Golden Oreo Gourmet Rice Krispie Balls

Are you ready for the most delicious and mouth watering rice krispie treat ball you have ever tasted? We have that very recipe for you to enjoy and savor. You may want to make extras, because when they are gone, you will wish you had more. 

Golden Oreo Cookie Cream from about 2 rows of cookies

1 bag of Melted White Chocolate Discs

6 cups Rice Krispies

3 Tablespoons softened room temperature butter

5 cups mini marshmallows

We love extra gooey treats, so we put an extra cup of marshmallows in. Your typical recipe calls for 4 cups of marshmallows. My husband says the trick is slow and low for the best treats you have ever tasted. My husband makes the best rice krispie treats ever! He does the melting process and I do the chocolate coating. This was his idea and it was one of his best treat ideas yet. You know when I said ever, I mean 'ever' when you taste these you will just melt. After you get all of your rice krispie treat mix all melted and mix in your rice krispies then stir in your oreo cookie cream and a few smashed cookies, press them flat (with wax paper) on top of a wax lined pan and place them in the fridge.

The best part about this process is that your mix will have cooled just a bit but not too much, so some of the oreo cream will melt and other parts will stay solid...which makes for the most awesome tasting gourmet ball. After they are cooled, you can mold them into little balls. Place in fridge until you are ready to roll in chocolate.

While your treat sheet is cooling, melt your chocolate. If you have a preferred way to melt chocolate, I would do it your way. Honestly, I really have had no luck with the whole melting in the microwave process or the double boiler method on the stove. However, I LOVE the Wilton's chocolate melting pot.

*If your chocolate seems a little thick no matter your melting method...you can add a little oil and mix to smooth it all out and make the dipping easier.

I would love to say I had photos of what they looked like in the inside after a bite was taken, but honestly they were gone quick. The whole family loved them and they were gone in no time. They are super sweet but it kind of hits different levels of sweetness, so be prepared for your taste buds to pop.

We made a chocolate motorcycle bike with the leftover melted chocolate. We repurposed a toy motorcycle package that we washed and dried out for this mold alternative. As always, we hope you enjoyed this ever so fantastic post about chocolate..the best treat ever. 

Make S'mores in a Jar

I have already fallen into the Fall spirit. Fall is my favorite time of year. When it is cool and crisp out, the spices of the season are in the air and the beautiful Autumn colors are spread across all of the trees. No matter whether it is chilly out or hot out, s'mores are always a winner. Log snugglin' with s'mores is always a great way to share any moment. What about when it is raining outside? You can not very well go out and have a s'mores. One day when it was raining, probably the 3rd day in a row mind you, we wanted s'mores so badly and it was not happening. Or was it? Mason jars are always in my heart, oh and my kitchen. Mason jars are so versatile and they can be used over and over again....not to mention you can put them 'in' the oven. Welp, that is exactly what we did. 

*Place in oven just until nice and gooey at 350.

Every bite was so rich and decadent. We actually split ours due the sweetness of it all. Still very delicious and is chalked up on our favorite recipes list. How often do you get to enjoy s'mores?  

The directions are so simple....after your s'more cake cools, you can start putting your happiness in a jar. Follow the muffin directions and to get your graham cracker crumbles you smash up a pack or two of graham crackers and mix it with about a tablespoon of melted butter. Once, you mix the butter in you just work it into the crumbs until the consistency changes. You will know because it won't fall apart as easily. You will then press a thin layer{not too thin} into the bottom of the cupcake pan. Use the foil cupcake liners...it prevents any sticking and makes removal a cinch. 

Any questions? Are you not just wanting a s'mores now? 

Make a Cake in a Can

Get your can....the only aluminum cans we have found this large are coffee tins.  Hopefully, you have one of these little babies laying around your house.

Grease and flour your can just like a pan.  Make your cake per the package directions and pour it into the can.  This particular package was meant for 24 cupcakes, so it was rather small.  It was smaller smaller than your average cake by time it baked.  

 It came out of the can super easy and it cooked nicely.  I think we will try a regular cake mix next time.  It was not as moist as we wanted it to be, but I think it was an error in the batter not the method.  It was a little dense, but still good.  That colored frosting comes made like that already and it even has cute little sprinkles. 

