Dirt Cake

I've tried different type of dirt dessert recipes over the years, but I've never been fully satisfied with one I've found... til now.

This is perfect. I seriously wouldn't change anything about this recipe! (Well, except for the calorie content...) If you really wanted to cut down on the calories, you could try cutting out some of the Oreos, using light cream cheese, skim milk, etc. However... this is worth the calories. 

I made this for Easter with my extended family (thus the Peeps, eggs, and green sprinkles), but you really don't need to decorate it unless it's for a holiday. I'm considering making this again soon just for a random Wednesday or something. Or possibly just because baby says it sounds good. ;) 

Remember, comments are loved! Do you have a favorite dirt dessert recipe?

Printable Recipe

Dirt Cake

Ingredients

• 1 & ⅓ package Oreos, separated
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 16 ounces cool whip
• 2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding
• 3 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Decorations (ex: including bunnies and edible grass for Easter)

Directions

1. Finely crush 1 package Oreos, place ⅔ in the bottom of a 9” x 13” pan. Set aside.
2. Separately, crush ⅓ package Oreos into small chunks and set aside.
3. Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar, and fold in whipped topping and small chunks of Oreos. Set aside.
4. In a separate bowl mix pudding, milk and vanilla. Fold this mixture in with the cream cheese mixture.
5. Pour over crumb mixture in pan, then sprinkle with the reserve finely crushed Oreos. Let set for a few hours and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Yield/Time

16 servings

20 minutes + cooling time

Nutrition Facts

431/serving

Source (for original): Lil Luna

Chili Cheddar Penne

Sorry for no post last week, we were on vacation! My plans of having a post or two prepared before we left went out the window with prep for vacation, so I'll try to make it up this week. :) (On the plus side, we thoroughly enjoyed spending a week in the sunshine state!)

This entree/side dish is something that has been one of my favorites for a LONG time. The boys love it too! When I made it last, Gabriel had 4ish helpings... Nate, however, just isn't very fond of it; I've never figured out why. I try not to make it too often, knowing that he's not a fan, but I can't resist sometimes! I tone the spice down a little while making it for my family, but you could definitely add as much seasoning as you wanted!

To make this into more of a one-dish meal, add some grilled chicken!

Remember, comments are loved! What's your favorite one-dish meal?

Printable Recipe

Chili Cheddar Penne

Ingredients

• 2 ⅔ cups uncooked penne pasta
• ⅔ cup frozen corn, thawed
• 1 ½ tablespoons butter
• ½ green pepper, diced very small
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 roma or 1 regular tomatoes, diced (or 1 can, drained)
• ½-¾ tablespoon taco seasoning
• Sliced avocado, optional

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, adding corn approximately 4 minutes before done. 
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, saute green pepper until crisp-tender in butter. Set aside. 
3. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
4. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in cheese, tomatoes, and taco seasoning. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted. 
5. Drain pasta; stir into cheese sauce. Garnish with avocado if desired.

Yield/Time

6 Servings

Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

Nutrition Facts *I calculate nutrition facts for reference only, this is not done scientifically

179 per ½ cup.

Source (for original): Taste of Home

Strawberry Cinnamon Muffins

I love strawberries. When strawberries are in season here in northern Michigan, we usually buy at least 2 flats... so over 20 pounds. At least. I make 3 or more batches of jam, we eat strawberries for days, and then I freeze whatever is left. Last year, Gabriel & I picked some vs doing the pre-pick, but I think this year I'll have to just buy some that are already picked. I'm due June 25th, so... picking probably isn't going to work out. I'm still hoping that making strawberry jam & freezing strawberries is going to be doable. If baby comes early, this might get interesting. ;) 

After starting to buy local, fresh strawberries a few years ago, I just can't buy them in the store anymore. They just aren't comparable! 

The best thing about getting so many and freezing them in the summer is having strawberries all winter! Then, when I stumble across a strawberry recipe... I don't have to use mediocre ones from the store. 

This recipe is fabulous! These muffins are perfectly sweet, and full of strawberries! My one complaint is that, using frozen strawberries, they seem to be a bit soggy. That didn't stop anyone else from devouring them, though! (Didn't stop me, either.) I always warn people if I'm slightly less than satisfied with the way a recipe is turning out, and everyone told me with this that they will gladly take my rejects. ;) 

If you use frozen strawberries, cut down slightly on the milk. If you use frozen sugared strawberries, the 1/4 cup sugar is not needed! (Unless you want it, in which case I won't judge.) 

