Sweet Treats: Summer Berry Cool Whip Cake

I am taking a little summer vacation to see family and get crap done, so I leave you with a treat that I like to think is *healthy*, and takes but minutes to make. We have made this cake a few times this summer. The fun thing is, you can play with what fruits and berries (cherries, kiwi, banana, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, mandarin oranges) you want to use and the frosting too. I used chocolate frosting this time, but last time I used pink lemonade frosting and it was amazing!! Plus, you can make it all pretty and festive!!

Mix together some of your cool whip and a frosting flavor of your choice.

  Slice your angel food cake in half and frost the middle. Top that with chopped strawberries.

 I added extra dollups of cool-whip to decorate the top. Then add your berries, sprinkles, chocolate shavings, fresh mint leaves, shredded coconut or whatever. The cake tastes best if you chill it for at least 30 minutes. And enjoy, for a light and fluffy, refreshing summer treat!

Sweet Treats: Apple Blackberry Blueberry Pie

The summer sun brings summer berries. And with that comes summer treats. So when I had a fridge full of berries, I knew just what to do with them. There was a small disagreement about a making pie vs. a cobbler/crisp... but the pie won, largely b/c I had already thawed my pie crusts. It was going to just be apple, but we didn't have enough, so I added blackberries and blueberries to the mix. I used this recipe, but I also added some cinnamon and all we could think was it had a potpourri type flavor and fragrance to it. David folded the pie crust edges, he did much better than I do! The fruity sauce color was so pretty.

 Hubster thought the pie looked okay in the pics, but he suggested adding Elisabeth to make it much sweeter.

 The boys enjoy pretty much any kind of sweet we put in front of them. Naturally.

 Being adorable is such an easy job for her.

He also realized Miss E is about the same size as she was in my belly, and he wanted to experience that for himself.  She was not too impressed.

Sweet Treats: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

 
I got this recipe from a church friend. These are sooo good. I first thought they wouldn't be, but oh man, was I wrong. Soft, moist, flavorful but not overwhelming. I crave this weekly... they. are. amazing.

1 cup oil (I used applesauce, they will be extra moist. Or you can do 1/2 oil, 1/2 applesauce)
3 cups sugar
2 eggs beaten
1 TBS vanilla
5 cups unbleached flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp nutmeg (I was out, so added an extra 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice)
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 3/4 tsp salt
1 large* can of solid pumpkin (not the mix)
1 bag semi sweet chocolate chips.

Mix together the wet ingredients. Stir in sifted dry ingredients. Mix well. Glop on heaping spoonfuls on your cookie sheet. I do about 3-4 spoonfuls per cookie, so I get 9 cookies per cookie sheet. (They don't need to be this huge, but I like them to be this huge! Almost like cookie/cupcakes) Bake at 375*F for 12-13 minutes or until cookies are cooked through. (You can tell by looking to see if the tops still look mushy and uncooked).

*I have made this using the regular sized can of pumpkin. Still good, but not as good. Get the large 29 oz can.

* Linked to Sweet as Sugar cookies Recipe Linky
*Linked to Remodelholic Recipe Swap

Sweet Treats: Chocoley Chocolate And Candied Apples

 
I love chocolate, but don't know a thing about using it. So, when Chocoley sent this amazing kit in exchange for a review, I was totally delighted. It came with tons of goodies I can't wait to try, but here are some of my favorites for now. They also sent me tons of information on how to actually use it. I can tell you, I typically burn chocolate while melting, but this melted so smooth and was very easy to use, and it was a rich, gourmet flavor and texture, unlike other brands of melted chocolate I have used. My readers will receive a discount and a free candy making course, so keep reading for details.

They have so many chocolate products, but I love their dark chocolate (great for snacking when no one is looking). Also, their drizzle Cocoa Lava is amazing too, and they give lots of fun ideas on how to use it.

 My first ever chocolate confectioneries.... so easy and delicious.

