Two Amazing Recipes for Summer Get-Togethers with Mission® Tortillas

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Mission®. All opinions are entirely my own.

If summer get-togethers make you giddy with joy and excitement, then you’re not alone! I too love brainstorming recipes with friends, then planning, prepping, and preparing the food, then finally getting everyone together to enjoy the bounty. Food always brings people together, and is great shared with old friends and new ones! This summer, I am going to make it my mission to enjoy the company of others over great food as much as possible!

I love how these Mission® Super Soft Flour Tortillas really made my two recipes even better than I could have ever imagined. I have tried all sorts of tortillas, and these are the softest, tastiest ones yet. They were so versatile, and absolutely perfect for my Vegetarian Southwest-Inspired Pinwheels AND for my Grilled Steak Tacos. I always feel like the tortillas make or break a recipe, and I was so happy to find a new favorite. You can use the store locator on the Mission website to find Mission tortillas at stores near you, and find even more delicious recipes as well.

I’m not sure if you’ve ever experienced this, but I am always let down when tortillas kind of get dried out super quickly, then kind of crack when you roll anything out of them (like the pinwheels). Well, these were perfect. They held together super well, and worked amazingly well for this 4 ingredient appetizer!

And, since I wanted to offer lots of delicious toppings for these Grilled Steak Tacos, my first thought was fresh ingredients of course!

I thought it would be so fun to offer guests some handmade pickled jalapeños as party favors. Every time we serve these to guests or bring them to someone’s house, we always get lots of compliments on them.

PICKLED JALAPENOS

(Making 1 day in advance is recommended)

I think it’s time to start sharing them with people, so I filled mini jars with a mixture of fresh ingredients like jalapeño slices, garlic cloves, and mini red onions. Now, it’s time to pickle!

I heated a solution of 1.5 cups white vinegar plus 1 cup water, and 1-2 tbsp salt until the salt has dissolved. Let it cool a bit, then carefully pour the vinegar solution over the ingredients, leaving a little bit of room at the top of the jar so it does not spill out. Place lids back on, and gift as soon as the next day.  

These turned out SO cute, and you could even tie cute ribbons around the jars for an even more festive look.

In addition to the pickled jalapeños, I offered pickled red onions (get my recipe here), plus a guacamole tomatillo sauce and a traditional red salsa too.

The lettuce even came right out of my own garden! This was my first year to try growing lettuce, and while it may be almost at the end of its season, I love treating friends to things I grew!

GRILLED STEAK TACOS

INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup olive oil

2-3 tbsp soy sauce

2-3 tbsp or more taco seasoning

Juice from 1 lime

1 tsp salt

1-2 lbs flank steak or similar

INSTRUCTIONS:

Simply marinate each pound of steak in 1/3 cup olive oil, 2-3 tbsp soy sauce, 2-3 tbsp or more taco seasoning + the juice from 1 lime + 1 tsp salt for at least 1-2 hours or overnight. Simply grill for 3 or so minutes per side if your steak is thin like mine was. Slice and serve with fresh sides and warmed Mission Super Soft Flour Tortillas (they taste best warmed).

Slice up the steak and set out the toppings, the tacos are ready to eat!!!

SOUTHWEST INSPIRED VEGETARIAN PINWHEELS

I searched for vegetarian pinwheel recipes and hardly found anything! These are so great tasting, and you will never miss the meat.

Ingredients:

1 package Mission® Super Soft Flour Tortillas

Plus 1-2 bunches of cilantro

1 head of green lettuce

To create the sauce:

1 (8 oz.) box of cream cheese, softened

½ cup (or more) taco sauce or red enchilada sauce

½ - 1 cup cream cheese

¼ - ½ tsp salt, optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.    Mix all sauce ingredients together, and stir until smooth. I used a hand mixer

2.    Lay one tortilla out onto your work surface, and spread 1.5 -2 tbsp sauce in an even layer on tortilla.

3.    Add a line of cilantro and a line of small pieces of lettuce towards one side of the tortilla, then roll up into an even roll.

4.    Cut in 2” sections, and display on a cute tray. I used cactus pieces from a local market.

Enjoy!

 

The bottom line - I would definitely recommend Mission Super Soft Flour Tortillas to anyone who loves superior taste and excellent ingredients!

Happy summer, friends!

Brunch Party - Vegan Avocado and Egg Toast Board

Brunching ain't always easy, but I found a way to make it so :) Try setting up a toast board, where everyone can choose their own toppings! It's such a fun and interactive way to have guests gather around a giant array of great food and drinks! 

If you're a fan of hard boiled eggs, then here is one way to enjoy these protein packed, brunch-worthy hard boiled eggs from Great Day Farms, available at Walmart!

To make this amazing spread, you head to the produce section and grab as many colorful fresh ingredients as you possibly can. Make sure you do stick to a budget, as fresh veggies can sometimes items can weigh a bit more than expected and then ring the bill up quite a bit. I found these amazing heirloom tomatoes for around $2.99 per pound - which made them incredibly reasonable. 

Embrace anything that is in season (via the farmer's market or local grocer), like jalapeños, basil, avocados, red onions, and other delicious vegetarian ingredients. 

This is a great idea for hosting friends who are in town for the weekend, and all have different tastes - this toast board embraces just about everyone!

Also, you could prep these ingredients for lunch at work, or even for a summer picnic. These ingredients are 100% natural, and actually offer energy and so much inspiration for the day ahead. 

By offering fresh, wholesome ingredients to those you love, you can truly help nourish them with a seriously fulfilling meal. Feel free to add sliced turkey or even lox to add a really elegant vibe to this rather upscale meal.

Dr Pepper Pick Your Pepper Summer ~ Indoor Picnic Ideas

While summer is all about enjoying the outdoors, here in southern Illinois / most of the Midwest, the heat and humidity sometimes keep us indoors. I am not incredibly sensitive to the heat, but if you’re having guests over, not everyone is going to enjoy it or even be able to tolerate temps in the 90s, so you could always consider hosting an indoor picnic!

The theme/inspiration for this picnic was a bountiful French picnic that features ice cold Dr Pepper Pick Your Pepper theme bottles (a personal fave), and lots of delicious snacks. Nothing super heavy as far as food, just smaller bites that you and your guests can feast on throughout the evening.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can win fun and festive prizes for Summer.

Each 20 oz. Dr Pepper bottle features over 40 artistic and inspiring labels that contain a Snapchat code on them. To unlock this fun filter, simply open Snapchat, take a photo of the Snapchat logo / code on the side of the bottle, then a little notification will appear, giving you access to the filter. Below, two of my favorite Snapchat filters were outdoors themed.

YOU CAN WIN!

Callout that the fun, unique Pick Your Pepper packaging and how it’s fun, individualized, and designed by millennials, for millennials. Available in stores starting 6/15/18.

