Mini Blueberry Cheesecake Bites

Recipe from My Recipes

What you need:

Crust-

1/2 cup slivered almonds (finely ground)

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 3 cookie sheets)

1 TBsp sugar

dash of salt

2 TBsp unsalted butter (melted)

Filling-

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp cornstarch

2 tsp vanilla extact

dash of salt

14oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese (softened)

2 large eggs (room temperature)

3 TBsp sour cream

48 blueberries

How to make them:

Preheat oven to 350˚F.

To prepare crust, combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Add butter and toss until well combined.

Place 48 paper mini muffin cup liners in a mini muffin cups.

Spoon 1 rounded teaspoon crust mixture into each.

Lightly press into bottom.

Bake for 5 minutes.

Cool completely on wire racks (leave oven on).

To prepare filling, place 1/2 cup sugar and next 4 ingredients (through cream cheese) in a medium bowl of an electric mixer.

Beat at medium speed for 3 minutes or until well combined.

Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

Add sour cream, beat 1 minute or until combined.

Scoop about 1 TBsp filling into each muffin cup.

Place 1 blueberry on top of each cheesecake.

Bake for 12 minutes or until set.

Cool cheesecakes completely on a wire rack.

Chill for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator. 

Serve on a cute platter and ENJOY!

Orange Pecan Tea Bread

Recipe from My Recipes

What you need:

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour (sifted)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground allspice

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup low fat buttermilk

14 cup pecans (toasted and chopped)

3 TBsp 1% low fat milk

3 TBsp vegetable oil

3 TBsp orange marmalade

2 tsp grated orange zest

2 large eggs (room temperature)

cooking spray

1/2 cup powdered sugar (sifted)

2 tsp fresh orange juice

1 1/2 tsp pecans (toasted and chopped)

How to make it:

Preheat oven to 350˚F.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with knife.

Sift flour and next 5 ingredients (flour through allspice) in a large bowl.

Make a well in the center of the mixture.

In a separate bowl combine granulated sugar and the next 7 ingredients (sugar through eggs).

Add sugar mixture to flour mixture, stir until just moist.

Spoon batter into a 8 x 4inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray.

Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool 10 minutes in a pan on a wire rack; remove from pan.

Cool completely on wire rack.

Combine powder sugar and juice, stirring until smooth.

Drizzle glaze over bread and sprinkle with 1 1/2 tsp of pecans.

Slice and ENJOY!

Black Tea Cupcakes topped with Whipped Lemon Mascarpone Frosting drizzled with Honey

Cupcake recipe from Raspberri Cupcakes

Frosting based off the recipe from Audrey's

What you need:

Cupcakes

3 black tea bags

1 cup milk

3/4 cup sugar

1 stick plus 1 Tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature, softened)

2 eggs (room temperature)

1 TBsp honey

2 1/2 cups self-rising flour 

Frosting

1 tub of mascarpone cheese

1 cup powdered sugar (sifted)

2 1/2 cups of whipping cream

Zest of 1 lemon

3-4 TBsp lemon juice

honey

How to make it:

Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350˚F.

Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Empty tea leaves into a small saucepan with the milk and warm until it is nearly boiling, whisking regularly.

Remove from heat and allow to cool.

At this point you can strain out all the leave, keep about half the leaves in the mixture to ensure a strong tea flavor in the final cupcake.

Place the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on high until light and fluffy, at least 5 minutes.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until well combined.

With the mixer on low, add the honey.

Followed by 1/3 of the flour.

Then add 1/3 the milk mixture, another 1/3 of the flour, then the remaining milk and flour and gently mix until just smooth.

Scoop mixture into cupcake liners, filling them about 2/3 full.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Take out and cool completely on wire rack before frosting.

Frosting

Combine mascarpone and sugar in a bowl of an electric mixture until smooth and creamy.

Add lemon zest.

Add whipping cream and whip at medium-high speed using the whisk attachment.

Add in 3-4 TBsp lemon juice.

Whip until cream turns to a whipped cream consistency.

DO NOT over whip the mixture.

Frost cupcakes then drizzle honey on top, then ENJOY!

Devonshire Cream

Recipe from Smashed Peas and Carrots

What you need: 3oz of cream cheese (room temperature, softened) 3 TBsp granulated sugar a pinch of salt 1 cup whipping cream

How to you make it: In a bowl of an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese, sugar, and salt. Slowly add whipping cream and whip until stiff peaks form. Chill before serving. Serve with scones and jam or on some Strawberry Cucumber Tea Sandwiches and ENJOY!

