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

Red, White, and Blue Trifle

I of course found this on Martha. It is delish and looks so pretty. The new thing to do is put your treats in a mason jar.  Haha, like I really know what the new thing to do is.  I loved doing it this way.  You can serve it in a bowl but the mason jar is so fun. I love the 4th of July and wanted to make something extra special.  This really was a lot of fun for me. 

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup plus 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• 1 store-bought pound cake (12 ounces), cut into 3/4-inch-thick slices
• 1 bar (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 cups fresh blueberries (three 1/2-pint containers), rinsed and dried
• 3 cups fresh raspberries (two 6-ounce containers)

Directions

1. Make lemon syrup: In a small saucepan, bring 1/4 cup sugar, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup water to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Let cool completely, then brush over both sides of cake slices. Quarter each slice.
   
2. With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese with remaining 1/3 cup sugar, and lemon zest on high speed until lightened. With mixer on medium speed, gradually add heavy cream in a steady stream; continue beating until mixture is light and airy (mixture will be like a very soft whipped cream).
   
3. Arrange half the cake pieces in the bottom of a 2-quart serving dish or in a small mason jar. Spoon half the cream-cheese mixture over cake in dollops; spread to sides of dish. Scatter half the blueberries and raspberries on top. Repeat layering with remaining cake, cream-cheese mixture, and berries, piling berries in the center.  If you are using a mason jar cut a 2 in square to put in the bottom and layer just like above only in smaller amounts. 
   
4. Cover, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.  

I hope you have a fabulous 4th of July and remember to ENJOY!

Peanut Butter Cookies

Back when I was 16 I took Home Ec.  I loved when we were in the kitchen mainly because you might get paired up with some cute boy.  The food was so bad either.  I found an old recipe that I held onto.  I hadn't made them in years.  I had to tweak some of the ingredients and add a few but I think it turned out pretty good. 

3/4 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 eggs slightly beaten
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1-2 cups peanut butter chips

In a large mixing bowl mix together butter, sugars, vanilla, peanut butter until creamy.  add beaten egg.  Mix.  In a smaller bowl add all the dry ingredients together.  Stir lightly.  Add to the mix.  Once you have completely mixed it add in the peanut butter chips.  Scoop onto a ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  Let cool on pan completely.  Yields about 4 1/2 dozen.  Enjoy!

Fresh Tortilla Chips

I love chips from Mexican restaurants.  I have found that there are NO chips that compare that you can buy at a grocery store.  Recently I have started making tortilla strips for one of the salads.  It took me a minute to realize I could make chips.  It is really simple.  And we LOVE them.
 

5-10 Corn torillas (I use mission)
1 1/2-2 cups canola oil
salt to taste

Heat the oil in a small fry pan on medium heat.  While that is heating cut tortillas into 8 triangles.  Once the oil is hot place the tortillas in the oil about 8-10 triangles fit in mine.  Be careful it does splatter.  They will boil and come to the top.  Once they start to brown remove from the oil and place on a paper towel.  Immediately shake salt over the top.Repeat until you have desired amount of chips.  Enjoy.

Lime Cilantro Salmon

I'll have to be honest this is only my second time cooking fish EVER!!!! Yes, I know I'm so unhealthy, crazy, and WHAT!!! I have a husband that is well to put it nicely a food freak. That was nice I promise. He starts to dry heave if you even mention fish. So, I am just a little worried to see what would happen if there was actually fish on the table. When he got home tonight the first thing he said when he closed the garage door was "Something smells fishy." My heart sunk. Then he came up took a look at it and said "...hmm, that smells...good." It made my little heart smile. And after a couple of nervous bits he said "mmm, this tastes pretty good. No, really good." Ahh, sweet SUCCESS!!

1 pound salmon or 4, 6 ounce fillets.  
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp. coriander
coarse salt and ground pepper to taste
Heat grill to medium high, rub the salmon with coarse salt, ground pepper, coriander, and olive oil.  Lightly oil the grill; place salmon skin side UP on the grill.  Cook for 5 minutes.  While cooking make your sauce.  Turn over with a spatula and cook 4 more minutes or until opaque and flaky.  Serve salmon and drizzle with Lime Cilantro sauce.

Sauce
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 T soy sauce
3 tsp sugar

1 T Fresh cilantro chopped

Stir all ingredients together except cilanto. Then fold in the cilantro.  Spoon over the salmon. ENJOY

German Berry Pancakes

My family loves German Pancakes. I have decided if we are going to have these delicious but not good for you meals I need to at least start adding something good. It is the exact same recipe as the other German pancakes with the addition of berries. My kids LOVED them. They are getting antioxidants and I can't complain about that.

1/4 cup butter
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
4-6 eggs
2 cups frozen berry mix

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place the butter in a 9x13 pan and place in the oven to melt while the oven is preheating. While the butter is melting mix all of the ingredients together until well mixed. I use a hand mixer, my mom uses a blender. Either works well. Once the mix is mixed together, stir in the berries, get the pan out of the oven with a hot pad and roll the melted butter all over the inside of the pan. Then pour in the mixture. Place in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Place a toothpick in the middle and it should come out clean. Sprinkle with powdered sugar right away.

We used coconut syrup. It is delish. Mmmm Enjoy.

Coconut Syrup

When we went to DC last fall, my cute little sis made me the yummiest breakfast I have ever had. I have been wanting to make this since but for some reason it took until this Sunday for me to finally do it. It was just as good as I remembered. Everyone in the family with the exception of one loved it.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup cool whip
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp coconut extract

Heat all ingredients except coconut extract in a sauce pan.  Bring to a boil.  Let boil 1-2 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in coconut extract. We serve over German Pancakes, or French Toast.   Enjoy.

Exciting News

I have been doing this blog all by my lonesome for some time now.  My first 50 posts were easy enough, but lately I have been struggling to come up with recipes I haven't already done.

I kept thinking it would be fun to do this with my cute little sis.   

Well, she has FINALLY agreed to become part of this with me.  

cheer!!

WAHOO!!

I begged, and begged asked her a few times to join and she thought she didn't really make anything all that special.  That is where she was wrong.  She doesn't think this but I know she is the talent in the family.  She tries things I have never even dared to attempt.  In fact she is going to show me up.  You might think it isn't fair that she gets the looks and the talent but really if Ive come to terms with it YOU should too.

Enough of my rambling,

here is the girl we have all been dying to meet....

My cute baby sister

MAREN

She is married to the love of her life Ryan.

She has been blessed to be a mother to a beautiful little girl Lucy.

She lives in our nations capital.

She enjoys the big city life.

She is preggers with her 2nd child.  Yipee

She is tall, dark, and beautiful.

She is freakishly smart.

She is good at every thing she does.

and she can COOK!

I could go on and on but that would be bragging about my most favorite sister.

I hope you are all as excited as I am.

Now go get your cooking on, and ENJOY