25 Days of Christmas: Day 2

Yesterday we talked about countdown (advent) calendars and Black Friday shopping. Today, is so much more, including a recipe!

The Twinkle In Their Eye

One of my favorite parts of the Christmas Holiday is the tree! As I am getting older, I am getting a bit more nostalgic and wanting to go as traditional as possible. The more handmade ornaments on the tree, the better! Now I do have my years where I like to have "theme" trees, but this year our tree is going to be as old fashioned as I can make it! That is just where I am right now. Getting back to basics in all I do, and all I desire. My husband is always like "eh" when it comes to how it is decorated, and the kids just ooooh and aahhhh over every ornament! But..... the grand finale on "Deck the Hall's Day" (When we decorate), is when the tree is up, donned, garland, and all ~ and the lights get turned on. I love to sit in the evenings, in the quiet of the slumbering children, tv off, and nothing but the glow of the lights to warm my heart (along with a cup of cocoa). It is relaxing, and makes me just feel so at peace. Simple! WE have usually put our tree up by now, but our Deck the Halls Day will be this Friday. My dh will be hunting, and so the kids and I are just going to make it a BIG deal! I mean it is a big deal isn't it? The neat thing is, we have a chance of Snow on Friday too! THAT would just be so perfect!!

Busy Day Recipe
And on that busy day when you are decorating your tree/house, why not throw this cake together, to enjoy as a treat afterwards. I personally do not eat these kinds of things on a regular basis. I can't eat them often without feeling ill. ( I do induldge from time to time.) This is a heavenly cake, that leaves your home smelling wonderful, and bellings growling! It's a simple cake ~ no fuss needed. Serve with whipped cream and fruit, or simply sprinkle on some cinnamon sugar!

Donut Cake
Hands-On Time: 10 minutes

Ready In: 45 minutes
Ingredients
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 1/3 cups  sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

Directions

Heat the oven to 375°F. Butter and flour a 9-inch springform pan, and set it aside.

Beat the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until light and fluffy, about two minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating to incorporate after each addition, then add in the vanilla. You may want to periodically scrape down sides of bowl with a rubber spatula. Set batter aside.

Whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg. Add the flour mixture to the batter in 3 parts, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with flour. Make sure each addition is incorporated before adding the next, but don't over-beat it at the end. Spread the batter in the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Bake until the top is puffed and golden brown and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes (Or just push the top gently with your fingertip and make sure it seems inclined to spring back).

Serve warm or at room temperature, with lightly sweetened fruit (add about a tablespoon of sugar to a pint of sliced strawberries and two sliced nectarines) and whipped cream. And don't be dismayed if the cake sinks significantly upon cooling: it will, and that's fine.

I sure hope you are enjoying the 25 days of Christmas here on One Pretty Little Box. I am LOVING sharing some of my favorite memories, timeless traditions, and yummy goodness! If you would like to be a guest poster, and join me, then please just shoot me an email or simply just comment here below and I will letcha know when your post can be presented! It's as simple as that.

Until next tme, may the spirit of Christmas warm your inner being from the top of your head, to the soles of your feet!