Baseball Cake Pops and Baseball Cupcakes

Can it be? An actual post published? I am ecstatic to be back blogging again. So much has happened in my absence. One thing I have definitely come to realize is being a mommy to five young children, the wife of a Pastor and Homeschooling, to really make my plate overflow, keeps me busy! I honestly love the life God has graced me with and wouldn't want it any other way.

One big event in the month of May was my son's first Birthday. For those of you who don't know, the fact he is on this earth is nothing short of God's great hand at work. You can read more about that here.
 To celebrate the joyous occasion, I made baseball cake pops and cupcakes. It seemed to be the perfect choice since my son is named Nolan Ryan after my hubby's favorite baseball player.
I do have to warn that the stitching on the cake pop proves more difficult than I anticipated. I tried different methods and the one that I found to work best was using red candy melts in a piping bag with a small writing tip. The food coloring pens do not get the job done! I also suggest looking at a baseball so you can follow the pattern in which the stitching flows around the ball.

Here is a quick tip I have found when working with candy melts. Since I do not own a double boiler or any other fancy candy melting contraption, I created my own. By using a small sauce pan with water in it and a small metal bowl to sit on top. It works wonderfully in melting the candy coating for the cake pops.

For the inside of the baseballs, I used white cake and white frosting since baseballs are white. The how to, on making cake pops can be found all over the web. Click here to see my Turkey shaped cake pop post to see some websites I have used for the "how to."





For the stitching on the cupcakes I used a gel writing/ decorating tube. The gel can also be used on the cake pops and then place them into the fridge to set. However the gel will not harden like the candy melts do. I must say, the gel is much easier to use! It just depends on what your plans are. If you are wrapping your pops or transporting them I recommend the candy melts and not the gel.

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Haystacks

Simple. Delicious. Fun. These yummy treats are so easy to make, even a child can do it. In fact a child did make these. All week long my girls have been taking turns preparing dinner and dessert. My two younger girls paired up for this tasty treat called Haystacks.  The Internet is full of variations of Haystacks. We used a recipe from one of our favorite kid's cookbooks and want to share it with you!





Haystacks
2- 6oz. pkg. butterscotch chips
3/4 c. chopped or slivered almonds
5 oz. can chow mein noodles

In your slow cooker on High heat, melt the butterscotch chips. Using a wooden spoon, every few minuets stir the chips until they are melted.  When the chips are completely melted gently stir in the chow mein noodles and the almonds. When the Haystacks are mixed well, roll out a sheet of wax paper. Carefully scoop a spoon into the mixture and drop a spoon full onto the wax paper. Keep the Haystacks on the wax paper until set. You may speed up the process by placing them in the fridge.

Super easy and "kids" of all ages will love them.


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L-O-V-E {Cake Pops}

Happy Valentines Day! A day to celebrate L-O-V- E, love! What a wondrous thing love is. What a difficult thing love can be. What a rewarding life lived when love is expressed.
Learning to love others is a precious gift not always easily attained. Receiving the love of others is a priceless treasure never to be taken for granted. Love is complex, multifaceted and never ending. Love has different faces. That of a romantic love or love from parent to child. Love for chocolate or love of an experience lived. Love of a friend and love for the unknown. Though love may take on different forms there is one thing common among all. The Bible puts it this way...
⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1Corinthians 13:4-7)

L-O-V-E... LOVE! Thank God for love!

 

To express my love to my family I made one of their loves... cake pops!

Red Velvet insides scream Valentine's Day!

One of the loves of my life. He laughed at seeing our hands covered in red velvet cake. 

I LOVE his laugh!

 Another love of my life! Sneak peak for a later post is her hair bow.

 Cake Pops all wrapped up and ready to enjoy! Here is how I did it.

Fold a piece of wax paper in half. Cut a square (big enough to cover pop) keeping the fold at the top. Then with a zig zag stitch, place the wax paper on your sewing machine, with the fold end closest to you and the open end away from you. Sew up the side and turn as you go in a continuous stitch. Shaping like a heart. So in the end you will have zig zagged the side, the folded top and then the next side sewn. Leaving the bottom open to insert cake pop. Then tie with thread, ribbon, twist tie or what ever you choose. Just another idea of how to wrap up a cake pop. 

