Brick Layer Recipes

BUTTER BRICKLE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Generously grease bottom and sides of two 9-inch round pans or spray with baking spray with flour. (Do not use 8-inch rounds or batter will overflow.)
• Beat cake mix, pudding mix (dry), water, butter and eggs in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds; beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Toss 1/2 cup of the brickle chips with flour in small bowl; stir into cake batter (batter will be thick). Spoon evenly into pans.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around side of pans to loosen cakes; remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Beat whipping cream and brown sugar in chilled large bowl with electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Spread about 1/2 cup whipped cream mixture over 1 cake layer to within about 1/4 inch of edge; sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the brickle chips. Top with second layer. Frost side and top of cake with remaining whipped cream mixture. Press remaining 1 cup brickle chips into side of cake. Store covered in refrigerator.

BRICK LAYER

Steps:

• Pour all ingredients except grain alcohol and fruit wedges over ice cubes in cocktail shaker.
• Shake well.
• Strain over crushed ice in tall glass.
• Float grain alcohol.
• Garnish with fruit wedges.

BRICKLAYER-STYLE NACHOS

Steps:

• If using fresh tomatoes, place them on a small baking sheet covered with aluminum foil. Place them under the broiler for 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through, until charred, mushy and juices have begun to run. Remove from heat. Once cool enough to handle, chop them without discarding any of the juices, seeds or charred skin.
• Heat a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until it browns slightly and renders some of its fat, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the chorizo to the bacon, and cook, breaking the sausage into smaller pieces using a wooden spoon as it begins to brown and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the beef, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring a couple times, until it begins to brown, about 4 minutes. Incorporate the onion and jalapeño and cook until they begin to wilt, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant but not browned, less than 1 minute.
• Stir in the fresh or canned chopped tomatoes with their juices and cook over high, stirring occasionally, until saucy, 2 to 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
• Set the rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 400 degrees. Place all the tortilla chips in a half sheet pan or large baking sheet in an even layer. Cover the chips with the bricklayer meat mixture and all of its chunky salsa. Cover with the shredded cheese. Bake until cheese has completely melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Garnish with the avocado, crumbled queso fresco and scallions. Dig in while hot!