Remember, comments are loved! What's your favorite summer strawberry recipe?

Printable Recipe

Strawberry Cinnamon Muffins

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup sugar *cut out if using sugared strawberries
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk *cut down if using frozen strawberries
• 2 cups strawberries, chopped into pieces
• Cinnamon Sugar Filling/Topping:
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Grease or line a 15 cup muffin tin and set aside.
2. In a large bowl mix together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In another bowl, combine applesauce, egg, and milk. Add to the dry ingredients, and fold in strawberries.
3. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Reserve half and fold the other half into the batter. Fill each muffin cup with about ¼ cup of the batter. Top with remaining cinnamon sugar filling.
4. Bake for 12-20 minutes or until lightly brown. Remove from the oven and cool slightly.

Yield/Time

15 muffins

45 minutes

Nutrition Facts

163

Source (for original): The Recipe Critic

Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread

So, if you follow me on facebook, you saw the teaser photo yesterday. I actually meant to take another photo last night, but the loaf that I originally meant to keep for us... was mostly gone. Between Nate, the boys, and I, we ate most of it in one afternoon. I'm eating the last couple pieces for breakfast. Doesn't look like we're sharing all of the other loaf now... oops.

Yes, it's really that good. 

This is actually my Cinnamon Swirl Bread recipe, but it's almost like monkey bread. I got the idea from another blog, but I prefer my cinnamon swirl bread recipe, so I adapted it for that. Funny thing is that my cinnamon swirl bread never goes this fast. When it's in this form, it's SO easy to snack on. (So, tip: if you want it to last, but want the same flavor, do the swirl bread.) 

Warning: this is addictive. I'm sorry. This only makes one loaf, but I basically always recommend doubling it. 

Remember, comments are loved! What's your favorite cinnamon sugar goody?

Printable Recipe

Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• ½ cup milk
• 2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
• ¾ cup warm water
• 4 tablespoons sugar, divided
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon, divided
• 3 cups flour
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

1. In small saucepan, warm milk and 1 tablespoon butter until butter is melted. Set aside until lukewarm. In small bowl, mix water and yeast until yeast is dissolved. In large bowl, add 2 tablespoon sugar, salt, and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Pour in milk and butter. Mix until sugar and salt is dissolved. Stir in yeast and water. Mix in 2 ½ cups flour. Turn out onto floured board and knead in the remaining flour or until the dough is soft and smooth.
2. Put dough in greased bowl and turn dough so that the top is greased. Cover and let rise in warm place for about 60 minutes, or until double in size. Grease and flour a 9”x5” loaf pan.  Set that aside.
3. Punch down the dough, and let rest for 5 minutes.  On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to approximately 12”x20”. Use a pastry brush to spread melted butter on top of the dough, then sprinkle remaining cinnamon & sugar on top. (Or however much you want... I don't measure.)
4. Slice the dough into approximately 20 equal sized pieces. Layer them in the loaf pan like a flip book, with the cinnamon sides all facing the same direction. Place a clean towel over the pan and allow to rise in a warm place for 30 to 45 minutes, or almost doubled in size. 
5. Preheat oven to 350°. Place loaf in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes, until the top is very golden brown.  (BE CAREFUL. It is easy to under bake this, but it's just as easy to over bake. Keep a close eye on it around 40 minutes, and test the soft looking pieces slightly for doneness.)
6. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for a few minutes. If needed, run a butter knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the bread, and invert onto a clean board. Using a clean plate, carefully invert so that it’s right side up. (This part's hard, and usually messy. I use my hands, to be honest, it's easier that way.)

Yield/Time

1 loaf

Prep Time: 2 hours Cook Time: 45 minutes

Nutrition Facts *I calculate nutrition facts for reference only, this is not done scientifically

108/2 slices

Source (for original): idea and instructions: Joy the Baker, bread recipe: unknown, I've had it for years.

