CUPCAKES!!!!

Okay so I went all out for our family bday party this weekend...I made (from the top) Chocolate Peanut Butter cupcake, Peanut M&M Cupcake, and last but certainly not least, Cherry Cheesecake cupcake....They are the easiest things in the world!!!! Just choose your cake mix and start inventing!!! And then slap on your frosting and add your favorite toppings!! ENJOY!!!

Shrimp Fettucini Alfredo

Shrimp Fettucini Alfredo

Alright pasta lovers..Shrimp Lovers....This is the best of both worlds and its fast, easy and delicious!!! You will need a few things:

Uncooked shrimp

Fettucini Noodles

Alfredo Sauce

Garlic Toast

Okay so I had never cooked shrimp previously but apparently I did a bang up job cooking this one!!!! So in a med skillet melt 1/4c. butter, 1Tbsp. Garlic powder, 1Tbsp Onion powder, 1Tbsp. Parsley flakes. Place your uncooked shrimp into your little mix of seasoning in the pan, and cook until they are a nice color...Meanwhile, make your fettucini noodles and I just use premade alfredo sauce and add 3/4 jar milk, and a dash of salt and pepper. I also purchased texas toast and grated cheese on top and cooked at 425 degrees for 7 minutes. When everything is done, spoon out your noodles onto your plate, put alfredo sauce on top and place your delicious shrimp on top of that, and for an added taste, I also sprinkled parmasan cheese ontop of it all...and YUM!!! Enjoy your freaking amazing dinner...and leave me some comments..they are ALWAYS welcome!!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!! HERE'S A TREAT THATS SURE TO WIN YOU SOME "BROWNIE" POINTS

Who wouldn't LOVE you for making them some delicious heart shaped brownies covered in fudge and sprinkles??? Well I sure don't know anyone!!!

This is soooo easy, it only took about an hour for the entire process...you only need a few simple things..
2 fudge brownie mixes
1 container chocolate frosting
pink and red sprinkles
some cute little lips and heart candies

So make the brownies as directed except I put mine in an oversized cookie sheet lined with greased aluminum foil. cool, and let cool. When they are cooled, flip over the brownies and peel off aluminum foil. Take a heart shaped cookie cutter and cut the brownies, frost and decorate....AND ENJOY!!!!

Pizza Pockets

Who doesn't like pizza?? I have never met anyone who at some point doesn't get that pizza urge..so because of the fact that pizza is expensive and sometimes we just want to be creative and brag about the yummy things we are able to make!!! So here are some freaking AMAZING homemade pizza pockets...So for the ingredients you will need:
Biscuit dough
Pepperoni
Grated Cheese
Spaghetti Sauce

You will want to just follow the directions on the biscuits on how to bake these puppies...So first thing is first, I used regular biscuits but you can use croissant rolls as well. And as a side note...Grands Honey Butter biscuits are the only way to go here...I used both buttermilk and the honey butter, and seriously I don't think that I will ever use another kind of biscuit, it adds such an amazing flavor to these pizza rollups..So just roll out each biscuit with a rolling pin sprayed with a little oil spray, put 1 tsp. of spaghetti sauce in the middle of each rolled out biscuit, add your desired toppings, (I used 1 Tbsp. grated cheese, and 1 pepperoni piece) You don't want to over do it with the toppings or the sauce inside or they will blow up in the oven...so you will fold the biscuit kind of like you would a burrito, folding in each side before sealing all the edges together. Bake for at least 15 minutes, I did 17 just so that the middle of the dough would get done...and ENJOY I am so serious that these are the absolute best pizza anything you could possibly imagine!!! And the honey butter grands rolls make these mouth watering...So please ask questions if you have any, and comments are ALWAYS welcome!!!!

Cheesy BBQ Burgers and Homemade Fries

Okay so I had to post about these burgers that I made. Theres only a few simple ingredients that you need:
1 Lb. Hamburger
1/4 C. Honey BBQ Sauce
1/4 C. Grated Cheese

So put the hamburger, bbq sauce and cheese all in a bowl and mix it together until its all nice and blended. I used pretty lean hamburger and so the patties were not as held together as I would have liked..But the taste of these are amazing!!! In a med skillet cook burgers to your liking...and no matter what they will be juicy!!!



