We have a birthday boy today!

My third son, Dylan, is turning 12 today...his last year of being a tween! In honor of the birthday cake, which I decorated myself, I'm posting my favorite frosting recipe that I use when I decorate cakes. My BFF Lisa shared this with me several years ago and although it's pretty sweet it's always a hit.

Decorating Frosting

• 1/2 c. Crisco shortening
• 1/3 c. marshmallow creme
• 3/4 tsp. pure vanilla (not the extract! if you can't get the pure stuff use double the amount of clear vanilla extract)
• 1/4 tsp. butter flavoring
• 1/4 tsp. almond flavoring
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 lb. powdered sugar

Mix all ingredients on low with your mixer. When they are mixed, whip at high speed until fluffy! (I love my KitchenAid stand mixer!)


As long as I'm posting a frosting recipe, I'm going to post our favorite chocolate frosting recipe, found on a box of Hershey's baking cocoa!

Chocolate Lover's Frosting

• 1/2 c. butter or margarine
• 2/3 c. baking cocoa
• 5 - 6 Tablespoons milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 cups powdered sugar, divided

Mix butter, cocoa, milk vanilla and 1 cup of powdered sugar with your mixer. Add the rest of the powdered sugar, a cup at a time and mix well after each addition. Whip on high speed until fluffy and lighter in color.

That's all for today, I have a birthday party to prepare for! ~hugs~

More appetizer ideas!

Here are a few more appetizer ideas!

Tortilla wraps! Spread a tortilla with cream cheese or a salad dressing, add mean and chopped veggies and roll up. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours, then remove from the plastic wrap and slice in 1 inch slices. You can use a toothpick to keep it rolled if need be. Here are some ideas:
Chicken Caesar wrap: Caesar dressing mixed with a bit of cream cheese, stir in chopped red pepper and chopped black olives. Spread on the tortilla, layer with a loose lettuce leaf and canned chicken.
Pizza wrap: Cream cheese spread with pizza sauce, add chopped pepperoni or ham and some cheese. Other options include chopped mushrooms or black olives.
Veggie wrap: Cream cheese mixed with chopped black olive, green onion, pimento, wrapped around a carrot stick or green pepper slice. Add cheese if desired.


Here's one I LOVE during the fall/winter holidays!

Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sour cream
2 Tbsp. honey
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 15 oz. can whole berry cranberry sauce
1/3 c. slivered almonds (optional)

Mix the first 4 ingredients until smooth. Spread evenly on a plate or serving dish. Stir cranberry sauce until it spreads easily; top cream cheese mixture with cranberry sauce. Sprinkle with almonds if desired and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours before serving with crackers.

My first post!

Well, here we are! I thought since we're at the beginning we'll start with Appetizer recipes that I love!

Here's one that my mom made when I was growing up and passed along to me. My kids love it and I frequently make it for any BBQ's, holiday parties....any party!

PARTY CHEESE BALL

• 2 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
• 2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 Tbsp. chopped pimento
• 1 Tbsp. finely chopped green pepper
• 1 Tbsp. finely chopped onion
• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp. lemon juice

Beat together the cheeses until well blended. Add rest of ingredients and mix well. Shape into a ball or spoon into a small bowl. Store in refrigerator
You may also opt to roll the cheese ball in grated or finely chopped nuts!
Serve with Triscuits, Ritz crackers or any other appetizer cracker!


This is another appetizer that my kids enjoy, and it's a great way for them to get veggies!

VEGGIE PIZZA

• 1 baked pizza crust (you can use prebaked, Jiffy, Pillsbury, or homemade!)
• 1 pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix
• 2 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese
• 1 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
• Chopped veggies: broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, black olives, tomatoes, mushrooms, green onion)
• Shredded Cheddar cheese

Combine the dry Ranch dressing mix, cream cheese and mayonnaise or Miracle Whip. Spread on the baked pizza crust. Sprinkle with chopped veggies and cheese. Cut into serving size pieces. Store in the refrigerator.


Both my mom and I are diabetic, and I found this fruit dip recipe that we can enjoy!

LOW SUGAR FRUIT DIP

• 1 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 small pkg. vanilla sugar free pudding
• 8 oz. Lite Cool Whip
• Dash of rum extract
• Dash of coconut extract

Cream pudding mix and cream cheese. Fold in Cool Whip and flavorings. Store in refrigerator.


Other appetizers we like include meatballs in different sauces (cream of mushroom soup, BBQ sauce, sweet & sour sauce), chicken wings in BBQ sauce, deviled eggs made with spicy brown mustard instead of regular mustard, and veggies/crackers with this dip:

SPINACH DIP

• 16 oz. sour cream (can be lowfat)
• 2 c. mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
• 1 pkg. Knorr vegetable soup mix.
• 1 8 oz. can water chestnuts, finely chopped (optional)
• 2 10 oz. pkgs. frozen spinach, thawed

Squeeze the frozen spinach until you've squeezed out as much liquid as possible. Chop. Mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise or Miracle Whip and vegetable soup mix. Add water chestnuts and spinach and stir well. Chill about 4 hours before serving.