sugar cookie bars

Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

If you weren't aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
My cheer squad uses pink pom-poms, pink bows, and pink rally towels all month!  I love it!

In addition, a club at my school held a bake sale at this week's pink-out football game, and everything had to be pink! I found these on Pinterest and thought they were too cute!

Here's my version:

Eek! Love the pink. Love love love.

Adapted from High Heels and Grills

Ingredients:

Cookies:

2 1/2 cups flour 

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tbsp sour cream 

1 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting

1/2 cup butter

2-3 cups powdered sugar**

1/4 cup half and half

Pinch of salt

Food coloring

** The original recipe calls for 4 cups but I ended up with WAY more icing than I needed!!

Directions:

Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 375 and grease a 9x13 baking dish
2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt
3. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
4. Add egg and combine well.
5. Mix in sour cream and vanilla
6. Add the dry ingredients slowly into the wet ingredients and mix well.
7. Press the batter evenly into dish using your hands. (the fun part ;) )
8. Bake 17 - 20 minutes.
9. Set aside to cool.

Frosting:

1. Cream together butter, powdered sugar, and half and half until fluffy.
2. Stir in vanilla and salt.
3. Add food coloring

Frost the bars when they've cooled, cut into squares, and enjoy! 

Brownie cupcakes with Oreo cream cheese frosting

Bake sale 1 out of 3 this week!

I'm kind of involved with everything at school and when the opportunity comes up to bake and give it away so I don't gain ten pounds ... You know I'm taking it!

I'm posting this from my iPhone so I'm not too sure if it'll work... I guess we'll see!

Ingredients:
1 box brownie mix
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup water
2 eggs

1/2 cup butter (softened)
1 8oz container cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 1/4 cups powdered sugar



1. Combine mix, oil, eggs, and water in large mixing bowl.
2. Distribute evenly among 12 cupcake liners (about 3/4 full)
3. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. You may need more time. I recommend the toothpick test.
4. In separate bowl, cream butter and cream cheese together until fluffy.
5. Add vanilla and cream again.
6. Slowly add in powdered sugar.
7. Crush four Oreos and blend into icing.
8. Ice cupcakes. Cut Oreos in half and stick in icing for decoration.

Enjoy!! :)

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

It's that time of year again...
Bake sale!

So these are super cute and I love peanut butter so it's like a match made in heaven for me.
You too?
Let's be friends (;

Ingredients:
1 box Devils Food or Chocolate Cake Mix
Necessary Ingredients for Cake
1 Bag mini reeses
1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk

Instructions (easiest ever):

1. Make cake mix according to directions, distribute evenly among lined cups, and bake as directed.
2. Beat butter and peanut butter until fluffy.
3. Slowly add in the powdered sugar until icing forms
4. Add milk as needed.
5. Let cupcakes cool, ice the cupcakes, and top with a cute little reeses :) 

FOURtune bars

This weekend, I went up to Penn State for the PSU vs Temple football game.

We had a HUGE tailgate and it was just so so fun!
And I also got to see my sister which was awesome because I missed her a lot :)

But anyway, like any baker, I saw the tailgate as an opportunity to bake.
I'd been eyeing up these Chubby Hubby bars from Shugary Sweets for a while now, so I decided to put my own little spin on it...

And these were born

They were actually deadly.
So rich.
So, so rich.
But soo sooo good.


Well, I guess I knew what I was getting myself into when I put together cookies, chocolate fudge, peanut butter, and oreos...


Ingredients:

first layer: cookie
3/4 Cup oil
2 tbsp milk
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda

second layer: chocolate
1 14 oz can of condensed milk
1 (11.5 oz) bag milk chocolate chips
2 tbsp butter

third layer: peanut butter
1/3 cup peanut butter

fourth layer: oreos
10-12 peanut butter oreos



Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Beat oil, milk, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until combined. 
3. Add egg and beat until combined
4. Add flour, salt, and baking soda and beat into a batter.
5. Press into a pan and bake for 18-20 minutes
6. While the cookie base is baking, heat condensed milk and 2 tbsp of butter in a large saucepan.
7. Add milk chocolate and whisk constantly until it's ready to be poured in.
8. Take cookie base out of oven and pour chocolate mixture over. Spread the chocolate smooth.
9. Melt peanut butter in microwave and pour over chocolate. 
10. Crush oreos and pour over entire pan.

