Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts

Remember when I made homemade S'mores pop tarts?  I may have mentioned that I don't like them from the box.  I may have also mentioned that I'm insane and a push-over and I make almost anything my kids ask me to make.  Proof I am a push-over...these brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts.  Proof I am insane...made these the same day as my Angelic Brownies and Pizza Spaghetti.  The boys both got it into their heads that they should start looking for recipes on the internet for me to make and then they both begged...and offered to help cook...and offered to help clean up....and basically....I'm a pushover....so.....I said yes. 

I did get some help with the pizza spaghetti, the pepperoni didn't make it on that casserole itself....and those oreos....they didn't climb into my angelic brownies on their own.  Yes, the kids did help that much....then they disappeared.  No where to be found....until it was time to eat.  Then they were both there and very excited about what "they" had created for dinner. Still...totally worth all of the work, they were so proud to have me make AND blog their recipes!

This one I did all by myself.  Kind of involved and a lot of steps to get the dough ready, but totally worth it!  They were gone before they even finished cooling (thus the lack of many photos) and I even got to eat one.  No pop tart has ever tasted so good!  Seriously, I liked them even more than my s'mores pop tarts (and those were super yummy).

Moral of the story?  Having your kids search for and choose recipes....great, having your kids help you cook...so much fun, having your kids help you clean up after all that cooking.....I wouldn't know, they keep disappearing, but I imagine it would be great!  (Just kidding!  Seriously, my kids are awesome and great helps in the kitchen.  Especially when I threaten to never bake for them again!)  

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Poptarts via Chow.com

Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon fine salt

2 sticks (8 ounces) cold butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 large egg yolks

1/4 cup milk 

Filling:

5 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar

5 teaspoons granulated sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Glaze:

3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted

4 teaspoons milk, plus more as needed

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine the ingredients for the filling and set aside.

Make the dough: Whisk the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl until combined. Add the butter and toss with your fingers until well coated in the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until reduced to pea-size pieces.  Whisk the egg yolks and milk in a small bowl until combined and add to the flour mixture, mixing with your hands until large clumps form. 

Turn the mixture out onto a work surface and knead briefly, smearing the butter into the dough with the heel of your palm until the dough completely comes together, about 1 minute.

Divide the dough into 2 equal portions and shape into 2 (6-by-5-inch) rectangles. Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. 

Heat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

Lightly dust a work surface with flour and roll 1 dough portion out into a rough 12-by-10-inch rectangle, rotating the dough and re-flouring the surface and rolling pin often to prevent the dough from sticking.

Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, trim the dough to a 10-1/2-by-9-inch rectangle.

Cut that into 6 equal rectangles (each about 3 1/2 inches wide by 4 1/2 inches tall).

Using a flat spatula, transfer the rectangles to the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each.

Roll out the second dough portion to the same dimensions as the first, trim, and cut into 6 rectangles. Using a fork, prick the dough all over.  

Divide the brown sugar–cinnamon filling among the rectangles on baking sheet. Spread the filling into an even layer, leaving a 3/4-inch border.  Place the pricked rectangles on top of the brown sugar–cinnamon-covered rectangles.  Press on the edges to adhere, and push down gently on the filling to slightly flatten. Using a fork dipped in flour, crimp the edges of the tarts. 

Bake until golden brown, about 23 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before glazing.

For the glaze:

Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until evenly combined. (You may need to add more milk by the 1/2 teaspoon if the glaze is too thick.)

Set the wire rack with the tarts on it over a baking sheet. Using a spoon, drizzle about 1 tablespoon of the glaze over each tart. Let set before eating, about 15 minutes.

Recipe shared on:
Adorned From Above - Wednesday Blog Hop
21st Century Housewife - Hearth and Soul Blog Hop
Chocolate, Chocolate and More - Thursday's Treasures
Weekend Kitchen Creations
Foodie Friends Friday
Food Frenzy

Frozen Cappuccino Crunch Cake

Been crazy busy with work and school and homework lately and I haven't posted in ages!!  So, here is a post...short but sweet!  My oldest son found this recipe and decided we had to make it for Valentine's Day for dessert.  It goes together easily (but takes a while with all of the freezing necessary) and is delicious!  

Better than any ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins!!!!  Oh darn...don't tell them I said that....I doooo LOVE Baskin Robbins!  :)

Frozen Cappuccino Crunch Cake Adapted from Nestle Toll House


1 (10 3/4 oz.) frozen pound cake, thawed
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 3/4 cups dark chocolate, chopped
4 cups (1 quart) coffee ice cream, softened
1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 3/4 cups coarsely crushed malted milk balls
Frozen whipped topping, thawed (optional)
Coarsely crushed malted milk balls, (optional)

Directions:

SLICE pound cake into 1/8- to 1/4-inch slices. Place half of the slices on bottom of 9-inch springform pan; press down firmly. Set remaining slices aside.

