{Cupcake Monday} Molten Lava Cakes by Paula Deen!

{photo via food network}
Good morning, my lovelies! Today for Cupcake Monday, I had to share these delicious Molten Lava Cakes by Paula Deen. So they aren't exactly cupcakes, but they are individual little cakes made in ramekins...so that counts right? I had to share these after one of my friends, Shannon made them at a girls night in. She said they are super easy...and I can confirm that they are SUPER delicious! She made them in these cute little colored ramekins from Crate & Barrel, that I wanted so bad but they sold out before I could buy!
So, if you're in the mood for chocolate....Here is the recipe!

{photo via sweetteeth blog}

This blogger used a recipe she saw on The Pioneer Woman. I haven't tried it but I'm sure is amazing, too! I had to show this photo though, so you can see the surprise waiting inside the cake!

Recipe from Paula Deen on Food Network
Recipe from Sweet Teeth via Pioneer Woman

{My Weekend} Christine's Poolside Birthday Splash!

My next door neighbor's Girls Only poolside birthday splash was this weekend! Her husband, Rick coordinated everything and it was so much fun! Cabana Boy Ricardo (Rick) & Diego (his friend) waited on all of us girls. Ricardo concocted some fun drinks, and I created this menu.... I made COSMO cupcakes, recipe courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess....YUM.

A couple months ago, Christine had shown me a door sign in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog that she wanted for when they host their pool volleyball tournaments. I told her not to buy it, that I could make something for her. So I whipped this up for her birthday gift!

Hope you had a fabulous birthday, Christine!

{Kate's Fairy Garden Party} Susie's Forgotten Meringue Recipe

When we moved into the neighborhood, I discovered that my neighbor has quite the reputation. Well, lots of the ladies have reputations around here (kidding), but Miss Susie is known for her delicious meringue cookies! Once I tried one (I mean some), I was hooked! These little pretties are puffs of sweet heaven. Light, airy and oh so cute! Once you start, it's hard to stop. I asked Susie if she would whip me up some for Kate's Fairy Garden Party, and she sure delivered! The colors were PERFECT! Many of you have requested the recipe & tips...so here you go!

Susie's Meringues
“Forgotten Cookies”
These “melt in your mouth” cookies were my Mom’s favorite, because they were cheap, easy to make and pretty. She made them every Christmas when I was growing up.
My mom called them “Forgotten” because she would preheat the oven to 275 degrees; put the cookies in the oven, then turn it off and leave them overnight (and forget them).
~ Susie

4 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
1 1/3 cup sugar
In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy.
Sprinkle in salt and cream of tartar; beat until “soft peaks” form.
Gradually add sugar, beating until “stiff peaks” form, about 5-8 minutes.
Take almost the full 5-8 minutes to sprinkle the sugar in.
Make sure the meringue is “stiff” looking or the cookies will droop.
Drop by teaspoonfuls or use a pastry bag with a big star tip onto foil lined cookie sheets.
Top with colorful sprinkles if desired.
Preheat oven to 225 degrees. Bake for 1.5 hours.
Turn off heat; leave cookies in the oven with the door ajar for at least an hour.
Yield: 4 dozen

Other tips:
If you add food coloring- you may need to beat a little more to bring the “stiff” peaks back.
If you get even a drop of egg yolk in the whites, they will never get “stiff”.
How they look when you put them in the oven is exactly how they will look when they are done.
You can place them really close together on the foil
After cooking, the more they dry, the more they melt in your mouth!

Susie, thank you so much for making these for Kate's party and for sharing your mother's recipe with us! Now, my dear readers.....go make some and send me pictures! I would love to see how they turn out! ~ Kim

{My Favorite Recipes} Cheesecake Cupcakes!

I have always loved cheesecake...what's not to love, right?
My mom always made amazing cheesecake, and when I got married, I found out that my husband loves his mom's cheesecake....so we fight about whose is better!
I think we may have figured out recently that they use the same recipe :)

The other night, I was flipping through my little cookbook binder that my mom made me, Kimmi's Delicious Recipe Collection, looking for ideas for a little craft night I was hosting, when I came upon the recipe for these mini cheesecakes! I remember making these back in high school (I've always loved baking!) and they sounded yummy! They were super easy....and proved to be super YUMMY!

Mini Cheesecakes

12 Vanilla Wafers
1 tsp Vanilla

2 8oz packages cream cheese, softened

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

Line muffin tin with foil liners.
Place one vanilla wafer in each liner.
Mix cream cheese, vanilla & sugar on medium speed until well blended.
Add eggs. Mix well.
Pour over wafers, filling 3/4 full.
Bake 25 minutes at 325 degrees.

Remove from pan when cool. Chill.
Top with fruit, preserves, nuts or chocolate.

Be creative! (the recipe actually said this)

So, what are you waiting for?

Go make these! You can thank me later!

Do you love cheesecake, too?

{Free Printable} Chocolate Scotcheroo Recipe & Label!

Yum! You probably saw my previous post about my favorite treat, Chocolate Scotcheroos! Well, I decided it would be easiest to share with you a printable recipe card and sign I made!

ENJOY!

I would love to know if you plan on printing these!
Please leave me a comment!

Chocolate Scotcheroos Recipe & Label - Tomkat Studio

{Divas Holiday Party} My FAVORITE Yummy Treats - Chocolate Scotcheroos!

Have you ever had a CHOCOLATE SCOTCHEROO? If you haven't, you are really missing out! My mom has been making these since I can remember and they have always been my favorite! I made them for our "Domestic Divas" holiday party, as usual. Divas is my little group of girlie friends that get together every few weeks to be girls. You know...to talk, eat, talk, drink, talk, craft... We always do a fun holiday party at Taryn's house that includes a cookie exchange. So, chocolate scotcheroos don't really count as cookies, but no one has ever complained!

Chocolate Scotcheroos
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
6 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I use a little bit more ;)
1 cup butterscotch chips (I use a little bit more ;)

Place corn syrup and sugar in 3 quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter. Mix well. Add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated. Press mixture into 13x9 pan coated with cooking spray. Set aside.

Melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. (OR melt using half power, 30 seconds at a time in the microwave ~ as I do!) Spread evenly over cereal mixture. Let stand until firm. (I put in the fridge for 15 minutes so they firm up quicker so I can start eating them sooner)

YUM. I promise.
Comment with your email address if you would like a printable PDF of the little "Chocolate Scotcheroos" sign I made.

I usually try to get a little gift for the girls, and as you know, I'm slightly obsessed with personalized gifts. I found these adorable mugs at HomeGoods and was thrilled when they had all of the initials I needed! Filled with some yummy candy and topped off with a custom tag....all set and ready to go!

FUN! FUN! FUN!