The Perfect Size Cakes By Duncan Hines! Strawberry Creme!

How many times have you felt like baking a cake but knew it wouldn't all get eaten?  Like when you bake that Birthday layer cake or sheet cake for that one person knowing it’s just too much cake for one. How about that anniversary cake you wanted to bake for just the two of you knowing that you both would get tired of the same cake day after day.   

How many times have you gone out to dinner with another couple and wanted to invite them back to your place for coffee and dessert but didn't want to keep the leftovers around for days?  And how about that time when you wanted to bake a thank you cake for a single friend, neighbor or teacher and knew a whole cake would just be too much?

Well now you can put all the hesitation to rest because our friends over at Duncan Hines have created the Perfect Size Cakes!  Why make a whole cake when you can make delicious little cakes that are the perfect size for 2-4 people. These are the right sized cake for that small luncheon with the girls, family game night, or for any occasion or celebration.

Duncan Hines Perfect Sized Cakes.  The name says it all.  They bring us the perfect solution for those times when a full size cake is too much. Each kit comes with a cake mix, frosting mix, and a disposable 6-inch round pan made just for the cake. Simply prepare as directed for a moist and delicious cake that is topped with a rich, smooth and creamy frosting. Now you can enjoy a fresh baked cake anytime! 

But there’s more!  Duncan Hines has made life easy because in every box you not only get the cake mix, and the frosting but also a perfect 6” disposable non-stick pan that has a push up bottom to release your cake! 

There’s no need to buy a special pan to make these perfectly sized cakes and there’s no pan to clean up.

All you have to add is an egg, water, and butter. And what you get is better than just an easy to make boxed cake….it's a moist, buttery cake with delicious creamy frosting!  

Not only are they the Perfect Size, these cakes are super easy to make. Here's how I made  the Strawberries & Crème Perfect cake. Pour  your package of cake mix to a large bowl. Add an egg, some water, and 2 tablespoons of butter.  Mix it all up with an electric mixer. 

Then pour the batter into the perfect non-stick pan included in the kit and bake it for a little over 30 minutes.

Remove from oven and using the disc on the bottom of the pan, push it up and out of the pan.  Genius idea Duncan Hines! 

Place cake on a wire rack to cool. It has to cool completely before frosting. When cooled place it on a serving plate. Next make your frosting.  Using an electric mixer, beat  your butter until fluffy.  Add your packet of frosting mix and some water and beat until thick and creamy. Using an off set knife or spatula, spread the frosting evenly over the top and sides of the cake.

Now you can celebrate the little things in life with a perfect-sized cake for two, not ten.  I love these cakes!  So far I have made the Lemon Bliss and this Strawberries and Cream and I can say they are PERFECT!  Try all 5 flavors and see for yourself!   

     Golden Fudge  (golden cake with chocolate frosting)

Chocolate Lover’s (chocolate cake with chocolate frosting)

Lemon Bliss  (lemon cake with lemon frosting)

Red Velvet Dream  (red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting)

Strawberries & Crème (strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting)

Sold in your grocer’s baking aisle

Photography is the property of and copyrighted to Welcome Home. The 
content and opinions expressed above are that of Welcome Home.

Skillet Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

No need to heat up the oven or fire up the grill for this recipe.  My Skillet Teriyaki Thighs are so delicious. I made this incredible sauce with Star Fine Foods Modena Creamy Balsamic Vinegar Glaze which gives it so much flavor! Tender chicken thighs with a delicious sticky glaze served over sticky rice. Oh Yum! 

Skillet Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

2 tablespoons Star Fine Foods Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tablespoons butter 

3 tablespoons Star Fine Foods Creamy Balsamic Vinegar Glaze
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon cornstarch

In a large Ziploc bag, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped scallions and salt. Add the chicken, seal the bag, and then carefully move the chicken around in the bag until it's thoroughly coated. Place the chicken in the fridge to marinate overnight or for a minimum of 2 hours.  Remove the chicken from the bag and shake off excess marinade. Reserve the marinade for later. 

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3. In a large non-stick skillet, add 2 tablespoons Star Fine Foods Extra Virgin Olive oil and two tablespoons of butter and heat over medium high heat. Sear chicken on all sides until nicely browned and caramelized. 

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4. Cover skillet and turn the heat down to medium and cook for about 25 minutes or until thighs are done. Chicken should reach a temperature of 165 degrees.  When done, remove from heat and set aside. 

Transfer the marinade to a saucepan. Whisk in cornstarch and two tablespoons water.  Turn heat to medium high and bring sauce to a low boil until sauce begins to thicken and look like syrup. You want to stir frequently to make sure it doesn't burn. Remove from heat and set aside.

Pour or brush sauce over chicken and serve over fluffy rice. Enjoy!

Photography is the property of and copyrighted to ©Welcome Home.


Star Fine Foods now has a promo code for all Welcome Home fans that will give you a 10% discount on anything you order online. Just enter WELCOMEHOME10  at checkout!

You can get Star Fine Foods Creamy Balsamic Glaze at select Walmart Stores and online at  http://shop.starfinefoods.com/STAR-Balsamic-Glazes/c/Star@BalsamicGlazes

Disclaimer: I have an ongoing relationship with STAR Fine Foods for my recipes and photography using their wonderful products. This post is sponsored by STAR. I am compensated for my time and work and I am sent products as I request them. However, all opinions of the product stated in this post are 100% my own. I truly love their products!

Just wanted to stop by and say.....

I have been so busy today working on the magazine and doing my best to make this the best issue yet. After all, It's the first issue to start a whole new year of new recipes and I want to make sure you like each issue better than the last. So I have been at it now for 12 straight hours today and have finally loaded all the photographs in. Now comes the hard part...writing all those recipes! That will take another two weeks and bring me right down to the wire as it does every month.

That's not why I stopped by. I wanted to stop for a minute and say something to those of you who have already renewed your subscription. I want you to know that you touch my heart in the most profound way. I am so deeply humbled each time I see any of your names come up in my email when you renew your subscription for another year. I am amazed at the kindness and generosity of the people here and feel loved and surrounded by friends.

For those of you who have renewed, you need to know that I am flattered beyond words. You couldn't compliment me more than when you invest in my work. It says you love my cooking, my recipes, my photography, and my writings about my life with my Mom. To know you trust me and believe in me and stand by me means more than you know.

Oh I know it's not just about a cooking magazine. It's not just about food and pictures and stories. It goes way beyond that. Let's face it, there are thousands of bloggers out there putting out recipes. You didn't invest in the magazine just for that reason. You're not here just for that. Your renewal says so much more....

It says, I want to walk with you on this journey to help others. I want to be a part of the efforts you take to make sure that those who have lost their way can find hope again. It says, I'm right there with you in spirit and I am part of the reason you can take food and warm clothes to those that are hungry and poor.

It says you want to share my joy as I watch fur babies walk happily out the front door of these horrible kill shelters, instead of never walking out because no one got there in time. It says you are with me in mind and spirit and want to continue to walk this journey with me.

So thank you my friends. Thank you from my heart. Who knew I would find such good people in my life. Who knew God would bless me with such incredible friendship. Our paths have crossed for a reason.