Holy Cow Cake Recipe

I had several people asking about the Holy Cow Cake that I made for Colby's birthday. Well, it gets its name because the second you take a bite, you think to your self, or say outloud, Holy Cow!
The recipe is from The Cake Mix Doctor. I sure do love doctors and I LOVE this book and recommend it to anyone! There are even several more versions out now. It is perfect b/c it turns boxed cakes into a cake that looks like it was made from scratch by adding other ingredients to spice it up. Well, I'm all for time saving recipes and "Fake it, don't Make it!"
Cake Needs:
Vegetable oil spray for misting the pan
1 package (18.25 ounces) plain devil's food cake mix
1 1/3 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil, or canola, corn, safflower, soybean, or sunflower (I use Smart Balance Omega- as it's better for you than vegetable, and olive doesn't do as well for me with baked goods)
3 large eggs

Topping Needs:
1 jar (8 ounces) caramel topping (I use about half- it's too rich!)
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk (Once again, I use the smaller one)
4 Butterfinger candy bars crushed (can use Heath bar, or whatever you like)
1 container (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed (can get the low fat kind!)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature (low fat kind!)
Directions:
1. Place a rack in the center of the oven an preheat the oven to 350. Lightly mist a 13x19 inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray and set pan aside.
2. Place cake mix, water, oil, and eggs in large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Stop and scrape down sides with spatula. Increase mixer speed and beat 2 minutes more. Batter should look thick and well blended. Pour the batter in the prepared pan and place in oven.
3. Back the cake until it springs back when lightly pressed (35 to 38 minutes). Remove and place on wire rack. Immediately poke holes all over the cake with a drinking straw or chopstick.
4. Prepare the topping. Place the caramel topping and sweetened condensed milk in a small bowl and stir to combine. Spoon the mixture over the warm cake so that it can seep down into the holes. Measure out half of the candy bars and sprinkle over the cake.
5. Place whip topping and cream cheese in a large mixing bowl and blend with electric mixer on low speed until smooth and combined. Spread the mixture over the top and then sprinkle the remaining candy pieces on top.
6. Place the pan, uncovered, in the refrigerator to chill the cake for about 20 minutes before cutting into squares and service. *can store it covered for up to one week in fridge*

Happy Birthday Colby!

Yesterday, Colby joined me in the "oldness" and turned 27! He's been giving me a hard time the last three weeks, so welcome to 27 my dear! :) He is up to his ears in the Endocrine system right now. Not only is it hard starting back to school after a holiday break, but to be slammed with fast-paced and difficult Endocrine right of the bat has been hard with quizzes every other day and now a test coming up. Boo! So needless to say, he's been a little stressed. Our small group Bible Study is meeting at our house for the new study, so since everyone was coming over last night, how fun was it to surprise Colby and have a birthday cake! So I worked hard making the cake and even making Colby a special dinner. However, he almost ruined the plan! He told me he wasn't going to come home b/c he wanted to stay at school and study for the quiz today. WHAT?! Wrong answer I told him, he at least had to come home and eat dinner and then could go in the office and put in his ear plugs while we have Bible Study. I'm so glad he did, and then came out for a bit to enjoy some cake before returning for more studying. Studying on your birthday, whohoo, what a normal reality this has become for both of us. :( It's ok, it will all be worth it some day. I am so proud of his dedication and wish you a happy 27 my love!

Holy Cow cake with 27 in candles

Blowing them out for another year!

I love you Colb and am SO glad that God brought you into this world!

Happy New Year!

2009 was a fabulous year and we continually realize how blessed we are and how God provides greatly for us. Can't believe it's 2010! I've finally updated our December, so scroll down for all the new posts.

We had to pack up all the Christmas decorations....boo!

Goodbye beautiful Christmas tree! That corner looks so bare now!

I worked New Years Eve and Day at the hospital so that was pretty uneventful. We did go over to The Gallers house briefly, but then I came home to go to bed. Colby started back to school today, so back to reality! We had a fabulous Christmas break and feel so fortunate that we got to spend so much time together and with family.

We learned some sad news last night that my Grandpa (Dean's dad) passed away late afternoon yesterday. He has been in the hospital for the last 2 weeks, was 91 and had been having several health problems. We will miss him greatly and are sad for the news, but know that he is with our Lord and no longer in pain. We will leave town at the end of the week to be with family and to attend the funeral services. We are grateful for his continued presence and love. Grandpa Ted was such a sweet and endearing man and we praise God for his life here on Earth.

Here's the whole family this past June with Grandpa

Grandpa and PapsColby and I with Grandpa last Christmas 2008You will be greatly missed, we love you, and can't wait to see you again one day!