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Kool-Aid® Popcorn
Appetizer

Kool-Aid® Popcorn

4.3

Prep
10 min
Cook
35 min
Total
45 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C). Grease a large baking sheet. Place popped popcorn in a large bowl.
  2. 2 Combine sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a saucepan; bring to a boil until sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes.
  3. 3 Combine drink mix and baking soda in a large bowl; pour sugar mixture into drink mixture, stirring carefully. Sugar mixture will bubble. Pour mixture over popcorn; toss to evenly coat. Transfer coated popcorn to baking sheet.
  4. 4 Bake in the preheated oven, stirring every 10 minutes, until coating has hardened, about 30 minutes. Cool and break popcorn into pieces.

By Bernie Theus

Deep-Fried Onion Rings
Appetizer

Deep-Fried Onion Rings

4.5

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
85 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Soak onion rings in a bowl of ice water for 1 hour; drain and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. 2 Whisk flour, buttermilk, egg, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl until smooth.
  3. 3 Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  4. 4 Dip onion rings in batter, working in batches; fry battered onion rings in the hot oil until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

By Elle

Quick and Easy Pretzel Bites with Nutella® Dipping Sauce
Appetizer

Quick and Easy Pretzel Bites with Nutella® Dipping Sauce

5.0

Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
35 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  2. 2 Unroll pizza crust and cut into 2-inch squares. Roll each square into a ball and place on a cookie sheet.
  3. 3 Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Stir in baking soda until dissolved. Add pizza balls to the boiling water in batches. Cook until puffed up and floating, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle salt on top.
  4. 4 Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
  5. 5 Mix Neufchatel cheese, chocolate-hazelnut spread, and milk together to make chocolate dipping sauce. Add more milk for a thinner dip. Mix mustard and honey together in a separate bowl. Serve warm pretzel bites with dipping sauces.

By tcasa

Chocolate Chex Caramel Crunch
Appetizer

Chocolate Chex Caramel Crunch

4.8

Prep
15 min
Cook
10 min
Total
45 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place cereal in a large microwave-safe bowl; set aside. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper.
  2. 2 In a 2-cup microwave-safe measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until melted and smooth.
  3. 3 Stir baking soda into sugar mixture, stirring until dissolved. Pour over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Microwave coated cereal on High 3 minutes, stirring every minute.
  4. 4 Spread cereal mixture over the prepared cookie sheet. Cool 10 minutes. Break into bite-sized pieces.
  5. 5 In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave vanilla baking chips uncovered on High about 1 minute 30 seconds or until chips can be stirred smooth (bowl will be hot).
  6. 6 Drizzle melted baking chips over snack. Refrigerate until set, 10 minutes or longer. Store in a tightly covered container.

By Chex

Game Day Crunch
Appetizer

Game Day Crunch

4.0

Prep
10 min
Cook
10 min
Total
50 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Mix brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup together in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until bubbling, 3 1/2 minutes. Stir and microwave for 2 more minutes. Stir baking soda and vanilla extract into brown sugar mixture.
  2. 2 Fold cereal squares, pretzel sticks, and peanuts into brown sugar mixture until well coated. Microwave for 2 minutes. Stir and microwave again for 1 minute; stir well. Spread mixture onto waxed paper and cool completely; break into small pieces.

By Kimniki

Air Fryer Pretzel Bites
Appetizer American

Air Fryer Pretzel Bites

5.0

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Gather all ingredients.
  2. 2 Mix self-rising flour and Greek yogurt together in a bowl until well combined. Turn out dough onto a floured surface and knead dough comes together.
  3. 3 Roll dough into 3/4-inch thick ropes. Cut each rope into three 5-inch pieces and roll each piece into a small ball.
  4. 4 Preheat an air fryer to 390 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 5 minutes.
  5. 5 Meanwhile, bring water in a large pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Add baking soda to the boiling water. Carefully drop dough balls into the water and cook until they float to the top.
  6. 6 Using a slotted spoon remove dough balls once they float to the top and transfer to the air fryer basket in one line. You might need to cook them in batches.
  7. 7 Cook until pretzel bites are lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
  8. 8 Spray pretzel bites with nonstick cooking spray and sprinkle kosher salt on top. Serve and enjoy.

