It's been a good run, but I'm ready to be back on the east coast. Ready to have seasons, be in driving distance to the beach, mountains, friends, family, greenery... and most importantly not have to drive 1 hour to a decent mall!
Let's be honest, I wasn't cut out for Texas. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good chicken fried steak, rocking cowboy boots, two-steeping, and jammin out to some good old Texas country music, but this 107 degree heat for 70+ days straight has been brutal and the highway system they've got going on just doesn't work for me (why don't Texan's know how to merge?).
That doesn't mean that we haven't had a good time while we've been out west and it most definitely doesn't mean we haven't made some wonderful friends these past couple of years.
And that's where this cake comes in. For the past couple years, some of our good friends here have a killer summer BBQ complete with ice luge, corn hole, flip cup, burgers, dogs, and lots of other good food- including this cake.
While perusing the isles one day this summer I came upon this Margarita Jello....(can someone say fantastic idea?)
...and then I found a recipe for a jello poke cake- It was just too good to be true.
Now the sad part is, that when I went back to get some more recently, I couldn't find it :( but that doesn't mean you couldn't substitute it with some lime jello!
The cake was a huge success. So much so, that I didn't even get to get a picture of it in all it's glory among the smorgasbord of foods that afternoon.
Margarita Jello Poke Cake
Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker
Makes one 9x13 sheet cake
1 box white cake (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist White)
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup veggie oil
4 egg whites
1/4 cup margarita mix (non-alcoholic)
1 box Margarita flavored jello*
3/4 cup boiling water
2 TBS tequila
2 TBS triple sec
1/4 margarita mix
Topping
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 TBS tequila* opt
1 TBS triple sec* opt
Preheat oven to 350. Spray pan with cooking spray and lightly coat with flour.
In small bowl, mix jello and boiling water. Add tequila and triple sec, mixing until everything is dissolved.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, 1/4 cup jello mixture, margarita mix, water, egg whites and oil and beat until well combined.
Pour into pan and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Transfer to cooling rack.
While cake is still warm, use a fork to poke holes throughout the whole cake.
Mix 1/4 margarita mix with remaining jello mixture and pour evenly and slowly over cake.
Cool completely, at least 1 hour.
Once cake has cooled, in a large bowl beat whipping cream until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar, tequila and triple sec and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
Frost cake while still in the pan. I don't normally keep cakes in the pan, but for a BBQ it was easy to transfer and easy to clean up.
Place in the fridge until ready to serve.
Enjoy!
Daddy Tom gets in on Sunday evening and we begin our trek east, but not before I make a wedding cake for some friends this weekend though!
So while all of you out there are sharing good food and laughs with good friends, we'll be driving..driving into the sunset...well I guess sun rise technically since we're driving east...
But the real question is this: What do you talk to your dad about for 24 hours? I'm open to suggestions.
I'll be MIA just for a bit and the next time you hear from me I'll be back in VA! Until then..
Happy Baking!
10 comments:
I LOVE poke cake. I've not seen the margarita jello, but you can bet your boots that I'm going to be on the look-out for it from here on out.
The east coast looks forward to having you back.
I'd love 24 hours to talk with my dad. Of course, the majority of the conversation would be about his granddaughter that he doesn't get to see often enough, but he's one of the wisest men I know so I'd be seeking advice on a multitude of subjects. :)
This cake sounds delicious. I have not seen margarita Jello in the stores. I'll have to keep my eye out for it. Yummy!
You know I have been seeing poke cake all over the place this year and I just feel like I need to make it as soon as possible. I love your poke cake. It is too cute and I just love that you used margarita jello. However, I have never seen it before...maybe because I wasn't looking.
Anyways, haha...it looks wonderful my dear!
Hahhaa, I had to make a 36 hour drive with my dad when I moved to Colorado :) We talked about the presidential election (as it was in 2008) and how boring and flat Nebraska was! Welcome back to the East coast! Just in time for fall!
Hi Evan-thanks for your sweet comment on my blog...it's been a while since we've commented on each others' blog.
Loved reading your post, and especially love your Jello poke cake, although I can't recall that I've seen a Margarita flavor. I bet it was so moist, and delicious with the taste of Margarita though out the entire cake!
I had to chuckle about what to talk about with you dad for 24 hrs?
Unfortunately, I'm not good talking company on a long trip, so in my case, I would be sleeping for hrs. or reading one of my novels in the car (so, my advice is kind of boring)
I have never made a cake like this before. Sounds awesome! Safe travels back to Virginia. I live in Phoenix and am so over the heat. Hopefully, next spring we'll move back home to Ohio. I miss the seasons too! When my dad and I drive together, I make mix cd's of my favorite music and his. We talk about memories the songs bring up and sometimes get that comfortable silence when the music is on :)
Yaaaay the East Coast is happy to have you!
This is HEAVEN.
So wish I could see you before you leave...but I'm sending good thoughts your way! I love poundcake, and this looks like a true Texas treat. I want to make this soon! As for Dad? I always talk about politics...which can get exciting, believe me. Love ya!
Mmm, I've made a lemon jello poke cake before, so I know how good they can be. This one sounds awesome and a great way to end summer! Still excited for your move to the awesome East coast!
I fully support this amazing cocktail on a fork. I've done margarita cupcakes, but adding margarita jello? Genius!
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