Virginia's Almond Texas Sheet Cake

 CAKE:

1 c. butter

1 c. water

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

2 eggs beaten

1/2 c. sour cream

1 tsp. almond extract

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda 

Boil butter and  water together.

Remove from heat, and add flour, sugar, eggs, sour cream, extract, salt and baking soda.  Mix til smooth and pour into a rimmed cookie sheet, well greased. Bake 20 minutes at 375°

 

FROSTING:

1/2 c. butter

1/4 c. milk

1/2 tsp. almond extract

4.5 cups powdered sugar

Boil butter & milk.  Remove from heat and add sugar and extract. Spread over warm cake.  

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Oreo Frosting

 -10 Oreo cookies, pulverized (blender or food processor)

-1 c. softened butter

-3 c. powdered sugar

-1 tsp. vanilla

-2 Tbls. heavy cream

*****This can be done with any flavor Oreo.  

Bacon Puff Pretzel Twists with Beer Cheese

 

Ingredients

·         2 sheets puff pastry

·         1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

·         20-22 bacon strips

·         1 egg, lightly whisked

·         2 tablespoons sesame seeds

 

·         1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

·         1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

·         1 cup cream cheese

·         1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

·         1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

·         1 cup beer (we used Budweiser)

·         2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley

·         1/2 teaspoon dried chili flakes

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line 2 large baking trays with non-stick baking parchment. Unroll the pastry sheets with the wide end facing you. Sprinkle on the shredded cheddar. Arrange the bacon on top of the cheese, so it’s almost touching, but not overlapping. Slice the pastry into strips, in between each bacon strip.

Twist each of the pastry strips so you get an even twist.

Place the twists on the two baking trays (not too close, as they will expand in the oven). Brush any pastry you can see with the whisked egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown and the bacon is crisp

While the pastry twists are cooking, make the dip. Place all of the ingredients, except the beer, parsley and chili flakes, into a saucepan. Heat on medium until melted and thickened. Add in the beer and stir again, then simmer gently for five minutes. Pour into a heat-proof serving dish, then place under the broiler until the top is slightly charred. Carefully remove from the grill and sprinkle with parsley and chili flakes.