Deirdra Monet's Lifestyle Blog

Name: DIY Facial Toner
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 cups distilled water; 1 cup white rice; 1 slice lemon, squeezed

Rice Water Face Toner

deirdramonet — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 20:10:33 +0000

I’ve been looking for an easy and quick homemade toner to both save money and use natural ingredients on my face. Especially as someone who needs skincare that works for sensitive and acne prone skin. After some research on the benefits of rice water, I think I have found the perfect recipe!

If you want glow-y skin, a toner that reduces acne and hyperpigmentation then this rice water face toner is perfect for you. With only three ingredients and a little time for the rice water to activate to do its job, you can have a long lasting face toner to use daily for less than 1 dollar.

Equipment & Ingredients

To make this rice water face toner you will need these ingredients:

White Rice
Distilled Water
Lemon

As for the equipment, the list is much shorter! You will just need:

Sifter
Mason Jar
Facial Toner Bottle

Let me know how this rice water face toner came out for you in the comments. I have been using it for a couple weeks now and my skin is so glow-y and has been soft and supple too. Be sure to share this recipe with your family and friends who also have sensitive skin and are looking for some easy natural skincare recipes!

DIY Facial Toner

Recipe by deirdramonetDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Idle Time

day

A super easy and cheap DIY facial toner that provides your skin with a glow-y finish while fighting acne and hyperpigmentation at the same time.

Ingredients

2 cups distilled water
1 cup white rice
1 slice lemon, squeezed

Directions

Rinse the white rice in water and strain twice to clean.
Then add the 2 cups of distilled water and agitate with the rice for 1 minute.
Strain the rice water into a jar. Then close and let sit for 1 day at room temperature.
Add the lemon juice to the rice water and shake. Transfer to a toner bottle if desired, then store in the refrigerator to preserve freshness

The post Rice Water Face Toner appeared first on Deirdra Monet's Lifestyle Blog.

Chocolate Beignets

deirdramonet — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 16:36:35 +0000

Even better than a classic New Orleans beignets is a chocolate beignets recipe for all the chocolate lovers. These are so fluffy and airy

These chocolate beignets are made with a homemade bread dough, and fried in hot oil until fluffy and browned. Then while still hot, drizzling with some chocolate sauce to allow the powdered sugar and cocoa powder topping mixture to coat the beignets for a super sweet finish!

Equipment & Ingredients

To make this chocolate beignets you will need these ingredients:

Warm Water
Whole Milk
Active Yeast
White Sugar
Eggs
Vanilla Extract
Salt
Flour
Cocoa Powder
Unsalted Butter
Chocolate Sauce
Powdered Sugar

As for the equipment, the list is much shorter! You will just need:

Frying Pan
Sifter
Stand Mixer

Let me know how this chocolate beignets came out for you in the comments and be sure to share your finished product or this recipe with your family and friends!

Chocolate Beignets

Recipe by deirdramonet

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

Beignet Dough
1 cup warm water
2/3 cup whole milk, warmed
2 teaspoons active yeast
1/3 cup white sugar
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoons salt
4 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 tablespoons unsalted melted butter
Frying Oil
Topping
Chocolate sauce
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Directions

In a bowl or large measuring cup with the warm water add the warmed milk, yeast and sugar. Mix together and allow to sit for 10 minutes, this will help the yeast activate and the mixture will get bubbly on top.
In a separate mixing bowl, add the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Whisk together to incorporate all the dry ingredients. Set aside.
In a stand mixer bowl, add the egg and egg yolk to the bowl, whisking together until combined. Then add the vanilla and whisk again.
Pour in half of the flour mixture into. the egg mixture.
Use a hook attachment to mix these ingredients together until just combined.
Then pour in the activated yeast mixture into the stand mixer, blending again with the hook attachment until a batter is formed. At this point the mixture will still be very wet, so don’t worry about that.
Now add the second half of the dry ingredients and knead again with the hook attachment, this time for about 3 minutes, until a thick dough has formed and all the ingredients are evenly distributed into the dough.
To finish the dough, pour in the melted butter and knead one last time, blending until the chocolate dough is smooth and soft.
Transfer the dough to a clean bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let chill and rise in the refrigerator for 2 hours. The dough should have doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen, move to a clean, floured surface. Roll out to about 1/2 inch thick. Use a pizza cutter to cut out 2x2 inch slices that will become the fried beignet.
Heat up a pot with frying oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a large plate with a paper towel to place the fried beignets on after cooking.
Place the beignets in the hot oil once heated, filling the pot, but not overcrowding.
Place the beignets in the hot oil once heated, filling the pot, but not overcrowding.
Allow the beignets to cook about 1 to 1 ½ minutes on each side, or until puffy and the brown beignets have darkened in color. Remove from the oil and place on the plate. Continue to cook the rest of the beignets in batches until all the dough is used.
In a bowl, add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder for the cocoa powdered sugar topping. Simply whisk the two ingredients together until combined.
Drizzle chocolate sauce all over the top of the plate of beignets coating all of them. Then sift on the cocoa powdered sugar mixture. Be heavy handed with the sugar, as that is where all the sweetness comes into play in this fluffy dessert.
Serve and enjoy!

