Oreo Cupcakes

I've made these TWICE in the last two weeks: first for my friend Jennifer's birthday, and second for BUNCO night. Want to impress a bunch of people you've never met before? Make. These. There was not one woman who ate these who didn't absolutely love them.

Since I didn't really alter the recipe at all, like I usually do, I'll just post the direct link to the site that I found these on:

http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/cake/death-by-oreo-cupcakes-3.html

The only thing I did differently was to save all the extra oreos for the frosting- not mix half with the cake batter. I figured the cupcake would benefit more from having super kickass frosting, especially when the devils food cake is already so rich and delicious!

Enjoy :)

Banana Split Pie

Um... yeah... now that I have your attention...

Besides being delicious, what do all of the above ingredients have in common? They taste good on a sundae, right? That answer is 100% correct, but not the one I'm looking for. The super-correct answer is: They all taste good on a slice of Banana Split Pie.

We haven't had dessert in our household for quite a long time thanks to my dieting. I felt as though my husband needed a treat, so I asked him to pick one. Lesson learned: husband is dooming himself to diabetes by the age of 30. Not only did he harass me all day about when it would be 'pie time', but when 'pie time' finally arrived, he ate TWO pieces decked out with almost all of the ingredients seen above. You betcha.

The original recipe was taken out of a magazine I have containing a bunch of summertime recipes, but I've altered it so much that I really don't think they are the same at all- I just used the one I found for inspiration. The inspiration for this one called for banana liquor, pudding made from scratch, and a from-scratch nutty pie crust. No, thanks. I like to keep things simple.

Ingredients:

* 1 frozen deep dish pie crust
* 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
* 10 oz milk chocolate chips (I used Hershey brand chips)
* 1 large package instant banana pudding
* 2 bananas, sliced
* Whipped cream (usually I make my own, but this time I went with the bottled stuff)
* Various toppings: chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, pineapple topping, strawberry stopping, marachino cherries, chopped roasted peanuts (I used praline almonds), etc.

To Make:

* Prepare pie crust as detailed on bag- mine said to let it sit and thaw for 15 mins, then bake for 12 minutes at 400degrees. Let cool.
* For chocolate ganache: heat heavy cream on the stovetop over medium heat. Take off heat and stir in chocolate chips. Pour into the pie crust. Place into fridge for 15 minutes so ganache cools.
* Once ganache is hardened, place single layer of banana slices on top of ganache.
* Prepare instant pudding mixture. Mine said to mix with 2.5 cups of milk- I did a mixture of half milk, half heavy cream to thicken it up. Spread pudding mixture on top of banana layer of pie.
* Let set in fridge until ready to eat.
* Once ready to eat- top with a layer of whipped cream and slice.
* Let everyone 'decorate' their slice of pie with whatever toppings they'd like! and if you're my husband... do it twice :)

Strawberries & Cream Cheesecake

Not everything turns out the way you had hoped. The Proti hosted yet another Easter dinner (hoping to compete with our epic time last year). We had about 16 people, an egg hunt, and a ton of delicious food! I made a ham and deviled eggs (recipe to be posted soon), had beverages, and told everyone I was going to make a cheesecake for dessert. I found a positively tasty sounding cheesecake from Martha Stewart, and knew instantly it would be the show-stopper of the event. I spent the better part of the evening the night before slaving away over my soon-to-be-masterpiece, was convinced it was baked to perfection, and was so proud that it hadn't cracked.

Ah, I will never be convinced I'm baking a masterpiece ever. again. I woke up the next morning, pulled it from the fridge, and felt the top of it... nice and firm, solid all over. WHEW. I decided to wait an hour or so, then it was time to get rid of the springform pan. I snapped the latch, removed the pan, and as I did, the sides came GUSHING out. Instant tears. It had not fully set and was an ooey-gooey mess. I slammed the pan back down around the sides of it, devestated and convinced I had ruined the whole dinner. Dessert was ruined. Chris threw it in the freezer and said that if nothing else, it would be a tasty frozen treat. I made a batch of boxed cupcakes (utterly disgusted with myself for making BOXED cupcakes for a big event) and used the new flavored icing packets (which I'd recommend... they were tasty).

It was, in fact, a mess when it came time for dessert. It was frozen, but melted quickly. Thank goodness someone else brought a chocolate-mint cake! I decided to put it up on the blog for one reason and one reason only: IT STILL TASTED AAAAMMMAAAZZZIIINNNGGGGG!!!!

