Funfetti Gooey Bars

This past weekend I was in the mood to bake yet again. So, I went through my desserts on Pinterest and decided to make these little guys.

I did change a couple things in the recipe, nothing major, I used St. Patty's Day sprinkles instead of the colorful ones just to use them up and I also added chocolate chips and white chocolate chips together. These turned out pretty good. They made a bunch so I sent some to work with Shane for his group so we didn't eat them all. :)



Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix (I used my own recipe)
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cups sprinkles, divided
• 1/2 cup (from a 14 ox. can) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line 9x9 pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
3. Add cake mix, butter and egg to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix until a thick dough forms.
4. Add 1/3 cup sprinkles and stir until incorporated.
5. Press about 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan.
6. Sprinkle with white chocolate chips and remaining 1/3 cup sprinkles.
7. Pour sweetened condensed milked over the top.
8. Separate the remaining dough into small balls and evenly space over the top of the bars. Press down to flatten.
9. Bake for about 30 minutes or until they just begin to brown.
10. Cool completely before slicing.

Cookies ‘N Cream Oreo Fudge Brownies

I have a TON of dessert recipes on Pinterest, so a couple weekends ago I wanted to make a yummy dessert. I jumped on my Baked Goods board to see what I should make. I can came across these little babies and thought they looked awesome, so I gave them a try.

They didn't turn out like the picture, but I know nothing ever does, but I think they should have come out a least close to it. These were good but I believe the could be much better. I'm going to have to give these a try again to see if I can get them more fudgey.

Ingredients:

• 1 box brownie mix (I used my own recipe)
• Eggs & Oil (as directed on the brownie mix)
• 1 heaping cup (6 oz) Cookies & Cream Ice Cream
• 1/4 cup hot fudge (chilled or room temp.)
• 1 pkg Oreo cookies (I used double stuffed)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven according to the brownie box.
2. Spray 8x8 pan with cooking spray
3. Combine brownie mix, eggs & oil as directed on the box, but do not add the water.
4. Add ice cream and hot fudge to brownie batter and stir to combine.
5. Pour half the mix into the baking dish, layer with Oreos, then top with the remaining batter.
6. Bake 40-50 minutes or as directed on the box.

Smore Fudge Bars

A few weeks ago we were having the family over for a BBQ, and I wanted a yummy dessert to make. So, I remembered on Pinterest that I had a smore bar recipe that I wanted to try. What better dessert to have with BBQ then Smores, right?? :)

These turned out AMAZING I do say. They were super yummy and very addicted so watch out if you make them. LOL 

Ingredients:

Crust:

· 2 cups graham cracker crumbs

· 1/2 cup butter, melted

· 1/4 cup granulated sugar

· 1/2 tsp. salt

Fudge Layer:

· 2 cups milk chocolate chips

· 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk

Fluff Layer:

· 3/4 cup sugar

· 1/2 cup light corn syrup

· 1/4 cup water

· 1/4 tsp. salt

· 2 egg whites

· 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar

· 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a 9x9 baking with foil. Set aside
3. Mix all the ingredients for your crust together and press evenly into pan.
4. Bake for 10 mins. Remove from oven and set aside
5. Next make your chocolate filling. In medium sauce pan combine chocolate chips & condensed milk together over medium-low heat. Stir until melted. Pour immediately onto crust.

Fluff:

1. Combine sugar, corn syrup, water and salt in small sauce pan over medium-high heat. Boil together until a candy thermometer reads 240 degrees.
2. While mixture is boiling beat 2 egg whites and cream of tartar together until soft peaks form.
3. When syrup is ready, turn mixer onto low & drizzle the syrup along the side of the bowl slowly combining it into the egg whites.
4. When all the syrup has been added turn mixer up to medium high & beat for 7-8 mins until thick and glossy. When there is about 1 min left add in the vanilla extract.
5. Spread about 1 1/2 -2 cups of the fluff on top of the chocolate layer.
6. Turn over onto broil & place pan under for 1 minute or until the top of the marshmallow layer gets lightly golden.
7. Cut into squares when ready to serve.

Store bars airtight at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 day.