First, I used their Caramel Cream Center (and kosher dairy) and Vanilla Cream Center (and kosher dairy) to make these candies. I just rolled them up, dipped them in melted Bada Bing Bada Boom Dark Chocolate Candy Melts (which are also celiac safe/egg free and peanut/tree nut free). After I dipped them, I laid them on wax paper to dry. Then, I melted their Drizzle and Design White Chocolate and drizzled it on. On some pieces, I dabbed a cute little sprinkle polka dot.

Then, I made these candy apples. I have never made candy apples before. It was relatively easy with their directions. I just melted the caramel (about 1/2 lb for 45 seconds) and dipped my cleaned/dried apples. After the caramel hardened, I dipped in melted chocolate and added sprinkles, walnuts and drizzled white chocolate. I so wanted to add mini marshmallows, but I was out. Wouldn't they make super cute Mother's Day gifts... or party favors?

Little Lovables readers get a 15% discount on your first order (excluding tempering machines, shipping, airbrush equipment and sale/clearance items.) Enter coupon code LITTLELOVABLES15 and it expires 5/20/2011.

Also, you can sign up for a free 7 day email chocolate candy molding course, information here.

Be sure to join the community, they have tons of videos, recipes and tutorials, like this chocolate bark and cookie dough balls.

chocoley.com 
facebook.com/bestchocolate
twitter.com/chocolatesupply

*Linked up to Sweet as Sugar Cookies Saturday Sweets Linky.
*Linked to Little Brick Ranch's Foodie Friday.
*Linked to Remodelaholic's Recipe Sundays.

Herbed Fish with Tomato and Olive Relish Recipe

 Oh me of my, this is the best dinner I've made in a long time! And easy, only took maybe 15 mins to prepare. Another HEB recipe, so I can't take all the credit.

I served it with fresh mango, my easy aspargus, and cresent rolls with honey butter drizzled on.

Asparagus

Discard woody ends. Cut in 3rds. Cook in pot on med-high heat, 1/2 inch of water, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and 2 tb butter. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover with lid, and simmer approx  5mins. My kids (and I) love to eat the Asparagus dipped in Girard's Light Ceaser Dressing.

Crescent Rolls with Honey Butter

I used Pillsbury refrigerated rolls. For butter, mix 3 tb room temp butter with appox 2 tb honey. I melted my butter too much, so it had to be drizzled. Don't melt your butter and you can spread it on, delish!

Olive Tapenade

This is a jarred spread from HEB. And it's delishious, even for those who don't like olives! It can be cooked or even just eaten out of the jar on a cracker or bread. If you can't find it, make your own with the list of ingrediants:
black olives, red bell pepper, zuchinni, capers, diced tomatoes, canola oil, dijon mustardd, sugar, garlic, salt, lemon juice, spices.

Herbed Fish with Tomato and Olive Relish

3/4 c. H-E-B Specialty Series Olive Tapenade

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

1 - 1 1/2 lb. fresh salmon or whitefish fillets

1 Tbsp.  Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tbsp. McCormick Italian Seasoning Grinder

1 or 2 lemons

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 450°F. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Cut tomatoes in half; place tomatoes, olive tapenade and garlic over bottom of baking dish. Stir gently and place in oven 5 minutes.

2. In the meantime, drizzle fillets with olive oil; season both sides with Italian seasoning grinder.

3. Remove pan from oven; push olive mixture to edges of dish. Place fish in center and spoon olive mixture over fish. Squeeze half of one lemon over top and return dish to oven.

4. Bake 10 minutes or until fish just begins to flake when tested with a fork. Serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges.

*wall-e and justice league plates for the little guys*

~linked to Remodeliholic's Recipe linky party.

Sweet Treats: Strawberry Banana Streusel Muffins with Strawberry Butter

This is a compilation of about 3 different recipes. This strawberry muffins one (with user suggestions taken into account), and this cran-orange streusel and my banana one. Every recipe I ran into needing strawberries called for lemon or orange zest, and I am fresh out of both (though I do use a tad of lemon juice). So, why not use something else? Because I bought 4 huge packs of strawberries and need to use them before they go yucky.

