Cranberry-Gingerbread Cheesecake Bars {Recipe}

"Tastes like Christmas!" That's what my husband said when he took a bite of these yummy bars.

What You Need:
For the Crusts:
1 cup DARK brown sugar (or 3/4 cup brown sugar + 1/4 cup molasses)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon 
1 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes (chilled)

For the Filling:
2- 8 oz. block cream cheese (at room temperature)
2 cups sugar (divided)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1- 12 oz. bag of  fresh cranberries
2 Tbsp. corn starch
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Homemade Gingerbread House {Recipe}

We love decorating gingerbread houses at our house. But admittedly, I'd never made them from scratch before this season. I was sure my awesomely soft Gingerbread Recipe wouldn't hold up the decorations, and I don't usually eat the houses, anyway.

Graham crackers and store-bought kits worked well enough for us. Now I know. Totally worth it, making our own. Though I did have to add a lot more flour to get the dough stiff enough to hold up.

What You Need:
For the house pieces:
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup molasses
5 - 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

For the Icing:
1 lb. powdered sugar (about 3 1/2 - 4 cups) 
1-2 tsp. vanilla
3 Tbsp. meringue powder
1/3 cup water

(See my Egg White Royal Icing Recipe if you don't have meringue powder.)

For the Decorations:
Cereal: Fruit Loops, Trix, Golden Grahams, Frosted Mini Wheats
Candy: Gum Drops, Mini Candy Canes, Mints, Gumballs, Cotton Candy
Teddy Grahams or Gingerbread Men Cookies
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Egg White Royal Icing Recipe

Royal Icing is the icing that dries hard for cookie decorating. I usually make my Royal Icing with Meringue Powder. But sometimes I'll get questions about making royal icing with egg whites instead of the powdered version.

So, I made some with egg whites for these gingerbread houses. It's really quite easy, you just want to be sure you don't use the egg whites raw, to avoid any potential for food poisoning.

What You Need
3-4 egg whites (about 1/2 cup)
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
4-5 cups powdered sugar

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Yee Haw! Cowgirl Birthday Cake

A cowgirl-themed birthday cake for twin girls... one insisted there be a cow on the cake, and one insisted there be a horse. So, we ended up with this.
It's all buttercream, and really only three colors (chocolate, black and white), so it's not too hard to accomplish. The real surprise is inside of the cow tier-- which is also cow-spotted.

What You Need:
Cake Mix or Recipe for 1 vanilla and 1 chocolate cake 
1 recipe Buttercream Icing
Double recipe of Chocolate Buttercream Icing
Black Icing Coloring
Food-safe dowel rods
6" & 8" cake pans
Piping Bags and Tips #7, 10, 233
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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars {Recipe}

Apples, caramel sauce, cheesecake... what could be better??

What You Need:
For the Crust & Topping:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped, toasted pecans
1 tsp. salt (if using unsalted butter)
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup butter, chilled

For the Filling:
4-6 apples, thinly sliced
1 - 1 1/2 cups caramel sauce*
2- 8 oz. block cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

*Note: You can make your own caramel sauce, or you can buy a jar of caramel ice cream topping, or you can also melt about 6-8 oz. of caramel candies with 1/2 cup evaporated milk on the stove or in the microwave.

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Pumpkin Cupcakes with Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Pecans {Recipe}

Pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting... nothing beats that!
This recipe has a fluffy cream cheese icing, though, and it is so rich and tasty, it's worth the extra effort.
Top it off with a candied pecan (or a candy corn pumpkin for the kids), and you're set.

What You Need:
For the Cupcakes:
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
3 tsp. cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
½ cup melted butter
½ cup apple sauce
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs (at room temperature)
½ cup buttermilk (or soured milk- ½ Tbsp. vinegar + ½ cup milk)
1- 15 oz. can of pumpkin puree (NOT pie filling)

For the Icing:
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
1- 8 oz. block of cream cheese

For the Pecans: 
2-3 cups pecan halves (or other nuts)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2-1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
either 1 Tbsp. meringue powder + 3 Tbsp. water OR 1 egg white + 1 Tbsp. water

Yield: About 30-40 standard cupcakes

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Easy Pina Colada Cupcakes {Recipe}

Ahh, yes, drinks as cupcakes, what is better than this?!
Pina Colada Cupcakes. Very sweet. Very tasty!

What You Need:
1 box white cake mix
4 eggs
3 sticks butter, softened (1 1/2 cups)
1 14-oz can coconut milk (Do not shake it up!)
1 4-oz can crushed pineapple
1 cup sugar
2-3 Tbsp. Rum (optional)

*Yield: 18-24 standard-sized cupcakes

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These Cookies are Just Peachy {Recipe}

August is National Peach Month. Now, in Minnesota, this really means very little because, well, it's Minnesota. We don't get good peaches here. August, January, never.