The post Chocolate Beignets appeared first on Deirdra Monet's Lifestyle Blog.

Barbecue Chicken Pizza

deirdramonet — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 23:00:05 +0000

Barbecue chicken pizza has to be one of the best tasting homemade pizzas EVER. The sweet and tangy barbecue sauce under a mix of both cheddar and mozzarella cheese, and topped with grilled chicken and red onions.

Even better is that this recipe only takes 5 ingredients and can be made as a quick lunch or dinner for yourself and/or family. So let’s get into this recipe…

Equipment & Ingredients

To make this barbecue chicken pizza you will need these ingredients:

Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
Red Onions
Cooked Chicken

As for the equipment, the list is much shorter! You will just need:

Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper

Let me know how this barbecue chicken pizza came out for you in the comments and be sure to share your finished product or this recipe with your family and friends!

Barbecue Chicken Pizza

Recipe by deirdramonet

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Ingredients

1 can refrigerated pizza dough
1 1/2 cup cooked chicken breast, chopped
1/2 cup Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 cup cheddar cheese
1/4 cup red onions, chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out the refrigerated pizza dough onto the baking sheet and press into a rectangle.
Pour the barbecue sauce on top and use a spoon to spread it evenly across the pizza dough. Add more or less if you like a saucier or less saucy pizza.
Cover the sauce with the mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Then add the chopped chicken pizza pieces. Lastly, add the red onions all over the pizza.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese completely melts and the edges of the pizza crust are browned.

The post Barbecue Chicken Pizza appeared first on Deirdra Monet's Lifestyle Blog.

DIY Acne Face Wash

deirdramonet — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:11:54 +0000

I have always struggles with acne and simultaneously suffering from the harshness of many acne washes because of my sensitive skin. I though why not find a simple and natural way to make an acne face wash. It is both gentle, but consists of ingredients that are good at fighting acne breakouts and hyperpigmentation without drying out my skin. If you are like me, I have made an amazing green tea DIY acne face wash to try out.

With only a few ingredients needed and a tea kettle, you can make this green tea face wash in less than 15 minute. I also prefer the use of a foaming soap dispenser which increase the smoothness and gentleness with which this face wash goes onto my skin. So let’s get into this recipe…

Equipment & Ingredients

To make this DIY acne face wash you will need these ingredients:

Green Tea
Tea Tree Oil
Frankincense Essential Oil
Pure Castile Soap
Dried Calendula Flowers

As for the equipment, the list is much shorter! You will just need:

Mixing Bowls
Pot
Foaming Soap Dispenser

Let me know how this DIY acne face wash came out for you in the comments and be sure to share your finished product or this recipe with your family and friends!

DIY Acne Face Wash

Recipe by deirdramonetDifficulty: Easy

Servings

1.5

cups

Prep time

minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups green tea
1/4 cup pure castile soap
16 drops Frankincense essential oil
8 drops tea tree oil
Dried Calendula Flowers (optional)

Directions

In a bowl with 4 green tea bags, add 1 1/2 cups of boiling hot water. Let this sit for 10 minutes to allow the green tea to steep into the water.
Remove the tea bags and stir the green tea with a spoon. Pour in the castile soap, tea tree oil and frankincense. Gently stir again with a spoon.
Take a foaming soap dispenser and place some dried calendula flowers at the bottom of it.
Then pour in the green tea acne facial wash into the dispenser. Close with the top. Gently turn the bottle upside down once to let the flowers flow through the face wash mixture.
The acne face wash is ready to use daily.