This was the first of our can baking excursions and there will be more to follow.  With all things you do the first time there are a few little kinks that some time pop up.  We sliced it in half to make a layered cake.  This cake would make the perfect giant cupcake cake though. Just saying........

A Nerd and Twinkie Bicycle Cake

Yes, really a cake made from mostly chocolate stuffed Twinkies to look like a bicycle.  For our sons 4th birthday, he was obsessed with motorcycles and bicycles.  I looked all over the place for budget friendly motorcycle and bicycle cake stuff.  I searched all over the internet and looked through it seemed like 100's of pages with no such luck.  You just have to come through for you kids on their birthday.  I did what I do best, I turned to what I actually had in my kitchen and did my process of what might work.  This method may sound crazy, but 99% of my creations are a result of this madness. 

So, how was it done?

The frame is made from cut in half Twinkies laid with the icing side down{yes, super messy}.

Wheels are made from vanilla cake with the multi-colored nerd candies as the confetti. 

The cupcakes- Nerd confetti cupcakes.

The "dirt" on the cupcakes is crushed up chocolate chip ring cookies. (you know the ones when you are a kid you put on your fingers as rings and eat them off) Well, that is what we did as kids and my kids love eating cookies off their fingers.  They giggle the whole time.

Spokes and handlebar- twizzlers and a cut in half peach ring gummy.

Seat- Chocolate Twinkie + 1/4 of a Twinkie drizzled in chocolate. 

I made chocolate frosting from scratch for this cake. (later post)

The red is from the spray red food coloring.

I was a little worried about the Nerd flavored cupcakes, but it was his favorite candy at the time and I figured why not.  They actually tasted really good and once baked, the candy melted into the batter.

We always share the sweetness with our neighbors!  I love having neighbors that don't mind me always bringing them food.  My son loved his cake and the design came together in the end and it resembled the brand new shiny red bike we got him for his bday.

Do you have fun with your kids birthdays?? Do you buy their cake, make it or have someone make it?

Sherbet Ice Cream Float Punch

Do you have a favorite party punch recipe?  Well, this is one of ours and I am happy to share it with you today.  It is so easy and always a hit.  Not many kids will say no to soda and ice cream, especially when they are mixed together.  It is just like an ice cream float.  

Sherbet Ice Cream Float Punch:

* Quart of Orange, Yellow and Green Sherbet Ice Cream

* 2 Liter of Lemon-Lime Soda

Pour your chilled soda in a punch bowl and scoop your ice cream right on top and serve to your guest.

See, I told you it was nice and simple.  Have you ever tried this?  They sell each color separate or you can get it all mixed like this.  We poured some .79 Twist Up from the store in there and put a few scoops of Sherbet in and our birthday punch was ready.  Pretty short and sweet.  

Strawberry Shortcake TastyKakes~ Recipe

Strawberry Shortcake is really a staple of Summer.  No matter how you make it as long as it has those yummy ingredients, it makes any hot day better.  They were really delicious and we added a bit of a twist to our Strawberry Shortcakes as usual.  Last time was the Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake!

Alright, let's get started on the how to!

Ingredients:

Fresh Strawberries- 2 packs

Whipped Topping- 1 tub{in the fridge}

Sugar Free Fat Free Strawberry Jello- {1box} 4 cup pack

Vanilla Pudding- {1box} 2 cup milk pack

TastyKake Shells- 3 packs

This recipe makes- 18 Shortkakes

Step 1:

Slice and wash your strawberries.

Step 2:

Prepare your jello per the package directions- boil 2 cups water; mix with gelatin and 2 cups cold water; refrigerate.  Mix your strawberries into the gelatin and put in the fridge.

*To make this work you only refrigerate until the jello is starting to set but is a thick liquid.  Pull it out of the fridge so the jello process stops.  By time this happens, your dessert will be ready to put together.

