Chocolate Pound Cake

I have made a decision...no more bundt pan! { or tube pan, whichever you prefer }. I am not very bundt pan  savvy. Anything that is baked in it, never, ever comes out..literally.  Half of it always winds up in the pan. What am I doing wrong?!  I grease, flour, spray with the spray. Argh!  The good news is..it has tasted good. 

That's the important part, right?

This cake..very good despite my lack of talent getting it out of the pan.  Chocolaty goodness at it's best.

Adapted From

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) - unsalted butter

1-1/2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1/2 teaspoon - baking soda

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup chocolate chips

8 ounces - baking chocolate, melted/cooled

1/3 cup chocolate syrup

2 tsp vanilla

2- 1/2 cups cake flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300°. Butter and lightly flour 10 inch tube pan. In a bowl, add cake flour. Set aside. Cream butter in a large bowl, gradually add sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk,stirring well.  Then add to butter/sugar mixture alternately with flour. Add vanilla, chocolate syrup and cooled melted chocolate. Blend well. Fold in 1 cup of chocolate morsels  Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes or until cake springs back when touched or tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake completely

Linked Up at: Foodie Friends Friday Weekend Potluck Recipe Roundup

Bacon & Egg Muffins

Well, school is in full swing here. The lazy days (not!) of summer are gone and we are back to packing lunches, fighting to get children out of bed and the craziness of feeding seven people who need to be out the door in one hour time.  Wooh! I am tired thinking about it.  Thank goodness I found this tasty recipe on Pinterest.   They are easy to bake up, toss in the freezer, than, just warm up for a quick weekday breakfast.  

{You could also omit bacon for a meatless muffin or replace it with ham or turkey sausage}

Adapted From

Ingredients:

1-10 ct refrigerated biscuits

4 eggs

3 TBSP milk

1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon {bacon bits will also work}

1/3-1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

salt/pepper- to taste preference, if desired

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin pan with non stick cooking spray. Place each biscuit in prepare muffin pan. Bake for 5 minutes.  While baking, mix eggs with milk & salt/pepper.  Remove biscuits from oven and press them down lightly to flatten.  Pour equal amount of egg mixture over each biscuits. Top with cheese and bacon. Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes or until eggs are set.

Freeze or refrigerate leftovers in covered container.

Linked up at:  Tasty Thursday Full Plate Thursday Something Swanky Back for Seconds Create and Share Recipe Roundup

Mashed Potato Casserole



Mashed potatoes is not something we eat alot of around here. My kids are not big fans of them. Weird, right? I thought all kids loved mashed potatoes.  Of course, nothing is the norm when it comes to my children's eating habits.  This was a bigger hit than our regular, plain mashed potatoes though.  I will say it again..bacon and cheese, makes everything a bit better. 

This casserole is very creamy, cheesy and would make a great side dish or you could serve as your main course.  You could also put it together, cover it and put in the fridge.  Then, when you are ready, uncover and bake. It's a great dish to have for a holiday or to bring to a potluck.

Adapted From

Ingredients:

8 medium potatoes (approx 2lbs),peeled and cut into chunks

1 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese,divided

4-6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled.

salt/pepper- to taste preference

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 qt casserole dish with non stick cooking spray.

Boil potatoes in large pot. Cook approx 20 minutes and drain.   Return potatoes to pot.  Add evaporated milk, sour cream & salt/pepper. Beat with mixer until smooth.  Stir in 1-1/2 cups of cheddar cheese.  Spoon potatoes into prepared dish.  Bake for 20 minutes.  Top with bacon and remaining 1/2 cup cheese.  Baked another 5 minutes or until heated thoroughly and cheese is melted.