Call out the prize reward and drive to  http://bit.ly/2pts8Qo

When you buy Dr Pepper 6/15-8/15 this summer, you can upload your reciept at http://bit.ly/2pts8Qo  to get the prize featured in my blog here and/or other prizes like:

Spend $5 get 5 bottles = Dr Pepper Retro Specs

Spend $10 get 10 bottles = Dr Pepper Copper Lined Mug

Spend $20 get 20 bottles = Dr Pepper Bluetooth Speakers

Spend $30 get 30 bottles = Dr Pepper Pool Float

CHECK OUT THE RETRO SPECS, BELOW…

Scan the Snapchat code on any Dr Pepper Pick Your Pepper to reveal a unique filter you can use! I then save the image and share it wherever you want! Below, two of my favorites!

My boyfriend Bobby and I love being outdoors, so these filters are super cute. He adores fishing, so the Snapchat filter, shown above that says, “Keepin’ It Reel” is perfect for him!

While this particular picnic I hosted for this post was indoors, I loved bringing traditional outdoor picnic elements into the evening with galvanized metal trays to hold food, easy to eat bites of a huge assortment of foods, and even cozy floor pillows, rugs and lightweight picnic blankets. I still love incorporating rustic elements into my events no matter where I host!

There are so many benefits to hosting this picnic indoors - Think of it, no bugs, no heat, and all the food and drinks one can possibly snack on throughout the evening without having to leave the elevated comforts of home. It’s such a fun way to enjoy time with friends or have a date night!

TO SET A COZY SCENE:

I love the idea of reminiscing about days past, where we would put pillows and blankets onto the floor and have a sleepover. Now that I’m older, we don’t really do that anymore, so it’s fun and nostalgic to reminisce and more or less make a soft place on the floor to settle in for the evening! It could be super fun to set this up in the living room, where everything is centrally located. Or, even on a porch!

I also added upscale touches like French-inspired textiles in stripes and plaids of white and blue. I packed some of the 20 oz. bottles of Dr Pepper into a metal “picnic basket”, which was a great way to carry the bottles plus lots of other necessities.

FOR THE FOOD:

I am always drawn to bountiful plates of fruits and other bite sized foods, so this was the perfect opportunity to try my hand at not one but three snack trays!

For one platter, I used a large, round galvanized tray with handles to hold everything. I then placed a white charger plate in there, plus a marble cutting board to hold the meats and cheeses (this was the least messy way to display them), then placed items like croissants, red and green grapes, strawberries, and more.

For another tray, I placed mini chocolate chips, blueberries, and blackberries. For the last tray, I placed a bit of herbed goat cheese dip, sliced baguettes, and crackers to dip into the goat cheese.

I was so happy with how upscale everything looked!

TO SERVE YOUR GUESTS:

I used lightweight linens, gold plates, and gold plastic utensils (that almost looked real!!), which added a bit of shimmer and glitz to the picnic. The gold and white looked really lovely.

It would definitely be fun to host a similar picnic outdoors if you live somewhere the weather is nice all the time! I love this particular color scheme, and I know those party platters would really look great at so many of your summer events.

Connect with Dr Pepper across social media!

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest /Instagram

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Lattice Weave Puff Pastry Wrapped Prosciutto + Brie Recipe

Looking for an elegant and luxurious recipe to bring to that next BBQ or summer party? Perhaps you want a special date night dish that can be enjoyed with a couple of drinks and a movie. This  Lattice Weave Puff Pastry Wrapped Prosciutto + Brieis so delicious, that those who get to enjoy such a treat will likely lick the plate clean. 

I found that by using Wewalka Puff Pastry, it held its shape super well and wasn't overly greasy, which was great. The brie I used, shown below, also worked out great. I found that brie is very affordable, ranging anywhere from $5 to way more expensive options. If you're new to Brie, then start off less expensive or in the middle of the price range.

This is a very rich and indulgent dish, but if you share it with friends, there's definitely no guilt in eating something like this. It's really amazing.

Ingredients:

1 (8 oz) Round of Brie 

1 package Wewalka puff pastry

1 egg, whisked with a fork for egg wash

1 package of Prosciutto, any brand you like

Crackers, pretzels, etc, to dip in cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice puff pastry into 1/2" strips, set aside.

2. Wrap opened brie round with prosciutto, then set on a pan or clean work surface.

3. To create lattice: place two dough strips on top of prosciutto wrapped brie in an X shape. Here is a link to a good tutorial on how to make the rest of the lattice (just make sure dough has no spaces between strips, so it holds in the cheese well. Once the entire top of the brie has been latticed (see below), grab a drinking glass and let's finish this masterpiece!

4. So, the image below is a little strange looking, but I basically put the ingredients on top of a drinking glass to elevate it so I could then finish "weaving" the sides for a more finished look. You may notice that the widest part of the brie / the outer edge has one slice of dough wrapped around it, then I could easily finish wrapping the other pieces under the brie. I also sliced a few inches off of each strip, so there wasn't a huge wad of dough below the brie when it baked.

5. Below, you see the final brie round before baking! You can definitely prep this ahead of time, and bake it right before you need it. Brush with egg wash if desired for an even shinier finish.

And presto chango...Look at THIS BEAUTY, below! It is absolutely gorgeous!

6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crust is brown and flaky, cut into the cheese and let the middle just ooze out! Dip crackers, pretzels, green apples, and more into this creation, and enjoy!!

When you slice into this awesome creation, you may hear a little crunch of the flaky layers of dough, and then you will see the cheese just ooze out. Dip crackers, pretzels, and anything your heart desires into this melty cheese. The brie is very rich and creamy and does have a little bit of that funky taste that brie just has, but it pairs so well with the prosciutto and the puff pastry.

What do you think? Does this look like something you would eat or serve at your next gathering? I really hope you've enjoyed!!!

Casual Cookout with Tyson, Ball Park, and Lipton Tea!

This post is sponsored by Lipton, Tyson, and Bimbo but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Casual Cookouts are in season!! Bring weeknight (or weekend) dinners outside by making good use of your grill! You can enjoy the long summer nights as you picnic in the yard with your family. From cooking your own Ball Park® Hot Dogs to Tyson® Chicken sandwiches, let everyone join in on the fun and make it a festive family night. Excited to host lots of fun cookouts this year, and here is one to get me started.

BBQ CHICKEN SANDWICHES

Above, the Tyson Frozen Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts. I used them for chicken sandwiches!

INSTRUCTIONS: Using a grill set to 450-550 degrees, spray non-stick cooking spray and place frozen chicken breasts onto hot grill. Cook for 10 minutes on fist side, season, then flip and grill for another 10-15 minutes, until chicken’s internal temperature is at least 165 degrees F.

Below, the classic Lipton Iced Tea brewed and lightly sweetened.

Condiments can easily be placed in vintage or glass jars or bowls to serve them in a more elegant way – don’t forget to add a spoon into each condiment J

Below, the white chopped onions, pickles, and potato salad, and a cute sign that reads, “Welcome Friends and Family”.

As you might notice, I placed these ingredients onto metal trays at varying heights so they were easier for everyone to reach.

