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4th of July Chocolate Covered Oreos
I’m all about simple. But I’m also all about delicious and definitely all about pretty. So it’s no wonder that one of my favorite treats to make for any holiday or get together is chocolate covered Oreos. Simple, quick, and totally looks like a lot of effort went into them.
And truthfully, don’t tell anyone, but it isn’t a lot of effort. Shhhh! Just smile and say “Oh, just something I whipped up…”
Scatter them on a platter, fill a big mason jar or layer them in a bowl – however you arrange them, they are sure to be a show stopper!
- Oreos (We like Golden Oreos but it doesn’t matter which kind you go for! These are SWEET. The Double Stuffed give some great height, but the regular Oreos can help keep the sweetness under control a bit. But still totally sweet and amazing…)
- Melting Candies in Red, White and Blue
- Sprinkles! I was originally looking for star sprinkles at my store and they didn’t have any, but I ended up being in love with these little pearls!
- Wax paper. Don’t let this fool you - it’s a must!
Lay out your ingredients on the wax paper. You will need separate small bowls for each color.
Melt your candy melts according to package instructions. I buy mine on Amazon, but if you are looking in your local big box store check in the party aisle or the cake decorating aisle. They are usually not with the boxed cake mixes and icing.
Dip your Oreos in the color of your choice and set on the wax paper.
Before the the candy hardens (and it will harden quickly!) top with your favorite sprinkles.
You can also drizzle your Oreo with the other colors of melted candies.
Let the Oreos harden on the wax paper.
That’s it! Steal one for yourself while you can and set out the rest for a festive display!
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Peanut’s Inspired Valentine’s Chocolate Covered Donut Holes
Can you believe that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner? Gosh, I can’t. Every year we have our traditions like making Valentine’s. Josh is older now, but I’m so glad that he still does it with me! His class has long stopped the traditional Valentine’s Day party (I know, it’s sad), but we like to still make some and drop them off at the retirement center near our house. Spreading love…that’s our plan!
One of our other traditions is watching the Peanuts special! It really doesn’t matter what holiday it is, I’m all about the Peanuts special! I think everyone has some Charlie Brown in them. He’s always there and while we may laugh at him a bit, we are always rooting for him! One day he will kick that football!
[Tweet “Did you know that the Little Red Hair Girl was based on a woman Schulz worked with and even dated? He even proposed! #PeanutsValentine”]
So the other night Joshua and I spent our evening watching A Charlie Brown Valentine and making an easy treat to package up - Chocolate Covered Donut Holes! YUM! They are quick, super simple, totally festive and so sweet you just need one to satisfy your sweet tooth!
You will need:
- Donut Holes or regular donuts if you want to coat the tops of them
- Candy melts - I used red and white
- Valentine’s Day sprinkles
- Valentine’s Day straws (optional)
I cut the straws in half and inserted them into the donut holes. You can either have them as donut pops or just use the straws to make dipping easier for little hands!
Spread out a sheet of parchment paper and melt your candy melts according to the package instructions. Dip your donut holes into the melt. Set them on the parchment paper to harden.
We dipped ours in red and after it hardened (it won’t take long!) we dipped them again in white. You can do a solid color or pipe zig zags or even three colors! Get creative!
When you have enough candy coating on them, sprinkle them with sprinkles. Let them sit until the candy has hardened.
Super simple and super fun!
[Tweet “Valentine’s Day treat idea: Chocolate covered donut holes…with heart sprinkles of course!”]
Aren’t these sweet? (Hahaha. I’m so funny!)
All of these goodies came in my mailbox the other day and I’m so excited I get to give a set away! It’s the perfect prize pack for gifts for your kiddos, great treat holders for holding your Chocolate Covered Donut Holes, and a few goodies for you to keep for yourself!
- Oriental Trading’s treat box to color, crayons and stickers
- Snoopy and Woodstock Pez
- Simon and Schuster’s Happy Valentine’s Day
- A Charlie Brown Valentine from Warner Home Entertainment
- Whitman’s Chocolates featuring a Snoopy Plush
- Valentine card from Hallmark
And don’t forget that there are TWO prime time specials from the Peanuts gang. Be My Valentine Charlie Brown is the 13th special based upon the famous comic strip. It’s been airing since 1975! The second, A Charlie Brown Valentine is the 40th special! Originally aired in 2002, it’s already a loved classic.
