3.23.2009

Today, I THRIVE




Today I am trying a new recipe from food storage.
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No, I am not making Wheat Wheatikins Blah-B-Blah Wheat Dessert. I am making real dessert.
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Raspberry Cake Bars

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And I am going to share the recipe with you.
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I am using THRIVE brand and a THRIVE recipe from http://www.shelfreliance.com/.





Have you seen their gorgeous cans?!?!


Have you seen that they have sweet potatoes and lima beans? It's a southerners dream come true!

Do you realize how good my pantry would look filled with all these pretty colors?


Don't laugh, I have a friend with a chandelier hanging in her laundry room. These things matter!

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As I blog, it bakes in my oven, smelling divine. I just said to Zoe who is home sick today, "Mmmmm, it smells good!" and she replied, "No fair, I can't smell anything!"

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She's a little stuffy.


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On with the recipe, you say?

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Okay, preheat your oven to 350 and put a pretty apron on.


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Put 2 cups of raspberries in a bowl. Refrain from popping one in your mouth, they have the chocolate chip effect. You can't stop after just one.






Pour enough hot water over the raspberries to cover them, and set aside for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, drain off the liquid to let the berries dry.




Now let's reconstitute the butter to start the crumb topping.
So we'll put 1/4 cup butter powder in a bowl.






And 1/4 cup of water. So equal parts, get it?



Then stir.


Now we'll put 1/2 cup flour in a bowl.....



...with 1/2 cup sugar and....




1/4 teaspoon cardamom which the recipe says is optional, but if it matters to you, I'd like to say it's not optional, it's vital.
How about 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon?
Alright, this is where you whisk, even though there are no pictures of me whisking.


Then you will add the butter and use a pastry cutter, if you have one. If not, you may do as I did and pull two butter knives through the mixture going in opposite directions. Same effect. Keep doing so until it's crumbly.


Set aside.


Now to start on the cakey bar part.


We'll need to reconstitute more butter. This time 3/4 cup.

I am surprising myself here, showing my hands. I am almost as ashamed of my hands as I am my feet. Anyone ever seen the Seinfeld episode about Man Hands? Oy vey.

Now we are going to beat the butter and 2 cups of sugar.
I think I have the worlds oldest free standing hand mixer.
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I've named her Sophie after a sweet little girl whose mom has a chandelier hanging in her laundry room. More on that later.
Beat on medium until creamy. Then turn the speed to low. (hey, I am LoW!)
Pour in 1/2 cup buttermilk

Reconstitute eggs, using 4 Tablespoons egg and 8 Tablespoons water.

Mix.


Add.



Now add 2 1/2 cups of flour.


1/4 teaspoon salt


And stir by hand.

Pour into a greased 15 x 10 x 1 pan.

(I had to use a regular cake pan)

Sprinkle with raspberries and crumb topping.


Bake for 25-30 minutes (I'll have to do a little longer since my pan is deeper) or until tooth pick comes out clean.

Later today, I'll dust with powdered sugar when I serve th Raspberry Cake Bars.

Come back tomorrow to hear the family's thoughts on dessert!


12 comments:

Mel said...

This looks wonderful! Tell Zoe to feel better - I think I can smell it cooking up here. Yum!

Sister Black said...

mmmmm, that smells SOOO good! could you email me a piece or 2?!
feel better zoe. i think i'm trying to get the same thing and i CAN'T because i'm narrating a theatrical performance thursday and i CAN'T be sick!!!

Anonymous said...

Looks good... but looks can be deceiving so please let us know how they come out :)

So, about the Thrive product (as you know, I'm into thinking about food storage - more thinking than doing - but I digress...). Are you paying extra for pretty cans? Just wondering :). Look into that and let me know... (Or I suppose I could).

Beth said...

It LOOKS really yummy, I can't wait to hear what the fam thinks. We have been talking about how to build up our food storage and I always wandered about the eggs/butter factor. Can't wait to hear how it turns out! And i love the pretty cans!

aniC said...

nice cans!
the bars sound and look yummy. do let me know of their taste!

aniC said...

and unlike mom, don't email me a piece or two...actually MAIL me a SEVERAL

I am LoW said...

Smells like a bakery, eh? :)

If anyone wants a piece, they have to come and get it!! mwahaha!!

Sue- I think they are comparable to all the other places I've looked. (and prettier! Remember!)Plus they have some things that others do not. I am feeling very particular about having a variety.

Carrie Maseda said...

They look like they are delicious; feel free to swing by my house and bring me a couple! Those raspberries look gorgeous and delicious, and I would love to play with that butter powder! You are having waaaay too much fun for one person; feel free to invite me over to watch your next food storage creation! Your post even prompted me to check out their site; I might be in trouble! :)

dar said...

that looks super good, the pic even grabbed my daughter's attention as she was walking by. you'll have to tell me how it all went.
and get better zoe, my kids are home too, but its spring break for them

tennisgal said...

Oh wow that looks fabulous! I'll have to make something like that with Andrew home he can help eat it!

tennisgal said...

And those are the prettiest cans and packaging I have seen : )

I am LoW said...

Laura- Especially if I had made it in the large pan- that really makes lots!! Great for special occasions. (like having your son home from college) :)