Thin Mint Poke Cake

I almost broke my phone drooling over this picture when I saw it on Pinterest a few months ago.  It was literally screaming my name.  Luckily I had a baby shower to throw coming up and so this went straight to the top of the menu.  IT DID NOT FAIL.  I think I got more compliments on this cake than any other cake I've ever made in my life.  It was easy and unbelievably delish-if you like chocolate mint, then this is the perfect cake for you!

Fresh peach pie glaze

Every year on my birthday for as long as I can remember, I requested a peach pie from Marie Callendar's.  My family's "cake", THE cake, is eaten all spring/summer long (3 in May, and yes, they each have to have their own!) and by the time it's my birthday, I'm all chocolated out.  Plus, I have never been a huge chocolate girl, I will take a fruit dessert over anything chocolate.  I am a pie, cobbler, crisp and crumple girl through and through!

A few years ago my mom's peach tree started blossoming and the search for a peach pie glaze began!  My mom finally came up with the perfect storm.  She has always been there to make me one, but this year is the first time she isn't around since I was born (we will try not to focus on that though).  So in her memory, I whipped up my own!  With her recipe, of course :)

1/2 cup peaches

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1/4 tsp almond extract (I do more because I love it)

1/4 tsp nutmeg (opt)

1 tbsp butter

3 tbsp corn starch

1/2 tsp Fresh Fruit

Now this was all she sent me so I had to figure out the rest for myself.

I wasn't sure what she meant by 1/2 cup peaches so I didn't add that, but I'm guessing that just gives the glaze the oomph of peach flavor.  Maybe a puree or mash would be good.

I mixed the cornstarch with the sugar and nutmeg before I added the water, and I didn't have Fresh Fruit so I left it out.  It is to help the fruit from turning brown, but my pie stayed fine for a couple days, which it probably won't last much longer than that anyway!

It thickened up pretty quick (keep an eye on it constantly, I wasn't paying attention and it thickened up a little too much on me) and then I added the butter and almond extract after I turned off the heat.  

I took my sliced/chunked peaches and tossed with cinnamon ( they were ripe and there was so much sugar in the glaze that I didn't figure it needed any more) and then gooped them all up and filled my graham cracker crust.  I stuck some fresh peaches on top and nestled them in the rest of the pie glaze and then in the fridge it goes to get nice and cold!  Don't forget your whipped cream!

Andes Mint Chocolate Cake

Birthday cake at its best!!!

If I have to make my own birthday cake, you bet your bottom I'm gonna cover it in Andes mint frosting, chocolate ganache, and Fudge mint oreos.

*I used a Devil's food cake mix and mixed in crushed oreos

*I used Fudge mint oreos because they are amazing

*the frosting was a bit too sugary for my taste, but I also royally suck at making frosting

*I would definitely make this again!!!

Oreo poke cake

It is so cliche, but I just can't help it.  The older the get, the more I love chocolate.

And in the last few years, I've rekindled my love affair with Oreos.  I just can't resist them.

This is an awesome, easy recipe!

Very few ingredients, very little work, and totally yummmmm!

*I used chocolate pudding instead of Oreo

***Make your pudding and pour it immediately!!! It sets up super fast, so if you wait even 2 minutes, it will be gloppy and won't sink in as well.  That's what I did the first time and I let it sit for a good 8 hours before we ate it, so it wasn't a total bust, but it would have been better if I had done it ASAP.  

This recipe can go SO many ways!!! Lemon cake with lemon pudding, spice cake with butterscotch pudding, chocolate with banana, chocolate with mint, I could keep going and going!

S'Mores Diip

Easy.  Delicious.  Finger-licking good.  No leftovers.

Try it!

Puppy Chow Brownies

In the mood for an over the top decadent dessert???

Here ya go!

You may think the Puppy Chow in the brownie is a waste, but it definitely adds to the chewy texture of the brownie.  And I love me a chewy brownie!!! So much that I threw in a few spoonfuls of Marshmallow Fluff--never hurt no one!

Greek Yogurt Cheesecake

If you like cheesecake, this is a must!  Very easy, very light, waaaaay lighter in calories.

If you don't like cheesecake (me) you may like this, it is reminiscent of cheesecake but not so rich

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake

It's called AMAZING Buttermilk Chocolate Cake, and it IS!

This recipe fully stood up to its name.  Pretty easy to put together, extremely moist yet light, it's an all around great chocolate cake if you're looking to make something NOT out of a box.  The instructions were spot on, very thorough, so no surprises, which is always a plus.

In looking around for the perfect fluffy and light frosting, I chose this one.

The only thing I'd try different next time is in choosing my cocoa powder.  I've heard Dutch cocoas are delicious and the Hershey's I used left me wanting a little something more...

Bird's nest cupcakes

How cute are these guys?

The perfect EASY Easter treat.

Who doesn't like a cupcake???

Death Brownies

Actually they are called Marshmallow Reese's Brownies, but it's all pretty much the same to me

Totally ridiculously embarrassingly good.

I wish I didn't like crap like this.

But I DO.

Sigh.

Oatmal Lemon Cream Bars

This recipe is a total crowd pleaser, and it couldn't get much easier!  Inexpensive, delicious, and a little different.  I love lemon anything, and this one was a keeper.

Maple Apple Bars

This recipe is a great dessert if you're looking for a chocolate substitute.

It's super easy and not too shabby on the health-o-meter either.

The maple frosting is the best part!

Triple layer mint oreo brownies

Oh.  My.  Goodness.

These brownies have been sent from the devil.

That is all I have to say about them.

Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs

Another recipe from our Valentine Party menu.  Super easy and fancy!  Who doesn't like that?

*I used Angel Food Cake and chocolate chips

Strawberry Bruschetta

Yummm!  This was an easy, healthy, perfectly romantic recipe I used for a Valentine's Party we had this year.  No adjusting necessary--it was perfect as is!

Buttermilk Caramel Syrup

This is the most divine caramel sauce ever made.  I can drink it.  SO yum. 

Apple Streusel Bars

I've made these a few times and they are delicious!  A little labor intensive, but totally worth it!  LOVE the almond extract and I'm always a fan of fruity desserts