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Sweet Things

Culinary Tales/ Sweet Things

Red, White, & Blueberry Dessert Pizza

This Red, White, and Blue themed dessert is perfect for the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and all of Summer! Red, White, & Blueberry Dessert Pizza has a homemade “sweet” pizza dough that’s made with only two ingredients!

This dough is made with Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt and Self-Rising Flour. It’s baked until golden brown and after it cools you top it with a layer of yogurt, sliced strawberries, and blueberries.

Super easy and just four ingredients total, the perfect summer breakfast or dessert treat!

Read on for the recipe!

Red, White, & Blueberry Dessert Pizza

Pre heat your oven to 425 degrees.

Start by mixing 2 cups of Self-Rising Flour and 2 Cups of Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt in a large bowl. Mix well. You can always add a little more flour if you find it to be too “wet” but, this dough will be a lot softer than regular dough & it bakes up just fine!

Spread your dough forming a circle, on a greased pizza pan or on top of parchment paper on a baking sheet.

It should be about an inch and a half thick or so. Place it in the oven and bake for about 12 minutes.

It’s finished when dough is golden brown and you can insert a toothpick in the middle and it comes out clean!

Next, you’ll want to cool it completely before adding your toppings, so the yogurt doesn’t melt.

Once cool, add a layer of yogurt. spreading it evenly and leaving an inch around for the crust.

Finally, add your sliced strawberries and blueberries in any pattern you like.

Slice into pieces and top with whipped cream if you’d like!

Red, White, & Blueberry Dessert Pizza

Print Recipe
Serves: 6-8 Cooking Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 Cups of Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt
  • 2 Cups of Self-Rising Flour
  • 1 Cup Sliced Strawberries
  • ! Cup Blueberries

Instructions

1

Pre heat oven to 425 degrees.

2

In a large bowl combine 2 cups of the yogurt with 2 cups of self-rising flour. Mix well.

3

Spread dough into an inch and a half thick circle on a greased pizza pan or parchment lined cookie sheet.

4

Bake for about 12 minutes, turning halfway through.

5

Once dough is golden brown and cooked fully remove from oven.

6

Let cool completely.

7

Add a layer of yogurt and your sliced strawberries & blueberries.

July 2, 2020
0
Culinary Tales/ Sweet Things

Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes

Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes anyone? I’m so excited about how these turned out! Just a few ingredients and oh so yummy.

I’ve never had or made Pineapple Upside Down Cake before. Shameful, I know.. but, better late than never right?! Bonus: These pretty much scream summer!

Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes

Today I’m using a box cake mix. I like to keep some on hand. I just love having them for when I decide to make something on a whim! So convenient!

Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees. Next, mix the cake according to the box directions. Mix the eggs, corn oil (you can also use vegetable oil), water, and cake mix together in a large bowl.

Mix on low with a hand mixer or by hand with a whisk. Make sure to mix until there are no more lumps.

Spray your cupcake pan with non stick spray or use liners. Then, scoop about a tsp of crushed pineapple into the bottom of each muffin spot. Next, add a scoop of your cake batter into each cupcake spot on top of the pineapples, leaving about an inch or so from the top.


Add the graham cracker crumbs on top of that, using about a tsp on each spot. You can press them gently down if you wish.

Bake the cupcakes for about 12-14 minutes turning the pan half way through. The cupcakes are done when they’re golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let them cool on a cookie rack.


After they’re cool frost them with vanilla frosting. Place a caramelized pineapple ring (instructions below) on top and a cherry right in the middle.

To make the Caramelized Pineapple Rings:


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Place pineapple rings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure they are about an inch apart.
Bake the Pineapple Rings for about 8 minutes on low heat, then place the broiler on high. Watch them closely so they don’t burn!

They will slowly start to brown evenly but, turn the tray to make sure – mine took about 5 minutes or so on high under the broiler.

Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes

Print Recipe
Serves: 24 Cupcakes Cooking Time: 30 minutes total

Ingredients

  • 1 Box of Duncan Hines Pineapple Supreme Cake Mix
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1 Cup of Water
  • 1/3 Cup of Corn Oil
  • 1 Cup of Dole Crushed Pineapple
  • 1 1/2 cups of Vanilla Frosting
  • 1 Cup of graham cracker crumbs
  • Garnish:
  • 24 Dole Pineapple Rings
  • 24 Maraschino Cherries

Instructions

1

Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees.