Strawberry Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Recipe from Key Ingredient

What you need:

5oz Devonshire Cream

2 Tbsp fresh basil leaves (finely chopped)

1 TBsp lemon zest

8 slices white bread

1 large English cucumber (thinly sliced into 24 pieces)

3 large strawberries (thinly sliced)

How to make it:

Combine the Devonshire cream, basil, and lemon zest in a small bowl.

Fold until well combined.

Spread a thin layer of the cream on one side of each slice of bread.

Add an even layer of cucumber slices to four of the bread slices, then top the cucumbers with an even layer of strawberry slices.

Place the other four slices of bread (with the cream) cream side down on the strawberry slices.

Slice the crust off the sandwiches.

Then slice each sandwich into 4 small triangles or squares then ENJOY!

My Star of the Week

     Every student in Liam's class gets to pick a week where they will become the Star of the Week.  This includes bringing in pictures of your family, special hobbies or activities that you can share with the class on the board, making an All About Me book with your favorite food, toys, colors, etc., and doing fun events during the week.

Here's Liam's pictures

His awesome book

Since, I chose his birthday week, on Tuesday I brought some Skylanders 

Chocolate Cupcakes topped with Whipped Chocolate Mascarpone Frosting & Cookies 'n Cream Sprinkles 

for the class.

Silly boy!

On Wednesday, I read one of Liam's favorite books, The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein 

(also one of my favorites, as you can tell by the binding) to his class at story time.

On Thursday, the hubby, Kinley, and I planned on going to Liam's school to have lunch with him.

But, unfortunately Wednesday night, Liam had another Croup attack and daddy brought him to the ER, which they admitted him over night.  Needless to say, Liam didn't go to school on Thursday, but

we still enjoyed some lunch together at home.  Oh yeah, it was McDonalds, Liam's choice! 

On Friday, Liam was much better, so we kept to the craft I had scheduled with Liam's teacher.

With the 100th Day of School on the 29th, I thought it would be fun to do a craft.

I found these cute 100th Day of School Crowns and some fun jewels that I brought to the class for craft time.

All the kiddos had a great time decorating their crowns!

Look at all the creativity!

Kinley came with us too, she loved being with the class.

Even colored a little too!

Overall, it was a great week, well except for the Croup attack.   I hope he had a great time! So proud of my Kindergartener!

Fried Honey Cinnamon Bananas

     The other day for Liam's birthday I made him some Birthday Waffles, for the adults I used the same base for the batter, omitting the sprinkles.  To make them more adult friendly, I toasted up some walnuts, fried up some bacon, and made some of these Honey Cinnamon Bananas.  I loaded up the Belgium Waffle with everything and even a little real maple syrup.  Oh it was A-MAZ-ING!

Recipe from Rachel Schultz

What you need:

1 slightly under-ripened banana (sliced)

1 TBsp honey

Cinnamon

Olive oil or coconut oil

How to make them:

Lightly drizzle the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Arrange banana slices in pan and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side.

Meanwhile, whisk together honey and 1 Tbsp of water.

Remove pan from heat and pour the honey mixture over the bananas.

Allow to cool and sprinkle with cinnamon then ENJOY!

Chocolate Cupcakes with Whipped Chocolate Mascarpone Frosting & Cookies 'n Cream Sprinkles

Cupcake recipe from Posed Perfection

Frosting recipe from Audrey's

What you need:

Cupcakes-

1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)

1/3 cup white sugar

2/3 brown sugar (packed)

1 egg (room temperature)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 cup buttermilk

2 cups flour (sifted)

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

3 TBsp cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting-

1 tub mascarpone cheese

1/5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup powdered sugar (sifted)

2 1/2 cups whipping cream 

How to make them:

Cupcakes-

Preheat oven to 350˚F.

Prepare muffin tins with liners.

Cream together the butter and sugars in a bowl of an electric mixer, until light and fluffy.

Beat the egg and add to the butter mixture.

Stir 1/2 tsp baking soda into the buttermilk.

Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder together in a separate bowl.

Add the dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately to the butter/sugar mixture.

Stir in vanilla extract.

Scoop into prepared muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Let cool on wire rack completely before frosting.

Frosting-

In a bowl sift together the cocoa powder and powdered sugar.

Combine the mascarpone and sugar mixture in a bowl of an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

Add whipping cream and whip at medium-high speed until cream turns to a whipped cream consistency.

DO NOT over whip the mixture.

Frost cooled cupcakes, top with sprinkles then ENJOY!