Muffins:
2 mushy bananas (well mashed)
1/2 c milk
1 egg
1/4 c brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c flour
1 squirt lemon juice (optional)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 c chopped strawberries

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oil an 8 cup muffin tin, or use paper liners.
2. In a small bowl, combine oil, milk, lemon juice, bananas and egg. Beat lightly. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder and sugar. Toss in chopped strawberries and stir to coat with flour. Pour in milk mixture and stir together.
3. Fill muffin cups. Top with streusel topping, then lightly sprinkle with sugar.
4. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 25 minutes, or until the tops bounce back from the touch. Cool 10 minutes and remove from pans.Serve with Strawberry butter.

Streusel Topping:
2 TB flour
2 TB brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 TB cold butter
2 TB sugar (to sprinkle on afterwards)

* Combine all (except white sugar) in small bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter. Sprinkle white sugar on top.


Strawberry Butter:
3 large strawberries
2 tsp confectioner sugar
stick room temp butter

*Blend and drizzle on muffins. Or maybe you just blend the strawberries and then lightly mix it in the butter for a thicker consistency. I don't know, directions were unclear, so play around with it. It looks disgusting, but I promise you it is not. If you use an awesome food processor unlike my old smoothie half-working blender, it will probably look better.

linked to Remodeliholic's recipe linky

and linked to Sweet as Sugar Cookies' Sweets for Saturday linky.

Sweet Treats: Banana Bread Chocolate Chip and Blackberry Muffins Recipe

I was going to make banana bread. My last loaf was amazing... except for the entire burnt two inch layer on the bottom in that we had to hack away the delicious bread to eat. Let's just say, I'm still learning how to use this decrepit oven of mine.

I thought I would try muffins this time due to the tragedy of my first and last bread experiment. I used a very basic recipe, then as I loaded up the tin for the second batch thought, "Hey, lets have fun with this and try a few things out".

*please excuse my not so beautiful looking pan, thanks*

So, for one row of muffins, I added raisins. Another row, semi-sweet chocolate chips. Another row, blackberries... and one little muffin I mixed in all three (that one coveted muffin was delicious, especially all warm and gooey and smothered in butter!) I'm glad I mixed in some flavor, b/c quite honestly the first batch of banana/walnut muffins were a little bland.

So, as you can see, I still managed to burn these babies a smidgen... even though I seriously cooked them for almost 10 mins less than the suggested time. Maybe I had it set on the wrong heat? Yeah, that must be it... I will be more careful next time, because there WILL be a next time. I used his banana bread recipe and added a few things:

♥ Banana Muffins with Mix-Ins ♥

1/2 c oil
2 eggs
1 c sugar
4 mashed bananas (mashed very, very smooth.... no lumps!)

~mix all together in a bowl, then add in:

2 c flour
1 TB baking soda
1 pinch salt
3/4 c chopped walnuts
cinnamon
dash pure vanilla extract
1 c of either~ raisins, chopped blackberries or semi sweet chocolate chips (c. chips+blackberries are awesome)

~ Grease/flour muffin tin or use cupcake liners. Bake at 350 degrees 25 mins or until toothpick inserted in  center of muffin comes out clean. Top with a bit of butter (I use Smart Balance, makes me feel healthier) and serve.

 *If you are in a major blackberry mood, then try my scones or these ideas*

OH! Linked up to Sweet as Sugar Cookies' Sweets for Saturday
and  The Vintage Farmhouse

  

Sweet Treats; Baked Oatmeal Recipe

This recipe is so easy, fast and delicious! I've made this baked oatmeal before with peanut butter, but my family didn't like it too much, I think I added way too much salt (so my fault). But this was perfect... even for the pickiest eaters. I just topped mine with drizzled honey and chopped fresh strawberries. Serve it with bacon for a yummy breakfast.

Ingredients:
 3 c quick cooking oatmeal
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 c milk
1/2 c vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon


Topping Ideas:
fruit~ strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, raisins)
drizzled honey
chopped fresh mint (optional garnish)
yogurt, maple syrup and raisins
warm milk with sliced banannas
whipped cream and chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into a greased 9x9x2 baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30-40 mins or until set and edges are lightly browned. (My oven runs hot, so it only took about 26 minutes).

OH! Linked up to Sweet as Sugar Cookies' Sweets for Saturday linky. TONS of amazing sweets there today.