BRING cream just to a boil in medium saucepan. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; let stand 5 minutes. Whisk until well combined and smooth. Pour half of the chocolate mixture over pound cake in pan, spreading evenly to within 1/4-inch of edge of pan. Cover; freeze for 1 1/2 hours or until chocolate is set.

COMBINE softened ice cream and whipped topping in large bowl. Fold in 1 3/4 cups crushed malted milk balls. Spread over chocolate layer in pan. Cover; freeze until ice cream is firm, about 2 hours.

TOP ice cream with remaining pound cake slices; press down firmly. Spread remaining chocolate mixture over pound cake. Cover; freeze at least 6 hours.

Enjoy!

Recipe shared on:
Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop
21st Century Housewife - The Hearth and Soul Hop
Chocolate, Chocolate, and More - Thurdsay's Treasures
Foodie Friends Friday
Rediscovering Lost Arts From Our Mothers

Angelic Brownies (shhh!... they are really Slutty Brownies)

It's celebration time!  Someone got an excellent report card this last quarter and showed great improvement! He worked hard to bring those grades up and we needed to celebrate his success!!!  When asked what he would like for a celebration dinner, he chose Pizza Spaghetti (recipe on the blog), and even searched the web for a recipe.  As for dessert, I thought we should try something new.  All over Pinterest these days I've seen these "Slutty Brownies" and I've been dying to try them!  So I tell both of my boys about them and they cringe at the name, both telling me it is too inappropriate.  Thus, the start of their campaign to rename these sinful brownies and Zack comes up with...... "Angelic".  He said it is ironic.  Did I mention how sarcastic my kids are?

This is the simplest dessert known to man!  Use a 9 x 13 or 9 x 9 inch dish, line with foil and spray with non stick spray.  The bottom layer is chocolate chip cookie dough (Max made my special recipe found here).

Next is a layer of oreo cookies (placed in perfect rows by Zack).  Next time I really want to try reeses cups instead of oreos (not a big fan of oreos myself), I think it would be to-die-for!!!!

Top it all off with a batch of brownie mix.  Can use boxed brownies or your favorite recipe.  We got lazy and used brownie mix and now I know, for a 9 x 13, you need two mixes if you want a thick brownie layer....which I do....I really really do want the thick gooey brownie layer!

Bake them until done, but still ooey gooey goodness!  Voila....Slutty....I mean Angelic Brownies!  Who am I kidding?  These brownies are waaaaay to sinful to be Angelic!  ;)

Slutty  Angelic Brownies 

Line with foil and spray with non-stick spray: a 9 x 9 inch baking dish (can use 9 x 13 if you double up on everything)

First Layer: Baker Becky's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough here or use box mix or tube of dough

Second Layer: Oreo Cookies (or Reese's Peanut Butter Cups if you are brave)

Third and Top Layer: Brownie Mix or your favorite Brownie Recipe (double if you are using 9 x 13 dish)

Bake in 350 degree oven until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean or almost clean (if you like your brownies on the gooey side) about 30-40 minutes.

Let cool on a rack for about an hour before you lift out of pan and cut into squares.  If you want to enjoy them while still hot then just cut them right in the dish and serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Recipe Shared On:
Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop
Chocolate, Chocolate and More - Thursday's Treasures
Foodie Friends Friday
Kathe with an E - You're Gonna Love it Tuesday

Pizza Spaghetti

Shortest....post....ever!  This one is for Zack!  To celebrate his great report card, I offered to make a special meal of his choosing.  Zack saw a picture of Pizza Spaghetti on Twitter and went searching the web looking for a recipe.  This super easy recipe popped up on myrecipes.com and was originally from Southern Living.

Very cute and fun dish to make with the kids! My youngest, who hates spaghetti, ate two helpings and declared that spaghetti with pepperoni was just awesome!!

Pizza Spaghetti adapted from myrecipes.com

serves 8

12 ounces uncooked spaghetti

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 lb Italian sausage

2 ounces turkey pepperoni, sliced in 1/2

1 (26-oz.) jar tomato-and-basil pasta sauce or your favorite homemade sauce

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 (8-oz.) package shredded Italian three-cheese blend

Cook spaghetti with 1/2 tsp. salt according to package directions. Drain well, and place in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish (can also 1/2 the recipe and cook in a round 9" baking dish).

Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain and set aside. Wipe skillet clean. Add pepperoni, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes or until slightly crisp.