Enjoy, and most likely, gain a few pounds ;)

deep dish brownie cookies

Got your attention?

Good :)

So I've been sitting around with a muffin top pan for FOREVER and I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with it... then I entered the realm of deep dish cookies.

They're cookies, but HUGE ! We're talking like 10 pounds each here. Okay, maybe not ten pounds but really, they're gigantic.

As you can see, I ended up making normal size cookies (above), too. So whether or not you have a muffin pan, you can enjoy this simple brownie cookie recipe! :) 

Ingredients:

1 box brownie mix

1/3 cup oil

2 tbsp water

1 egg

1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)

(This will make 6 deep dish cookies or around 12 or 13 normal!)

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Combine mix, oil, water and egg until a batter forms.
3. Fold in chocolate chips.
4. Coat pan generously with cooking spray.
5. Place batter in muffin top pan or form balls out of dough.
6. Bake for about 15 minutes (deep dish) or about 10 (normal)

sweet samoa copy-cat

I'm feeling a little sick right now...

This may or may not have come as a result of consuming over 244346 of these.
(hint: it really did)

ah carmel delites...
or samoas...
No matter what you call them, I call them delicious.

yum yum yum

Okay, enough pictures. I'm sorry they're just so good-looking (;

Ingredients: 

Cookies:

1 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

1 container caramel sauce (like Smucker's)

1 bag coconut

Chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in bowl
2. Cream together butter, sugar, and vanilla extract.
3. Add flour mixture and form dough
4. Separate dough into two pieces between wax paper and place in freezer for about 10 minutes
5. Roll out into desired pan and bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes.
6. In a pan, toast coconut. Add caramel and mix.
7. Spread coconut topping over shortbread once shortbread has cooled.
8. Melt chocolate in microwave and drizzle over.
9. Cut into pieces and enjoy!

peanut butter banana vanilla protein shake

I apologize for not having any pictures of this shake, but it's delicious!

I had it post-workout last night... and again for breakfast this morning...
oops :)

but really, it's delicious!

Ingredients:
1 banana, sliced
1 teaspoon peanut butter
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
a splash of milk
handful of ice
(you can add some spinach for a green smoothie, it doesn't alter the taste!)

Directions: blend (;

triple chocolate cocoa pebble bars

chocolate.
multiply by three...
triple. chocolate.

A few nights ago, I had a sleepover with a few of my friends that I haven't seen since June, and it was awesome!

I basically ate my face off...
Bagel bites, doritos, chips and salsa, brownies, cookies,
and these....

um, yum

here's another shot in case you weren't convinced:

Ingredients:

About 3 1/2 cups cocoa pebble cereal or similar

1 bag marshmallows

3 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons nutella

Chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Put marshmallows and butter in microwave safe bowl and microwave until melted 

2. Stir in cereal

3. Press down into wax paper-covered pan and even out

4. Melt nutella in microwave until smooth and spread over bars

5. Toss as many chocolate chips on top as you wish!

Hope you enjoy, this one was a hit! :)

nutella brownie batter chex mix!

The amount of brownie products I have consumed in the past two days is ridiculous.
Really, it's getting out of hand. Really fast...

Oh well, you know the motto...
YOLO

In case you're not a teenager, that's Drake's way of saying "You only live once."
I swore to myself I'd never actually use that phrase because of how annoying it has become...
I think I just became that girl.

So, tomorrow I'm leaving for the beach... Jersey shore anyone?!
And my two friends are coming with!
So I figured I'd make something yummy that's portable too...

