New in 2012: Bunny Cake

My new thing this week, was making this Bunny Cake. I'm not a "fancy" baker. I make cupcakes, pies, cookies, cakes, etc. But nothing too fancy. Not shaped. Not bunnies. No fancy piping.

But this week, a few friends and I, decided to meet for a "Lunch and Play Date." For us and our kids. And I wanted to make something fun. Interesting. And something "Spring-y."

Lola pointed me to this recipe. Which was amazing! Now I feel like, I should have been doing this years ago! There were a few "challenging" things, but it was overall super easy! How could it not be? You use a box cake, and store bought frosting!



The thing I learned about making this cake was, to be a little patient. :) And to bake it, when my kiddos were napping. That worked perfectly! After I baked the cake, and "shaped it," I stuck it in the freezer. Just like the instructions said. It made frosting, and decorating it, so much easier!

Now that I've tackled one cake, I might try something else! I don't know. Something fun for Mother's Day. But I know one thing, I'll definitely be baking this cake, for Easter. I'm sure my family will enjoy it!

~Manders

Fun Cupcakes!!!

Lately, I've really been interested in baking. I'm thinking, that cold weather, has something to do with that. The weather has been uncharacteristically cold. The wind, we're used to. The cold, not so much!

The twins and I, have stayed inside. Bundled up. We only venture out, to take and pick up Lauren from school. That's it! It's so cold! But it has meant lots of cuddling time. We've done a lot of reading, movie watching, and just hanging out.

I've also done a lot more cooking. I cook every day. But I've ventured out of my comfort zone. Just a bit. Started using my slow cooker more. Opened up those cookbooks. The ones we got when Billy and I got married. And I've been baking.

I'm sure, that by now, you know I'm planning 2 birthday parties. I also have a love affair with boxed desserts. And well, I'm becoming a recipe stalker. While searching for a fun recipe, I found these cute cupcakes. :)




So fun! They remind me so much of Lauren! And I'm pretty sure, that she is going to love them. I'm thinking, maybe Lola and Lizzie can help me make them. Whatever the theme of the party is, these will be perfect! Maybe I can do a test run tonight. Because the more I look at this picture, the more I want these cupcakes!

~Manders

Fun Dessert!

Do you remember me blogging about Shay? She has this amazing cooking blog! Yum! Well, I was catching up on my blog reading, and I came across this picture.



Conversation Cakes! What a great idea. Now I know, what special surprise, I'm making for my kiddos. On Valentine's Day. I know, they just love them! Now I need to decide, what color to dye them. :)

~Manders

Quick and Easy!

Do you remember when I blogged about Whoopie Pies? Yes, they are a favorite of my family! But I've never made them. Never attempted them. Because, when my mother-in-law makes them, it looks so complicated!

Until now. My sister came to visit us. Actually, she made the trip, to pick up some Valentine's Day presents. Since it was her day off, I convinced her to stay over. You know, we needed some sister time. :)

Lizzie came, with bags of stuff. Bags! She was putting together her hubby's present. My kiddos were so excited! I know that my sister only lives 90 minutes away, but we don't get to see each other, as often as we'd like. Bummer!

Monday was definitely a nice surprise! My kids got some early Valentine's Day presents. There was lots of yummy food, good movies, and lots of laughs. Did I mention that Lizzie is hilarious? 'Cause she is! But guess what else...she brought this with her!




Yes, we made them almost immediately! They were super easy and quick. When did Pillsbury start making these kits? Because they are lifesavers! We tweeked it a bit. Because we felt like strawberry frosting. And Lauren wanted to try some other sprinkles.

I keep thinking about these. The kit made 12 whoopie pies. They were gone by the end of the night. And I want to make more! Um, Lizzie what are you doing this week? This should become a monthly thing, that we do. :)

~Manders

Yum!

When I first met Billy, he always talked about Whoopie Pies. I honestly didn't know, what in the world they were. My entire life changed, in more ways than one, when I met Billy's family. I always remember meeting my mother-in-law. She came, with a HUGE tray of whoopie pies. And a HUGE hug! And these little desserts, they were delicious!

Every time we see Billy's mom, she greets us with a different variety. All yummy! But for some reason, I've never tried making them. Maybe I worry, that mine won't be as good as hers. And to be honest, I've never wanted to learn how to make them. Until now. When I read this recipe.



Don't these whoopie pies look so yummy? I think so. And I want to try them out this weekend. I'm thinking, if they turn out well, this would be perfect for Valentine's Day! More specifically, for Lauren's class. I think she'd enjoy talking these to school. With her little cards. By the way, if you haven't read Shay's blog, you are missing out! There are so many great recipes there!

~Manders

Oh Mrs. Paula!!!

One of the things, that I really wanted for Christmas, was Paula Deen's new cookbook. The Southern Cooking Bible. I'm not from the South. I'm from the Southwest. But my husband, he's from the South. And he enjoys his Southern Cooking!

Over the last 6 1/2 years, I've picked up on some of his favorite recipes. I ALWAYS convince my mother-in-law, to show me something new. Because, I want to make my man happy! ;) But I've been looking for a good cookbook. One that I'd use often. And would really enjoy. That's when I heard about Mrs. Paula's new book!



I'm not lying when I say this. It's the only thing I asked Billy for. And he thought I was nuts! I know he did. He happened to tell my MIL about it. And she thought it was a cute idea. But it wasn't until my dear sister-in-law heard, that someone finally took me serious.

I was so pleasantly surprised, when I opened my Christmas present, from my BIL and SIL. It was my cookbook! And let me tell you, Mrs. Paula didn't disappoint! This is such a great cookbook. It makes me want to run out, and buy a copy for each of my friends, and my sister. :)

This is one of those cookbooks, that I'm going to get a lot of use out of! I've already tried 5 or 6 recipes. My favorite thus far, being the Banana Cream Pie! Yum! I just made it right before we went to Las Vegas, and I already want to make it again. :) Let me tell you, this is a must have!

~Manders