Vanilla-Orange "Creamsicle" Cake

So lately I have been obsessed with anything scented or flavored vanilla-orange. This comes from my absolute love of the dreamsicle ice-cream pops from Blue Bell. They are my favorite Spring/Summer treat. I kept thinking that a cake made to imitate this ice-cream pop sounded amazing. A creamy vanilla and orange cake, with a orange flavored whipped cream. It just sounded yummy. So, I decided to experiment. I won't lie, I tried many things with the icing until I just threw something together that was quite delicious. This recipe also makes two cakes so don't be surprised when you have a lot of batter. So enough babbling...I'm sure you want the recipe...
HERE IT IS!!!

Ingredients: 

 CAKE:

• 1 Orange Supreme cake mix (I used Duncan Hines)
• 1 Vanilla cake mix
• eggs as needed for cake mixes PLUS two
• 2 pkgs. instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1/4 tsp. orange extract
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

ICING: (double this recipe for the two cakes. One recipe will cover one cake. But I didn't like how it tasted by mixing it all together for the two, so I opted not to double it in the same bowl.)

•  2 cups whipping cream
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 tsp. orange extract
• 1 Tbsp. orange juice

 Preheat Oven to 350F (or as directed on cake mixes).

Prepare cake mixes as directed on boxes, but add 1 pkg each of the two pudding mixes to each batter, and 1 extra egg to each cake batter. Then in the vanilla cake batter, add 1/2 tsp. of vanilla extract, and then add 1/4 tsp. orange extract to the orange cake batter. Blend each batter until smooth.

 Spray two 9x9 round cake pans with cooking spray with flour blend.

Blend together the cake mixes as such: One part orange batter to one part vanilla batter in four 9x9 round cake pans. (I know this sounds complicated but it's not. Simply layer a thin layer of orange batter over a thin layer of vanilla batter until there is just enough batter in each pan to bake and all batter is used up.) Once the cake batter has been distributed evenly amongst the pans, Swirl the batter with a knife, creating a marbling effect in the batter.

Bake as directed or until fork inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

In a large bowl, combine whipping cream, cup of sugar, tsp. vanilla, 1/4 tsp. orange extract, and orange juice. Beat this mixture with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

Assemble cakes by frosting one cake "layer" with whipped cream, then placie another cake "layer" on top. Frost both layers. Do this two times for the two cakes.  Garnish with fresh orange slices, or orange zest.

Note: If whipped cream seems to liquefy, place in the refrigerator until it stiffens. You can also refrigerate or freeze the cake to assure that the icing won't melt off the cake.

Enjoy!

Sorry if this recipe seems choppy. I honestly whipped it up in no time, and when my friend asked me to post the recipe, I was like "Oh no...I have to word it in a way people will understand. This could be tough." If you have any problems with making this, just leave a comment below. I'll be more than happy to help.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, I know I did!
  ~Angel

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From Dull to Bright Nails

As the Spring months draw near and Summer following right behind, we know we are all thinking about those strappy little shoes and showing off our toesies. But as many like me fear, our nails are just too darn dull looking. So for me being the fan of the more natural look for pedicures, I did some experimenting/researching for how to get a brighter nail from stuff I just had laying around the house.



My find: Well three different things actually. Lemon juice, baking soda, and denture tablets (yes, I did have some in the house, thanks to my father).

The lemon juice was probably my favorite pick. Not only did it brighten the nails, but it left it with a nice, pleasant scent. To use this method, simply pour some lemon juice into a shallow bowl and soak nails in the juice for 15 minutes. Rinse nails, and dab dry with a towel. For toenails, you can apply the lemon juice to a cotton ball and swab over the nails and under the tips of the nails. If you prefer, you may also use lemon extract or a lemon essential oil diluted in water.



For using baking soda, I simply just added enough water to some baking soda to create a paste. Then using a nail brush, I brushed the nail bed and under the nail with the paste. I let it set for about a minute or two, and rinsed.

And lastly, the denture tablets: As you would do with dentures, simply dissolve half to a full sized denture tablet into a shallow bowl of water, and then soak your nails for about 10 to 30 minutes. I went for about 20-25 (got distracted with timing lol). You may rinse your nails of any suds that may form from the foaming action of the tablet with water, but I just simply took a towel and dried my nails off.



I know I didn't go into much detail as to why you get the brightening effect from using these methods, and that is because I don't really know that much of why you do. Like I said before, this was all done through self research. I also used toothpaste, which worked like the baking soda paste, but it was not one of my top three. I also tried just soaking in milk. It softened my skin, but didn't give me the brightness I was looking for.  I encourage you to try these methods to see which one works best for you. I also encourage you all to do your own experiments and research at your homes (on the side of caution of course), to find something that may work for you other then the ones I mention.

Anyways, that wraps up this blog post. I hope you try some of these ideas for yourself. Let me know what you think!

Time to break out those sandals, and dig your toes into the sand! Cheers to Spring/Summer!

~Angel

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