of work, teaching your kids, and entertaining them all at the same time. This is a near impossible task for those who haven’t had teaching experience. Many of us were also making three meals a day. We would make breakfast, clean up, then find it was time to make lunch and clean that up. Then came the challenge of making dinners, especially for the people who don’t enjoy or know how to make them– that’s not even taking into the account that some were cooking with very limited ingredients. Going out was always the easier option and that wasn’t even available to us anymore.

Finally, there was the terror of not knowing what would come next.

Are we going to get sick in the store? Do we have to wash our bag of chips? Should we not be ordering takeout so avoid food contamination? How are we going to go to see our doctors and our dentists? What happens if we, God forbid, end up needing to go to the hospital for some reason? How risky is it to give our elderly loved ones a hug? These are questions that we had to learn along the way, and keep up to date on the newest information out there.

But here we are, one year later. Some of us still have problems because our kids are still not in school full-time. Some of us did end up getting the virus and recovering. Others are still suffering after-effects. Now that the vaccine rollout has begun in earnest, I am hopeful that we are at the tail-end of this unprecedented time. We got through the darkest days and now there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Given all your other responsibilities, maybe you can find some time out of your busy day to make these wonderful bars. The oats give these bars a delicious texture, and the sweetened condensed milk ensures a smooth silky goodness. The chocolate chips and peanut butter combine to give this treat a delightful, familiar taste. The result is a sweet and satisfying tidbit that is perfect for breakfast, a snack on the go, or for a pick-me-up any time of the day.

This recipe is courtesy of Allrecipes, and will make 24 bars that will satisfy everybody’s sweet tooth.

Ingredients for Passion Bars:

2 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup butter, softened
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
¾ cup peanut butter
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, brown sugar, salt and baking soda.

Cut in the butter to form a crumbly mixture.

Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the crumbs, and pat the rest evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

In a medium bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter.

Spread evenly over the oatmeal layer.

Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the peanut butter layer.

Then place the reserved crust over the top.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown.

Cool completely before cutting into bars.

It’s that simple!

Salty Caramel Peanut Butter Cake

Mar. 18
2021

In this past year, we’ve learned that kindness counts. I have been the recipient of so many acts of kindness this past year. In our busy lives, we face stressful situations every day, whether it is sitting in traffic, standing in a long line at the store, or giving special attention to kids that need homeschooling. Though it might sound counterintuitive, focusing on doing nice things for others can give you a break from your own problems. Altruism enables us to cope better with stressful situations, and provides us with a better state of mind to tackle whatever comes next.

Do you watch TV and see the commercials to give to wounded war veterans, animal rescues, and sick children? These commercials break my heart, and I want to give to all those in need. Abused pets in particular pull at my heartstrings. You do not have to make a huge donation, because whatever you choose to give will help the organization and make you feel happy that you helped. Just be sure that you do your research and pick organizations that are going to use your money for the right reasons.

Being kind to others also affects your heart. It stimulates the production of oxytocin, which causes the release of nitric oxide in blood vessels, which in turn dilates the blood vessels. It is known as a cardioprotective (serving to protect the heart) hormone because it reduces blood pressure. It is said that caring people have really big hearts – this is so true as kindness strengthens your heart physically and emotionally!

Being nice to others can be one of the easiest, quickest, and most inexpensive ways to keep anxiety at bay. It calms the mood and takes the focus off yourself. There are several ways to reduce anxiety, such as prescription medications, homeopathic remedies, meditation, and exercise, but the most natural way is just to be kind. This small change leads to many good things such as improved self-esteem, happiness, better relationships with others, and better physical and mental health. During this crazy time, I cannot even count the random acts of kindness I have received and I am grateful for each and every one. I always thank the person for their thoughtfulness, promise to pay it forward, and make sure I actually follow through. Even during your darkest mood, try to be kind, do something for others, and I promise it will make you feel better.

If you really want to make someone feel better, make this recipe and bring it to your office, to your friend’s house, or to an elderly person in need of company. Even the name of this recipe makes you feel good. The buttermilk and oil ensures a rich, moist interior that explodes with delicious peanut butter goodness. It is just the right amount of sweet, with subtle hints of vanilla in every bite. The icing is the star of this cake. It is creamy with a smooth texture that compliments this cake perfectly. Do not forget to put on the flaky salt, it makes this cake so satisfying and scrumptious, and looks so fancy.

This snacking cake is courtesy of Yossy Arefi and will help you do an act of kindness for 8 to 12 people.

Ingredients for Salty Caramel Peanut Butter Cake:

For the Cake:

¾ cup packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda

For the Fudgy Caramel Icing:

¼ cup unsalted butter
½ cup packed light brown sugar
¼ cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon water
Pinch of kosher salt
½ cup confectioners’ sugar
Flaky salt, to finish (optional)

Make the Cake:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray and dust with flour, set aside.

