March 2016 - D.S. Venetta

Hoppy Easter Extravaganza

Easter is right around the corner and around my house, that means you’ll find a fresh-baked carrot cake in the kitchen. Yep, our garden carrots are ready for harvest and there’s no better place for them than inside a cake. A delicious, light and fluffy cake with cream cheese frosting!

But this year I’m taking part in the Hoppy Easter Extravaganza and giving away books! You heard it right–I’m giving away a copy of my book, Show Me The Green! AND a complimentary copy of the accompanying coloring book. WAY FUN!

Kids will love coloring their favorite characters and bringing the garden to life as they read along with the adventures of Lexi and Jason Williams. There’s nothing more fun than a garden. (It’s true!) Except for maybe a coloring book. So leave a comment, sign up for my newsletter or tweet about the giveaway — and you’ll be entered to win!

Book #2 in the Wild Tales & Garden Thrills series releases later this spring. Beans, Greens & Grades continues the adventure as Lexi and Jason take center stage at school when Principal Gordon enlists their help to establish a school garden at Beacon Academy. The kids are thrilled to named Green Ambassadors for this very important project but learn very quickly how challenging it can be to work with others toward a common goal. Not only must they teach their fellow students how to garden, but Lexi and Jason feel the pressure to make it fun and exciting–or become known as the “Most Boring Gardeners Ever” in school history. When Principal Gordon reveals a generous amount of grant money has been offered to continue the garden program should the children succeed, the stakes rise.

No worries! Lexi and Jason are up to the task, assisted by their student council members. But as they formulate, organize and implement the plan for Beacon Academy’s first school garden, the kids are side-tracked by trouble, toils and trauma. Everyone has their OWN opinion on how to care for their plants, what should be done and who should be doing it.

Hey–wait a minute. Who’s in charge around here?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now get hopping and Happy Easter!

Yummy Spring Dessert

Looking for the perfect dessert this Easter? This carrot cake is perfect and differs from most in that it’s light, fluffy and kid-friendly—from the making to the eating! Not only can they help by harvesting and shredding the carrots, they’ll love to decorate this spring treat (bunnies, anyone?).

While this recipe calls for cream cheese frosting, a bit tangy for some youngsters, it would also be great with a creamy white/vanilla frosting, too.

Fluffiest Carrot Cake

2 cups self-rising flour

2 tsp cinnamon

1 ½ cups vegetable oil

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

3 cups freshly grated carrots

½ cup raisins (optional)

½ cup walnuts, finely chopped (optional)

pre-made fondant for decorations

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease or butter 9 x 13 or 2 8-inch round pans. In a large bowl, combine oil, eggs and sugar and beat well. In a separate bowl, combine flour and cinnamon and mix together until creamy smooth. Add dry ingredients to wet and blend well. Fold in grated carrots, followed by any optional items of your liking!

Pour batter into pan and bake for about 35-45 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean. Serve with cream cheese frosting (even plain, this cake is so good).

Approximately 1 large or 2 8-inch cakes.

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese, refrigerated

2 TBSP unsalted butter, softened (at room temperature)

1 ½ – 2 cups powdered sugar (depending on how thick you like your frosting!)

1 tsp vanilla extract

dash of grated orange zest (optional)

Combine cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract and blend until smooth. Add sugar gradually, 1/2 cup at a time, beating until blended. Stop when you have reached your desired consistency. For stiffer frosting, use more sugar. For creamy frosting, use less. Stir in optional flavorings at end. Spread (or drizzle) frosting over cake and enjoy!

You can purchase packages of pre-made fondant at most major craft stores (Joann’s Fabrics, Michael’s…) and forming your figures is easy. We used a tube of green cake decorating color for the greens on our carrots—for a more feathery effect. Don’t forget the pre-made flowers and sprinkles—talk about EASY! You’ll have a stylin’ cake in no time!

D.S. Venetta

Monthly Archives: March 2016

Hoppy Easter Extravaganza

Yummy Spring Dessert