Top spaghetti in baking dish with sausage; pour pasta sauce over sausage. Arrange half of pepperoni slices evenly over pasta sauce. Sprinkle evenly with cheeses. Arrange remaining half of pepperoni slices evenly over cheese. 

Bake at 350° for 30- 40 minutes or until cheese is melted and just begins to brown.

Recipe Shared On:
Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop
21st Century Housewife - the Hearth and Soul Hop
Foodie Friends Friday

German Chocolate Cupcakes

I don't know why it has taken me so long to make German Chocolate Cupcakes.  German Chocolate cake is my families all time favorite cake.  It is the cake my Mom and siblings request for all of their birthdays.  My Mom has been making it from the recipe that has been printed on the back of the Baker's box for all of my life and I have never tasted a recipe for this cake that is better.

Believe it or not, I've only made the cake once before.  Why would I make it when no one makes it as good as Mom does?  It's true, you can follow that woman's recipes but nothing you make will ever taste as good as she makes it!  

The cake is incredibly tender from the buttermilk and not too sweet.  But my favorite part is the coconut-pecan frosting.  O M G....so good I can eat it from the pan, with a spoon, no cake necessary!   The trick to the frosting is to let it sit and thicken.  You can even refrigerate it for a little bit to speed up the process.  It takes a while but it's totally worth it!

So, this is the first time I've made or even had a German Chocolate Cupcake.....I just really wanted to make them into a cupcake since that seems to be my specialty.  When I googled pictures I saw these beautiful cupcakes with frosting piped around the outer edges, holding in all of that yummy coconut frosting.  They were made by "Your Cup of Cake".  I used my own recipe from my Mom for the cake and coconut frosting and followed the Cup of Cake's lead with the chocolate frosting and design.  So pretty and sooooo delish!!!

 German Chocolate Cupcakes Baker's Original Recipe

Cupcake (or cake):

1 package (4 oz) Baker's German's Sweet Chocolate

1/2 cup boiling water

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

4 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup buttermilk

4 egg whites, stiffly beaten

Melt chocolate in boiling water, cool.  Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each.  Blend in vanilla and chocolate.  Sift flour with soda and salt; add alternatively with buttermilk to chocolate mixture, beating after each addition until smooth.  Fold in beaten egg whites.  Pour into paper lined cupcake pans, filling 2/3 full (alternatively for cake, pour into three 9-inch layer pans).  Bake until toothpick inserted in center of cupcake comes out clean, approximately 16 minutes.  Take out of oven and cool on rack.

Coconut-Pecan Frosting:

Combine 1 cup evaporated milk, 1 cup sugar, 3 slightly beaten egg yolks, 1/2 cup butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened, about 12 minutes.  Take off heat and stir in 1 1/3 cups coconut and 1 cup chopped pecans.  Cool until thick enough to spread, beating occasionally.  Makes 2 1/2 cups.

Chocolate Buttercream:

4 ounces cream cheese

½ cup butter

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

3 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons cream 

Beat cream cheese and butter for 4 minutes. Add cocoa, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Let beat for 3 minutes. Add cream and beat until creamy and fluffy.  

Assemble Cupcake:

Make a frosting border around the cupcake with the chocolate buttercream.  Scoop the coconut pecan frosting into the middle of the frosting border.  Alternatively you can forgo the chocolate buttercream and scoop more of the coconut pecan frosting onto the cupcake.

Recipe shared on:

Weekend Kitchen Creations

Foodie Friends Friday

Chocolate, Chocolate and More - Thursday's Treasures

My Turn For Us - Freedom Fridays

Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes

Monday night the boys and I headed over to Fenton's Creamery.  Fenton's has been in Oakland for over 100 years and has the best ice cream sundaes around!  I have been visiting since I was a little girl and continued all through college and now I take my kids there.  Both of my boys were born in a hospital down the street from the creamery and my only request after each of their births was for an ice cream sundae, which my Mom hand delivered to the recovery room (snuck those suckers right past the nurse's station!)

They have all of these crazy sundaes with wild mixtures of flavors and fun names, but for me it's all about a single scoop hot fudge sundae.  I don't need anything super fancy, just really good ice cream and LOTS of hot fudge and of course, the cherry on top!

I came home Monday and couldn't stop thinking about how much fun it would be to make a cupcake that looked like a sundae.  I could make a fudgy cupcake to resemble the scoop of chocolate ice cream; the vanilla swiss meringue buttercream (big shocker) would look like whipped cream but taste more like a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream; drizzle homemade (or store bought) caramel sauce and homemade (or store bought) fudge sauce over the top and add a cherry!  VOILA....Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes!

I think these are the very epitome of a celebration cupcake, they just look so fun and festive!  Um...they are also irresistible, the boys and I actually ate them  before dinner!  What?!  There's nothing wrong with that!  Cupcakes make fabulous appetizers!  Really....trust me....I'm starting a trend!

