Cake!

Did some baking this weekend!

I had a special project this weekend. I had my mom help me because she used to decorate cakes. I did the baking, she did the decorating. I really need her to teach me the ropes....

Snickerdoodles!

Snickerdoodles--A classic.

Snickerdoodles will always be a classic recipe. I'm not a big fan of crunchy, rock-hard cookies. That's why I love these Snickerdoodles. They are light and chewy, just like every cookie should be. One cookie is the perfect amount of sugary sweetness to get you through the afternoon. If it's been a rough day, then go ahead and take another. They are a great comfort food, so I'm sharing this recipe to keep your spirits high!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened at room temperature
• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, or substitute another 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cream together the butter, shortening and sugar. Then beat in the eggs and vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Mix into the butter mixture.
4. On a small plate or in a small bowl mix the remaining sugar and cinnamon. Use your hands to shape balls of dough and roll in the cinnamon sugar. Use extra flour as needed.
5. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for about 8-10 minutes. Grab some milk and enjoy!

Chocolate Cobbler?!

Chocolate Cobbler!

Okay, every person I have mentioned "Chocolate Cobbler" to has been ridiculously confused. "Does that even exist?" The answer is yes, it does! And It's absolutely to die for. This was gone within 24 hours of making it. Once you have one piece you have to go back for a second. It is the perfect afternoon delight. I would suggest eating it with tea, coffee, or milk. But, there is coffee in the recipe! It is an overload of gooey goodness that you can't miss out on!

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 7 tbsp cocoa powder, divided
• 1 1/4 sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cup hot coffee

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, 3 tbsp cocoa, and 3/4 cup sugar.
3. Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix until it is smooth.
4. Pour into a buttered 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan.
5. In another bowl, mix the remaining sugar, brown sugar, and cocoa. Sprinkle this evenly over the batter.
6. Pour the coffee onto the top of everything and DO NOT MIX.
7. Bake for about 40 minutes. Enjoy with some ice cream, cool whip, or whipped cream!

Seasoned, Buttered Pasta and Garlic Bread!

Seasoned, Buttered Pasta and Garlic Bread!

Everyone loves a home-cooked meal, especially when the whole family gets together! I usually do the cooking when I am home with the family, and this past weekend I made something I had never tried before. Usually when I make pasta I make the generic spaghetti with meat sauce, but I decided to try something different. It is so simple, and you can make the garlic bread while the pasta is cooking. You're family will love it!

Ingredients

• 1 box cooked rotini
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp parsley flakes
• Meatballs--homemade or frozen (optional)

Ingredients for Garlic Bread

• 1 loaf french bread
• Butter
• A few tsp of Olive oil
• Dash of Sea Salt
• Dash of Pepper
• Garlic Powder
• 1/4 cup of mozerella cheese

Directions

1. Thoroughly cook the rotini in a large pot.
2. After it is drained put it back in the pot and mix in the butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Combine the garlic powder, oregano, and parsley in a separate small bowl before stirring it in as well.
4. Cook any meatballs that you would like to add to your pasta. Also feel free to add chicken, tuna, onions, or whatever you feel like!

Directions for Bread

1. Slice the loaf into the desired size and spread each piece with butter. (This will melt in the oven)
2. With a spoon, put a few drops of olive oil on each slice, being careful not to drown the bread!
3. Sprinkle each piece with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
4. Evenly distribute the cheese onto each slice of bread.
5. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10-12 minutes, depending on the size of the bread. It should be toasted when you remove from the oven.

The Most Delicious Frosting You'll Ever Have

Chocolate Frosting

I don't know what your favorite type of frosting is, but I can almost guarantee you will love this recipe. It is very quick and easy. The best part, besides the taste, is that it uses white sugar instead of powdered sugar! I almost never have powdered sugar in my house, unless I plan on making puppy chow sometime soon, but with this recipe you won't have to worry about making a trip to the store! In my photos, I put the frosting on before it was completely cooled, so it become a drizzly sauce, which is what I was going for anyways ;) But if you would like a more solid and thick texture, let it cool a bit longer. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup of granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, stir all ingredients together and bring to a boil. 
2. Remove from heat and beat until the mixture thickens.
3. After it has cooled, spread it on a cake, make a cookie sandwich  use it as dip for pretzels, or whatever your heart desires!

Delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars!