Linked up at: Show Me What you Got Tasty Tuesday Delicicous Dishes Tempt my Tummy Tuesday Tuesday at the Table All My Bloggy Friends What I Whipped Up Wednesday Show & Share Wednesday Recipe Roundup Tasty Thursday Full Plate Thursday

Menu Planning Monday

Here's what's up at our kitchen this week:

Monday: Turkey Burgers with Three Cheese Mac n Cheese

Tuesday: Homemade Pizza

Wednesday: Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Thursday: Spaghetti with Garlic Bread

Friday:  Leftovers/Grocery Shopping or Take-Out

A few things possible for Breakfast besides cereal :)

Fruit & Yogurt Muffins

Chocolate Granola

Linking up at: I'm an Organizing Junkie & Stone Gable

Thanks for stopping by..Have a great week!

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Rice Krispies Treats

Remember, when I said that my diet was being worked on?  It still is. Kinda. Just not as aggressively as originally planned.  Whenever I am planning what to make for the week, I do an inventory of what' in my pantry.  Marshmallows and chocolate were there last week..and peanut butter.  Well, peanut butter is always in my pantry. My 7 year old lives on peanut butter, it's easy and a bit frustrating at the same time.  Anyway...back to treats.. grabbing a box of Rice Krispies seemed the logical choice.  I was pretty good with these.  Only snacked on 1 or 2.  It was not easy. They are delicious and if you are trying to diet..you have been warned!

Adapted From

Ingredients:

3 TBSP butter

4 cup mini marshmallows or approx 40 regular sized

1/2 cup peanut butter

6 cup Rice Krispies cereal

1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

In a large saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows over low heat.  Stir in peanut butter and melt completely.  Add cereal 1 cup at a time until well coated.  Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips.  Evenly press cereal mixture into a greased 13 x 9 pan.  Let cool slightly.  Melt remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips and drizzle over cereal bars.  Cool completely before serving.

Linked up at: Tasty Thursday, Full Plate Thursday, Something Swanky Foodie Friday Food on Friday Life as a Lofthouse Weekend Potluck Heavenly Treats Sunday

{Crock Pot} Taqueria Chicken Tacos



Yep. Tacos. I know. I know. I post alot of taco/nachos/enchilada recipes.  I can't help it!  Subconsciously,  I think, if I keep serving Mexican food or some close version of it, Mr Plain will eventually see the light and love it too.  That isn't exactly how it's been going though.  He is a tough customer.  It took me 8 years to convince him that spaghetti sauce isn't quite as horrible as he once thought.  Although, in his defense, as a child,  his family, ate their spaghetti topped with tomato soup.  Not, a fancy, homemade spiced up soup, but, plain ole' canned soup.  I agree..now, that's disgusting.  So, I figure..baby steps.

So, chicken tacos.  I found this recipe over at Terri at "That's some good cookin'".  {Good cookin' it is.  Check out her site.  She is awesomely fabulous.}  This chicken is so tasty and cooking in the crock pot makes it that much better. The Italian & Ranch seasoning is a great mix. You don't even have to use this chicken for tacos.  It can also work for enchiladas, salads or heck, just on a plate..it's that good.

Ingredients:

1-1/2 lbs chicken breast

3/4 cup water

1/4 cup white vinegar

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp chili powder

1-.7oz packet Italian dressing seasoning mix

1 packet (1oz) Ranch dressing seasoning mix

1/2 cup canola oil

Directions:

Spray crock pot with non stick cooking spray. Place chicken in pot. In a jar or container, mix water, vinegar,cumin,chili powder and dressing mixes. Cover and shake well.  Then, add oil. Shake again until well combined. Pour mixture over chicken. Cover and cook on high 4 hours. Shred chicken with forks and let cook an additional 30 minutes. For best results, remove chicken with slotted spoon, to let liquid drain before serving.

Serve with soft or hard taco shells. Garnish with lettuce, salsa, cheese or as desired.