2

Mix the cake according to the box - Mix 3 eggs, corn oil, water, and cake mix together in a large bowl.

3

Mix on low with a hand mixer.

4

Spray your cupcake pan with non stick spray or use liners.

5

Scoop about a Tsp of crushed pineapple into the bottom of each muffin spot.

6

Then add a scoop of your cake batter on top in each muffin spot, leaving about an inch or so from the top.

7

Add the graham cracker crumbs on top, using about a tsp on each spot.

8

Bake cupcakes for about 12-14 minutes turning half way through.

9

Cupcakes are done when they're golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

10

Let cool on rack.

11

Frost with vanilla frosting. Place a caramelized pineapple ring on top and a cherry in the middle!

12

To make the Caramelized Pineapple Rings:

13

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

14

Place pineapple rings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

15

Bake Pineapple Rings for about 5 minutes on low heat, then place the broiler on high. Watch them closely so they don't burn! They will slowly start to brown evenly, turn tray to make sure - mine took about 5 minutes.

May 19, 2020
0
Culinary Tales/ Sweet Things

King Cake Pull Apart Doughnuts

These King Cake Pull Apart Doughnuts are the perfect way to celebrate Mardi Gras. They even have a special surprise inside: Raspberry & Chocolate filling!

They only take about 10 minutes to prep then they get popped in the oven to bake! To make these scrumptious doughnuts you’ll need: puff pastry, chocolate hazelnut spread, raspberry jam, some food coloring, and some sprinkles!

King Cake Pull Apart Doughnuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a cupcake pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Next, start by slicing your puff pastry into three different strips.

On the first strip spread purple sprinkles over it generously. On the next strip place a few drops of green food coloring, and using a spoon spread it across. Then do the same on the third strip with the yellow food coloring.

Once you have your strips colored, slice each of them into two more strips lengthwise (You should have 6 strips total). Now, slice those in half once horizontally.

Take one yellow strip, one purple strip, and one green strip and lay them flat together touching with their colored side facing down. Spread 1 tsp of raspberry jam and one tsp of chocolate hazelnut spread on them.

Then twist them closed, keeping the filling inside!

Place them one by one in the cupcake pan as you finish. Once you’ve twisted each of them and added them to the pan, place the pan in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes.

The doughnuts are done when the dough is a light golden brown, and if you stick a toothpick in them it comes out clean!

These make for a festive breakfast on Mardi Gras! They are the perfect size and are best eaten warm!

I sprinkled the tops with a little powdered sugar as well!

King Cake Pull Apart Doughnuts

Print Recipe
Serves: 10-12 Cooking Time: 40 minutes total

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet of Puff Pastry
  • 3 Tbsp Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
  • 3 Tbsp Raspberry Jam
  • Purple Sprinkles
  • Green Food Coloring
  • Yellow Food Coloring
  • Powdered Sugar for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2

Spray cupcake pan with non-stick spray.

3

Slice puff pastry into three different strips.

4

On first strip spread purple sprinkles over it generously.

5

On next strip place a few drops of green food coloring, and using a spoon spread it across.

6

Do the same on the third strip but, with the yellow food coloring.

7

Once strips are colored, slice each of them into two more strips lengthwise (You should have 6 strips total).

8

Now, slice those in half once horizontally. (For a total of 12 strips altogether!)

9

Take one yellow strip, one purple strip, and one green strip and lay them flat together touching with their colored side facing down.

10

Spread 1 tsp of raspberry jam and one tsp of chocolate hazelnut spread on them.

11

Then twist them closed, keeping the filling inside!

12

Place each twist in the cupcake pan as you finish.

13

Bake for about 30 minutes.

14

The doughnuts are done when the dough is a light golden brown, and if you stick a toothpick in them it comes out clean!

King Cake Baby

Traditionally King Cake has a little plastic baby inside and whoever receives the piece with the baby “wins”. They are then treated like royalty the whole night.

You can carry on this tradition by placing a baby in the middle of one of the doughnuts After it’s baked and cooled – just be cautious to let everyone know before hand that one of them does contain a baby! (And I would not try this with children!)