Step 3:

Mix your vanilla pudding per the package directions.  Once you are done mixing, put it in the fridge for about  15 minutes to thicken a bit.  Once done, you will put 1 tablespoon of pudding in each shell and place your pan in the freezer until the pudding is freezing cold but not frozen.  I put ours in for about 15 minutes.  I did not place a covering on them because the pudding would have gotten all over it.  I did like a flash freeze without the freezing. :)

Step 4:

Last step!  Now that every thing is nice and cold it is time to put it all together.  Spoon about 2 tablespoon of your strawberry gel over each vanilla pudding topped tastykake when you serve.  Only put it on when you are ready to eat or it will get soggy.  Spoon a dollop of whipped topping on and you are ready to dig in.

Enjoy yet another version of the ever so delicious strawberry shortcake to cool off any day! I hope ya'll are enjoying your Summer and staying cool.  :)

Homemade Italian Creme Cake

Have you ever had the pleasure of tasting an Italian Creme Cake?  In this area they are only seasonally made at the local grocery store during the Fall.  This is my husbands number 2 favorite cake under pineapple upside down cake.  When your hubby says he loves something that much and is so disappointed when he couldn't find it in the store.  I got to work researching different recipes so I could make it for him.  I always look at the reviews for any recipes I am looking up to find out what worked and didn't.
  

     

Italian Cream Cake (old family recipe)

Sponsored by:

Bottom of FormServings:  14   Servings Size

Update

CAKE

• 1/4 lb butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 2 cups sugar
• 5 eggs, separated
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 lb butter, softened
• 2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 box powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

*If too thin, you can add a little more powdered sugar and if too thick you can just add a little splash of milk or buttermilk the mix.  

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  For cake: Cream butter, shortening and sugar.  Add egg yolk one at a time, beating after each addition (this is an important step!) Stir in baking soda and buttermilk.   Add sifted flour into batter, alternating with the buttermilk mixture.  Add vanilla, coconut and chopped pecans.   Beat egg whites and fold into batter.

Pour into a greased and floured round cake pan.   I like the way round cakes look better, so I went with a round cake pan.  My go to cake pan is the little $1 cake pans so I can just throw them out when I am done.  Bake for 45 minutes, or until cake tests done.  Remove from oven, cool completely before frosting.

For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter.  Add vanilla, powdered sugar, and pecans.  Continue to beat until you get a spreading consistency.

*This cake was the most delicious and moist cake I have ever made.  I did change a few simple little things like almonds; I added a little more vanilla than was called for and I added almond extract as well.  It was absolutely divine and arguably better than any store made cake.  Someone else's old family recipe has become our new old family recipe with a few changes of course.  I actually made this cake for his birthday hence the football themed napkins and plastic "TOUCHDOWN" table decor.  I was super happy with all of the results.   There is nothing like a delicious cake to celebrate with.

Say Thanks with a Treat Basket!

How do you say thank you to co-workers with spending much and making everyone happy? Give them a treat basket.  Who doesn't love a treat.  Even if someone is on a diet it is snack size so it isn't that bad. 

My husband finally got his own truck and own route in May and he wanted to tell the office people thanks.  They schedule his stops and all kinds of other things for all of the drivers.  He wanted to thank his boss Chris for the most part, but hey you can't leave everyone else out.  A simple and inexpensive way to say thanks.  

We did mini cinnamon buns and I made some wild berry and blueberry muffins.  I individually wrapped them so they could be portable, less messy and saved for later in ones desk if wished.  So if you would like to just say a little thank you and not go outside of budget, then this is a great way to go. 

What kind of things do you send as a thank you gift?

Homemade Banana Ice Cream

Banana ice cream treat anyone?

Did you see my kids hands shoot up and wave around everywhere?  Probably not, but they did that. 

 They seriously could care less that it was just frozen bananas they got for a treat.  I even managed to sneak some wheat germ in there.   They loved this alternative.

Banana Icecream:

Slice a few bananas and throw them in a freezer safe ziploc and leave it for about 20 minutes until frozen.  Take them out and let them thaw for a few minutes and blend slightly and VOILA you have healthy icecream. 