To make the cake, in a large bowl, whisk the brown sugar and eggs until pale and foamy, about 1 minute.

Stir in the peanut butter until smooth.

Add the buttermilk, oil, vanilla and salt.

Whisk until smooth and fully emulsified.

Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda and whisk until well-combined and smooth.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, tap it gently on the counter to loosen any air bubbles, and smooth the top with an offset spatula.

Bake until puffed and golden, and a toothpick, inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes.

Remove from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes.

Then invert and flip right side up onto a plate to cool completely.

Make the Icing:

Melt the butter, brown sugar, cream and water together in a saucepan set over medium heat.

Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil and cook for 3 more minutes.

Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool for 3 minutes, stirring once or twice to cool it down slightly.

Whisk in the kosher salt and confectioners’ sugar until smooth.

Immediately pour and spread the icing over the cooled cake and sprinkle with flaky salt, if using.

Allow the icing to set for about 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Store the cake, covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.

It’s that simple!

Tangy Olive Oil Cake

Mar. 8
2021

Unfortunately, I don’t have any of my grandmother’s baking recipes. My grandfather was a baker, so I’m sure he had lots of good recipes, but none were saved or shared. There are a lot of recipes for main dishes, as my grandmother had eight children and had to prepare food every day to feed all of them. Of course, as the older sisters grew and learned from my grandmother, they took on the cooking and most of them became great cooks in the process.

Traditionally, a grandmother figure is an excellent cook. I suspect that many of you watched your grandmothers flying around the kitchen, whipping up wonderful creations that could feed an army of people. Some of us, try as we might, can’t seem to replicate the taste and smell of those special recipes.

Perhaps that’s because some of us never took a home economics class. I remember taking this required class when I was in high school, and though I never liked the class, I did learn basic cooking and sewing skills. Unfortunately, schools dropped this class from their curriculum years ago. These days, learning these basic skills is just a click away on the internet and you have to learn them by yourself. Of course, if you were lucky enough to have a Mom that did these things on a regular basis, you got in person lessons all the time.

Another reason that our moms and grandmothers were so good at these skills is because they often exchanged recipes and techniques with their friends, which is how their recipe boxes became full of wonderful recipes that some of us use today. Grandma also understood the importance of making things from scratch and never cutting corners. The great secret to their cooking was also to use full fat, something that has been eliminated from most of our diets today. She knew how to improvise if she didn’t have the correct ingredients on hand, and never skimped on salt or seasoning.

By the time we were eating our mother’s and grandmother’s recipes, she had been making these same dishes for decades. While we try to open our recipe box and duplicate them, we are missing the most important ingredient: experience. And as I have told you, you just have to get your hands dirty and try and try again, until you perfect them… and hand them down to your children in turn. If they’re lucky, they won’t have to use the internet to learn.

Here is one recipe that I think all of you will have success with. Made from basic ingredients, this cake is a stunner. The whole milk and buttermilk ensures that this cake comes out moist and fluffy and helps to fluff the rich crumb of the cake. The citrus gives a nice tang, and highlights the fruity flavor of the olive oil. The result is a sophisticated cake that is so simple to make and perfect for breakfast, a snack, dessert or anytime of the day pick-me-up. This is a “must try!”

This recipe is courtesy of Ovenly and will serve 12 people who want to keep this recipe for years to come.

Ingredients for Tangy Olive Oil Cake:

2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, at room temperature
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup mild-flavored extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup buttermilk, carton shaken before measuring
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease two 8-by-2-inch round pans with olive oil or butter, line the bottom and sides of the pans with parchment paper, and grease the paper.

Place a sifter or a sieve in a large mixing bowl.

Add the flour, baking powder, and salt and sift.

Using an electric mixer with beaters or a paddle attachment, beat the eggs and sugar on medium speed until pale and aerated, about 3 minutes.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

Add the oil, milk, buttermilk, juice, and zest.

Continue beating on low speed until combined and frothy like a milkshake, about 1 minute.

Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and whisk or beat until just combined and smooth.

Pour the batter into the prepared pans.

Bake in the center of the oven on the same rack for 30 to 33 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, and the cake bounces back when lightly pressed.

Remove the cakes from the oven and let them stand for 10 minutes.

Run a butter knife around the cakes to gently release.

Peel off the parchment paper from the sides.

Invert the cakes, peel off the bottom piece of parchment paper, and cool on a wire rack.

While the cake is cooling, make a stencil from parchment paper.

Trace the bottom of the baking pan onto the parchment paper.

Using scissors, cut out the perimeter.

Fold the paper into four equal sections: half, then quarters, then eighths.

Cut out shapes from the paper, leaving the curved outer edge free from cuts.

Open out the folded paper.

Hold the stencil securely down on the cooled cake and use a fine-mesh sieve to dust confectioners’ sugar over the stencil.

When you’ve finished, lift the stencil carefully off the cake.

I just made some stars out of parchment paper, and loved the results!

It’s that simple!