Smothered Chicken Queso Casserole

I'm always looking for something different to make for my boys. We have a lot of recipes that are similar, and I tend to be afraid to jump out of my box (very far, at least) for dinner. However, this combines things that Nate & the boys all like-- chicken, taco seasoning, salsa, rice... Salsa in a main dish, however, is why this is out of my box. I am not a big salsa fan, but the boys loved this!

(However, this does make a lot-- too much for my boys, they tired of it quickly. I will definitely only make a 1/2 batch next time!)

The picture is questionable, but it is much tastier than it looks! I'm just not much of a photographer. ;)

Remember, comments are loved! What's your favorite out-of-the-box dish?

Printable Recipe

Smothered Chicken Queso Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil 
• 1-2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise 
• 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, divided
• 15 ounces salsa 
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 medium red/orange/green bell pepper, seeded, chopped 
• 2 ½ cups cooked white rice
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend 
• Chopped tomatoes and chopped fresh cilantro, if desired

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 13”x9” baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Sprinkle ½ tablespoon taco seasoning over chicken, then cook for 6-8 minutes. Turn once, cooking til golden brown on both sides.
3. In large bowl, stir together salsa, whipping cream, milk, and pepper. Reserve approximately ¾ cup of the sauce mixture; set aside. Stir rice into remaining sauce mixture.
4. Place rice mixture in casserole; top with chicken. Top with reserved sauce mixture, then shredded cheese. 
5. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes; uncover and bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until sauce bubbles and juice of chicken is clear when cut.
6. Cool for 10 minutes, then garnish as desired.

Yield/Time

6 servings

1 hour

Nutrition Facts *I calculate nutrition facts for reference only, this is not done scientifically

323-371, depending on amount of chicken

Source (for original): Betty Crocker

Gingerbread Cookies

I am, in general, not a fan of gingerbread cookies. I can have one or two, but they are not my thing. Nate is usually a fan though, and I like to try to do the "typical" seasonal things. I have a recipe that I've made before, but these are slightly different. Also, those are the ones I made for my mom to use on her advent calendar.... and there's something about the fact that they can last for years that throws me off. Time for a new, different recipe! :)

These, as advertised on the blog I got them from, don't spread. I like that about them. I was iffy to use butter, in my experience it tends to cause more issues than using Crisco, especially with spreading. (I know I've talked about my love for Crisco before.)  However, I am pretty fond of these. I think the lack of baking powder/baking soda helps, too. 

They are fairly crunchy, but soften a lot if you add frosting. Frosting is totally optional, though!

Remember, comments are loved! Tell me about your favorite gingerbread recipes & ideas!

Printable Recipe

Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup molasses
• 2 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Do not overmix. Add the egg, and mix until incorporated.
3. Add the molasses, and vanilla; mix just until incorporated.
4. Whisk the flour, salt, and spices together in a separate bowl. Slowly mix in the flour mixture.
5. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface, to ¼" thickness. Place on prepared baking sheet, and bake for 8-9 minutes.

Yield/Time

Approximately 27 cookies

45 minutes

Nutrition Facts

110

Source (for original): The Kitchen Paper

Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons milk

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk to desired consistency. 
2. Spread over cookies. 

Yield/Time

5 minutes

Nutrition Facts

20/cookie

Source (for original): Love Grows Wild

Spinach Wraps

I know, I know. You're thinking, "It's getting close to the holidays, and Serena's posting about SPINACH WRAPS? What's wrong with her?"

Well, nothing really. I was just glancing through recipes I haven't posted and stumbled across this.

I used to love getting panini's from a place on campus with spinach wraps, but I'm too cheap to buy the wraps themselves in stores. I'd change up the things I put in them, but I always got the spinach wraps. Then, when I found this recipe, I decided it was worth a shot to do it myself.

Yeah, this is easy. Really guys. This is awesome. I had never made tortillas before this, so I was a bit intimidated the first time, but it's SO easy. Fairly time-consuming, to roll out all the tortillas, but definitely doable. We could just munch on them by themselves; forget making them into panini's or anything else. They don't have a strong spinach taste, so even if you aren't a big fan of spinach, it's worth trying.

Oh, and side note? These freeze fairly well. Slightly more brittle, and I haven't tried more than short-term freezing (a few weeks), but works out great still.

