Chocolate Peppermint Stirring Spoons

I am one of the room moms for our twins' 5th grade class, and this Friday is their Christmas party.

My kids are lucky, they still get Christmas parties... I have talked to many friends, and their kids have "winter" parties.  I LOVE singing Christmas Carols and singing the kids all dressed in their Sunday best at their programs.

I am thankful my kids go to a Catholic school.

We are doing this cute craft I found on Pinterest

and having a hot cocoa bar!

My daughter and I made these cute Chocolate Peppermint Stir Spoons!

They couldn't be easier to make and so good in hot cocoa!!

Want to make your own cocoa mix?

CLICK HERE

Chocolate Peppermint Stirring Spoons

48 plastic spoons

6 candy canes crushed

2 cups chocolate chips

2 teaspoons crisco

Crush your candy canes.

Line cookie sheets with waxed paper. Rest spoons on edge of cookie sheet.

Melt chocolate chips in microwave for about 1 minute and then 30 second intervals until you can stir them smooth, add crisco and stir until incorporated.

**I used a glass 2 cup measuring cup ... worked great to pour the chocolate into the spoons!**

Pour chocolate into spoon well, and tap the spoon to make the chocolate pool evenly in the spoon.

Add crushed peppermints and place in the refrigerator to set up.

Swirl it through some hot cocoa and Relax....

I am one of the room moms for our twins' 5th grade class, and this Friday is their Christmas party.

My kids are lucky, they still get Christmas parties... I have talked to many friends, and their kids have "winter" parties.  I LOVE singing Christmas Carols and singing the kids all dressed in their Sunday best at their programs.

I am thankful my kids go to a Catholic school.

We are doing this cute craft I found on Pinterest

and having a hot cocoa bar!

My daughter and I made these cute Chocolate Peppermint Stir Spoons!

They couldn't be easier to make and so good in hot cocoa!!

Want to make your own cocoa mix?

CLICK HERE

Chocolate Peppermint Stirring Spoons

48 plastic spoons

6 candy canes crushed

2 cups chocolate chips

2 teaspoons crisco

Crush your candy canes.

Line cookie sheets with waxed paper. Rest spoons on edge of cookie sheet.

Melt chocolate chips in microwave for about 1 minute and then 30 second intervals until you can stir them smooth, add crisco and stir until incorporated.

**I used a glass 2 cup measuring cup ... worked great to pour the chocolate into the spoons!**

Pour chocolate into spoon well, and tap the spoon to make the chocolate pool evenly in the spoon.

Add crushed peppermints and place in the refrigerator to set up.

Swirl it through some hot cocoa and Relax....

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Eggnog Fudge

One of the first bloggers I ever "met" was Joan from Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate.
Her blog is full of amazing sweet, most times chocolaty, goodness.
This recipe for eggnog fudge she posted last year is no exception.
 I wanted to make it then, but found I ran out of time!

It was on my holiday MUST BAKE list, and we are all happy that I did! :)
Make sure you pop over and see what Joan has baking in her kitchen, you will always be glad you did!

Eggnog Fudge

Chocolate, Chocolate and More

1/2 cup butter

2 Tablespoon heavy whipping cream

3/4 cup eggnog minus 2 Tablespoons

2 cups sugar

1 - 10 ounce bag white chocolate chips

1 - 7 ounce jar marshmallow fluff

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Line a 9x9 baking dish with foil and butter well.

In a medium saucepan combine butter, eggnog, cream and sugar.  Bring to boil over medium heat stirring occasionally.  When it boils, reduce the heat and continue cooking until candy thermometer registers 234 degrees. (soft ball stage)  Remove from heat and stir in white chocolate chips.  Stir until combined, add marshmallow, nutmeg and vanilla, stir until smooth.

Spread into prepared pan, garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg on top.

Let cool at room temperature and then place in refrigerator.

Store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

One of the first bloggers I ever "met" was Joan from Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate.
Her blog is full of amazing sweet, most times chocolaty, goodness.
This recipe for eggnog fudge she posted last year is no exception.
 I wanted to make it then, but found I ran out of time!

It was on my holiday MUST BAKE list, and we are all happy that I did! :)
Make sure you pop over and see what Joan has baking in her kitchen, you will always be glad you did!

Eggnog Fudge

Chocolate, Chocolate and More

1/2 cup butter

2 Tablespoon heavy whipping cream

3/4 cup eggnog minus 2 Tablespoons

2 cups sugar

1 - 10 ounce bag white chocolate chips

1 - 7 ounce jar marshmallow fluff

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Line a 9x9 baking dish with foil and butter well.

In a medium saucepan combine butter, eggnog, cream and sugar.  Bring to boil over medium heat stirring occasionally.  When it boils, reduce the heat and continue cooking until candy thermometer registers 234 degrees. (soft ball stage)  Remove from heat and stir in white chocolate chips.  Stir until combined, add marshmallow, nutmeg and vanilla, stir until smooth.

Spread into prepared pan, garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg on top.

Let cool at room temperature and then place in refrigerator.