Homemade Brownies

Over the weekend I made some delicious homemade brownies! This was a recipe yes that I found on Pinterest. LOL I couldn't believe how good these turned out, we can't stop eating them! They were super easy to make and I added some chocolate chips to ours. Yum! I can't wait to make these again.

Ingredients: 

·         1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

·         1 tsp baking powder

·         1 tsp salt

·         2/3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

·         2 cups white sugar

·         ¾ cup oil

·         3 eggs

·         1 tsp vanilla

·         ½ cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mix dry ingredients together until well mix then add the wet ingredients.
3. Bake for 20-25 mins.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here is yet another recipe I got off Pinterest and decided to try last weekend. :)

I thought homemade chocolate chip cookies would be a great treat on our 3rd snow storm! These turned out super yummy and I can't wait to make them again. I had to keep telling myself not to eat so many at once they were so good. LOL



Ingredients:



·         1 cup butter

·         1 cup sugar

·          1/2 cup brown sugar

·         2 eggs

·         2 tsp vanilla

·         2 1/4 cups flour

·         1 tsp baking soda

·         1/2 tsp salt

·         1 12 ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips. 

Directions:

1.        Preheat oven to 375

2.       Cream together butter and sugar, beat in eggs and vanilla.

3.       In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda.

4.      Gradually beat into butter/sugar mixture, add chocolate chips and stir in.

5.       Spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.

6.       Bake 8-10 mins

Ice Cream Cupcakes

For my sister's birthday I made ice cream cupcakes and OMG they were the best cupcakes EVER! I couldn't believe how good they were and I just wanted to keep eating them. We have some leftovers and I love having one for dessert after dinner. So good, if you get a chance I feel everyone should try these at least once.

I made the cake mix and frosting all from scratch , next time we want and try to make the ice cream from stratch too. I can't wait to make these again! I also want to try this in a cake form and see how that turns out. Yummy stuff!

Ingredients:

• Yellow Cake Mix
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (do not sift the flour)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1-teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• Vegetable oil
• 1 stick butter (not margarine), softened
• 1-tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• Cupcake Liners
• Cake Batter Ice Cream
• Whipped Chocolate Frosting
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 pint heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

• Yellow Cake Mix
• In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, mixing well.
• Measure the 1-1/4 cups of milk in a 2 cup measuring cup….then add enough vegetable oil to bring the liquid up to 1-1/3 cups.
• Add the milk/vegetable oil mixture, butter and vanilla to the flour mixture and beat with an electric mixer on medium to medium-high speed for 2 minutes, scraping sides of bowl as needed.
• Add the eggs and continue beating an additional 2 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
3. Put cupcake liners into a muffin tin and measure out 1 Tbsp. of batter into each liner- the batter is only meant to fill the bottom.
4. Bake for about 15 minutes or until they bounce back. Do not take the cupcakes out of the pan.
5. Once cooled leave the liners and cake inside of the muffin tin and put your softened ice cream on top of the cake until it reaches the top of the liners. Freeze in the freezer until the ice cream is hardened (about 2 hours). Right before serving top with the whipped cream frosting and some sprinkles!

• Whipped Chocolate Frosting
• Dissolve sugar and cocoa in cream. Beat until thick.
• Add vanilla, beat well.
• Spread on cakes, cupcakes, etc. Can also be used for filling between cake layers



Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake & Frosting

We were having a friend over to celebrate his birthday last night. I wanted to bake him a cake and he said his favorite was a cookie cake. So I started looking for a great recipe to try. I have made a cookie cake once before but it didn't turn out very well and I haven't tried it again since. The cake I made this weekend turned out AMAZING!!! We all were amazed at how delicious the cake and frosting was. I look forward to making this again soon! :)

Ingredients for Cake:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (11 1/4 oz)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt**
• 8 oz unsalted butter (or use 4 oz butter and 1/2 cup shortening for 1 cup total)
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 bag semi sweet regular 

Directions for Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 300° F. Line a 12 inch round pizza pan with a circle of parchment or non-stick foil. Alternatively, you can make your own pizza pan by molding non-stick foil into a giant 12 inch circle.
2. Mix flour, baking soda and salt together; set aside.
3. Cream butter and both sugars by hand or with an electric mixer. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. When well mixed, add flour mixture and stir until blended Fold in chocolate chips.
4. Put all the batter in the pan and press it into a circle. Stop the circle about 1 ½ to 2 inches from the rim. Press M&M’s decoratively into top.
5. Bake on center rack for 32-35 minutes or until cookie is golden around edges and appears set.