Homemade french fries

So fries are pretty much common sense...I took potatoes, and how I measure the amount I need is I take a large potato for each person..and I cut it up!!! So slice them into long thin slices...Meanwhile I have oil in a saucepan on medium heat..then you just fry them...I like them to be a golden brown because then they are the perfect consistency..and I promise this meal is the most fulfilling you will have!! The hamburgers are sooooo juicy, and the flavor of the bbq sauce and cheese is just sooo good..And the french fries of course is a necessity for hamburgers, so why not make them yourself!!! Well please if you have any questions let me know....and comments are ALWAYS welcome!!!

Lemon Meringue Cream Cake With Fresh Strawberries

Okay so I am WAY proud of this dessert. I decided to make my mother-in-law an inventive cake, and this is how it went. Its pretty easy, but it is time consuming, and you have to be patient with a few things. But the outcome is beautiful, and tastes like a tropical island in your mouth!!!! So there are a few things you need.
-Lemon Cake Mix
-Mayonaisse
-1 sm. pkg instant lemon pudding
-Eggs
-2 8oz. Pkg. Cream Cheese
-Powdered Sugar
-Vanilla
-Granulated Sugar
-Fresh Strawberries

Cake:
Just follow the lemon cake mix directions but add the pkg. of lemon instant pudding, and 2 Tbsp. Mayonaisse. I know it sounds gross but it makes the most moist cake you have ever tasted in your life. Just try to remember not to lick the bowl...cuz it doesnt taste very good. So I made mine in 2 9in. Round baking pans. While they are cooking, mix up the cream cheese frosting:

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar. Store in the refrigerator after use.

When the cake is cooled, I spooned the cream cheese frosting onto the bottom layer, and topped with fresh sliced strawberries.

I added more frosting on top of the fresh strawberries and sort of layered it. Then you add the top cake layer. I spread a the rest of the cream cheese frosting over top the cake, but very thin...DON'T PUT TOO MUCH..use most if not all in the middle. Then for the fun and patient part. MERINGUE!!!! Ohh yessss...I then take 4 egg whites, and 1C. sugar...beat the egg whites until they are very bubbly and almost tripled in size in the bowl...When they are ready, start adding sugar, about 1 Tbsp. at a time, if you add too much at a time, it becomes too heavy and you will end up with runny meringue. Beat the heck out of it and when you have added all the sugar, beat it some more!!! When stiff peaks have formed..cover your cake, make sure to put more on the top of the cake. I like to make pretty little swirls on the top of mine. And put in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes. You will need to keep an eye on it, I made the mistake of using too much of the cream cheese frosting on the outside of the cake, and ended up bleeding through the meringue, but it was a lesson learned. And this is the outcome..

The taste of this cake is out of this world!!! And perfect for those who don't like too much sweetness to their desserts. Its very good...If you have any questions let me know...Comments are always welcome!!!!

Lemon Meringue Cookie Bars

Lemon Meringue Cookie Bars..

These are soooooooo good, like I can't quite express how good these are. You are going to want to eat the entire pan once you have just a little taste. So there are just a few things you need. 1 pgk sugar cookie mix, 1 small box jell-o cook and serve lemon pie filling. Prepare sugar cookie dough, grease a 13x9 inch baking pan and bake cookies as instructed. It said 9-12 minutes, but I put them in for about 15 minutes, so that the middle gets done. While your bars are cooking, make your lemon pie filling as instructed, and set egg whites aside for meringue topping. Once the bars are done, and the lemon filling is done, spread it over top the bars. While thats cooling somewhat, start making your meringue, I always add 2 more egg whites and I use 1 c. sugar. make meringue and spread over top the lemon pie filling. Make pretty little peakes on top, and put in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or longer depending on how dark you want your meringue. Let cool, and serve. ITS THAT EASY!!! It is so freaking good, my mouth is watering as I type this. So if you have any questions let me know, and Comments are ALWAYS welcome!!!

