Cupcake Pops/Bites and Cake Bites

This is the long awaited simple recipe for the lovely little things. Lol! Pictures!!! And here is how they work:

Ingredients:

1 boxed cake mix (chocolate or red velvet are best)

1 can cream cheese frosting
chocolate bark

vanilla chocolate bark

decorations (m&ms, chocolate chips, sprinkles, or whatever you please!)

Directions:

1. Bake cake according to directions on box. Allow to cool. Crumble the cake up. Add can of cream cheese frosting to the cake crumbles. Roll into balls (about a tablespoon big). I cooled the mixture before trying to roll it...made it easier. And rinse your hands often. That makes it easier too.

2. Chill in freezer or refrigerator (freezer if in a hurry). If making the cupcake shape there is an extra step. After chilling, roll into log shape and chill again for awhile. Take the log shape and push it into a small flower or star shaped cookie cutter. This gives it that muffin top/ridged look for the "cupcake liner."

3. Melt the chocolate bark according to directions on the bag. If making the cake bites, just roll it around in the chocolate. You can use your hand or a spoon. A spoon is a little less messy =) If doing the cupcake bites, dip the bottom half ("liner") into the chocolate bark. And chill before dipping the top into the vanilla chocolate bark.

4. For either the cake or cupcake bites, make sure to decorate as you go, before the chocolate/vanilla bark has time to set. If making pops, did one lollipop stick end into chocolate bark and poke the bite.

5. Serve chilled =)

Cinnamon Rolls

Thanks to a friend I've never met, http://lindsayelaineadams.blogspot.com/, I have an EXTREMELY tasty cinnamon roll recipe for you all. Unfortunately no picture...these guys are huge though! Bigger than cinnabon! Amazing for the tongue too =)

Ingredients:
4 1/2 tsp dry yeast
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups warm water
1 tbsp salt
6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/3 cup veggie oil

1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp brown sugar
4 tbsp cinnamon
(I didn't have enough cinnamon for both this and the delish cinnamon vanilla frosting so I subbed in some nutmeg. So awesome! I'm a sucker for nutmeg. I put in almost a full tsp. Took out a tsp of cinnamon to put towards my frosting.)

Butter

Directions:
1. Dissolve yeast and 1/3 cup sugar in warm water. Stir in salt and 2 cups flour. Beat mixture for 2 minutes. Beat in eggs and oil. Stir in the remaining flour a 1/2 cups at a time, beating while after each addition.
2. When dough has pulled together, turn out onto floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes.
Cover and let rise in warm place until about double in size (40 minutes). In another bowl mix 1/2 cup sugar with brown sugar and cinnamon (and possibly nutmeg).
3. Roll out dough into large rectangle. Somewhat melt a little butter (use your own descretion as to how much). Use your hands to spread the butter over all the dough. Sprinkle cinnamon mixture all over dough. Roll into a large log. Cut into inch thick slices. Place into greased baking dish.
4. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes, until golden.

Glaze:
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
2 1/2 to 3 tbsp milk

Directions:
1. Mix together powdered sugar and cinnamon. Add in vanilla. Add milk in a tbsp at a time. Be careful with how much you add! Too much will make the frosting super runny.
Frost these fresh out of the oven...so tasty! Enjoy peeps!

Too Cute Tuesday

Haven't done it in awhile and I should...cuz my daughter is just TOO CUTE!!! =)

School and Such

Brent found, what we believe, is the perfect school. It's online. He can earn his Associate's in Computer Science in about 2 1/2 years. It's called Devry University. It is pretty awesome. It is also pretty expensive. Well...not in comparison to some schools. But in comparison to what my education cost me...expensive. He applied to the school and tomorrow he finds out what the next steps are: financial assistance and signing up for classes. We are praying that somehow he gets some grants or scholarships. We already have the FAFSA ready to go. But it wouldn't be enough. Things will be tight. Thank the Lord that for now we are living in Calvin's (brother-in-law) house for free. But that's only until December, at the latest. A student loan may be necessary. It's awesome that I work at a credit union where I can get an oh-so-awesome deal on a loan, but...Oh!...all donations from parents are greatly appreciated. lol! Thought I would throw that out since almost all my parents read this blog. Just keep in mind: this is to better our lives and it's only for a season. =)
Anywho...my new job is going great! I've never had a job where I worked with so many other Christians. It is so encouraging! It will definately "keep me on my toes" when it comes to living out my faith. It seems easier to me to live out my faith when I'm the only Christian around. You just naturally stand out. But when other Christians are living their faith too...hard. I now have accountability to shine as bright as they do. Do ya'll understand what I'm saying? Maybe it's the opposite for you? Brent said it's the opposite for him. What do you guys think?