Disclaimer: I am a Peanuts Brand Ambassador. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own however I did receive gifts for my honest opinions and ideas. All Charlie Brown love, Woodstock obsessions and Snoopy infatuations are all my own. 🙂
Simple Holiday Cake Mix Doughnuts
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BakeInTheFun #CollectiveBias
Sometimes you just need a treat. A sweet, perfect treat. These cake mix doughnuts are just that. Simple to make. Wait, not just simple, but super fun to make and so delicious. You can’t help but to smile.
The other day, I told Joshua I had to go to the grocery store. I told him we were getting some things I needed for a recipe. He didn’t ask questions and off to Walmart we went. We picked up our Great Value milk - nothing out of the ordinary here! (I’m sure our home isn’t the only one who goes through tons of milk! It’s Joshua’s choice of drink and one that I don’t object to!) Then, we stopped at the holiday baking area. Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Holiday Cake Mix? Yes, please. And of course you have to pick up a Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Holiday Vanilla Flavored Frosting too! Then, down the holiday aisle we went. And in the cart went M&M’s® Holiday Milk Chocolate and a bag of M&M’s® Hot Chocolate amazingness. I said, “That’s it. Let’s go!” Joshua quickly looked in the cart and then back at me. He was totally excited. His favorite things!
The whole way home he wanted to know just exactly what we were making. When I told him cake mix doughnuts — he even offered to rush home and clean his room. WOAH.
(Psst! Want to enter to win one of eight KitchenAid® mixers? Vote for your favorite recipe! The recipe creator will win a kitchen makeover and you could win a mixer! Holiday #BakeInTheFun
This is a fun recipe for kids to help with too! Get them in the kitchen!
- 1 box Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Holiday Cake Mix
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 container Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Holiday Vanilla Flavored Frosting
- bag M&M's® Holiday Milk Chocolate
- bag M&M's® Hot Chocolate
- non-stick spray
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Gather all of your ingredients. You will also need a doughnut pan. There are so many fun flavors of M&M;'s® to try while making your doughnuts! Think M&M;'s® White Peppermint, M&M;'s® Holiday Peanut or M&M;'s® Holiday Peanut Butter. Preheat your oven to 350.
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In a bowl, mix the Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Holiday Cake Mix, oil, water and egg.
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Transfer the cake mix to a bag and cut a small hole in the corner.
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Spray your doughnut pan with non-stick spray (although you don't have to spray yours as heavy as Joshua sprayed ours! haha!) and squeeze your batter into the pan.
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Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until baked all the way through. Allow your doughnuts to cool fully before you begin to decorate them.
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Transfer your Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Holiday Vanilla Flavored Frosting to a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Open the sprinkles that come with the frosting. They are in the perfect container for dipping your doughnut into!
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Dip your doughnut into the frosting.
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If you are making sprinkle doughnuts, transfer your doughnut from the frosting to the sprinkles.
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If you are topping your doughnut with your favorite M&M;'s®, frost your doughnut and pick out your candy. You will want to move quickly so your candy sticks to the icing!
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You can choose to put your chocolates on whole
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Or you can chop your chocolates. Either way, they are amazing!
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Serve with a glass of milk!
While we sat with our doughnuts and milk one thing came to mind. Did you know that there are more than 46.5 million Americans - that includes one in every SIX children - that rely on Feeding America food banks? That breaks my heart. As my son refilled his milk glass, the fact that on average food banks are only able to provide the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person per year because they simply don’t have it to give came to my mind. I use milk all the time for cooking and we love a glass of cold milk to drink. We go through several gallons of milk a week! But the good news is that you can help Feeding American in The Great American Milk Drive!
Families and children across our country are missing out on this nutrient filled and high protein drink. It’s one of the most in demand product of local food banks. For a small donation to The Great American Milk Drive, The Great American Milk Drive will deliver a gallon of milk to a family in need in YOUR local community.
And while our doughnuts were so fun to make (and delicious to eat) I could feel good knowing that when you purchase 2 bags of M&M’s® at Walmart (9.4 oz bags or larger) and up to a gallon of milk will be donated to the drive. Tastes good and feels good. Bonus: You can get a coupon for $1.00 off two bags of M&M’s®.
Find more holiday recipes here!
This post is sponsored but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Easy Bat Marshmallows - The Perfect Halloween Treat
I can’t believe that Halloween is in less than two weeks! We are busy putting together the final details of our costumes, setting up our decorations and getting things ready for school parties. I’m so busy lately. As a blogger, holiday time is our ‘busy time’. It’s also time for holiday school performances, fall breaks, and trying to enjoy those last few nice days outdoors. I really needed a simple treat that kids would love and that I could make in a flash. And I found just the treat!
