Texas Sheet Cake!

Texas Sheet Cake!

Texas Sheet Cake is a classic recipe. It is often mistaken for brownies, but indeed it is very different! Brownies are more most and condensed, whereas cake is more fluffy. You definitely should not pass up this recipe. It is very delicious. I have never been a huge fan of Texas Sheet Cake, but this one changed it all! 

Also, this recipe was actually first made by my mom's good friend, Brand Parcel. My mom liked it so much that she had to ask for the recipe. She made it a few times, and now it's my turn to give it a shot! I just made it today and it's already half eaten. Try it! 

Ingredients for cake

• 2 c. flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 stick butter
• 1/2 c. shortening
• 1 c. water
• 4 tbsp. cocoa

Ingredients for icing

• 1 stick butter
• 4 tbsp. cocoa
• 6 tbsp. buttermilk
• 1 lb. powdered suagr
• 1 c. pecans or walnuts chopped
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and sugar. 
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, and baking soda.
3. In a small saucepan, bring the butter, shortening, water, and cocoa to a boil.
4. After it begins to boil, pour over the flour mixture and mix well.
5. Add in the buttermilk mixture.
6. Grease and flour (I use sugar instead of flour) a sheet pan. 
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
8. As the cake is baking, you will need to mix together the icing because it is put on the cake as they are both warm. So, melt the butter, cocoa, and milk in a saucepan. 
9. Bring it to a boil, stirring constantly. 
10. Remove from heat and mix in the powdered sugar, nuts, and vanilla.
11. Spread on the cake right after it is removed from the oven! Cool and serve.

Cranberry Cupcakes

Cranberry Cupcakes!

These cupcakes are delicious. I was a bit skeptical about trying this recipe, but if you mix the right soda and cake mix together it is heavenly. I also completely changed the recipe, so in my opinion it tastes a lot better. It doesn't taste low calorie, but it is! I made mini cupcakes and each has 51 calories. For Larger cupcakes it would have roughly 100 calories. Either way, that is a really good deal! There is no oil in this recipe, just diet soda and cake mix! If you are wondering why you would ever mix the two....just try it....you won't regret it.

Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix (or really whatever cake mix you would like)
• 10 oz Diet Cranberry Sierra Mix (or whatever diet soda you would like! Or regular soda works too but keep in mind the calorie count will be different.
• 1 egg

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly.
2. Pour into baking cups.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes!

Chocolate Truffles!

Chocolate Truffles! 

This was my first time making truffles, and they turned out better than I expected. I had to share it with you! I didn't believe that this recipe would be easy, but it was. Do not be fooled by the fancy appearance, they are simple. Get creative with the coating that you choose. Try cocoa, granulated sugar, chopped nuts, powdered sugar, or even try dipping it in melted chocolate. I highly recommend this recipe for anyone who wants to try something new. 

Ingredients

• 3/4  c. unsalted Butter
• 3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tbsp. vanilla
• extra cocoa or powdered sugar for coating

Directions

1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan on low heat.
2. Slowly add in the cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth.
3. Add the sweetened condensed milk and stir constantly on medium heat until it has reached a pudding like consistency (about 3-4 minutes)
4. Remove from heat and add the vanilla
5. Cover the pan and place in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours.
6. Remove from refrigerator and roll into 1 inch ball. Roll truffle in desired coating (nuts, cocoa, powdered sugar, etc.)
7. Chill for another 2 hours and serve!

Reese's Peanut Butter Bars!

Reese's Peanut Butter Bars! 

If you love peanut butter, then this recipe is for you! I am going through a peanut butter phase right now, and I think my family is getting pretty sick of it. If you choose to try this, use Peter Pan Peanut butter. It is my absolute favorite. I also love organic peanut butter, but I can't say that I have tried that in this particular recipe. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. melted butter
• 1 c. graham cracker crumbs.
• 1 c. powdered sugar
• 1/2 c. + 2 tbsp. peanut butter
• 3/4 c. chocolate chips (either milk or semi-sweet)

Directions

1. In a medium bowl. mix together the first 3 ingredients plus 1/2 c. peanut butter.
2. Press evenly into an 8x8 square pan.
3. In a separate bowl or on the stove, melt together the remaining peanut butter and the chocolate chips.
4. Spread the melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter mixture evenly.
5. Cool in a fridge or freezer for approximately 1 hour.
6. Cut and serve!