The post DIY Acne Face Wash appeared first on Deirdra Monet's Lifestyle Blog.

Peach Cobbler Cookies

deirdramonet — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:00:03 +0000

Last week was peach cobbler day, which means it’s the perfect season for any peach dish. I have never been a huge fan of fruit pies, so although I knew I could make a good peach cobbler dish, I wasn’t sure if I would actually like it myself. Altering the classic recipe, I made a peach cobbler cookie, something that for me balances the fruit versus pastry in a dish like this. It is absolutely delish.

So if you are a peach cobbler lover, looking for an easier peach cobbler recipe or haven’t been a huge fan of fruity desserts like me, then this dessert might be perfect for you. These peach cobbler cookies are made with a slightly crumbly cookie and soft center that is filled with tender, gooey peach filling. Of course these aren’t finished without a sweet cinnamon glaze to top. Eating these while warm will give you the best feeling, especially if you top it with a scoop of ice cream. Are you excited?… I AM! So let’s get into it…

Equipment & Ingredients

To make these peach cobbler cookies you will need these ingredients:

Flour
Unsalted Butter
Brown Sugar
White Sugar
Salt
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Cornstarch
Lemon Juice
Water
Eggs
Powdered Sugar
Milk

As for the equipment, the list is much shorter! You will just need:

Mixing Bowls
Whisk
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
Saucepan

When I tell you this might be one of the best recipes I have made this year, I am not lying. These peach cobbler cookies are perfect to bring to a party, or just enjoy on a cozy night in. Let me know how this peach cobbler cookies recipe came out for you in the comments and be sure to share your finished product or this recipe with your family and friends.

Check Out Our Popular Cake Recipes!

Peach Cobbler Cookies

Recipe by deirdramonetCourse: DessertDifficulty: Medium

Servings

13-16

servings

Prep time

minutes

Bake/Cook time

minutes

The sweetest peach cobbler cookie with a slightly crumbly cookie and soft center that is filled with tender, gooey peach filling. These aren't finished without a sweet cinnamon glaze to top. Eating these while warm will give you the best feeling, especially if you top it with a scoop of ice cream.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough
1/2 cup unsalted butter, browned
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Peach Filing
2 cans peach filling, rinsed and strained
1/4 cup white granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add the browned butter. Whisk in the white and brown sugars, mixing until combined.
Then crack in both eggs, along with adding the vanilla extract. Whisk together until smooth.
Pour in all the dry ingredients of flour, baking soda, powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Use a rubber spatula to fold the batter together until a thick dough forms. It might not fully form by folding, so when it becomes large crumbles, use clean hands to press the mixture together until it combines into a dough.
Use a 2 inch scooper to make balls off the cinnamon dough and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Place each dough ball about 2 inches apart from eachother.
Then use your fingers to create a well in the middle of each dough ball, also pressing the cookies down slightly.
Bake in the oven for 12 minutes or until the cookies have spread and crinkled at the edges. The edge of the cookies with also be slightly golden.
Peach Filling
While the cookies bake, strain the canned peaches in a strainer, rinsing off the thick peach sauce surrounding them. Continue doing this until they are clean. Transfer the peaches to saucepan.
In the saucepan add all the sugars, wet ingredients and dry ingredients at once. That is the white sugar, brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, lemon juice, water, vanilla, and cornstarch.
Place over medium heat on the stove and stir together until combined.
As the peach filling heats up it will become thicker. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring every minute or so to prevent sticking and combine the ingredients evenly.
As the mixture becomes hot and the peaches soften event more, use the utensil you are stirring with to break the peaches into smaller chunks.
Once the mixture has boiled and thickened, remove from the heat to cool.
Assembling Peach Cobbler Cookies
Once the cookies are done, remove from the oven and use the back of a spoon to press the cookies down again where you made wells before baking, to make sure there is space for the peach filling.
Place peach filling into the center of each cookie to fill the well's size.
Quickly whip up the glaze in a small bowl. Add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and milk all at once. Whisk until combined, and then rapidly to remove any clumps.
Drizzle this cinnamon glaze on top of the peach cobbler cookies with a spoon or by dragging the whisk across the top of the cookies diagonally.
Serve these cookies and enjoy! These are best topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and eaten while still warm.

The post Peach Cobbler Cookies appeared first on Deirdra Monet's Lifestyle Blog.

Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes

deirdramonet — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 23:22:57 +0000

Strawberry Crunch CUPCAKES?! The delicious vanilla cupcake packs a punch with the strawberry frosting and topping. It is a lovely mixture of textures, sweetness, a slight tang from the topping, and fluffiness.

For all my strawberry lovers, this may be the recipe for you. I love that this recipe isn’t super overpowering with strawberry flavor by sprinkling the crushed dried strawberries throughout the vanilla cupcake and also having a tinge of strawberry flavoring in the frosting as well as in the topping. The flavor is definitely there, but also subtle too. So let’s get into it…

Equipment & Ingredients

To make this strawberry crunch cupcakes you will need these ingredients:

Flour
Cake Flour
Dried Crushed Strawberries
Vanilla Extract
Buttermilk
Baking Powder
Sugar
Vanilla Extract
Egg
Vanilla Pudding
Strawberry Pudding
Vegetable Oil
Salt
Butter
Cream Cheese
Strawberries
Golden Oreos

As for the equipment, the list is much shorter! You will just need:

Mixing Bowls
Hand Mixer
Baking Sheet
Whisk

Aren’t they just beautiful? These cupcakes are perfect to bring to a party and everyone that tastes one will love them and YOU for you sweet creations. Let me know how this strawberry crunch cupcake recipe came out for you in the comments and be sure to share your finished product or this recipe with your family and friends!

Check Out Our Popular Cake Recipes!

Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes

Recipe by deirdramonetCourse: DessertDifficulty: Medium

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Bake time

minutes

Ingredients

Batter
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cake flour
1 cup white granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla pudding mix
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup crushed freeze dried strawberries
Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
1 tablespoon milk
Strawberry Crunch Topping
15 golden Oreos, crushed
2 ounces strawberry Jell-o mix
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Strawberries, sliced in half

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
In a mixing bowl add all the dry ingredients of flour, cake flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla pudding mix. Whisk together until combined.
Then add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, egg and vanilla extract all at once. Whisk together until a slightly thick batter is formed.
Pour in the crushed freeze dried strawberries and fold into the batter.
Use a large 1 ½ inch scooper to fill the cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ way full.
Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
While those bake, take another mixing bowl and add the softened butter and cream cheese. Use a hand mixer to blend the two together until they are smooth.
Add in the powdered sugar, vanilla and strawberry extract. Blend again until smooth and creamy. Then add in the milk. Whip together once more for about a minute, until the frosting slightly lightens and becomes fluffy.
In another mixing bowl, add the crushed golden Oreos and strawberry Jell-o mix. Mix the two ingredients with a fork until evenly distributed.
Add in the melted butter and mix again until the mixture is thoroughly coated with melted butter.
Transfer this to a small baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes, stirring around gently halfway through the baking time.
Once the cupcakes are done, let cool completely before frosting. Also let the strawberry crunch topping cool completely as well.
Transfer the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large metal star tip.
After the cupcakes have cooled, pipe a large swirl of icing from the outside to the center of each cupcake. Top them all with the strawberry crunch topping.
Finish these cupcakes by placing a halved strawberry in the center of each. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

If storing these cupcakes for later, do not add the sliced strawberries until right before serving.

The post Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes appeared first on Deirdra Monet's Lifestyle Blog.

Microwave Monkey Bread

deirdramonet — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 21:56:30 +0000

Got some late night cravings? You need this microwave monkey bread recipe in your life then! With only a few ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen and 5 minutes you can make this quick cinnamon and sugar snack right in your microwave.

If you have made monkey bread before you know it is already an easy recipe, but requires a Bundt pan, lots of biscuits for a crowd and baking in the oven. So if you want a dessert for one that’s made even MORE easily than the original recipe, then this is perfect recipe for you. Let’s get into it…

Equipment & Ingredients

To make this microwave monkey bread you will need these ingredients:

Grands Refrigerated Biscuits
Cinnamon
White Granulated
Butter
Vanilla Frosting

As for the equipment, the list is much shorter! You will just need:

Mixing Bowls
Fork
Microwave

Who knew monkey bread was that easy? Simple and quick and deliciously sweet. Let me know how this microwave monkey bread recipe came out for you in the comments and be sure to share your finished product or this recipe with your family and friends!

Check Out Our Popular Cake Recipes!

