Best Summer Cobbler

Peach Blackberry Cobbler

Nothing says summer like a good ol' cobbler recipe. I came across this recipe and added a couple of my own touches to it. It's really perfect and it's exceptional warm, right out of the oven with vanilla ice cream on top! 

Recipe: 

6 Large Peaches

2 Cups Blackberries

3 Lemons

1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar

1 Tbl. Honey

1 Tbl. Maple Syrup

1 1/2 Cup All-Purpose Flour

1 1/2 Cup Oatmeal

2/3 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Tbl. Cinnamon

1/4 Tsp. Ginger

2 Sticks Salted Butter (chilled & cubed)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut peeled peaches into 1/2 inch pieces. In a large bowl, combine peaches, blackberries, the zest of 2 lemons, the juice of 3 lemons, granulated sugar, honey and syrup. Stir to combine. 

2. Spoon the fruit mixture into a baking pan or divide it into small backing dishes for individual servings.

3. In another bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger. Stir together. Add the cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, work the butter into the dry ingredients until large crumbs are formed. 

4. Spoon the crisp topping over the fruit. Bake crisp for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and the fruit is bubbly. 

5. Serve warm with ice cream! 

Let me know if you love it too! 

Enjoy!

Happy 4th of July - 2015

Happy 4th of July!

It's always great to get together with friends and family to celebrate America's birthday; she's beautiful isn't she?

Besides the usual greats - coney's and cheese burgers (with all the toppings) and apple pie you can't forget the sparklers, ice cream cake pops and star-shaped watermelon, right? 

Maybe a little angel food cake smeared with whipped cream and berries, sprinkled with powdered sugar too!

Ice Cream Cake Pops! 

Recipe Courtesy of:
Jenny Cookies, thank you Jenny!

Ingredients:

1 box Duncan Hines Cake Mix (flavor of your choice)
1 (3.4 oz) box Jell-O chocolate instant pudding
1 cup water
1/3 cup oil
4 large eggs
1/2 to 3/4 cup Buttercream Frosting 
1 box Joy Brand Mini Sugar Cones
3 (12 oz) packages white candy melts
40 sixlets (any color you wish)
rainbow jimmies

You will need:

9″ x 13″ baking pan or casserole dish

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat the 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan, tapping out the excess flour. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, and using an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the cake mix, pudding mix, water, oil and eggs on medium speed for 2-3 minutes or until well blended. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix again until all the ingredients are incorporated.

3. Pour the batter into prepared cake pan. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

4. Remove the pan from the oven and place on wire cooling rack for 25-30 minutes. Let cool completely before making the cake pops.

5. Mash up the cake and place in a large bowl. Using an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix the cake and 1/2 to 3/4 cup buttercream frosting on medium speed until well blended and the mixture can be molded into a ball. Measure and roll the mixture into tablespoon size balls. Refrigerate 30 minutes to one hour, or until firm.

6. Melt the candy melts in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments for about 2 1/2 minutes, stirring as needed until smooth.

7. Barely dip the top of the mini cup cone into the melted candy, just enough to put a ring at the top of the cone. Place the cone upside down on top of the refrigerated cake balls. This helps the candy adhere to the cake balls. Continue until all are finished.

8. Dip the cake balls (with the cone attached) into the melted candy, completely coating it to the edge of the cone. Sprinkle with rainbow jimmies and top each with a sixlet candy while the melted candy is still wet.

'...and the home of the....braaaave!' 

Laila's 3rd Birthday - Dora & Diego Fiesta!

At 3 years old my girl loves her some Diego! And Dora is really just a bonus...or a cover up for her current infatuation of Diego. :) 

Walking Tacos! 

All the fixin's were provided for family and friends to make walking tacos + salsa and guacamole - of course! The food was named after characters in the show such as: Isa, Swiper, and Boots. 

Dora and Diego made an appearance! 

Boot's Bear Food!
(bugles, swedish fish, traditional chex mix, mini M&M's, and don't forget the goldfish crackers) 

The cake is simple and perfect. 

(Kudos - Capital City Cakes
http://www.capitalcitycakesoh.com)

Each guest left with their very own stash of mini chocolate bars with Dora and Diego wrappers on them, tied pretty with a
'Happy 3rd Birthday Laila' tag.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl.

Laila's 2nd Birthday - Cupcake Party!

It's a cupcake party! The food was chosen with a 'cupcake' in mind. Thus, these creations came about! 

Veggie Cakes with Hummus

(cucumbers topped with hummus, shredded carrots and an olive for the cherry)

Mac n' Cheese Cupcakes! Simply bake the mac n' cheese and put in baking cups. 

Sloppy Joe Cakes! Who doesn't love sloppy joes? They're mini Hawaiian Sweet rolls with the center carved out - spoon in some sloppy joe and top off with shredded cheddar cheese - yum!

Can't forget the fruit 'cupcakes' drizzled with fruit dip topping!

The cake is a layered cake (yellow with raspberry filling) with matching cupcakes. Cake and cupcakes courtesy of Country Cakes and Bakes - they rock!

Each guest took home a cupcake cake pop featuring a two-sided thank you tag!

 Happy '2' - I love you. 

(Dress courtesy of GoldeeloxCreations - Etsy)

Laila's 1st Birthday Party - Triple Rainbow's!

First born, first birthday - it's a big one, right? I chose a rainbow theme because our little girl's personality was nothing short of bright and cheery so here we go: 

From the food, to the decor, to the cake and treats - all rainbows! For the food I picked choices that would reflect the rainbow theme: salsa, pasta salad, rainbow fruit skewers and vegetable pizza.

Rainbow cake and smash cake courtesy of Country Cakes and Bakes (on Facebook). 

Trix Rice Krispie Treats and Chocolate Dipped Pretzels with Rainbow sprinkles!

And finally, last but not least the favor - rainbows! Rainbow colored twizzlers and added in some marshmallows for a cloud effect. Don't forget a 'Thank You' tag! 

And...the smash shot!

Rainbow theme is a fun time! There are endless possibilities to put with this theme. 

Have fun!