Ingredients for Frosting:

• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 5 Tbsp Milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring

Directions for Frosting:

1. Combine all ingredients in stand mixer except for food coloring.
2. Beat on medium-high speed until smooth 4-5 mins. 
3. Stir in food coloring
4. Pipe onto cake.

Here is the cake all decorated!! So yummy!! :) It's not perfect so no judging. LOL

Chocolate Cupcakes

These are the cupcakes Shane and I made my brother for his birthday. The cupcakes and the frosting both were homemade, they were so yummy! I'm really enjoying all this homemade stuff we are making and I love sharing it with everyone. :)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp vinegar
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients together until moist and well blended.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes
4. Frost with your favorite icing.
5. To make a layer cake, double the recipes and put in 2 round cake pans.
6. Increase baking time to about 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Funfetti Vanilla Cake

At the beginning of the new year I made Shane a homemade Funfetti cake, these are his favorite and since he didn't get one on his actually birthday I thought I should make him one! I decided instead of getting the box stuff it was time to try a all homemade cake. It turned out pretty good. :)

 The cake turned out purple on the inside..I think that's because we got the wrong baking jimmies to put inside. LOL but it still turned out good.

Ingredients:

·         4 egg whites from large eggs

·         1 cup milk, divided

·         1 teaspoon vanilla

·         ½  teaspoon almond extract

·         3 cups cake flour

·         1 ½ cups white sugar

·         4 teaspoons baking powder

·         ½  teaspoon salt

·         4 tablespoons unsalted butter, very soft

·         8 tablespoons non-hydrogenated shortening

·         1/3 cup multi-colored jimmies

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease two 9-inch round cake pans. (Or, for a four-layer cake, grease four cake pans.) In a small bowl mix the egg whites, 1/4 cup milk, vanilla and almond extract. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer mix the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix for 30 seconds or until well-combined. Add the butter and shortening and mix for another 30 seconds, or until well-combined with the flour mixture. Pour in the remaining 3/4 cup milk and continue mixing on medium speed for about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
3. Gradually pour in the egg white mixture, mixing for 30 seconds after each addition. Mix for one more minute. Gently fold in the multi-colored jimmies.
4. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. If baking four layers, bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are slightly golden and spring back when pressed. If baking two layers, bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and place the pans on baking racks to cool for about 10 minutes. Turn the pans over onto the rack. Flip the cake layers over and let them cool completely before icing. 

Brownie Peppermint Cookies

This year for Christmas Shane and I did some baking for our family as gifts. We each got to pick something out we thought would be fun and yummy! Shane picked Apple Bread, I picked these Brownie Peppermint Cookies and we both decided to add some fudge to each bag. Everything turned out great and very yummy!

This is another recipe I got off Pinterest. 

Cookies:

• 1 package brownie mix (I made my own mix)
• 1 1\4 cups all purpose flour
• 1\4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1\4 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1\2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 recipe vanilla cream frosting
• 1\2 cup crushed peppermint candy canes

Vanilla Frosting:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1\2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 6 tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1\4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Butter cookie sheet and see aside
3. In large mixing bowl mix flour, brown sugar and salt. Add I'm eggs and milk and stir with a large spoon. Add in melted butter, vanilla and peppermint extract, stir um till well blended.
4. Spoon dough by heaping tablespoonfuls OK into greased cookie sheet (you can fit 12 per sheet).
5. Bake for 10-12 mins.
6. Cool completely before frosting and adding candy canes.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

Shane and I have really gotten into baking this Holiday season. We have been making a bunch of yummy desserts and breads! It's been fun and I love spending time in the kitchen with my hubby. I haven't shared a lot of the fun things we have bakes b/c I was so focused on the 30 days of being Thankful last month. Now that is over I can get to posting some of the things we have been baking. :)

Everything you will need

 Finished cookies. They turned out pretty yummy! 