So, give it a try... make it... make sure its baked fully... make sure its set fully... and may you have better luck than I :)

Recipe can be found here: http://www.marthastewart.com/340256/strawberries-and-cream-cheesecake

at least it looked pretty before it fell apart :)

Get In The Kitchen, and Make Me A Pie, Woman!

Ok ladies... POP QUIZ!

When your husband hounds you for over a week to make him a chocolate peanut butter pie, do you:

A.) Say, "Oh, I'm so sorry you much deserving man! How could I have forgotten?! I'll throw my apron on and make it for you right now!" (Sincere tone, of course)
B.) Say, "Oh I'm so sorry you much deserving man! How could I have forgoten?! Probably because I've had contractions all week, a fussy teething baby, and I barely have the sanity to get through each day without you and your freakin' pie needs. I'll throw my apron on and make it for you right now, you selfish brat!" (Sincere tone, of course)
C.) Say, "Tough nuggies- if you want pie- make it yourself!"
D.) Stay on the couch and act like you can't hear him over your Covert Affairs marathon you're smack in the middle of.

The correct answer: Anything but 'A'

Ok, so Chris really didn't hound me about a pie, nor did he say the words 'Get in the kitchen and make me a pie woman' in that exact context. He may or may not have asked me to make him a pie like two weeks ago and I said I would, and then, well, never did (because I'm awesome). And yes, he did ask me today where he pie was. Whoops.

So, I did what every other normal non-pushover wife would do. I said I'd make him his goddamn pie if he would help. He willingly agreed. We started to cook together. I got the cookbook out. I got the ingredients out. I got the measuring cups out. I got the bowls, spatulas, and mixer out. I... hey... wait... I did it all... what the heck!!!!!! Ok, so he read the measurements out to me, one time. He only did it one time because he read me the wrong measurement on the first ingredient, almost ruining the pie. I kicked him out. His master plan worked: pretend to be bad at this stuff so he doesn't have to do it. Awesome.

I finally got the pie made and in the fridge so it would set in time for his football game tonight. Best wife ever? You betcha! Did he enjoy it while sitting on his tush in front of the TV watching two teams he really doesn't care about? You betcha! Sigh... at least he enjoyed it. This should earn me backrubs for a week. Wait, who am I kidding? I'm pregnant and should be getting backrubs nightly. Oh wait, who am I kidding, again? I never get backrubs.... sigh...

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie by Better Homes & Gardens

Rich, decadent, and pushy husband approved!

Ingredients:

* 1 chocolate graham cracker pie crust
* 8 oz cream cheese, softened
* 3/4 cup peanut butter
* 1 cup powdered sugar
* 2 tablespoons milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 cup whipping cream
* 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
* 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks

To Make:

* Combine cream cheese and peanut butter in mixer. Once combined, add 1 cup powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

* In another bowl, mix the whipping cream and 2 tablespoons powdered sugar until stiff peaks form with handheld mixer.

* Gently fold in 1/3 of the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture. Once fully combined, add chocolate chip chunks and the rest of the whipped cream. Gently fold mixture together, keeping it light and fluffy.

* Fill the pie crust with peanut butter mixture and put into fridge to set for at least 2 hours. My husband waited the minimum time and it was perfectly light and fluffy. He then, of course, because he's a glutton, drizzled it with a bit of chocolate syrup, but its not a bad suggestion if you'd like some more chocolate flavor to even out the peanut butter!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

HALLE-FRICKEN-LUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The day is finally here! What day you ask? Only the best day in the history of all the days in fall (sorry Thanksgiving, but it may even be greater than you!)

Its National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'Who decided that?' my husband sarcastically asked. My response was a simple, 'who cares!' I have made a mental note of his poor attitude regarding such a magnificent day, and do not plan on sharing any of the cheesecake with him (if there are leftovers in two days- probably not).

Holy Mother of Cheesecake... here it is...

Bow down... worship the cheesecake....

This recipe comes from Food Network Magazine. It is Emeril Lagasse's Pumpkin Cheesecake with Bourbon-Spike Cream. I passed on the bourbon-spiked cream because of my current state of preggoness, and the fact that we in no way have anything remotely close to resembling bourbon in our house. (Because I didn't use the bourbon cream, I won't include it in this recipe, but if you feel like getting your buzz on, you can find it at foodnetwork.com... but I can tell you... you don't need the bourbon... it'll get you drunk enough on delicious flavor alone!)