P.S. To make cake pops... the Internet is full of ways. Search my site for my Turkey {Shaped} Cake Pops.
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Turkey {Shaped} Cake Pops

Gobble! Gobble! Is exactly what will happen to these cute, full of personality and delicious Turkey cake pops!









Here is what you will need:
Cake Mix
Frosting
Mini Marshmallows cut in 1/3 for the eyes
Candy Corn for feathers and beak
Red Starburst Candy softened in the microwave
Round sprinkles for the eyeballs
Lollipop sticks
Bark Coating Chocolate or Candy Melts
Wax Paper
Styrofoam

Google Cake Pops and you will find many great tutorials already exist on the "how to" of making Cake Pops. I used the method from Instructables which I believe is a Bakerella original.

Turkeys take shape...
After making cake balls, I pulled and formed the head from the cake ball. Once covered in chocolate I placed all the Turkey "parts" where they belonged. If the chocolate dries before you are able to place things on, use a dab of chocolate like glue. For the beak, cut the candy corn length wise. Break off the yellow end and white tip leaving you with an orange beak. The red Starburst candy needs to be softened in the microwave, flattened and cut into strips. I then twisted it.  The whites of the eyes are Marshmallows divided in 1/3. I then stuck a single sprinkle in the middle. I used both blue and green, to add to the different personalities my Turkeys were taking on.

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Yummy!

Okay are you ready for something delicious? A fast and super easy dinner that will have you going back for seconds. A recipe that you will keep in your rotation of, "what's for dinner?" It is that good. Do I have your taste buds watering with curiosity?

Blue Cheese and Honey Crisp Apple Salad:

Blue Cheese Crumbles
Iceberg Lettuce
Honey Crisp Apples
Chopped Nuts (almonds, peanuts and or pecans)
Blue Cheese Dressing

Bread Crumb Topped Sausage Two Cheese Pasta:

Tube Pasta
Block Cream Cheese (softened)
1 Can of Campbell's Cheddar Cheese Soup
1/2 Yellow Onion Chopped
Jimmy Dean Sausage Regular
1/2 Stick of Butter
1 Cup Bread Crumbs 
Pepper

Brown the sausage, half way through add the onion. In a mixing bowl, mix the milk, cream cheese, cheddar cheese soup and pepper to taste. Add the pasta and meat to the cheese mixture. In a small mixing bowl add the bread crumbs and melted butter, mix. Put the pasta in a baking dish and top with the bread crumbs. Bake at 350degrees for about 20 minuets.



 

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Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup is a wonderful comfort on a cold fall day. Here is a version I came up with and it is mmm mmm good! You can get as creative as you want. Switch up the noodles or veggies. Add garlic, the options are up to you.

Ingredients:

Chicken skinless boneless breasts or tenderloins

Pasta

Carrots chopped

Celery chopped

Onion chopped

Corn

Cauliflower chopped

Salt

Pepper

Parsley (dried)

Thyme (dried)

Basil (dried)

Chicken Stock/ Broth (amount depends on the serving size you desire. For a whole package of pasta you will need at least 12 cups for soup pot and 2c. for baking the chicken) Canned or bullion cubes.

McCormick Grill Mates Seasoning- Onion & Garlic

 What to do:

Lay chicken breasts on a foil lined cookie sheet. Pour 2 cups of broth over the chicken. Season chicken with McCormick seasoning, salt and pepper.  Cover tray with foil and bake 375degrees for about 40 minuets (for tenderloins if frozen). While the chicken is baking it is the perfect time to get your veggies chopped and cooking in a big soup pot of  broth. Add the herbs, salt and pepper (amount you prefer) to the soup pot of veggies and stock. Once the veggies are tender add your pasta. Chop your chicken into cubes. Add the chicken, simmer (careful not to overcook your noodles) and serve.

