#makeathome

Why Use Sour Cream in Cake?

The use of sour cream in a cake is a very traditional thing to do going way back, but why? Proper sour cream contains fat. This fat adds richness to the cake creating a finer crumb that is more tender. Also, sour cream helps a cake to become golden in baking. Most importantly, the acid in sour cream interacts with your baking powder to promote a better rise.

The scoop!

I made this cake a few weeks ago as part of a fundraising event I did for Bark for Life PEI. This program provides comfort to those who are on a cancer journey. I used Bavarian Sugared Almonds from Atlantic Mustard to make these, but feel free to use any candied nut of your choosing, or just use plain nuts and a splash of vanilla added into the mix instead.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake Created by Chef Ilona Daniel Makes 1 9x13 pan

Batter:

1 cup salted butter

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

Topping:

1 cup Bavarian-Style candied almonds (or just plain slivered almonds)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

½ cup brown sugar

Lightly grease an 9x13'' baking pan.*

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine topping ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.

In a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add egg and mix. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix.

In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda and baking powder. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and mix just until combined.

Spoon half of the batter into your prepared pan and smooth into an even bottom layer. Sprinkle half of the topping mixture over the top. Spoon remaining batter on top and smooth into an even layer.

Sprinkle remaining topping mixture over the top.

Bake in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with few crumbs.

Check the mixture about half way through baking --you may want to put a piece of tinfoil over the top to keep the top from browning too much.

Let’s not fool around, bacon is the gateway meat. It is a magical cut of pork prepared in the perfect way. It’s smoky, crispy and natually just a little bit sweet. You’ll be hardpressed to find a dish that a little bit of bacon wouldn’t make the dish just a little bit more special.

This bacon jam is a combo of onions and bacon which is cooked down low and slow until it resembles the texture of marmelade.

This can be added into a cream sauce for an incredible pasta dish or in a club sandwich, a pizza or one of my favourite treatments; hamburgers!

Bacon Jam Created by Chef Ilona Daniel

Yields 1 ½ cups

Ingredients

6 slices                  Bacon

2                              Red Onions

1 tbsp                    Pink Peppercorns

1 tbsp                    Black Peppercorns

1 cup                     Brown Sugar

1 cup                     Water

1 tsp                      Dried Thyme

1 tbsp                    White Vinegar (or Balsamic)

3 oz                        Whiskey (optional)

                               Salt to taste

 Method

Cut bacon into lardons.  Render the bacon with a splash of water until bacon is crisped.  

Cut onions into thin strips, or dice depending on your preference

Add the onions to the rendered bacon to deglaze the pan

Soften the onions on medium-low heat with the lid on until onions are translucent

Once the onions are translucent add the rest of the ingredients except for the vinegar and cook down until the mixture takes on a deep brown colour.

Learn how to make Karela Powder at home with natural steps like cleaning, drying, and grinding bitter gourd. A simple herbal remedy for better health.

In a world full of processed supplements, more and more people are turning to homemade herbal remedies for their purity, affordability, and peace of mind. If you’re someone who prefers natural ingredients, learning how to make your own Karela Powder (bitter gourd powder) is a great step toward sustainable wellness.

Karela Powder is known for its powerful benefits—supporting blood sugar balance, improving digestion, detoxifying the liver, and even enhancing skin health. Making it at home ensures you’re getting it in the most natural form, without any additives or preservatives.

Steps to Make Karela Powder at Home

1. Cleaning the Bitter Gourds Start by washing 4–5 medium-sized bitter gourds thoroughly under running water to remove dirt or residues. You may scrub lightly with a vegetable brush.

2. Slicing Cut the gourds lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Slice them into thin pieces—thinner slices dry faster and more evenly.

3. Drying

Sun-Drying: Spread the slices on a clean tray or cloth and place under direct sunlight for 3–4 days until fully dried.

Oven-Drying: If sun isn’t an option, dry them in an oven at the lowest setting (about 50–60°C or 120°F) for 5–6 hours until they become crisp.

4. Grinding into Powder Once dried, grind the pieces in a clean, dry blender or spice grinder until you get a fine powder. Sift to remove larger particles if needed.

5. Storage Tips Store your homemade karela powder in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark place. It can last for up to 3–4 months if kept dry.

How to Use Karela Powder

Add 1 teaspoon to warm water, smoothies, herbal teas, or even fill into capsules for easy daily use.

Want a more convenient, mess-free option? Try Actizeet Karela Powder—a 100% pure and high-quality alternative for busy lifestyles.

Learn how to make your own sunflower oil with this easy, step-by-step guide. With this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about the process of making sunflower oil, from selecting the right ingredients to storing your finished

Step 1: Obtain the necessary supplies

To make sunflower oil at home, you will need a few supplies:

- Sunflower seeds

- A colander

- Cheesecloth

- A large bowl

- A wooden spoon

- A heavy-bottomed pot with a lid

- A thermometer

- A funnel