Lunch and Treats for Wednesday Bake Sale

Katherine Victoria Vananderland
Aug 2, 2020
7 min read

Funnel Cakes

Ingredients

2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup 2% milk
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Oil for deep-fat frying
Confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add milk, water and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; beat into egg mixture until smooth. In a deep cast-iron or electric skillet, heat oil to 375°.
Cover the bottom of a funnel spout with your finger; ladle 1/2 cup batter into the funnel. Holding the funnel several inches above the oil, release your finger and move the funnel in a spiral motion until all the batter is released, scraping with a rubber spatula if needed.
Fry until golden brown, 2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Dust with confectioners' sugar; serve warm.

Funnel cakes first appeared in medieval cookbooks. The batter can be poured from a liquid measuring cup instead of a funnel. Check out 30 copycat carnival recipes.

Nutrition Facts 1 each: 316 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 256mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.

Blue Ribbon Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups canola oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white vinegar
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

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Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of two greased 9-in. round pans with parchment paper; grease paper. Beat the first five ingredients until well blended. In another bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking cocoa and baking soda; gradually beat into oil mixture.
Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely.
Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Using a long serrated knife, trim tops of cakes; set tops aside. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer, bottom side up. Frost top and sides with remaining frosting.
Break cake tops into pieces. Pulse in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Decorate cake with crumbs as desired.

Nutrition Facts 1 slice: 559 calories, 33g fat (8g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 208mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (48g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

Ingredients

1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs, room temperature
FILLING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2-1/2 cups cold 2% milk
2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix
TOPPING:
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
Carmelo and Chocolate syrup

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Directions

In a large saucepan over medium heat, bring the water, butter and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Continue beating until smooth and shiny. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add 1 egg at a time, beating well after each addition.
Pour into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 400° until puffed and golden brown, 28-30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
For filling, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, milk and pudding mixes until smooth. Spread over the crust; refrigerate for 20 minutes. Spread whipped topping over filling. Store in the refrigerator. Just before serving, drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Test Kitchen TipsFresh fruit makes for a colorful and tasty addition. Try berries or bananas. A small offset spatula is your friend when you are spreading layered desserts. Don't have one? No problem; the back of a spoon works well, too.

Nutrition Facts 1 piece: 248 calories, 17g fat (11g saturated fat), 95mg cholesterol, 273mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.

Mushroom Lasagna

Ingredients

9 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
2 cups chopped baby portobello mushrooms
1 large sweet onion, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
2 thin slices prosciutto or deli ham, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2/3 cup white wine or chicken broth
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup whole milk

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Directions

Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook and stir the mushrooms and onion in oil until tender. Add the parsley, prosciutto, garlic and Italian seasoning; cook 2 minutes longer. Add wine; cook and stir until liquid is evaporated. Add tomatoes and heat through.
Spread 1 cup sauce in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with three noodles, 1-1/3 cups sauce, and a scant 1/4 cup each of mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat layers twice. In a small bowl, combine the cream, milk and remaining cheeses; spoon over the top.
Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

Nutrition Facts 1 piece: 230 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 279mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 vegetable.

Italian Sausage Bruschetta

Ingredients

1 pound bulk Italian sausage
8 ounces mascarpone cheese, softened
3 tablespoons prepared pesto
24 slices French bread baguette (1/2 inch thick)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3/4 cup finely chopped seeded plum tomatoes
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

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Directions

In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles; drain. In a small bowl, combine mascarpone cheese and pesto.
Preheat broiler. Place bread on ungreased baking sheets. Brush bread slices on 1 side with oil. Broil 3-4 in. from the heat until golden brown, 30-45 seconds on each side. Spread with mascarpone mixture. Top each with sausage, tomatoes, parsley and Parmesan cheese. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts 1 appetizer: 131 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 202mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.

Italian Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Ingredients

1 package (5 ounces) spring mix salad greens
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup assorted olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
8 pepperoncini
Optional toppings: Chopped tomatoes, shredded carrots and grated Parmesan cheese
VINAIGRETTE:
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/8 teaspoon salt

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Directions

In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients; toss lightly. If desired, add toppings.
In a small bowl, whisk vinaigrette ingredients until blended. Serve with salad.

Nutrition Facts 1-1/4 cups: 109 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 343mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable.

Italian Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients

4 bacon strips, diced
30 large fresh mushrooms
1 cup onion and garlic salad croutons, crushed
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 medium tomato, finely chopped
1/4 pound ground fully cooked ham
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

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Directions

Preheat oven to 425°. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings.
Remove stems from mushrooms; set caps aside. Finely chop half of the stems (save the remaining for another use). Add chopped stems to drippings with bacon; saute 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Firmly stuff crouton mixture into mushroom caps. Place in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake 12-15 minutes or until mushrooms are tender.

Nutrition Facts 2 each: 88 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 217mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.

Ingredients

3 large portobello mushrooms, sliced
1 each medium sweet red, orange and yellow peppers, sliced
1 medium zucchini, sliced
10 fresh asparagus spears, cut into 2-inch lengths
1 small onion, sliced and separated into rings
3/4 cup grape tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh sugar snap peas
1/2 cup fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup pitted Greek olives
6 Lemons Squeezed
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

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Directions

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the mushrooms, peppers and zucchini. Add the asparagus, onion, tomatoes, peas, broccoli and olives. Pour vinaigrette into bag; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Discard marinade. Transfer vegetables to a grill wok or basket. Grill, uncovered, over medium heat for 8-12 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Place on a serving plate; sprinkle with cheese.

Editor's Note: If you do not have a grill wok or basket, use a disposable foil pan. Poke holes in the bottom of the pan with a meat fork to allow liquid to drain.

Nutrition Facts 3/4 cup: 196 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 449mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein.

Asparagus with Mushrooms

Ingredients

1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar

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Directions

In a large skillet, saute asparagus and ginger in oil for 2-3 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Add the mushrooms, salt, sugar and pepper. Cook and stir 2-3 minutes longer or until mushrooms are tender.

Nutrition Facts 3/4 cup: 92 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 599mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat.

Marshmallow Fruit Dip

Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup cherry yogurt
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme
Assorted fresh fruit

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Directions

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and yogurt until blended. Fold in whipped topping and marshmallow creme. Serve with fruit.

Nutrition Facts 2 tablespoons: 56 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 24mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.

California Dream Smoothie