Saturday, February 26, 2011

Mini Roasted Veggie Tartlets

A great appetizer made with pre made piecrust mixed with cheddar and parmesan cheese and a trio of roasted veggies.

The cheesy pie crust tart itself makes a great cracker you could eat with sliced cheeses.

You will get 32 crackers from the pie crust but this recipe is for 16 tartlets. Just double the amount of veggies if you want to make 32 tartlets.

What you need:

Pre made pie crust
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
And some additional to sprinkle on the tartlets after they cook
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped tomato
Please note: cut all veggies into small pieces. Also you can do other veggies to. This is what I had on hand.
Olive oil to roast the veggies
A shot glass

What you do:

Cut up all the veggies. Drizzle some olive oil in a roasting pan. Add the veggies and mix to coat. Cook at 350 until the veggies are golden brown - about 15 min.
While the veggies are roasting, make the pie crust tartlets.
Use one of the pre made piecrust sheets and shape into a ball. In a bowl add both of the cheeses and mix. Add the pie crust ball and mix the cheeses throughout the dough.








Roll out the pie crust to the original thickness of the pie crust.
Using a shot glass cut out little circles. And place on a sheet of wax paper for easy removal.








These circles fit nicely into your Babycakes Cupcake Maker. I only made 1/2 the pie crust and that makes 16. Save the rest of latter to make additional veggie tarts or crackers.
Place some roasted veggies on tops of the uncooked tartlets and cook for about 7 minutes.








About a minute before they are done sprinkle some additional cheddar cheese on the tartlets.
Take out and serve.









If you want to make the crackers - don't add the veggies but instead cook the Tartlets on one side for 5 minutes then turn over and cook an additional 5 minutes. Take out the crackers and serve with assorted sliced cheeses.
Both go great with a glass of wine:)
Happy snacking!!


Sunday, February 20, 2011

Chocolate chip cupcakes with chocolate chip cookie dough frosting

Wow - That's a mouthful!!!
But they are soooo good!!!
Totally tastes like a chocolate chip cookie.


Make sure to grab a glass of milk with these.

The cupcake recipe is from a blog called cooking with Karen (isn't that ironic - but no it's not me).
http://cookingwithkaren.wordpress.com/2010/04/11/chocolate-chip-cookie-cupcakes-cookie-dough-frosting/.
The cupcakes take 5-7 minutes to bake in your Babycakes. I only made half the batter today and that made 30 cupcakes.

To make the cookie dough frosting, mix one cup of raw cookie dough with one half cup of heavy cream. Recipe from Cupcake Project.

Enjoy!!!
Happy snacking!!
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Good morning!!

What am I making today??


Eggless cookie dough!!!

But why? So you can eat it and not get food poisoning. Why would you need that? Let's face it - we've all bought that roll of chocolate chip cookie dough at the grocery store and cut it open and had a little nibble (or a half a cup) of it. There's nothing like the flavor. But this eggless cookie dough is useful too. I'm making it to use as a frosting base for my chocolate chip cookie cupcakes that I will be making later today in my Babycakes cupcake maker.

But it's great swirled in vanilla ice cream or you could roll it in to little balls and dip in melted chocolate and and refrigerate them until firm or just (like I'm trying not to do) grab a spoon and eat it!!

I didn't dream up this wonderful
recipe but you can find it here at this great site called cupcake project. Here's the link:
http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2009/03/raw-cookie-dough-thats-safe-to-eat.html

Be back later today!
Happy snacking!!
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Saturday, February 19, 2011

Two super easy recipes

Well it was a given I'd be making mini corn dogs after the pancake sausage bites. So super easy. I used mini hot dogs so I probably should have used some more hot dog per corn bread but at least you get the idea.



I didn't make the corn muffin batter from scratch. It was the one from Jiffy - that sells for like .50 cents a box!!

To make the corn dogs:

Make up the mix - follow the directions on the box.
Spray your Babycakes with cooking spray so they don't stick.
Fill cupcake wells half way with the mix. Add a piece or two of hot dog. Cover with a little more of the mix - just enough to cover the hot dog. Cook 5-8 minutes.