Store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Almond Joy Brownie Bites

My Mother-in-law has a facebook page, and my father-in-law says he doesn't need one, because he just uses hers!!

Like most of you, if you're reading this. you love when people post recipes online.

(I love it even more when you all post MINE!! )  *grin*

My Father-in-law, Denny, loves sweets, even more, he loves coconut and chocolate.
My kids always give him all of their Almond Joy bars from their Halloween candy bag.

When he was perusing facebook and actually REQUESTED I make these, how could I resist?
I hit the jackpot in the Father-in-Law department, after all!

If you don't ever read Confessions of a Cookbook Queen's blog, you really should check it out.
I speak her language of sarchasm and mommyisms, and always enjoy her posts.
That is where I found the recipe for these Almond Joy Brownie Bites!

Almond Joy Brownie Bites

Confessions of a Cookbook Queen

1 - 9x13 size bow brownie mix (or your own homemade)

4 cups sweetened flaked coconut

1 -14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1 package of chocolate almond bark or chocolate candy quick

4 dozen almonds

Prepare mini muffin cups with non-stick cooking spray.

Prepare brownie mix according to the package instructions, and fill muffin cups about 1/2 full.

Bake according to package directions.  Mine took about 25 minutes.

Remove from tins and cool on counter.

My mix made exactly 4 dozen.

In a bowl combine sweetened condensed milk and coconut.
Stick an almond in the top of each brownie.

Place a ball of coconut on top of each brownie, and put in the freezer for about 30 minutes.

Melt chocolate candy according to package instructions.
Dip the tops of the brownies in chocolate and place on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper, place in the refrigerator to set.

My Mother-in-law has a facebook page, and my father-in-law says he doesn't need one, because he just uses hers!!

Like most of you, if you're reading this. you love when people post recipes online.

(I love it even more when you all post MINE!! )  *grin*

My Father-in-law, Denny, loves sweets, even more, he loves coconut and chocolate.
My kids always give him all of their Almond Joy bars from their Halloween candy bag.

When he was perusing facebook and actually REQUESTED I make these, how could I resist?
I hit the jackpot in the Father-in-Law department, after all!

If you don't ever read Confessions of a Cookbook Queen's blog, you really should check it out.
I speak her language of sarchasm and mommyisms, and always enjoy her posts.
That is where I found the recipe for these Almond Joy Brownie Bites!

Almond Joy Brownie Bites

Confessions of a Cookbook Queen

1 - 9x13 size bow brownie mix (or your own homemade)

4 cups sweetened flaked coconut

1 -14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

1 package of chocolate almond bark or chocolate candy quick

4 dozen almonds

Prepare mini muffin cups with non-stick cooking spray.

Prepare brownie mix according to the package instructions, and fill muffin cups about 1/2 full.

Bake according to package directions.  Mine took about 25 minutes.

Remove from tins and cool on counter.

My mix made exactly 4 dozen.

In a bowl combine sweetened condensed milk and coconut.
Stick an almond in the top of each brownie.

Place a ball of coconut on top of each brownie, and put in the freezer for about 30 minutes.

Melt chocolate candy according to package instructions.
Dip the tops of the brownies in chocolate and place on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper, place in the refrigerator to set.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Cake Batter Puppy Chow (Muddy Buddies)

I have been on a serious snack mix/puppy chow kick the last month!

I mixed up Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow before Thanksgiving, and I ALWAYS make this Candy Coated Crispix Mix for Christmas. 

The other one I tried was Double Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow!  

If you want the links to these, here is where you will find them:

double chocolate peppermint

crispix mix

candy coated popcorn

pumpkin spice

I whipped up this Cake Batter Puppy Chow to have at our twins' 11th birthday party.  It was loved by 20 boys and girls who were hungry from swimming and playing in the gym at our local community center!

Cake Batter Puppy Chow

8 cups rice Chex cereal

6 squares white almond bark

4 Tablespoons oil

1 1/2 yellow cake mix

1/2 cup powder sugar

sprinkles

Pour cereal into a big bowl. 

Combine cake mix and powdered sugar in a small bowl.

Melt almond bark and oil in microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.

Pour melted almond bark over cereal stirring gently to coat.

Dump powdered sugar/cake mix over the top and continue stirring until coated.

Top with sprinkles, combine.

Store in an airtight container.

I have been on a serious snack mix/puppy chow kick the last month!

I mixed up Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow before Thanksgiving, and I ALWAYS make this Candy Coated Crispix Mix for Christmas. 

The other one I tried was Double Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow!  

If you want the links to these, here is where you will find them:

double chocolate peppermint

crispix mix

candy coated popcorn

pumpkin spice

I whipped up this Cake Batter Puppy Chow to have at our twins' 11th birthday party.  It was loved by 20 boys and girls who were hungry from swimming and playing in the gym at our local community center!

Cake Batter Puppy Chow

8 cups rice Chex cereal

6 squares white almond bark

4 Tablespoons oil

1 1/2 yellow cake mix

1/2 cup powder sugar

sprinkles

Pour cereal into a big bowl. 