You can even simply place a the baby on top for decoration! If you cannot find a “Marci Gras” section at your local store just head on over to the baby shower section of any craft store or Walmart. You can generally find a whole pack of plastic babies for less than $2.00!

If you enjoyed this recipe be sure to check out my Quick & Easy King Cake Recipe as well!

Happy Mardi Gras!

February 25, 2020
0
Culinary Tales/ Sweet Things

Easy Strawberry Poke Cake

Today I’m making this Easy Strawberry Poke Cake. Not only is this cake super easy to make, it’s delicious and very appropriate for Valentine’s Day!

The idea behind the poke cakes is that after the cake comes out of the oven and is cooled, you pour a liquid over top – most of the time Jello! To make this cake I’m sticking true to form and using strawberry jello! I’m using a box cake mix. Could you make the cake from scratch? Sure. Do you need to? Absolutely not. This is going to taste homemade and it’s going to cut the time in half.

I’m also decorating the cake with strawberries and raspberries to keep with the flavors and red theme of Valentine’s Day!

Easy Strawberry Poke Cake

Start off by following the directions on your cake box. Mix the egg whites, vegetable oil, and cake mix in a large bowl.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees . Spray your cake pans with non-stick cooking spray and pat with a little flour . Pour your batter into the pans. Place the pans in the oven to bake . They should take about 24 minutes to bake. You can test them with a toothpick , stick it in the middle and if it comes out clean it’s ready!

After removing your cakes from the oven let them cool in the pan on a rack for about 15 minutes. Next transfer them to a plate to cool for and additional 15 minutes. After they are completely cool you’re going to replace them in the pan so that you can pour the jello over top.

Take a fork and poke wholes all around the cake. Boil 1 cup of water on the stove top and then add the jello packet to the water stirring. Pour the jello mix over top of the cake slowly and evenly!

Place the cakes in the fridge for at least 3 hours. After they’ve chilled for long enough, remove them from the cake pans and get ready to frost them!

Mix 3/4 of a tub of cool whip with one can of frosting. Separate the frosting in to two bowls and place a little red food coloring in to one bowl. After mixing it frost the top of the bottom cake with it.

Next, place the other cake on top.

Begin frosting the edges of the cake. The easiest way is to sort of spin the cake slowly as you apply the frosting with a spatula. Finally, apply frosting on top evenly.

Once your done frosting it sprinkle some white crystal sprinkles all over the middle and place strawberries around it in two separate layers of a circle. Lastly, place the raspberries right in the middle on top of the crystal sprinkles!

Easy Strawberry Poke Cake

Print Recipe
Serves: 8-10 Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 boxes white cake mix
  • 1 box strawberry jello mix
  • 1 can of vanilla frosting
  • 1 Cup of Strawberries
  • 1 Cup of Raspberries
  • 2 Tbsp of Sprinkles

Instructions

1

Bake cakes according to box directions!

2

Let cakes cool for 15 minutes. Remove from pans and cool for an additional 15 minutes.

3

Place them back in the pan so that you can pour the jello over the top.

4

Take a fork and poke wholes all around the cake.

5

Boil 1 cup of water on the stove top and then add the jello packet to the water stirring.

6

Pour the jello mix over top of the cake slowly and evenly!

7

Place the cakes in the fridge for at least 3 hours.

8

After they've chilled for long enough, remove them from the cake pans.

9

Mix 3/4 of a tub of cool whip with one can of frosting.

10

Separate the frosting in to two bowls and place a little red food coloring in to one bowl.

11

After mixing it frost the top of the bottom cake with it.

12

Place the other cake on top and begin frosting the sides.

13

Sprinkle some white crystal sprinkles all over the middle and place strawberries around it in two separate layers of a circle. Lastly, place the raspberries right in the middle on top of the crystal sprinkles.

February 10, 2020
0
Culinary Tales/ Sweet Things

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

This Avocado Chocolate Mousse is decadent, rich, and sweet but you don’t have to feel guilty because it’s made with 4 simple ingredients! Avocados, sugar, almond milk, and cocoa powder.

I’ve been wanting to try this for sometime now and I’m so glad I did. Because, this came out really well.
One thing I want to note is that you can fully customize this recipe. You can use any kind of milk and any kind of sweetener. It will not effect your texture since the avocados are what make this so perfectly creamy!

