Margarita Cake

I know it may be a tad out of season, but I have made this the past couple of years for Cinco de Mayo festivities and it is perfect. It's a light, fluffy, cake perfect for warm weather. Let's all pretend we are not in this cold winter weather and are instead in Mexico on the beach right now, and if you are, stop reading my blog and go enjoy the beach!

Ingredients for Cake

1 2/4 cup granulate sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3 large eggs
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup lemon flavored yogurt

Directions for Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sugar, butter, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl and beat until blended. Add the eggs one at a time and beat until blended well. Then mix the lemon zest and lemon juice. Then add flour and yogurt at small increments alternating, beating well. Pour the batter into a 9x13 in pan. Bake for 25 to 30 min.

Ingredients for Frosting

1/2 cup very fine granulated sugar
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp tequila
whipped cream
lime slices (optional, more for presentation)

Directions for Frosting

Combine sugar, lime juice, and and water in a saucepan and mix well. Cook until sugar dissolves on low heat. Then mix in tequila. Frost cake

Frost cake while warm. Then add a dollop of whip cream to each slice. Add a small lime slice on top for a cuter presentation. Enjoy!

picture and recipe courtesy of recipegirl.com 

Puppy Chow (With a Nutella Twist)

For all of those Nutella loving people out there, you will eat this recipe up, literally. It combines a couple of my favorite things, puppy chow and Nutella. For all of you new to Nutella, is a delicious chocolate hazelnut spread.

Ingredients

1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup Nutella
3/4 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
2/3 cup hazelnuts
3 cups powdered sugar
Box of Chex

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Roast hazelnuts for 8-10 minute. Remove the skin of the hazelnuts as much as you can, it's easiest to do with a towel. You can grind the hazelnuts in a food processor. Over medium-low heat, place the butter, chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips. Stir constantly until completely melted. Then, add Nutella and mix in hazelnuts. Stir completely. Pour box of cereal into a large bowl and pour mixture over. Carefully stir with your hands. Then, dump cereal and powdered sugar into ziploc baggie and shake until cereal is covered with powdered sugar. Place back into bowl and serve. If desired, place mixture into the refrigerator for a couple hours and serve cold.

Monster Cookies

Monster Cookies are a kids favorite. I'm not sure if it's because of the name or all of the candy inside of them, but they are a great cookie to make for occasions. With the holiday season around the corner, there are plenty of parties. Here's what you will need:

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cooking oats
3/4 cup m&ms
1/4 chocolate chips
1/4 peanut butter chips

You may add nuts if desired.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Start by mixing butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Then add peanut butter. Stir. Add egg. Stir. The vanilla extract is next. Stir again. The flour and baking soda can be added at the same time and all mixed. It doesn't need to be stirred well at this point. Then add the oats, m&ms, chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips. Stir well. I found it easiest to roll the dough into about 2 in balls and place on cookie sheet. I then flattened out the balls to make them even. Bake for about 9-10 minutes and enjoy!

Thanksgiving Traditions

Hey everyone! Me and my classmate Amanda have a podcast about Thanksgiving Traditions. We just talk about our favorite traditions and dishes. Enjoy!

Melt In Your Mouth Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I warned you at the beginning of my blog that I absolutely love peanut butter. I will use any recipe that has peanut butter. Chocolate with peanut butter though, it can't get much better than that. These cookies will melt right in your mouth.

Ingredients:
1 c creamy peanut butter (I use natural peanut butter)
1 c light brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c dark chocolate chips

You can use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, but I prefer the dark chocolate chips for this recipe.

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine peanut butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in a mixer and beat on a medium-high setting for about 7 minutes. Then you can add in the baking soda and mix. Roll the cookie dough into balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 8 min. You want the cookies to look more done around the edges, and gooey in the middle. This is how they are supposed to be baked. Let cool then enjoy!

Tasty (and healthy) Milkshakes

Everyone loves a milkshake! This milkshake is super easy and quick to make, plus it's healthy. Can't get much better than that.

Ingredients:
1 large frozen banana
1 tbsp natural peanut butter
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup cooked and chilled oatmeal
1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Directions:
Place all ingredients into blender and blend until it has the thick, milkshake consistency. Serve immediately. Enjoy this quick and easy dessert! It can also be made for breakfast for those extra busy mornings.

Oreo Balls

Most of my desserts take little time and are perfect for people on the go, or do not have much time to spend in the kitchen baking. This recipe however, takes a little more time but is definitely worth it! It's perfect for a party or a gift for someone. Oreo balls are a fun way to spruce up a normal favorite cookie.

Ingredients:
1 package of Oreos
8 oz. Cream Cheese
12 oz. Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Directions:
First, the most tedious task of this recipe, smashing up the Oreos into cookie crumbs. I take a gallon size plastic bag and put about 10 cookies in at a time and start smashing. I have done it with a roller, big spoon, and my hands. They all work about the same so it's personal preference. This will take the longest, but once all the cookies are smashed, place it into a bowl with the cream cheese and mash together. You want the mixture to be mixed well. Next, melt the chocolate. While the chocolate is melting, start rolling the Oreo crumbs and cream cheese mixture into about 2in balls. Keep a close eye on the chocolate. It is best to use wax paper for the next step. Dip the balls into the chocolate covering the entire thing (your hands will be messy). Place on the wax paper and let dry. After all the balls are covered in chocolate place in the refrigerator for a couple hours. Serve cold and enjoy!