Combine cake mix and powdered sugar in a small bowl.

Melt almond bark and oil in microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.

Pour melted almond bark over cereal stirring gently to coat.

Dump powdered sugar/cake mix over the top and continue stirring until coated.

Top with sprinkles, combine.

Store in an airtight container.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Double Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow

My kids love puppy chow, but my husband hates it!
He hates peanut butter... (I KNOW RIGHT?!? --- gasp!)
So this fall I made some Pumpkin Spice Muddy Buddies and they were a hit!  I started thinking about other ways to make puppy chow for the holidays.  Then I saw the White Chocolate Peppermint Kisses and M&Ms and the idea came to me.

Double Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow

2 cups white chocolate peppermint kisses, melted

1 - 14 ounce box of chocolate chex cereal

2 cups powdered sugar

1 package white chocolate peppermint M&M's

Melt kisses in the microwave in 30 second intervals until you can stir them smooth.

They are so pink and pretty! :)

Pour over cereal in a big bowl and stir to cover completely.

Top with powdered sugar and stir to coat.

Add the bag of Peppermint M&Ms!

My kids love puppy chow, but my husband hates it!
He hates peanut butter... (I KNOW RIGHT?!? --- gasp!)
So this fall I made some Pumpkin Spice Muddy Buddies and they were a hit!  I started thinking about other ways to make puppy chow for the holidays.  Then I saw the White Chocolate Peppermint Kisses and M&Ms and the idea came to me.

Double Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow

2 cups white chocolate peppermint kisses, melted

1 - 14 ounce box of chocolate chex cereal

2 cups powdered sugar

1 package white chocolate peppermint M&M's

Melt kisses in the microwave in 30 second intervals until you can stir them smooth.

They are so pink and pretty! :)

Pour over cereal in a big bowl and stir to cover completely.

Top with powdered sugar and stir to coat.

Add the bag of Peppermint M&Ms!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

Happy 19th Birthday to my son, Spencer. 

How did THAT happen?

It seems like time ticks away, and all of those moments I asked myself "how did that happen already?" are strung together, and before I knew it he's 19 right before my eyes.

What I wouldn't do to go back to the days when I would get up to feed him in the middle of the night, turn on "Nick at Nite," tune into all of my old favorite shows like Laverne & Shirley, Happy Days, Mary Tyler Moore and Taxi.  We'd snuggle into the rocker with the light of the TV...and many nights I couldn't bare to put him back bed. His bottle would be long gone, he would be sound asleep and I would just watch the tv, cuddled up, and rocking back and forth.

Some nights, I would no more than put him back in his crib and an hour later it'd be time for the next feeding.

He was my first, and I was lucky to be able to nap when he did, or I am not sure how I would have made it?

I was young.

Now he's grown up, and going off to college.

He planned to stay and go to school here locally, and decided that wasn't the right decision for him.

So, we are moving him to the dorms in January, he tells me one of the things he will miss most is my cooking. 

aw.

I'm going to miss him like crazy.

He chose his normal birthday dinner this year, my Shrimp and Crab Pasta.

But his normal ice cream cake is either the 

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake

or 

Mint Chip Brownie Ice Cream Cake

This year, we decided to switch it up.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough it was!

a slice of heaven

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

18 ounce tube of Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

1 jar Hershey's Hot Fudge Ice Cream Topping

2/3 cup Chocolate Chips

1 quart Edy's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Line the bottom of a 9" spring form pan with parchment paper.

Press 2/3 of the cookie dough into the bottom of pan and bake about 20-23 minutes, or until cookie is cooked.

Bake the rest as mini cookies.

Heat jar of hot fudge in microwave according to jar directions.

Pour over warm cookie, reserving about 1/4 cup.

Top fudge with softened ice cream, spread evenly.

Swirl the remaining hot fudge on top of ice cream.

Top wtih chocolate chips.

Press cookies into top.

Freeze for 24 hours before serving.

Happy 19th Birthday to my son, Spencer. 

How did THAT happen?

It seems like time ticks away, and all of those moments I asked myself "how did that happen already?" are strung together, and before I knew it he's 19 right before my eyes.

What I wouldn't do to go back to the days when I would get up to feed him in the middle of the night, turn on "Nick at Nite," tune into all of my old favorite shows like Laverne & Shirley, Happy Days, Mary Tyler Moore and Taxi.  We'd snuggle into the rocker with the light of the TV...and many nights I couldn't bare to put him back bed. His bottle would be long gone, he would be sound asleep and I would just watch the tv, cuddled up, and rocking back and forth.

Some nights, I would no more than put him back in his crib and an hour later it'd be time for the next feeding.

He was my first, and I was lucky to be able to nap when he did, or I am not sure how I would have made it?

I was young.

Now he's grown up, and going off to college.

He planned to stay and go to school here locally, and decided that wasn't the right decision for him.

So, we are moving him to the dorms in January, he tells me one of the things he will miss most is my cooking. 

aw.

I'm going to miss him like crazy.

He chose his normal birthday dinner this year, my Shrimp and Crab Pasta.