CURBSIDE PICKUP:

 Since summer gets very busy, and I always have a million errands to run at once, I loved being able to use the Walmart Curbside Pickup! I logged in and just placed my order on http://grocery.walmart.com and then stopped by my local store to grab everything!

DÉCOR IDEAS:

For the BBQ party setup, I used a plastic folding table to hold everything, then covered it with a twin white sheet that I ironed. I used a piece of on trend gingham printed cotton in white and grey. I used 1.5 yards and I think that the double layer table covering idea really looked so elegant.

 

I also really love offering food to guests at different heights, bringing the food and refreshments to eye level. I stuck with more metallic accents like galvanized metal boxes, plus small metal buckets to hold utensils and festive paper napkins. I love the mixture of navy blue and red together, which worked perfectly for this theme.

I also found lots of cute Grilling and BBQ themed signs that were so cute! I am sure that you could simply print some fun quotes off the Internet and frame them if you already have all the supplies on hand.

CONNECT WITH THESE BRANDS ON SOCIAL:

Tyson®

Facebook: @TysonBrand

Twitter: @TysonBrand

Instagram: @TysonBrand

Pinterest: @TysonFoods

Lipton®

Facebook: @LiptonUS

Twitter: @Lipton

Instagram: @Lipton

Ball Park®

Facebook: @BallParkBrand

Instagram: @BallParkBrand

I really hope you’ve enjoyed this post, and I am eager to hear all about what you have planned for summer!

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Father's Day Gift Idea - Edible Treats!

A fun and easy way to show Dad you appreciate him this Father's Day! Simply head to the bulk section of your local Co-Op or grocery store, and find small samples of lots of different treats and package them up with custom labels. I actually made a game out of this gift by sticking the names to the INSIDE of the treat containers, so Dad could guess what treat he was trying. He LOVED this delicious and easy Edible Gift and I am sure anyone you make one for will too. 

You can even find sugar free candies and other more natural treats if you want. I provided a great variety of snacks like macadamia nuts, roasted peanuts, chocolate and yogurt covered raisins, all natural chocolate covered Sun Drops, maple almonds, and more. Whatever your dad's taste is, just cater your selection to that.

I used a paper mache box with a lid from a craft store, which made the presentation more professional looking. I found 8 small plastic lidded containers that fit into the box PERFECTLY! I was even able to add some tissue paper as padding, then shipped this gift to my Dad from IL all the way to Arizona and everything arrived safely, luckily!

What will you be giving Dad this year?!

Summer Grilling at Kroger with Smithfield + Yuengling

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Smithfield®. The opinions and text are all mine. #GrillOutChillOut

Summer is JUST getting started, and I would love to know what your plans are for the next few months! Going anywhere fun or exciting? Planning out any cookouts or summer parties? I love using summer as an excuse to get together with friends, family, and good food – there’s nothing that tops the fun and excitement I get when I know there is something fun on the horizon.

Last year, I had the opportunity to feature Smithfield® Yuengling® Traditional Lager Bratwurst from the Smithfield® Craft Collection™ in a post about making summer grilling easier and MORE delicious. You can read that post here. This is the flagship beer from America’s Oldest Brewery!

This time around I decided it would be fun to serve these brats in a traditional manner with buns and grilled onions, PLUS it could be cute to serve these brats in more of a finger food / appetizer style - cut into slices and served with mustards.

Find everything you need for summer celebrations at your local Kroger or Kroger. The bratwurst are infused with real Yuengling Traditional Lager (a.k.a. DELICIOUS!!), and are made with premium cuts of pork and a special blend of sweet and savory spices. I just love the unique taste of these, and it’s so nice to not actually HAVE to cook them in beer before grilling, because the Yuengling flavors are already there.

Since I was incredibly inspired by the history of brats in general, I was particularly inspired by German or Bavarian offerings. I found that bratwurst generally contain fresh sausage, and if you’re looking for something that is already cooked, then sausage is typically available in dried, cured, or fresh varieties. This means that the brats do need to be cooked or grilled until their internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. 

I decided to offer guests five or more different styles of stone ground or other higher end mustards, with slices of the bratwurst, then we could all try something new.

If you’re “brave” enough and want to experiment with even more pairings, feel free to offer guests some sauerkraut (which is a finely cut cabbage that is fermented, and tends to have a stronger smell if you’re not used to it), which would add an even more authentic taste to this meal.

I kept thinking about how these foods would be served at a traditional festival where brats and beer are the main focus, and I thought more of a party platter (in my case a wooden cutting board with a handle) full of small bites was definitely the way to go.

Mustards are something that I am just beginning to enjoy. BUT, my boyfriend and a few of our friends seem to “compete” to see who can eat mustard with the largest number of different foods. I am fine if I don’t win that contest, but mustard is such a versatile and traditional condiment that I want to even learn to make it soon.

I found five different mustards at the store, ranging from Stone Ground varieties to Dijon mustards and even one mustard that is bourbon barrel aged! 

I basically just looked to see which ones had the most texture (as in more mustard seeds), plus which ones would offer more of a visual variety and also as many different tastes as possible. This could be a great way to get rid of some mustards in the fridge that are only half full – just offer them up and I am sure they’ll get eaten!

As far as other foods to serve, I love the idea of offering fresh homemade soft pretzels plus hard pretzels (like the smaller crunchy ones), plus perhaps some slices of super crunchy bread or similar.

Below, you will see those lovely grill marks on the brat buns! This added SO much more flavor and visual interest to the meal.

CONNECT WITH THE BRAND ON SOCIAL:

Instagram- @smithfieldbrand, @yuenglingbeer

Facebook- @cookingwithsmithfield, @yuengling

Twitter- @smithfieldbrand, @yuengling_beer

Pinterest- @smithfieldbrand

Delicious No Bake Tiramisu Recipe

This Italian inspired dessert has been described as "sexual" and will make your tastebuds go crazy! Perhaps this recipe will start off your weekend just right! But in all seriousness, since this is a no-bake treat, and can be served in individual jars, it's perfect for summer parties, and everyone is going to love this recipe. 

Both rich and somehow light at the same time, the homemade whipped ricotta filling and the familiar taste of coffee really make for a decadent treat.

Easy Eggless No-Bake Tiramisu

Prep Time: 20 min + chill time

Yield: 9

INGREDIENTS

·       1 cup (250ml) whipping cream

·       1 cup (250g) mascarpone, softened

·       1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

·       1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract

·       1&1/2 cups espresso or very strong coffee, cooled

·       2 tbsp (30ml) coffee liquor (I used Kahlua)

·       2 dozen lady fingers

·       2 tbsp cocoa powder

INSTRUCTIONS

1.   Beat the whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

2.   Mix the mascarpone, sugar and vanilla until combined. Add in the whipped cream and beat again until smooth.

3. Prep small Ball jars by removing all lids, rinsing and drying thoroughly, and setting them all out onto a tray or surface.

3.   Stir the coffee and liqueur together. Lightly dip 2-3 lady fingers into the coffee mixture, then place the 2-3 lady fingers into the jars to create the bottom layer of the dessert. Make sure not to soak the lady fingers too much or there will be lots of coffee left in the bottom of the jars. Repeat in all jars.