Liam's 6th Birthday

     The night before Liam's 6th birthday my mom and I set up a little surprise for Liam when he woke up!  He was pretty surprised!

I made some special Birthday Waffles for Liam and we all sang him Happy Birthday!

After breakfast, he got to open some more presents!

More Skylanders, of course!

After lunch we headed out to Chuck E. Cheese for some fun!

It was even more special since my parents,

 MeeMaw & PapPaw, were in town to celebrate his birthday with us!

After a long and fun day, we all enjoyed some leftover Skylanders Portal Cupcakes!

Happy Happy Birthday my sweet little Liam! 

I can't believe you are 6!

Wishing you many more fun filled years Big Boy!

We love you oh so very much!

Birthday Waffles

Recipe from Chef in You

What you need:

2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)

1 TBsp sugar

1 TBsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 3/4 cups 2%milk

4 egg whites

2 TBsp vegetable oil

rainbow sprinkles

How to make them:

Warm up waffle maker.

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk egg whites for a few seconds until frothy.

Add milk and oil to the eggs and mix until blended.

Now add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients.

Mix until well combined.

Stir in rainbow sprinkles (Jimmies work the best, less coloring bleeding).

Prepare the waffles as per the instructions of your waffle maker.

And cook until done.

Serve with syrup, fruit, whipped cream, or more sprinkles.

ENJOY!

Skylanders Portal Cupcakes

Found recipe on Everyday Occasions by Jenny Steffens

What you need:

Cupcakes

1 1/2 cups self-rising flour (sifted)

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (sifted)

1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature, softened)

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs (room temperature)

1 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Food coloring gels

Frosting

1 cup unsalted butter (room temperate, softened)

6-8 cups confectioner's sugar (sifted)

1/2 cup milk

2 tsp vanilla extract

Food coloring gels

How to make them:

Cupcakes-

Preheat oven to 350˚F.

Line muffin tins with cupcake liners.

In a small bowl, sift together the flours, set aside.

In a large bowl on an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth.

Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Add in eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition.

Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla.

With each addition, beat until ingredients are incorporated but do not over beat.

Using a spatula scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure ingredients are well blended.

Optional: Add any food coloring gels to the batter and mix well.

Carefully scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling them 3/4 full.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.

Let cupcakes cool in tins for 3 minutes then let cool completely on wire rack before frosting.

Frosting-

Cream the butter in a large mixing bowl of an electric mixer.

Add 4 cups of the confectioner's sugar, mix.

Then add at the milk and vanilla.

On medium speed, beat until smooth and creamy, about 3-5 minutes.

Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition (about 2 minutes), until frosting is thick enough to spread.

If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix throughly.

Frost cupcakes then ENJOY!

Skylanders Birthday Party

    In December, I asked Liam what he wanted to do for his birthday in January.  He said he wanted it to be Star Wars and have a bounce house.  I was so excited to plan a Star Wars party, so I was a little sad when it came closer to his birthday that he decided to change his mind.  Instead of Star Wars he wanted a Skylanders party.  And being the awesome mom I am, I said alrighty!  Maybe next year we will do Star Wars.  However, I do have to say a Skylanders Birthday Party was quite easy to plan! Here's the food table complete with Skylanders "Happy Birthday" sign, tablecloth, and color coordinated balloons.  I found everything at Target!

Liam's Skylanders figures came in handy for decorating the table!

I found some Skylanders Plates, Napkins, and Cups at Target too!

I made these Skylanders themed cards that I posted by the food items.

We had Power Up Pizza,

Eruptor's Cheese Balls,

Prism Break's Pretzels,

Chop Chop's Carrots,

Bouncer's Broccoli,

Sypro's Strawberries,

Grilla Drilla's Grapes,

Terrafin's Sharks,

Portal Cupcakes,

and Swarm's Juice.

And of course the bounce house we rented had to be the Angry Bird one!

The kiddos had a lot of fun bouncing the day away!

When everyone arrived we all had some yummy lunch.

Then Cupcakes!

Happy 6th Birthday Liam!

Kinley enjoyed the cupcakes too!

Who's ready for presents??

Look at all those presents!

Liam gave all his guests one of these Skylanders cups filled with all his favorite things...

Skylanders Rings

Glow Sticks

Angry Bird Stickers

Star Wars Markers

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Erasers

Chocolate Coins

Gold Fish Cookies

After everyone had left Liam tried out all his new Skylanders

 figures on his new Skylanders Giants video game.

Another great birthday! Him and all his friends had a great time!