But his normal ice cream cake is either the 

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake

or 

Mint Chip Brownie Ice Cream Cake

This year, we decided to switch it up.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough it was!

a slice of heaven

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

18 ounce tube of Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

1 jar Hershey's Hot Fudge Ice Cream Topping

2/3 cup Chocolate Chips

1 quart Edy's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Line the bottom of a 9" spring form pan with parchment paper.

Press 2/3 of the cookie dough into the bottom of pan and bake about 20-23 minutes, or until cookie is cooked.

Bake the rest as mini cookies.

Heat jar of hot fudge in microwave according to jar directions.

Pour over warm cookie, reserving about 1/4 cup.

Top fudge with softened ice cream, spread evenly.

Swirl the remaining hot fudge on top of ice cream.

Top wtih chocolate chips.

Press cookies into top.

Freeze for 24 hours before serving.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Whiskey Peach Pie

My Mother-In_Law loves Peach Pie.

It's her favorite!

So, typically when I ask her what kind of pie to bring, she says peach...even for Thanksgiving!

FYI... It's nearly impossible to find fresh peaches in Nebraska in November.

But not in August when it's her Birthday!!

My friend, Betsy, has three fabulous peach trees in her yard, and is so sweet to let me pick as many as I want!!

So this past August I made my Mother-in-Law this Whiskey Peach Pie, I also made her this 

Peaches & Cream Spice Cake!!

Whiskey Peach Pie

Double Pie Crust

Filling:

7 cups sliced fresh peaches

1/2 c - 1 c sugar

 (I used 1/2 c because the peaches were so sweet on their own!)

1/3 c flour

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 Tablespoons whiskey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a deep dish pie pan with the bottom crust.

Toss peaches with whiskey, sugar, flour and spices.

*I added a little more flour to mine, because the peaches I used were SO RIPE.  I didn't want my pie to be watery.  Start off with 1/3 cup and if they seem really wet sprinkle a little more on them

Pour into pie crust.

Add top crust.  you can just make a regular top crust, or a lattice topped one like I did here.

Ready for the oven!

Dust crust lightly with cinnamon/sugar. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Serve with ice cream!

My Mother-In_Law loves Peach Pie.

It's her favorite!

So, typically when I ask her what kind of pie to bring, she says peach...even for Thanksgiving!

FYI... It's nearly impossible to find fresh peaches in Nebraska in November.

But not in August when it's her Birthday!!

My friend, Betsy, has three fabulous peach trees in her yard, and is so sweet to let me pick as many as I want!!

So this past August I made my Mother-in-Law this Whiskey Peach Pie, I also made her this 

Peaches & Cream Spice Cake!!

Whiskey Peach Pie

Double Pie Crust

Filling:

7 cups sliced fresh peaches

1/2 c - 1 c sugar

 (I used 1/2 c because the peaches were so sweet on their own!)

1/3 c flour

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 Tablespoons whiskey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a deep dish pie pan with the bottom crust.

Toss peaches with whiskey, sugar, flour and spices.

*I added a little more flour to mine, because the peaches I used were SO RIPE.  I didn't want my pie to be watery.  Start off with 1/3 cup and if they seem really wet sprinkle a little more on them

Pour into pie crust.

Add top crust.  you can just make a regular top crust, or a lattice topped one like I did here.

Ready for the oven!

Dust crust lightly with cinnamon/sugar. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Serve with ice cream!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Candy Corn Salted Nutrolls

My recipe for Salted Nutrolls is a favorite here on my blog!

I make them EVERY year at Christmas and they are one of the first things gone from the cookie plate!

Here is the link to the post I did for them one Valentine's Day:

LINK to Post Click HERE

We were invited over to the neighbors for a football party last weekend.

He was christening his new out building.

I decided to make a platter of Salted Nutrolls but add some candy corn to make it festive!! 

These are a fun fall treat.  If you love Salted Nutroll or Payday candy bars...you'll go nutty for these!!

Candy Corn Salted Nutrolls

Click HERE to view the recipe for Salted Nutrolls

I added the candy corn version to the bottom.

My recipe for Salted Nutrolls is a favorite here on my blog!

I make them EVERY year at Christmas and they are one of the first things gone from the cookie plate!

Here is the link to the post I did for them one Valentine's Day:

LINK to Post Click HERE

We were invited over to the neighbors for a football party last weekend.

He was christening his new out building.

I decided to make a platter of Salted Nutrolls but add some candy corn to make it festive!! 

These are a fun fall treat.  If you love Salted Nutroll or Payday candy bars...you'll go nutty for these!!

Candy Corn Salted Nutrolls

Click HERE to view the recipe for Salted Nutrolls

I added the candy corn version to the bottom.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Banana Cream Pie

My husband's birthday was this past Friday.  

Every year for his birthday I make him this 

Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Cake

It's his FAVORITE.

If you have followed my blog for a while, you may have read how we celebrate birthdays here.

The birthday boy/girl gets to choose their dinner and dessert of choice (homemade by Mom)

We had made some weekend plans, happy hour with some good friends on Friday night (then home for cake and presents with the kids) and dinner with some other good friends Saturday night.

