Potluck Desserts!!

The very idea of potluck sounds so exciting isn’t it…..!!!!!!!!!!! You get to eat different varieties of food and have so many luscious dishes in front of you! I enjoy this event a lot as u get to meet people, make new friends, gal gossips which never ends, recipe sharing and so many other fun things.

This weekend we had a potluck lunch at a friend's place and all the expert cooks decided to bring on their speciality dishes.........oh my my there was a huge list of items right from vegetarian items, non-vegetarian to rice items and all were equally tempting.

It becomes a difficult job when you have so many temptations around but do not have the apetite to eat all of them.....there were some 20-25 dishes lined up and the difficult part was where to begin!!!!

So here's what I made for the potluck:

1. Chocolate cake with butter cream icing

2. Dark chocolate plain cake

3. Mysore-pak (South-indian fudge)

And here are the recipes for you

1. Chocolate cake recipe:

You will need:

1 1/2 cups (195 grams) all purpose flour

1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar

1/4 cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder sifted

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup (75 grams) unsalted butter, melted

1 cup (240 ml) warm water

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in center of oven.

In an ungreased round cake pan, stir together the flour, sugar, sifted cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add the melted butter, water, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.

With a fork, mix all the ingredients together until well blended.

Bake in preheated oven for about 35 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

Butter Cream Icing recipe:

You will need:

2 sticks butter, room temperature

2 cups Crisco shortening

1 teaspoon butter flavoring (Wilton’s makes the best flavored version)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 pounds powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon meringue powder (optional but the texture will be smoother)

Water as necessary (I usually add about 2 tablespoons )

PS: You can purchase meringue powder at your local grocery store under the brand name of Just Whites.

Directions:

In the mixer, mix butter, Crisco shortening, and salt together to incorporate, about 5 minutes on low.

Add butter and vanilla extract. Mix together well. Add about 1 pound of powdered sugar and the meringue powder and mix.

Add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar at a time and mix until you get the consistency you want.

Add a little milk, a teaspoon at a time, if necessary to thin the frosting. Blend well on low for several minutes.

Tint portions of frosting with desired food color (I use the gel paste food coloring that is available at cake decorating stores and party stores).

Use immediately or cover and refrigerate.

NOTE: Buttercream Icing will last for weeks as long as it is well sealed.

2. Dark Chocolate Plain cake recipe:

You will need:

3 cups readymade Cake mix (sugar added)

1/3 cup butter

2 eggs

Directions:

In an ungreased loaf pan, mix together the flour, butter and eggs.

Sir all the ingredients together until well blended.

Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

Cut into desired rectangles.

3. Mysore pak recipe:

I posted a mysore-pak recipe earlier. So you may pls check the link.

http://arunathetemptations.blogspot.com/2009/04/mysore-pak-south-indian-fudge.html

But here are the pics:

So these were the potluck desserts that i made for the party.........that is all for today, have a great week ahead!!!!