I also made mini corn bread to go with the chili we were eating for dinner tonight. So super easy. I also made a honey butter to go along with the mini corn breads. Again so super easy - butter and honey.

2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon honey
Mix well




Happy snacking!!!

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"Pup" cake update

So here's the update on my dog Spike's birthday "pup" cakes.

They didn't come out that great.
Too dense. But maybe that's how they should be since they are for dogs and not humans.

And my girls did eat them so that a success in it self. But I'll keep searching. Stay tuned.

Happy snacking!!


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Friday, February 18, 2011

Mini Meatloaf

Meatloaf is my favorite dinner and I've been wanting to see if this would work for a while. I've used my mini muffin pan for the longest time for making mini Meatloafs. It cuts the cooking time down and the percent of crispy "edges" is greater - and it's all about "edges" - at least it is for me.

This meatloaf recipe was my mom's. It just reminds me of when I was kid. Very homey (is that a word?) A great comfort food. And yes you can make them in your Babycakes cupcake maker!!!

Makes 12 mini meatloafs
What you need:

3/4 - 1lb ground beef
1 egg
2 slices bread - mom used white; I used whole wheat- both work great!
1/3 cup ketchup plus some for meatloaf "tops"
1/4 cup chopped onion
Salt
Pepper
1 teas. garlic
1 teas. cumin

What you do:

Mix beef and egg together. Add ketchup, onion, salt, pepper, garlic and cumin. Mix again. Moisten both slices of bread with water and squeeze out the excess water before you add the slices to the ground beef mixture. Mix throughly. Fill each cupcake well to the top.


Cook 13-16 minutes.
After the 1st batch is done keep them warm in the oven while your next batch cook. But before you put these in the oven spread a little more ketchup on each meatloaf. This will give the tops a nice almost glaze like coating on their tops.

Add some mashed potatoes and peas and you are all set for dinner. Enjoy!!


As you can see I haven't started using my brand new red Babycakes Cupcake Maker. I guess I just love how clean it is. Maybe over the weekend. I have a great new cupcake recipe to share.

Happy snacking!!

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Monday, February 14, 2011

Look what I got!!!

A red one!!!


What a perfect Valentine's Day present!!

Now my pink one is for cupcakes and my red one is for appetizers!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!
Happy snacking!!


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HaPpY VaLeNtInE's DaY!!

I love Valentine's day!!!

I wanted to make something special and different for today. I don't usually use the little cook booklet that comes with the Babycakes Cupcake maker but I remembered there was a Red Velvet recipe in it. How perfect!!!

They came out great!!!
I wish you could see how beautiful the red color is. It just doesn't show up on my camera phone. :(











I frosted them with a cream cheese frosting - not the one in the booklet - but one I always use.
I feel most frostings are way to sweet. I like to taste the cream cheese in the cream cheese frosting.
Them I topped them with a little chocolate heart or "xo". Just melt some chocolate wafers and scoop into a plastic bag. At one of the bottom edges cut an opening do you can "draw" little hearts or anything you want. Make sure to paint them on to wax paper and to let them dry in the freezer. This makes the chocolate pieces easy to remove and place them where you need them.

Well I have to go. Today is one of my babies - Spike- 11th birthday and I'm making banana "pup"cakes!!











Hopefully they come out good so I can post the recipe later this week.

Cream cheese frosting

1 - 8 oz cream cheese - softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter - softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Blend cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add vanilla. Add sugar slowly until fully blended. Try not to eat all the frosting before you frost the cupcakes :)

Happy Snacking!

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Friday, February 11, 2011

Cupcake obsession

So I've taken a few days off from cooking in my Babycakes Cupcake maker but it doesn't mean I'm not at least thinking about it or about cupcakes and snacks. Plus I have a few new recipes in the works for the weekend and "pupcakes" - cupcakes for my dog Spike who turns 11 on Valentine's Day.

But here is a cute cupcake item I found at Kohl's Department store.


