Strawberries & Date Night

Friday nights are usually my favorites. That's because they're usually "date night". Date night usually consists of cooking dinner and watching a movie followed with something yummy for dessert because my boyfriend has a big sweet tooth! So last night we're in the grocery store, pining over the baking aisle trying to figure out what to make.. something that didn't include peanut butter (I know, you're tired of reading about peanut butter now...) and we decided on Strawberry Cake. Not just any strawberry cake, but the BEST IN THE WORLD.

This is Kristi. Everybody say "Hi Kristi!"

She's cute isn't she? Kristi is my boyfriend's mom. She's pretty awesome. She also knows a thing or two about really good strawberry cake. Credit where credit is due, this recipe is hers!

Let's start off with the ingredients.

You'll need:

1 package white cake mix

1 box of powdered sugar

1 small carton of frozen strawberries

1 package strawberry jello

1 stick of butter

Now, this recipe is a little more complex than anything I've posted so far but be prepared - the out come is SOOOO worth it.

Mix your cake mix according to the box.

Then, dump your package of jello in it and mix thoroughly.

I added about two table spoons of the juice from the strawberries (thawed) into my cake mix, but you don't have to.

It's so pink, I love it. Keep mixing till it's nice and smooth. It'll feel really thick but it's fine!

Pour into your pan (I used a 9x13, you can use rounds but I like this the best).

BAKE!

TADA! Perfect, still pink, cake!

Once it's completely cooled you need to make your frosting.

Melt a stick of butter and mix it with the whole box of powdered sugar & 4-5 tablespoons of the frozen strawberries WITH the juice!

Smooth, creamy, sweet perfection. Time to pour it over the cake. Yum!

SO. GOOD. Spread it out in a nice even layer over your cake. Now my advice is to let it set up for a little bit. But if you can't resist, I totally understand. ;) Also, notice the powdered sugar all over my shirt.. We were WAY too excited about eating this.

Mmmm. It's like heaven in your mouth.

Just ask Tyler, he had like FOUR pieces before he left! :)

PB S'more Cookies

As you can tell I really love peanut butter. These cookies came about because I was looking for something quick and easy, to make with what I had on hand. I was out of flour - which is almost like a serious tradgedy to me. Not wanting to go to the store I thought 'FLOURLESS PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES!'. They're so easy, so yummy, and require three ingredients. I decided I wanted something more than just a regular peanut butter cookie. I had some marshmallows and chocolate chips. Folding them in makes it a peanut butter s'more perfection. My boyfriend loved them, devouring all seven of them that I brought him in like thirty minutes.

Here's the recipe, you'll love these.

Seriously NO FAIL.

You'll need:

1 cup peanut butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

optional;

1/4 cup marshmallows cut into small piece

1/4 cup chocolate chips

Mix up your peanut butter, sugar, and egg.

You could stop here and bake them and they'd be fantastic.

Fold in your marshmallows and chocolate chips, realllllll good.

Roll into balls and bake at 350 for 7-9 minutes.

YUM!

Rainy Day & Peanut Butter Hearts

Who loves peanut butter? I DO! Who loves chocolate? ME, ME! Who really loves them together? EVERYONE. Valentine's day is just around the corner. I love seeing all the heart shaped candies, the cards, and the aisles of teddy bears. I just love love. I also just love cookies. It's rainy and cold outside today. I'm really enjoying it.. those seem to be my favorite days! So I decided I would make peanut butter cookies.. but not just ANY peanut butter cookies. Peanut butter cookies with Reese's hearts on top.. Drooling. They're pretty much the easiest thing ever (and the best...).

You'll need:

1 pacakge Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie mix

1 egg

1 tablespoon of water

3 tablespoons of vegetable oil

1 bag Reese's hearts

Preheat oven to 350. Open up that package of cookie mix and dump in a bowl. Mix in the egg, oil, and water.

Then roll into one inch balls and place on a cookie sheet. I lined my with aluminium foil and VERY lightly sprayed the foil with some baking spray. Just so I don't have to wash a dish, except the bowl and spoons.

Bake at 350 for 7-10 minutes. Mine went for 7 minutes and about twenty seconds. It'll depend on your oven.. just watch 'em & enjoy that beautiful aroma. Now, start unwrapping hearts.

I could stop here and just eat all of these. Must keep reminding myself "NO SUGAR." Yikes. Beep beep beep - time to take those cookies out!

Gently press one heart on top of each cookie. Let cool. Or enjoy them all warm and melty!

The Next Six Weeks

First off, let me introduce myself.. Hmmm. My name is Breezi. I'm a college student, a daughter, a friend, and sugar ADDICT. I've been baking since I was about seven years old when I got my first easy bake oven. My grandmother was more of a "meat and potatoes"maker.. The only thing she really ever baked was banana pudding and no bake cookies - but BOY OH BOY, were they the best ever.. I'll have to share her banana pudding with you soon. Mmm. I love to bake. It's like complete and total relaxation for me.

Though my passion for baking is unhindered my jean size isn't. So for the next six weeks I have committed to no carbohydrates or sugar in any form. I KNOW. I am a crazy person.. go ahead and call the ward. That means no cookies for me. No chocolate. Hmmph! Like I said, though, my passion for baking is unhindered and I'm glad to have family and friends who can still eat carbs and sugar so I can keep baking! The next six weeks will probably include a few healthier desserts.. and probably quite a few sinful ones.

I have this sweet friend.. and I just don't really get to see her often. She's recently began attending the same church as me so I am excited that I will get to see her tonight! She is always saying "Bring me something to try so I can see how good of a cook you are!" -- so tonight I am. Something yummy, easy, and not ridiculously bad for you. I think it's a winner already!

Frozen Banana Bites

Don't these look YUMMY?

Too bad I can't have any...

You'll need:

2 - medium bananas

1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped peanuts

pan, waxed paper

First, line your pan with waxed paper and stick it in the freezer.

Then chop up your bananas in about 1/4 in. to 1/2 in. slices.

Melt your chocolate chips for about 35 seconds in the microwave and stir. Pull your pan out of the freezer. Dip and coat your bananas in the chocolate. Place on waxed paper and top with chopped peanuts.

WA-LAH! Simple, easy, not so unhealthy delight.