That left Sunday for our family dinner celebration.

Might as well make it a whole weekend celebration.

The hubby requested Chicken Parmesan, Garlic Cheese Bread and Salad for dinner.

We had to have dessert!!

He loves Banana Cream Pie, last year I made him this 

Coconut Banana Cream Pie

and it was a hit!

This year I searched and found the recipe for this pie at a blog that I recently discovered called

 A Spicy Perspective.

This pie was so perfect!! It was light and fluffy and bursting with flavor.

I will TOTALLY be making this one again!!

Banana Cream Pie

A Spicy Perspective

Crust:

2 Cups graham cracker crumbs 

6 Tablespoons butter (melted)

1/4 cup sugar

dash of salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 Tablespoons water

Filling:

2 cups heavy whipping cream

3 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 - 3.4 ox box of instant vanilla pudding

1 cup milk

8 ozs cream cheese

1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

4 bananas (divided)

1/2 cup coconut (toasted)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  I used my food processor to crumble my crackers.  I took about 14 crackers to get 2 cups.  If you want to be quick, buy the graham cracker crumbs!! ;)

Add to it your salt, sugar and cinnamon.  Combine with a fork.  Add the melted butter and water and continue to combine until the crumbs  are well blended.

Press into sides and bottom of a 9" deep pie pan.

Bake for 10 minutes, set aside to cool.

For filling, combine the pudding mix and cold milk and set aside.

In your mixer whip your cream and sugar and vanilla until its fluffy, set aside.

In your mixer, cream your cream cheese  and slowly add in the sweetened condensed milk.

Add to this the pudding and combine.

Fold in HALF of the whipped cream, reserving the rest.

Spread a small amount of cream mixture over graham cracker crust, and top with 3 sliced bananas.

(I doubled the recipe and made two pies!!)

Spoon the rest of the cream mixture over bananas and  top with whipped cream.

Cover lightly with plastic wrap and chill at least one hour.

Before serving top with one sliced banana and toasted coconut.

My husband's birthday was this past Friday.  

Every year for his birthday I make him this 

Chocolate Macaroon Tunnel Cake

It's his FAVORITE.

If you have followed my blog for a while, you may have read how we celebrate birthdays here.

The birthday boy/girl gets to choose their dinner and dessert of choice (homemade by Mom)

We had made some weekend plans, happy hour with some good friends on Friday night (then home for cake and presents with the kids) and dinner with some other good friends Saturday night.

That left Sunday for our family dinner celebration.

Might as well make it a whole weekend celebration.

The hubby requested Chicken Parmesan, Garlic Cheese Bread and Salad for dinner.

We had to have dessert!!

He loves Banana Cream Pie, last year I made him this 

Coconut Banana Cream Pie

and it was a hit!

This year I searched and found the recipe for this pie at a blog that I recently discovered called

 A Spicy Perspective.

This pie was so perfect!! It was light and fluffy and bursting with flavor.

I will TOTALLY be making this one again!!

Banana Cream Pie

A Spicy Perspective

Crust:

2 Cups graham cracker crumbs 

6 Tablespoons butter (melted)

1/4 cup sugar

dash of salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 Tablespoons water

Filling:

2 cups heavy whipping cream

3 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 - 3.4 ox box of instant vanilla pudding

1 cup milk

8 ozs cream cheese

1 - 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

4 bananas (divided)

1/2 cup coconut (toasted)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  I used my food processor to crumble my crackers.  I took about 14 crackers to get 2 cups.  If you want to be quick, buy the graham cracker crumbs!! ;)

Add to it your salt, sugar and cinnamon.  Combine with a fork.  Add the melted butter and water and continue to combine until the crumbs  are well blended.

Press into sides and bottom of a 9" deep pie pan.

Bake for 10 minutes, set aside to cool.

For filling, combine the pudding mix and cold milk and set aside.

In your mixer whip your cream and sugar and vanilla until its fluffy, set aside.

In your mixer, cream your cream cheese  and slowly add in the sweetened condensed milk.

Add to this the pudding and combine.

Fold in HALF of the whipped cream, reserving the rest.

Spread a small amount of cream mixture over graham cracker crust, and top with 3 sliced bananas.

(I doubled the recipe and made two pies!!)

Spoon the rest of the cream mixture over bananas and  top with whipped cream.

Cover lightly with plastic wrap and chill at least one hour.

Before serving top with one sliced banana and toasted coconut.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Pumpkin Dump Cake

I have seen this recipe on Pinterest so many times, and it just sounded too easy and too yummy not to try!!
A couple of weeks ago my husband and I had a group of friends we hang out with over for a pot luck of appetizers.
We had some cocktails and good conversation, and later, we enjoyed this yummy cake!



Pumpkin Dump Cake

cheater cheater pumpkin eater

1 - 15 ounce can pumpkin puree

1 - 12 ounce can of evaporated milk

3 eggs

4 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice

1 box spice cake mix

3/4 cup melted butter

1 1/2 cup chpped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease or spray a 9x13  baking dish with non-stick spray.

