YW Birthdays

I needed to come up with something cheap for my Laurels for their Birthdays.  They said they wanted me to make them cupcakes and then we sing, "Happy Birthday".  But things get too busy and thats alot of cupcakes to make:)  So, I thought and thought and came up with this.  I got a BIG Mason jar, put the cakemix in that and then typed up the recipe for them.  Then of course just made the jar look cute.  I also got them some frosting and wraped paper around that as well.
This is the final product.  I just wraped the two in some cellaphane and tied it up with a bow.  This whole thing probably cost about $2.  Not too shabby!  The girls were pretty excited about them!  Just a thought for all you YW leaders out there, or even good for VT or for a friend.  You could even add cupcake liners, candles, put it in a cute basket with that crimpy stringy paper on the bottom.  Just a thought!!

Marshmallow Brownies

I don't know what my problem is...all I do is bake as of late.  I have had nothing exciting to blog about...except food.  So, there are several new postings today.  Hopefully you will find something new to try!!

Today I needed to make something for the families Ben hometeaches...the fun thing is trying to find a recipe with all the ingredients on hand since it is Sunday.  Of course it was tricky this time because I had no brown sugar.  BUT...I did have marshmallows:)  I forgot how much I love these.  I mean LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these.  My mom used to make these all the time when I was little.  It has been awhile since I have had them.  They are so ooey and gooey.  Marshmallow is just all over the place and when they are warm, they are even better.  You can't even see the marshmallow in the picture because the frosting melted all over.  Hope you enjoy!!

Marshmallow Brownies

2 sticks margarine

1/3 c. cocoa

2 c. sugar

1 1/2 c. nuts (opt.)

4 eggs

1 1/2 c. flour

2 tsp. vanilla

1 pkg. small marshmallows

Blend all ingredients except for marshmallows and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.  Then cover the brownies with a package of small marshmallows.  Put back in the oven to soften the marshmallows.  Frost when cooled.

Frosting:

1 stick margarine

cocoa

1 3/4-2 c. powdered sugar

1-2 TBS milk

Oreo Cupcakes

I had to make some cupcakes for the RS Birthday and decided on these badboys. I got the recipe off of my new favorite blog...My Baking Addiction. This girl is creative!! The frosting is so amazing. Just know that if you pipe the frosting on the cupcakes, make sure the tip you use is fat...otherwise an Oreo chunk will clog it and you will have to keep starting over...trust me, I know. I had to keep taking frosting out of my bag TWICE before I finally took a hint:) The cake was soooo good. It has over 1000 5 stars on allrecipes.com. Yes, you read the recipe correctly...it is the large box of pudding. Also, I just used 1 c. of mini chocolate chips.

Too Much Chocolate Cake from allrecipes

Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix
1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (I used miniature)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into a well greased 12 cup bundt pan.
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cake thoroughly in pan at least an hour and a half before inverting onto a plate If desired, dust the cake with powdered sugar.

*Note: I made cupcakes with this recipe. I ended up with 28 cupcakes that were baked at 350 degrees F for about 21 minutes.

Buttercream Dream Frosting

Ingredients

1 stick salted butter - room temperature

1 stick unsalted butter - room temperature

1 cup shortening

1 tablespoon Clear Vanilla extract

2 pounds confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar, 10x)

4-6 tablespoons very cold milk (I used 5 TBS)

8 crushed Oreo cookies with the cream removed before crushing

Directions

Cream the butter and shortening in the bowl of an electric or stand mixer. Add the clear vanilla extract and combine well. Begin adding in the sugar and mixing thoroughly after each addition. After all of the sugar has been added and mixed thoroughly, begin adding the very cold milk... one tablespoon at a time, combining very well after each addition (mixer on medium-high to high speed) until you reach the desired consistency. Fold in the Oreo cookie crumbs. Top cooled cupcakes with the buttercream frosting and garnish with 1/2 an Oreo.