However, my Dad lives in South Carolina where, apparently, the peach is king. So, he's hosting a peachy little party, and asked me to send along some peachy cookies for it. I wanted the cookies to look and taste peachy.

What You Need:
For the Cookies:
3 to 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (at room temperature)
3/4 cup sugar
1 large or extra large egg (at room temperature)
2 Tbsp. peach schnapps
1/8-1/4 tsp. cinnamon

For the Icing:
Vinegar or lemon juice to wipe down equipment
1 lb. powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. meringue powder
1/3 cup water
1 Tbsp. peach schnapps

Yield: About 3 dozen 2"-3" cookies.
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Banana Split Dessert Bars {Recipe}

It's official... I have a problem with banana split-styled desserts. But they're just sooooo good!

I brought these cake/bars to my National Night Out block party, and they got rave reviews all around.

What You Need:
For the Bars:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter (at room temperature)
2 eggs (at room temperature)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. Baking powder
3/4 tsp. Baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)

For the Chocolate Layer (and drizzle):
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 1 cup)

For the Strawberry-Pineapple Layer:
1 cup frozen strawberries (defrosted--reserve the juice!)
1/2 cup crushed pineapple (optional)
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. corn starch

For the Vanilla Pudding Layer:
1 3.5oz. (small) box instant vanilla pudding
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk

For the Whipped Cream Layer:
2 cup heavy whipping cream
3 Tbsp. light corn syrup
1/4 cup powdered sugar
(or just use Cool Whip or another pre-made whipped topping)

Toppings (optional):
Maraschino Cherries
Chopped nuts (any kind)
Chocolate sauce (from above)
Shredded Coconut
Sprinkles
Mini Chocolate Chips

Yield: About 24-36 bars

Click this link to purchase a printable version of this recipe for $1!

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Cake Decorating Basics: Easy Ruffle Cake

Ruffle-covered cakes are very popular right now. The problem with a lot of them is just the amount of time it takes to do them.

This strawberry-banana ruffle cake is much easier than most. For this 2-layer 6" round cake, I spent less than half an hour piping the decoration.

What You Need:
6-8" Round Cakes (2-3 layers)*
Buttercream Icing**
Piping Bag fitted with Tip #21

*I used my Banana Cake Recipe. You could also use Cake Mix Made to Taste Like Homemade.
**I used my favorite Strawberry Buttercream Recipe (with some red food coloring added to make it a little darker). You can find all of my Icing Recipes Here.
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Fresh Strawberry Donuts {Recipe}

The strawberry season in Minnesota has been amazing this year! We are knee-deep in berries here, because I love to take my boys to pick strawberries every summer.

We're all about Cakes with Strawberry Icing, Strawberry Shortcake, Strawberry-Rhubarb Sauce, and this weekend... these Strawberry Donuts.

What You Need:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup plain yogurt
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup pureed strawberries

-- 2-3 cups powdered sugar for coating after baking
*Note: This recipe makes about 18 standard donuts, and a few dozen mini donuts. If you don't want that many, the recipe can easily be cut in half.

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Red, White and Blue Cake - [Banana Split Cake]

The Fourth of July isn't just a national holiday, it's also the birthday of one of my closest friends. Because my birthday often falls on or near Memorial Day, we share the childhood memory of no one coming to our birthday parties because they were all out of town! (sniff, sniff)

So, I made this special patriotic birthday cake to serve double duty for our July Fourth celebration with her and her family.

I know from past discussions that she loves the Strawberry Buttercream Icing as much as I do, so I wanted to have that for the cake.

And with three colors, and three flavors, I thought why not go for a Banana Split Cake, and just color the icing to make it red, white and blue?

What You Need:
Banana Cake
Swiss Meringue Buttercream*
Red and Blue Icing Coloring
Piping Bag with large round tip (Tip #12 or 1A)
Icing Spatula or butter knife

*Note: You will need to divide the icing into thirds to flavor it (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry). I would recommend a double batch, even though you will end up with some leftovers. Too much icing is always better than too little! 
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How To Decorate Peacock Cookies

These peacock cookies were made for a baby shower. When she asked me to make them, I was nervous, but then I found the inspiration for these cookies from Anne at Flour Box Bakery.

These are not the easiest cookies I've ever decorated, that's for darn sure! They take many steps, and quite a few colors of icing. Not to mention that there's a lot of waiting involved between steps... for example, you try to brush on the shimmer too early and you end up with this smashed feather above.

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Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes {Recipe}

As a general rule when I'm baking, "healthy" goes out the window. If it's a cake or cupcakes, it's a treat, so it doesn't have to be healthy. You know when you're eating it that it's special, and not healthy.

But when it comes to making my kids' breakfast... healthy is important. Because they are my children, they're partial to all things carbohydrate in the morning: pancakes, biscuits, toast. I don't want them to "lose" that breakfast after an hour or two, though, so I try to make those things a little more healthy and filling. These pancakes fit that bill.

