Strawberry Cobbler

Strawberry Cobbler

1/4 c. butter or margarine, softened

3/4 c. sugar

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 1/4 c. tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. milk

3 c. fresh strawberries, cut in half lengthwise

Beat 1/4 c. softened butter at medium speed with an electric mixer. Gradually add 3/4 c. sugar, beating well. Add egg and vanilla extract and mix well.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Add to butter mixture alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

Spoon half of the batter in a greased deep pie dish. Arrange the fresh strawberries on top, cut side down. Cover strawberries with remaining batter.

Topping:

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. butter or margarine, chilled

Combine 1/4 c. flour and 1/4 c. brown sugar. Cut in 1/4 c. chilled butter with a pastry blender until crumbly. Sprinkle on top of batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Spiderweb Cupcakes

These were so easy to make and were a hit with the junior class at school! The needed ingredients and step-by-step instructions are below.

Ingredients:

1 box cake mix

1 container white icing

1 tube black or orange gel icing

plastic spider rings

Halloween cupcake holders

Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners, fill 2/3 full and cook according to package directions. Let cool.

Place icing in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 5-second intervals until smooth and cupcakes can be dipped in icing to coat top. Don't overheat or icing will become too runny. You will have to try this a couple of times to know the exact consistency.

Dip cupcake tops in icing and coat to the top of the cupcake liners. Let set.

To decorate, draw three circles on the tops of the cupcakes with the gel icing. Using a toothpick, start at the center circle and gently pull the toothpick outward to draw the gel icing out to look like a web.

Place a spider ring in the center of each cupcake atop the spider web. Place on a spooky tray and enjoy!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Paula Deen's Chocolate Cobbler

Image from Bake or Break

Paula Deen's Chocolate Cobbler

This would be a yummy addition to your 4th of July BBQ!

1 stick butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup self rising flour

1/2 cup milk

2 tbsp cocoa powder, unsweetened

Add melted butter to a 8x8 or 9x9 pan. Mix together the four remaining ingredients and spoon on top of the melted butter.

Filling:

4 tbsp cocoa powder, unsweetened

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup pecans

1/2 cup toffee bits

1 1/2 cups boiling water

Combine the first four ingredients and sprinkle over the first mixture. Pour water over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Happy 4th of July!

P.S. Go check out this yummy recipe for Watermelon Lemonade over at Brown Paper Packages!

Easy Chocolate Cupcakes

Easy Chocolate Cupcakes

1 1/2 c. plain flour

1 c. sugar

1/4 c. cocoa

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. water

1/4 c. + 2 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all dry ingredients together. Add in liquid ingredients and beat until smooth. Pour mixture into a paper lined muffin tin. Bake 16-18 minutes. Ice with your favorite icing or use the butter cream icing recipe below.

Butter Cream Icing

1/2 c. Crisco

1/2 c. softened butter (not melted)

4 c. powdered sugar

2 tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter and shortening. Add sugar, milk and vanilla. Blend until creamy.

Enjoy!