Easter CupCakes with my Girls (2012)

I love baking and my girls love baking with me.  Today we decided to celebrate Easter by making cupcakes to share with the family tomorrow.  We started out by using some simple store bought ingredients.  For the grass I used sweetened coconut and added a few drops of food coloring:



Then we mixed everything according to the package directions for cupcakes.  I omitted the oil and used 1/4 cup of applesauce though.

Finally, after they were all cooled, we decorated them, which of course was the best part!



~~Lemonade Part Cake~~

Lemonade Party Cake

 

 

 

 

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade cake! This moist lemon cake drizzled and filled with an easy lemon filling will remind you of summer any time of year.

Prep Time:  20 minutes    Total Time:  3:10   Makes 12 Servings

 

 

                                                                                       
1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® lemon or yellow cake mix

Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box

1 can (6 oz) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 container Betty Crocker® Whipped fluffy white or fluffy lemon frosting

Yellow colored sugar, if desired

 

 

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Make cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool 15 minutes.
2. Mix lemonade concentrate and powdered sugar. Pierce top of warm cake every 1/2 inch with long-tined fork, wiping fork occasionally to reduce sticking. Drizzle lemonade mixture evenly over top of cake. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled.
3. Spread frosting over top of cake. Sprinkle with colored sugar. Store covered in refrigerator.

Makes 12 servings

 

 

Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Betty Crocker^® Kitchens

A fun way to enjoy Lemonade Party Cake is at a Lemon Party! Make lemon the flavor and decoration theme for your next get-together, and serve up lemon-inspired dishes such as this cake along with plenty of ice-cold lemonade.

 

 

Nutrition Information:

1 Serving (1 Serving)

• Calories 410
• (Calories from Fat 160),

• Total Fat 18g
• (Saturated Fat 4 1/2g,
• Trans Fat 2g),
• Cholesterol 55mg;
• Sodium 310mg;
• Total Carbohydrate 62g
• (Dietary Fiber 0g,
• Sugars 45g),
• Protein 2g;

Percent Daily Value*:

• Vitamin A 0.00%;
• Vitamin C 2.00%;
• Calcium 8.00%;
• Iron 4.00%;

Exchanges:

• 1 Starch;
• 0 Fruit;
• 3 Other Carbohydrate;
• 0 Skim Milk;
• 0 Low-Fat Milk;
• 0 Milk;
• 0 Vegetable;
• 0 Very Lean Meat;
• 0 Lean Meat;
• 0 High-Fat Meat;
• 3 1/2 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choices:

• 4;

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

~Healthier Banana Bread~

Here is  a great recipe for banana bread that uses honey, applesause and whole wheat flour making it healthier and tastier!

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sugar free applesauce
• 3/4 cup honey
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 mashed overripe bananas

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together applesauce and honey. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

(Thanks 8 Weeks To A Better You for this recipe!)

Mini "Mimosas" by Jello

WHAT YOU NEED

1/4 cup	boiling water
1 pkg.	(3 oz.) JELL-O Orange Flavor Gelatin
1/3 cup	cold club soda
	fresh strawberries, each cut crosswise into 5 slices MAKE IT Add boiling water to gelatin mix in small bowl; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in club soda. Place strawberries in 10 (2-oz.) plastic cups sprayed with cooking spray; fill with gelatin. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Unmold before serving. KRAFT KITCHENS TIPS SubstitutePrepare using JELL-O Sugar Free Gelatin. SubstituteSubstitute boiling orange juice for the boiling water. Variation Cut each strawberry into 5 wedges instead of slicing it. Prepare gelatin mixture as directed; pour into 2-oz. plastic cups sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate 10 min. Insert strawberry wedge into gelatin in each cup. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. You can find this recipe and more just like it by going to Kraft!

Spring Craft Ideas from Country Living

Inspired by color and flowers, these simple projects will put you in the mood for cheery spring!




                


              

Country Living

~Empanadas~

~I absolutely love spanish food! This is one of my favorites to make and I have found this simple recipe to share with you.

 

 

 

Empanadas

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup finely diced onion
• 1/4 cup finely diced green pepper
• 1/2 pound lean ground beef
• 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup diced green olives
• 1-1/2 teaspoon Spice Islands Cumin, Ground
• 1 teaspoon Spice Islands Paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Spice Islands Pepper, Black Fine Grind
• 1 hard cooked egg, chopped
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• unbaked pie crusts, 3 sheets
• 1 tablespoon corn oil

Directions

Heat oil in large skillet. Add onion and green peppers; cook until tender. Crumble in ground beef and cook until nearly cooked through.

Add potato, raisins and beef broth; reduce heat. Cover and cook 10 minutes. Stir in olives, cumin, paprika and black pepper. Continue to cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in egg. Spread on a shallow tray/pan and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Lightly sprinkle counter with flour and roll each crust to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut in 4-inch circles (can use a small bowl and cut around edges with a sharp knife). Reroll dough scraps.

Lightly brush egg over interior edges of each wrap. Holding wrap in one hand place about 2 tablespoons filling in center of wrap lightly pressing edges to seal. Place on baking tray and seal edges of empanada with a fork. Continue with remaining wraps and filling.

Bake at 400°F for 10 minutes, brush with additional egg wash and bake an additional 7 to 12 minutes until browned.

Recipe Note: Empanada wraps can be found in large grocery stores or Latin markets. For best results, deep fry the empanadas.

Quick Facts

Prep Time
1 hour
Cook time
20 minutes
Chill Time
30 minutes
Bake Time
15 to 20 minutes


Yields:
30 empanadas


Find This Recipe and More at Spice Islands

Ham & Pepper Wraps~Weight Watchers

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Ham and Pepper Wraps

Recipe Categories

PointsPlus+ = 1

Ingredients

1 each red and green bell pepper
2 tbsp Neufchatel cheese, softened
12 slices "Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Smoked Ham"


Directions:

1. Cut peppers in half, lengthwise; remove and discard seeds.
Cut each piece into three lengthwise strips.

2. Dry out the inside of peppers with paper towels; spread with the cheese.

3. Place one pepper strip on each ham slice; wrap ham around pepper.
Secure with wooden toothpicks.

Yield: 12 wraps (4 servings)
Serving Size = 3 per serving

Weight Watchers PointsPlus+ = 1 per Serving

Nutrition Information:
Calories 50, Carbs 4 g, Fat 2.5 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 5 g