Combine in a mixing bowl: pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar and spice.

Spread into baking dish.

Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the top.

Drizzle with melted butter, top with nuts of desired.

Bake for 1 hour, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool.

Serve topped with whipped cream.

I have seen this recipe on Pinterest so many times, and it just sounded too easy and too yummy not to try!!
A couple of weeks ago my husband and I had a group of friends we hang out with over for a pot luck of appetizers.
We had some cocktails and good conversation, and later, we enjoyed this yummy cake!



Pumpkin Dump Cake

cheater cheater pumpkin eater

1 - 15 ounce can pumpkin puree

1 - 12 ounce can of evaporated milk

3 eggs

4 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice

1 box spice cake mix

3/4 cup melted butter

1 1/2 cup chpped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease or spray a 9x13  baking dish with non-stick spray.

Combine in a mixing bowl: pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar and spice.

Spread into baking dish.

Sprinkle cake mix evenly over the top.

Drizzle with melted butter, top with nuts of desired.

Bake for 1 hour, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool.

Serve topped with whipped cream.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Lemon Raspberry Bread

I love anything lemon!

Awhile back I made some homemade Limoncello,  and had lots of lemon juice to use for other things.

This bread was top on my list.

I used the basic recipe from Key Ingredient for their Blueberry Lemon Loaf, making a few minor changes.

I love that combination, but I have to say that raspberries are one of my most favorite fruits, and I had some really tasty ones on hand.

It turned out so yummy..and so darn PRETTY!!

 Lemon Raspberry Bread

bread

1 1/2 cups flour 

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup plain yogurt

1/2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries

glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

5 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray bottom and sides of a loaf pan (or 4 mini loaf pans) with non-stick cooking spray.

For bread, Whisk together dry ingredients and set aside.

In your stand mixer combine all of the wet ingredients, slowly add the dry ingredients in, combining slowly.

When fully combined, gently fold in the raspberries.

Place in loaf pan(s) to bake.

Small loaves baked in about 35 minutes.

Large loaf will take about 50 minutes.

Use a toothpick test in center to see if bread is done.

For glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice.

.

Drizzle over warm bread.

Yum.

I love anything lemon!

Awhile back I made some homemade Limoncello,  and had lots of lemon juice to use for other things.

This bread was top on my list.

I used the basic recipe from Key Ingredient for their Blueberry Lemon Loaf, making a few minor changes.

I love that combination, but I have to say that raspberries are one of my most favorite fruits, and I had some really tasty ones on hand.

It turned out so yummy..and so darn PRETTY!!

 Lemon Raspberry Bread

bread

1 1/2 cups flour 

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup plain yogurt

1/2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 cup sugar

3 large eggs

2 teaspoons lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries

glaze

1 cup powdered sugar

5 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray bottom and sides of a loaf pan (or 4 mini loaf pans) with non-stick cooking spray.

For bread, Whisk together dry ingredients and set aside.

In your stand mixer combine all of the wet ingredients, slowly add the dry ingredients in, combining slowly.

When fully combined, gently fold in the raspberries.

Place in loaf pan(s) to bake.

Small loaves baked in about 35 minutes.

Large loaf will take about 50 minutes.

Use a toothpick test in center to see if bread is done.

For glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice.

.

Drizzle over warm bread.

Yum.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

German Apple Dessert

Yesterday I was sitting in the eye doctor with my daughter, and flipping through a local magazine that is in waiting rooms around town.

Lots of times they have good sounding recipes, but I forget about them, and never make them.

But yesterday, this one leaped out at me.

German Apple Dessert

I was making my Little King Salad for dinner that night, per my daughter's request, and thought, 

We're having salad, might as well have dessert??

So I whipped it up when we got home, and we did!!

With a little side of vanilla ice cream!

This got RAVE reviews from my family.

My husband said (with his mouth full) "This is really good" about 6 times!

Great alternative to an apple pie.

German Apple Dessert

via Women's Edition Magazine

Crust:

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

5 Tablespoons cut up cold butter

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 large egg

Combine with fingers until it resembles corn meal, set aside.

4 baking apples, peeled and sliced

I used Granny Smith, the tang was perfect!

Topping:

3 Tablespoons of sugar

3 Tablespoons of melted butter

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 large egg

Stir sugar and melted butter together, whisk in egg and cinnamon.

Set Aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a spring form pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Press crust mixture into the bottom of the pan.

Top with apples.  

Bake for 45 minutes.

Remove from oven, drizzle topping mixture over apples and spread evenly with the bottom of a spoon.

Return to oven and bake for another 25 minutes.

Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Here's the Little King Salad we had, it's so good!!

RECIPE HERE!

Yesterday I was sitting in the eye doctor with my daughter, and flipping through a local magazine that is in waiting rooms around town.

Lots of times they have good sounding recipes, but I forget about them, and never make them.

But yesterday, this one leaped out at me.

German Apple Dessert

I was making my Little King Salad for dinner that night, per my daughter's request, and thought, 

We're having salad, might as well have dessert??

