Our Valentine's Goodies for 2011

Wow!!  I need to get on the ball and get this blog updated!!  Where the heck does the time go!!  

Here's some of the goodies I made for February.

Here is a strawberry cupcake that I did just because it sounded soooooo good!!!  And you know what?  It was!  I posted the recipe on our Sugar Teacher's Blog.  You can find it here...

Below are some chocolate hand dipped Oreo's that the grandkids, Kaitlyn and I made.

These heart Oreo's are made using a Wilton cookie mold.  They're kind of tricky to make!  I had to put the red in, making sure I didn't fill it too much, then I put them in the freezer to harden.  I put a very thin layer of the chocolate (white or brown) and let the harden in the freezer for a few minutes.  Then I run the melted chocolate down the sides and let harden again.  I tried to do it like the directions say on the mold, but it would never look nice!!  Go figure!

Next we made dipped pretzel rods.  These are yummy!  I love the sweet and salty taste these have.  I think the pictures are pretty self explanatory.  If you want more details, let me know!!

Just make sure you put the sprinkles on before the chocolate hardens!!!

We had a Valentin's party over at my daughter's house.  

Here's her table set up and the one below is for Carlee and Kailey

We had heart shaped pizza, salad and cake pops for dessert!!  

Peach Trifle...for Joe's B-Day

My hubby Joe, just loves trifles.  We usually make this with strawberries, because it tasted the best, but we made it Carlee friendly.  She didn't even eat some anyway, so next time it's back to strawberry!! 

I used mostly sugar free products in this trifle.  I don't really recommend it though!  Everything was too soft and runny.  It's best to use real stuff for best results.

In a trifle bowl, layer cake of your choice.  Here I used a cake mix with one can of diet soda, so that it would be egg-less and less calories for Joe and I.  the best cake to use for this is a pound cake or angle food cake.  Cut it into cubes and layer some on the bottom of the bowl.

Next you can add jam if you would like, but I didn't.  Then you layer some almost set up jello.  I used peach jello.  Use any flavor you wish!

Add your fruit on top of the jello.  Any fruit will do, but strawberries and bananas are scrumptious!!

On top of the fruit, you will add some pudding.  I just used vanilla here.

Top the pudding off with a layer of whipped cream.  I used the fat free Cool Whip, but...it's better with real whipping cream!!!  Mmmmm!

You then add one more layer of each ingredient and top with a fruit design or just whipped cream.  I sprinkled the top with a little nutmeg.  We usually put slivered almonds on top, but some people around here don't like nuts!  Sheesh!!  We did add them to our own serving though.  Anyway, I hope you try it!  Enjoy!!

A Caramel Brule Cupcake

I have been wanting to try this combination cupcake for a long time!!  It was really easy and all that ate them, loved them!!  YEA!!!  

Start out with any basic white cake recipe, either from scratch or mix, substituting Coffee-Mate Creme Brule liquid for the liquid in your recipe.

 

 When your cupcakes are cool,  cut a hole in the middle of the cupcake with a sharp paring knife, cutting at an angle. 

  

Remove the plug.

  

I filled the cupcakes with Nestle's La Lechera Dulce de Leche caramel.

  

Then replace the plug and squish down to even out the top

  

 I made my icing with half butter and half shortening, some vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and of course powdered sugar.  For the liquid, I used the Creme Brule coffee creamer again, heating it up until very warm, but not boiling.  I don't have exact measurements because I didn't measure!  Sorry!!  I just mix it until it's light and fluffy!! 

 

I added the icing swirl and drizzled with caramel ice cream topping.