Just look at how cute they turned out!  Don't you want to make some??

Ice Cream Sundae Cupcakes

The Cupcake:  via Barefoot Contessa At Home

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, shaken, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 tablespoons brewed coffee
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup good cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and 2 sugars on high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes. Lower the speed to medium, add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. On low speed, add the buttermilk mixture and the flour mixture alternately in thirds to the mixer bowl, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until blended. Fold the batter with a rubber spatula to be sure it's completely blended.

Divide the batter among the cupcake pans and bake in the middle of the oven for approx 18 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, remove from the pans, and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Vanilla Swiss Meringue Buttercream:


5 large egg whites
11/2 cup sugar
4 sticks butter, diced and softened
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vanilla

Combine egg whites and sugar in a bowl placed over simmering water. Bring mixture to 150 degrees F while whisking constantly.

Transfer mixture to stand mixer bowl, fitted with a whisk attachment and beat on medium speed until mixture cools and doubles in volume, forming stiff peaks.

Add butter in one piece at a time, mixing to incorporate.. The mixture may appear clumpy and almost curdled looking-this is normal. Keep mixing (may take a few minutes on high) and it will become even and smooth again. Add salt and vanilla and mix to combine.

Assemble Cupcake:

Frost cooled cupcakes to look like whipped cream.  Drizzle hot fudge sauce and caramel sauce  over the buttercream and top with a cherry!  Feel free to use store bought sauces or make homemade.  Keep it simple!  :)



Recipe Shared On:
Weekend Kitchen Creations
Adorned From Above - Wednesdays Blog Hop
21st Century Housewife - Hearth and Soul Blog Hop
My Turn For Us - Freedom Fridays
Chocolate, Chocolate, and More - Thursdays Treasures
Foodie Friends Friday

Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream

I'm still on the look-out for the perfect vanilla cupcake!  I actually don't have a problem with cakes made from a box.  I often doctor up box mixes to make cakes and cupcakes.  But I LOVE the taste of homemade cakes, especially when you can taste all of that fresh vanilla bean or whatever REAL ingredients you put in there.  The only problem I really have is that homemade cakes are rarely as moist as those made from a box and I am determined to find the perfect recipe.

I do really love my vanilla bean cupcakes but I'm still looking for the perfect recipe!  I thought I'd give Brown Eyed Baker's recipe a try.  Michelle makes some fabulous baked goods and I trust her to have a great recipe!  This one did not disappoint!  Very moist cupcake,  tight crumb but not too dense.  I was a little concerned with all of the egg yolks, but it was still fairly fluffy.  I added vanilla bean seeds as well as vanilla extract, I love to see those little seeds when I eat a cupcake.  

 Now for the shocker.....I did not make Swiss Meringue Buttercream!  (gasp!)  I know....I am getting a bit of a reputation as an addict, but I started my 12 step program and step 5 is "try another frosting".  So I did!  I actually just made a very simple vanilla buttercream....with extra vanilla extract.  Hey...you are lucky there were no vanilla bean seeds in it, I really have a problem!  The frosting was delish...I thinned it out with a little  bit of cream so it was not too thick and it was perfect for the cupcake!  Ok...I will admit it....not EVERY cupcake needs to have Swiss Meringue.  There, I said it!  Now go make a batch of these yummy and very easy cupcakes!

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Vanilla Cupcake with Vanilla Buttercream adapted from Brown Eyed Baker

makes 12 cupcakes

Vanilla Cupcakes:

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon table salt

8 tablespoons butter (1 stick), room temperature

½ cup sour cream

1 large egg , room temperature

2 large egg yolks , room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

seeds of 1/2 vanilla bean

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pan with liners.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl of standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Add butter, sour cream, egg and egg yolks, and vanilla and vanilla seeds; beat at medium speed until smooth and satiny, about 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula and mix by hand until smooth and no flour pockets remain.

Divide batter evenly among cups of prepared tin. Bake until cupcake tops are pale gold and toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from tin and transfer to wire rack; cool cupcakes to room temperature before frosting.

Vanilla Buttercream:

1 cup butter (2 sticks), at room temperature

3 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1-2 tablespoons cream

Using mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, stopping to scrape the bowl once or twice.

Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once all of the powdered sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium-high and add the vanilla, mixing until incorporated. Add cream slowly and beat until desired consistency.

Frost cupcakes and enjoy!

Recipe shared on:
Weekend Kitchen Creations
Foodie Friends Friday
Chocolate, Chocolate, and More - Thursday's Treasures
The 21st Century Housewife - Gallery of Favorites