Author: Emily Sandridge

Hostess with the Mostess

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As a child it was a good lunch day if my mom threw in a Hostess Cupcake into my lunch box. Those things are dangerous. I don’t buy them… because I know I’d eat every last one in about 2.4 seconds. So…if you love Hostess Cupcakes, you’re going to LOVE these! One thing, the icing on these is not very sweet. It balances the sweetness of the filling perfectly though. (If you want it sweeter, use milk chocolate chips).

Devil’s Food Cupcakes with Cream Filling and Whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting 

Make your favorite chocolate cupcakes or prepare purchased cake mix. Let cupcakes cool.

Creme Filling 
1 – 7 oz container marshmallow cream
1/2 cup softened butter
1/3 cup powder sugar
1 tablespoon water
1/4 teaspoon salt

With electric mixer beat ingredients together until fluffy.  Fill the cupcakes with the filling. You can either use an apple corer and remove the center of the cupcake (that’s how I do it) or use a long filling tip to fill them.

Ganache Frosting 
12 oz semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream

Place chocolate chips into a bowl and pour cream over the top. Heat in microwave until chips are soft. Allow mixture to sit a minute to continue melting the chips. Stir well. Let mixture come to room temperature. With electric mixer beat until fluffy. Fill pastry bag with large star tip and pipe onto cupcakes. Enough frosting and filling for 12-15 cupcakes depending on your frosting and filling style.

Seriously, how good does that look?!

Sprinkles Cupcake’s Strawberry Cupcakes

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I love cupcakes. I really do. When I saw this recipe for Strawberry Cupcakes from Sprinkles Cupcakes (the original Cupcake bakery!) I had to try it. I’ve never liked Strawberry cupcakes from a box. These…. well, these are divine.

Sprinkle’s Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Icing
Servings: Makes 1 dozen

Strawberry Cupcakes

Ingredients
2/3 cup fresh or frozen whole strawberries (thawed if frozen)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour , sifted
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. coarse salt
1/4 cup whole milk , room temperature
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter , room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 large egg , room temperature
2 large egg whites , room temperature

Directions
– Preheat oven to 350°.
– Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners; set aside.
– Place strawberries in a small food processor; process until pureed. You should have about 1/3 cup of puree. – Add a few more strawberries if necessary, or save any extra puree for frosting; set aside.
– In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
– In a small bowl, mix together milk, vanilla and strawberry puree; set aside.
– In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed, until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar and continue to beat until well combined and fluffy. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and slowly add egg and egg whites until just blended.
– With the mixer on low, slowly add half the flour mixture; mix until just blended. Add the milk mixture; mix until just blended.
– Slowly add remaining flour mixture, scraping down sides of the bowl with a spatula, as necessary, until just blended.
–  Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Transfer muffin tin to oven and bake until tops are just dry to the touch, 22 to 25 minutes.
– Transfer muffin tin to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool completely in tin before icing.

Strawberry Icing

Ingredients
1/2 cup whole frozen strawberries, thawed
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold
Pinch of coarse salt
3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
– Place strawberries in the bowl of a small food processor; process until pureed.
– In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter and salt on medium speed until light and fluffy.
– Reduce mixer speed and slowly add confectioners’ sugar; beat until well combined.
– Add vanilla and 3 tablespoons strawberry puree (save any remaining strawberry puree for another use); mix until just blended.
– Do not overmix or frosting will incorporate too much air. Frosting consistency should be dense and creamy, like ice cream.

Source for cupcakes. Source for icing.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cupcakes

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I’ve had a great time lately trying out some new cupcake recipes. This one did not disappoint! I love Cinnamon Toast Crunch, so when I spotted this one online – I knew I had to make it.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cupcakes
(makes 2 dozen)

Ingredients 
Cinnamon Cake:
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
¾ cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (use the real stuff!)
¾ cup sour cream
1 boxed Vanilla Cake Mix (not white cake mix)
1/2 cup crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Buttercream:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
2/3 cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch powder (Crush the cereal in a bag and then sift out 2/3 cup)

Directions 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line pans with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl, gently combine eggs, oil, buttermilk and vanilla.
3. Mix in sour cream.
4. Add cake mix and cinnamon and mix until smooth.
5. Stir in lightly crushed cereal.
6. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
7. Buttercream: Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add Cinnamon Toast Crunch powder. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Adjust the consistency using milk if it is too thick.
8. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and top with cinnamon sugar and Cinnamon Toast Crunch squares.

Mexican Stuffed Shells

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I love tacos…. I love pasta. So naturally when I came across this recipe a while back – it was meant to be made. This recipe is so easy and a really nice spin on taco night. I know you’ll enjoy it. It is easy to either kick up the heat or to tame it down by varying the ingredients.




Mexican Stuffed Shells

Ingredients: 
1 lb. ground beef (turkey or chicken would be great too)
1 package taco seasoning
4 oz. cream cheese
16-20 jumbo pasta shells
1.5 cup salsa (more/less depending to your taste)
1 cup taco sauce (at least)
1-2 cup cheddar cheese (depending on how cheesy you want it!)

Directions:
– Preheat oven to 350°.
– In a pan cook ground beef; add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese to beef, cook on medium/low until cream cheese is melted and incorporated. Set aside and cool. (If you want to kick up the heat, diced green chiles would be great to add to the beef.)
– Cook pasta shells and drain. Set shells out individually on cutting board/baking sheet so that they don’t stick together.
– Pour salsa on bottom of 9×13 baking dish.
– Stuff each shell with the meat mixture.
– Place shells in 9×13 pan open side up. Cover shells with taco sauce.
– Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, add shredded cheese and bake for 10-15 more minutes, with the foil removed.
– Top with any condiments you’d like. Green onions, sour cream, lettuce, salsa, taco sauce… you name it!