Make a Pancake Bar for Breakfast

Yes, indeed!  My husband wanted pancakes for breakfast and everyone always wants something different in theirs.  I came up with the perfect solution; a pancake bar!  I went searching around the kitchen and grabbed all of the ingredients I could think of to add to pancakes.  This was a huge hit at our house.  I was going to surprise them when I called them to come and put their ingredients in their pancakes, but my husband figured out something was up.  He says "Whatcha doin'?" The surprise was busted.  He was so happy he instantly came walking in the kitchen to let me know what he wanted in his pancakes.  The kids were so excited and all giggly because they got to have chocolate in their pancakes.   I wanted them to be a part of it, so I let them stand right on side of me(super supervised) and sprinkle what they wanted on their pancakes before I flipped them.  I know after this pancake bar we can never go back to regular pancakes at our house.   

So what did everyone choose?  (the kids are upside down so they could see everything)

Hubby's man cakes

Oreo and Granola

Oreo, Granola, Coconut, Marshmallows

Kaylei's baby cakes

Strawberry, Coconut, Chocolate Chips, Oreo

Oreo, Strawberry, Marshmallow- She made this one look like a smiley face with hair!

Strawberry, Oreo, Marshmallow, 1 blueberry

Little Gerry's baby cakes

Blueberry, Strawberry, Oreo, Chocolate Chips

Blueberry, Chocolate Chip and Marshmallow

Chocolate Chip, Marshmallow, Cookie, Blueberry

Momma cakes

Blueberry, Strawberry, Granola, a sprinkle of Chocolate Chips and Oreo with a pinch of coconut all mixed up together and then poured on the skillet.

How does your family like their pancakes?

Cake Off

When baking sweets for the other:

Gerry- Bakes with his heart in it; the bigger the better and the most elaborate the name the better.
Me- Bakes while trying not to overcook it so it is moist verses the chewing and swallowing AT LEAST 10 times for one small bite to get down without choking! I know you know what I am talking about. :)  When I bake I am seriously focused on display and the prettiness of it all!  I LOVE baking.

* I say- "Aww, it is so pretty!"  According to my husband "IT"S NOT PRETTY, IT LOOKS GOOD!"  Man lingo...haha.

* You hungry? I will make you something to eat.  According to my husband- "You can tell how much someone loves you by the way they make your food"-I think sometimes he may wonder how much I actually love him.....haha!

We started doing this cake off thing in a good nature.  My husband started it after I made him a awesome cake and he said "Yeah, wait until your birthday and see the bomb cake I am going to make you!"  It was history after that.   For about 3 years it went strong with only homemade cakes.  Over the last few years it has been a spotting homemade and store bought kind of thing.

Okay, have a seat and check out some of these super thoughtful desserts and other bday giving.

Poor photo quality only because the original was a little blurry, but it was delicious.

This was by far the most thoughtful and creative cake my husband has made to date.   He smashed up a whole box of banana twins and mixed it with the frosting.   He added it all together on a strawberry cake and you can see how awesome the decorations is.   This one has been the best cake of his and mine was the homemade Italian Cream Cake I made for him.....so he has had the win for years.  SHHH!  Don't tell him that, I will never hear the end of it. 

Turtle Cheesecake from Tripps.

2009- We made brownie sundaes at home.

2010-  He had me some cannolis made at the bakery.

2011- Grabbed some blizzards at DQ! 

They all made me breakfast in bed, we went and had chair massages at the mall and my hubby and I broke in my SPOILED ROTTEN BIRTHDAY GOBLET.  They really do spoil me. 

Oh my goodness....I love this photo.   This will last me AT LEAST until the end of the week.  Chocolate always makes me feel better.  The Olive Garden Moscato is my favorite wine to drink, but we get it for at least 8 bucks cheaper at the grocery store.   My husband got me that beautiful rose you see and I loved it all.   My day actually started off great.   You are going to laugh at me, but I am completely addicted to the Bingo Blitz game and I actually win here and there, but today I won SO MANY 1, 2, 3rd spots plus others and it made me so excited and started my day out right.  My son said "Your computer must know it is your birthday today mama!"  Thanks as always ya'll!

How was your last birthday?