It's a cupcake dish towel and pot holder. Aren't they cute? They also have lots of cupcake items like dishes, aprons, and place mats. They will only be around until Valentine's day so hurry and get them while you can!
Happy snacking!!!
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Sunday, February 6, 2011

Mini Brownie Sundaes

So now that you have great appetizers for Super Bowl Sunday you need a great dessert.

Mini brownies Sundaes






Ok maybe these are a little fancy for a Super Bowl party but the brownies will make a great dessert all by themselves.

This recipe makes half a box of batter.

What you need:

Brownie mix
1 egg
1/4 cup of oil
1/3 cup of water
Paper liners
Cooking spray with flour

Mix up all the ingredients in a bowl (except for the liners and cooking spray). Mix well.
Put the liners in your Babycakes cupcake maker and spray with cooking spray. This will prevent the brownies from sticking to them. Cook the brownies for 5-8 minutes.

To make a (mini) Super Sundae Bowl for your Super Bowl Sunday:

Set up all ingredients in a "bar" like set up:

Brownies
Ice cream
Whipped cream
Chocolate syrup
Walnuts

Aren't the little martini glasses so cute!





Happy snacking!


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Saturday, February 5, 2011

Super Bowl Sunday Appetizer Number 3

Mini Hot Dogs wrapped in a puff pastry "bun".

I LOVE THESE!!
But let's face it- who doesn't love this tried and true appetizer favorite!!

What you need:

Mini hot dogs
Puff pastry - Sooooo much better than crescent dough!!!
Mustard, ketchup, relish, or any of your favorite sauces.

What you do:

Remove hot dogs from packaging. Dry off.
Cut puff pastry and wrap around hot dog like a "bun".









Cook 9-12 minutes. Repeat until out of hot dogs.

Put on a platter with sauces.









Happy snacking!





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Friday, February 4, 2011

Super Bowl app number 2

BBQ chicken flowers -

These are similar to the Buffalo Chicken Flowers but with BBQ chicken, sautéed onions and Monterey Jack cheese.

What you need:

Wontons wrappers
Cooked chicken about 1/2 a cup
BBQ sauce - I used a honey sweet BBQ but any will do
1/3 cup onion
Olive oil
Monterey cheese

Put the wonton wrappers in your BCCM and shape into cups.
Precook the wonton wrappers in your BCCM.
Cook for about 5-6 minutes - not cooked all the way but a little brown.

While they are cooking cut up your onion. Pour some olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion until the onion is a light golden brown.



Put aside.

Cut up your chicken into small pieces. Pour some BBQ sauce in a small pot. Add chicken and cook for a few minutes.

Now let's make them up:
The wrappers should still be in your BCCM. Put a little bit of the chicken mixture in each wrapper. Top with some of the sautéed onions. Sprinkle some cheese on top and cook for a few minutes until the cheese melts.


Take out and enjoy!

Until tomorrow with Super Bowl app number 3 and desserts too!!
Happy snacking!!


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Thursday, February 3, 2011

Super Bowl Sunday - I've got an app(etizer) for that!

Sorry I haven't been around the last week. But I'm back with some great appetizers and great desserts for the big game on Sunday. So let's get started!!

Bruschetta Bites - makes 8

What you need:

Pie crust
1/4 cup tomato - diced into small pieces
1/4 cup onion - also diced into small pieces
1 tbs Olive oil
Salt to taste
Garlic powder
Mozzarella cheese
A shot glass

What you do:

First, using the shot glass, cut the pie dough into circles. Place into your Babycakes.






Cook 5-8 minutes - just about all the way.
While the pie crust cooks, cut up the tomato and onion. Place in a bowl. Add olive oil, salt, and garlic powder to the tomatoes and onion.

Put a little of the tomato onion mixture on each of the pie crust circles that are still in the Babycakes. Cook 3 minutes. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and cook until melted - another 2-3 minutes.






Take out and enjoy!
Happy snacking!!
See you tomorrow for the next appetizer for Super Bowl Sunday!!



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