Home made Icing (perfect for fancy cakes)

    This recipe I got out of my baking cook book The Taste of Home Baking. I tried on Tuckers 4th birthday cake because he wanted a super hero cake. So I did a three layer cake and each layer was a different super hero theme, My cake came out pretty messy but I was on a time schedule, however I left the cake out over night and the icing got hard, which is good, If I had taken the time to smooth it out the icing would have been a lot prettier the next day once it hardened. I'm still proud of it though it was my first time making it and Tucker couldn't have been more happier! Next time I will take the time out to smooth everything.

(Note: All accessories were made from cardboard and construction paper)

What you will Need:

1-1/2 cups butter, softened 

15 cups confectioners' sugar

3/4 cup half-and-half cream

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

Food Coloring (any kind is fine, I used liquid)

    In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar ( I had to add confectioners' sugar a few cups at a time). Add the cream, vanilla and salt; beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. (Frosting may need to be made in batches, I did not have to but is in the book). Once frosting is mixed and ready (there will be a lot), separate into bowls, and add food coloring.

    For decorating, frosting can be put into pastry bags or heavy duty resealable plastic bags. Place decorating tips onto bags and viola. When decorating cover remaining frosting with a damp clean cloth until ready to use.

You can also find The Taste of Home Baking on Amazon.com

    

Pizza Grilled Cheese (Great for Kids)

Pizza Grilled Cheese

 Today I am baby sitting my sister's little boy while she works in my town, On her lunch break I decided to try this new recipe I came across that reminded us of these wonderful pizza sandwiches our grandmother use to make us a kids. They are just as delicious as my grandmothers use to be and so easy to make. Here's how I made mine.

You Will Need:

4 slices of bread
butter or margarine
4 slices of mozzarella cheese Or shredded mozzarella (works just as well)
pepperoni cut in halves
Parmesan cheese (opt)
pizza sauce for dipping (I use a bit on my sandwich too)

*Warm a medium/large skillet over medium heat. Butter each piece of bread on one side. On side that is not buttered spread just a small amount of pizza sauce or you can skip this step I did both ways just to see. Then add a slice or a medium amount of shredded mozzarella (I used shredded because I had it on hand). Add a few slices of pepperoni and if desired you can spread a small amount of pizza sauce on other slice of bread. Carefully put sandwich onto skillet, and cook till both sides are a golden brown or brown. Once sandwich is done remove from skillet, cut and serve with pizza sauce. 

Recipe Originated fromPizza Grilled Cheese

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

:  Oh my goodness are these amazing! My sister made them a few weeks ago and I tasted one and thought it was so good, so I just had to make them. Well I did tonight and I must say they are just as good as the first time I had a tasted them. My Husband LOVED them and he is a very picky person when it comes to trying something new. There so easy all you do is just throw the ingredients in a crock pot and let cook for a couple of hours and thats it. And if you have a small family of four (well 3 can only eat the tacos) like me, you will have plenty left overs! My picture isn't pretty but I am not the best taco wrapper there is (My husband is much better, he just so happened to be working late, otherwise I would have made him wrap it HA). I promise Next time I make them I will put up a prettier picture :-)

What you will Need:

1 envelope Taco Seasoning
6 pieces Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 jar Salsa (16 oz)

Note* I added 1 can cream of chicken and it came out so good 

Directions:

Dump everything into a crock pot and give it a little stir to blend the seasoning with the salsa. Cook on high for 4 to 6 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours. When done, the chicken should shred easily when stirred with a fork.

For tacos, serve the chicken with soft flour tortillas, lettuce, shredded cheese and sour cream. This is very versatile and can be used for enchiladas, nachos, tostadas, etc. Any leftover chicken can then be used for tortilla soup (make it the next day or freeze the chicken to use at a later time).

Recipe Originated From: Tasty Kitchen

Keep It Simple ~ Pigs in a blanket

Pigs in a Blanket & Homemade Fries

     So I allow myself 1 or 2 nights a week to "Keep it Simple", its easy for me and my husband and 4 year old actually really like simple. So tonight I chose pigs in a blanket and homemade fries. Very easy meal if your looking for something simple to throw together in a short time.

What You Need:

 2 cans crescent rolls

 2 packs Hot dogs (8 in each)

 5-6 russet potatoes (can be more or less depending how much you want to make)

 Vegetable Oil

 Salt & Pepper

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel potatoes and slice into thin circular pieces, place in a bowl and cover with water until ready to cook. 

    Separate dough, take each triangular piece and fold pointed sides till you make a small square. Take a rolling pin, and roll out dough into a larger square. Place hot dog onto square and roll. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 - 22 minutes or until dough is Golden Brown.

     While baking pigs in blanket, Heat vegetable oil into skillet, about half a skillet full, or enough to cover potatoes while cooking. Drain potatoes out of water and place in hot oil. Fry until light or golden brown.

