To Bake Or Not To Bake

The problem with August birthdays is that they're well in August. Like July birthday's they're in some of the hottest weeks of the year. The question is do you bake a lovely homemade cake or do something else? There are alternatives, yet are they the best choice?

Many will say the heck with baking,It's just too hot and humid to pop a cake into the oven. Keep in mind that a good size cake can range from as low as $25 for one that serves six to one at $39 for half a sheet cake. Yes it's easy but it's also expensive, especially when you factor in decorating costs. Cupcakes are a better way to go , depending on the bakery or grocery store. You can easily get   a six pack of fresh made ones from Stop & Shop for $3.99 providing it's a small get together. Vegan cakes and cupcakes are a bit more expensive. Vegan bakeries such as Sweet Avenue in Rutherford, New Jersey charges $4 for one single cupcake. Granted they are OK and there's a wide array of different kinds from simple vanilla and chocolate to S'mores cupcakes and strawberry shortcake ones. Their cakes are $35 for a six serving cake and $95 for a larger one that can serve twenty-four. If you can stand the heat, then bake. You don't have to create an elaborate scratch although it's a great way of using up all that flour you bought. The birthday boy or girl would surely appreciate a Duncan Hines,Pillsbury. or Betty Crocker one. All of these companies have frosting if you don't feel like making your own.

What about microwave cakes? They're all over You Tube and they look easy. It's just a five or six minute pop into the microwave. The ingredients are the same from the flour, and milk to the baking and cocoa powders. There are even no egg and no dairy versions that only require vegetable oil or melted butter.  You can bake two layers and then frost how you want. If you feel that butter cream is still too involved then use Cool Whip.It's a great icing and filling. To jazz it up, add a few drops of mint flavoring if it's frosting a chocolate cake. A layer of strawberries, blueberries or peaches work for a vanilla one. Another idea is an ice cream cake. It's just filling a silicon mold with ice cream and making the crunchy filling. This is taking those Nabisco chocolate wafers or any similar kind and grinding them down in a food processor or chopper. Mix these with microwaved melted butter or margarine and spooning it onto the first layer of ice cream. Then add the second and finish with Magic Shell, If not decorate with whipped cream, cherries and sprinkles. Freeze for a couple of hours before serving.

Do you bake or not bake for an August birthday? There are alternatives from buying to microwave to ice cream cakes. Pick what works for you during these warm days. The birthday boy or girl will enjoy it.

Gardein Gets The Ultimate Burger

Just when you think Gardein couldn't get any better with their vegan meats, they step it up a notch more. They have created  the Ultimate Burger a take on the Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat.

This is a big burger weighing in at two and a half pounds a patty. There's only two of them in a pack and they're around 240 calories each. They only have ten grams of fat too which is perfect for those watching their weight.It's recommended to cook on a griddle or in a skillet.

I added some onion powder so they taste like the old fashioned burgers my Mom and Nonna made. It's a long fry, with each side being cooked for six to seven minutes, maybe longer depending on how long they've been in the freezer (Hint. thaw them out first).

Next time, I will definitely use the air fryer for these. I think it will make for a juicier and crispier patty.

Add what you want to it. I just prefer mine plain with some sliced tomatoes.

What do you end a vegan meal with?

Vegan cupcakes from Rutherford, NJ's Sweet Avenue Bake Shop! It's a birthday celebration!

Vegans and vegetarians will love this new addition from Gardein.It's a tasty alternative to the Impossible Burger. Try it plain or on a bun with all the fixings.