Menu Plan Monday {4-30-12}

Starting this week, I will not be doing Wordless Wednesday or Fantastic Finds Friday on a regular basis. After looking at the traffic on my blog, I've noticed most people are here for three things ... Menu Plan Monday, the recipes and the printable pages. I plan to focus more on those things because that seems to be what most people are interested in. I may do Wordless Wednesday and Fantastic Finds Friday on occasion, but it will not be a weekly feature ... Sometime in the future, I will be hosting a Linky Party of my own called "Toot Your Horn Tuesday".

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday ... this is what'll be cooking up at my house this week.

Breakfast Monday - Friday:  Cereal, Grits or Oatmeal

Lunch All Week: Leftovers, Sandwiches, Canned Soup

          or Boxed Mac and Cheese

Monday - Crustless Spinach Quiche, Tomato Wedges,

          Peaches, Rolls

Tuesday - Grilled Burgers, Baked Fries, Fruit

Wednesday - Homemade Chicken and Noodle Soup, Rolls

Thursday - Grilled Teriyaki Chicken with White Rice, Steamed

          Broccoli, Pineapple Bread

Friday - Big Mac Pizza 

Saturday - (B) Cinnamon Rolls, Fruit

     (D) Homemade Corn Dogs, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans

Sunday - (B) French Toast Sticks, Bacon, Fruit

     (D) Hamburger Stroganoff, Peas, Rolls, Spanish Flan

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Do It Anyway Printable (8x10)

Click HERE to get the Do It Anyway Printable (8x10)

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Fantastic Finds Friday

Here are the top five things I pinned or bookmarked this week with direct links to each website.

Please note, due to copyright, you will have to click the links to see any pictures.  I have posted the direct links to each recipe or craft.  

In no particular order ....

I love cupcakes. They are perfectly sized and can be made in so many various flavors. You can decorate them so many ways. I saw these Easy Little Panda Cupcakes from Bakerella this week, and I knew I had to pin them. They are so adorable! Seriously, check them out if you haven't already! ;)

Just this week I was thinking to myself that I wanted to make some kind of banana split dessert. Banana Splits remind me of warmer weather and it's suppose to be nice around my neck of the woods this coming week. I saw this No-Bake Banana Split Dessert from the Brown Eyed Baker and added it to my to-make list.

How can you go wrong with this Mississippi Mud Cake from the Brown Eyed Baker? You can't! 

When I saw this Bloomin' Buttons from Disney Family Fun, I thought it would make a cute end-of-the-year gift for a teacher or a nice appreciation gift for anyone. It's so simple!

I loved this Life's Little Instructions from sueswink on Tumblr. I think I want to make a copy of this for our home. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I think we might stop by and check out one of our local music festivals and enjoy the water view.  


I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Chicken Fried Rice

Buying a new (to us) house, has had it's share of problems. The kids have had to use our shower in the master bedroom because there was a problem with the tub/shower in the downstairs bathroom until this past weekend. Having said that, the Mister and I have been having to have Shorty take a shower with one of us. The other day, out of nowhere, Shorty says to me, "dad got soup in my eyes." I was like, whaaaat? Soup? My brain automatically starts thinking, when did we have soup? Then it dawns on me .... I ask Shorty, "Did dad get soup in your eyes "in the shower?" He says yes ..... I start laughing and he has a puzzled look on his face ... I told him "you mean "soap?" Soup, soap ... what's the difference to a three year old?! Thank you God for giving mothers the ability to understand those 3 yr. old's.  ;)

Today, I'm sharing one of our favorite meals. One of the best things about it, it's cheap economical!! It tastes great and you can use pork or shrimp in place of the chicken ... or go meatless! You can also add pineapple for more of a Hawaiian-type rice. Sometimes, I also add a little ginger to the fried rice, just for a change. Feel free to experiment with things you know your family loves. This recipe is so versatile! We love this with homemade egg rolls or lumpia .... Make sure you use leftover rice for this recipe ... or cook your rice early enough in the day that it has time to chill. Seriously, that is the hardest part of this recipe. 

Chicken Fried Rice
Printable recipe
Yield: 8 servings

2 eggs
2 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (16 oz.) bag frozen peas and carrots, thawed, (optional)
4 cups cooked white rice, cold*** (see note)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp. black pepper
2 cups cooked chicken meat, or meat of choice

*** It is very important to use cold rice for this recipe!

In a small bowl, beat egg with water. Melt butter in a large skillet or wok over medium-low heat. Add egg and scramble until cooked through. Remove from skillet to a small bowl.

Heat oil in the same pan. Add onion, garlic and the peas and carrots. Saute until the onion is soft. Then add rice, soy sauce, black pepper and chicken. Stir-fry together about 3-5 minutes, until mixture is well combined. Add the eggs and stir to combine.