Maple Sausage Chili

Maple Sausage Chili

This is soooo EASY and soooo GOOD!!! So you only need a few things to make this chili,

1LB Pkg. Maple Sausage

3 Cans chili

3 Cans Chili Beans

2 C. Grated Cheese

Brown Maple Sausage in Med-High skillet. While thats cooking, in a slow cooker, add the chili and chili beans, when sausage is done cooking, dump it in..grease and all!!! I know that sounds gross, but theres very little grease in sausage and the maple flavoring makes this chili sooo amazing!!! I Sprinkle 1 3/4C. grated cheese over top and let cook for about 1 1/2 hours. When its nice and bubbly...spoon into individual servings, and sprinkle some of the left over cheese on top with a dollop of sour cream...and you have the best chili of all time!!! I like to make corn bread with my chili just because chili is not complete without corn bread. I use Jiffy brand corn bread mix because its super easy and about 45 cents per box which definately helps. Well ENJOY your dinner...and if you have any questions just let me know..and comments are ALWAYS welcome!!!!

White Chocolate Raspberry Clusters

These clusters are just as easy as the ones below, EXCEPT they are like a million times more delicous if you like white chocolate and raspberry..which WHO DOESN'T???

So you will need:
12oz Bag White Chocolate Chips
2TBSP Raspberry Jam
1/2 c. Mini Marshmallows
3/4 c. Crushed Pecans

In double broiler, melt chocolate chips, once completely melted add jam, marshmallows, and pecans. Stir until all marshmallows are covered, and the jam is well blended. Drop teaspoons of the prepared mix onto wax paper. Let cool until firm. And ENJOY!!! I promise you...you will get MANY requests for this one..All Questions and Comments are allowed!!!

Chocolate Marshmallow Clusters

Chocolate Marshmallow Clusters:
These little goodies are always a hit!! They are the easiest candy to make of all time!!!
All you need is a few delicious ingredients:
12 oz bag Milk Chocolate chips
2 C.Miniature Marshmallows
1 1/2 C.Pecans

In a double broiler, melt chocolate chips...once melted, add marshmallows, and pecans. Stir until smooth and all marshmallows are covered with chocolate. Place on wax paper by the teaspoon full. Let cool and set. Once they are set...DIVE IN!!! These are seriously soooo good, and I have used alot of different variations with this recipe...White chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Butterscotch, Bavarian Mint marshmallow..All of these are the same process as above..and all of these will make you very popular!!!

Fried Garlic Cheese Bread

Okay so it sounds weird, but I promise that once you make this toast..you are never going to want anything else...EVER!!! You will think about this toast every single day haha...At least I do!!! So you just need a few basic things..
Sliced Bread
Grated Cheese
Garlic Powder
Butter Spread

Heat your skillet to a med-low heat, I grease the pan with olive oil..so that the fact that I am eating fried cheese bread doesn't seem as bad as it it..Butter one side of the toast with an ample amount of butter spread..sprinkle a little garlic powder on the butter, and take a handful of grated cheese and stick it to the butter...I use quite a bit just so its that much better....Then quickly slap the piece of toast..cheese down into your heated skillet, and let cook for about 7 minutes. Let the cheese get crisp on the bottom...when its a nice golden color and not gooey then its done...and of course its best to eat these while they are hot...You can serve these with a slice of the home made pizza below...Good Luck!!! And questions and comments are always welcome.!!!

HomeStyle Pizza

This pizza is one that my mom taught me how to make when I was 8 years old. I absolutely LOVE it!!! I have changed a few things about it...but only because I find it difficult to follow directions exactly when it comes to recipes. I like to liven things up a bit. So some of the items you will need..(depending on your favorite toppings):

2 boxes jiffy pizza crust
1/2 brick of cheese grated, or two small bags. (Yes I absolutely have to have an obscene amount of cheese on my pizza)
1 can of large pitted olives chopped
1 regular jar ragu or any other spaghetti sauce

Now remember you can add as many or as little toppings to this pizza...its your imagination that makes this a fantastic meal. Preheat oven to 425 degrees, I like to use an oversized cookie sheet with sides, but you can also use 13x9 pan and the crust will be a little thicker. So you bake for 18-25 minutes..(just follow directions on the crust) when its done the crust is a little thick, so I always cut a bit in the middle to make sure its nice and done. And because of all the cheese, this pizza is gooey and delicious when you cut into it....and I serve right out of the oven...If you have any questions or comments please feel free to post...I love feedback!!! And I will follow with an amazing grilled cheese garlic bread that goes perfectly with this pizza.

