Busy Night

Tonight I made some cake pops for a yard/bake sale that my niece's Soft Ball league is having. I've usually just make cake balls, but I figured this would be the perfect time to try a different way. I've been wanting to make them this way for a long time now, I'm so glad I did it. It was fun and actually easier.

I went to Michael's earlier today to pick up some things I needed & while I was there the idea to make lollipops just came to me. I'm going to offer them for the sale on Saturday too.

My next baking addiction is going to be cupcakes and muffins. The plan is to make both the cupcakes & muffins all from scratch. Hopefully I could find some good Low Carb, Low Sugar recipes, then maybe I wont feel as guilty after sampling the goods.

Chocolate Rose & Cake Balls

Tonight I decided to make Chocolate Rose Lollipops...they were really easy but I wish I would have bought more red chocolate 'Cos I ran out, which is OK since I also LOST the pretty wrappers that I wanted to use for them. Errrrrrrr!! Paul helped me look for them for a long time, long after I had given up he kept on looking. :) But they never turned up.

My plan was to take these to everyone at work tomorrow, but I guess it will have to wait, which is OK since I'm not sure I like the taste. I added some cherry flavoring to the Red Chocolate & I think I should have left it alone. I think if someone else made it I'd think they were great, maybe I'm too critical with myself.

I also made cake balls, which is something I make quite often. These ones were chocolate cake with butter cream icing mixed with Bailey's Irish Cream. Yummy!

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Birthday Cake!!

This is the first birthday cake that I have made and decorated myself, and I have to say I was very pleased with the results (Paul was too, he ate half the cake on his own). In between the 2 layers of cake was chocolate frosting mixed with cream cheese frosting, and the outside is the same combination except I added some Bailey's to it. I know, I know, why do I always have to add liqueur? Well, I just like the flavor it adds, you just can't go wrong with Bailey's or Amaretto. Since he will always be 18, those candles will last a long time. :)

I hope my hubby enjoyed his birthday weekend. I took him to the library to get some books, 2 for him, 1 for me, & 1 to read together. After the library, I surprised him with a picnic at a park with a pond, so I set up lunch & he read to me.

Then we went home & watched Phil, which was exciting 'cos he was in the lead. When that was over we did stuff around the house, then we just hung out with each other.

Today, Paul stayed home from golf, so he watched me bake his cake. Morning time with him is rare, so I really enjoy those moments. Since he stayed home we decided to go to a new Church that has a TLM at 9:30, usually we go at 12:30. It was beautiful, I think the Church is 100 years old or so. On our way home we stopped for lunch at an Italian place, they had a TV right in front of our table, that meant we were able to see how Phil was doing. He was doing really, really well.

Then Paul & I went home to finish watching the Championship and I decorated his cake. And guess what! Phil WON!!! Go PHIL!!

We went to dinner at Silky Sullivan's (Irish pub). Paul loves it there, and it's the only place he's guaranteed a Guinness. Next it was home to eat cake & open presents.

Paul really did eat half the cake himself, and he had a BIG dinner too. I don't know where he puts it. :)

** Paul, I hope you had a nice birthday. I love you.

More Treats!!!

My aunt gave me the recipe for these cookies, and I love how simple & good they are. This is my second time making them, and with this batch I double the size of the of the cookie & the time they cooked.

Yep, they're good. Thanks Aunt Laura!

Cool Whip Cookie
1 Pkg cake mix (Chocolate is really good)

1/2 container of cool whip (4oz)

1 egg.

Powder Sugar

Mix by hand and make into balls Roll in powder suger and bake 350 for 10 min.

More Cake Balls! Yummmm!!

Over the holidays I made tons of cake balls, I used chocolate cake & lemon cake. This time I wanted to try something new, so I used a vanilla cake mix & it was wonderful. When I made the cake I added a few pinches (that's how I measure) of cinnamon & vanilla extract. I always bake the cake the night before, let it cool, cut in in half, and seal it in a Ziploc bag. This makes the cake really soft & easy to work with.

When it came time to prepare I took half the cake, crumbled it in a bowl, and added the frosting. I use a butter cream frosting & this time I mixed it with Amaretto. When adding the frosting, I add a little bit at a time until I'm happy with the consistency.

After that I ball up the cake and put them in the freezer for 2-3 hours. Then it's time for dipping and decorating.

Cake with frosting

Cake Balls ready for the freezer

Frosting & Amaretto

Pretty Easter cups I got from Michaels

Into the freezer they go. In a few days I plan on making a batch with chocolate cake & white chocolate, once those are done, it's off to Kansas they go.

Talented

My aunt has posted pictures of the cake she made for my cousin Laurens birthday which is today. Happy birthday Lauren! I was so impressed with it, I thought I'd post it here as well. My aunt has made many beautiful cakes, and I am very proud of her. This one is really exciting to me because I know Lauren will be thrilled, her being a shoe-aholic of course.

Cake Balls Hint

If you try making these and decide to use white chocolate, I suggest going to a cake shop or bakery which sells the same chocolate they use. I tried making some more this morning with the Toll House white chocolate and they did not turn out well.

The TH is a lot thicker and over powers the cake inside. The chocolate I used from the cake shop has a great flavor, looks prettier, and is much easier to work with, and it compliments the flavor of the cake.

Cake Balls

Well they're not as pretty as the ones I made on Monday with my aunt, but it's my first try. I used sprinkles instead of drizzling colored chocolate on top and the white chocolate dried too quickly. Oh, well, Paul loved the 3 he got to sample and the rest I'm taking into work tomorrow.

The filling is chocolate cake & frosting mixed with Baileys Irish Cream.

Mmmmmm!!!

This morning I woke up early and made blueberry muffins. I'm sure my hubby was really shocked to see me in the kitchen so early, since he hardly sees me at all in the morning.

It's not often I try baking anything no matter how simple because it usually doesn't turn out so good, but today they were pretty tasty. I wish I would have taken a picture (I borrowed this one), I'll have to make them again so I can do that. I only made four. I sent three of them with Paul to work and kept one for myself. The batter probably could have made 6 but I chose to make really big muffins.

I think I'll make some cookies next, or maybe a cake, I feel a sudden urge to make a cake. Maybe I'll just make both!