What else...

Other things to do with alcohol; recipes and projects

Homemade mandarin orange extract

To make the mandarin orange extract, use clean orange peelings. Put in a jar, and cover with 80 proof vodka. Store in a cool, dark place for approximately 1 month. Shake the jar every day. After 1 month, remove peels, strain and put extract into a container. Store in a cool, dark place.

Bramble Berry Brownies

This recipe comes from the folks at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards in Naples, NY. I made these for our office. They were quite a hit! The original recipe card is pictured, but I will rewrite it here to make it easier to read. Ingredients: -Your favorite boxed Brownie Mix or your own "from scratch" Brownie recipe - 750 ml bottle of Bramble Berry Wine -Optional: Chocolate chips, (semi-sweet or dark chocolate). Directions: Preheat oven and mix the brownies per the instructions on the box or recipe. Replace water with and equal amount of Bramble Berry Wine. - Add chocolate chips to taste (optional). -Bake per instructions on box or recipe. -Let brownies cool. -Enjoy with remaining Bramble Berry Wine. --If you make your brownies from scratch, we love you. **I did use a recipe for scratch brownies and did add in about 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips for an 8x8 pan size.

30 Day Cake (Friendship Cake)

Above is the recipe as it was given to me, with a baggie of "starter" from a friend whose grandmother always made this once a month or so. This is exactly how the recipe is written, but I will also add my notes below. Starter Fruit Cake
Starter: 3 cups sugar 1 cup canned, sliced peaches-drained 1 cup canned, chunk pineapple-drained 1 cup brandy Mix in a gallon jar without a tight lid. Stir every day for 6 weeks. At the end of six weeks I used fruit to make one cake from recipe below (30 days). Use 1-1/2 cups of starter to continue for the 30 day cake to pass on to friends. 30 Day Cake (FRIENDSHIP CAKE) (When already have starter) *Friend's note: "I also added 1/4 cup {additional} brandy {to the baggie}" Day 1 -- In a very large bowl: 2-1/2 cups sugar 1-1/2 cups starter 1 large (20 oz) can sliced peaches and juice. Stir together and cover, stir every day. Day 10 -- Add 2 cups sugar 1 large can of chunk pineapple and juice Stir every day Day 20 --Add 2 cups sugar 1 large can fruit cocktail and juice 1 10 oz can of maraschino cherries and juice Stir every day Day 30 -- Drain juice from fruit, divide into 1-1/2 cup portions (5 or 6) Place each portion into a tight container and give to a friend with recipe as soon as possible-- starter must be used within 5 days Divide fruit into 3 bowls then add FOR EACH CAKE: 1 package yellow cake mix 2/3 cup oil 4 eggs 1 package instant vanilla pudding 1 cup chopped nuts Mix well with beater at medium speed. Bake in greased and floured tube or bunt pan (I used loaf pans to make smaller cakes) at 350 for 50 minutes, check with a toothpick. NOTE: DURING NONE OF THIS RECIPE SHOULD IT BE REFRIGERATED.THE LARGE BOWL SHOULD BE AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AND COVERED. FRUIT MAY BUBBLE AND LID POP OFF, THIS IS FINE BUT CONTINUE TO COVER THE BOWL. CAKE CAN BE FROZEN FOR ONE YEAR. STARTER CANNOT BE FROZE. *** Try chocolate cake and chocolate pudding.

My notes:
1)The "large bowl" means it-- it makes a lot of stuff.

2)I was surprised how firm and "candied" the fruit was once the liquid was drained. The liquid just gets discarded.

3)I also used loaf pans. I found the recipe somewhat difficult to follow as far as how much fruit actually goes into each cake. I made one with 1/2 cup and one with the full 1-1/2 cup. It is much better with the larger amount of fruit-- or so the reviews (people who ate it) said.

4)I made it with both yellow cake mix/vanilla pudding, and chocolate cake/pudding. More people enjoyed the chocolate, but there were some strong likes for the yellow/vanilla as well. The yellow cake does make a "prettier" cake because you can see the fruit better.

Homemade vanilla extract.

To make the vanilla extract, use vanilla beans. You may be able to find those in a local grocery store. If not, you can order online. I run a sharp knife down the length of the beans to score them, or you can cut them into long pieces. Put the beans in a jar, and cover with 80 proof vodka. Store in a cool, dark place for approximately 1 month. Shake the jar every day. After 1 month, remove the beans, strain and put extract into a container. Store in a cool, dark place. *I have made this in the past with 80 proof and 100 proof vodka. It can also be made with rum. This current batch shown is with 151 rum. It is not quite finished, so I'm not sure if it will be too strong when used. I will update when I know. **I have read that you can use the vanilla beans you remove from the extract in making vanilla bean ice cream. I have not tried it,but it sounds yummy. I have left the beans in and not removed them until I have finished using the bottle of extract with no ill effect.

Friendship fruit cake (bread).

This is the fruit while it is getting prepared for the bread, which takes a month. See recipe below.​