Saturday, December 12, 2009

Weekend Cooking, Christmas Goodies #3


I want to thank Candace of Beth Fish Reads for hosting this meme. This non-cook is really enjoying it, and I might just put a kitchen in my dream house after all! If you'd like to see the other contributions to this week's edition, click on the logo above.

One of the problems I have with all the holiday baking is that it tends to be a Sweet Overload. My taste buds can take only so much sweet before they rebel. Somehow my mother came across a recipe for a cake that's not sweet. It has a slightly tart taste, and it can definitely be the hit of any holiday party.

I've mentioned the Christmas Eve feasts I held at the Target store I worked in for many years. The first year I had it, Mom baked one Margarita Cake that I took with me. That one cake lasted 45 minutes before it was nothing but stray crumbs on the bottom of the cake stand. The next year, I brought two Margarita Cakes. Those two cakes lasted 30 minutes. The last year I held one of my Christmas Eve feasts, SIX Margarita Cakes were brought in. They lasted an hour. The most common remark made about them was "This isn't sweet like all the other stuff, and that's why I love it." Evidently I'm not the only person who has picky taste buds. After you read the ingredient list, you may think you know why I had the happiest group of cashiers in the biz!

MARGARITA CAKE

Ingredients:
  • 1 package yellow cake mix (approximately 18½ ounces)
  • ¼ cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 envelope Margarita powdered cocktail mix
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • ¼ cup orange liqueur
  • ¼ cup tequila
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients; beat for 4 minutes at medium speed. Bake in greased and floured Mini-Bundt Pan or Fiesta Party Pan at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until the cake tests done. Cool in pan 10-15 minutes; turn out on wire rack or serving plate to complete cooling.

Kahlua Glaze:
  • 1 tbsp. milk
  • 1 tsp. butter
  • 1 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
  • 1 tbsp. Kahlua coffee liqueur or strong coffee
Heat milk and butter; pour over sugar. Add coffee liqueur and mix until smooth. If glaze is too thick, add a few more drops of milk.


The most difficult ingredient for me to find was the powdered margarita mix, but I did find it (and stock up on it). It's essential for the recipe.

If you bake one of these, don't expect it to last very long once people find out that it's not the run-of-the-mill sweet confection.

You won't get drunk eating margarita cake, but you certainly will enjoy yourself!

12 comments:

  1. Wow! You are so right, I love this recipe. It sounds fabulous and it looks lovely too! And so easy. I bet it's really moist and would be a terrific addition to any buffet or pot luck dinner.

    Thanks for sharing this, I have a feeling it's going to become a go-to recipe for me (I'm often asked to bring dessert).

    Now to hunt down the margarita mix.

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  2. Oh my goodness - the title of the recipe alone made me want to get up and immediately begin baking one! I will HAVE to try this cake sometime soon - as I am now salivating all over the keyboard :)

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  3. For someone who doesn't like to cook, you have plenty of recipes! It's that tequila in there that makes that cake disappear! LOL It looks and sounds delicious!

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  4. that looks so good!!! i've also been participating with this challenge and my hubby LOVES it. i'm not much of a cook but i'm having fun!

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  5. Oh...you can be sure I'll give this recipe a try! Hope I can find the powdered margarita mix.

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  6. Hi!
    Sounds and looks delicious!!! Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend.

    Sherrie
    Sherrie's stuff

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  7. Beth-- It is a moist cake, and I have years of proof that it's a wonderful addition to any type of buffet or dinner. I've always made it at Christmas time so it can counterbalance all the sweet stuff.

    Molly-- Oh oh. Clean Up on Aisle Three!

    Kathy-- I may not be a cook, but I inherited my grandmother's and mother's recipes!

    Nat-- Glad to see another non-cook playing along!

    JoAnn-- I hope you can, too!

    Sherrie-- You, too! :)

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  8. Ok, that sounds wonderful. easy and wonderful...and hey, I already have the bundt pan out for my recipe this week, so that works out well!

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  9. I'm not a dessert/sweets person, so this really appeals to me. Sounds delicious and easy enough for this non-baker! :)

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  10. Yum! This delicious looking cake sounds like something I would LOVE!

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  11. This year I have received several
    "new" bundt type cakes. This one looks absolutely yummy...and I am thinking in the morning with a nice cup of coffee or tea....May I share one of my new receipies with you?

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  12. Caite-- Did you try out my recipe??

    Jill-- Yup. Not overly sweet and a piece or two certainly puts a smile on your face! :)

    WW-- I hope you try it out and enjoy it as much as everyone here has!

    Giftlady-- It is excellent with a nice big mug of coffee or tea.

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