The Kahlua is optional but adds a nice kick and authentic flavor to the flavor of this dessert!

4. Using the small ice cream scooper, scoop a generous amount of the ricotta mixture over each jar, making them look as much like a perfect scoop of ice cream as possible.

5. Sprinkle cocoa powder (or even hot cocoa mix) through a metal strainer over top of each jar. A light dusting of the cocoa powder really gives them a nicer, upscale look. Enjoy!

The other fun thing about this post is that I get to show off my new kitchen update, we painted and I installed new "tiles" from The Smart Tiles, here!

PRINT THE RECIPE...

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DIY Bottle Koozies + Vegetarian Taco Bowl Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Constellation Brands. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #CelebratorySips #CoronaSummer #CollectiveBias

Summer is here and what a better way to celebrate all the hard work you have done this year with a Beer + Craft Night with friends? I’ve been really wanting to make some customized / embellished drink koozies for some time, and when I learned about this amazing opportunity with Corona®, I jumped at the opportunity to celebrate all that Corona embodies - offering a passport to carefree enjoyment and refreshing, delicious refreshments! With a refreshing, smooth taste balanced between heavier European imports and lighter domestic beer, Corona Extra is an even-keeled cerveza with fruity-honey aromas and a touch of malt. The flavor is crisp, clean and well balanced between hops and malt.

 

What a perfect way to celebrate summer with a snazzy new way to keep your drinks cold and to liven up the party...even if it is a craft night that turns into a party :)

 

These bottle and can koozies really make a statement. They will also help you identify which beer belongs to each person. For only $3-4 you can make your very own Summer Drink Koozie - keep reading to get the instructions and design ideas!

KOOZIE MATERIALS:

Foam Koozies (found in the foam aisle at a craft store)

Ribbons and trim of various colors

Low temp glue gun

Glue sticks (I used fabric glue sticks)

Cardboard for use as your work surface, or a heat-safe work surface (the glue can get messy!)

KOOZIE INSTRUCTIONS:

 

  1. Plug in your glue gun and get it ready to use. Cut ribbons and trims to fit around your koozies, leaving a little extra just in case.

  2. Once glue is hot enough, on a heat-safe work surface, add a bit of hot glue to the end of one ribbon, and begin to glue it around the top of the koozie. For the more patterned koozies, I used 4 strips of woven ribbon around. See steps below.

Notice the raw edges of the ribbons, above. We will cover those in the next image, with one more strip of ribbon, glued up the back.

3. For the tassel koozie (below), I glued on my tassel trim first, then covered that with a more tie dyed looking ribbon for a more finished look. See steps below.

4. Feel free to embellish further with stick on jewels and more ribbons - let your creativity run wild! Note - I tried using sticky-backed jewels, but I needed to glue them on, or they would fall off after a short use. Still super cute either way!

FOR THE VEGETARIAN TACO SALADS:

Ingredients:

2 Sweet potatoes (chopped)

2-3 TBSP Olive Oil

2-4 TBSP Mexican Seasoning

1-2 tsp salt

(Other toppings include: lettuce, shredded cheddar, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, cilantro, and more!)

Note - this can be made vegan if you use all vegan toppings, like vegan sour cream.

Taco Salad Instructions:

 

  1. Preheat oven to 375-400 degrees.

  2. Cut sweet potatoes into cubes, and chop onions into small pieces. Place into a mixing bowl, and toss with 1-2 TBSP Olive Oil.

  3. Bake potatoes and onions for 15-20 minutes, then add sliced peppers on top, and bake another 10 minutes or until the ingredients are baked soft enough to enjoy.

  4. To create your bowls, add a bed of lettuce, then top with sweet potatoes, and any other toppings you like. Enjoy with a Corona Extra®!

Have an amazing summer, friends!

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Mediterranean Food + More

Looking for a fun way to spice up dinners? We had some of the most delicious Mediterranean-inspired food recently, and our friends really came together to make the night special. Below, you will see all sorts of amazing foods like chicken shwarma, warmed pita pockets, all the amazing sauces, and fallafel (which we found at an international grocery store and fried on the stove top).

We love hosting and attending potluck dinners, where we choose a theme and everyone brings their favorite, homemade, made from scratch, or whatever food or drink they love, and we all feast!

This photo was one of the only ones I have captured with out studio lights, and it was one of our most successful and most delicious potlucks yet! Here's to more...

Vegetarian Cashew and Superior Green Filled Cheesecake Recipe

This post is sponsored by FoodScience of Vermont. All opinions and content are my own.

#LiveSuperior

Looking to add more Superfoods to your diet? Learn how to infuse a cashew-based “cheesecake” with health-boosting ingredients!

This delicious cashew-based version of a traditional cheesecake is filled with all natural ingredients thanks to FoodScience of Vermont Superior Greens, which contains whole fruits and vegetables, promotes healthy aging and radiant skin, mental clarity, and a healthier immune system while offering a boost of healthy enzymes to support your immune system, plus probiotics. It’s amazing how this one line of Superior Powder products can offer so much!

Try it, you’ll love it. Find the product at Rite Aid® and RiteAid.com here!

I love incorporating unique and health conscious ingredients into my recipes, like the FoodScience of Vermont Superior Greens, which contains three servings of fruits and vegetables in each ½ scoop – which means that this ultra concentrated version of some of the healthiest ingredients on Earth really will work quickly and efficiently!

This recipe is divine! I believe this would be great for someone looking for healthier alternatives to dessert recipes, or someone who has never ever tried a cashew based cheesecake before. It’s fun to introduce friends and family to things like that.

I have been very interested in the detox process as well as considering eating as many whole foods as possible. This FoodScience of Vermont Superior Greens is a great step, in addition to more exercise and lots of water intake, towards reaching my nutrition and other health goals I have set for myself.

While the product can be enjoyed in a smoothie or mixed into a glass of cold water, I thought it would be exciting to introduce this product to my wonderful readers, friends, and family through a mouth-watering dessert recipe.

Perfect for summer when you don’t want to bake a ton, or when you want something that’s not overly sweet but deliciously frozen, this is the recipe that will check all of those boxes! Bring this to an event, or serve it to friends at a summer gathering and just look at everyone’s faces light up when they realize that this is not the “cheesecake” they were expecting, but one that is WAY, WAY better for them, but still tastes indulgent.

Now, as for the crust, I know the traditional vegan cheesecakes are made with dates, and are basically no bake, but my favorite part of a cheesecake IS the crust, so I wanted to keep it traditional with lots of additional natural ingredients to sweeten things up naturally. Feel free to use a date crust here too.

Food Science of Vermont provides us with ways to get 3 servings of fruits and vegetables in each ½ scoop. The scoop is provided, so it’s very easy to measure out just how much you will need.

While the traditional use for this product is mixed into smoothies, cold water, and other drinks, I thought it would be genius to use the delicious taste and the nourishing super food ingredients to infuse this recipe with a unique taste and twist.