Ingredients:

* 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (about 45 wafers)
* 1 cup pecans, ground (I didn't include these)
* 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
* 2 lbs cream cheese, cubed and softened
* 1 cup packed light brown sugar
* 6 large eggs
* 1/2 cup heavy cream
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
*  pinch of salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 cups canned pumpkin

To Do:

* Preheat over to 350.
* Combine the wafer crumbs, pecans, and melted butter in a bowl. Press into a 12-inch springform pan.
* In mixer, mix cream cheese until it is smooth. Add the brown sugar and mix until blended.
* Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in heavy cream.
* Add the flour, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla and blend until smooth
* Lastly, add the pumpkin and mix until well incorporated.
* Pour the filling over the crust in the pan. Bake for 1 hr 15 mins or until cheesecake is set.
* Remove from oven and use a knife to loosen the cake from the side of the pans.
* Let cheesecake cool completely before slicing- this may take up to four hours.
* Before serving, top with whipped cream (I just mixed whipping cream with granulated sugar)

Yes, it is heavenly. It is soft, pillowy, spongey, and light. Mindy and I sat tonight in awe of what we had just created. I took a small bite, and melted into it. Mindy on the other hand, took a small bite, said "oh my god, holy crap, oh my god this is good, oh mannnnn'' and devoured half of her piece.

Can I get an 'AMEN' ?!

Apple Pie Dip

Thank you, Pinterest, for making my life complete. Without you, I never would have found this amazing Apple Pie Dip by thepeachkitchen.com! It was a perfect fall snack/dessert! It was super easy-peasey and if you doubt how good it is, just ask Alex: he ate it up by the fist-full. Ok, so my son eats pretty much anything and everything, but he only says MMMmmmm after the really really good things :) I also loved this recipe because it reminded me so much of my Grandma Ann's applesauce!

In her recipe, she made homemade cinnamon-sugar chips for it, but I was lazy and figured cinnamon graham crackers would do the trick- I was right! They were also a lot easier for Alex to snack on! The recipe can be found by clicking on the link above to the website. I have since checked out a few more recipes on it, and I'm convinced it may be my new favorite cooking blog!

Tasty Fruit Pizza

The first time I ever had an extremely delicious fruit pizza was about a year ago. It was Girl's Night with a few of my favorite CAFB ladies: Jaren, Clara, and Mindy Loo. Jaren made a fruit pizza, and we ate it after we ate various other homemade pizzas she made. Afterwards, they took me to see my first fireflies. We told ghost stories, talked about how screwed we would be if we broke down in the middle of the night in the middle of the woods on base, and it was one of the most fun nights I had with those ladies! Also, being as I was pregnant and the others weren't, I got the pleasure of watching them take shots of liquor out of breast-milk measuring tubes. God, I miss nights like that. :)

Last night was another fruit pizza night, although noone was drinking shots out of baby bottles, but the guys were drinking cherry whiskey and talking guns (zzzzz). Our saving grace? This dessert. I made it in an attempt to be 'healthier' but lets be real, there really isn't anything healthy about dough, cream cheese, butter, and sugary fruit. Ok, wait. Fruit is supposed to be healthy right? :)

.: Yum :.

A huge shout-out goes to Sandra Lee for this recipe. I adore her and her semi-homemade recipes. I am also a huge fan of 80% store bought, 20% homemade, especially when I'm in a time crunch!


Ingredients:

* Store bought refrigerated pizza dough (I found a Pillsbury one for thin crust and it was perfect)
* 1 tablespoon honey
* 2 tablespoons hot water
* 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
* 1 stick unsalted butter (softened)
* 2-3 cups powdered sugar
* Fresh or frozen fruit of your choice

To Do:

* Unroll pizza dough onto greased cookie sheet. Mix honey and hot water together in a bowl, and brush over top of the dough to add sweetness. Cook dough in oven according to package directions. My thin crust baked at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Let dough cool completely.
* In a bowl, combined cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. I started with a cup of powdered sugar and worked my way up. I only used about 2 cups total - I didn't want it to be overly sweet. Spread cream cheese mixture over cooled dough. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
* I thawed frozen fruit (berry mixture, peaches, strawberries), and used canned mandarin oranges. You can slice your the fruit of your choice- kiwis are also very good on a fruit pizza. I let my guests top their own, so I put the fruits in various bowls, but you can load the pizza up with whatever you want.
* We sliced ours with a pizza cutter on a cutting board and then everyone topped theirs with what they wanted. It was a crisp, cool dessert with a ton of fruit flavor and just enough sweetness to call it a treat!