Frosting & Sugar Berries

So I have a new favorite frosting, I've used it a few times on carrot cake and chocolate cake, and more recently on spice cake.  I have decided no matter the cake flavor, you can never go wrong with cream cheese frosting!

So here is the recipe, and it's so easy!

1/2 cup butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 cups powered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Additionally,  I was able to make the cupcakes shown pop, while looking more delicate, by washing black berries and then rolling them, while still damp, in sugar.  The photo doesn't do them justice.  (Wish I was a food photographer!)  But they were so pretty!

Let Us Eat {birthday} Cake!

I wanted to do the Kit Kat/M&M's cake (as you can see HERE from my husbands 30th birthday) with a new twist.  White chocolate Kit Kats, and fun M&M's that D. picked out on our visit to M&M World in Las Vegas. We also tied in Hotwheels, his favorite thing!
My sisters little boy was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma over Christmas.  Because of his illness he was selected to be a part of Icing Smiles, "Icing Smiles is a nonprofit organization that provides custom celebration cakes and other treats to families impacted by the critical illness of a child."

Brittany, with  Cravin' Cake Bakery, in Las Vegas took on Caleb's cake.  Here it is.

I recycled the bottom layer (that was fondant covered foam, since a 3rd tier would have exceeded the cake needs for Caleb's brithday.)  For D's cake.  It certainly added to the coolness of the "candy coma" cake I made.

To do this cake of your own, all you need is to bake and frost a  2-9inch cakes as you normally would, then place Kit Kats (full sized) split in half, around cake.  I ended up using 10.5 Kit Kats.  Top with M&M's or other favorite candy.  Tie off with a ribbon to keep candies on.  Enjoy!

*To learn more about Caleb, and follow his story you can follow him on, Prayers for Caleb on Facebook.

Scalloped Potatoes and Onions

I love this recipe.  The best part is no cream of anything.  So yummy!  Recipe can be found here, at allrecipes.com. Scalloped Potatoes and Onions

Rated: Submitted By: Dorothy Bateman Prep Time: 5 Minutes Cook Time: 2 Hours Ready In: 2 Hours 5 Minutes Servings: 6

"Writes Dorothy Bateman from Carver, Massachusetts. 'This creamy potato dish is so delicious. You can prepare it in the morning, than put it in the oven later--just be sure the sauce covers the potatoes so they won't turn brown.'"

Ingredients:

5 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced 3/4 cup chopped onion 3 tablespoons butter or margarine 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 3/4 cups chicken broth

2 tablespoons mayonnaise 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper Paprika

Directions:

1.

In a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish, layer potatoes and onion. In a saucepan, melt the butter; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add broth, mayonnaise, salt and pepper; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thick and bubbly. Pour over potatoes. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover and bake at 325 degrees F for 2 hours or until tender.

The Best Cobbler

A friend was looking for a good dessert to make, so I though I would share my very favorite peach cobbler recipe, found here, at allrecipes.com.

 

Peach Cobbler VI

Rated: Submitted By: karen Photo By: daysecraze Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ready In: 45 Minutes Servings: 24

"This is a wonderful southern recipe... very easy and tastes great!"

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup milk 1/2 cup margarine, melted 1 (29 ounce) can sliced canned peaches, drained 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2.	In a large bowl, combine flour, sugars, baking powder, salt and vanilla. Pour milk into dry ingredients and then stir in melted margarine. Mix thoroughly.
3.	Pour mixture into a 9x13 inch baking pan. Arrange peaches on top and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.