St. Paddy's Day Breakfast

So, it is several days late, but this was our breakfast for St. Paddy's Day.  You may be wondering what's so special about these pancakes?  Well...of course we all love pancakes, but in this case, I am blogging about the syrup.  I happened to run out of syrup and didn't realize till the batter was made, so I was on the hunt for a recipe.  The girls at The Sister's Cafe didn't let me down.  They have a recipe for some Coconut Syrup.  She talked it up so much I had to try.  WOW!!  Amazing!  If your not a fan of coconut, I'm sure you could use Almond extract or Vanilla, whatever.  As for my house...we loved the coconut!!

Coconut Syrup

7-8 TBS butter

3/4 c. buttermilk***

1 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. coconut extract

Put butter, milk and sugar in saucepan.  Put on medium heat and stir until butter melts and sugar dissolves.  Bring to boil and boil for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and add soda and coconut extract.  It will bubble up; just continue to stir and give it a few minutes for the fizz to reduce before serving.

***I didn't have any buttermilk on hand, so I put 1 tsp. of lemon juice in a 1c. measuring cup and add milk the rest of the way.  Wait for 5 minutes and BAM...buttermilk

Seriously??? This is Just WRONG!!

The last 3 days were 85 degrees.  Today...45 degrees.  This should not be allowed.  

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly...

The last few weeks have been full of all sorts of fun...in regards to raising my boys.  I just thought I would share a few of them:)

THE GOOD:

We are making room for Boy #3 and had to bunk up Caden and Noah.  The transition has been interesting.  Sometimes they fight, sometimes they chit chat...its different every night.  But a few nights ago it made me realize what good brothers they are and that they really do love each other.  At about 3:00 in the morning Noah came running into our room saying he had to go potty.  So I was taking into the bathroom and Caden was in there.  I asked him what he was doing and he told me that Noah was scared to come get us to go potty, so he came here with him so he wouldn't be so scared of the dark.  Then I took them back to bed and they told each other good night and that they love each other.  Noah just told him, "Good night buddy, thanks for helping me".  How sweet is that???

THE BAD:

These are Noah's fingers...how gross are they??  When he was at pre-school he got his fingers slammed in the door.  Poor guy...he didn't even cry, until I picked him up from school and then he let the tears start.  Luckily they were not broken, just really bruised.  It looks like there is a blood blister forming, can't wait to deal with that:(  

Now for THE UGLY:

I guess when it comes to raising boys, there are a few things I am going to have to remember...they can be gross.  They pick up on all the grossness and go with it.  I usually have NO idea where they learned it (it certainly wasn't from me!  Maybe Ben??  jk, not him either)...I can just hope and pray that the grossness stops and most importantly it is done done in public.  

The last 3 days Noah has been doing the FART AND RUN.  That's right...the fart and run.  He picks his victim (one day Ben, then me and then Caden), smiles a sweet little smile, turns around, puts his bum on you, farts, laughs and runs as fast and as far away as he can get.  

If my child has done this to you...I am completely apologetic and hope it wasn't too horrific for you.  I think he has learned his lesson and will never do this again...I can only pray.

One thing is for certain...I will never have a dull moment in my life.  

White Chocolate Raspberry Muffins

These have to be at the top of my list of favorite muffins.  I had them at a cookie exchange at my friend Brandi's house like 2-3 years ago.  I keep losing the recipe so I thought I would put it on my blog so I will have it forever!  Hope you try them out!

White Chocolate Raspberry Muffins

 

1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened

1 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. raspberries

1/2 c. white chocolate chips

In  bowl mix cream cheese and sugar until creamy.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Add flour, baking powder, and salt.  Stir in white choc. chips, and berries.  Bake at 375 degrees for 18-25 minutes.  (1 dozen)

Oatmeal Raisinet Cookies

I made these last night and they are so yummy!  I don't know why I never thought of putting Raisinets in my cookies!  I will only eat raisins this way...Raisinets are a favorite of mine.  I will basically try anything when it is coated in chocolate!!  So I have Picky Palate for inventing this recipe.  Try it...your mouth will thank you for it!