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{Cookie} Cutters

I bought a big box of cookie cutters and it is shaping up to be a fun purchase! Turning our sandwiches into different shapes has been so exciting for the girls. Today I decided to surprise them with pancakes dusted with powdered sugar!

 A football surprise for daddy form his girls!

Now all we need to do is make cookies with our {cookie} cutters!

Note: Because these cookie cutters are plastic, I cut the shapes after I make the pancakes. Just covering my bases. Lol!

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Crock Pot Corn Chowder

One of my favorite things on a crisp fall or cold winter day is a bowl of my yummy corn chowder. Often times I like to serve it in a bread bowl to add to the YUM factor!
Here is my recipe. You can find many other versions... this just happens to be what I threw together one day and was so glad I did!
Enjoy!

Ingredients

Onion- Diced (I use half an onion)
Carrots- Chopped
Celery- Chopped (about 3-4 stalks)
(2) Cans Whole (or diced) Potatoes
(2) Cans Whole Kernel Corn
(2) Cans Cream Corn
Cooked Ham- Chopped (I buy Ham Steaks at Costco and keep them in my freezer HINT: if frozen I defrost it in a sink or bowl of hot water while still in the package.)
 (one ham steak is enough)
Flour 1/2 cup
Milk (1-2 cups depending on the consistency of your chowder base)
Butter (1 stick)
Chicken Stock (3 Cups) (I buy the 32oz box so I have a little extra if I need to thin down the chowder)
Salt
Pepper
Grated Cheese (Sharp or a Cheddar, Monterey Jack mix)


What I do:

In a stock pot, melt the butter. Then add the onion, celery and carrots and saute. Salt and pepper to your preference. When the veggies begin to soften a bit, add the flour and let it cook (careful not to burn it). Once that mixture turns to paste, slowly add the chicken stock  and then the milk (making sure you keep the chowder consistency and not that of soup. So you many not need all the milk or stock.)  Keep stirring to keep from lumping. Once you have a good consistency for the base of your chowder add the corn, cream corn, ham and potatoes. Stir. At this point I pour the chowder in my crock pot so it can cook all day on low. Just before serving I add the grated cheese. You can choose to add it to the entire batch or per bowl. I chose to do it per bowl.

Note: If you did not prefer to use the crock pot,  just add some saute time to your veggies in the beginning. Let the chowder simmer on the stove for about 20- 30 minuets.


Fall is in the air and Corn Chowder soon in my Crock Pot!
Hope you enjoy!

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Menu Monday #1

 I know it is Sunday not Monday...but this is in hopes to help you and I both on Monday!

I am not a foodie! I don't often think in terms of food. I don't feel I am naturally creative when it comes to food. The grocery store is a "have to do" not a "YAY it is grocery shopping day!" I repeat my recipes over and over again... but not to the point of boredom. I seriously lack consistency when it comes to planning out a menu. Though when I do... when I do plan out a menu it does make the grocery store more appealing. It is not such a dreaded place when I go with a plan. Some of you can relate while others of you I know will jump at the chance to want to bless me with all your great recipes! Hint! Hint!
Here is my hope... I hope to help or bless any of you who face the same struggle as I do. Menu planning! Or what to plan on the menu??? I also hope you will share with me what you have on your menu. Let's help each other out. What do you say?  Here are somethings I have planed for this week.

But first let us pause and take a moment of silence to thank the inventor of the Crock Pot!
Seriously a fantastic invention!

Crock Pot Chili with Cornbread Muffins topped with creamy, delicious, honey butter.

Crock Pot Corn Chowder served in a  bread bowl.

Chicken Quesadillas

Breakfast item: Peanut butter and jelly waffle sandwiches with a yogurt (not frozen), orange juice banana smoothie. 

That is it for now. My hope is to once again have a more organized planed out approach in place. The way it used to be before baby number five. An effort is a great re-entry step to planning my menu. Don't you agree?

I leave you with this...

