Day

Before I tell about the story of the cake, let me just tell you that Aunt Minty is not really a blood aunt. I just call her Aunt Minty because she loves it when everyone calls her that. And I won’t sacrifice my piece of her delicious cake just because she was displeased that I didn’t call her Aunt. Aunt Minty, by the way, is one of my mom’s friends who loved to bring us cakes whenever she visited. I happened to visit my parents when she was there so I was one of the lucky ones who got to taste her newest cake.

It’s a chocolate cake that was surrounded with shards of chocolate. I learned that those chocolates surrounding the cake was one of my favorite childhood chocolates—Milky Way! I loved Milky way so much when I was in middle school. The chewy yet soft filling that didn’t get stuck in the teeth unlike the others melted in my mouth. That was something heavenly for a child who loved her sweets. I didn’t get to ask Aunt Minty about the recipe, but I did find a similar one that offers the same delicious taste. You might want to check out this recipe that I will be posting on the next page.

Photo and recipe courtesy of I Am Baker.

USE THE RED NEXT PAGE LINK BELOW FOR THE RECIPE AND INGREDIENTS.

Quick Tip: Serve with your favorite coffee or tea.

My friend Barbara is the type of friend who takes note of everyone’s favorites and non-favorites. She knows which ones among us hate this type of food and she knows which ones among us like this type of food. This way, she is always able to come up with dishes that compromise what we like and what we don’t like. So whenever she is the one hosting lunch, dinner, or a party, most of the food are a mishmash of the things we like and the things we don’t like.

Barbara knows I love chicken. And as long as there’s chicken in the recipe, I will be willing to try it. She also knows that I’m not fond of chili. But since most of my friends love chili, Barbara found a way to make this chili please both sides. She found a chili recipe that makes use of the things I love—beans and chicken. I found myself finishing my bowl of chili actually, despite it being spicy for my own good! I couldn’t help it! It just tastes so flavorful and really delicious. I found a similar recipe too which I will share with you in the next page. It makes use of black beans and chicken as its main ingredients. I hope you will love it!

Photo and recipe courtesy of Just A Little Bite.

USE THE RED NEXT PAGE LINK BELOW FOR THE RECIPE AND INGREDIENTS.

Quick Tip: Serve with cornbread.

I love ice cream.  I think it has got to be my favorite dessert.  It is my weakness and the reason I cannot lose weight.  If you look in my freezer right now, there are about 7-8 different types of ice creams (gallons, gelato, sandwiches, bite size, etc) and I am the only one in my house that eats it.  My husband is not a huge fan and prefers to leave my favorite flavors to me so I am constantly finding myself eating a bowlful for dessert every night.

I always say I want to reduce the amount I have so I start digging into one until it is almost gone.  But before I can even finish that one, I have usually already purchased the next.  It is a crazy cycle, but definitely a delicious one, too.  The other day it occurred to me that I had never made ice cream before.  I do not have a machine and do not think my husband would find it wise for me to buy myself one, considering the circumstances, but I decided to go ahead and make this one.  And boy, oh boy, was it a treat.  This was absolutely amazing!

Photo and recipe courtesy of Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.

USE THE RED NEXT PAGE LINK BELOW FOR THE RECIPE AND INGREDIENTS.

Quick Tip: Serve this in your favorite type of cone

I love a good chocolate cookie. I mean, what could be better than ending your day near the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa (or cold milk if you prefer) and a batch of hot, freshly baked cookies.  Nothing tops that in my book.  I love to sit in my family room with my husband, watching a movie, playing a game, or just catching up on our week with a good batch of cookies (even if they are the frozen kind that I pop in the oven). It just makes everything feel more special and homier.

Whatever way you choose to enjoy your days, I promise, you will love ending it with a batch of cookies- especially when these are those cookies.  These are a layer of chocolate brownie type cookie followed with a layer of creamy and luscious peanut butter. IT makes the cookie so delicious and a real treat.  If I want to be extra fancy, I add a sprinkling of Reese’s Pieces.  Together, this complements the cookie in a way nothing else can. Do not wait any longer to make these cookies. Surprise your kids and hubby tonight with this special treat!

Photo and recipe courtesy of Tastes of Lizzy T’s.

USE THE RED NEXT PAGE LINK BELOW FOR THE RECIPE AND INGREDIENTS.

Quick Tip: Pop these in the microwave to warm them up if you are eating them long after baking

What is dinner without good dessert, right? I mean, I love a good, home cooked dinner.  Whether that may be meat and potatoes, a slow cooker soup, or a mac and cheese casserole, whatever it is, I love when a meal is homemade and totally delicious.  The problem is when the meal stops there.  Oh no, when you go through the trouble of making a home cooked meal, just add a few extra minutes to make a homemade dessert, too.  Nothing compares to a real, homemade dessert after a good home cooked meal.  It is just the epitome of deliciousness.

Now, when I say it is necessary to make a homemade dessert, I do not mean go out of your mind finding something complicated or difficult.  That is so unnecessary.  Just take a boxed cake mix and elevate it a bit until it is something that has your personal touch.  There are so many things you can do.  Think of a boxed cake mix with a instant pudding mix.  That alone changes the consistency of a cake to make it chewy and wonderful. Like that recipe, there are so many more you will love.  This cake is one of those that is so easy, yet delicious and impressive.

Photo and recipe courtesy of Love Foodies.

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Quick Tip: Use your favorite Pillsbury icing to cover this

The best thing ever is cheesecake.  Yep, in my person opinion, it is better than birthday cake or cookies.  It has the perfect creamy texture I am always looking for in a good dessert, has a great delicious flavor and when mixed with the right ingredients, you can create something original and delicious that is just your own.  It does not need to be a classic ol’ cheesecake recipe of graham cracker crust, with a regular cheesecake filling and strawberry topping.  You can switch it up to something absolutely amazing!

Well, lucky for you, I have found that perfect recipe you are always going to want from now on! This is what has become birthday cake in my house.  Everyone wants this cheesecake for their birthday instead of a regular boxed yellow cake with chocolate frosting.  It just has more flavor, texture, and makes for an amazing original dessert that is festive and delicious all at the same time.  You can also play around with this recipe until you find the perfect combination you like best.  Use the flavors your family likes until you find the perfect recipe for this and you will see how amazing it can truly be!

Photo and recipe courtesy of Life Love Sugar.

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Quick Tip: Spread fruit jam over this if you’d like

Landon is one of our eligible bachelor friends who doesn’t know how to cook an egg even if it’s to save his life. He always orders take-out or he just eats out because he truly doesn’t know how to handle a pan. His kitchen is always spotless clean and his utensils still have labels on them. The only appliance he ever uses in the kitchen is his trusty microwave; and that’s only to heat his microwavable food. His cupboards have nothing but instant noodles and pop tarts. Eligible bachelor indeed.

But every year, during his birthday, Landon gets to eat something new. He doesn’t ask much for his birthday. He just wants everyone to feed him for a day until his stomach cannot take him anymore. This year, one of our friends made him Tandoori chicken. And he loved it! He loved it so much that he begged the friend for the recipe. He said he would try to make it on his own because it seemed easy. We didn’t know if he succeeded, but at least he experienced the need to try. This recipe over at Confessions of a Confectionista will give you a recipe for a very tasty Tandoori chicken.

Photo and recipe courtesy of Confessions of a Confectionista.

USE THE RED NEXT PAGE LINK BELOW FOR THE RECIPE AND INGREDIENTS.

Quick Tip: The original recipe calls for jasmine rice, but you can substitute white rice or whatever kind of rice you have on hand.