Boston Cream Pies: Cheater's Choice

I was looking through my cupcake book the other day and decided that I wanted to try out making cupcake style Boston Cream Pie. I soon figured out that I didn't have enough time to make everything from scratch so I figured out my own cheater's way of doing it. So simple and satisfying.

Bostom Cream Pies: Cheater's Choice
1 box vanilla cake mix
1 box vanilla instant pudding
6 oz chocolate chip pieces

Prepare cake mix into 24 cupcakes
Prepare vanilla instant pudding
After cupcakes are cooled, cut in half with serrated knife
Spoon 1 Tbsp pudding onto each bottom half
Top with top half of cupcake
Melt chocolate chips and spoon onto top of cupcakes
Chill

See...simple!

Cowboy Cookies

My friend, Leslie, first introduced me to these at her son's birthday party (I believe her neighbor, Amber, made them). I won't admit to how many I ate that day. I finally snagged the recipe from her and got around to making them today.  I don't know why they're called Cowboy Cookies, but saddle up, baby, because your taste buds are in for a ride!

Cowboy Cookies
1 cup shortening (recommended: Crisco)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla 
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups rolled oats
1 (6-ounce) package chocolate chips
 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
 
Add all wet ingredients first and then sift in dry ingredients.   Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

*Amber says the secret to these is to mix everything by hand.

Citrus Splash

Hot this Summer? Cool yourself down with a simple Splash of Citrus. 

Citrus Splash
Mandarine oranges
Pineapple tidbits
Vanilla yogurt

Pour vanilla yogurt in bottom of glass
Layer with mandarine oranges
Then pineapple
Repeat

Oreo Mud Cake

I created this simple treat straight from my own little brain (doesn't happen all that often).  Once, when I was still living in Hawaii, I made a vanilla-banana-butterfinger cake (I should make that again!) for a friend's birthday.  Everyone was a bit weary to try it at first but it ended up being really good.  This reminds me of that- just a few simple things thrown together.  Makes a simple, delicious, cool Summer treat.

Oreo Mud Cake

1 box chocolate-fudge cake mix

1 box chocolate instant pudding

1 12 oz tub whipped topping

2 sleeves Oreo cookies

Bake cake mix as directed.  Cool.  Cut into small cubes.

Prepare chocolate pudding as directed.

Crush Oreo cookies.

Generously scatter cake cubes in bottom of 9x13 pan

Cover cubes with chocolate pudding

Layer whipped topping on top of pudding

Top with crumbled Oreo cookies

Chill in refrigerator until serving.

Peanut Butter Squares

These homemade Peanut Butter Squares have been a family favorite for as long as I can remember. I don't really even know where the recipe came from, but it's always been around.  It's quick, easy, and super addicting.  Use caution; you'll want to eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Homemade Peanut Butter Squares
1 package + 2 whole crackers from another package of graham cracker crumbs crushed
2 cubes margarine melted
1 cup peanut butter
1 box powdered sugar
6 oz chocolate chips

Combine crushed graham crackers, margarine and peanut butter
And powdered sugar
Press in 9x13 pan
Melt chocolate chips and pour over peanut butter mixture
Cool in fridge

A Very Berry Birthday

This morning we had my daughter's "friend" birthday party. She opted for the Strawberry Shortcake theme again and I was pleased to find cupcake toppers that fit the bill!

These cupcakes were made from scratch and are vanilla very berry.  Inside you'll bite into a sweet mix of strawberries, rasberries and bluberries.  After baking a homemade jelly type sauce is piped into the middle and then covered with creamy butter frosting.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Rainbow Jello Slices

Apparently I have a fetish for fun foods.  I saw these on pinterest and had to try them.  Good thing I had a birthday party to use them at.  These were so much fun! They are just a tad time consuming to make (if you make 6 different colors) but well worth it for the kids.

All have you have to do is:

1.  Cut oranges in half

2.  Remove fruit down to the peel

3.  Fill with jello

4.  Let set as jello recipe calls for

5.  Slice into normal size orange slices

The kids LOVE to eat them.