Duncan Hines Holiday Velvets is the first product in the baking aisle to capitalize on the bakery trend of colored velvet items extending beyond red. Duncan Hines’ moist, new red and green velvet cake mixes are a festive and easy way for bakers to unlock unique dessert opportunities to surprise friends and family with the holiday colors found inside their favorite cake.

The holidays are hectic enough, but Duncan Hines’ Limited Edition Holiday Velvet cake mixes let bakers forget baking stress by helping them raise their game with a fun, easy-to-prepare dessert that looks professionally made and tastes delicious. From red and green velvet cupcakes for the school holiday party, to a festive Holiday Snow Wreath Bundt Cake using the tasty velvets, bakers have an all new way to make this season fun and tasty.

“The new Holiday Velvet cake looks like it came from a bakery, but has that great ‘baked-at-home’ taste. Everyone will be delighted when they take a bite and see a flash of festive red and green inside, and we hope that bakers will share the news of this exciting product with friends and family,” says Joe DiPaolo, corporate pastry chef for Duncan Hines.

 

Limited Edition Holiday Velvets are available nationwide this Fall 2013 and can be found in the baking aisle at WalMart and other national grocery retailers for a suggested retail price of $1.99. You can receive a coupon for $0.50 off at DuncanHines.com. I was asked to sample the Holiday Velvets cake mix and here is my version of the Holiday Velvets Snow Wreath.

Easy Recipes:

Print

Duncan Hines Holiday Velvet Snow Wreath Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings 12 -16

Author cindy

Ingredients

• 1 box of Duncan Hines® Holiday Velvets Cake Mix
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup water
• 6 T oil
• 1 tub of Duncan Hines® Creamy Home-Style Classic Vanilla Frosting
• Colored Sprinkles of your choice

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 °F
• Spray the Bundt pan with oil spray.
• Prepare the two separate batters as directed on the back of the package.
• Using two spoons, alternately spoon the two batters into the Bundt pan (make sure not to shake the pan at this point).
• Insert a butter knife half way into the batter when all the batter is in the pan and swirl the batter by gently moving the knife in a circular motion around the pan. *Do not over-mix or the batter will blend together.
• Bake for 55-60 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the center comes out free of crumbs.
• Cool the cake and remove from the pan after 10-15 minutes.
• Frost the entire Bundt cake with Duncan Hines® Creamy Home-Style Classic Vanilla Frosting
• Decorate with holiday colored sprinkles

Notes

Instead of sprinkles you could sprinkle coconut onto the cake to resemble snow.

I shared the cake with friends at a Christmas celebration and everyone enjoyed it very much, several going back for seconds! I would definitely Use the Duncan Hines Holiday Velvets cake mix in my holiday baking again.  What delicious holiday treat would you make with the Duncan Hines Holiday Velvets cake mix? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Disclosure: I received the cake mix and frosting from Duncan Hines  for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

The post Easy Recipes-Duncan Hines Holiday Velvets- Snow Wreath appeared first on The Mom Maven.

On the Duncan Hines website there are videos with hints on ways to use the Amazing Glazes, a $1.oo off coupon and some great recipes using the Decadent Cake mixes so check them out! Don’t fo.rget to Like Duncan Hines on Facebook for more yummy ideas

The post Easy Recipes-Holiday Dessert Idea: Duncan Hines Decadent Cakes and Amazing Glazes appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Here is some information from Duncan Hines: Duncan Hines®, the well recognized brand that has been helping families create delicious memories for 60 years, introduces the latest breakthrough in deliciousness at the baking aisle – Decadent Cakes and Glazes.
Only Duncan Hines now offers the most premium, indulgent cakes that one can find outside of a bakery. Duncan Hines new Decadent Cake Line with two new incredibly indulgent offerings – Duncan Hines Decadent Triple Chocolate Cake with real chocolate chunks and rich fudge and Duncan Hines Decadent Apple Caramel cake with real apples and rich caramel.  With more people entertaining at home and looking for better quality desserts, these decadent cakes are perfect.  Both cakes contain zero grams of trans fat and NO hydrogenated oils.  They are available in cake baking section of supermarkets nationwide in 20 oz size boxes at a SRP of $2.99.

