Baking With Love

Yep, that's right, I am already thinking about that day of love that is actually quickly approaching! But this year, the first treat I wanted to make that was Valentine's inspired, actually started at Christmas! Let me explain...

I have been wanting to try my hand at cake pops for a while now. Why? Because I've had them at Starbucks before and I quickly became addicted! So when I spotted a cake pop pan I immediately added it to my  wishlist; and on Christmas morning, Mr. Everyday came through with flying colors. I didn't want a machine to make them, just a simple pan to use in the oven. It's the perfect cake pop helper! I'm telling you, these are no fail! Mix, pour, bake! How much simpler could it be?

These would certainly please any valentine from young to old! Maybe a special after school treat on the festive day! Or, if you are lucky enough to be able to share home made treats with your child's class, these could make you a rock star mom! Or better yet, if your little ones are home with you, making these would be the perfect fun activity for the day!

I love treating my little valentine to something yummy and fun each February 14th, and for me, there is no better definition of "baking with love" than either surprising him with a sweet treat, or having him in the kitchen next to me making one! Plus, we always share with my other "big" valentine too, his Daddy!

Valentines Day is the perfect chance to show all those special people in your life just how much you care about them, and we all know the quickest way to anyone's heart is through their stomach, especially when it includes chocolate!

Fudge Cake Pops Adapted from Nordicware
3/4 c. semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
3/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
3 TBS cocoa
8 oz. semi sweet chocolate baking bar
8 oz. white chocolate baking bar
Sprinkles
Cake pop sticks

Preheat oven to 325. Grease cake pop pan. In a small sauce pan over low heat, melt chocolate chips and butter. Stir to combine until smooth. Remove and pour into a large mixing bowl. Add sugar and cocoa. Stir well. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring after each. Add flour and salt. Stir well until combined. Spoon mixture into pan and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven, cool in pan for 5 minutes and then remove to cool completely. To melt baking bars, break into small pieces in glass bowls. Microwave for 30 second increments stirring after each until melted. Insert sticks into cake pops. Dip each into melted chocolate, swirling to remove excess. Decorate with various sprinkles.

Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Jan. 22, 2013
Shared on Hun What's For Dinner Jan. 22, 2013
Shared on The Hopeless Housewife Jan. 23. 2013
Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain Jan. 23. 2013
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Jan. 24, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook Jan. 25, 2013

Disclaimer: This is NOT a paid endorsement for Nordicware. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Chocolate at Very Good Recipes
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After School During The Holidays

It wasn't so long ago I was so blessed to be at home every day, all day with my little man. Okay, I guess it has been almost 4 years ago, but that time has gone by in the blink of an eye. See, until he started preschool 3 days a week, it was just me and him. And I am so thankful for that time I had, and especially during the holiday season. During a typical day, I was always trying to find fun activities for us to do, and things to keep him busy, stimulated, learning, and entertained, and at Christmas time, that usually put us in the kitchen. Either at the counter and oven making something yummy to surprise Daddy with after work, or at the dining room table making a fun, festive craft. I can still hear him asking "Mommy, what are we making today" morning after morning. Well, these days, his teacher (lucky guy) gets to spend the majority of his week with him, and with homework, Taekwondo and other obligations, I have to fit in our special time together in other ways. And I don't want to wait for Christmas Break, because this year, that doesn't happen until 3 days before Christmas, and between the holiday gatherings and a family wedding, we're going to be a little too busy to be in the kitchen, at least together. So I have to split the fun holiday treat making into 2 categories. Those that I know he wants to help with, and would be crushed if I did on my own, and those that while fun, he's really going to be more interested in eating than anything else. And that's why these first appeared at our house last Friday as an after school treat for my Monkey. Even thought I did them on my own, kids would be terrific at helping and would love getting their hands into that melted chocolate! It's always a fun time getting your kids into the kitchen with you, but that fun is only multiplied during the holiday season. Make the memories while you can, because take it from me, they grow up way too fast!

 Double Candy Cane Oreos
1 package Winter Oreos (the ones with the red center)
1/4 tsp peppermint extract
2 c. white chocolate chips
2 TBS vegetable shortening
Candy Canes, crushed

In a glass bowl combine chips and shortening. Microwave 1 minute. Stir. Microwave 30 seconds more. Stir until completely melted. Add peppermint extract. Stir well.  Dip cookies into chocolate. Place on cooling racks on a cookie sheet and place in fridge for about 10 minutes to set. To remove lift racks from sheet, and using your fingers on the underside of them, gently pop cookies off. They will stick a bit, so just be patient. Keep refrigerated.

Shared on The Country Cook Dec. 14, 2012
Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Dec. 18, 2012

Cookies at Very Good Recipes
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Indoor Campout

A couple weeks ago Mr. Everyday had Saturday night plans with "the boys" celebrating a friend's birthday, and so Monkey and I were on our own for the evening. This type of thing doesn't happen often in our house on the weekend, so I wanted to make sure I made it a super fun time for the little man and I. When I get a chance to hang out with him, I want memories to be made! Well, this happened to only be a few days after his brand new Avengers sleeping bag arrived in the mail, and he was dying to try it. See, I bought it for our upcoming trip to Pennsylvania over the Thanksgiving holiday, and he just couldn't wait that long to use it! After all, a boy's very first sleeping bag is a very big deal. I knew it was going to be super chilly so having an actual camp out was not an option, so and indoor one it would be~complete with new pajamas, snacks and a movie! Our indoor camp out turned into a super-hero themed one with Spiderman 3 as the movie, Batman on the pjs, and of course the Avengers sleeping bag! I knew s'mores would be the perfect snack, and I could make my Mint Chocolate ones I shared over the summer, but I wanted something a little more autumn inspired. So with taking the ingredients of a regular s'more and tweaking them just a little, I got something that is the perfect treat for a fall bonfire, camping trip or even indoor camp out!

Pumpkin Ginger S'mores
Ginger Snap Cookies (small size)
Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows
White Chocolate Baking Bar, cut into small pieces

Roast marshmallows to desired doneness. (We like ours burnt!) Place a chocolate piece on cookie. Top with marshmallow and another cookie. Smoosh and enjoy!!
*NOTE* If you don't have the Pumpkin Spice marshmallows. Use original ones and add 1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice to each s'more!

Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain Oct. 24, 2012
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Oct. 25, 2012
Shared on The Country Cook Oct. 26, 2012

Pumpkin at Very Good Recipes
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