Microwave Monkey Bread

Recipe by deirdramonetCourse: DessertDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

A super quick 5 minute monkey bread recipe that will cover your late night sweet cravings with a gooey cinnamon an sugar treat.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Grands refrigerated biscuits, cut into squares
1/4 cup vanilla frosting

Directions

Melt the butter in the microwave until liquid.
Cut each refrigerated biscuit into 4 pieces and set aside.
In a small bowl, add the cinnamon the white sugar and use a fork to mix together.
Dip each biscuit piece into the melted butter, then into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Coat completely with the mixture and then transfer to a microwavable dish.
Repeat with all the refrigerated dough pieces.
Drizzle any leftover butter on top of the biscuits as well as any leftover cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
Microwave for only 2 minutes to cook through. Remove from the microwave and also melt the vanilla frosting for about 10 seconds.
Drizzle the melted frosting on top of the monkey bread and enjoy your dessert!

The post Microwave Monkey Bread appeared first on Deirdra Monet's Lifestyle Blog.

Easy Fudgy Brownies

deirdramonet — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 01:13:28 +0000

You won’t regret making these easy fudgy brownies. They have the perfect crinkly top, a fudgy center and balance out with the addition of coarse sea salt on top. If you love a brownie that is both soft and fudgy, but doesn’t taste super gooey and uncooked this is the recipe for you!

With just 1 hour and 10 ingredients you can make the best fudgy brownies you have ever had. Let’s jump right into the recipe.

Equipment & Ingredients

To make this easy fudgy brownies you will need these ingredients:

All Purpose Flour
Cocoa Powder
Unsalted Butter
Salt
Coarse Sea Salt
Eggs
Vanilla Extract
White Sugar
Brown Sugar
Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

As for the equipment, the list is much shorter! You will just need:

Mixing Bowls
Whisk
9×9 Baking Dish
Parchment Paper

And just like that, the easy fudgy brownies are done. Simple and quick and deliciously sweet. Let me know how this recipe came out for you in the comments and be sure to share your finished product or this recipe with your family and friends!

Check Out Our Popular Cake Recipes!

Fudgy Sea Salt Brownies

Recipe by deirdramonetCourse: DessertDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

These fudgy brownies are super simple and easy, taking only 1 hour and then topped with sea salt.

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, browned
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup white granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup all purpose flour
Coarse Sea Salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a saucepan, melt the butter until its brown and nutty. Then pour this into a large mixing bowl along with the chocolate chips.
Let sit for a minute and then stir the two ingredients together until the chocolate chips melt completely.
Add in both the salt, white and brown sugars and whisk until combined.
Add in the other wet ingredients of vanilla and eggs. Whisk again until smooth.
Now add in the cocoa powder and flour and fold into the batter until incorporated completely and a thick batter is formed.
Transfer this batter to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Once they are done, remove from the oven and immediately top with some coarse sea salt.
Let cool completely, then cut into squares with a sharp knife, serve and enjoy!

The post Easy Fudgy Brownies appeared first on Deirdra Monet's Lifestyle Blog.

Simple Red Velvet Cake Recipe

deirdramonet — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 18:26:21 +0000

The perfect cake means it is moist on the inside, with just enough fluffiness and just enough cakey texture. Then it is topped with a lusciously sweet and smooth frosting to finish. If your mouth is watering already, then just wait until you make this simple red velvet cake recipe. So many people talk about what actually is a red velvet cake… So many think its just a chocolate cake dyed red, or a vanilla cake dyed red. To make a red velvet cake is actually blending vanilla and chocolate together for a fusion of these two amazing flavors.

If that sounds amazing to you, then let me let you into the secrets of making such a rich and luscious red velvet cake. From the addition of cake flour, to buttermilk, to the flavors of both vanilla and almond extract, you will find out why this simple red velvet cake recipe will the best one you have ever tried.

Equipment & Ingredients

To make this simple red velvet cake recipe you will need these ingredients:

All Purpose Flour
Cake Flour
White Granulated Sugar
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Salt
Buttermilk
Eggs
Vegetable Oil
Vanilla Extract
Almond Extract
Warm Water
Powdered Sugar
Milk
Cream Cheese
Butter

As for the equipment, the list is much shorter! You will just need:

Mixing Bowls
Hand Mixer
2 9 inch round baking pans
Frosting Spatula/Butter Knife

Isn’t it crazy how simple it is to make this luscious cake?! Take a seat and enjoy a slice of heaven, savoring every bite. Switch up this recipe by doubling it to make a 3-layer cake or altering the colors for a luscious blue velvet cake or whatever color your heart desire.

