The Best Pumpkin Roll

The Best Pumpkin Roll 

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. soda
• 3/4 cup flour
• 2/3 cup pumpkin (canned- not pie filling, pure pumpkin)
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup walnuts (optional- I exclude them cuz I’m not a fan of walnuts)
• Filling:
• 8 oz. cream cheese (250g)
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp. soft butter

Instructions

1. Mix the roll ingredients except nuts.
2. Grease & wax cookie sheet.
3. Pour into pan & sprinkle nuts.
4. Bake 15 min. at 375 degrees.
5. Roll into T-towel for about 10 minutes.
6. Unroll & spread in filling.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Banana Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting

Banana Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting

Cake:

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup sour cream

1 egg

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

2 mashed super ripe bananas (about 3/4 cup)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

1 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Frosting:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste* (see below)

1 1/4 cups confectioner's sugar

To make cake (easily mixed by hand):

Preheat the oven to 375F (see note below).  Cream together sugar, sour cream, egg, and 2 tablespoons softened butter.  Add mashed bananas and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.  Add flour, salt, and baking soda; mix well.  Pour into greased 8x8 pan.  Bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool completely before frosting.

To make frosting:

Cream butter and confectioner's sugar together until smooth.  Slowly add the heavy cream; stir until smooth.  Stir in the vanilla bean paste until fully incorporated.  Spread on cooled cake. 

Note - Bake at 350F if using a glass pan.
Recipe doubles well to fit in a 9x13 pan.   

*Here's the general rule for substituting vanilla:
1 vanilla bean =
1 tablespoon vanilla powder =
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste =
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Homemade American Cheese

1 tablespoon water
1½ teaspoons powdered gelatin
12 ounces Colby cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon whole milk powder
1 teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk

Directions:

1. Line 5-by 4-inch disposable aluminum loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing excess to hang over sides.

2. Place water in small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over top, and let mixture sit for 5 minutes. Pulse cheese, milk powder, salt, and cream of tartar in food processor until combined, about 3 pulses.

3. Meanwhile, bring milk to boil in small saucepan. Off heat, stir in softened gelatin until dissolved, and transfer mixture to 1-cup liquid measuring cup. With processor running, slowly add hot milk mixture to cheese mixture until smooth, about 1 minute, scraping down bowl as needed.

4. Immediately transfer cheese mixture to prepared pan, pressing to compact. Wrap tightly and chill at least 3 hours, or overnight.