Bundtlettes

Last week we had a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Melanie. My mom made these super cute mini bundt cakes. We put the paper flower in the middle of them (or you could use silk flowers) -- it was a very fun presentation. You can buy the mini bunt cake pan at any specialty baking shop. One recipe below made 6 mini bundtlettes. My mom made a simple powdered sugar frosting and scalloped it over the top.

This is my favorite bunt cake recipe:

Chocolate Cake
1 Chocolate cake mix (any brand), make it up according to package directions. (I prefer Devil's Food Cake)
Add:
1 small box chocolate pudding, instant
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix well and bake in a greased bundt pan at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let set in pan 10 minutes, remove and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Crispy Carmel Brownie Treats, amazing!!!!

Crispy Caramel Brownie Treats
i made this recipe last week and i am making it again for our girls Christmas party because it is so so so amazing... if you need a treat to bring to a party this week... bring this!!! and if you dont know about picky palate... add it to your favorites..... she has some good recipes..

1 brownie mix of choice 9x13 size
¾ Cup caramel ice cream topping
3 Cups Mini Marshmallows
2 Tablespoons butter
3 ½ Cups rice crispy cereal
1 Cup semi sweet chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons coconut oil (you can also use heavy cream) i used canola oil instead!!!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. As soon as they are done baking, remove from oven and drizzle with caramel ice cream topping.
2. In a large microwave safe bowl, melt marshmallows and butter until puffed up. Stir in cereal until well combined. i also added 1/2 tsp. of vanilla to make it tasty!!!! Quickly place over brownies and gently spread evenly over top. Place chocolate chips into a medium microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until melted and smooth. Stir in coconut oil or heavy cream until shiny and smooth. Pour and drizzle over top of brownies. Let cool then cut into squares.
12 large brownies

Southwest Shredded Chicken Three Bean Chili

I made this recipe last night and it was super yummy! Personally, I would call it a soup rather than chili, but we loved it nonetheless. It's a great dish for the cold days . . . we just happen to be experiencing some of those lately. Yes, it gets cold in San Diego!
Happy Cooking!

Soft Sugar Cookies

1/2 c. sour cream
1 egg
1 cube of butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/4 c. sugar
3 1/4 c. flour

Roll out dough to be about 1/4 inch thick. Cut cookies out. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375* for 7-9 minutes (Don't let them get brown). Let cool before icing.
**This recipe makes about 2 dozen cookies.

ICING

1/2 pkg. of powdered sugar
1/8- 1/4 c. milk
1/2 stick of butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Soften butter, add other ingredients and mix. I like my icing a little runny because it's easier to frost with and it sets up smooth on the cookie. Add more powdered sugar to thicken or more milk to thin the icing out.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

2/3 c. shortening
2/3 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3-3 1/2 c. flour
1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips

Mix ingredients together. Drop by spoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375* for 10 minutes.

Butternut Squash Soup

1/4 C butter
2 1/2 C leeks, chopped(use only white part)
5 C chicken broth
2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped(1 inch cubes)
salt and pepper to taste
snipped chives(optional)

In large stock pot melt butter, add leeks. Cook until soft, not brown.
Add squash and broth.
Boil, stirring occasionally. Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes until squash is tender.
Drain mixture, reserve liquid.
Combine leeks and squash in blender until very smooth (be sure to keep some liquid in blender so it doesn't clog.)
Combine with liquid, stir very well and heat a bit.
Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish with chives if desired.