By thedailygourmet

Chilean-Style Sopaipillas
Appetizer Latin American

Chilean-Style Sopaipillas

4.8

Prep
20 min
Cook
25 min
Total
60 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Peel, seed, and cut zapallo into chunks. Place in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until zapallo is soft and easily pierced with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and allow to cool slightly.
  2. 2 Mix flour, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing bowl, and set aside. Stir together squash and melted butter. Stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until blended. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until soft and satiny, adding a little more flour if necessary. Cover dough with a towel and allow to rest 15 minutes.
  3. 3 Roll out the dough to 1/8-inch thick, and cut into 3-inch diameter circles. Poke each circle a few times with a fork to make holes and prevent rising.
  4. 4 Pour oil into a large, deep skillet and heat over medium-high heat until hot, 385 degrees F (195 degrees C). Place several of the dough circles into hot oil; cook until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Cook remainder of dough circles in batches.

By Makka

Salmon Dill Biscuits
Appetizer

Salmon Dill Biscuits

3.7

Prep
20 min
Cook
15 min
Total
40 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with twelve Reynolds® Foil Baking Cups; set aside. In a large bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in the center of flour mixture; set aside.
  2. 2 Whisk together buttermilk, eggs, butter, and dill in a 2-cup measure. Add all at once to flour mixture. Gently stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy). Chop 2 ounces of the smoked salmon. Gently fold in salmon.
  3. 3 Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each three-fourths full.
  4. 4 Bake for 15 minutes or until golden. Cool in cups on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
  5. 5 Split the muffins and spread split sides with cream cheese. Sandwich some of the remaining 2 ounces smoked salmon in between muffin halves. Garnish with additional fresh dill.

By Reynolds KitchensR

Stockton Asparagus Fries
Appetizer

Stockton Asparagus Fries

3.0

Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Total
20 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Heat peanut oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. 2 Mix flour, beer, cornstarch, egg whites, baking powder, white pepper, baking soda, celery salt, and black pepper together in a bowl with a wire whisk to form the batter.
  3. 3 Dip asparagus spears individually in the batter and place carefully in the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Dust fried asparagus with Parmesan cheese.

By Cathy Ales

Popcorn Balls from Karo
Appetizer American

Popcorn Balls from Karo

4.9

Prep
20 min
Cook
Total
20 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Coat a large roasting pan with cooking spray.
  2. 2 Add popcorn to the prepared roasting pan; place in oven until warm. (Popcorn can also be warmed in a large microwave-safe bowl on High (100%) power for 1 to 2 minutes.)
  3. 3 Combine sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan; bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 2 minutes, continuing to stir.
  4. 4 Off heat, stir in vanilla and baking soda; pour over warm popcorn, stirring until well coated. Cover hands with two plastic bags, coat bags lightly with cooking spray; shape mixture into twelve 3-inch popcorn balls, working quickly.
  5. 5 Cool completely. Wrap individually in plastic wrap.

By ARGO, KARO and FLEISCHMANN'S

Spicy-Sweet Buffalo Popcorn
Appetizer American

Spicy-Sweet Buffalo Popcorn

5.0

Prep
10 min
Cook
36 min
Total
56 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Spray a large bowl with cooking spray. Fill with popcorn.
  2. 2 Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone pad.
  3. 3 Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, without stirring and swirling pan gently as needed, until sugar has melted and the caramel is a deep amber color, 8 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat.
  4. 4 Stir Buffalo sauce and butter carefully into the caramel; it will spit and bubble and may form a ball. Return to heat; bring to a boil, stirring until caramel is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda and cayenne pepper.
  5. 5 Pour spicy caramel mixture carefully over the popcorn. Toss to completely coat, guarding your hands from the hot caramel. Spread the coated popcorn onto the prepared baking sheet.
  6. 6 Bake in the preheated oven until dry, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes; stir.