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Start by cutting the avocados in half (vertically). Using a spoon remove the avocado from the skin. Add it to your blender or food processor. Next, add your cocoa powder, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.

Finally, add in the sugar and almond milk. Place lid on securely and blend.

Blend until its fully mixed and there are no clumps or avocado chunks. Divide into saucers or bowls and eat right then or feel free to refrigerate for up to 48 hours.

I also had some mint in my garden and decided to use that as garnish, adding a little sprig to each.

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Print Recipe
Serves: 4 Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 large ripe avocados
  • 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 6 Tbsp of Almond Milk
  • 1/2 cup of Raw Sugar (or sweetener of choice)
  • 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract (optional)
  • Dash of Cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

1

Using a spoon remove the avocado from the skin. Add avocado to blender.

2

Add cocoa powder, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Finally, add in the sugar and almond milk.

3

Blend well. Divide into serving dishes and enjoy!

Satisfy that chocolate craving while giving your body the nutrients it needs! Did you know avocados are super high in rich antioxidants and there’s a million reasons to eat more of them every day! Check out my article ‘7 reasons you should eat an avocado a day’ to read more about it!


January 9, 2020
0
Culinary Tales/ Sweet Things

Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie

The holidays are here. And I’m continuing my search for the best pie recipes, starting with this Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie. With warm gooey chocolate, notes of bourbon, and of course delicious pecans. It hits all the spots for traditional Pecan Pie enthusiasts and those wanting more.

We made this last year and it was big a hit. Honestly, I’d describe the flavors as a warm chocolate brownie meets a crisp pecan pie. You can eat this delicious pie as is, top this with ice cream of course, or my favorite way: add this creamy, dreamy Cold Brew Whipped Cream to the top!

Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie

To make this pie you’ll need pecans, milk chocolate chips, bourbon, pie crust – store bought or homemade (see recipe below), vanilla extract, corn syrup, eggs, dark brown sugar, cream, and butter!

Perfect Pie Crust

This Crust can be used with any pie filling. It’s a basic flaky, buttery – perfect pie crust!
First, grease a 9-inch pie dish with nonstick spray. Set dish aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Next, in a large bowl start whisking the flour, salt, and baking powder.


Then, add your wet ingredients, the oil and water. Mixing until combined. Form it into a ball.

Spread the ball of dough into the bottom of your greased pie dish, spreading it out. Until it fits perfectly in your dish with the sides covering the top of the dish’s rim. Trim where need be.

This is also the time where we can decorate the edges I opted to make small triangles. I overlapped them along the edge.

Filling

Next, in a saucepan combine the butter & chocolate. Remove from the heat to let it cool. In a large bowl mix the eggs until they’re frothy and blend the sugar in . Add your vanilla, bourbon, salt, and the chocolate butter mixture. Stir well until fully mixed.

Pour the mixture into your pie crust. Add the pecans. Carefully place the pie in the oven. Bake for about 40 minutes.

The pie is done when its set and the edges are golden brown. You can insert a toothpick or knife in the center to see if it comes out clean.

Also, if you find your crust getting too dark too soon, you can easily cover the edges with some foil to protect them from browning too fast while the rest of the pie cooks.

Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie

Print Recipe
Serves: 6-8 Cooking Time: 60 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Pie Crust
  • 2 Tbsp Bourbon
  • 1 Cup Chocolate Chips
  • 1 1/2 Cups Pecans
  • 1/3 Cup Butter
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1 Cup Corn Syrup
  • 1 Cup Dark Brown

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2

Spread pie crust into greased pie dish.

3

In a saucepan combine butter & chocolate.

4

Remove from heat, let it cool.

5

In a large bowl mix the eggs until they're frothy and blend the sugar in .

6

Add vanilla, bourbon, salt, and the chocolate butter mixture. Stir well until fully mixed.

7

Pour mixture into pie crust. Add the pecans.

8

Place the pie in the oven. Bake for about 40 minutes.

9

Pie is done when its set, edges are golden brown, and a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

This pie can even be made ahead of time and frozen! Try this at your next family gathering for rave reviews!

    November 12, 2019
    3