Americaner~Wiesbadener Kaffeklatsch~: Orange Dreamsicle Cake and Simple Outdoor Living

Rememberence of Those Goods Days With Friends Over Coffee

Recipes~Decorating~ Rememberence of Goods Days With Friends Over Coffee

Many a good day was spent with friends over coffee and cake. Just like the Golden Girls we had our cheesecake moments too. There were stories of ALL kinds.

It all started in Germany, I was born in a little house on the Freudenberg Hills. The war had been over for several years and people were settling in to a time of new growth, and prosperity. As an Army Brat we traveled a lot but, I was never as Happy as I was in that little old house. It was a short bus ride or an adventurous walk to the River Rhine, where we would stroll along the tree lined colonnade amongst the ducks, and swans the smell of spring flowers perfuming the mid day air. We would pause for a late lunch at outdoor cafes and watch as people leisurely sailed their boats down the river. On late afternoons we would enjoy the coffee houses, were we would enjoy coffee and the most sumptuous cakes and pastries. On hot summer days I would enjoy my favorite lemon ice cream. Even today if I think on it I can still taste the tart, sweet flavor.

This little bog is to be dedicated to just that. Coffee, Conversation and Sumptuous cake recipes. So I hope you will all join me, and share your stories of days gone by, and recipes old or new, shared by some one today or passed down from generation to generation. Love to you All, Micki

Monday, May 16, 2011

Orange Dreamsicle Cake and Simple Outdoor Living

My father was proud of his orange trees, and he grew the best oranges. Every Christmas his Pennsylvania family got a huge box and so did we kids. I was always looking for new ways to prepare them and this is one of those recipes..Also Florida is all about outdoor living. Bring the inside outdoors with this great country look. Simple, elegant, shabby chic..Look around in your attics, go bargain shopping, use those old doors and window, quilts, old table cloths, old lace curtains, make pillow covers from old scarves, make place mats from vintage tea towels.. Have fun and use your imagination the ideas are limitless.

Ingredients:

1 (18 ounce) package yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1-1/4 cups orange juice
1/3 cup oil
1 (3 ounce) package orange flavored gelatin
1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
1 (3 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding (no cook type)
1 cup whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/4 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup powdered sugar

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cake mix as directed on package, using eggs, orange juice, and oil. Spray 13x9" pan with baking spray and add cake batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes until cake springs back when touched and starts to pull away from sides of pan. Cool cake completely on wire rack.

Using a wooden chopstick, poke small holes all over the cake, going right to bottom of pan.

In a small bowl, place 1 box orange gelatin. Pour boiling water over gelatin and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Add 1 cup cold water and mix well. Slowly pour this mixture over the cake, making sure that the mixture gets into all the holes. Cover and chill for 2-4 hours.

In medium bowl, combine the pudding mix, milk, and vanilla and beat well. In small bowl, combine heavy cream and the powdered sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold the cream mixture into the pudding mixture and spread over cake. Cover and refrigerate for 4-8 hours before serving.