Archive for June, 2012

June 28th, 2012

Throwback Thursday – Almond Joys and Cake Batter Truffles!

It’s that time again…

This is one of my favorite recipes. Probably because it involves coconut. Definitely because it involves coconut.

P.s. If you’re into Photoshop, I found on this really neat site with tons of free photoshop actions, which I found on Pinterest (wherelse!?).

The photo above is using one of the Polaroid actions.

Anyways, moving onto coconut bars topped with walnuts, all enrobed in creamy chocolate shell. I should just keep a batch in my fridge or freezer. If these were made with almonds, they would taste like Almond Joys (my favorite candy bar!), only better. Recipe can be found HERE.

Aaand, the featured blogger this week is: Willow Bird Baking. While I don’t know Julie personally, she is a sweetheart. She is such an inspiration, has beautiful writing and a blog filled with amazing recipes. If you’ve never visited her site, please do, you will soon be adding Willow Bird Baking to your favorites bar.

Who doesn’t love cake batter alone, yet dipped in chocolate. These are not your traditional cake bites…they are (safe to eat) cake batter, rolled into balls and dipped in CandiQuik. Check out her recipe HERE.

 

Enjoy!

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June 27th, 2012

Easy S’more Pops – 2 Ways

Are you ready for the easiest treat ever!?

No oven, no thinking, nada.

Your two year old and you could knock these out.

And I have two versions for you!

Pretzels or lollipop sticks.  Which one do you prefer? I’m a lollipop girl myself, but there’s definitely a benefit to the pretzels: the whole dang thing is edible.

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June 21st, 2012

Throwback Thursday – Homemade Butterfingers and Key Lime Pie Cups!





1. Throwback [throh-bak]


A sudden reminder of the past. This can be brought about by hearing a


song from high school, seeing an ex, etc. Similar to a flashback.


Mid-Century swimsuits. Retro bra tops. Zigzag and chevron everything. Cropped tops. Plastic/Vinyl shoes (remember jellies!?), throwback sports jerseys…even sodas now(!)…the list goes on. Some things shouldn’t come back. But they do. Whatever I’m about to show you, deserves to be seen, again.


Every Thursday I will have a post named “Throwback Thursday”. Had you figured this much?


Here I will share a slightly older recipe from this blog AND a recipe (using CandiQuik) from a blog of my choice.


Feel free to throw any suggestions my way if you wish to be the featured blogger.


I thought this would be a fun way to bring back some great recipes that you may have missed (unless you are my mom, she’s seen them all). Not to mention, show some of the fabulous ideas that others have come up with!




Any of you remember these?


No excuse not to make these, you may even have all the ingredients in your cupboard… Homemade Butterfinger Candy Bars


And…


The featured blogger today is Kristan over at Confessions of a Cookbook Queen. Check out these amazing Chocolate Key Lime Pie Cups!




I think I need these right now…they sound awesome for summer (or really any day) and easy to make. Plus, Kristan is hilarious. Check it out.


I hope you enjoy these recipes!


 


 

                

                
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June 19th, 2012

                
Pinocchio Cake Pops!

                                 

                    


Isn’t he just so dang cute?! I love his facial expressions.


Do young kids even know who Pinocchio is? I sure hope so, otherwise this is going to be a total fail.


These would be adorable to have at a birthday party. In fact, I’m going to make sure my kids see every classic Disney movie. Have to keep them educated, you know (partially joking)?!


My poor kids. Speaking of kids, or lack thereof, I’ve updated my “about me” page. Check it out if you’re as nosy as I am.


My inspiration for these pops came from a pencil sharpener. Yes, a pencil sharpener. The pencil becomes Pinocchio’s nose while the sharpener is his head. Totally not as cute as these cake pops.


If you’ve never made cake balls/pops/truffles/etc…visit this recipe and tutorial.


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June 13th, 2012

                
Personal Vanilla Berry Cream Pies

                                 

                    


Ok, maybe these aren’t sooo “personal” sized. Instead, you could grab 2 spoons and share - or not. They’re actually not all that much more than a large piece of pie.


You know what, you could probably even freeze these and pull out whenever the time is right. Or bring them to work! Hey, you have to be prepared for Mondays, mid-afternoons, and certain coworkers. What I’m saying is that these are (capital d)angerous…


I’ve been seeing more and more of these mason jars around - & they are being filled with all sorts of goodness. For example – just take a look at these little cheesecakes in a jar. Or Bakerella’s – YUM, or how about this one I found on pinterest. Swoon.


So go ahead, make these in advance, pull out when needed. What’s not to love?!


I used my super easy, no bake recipe for vanilla cream pie. Then I layered it with fresh strawberries and plump bluberries.


And the crust? No bake as well – I found myself digging all the way to the bottom to get a little bit of crust in each bite.


Next time – double crusting it. Yep, go ahead – add another layer of the graham crust in the middle! Genius.


Hindsight is always 20/20…


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Category4th of July, Cakes, Cheesecakes & Pies, Memorial Day, Mother's Day, Recipes, Valentine's Day, Weddings |   Comment14 Comments »
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June 11th, 2012

                
7-Layers of Heaven…Bars (Gluten Free)

                                 

                    
 




Sweetened condensed milk – this stuff is amazing. In coffee, in cakes (mmm, tres leches) and in these bars, never disappoints.


Coconut – toasted coconut, or really any form of coconut, I’m in love.


5 other layers of creamy, crunchy, sweet goodness – who wouldn’t love these bars!?


These bars will definitely impress and they pack a fairly rich taste. Friends who are on a gluten free diet will worship you for making these.


Here’s how I like to eat them….Step 1: cut a little tiny square off (because that’s ALL I will have). 2. Think to myself “man, that was really good, lemme just cut another little square…then I’m done”. Repeat step 1.


You have to keep these bars away from me. I apparently have no self control with certain desserts…ugh.


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June 1st, 2012

                
Peanut Butter & Jam (filled) Cake Pops (shh, there’s greek yogurt involved)

                                 

                    


Can I tell you the truth about my relationship with peanut butter!? I love peanut butter on apples. However, I’m not the biggest fan of peanut butter cookies (I know, I’m crazy). Plus, I’m totally picky about the brand of peanut butter I use - if it’s with apples, has to be Mara Natha. But please, if you make these, use Skippy. It’s just sooo peanut-buttery and has a strong enough punch of flavor for this cake, am I making sense?! Also, use jam or preserves (please), not jelly preferably.


I have had this vision of peanut butter cake bites filled with raspberry jam for quite some time. I finally fulfilled my vision and it exceeded my expectations, by far!


It is not only a great back to school treat for the kiddos, but I could scarf down more than my share of these.


I will forewarn you though: the aroma of this creamy, peanut buttery goodness seeping out of your kitchen will have you picking at this cake before it is in cake pop form. For your own sanity, you may as well cut a fresh piece to nibble on while transforming the rest into pops. The cake tastes similar to a peanut butter cookie, but 10x better in my opinion. It is a dense, smooth, moist and creamy cake that melts in your mouth.


This peanut butter recipe (originally for cupcakes) was a version created by Martha Stewart. I used the {slightly} adapted version by Brown Eyed Baker and then I ever so slightly adapted it, again. My secret ingredient? Greek yogurt. I was just being health conscious, substituting naughty stuff for good stuff.


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