S'mores Cupcakes

I <3 s'mores. 

Sadly, they are very difficult to eat with braces/missing teeth. Although I wouldn't consider  these cupcakes a "substitute" for the delicious campfire treat, they are pretty darn tasty and way easier to eat. The toasted marshmallow top is essential. I only had mini marshmallows on hand, but would recommend using half a large marshmallow instead. Also I intended on putting graham cracker crumbs on the bottom before pouring in the batter, but forgot so just crumbled on top.

S'mores Cupcakes Recipe:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 2 graham crackers, crushed
• 2 tbsp chocolate syrup
• 1/2 large marshmallow per cupcake or 3 mini marshmallows per cupcake

Make your cupcakes according to the box instructions. I always make changes to mine (for example, this time I subbed buttermilk for the liquid and added 2 tbsp extra unsweetened cocoa). When the cupcakes are finished, remove from oven, re-position rack to second notch from the top and set to broil. Brush each cupcake with a little chocolate syrup (this helps the marshmallows stick), top with marshmallows and place under the broiler. This will only take like 1-2 minutes and check often! Those suckers will burn fast. Remove from oven and smush down the marshmallows a bit. Drizzle extra chocolate syrup and sprinkle with graham crackers crumbs. 

No-Bake Fruit Cake Squares

Happy Holidays!

 Geez Louise, it's been awhile since I've posted anything. Sigh, this time of year is so wonderful, yet so busy. 

Speaking of being too busy to do ANYTHING, these no-bake fruit cake squares are the solution to any holiday baking dilemma. That is, if you like fruit cake, which I know a lot of people don't. In fact, I have no idea when I started liking it. These squares aren't really fruit cake though so I definitely recommend trying them out even if you're skeptical. And they're freakishly easy! The recipe I made fit into an 8x8 inch pan, but you can double for a 9x13 to feed a larger crowd.

No-Bake Fruit Cake Squares Recipe:

• 1/2 box graham crackers, crushed (about 2 whole sleeves of crackers)
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds (or walnuts, pecans, etc.)
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut flakes
• 1 container of candied fruit (the mix comes with green and red cherries, candied lemon peel, candied ginger and pineapple)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (I added just to balance out all the sweetness)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• dash of salt
• 1/2 can of sweetened condensed milk

Combine everything in a large bowl until well mixed. Yup, that's it.
Line an 8x8 inch square pan with plastic wrap so that it comes over the sides. Spray the plastic wrap with a little non-stick oil. Also, spray your hands with the oil too so the fruit cake mixture doesn't adhere to your skin. Spoon the mixture into the pan and spread evenly using your hands. Cover with the extra plastic wrap and place in freezer for about an hour. Then move to fridge until ready to cut and eat! Serve room temperature.





Ho ho ho. Noms noms noms.

Chocolate Pudding Sundaes

So this one's a no-brainer...

Step 1: make chocolate pudding
Step 2: add stuff
Step 3: eat chocolate pudding sundae

Easy and delicious.

 This particular sundae is chocolate pudding, whipped cream, sliced strawberries and crushed graham crackers. If you wanted to be fancy, you could make a graham cracker crust, press into pie pan, fill with chocolate pudding, top with whipped cream and strawberries and freeze. But that requires a lot more time and sometimes, one cannot wait to eat chocolate pudding.