Chicken Guacamole Quesadilla

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I’ve been trying to come up with some new lunch ideas lately. This little ditty came to me while I was trying to clear out some leftovers. Chances are, you too have most of these ingredients in your fridge right now.
Ingredients
Flour Tortilla
Guacamole (I used a 100 calorie pack of pre-made guacamole)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Chicken
Bacon Bits
Butter
Directions (pretty self explanatory, but here you go!)
– Spread guacamole on one half of tortilla. Top with cheese, chicken, and bacon bits.
– Fold and lightly spread butter on the outside of the tortilla.
– Cook in skillet over medium-low heat.
– Enjoy!

Summer Zucchini Bake

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It’s nearly July and gardens across the country are producing massive amounts of Zucchini. I sadly don’t have a garden (once I have a yard, you better believe I’ll have one!), but I am the grateful recipient of those who have them.

This is a great recipe to have on hand. Zucchini are so easy to cook with, they take on nearly any flavor you pair them with. I LOVE this recipe, and know you will too.


Summer Zucchini Bake

Ingredients
4 (regular sized) zucchini, sliced thin
2 carrots, grated
1 Vidalia onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (mine came from a jar of minced garlic)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Ritz Crackers, French Fried Onions, or another crunchy topping of your choosing

Directions
– Coat frying pan with olive oil. Add onion, saute. Once the onion is starting to saute, add zucchini and garlic. Cook until tender. (Make sure to not over cook the zucchini, you don’t want mush!) Remove from heat.
– In a bowl (or the casserole dish that you’ll bake it in) combine zucchini mixture, carrots, and soup. Mix well.
– Cook at 375 for 15 minutes in a shallow 2 quart dish. Add your topping and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until heated through.

This recipe is easy to mix up too. If you have squash, throw those in. No cream of mushroom soup? I’m sure Cream of Celery would be great too. It’s such a nice way to use all that fresh produce straight from the garden.

Simple Chicken Parm

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This is a great recipe that will be ready in 30 minutes. It’s simple and low in calories… just the way I like it!!

Simple Chicken Parm


6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (around 1lb to 1.5lbs.)
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1 cup Italian-style bread crumbs
1 Jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
spaghetti, cooked, drained

– Heat oven to 400ºF.
– Dip chicken in egg whites, then in bread crumbs. Make sure to coat the whole chicken.
– Place in 13×9-inch pan lined with foil and sprayed with cooking spray.
– Bake for 20 to 25 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF).
– Top with sauce and cheeses.
– Bake 5 min. or until mozzarella is melted.
– To serve, place chicken on top of a bed of spaghetti! Enjoy!

(Source)

Beefaroni

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It’s 5 o’clock. You have no idea what to make for dinner. You go to your pantry to see what you can throw together. Chances are, you have everything for this meal. 



Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef

16 oz. elbow macaroni

24 oz. jar pasta sauce
6 oz. can tomato paste
2 1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
1. Crumble ground beef into skillet, brown and drain.
2. While meat is browning, bring water to boil and cook pasta (about 8 minutes). Drain.
3. Add meat to the pasta. Pour in pasta sauce and tomato paste. Stir.
4. Place in a greased 9×13 casserole. Top with cheddar cheese. 
5. Cook at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and sides are bubbly. 
If you’re like me and have a small family to feed, then simply freeze half of this recipe and enjoy it later!

(This is only half the recipe, I froze the other half!)

Golden Potato Soup

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This is such a simple and tasty recipe. It’s my Mammaw’s Potato Soup (for you non-southerners… Mammaw is a grandma!). It’s the ultimate comfort food. Enjoy!

3 c. chopped potatoes
3 c. chicken broth
½ c. celery slices
½ c. carrot slices
¼ c. chopped onion
1 tsp. parsley flakes
½ tsp. salt
dash of pepper
1 ½ c. milk
2 Tbsp. Cornstarch
½ lb. Velveeta cheese

 Combine potatoes, chicken broth, celery, carrots, onions, parsley flakes, salt, and pepper. When tender, slightly mash potatoes. Add cornstarch, milk. Then add cheese – turn heat off. Enjoy!

P.S. This recipe makes a small batch of soup. Perfect for a small family. If you have a larger family or want leftovers, make sure to double it!!

Cast Iron Chocolate Chip Cookie

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 We’re big fans of Chocolate Chip cookies. Bigger the better, right? This cookie is so scrumptious, and… you can’t go wrong with a Martha recipe.  It’s crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. It’ll be a while until I make cookies any other way…

Also, don’t be afraid. Pull out your trusty cast iron skillet. It makes the edges so crispy!


Cast Iron Chocolate Chip Cookie

Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (9 ounces)

Directions
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
-Add egg and vanilla; mix until they are fully incorporated.
-Add flour mixture, and beat until just combined.
-Stir in chocolate chips.
-Transfer dough to a 10-inch ovenproof skillet (I sprayed mine with just a little cooking spray), and press to flatten, covering bottom of pan.
-Bake until edges are brown and top is golden, 40 to 45 minutes. Don’t overbake; it will continue to cook a few minutes out of the oven. Transfer to a wire rack to cool in pan, 15 to 20 minutes. Cut into wedges.

This cookie would taste great with some Vanilla Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce. Yum!