Linked up at: Show Me What You Got, Tasty Tuesday,Delicious Dishes Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Tuesday at the Table, All My Bloggy Friends, What's Cookin Wednesday,Whatever Goes Wednesday , Whatcha Whipped Up, Tasty Thursday Foodie Friday

Menu Planning Monday

Here's what's going on in our kitchen this week:

Monday: {Crockpot} Chicken & Stuffing

Tuesday: Pizza Meatloaf with Spaghetti & Cheddar Biscuits

Wednesday: Taco Pizza {recipe coming soon!}

Thursday: Sandwiches

Friday: Leftovers/Grocery Shopping or Take-Out

Breakfast:

Chocolate Chip Muffins with Ricotta Cheese

Homemade Pop Tarts

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a good week.

Linking Up at: I'm an Organizing Junkie & On the Menu Monday

S'mores Monkey Bread

This week the kids head back to school. So does Mr. Plain.  (Oh, Mr Plain is a teacher, just in case it was never mentioned around here).  It is going to be so quiet around here.  Just me & my youngest.  It's strange..I am looking forward to it & dreading it all at the same time.  The first time that I won't have to fight somebody to use the computer though, the whole dreading part will probably fade pretty quickly.
With the new season upon us, I decided to try and eat better. Maybe even lose some weight!?  So, last week, while trying to jam as much sweets into my diet as possible before my mental start date, I made this:

Yep, seriously.  Now, they are gone, so, I don't have to worry about sneaking anything.  The tough part is always making something for the rest of the family( & of course, you guys)  and not completely going crazy. Fingers crossed.

These are quite delicious and you will go a little crazy when you start to eat them..a bit like a monkey.

Adapted From

Ingredients:

2 cans, flaky layer refrigerator biscuits

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 mini marshmallows

1-1/4 cup marshmallow creme

3/4 cup butter

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bundt pan (tube pan) with non stick cooking spray. Seperate biscuits into eight separate biscuits.  Cut each into 4 pieces.

In a plastic storage bag, add grahan cracker crumbs and sugar.  Place 4-5 biscuits into bag at a time and shake well. Continue until all pieces are coated.

Layer biscuits, mini marshmallow and chocolate chips in pan.

In a saucepan, melt marshmallow creme and butter.  Let it come to a boil, then stir for about a minute.  Pour over biscuits in pan.

Bake 30 minutes or until brown.  Let stand for 10 minutes before removing from pan. Turn over onto a pan to serve.

Linked Up At:  Full Plate Thursdays, Tasty Thursdays, Something Swanky, Foodie Friends Friday, Heavenly Treats Sunday,Shaken Together,All My Bloggy Friends

Apple Brickle Dip

This weekend we hosted a sleepover for the kids. Since, the summer was..well, crappy, we let them invited some cousins over for the weekend before school starts up again.  So, for two days, we entertained nine children (This number does include our five).  It went very well.  I served pizza, they played campout, watched a movie with popcorn and made their own ice cream sundaes.   Then, on Sunday, my sisters & Mom had lunch with us.  It was a lovely family weekend.

It just so happens that not too long ago, one of my sisters gave me this recipe.  She told me it was fabulous and I had to post it.   She was right.

I made it with the intention of serving it to the kids at the sleepover.  I didn't.  My sister and I pigged out on it when she came to pick up her daughters.  It is so good and so easy. Sweet cream cheese with toffee is a great combo.  It's great for a party or just to pig out with your sister with.  And, hey, you serve it with apples, so, it's almost healthy, right? 

Ingredients:

8oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2-3 toffee candy bars,broken in pieces (or bag of toffee bits). 

Directions:

Mix cream cheese, both sugars and vanilla in a bowl.  Fold in toffee pieces. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Serve with apples {or graham sticks}

Linked up at:  Show Me What You Got/Not Just a Housewife, Tasty Tuesday, Delicious Dishes, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table,Recipe Box,Foodie Friday, Heavenly Sunday, Shaken Together

Menu Planning Monday

Here's what going on in our kitchen this week:


Monday:  Baked Ravioli

Tuesday: Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken  with Mashed Potato Casserole {recipe coming soon!}

Wednesday: Breakfast for Dinner

Thursday:  Grilled Cheese with Oven Fries

Friday:  Leftovers/Grocery Shopping or Takeout....depends on the day.

