Tie Dye Cupcakes

Who doesn’t love a good cupcake? I know I’m a sucker for anything sweet especially if icing is involved. While surfing Pinterest, (and more than likely avoiding writing my research paper) I found an awesome recipe for tie dye cupcakes. Not only do I love cupcakes, but anything bright always catches my eye so these delicious cupcakes bring it all together. These cupcakes would be perfect for parties and the tie dye colors can be changed depending on what you want.

Ingredients:

• Box Cake Mix (along with eggs, water, and vegetable oil)
• Icing ( I used plain white icing)
• Food Coloring
• Cupcake tins
• Toothpicks

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, water, eggs, and oil.

2. Mix ingredients until smooth (about 2 minutes on medium level).

3. Divide batter into equal parts (depending on how many colors you’re using).

4. Add food coloring. Mix thoroughly.

5. Alternate adding color into cupcake tins.

6. Swirl batter with toothpick but do not mix colors too much.

7. Bake 18-20 minutes or until done.

8. Let cool completely then ice cupcakes.

Painting

My sister got married this past Saturday and finals are next week so I think it’s safe to say my stress level is at an all time high. Nothing is more relaxing to me than painting. Thankfully I was also able to kill two birds with one stone because I needed to finish decorating my room for all the company my family had this weekend. So I was able to relax while doing something that needed to be finished. Keep in mind, I am no artist. Creative, yes but an artist I am not. I think it’s safe to call this Painting for Dummies.

Materials:

• Canvas ( I used 3 different ones)
• Acrylic Paint (2 colors)
• Paint Brushes
• Painter’s Tape

1. Paint canvas a base color. Let paint dry completely.

2. Using painter’s tape, tape off the design you want. I did a simple lined pattern.

3. Paint top color over the entire surface of the canvas. Let paint dry completely.

4. Remove tape and admire your masterpiece.

Healthy Puppy Chow

I love anything involving chocolate and peanut butter. A couple years ago, I started making Puppy Chow which is rice cereal coated in chocolate and peanut butter then covered in powdered sugar. Seriously, it is addicting! But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started looking for ways to make things healthier. I was on Pinterest a few weeks ago and found a recipe for a healthier version of Puppy Chow called Kitty Chow. Not going to lie, I was a tad bit skeptical but I have to admit, I like the healthier version better.

Ingredients:

• 5 cups of Fiber One Honey Squares
• 8 Tablespoons Butter
• 5 Tablespoons Peanut Butter
• Truvia
• 2 Large Packages Sugar Free Fat Free Vanilla Pudding
• 3/4 Cup Dark Chocolate Chunks (add more if wanted)

1. In a microwavable bowl, melt butter, peanut butter, and chocolate.

2. After mixture is melted, add in cereal.

3. Let mixture cool completely.
(I got impatient at this step but it is best to wait about 20-30 minutes.)

4. After the mixture is cooled and hardened, put it in a gallon zip lock bag and add the pudding mix and about 2 servings of Truvia. Shake until mixture is covered.
(The Truvia is optional. Add just enough to make it a little sweet.)

Pound Cake

Pound cake is a southern staple. I’ve grown up eating it and in some sense it’s a comfort food for me. Nothing makes me feel better quite like a warm slice of good pound cake. I’ve based this recipe off of Paula Deen’s.  I tried to make it healthier, if that’s at all possible but some things just are not meant to be healthy.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, plus more for pan
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
3 cups sugar
5 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and gather ingredients.

2. Cream together butter and vegetable shortening.

3. Begin adding in sugar, a little at a time.

(I used Truvia but I would suggest sticking with the real stuff)

4. Add eggs one at a time. Make sure each is mixed in before continuing.

5. In a separate bowl, mix together dry ingredients. 

6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to the mixer. Begin with flour and end with flour.

7. Mix in vanilla.

8. Pour into a greased pan and bake for an hour and thirty minutes (or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean).

Pretzel Bites

Who doesn’t love pretzels, Hershey Hugs, and M&M’s especially of the Peanut Butter kind? I know these are just a few of my favorite things and they all come together in these little bite-sized snacks of deliciousness. Seriously, these may very well be the easiest and best tasting snacks ever.

1) Preheat oven to 350° and get pretzels, Hugs, and M&M’s ready

2) Place wax paper on baking sheet

3) Put square snap pretzels on wax paper and place Hershey Hugs on top of pretzels

4) Put in oven approximately 6 minutes or until Hugs look shiny

5) Remove from oven and put M&M’s in center of Hugs and push down

6) Put baking sheet in refrigerator and let cool for a minimum of 15 minutes

These are perfect for an everyday sweet and salty treat or for a party with friends. They have been a hit every time I’ve made them! This recipe is easy to play around with so don’t be afraid to try new things. Regular Hershey Kisses and different kinds of M&M’s work great too!

Try these out and let me know what you think!