Muddy buddies.

And with a nutella/brownie combination, really, who can resist?!

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups Chex or other similar cereal
1/3 cup nutella (that's all I could bear to part with!)
1/2 cup brownie mix
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Pop the nutella into the microwave for about 30 seconds, or until the consistency is smooth
2. Stir into the Chex mix until pieces are evenly coated. 
3. Mix together brownie mix and powdered sugar.
4. Cover pieces with powder mixture either by placing in a large ziploc bag and shaking, or simply pour the mixture into the bowl and coat the cereal.

Try not to eat it all in one sitting... I know it's hard, but try (;

Almost Sinless S'mores Brownies

So, I have a dilemma.

I don't eat too much junk. I know, I have a baking blog, yet I don't eat much of what I make...
Y'all probably think I'm crazy!

Anyway, during the school year I just bring them into school for my friends. But, now that it's summer, I have no one to eat my stuff!!

And since my mom and sister are on a (not to be lasting long) health kick, I decided I had to make something that wasn't TOO bad for you.

So, I made these brownies with diet coke :)

Alright, so maybe they're not healthy, per say, but at least I tried!! 

I just couldn't resist adding that chocolate... mmmm

Below is the recipe using diet coke, but you can easily make it as instructed on the box! I'm sure it would be even better... (WOMP for diet food)

Ingredients:
Boxed brownie mix
Can of diet soda
Graham Crackers
About 18-20 Marshmallows
Chocolate Chips (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix 1/2 can (6 oz) of diet soda into brownie mix. (This is where you can sub in all the normal eggs, oil, and water if you wish!) 
3. Break graham crackers into smaller bits and place in pan.
4. Pour brownie batter over the broken pieces and bake as instructed. (usually 25-40 minutes)
5. Cut marshmallows in half and place on top of brownies. Place back in oven and allow them to puff up. Remove from oven. You can push down on the marshmallows with a knife to flatten them a bit if you wish!
6. Sprinkle chocolate chips (if desired) on top and place back in oven just long enough to melt. 

That's it! Enjoy these yummy treats :)

cinnamon glazed almonds

Everyone knows that almonds are a yummy healthy snack, but I'll be the first to admit that they are MAJORLY upgraded with a little cinnamon and sugar!

okay, maybe a lot of cinnamon and sugar....

But hey, who said we couldn't have a little fun?!

CAUTION!! There is an extreme risk of eating every single one of these in one sitting...

Don't say I didn't warn you! (; 

Also, don't try to eat these before they're cooled... Trust me - I tried. And it hurt! 

Recipe:

1 cup sugar

1/2 tablespoon cinnamon

1/4 cup water

3 cups almonds

Mix sugar, cinnamon, and water together in a pan to form a syrup. Add almonds, and stir continuously until sugar crystallizes. Transfer almonds onto wax paper and let cool. Eat up :)

recipe from onecharmingparty.com :)

cutest little cupcakes ever!

Okay, I must apologize... This blog is starting to be all cupcakes!

My friends just keep asking for them over and over - it's crazy!

But, now that school is ending, my recipes will be more frequent and much more diverse because they'll be for me and my family! 

That being said, I don't regret these cupcakes one bit. 

They are SO DARN CUTE!! 

I can't get over it.

Really.

Just look at them...

d'awww :') 

These are super super easy!

Ingredients:
1 box cake mix and necessary ingredients to make
Icing
Reeses Cups Minis
Sprinkles/Other Toppings (optional)


1. Prepare a box of cake mix as the box tells you to. I know it's difficult, but I believe in you! ;)
2. Separate batter and bake according to instructions.
3. Let cool.
4. Ice them! I used my favorite buttercream icing, recipe can be found here !
5. Unwrap mini reeses and place on top of cupcakes. Put some icing on them.
6. Decorate however you wish! I used little pieces of jelly beans as toppers and some chocolate sprinkles for a nice little add on :)

rainbow funfetti cupcakes

If you're looking for a cupcake that will knock the socks off of your friends, you've come to the right place.