Simultaneously, Duncan Hines launches Decadent Glazes, a one of a kind glaze designed to elevate the baking experience with a whole new way to top your desserts.  Available in Chocolate and Vanilla, Decadent Glazes help home chefs create spectacular desserts with professional results. Only Duncan Hines offers this versatile topping to complement your baked goods or any dessert with a touch of sweetness and flavor. What separates Decadent Glazes from frosting is they are not as heavy or sweet as frosting and are convenient to use. These glazes are available in a 10 ounce squeeze bottle at an SRP of $2.49.
“We’re passionate and committed to product innovation,” said Lora Van Velsor, Vice President of Marketing for Duncan Hines.  “We are confident the Decadent Cakes and Glazes will excite consumers and offer unbelievably delicious baking experiences.”
Try these NEW and innovative recipe ideas or visit www.duncanhines.com for even more indulgent offerings.

The cake was easy to make and was a HUGE hit! The cake is very light and moist with just the right amount of apple pieces. I served it with my mom’s homemade whipped cream and we all agreed this dessert was much better when served warm. We popped the slices in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds before adding the whipped cream and it was perfect. We also all agreed this would make a great dessert for a breakfast, brunch or coffee meeting. As a matter of fact…I had some for breakfast this morning! I can’t wait to go buy the Decadent Triple Chocolate Cake mix and make that next!

I just made the cake following the recipe on the box but here are some other easy recipes from Duncan Hines.
Apple Caramel Bars:
Prep Time: 20 mins   Bake Time: 30-35 mins   Serves: 24 (2×2 in squares)

Ingredients Needed:
1 box Duncan Hines Decadent Apple Caramel Cake
1 egg
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup butter
2 cups quick cooking oatmeal oats
1 cup chopped peanuts (1/2 cup reserved for top, _ cup mixed with caramel pouch)

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. In small sauce pan, melt brown sugar, corn syrup and butter on medium. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. To a mixing bowl add the cake mix, nuts, oatmeal and egg. Mix by hand until blended. Mix caramel pouch as directed and stir in _cup nuts.
4. Pour in the melted brown sugar, butter mixture and stir until well mixed. Stir in caramel pouch with peanuts.
5. Spread evenly into a 9×13 inch, lightly greased baking pan. Press remaining peanuts onto surface of cake.
6. Bake for 30-35mins.
7. Remove from oven and immediately press down on surface of hot cooked bars with spatula.
8. Cool and refrigerate before cutting.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars:
Prep time: 20 mins   Bake time: 25 mins   Serves: 24 (2×2 inch squares)

Crust:
1 box of Duncan Hines Triple Chocolate Decadent Cake (reserve cup of dry mix for cheesecake filling)
1/2 cup butter ( l stick)
1 large egg
Chocolate shaving for garnish

Filling:
One 8 oz pkg. of cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
2 eggs
½ cup sweetened condensed milk
¼ cup of reserved cake dry mix
Package of Duncan Hines triple chocolate add in pouch (mix as directed on package)

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Greased bottom and sides of a 9×13 inch pan. Mix together by hand the above ingredients. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 greased pan.
Set aside.
2. Beat together cream cheese, eggs, and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
Beat in ¼ cup of dry cake mix, until well blended.
3. Mix package of triple chocolate add in pouch following directions on box (stir 1/3 cup cold water into dry pouch ingredients), Stir pouch mixture into filling and mix until blended. Do not over mix. Pour filling batter on top of crust.
4. Bake in a 325° oven for 23-25 mins. Filling will still be slightly jiggly.
Cool completely. Garnish with chocolate shavings if desired. Refrigerate after cooling.

Chocolate Biscotti:
Prep time: 15 mins   Bake time: 45 mins   Yield: 3 dozen

INGREDIENTS:
1 box of Duncan Hines Triple Chocolate Decadent Cake Mix
1 stick butter, melted
2 whole eggs
1 cup flour
¼ cup water

PREPARATION and BAKING:
1. Combine the ingredients until a dough is formed
2. Divide the dough into 2 pieces and roll into logs
3. Place onto a sheet pan that has parchment paper
4. Gently flatten the logs to one inch thick and three inches wide
5. Bake 325° for about 25 min or until firm
6. Cool for 5 minutes, slice and re-bake for 15 minutes to dry out
7. Allow to cool completely. Drizzle with Duncan Hines Amazing Glazes if desired.

Triple Chocolate Cream Filled Cupcakes:
Prep Time: 20 mins   Bake Time: 18 mins   Makes 14- 18 cupcakes

Ingredients
CUPCAKES:
1 box Duncan Hines Triple Chocolate Decadent Cake
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 cup water
FILLING:
1 ½ cup marshmallow fluff
½ cup (1 stick) softened butter
Fudge pouch (1/3 cup water added as per instructions on box)
Mix Duncan Hines Triple Chocolate Decadent Cake as directed on box.