The crust is made from a delicious mixture of coconut, walnuts, oats, graham crackers and vegan “butter”. I used a spring form pan, similar to a traditional cheesecake, but really modernized this recipe with almost all vegan ingredients and that extra boost of has helpful enzymes and probiotics, making this an all around awesome dessert or snack. Give it a try, I bet you’ll enjoy it!

INGREDIENTS:

(Makes “Cheesecake” in 6 in x 3 in spring form pan):

Crust Ingredients:

10 - 12 full graham cracker rectangles

¼ c. oats

¼ - ½ C. or more walnuts

½ C. or more dried coconut pieces/flakes

¼ tsp. cinnamon, optional

6-8 (or more) TBSP salted Vegan Butter or regular butter

¼ C. Sugar

*Note: Feel free to use less graham crackers and more of the oats, nuts, or coconut if you prefer and even healthier crust.

Filling Ingredients:

3 C. soaked cashews (soak for at least 3-5 hours)

1 can chilled coconut milk (use the top thicker part and save or discard water)

¾ - 1 C. macadamia milk, coconut milk, or similar

4 – ½ C. agave or maple syrup

½ - 1 tsp. vanilla

2 TBSP FoodScience of Vermont Superior Greens Powder

INSTRUCTIONS:

For The Vegan Filling:

1. Soak cashews for 3-5 hours, and strain. Add to a blender with coconut milk, and process until smooth. If the mixture does not pour well, then add a bit more macadamia milk or agave. Taste the filling to make sure it is to your liking. Time to make the crust!

For The Crust:

1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and prepare your spring form pan by using non stick spray inside, and using a paper towel to wipe pan for a more even finish. Also, you may cover the bottom of the pan so the butter does not drip out while baking. Alternately, bake on top of a sheet pan to prevent spills in the oven.

2.    In a food processor, blend up graham crackers (use hands to make pieces smaller before processing), coconut, walnuts, and oats. Feel free to mix in some whole oats after processing for that “whole oat” look in your crust.

1.    Once processed to an even powder, mix with melted butter, sugar, and pour 2 ½ cups into pan. Use a flat bottomed glass or candle holder to press and flatten the crust down, making sure to clean up the edges with a knife for a neater look once the spring form pan is removed.

4.    Bake crust for 15-20 minutes, until edges begin to brown. The crust will firm up quite a bit once cooled, so even if it’s soft after baking, it may already be done. Let crust cool completely, and fill with filling until there is about ½-1/4” until the top of the spring form pan. Freeze for 2-3 hours or overnight.

5.    Time to CAREFULLY remove it from the spring form pan. I would recommend using a sharp knife or skewer along the top edge to break the seal with the pan. At first, mine looked like it was cracking, so I re-tightened the outside of the spring form pan, ran a skewer along the top edge, and once I loosened the pan again, it removed pretty easily. Just be patient with it. At this point, feel free to place it back into the freezer

6.    Place “cheesecake” onto a plate to decorate. Top with fruits like blackberries, strawberries and blueberries (the two latter are actually ingredients in the FoodScience of Vermont Superior Greens powder). I sliced the strawberries in half and left the green parts on because the full strawberries just looked too big. The “cheesecake” would be fine to serve right now, or place back into the freezer for 2-4 hours so the berries begin to freeze and they get a beautiful frosty look to them.

FoodScience of Vermont offers three uniquely designed powdered drink supplements loaded with phytonutrients, stabilized probiotics, and many other beneficial natural ingredients. I really hope you enjoy!

Head to your local Rite Aid® or visit bit.ly/FSSuperiorPowders to get your Superior Powders.

Follow FoodScience of Vermont on social:

Follow the brand’s hashtag on Instagram #livesuperior

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoodScienceVT

Twitter: @FoodScienceVT

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Instagram: @foodscienceofvermont

Recipe For The Perfect Mother's Day #SpreadTheLove #ButterChardonnay 

Thank you JaM Cellars for sponsoring this post. Looking for Butter Chardonnay near you? Check out their easy-to-use Store Locator! Just pop in your zip code and the Butter will be waiting! This wine melts in your mouth, is creamy-licious, and everything is certainly Better with Butter! 

I am so inspired by the warmer weather that is finally here, gracing us with sunshine and more reasons to celebrate the ones we love. One sip of Butter Chardonnay will transport you to a more relaxing and uplifted place! This Chardonnay is easy drinking wine that has light, crisp flavors that will surely please moms everywhere!

I have lots of mother figures in my life and I am extremely grateful for each and every one of them! My mom, my step mom, Bobby's mom, and my friend who just became a mom for the first time. I don't have any grandmother figures in my life anymore, but they are always in my heart! There are a few ways to treat any mother figure to something special for Mother's Day Weekend, so here are a few ideas to treat them well.

I also thought that making sugar cookie bars would be perfect, because they travel well and are such a versatile treat for Mom. 

It's fun how wine can also accompany some great times. It's seriously so fun to sip a glass of wine with my mom and sister and do some baking. We do tend to love doing projects together, so this whole post was just such an incredible inspiration for me!

I will also be heading to Louisville, KY this weekend to see my sister graduate college AND to celebrate Mother's Day with a brunch to end the weekend. I will definitely be bringing one of these bottles of wine to that celebration as well. I am SO excited!!! 

Butter Chardonnay melts in your mouth just like smooth, rich butter!

This wine is made from California grown grapes, is cold fermented, and is aged in oak. 

 If you sip this delicious Butter Chardonnay, you might even taste hints of stone fruit or baked lemon with a vanilla finish.

This wine is best served chilled and has such a nice, complex flavor without being too sweet. This is the perfect choice for summer and beyond!

Keep reading to get the full recipe for these amazing Sugar Cookie Bars with Edible Flowers!

Jump to the bottom of this post to grab the recipe for these sugar cookie bars. A couple of other fun ideas for making Mother's Day great would be some thoughtful gift ideas. Check out my ideas, below!

Why not give mom a gift basket with all of these items inside?! That would make her smile for sure. 

SUGAR COOKIE BAR WITH EDIBLE FLOWERS RECIPE

{Adapted from a recipe, found here}

Ingredients:

  • Dough:
  • 1 1/2 cups butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 5 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder

Frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • dash of salt
  • Food coloring (optional)
  • 2-3 tsp milk if needed
  • 8-10 edible flower heads, I used violas, but marigolds, violets, and others would work too.

TIPS ON FINDING EDIBLE FLOWERS:

To find the best edible flowers, look no further than your local hardware store or garden center. I found Violas on sale for about $2 per container. Look for the package with the most blooms on it. Cut the flowers off to garnish your sugar cookie bars or any other treat for Mom, even cocktails. The great thing about buying flowers this way, is that you can then plant them in a sunny spot in your yard and they will keep growing throughout the year, just as love for Mom grows all the time.

Alternately, I have seen a cute package of edible flowers at our local Co-Op, packaged similarly to the refrigerated herbs.