These are BEAUTIFUL. Not to mention, absolutely deeeelicious. Who doesn't love funfetti? And the icing... oh the icing. To die for. 

Ingredients:


for cupcakes

• 1 package funfetti cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup oil
• 3 eggs
• food coloring

for icing

• 1 cup butter softened
• 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• up to 4 tablespoons milk 

Directions:

1. Prepare funfetti mix according to directions.
2. Divide batter into 5 plastic cups
3. Add food coloring to each cup until you reach desired color.
4. Spoon batter into cupcake liners one color at a time. Don't spread the different colors with a spoon, it will spread on its own! If you spread it yourself, the colors may blend together... yucky.
5. Bake for about 13-15 minutes. (toothpick test!)

Icing:

1. Beat butter until fluffy.
2. Add powdered sugar gradually. (low speed = low mess!)
3. Add vanilla, salt, and 2 tablespoons milk. Beat.
4. If your icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar.
5. If it is too thick, add more milk.

icing recipe adapted from 

http://savorysweetlife.com/2010/03/buttercream-frosting/

inception cookies

I'm sorry, another oreo post!
but really, you won't blame me after you try these...
Holy. Cow.
These are BEYOND amazing. Like sold out at the bake sale in 2 lunch periods amazing... 
Yes, that good.

If you're not convinced to make these yet, I recommend seeing your doctor immediately.

Recipe from Picky Palate, one of my favorites!

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks softened butter
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Bag of chocolate chips
• 1 bag oreo cookies (go double stuffed, trust me)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined.
3. Add in eggs and vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt, and baking soda.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix.
6. Surround the oreo in cookie dough. Make sure to enclose entire oreo!! 
7. Place on greased/lined cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes. Mine took longer because they were HUGE!!
8. Let cook for 5 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack.  

Makes about 2 dozen monster cookies!!

oreo dream cupcakes!

I could be in the middle of Grand Central Station and the muttering of one word could stop everything around me....

"oreo."


I. Love. Oreos.

I mean, come on, who doesn't?! Even inanimate objects agree... After all, it is milk's favorite cookie! (;

& On that note, I present to you the two loveliest things combined into one: oreo cupcakes.

oh yes.

Ingredients:

cupcake:

you can use a cake mix, or here's the recipe i used! (makes approx. 20)

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon pancake syrup (or vanilla extract!)
• 1 tablespoon vinegar (i used apple cider vinegar)
• 20 oreos

icing:

yummy cream cheese cookies and cream icing!

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 cup butter 
• give or take 4 cups powdered sugar (based on desired consistency)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or syrup again!)
• oreos!

Directions:

Cupcakes!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. (or follow instructions for cake mix)
2. Mix all cupcake ingredients together until all lumps and inconsistencies are gone.
3. Line cupcake pan with liners. ** IMPORTANT! Spraying the pan with nonstick spray WILL NOT WORK. I ended up with many disheveled cupcakes because the oreo sticks to the pan! 
4. Separate the two halves of the oreo cookie and put the side with cream on the bottom of cupcake with cream facing up.
5. Fill cupcake liners about 2/3 of the way with the mix.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Icing!

1. Whip together butter and cream cheese until fluffy.
2. Add powdered sugar in small increments.
3. Add vanilla extract or syrup.
4. Crush remaining tops of oreos and mix in.

*Note : If you're planning on piping the icing, you will need very small pieces of oreo. If you're just spreading it on, feel free to use whatever size oreo chunks you prefer!

Crush some oreos and sprinkle on top or add half an oreo for a cute touch :)

Cake recipe adapted from

http://www.food.com/recipe/moms-chocolate-cupcakes-105594

Icing recipe adapted from

http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2009/02/oreo-frosting-cream-cheese-is-key.html