  Easy Crock Pot Chili
Green Bell Pepper Chopped
Onion Chopped
Can of Dark Red Kidney Beans
Can of Chili Beans in Chili Sauce
Can of Stewed Tomatoes (I use my kitchen scissors to cut them smaller while still in the can)
Ground Beef
Package of Chili Seasoning Mix
Ground Cumin (optional) 
Toppings:
Diced Onion
Sour Cream
Grated Cheese

Saute the Pepper and the onion while browning the meat.  This is when I add ground cumin.
Then dump all the ingredients (except the toppings) in the crock pot. Cook on low all day or on high for a 2-3 hours.

For the honey butter I soften the butter first in the microwave. Then add honey to taste. Mix or whip together.

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Vanilla Cookies with Marshmallow Melt Choclolate and Butterscotch Chips

  

Simple smile makers have been a theme around our house. Here is yet another easy, yummy treat bound to make your lips turn up... into a smile. 

Vanilla cookies with marshmallow melt with milk chocolate chips and butterscotch chips.

Here is what I did and what you need.

Ingredients:

Vanilla cookies or Nilla Waffers

Mini marshmallows

Butter

Sauce pan

Wax paper

Chocolate chips

Butterscotch chips or any kind you desire

What to do:

Melt butter and mini marshmallows in sauce pan and stir together. Same way you would if making Rice Krispie treats. Once melted spoon the mixture on to the bottom side of each of the cookies. Top with chocolate chips(or the kind you choose) on half of the amount of cookies. Then take the cookies with out the chips and top the cookies that have chocolate chips to make cookie sandwiches. I laid all the cookies out on wax paper first and then topped them.

My girls kept saying "mmmMMMmmmMMM!" as they were devouring them!

Party I am linking to

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Smoothie... Shake

 Blended goodness!
A favorite around my house is my peanut butter, chocolate, banana smoothie that sometimes turns shake. Or is it a shake that turns smoothie?
Here is how I distinguish between the two... If made with ice cream it is a shake and if made with frozen yogurt it is a smoothie. Or if I want my girls to have dessert or a treat no matter what it is made with it is a shake. Got that? :)
At times, to add an extra source of vitamins I add Carnation Instant breakfast.
Ingredients:
Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt
Milk
Peanut Butter chunky or smooth
Crushed Ice optional
Banana (best if frozen)
Carnation Instant Breakfast

No matter what you call it... another simple smile maker! 

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Oven Sandwich

Oven Sandwich a warm yummy creation. I think this would be great anytime, but how fun would it be for a tea party?

 Ingredients:
Pillsbury Grands with a touch of honey
Deli meat
American Cheese
Cream Cheese
What to do:
Pull the dough apart in the middle so you have two halves.
Spread one side with cream cheese and top with toppings. Then press the dough together. Place on a foil lined cookie sheet and bake according to package directions. 

Another super simple smile maker!

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Hello Cupcake!

Cupcakes are very popular these days. On occasion, my girls and I enjoy watching shows dedicated to bakers competing against one another for whose cupcake is the best. Though my out of a box cupcake mix will not be winning any competitions, they are winning smiles with my girls.





Chocolate cake frosted with half chocolate and half cream cheese frosting. I then used a fork to create the zebra effect.
Simple, easy and fast are these smile makers... cupcakes! YUM!

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Homemade Coke Icee

 Okay so this refreshing summer treat does not fall under the healthy category but it most definitely is fun! I am not one who gives my kids caffeine, but every once in awhile there is an exception. This is one of them. A Coke Icee at home?!? Love it!

 What you need:

• A liter bottle of Soda of your choice, just can't be diet.. The artificial sweeteners will not freeze right. Or 4 cans of soda since all you need is 48oz.

• An Ice Cream maker like the one pictured here. The bowl is frozen so that is what freezes the soda.

• I added Grenadine to turn our Coke Icee into a cherry Coke Ice. Note: I did not use all the missing Grenadine from this bottle. You don't need a ton. The Coke I did use all but what is remaining.

• Maraschino Cherries for fun

 Fun straw cups for the very excited consumers!

 A more grown up glass for the kids  adults enjoying this treat.

Add a cherry and a straw and slurp away!

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