Instructions:

  1. Cookie bars: Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Beat till well blended. Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a small bowl. Add to the wet ingredients and stir till well combined.
  2. Press into a 17" x 12" rimmed baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until barely light brown. Cool completely, then get ready to frost. See frosting instructions in next step.
  3. To Make Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until smooth. Add powdered sugar, extracts, salt, and food coloring. Beat till smooth and creamy, adding milk as needed. 

4. Carefully cut edges of sugar cookie bars with a large, sharp knife so the edges are straightened up, as shown below. 

5. To evenly cut sugar cookie bars, cut down the middle both ways, then cut each of those sections in half again. To ensure a cleaner cut, always wipe off the excess cake and icing between each slice. After slicing, add edible flowers and serve! These stay good a few days left out at room temp or in the fridge. Enjoy!

Aren't these just so beautiful?! 

I hope you enjoy theButter Chardonnay and these sugar cookie bars as much as my mom and I will! Have a wonderful Mother's Day, friends!

Make sure to check out more from JaM Cellars Butter Chardonnay here!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

PIN IT FOR LATER...

Unicorn Cookie Bouquet from Cookies by Design

Look at this adorable Unicorn Cookie Pop Bouquet from Cookies By Design. I can think of so many people who would love this!

I received a well designed cookie bouquet, which contained 4 unicorn cookies, 2 over the rainbow cookies, and one star shaped cookie that read, Have A Magical Birthday!

This Unicorn Sugar Cookie Bouquet is an absolute show stopper. 

If you bring this bouquet to an event, or have it shipped to someone for their special day, you will be remembered forever! Think of how many photos will be posted of this awesome, edible gift. 

It's also pretty east to find other Unicorn themed party supplies at most stores, or make your own from scrapbooking paper, sequins, and tinsel. 

Cookies By Design is one of my awesome affiliate partners. If you purchase any cookie bouquet or other fun items from Cookies By Design, I make a small commission. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that help make my blog an inspiring space!

Check out this Mother's Day Sugar Cookie Bouquet. It's really lovely and Mom or Grandma would LOVE to receive such a delightful, thoughtful gift! 

Springtime Ideas for Mother's Day and Cinco de Mayo

This post is sponsored by My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I'm so thankful for warmer weather, which also makes me want more cold snacks lately. I am so excited to have another opportunity to work with such a fun brand! Let's get Spring and Summer off to a sweet start...

WHAT IS MY/MO MOCHI ICE CREAM?

Mochi ice cream is a small, round dessert ball consisting of a soft, pounded sticky rice cake (mochi) formed around an ice cream filling. The ice cream flavors the confection while the mochi adds sweetness and texture. (from Wikipedia)

I recently grabbed FIVE different flavors of My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream at Lucky's Market in St. Louis. They had all of my favorite flavors and a few I hadn't tried before, which made me pretty happy!

These little treats makes life a sweeter. I thought that since Mother's Day AND Cinco de Mayo are fast approaching, that My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream could be the perfect solution to both holidays. 

First, I thought that putting together an adorable gift box for Mother's Day would be such a fun idea! 

TO MAKE THE GIFT BOX:

1.) Find a paper mache gift box, a sheet of card stock, and some tissue paper. Create a divider from cardboard or a piece of card stock folded in half, then cut to fit. 

2. Place tissue paper on each side, and fill one side with homemade or bakery cookies, and then fill the other side with My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream! Make sure to keep the gift in the freezer until you give it to that lucky recipient!

TO CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO

Everyone who I tell about this My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is always so interested to try it. With flavors like strawberry, mango, green tea, cookies and cream, double chocolate, and more, everyone will find a flavor they love. My personal faves are always fruit, so I adore the strawberry and mango flavors.

I also found these incredible napkins from Meri Meri at TJMaxx, which I have had my eye on for a while now :) 

The flowers are actually edible wafer flowers that I found at Party City.

Prepare a platter of My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream ahead of time, for your Cinco de Mayo celebration, save it in the freezer, and after dinner is winding down, grab the My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream and watch everyone smile! People love having all of those flavor options, too. 

Below, I cut each piece of My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream open with a sharp knife. Make sure to only cut one piece at a time, and put it back into the freezer right away if you want it to hold its shape.

MY FAVORITE FLAVORS:

Sweet Mango

Take an instant trip to tropical delicioustown with Sweet Mango My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream! The tangy and sweet taste of premium mango ice cream combined with mouthfuls of mochilicious dough gives your cravings their own craving. Sweet mango My/Mo – the perfect, handheld getaway.

Ripe Strawberry

Bite into the center of Mmmm. Made with real fruit, and bursting with sweet bits of strawberry love. Premium strawberry ice cream is wrapped in a pillowy layer of chewy mochi dough. Discover an entirely new experience around your favorite ice cream flavor.

HISTORY OF MOCHI FROM MY/MO MOCHI:

"Creating Mochi, the Fusion Dessert Sensation"

In the 1990s, the predecessors to My/Mo created mochi ice cream in its modern form. With a secret family recipe in their arsenal, they had the brilliant idea of wrapping delicious mochi dough around dollops of real ice cream. Over twenty years later, mochi is widely available across the United States. in modern flavors like sweet mango, ripe strawberry,  mint chip and double chocolate, mochi ice cream has become America’s favorite handheld frozen treat.

Connect with My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream on Instagram and find a retailer near you!

Festive Chocolate Bark Recipe

A deliciously sweet and festive treat that only takes a few minutes to create! You will absolutely love how great the flavors of the white chocolate and dark chocolate meld together to satisfy your sweet tooth. Customize the colors and decorations to suit your holiday, team colors, or other special occasions!

INGREDENTS:

1 bag of dark chocolate chips (I used a darker chocolate from Ghiradelli)

1 bag of white chocolate chips (I like Ghiradelli white melting wafers) 

Sprinkles of your choice (At least 3 Tablespoons or more)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Melt dark chocolate either in the microwave or a double boiler. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour chocolate on. You can smooth it with a spatula to the thickness you desire. Stick in the freeze for 20 minutes.

Melt while chocolate.  Let it set for 3 full minutes (or at least until it slightly thickens). Remove baking sheet with chocolate from the freezer and immediately pour white chocolate on top. Sprinkle on sprinkles. Freeze for 20 minutes.

Once set, break into pieces with your hands (or rubber gloves). Keep refrigerated.

Tres Leches Cupcakes Recipe

These deliciously moist tres leches cupcakes are a new take on a traditional Mexican dessert recipe. 

I was extremely happy with how these Tres Leches Cupcakes turned out. Just as delicious as the traditional Tres Leches Cake, but more easily handled at a party or shower. 

Tres Leches Cake (Recipe originally posted here on the Tastes Better From Scratch Blog)

Prep Time: 1 hr 30 mins  //  Cook Time: 40 mins  //  Total Time: 2 hrs 10 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 5 large eggs , separated
  • 1 cup sugar , divided
  • 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 12 oz can evaporated milk
  • 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • Metallic cupcake holders (silicone ones would work well too) - paper cupcake liners will not work for this recipe.
  • Alternately, use a 9"x13" cake pan

For the whipped topping:

  • 1 pint Heavy Cream , for Whipping
  • 3 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • ground cinnamon , for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add foil cupcake liners to tin or alternately, lightly spray a 9x13'' pan with non-stick cooking spray.