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 small pkg. pumpkin spice pudding mix
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 ¼ cup flour
• 1-2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cream butter, brown sugar and sugar together in large bowl
3. Add in dry pumpkin spice pudding mix and beat until well combined
4. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well
5. Add flour and baking soda and beat until well combined.
6. Stir in chocolate chips until evenly distributed
7. Roll dough into 1” balls. Place them on a greased baking sheet.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes

30 Days to Being Thankful {Day 19} - Baking

Day 19: I'm thankful for baking. They past month or so Shane and I have really gotten into baking more. We have been making breads, dough and all other kinds of yummy stuff. Since we have moved into our house we have really enjoyed cooking more. Some days we will spend all day or all night in the kitchen making stuff. It feels great and I love it! 

Pumpkin Brownies

This is another recipe I found off Pinterest. My hubby and I have really been into baking this fall and we are loving every minute of it. We have decided we are going to try a new recipe every weekend. So get ready for lots of postings of yummy foods! 

We made Pumpkin Brownies on Sunday. They actually turned out pretty good! 

Everything you will need (We added pumpkin pie spice to give it a little more pumpkin flavor)

 Mix it all together. You can either make the brownies as direction then add the pumpkin or you can just use the  brownie mix.
We just used the brownie mix this time, but next time we might make the brownies as directed and see how that turns out.

 When they are finished. I added cool whip to mine and it was very tasty!

Ingredients:

• 1 box brownie mix
• 1 can of Pumpkin
• 1/1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (Optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix brownie mix, pumpkin and spice together
3. Spread in greased baking pan
4. Bake for 25-30 mins until set

Pumpkin Pie Almonds

I recently have download the Pinterest app on my phone! I love it! I have always liked this site but hardly was on it since I didn't have it on my phone. Well things have changed and I'm on there everyday! 

When I was scooping out things I found this recipe called Pumpkin Pie Almonds. My husband loves Almonds and pumpkin pie so I thought these would be great for us to make and try. 

Last weekend we decided to try these so we got everything we needed at the store and came home and made these. They turned out really good, but we did decide next time we are going to add some sugar to them.  

Everything needed 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups raw almonds
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• 3 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 4 tbs honey
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Sea Salt

Directions:
Couldn't find the actually directions so we just made up our own...This is how we did ours.

1. Preheat oven to 325
2. Mix the cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice & sea salt together, then mix the almonds in to coat with powder spices
3. Mix in honey and vanilla
4. Mix until all almonds a coated
5. Bake for 20 mins

Oreo Balls

For New Years Eve my sister wanted me to make Oreo Balls. I never made them before so I got online and found a recipe that sounded yummy!

Everything Needed

 Mixing Pudding and Milk together

 Adding Oreo's

 Shape into balls

 Dipped in chocolate

 Refrigerate 20mins and ready to go

Ingredients:

• 1 (3.9) package JELL-O Chocolate Pudding
• 1/2 cup milk
• 36 OREO cookies, finely crushed
• 1 1/2 packages BAKER'S Semi-sweet chocolate, Melted
• 1 square BAKER'S White chocolate, Melted (I didn't do this step)

Directions:

1. Beat pudding mix and milk in medium bowl with whisk 2 mins. Add cookie crumbs, mix well
2. Shape into 1 inch balls
3. Freeze 10 mins
4. Dip in semi-sweet chocolate; place in single layer in shallow waxed paper-lined pan
5. Refrigerate 20mins or until firm.
6. Drizzle with white chocolate; refrigerate 10 mins or until firm.

Quick Little Devil Cookie Bars

I made this dessert for Christmas to take to his side and my side of the family. They turned out pretty good.

Everything you need

Mixing the cake mix and butter together

Spread in baking pan

Mix marshmallow creme and peanut butter together

Spread onto of cake mix then crumble rest of cake mix onto of marshmallow creme and PB. 

Done and ready to serve

Ingredients:

• 1 package devil's food cake mix
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 7oz jar marshmallow creme
• 3/4 cup peanut butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In bowl, combine cake mix and butter; mix well. Spread half the mixture into greased 13x9 baking pan.
3. Combine the marshmallow creme and peanut butter; carefully spread over cake mixture.
4. Crumble reserved cake mix over the top
5. Bake 18-20mins or until a tooth pick inserted near the corner comes out with moist crumbs (do not over bake)
6. Cool completely
7. Cut into squares