Jean’s Cuisines

It’s that time of year! Winter is finally behind us and it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether it’s for work or play, it’s always good to be prepared with some great food! This issue features a great option for an easy, tried and true chocolate cake to take to brandings or potlucks. Everyone loves chocolate and and the cream cheese frosting just melts in your mouth.

On a hiking trail and need light weight, high energy food? Our trail mix recipe is the perfect answer! Full of flavor and easy to eat, this energy booster is perfect for recreating as well as when you need a little something while trailing cows or driving a tractor. There’s lots of options for keeping it tasty every time. Let us know what you think!

Branding Chocolate Cake

1 stick butter 
1 cup water
3 ½ Tbsp. Cocoa
½ cup oil
Bring Mixture to boil

In another bowl:
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
Pour boiled mixture over the flour and sugar

Add:
2 eggs
1 tsp soda
Dash of salt
½ cup buttermilk 
1 tsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients until mixed thoroughly. Grease a 9x12 pan and cake mixture in.
Bake 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Optional Cream Cheese Frosting       

½  brick of cream cheese-8 oz.
½ cup butter (room temperature)
1 tsp vanilla
2-3 cups of powdered sugar, sifted 

Mix ingredients together until spreadable to the consistency desired. Ensure cake is cool, and spread across the cake.

On the Trail Granola

 ½ cup pecans, chopped
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup coconut
1 cup almonds, chopped
½ cup flour
¼ cup flax meal
¼ wheat germ
¾ cup melted butter
½ cup sugar
1 tsp honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp salt
¼ cup water
1 cup dried mixed fruit-blueberries, mangos, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, craisins 

Preheat oven to 250. Combine all the ingredients and mix well. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet and grease it. Spread the granola across the tray. Place a second sheet of parchment paper over the granola. Roll over the granola to make a firm, even layer across the entire sheet. Remove the top parchment paper once granola is flat and bake for 60-90 minutes. Remove from the oven and break into pieces and save in zipping bags. Enjoy!