Serve hot!

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Wordless Wednesday

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Firecracker Cake

Summer will be here before we know it! With that comes Memorial Day, graduation parties, my birthday, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, family trips to the beach, picnics in the park, barbecues in the backyard ... you notice how many activities revolve around family, friends and food?!? 

This Firecracker Cake is the perfect summer dessert. It looks fancy (like it took a lot of work), but it really couldn't be easier! People will "ooh and aah" and ask who brought/made this cake ... then want a copy of the recipe! 

Firecracker Cake

Slightly adapted from Betty Crocker

Printable recipe

Yields 12 servings

1 box white cake mix 

Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix

Red food coloring ***(see note)

Blue food coloring ***(see note)

1 container (12 oz.) white frosting

Red, white and blue sprinkles, optional

*** I personally prefer to use 1 oz. Wilton Icing Colors which may be picked up at your local big box craft store. I think the colors are more vibrant, however, you may use the regular ol' food coloring if you have it on hand. I get the "Red - No Taste". Add just enough coloring to get desired shade of red and blue.

Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Generously grease a 12-cup fluted tube cake pan. Make cake batter as directed on box, using water, oil and egg whites. Pour 1 cup of the batter into a small bowl; stir in red food coloring until well mixed. Pour another cup of the batter into a separate bowl; stir in blue food color until well mixed.

Pour red cake batter into bottom of pan. Carefully pour remaining white batter over red batter in pan. Carefully pour blue batter over white batter. (The blue batter does not need to cover the white batter completely, it looks better if it just forms a ring in the center of the white batter.) When you add the batter to the pan, do not mix with a spoon. Just pour it in so the colors don't mix but rather, just rest on top of each other in the pan. 

Bake as directed on box or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool cake 5 minutes. Meanwhile, place cooling rack over cookie sheet. Turn pan upside down onto cooling rack. Cool cake completely, about 30  minutes.

When cake is cool, divide the frosting evenly into 3 microwavable bowls. Microwave 1 bowl of frosting uncovered on HIGH a few seconds until smooth enough to drizzle over cake. With spoon, drizzle all of the 1st bowl of microwaved frosting all over the cake, back and forth around the cake in a striping pattern. Repeat microwaving second bowl of frosting until smooth. Stir in a few drops of the blue food coloring until well blended. Drizzle over cake, scattering back and forth. Repeat with remaining frosting and red food coloring, making sure red, white and blue can be seen on the cake. Sprinkle with red, white and blue sprinkles, if desired. Let cake stand at room temperature until frosting is set before serving.

Store loosely covered at room temperature.

The great thing about this cake, you can adjust the colors to fit whatever holiday or occasion - for Easter, use 3 pastel colors ... For Christmas, use white, green and red ... Halloween, white, orange and black or candy corn colors - orange, yellow and white! You could use varying shade of blue or pink for an ombre effect for a baby shower or birthday ... the possibilities are endless!

Hope you have a great day! Come back tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday!

This recipe is featured at Nap-Time Creations, The Frugal Foodie Mama 

and My Crowded Kitchen

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Last Day of School Subway Printable

Click HERE to get the Free "Last Day of School" Subway Printable (8x10)

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Menu Monday {4-23-12}

Blah ... Does anyone like Monday?!?  (Bueller? ... Bueller?) Weekends never seem long enough and Monday always comes too soon! I hope everyone had a great weekend nonetheless. 

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday ... this is what'll be cooking up at my house this week.

Breakfast Monday - Friday:  Cereal, Grits or Oatmeal

Lunch All Week: Leftovers, Sandwiches, Canned Soup

          or Boxed Mac and Cheese

Monday - Chilies Rellenos Bake, Refried Beans, Side Salad

Tuesday - Hand-Breaded Tenderloin Sandwich, Baked Fries,

          Fruit

Wednesday - Bean and Bacon Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Thursday - Spaghetti with Meatballs, Side Salad, Garlic Toast

Friday - Chicken Cordon Bleu Stromboli, Pasta Salad

Saturday - (B) Assorted Muffins, Fruit

     (D) Cheesy Potatoes and Smoked Sausage from Colletta's 

              Kitchen Sink, Applesauce, Biscuits

Sunday - (B) Pancakes, Sausage Links, Fruit

     (D) Pork Roast, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Green Beans,

          Rolls, Pecan Pie from Deep South Dish

What are you having this week? Are you trying any new recipes? Feel free to tell me about your menu or any new recipes you're trying in the comments below.  :)

I hope everyone has a great week!

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Fantastic Finds Friday

Here are the top five things I pinned or bookmarked this week with direct links to each website.