So I whipped it up when we got home, and we did!!

With a little side of vanilla ice cream!

This got RAVE reviews from my family.

My husband said (with his mouth full) "This is really good" about 6 times!

Great alternative to an apple pie.

German Apple Dessert

via Women's Edition Magazine

Crust:

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar

5 Tablespoons cut up cold butter

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 large egg

Combine with fingers until it resembles corn meal, set aside.

4 baking apples, peeled and sliced

I used Granny Smith, the tang was perfect!

Topping:

3 Tablespoons of sugar

3 Tablespoons of melted butter

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 large egg

Stir sugar and melted butter together, whisk in egg and cinnamon.

Set Aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a spring form pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Press crust mixture into the bottom of the pan.

Top with apples.  

Bake for 45 minutes.

Remove from oven, drizzle topping mixture over apples and spread evenly with the bottom of a spoon.

Return to oven and bake for another 25 minutes.

Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Here's the Little King Salad we had, it's so good!!

RECIPE HERE!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Crock Pot AppleSauce

A week or so ago, I had a crock pot party on my facebook page to celebrate 6,000 facebook fans.

What wonderful recipes were shared!! 

I pinned a bunch of them away on my Pinterest Boards for later, but this one, I couldn't get out of my mind.

I love the ease of throwing everything in the crock pot in the morning, and it being ready after the hustle and bustle of a crazy day!

I have to admit, though, I was really looking forward to my fellow bloggers sharing things you don't usually associate the crock pot with, things like desserts, or APPLE SAUCE!!

 Real Food Outlaws shared this recipe for crock pot applesauce.

I made it the next weekend in one crock pot while a batch of my Beef and Barley Stew Cooked in the other.

It was so good, they gobbled it up and I made it again that following week, while ribs slow cooked away, the apple sauce did the same.

If you click here: Real Food Outlaws

You can see how she cans it, too!!

Crock Pot AppleSauce

adapted from Real Food Outlaws

10-12 apples, peeled, cored and sliced

4 cinnamon sticks

1/4 of a lemon's peel

1 teaspoon lemon juice

The apples I used were pretty big, I used 10 of them, and used 4 cinnamon sticks.  My kids are crazy about cinnamon apples!  If you are using the really small apples that you pick off most home grown trees, you may need to up it some.

Place apples, cinnamon sticks and lemon peel in the crock pot.  Drizzle with the lemon juice.

Set pot to low and cook 5-7 hours.

Remove cinnamon sticks and lemon peel.

With your hand blender and  blend apples, or you could do this in a regular blender, too.

I thought it was pretty good warm, my kids preferred it cold.

Very sweet and tasty and No Sugar!! :)

A week or so ago, I had a crock pot party on my facebook page to celebrate 6,000 facebook fans.

What wonderful recipes were shared!! 

I pinned a bunch of them away on my Pinterest Boards for later, but this one, I couldn't get out of my mind.

I love the ease of throwing everything in the crock pot in the morning, and it being ready after the hustle and bustle of a crazy day!

I have to admit, though, I was really looking forward to my fellow bloggers sharing things you don't usually associate the crock pot with, things like desserts, or APPLE SAUCE!!

 Real Food Outlaws shared this recipe for crock pot applesauce.

I made it the next weekend in one crock pot while a batch of my Beef and Barley Stew Cooked in the other.

It was so good, they gobbled it up and I made it again that following week, while ribs slow cooked away, the apple sauce did the same.

If you click here: Real Food Outlaws

You can see how she cans it, too!!

Crock Pot AppleSauce

adapted from Real Food Outlaws

10-12 apples, peeled, cored and sliced

4 cinnamon sticks

1/4 of a lemon's peel

1 teaspoon lemon juice

The apples I used were pretty big, I used 10 of them, and used 4 cinnamon sticks.  My kids are crazy about cinnamon apples!  If you are using the really small apples that you pick off most home grown trees, you may need to up it some.

Place apples, cinnamon sticks and lemon peel in the crock pot.  Drizzle with the lemon juice.

Set pot to low and cook 5-7 hours.

Remove cinnamon sticks and lemon peel.

With your hand blender and  blend apples, or you could do this in a regular blender, too.

I thought it was pretty good warm, my kids preferred it cold.

Very sweet and tasty and No Sugar!! :)

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Chocolate Orange Banana Bread

I love banana bread.  

I have a great recipe for regular banana bread that I use whenever I get 3 ripe bananas.

(Recipe HERE)

Sometimes, I don't have time to whip any up, so guess what?

I just throw the bananas in the freezer, skins and all!

When you take them out to use them, set them on your counter to thaw, 

and you can squeeze the ripe banana out one end into your bowl, just like soft serve! ;)

That's what I did yesterday.  But when I saw this recipe on Pinterest from ROCK Recipes, I wanted to switch it up.

I LOVE chocolate orange, and with that I was sold.

I had just bought some fresh mandarin oranges at the store this weekend, and they are so flavorful, I had to use one!

I used (most) of the recipe but where the original called for chopped white chocolate, I used white chocolate chips and semi-sweet ones, too.