  2. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Separate the eggs into two separate bowls.

  3. Add 3/4 cup sugar to the bowl with the egg yolks and mix on high speed until yolks are pale yellow. Add the 1/3 cup milk and vanilla and stir to combine. 

  4. Pour the egg yolk mixture over the flour mixture and stir gently just until combined (don't over-mix).

  5. Use electric beaters to beat the egg whites on high speed. Gradually add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar as you mix and continue beating until stiff peaks.

  6. Fold egg whites into the batter gently, just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan(s). If making cupcakes, fill batter about 2/3 full, if making a cake, make sure to smooth batter into an even layer so your baked cake doesn't have divots in it.

  7. Bake cupcakes for 15-20 minutes, or bake cake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow cake(s) to cool completely.

8. Combine the evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk in a small bowl. Once the cake has cooled use a wooden skewer to poke holes all over the top of the cupcakes or cake. 

9. Slowly pour the milk mixture over the the top of the cupcakes - Make sure to poke LOTS of holes into cupcakes, or milk mixture will fall over the sides. Pour slowly to avoid overflow, and you will want to soak the cupcakes 2-3 times each. The foil cupcake liners help a lot here, so the milk stays in the liners, making sure to pour near the edges and all around.

10. Refrigerate the cupcakes or cake for at least 1 hour or overnight, to allow it to soak up the milk.

11. In the meantime, whip the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks. Smooth over the top of the cake or cupcakes. Optionally, sprinkle cinnamon on top. Serve with fresh sliced strawberries or raspberries, if desired. Enjoy!

This was the first recipe where I made successful, homemade whipped cream and have never looked back since!!! 

Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Puff Pastry Recipe

This post was sponsored by Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry. All thoughts and opinions are my own. #InspiredByPuff

Puff Pastry adds a unique twist to recipes. It’s light and airy, and also a bit crispy, and you’ve likely never had cinnamon rolls like these before! After you eat these cinnamon rolls, you will never want to go back to the pre-made ones. This more homemade version can also be made (prepared and sliced) ahead of time, then baked just a few minutes before needed. Check out this delicious recipe for crispy, crunchy cinnamon rolls with an ooey gooey center. They’re perfect for brunch, holidays, and everyday meals!

If you’re seeking new and innovative recipes, try incorporating Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets! They add an elegant touch and a very upscale taste to nearly any dish you can imagine.

One of my favorite ways to connect with friends and family is through food. I enjoy creating special treats for these people, and when I use Puff Pastry, I feel like I am providing a meaningful experience as well as a valued connection. If you’re someone who likes to plan ahead and make that extra effort to offer food that is a little bit more elevated (yet still simple), this recipe would be perfect for you! The crispy, flaky outer layer comes from the light and flaky texture of the Puff Pastry, while the interior of the cinnamon rolls stays soft and warm. I chose to use Puff Pastry in this recipe because it’s the most delicious ingredient I can incorporate without being too overly complicated. This recipe is delicious beyond words.

Also, since this recipe uses only a few ingredients, it’s great for a last minute treat too. The Puff Pastry Sheets do need to be thawed, so that would be the only other prep work required. I always make sure to have 1-2 packages of Puff Pastry in the freezer, because it makes life easy! Not only will your creations turn out beautifully, you know that the versatility of Puff Pastry means that it’s a top choice for just about any occasion.

INGREDIENTS:

(Makes 9-10 cinnamon rolls, or more if you slice them thinner):

(For The Dough)

½ Package of Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed*

*To that at room temperature, remove the pastry sheets from the box and outer wrapping; thaw for no more than 40 minutes. To thaw in the microwave, remove 1 pastry sheet from the box and outer wrapping and wrap in a paper towel; microwave on HIGH for 15 seconds, turn it over and repeat!

(For The Cinnamon Filling)

½ cup butter

1-2 tbsp. cinnamon

½-3/4 cup brown sugar

(For The Icing)

1 tsp. maple syrup

1 tbsp. milk or cream

¾ cup powdered sugar

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, and open your Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets. Grab one of the sheets of Puff Pastry, and save the other one for later in a gallon size zip top bag. Prepare your mini muffin tin by spraying it with non-stick spray, then spread with paper towel to disperse evenly.

  2. On a board covered with parchment paper, place the dough, and pinch any seams/folds together so they are as flat as possible. You can also use a rolling pin during this step.

3. Using a silicone or wooden spatula, spread a thin layer of the cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter spread as evenly as possible. Make sure you do not go all the way to the edges, to prevent a mess.

4. Use both hands to carefully and evenly roll the sheets into a “log” shape. For best results, freeze the log for about ten minutes.

5. Using a sharp knife, carefully make marks ¾” apart, then cut slices from the log. Try to keep the slices as round as possible. If the dough log becomes soft during cutting, then place it back into the freezer for 5-10 minutes and cut the rest of the slices.

Note – if you want to make more cinnamon rolls, simply cut thinner slices from the dough and bake for 5 less minutes.

6. Place each slice into the prepared muffin tin, and bake (on top of another baking sheet to prevent butter from spilling out when baking) for 15-18 minutes, until outer pastry is golden and puffy (not wet or doughy).

7. Once cinnamon rolls are baked, carefully remove them from the muffin tin with a fork, and place on plate to serve.

8. Make your icing while they are baking, by combining powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk in a bowl and stirring with a spoon until smooth.

9. Drizzle icing onto cinnamon rolls and enjoy!

Learn more about Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets and connect on social!

Facebook: @Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry

Twitter: @PFPuffPastry

Instagram: @pfpuffpastry

Pinterest: @puffpastry

Hashtag: #InspiredByPuff

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Apple Pie Pizza Recipe

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Veggie + Prosciutto Sandwich Recipe (Healthier Lunch Idea)

Sometimes you just want a deliciously decadent and healthier sandwich! Here is a delicious recipe that could even be made without the prosciutto to make a vegetarian sandwich too. Loaded with goat cheese, vegetables, and all sorts of toppings, this sandwich is sure to please!

INGREDIENTS:

- Whole Grain Bread of choice (4 slices)

- Goat Cheese Crumbles (3-4 Tablespoons)

- Red Pepper Slices (We used 1/8 of a red pepper, cut into slices)

- Pickled Red Onions (get our recipe here)

- 1/3 of a Jalapeno - sliced very thinly

- Seasoning like salt and pepper

- Panini Maker (we love this one from Cuisinart, which has removable, dishwasher-safe plates)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add a layers of ingredients onto each piece of bread. One side has dijon mustard and prosciutto, the other side has red peppers, pickled red onions, goat cheese crumbles, and also slices of jalapeno, and optional seasoning (like a pinch of salt and pepper). Turn on panini maker. 

