Food Styling Challenge: Family Fresh Cooking

Food Styling Challenge

 

The Food Styling Challenge is all about showcasing talent for styling food.  I have asked 12 amazing bloggers to pick any chocolate cake recipe they want and style it anyway they want.  The catch?  They only have $25 to do it!  Join us on the journey to see how they can transform a cake stand into a work of art!

May is focusing on Marla from Family Fresh Cooking.  I have long time been a fan of Marla’s unique style and talent, and secretly hope to one day see her prop closet!  And thankfully she does share some of her amazing prop secrets below!

Be sure to stop by and see the recipe for her beautiful and delicious (and I am sure healthy, Marla is the queen of beautifulhealthydelicious food!) Chocolate Pancake Layer Cake!

 

Chocolate Pancake Cake

Did you find the Food Styling Challenge to be easy or difficult?

I had a blast with this challenge! I love things that test my photography and recipe development skills. I pondered my recipe for quite a while as I am not a traditional baker. That is why you see a pancake cake! Until I got started on this I was perplexed as to what I would come up with ~ once I got started it all flowed easily!

Was the spending limit a challenge?

At first I thought it was gonna be a challenge. I went to a few antique stores that were way over priced. Then I went to a new favorite in Durango, CO. They had so much stuff within price range I could hardly decide what to buy. As soon as my eyes latched onto these clear glass plates with the beaded edge I was hooked! These will be used regularly on my blog from now on. I am obsessed with the antique kitty too! She also has a puppy pal.

 

Chocolate Pancake Cake from Family Fresh Cooking

What are your favorite props to style with?

I tend to like antiques ~ the Shabby Chic look is a favorite. My prop collection includes pieces I find on Etsy.com, antiques stores and brands such a s Mackenzie-Childs, Pip Studio and Kath Kidston. I have a thing for european country design and their food styling.

 

What is your favorite part of the challenge?

My favorite part(s) of this challenge were wondering how I was going to come up with a chocolate cake that fit my healthier recipe style. Also, I wondered how I was going to bake something at high altitude, I live at close to 10,000 feet. We moved here in January and quite frankly I am not a baker ~ so I have not been experimenting. The ratios of ingredients are quite different up here in the Telluride high country. Thankfully pancakes are a constant in our house, so I turned them into a layer cake. This recipe is healthy enough for me to consider for breakfast, brunch or dessert. I loved finding props that fit within budget too.

 Chocolate Pancake Cake

Find Marla here!

Twitter   @MarlaMeridith

Facebook: Food   @Family Fresh Cooking

Facebook: Lifestyle  @marlameridith.com

Pinterest   @Marla Meridith

Instagram @marlameridith

 

Amazing job Marla!  Thanks so much for taking on the Food Styling Challenge!

Be sure to  check out past participants!

January-Dine & Dish

White Chocolate Cake

 

 

 

 

February-Verses From My Kitchen

Chocolate Cake

 

 

 

 

March-Inspired by Charm

Oreo Cake

 

 

 

 

April-Tidymom

Chocolate Cake from Tidymom

· 5 Comments

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars {Paleo}

You read that right.  A Paleo recipe on iambaker.  Things might be crazy around here for a second folks!

I cant tell a lie… the real star of this “chocolate bar” show is my KitchenAid food processor.

I have been doing quite a bit a Paleo baking lately and my food processor is essential to achieving the perfect results.  When using Coconut Flour and Almond Flour hand mixing(or even a stand mixer!) just wont do.  Those special ingredients need a Food Processor and mine has now found its home on my counter right next to my trusty mixer.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars {Paleo}

Now, lets be really honest about Paleo baking.  Its not for everyone!  Heck, I tried a LOT of recipes before even finding one that didnt taste like cardboard.  And here is that cold, hard truth…. nothing can replace the flavor of butter and sugar.

These bars are good… good enough to fool the kids and maybe even your co-workers, but they are not going to replace your tried and true recipes if you have no dietary restrictions.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars #paleo

And Paleo baking isnt exactly cheap!  The Coconut flour alone was $7.  And pure maple syrup (which some dont even consider Paleo) can be $10 a bottle.  And those yummy little semi-sweet chocolate chips were $4 for one bag!