These bat marshmallows aren’t just cute, but the kids think they are so fun to eat! Plus, you can make up a big batch in no time.
Ingredients & Supplies
- Marshmallows
- Brown Candy Melts
- Halloween Straws or Lollipop Sticks
- Candy Eyes
- Oreos
- Black Decorating Gel
- Parchment Paper
Instructions
- Spread out a piece of parchment paper on your counter. You will want to use parchment paper because once the marshmallows are coated, they won’t stick!
- Melt brown candy melts according to the package directions in a bowl.
- I cut my straws in half. This is really up to your personal preference! Lollipop sticks are another option if you don’t want to use straws.
- Twist the Oreos in half. Don’t worry about buying double stuffed - we won’t use the cream side for this project. We just sandwiched up the two unused cream sides to create our own ‘Double Stuffed Oreos’ and put them back in the Oreo box. 🙂
- Once you have the Oreo cookie, use a knife to cut it in half. I found that even pressure helps to not have the cookie break into several pieces. The Oreo is going to become your bat’s wings.
- Arrange the wings on the parchment paper where you would like to have your first Bat sit to harden. **See note below
- Add a marshmallow to the end of the straw and evenly coat in the melted candy.
(TIP: If you are planning on the bats standing on their own, be sure to use a knife to even out the candy coating on the end so it is flat.)
- Lay the marshmallow on top of the bat wings. Since I cut our straws in half, I added a second marshmallow on the end to help even out the weight. Later I just removed the plain marshmallow.
- Before the candy hardens, add two candy eyes. Allow to sit and harden.
- Once it has hardened, use the black decorating gel to add a smile.
NOTE: The way you arrange your bat wings and position your eyes will depend on how you are going to position your bats for presentation. If you are planning on having them straw/stick down (like we did for our wrapped bats) then you will position them like you see in the photos below. If you plan on the bats standing on their own, you will want to construct the bats ‘upside down’ as shown here
These sweet treats are perfect for setting out at your Halloween party or package them in gift bags to hand out at school events or treat bags.
Looking for more fun Halloween treats?
Oreo Spider Cookies and Cream Cookies
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Chocolate Caramel Toffee Pumpkin Blondie Recipe - Stonewall Kitchen Review
Chocolate.
Caramel.
Toffee.
Pumpkin.
You guys….It doesn’t get better than this! I promise! In fact, this is probably one of the best, if not the best recipes I have ever made. EVER.
I have been waiting for just the right recipe to use my Stonewall Kitchen Sea Salt Caramel Sauce ever since I got it in New York. It’s taken everything I had not to just dig into it with a spoon. It’s seriously amazing stuff.
Actually, everything from that company is to die for! Their pancake mix makes the lightest and fluffiest pancakes. They have drink mixes that a few of my girlfriends will be getting for Christmas for sure! And great meal helpers like New England Chicken Stew Mix and Sloppy Joe Sauce. High quality and delicious they are perfect for busy mom’s who want to make good food.
And of course the desserts.
Like the caramel sauce. (Can you tell I’m in love?)
Luckily for you we will be giving away a HUGE Stonewall Kitchen prize pack! 🙂 Yay!
And with your caramel sauce, you can make this delicious loaded dessert! Chocolate, Caramel, Toffee Pumpkin Blondie. Yes.
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp cloves
- 1 cup butter melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 can pumpkin 15 oz
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup toffee pieces
- 12 oz Stonewall Kitchen Sea Salt Caramel Sauce
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Preheat the oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick spray or with a layer of parchment paper. I really recommend using the parchment paper for this recipe!
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In a bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cloves.
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In a second bowl mix melted butter and sugars.
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Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
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Mix the pumpkin into the butter and sugar mixture.
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Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients mixing well.
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Gently mix in chocolate chips and the toffee.
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Pour about half of the mixture into your prepared pan and cook for 12 minutes.
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Remove from the oven and pour the caramel on top of the blondies.
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Spoon the remaining batter on top of the caramel and return to the oven and bake for an additional 35 minutes.
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Let cool completely before cutting.
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Super Easy, Super Delicious Red Velvet Cupcakes
Usually when I make cupcakes or eat cupcakes for that matter they are vanilla. Every so often I’ll be in the mood for some chocolate. And on the rare occassion, I will see a fantastic looking Red Velevet cupcake.
