Did you know that February is Bake for Family Fun Month? What better way to spend time with family members than to bake or cook together?
Below I have two very special recipes to help you and your loved ones celebrate! The Red Velvet Cupcakes are perfect for Valentine’s Day, and the Three Kings Cake recipe is my favorite pick for Mardi Gras.
Both of these recipes are perfect for National Bake for Family Fun Month. With cold days keeping most indoors, these are two festive treats that families can bake together. Both of these recipes are made with Country Crock, a buttery spread that is the go-to ingredient for baking and made with real, simple ingredients, including delicious oils, purified water and a pinch of salt.
Ingredients:
1 box (16.5 oz.) yellow cake mix
Water as specified on cake mix box
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 large eggs
1 cup Country Crock® Spread, divided
1 Tbsp. red food coloring
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 box (16 oz.) confectioners sugar (about 3-1/2 cups)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Line 24 muffin cups with paper cupcake liners; set aside.
Beat cake mix, water, cocoa powder, eggs, 1/2 cup Country Crock® Spread and food coloring in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Evenly spoon batter into prepared pans.
Bake 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans and cool completely.
Beat cream cheese, remaining 1/2 cup Spread and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Beat in confectioners sugar on low speed until blended. Beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Spread on cooled cupcakes.
Ingredients:
1 envelope dry active yeast
1/4 cup water (about 125°)
2/3 cup Country Crock® Spread, divided
1/3 cup milk
3 whole eggs, divided
4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/4 cup PLUS 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar, divided
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 Tbsp. grated orange peel
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 egg yolk
Dried fruit and candied cherries for decoration
Directions:
Combine yeast with warm water in medium bowl and set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes. Whisk in 1/3 cup Country Crock® Spread, milk and 2 whole eggs; set aside.
Combine 3 cups flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar and salt in large bowl. Stir orange peel into yeast mixture then stir into flour mixture until dough forms.
Knead on floured surface until dough is smooth, but slightly sticky, about 10 minutes. Transfer dough to large lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Meanwhile, combine remaining 1/3 cup Spread with confectioners sugar in medium bowl until creamy. Stir in remaining 1 cup flour and egg yolk until smooth. Cover and chill until ready to use.
Knead dough on floured surface a few times. Roll dough into log, then form large circle on greased baking sheet. Brush ends with water to seal. Cover with plastic wrap sprayed with no-stick cooking spray and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Arrange rack in lower third of oven. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat remaining whole egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush dough with egg wash. Form strips with chilled confectioners sugar dough and arrange along with dried fruit and candied cherries into dough to decorate, then sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon granulated sugar. Bake 35 minutes or until bread is golden brown.
Remove to wire rack to cool.
Tip: It is customary to hide a plastic baby doll in the dough before baking. The baby symbolizes luck and prosperity to whoever finds it in his or her slice. Just remember to tell your guests that there is a toy inside the bread!
Disclaimer: I received Country Crock coupons to facilitate this post. Any opinions are my own.
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