15 Ingredient Trash Can Cookies

What tha!  Yes, we made trash can cookies.  The kind you mix a bunch of stuff together in a bowl and call it a trash can cookie, because the ingredients differ so much.  My husband was bring some home for a while when he was still going on over night trips to Raleigh, but now he is doing Charlotte so he comes home every night; so no more trash can cookies for us.   I decided to make some...or at least try to. ; )

I ran across a book at Tuesday Morning on sale the other day and it was only $1.80, so being the bargain addict I am, I couldn't pass it up.  The book is called "Baking Kids Love" by Sur la Table.

The original recipe "Secret Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookies."   You know me, of course I had to make some changes.  I figured since it had so many weird ingredients, I would add a few more because it couldn't hurt right. 

Trash Can Cookies

1 cup or 2 sticks of unsalted softened butter

4 Large eggs at room temp.

1 Tbl pure vanilla extract

1 cup corn or canola oil

4 cups All Purpose Flour

2 cups sugar

2 cups tightly packed brown sugar

2 1/4 cup old fashioned oats (not instant)

2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking soda

2 1/2 cups Kellogg's Corn Flakes (stick to this brand for the best result)

1 12 oz. bag of miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Extra Ingredients

1 cup Raisins

1/2 cup Crushed Almonds

1 cup Coconut Flakes

Mix your butter, eggs and vanilla extract together with a spoon.  Blend in the oil until well combined. 

Whisk dry ingredients together in a separate bowl and then add to the wet ingredients.  Stir well until it is all well blended.  You can even use your hands to really get it mixed in.  

Smash your corn flakes lightly in a bag. (Don't use the food processor because size will reduce too much)

Add your corn flakes and chocolate chips into the batter and mix well.  

You can use a small icecream scooper to get your cookies to size or you can just ball them up. Don't flatten them, just leave them in a ball.  I did the 4 finger pinch size for my first batch and it fit 12 cookies on a parchment covered jelly roll plan.  After the first test batch I did 1/2 of that portion to get smaller cookies.  Bake at 350 on the middle rack for about 9 minutes for larger cookies and 7 minutes for smaller cookies.  Not all ovens are created equal, so bake until lightly brown.   

This actually made A LOT of cookies.  I think I got around 6 dozen cookies.   I froze the remaining cookies after I baked 1 pan of large cookies and then 2 pans of small cookies.  

*Roll the rest of your cookies up and flash fresh for 2 hour on your parchment lined pans and then you can put them in airtight containers or ziploc baggies. 

Caramel Poked Carrot Cake!

Yes, it was indeed one of the most delicious cakes I have made in a bit.  OH MY GOODNESS, it truly was one of those things you eat and just can not help but to have one more fork full!

Carrot Cake with Caramel Sauce topped with a Coconut and Pecan Cream Cheese Icing!

It DID not last very long....past this point or from the time it was opened for that matter. 

Carrot cake- prepared to box directions- 

I added one cup of shredded sweet baby carrots and 1/2 cup of diced raisins

Smuckers Caramel Sauce

1/2 container of Coconut Pecan Icing

1/2 container of Cream Cheese Icing

I have this thing with mixing different frosting lately and it is SO delicious and full of that much more flavor.  Flavor-town for your MOUTH buds for sure! 

For some reason my oven seemed a bit crooked this time around and I ended up having to put something under the corner of the middle of the pan because the cake was cooking all lop sided......that it the reason for the long crack.   It worked to my advantage though because it was just an extra spot to pour that gooey caramel sauce in.  Smuckers is my favorite caramel sauce...it is rich and has a buttery smoothness to it.  I let the cake cool for just a few minutes and I poked holes in the cake with the end of a my wood spoon and then poured the caramel sauce in each hole and after a few minutes the cake soaks it right up.  Let your cake cool to the point where you can actually touch the bottom of the pan without being burned.  

Mix your coconut pecan and cream cheese frosting up and smooth it over the top of you cake!  It is the yummiest when it is warm still.  I made this for our Easter Egg Hunt and Potluck for CFM and I managed to save one piece so my hubby could try it so I didn't have to make another one.  Lord knows we didn't need a delectable cake like this in our house. 

I am a fan of poke cakes, can't you tell.

Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake

Butter Pecan Caramel Poke Cake- Stay tuned for this one! 

Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits

Apparently, it is a tradition in many southern homes to have chocolate gravy and biscuits for breakfast.  When you think of a nutritious breakfast to kick start your day...chocolate gravy and biscuits has probably never crossed your mind; probably for good reason.  However, that good reason is just a good reason and has nothing to do with enjoying some chocolate gravy and biscuits.  I know, I know....chocolate gravy just sounds really terrible.  Seriously it only tastes gross in your thoughts.....give it a go and I promise you will be sold and that gravy part goes right out the window.  I tried it and the the comparison of the gravy concept goes out the window.  It really is a sauce but someone along the lines decided to call it gravy, so we will stick with that.   Alright, let me tell you out this tasty little sauce.  I am from southern Mississippi and I can honestly tell you my momma nor my maw maw ever cooked biscuits with chocolate gravy.  We had flap jacks, homemade biscuits, homemade donuts and plenty of other things for breakfast though.  I figured I missed the boat on this one and I just couldn't not make this at least one time.  

Here is what you need:

1 cup of sugar

4 tablespoons of all purpose flour

dash of salt

2 tablespoons of cocoa powder

3 cups of whole milk or half and half  (I substituted 2 cups of 2% milk with 1 cup of heavy whipping cream)

1/2 stick of butter

1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

Put your sugar, AP flour, salt and cocoa powder in your saucepan and turn on medium heat.  Gradually add your milk and stir.  Once all of your dry and wet ingredients together...just stir every few minutes.  It actually took around 15 minutes to start to thicken. I thought that it was not going to thicken, but it eventually did and it turned out nice.  Pull your saucepan from the heat and mix in your butter and your vanilla.  Serve over some biscuits.  

Homemade biscuits are the best.  I would say if you are going to shoot for making some chocolate gravy, you mine as well go all the way and make your own biscuits from scratch too.  I had made my biscuits and forgot to pick up buttermilk so I just used regular milk.  No matter....I think I actually messed with the dough too much or either cut the biscuits too thin....because they literally was like a little flattened tea biscuit....they tasted good but could hardly be considered a biscuit.  I decided to make something else out of them because they did taste decent so I will be doing a post for them in the near future. 

Thank goodness I had the frozen....southern biscuits that taste just like if you bought them from a restaurant, Kfc or Bojangles.  I melted some butter on the top...split the biscuits open and poured on the chocolate gravy.

Now that it has cooled....I really think it could be eaten as pudding.  I will give it another day to sit and if that is the case oh my goodness that would be great to have accidentally figured out how to make pudding from scratch.  *It did thicken....I would say a little less vanilla a little more chocolate...;) It was super sweet and now I can say at least I made it once. 

So what are the odds of you fixing up some chocolate gravy and biscuit?  

Strawberry Stuffed Cupcakes

I originally made these for "Game Day" in support for the 49ers!  I never got around to posting it though.

Here is to the Black, Gold and Red!  

Banana Pudding Stuffed Cupcakes

I am sure you have noticed that I have posted quite a bit of desserts lately.  I am on this baking kick right now.  I just LOVE it.  Baking has just been so relaxing lately for me.  There is so many things you can do with cupcakes and cake mixes.  I am fixing to start going outside the box and try some of the 100's of things you can do with cake mix besides your cupcakes and cake options.  

Let's get started!

Get either a already prepared filling OR make your own (tastes much better and more real) and grab your icing tube.  I got this one for a few bucks with all of the attachments.  I figured the one with the tube would fill the cupcakes....and it did. 

Bake your cupcakes and let them cool completely.  This is just a basic vanilla cake mix.  If you want them to pop up use a 1/2 cup measuring scoop to fill your cupcake liners. It fills it almost to the top and it makes the perfect sized cupcake. 

The only thing left to do is insert your tube in the top of the cupcake and slowly push your filling into the cupcake. You will feel the cupcake puff out in your fingers...which lets you know it is filling. I filled it until I felt the puff feeling and then I slowly pulled it out and put a little more in until it overfilled just a little out the top just to make sure when you took a bite you would have no problem getting a bite of the pudding.  I topped it off with vanilla frosting.  If it were up to me I would have used a Hershey Chocolate whipped icing mixed with cream cheese icing....but the hubs wanted it like this.  Gotta make the hubs happy to right. : )  

ENJOY YA'LL!

