Chocolate-Pumpkin Cupcakes

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Yesterday my darling Bug was home from preschool and begging me to help her cook something.  I had found this awesome recipe for "pupcakes" (this is what she calls them and I refuse to correct her)
Anyway..get this..two ingredients.  You read that right...2.  Now THAT is my kind of baking!  So simple you could probably let your kid make it themselves (just help with the oven of course)

Lets just say that I was totally skeptical about how these would taste.  I read through many of the reviews and added a bit more pumpkin spice so the pumpkin flavor would stand out a bit.  Also, good luck finding apple cider here, so I had to use regular apple juice and it made the icing a bit sweeter than I think it was meant to be.  Nevertheless, these are moist delicious pupcakes!  Beyond simple to make and no added fat from oil or eggs.  

So, what are you waiting for??  Get baking already!  :)

Apple Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping

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It was time for another ladies coffee get together.  I really wanted to bring something nice and I had found this great coffee cake recipe.  (coffee cake...but no coffee in it...weird right?)  Nah, it's just cause it goes great with coffee!  :)
The recipe is super simple...especially for someone like me who is not fond of baking.  Easy ingredients...not much you can do to mess this up.
The streusel on top was perfect...I love the crunch it added.  You can use almost any kind of apple in this.  I also read reviews of people who used pear and cranberries.  (which both sound good to me!)
Whip this up the next time you want to impress someone (without out a bunch of work involved!)  Feel free to leave off the streusel topping if you want to cut back on the sugar...a nice dusting of cinnamon and sugar will work great too.  Serve this warm for the best taste.

Streusel Recipe:

¾ cup sugar
¾ cup flour
1 tablespoon water
1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
¼ cup butter , softened

Directions:
mix all ingredients until crumbly -- . (don't over mix...you'll end up with a ball)

Cake Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 5 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 medium baking apple, peeled and sliced

Directions

1 Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9-inch square baking dish with or pie pan with a 4-cup capacity.

2 In a medium bowl, whisk vigorously together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

3 In a separate small bowl, mix 1/4 a cup of the sugar with the cinnamon, set aside.

4 Using an electric mixer, beat the butter with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Beat in the egg until blended. Add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk, beating after each addition until just combined.

5 Pour half of the batter in the bottom of the baking dish. Lay the apple slices on the batter so they just cover the batter (you may have to overlap some slices). Sprinkle the apples with the cinnamon-sugar mixture, reserving a teaspoon or two to sprinkle on top. Spread the rest of the batter over the apples. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar on top.

6 Bake the cake for 25 minutes or until it is golden brown and apples start to bubble at the edges.

Recipe from Simply Recipes

Fruity Crescent Rolls

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Today we had another ladies coffee and the feature color was red.  Wear all red, a little red, a splash of red...etc.  I had my outfit all ready to go and for the girls too.  Just needed a treat to bring.
I had these crescent rolls in the fridge and the expiration date was getting close.  I had saved a recipe to try and pulled it up this morning.
Lucky for me I was able to find a box of Fruit Roll Up's at the store...the last box mind you!  I was excited and ready to bake!
This was so simple and even more horrible baking skills couldn't mess these up.  Popped out 16 rolls in just under 45min.  They weren't too sweet, nice and flaky and just perfect.
The funny thing...I didn't even think about the fact that they were red until I got to the coffee and someone mentioned it to me!  Bonus!

Ingredients:

1 (8-oz.) can Pillsbury® Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls

4 rolls Betty Crocker® Fruit Roll­Ups® Strawberry Fruit Snack

2/3 cup powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

2 to 3 teaspoons milk

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. 

Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough; separate into 8 triangles.

Unroll fruit snack rolls; cut each diagonally into 2 triangles. Place each fruit roll triangle on 1 dough triangle (fold or tuck each fruit roll so all is on dough). Roll up each dough triangle, starting with shortest side of triangle and rolling to opposite point; place point side down on sprayed cookie sheet. Curve into crescent shape.

Bake at 350°F. for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet. Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk until smooth and desired drizzling consistency.

Drizzle glaze evenly over warm rolls. Serve warm.

Texas Sheet Cake

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Yesterday my mother-in-law was just craving something chocolate.  We brainstormed some ideas and I stumbled on a recipe online about a chocolate sheet cake.  Now, if you've kept up with my blog, you know I don't bake much...at all.  I had never heard of a sheet cake, but of course, my mother in law had.  Then she says, "I think I have a recipe for sheet cake" and she pulls out her big ol' Texas box of recipes.  And sure enough, she had one.  What was really funny was that it was almost identical to the one that I found online.
She told me that she's had this recipe for over 20 years and she just went to work.  They cake is super easy to make and is done in 20 minutes!  And, oh my, the taste...it's enough to make anyone addicted to chocolate.  It was moist and that little hint of cinnamon really did the trick.  You take this to a get together and I can promise you'll be bringing home an empty baking sheet.  Maybe I'll go sneak another piece....

are you wishing you could eat a picture??

