Category Archives: Dessert

Sweet Treats From Pinterest

The good part about Pinterest? So many delicious recipes to try!

The bad part about Pinterest? I’ve gained 100 pounds.

Here are some sweet treats that I have made thanks to the Big P:

No Bake Butterfinger Cheesecake from Bakers Royale

I usually bake my cheesecakes but I was excited to try a no bake recipe. In this version you use a gelatin to make the cheesecake set. I must not have prepared the gelatin correctly because there were thick jello like clumps in there! My lovely dinner guests, Mauranda and Amy wouldn’t utter a bad word about it but my dear honest children asked, “Mom, why does this cheesecake have bubbles in it?” So it was ruined for me but I’ll definitely try it again because the flavors are to die for!

Butterfinger Blondies from Six Sisters’ Stuff

These are just divine! Very rich, so cut them small! I didn’t even get to take a picture of them.

Cinnamon Roll Cake from Cookin’ Up North

I’ve made this twice now. And still haven’t managed a picture of it. That is proof of its deliciousness! Super easy to make too.

Apple Pie Bites from Cookin’ Up North

Quick and easy. Kids loved them. Serve warm with a bowl of ice cream. Repeat.

Chubby Hubby Bars from Cookies and Cups

WOWZA. Go ahead and make these and then die. And then eat one with a bowl of ice cream and die again.

Try these recipes. You won’t regret it!

Have you tried any great recipes from Pinterest lately?

Christmas Comfort in a Cup

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This post is sponsored by Tempur-Pedic, the brand millions of owners trust to deliver their best night’s sleep every night. Enjoy our Buy 2, get 1 free pillow offer now and give the gift of custom comfort to someone you love.
I love the word comfy. My middle son, Chase, pronounces it “comfty”. How adorable is that? We love to cuddle and get comfty together quite often around here.

Comfy to me is watching a movie in some stretchy pants, a cup of flavored coffee, snuggled under a fluffy blanket. Christmas time offers so many great moments to be comfy and it is absolutely one of my favorite things to do in the month of December. Make it a Christmas movie and an eggnog latte and this girl is HAPPY.

Here are some of my favorite “Comfort in a Cup” recipes!

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate:

This is the super easy fast version. I saw a ton of recipes on Pinterest with steamed milk and espresso and yadda yadda but I’m too lazy for all that business.

Here’s how I made it:
Cup of prepared coffee
Caramel sauce (about a tablespoon or two)
Packet of hot chocolate mix
Pinch of sea salt
Milk or creamer (make it caramel creamer to take it up a notch!)
Whipped cream
Extra caramel sauce to drizzle and sea salt to sprinkle on top

Mix together the coffee, hot cocoa mix, creamer or milk, caramel and sea salt. Top with whip cream and then drizzle with extra caramel sauce and sprinkle extra sea salt on top.

It’s that mixture of sweet with a hint of salty that I just can not get enough of!

Homemade Coffee Creamers

Photo courtesy of Deliciously Organic

This is something I have been wanting to do for some time now. I am totally addicted to flavored coffee creamers but not a big fan of all the junk that’s in them. Here are some amazing flavors made by Deliciously Organic. Flavored coffee creamer in a hot cuppa joe is comfort all the way for me!

Hot Buttered Rum

Well I tried to show you this one as a video but my laptop decided that the file was corrupted and I couldn’t redo it because I drank it all. Here is a screen shot from the video. See that smile? Hot Buttered Rum.

So. Here is the recipe. You’ll have to wait a little longer to see me get merry on video. Sorry. Or You’re Welcome. Whichever. Did I mention all the Hot Buttered Rum I drank?

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 cups softened vanilla ice cream
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon

Each Serving:
1/2 cup boiling water
1 to 3 Tbsp rum

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy. Beat in the ice cream, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cover and store in the freezer.

For each serving, place 1/2 cup butter mixture in a mug; add boiling water and stir to dissolve. Stir in rum.

The butter mixture can be prepared ahead of time and kept stored in the freezer. Then whenever you are ready for a cup of happy, scoop it out and mix with some hot water! Easy and delicious way to warm up on a cold night!

*Original recipe from Taste of Home Magazine

The only thing that can possibly make these drinks more comforting is the people you are sharing them with. (YES. You have to share.) Enjoy every warm and snuggly moment.

Go ahead, get comfty. And have a really wonderful Christmas!

Follow #clevercomforts on Twitter for more comforting Holiday inspiration!

Comfort is the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday gift list, so be sure to take advantage of Tempur-Pedic’s Buy 2, get 1 free pillow offer! I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective.
*All of this was my idea. These are my own thoughts. Hot Buttered Rum. The End.

Festive Holiday Dessert Party Ideas!

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Thanks to Duncan Hines for sponsoring my writing. There’s no limit to the baking possibilities, so grab your favorite Duncan Hines mix and Comstock or Wilderness fruit fillings and Bake On! www.duncanhines.com

You guys know that one of my favorite things to do is bake desserts! With the Holidays here I thought it would be fun to show you some of my favorite go-to desserts.

If I’m planning a Christmas party, I forget about ham and potatoes and all that business. I go straight to the best part of the meal. Desserts! There is nothing more fun than throwing a dessert party with friends. And Christmas is the perfect time to do it!

All of these ideas I am showing you are treats that you can grab and eat. No utensils needed! All you need are some plates and mugs and you are ready for a great dessert party with friends!

Here are a few of my favorites and also some new ones that I found on Pinterest that I want to try!

Eggnog Spritz Cookies with Rum Glaze

I am an eggnog die-hard. Put some rum in it and oh baby, you are talking my language! I have been making these cookies for a few years now and I love how easy they are compared to how beautiful and tasty they are! A cookie press makes them look professionally made!

Homemade Sea Salt Caramels

This is a new favorite that I am really excited about! I think they would be so cute in a jar on a holiday dessert table! Perfect for a take home gift for your guests as well.

Oreo Truffles

This is one of those desserts where everyone raves about it and asks for the recipe. Prepare yourself by making up some recipe cards in advance! (Another great take home gift idea!)

Pecan Tassies

My Mom has made these since I was a little girl and it’s just not Christmas without them! They are like miniatures pecan pies and perfect for a dessert night!

Santa Hat Brownies

I mean, how cute are these?! I haven’t made any yet so I do not have a picture to share but check them out! I think the kids will love these! These would be super quick and easy with a box of Duncan Hines Brownie Mix!

Peppermint Bark Cheesecake

Cheesecake Factory Photo

I found this on Pinterest from The Cheesecake Factory. If anyone has a recipe for a copycat, let me know!! Look at how beautiful it is! I think it would be fun to make them as cupcakes for a buffet dessert party.

Hot Cocoa Peppermint Marshmallows
These would be super cute with a cup of hot cocoa to go along with all of these amazing desserts!

Fudge Rum Balls

Photo From Duncan Hines

I found these on the Duncan Hines website and OMG. Yes, please!

And, well, let’s be honest…anything from their Christmas Recipes list is looking pretty good!

Can you say, “Dessert overload?” Not that there is such a thing.

All of these desserts would look absolutely beautiful spread out on a holiday buffet table. Spread some lights, greenery and shiny ornaments all around the table and you have a gorgeous and delicious party in a flash!

What are you go-to desserts to serve over the Holidays? Do you have any “Desserts With Friends” party ideas? I’d love to hear them!

Remember to check out Duncan Hines’ website www.duncanhines.com to find some great recipes for your holiday get-together! I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective.

All opinions are my own. As always!

Delicious Sea Salt Treats From Pinterest!

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I’ve been in a sea salt phase lately. If it’s got the phrase “sea salt” in it, I want to eat it or drink it! So when I saw these next two recipes on Pinterest, of course I made them! And they were DELICIOUS.

DELICIOUS!!

First I started out wanting to make these Salted Caramel Brownie Bites with Salted Caramel Buttercream:

These were SO good. The recipe (by www.bakeitinacake.com) calls for making them in mini muffin pans. PSH. I made these babies regular muffin size! But then I found out why she made them so small. WOW, these are RICH! Get yourself a glass of milk!

The recipe calls for a certain salted caramel (that’s the delightful gooey stuff in the center of the brownie) that I can’t get so I decided to make my own. I found this recipe for Homemade Salted Caramels by Fearless Homemaker. It was relatively simple to make although it does take quite a bit of patience!

But what you get when you are done is the most wonderful little treat!

I used some of them to put in the brownies and wrapped the rest in wax paper as little candies and gave them to my boys’ teachers for a Thanksgiving “I’m thankful for you!” treat.

Both of these recipes are time consuming but so worth it. Just posting these pictures makes me want to make some more!

What’s your favorite Salted Caramel treat?!

Recipe: Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins

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I know I just posted a pumpkin muffin recipe, but really, can I post too many?!

I have seen similar recipes posted around Pinterest and other blogs and I guess it must have been stuck in my head because all of a sudden I just started making them one afternoon!

I based my recipe off one I had cut out off a Martha Stewart Everyday magazine. (I think from last year?)

I don’t know if these should be considered breakfast or dessert. I’ll just label them as both. 🙂

Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients:
1 1/4 sticks (10 tbs) unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp coarse salt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/3 cup milk (or buttermilk)
1 1/4 cups pumpkin puree (15 oz can)
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs

Sugar Coating:
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin pan with butter and then sprinkle with flour. Don’t skip this step – it helps the muffins slide out without sticking since you’re not using paper muffin cups!

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, spice.

In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin and milk.

In a mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. With mixer on low, add flour mix in slowly, alternating with pumpkin mix. Beat to combine.

Spoon 1/3 cup batter into each muffin tin and bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let muffins cool about ten minutes in pan.

Mix together the sugar and cinnamon for the coating. Brush each muffin with butter then immediately toss in sugar coating. Let cool completely.

Enjoy!

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Chocolate Covered Brownies…On A Stick!

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I saw this idea in a magazine a long time ago and categorized it in my brain to do for a fun treat to send to school on the boys’ birthdays. I made them for Chase’s birthday celebration with his class last month. The kids were SO excited. They were amazed. It’s just a brownie, but put it on a stick with sprinkles and magic happens!
It’s pretty easy to do:
Make a pan of brownies.
Let cool.
Cut into squares.
Stick a popsicle stick into the brownie.
Dip into melted white chocolate.
Cover with sprinkles.
Let dry on wax paper.

Easy!

I did rush the process and tried to use the brownies before they were completely cooled. Don’t do that. They just crumbled and fell apart. So I ran to the store and bought some premade brownies to use. Next time I’ll know to make the brownies a day ahead and maybe even slightly freeze them so they don’t fall apart.

Such a fun treat!

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Recipe: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

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Pumpkin and chocolate are one of my favorite fall combinations. I took a pumpkin bread/muffin recipe from an old Betty Crocker cookbook and made into this delicious recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. It could also be made into bread by using a loaf pan.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tbs baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 cup canned pumpkin (not pie filling!)
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs
1/3 cup shortening
1 cup chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl, cream together the shortening, eggs, milk and pumpkin with a mixer on low. In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients together. Slowly mix the dry ingredients in with the creamed mixture until all combined. Beat on high for two minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into muffin tins or loaf pans. I split mine up and made a dozen muffins and four mini loaves of bread. I also like to sprinkle some sugar on top for some extra sparkle! Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy!

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Pefect Boy Snack: Dirt Cups! {dairy free!}

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Our middle son, Chase’s, birthday was last week. I wanted to send a fun treat in for his Cub Scouts meeting. There was one snag, though, one boy had a dairy allergy. So I asked my Twitter friends for some ideas. I wanted to make dirt cups, but figured pudding and oreos would be full of dairy. Then @ryles chimed in with wonderful news! You can make dirt cups dairy free! Who knew?

Oreos are dairy free. Just buy name brand Oreos! (I had no idea!)
Pudding mix: The JELLO brand is dairy free.
I used coconut milk to make the pudding.
Gummy worms are dairy free.

Of course the ingredients are full of all kinds of other awful not good for you things, but it’s dairy free! 🙂

There really isn’t a recipe here. Mix the pudding mix with your choice of milk as directed on the box. Cover with finely crushed oreo cookies. Squish some gummy worms into the dirt.

A perfect treat for little boys!

Honey Cream Filled Crescents

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These are quick and easy to pull together for last minute guests or a tasty Sunday brunch!

Honey Cream Filled Crescents

Ingredients:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
3 tbs honey, divided
1/4 cup chopped almonds
1 package refrigerated crescent rolls
Sprinkle of ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix cream cheese and 2 tbs of the honey.

Unroll crescent roll dough. Separate into triangles. Spread about 1 tbs of the cream cheese mixture onto each triangle. Roll up loosely into crescent shape. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle with cinnamon and chopped almonds.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown. Serve rolls warm. Drizzle with remaining honey.

Enjoy!