Let me know how this recipe came out for you in the comments. If you are a cake lover, definitely check out or Carrot Cake Recipe, Lemon Bundt Cake Recipe, or Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe, for some of the moistest cakes your taste buds will ever know! Don’t forget to share this simple red velvet cake recipe with your family and friends.

Check Out Our Popular Cake Recipes!

Simple Red Velvet Cake Recipe

Recipe by deirdramonetCourse: DessertDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Bake time

minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup cake flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups white granulated sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup warm water
red food dye
Cream Cheese Frosting
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
6 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare 2 9 inch round baking pans with baking spray and or parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add in all the dry ingredients at once. The flour, cake flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk this together until the dry ingredients are completely incorporated.
Then add in the vegetable oil, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, almond extract and warm water. Add in a generous amount of red food dye with the wet ingredients. Whisk slowly at first to distribute the wet ingredients in the dry and then quickly to blend the batter until smooth and it is a deep red color.
Split this batter evenly between the two prepared baking pans when pouring. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
While the cake bakes, make the cream cheese frosting. In another bowl add in the softened butter and cream cheese. Blend together with a hand mixer until smooth.
Then add in the powdered sugar, blending on low first until combined, then increasing the speed to medium high to make the frosting fluffy.
Add in the milk and blend on medium high speed until creamy.
Once the cake is done, let cool completely.
Place the bottom half of the cake layer on a serving dish or parchment paper to frost. Place a large amount of frosting on the top of the first layer and spread evenly. Then place the second cake layer on top.
Frosting the top half as well, creating about a 1/2 inch layer of frosting. Then make your way down the sides of the cake and frost the edges until everything is covered.
Cut, serve and enjoy!

Notes

If you would like add a garnish, when pouring the batter for the cakes leave a little aside and place in a cupcake liner and pan and bake separately. Once its done crumble the red velvet cupcake and use the crumbs as garnish around the frosted red velvet cake.

The post Simple Red Velvet Cake Recipe appeared first on Deirdra Monet's Lifestyle Blog.

Starbuck’s Iced Caramel Macchiato (Copycat Recipe)

deirdramonet — Sun, 31 Mar 2024 23:33:07 +0000

Haven’t you ever just wanted a Starbucks drink without having to leave the house? One that once you get the base ingredients you could make over and over again daily for much less than the almost 5 dollar coffee you would spend a day to purchase one?

This Starbuck’s iced caramel macchiato copycat recipe will prove to you just how simple and delicious it is to make your own fancy coffee from home. With only 4 ingredients and 10 minutes, you’ll be taking a sip of sweet morning joy in no time. Let’s hop into this recipe…

Equipment & Ingredients

To make this Starbucks iced caramel macchiato you will need these ingredients:

Espresso
Milk
Vanilla Syrup
Caramel Sauce

As for the equipment, the list is much shorter! You will just need:

16 ounce glass
Spoon

And just like that your Starbucks iced caramel macchiato is complete. This is one of Starbucks most popular drinks and now you can make it right at home!

Let me know how this recipe came out for you. If you are like me, and enjoy a super sweet iced coffee feel free to add more caramel or vanilla syrup. Or if you like it stronger go with 3 espresso shots instead of two, lowering the amount of milk added. This Starbucks iced caramel macchiato is such a foolproof recipe to alter. Don’t forget to share this recipe with your family and friends.

Iced Caramel Macchiato

Recipe by deirdramonetCourse: DrinksDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

This deliciously simple coffee recipe leaves you no need to get out of the house. Make this copycat Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato with only 4 ingredients!

Ingredients

2 ounces vanilla simple syrup
8 ounces milk (dairy or nondairy)
2 ounces espresso
3 tablespoons caramel
Extra Caramel for topping

Directions

Add the vanilla syrup and milk in a tall 16 ounce glass. Mix together briefly.
Then fill the cup almost all the way full with ice.
Add the caramel to the hot espresso and mix together until the caramel dissolves. Pour on top of the milk mixture.
Finish with extra caramel sauce on top. Enjoy!

The post Starbuck’s Iced Caramel Macchiato (Copycat Recipe) appeared first on Deirdra Monet's Lifestyle Blog.