Five Cupcake MEALS and some Cupcakes!

How's every one's summer going so far? Ours has been harried, hectic, and of course, lively! Trying to keep the kiddos busy while out of school.  I've taken them to the pool, to the park, had friends over, played outside with sidewalk chalk, rode our bikes and roller blades, busted out the Slip n'Slide, and generally they can be found with an ice cold Popsicle in hand. Summer time is in full swing!

As you may remember, my daughter loves to bake. I was perusing Pinterest for some new cupcake recipes for us to try, and stumbled across several that had nothing to do with a sweet tooth. A light bulb went on. Wouldn't it be fun to do a week of "cupcakes" for dinner? The kids would think its a hoot! Mind you, these recipes are not full of sugar and spice, but full of flavor in every bite. Below you will find 5 recipes for dinners in a muffin tin and a new scrumptious cupcake recipe to boot!

Yes, the kids indeed found the week of cupcake meals deliciously fun and ate every bite!

Here is my list of fun "cupcake" dinners:

1)  Mac and Cheese Cupcakes

These Mac and Cheese Cupcakes were so easy and so darn good! The Ritz cracker bottom sealed the deal. The mac and cheese sticks together well and doesn't make for a huge mess when the kids take the wrapper off. My only advisory is to make sure you do as directed in her recipe and spray the liner with cooking spray so it doesn't all stick to the paper, especially the Ritz cracker bottom. Kids really enjoyed this different take on Mac and Cheese. For this tasty recipe click here:

http://www.afamilyfeast.com/mac-and-cheese-cupcakes/

2) Taco Cups

This recipe is an adaption from several. Basically its a taco in a wonton instead of shell.

Ingredients:

2 lbs ground beef(or turkey)

Taco seasoning of your choice

Re fried beans (optional)

Wonton wrappers

Cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack

Your choice of taco toppings such as lettuce, tomato, sour cream, hot sauce, etc.

Directions:

Brown ground beef. Add taco seasoning. Add refried beans to the meat and 1/2 cup water if you want at this stage.( I did not use the refried beans.)

Meanwhile, spray 2 muffin tins with cooking spray. Fill each well with a won ton wrapper. Now spray the won tons lightly with cooking spray. (This helps make them crispy)

When beef mixture is ready, fill each won ton half way. Top with cheese. Place in oven at 350 degrees. Bake for 10 minutes. (Many recipes layer a second won ton, meat, and cheese to add a second layer. I did not as my pan was too shallow.)

Serve hot with the taco toppings of your choice. I also served mine along with some fresh juicy watermelon. Fresh fruit always compliment tacos in my opinion. Ha!

I also tried these with mini muffin tins which were just as successful.

These required zero effort and were a fun new way to do Taco Tuesday!

3) Deep Dish Pizza Cupcakes

These little deep dish pizza's were a total hit with the kids! Used those little mini peperoni's and string cheese instead of shred. Cheesy pizza treat! Served these along side an Italian salad. For this fun recipe go to:

http://www.plainchicken.com/2013/04/deep-dish-pizza-cupcakes.html

4) Mini Pot Pies

I also adapted this recipe from several recipes I saw. I kept it as simple as possible so it was fast and easy.

Ingredients:

1 to 2 cooked chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces

1 to 2 cans 8 count biscuits

1 can cream of chicken

Bag of frozen mixed veggies(your choice what kind. I stayed simple and used carrots and peas)

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a skillet, cook chicken breasts until cooked through. Removed and cut into bite size pieces.

In a bowl, mix chicken pieces, frozen veggies, cheese, cream of chicken soup, and salt and pepper.

Spray muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray. Place a biscuit in each well and press against sides and bottom to form a cup. In each cup, place a good amount of the filling. I'd say 2/3 full.

Bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes. 

Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Serve.

These were surprising! They were just like little pot pies and my kids gobbled them up! A must try!

5)  Mini Meatloaf aka Individual Meatloaf

This recipe is straight from my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. Sorry Pinterest, sometimes outside sources trump all. Se La Vie...

Ingredients:

2 eggs beaten

3/4 cup milk

2/3 cup dry bread crumbs

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

2 tbsp snipped fresh parsley(you can use dry to substitute)

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dried sage, basil, or oregano

1 1/2 pounds ground beef, lamb, or pork

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp dry mustard

In a bowl, combine eggs and milk. Then stir in bread crumbs, onion, parsley, salt, sage, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Add meat. Mix well. Add the mixture into each well of a greased muffin tin. Pat into the wells. 

Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes(depending on your oven) or until internal temp is 160 degrees. Spoon off fat.

In a small bowl combine ketchup, sugar, and mustard. Spread on tops of meatloaf. Bake about 5-10 minutes more.

Let stand 5 minutes and then serve.

I've used this go to recipe for 10 years and haven't found one I like better. Hey, if its not broken!

~And lastly, for our sweet tooth, Blackberry Lime Cupcakes:

What can I say about this tart treat? Its perfect for summer that's for sure! These feature a lime cupcake with Blackberry butter cream frosting and a blackberry to garnish. My daughter and I had a great time trying these out. I gave a plate away to my neighbor who gave me a big two thumbs up! For this delightful recipe visit:

http://urbanbakes.com/blackberry-lime-cupcakes/

I hope your summer is going on with out a hitch. If there's any struggle start with the cupcakes first! ;)

~Happy Pinning!