Please note, due to copyright, you will have to click the links to see any pictures.  I have posted the direct links to each recipe (recipe name) and another link to the site (site name).  

In no particular order ....

Here are some Rice Krispie Treat Hot Chili Peppers that are so stinkin' adorable!  I think they would be perfect for any Cinco de Mayo festivities and there are tons of other budget friendly party ideas on Party Pinching.  So, go check out the site and see all the neat-o ideas!

How about a Pizza Casserole .... that has a double crust like a deep dish pizza?!?  I know, I know ... I thought it sounded too good to be true too!!  Not only does it look super yummy ... but it looks pretty easy too!  Thanks to The Shady Front Porch for such an awesome looking recipe.  :)

I don't know about you, but I love the cranberry-orange combo and when I saw these Cranberry Orange Bagels over at Lady Behind the Curtain, I knew I had to save them to try ... probably soon!!  ;)

I think I gained 10 pounds just looking at this Triple Chocolate Cheesecake on Oui, Chef's site!  Chocolate on chocolate on chocolate! Oh, yeah! Definitely on my list to try ... Maybe I'll have this instead of birthday cake on my birthday! However, I don't know if I can wait that long to try it!

The first line of Cooking By Moonlight's blog post says it all .... "Have you ever heard of a recipe and instantly thought ... I.MUST.MAKE.THAT!"  That's exactly what I thought when I saw this Chocolate Cream Swiss Roll.  

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. Join me again on Monday to see what we're cooking up next week.

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Snickerdoodle Cake

I have a feeling 2 years from now, I will still be unpacking from our move.  Don't get me wrong, we're not "living out of boxes" or anything like that ... we have most of our "necessities" unpacked ... the rest is either 1. stuff I have no idea what to do with it or where to put it 2. clothes my older kids can't wear anymore and I'm saving for the younger ones - so I'm not in a "hurry" to go through it 3. stuff I know I should get rid of, but lack the motivation necessary to actually go through and sort it ....... When we first got here, I feel like I got a lot accomplished in the unpacking department ... now?!?  Pshhhhhh ...... I really need someone to come do it for me to just do it.  I don't know how all these super-mom's do it .... having 2 kids homeschooled, a 3 yr. old and a 6 month old makes it nearly impossible to get stuff done - either from lack of time, the lack of having extra eyes to watch everyone while you do your "work", the constant need of someone wanting your attention .... ah, the joys.  :)  It's really not that bad I guess, just wish I had the energy of  Shorty - the 3 yr. old!  

Before we went on vacation, I made this Snickerdoodle Cake. I could eat this frosting by the cupfuls!  Yum!  If you enjoy the flavor of cinnamon, this is the cake for you!

Snickerdoodle Cake

Originally from The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn

Printable recipe

Serves 16

For the cake:

Shortening and Flour, for greasing and dusting pans

1 pkg. (18.25 oz) plain white cake mix

1 cup milk

8 tbsp. (1 stick) butter, melted

3 large eggs

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

For the frosting:

8 tbsp. (1 stick) butter, at room temperature

3-3/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

3-4 tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Place rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Generously grease two 9-in. cake pans with shortening, then dust with flour.  Shake out the excess flour and set pans aside.

Place the cake mix, milk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.  Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute.  Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.  Increase mixer speed to medium and beat 2 more minutes more, scrapping the sides down again, if needed.  The batter should look well combined.  Divide the batter evenly between the two pans, smoothing it out with a rubber spatula.  Place the pans in the oven side by side.

Bake the cakes until they are golden brown and spring back when lightly pressed with your finger, 27-29 minutes.  Remove the pans from the oven and place them on wire racks to cool for 10 minutes.  Run a dinner knife around the edge of each layer and invert each onto a rack, then invert them again onto another rack so the cakes are right-side up.  Allow them to cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the frosting by placing the butter in a large mixing bowl.  Blend with an electric mixer on low speed until fluffy, 30 seconds.  Stop the machine and add the powdered sugar, 3 tbsp. milk, vanilla and cinnamon.  Blend with the mixer on low until the sugar is incorporated, about 1 minute.  Increase the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, 1 minute more.  Blend in up to 1 tbsp. milk if the frosting seems stiff.

Place one cake layer, right side up, on a serving platter. Spread the top with frosting.  Place the second layer of cake on top of the first and frost the top and sides of the cake with clean, smooth strokes.

Place this cake, uncovered, in the refrigerator until the frosting sets, about 20 minutes.  

This cake can be kept, covered in the refrigerator, for up to 1 week.  Or freeze it, wrapped in aluminum foil, for up to 6 months.  Thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator before serving.  

Hope you enjoy!

Featured at What's Cooking, Love?

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved