Bake cake from scratch

It is the simplest, great tasting cake I've ever made. Great to make with the kids, especially for cupcakes.

Ingredients

1 cup white sugar

½ cup butter

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 ¾ teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup milk

       Step 1

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x9 inch pan or line a muffin pan with paper liners.

• Step 2

  In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth. Pour or spoon batter into the prepared pan.

• Step 3

  Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. For cupcakes, bake 20 to 25 minutes. Cake is done when it springs back to the touch.

Fried potato balls

Ingredients

2 cups cold mashed potatoes

1 large egg, lightly beaten

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup chopped green onions

4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

Oil for frying

Directions

Place mashed potatoes in a large bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Stir in the egg, cheese, onions and bacon. Shape into 1-in. balls; roll in bread crumbs. Let stand for 15 minutes.

In an electric skillet, heat 1 in. of oil to 375°. Fry potato balls, a few at a time, until golden brown, 2-1/2 to 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

5 potato balls: 290 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 496mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.