By MARGARET N

Caramel Pretzel Nut Popcorn
Appetizer American

Caramel Pretzel Nut Popcorn

4.7

Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
35 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place popcorn, pretzels, and peanuts in a large paper bag or very large bowl; set aside.
  2. 2 Combine brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir until butter melted, brown sugar dissolved, and mixture comes to a full boil. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
  3. 3 Off heat, stir vanilla, salt, and baking soda into brown sugar mixture using a long spoon; the mixture will foam up when you add the soda. Immediately pour brown sugar mixture over popcorn mixture; shake until evenly coated.

By rookieswife

Authentic Middle Eastern Hummus (Chummus)
Appetizer Middle Eastern

Authentic Middle Eastern Hummus (Chummus)

4.4

Prep
20 min
Cook
120 min
Total
140 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Rinse the garbanzo beans and and place in a pot. Fill with enough water to cover by at least 1 inch. Add baking soda, if using. Bring to a boil and then simmer over medium heat until the beans are very soft, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  2. 2 Drain the beans, reserving some of the water to use later. Reserve a small handful of the whole beans for a garnish. Transfer the rest to a blender or if you have a hand blender, a large bowl. Blend the beans until smooth, adding 1/2 cup of olive oil gradually. Add some of the reserved water if needed to help it blend. Add the tahini and blend in along with the lemon juice. Blend in the garlic, cumin, and salt.
  3. 3 Spread the hummus into a flat serving dish and garnish with the reserved beans and a drizzle of olive oil.

By Simone

Tomato Rarebit
Appetizer European

Tomato Rarebit

3.0

Prep
20 min
Cook
20 min
Total
40 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth, then continue to cook and stir until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Gradually stir in the milk so that no lumps form and then simmer until thick, stirring the whole time. Remove from the heat.
  2. 2 Stir together the baking soda and canned tomatoes; stir into the sauce. Whisk together the mustard and eggs; stir into the tomato sauce. Set the saucepan over a pot of barely simmering water (like a double boiler). Stir in the cheese and season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese has melted.

By PJ's kitchen

Jan's Pretzel Dogs
Appetizer American

Jan's Pretzel Dogs

4.8

Prep
35 min
Cook
35 min
Total
130 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Gather all ingredients.
  2. 2 Heat beer in a saucepan over low heat until it reaches 110 degrees F (45 degrees C); pour into a bowl. Add sugar and 2 teaspoons kosher salt; sprinkle yeast on top and let stand for 5 minutes until yeast begins to foam.
  3. 3 Place bread flour and butter in a bread machine. Add yeast mixture; select Dough cycle.
  4. 4 Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lightly grease 2 baking sheets or line with parchment paper. Beat egg yolk in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon water; set aside.
  5. 5 Stir baking soda into 10 cups water in a large pot until dissolved; bring to a boil.
  6. 6 Turn dough out onto a lightly-oiled surface; roll into a 10x20-inch rectangle. Slice dough into eighteen 1-inch wide strips; wrap each strip tightly around a hot dog in a spiral, pinching the edges to seal and leaving the ends open. About half an inch of hot dog should peek out of each end of the dough wrapper.
  7. 7 Drop 2 or 3 dough-wrapped hot dogs into the boiling water for 30 seconds.
  8. 8 Arrange boiled hot dogs on the prepared baking sheets. Brush each pretzel dog with egg yolk mixture; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup salt.
  9. 9 Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
  10. 10 Serve and enjoy!

By What's for dinner, mom?

Buttermilk Hush Puppies
Appetizer American

Buttermilk Hush Puppies

4.4

Prep
15 min
Cook
10 min
Total
25 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Heat 1 quart vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
  2. 2 Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).
  3. 3 Whisk buttermilk, eggs, and 1/4 cup vegetable oil together in a bowl.
  4. 4 Whisk cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a separate bowl; fold in buttermilk mixture, green onions, and minced onion until just combined.
  5. 5 Carefully drop batter by tablespoon-sized balls into the hot oil in batches of 6 to 8 balls. Fry until golden brown, flipping to cook evenly, 6 to 10 minutes. Transfer hush puppies with a slotted spoon onto brown paper bags to drain. Repeat with any remaining batter.
  6. 6 Transfer hush puppies to a baking sheet; keep warm in the preheated oven until ready to serve.