For Breakfast:

French Breakfast Muffins

French Toast

Linked up at: I'm an Organizing Junkie & On the Menu Monday

Have a good week.
Thanks for stopping by!

{Crock Pot} Pizza Casserole

OK, are you excited?  Pizza! In a crockpot! Well, not an actual pizza. But, many elements that make up a pizza..sauce, cheese, meat...You see what I'm sayin', right?  This casserole is great. You can add & subtract any ingredients to your liking. Also, you can make a small batch for your family meal or a huge batch for a big crowd.  I cut the recipe back a bit for us, but, it still was plenty for dinner & then leftovers at lunch the next day.

Adapted From

Ingredients:

2lbs ground turkey ( or beef)

1 TBSP dried onion ( or 1/4 cup fresh onion, chopped)

20oz spaghetti sauce

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp oregano

8oz wide egg noodles

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

6-8 slices pepperoni

Directions:

Prepare egg noodle according to package. Drain. Set aside. Brown ground turkey in a large deep skillet. Add onion. Cook until no longer pink.  Add in spaghetti sauce, garlic and oregano. Mix well.

Spray crock pot with non stick cooking spray.

Spoon approx 2 cups of meat mixture on bottom of crock pot. Spoon approx 1 cup of noodles on top of meat mixture.  Then,  add a layer mozzarella & cheddar cheese. Repeat layers.

Top with pepperoni slices {you can also add pepperoni in your separate layers, not everyone here likes pepperoni, so, I only used on top layer}

Cover and cook on high for 1-1 1/2 hours or until cheese is melted.

Linked up at:
Foodie Friend Friday
Food on Friday
What's Cookin Wednesday
Back to School Recipes

{No Bake} Mini Cheesecakes

Today is one of the few days in a looonnnggg summer of 100 + degree days that will actually be bearable.  Possibly only 80 degrees! Well, some rain possibly, but, we'll take it.  We need it. It has been so incredibly hot this summer that we have zapped out one air conditioning unit in the girls room and a second ( in the main living space, of course) is barely hanging on .  The last unit in the boys room is working great. Almost over-working. It gets so cold at night, my 5 year old is wearing winter pj pants to bed at night.  It's nuts.

Anyhoo..cheesecake! My oldest has been asking for cheesecake for many monthes.  It sounded like a great idea to me.  But, with 100 degree weather and a cooking time of over an hour..sorry, dear.  But, these were so simple,cute and no baking.   A new favorite around here.  The other kids didn't even realize they were cheesecake.  They called them " whip frosting cupcakes".  Add in an Oreo, we have a winner.

Adapted From

Ingredients:

8oz cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

8oz whip topping

12 Oreo cookies

Directions:

Beat cream cheese, whip topping and sugar until well combined. Place cupcake liners in a 12 count cupcake pan. Place 1 Oreo cookie in bottom of pan.   Spoon cream cheese mixture on top of cookie. Sprinkle with rainbow sprinkles or crushed Oreos if desired.

Refrigerate until serving. 

Linked up at:  Miz Helen's Full Plate Thursday  & Something Swanky Sweet Treats & Walking on Sunshine/Foodie Friday & Tasty Thursday. & Heavenly Treats Sunday & What's Shakin' & Eat Home Cooks

Baked Pierogi Casserole

Frozen potato/cheese pierogis are a regular dinnertime dish at our house.  Mr Plain is a big fan of them.  I have never made them from scratch, but, we have eaten them fresh from restaurants and our local farmers market.  He tells that mine are better.  Yes, the frozen ones from the package. To each his own, right? Well, I prefer the fresh, but, until fresh are made in my kitchen, which may not be happening too soon, the frozen will have to do.

This casserole gives regular frozen {or fresh} pierogis a little extra pizazz.  It's pierogis, cheese, more cheese and bacon... and isn't everything a little better with cheese and bacon?

