Easter Coconut Confetti Cupcakes

These adorable cupcakes will be perrrfect for your easter dessert table! Fun, spring-y and delicious! They are super easy to make too! Happy Easter!

Easter Coconut Confetti Cupcakes

Shopping List:

1 box Duncan Hines Signature Confetti Cake Mix

1 1/3 C Water

1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

3 lg Eggs

2 sm boxes Cheescake Pudding Mix

Frosting:

1 can Vanilla Frosting

Jellybeans

Coconut Flakes

Green Food Dye

1. Preheat oven to 350 and place cupcake papers in cupcake tins.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil. Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, mix for 2 minutes on medium speed.

3. Divide evenly into cupcake papers. Bake for 18-22 mins. Insert toothpick to check if they are done. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

4. Add a few drops of green food dye to frosting and mix thoroughly. Continue adding drops of food dye until frosting reaches desired shade of green. Frost cupcakes.

5. Decorate with 3 jelly beans in the center of each cupcake. Around the outside, coat with coconut flakes. Enjoy!

I was baking for the girls' track team bake sale 

this weekend, so I have several "sweet treat" recipes coming up. 

Buckle up your sweet tooth!

Pesto Shrimp Pizza

I love shrimp. It's my favorite food. Did I mention I love shrimp?? I also love pesto and pizza. Put that trifecta together and BAM! Check out this awesome recipe!

Pesto Shrimp Pizza

Shopping List:

1 Pillsbury Pizza Crust

(I used the Whole Wheat ones).

2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

3 Tbsp Pesto

4oz Shrimp, small

2 C Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Oregano

1. Preheat oven to 400 and grease cookie sheet.

2. Roll out dough on cookie sheet. Bake for 8 mins. Remove from oven.

3. Brush with EVOO and pesto. Spread shrimp evenly across pizza. Top with mozz cheese and oregano.

4. Bake for an additional 6-10 mins. Enjoy!

Grasshopper Panini

Today is another guest post by my favorite sister, Hannah!! I love this unique panini recipe! Most days I feel like lunch is the hardest meal (most boring meal), but this recipe is quick and easy and definitely something fun and new! Maybe you can make this while you are watching the First Round of the tournament... Let the Madness begin!!!!

Grasshopper Panini

Shopping List:

8 slices Bread

1/2 C Butter, softened

1/4 C Honey Mustard

8 slices Havarti Cheese

4 slices Gouda Cheese

8 slices Applewood Smoked Bacon, fried crisp

1 lg Granny Smith Apple, thinly sliced

1. Butter one side of each bread. On 4 of the slices spread honey mustard (opposite side of the butter).

2. Assemble sandwich: two slices havarti cheese, 2 slices bacon, approx 4 slices apple, 1 slice gouda.

3. Using panini press, cook sandwich - buttered side of bread slices facing out - until slightly browned. 

Enjoy!!

Here is another Sister/Sister photo:

Taco Pie

Taco Pie is another Pinterest inspiration that I tweaked to make it even quicker and easier to make! For those on-the-go nights when you are looking for something fast, but still yummy and healthy, this should be your go-to meal!

Taco Pie

Shopping List:

1 Pillsbury Pie Crust, room temperature

1 lb Lean Ground Beef

(I use 90/10)

1 pkt Taco Seasoning

(I used McCormick's Cheesy Taco Seasoning)

1 1/2 C Shredded Cheddar

2 C Shredded Lettuce

1 C Tomatoes, diced

Optional: 2 Tbsp Taco Bell Creamy Jalepeno Sauce

1. Preheat oven to 400. Grease pie pan. Roll out pie crust in pie pan.

2. Brown ground beef over med-high. Add taco seasoning and 3/4 C water. Simmer for approx 5 mins. This is also where I added the optional Taco Bell sauce.

3. Add ground beef to pie pan. Bake for 10-12 mins until pie crust is baked through.

4. Top with shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, and tomatoes.

5. Cut into pie pieces, serve, and Enjoy!

Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

and

Happy Selection Sunday!!

I have been working on this recipe for quite some time and I am super excited about it! Ohh it is delicious too!! This is coming from someone who isn't even a big alcohol drinker (I bought the stuff for the recipe and then gave the rest of it away, because I probably will never use it! Haha.). This cupcake is extremely rich! I could barely make it through the entire cupcake. A definite "hit" at all of your St. Patty's Day parties!

Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes

Shopping List:

1 box Duncan Hines Devil's Food Cake Mix

2 small boxes Chocolate Pudding Mix

3 lg Eggs

1/3 C  Vegetable Oil

15oz Guinness Stout

Jameson Chocolate Ganache:

4oz Bittersweet Baking Chocolate (70% cocoa), finely chopped

1/2 C Heavy Cream

1 Tbsp Butter, room temperature

3 Tbsp Jameson Irish Whiskey

Bailey's Buttercream Frosting:

1 C (2 sticks) Butter, room temperature

3 C Powdered Sugar, sifted

2 Tsp Vanilla

4 Tbsp Bailey's Irish Creme

Green Sprinkles

1. Preheat oven to 350. Place cupcake papers in cupcake tins.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mixes, eggs, oil, and Guinness. Blend on med-high for 2 mins. Pour batter into cupcake papers. Bake 18-21 mins. Allow to cool completely.