I wasn't sure what to expect with this recipe, but I was very pleased! It's alittle like the No Bake Cookie recipe that I posted awhile ago, but in a layered form, and much easier. These cookie bars would also make a delicious, and somewhat healthy breakfast. But I can't promise they're super healthy. I set them out on the counter at my parent's house and they were gone by the end of the day. 

They really are a yummy snack. Try it out, mix it up, change some ingredients if you like, and let me know how it works out!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups cooking oats
• 1 cup your choice of chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan on low heat. Then, slowly add the brown sugar, vanilla, and oats. Cook for 3 minutes while stirring. 
2. Butter or grease an 8x8 pan and press a little over half of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom. 
3. In a glass bowl, microwave the chocolate and peanut butter together. Take out and stir about every 20-30 seconds. Pour this over the oatmeal crust.
4. With the remaining oat mixture, sprinkle it over the top. If you have left over chocolate you can drizzle that over the top as well.
5. Refrigerate until firm and enjoy!

Chocolate X2 Cookies!

Chocolate X2 Cookies!

Hey everyone! I just moved back into my college dorm, so I haven't been able to bake too many things recently. However, I saved some time to make these delicious cookies! They are a little like making brownie cookies, if that makes any sense at all. They are dense, soft, and very chocolate-y. I'm a big chocolate fan, if you haven't noticed from my previous recipes, so this is the perfect treat.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
• 2/3 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 2 cups semi-sweet baking chips

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Combine brown sugar, shortening, water, and vanilla until creamed and well blended. Beat eggs into the creamed mixture.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, salt, and baking soda. Slowly mix into creamed mixture.
4. Add chocolate chips.
5. Drop or shape dough on greased cookie sheet.
6. Bake for about 10 minutes.
7. Cool and enjoy!

Peanut Butter and Fudge Frosting

Peanut Butter and Fudge Frosting!

I love peanut butter and of course, love fudge as well. If you feel the same way then you can't go wrong with this great frosting recipe! I used it to frost my "Not-So-Bad-For-You Brownies", but you can use it on cake, cookies, or whatever you wish! It turns out a little stiff, so I added a small amount of milk and more peanut butter for extra flavor, but that is completely up to you. Get creative!


Ingredients

• 1/2 c. peanut butter
• 1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa
• 2 2/3 c. confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• • 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 c. cream or evaporated milk


Directions

1. Cream together the peanut butter and cocoa. 
2. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the cream.
3. Slowly add in cream.
4. Spread and serve!

Not-So-Bad-For-You Brownies

Yes, you read the title correctly. These brownies are surprisingly better for you than most other brownies. Here is the secret, you use applesauce instead of oil. Yes, it sounds a little weird, maybe even gross. Trust me, you won't regret it once you try it! You can't even taste the applesauce. The best part is that the brownies turn out more dense, and not like a cake. (That's how I love my brownies!) If you love brownies as much as I do, and they are sabotaging your diet then give this a try! The only problem I found is that I didn't use a leavening agent (baking soda or powder), next time I try it I will see what happens when I add that in, otherwise they turned out great!!

Ingredients

1 cup(s) (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 stick(s) (1⁄4 cup) unsalted butter, cut up

1 cup(s) packed light-brown sugar

1 cup(s) unsweetened applesauce

4 large egg whites

1 cup(s) white whole-wheat flour

1/4 cup(s) unsweetened cocoa

1/2 teaspoon(s) salt

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Melt together the chocolate chips and butter in a bowl in the microwave or in a small pan on the stove until smooth.
3. Beat in sugar, applesauce and eggs.
4. Stir in flour, cocoa, and salt until well blended.
5. Pour into a greased 13x9 pan.
6. Bake for about 20 minutes then cool on a wire rack.
7. Serve!

Chocolate Pound Cake!

Chocolate Pound Cake!

If you like pound cake, then you must try this! It's not too sweet, so it is just perfect for an after-dinner dessert or a light snack. You can take this recipe and make it in a 13x9 dish, bundt cake dish, muffin cups, or small loaf pans. I used a regular, non-fluted bundt cake pan. Any way you want to make it, it still tastes just as good! 

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup shortening
• 2 sticks of softened butter
• 3 cups sugar
• 5 eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream together the shortening, butter and sugar, until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in eggs, one at a time.
4. In a small bowl, sift together the cocoa, flour, and baking powder.
5. Mix together buttermilk and vanilla in a small bowl and mix into the shortening mixture. 
6. Slowly, by thirds, add in the flour mixture.
7. Make sure it is well blended and pour into a greased pan.
8. Bake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes. 
9. Serve any way you like it! Enjoy!