By Mama Smith

Vareniki (Pierogi) with Potatoes and Mushrooms
Appetizer European

Vareniki (Pierogi) with Potatoes and Mushrooms

5.0

Prep
30 min
Cook
35 min
Total
75 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 25 minutes. Drain potatoes and mash; season with salt and pepper.
  2. 2 Combine flour and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl while potatoes are cooking. Stir sour cream and baking soda together in a second bowl. Add water to flour mixture and blend in, followed by sour cream mixture. Knead into a smooth dough, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. 3 Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and cook onions until browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Add to mashed potatoes.
  4. 4 Divide dough into 4 portions and roll each portion into a 1 1/2-inch thick rope. Cut ropes into small 1/2-inch pieces. Press each dough piece into a small flat circle and place 1 teaspoon of potato filling in the center. Fold dough over into a half-moon shape and seal edges.
  5. 5 Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle boil. Add the vareniki in batches and cook until they float to the surface, about 3 minutes. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in a colander to drain.

By Natasha Titanov

Authentic Falafels
Appetizer Middle Eastern

Authentic Falafels

4.4

Prep
30 min
Cook
10 min
Total
580 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Place dried chickpeas in a bowl. Fill with water to cover; stir in baking soda. Soak at least 8 hours or overnight in refrigerator. Drain.
  2. 2 Place soaked and drained chickpeas in a blender or food processor; blend to a paste.
  3. 3 Pour water into chickpea paste and blend until smooth. Scrape down sides of blender with spatula if needed.
  4. 4 Place sesame seeds, cumin, salt, baking powder, coriander, black pepper, red chili powder, sugar, turmeric, and asafoetida powder in blender with chickpea paste; blend until well mixed. Transfer chickpea mixture to a bowl.
  5. 5 Chill chickpea mixture in refrigerator to allow flavors to blend, at least 1 hour and up to two days.
  6. 6 Pour vegetable oil to a depth of 1 inch in a deep skillet over medium heat and heat to 370 degrees F (188 degrees C).
  7. 7 Scoop up chickpea mixture by heaping tablespoons and form into balls the size of ping pong balls.
  8. 8 Fry balls in hot oil until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes on each side.

By Kathleen Woods Rubino

Ghoulishly Good Halloween Snack Mix
Appetizer American

Ghoulishly Good Halloween Snack Mix

4.5

Prep
15 min
Cook
75 min
Total
90 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 255 degrees F (124 degrees C).
  2. 2 Combine corn snacks, cheese crackers, popcorn, and pretzel sticks in a large roasting pan.
  3. 3 Bring brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda. Pour syrup over snack mixture in the roasting pan; stir to coat.
  4. 4 Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, stirring to coat every 15 minutes.
  5. 5 Line a countertop with waxed paper. Spread snack mix into a single layer on top.
  6. 6 Place candy coating in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir until smooth and place a dot of melted candy on the back of a candy eyeball; attach to a corn snack. Repeat with remaining eyeballs.
  7. 7 Transfer snack mix to a large bowl. Stir in candy corn and peanut butter candy pieces until incorporated.

By SunnyDaysNora

Mini Bacon-Jalapeno-Onion Corn Muffins
Appetizer American

Mini Bacon-Jalapeno-Onion Corn Muffins

4.5

Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Total
35 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray 48 mini muffin tin cups with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. 2 Mix cornmeal, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in jalapenos, onion, and garlic. Add melted butter and mix well.
  3. 3 Stir corn, buttermilk, eggs, and bacon into the cornmeal mixture until incorporated. Add shredded Monterey Jack cheese and mix batter well.
  4. 4 Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to fill muffin cups about 3/4 full with batter.
  5. 5 Bake in the preheated oven until puffed and golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from muffin tins and cool on a rack.