Printable Recipe

Spinach Wraps

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons vegetable or avocado oil
• 4 ounces spinach (approximate 4 cups)
• ¾ cups milk, warmed 

Directions

1. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed. Add the oil; stir until dough is crumbly. Set aside.
2. Place the spinach and warm milk in a blender or food processor, and mix on high until smooth. Pour the spinach mixture into the flour and stir to combine. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes, until smooth. Add more flour as needed. 
3. Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Lightly flour a counter and a rolling pin. Break the chilled dough into 10 - 14 medium sized balls. Roll out each ball into a very thin circle, about 8”-10” in diameter. 
5. Heat a large frying pan or griddle over medium heat. Cook the wraps one at a time for about 30 seconds -1 minute on each side or until wrap has stiffened slightly and is golden brown in spots. 
6. Let cool, then place in gallon bags and store in the fridge until ready to use. *may also freeze until needed.

Yield/Time

12 wraps

1 hour

Nutrition Facts *I calculate nutrition facts for reference only, this is not done scientifically

148 calories per wrap (12 ct)

Source (for original): Katie at the Kitchen Door

Remember, comments are loved! What are your favorite wrap ingredients?

Sugar Cookies

I originally published this post a few years ago, but the time is ripe for a re-publication. 

Mama's recipe for sugar cookies is something that I have never, ever tweaked. I am a person who has to always play with recipes, so for me to say "this is perfect, and needs no changes" is quite something. These are on my baking list for every Christmas, and have been on the list since before I was the one doing the baking! I can't remember Mama ever getting to Christmas without making at least one batch. (And when the three of us kids were younger, I remember at least a couple years where the cookies were gone long before Christmas, and we would beg for another batch...) 

However... these aren't just a Christmas thing. The boys and I usually go over to mama's to make cookies for most of the major holidays. Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Valentine's day... if Mama & I have cookie cutters for the occasion, we probably make sugar cookies for it. ;) 

This year, we made the Halloween cookies at my house. (Gabriel directed mama on which sprinkles to use, but she actually put the sprinkles on... which was probably best, so he didn't use all the sprinkles up before we were done decorating!)

To me, these are the perfect sugar cookie. They are slightly crunchy if you don't frost them, but frosting them makes them perfectly soft! 

Printable Recipe

Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups butter-flavored Crisco
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 5 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tubs store-bought frosting (or homemade if desired)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs; beat until fluffy. 
3. Stir together dry ingredients; add alternately with milk to creamed mixture. If dough is too sticky to handle, add flour. Roll ¼” thick on well-floured surface, cut with cookie cutters. 
4. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets for 8 minutes. Cool on sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to rack. Frost and decorate as desired. 

Yield/Time

About 75 cookies

2-3 hours (including decorating)

Nutrition Facts *I calculate nutrition facts for reference only, this is not done scientifically

127

Source (for original): my mom

Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies

This is another one of those "wait, I haven't shared that yet?" recipes. I made some the other day, for my husband. These are Nate's favorites, and I like to be on his good side. ;) (Plus, if I occasionally bake something that his favorite, he doesn't complain much about all the other baking I do!) 

These cookies are one of the classic recipes that my mama's been baking since before my memory even starts. (Quite likely before I was even born.) They are definitely Nate's favorite cookie. He's not much of a cookie person, but he loves these. They are perfectly soft, and basically irresistible. (Thus, the name!) 

Printable Recipe

Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

• ¾ Cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ Cup butter-flavored crisco
• 1 ¼ Cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 3 Tablespoon Milk
• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla
• 1 Egg
• 1 ¾ Cup Flour
• ¾ Teaspoon Salt
• ¾ Teaspoon baking soda

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°. 
2. Combine peanut butter, crisco, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed with mixer until well blended. Add egg; beat until blended. 
3. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Add to mixture at low speed, mix until blended. 
4. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased (lightly floured) baking sheet. (Alternately, roll with floured hands.) Flatten slightly with criss-cross pattern with fork. 
5. Bake for 6 ½ - 8 minutes, cool.

Yield/Time

3-4 dozen small

1 hour

Nutrition Facts *I calculate nutrition facts for reference only, this is not done scientifically

Calories: 95/40 cookies

Source (for original): my mom

Remember, comments are loved! Share favorite cookie recipes with me!