What You Need:
1 egg
1 overripe banana
2 Tbsp. melted butter (or oil)
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup corn meal
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Yield: About 12 3" pancakes. (This recipe doubles well.)
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Crazy Chocolate Donut Concoctions {Recipe}

The whole reason for the donut craziness this week is to prepare for my Father's Day visit to Fox 9 to make "Donuts for Dads." And in our house, if it involves Dad, then it involves chocolate... lots of chocolate. The other top three would be beer, coffee and spice.

So, I came up with some 'manly' flavor combinations using chocolate cake mix and some of my husband's favorite things.

What You Need:
For the Donuts:
Chocolate Cake Mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup Guinness
1/2 cup stong brewed coffee
1/2 cup milk
1/8-1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
Fresh cayenne pepper to slice for garnish
Pretzels for garnish

For the Chocolate Ganache Icing:
8 oz. heavy whipping cream
8 oz. chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. light corn syrup

*Note: Every cake mix is a little different. This one called for 1 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup oil, so I made my three liquids equal the same amount. Check your cake mix and adjust accordingly.

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Donut Frosting Recipes

What's a donut without frosting?? But there are so many options when it comes to frosting. Chocolate, vanilla, just glaze, maple... we all have different opinions in this house!

What You Need:
For Glazed Donuts:
2 cups powdered sugar
3-4 Tbsp. milk

For Chocolate Ganache Icing:
1 cup whipping cream
8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate (or chocolate chips)
2 Tbsp. corn syrup (optional)

For Basic Cream Cheese Icing:
4 oz. (1/2 brick) Cream Cheese (at room temperature)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) Butter (at room temperature)
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 Tbsp. milk

Flavors:
Vanilla: 1 Tbsp. Vanilla Extract
Maple: 1-2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup
Chocolate (option 1): 1-2 Tbsp. Hershey's Chocolate Syrup
Chocolate (option 2): 2 Tbsp. Melted Chocolate Chips
Chocolate (option 3): 2-3 Tbsp. cocoa powder + 2-3 Tbsp. milk
Peanut Butter: 2 Tbsp. Melted Peanut Butter
Coffee: 2 Tbsp brewed strong coffee
Mocha: 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder + 2 Tbsp. brewed strong coffee

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Homemade Donuts Made Easy {Recipe}

In my family, we all have different opinions about what the best donut flavor/ flavor combination is. So, I've come up with some ways to make a number of different flavors with just one cake mix and a few additions.

I'll give you lots of options for flavor combinations at the end of the recipe, but the one that my family tends to go back to is using a white cake mix to make vanilla, chocolate and peanut butter donuts. A little bit of something for everyone.

What You Need
For the Donuts:
1 White or Vanilla Cake Mix
3 eggs
1 cup Plain Yogurt (Greek Yogurt is best)
1/2 cup milk
(below is divided)
1 Tbsp. Vanilla
1/4 cup Peanut Butter
1 Tbsp. Cocoa Powder
2 Tbsp. Melted Chocolate Chips

Optional Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
3-4 Tbsp. milk

For the Icing:
4 oz. (half-brick) cream cheese (at room temperature)
1/4 cup (half-stick) butter (at room temperature)
1-2 cups powdered sugar
1-2 Tbsp. milk
Vanilla, Chocolate Syrup, Maple Syrup or other flavor to taste

Yield: 2-3 dozen large donuts. 5-6 dozen small/mini donuts
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How To Make Multi-Colored Swirled Cupcakes

These little cupcakes look a little bit like they're on fire, but the cool striped swirl effect they have is really fun, and really easy to do, too.

What You Need:
Buttercream Icing in multiple colors
  -- Click this link to see how to make them in Icing Bag Bullets.
Cupcakes (or mini cupcakes like these)
Piping Bag
Large open star tip like Wilton Tip #1M

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Graduation Hat Cookies

Congratulations, Graduate! These Chocolate Graduation Hat Cookies are the perfect gift for a special grad or a great centerpiece for a graduation party.

What You Need:
Chocolate Roll-Out Cookie Dough (one batch makes about 12-15 hats)
Royal Icing*
Fruit-Flavored Tootsie Rolls or Starburst
Round Cutter (or glass)
Ruler
Small round cutter (I used icing tip #12)

*I added 2 Tbsp. Cocoa Powder to a full recipe of Royal Icing for these. You only need a tiny bit of icing, though. You would be fine to do a half recipe, or you may even consider melting some chocolate or Candy Melts to use as your glue instead of the royal icing.

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Half-Birthday Half-Cake

Yes, I realize that celebrating my children's half-birthday makes me the embodiment of all that is wrong with parents in America... or whatever.
But it's so fun! I made this half-birthday half-cake after seeing something similar online.

What You Need:
One boxed cake mix or about 5 cups cake batter
8" round cake pan
6" round cake pan
Chocolate Ganache
Buttercream Icing
Icing Colors
Piping Bags and Tip #7

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