You can call this a bread to make yourself feel better, but you will feel like you are eating moist chocolate cake.

Chocolate Orange Banana Bread

Rock Recipes

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

3 ripe bananas, mashed

juice and zest of 1 orange

1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup of each white chocolate chips and semi-sweet chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees, prepare large loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Combine sugar and oil in your mixer, add in eggs, bananas and orange zest, mix.

Sift together all of your dry ingredients.

Alternate dry ingredients and orange juice into sugar/banana mixture.

Mix well, scraping the sides of the bowl.

Fold in chips.

Pour into pan and bake for 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Grab a glass of milk...or your favorite cuppa...and partake in the goodness!!

I love banana bread.  

I have a great recipe for regular banana bread that I use whenever I get 3 ripe bananas.

(Recipe HERE)

Sometimes, I don't have time to whip any up, so guess what?

I just throw the bananas in the freezer, skins and all!

When you take them out to use them, set them on your counter to thaw, 

and you can squeeze the ripe banana out one end into your bowl, just like soft serve! ;)

That's what I did yesterday.  But when I saw this recipe on Pinterest from ROCK Recipes, I wanted to switch it up.

I LOVE chocolate orange, and with that I was sold.

I had just bought some fresh mandarin oranges at the store this weekend, and they are so flavorful, I had to use one!

I used (most) of the recipe but where the original called for chopped white chocolate, I used white chocolate chips and semi-sweet ones, too.

You can call this a bread to make yourself feel better, but you will feel like you are eating moist chocolate cake.

Chocolate Orange Banana Bread

Rock Recipes

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

3 ripe bananas, mashed

juice and zest of 1 orange

1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup of each white chocolate chips and semi-sweet chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees, prepare large loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Combine sugar and oil in your mixer, add in eggs, bananas and orange zest, mix.

Sift together all of your dry ingredients.

Alternate dry ingredients and orange juice into sugar/banana mixture.

Mix well, scraping the sides of the bowl.

Fold in chips.

Pour into pan and bake for 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Grab a glass of milk...or your favorite cuppa...and partake in the goodness!!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Death by Chocolate Cookies

Unless you hate chocolate

(GASP!!)

Who wouldn't want to try a cookie names after a heavenly way "to go?"

Need to curb a chocolate craving?

These will do the trick, 

Take my word.

Grab a big glass of milk, or your favorite "cuppa, " and enjoy!!

Death by Chocolate Cookies

from the domestic rebel

1 box devils food cake mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.

In a large bowl combine the cake mix, eggs and oil. Add the 3 kinds of chips and stir until incorporated.

Drop dough  by heaping Tablespoon full onto prepared baking sheet, about 2" apart.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before removing.

Store in an air tight container.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Unless you hate chocolate

(GASP!!)

Who wouldn't want to try a cookie names after a heavenly way "to go?"

Need to curb a chocolate craving?

These will do the trick, 

Take my word.

Grab a big glass of milk, or your favorite "cuppa, " and enjoy!!

Death by Chocolate Cookies

from the domestic rebel

1 box devils food cake mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.

In a large bowl combine the cake mix, eggs and oil. Add the 3 kinds of chips and stir until incorporated.

Drop dough  by heaping Tablespoon full onto prepared baking sheet, about 2" apart.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before removing.

Store in an air tight container.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Banana Split Malt

We had an ice cream shop when I was a kid that was called Goodrich Dairy.

It was where my Dad like to go for banana splits and  they made the best chocolate malts.

I had a follower share a recipe for a smoothie with me earlier this summer, and I turned it into a malt.

It tastes JUST like a banana split in a glass!

Banana Split Malt

1 banana

1 cup of milk

1 cup frozen cherries

2 cups vanilla ice cream (more if you want super thick!!)

whipped cream

chocolate syrup

marchino cherry

Blend the banana, milk, ice cream and cherries in your blender.

Pour into a tall glass, top with whipped cream, drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with a cherry.

**I have made this with the ice cream and whole milk for my kids, I have also lightened it up for me and the hubby.  Use Non-Fat frozen yogurt and skim milk to lighten it up! 

Grab a straw and enjoy!!

We had an ice cream shop when I was a kid that was called Goodrich Dairy.

It was where my Dad like to go for banana splits and  they made the best chocolate malts.

I had a follower share a recipe for a smoothie with me earlier this summer, and I turned it into a malt.

It tastes JUST like a banana split in a glass!

Banana Split Malt

1 banana

1 cup of milk

1 cup frozen cherries

2 cups vanilla ice cream (more if you want super thick!!)

whipped cream

chocolate syrup

marchino cherry

Blend the banana, milk, ice cream and cherries in your blender.

Pour into a tall glass, top with whipped cream, drizzle with chocolate syrup and top with a cherry.

**I have made this with the ice cream and whole milk for my kids, I have also lightened it up for me and the hubby.  Use Non-Fat frozen yogurt and skim milk to lighten it up! 

Grab a straw and enjoy!!

reade more... Résuméabuiyad