Step by Step, How to make a Batman Cake-Cheesecake-Cake

This is a delicious, wonderful, and super fun cake. But be forewarned, you do have to make the cheesecake part the night before so it can cool overnight. That's the only hard part. This recipe was adapted from Inside BruCrew Life. Obviously they did theirs a little different from mine (aka SANS The Batman).

I AM... THE CAKE. 

Now for The cake itself, here is the recipe to make that:
(nananananananananananananananana)

BATMAN  Lemon Cake Cheesecake Cake 

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Yield: 16 slices

For the Cheesecake layer

3 (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened

1 c. sugar

1 c. sour cream

3 eggs

1 Tbsp. vanilla

For the Lemon cake layers

2 lemon supreme cake mixes

8 eggs

2 c. buttermilk

2/3 c. lemon juice

2 (3.4 oz. each) instant lemon pudding mixes

2/3 c. oil

3 (10.6 oz. each) vanilla Cool Whip frosting (found in the freezer isle

For the Decorations

Yellow Food Coloring

Melting Chocolate

Parchment Paper

Printed out logo of THE BAT. 

Instructions

For the Cheesecake layer
1. Beat the cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add in the sour cream, eggs, and vanilla and beat until creamy.
2. Pour into a 10" springform pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350* for 45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Run a knife around the edges, but don't remove the pan. Chill overnight.
For the cake layers
3. In a mixing bowl combine 1 cake mix, 4 eggs, 1 c. buttermilk, 1/3 c. lemon juice, 1 box lemon pudding, and 1/3 c. oil. Beat for 1 minute on low, and then 2 minutes on medium.
4. Pour into a greased and floured 10" round cake pan. Bake at 350* for 42-44 minutes. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes and then flip onto a wire rack to cool completely. While the first layer is cooling, repeat with the other cake mix and the rest of the ingredients.
5. [You can skip to the photographed decoration instructions below if you feel that you need photo help] To assemble the cake, level both lemon cakes. Place on cake on a plate and smooth on a thin layer of cool whip. Place the cheesecake on top. If the layers don't match up you can use a knife to very carefully remove the sides of the cheesecake to fit. Smooth a thin layer of cool whip frosting on top of the cheesecake. Place the last cake layer on top of the cheesecake. Smooth the Cool Whip frosting over the top and sides of the cake that has already been colored with the yellow food coloring. Cool. 
6. Lay down parchment paper over the batman logo. 
7. Melt your melting chocolate (such as Almond Bark) in the microwave  at 15 second intervals in a ziplocked bag. You're "finished" when just tiny bits of chocolate are not melted, for they will melt from the heat of the other chocolate. Once done, cut the tip of the bag with a very sharp set of scissors. 
8. Trace the outline of batman over on the parchment paper, fill as desired. Multiple attempts were taken by me to get it right to the right thickness so it wouldn't break. Don't be afraid to go slow. 
9. Create the side skyline by making various heights of rectangles. You could also trace a skyline image that has been printed out like the batman logo. 
10. Once assembled cake is cooled, add the cooled chocolate decorations by gentling lifting them off the parchment paper, and placing them on the cake. The skyline is best done in small pieces to fit to the curve of the cake. 

Notes

1. I actually only used 2 containers of the Cool Whip frosting on the entire cake.

2. I found that I REALLY did not like this frosting I would suggest a butter cream instead. It was sticky, melty, not easily formed, and just didn't work. It tasted fine, but looked horrible. Maybe for another dish. 

3. I had enough batter extra to make a dozen cupcakes in addition to this cake. So, be wary if you don't have anything to do with the extra batter. You could... always eat it yourself.  We don't judge. 

Decoration Steps in Photos: 

1. Assemble the cake

I had to chop the cheesecake a bit, but it didn't really make a difference. The icing filled in the contours nicely. 

So. Much. Cake. 

2. Ice the cake

Had to do two layers. See the mess? The icing was fussy. 

2. Make the Chocolate

Buildings

Batman is hard to perfect! 

3. Assemble! (wait, that's Marvel not DC!!)

Adding the Buildings

Gently add the not so gentle batman

And you're done! These are great for parties, especially for little boys.

Good Luck!
-K

Rainbow Bread

Do you  know a kid?