Adapted From

Ingredients:
16oz frozen pierogis
2-3 slices cooked bacon,crumbled
1/3 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4-1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
chopped green onions, optional

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly spray 13x9 baking dish with non stick cooking spray. Arrange frozen pierogis in dish.  In a saucepan, mix cream cheese and chicken broth. Stir frequently until cheese is melted and smooth. Pour melted cream cheese mixture evenly over pierogis.  Sprinkle evenly with cheddar cheese.  Bake 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and pierogis are warmed through.
Garnish cooked dish with crumbled bacon & chopped green onions

Linked up at: The Kings Court, What's Cookin Wednesday & Whatcha Whipped Up Wednesday, DJ's Sugar Shack @ Something Swanky & Walking on Sunshine/Foodie Friday

Chocolate Caramel Squares

Chocolate & Caramel.  Need I say more? 

I made these over the weekend. My family inhaled these.  The whole family.  Not one complaint.  Now, why can't that be the case when a new chicken dish is served at dinner? Oh, the chocolate & caramel thing that is going on with these.  Got it.

Make these and watch your loved ones inhale them.  Then, eat any stray leftovers for breakfast the next day.  Not that I did that.  OK, maybe just one or two.  Don't tell my kids, though.  They think their dad finished them off while watching TV after they went to bed.

Adapted From

Ingredients:

1-18.25 box devils food cake mix

18oz container of caramel dip

1 stick butter, melted

2 eggs

1/2 cup, plus 1 TBSP water

6oz cream cheese

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup brown sugar

6oz chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13 x9 baking dish with non stick cooking spray.

{for bottom layer} Mix cake mix and butter until well blended and crumbly.  Take 1/2 of cake mix mixture and press down on prepared baking dish.  Bake 10 minutes. Set aside.

{for middle layer} Warm caramel dip for about 1 minute in microwave.  Beat cream cheese with vanilla until fluffy.  Add in 1 egg.  Add in warm caramel dip. Beat until well blended.  Pour caramel mixture on to baked bottom layer. Spread evenly.

{for top layer} Beat remaining cake mix, 1 egg, and water.  Beat on low until mixed. Beat on high for 2 minutes.  Spread evenly on caramel mixture.

{for garnish} Mix brown sugar with chocolate chips. Sprinkle on top.

Bake for 30 minutes or until set.

Menu Planning Monday

Here's what's up around our kitchen this week:

Monday: Crock Pot Pizza Casserole {recipe coming soon!}

Tuesday: Fettuccine Alfredo

Wednesday:  Grilled Chicken with Chicken Rice

Thursday:  Cheese Enchiladas

Friday: Take Out/Left-overs or Grocery Shopping

Some Breakfast this week:

Homemade Chocolate Granola

Mini Cinnamon Rolls

And, of course, some dessert :)

{No Bake} Peanut Butter Cups

Have a great week. Thanks for stopping by!

Linked up at: Menu Planning Monday. I'm an Organizing Junkie & Stone Gable On the Menu Monday



Granola Thins S'mores

Doesn't get any easier than this:

Take 2 Chocolate Granola Thins.  Take a marshmallow.  Toast marshmallow.  Put toasted marshmallow in between granola thins.  Eat. That's it.  I know! So simple.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend.

Chili Nachos

Here's a quick one for you today.  Not too complicated. Not too involved. Just a quick, put together, chow down in front a good movie on a Sunday afternoon kinda snack.  Or have these for lunch, dinner, or make for your next big party. 

Ingredients:

Chili

Nacho Chips

shredded cheddar cheese

garnish suggestions-lettuce, salsa, tomatoes,onions

Simply spread out chips on plate or foil covered cookie sheet. Spoon chili on top of chips. Sprinkle cheese over top.  Heat up in microwave or bake in 350 degree oven for 5-8 minutes.  { Another great option: Broiler}

Garnish as desired.

Linked Up at: Recipe Roundup

Wordless Wednesday



Life as a Bear. Doesn't look that bad.

Linked up at: 5 minutes for Mom