By lutzflcat

"Let Game Day Begin" Snack Board
Appetizer American

"Let Game Day Begin" Snack Board

Prep
45 min
Cook
60 min
Total
1555 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Quarter beets and toss in a bowl with olive oil. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
  2. 2 Roast in the preheated oven until a knife can be easily inserted into a beet, 35 to 40 minutes. Set beets aside to cool slightly.
  3. 3 Place the beets in a food processor along with the beans, tahini, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, cumin, turmeric, sea salt, and garlic. Blend until smooth, adding small amounts of reserved bean liquid if the consistency is too thick. Transfer roasted golden beet hummus to a covered serving bowl and refrigerate until needed.
  4. 4 Decrease oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray 48 mini muffin tin cups with nonstick cooking spray.
  5. 5 Mix cornmeal, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Stir in jalapenos, onion, and garlic. Add melted butter and mix well.
  6. 6 Stir corn, buttermilk, eggs, and bacon into the cornmeal mixture until incorporated. Add shredded Monterey Jack cheese and mix batter well. Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to fill muffin cups about 3/4 full with batter.
  7. 7 Bake in the preheated oven until puffed and golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer from muffin tins to a cooling rack.
  8. 8 Mix cream cheese, garlic, vermouth, parsley, salt, basil, tarragon, sage, and white pepper in a food processor until smooth.
  9. 9 Fill salami slices with herbed cheese spread, roll, and secure each with a toothpick. Return rolls to the refrigerator until needed.
  10. 10 Mix ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar, sriracha, brown sugar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat. Add franks and heat until warm, about 5 minutes.
  11. 11 Assemble the snack board by running a row of warm corn muffins diagonally across a large serving platter or cutting board. Pour saucy sriracha franks into a serving bowl and place at the top left of the board. Place mixed olives in a bowl and in the lower left corner of the board. Place pickled eggs and hot peppers next to the olives at the bottom of the board. Place the golden beet hummus to the right of the corn muffins, and place naan bread around the bowl. Fill in empty spots on the board with the salami rolls.

By lutzflcat

Christmas in The Islands Bread
Breakfast Caribbean

Christmas in The Islands Bread

4.2

Prep
20 min
Cook
45 min
Total
65 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
  2. 2 Beat together eggs, oil, rum, and milk in a bowl. Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl. Mix the flour into the eggs until just moistened. Gently fold in the pineapple, cherries, and coconut. Pour into prepared pans.
  3. 3 Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack.

By B Painter

Caribbean Zucchini Bread
Side Dish Caribbean

Caribbean Zucchini Bread

4.7

Prep
20 min
Cook
40 min
Total
85 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9x5-inch loaf pans.
  2. 2 Whisk all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg together in a large bowl. Beat brown sugar, white sugar, bananas, eggs, oil, applesauce, and vanilla together in a separate large bowl. Stir flour mixture into banana mixture. Fold zucchini, walnuts, and coconut into batter until well combined; divide between the prepared pans.
  3. 3 Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool loaves in the pans for 25 minutes before removing from the pans and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

By tahoegirl

Chef John's Hummingbird Cake
Dessert Caribbean

Chef John's Hummingbird Cake

4.8

Prep
30 min
Cook
40 min
Total
200 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter two 9-inch round cake pans, then dust with flour. Set aside.
  2. 2 Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl; whisk quickly to combine. Add oil and eggs and mix with a spatula until just combined.
  3. 3 Add vanilla, pineapple, bananas, and toasted pecans, and mix until thoroughly combined. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans. Shake each pan then tap on the counter to settle the batter and bring any air bubbles to the top.
  4. 4 Bake in the preheated oven until a wooden skewer inserted in center comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
  5. 5 Let cakes cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Let cool completely, at least 1 hour.
  6. 6 Combine cream cheese, butter, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment on high speed, mix until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as necessary with a spatula. Mix in the powdered sugar on a lower speed in 3 or 4 additions until mostly incorporated. Increase to high speed and whip until light and fluffy.
  7. 7 Place one cake on a serving platter. Spread 1/2 of the frosting on top, leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch unfrosted at the edges. Top with second cake layer and give it a firm but gentle press. Pile remaining frosting on top and spread toward the outside.
  8. 8 Place in the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour.
  9. 9 Meanwhile, draw or trace a hummingbird template on a piece of paper and lay on a baking sheet under a silicone mat (such as Silpat®).
  10. 10 Heat sugar for hummingbird in a saucepan over medium-low heat until dissolved, hot, and amber in color. Drip liquid sugar onto the silicon mat, tracing the hummingbird pattern. Let sit until hard.
  11. 11 Place cooled hummingbird on top of cake and decorate with edible flowers.