Rainbow Bread

One of my side jobs is to teach kids how to fence (Kids + swords = very safe?). Whenever I bring them something that is super colorful or is mostly food coloring they basically explode. Their eyes grow to anime proportions and they start to drool while the eyes twinkle. 

It's been a while, but lately I've been doing some serious traditional baking of bread baking, cakes, etc. So, to bring some variations, I've been having some fun with food coloring. 

This bread starts off with your typical bread dough. I've been using the bread from  Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. This is possibly the best bread book you can buy. It is super easy and super tasty and delicious. If you haven't read it, because you're some Un'merican communist, put down Mao's little red book and buy it. It will 100% be worth it!


Using your ready to go dough, FYI I use their pan d'epi bread dough here, have it out on a nice floured surface. Keep a bag of flour near by, you will need it. 

 If you don't have a go to bread dough that you like, feel free to use this one. It's very easy to follow, and it'll make your home smell won-der-ful. Bread seems daunting, but actually it's not hard, just tedious. You have to wait and wait to make it happen. 


But, here is how to make the prettiest, and most questionable, bread you'll ever want to eat. 

First, we preheat our oven so it can get to the hot, hot temp of 450F (or however high your oven goes). Then, on a very floured (hehe, makes me think of my favorite scene in Stranger than Fiction... I brought you flours) surface, and make sure your hands are too. 

Ball up your tasty bread. 

UGH. So.. uncolorful

Half it. 

Two boring breads

Half those halves. And, do two more to make it six (the different number of colors I have).

Breads so boring!! Need color.

Now pick up a ball and color it with your respective food coloring. I used both the liquid and the gel, and I found the gel was better. The gel food color was better since it was more about surface area and not mixing it in. The bread soaks up the water in the typical food coloring, and with the gel you kind of just cover it up. 

Gelly. 

Notice: Serious amount of flour. 

AHHH! My bread is bleeding! ... bread vampires? I should call the CW with this idea.

Behold: Reddish bread.

 So, you see how it isn't quite all red, but more marbled? It depends on the bread recipe you use, but mine was a soaker, so you don't see as much red. Good news is, it gave it a really gorgeous marbled artsy bread. So, you don't understand it? But be an abstract bread....

Continue the process with your other bread balls, and layer them up.  If you're doing two colors, you can just switch between. That would be great for a football game in your team colors (GO WATT< WOO!).

I have no favorites (Yes I do, his name is JJ.).

Bread blob.

It's looks like a painting at an elementary school.

Next, you're going to roll it up, into a nice colorful burrito. 

Burrito. 

That looks weird at this angle...

 Pop it in the oven according to your bread recipe's requirements. Mine required a cup of hot water to keep it moist in a broiler pan.

Man, it does not look good from this angle. Do I still want this bread? 

 When it comes out of the oven, refrain from eating. It's hard!!

colorrrsssszzzzzz

 Viola! You have just made the craziest bread ever. Don't worry, it still tastes good. But, it will sure make people look at your sandwich twice.

Nomnomnom.

 eat it!

-K

Ham & Cheese Pretzel Bites

munchmunchmunchmunch

So, the nearby Texan's Playoff game is coming up (hey, gotta support my local team!) so The Boyfriend is having a football party at his place. Naturally, I got to step up my snack game.


Pretzels are really quite easy to do, you just have to be willing to let the dough and yeast rise (usually around an hour). Thankfully, it's not like old school croissants (roughly around 2 day baking process) or sourdough bread (gotta wait a week for just the yeast!). And, they're really versatile. I went savory, but you can not stuff it and go with a sugar and cinnamon combo (The Boyfriend's favorite pretzel) .


Any way, it's a great treat to have for anyone who likes the meat/bread/cheese pair.
Oh, may I mention my hatred for wax paper? It's terrible. Tears easily, sticks, insults you, it's gross. Parchment or super grease FTW.


Any way, here it is! Below are photos of me making them, if you need some clarity.