Feta Croissant Rolls

Feta Croissant Rolls:

Okay so this is one of the easiest recipes EVER!!! When making these, I like to use garlic flavored feta cheese crumbles, it gives a fantastic extra BANG of flavor!!! So Basically all you need is 3 pkg. Croissant rolls, 1/4 c. butter melted, 2 containers Garlic Feta Cheese. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease your cookie sheet and roll out your croissant dough peices, brush on a little melted butter on the inside of the croissant, and sprinkle a small fingerful of the garlic feta cheese (about 1TBSP), and roll up. Make sure to pinch the end when the croissant is rolled up, and brush on a little more melted butter. Place about 1 inch apart on cookie sheet, and bake 9-13 mins. I like to go around 9-10 minutes so that they are softer (But not gooey YUCK!!) So that's it, its so simple..and nobody will ever know that you didn't slave for ever over these little darlings. They are best served warm. If you have any questions please let me know...and comments are always welcome of course!!!

2010 Truffles.

Eggnog Truffles

 White Chocolate Raspberry












Chocolate Peanut Butter


Every year for christmas I make homemade truffles, and every year I try to spice up the flavors a bit so that its not the same ole' thing. Well this year I brought back a family favorite which is my Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle with a graham cracker garnish. I tried 2 new flavors this year and they turned out FANTASTIC!!! Eggnog, which was fairly easy..dipped in white chocolate, and White Chocolate Raspberry Which was truly AMAZING..it was sooooo good, and by far my favorite. If you have any questions let me know!!! Ohh and I would share my truffle recipes, but they are pretty much the only ones you won't see on here. (They are my specialty and its sort of a secret)

Smash Cake

Smash Cake!!!

I made these cute little confections for a sweet little 1 year old. It was very exciting to get to make such a cute cake. I did the zebra stripe design that you see everywhere nowdays. I just added a little more flair to mine than what I have seen. So the process was very simple. All you do is pick out the colors that you want on your cake, and dye the right amount of fondant, make sure when you are kneading your fondant that when you have done it for 10 minutes and you feel like you can't possibly do anymore, do it for another 10 minutes!!! If you don't knead your fondant, when you place it over the cake you will get little tears, or stretches. I have had to learn this too many times, the hard way!!!! Anyway..for the cupcakes, because fondant isn't the most delicous tasting frosting, I filled the vanilla cupcakes with vanilla whipped frosting, just to give it a little sweeter taste. Well I hope you like the pics, if you ever have any questions for me, just drop a comment.

COOKIES!!!

Okay so it has been FOREVER since I have posted anything, it was a crazy 2010 to say the least. So I have been cooking up a storm, and I have decided to post EVERYTHING that I cook. My idol in the cooking department is Paula Deen for many reasons, but I thought it would be fun to post some of her awesome recipes on here after I attempt to cook them of course. So let me tell you a little bit about how I do things in my kitchen. I have a very hard time following recipes, and for the most part, I make up pretty much everything that I make. I love being creative, and these cookies is just one of the many things that I make BETTER than they were intended to be.

The Ultimate Cookie:

3/4 C. Butter

3/4 C. Granulated Sugar

3/4 C. Brown Sugar

2 Large Eggs

1 1/2 tsp Vanilla

2 1/4 C. plus 2 Tbsp. All-Purpose Flour

1 tsp. Baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt

1(12oz)Bag Milk Chocolate Chips

8oz. White Chocolate Chips

1 1/2 C. Coconut.

In electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, beating well until blended. Combine flour, bakind soda, and salt in a small mixing bowl; Gradually add to butter mixture, beating well. Stir in all of your delicious chocolate chips and coconut. Drop by the spoonfuls onto a lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes, or until desired doneness. I took mine out at 10 min. The bottom and the edges of the cookie will brown well, but the middle won't overdue, so you have the best of both worlds, all in one cookie. Cool for about 1 minute until taking them off the cookie sheet, so they won't fall apart when serving. And ENJOY!!! Don't think about the calories of this one...Just enjoy some Sweetz every once in a while.