THE BEST EVER CHOCOLATE CAKE!

Grab a glass of milk! This is honestly the best chocolate cake and frosting recipe that I have made to date, and that is saying something because 1) I'm impatient when baking, and 2) I can mess up a box cake mix. So seriously, this cake takes the cake! Pun intended. Ha!

I would describe this cake as velvety smooth with the perfect sweetness. Its not so rich that you are immediately licking your pallet and thirsting for a glass of milk. Instead, you savor the flavor. Its melt in your mouth good, and the side of vanilla ice cream or glass of milk just enhances it. Its not a rescue. Have I mentioned yet that it was easy and fast? Here it is in all its glory!

I'm not a pro decorator or anything, but I did try my hand at a few roses. Next time some colored icing for a fun rose cake!

Here is the original pin and link:

http://addapinch.com/cooking/2013/01/25/the-best-chocolate-cake-recipe-ever/#.Ur2KV6DTXJt

Visit her site for the original recipe tutorial and more fun recipes and ideas! She has more than just chocolate cake!

Here is the recipe:

For the cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

1.  Preheat oven to 350º F. Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by spraying with baking spray or buttering and lightly flouring. I also like to use the wax paper method. Cut out a piece of wax paper to place in the bottom of the pan after you spray. Helps the bottom just pop out!
2.  Add flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder to a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk through to combine, or, using your paddle attachment, stir through flour mixture until combined well.
3.  Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix together on medium speed until well combined. Reduce speed and carefully add boiling water to the cake batter. Beat on high speed for about 1 minute to add air to the batter. (If it appears pretty runny, then you are doing it right!)
4.  Distribute cake batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
5.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes, remove from the pan and cool completely.
6.  Frost cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.

For the Frosting:

• 1½ cups butter (3 sticks), softened
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 5 cups confectioner’s sugar
• ½ cup milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon espresso powder

1. Add cocoa to a large bowl or bowl of stand mixer. Whisk through to remove any lumps.
2. Cream together butter and cocoa powder until well-combined.
3. Add sugar and milk to cocoa mixture by adding 1 cup of sugar followed by about a tablespoon of milk. After each addition has been combined, turn mixer onto a high speed for about a minute. Repeat until all sugar and milk have been added.
4. Add vanilla extract and espresso powder and combine well.
5. If frosting appears too dry, add more milk, a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency. If it appears too wet and does not hold its form, add more confectioner’s sugar, a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency.

My last little note is this: ESPRESSO POWDER is not generally available at your local store. You can buy it through Amazon or specialty places. I did not have Espresso Powder so I looked up a substitute and found that you can use regular instant coffee crystals instead. You just use twice the amount. 

Get to your kitchen and make this cake now! I guarantee no crumbs left behind!

As always,

Happy Pinning!

Menu switch up!

I'm hungry but nothing sounds good. Familiar? I get bored with my usual menu sometimes and lately it has felt, well...eh. Not exactly excited to make a meal when I feel this way. So I decided to hit my handy dandy Pinterest boards and switch it up. Spring is here right? (Well the calendar says so. Ha!) Out with the stews and roasts and in with the lighter springy menus! So here are 3 MUST TRY,( like right now) meals that we just love!

#1) Pollo Fundido aka Cheesy Chicken. This is our new favorite. Plate licking good! And thank you for introducing me to Mexican melting cheese! So many uses. This one won't disappoint!

http://theneaglesnest.blogspot.com/2010/07/pollo-fundido.html

#2) Logan's Firehouse Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta. OMG! So cheesy and creamy! Kid tested with second and third helpings!

http://amysnewkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/03/chicken-cordon-bleu-pasta.html

#3) Cheap Korean Beef. This is the easiest meal ever! So fast it can be made in a jiff on a busy week night!

http://elizabethbryant.blogspot.com/2010/05/korean-beef.html

Visit the links for the recipes! These are so worth adding to your menus! And while you visit, check out their other recipes! So many good ideas!

-Happy Pinning!

Summertime Popsicles!

I don't know about you, but its HOT HOT HOT out there! Summer has arrived and with it the heat. I am originally from Las Vegas, NV and know what heat is. 117 degrees you say? Been there and done that. Its like an oven. Here in the great Northwest in Washington, it doesn't generally get over 100, but the humidity can play all sorts of tricks on you! No matter where you are and what kind of summer heat you're battling, we are all trying to cool off. And what better way than with some fun homemade Popsicles?!

I have tried several of these Pins and I really like the Nutella pops, the Orange Creamsicles, and the Strawberry cheesecake pops! Its not just enough to be cooled off, a little indulgence is needed as well. (wink) And have I mentioned how fun it is to do these with the kids? My 7 year old just loved to be a part of this fun treat!

Orange Creamsicles

http://www.ovenloveblog.com/orange-creamsicles/

Nutella Pops

http://www.canadianfreestuff.com/nutella-coolwhip-popsicles-an-easy-delicious-treat-to-keep-you-and-the-kiddies-cool-this-summer/

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelysanders/super-cool-popsicles-to-make-this-summer

All of these are amazing links to homemade popsicle recipes. There are so many that I decided not to try to add them all to the post. Visit these wonderful sites and choose what flavors you'd like to try. I promise you cannot not go wrong with ANY of them! Enjoy a fun popsicle by the pool or in where its cool! Have a fabulous summer!

Happy Pinning!