Method
1. Mix Duncan Hines Triple Chocolate Decadent Cake as directed on box. Reserve the chocolate fudge pouch to be used in the filling. Do not mix into the cake.
2. Spoon the batter into lined muffin pan. Bake for 18 mins. Allow to cool.
3. While the cupcakes are baking, beat together the marshmallow fluff, the softened butter and the chocolate fudge pouch (mixed according to box with 1/3 cup water).
Cool until firm enough to frost with or pipe into cupcakes.
4. With pastry tip, pipe filling into center of cupcakes or cut a cone shape out of center of cupcake. Fill with tablespoon of filling and replace trimmed off top and plug hole in cupcake.
5. Frost with favorite Duncan Hines Frosting.

Apple Caramel Biscotti:
Prep time: 15 mins   Bake time: 45 mins   Yield: 3 dozen

INGREDIENTS:
1 box of Duncan Hines Apple Caramel Decadent Cake Mix
1 stick butter, melted
2 whole eggs
1 cup flour
¼ cup water

PREPARATION and BAKING:
1. Combine the ingredients until a dough is formed
2. Divide the dough into 2 pieces and roll into logs
3. Place onto a sheet pan that has parchment paper
4. Gently flatten the logs to one inch thick and three inches wide
5. Bake 325° for about 25 min or until firm
6. Cool for 5 minutes, slice and rebake for 15 minutes to dry out
7. Allow to cool completely

Have you tried the new Duncan Hines Decadent Cakes and Amazing Glazes? What are your thoughts on them? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Disclosure: I received 1 cake mix and 1 glaze for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% those of myself and my family.

The post Easy Recipes-Duncan Hines Decadent Cake Review appeared first on The Mom Maven.

This versatile easy recipe is perfect for your Easter dessert and enables you to entertain on a shoestring. Store-bought sweets can be expensive, and economic times call for easy and budget-friendly ideas.

For more recipes, log onto www.duncanhines.com.

“HELLO CUPCAKE!” EASTER EGGS

Created by the authors of the popular cupcake decorating book Hello Cupcake!. This is a fun Easter project to make with the kids or with your baking friends. All it takes are easy-to-find ingredients, fun food dye colors and delicious frosting. Easter Egg Cupcakes aren’t hard to make — but they’re sure to impress as gifts, or to decorate your holiday table.

Print

Easter Egg Cupcakes

Author cindy

Ingredients

• 12 unfrosted Moist Deluxe Devil’s Food Cake Mix cupcakes baked in white paper liners
• 12 honey graham crackers
• 2 cans 16 ounces Creamy Homestyle Classic Vanilla Frosting
• Green yellow, orange, blue, purple, and pink food coloring
• 2 tablespoons each mini and regular white pink, green, and blue decorations

Instructions

• Tint 2 cups of the frosting light green. Spoon 1 1/2 cups of the light green frosting into a zippered plastic bag. Tint 1/2 cup each of vanilla frosting pink, light blue, light purple, orange, and yellow. Spoon 2 tablespoons each into zippered plastic bags. Press out the excess air in each of the bags, seal, and set aside.
• Using a serrated knife, trim the graham crackers into an egg shape 3 1/2 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide. Snip a small corner (1/4 inch) from the bag with the 1 1/2 cups of green frosting and pipe a small dollop on top of each cupcake and place a graham cracker on top, pressing down to secure. The cracker will hang over the edge of the cupcake. Freeze the cupcakes for 10 to 15 minutes to set.
• Place the remaining 1/2 cup of each tinted frosting into a separate microwavable bowl. Working with one color at a time, microwave the frosting, stirring frequently, until it is the texture of lightly whipped cream, 20 to 30 seconds. Holding a chilled cupcake by the paper liner dip the graham cracker into the melted frosting to coat, turn right side up and let stand. Continue with all of the cupcakes and graham crackers making two eggs of each color.
• Snip very small corners (1/8 inch) from the bags with the 2 tablespoons of frosting. Pipe decorative dots, lines, and dashes on top of the frosting-coated crackers. Using the bag with the 1 1/2 cups of light green frosting, pipe dots of frosting around base of each egg always pulling the peak away from the egg (be sure to cover any exposed cupcake).
• While the frosting is still wet add candy decors to create decorative patterns.

The post Easy Recipes-Sweet Treats for your Easter Celebration appeared first on The Mom Maven.