Poppy Seed Rolls

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Christmas is a huge holiday for my family.  It's always been, well, just extra special.  Since we lived in Vegas and my mom's family was in Ohio, trips there for Christmas were something we cherished.  All the family, the fun, and the FOOD!  My grandmother would bake up more cookies and treats than her house had room for!  She used to store them in tins in the coat closet!  :) 

And these weren't just your run of the mill treats, oh no, these were only at Christmas goodies!  She would make apricot horns, snowflakes, nut horns, poppy seed rolls, nut rolls, the peanut butter ones with the Hershey kiss in the middle, and half a dozen more.  How we didn't gain 50lbs over the holiday is beyond me.

So, while I was staying with my grandma I asked her if she'd make one of my all time faves.  Poppy seed rolls.  (I saw the cans of poppy seed in her fridge...why there?  No idea, I don't question.)  She looked at me like I was crazy, but then I insisted that I just HAD to learn to make them, especially since I was in charge this Christmas (it's all up to me this year in Saudi!)  So, she caved. :)  Lucky me. 

These are actually very easy to make, you may just have trouble finding the cans of poppy seed.  Our rolls turned out huge...much bigger than she usually makes them, but oh, they tasted divine.  In our personal opinion, the best way to eat these is warmed just a bit in the microwave and have a nice cold glass of milk.  (it was my breakfast for 5 days straight)  :)  Happy Cooking!

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread

Pin It Now! We were so excited to plant a garden this year.  My husband and his friend got the ground all ready with great soil and then we headed to the nursery to pick out veggies to grow.  Top on my list were tomatoes and I've gotten a few so far...think we planted them a little late.  We also planted cucumber, zucchini, artichoke and my hubby has half a dozen hot pepper plants.  LOL  We got a few cucumber and we have three little artichokes growing right now.  The zucchini; however, has taken over!!!!  I've already picked close to a dozen and there are at least half a dozen more with flowers still blossoming!  I never knew that little plant would get so big.  
So, with zucchini coming at me from all sides, I needed to do something with them!  I have never made zucchini bread (I've never made any bread for that matter).  But, I thought, why not give it a try.  (knowing my luck with baking I'll screw it up somehow)  Took me an hour to find my loaf pans.  LOL  
This is a Paula Dean recipe, so I have to believe its going to be good.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!  :)

Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Cake

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I saw this post on Facebook from the blog A Spicy Perspective. I can't wait to make this!  The girls and I LOVE strawberries and they are pretty cheap right now.  Sad to say, with my love/hate relationship with baking...I don't own a bundt pan.  Hoping I can borrow one from a friend...and then of course give her a huge, lovely slice of cake.  Looking forward to making this...

Moist yumminess...wonderful light cake...love.

Bite-Sized Banana Splits

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 We're not a family who eats a lot of sweets.  Don't get me wrong...I LOVE chocolate, especially the dark kind, but we don't keep it in the house.  (if I can help it)  Does this mean I torture my children with no fun foods?  Nah, we just do it in moderation.  Sometimes a "special treat" after dinner will be applesauce, other times it's strawberries and whip cream.  And there are those few times we get ice cream.  I just want my kids to realize that sugary foods aren't great for you and you should only indulge in them periodically.  (yes, I speak to them like that too...j/k)

That being said, I'm always looking for fun sweet treats that aren't over the top.  I'm not going to bake an entire cake, because seriously, who the hell is going to eat it?  We're trying to be healthy here people!  So, when I stumbled on this recipe, I thought...PERFECT!  They get the sweet ice cream and chocolate (plus healthy bananas) in fun, little kid portions.  I think these might have to be once a week treats.

Go grab your kids and make these for dessert tonight!  :)

photo from Bakers Royal...(mine to come!)  :)

Birthday Cake Tradition

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The other day was my birthday.  Funny how, the older we get, the less special birthday's seem.  At least to me.  Perhaps it's the fact that my world revolves around my kids now...or the fact that I don't want to start looking at the numbers getting bigger.  
Figured this year's birthday would be pretty uneventful.  Nothing really planned.  Then my mom decided to come for a visit.  (yippee!)  There's just something special about having your mom around on your birthday.  (could be the fact of the matter that you wouldn't be having a birthday if it wasn't for her...)  :)  So, my uneventful birthday turned into a great little family event.  My hubby is going to come home early to cook for me and my mom is going make our traditional birthday cake.