But one thing I liked about this recipe is that is used coconut flour and not almond flour, because that was $15 for one bag.  So I can make these bars once a week and not have to take out a second mortgage.

Chocolate Chip Banana Cars #paleo

So, have I convinced you not to try these bars yet??  I dont mean to, really.  I just want to be honest about what they are and how they taste.  We like them… they are good… they are great even.  But since we have never really tried “sugar free’ baking here on iambaker, and I appreciate you letting me experiment as my diet and lifestyle changes! :)

And have no fear, I will be getting my Paula Dean on very soon with some yummy butter and sugar filled cakes for you.

But back to my Food Processor!  If you are going to do any Paleo baking at all, it really is a must have kitchen accessory.  Which wouldnt really make it an accessory anymore… more like a MUST HAVE tool.

**Have you ever visited the KitcheAid site?  As it loads there is a little drawing of a mixer and it says, “Loading… mixing… baking… making something special…” Its so cute!

KitchenAid food processor

No, I am not being paid one cent to talk about mine, I just happen to have become infatuated with it recently and wanted you to know how useful it is in alternative baking! (I might even have the BEST chocolate cake recipe to share with you soon… regular ingredients and all in a food processor!  Told ya I have been experimenting!)

Print
Chocolate Chip Banana Bars {Paleo}

Ingredients

  • 2 bananas
  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • coconut oil for pan

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients except chocolate chips in food processor and blend on high for 1-2 minutes. Scoop out batter into bowl and add most of the chocolate chips, gently mix to evenly distribute.
  2. Press batter into 8x8 pan greased with Coconut Oil.
  3. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips over top and bake for approximately 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
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If you are a believer that maple syrup is not Paleo, then you can substitute coconut oil.  I also used dairy, nut, and soy free chocolate, but you could use a dark chocolate instead that does not have soy lecithin or dairy in it.  Some folks let non-dairy free chocolate slide in their paleo baking… some dont.  Its just a preference! :)

This recipe is based off of a recipe I found over at Multiply Delicious, one of my new favorite blogs.  She posted some beautiful Paleo Banana Dark Chocolate “Cakies” and I was smitten.  Everything she posts is eye candy, and this is one of those blogs and you bookmark every single recipe.

Paleo Chocolate Chip Banana Bars

Thanks again for coming along for the ride here on iambaker.  I appreciate you being willing to stick around as I try new things!

· 22 Comments

Neapolitan Bars

**See more of my Neapolitan Obsession here!**

I have made 11 pans of bars in the last week.  But these… well.

I think its safe to say that these are my favorite.

Neapolitan Bars with Oreo Crust

 

Oreo crust.

Creamy Strawberry filling.

Vanilla Whipped Cream.

Um, yeah.

It’s good.

Neapolitan Bars with Oreo Crust

You can even get all crazy and drizzle chocolate over the top too.  Or not.  It’s fabulous both ways!

I just barely adapted the strawberry bar recipe from A Spicy Perspective’s Fresh Strawberry Bars.  (Hers are served over a beautiful shortbread type crust… seriously genius!)

The bars rest on a bed of Oreo crust deliciousness.

Oreo Crust

And can I just tell you, I have the BEST little tip on how to get perfect Oreo crust.  I use Oreo PIE crust!  No food processor.  No endless hours of separating oreo cream from cookie to only end up in my belly anyway.

Simple. Easy.  Awesome.

For this recipe I used 2 packages.

Neapolitan Bars with Oreo Crust

Print
Neapolitan Bars

Ingredients

  • Strawberry Bars
  • 1 1/2 pounds of strawberries (about 2 cups after emulsified)
  • 6 eggs
  • 2 cans Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • food coloring if desired

Instructions

  1. In blender or food processor, puree strawberries and water until smooth. Add in eggs, Sweetened Condensed Milk and salt. Blend until very smooth. (add food coloring now if desired)
  2. Line 9x13 pan with layer of parchment paper.
  3. Spread Oreo crust (crumbs) on bottom of pan. (I used two packages which is 12 ounces) Pour 4 tablespoons melted butter over crumbs and flatten. Put pan in freezer to set crumbs. After about 15 minutes, you can remove from freezer and pour Strawberry filling over crumbs.
  4. Place bars into 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. Keep an eye on them, you do not want the strawberry filling to turn brown on top.
  5. Remove from oven and chill for a few hours before serving. When ready to serve prepare whipped cream or some Cool Whip and pipe with 1M tip.
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If you want to half the recipe you sure can!  Just use a 8×8 pan and only one package of Oreo Pie Crust.