3. In a medium bowl, place bittersweet chocolate and 1 Tbsp butter. In a medium sauce pan, bring heavy cream to a boil. Remove immediately and pour over chocolate and butter. Do not touch for 2 mins. After 2 mins, stir until smoothy and glossy. Add whiskey and stir until completely blended. Put ganache in refrigerator for 5 mins before icing cupcakes.

4. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 C butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Cream on med-high for 2-4 mins. Add Bailey's Irish cream. Cream for another minute. Put buttercream frosting in a piping bag and pipe onto cupcakes.

5. Finish with green sprinkles. Enjoy these "magically delicious" treats!

For other St. Patrick's Day treats, see below:

Leprechaun Popcorn

Leprechaun Munch

Top O' the Morning to Ya!

Chicken, Asparagus and Parmesan Spaghetti

Dinner tonight! This is an awesome and heatlhy meal. Thanks Kara, Jake, and Matt for being the taste-testers!!

Chicken, Asparagus and Parmesan Spaghetti

Shopping List:

1 box Angel Hair Pasta

1 bunch of Asparagus

2 C Baby Tomatoes, diced

1 1/2 lb Chicken Breasts

1/3 C EVOO, plus 2 Tbsp

2 Tbsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

2 Tbsp Oregano

2 Tbsp Minced Garlic

1 C Grated Parmesan Cheese

1. Prepare pasta, according to box directions. Drain. Add 1/3 C EVOO, crushed red pepper flakes, and oregano. Mix well.

2. Chop asparagus into one inch slices, steam until tender. Drain. Set aside.

3. Slice chicken into small pieces. In large sauté pan, add sliced chicken and 2 Tbsp EVOO. Cook over med-high heat until no longer pink (approx 8 mins). Add tomatoes and garlic. Simmer for another 5-7 mins.

4. Add asparagus, chicken, and tomatoes to pasta. Mix well. Mix in parmesan cheese. Serve and Enjoy!

Leprechaun Munch

We were featured!!!

This week was exciting for me as our Butterscotch Scone recipe
was featured on http://www.chef-in-training.com/. Pretty cool!

We are 2 days away from St. Patty's Day and so of course my mind is in "holiday recipe" mode. I was also trying figure out something I could take to a movie night tonight with some of our Young Life friends. Here's what I came up with. Its delicious salty sweet!! I dare you to eat just one handful...

Leprechaun Munch

Shopping List:

(Use your creativity here! 

That's the great thing about trail mix, 

if you don't like, leave it out. 

If you really like it, add more. 

If you want to sub in something else, DO IT!!)

Salted Peanuts

Mini Pretzels

Caramel Popcorn

Green M&M's

(I had to pick them out of a regular large sized bag. 

If you find holiday ones that are green, let me know!!)

Lucky Charms, Just the Marshmallows

(Again, I had to pick them out of the bag.)

Wasabi Peas

(WARNING: These are Very HOTT! Kids will not like them. 

I just liked them because they added more green!)

I am not putting amounts on here because making trail mix is more of an art than a science. Just start adding a little of each at a time until you reach a ratio you like. Enjoy!

Chai Chocolate Chip Scones

Today is the Monday after Daylight Savings... like I'm sure many of you did, I had to stop by Starbucks today to grab a Venti coffee!! Boy, was I dragging!! #thestruggle haha! Speaking of coffee, here are some awesome scones to go with the freshly brewed Cup-o-Joe! Or maybe with your tea, if you are being properly British!

Chai Chocolate Chip Scones

Shopping List:

3/4 C Cold Heavy Cream

1 lg Egg

2 C Flour

3/4 C Sugar

2 Tsp Baking Powder

1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/2 Tsp Salt

2 Tbsp Loose Leaf Chai Tea

(Mine of course is from Borough Market in London :)

5 Tbsp Cold Butter

3/4 C Chocolate Chips

1 Tbsp Superfine Sugar

Method (British word for Recipe):

1. In a small bowl, whisk together cream and egg. Set aside.

2. In  a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, chai mix, and baking powder.

3. Cut in butter using  a pastry blender until mixture looks like coarse meal. 

4. Stir in cream/egg mixture with a wooden spoon.

5. Stir in chocolate chips.

6. Continue to stir just until dough comes together — it will be crumbly!

7. Put dough on to a parchment lined baking sheet. (Note: Parchment paper and wax paper ARE NOT THE SAME. I learned this the hard way! Wax paper should not be put in the oven. Parchment paper can be put in the oven).