They are like the Kate Middleton of cupcakes, reserved for occasions and events, like weddings or Valentine’s Day.
But now, this Red Velvet Cupcake recipe makes it so easy to make them, it may seem like you are living the royal life in Buckingham Palace!
- 2½ cups flour
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1½ tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ cup butter, soft, plus 4 tbsp.
- ¼ cup softened shortening
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 TBSP Red Velvet extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tbsp. Red gel food color
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line cupcake tins withpaper liners.
- Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt all together.
- Mix the dry ingredients with a wire whisk for 3 minutes
- In a separate bowl using anelectric mixer, beat the butter, shortening and sugar until it is light and creamy.
- Add the egg, vanilla, red velvet extract, and red gel food coloring.
- Mix well.
- Add flour mix and buttermilk, ½ portion of each at a time, mix until completely combined.
- Spoon the batter into the lined cupcake tins until ⅔'s filled.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool for 10 minutes
- Remove from cupcake tins to a wire rack until totally cooled
Red Velvet cupcakes wouldn’t be Red Velvet cupcakes without cream cheese frosting. Cool, creamy and sweet this frosting is super delicious!
- 1 C unsalted butter, softened
- 1 C cream cheese, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 C powdered sugar
- Cream the butter and cream cheese until creamy.
- Mix on low.
- Slowly add powdered sugar until blended.
- Add vanilla and beat until thoroughly combined.
- Scoop the frosting into a pastry bag with a frosting tip.
- Twist the open end of the pastry bag to force the frosting to the tip.
- Frost the cooled cupcakes.
Love cupcakes? Check out some of our favorites!
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Cupcakes
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Strawberry Shortcake Milkshake Recipe
Fall is one of my favorite seasons. It’s so beautiful. The weather is perfect for being out and enjoying it.
But summer has fall outranked when it comes to food. (Although, cinnamon and apples….mmmm…..) Summer is full of crisp salads, fresh Georgia peaches, lemonade, ice cream, and sweet strawberries. I think the best way to describe summer foods is fresh. And you can’t get better than that!
This strawberry shortcake milkshake combines two of my favorite summer desserts in to one amazing milkshake. Seriously, this is summer in a glass. Just know, it’s so good and so amazing that you will want to make these all the time! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
- Strawberry Layer:
- ½ cup chopped fresh strawberries
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup skim milk
- 2 scoops of vanilla frozen yogurt
- Cake Layer:
- 2 scoops of vanilla frozen yogurt
- ½ cup yellow cake mix
- ⅓ cup skim milk
- You will need to blend one layer first and set it in the freezer for a couple of minutes, while you blend the second layer.
- Combine ingredients for the strawberry layer in ablender and blend until smooth.
- Combine ingredients for the cake layer in a blender and pulse until smooth.
- Using a large spoon, layer the two shakes on top of each other.
- Add some whipped cream to the top and enjoy!
What are your favorite summer foods? I seriously think that I could live on these shakes. You know. If someone forced me. 😉
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Super Easy 4th of July Patriotic Snack Mix Recipe
I’m always on the look out for easy snack ideas, whether to serve at a party or just for fun at home. This Patriotic Snack mix is perfect for the 4th of July! Full of my kid’s favorite treats it is definitely a snack that I won’t have to try to hard to talk people into eating. In fact, I may have to make my own ‘secret’ batch for myself!
- ⅔ Cup Rice Chex Cereal
- ⅔ Cup Wheat Chex Cereal
- 6 oz bag Chex Mix Muddy Buddies
- ½ cup Bagel Chips
- ¾ cup Pretzel Sticks
- ⅔ cup Red, White and Blue M&M;'s
- ⅓ cup Red and blue chocolate-covered almonds
- ⅔ cup Brach's Red, White and Blue candy corn
- Add all of the ingredients into a large mixing bowl and toss to mix well.
- Pour into desired serving bowl and ENJOY!
- Optional: Melt ½ cupred Wilton baking chipsin the microwave and drizzle over the Chex mix
These star dishes are perfect for your Patriotic Snack Mix!
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Over 40 of the Best Summer Recipes
Summer time is HERE! We have been counting down the days until summer vacation for a while around here and now that it is…..we plan on fully enjoying it! Trips to the pool, farmer’s markets, summer vacations, and lazy days are all in our summer forecast. We want to enjoy these few months and make sure that each day feels like summer.
Right down to the food we are eating.
Luckily, there are so many recipes that taste like summer. Here are over 40 of our favorite summertime recipes.