I also kept the bars chilled while not being served.  When left out at room temperature the strawberry filling was a little soft for my liking.

Neapolitan Bars with Oreo Crust

· 41 Comments

Spring Cake

**This would also be a perfect Mothers Day Cake!**

We have been desperate for Spring here in the midwest.  With May snowstorms and chilly temps, getting a glimpse of the warm May sun seems an impossible dream.

So why not fake it?

Lime and Orangesicle Springtime Cake!

 

I am going to substitute bright, cherry and delicious cakes for the lack of warm weather and sunshine!

And in that line of thinking I have decided that I no longer need a special occasion to make cake.

I simply cake it because I want to be happy and bring others happiness!

Want to know other ways I celebrate the “everyday”?

0rangesicle Springtime Cake

 

Dont let myself get caught up in perfection.  I will never be perfect, so why do I keep striving for it?

See the top of that cake where the swirls arent all perfectly aligned in the middle? Oh well!  Are the dishes mostly clean?  Do the kids have clean clothes to wear tomorrow?  Did we have dinner together and there was at least one veggie? (Even if my daughter only pretended to eat hers!)  Did we spill popcorn because we were laughing so hard while watching a movie as a family?

Sounds perfect to me.

Spring Cake! Lime and Orangesicle layers of beauty!

 

Embrace citrus.  Nothing makes me feel more like Spring time then when I enjoy my first lemonade.  When I found these new cake mixes from Pillsbury, I knew I wanted to try them.  Key Lime and Orangesicle.  They also had a Pink Lemonade, but a girl can only make so many cakes in a day.   Pink Lemonade we will save for when everyone actually eats all their veggies!

I have to tell you… the combination of these two flavors was really amazing!  On their own they are fabulous as well… its really a win-win! :)

Key Lime and Orangesicle Layer Cake

 

The fabulous folks at Pillsbury would like for you to enjoy some Spring time inspired joy and are offering a Fun Prize Pack!

To enter leave a comment telling me, How do you celebrate everyday occasions?

*For an additional bonus entry leave a comment telling me you follow Pillsbury Baking on facebook.

Summer Seasonal Celebration Starter Reader Giveaway Kit:

  • One box each Summer Seasonal Cake & Cookie Mixes
  • Frostings (1 each of Creamy Supreme Key Lime and Creamy Supreme Orangesicle)
  • $50 dollar Visa or American Express gift card
  • Total estimated giveaway value: $60

Be sure to visit then on Facebook (PillsburyBaking) and see all the amazing creations they are sharing!

Official Rules here. (US Only)

Contest open from May 8, 2013 to May 12th 2013.

Congrats to Claudia!

Claudia was #115 and won with the comment: “I follow phillsbury on facebook”

I sent you an email, please get back to me in 48 hours!

· 221 Comments

Strawberry Lemonade Cake {Generous Table}

Strawberry Lemonade Cake from Generous Table by Heather Cristo

Have you ever been to Heather Cristo Cooks?  Its a fabulous blog written by a fabulous woman. Heather recently became an author with her first book, Generous Table, Easy & Elegant Recipes Through the Seasons.  Its got everything you want a good cookbook to have… wonderful recipes, beautiful pictures, and [...] Read more »

· 130 Comments

Rose Covered Checkerboard Cake

Original Rose Cake on Mackenzie-Childs Parchment Check Cake Stand

I had no intentions of making a Rose Cake.  I was actually planning on doing a tutorial for this cake, but something happened. I was so inspired by the whimsical beauty of the MacKenzie-Childs products, I just couldnt help myself!  Since I knew the interior was a checkboard design, I [...] Read more »

· 63 Comments

Neapolitan Cupcakes

Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercrema and Strawberry Chocolate Candy Coating! (Neapolitan Cupcakes)

We have discussed my Neapolitan obsession right? I needed to make some cupcakes for a special event last night, and you just know I have to had a Neapolitan twist!   These were actually really, really simple. Make your favorite chocolate cake recipe. Make your favorite Vanilla Buttercream. Make some chocolate coating. [...] Read more »

· 25 Comments