 Points of dough folded to make a square

After rolled with rolling pin

Oreo Balls (Warning: Highly Addictive)

Oreo Balls

Better than regular Cake balls!!  

      These Delicious little darlings I first tasted at my sisters wedding made by my aunt. They are a alternate version to cake balls and there absolutely amazing. Perfect for weddings, parties, showers etc. I'm so glad that my Aunt shared her recipe with me. I made them for a family christmas party at my mother's house and I had to sneak some aside because they were going so fast. 



Ingredients:



1 package Oreo cookies
1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese (softened)...
1 pkg. chocolate bark (for dipppin' the Oreo balls)
1 pkg. white bark (for drizzling over the chocolate balls)


Put entire pkg. of cookies in food processor and chop finely.
Use a mixer to blend softened cream cheese.
Add chopped cookies into blended cream cheese and mix together.
Take a small amount of mixture and roll into small bite size balls.
Place balls on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper and freeze.

Melt chocolate bark in a glass bowl per microwave directions on package.
I stick a toothpick into the ball before I dip into the melted chocolate bark.
Place dipped ball back on the cookie sheet to dry.
(Only dip a few balls at a time and keep the rest in the freezer to keep them firm.)

Store Oreo balls in an air-tight container until ready to eat.

**Yummy treat to die for!!! You can use Vanilla Oreo Cookies & dip in white chocolate too, very good. Or you can use any type of packaged cookie and 
prepare the same way as this recipe.

Easy King Cake Knots

Easy King Cake Knots

(Decorated by My Handy Helper)

  

    Okay So I am not a fan of king cake, however my husband loves king cake, but he is very picky about where he likes it from. Every year for his birthday I always try to make him something knew, so I got brave when I saw this recipe and decided me and my little handy helper would make this for him and cross our fingers in hopes that he like them. Much to our surprise he actually loved them, I really couldn't believe it (because my husband is not afraid to tell you his opinion about anything). This was the simplest recipe I could have ever found on king cake and it was a hit, My little handy helper loved them as well!

1 loaf refrigerated french bread dough

3 Tbsp butter, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1 Tbsp cinnamon

1 cup powdered sugar

4 tsp milk (may need more to get right consistency)

1/2 tsp vanilla

colored sugar - yellow, purple, green

Preheat oven to 350.  Unroll french bread dough into a large rectangle, about 16 by 12 inches. Brush the dough lightly with softened butter. Mix together sugar and cinnamon.  Sprinkle over butter.  Cut the dough in half lengthwise and then cut crosswise into strips about 1 1/4 inches wide.  Twist two strips together.  Tie each strip loosely into a knot, stretching gently if necessary, and place on baking sheet about 2-inches apart. 

Bake for 25-28 minutes.  Cool.  Mix together powdered sugar, milk and vanilla.  Dip each knot into icing and then sprinkle with colored sugar. 

   

(Ours aren't so pretty but hey its the thought that counts)!

Recipe From Plan Chicken

Ah-Mazing Homemade Angel Food Cake

Best Homemade Angel Food Cake

I first came across this recipe when I was first living with my husband who was my then boyfriend. I was just really learning how to cook, and I had asked for a cook book for Christmas. As soon as I came across this recipe I immediately had to make it. I love Angel food cake and after tasting this one, I will never buy another store bought one again (okay so I do have a reason to buy a store bought one but that is for a different dessert recipe to come). It is so much sweeter and well worth the time it takes to make it. Its a big hit at parties, family functions, and any kind of get together. 


What you will Need:

• 1-1/2 cups egg whites (10-12 large)
• 1-1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 1 cup sifted cake flour or all-purpose flour (I have used both and they both work equally as well as the other)
• 1-1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• Electric Mixer (you can mix by hand, but I promise your arms will be super tired)
• sifter

Directions
   In an extra large mixing bowl (needs to be very large), let egg whites stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile sift together Powdered Sugar and flour three times; set aside. I normally do these two steps a little early and while waiting for egg whites to sit I do a few house chores.

    Now adjust baking rack to lowest position in the oven, Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add cream of tartar to Vanilla and Egg whites, beat with electric mixer on medium speed till mixture is light and fluffy.

         

  Gradually add granulated sugar about 2-3 tablespoons at a time until mixture becomes thicker.

                                         

    Sift about one-fourth of the flour mixture over beaten egg whites. Fold in gently with a spatula. Repeat folding in remaining flour mixture by fourths. Be sure to mix well when folding in. 

     Pour into an non greased tube pan, and with a knife cut into batter to remove any air pockets.

     Bake on lowest rack for 40-45 minutes (I go the whole 45) or until middle is completely cooked. Immediately invert cake and cool completely for about 2 hrs. Loosen sides of cake from pan (usually I pass a butter knife along the sides) and remove.

(Fresh Out the Oven)

(Inverted for cooling)

(My Handy Helper ready to eat a piece)