By John Mitzewich

Vegan Puerto Rican Empanadas
Dinner Caribbean

Vegan Puerto Rican Empanadas

5.0

Prep
30 min
Cook
30 min
Total
65 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine water, TVP, and soy sauce in a large pan over high heat. Cook and stir until water is mostly evaporated. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic, sazon, adobo sauce, oregano, and cumin. Continue cooking until TVP starts to firm up, about 5 minutes, increasing heat if necessary. Add cayenne and liquid smoke and cook until the mixture starts sticking to the pan, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and mix vegan meat well.
  2. 2 Mix flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add water and 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Mix with your hands and knead until all flour is incorporated. Cut dough into 12 pieces and roll into balls. Place dough balls in the bowl and cover; let sit for 3 to 4 minutes. Roll a dough ball out into a 6-inch circle and fill with vegan meat and shredded cheese. Dip a finger in water and moisten the edges of the dough before folding over and crimping empanada edges using a fork. Repeat with remaining dough balls and fillings.
  3. 3 Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 or 3 empanadas as a time to the hot oil and fry until both sides are a light golden color, about 5 minutes total. Transfer fried empanadas to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

By NYEco1

Authentic Chicken Empanadas (Empanadas de Pollo)
Dinner Caribbean

Authentic Chicken Empanadas (Empanadas de Pollo)

4.3

Prep
35 min
Cook
35 min
Total
70 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Mix flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Add water and 1/4 cup vegetable oil; mix with an electric mixer until well combined and a dough begins to form, about 3 minutes. Remove dough and knead on a lightly floured surface for about 3 minutes. Wrap in plastic wrap and set aside for 15 minutes.
  2. 2 Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shredded chicken and saute until heated through, about 2 minutes. Add onion, bell pepper, cilantro, olives, garlic, sazon seasoning, tomato paste, salt, and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  3. 3 Divide empanada dough into 12 pieces and form each one into a 4-inch circle. Place about 2 tablespoons filling in the center of each circle, fold in half, and press down on the edges with a fork to seal.
  4. 4 Heat 1 cup oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add empanadas, working in batches, and fry until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

By NatalieC

We Be Jammin' Jamaican Banana Bread
Breakfast Caribbean

We Be Jammin' Jamaican Banana Bread

4.2

Prep
45 min
Cook
60 min
Total
165 min

Instructions

  1. 1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
  2. 2 Beat together 2 tablespoons of softened butter and cream cheese in a large bowl until fluffy. Slowly beat in sugar until well incorporated. Add the egg and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. In a different bowl, mix together the bananas, milk, 2 tablespoons rum, lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla extract; stir well. Pour 1/3 of the flour mixture into the butter and mix well. Mix in 1/2 of the mashed bananas. Continue with another 1/3 of the flour, followed by the remaining banana mixture, and finally the remaining flour. Fold in 1/4 cup pecans and 1/4 cup coconut flakes.
  3. 3 Pour the mixture into the loaf pans, and bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about one hour. When finished, cool for 10 minutes in the pan, remove, and finish cooling on a wire rack.
  4. 4 After you take the banana bread out of the oven, prepare the topping by stirring together the brown sugar, remaining butter, lime juice, and 2 teaspoons of rum in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer stirring constantly; cook until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth, about one minute. Remove from heat, and stir in 2 tablespoons pecans, and 2 tablespoons coconut. Spoon this topping over the loaves while they are still warm. The topping will harden slightly when the loaf cools.

By B Painter