Ham & Cheese Pretzel Bites: Adapted from Alton Brown

Time: Roughly 2 hours
Makes around 25 2-inch pretzel rounds

• 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 package active dry yeast (they're in the baking isle, usually top shelf)
• 22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
• 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 Cup Diced Ham
• 1 Cup Sharp Cheddar
• Vegetable oil, for pan
• 10 cups water [I just filled a 4 quart pan 3/4ths of the way]
• 2/3 cup baking soda
• 1 large egg yolk beaten
• Kosher Salt to top (if desired)

1. Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter, mix until well combined. 
2. Knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
4. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment [DEATH TO THE WAX PAPER] paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.
5. In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 4 pieces. Roll into long rectangles, and sprinkle meat and cheese along top. Roll from filled side to bottom. Cut into 1 inch pieces. [You can also take these pieces and make them into dumpling style pockets instead of spirals. Don't worry, they'll expand and be bigger]
6. Bring the water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan [I didn't have a roasting pan. I also added a pinch of brown sugar, as is usual in some pretzel recipes].
7. Place the pretzels into the boiling water for 30 seconds. [They will puff a bit and get a darker color. Do them in batches]
8.  Remove them from the water using a slotted spoon. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 8 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.
9. EAT.

You get extra points for pacman pretzels. Just sayin'. 

-K

Bacon and Cheese Beer Bread: Step by Step

Beer Bread is just awesome. Boyfriends, girlfriends, puppy friends, they all love it. And, it's something you probably already have in your cupboard without even realizing it! I'll show you step by step how to do this terribly delicious version. 

Now, this particular recipe I originally got from gimmesomeoven (hey, not all names can be this obvious that it is a baking blog), and I've used it a thousand times! It's just so fool proof and easy. I even had the power go out mid baking during one time, and it still turned out pretty okay! So definitely save this one. 

What beer should I pick?: Since I happen to be in love with a beer "snob" I have learned some things about beer. You will want a lighter beer that isn't too heavy, unless you're doing a super sweet bread (I've made a version with graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon, and extra honey once), so no porters/stouts or hopadillos (yes, that's a real beer from a local brewery, Karbach). 

Who doesn't like a hot blond(e)?

I chose this gem (cauuuse it was in the fridge), but I've used Coronas, Real Ale (pale ales), and even a Bud Light with Lime once (don't tell the Boyfriend that I ventured into the "dark side" of beer). 

The cool "science" part of it, is that in the recipe you will add the beer to the flour, and no need to wait for yeast rise time. Beer is made with sugar, hops, yeast, barley, and water. I could tell you the whole story, but the only part you'd listen to is that the yeast eat the sugar and make the carbon dioxide out of their farts. 

That's right.

Yeast. Farts. 

Every brewery tour you go to will make this joke, and.....it doesn't get old. 

So, the left over yeast is still in the beer. When you combine it with the dry ingredients (i.e. sugar), it will bubble! (why?) Because you're making more yeast farts!! That is how bread is made. By Farting.

 You're Welcome, America.  

Okay, here's how to make beer bread. (Complete with yeast farts!!)

Your Basic Beer Bread Ingredients

Bacon n Cheese Honey Beer Bread, Adapted from Gimme Some Oven

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. honey or agave nectar
• 1 bottle (12 ounces) beer
• 4 Tbsp. (half stick) butter, melted 
• 1 cup shredded cheese (or cut up slices of American, which melt really nicely)
• 3 Tbsp. Bacony Bits (or more, if you'd dare...)

Method: 

Time: 1 Hr 15 min (max)

Tastiness: A whole freaking lot

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9″ x 5″ x 3″ inch loaf pan [Use plenty of grease]
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 
3. Using a wooden spoon, stir the beer and honey into the dry ingredients until just mixed. [Pop honey in the microwave for 15 seconds if you want to make pouring easier] 
4. Pour half the melted butter into the loaf pan.
5.  Spoon the batter into the pan
6.  Pour the rest of the butter on top of the batter.  
7. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until top is golden brown and a toothpick/knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. [I usually only need 45. Depends on where you are and your oven]
8. Gorge theyself

Out of Baking Power? Mix 2 parts cream of tartar with 1 part baking soda in a pinch. (Tartar increases the acidity of the mixture)

Notes: I've found the long serrated knife cuts bread the best without crushing it. Or fingers work, as well. 

Variations: Pepper Jack Cheese & Jalapenos, Sub 1 cup flour for graham cracker crumbs with cinnamon and nutmeg versus cheese and bacon, whatever you want to make!

Here are some photos of my baking process: 

Mix Dry Ingredients

Add Honey

Induce Yeast Farts

Stir

........Give Cheese to a Puppy Friend

Add Cheese and Bacon          

Add Half of Melted Butter

Dump into pan (Pour Butter on Top)

Then you put into the oven! Viola.

Oh. My.