My 2nd Attempt Making Cake Balls: Lemon Coconut Cake Balls

                 

                                      Who knew a dessert/snack made with 5 simple ingredients could be so sinfully delicious? Meet the cake ball. By now most of you readers have heard of them. A cake ball is basically crumbled cake of your choice (boxed or homemade) mixed with enough ( storebought or homemade) frosting to roll into an appropriately sized ball. Then these babies are dipped in ganache (chocolate chips+ warm heavy cream). Finally you can decorate these with the toppings of your choice. The combinations are endless. These weren't a planned recipe, but I meant to buy buttercream frosting , instead I accidentally bought lemon frosting in a can. Silly me. I did not want it to go to waste, so I decided to try my hand at cake balls. I made these previously at my job, but they did not come out looking as nice as these. My family loves lemon coconut cake, so these would be perfect and easier to make than a giant layer cake. Right? Cake balls are a great to make during a lazy afternoon where you have not alot to do and you are in the creative cooking mood. 

WARNING: THESE DO GET MESSY. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND WEAR SOME GLOVES.

^ see what i mean. this is messy business!

Ingredients

1 package cake mix of your choice- I chose golden cake

1 can lemon frosting

1/2 bag sweetened coconut

1 bag white chocolate chips

-enough hot heavy cream to make velvety ganache-

colored sugar (optional)

OK LETS GET READY TO CAKE BALL.

STEPS: HAVE EVERYTHING OUT TO MAKE YOUR PACKAGED CAKE MIX, CHOCOLATE OF YOUR CHOICE, TOPPINGS, A PARCHMENT PAPER LINED BAKING PAN, CAKE PAN (SPRAYED), FROSTING!! MICE EN PLACE.

                                 1. Prepare cake according to package directions. 

                                 

2. Let cake cool and crumble into nice crumbs.

 

^ Like this. EASY. Now it's frosting time.

3. Add frosting by spoonfuls into cake crumbs. You will end up using almost all the frosting.

4. Combine the cake and frosting with your hands until it becomes a uniform mix.

5. Shape into small-medium size balls.

6. Refrigerate on parchment paper lined tray. 

7. Prepare ganache by heating heavy cream in a small saucepan.

8. Pour choc chips in a medium bowl. 

9. Slowly pour hot cream over choc chips.

Mix until velvety smooth. 

* If the chips do not melt all the way, put the cream and chocolate mix

in the microwave at 5 sec intervals. :)

^ very nice ganache, eh?

10. Take cake balls out of fridge. 

11. Using your hands and 2 spoons , place a cake ball in the ganache. 

12. Using a spoon move it around the ganache. Use your second spoon to pour some ganache over the balls. You want to coat the cake evenly and to have a smooth , round coating of ganache.

13. Do this method until all the cake balls are coated.

14. Place on a parchment paper lined tray.

15. Decorate with coconut or colored sugars.

16. Place back in the fridge until coating is a bit hardened.

17. Devour one by one. ;)

Every cake ball is unique. LOL.

Serves: About 24 cake balls

I loved making this recipe because it kept me occupied and on a sugar high. Also, the combinations

are limitless,be creative.

I have the urge to cook and blog! Cheesy corn dip

Adapted from: Food.Com (Trisha Yearwood's Recipe)

I have a thing for corn.. no basically vegetables in general. I was never the kid who didn't eat her vegetables. Last year I attended a graduation party and the host served this wonderful corn dip! It was creamy, sweet, and salty at the same time. I was stupid not to ask for the recipe, but time went on and I forgot about it. At my house we had a lot of chips around and I luckily remembered I always wanted to make this savory dip. My family loved it and I hope you do to. I halved the recipe , and it was plenty for 3 people for 2 nights! Plus its EASY to make with just a few ingredients.

Go ahead dip it in chips, or eat it with a spoon.

* blue indicates changes I made to the recipe

Ingredients:

 ( 1)2 cans of mexican corn ( I used regular sweet corn, it was fine)

(1) 2 Cans chopped green chilies

1 Cup Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese (Mexican Cheese Blend)

(1/3) 3/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

(1/2) 1 Cup Mayo

CHIPS!!

^ JUST SO SIMPLE AND DELICOUS!

^ Ready for the oven!

Have all your ingredients out and measured.. Simple Mice En Place

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a small casserole dish.

2.In a medium bowl, mix the corn, chiles, cheeses, and mayonnaise until fully combined. Spread the mixture in the prepared casserole dish and bake, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes, or until bubbly around the edges. Serve the dip warm from the oven with corn chips.

Serves 3 .. FOR 2 DAYS!