Cake Pops/Balls

This is my debut post! Can you believe it, Megan? A while back, in April, I threw a baby shower for my good friend. The only party favor I could come up with were cake balls. It was actually a funny/sad story and I can't take full credit for the cake balls. I deal with chronic migraines and while I'm pregnant (I was 12 or 14 weeks along at the time) they get worse -- turns out the day of the shower I ended up in the emergency department early in the morning because of one of my horrible migraines. I felt horrible because I knew I wouldn't be able to get everything done in time without my husbands help. Anyway, to make a long story shorter, he ended up cutting up the cake, shaping the balls, and freezing them (he also helped out with a bunch of other things including watching our daughter -- super husband to the rescue).

Things you'll need:

Cake mix
9x13 inch cake pan
16 ounce ready made frosting (I used store bought pillsbury vanilla frosting)
Wax Paper
2 Baking Sheets
32 ounces (2 Lbs) candy coating (i used dark chocolate) and used vanilla for the decorating
microwave safe bowl
squeeze bottle
sucker sticks
styrofoam block

Here are the directions for the cake balls:

Step 1: bake the cake in the 9x13 in pan (I used a store bought pillsbury plus chocolate cake). I make the cake the night before so that it can cool completely.

Step 2: Cut the cake into eighths and crumble (take 2 pieces and rub them together like you would sand paper) into a large bowl. Make sure there are no large pieces.

Step 3: Add 3/4 of the container of frosting -- you will not need the entire container of frosting. Mix the frosting in with the crumbled cake.

Step 4: Once the frosting is mixed into the crumbled up cake it's time to make the balls. Roll them into 1-1/2 inch balls and place on wax paper on the baking sheet. Once you've finished rolling the balls refrigerate them overnight or freeze them for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Once the balls are cooled it's time to dip them in the melted candy coating (follow the directions for melting them on the candy coating bag). Take a few of the balls of the refrigerator at a time to keep the other ones cool. Place one ball in the coating at a time spooning the candy coating on the areas that aren't covered. Before I dip the call in the candy coating I place the sucker stick in the coating first and then into the cake ball. Avoid stirring the ball in the candy coating mix. Spoon it on and then when you bring the cake ball out roll the stick on the edge of the bowl and allow excess coating to fall back in the bowl.

Step 6: Once the ball is coated place the stick in the styrofoam block to allow it to cool. Decorate however you desire.

Brownies

Just the title of this post is enough to make anyone love it.  Okay, at least make me love it.  I am a HUGE brownie lover.  Do you  have a preference of what part of the brownie you want?  I am a corner girl.  There are only four corners in a pan and believe me, they are the coveted pieces around our parts.  That is why I am glad I'm the one making them.  Mwahahahah, mine, ALL MINE!!!  Now that I have let you know just how crazy I am I will tell you about this particular recipe.  My Aunt Marilee amazed me one day.  I needed a brownie recipe and off the top of her head she tells me hers.  I can't do that.  No matter how many times I have made something I always have to read the recipe.  Anywho, These brownies are soooo good.  And the best part is they are so easy to make.

 2/3 cup cocoa
2 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
dash or two of salt

mix all dry ingredients together. 
then add:

4 eggs
1 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients with a fork until well blended.  Pour mixture into a greased 9x13 pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min.  Cool for 1 hour.  Enjoy...I know I will.

optional: Sprinkle with powdered sugar while cooling.

Strawberry Ice Cream

I have grown up my whole life eating my dads strawberry ice cream. I love that my dad makes it. This alone makes it special. Then you add the flavor on top and it is out of this world. I have so many memories attached to this ice cream. But my favorite memory is that of my dad crouched down checking on it to make sure it is freezing properly.  Kind of like this picture here.  I sure do love my daddy.

He takes such pride in it and it shows. I guess that is why it has taken me all these years to finally make it myself. Simply because I love having my dad make it.

3 cups Sugar
2 cups Fresh Strawberries
1 10 ounce frozen sliced strawberries
1/4 cup strawberry jello powder
1/3 cup hot water
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 can canned milk
2/3 can eagle brand sweetened condensed milk
1 1/3 cup whipping cream
Fill with milk to 2" from the top (or the fill line of your ice cream maker)
Mix all the ingredients together in the ice cream maker container.  Put the container in the ice cream maker then add ice.  Add one layer of ice then rock salt and repeat until it is level with the top of the container.  Turn the ice cream maker on and it will turn for about 20-40 minutes.  If it is not freezing you did not add enough rock salt.  Once done chill or serve immediately.  ENJOY