Brendan's Early Birthday

Brendan's birthday is this week but he returned to college today so last night we surprised him with a little celebration. Christie had come over about noon and we put up a few decoration and baked a Cookies and Cream cake. I had problems with the frosting on the cake and then today realized that as usual, I didn't read the recipe correctly. It called for 1 Cup of Condensed Sweetened Milk and I used 1 Can. Not good. But Christie did a good job working with my soft, runny frosting and the cake looked fun and tasted just great. Believe me, Brendan did not complain! I insisted on taking a family picture as we get so few of those.

My Boys!!

After one of our favorite dinners - Shrimp steamed in beer and Old Bay and a fresh garlicy Caesar salad, we played our favorite game - Mexican Train. Casey won with the lowest score and Michael "Had the Most Fun".

And today Brendan headed back to cold New York.

Here is a picture of the cake and I will add the recipes. Just remember about the milk!!


Cookies and Cream Cake

1 Pkg white cake mix
1 1/4 C. water
1/3 C. vegetable oil
3 Egg whites (save the yolks for the frosting)
1 C. Chocolate Sandwich Cookie crumbs
Cookies for decoration

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 9 in. round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, water, oil, and the 3 egg whites with an electric mixer on high speed for 2 minutes. Gently stir in crushed cookies. Pour batter into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for 25 - 35 minutes in a preheated oven or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
4. Cool 10 minutes in the pans. Remove from pans and cool completely on racks.

White Chocolate Frosting

1 CUP sweetened condensed milk
8 T. butter
8 oz white chocolate chips
3 large egg yolks
1 C. confectioners sugar

1. Melt the butter in a pan over low heat. Add the white chocolate chips and stir until the chips are melted. Add the milk and mix over heat until all is mixed and the milk is warmed. Do not get it too hot or the milk will stick and burn.
2. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
3. In a mixing bowl beat together the egg yolks and the sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy.
4. Add the white chocolate mixture and beat until thick.