2.) Carefully close sandwich sides together, and place into panini maker. Toast for 3 or so minutes, to ensure the bread does not burn, but that the cheese is nice and melty inside. Remove from panini maker with a spatula, cut in half, and ENJOY!!!

Note - this panini maker heats up pretty quickly, so there is no need to preheat for more than a few minutes. Also, make sure that the plates are sitting flat on your sandwich, compared to sitting at an angle, so the entire sandwich cooks evenly.

CUISINART PANINI MAKER, NOW ON SALE AT MACY'S!

Dressed to grill. This panini & griddler in one brings the best of all worlds straight to the convenience of your countertop. Opening flat to double the cooking surface, this commanding essential features preset temps for grilling everything from burgers to steaks to sandwiches. Plus, this smart cooker puts health first—the front feet adjust to increase the amount of grease drained away from food. Model GR-11.

  • Dimensions: 12.8" x 10.9" x 6"
  • Power on & ready-to-cook indicator lights
  • Removable nonstick grill plates measures 10 1/4" x 6 1/2"
  • 3-year limited warranty
  • Brushed stainless steel
  • Dishwasher safe plates

Soft Batch Iced Pecan Cookies Recipe

These Soft Iced Pecan Brown Sugar Cookies are absolutely delightful! They retain so much of their softness and the added pecan on top adds a natural crunch that really makes these cookies incredible. Good luck eating just one!

INGREDIENTS:

(Makes about 20 cookies)

FOR THE COOKIES:

  • 2 cups (283g) all-purpose flour(scoop and level to measure)
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (210g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pecans, toasted, cooled and chopped into bits 
  • 20 extra toasted pecans to top cookies (save the pretty ones for the tops)

Note - to toast your pecans, either place them onto a skillet on medium heat for about 6-7 minutes (see below), or bake them in the oven while oven is preheating - check at 5 minutes, then every 2 minutes after so they do not burn! 

FOR THE ICING:

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp cream
  • pinch salt
  • 2 C. powdered sugar (or more for thicker icing)
  • 4 oz (1/2 Cup) cream cheese at room temperature

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and in the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugars until they are light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined. 

2. Add sifted flour, baking soda, and salt, and beat again until just combined. Lastly, add chopped pecans and stir by hand until incorporated. 

3. Shape 1" round balls of dough, and bake for about 10-12 minutes, until centers of cookies are fully cooked and edges begin to brown. (The tops will not be shiny anymore). Bake closer to ten minutes if you want softer cookies.

4. Meanwhile, make frosting and get ready to decorate cookies. Let cookies cool completely, then use a spoon to layer on a circle of icing. The icing was super smooth and easy to work with. Top each cookie with a pecan right after icing them. Enjoy!

I'm so happy with how these cookies turned out...

Ombre Oreo Cake Recipe with New COOL WHIP Mix-Ins, Oreo

This post has been sponsored by COOL WHIP. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Oreo is one of my favorite flavors of all time. I would always go for a cookies and cream cone in a store with a million flavor options. I was extremely excited to be able to create a decadent, three layer ombre cake to show my love for all things Oreo!

FULL VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS:

Two iconic foods – COOL WHIP and Oreo are mixing together for the ultimate dessert! I am considering this my new “secret ingredient” because it tastes like something that an upscale bakery would use. Everyone who tries this cake is definitely going to ask what makes it taste so delicious and unique.

If I had created this layer cake with traditional icing, it would be very heavy and not anywhere near as delicious. The light, airy texture of new COOL WHIP Mix-

Ins, Oreo makes you feel like you can indulge a little without the calories.

I was extremely impressed with this product, it’s going to become a staple ingredient in my home!

The Oreo Mix-Ins worked so well to add the finishing touches to my cake – I used an icing bag fitted with a star tip and added little dollops around the bottom of the cake. Next, I added a few dollops on top and finished with a mini Oreo cookie! What a perfect homage to my favorite cookie ever!

This cake reminds me so much of the birthday cakes that my grandparents would treat me to each year as a child. They came from an Italian bakery in the Chicagoland area, and was something I looked forward to each year, and now I can nourish that tradition in my own family and friends. I am seriously excited for whichever one of my friends has the next birthday because I cannot wait to make another one of these cakes already.

I hope you enjoy this cake as much as I did. This cake tastes like it was made from scratch, when in reality, this cake took just around an hour to make!

OMBRE OREO CAKE

PREP TIME: 30-40 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour – 1.5 hours depending upon decorating time

INGREDIENTS:

3-4 containers of COOL WHIP Mix-Ins, Oreo (found at Walmart or your local retailer)

1 box of white cake mix, plus ingredients to make cake

1 box of Devil’s food cake mix, plus ingredients to make cake (use the same brand for both)

Mini Oreo cookies to decorate cake

OTHER MATERIALS:

3 round cake pans

Hand Mixer

Parchment paper, cut into circles to fit into round pans

Rotating cake decorating stand

Flat icing spatula

Icing Bag + Large Star Icing Tip

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Bake cakes. To create the ombre effect, I mixed up both of my cake mixes according to the packages, then added 3 cups of vanilla batter to one pan, 3 cups of chocolate batter to another pan, then in my third pan, I swirled the remaining batters. It created a gorgeous middle layer. I made sure to use two cake mixes of the same brand so that they contained the same ratio of ingredients for each layer.

  2. Once cakes have completely cooled, carefully slice the cakes so they are flat on top (they tops will have rounded during baking). I used a serrated bread knife and it worked super well.

3. Remove the paper from the first layer, and place the chocolate layer onto the cake stand, upside down. Cover that layer with ½-1 container of Cool Whip Mix Ins Oreo. Smooth out the Oreo Mix-Ins and place the second “swirled” middle layer onto that. Again, cover the top of the second layer with Oreo Mix-Ins, then place the vanilla layer on top UPSIDE DOWN, to ensure a flat cake on top. Note – when I first opened the product, it had a lot of fluffy light texture. Once I stirred it and started icing the cake with it, the COOL WHIP got a lot smoother.

4. Cover the top of the cake with a smooth layer of Oreo Mix-Ins, then add a thin layer to the entire outside of the cake, smoothing several times with the icing spatula. Make sure this layer is as smooth as possible, then place cake into freezer for around 1 hour.

5. Time to decorate the cake! Using that same delicious COOL WHIP Mix-Ins, Oreo as before, pipe little shapes along the entire bottom of the cake. Make sure to keep as consistent of shapes as you can.

6. Lastly, add dollops of icing swirls around the top of the cake (I did 8 total), and add mini Oreo cookies on top. I also added one larger dollop in the middle of the top of the cake and it all turned out so well!

I was SO happy to see how the layers stayed perfectly together with the help of the Cool Whip Oreo layers. I am thrilled to share this recipe because it’s practically fool proof.

Thank you so much for taking the time to check out this recipe. I hope it has inspired you! This cake would be perfect for birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduation parties, and even just because!

Learn more about this wonderful new COOL WHIP Mix-Ins,Oreo here and retailers near you carrying it, and connect with COOL WHIP on social!

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