Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

These very moist and extremely tasty cupcakes are a nice combination of tart and sweet. They are easy to transport and eat because they do not have a frosting.


1 white cake mix
1 (3 oz) instant lemon pudding mix
4 eggs
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. pink lemonade concentrate
pink or red food color, optional

Glaze:
1 c. frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
1/2 c. white sugar


Grease and flour cupcake pans.

Combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, vegetable oil, 1/2 c. lemonade concentrate, milk and food coloring. Mix until smooth. Pour into the cupcake pan.


Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. 

Remove from oven and prick cupcakes with a toothpick several times. Immediately pour lemonade glaze over top of cake. Let cupcakes stand until almost cool.


originally found recipe at Sugar Baby Aprons

Decidedly Decadent: Baked Banana French Toast

Everybody reads Bakerella, right? If you don't, you MUST go visit her very soon. Her blog is one of my favorite. I am sure to like any recipe she posts.

Recently, she posted a Baked French Toast recipe that intrigued me. And when I made it, I realized that it is just plain DECADENT. My family loved it, and I gobbled it up. But, I won't be making it very often....it is just TOOOOO good.

Here is the recipe (I did make a few modifications based on the ingredients I had on hand in my kitchen and the amount of time I had before serving breakfast):

1 small loaf french bread

4 eggs

3/4 c. heavy cream (I omitted this and used 1 1/4 c. milk)

1/2 c. milk

1/4 c. sugar

1 T cinnamon

1 t vanilla

1 large banana

6 T brown sugar

1 T butter

Powdered sugar

Maple syrup

Coat six 4 oz. ramekins with non-stick spray. (I used the Demarle Round Tray)

Cut french bread into 18 slices. 

Whisk together eggs, cream, milk, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla.

Place sliced bread in bowl to coat.

Place three slices of bread into each dish. 

Cut banana into 12 or more slices. Coat slices with mixture and then dip coated bananas in 2 tablespoons brown sugar and stuff in between bread.

Transfer dishes to a baking sheet. 

Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour or overnight. (I skipped this step,n because I had some hungry people in my house.)

When ready to bake, mix together remaining 4 T brown sugar and 1 T butter and sprinkle over bread.

Bake at350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Enjoy warm with powdered sugar and maple syrup.

S'mores Bars

I love to read blogs. There is a long list of blogs in my reader that I follow every day. It probably takes more of my time than it should, but I love all the craft ideas and recipes that I find. When I had several Valentine events approaching this February, I went searching for a fun yet EASY sweet I could make. This one was very easy to make and hit with all the kiddos. I ended up making it for THREE different Valentine parties.

1c. graham cracker crumbs
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. softened butter
1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
4 c. mini marshmallows
3/4 c. M&Ms
homemade chocolate syrup (or store bought, if you wish) :)

Crush graham crackers, then beat them in mixer with brown sugar, butter, flour and baking soda. (Did you know that you can crumble graham crackers in the food processor? I feel silly that I only realized that recently. I have always used a ziploc bag and a rolling pin. I just don't get out enough!)

Press mixture in the bottom of a greased 9X13 pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from oven and spread mini marshmallows over the crust. Bake 1-2 minutes until marshmallows puff.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Sprinkle with M&Ms.

Let cool, then cut into bars.
Try really hard not to eat them all yourself (you'll fail).

This delicious recipe was found on It's a Crafty Life.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

In these recent cooler months, I have enjoyed preparing soup for our meals. Some of my favorites have been Tortilla Soup, Spicy Potato Soup and White Chicken Chili. Recently, while perusing Pinterest, I found a recipe for Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Thanks to The Little Girl's Guide to Sugar and Spice for a new favorite soup!

The first time I made this, I discovered that it did not make enough for our family. So, I made a few adjustments to make it stretch. I think it tastes just as good and feeds us each at least two full bowls of soup.

2T butter
1 small onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2c. broccoli (about 4 small heads) cut into very small pieces (you want them to fit on a spoon)
4c. chicken stock
3c. milk
1c. flour
1 1/2c. grated cheddar cheese
Salt 
White pepper


Melt butter in a pot over medium heat. Add onions plus a pinch of salt/pepper. Cook until soft. Add garlic, cook for another minute. Add broccoli, cook for a minute, then add the chicken stock and cover. Allow the broth to come to a boil, and cook until the broccoli is soft.


Whisk together flour and milk until combined. Add this mixture to the pot, stirring gently. The soup will thicken and once it's thick and creamy looking, add the grated cheddar. Salt and pepper to taste.

Thanks, again to The Little Girl's Guide to Sugar and Spice for this recipe.

"Watermelon" Waffles

While reading some fun blogs recently, I came across an idea for watermelon waffles!

Since our family loves waffles.....

and since it is summertime....

and since school is not in session....

and since this teacher mom actually has time to have fun in the kitchen,

...I made these for the kiddos. 

I am glad there are creative people in the world who blog about their ideas so that I can make fun foods that my kids think are cool! Head on over to Random Thoughts of A Supermom for the recipe!

Blueberry Cobbler

It is blueberry picking season again. I love picking blueberries. I usually do it in the early morning or late evening to avoid the humid heat of our region. These are my favorite times of the day, so blueberry picking is a great excuse for being in the outdoors. I also usually go with friends whom I can chat with while picking!

This week, we have enjoyed blueberry pancakes and blueberry cobbler.

Warm Blueberry Cobbler a la mode

• 2 1/2 – 3 lbs blueberries, sliced
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 2 T. cornstarch
• 2 T. water
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 3/4 c. quick cooking oats
• 1/2 c. flour ( I used a gf blend and it worked great)
• 1/2 c. butter
• 
  
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• In a saucepan combine blueberries and regular sugar. Let sit for 30 minutes. After sitting, cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.Combine cornstarch and water and stir into berry mixture and bring to a boil. Boil 1 minute or until mixture is thickened. Spoon mixture into 8×8 or similar pan. Combine brown sugar, oats, and flour then cut in butter to form a crumbly mixture. Spread evenly over blueberry mixture.Bake at 350 for 25-30.

Recipe adapted from Strawberry Cobbler at Lynn's Kitchen Adventures.

Watermelon Limeade

It is blazing hot in the deep south right now! The first week of June has brought us temperatures above 100 degrees. It is hard to believe, but sure does make me grateful for air-conditioning!

One way that I have chosen to fight the heat is with this yummy summer drink. Watermelon is in season and is a favorite treat of my family. So why not make it into a cold drink? To make this drink, follow this link!