4.23.2013

Spring Turkey




Immediately after this picture Annika screamed.  She mistook Maggie's kiss for the turkey.  
The perfect end to the photo shoot.  



4.22.2013

S'mores Cupcakes

 Can I just share something that I completely fell in love with??


Honestly what's not to love.  It's a s'more in cupcake form.  Uhhhh...yes please!  It made tax day completely do-able.  


A graham cracker crumb base with chocolate pieces melted on top.  Rich and moist chocolate cake topped with graham cracker crumbs.  And marshmallow frosting.  Toasted marshmallow frosting.  


This is the kind of cupcake you make for someone who needs a pick me up.  Like those people who do your taxes.  They need these.

Original recipe here.

4.16.2013

Softball Bars

Tracy's softball bars.  Tracy always made these for weekend softball tournaments.  They may have been the only reason I agreed to go with my best friend to all those things.  They are one of my all-time favorite bars.  Perfect combination of sweet with just a touch of salt from the pretzels.  


They are fairly quick to put together, make a large batch (jellyroll pan anyone?) and they hold up well when taking places.  Did I mention how much I love them??  Ryan actually pulled out the, "If you love them so much, why don't you marry them?"  I guess I had been going on about them for awhile.  And he's a cheese ball, so he says stuff like that.  :)  

Softball Bars
{yields 48 bars}

1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups quick cook oatmeal
1 bag caramel bits
2 Tbsp water
12 oz's M&M's
1 cup crushed pretzels
white almond bark

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter, brown sugar, flour, salt and soda.  Mix in oatmeal. {The mixture should hold together pretty well...not be crumbly.  If it is, keep mixing!}

Spread and press into a jelly roll pan.  Bake for 8-12 minutes.  The crust should just barely begin to change color.  

Over medium heat, combine caramels and water in a saucepan and heat until caramels are completely melted.  Spread over crust.  Sprinkle with M&M's and pretzels.  Melt almond bark and drizzle on top.  

Cool completely, cut and enjoy!



4.11.2013

Double Chocolate Pudding Cookies

There has been a lot of baking going on at our house.  Thankfully most of it has been able to go to Ryan or I's office...or to my physical therapist.  :)



This is one of those go to recipes that never fails and can quickly be changed up to make new flavors.  With my semi-picky eaters, I keep it pretty basic, but changing the pudding and/or chip flavors could result in a slew of new flavors.


Double Chocolate & Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies
{yields 3 dozen cookies}

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup white sugar
1 pkg {3.4 oz} instant chocolate pudding
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
2 1/4 cups flour
1 pkg {12 oz} peanut butter and milk chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream butter, sugars, dry pudding mix and vanilla until well blended.  Add eggs and mix well.  Gradually add in soda and flour and mix until combined.  Stir in chocolate chips.  

Drop by teaspoonful onto un-greased cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.

Bake at 375 for 10 to 12 minutes, or until edges are set.  Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes and then move to wire rack and cool completely.  



4.08.2013

Supper Round Up

After the craziness of a wake and funeral, last minute surgery for the dog and the general craziness that goes along with tax season at a law firm, I think we are settling back into normal.  I even managed to get some meals thought out for the week.

Monday:  meatloaf with potatoes and/or roasted butternut squash
Tuesday:  chalupas {based on this recipe with subs for what's not already in my pantry}
Wednesday:  out for supper...someone has a birthday and she's hoping her family will agree to sushi
Thursday:  spaghetti
Friday:  pizza
Saturday:  we re going to try to get out of town, so we'll see where we are when mealtime rolls around
Sunday:  roast chicken

Have a great week!