Our family is fond of traditions.  And birthday's were one of them.  For my brother and I, on our birthday, we would wake up to see the house decorated with balloons and streamers.  But, the best part was the cake.  Mom always made this cake...ya know, tradition and all.  And to this day, if mom is around for my birthday, that's all I want her to make.  It's simple and delicious.  Over the year's, she's changed the recipe to make it a bit healthier too.  But, if you want to go full fat, have at it!  :)      


So, Happy Birthday to me!  And thanks mom!  (now it's time to chow down on this cake!)

This may not be the most gorgeous looking cake...but it's even more special knowing my daughters help to make it for me.  (oh, yeah, and the Skittles were their idea...not normally part of the cake...in hindsight, M&M's would have tasted better.) 

"Strawberry Milkshake" Cupcakes

Pin It Now! My fab cupcake making friend whipped these up the other day.  Sigh...if only you could eat a picture....

Simple and easy for the everyday chef to make, yet they look like you paid $5 per cupcake.  She is brilliant at what she does and I'm so thankful she shares these recipes with me...now if I could just get her to mail samples to me...hmmmmm.....

Yeah, You know you want one...or two...or three....

Check out more of her amazing recipes at:

Lena's Cupcakes & Sweets

Click "read more" for the recipe

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Pin It Now! Okay, so my friend is a fabulous cupcake maker and when she offered me a taste of these bity bites, I was a little hesitant.  Not that they wouldn't taste good...just, thought they'd be wicked sweet.  As usual, I was wrong.  These were SO light and SO SO yummy!  Just a hint of peanut butter to round of the delish taste of chocolate.  These are worth putting in your cupcake recipe folder!  Thanks Lena!  for the Fab recipe!  You can find more of Lena's amazing cupcakes at Lena's Cupcakes and Sweets
Click "Read More" for the recipe!  :)

Sunday Sweet...Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches

Pin It Now! I remember as a kid, sitting with a box of Nilla Waffers and a glass of milk watching cartoons.  I just loved those cookies.  Sometimes mom would put a bit of icing in the middle and make little "sandwiches."  And of course using Nilla Waffers in delicious banana pudding.  But, we never made these!  After last weeks time consuming cupcake creation, I figured this week we'd do something ridiculously easy.  (plus, it's Mother's Day...I can't believe I'm lifting a finger to make anything)  ;)


We're going to use mini chocolate chips for dipping.  You could also use, coconut, rainbow sprinkles, or any other decorative item you have in your cupboard.  Looking forward to making this special little treat, on this special day, with the two most special people in my life.  (okay, maybe I'll drag the hubby into and make it a whole family affair.)  Happy "cooking!"  :)

Sunday Sweet...Chocolate Chip Angel Cupcakes with Fluffy Frosting

Pin It Now! Okay, I'm attempting another homemade dessert.  While the pie didn't get rave reviews, I'm hoping these yummy little cupcakes will.  The best part?  There's only 69 calories and 1g of fat in each cupcake!!!!  :)
It doesn't seem too difficult to prepare...once I figure out these "soft/stiff peaks" thing.  So, I found a video on how to do just that:
How To Beat Egg Whites


Happy Cooking!

Traditions: Easter Cakes

Pin It Now! For years now, it's become a family tradition to decorate the Easter cakes at my Aunt and Uncles' house.  We almost missed it this year because we were going to stay in Cali instead of heading to Vegas.  But, the hubby wanted to go...so off we went!  And I'm so glad we did.  It is so much fun...especially for the kids...here's this years batch:   (not really a recipe to follow here, just used cake mix, store bought icing, etc.  It's all about being with the family)  :)

 Of course, you get to eat some too!  :)

 They may not be the prettiest cakes on the block, but they ours and they taste amazing!  :)

Friday Special: Royal Wedding Tea Party

Pin It Now! Okay, so I'm totally stoked about this wedding and can't wait to watch it with my girls and bonus!...my mom and grandmother will be visiting!  I'm going to record it the wedding and we'll watch it around dinner time where we'll have a "tea party" in the family room.   We will probably make some tea and have some crackers and cheese as well.  Should be a great time!  Just wish we had some fancy hats to wear!  :D


Tea Party Menu:
Apple and Cucumber Sandwiches
Egg and Caper Sandwiches
Strawberry-Kiwi Tart

Sunday Sweet... Rustic Apple Pie

Pin It Now! I love to cook...hate to bake.  Well, no, that's not true...I like it...I'm just terrible at it.  Baking is a skill all in it's own...and it's not forgiving (at least in the general sense)  But, I know there are those of you out there that crave a sweet treat.  So, I'm going to put my skills to the test each week.  My goal is to learn to bake better and to create healthy sweet treats.  (our home doesn't have ice cream, cookies, cake...nada.)  Yes, I deprive my dear children.  But, now they can help me create something sweet each week and learn that it can be healthy (ish) too.


This weeks treat is an apple pie.  And a very simple one.  Great for my first go...I'm totally cheating and using pre-made pie crust.  (you can too, I won't tell)  Let me know how this turns out for you!