Appetizers:
- Slow Cooker Grape Jelly & BBQ Sauce Meatballs
- Pecan Bacon and Ranch Cheeseball
- Mini Caprese Bites
- Bacon Wrapped Parmesan Crackers
- Slow Cooker Grape Jelly & BBQ Sauce Little Smokies
Lunch or Dinner:
- Grilled Onion Bombs
- Copycat Starbucks Egg Salad Sandwiches
- 17 Incredible and Fun Hot Dog Recipes You Have to Try
- Crispy Onion Ring Topped Garden Salad
- Slow Cooker Nacho Bake
- Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Slow Cooker Chicken Cheese and Bacon Tater Tot Casserole
- Sweet Spinach, Fruit and Chicken Salad
- Crockpot BBQ Ribs
- Tons of Summer BBQ Ideas
- 10 New Recipes for the Grill
- 10 Labor Day Barbecue Recipes
- The Perfect Summer Sandwich
- Asian Grilled Burger
- 3 Easy Summer Recipes (sweet chili brie, grilled mushrooms and banana icecream)
Dessert:
- Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Bites
- Fudge Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Cake Mix Sugar Cookies (cheat recipe)
- Coffee & Cream Freezer Pops
- Frozen Hot Chocolate
- Easy Cookies n’ Cream Fudge
- Slow Cooker Lava Cake
- Mile High Strawberry Pie
- Homemade Fudgesicles
- Luscious Lemon Bars
- Salted Caramel Rice Krispies Treats
- Grilled Pineapple S’Mores
- 7 Frozen Treats for Summer
- 11 Fun Watermelon Recipes
- 11 Strawberry Summer Desserts
- 20 Summer Frozen Treats
- Strawberry Sundae for Adults
Drinks
Looking for more fun summer recipes?
Here are some of my favorite summer cookbooks!
- The Summer Table
- Endless Summer
- Summer Food: New Summer Classics
- Home Made Summer
- Summer in the Country
What we love about summer cooking:
“We LOVE summertime at our house. We do a lot of outdoor entertaining in our backyard which means grilling, cool treats and lots of laughter with friends. Both Mike and I love to experiment with new recipes and flavor combinations, especially during the warm summer months.”
Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!
“We have a pretty big extended family and we have a ton of get togethers in the summertime. Lots of birthdays, and then of course there’s Father’s Day and the 4th of July. Always entertaining, playing games, swimming and eating good food! Summertime food for me means quick and easy (usually involving the grill!)”
Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!
“Summer for me is all about easy and fresh food. And also, if we can keep the oven turned off that’s an added bonus! So our slow cooker goes into overdrive. A typical summer meal might be some BBQ, corn on the cob (I do live in Indiana after all), fruit salad and some ice cream!”
Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!
What about you?
What does summer taste like for you? Let us know and be sure to use #MomsCheckIn on social media with your answers!
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Chocolate Covered Pretzel Cupcake Recipe
That perfect balance of sweet and salty is one of my favorite flavor combinations. When I take Joshua to the movies and they ask you if you want popcorn or candy, we choose both. Because nothing is better than dumping your chocolate candy into your movie theater popcorn. (Reese’s Pieces + popcorn = amazing….trust me!)
So why shouldn’t that blend of awesome goodness get their own cupcake? There is no reason why! So I’m excited to give you the recipe for these amazing chocolate covered pretzel cupcakes. And yes, they taste as good as they look!
- Cupcakes:
- 2 cups Sugar
- 1-3/4 cups all Purpose Flour
- ¾ cup Cocoa powder
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 Eggs room temp
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- ½ cup Vegetable oil
- 1 cup HOT water
- Pretzel Buttercream:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup of pretzels
- 12 chocolate dipped pretzels
- Sprinkle with sea salt
- Caramel sauce
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Fill muffin tins with cupcake liners
- In a bowl, whisk sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add in eggs, milk, and vegetable oil. Mix well
- Slowly add in boiling water, stirring until combined.
- Fill baking cups ⅔ of the way full.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes. Using a toothpick, insert in center. When it comes out clean they are done.
- Transfer to awire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- In a bowl, mix together butter and powdered sugar.
- Add in vanilla extract. Continue to mix until well incorporated.
- Fill a pastry bag and frost cooled cupcakes.
- Top with chopped pretzels.
- Now add a chocolate covered pretzel to the top, sprinkle some sea salt and drizzle with caramel sauce.
- Enjoy!
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