8. Pat out in to a disc on the cookie sheet. 

9. Brush 1 Tablespoon of cream on to the dough and sprinkle sanding sugar on top.

10. Cut disc in to 8 triangles. 

11. Bake at 400 degrees for 16-18 minutes or longer. The trick is to bake it long enough that the middle isn't too doughy, but the outsides are not browned or burned.

Look on the bright side today! 

Spring is coming!

And you can enjoy these awesome scones with a cup of tea while watching 

The Bachelor Finale tonight!! 

Photo Credit: www.eonline.com

Who are you rooting for? 

Catherine or Lindsay?

Cabbage & Ramen Noodle Salad

I am excited to share a recipe from my Mom today! If you read the side column of my blog, you know she is my biggest cooking inspiration - and inspiration in general. This tasty salad is always a big hit at get togethers!! It's just got the perfect amount of crunch!

Cabbage & Ramen Noodle Salad

Shopping List:

2 bags Shredded Cole Slaw

1 bunch Green Onions, diced

2 pkts Ramen Noodles

1 C Toasted Almonds

(You can either buy almond slivers 

and toast them, or purchased the ones 

that are already toasted - in the aisle 

with the salad toppings)

Dressing:

2 Tbsp Soy Sauce

1/2 C Olive Oil

1/2 C Apple Cider Vinegar

1 C Sugar

1. In a large salad bowl, combine cole slaw, and green onions.

2. Crunch up ramen noodles in packets BEFORE opening them. Remove ramen seasoning (you will not use the seasoning packet in this recipe).

3. In a jar with a lid combine soy sauce, olive oil, cider vinegar, and sugar. Shake well.

4. When you are ready to serve, add ramen noodles and almonds to salad, mix well. Drizzle with dressing. Enjoy!

The Master Chef and I! (and the other one)

Oreo Cupcakes

The name of the recipe really does all the talking necessary... What else can you say about Oreo Cupcakes?! You just know its going to be awesome!! And the light, fluffy "cake" of the cupcake works well with the rich, chocolately, oreo-y flavors!! Guaranteed to become a go-to recipe for you!

Oreo Cupcakes

Shopping List:

1 box Chocolate Cake Mix

(I used Duncan Hines Classic 

Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix)

1 box Oreo Jello Pudding Cookies n' Cream Mix

3 lg Eggs

1 C Water

1/3 C Vegetable Oil

Frosting:

1 can Vanilla Frosting

(I used Duncan Hines Creamy Home-style 

Classic Vanilla Frosting)

10-15 Oreos

1. Preheat oven to 350 and place cupcake papers in cupcake tins.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil. Using a stand mixer or a hand mixer, mix for 2 minutes on medium speed.

3. Divide evenly into cupcake papers. Bake for 18-22 mins. Insert toothpick to check if they are done. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

4. Frost with vanilla frosting.

5. Place oreos in a ziploc bag, seal bag, and crush oreos. Add some crushed oreo topping to each cupcake. Enjoy!

Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound Cake (Copycat)

So I've missed a few days... This week has been crazy busy, but that's life! I'm excited to say though, that today is our SECOND guest post from none other than my sister!! I hoping this is her first of many!! She has some great recipes which I steal from time to time, including the very first recipe posted on this blog - see here: Meat and Veggie Stromboli. Hannah (Face) and I both love Starbucks, so I wasn't surprised when she chose a copycat recipe of something from the Starbucks bakery. This yummy snack/dessert is sooo good, and therefore I must say... WARNING: It is extremely difficult to eat just one piece!! Thanks Face, for sharing this recipe!

Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound Cake (Copycat)

Shopping List:

1 box Yellow Cake Mix

1 box Instant Lemon Yellow Pudding Mix

1/2 C Vegetable Oil

4 lg Eggs

1/2 C Skim Milk

8oz Sour Cream

6 Tbsp Lemon Juice

Icing:

2 1/2 C Powdered Sugar

3-4 Tbsp Lemon Juice

1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease two loaf pans.

2. Combine cake mix, pudding mix, oil, eggs, milk, and sour cream in a mixing bowl. Using blender, beat until ingredients are well combined for 1-1 1/2 mins.

3. Divide batter evenly between two loaf pans.

4. Bake 45-55 mins until slightly browned. Insert toothpick to make sure loafs are done.

5. Remove and let cool for 15 mins before removing from loaf pans.

6. To make icing, combine powdered sugar and lemon juice in a mixing bowl. Mix until smooth and thick. Drizzle over over loafs, and let sit for 20 mins until icing is firm. Slice and serve. Enjoy!

This might be one of my favorite recipes! 

I'm so grateful to my sister for sharing!

Thanks Face!

Hannah spent a semester in London,
and I visited her while she was there... this was how we both
fell in love with the city!!  Here are a few photos from the trip
to show one interest we both have in common,
and to share a little of our relationship with you.

 Windsor Castle

St. James Park

(this bird was just sitting there!!)

Horse Guards Parade, next to 10 Downing St.

This is a little inside joke for Face from a double decker bus...

Good day!