Oatmeal Raisinet Cookies

1 stick softened butter
1/2 Cup packed brown sugar
1/2 Cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla
1 1/2 Cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Cup quick oats
2 3.5 oz boxes Raisinets

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place butter and sugars into a stand or electric mixer; beat until light and fluffy. With mixer on medium add egg and vanilla until well combined. Place flour, soda, salt and oats into a large bowl. Slowly add to wet ingredients until just combined. Add raisinets; stir to combine.

2. With a medium cookie scoop, scoop dough onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. Bake for 9-10 minutes. Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.

School Carnival

This last Saturday we went to Caden's school Carnival.  There was tons to do!  They had a blast!  Caden got his face painted to look like a snake...WOW!  It looked AMAZING!  
Caden the Snake with Hanky the Clown.  
Noah was totally freaked out by how Caden looked.  He kept asking when Caden was going to take a shower.  He refused to get his face painted (but now wishes he did...he keeps asking when he gets to get his face painted...) so instead he got a snake tatoo.  Which still will not wash off.  

They ate lots of popcorn, cotton candy, suckers, played football, soccer and baseball, bounced on the bounce house, fished, got balloons and whatever else there was.  It was a fun time and now I have a million junk toys floating around the house:)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

We recently had New Beginnings and some of the leaders brought cupcakes.  My friend Christie brought these little beauties, and I had to make them myself...chocolate and Peanut Butter is anouther crave (and I'm wondering why  I have gained so much weight???).  Anyway, these are to die for!  Seriously amazing!  I could just take a spoon and eat the frosting;)  The recipe came from My Baking Addiction.  You can make the homemade cake, or take a shortcut and use a boxed Devils Food cake.  Either way, check out this girls blog, I was in heaven and want to make everything on it:)
Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Cake
Source: Hershey's Website

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost. 10 to 12 servings.
Cupcakes: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.

Peanut Butter Icing
Source: Ina Garten (Food TV)

Ingredients:
1 cup confectioners sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup heavy cream

Directions:
Place the confectioners sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until creamy, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as you work. Add the cream and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth.

Crispy Chocolate Cherry Treats

I saw these on My Kitchen Cafe and I seriously dreamnt about them.  So the next day I bought all the stuff, made them and then stuffed my face.  I used cherry flavored Craisins because I couldn't decide between cherries and craisins...problem solved:)  Anyway...hope you enjoy them!
    Crispy Chocolate Cherry Treats
                                                            adapted from Cook's Country

3 tablespoons butter
1 (10-ounce) bag marshmallows
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups Rice Krispies cereal (or off-brand works fantastic, too)
1 cup dried cherries or cranberries (I used dried cranberries)
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted

Prepare pan by lining an 11X7-inch baking dish with foil, allowing excess foil to hang over pan edges. If you want the treats thinner, use a 9X13 - for thicker treats still, use an 8X8-inch pan. I found the 11X7 pan size to be perfect - not too thick and not too thin. Grease the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

Melt butter in a large pot over low heat. Add marshmallows, white chocolate chips, and salt and cook, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth, about 8 minutes. Stir in vanilla.

Off heat, stir in rice krispies and cherries or cranberries until incorporated. Scrape mixture into prepared pan and press into bottom and corners with a greased spatula (I just used my fingers since the marshmallows weren't overly hot at this point). Let cool completely, about 1 hour.

Melt semisweet chocolate chips in the microwave on low at 30 second intervals until smooth. Pour melted chocolate into a ziploc baggie, pressing chocolate into one corner of the bag. Using scissors, clip a tiny piece off the corner and drizzle chocolate over cooled treats. Allow chocolate to cool, about 45 minutes. Using foil overhang, lift treats from pan. Cut into squares. Serve.