lemon yogurt cake.

thank you thank you barefoot contessa {ina garten} for this amazing recipe. any lemon lovers like myself will die over this cake.

ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
1 1/3 cups sugar, divided
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest {about 2 lemons}
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

for glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

*on her show, she used this blueberry sauce instead of the glaze. haven't tried it, but it looks yummy!

directions:
preheat oven to 350 degrees. grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/4 x 2 1/2 inch loaf pan {a normal sized loaf pan}. line the bottom with parchment paper. grease and flour the pan.

sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into 1 bowl. in another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla. slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. with a rubber spatula, fold the vegetable oil into the batter, making sure it's all incorporated. pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a cake tester placed in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

meanwhile, cook the 1/3 cup lemon juice and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. set aside.

when the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. carefully place on a baking rack over a sheet pan. while the cake is still warm, pour the lemon-sugar mixture over the cake and allow it to soak in. cool.

for the glaze, combine powdered sugar & lemon juice and pour over the cake.

personal pita pizzas.

ingredients:
1 whole wheat pita per pizza
marinara/spaghetti sauce {i used prego heart smart traditional sauce}
mozzarella or "pizza" cheese {you really can buy pizza cheese... i didn't make that up}
all the toppings you want!

we used:
turkey pepperoni {70% less fat than regular pepperoni}
sliced tomatoes
sliced green peppers
sliced red onions
sliced olives

bake on cookie sheet {2 pizzas fit will fit on one baking sheet} at 425 for 8-10 minutes.

Whipped Honey Spread

This delicious whipped thing is a great thing. It's gonna make you want peanut butter and honey sandwiches everyday. What's even better is this yummy spread on Great Harvest's Honey and Wheat bread. Mmmm.

{You can find this whipped spread at Target}

Moist Zucchini Bread

Ingredients:

3 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 c. oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking power
2 c. grated zucchini
3 c. flour
1 c. chopped nuts (optional)

*****************************
Instructions:

Beat eggs until foamy. Add sugar, oil, and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients together and nuts and zucchini.

Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Time: Prep 10 min + cooking 1 hr
Makes: 2 loaves

So Easy Roasted Potatoes

However many potatoes you need for your crowd
Oil (Olive or Vegetable)
Steak Seasoning


Preheat oven 425. Wash and cut potatoes into about bite size chunks. Spead out evenly into one layer on cookie sheet. Drizzle generously with oil. Sprinkle with seasoning, as much as you like. Toss everything together with your hands so all the potatoes are coated evenly with oil and seasonings. Throw in the oven for 20-25 min till fork tender and a little golden. Enjoy!

strawberry cheesecake dessert

1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
1 stick butter
8 oz neufchatel {1/3 less fat} cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
12 oz lite cool whip
1 package danish dessert mix, strawberry {find it on the baking aisle}
2-3 cups sliced strawberries {or more!}


combine flour, butter & brown sugar to make crust. press into a 9x13 pan. bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until golden brown. let cool. cream powdered sugar & cream cheese in mixer. fold in cool whip. spread mixture over cooled crust. prepare danish dessert according to instructions on package for fruit sauce. mix in strawberries. spread over cream cheese mixture. refrigerate & serve.