Chocolate Bunnies Smores

The chocolate covered marshmallow bunnies that is.  

I have been seeing everyone do the peep smores and we don't really eat peeps much, BUT my husband is a fan of chocolate covered marshmallows.  To me a smore is not a smore without all that melted chocolaty goodness smashed right in there with the gooey marshmallows.  That is another reason why peeps just will not work for our little treat~ no chocolate.   I have been wanting to make these for over 2 weeks, & I just never got around to it.

So without further ado Ta Da the Chocolate Covered Bunny Smore has been invented in the Perdew house! : )  I figure why eat the Easter candy regular when you can make it extraordinary..right.   Quick and easy.  I popped them in the toaster over at 200 for about 10 minutes or so and smashed away.  Just watch it and it should be fine. 

How is the Easter candy stash going at your house?

Pot O' Gold Brownies

 Hey there, I hope you are having a great weekend! 

Love Knots~ Pretzels and Chocolate

Rolos

Straight pretzels

Regular pretzels

So easy and so yummy.  Salty and sweet together in harmony.  

Place your Rolos upside down on the regular pretzels and place on top of parchment paper and place in the microwave for a few seconds.  Take out and flip your Rolo pretzel onto the straight pretzel at a slant and let cool and set.   They do look like little knots. : )  Another option is lay the flat pretzel out and melt your Rolo on top and press a pecan in the center.  That is how they are actually supposed to be made, but I didn't have any pecans. 

I tried a toaster oven, but it made the tops of the Rolos a little crispy.  You can put them in the oven at 200 until they melt too. I was being impatient so I threw them in the microwave.  They tasted the same as the ones that were put in the toaster oven, but less crispy.  I threw them in a box with plastic hearts meant for a table scatter and tissue paper. Simple enough!  My loving husband got me those beautiful roses when he came on last Tuesday.

See that little zebra dragon fly?  Well, my mom is so talented and artsy she makes and sells these to flower shops.  She makes butterflies, dragonflies and other wired designs at different sizes.  Want some, let me know and we will come up with something.  They could be used for more than in flower bouquets.  Clips and other girly accessories are also an option.  I will do a post in the future with a few designs that my mom made.

Homemade Strawberry Bread Pudding

One of my all time favorite desserts is Bread Pudding.  Like always, my dear hubby brings home all these treats and gourmet breads.....so delicious and so bad.  I recently decided to go outside the box with the yummy Strawberry bread he brought home.  Being that Valentines is coming up and is all things pink and red, I had to make it.  I have never heard or seen any flavored bread puddings, just sauces, so I would like to think of this as my very own creation.

I knew I would be starting the new "Slim by the Summer" challenge with a group of fantastic other blogging ladies at the start of the week so I made it the day before so I could enjoy a piece.  The challenge started this week by the way if you would like to join us.   Something like this would not be welcome in the first phase of kickoff for my lifestyle change.  Everything in moderation is all good, unless you are a dessert{sugar} addict like myself then it has to be limited greatly.  This was the last indulging dessert I had.

Such beautiful colors!

Recipe:

* 23 ounces of Fresh{turned stale} Strawberry bread. 

-ours came from Abbott Farms.

* 2 egg whites

* Approx. 2 cups Milk - I just poured some in.

* Honey

* Marshmallow Fluff

Whisk your milk and egg whites together.

Tear your bread into nice chunks and drop it into your mixing bowl. 

Fold your bread into your wet mix until it is all covered. (the size will reduce)

Butter your casserole dish or pan. I  used a round casserole dish.

Pour your mix in and press down.  

* I don't like to smash it all into the bowl so I I just press it all down until it is even and has a nice flat surface but has some air holes left.  It will cook down.

350 degrees for about 20 minutes.  Just watch it, it will puff slightly. 

Pull it out and pour about 1/4 cup of honey on top and spread it out. 

Pop it back into the oven for about 10 more minutes. 

Pour about 1 cup of Marshmallow fluff on top and spread and it will turn into that gooey deliciousness all by itself.