{Recipes} Quick Turkey Chili, Bacon Cornbread & Pumpkin Pie Popcorn

The weather is beautiful in Houston right now and today we are enjoying our first cold snip! To 'celebrate' the change in weather, tonight I plan to make Turkey Chili (the recipe is so easy & yummy!), Bacon Cornbread (a splurge, for sure!) and I just might try out this mouth watering Pumpkin Pie Popcorn I found on Pinterest.

Click the titles to find the recipes

Quick Turkey Chili

{image via Real Simple}

Recipe note: I like to leave out the chipotle chile in adobo, only because I do not like spicy food.

Bacon Cornbread

{image via Simply Delicious}

Pumpkin Pie Popcorn

{image via Family Bites}

Happy Fall Y'all!

{Fall} What I Plan to Bake This Fall

October is here and it finally feels like fall! October signals the beginning of the holiday season which is my absolute favorite time of year. It's no secret that I love all things sweet. Here is my "baking to do" list for the next few months...

Pumpkin Parfaits

{via Gourmet}

Autumn Brittle

{via Adventures in Cooking}

Apple Bundt with Brown Butter Vanilla Bean Glaze

{via A Farm Girl's Dabbles}

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Spice Bars

{via Recipe Girl}

Pumpkin Pound Cake

{via Sing For Your Supper}

Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread

{via Sunny side Up in San Diego}

Pumpkin Butter Thumbprints

{via Nook & Pantry}

Mini Pumpkin Pies

{via Make and Takes}

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

{via Dashing Dish}

Pumpkin Pie French Toast

{via Closet Cooking}

Candy Corn Rice Krispy Treats

{via Baked Perfection}

Candy Corn Bark

{via My Baking Addiction}

Hungry yet?!

** All recipes were found via Pinterest **

{Recipes} Pumpkin Pound Cake

{via Sing For Your Supper}

Fall is officially here {although it does not feel like it in sweltering Houston} and I have been itching to make all sorts of yummy fall goodness! My mouth has been watering at all of the delicious recipes floating around Pinterest. Over the weekend, I baked this Pumpkin Pound Cake from Sing For Your Supper blog and I thought it was delicious! It was dense and moist and not too sweet. Better yet, it was a cinch to make!

{via Sing For Your Supper}

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pound Cake

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup canola oil
3 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

In a large bowl, combine sugar and oil until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, cloves and pudding mix; add to egg mixture alternately with pumpkin, beating well after each addition.

Transfer to a greased bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-6o minutes (depending on your oven) or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack. Remove from pan and cool completely. Dust with confectioners’ sugar. Serves 12-16.

S'mores Loving

Today is National S'mores Day! Where do they come up with these days? But hey, I'm not complaining! S'mores make it on my top 5 desserts and just might be my #1 favorite! Here is a compilation of favor ideas, sprawling dessert tables and delicious recipes all including S'mores. What could be better?!

FAVORS

{via nicole Macaluso}

An elegant presentation of take home s'mores. The calligraphy is beautiful and really dresses it up!

{via Oh Happy Day}

I sure would be happy if someone hand me a s'mores kit on my way out of a party!

{via Oh Happy Day}

{via Twig and Thistle}

Great modern way of packaging all of the fixings for the yummy treat! This way, you can make more than one. Yes, please!

{vía Once Wed}

Adorable packaging!

DESSERT TABLES

{via Postcards and Pretties}

This table is so simple, but looks so chic and perfect for a small gathering at home. Easy for anyone to create!

{via Cookie Creatives}

This table is filled with options from strawberry to lime marshmallows and dark and white chocolate...

{via Cookie Creatives}

{via Posh Pixels Design Studio}

A cute and rustic table with a Western feel. Perfect for a party at a farm or ranch!

RECIPES

S'mores Cupcakes

{via Homemade by Holman}

S'mores Cupcakes

{via Bakerella}

S'mores Rice Krispy Treats

{via Glorious Treats}

S'mores Pops by Glorious Treats

{via Glorious Treats}

S'mores Cookies by Glorious Treats

{via Glorious Treats}

S'mores Bars

{via Love in the Oven}

Run, don't walk to the grocery store and grab these ingredients to make yourself a s'mores treat! I just love this dessert. And not only because it tastes so good, but for the casual and down home feel it gives. Another plus! S'mores are inexpensive and everyone loves them!

Happy National S'mores Day! Until next year...

{Recipes} Not Your Average Cupcake!

Bacon Herb Cupcakes

I saw this recipe in the latest issue of Southern Living and knew I needed to share it with you. These tasty treats are not your average cupcakes, that's for sure, and would go so well with many dinner entrees. They are simple to make as well!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups sour cream

1/2 cup cooked, finely crumbled bacon

1/2 cup melted butter

1/4 cup finely chopped assorted fresh herbs

2 green onions, chopped

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 cups self rising flour

6 ounces cream cheese softened

Garnishes: assorted fresh herbs, cooked and crumbled bacon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Stir together first 6 ingredients. Stir in flour until blended. Mixture will be thick. Spoon batter into lightly greased muffin pans, filling completely full.

Baket at 375 for 26-28 minutes or utnil golden brown.

Remove cupcakes from pans and to a wire rack, and cool completely.

Spread or pipe tops of cupcakes with cream cheese

{Recipes} Cranberry Poppers

Searching for alternative Christmas desserts, I came across this sweet confectionary from St. Louis Entertains. The ingredients and preparation are simple and the presentation idea is elegant.

Ingredients

* 2 cups granulated sugar

* 2 cups water

* 1 bag fresh cranberries

* 1 cup superfine or powdered sugar

Directions

Dissolve the granulated sugar in water over low heat in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer; remove from heat. (Do not boil - you do not want the cranberries to pop.) Stir in cranberries; pour mixture into a bowl which will be refrigerated for 8 hours.

Drain cranberries. Fill a container or bowl with the powdered sugar and coat the entire berry with it by rolling it around in the container. Spread out the berries on wax paper and wait for them to dry (about 1-2 hours). Keep in a cool, dry place for up to a week before serving.

{Recipes} Pumpkin Bread

{image via Flickr}

You will forever love me for this recipe! Seriously, this pumpkin bread is phenomenal and people will be asking you for the recipe. The recipe comes from a college friend whose family has baked the bread for years. Ever since I got my hands on the recipe, I have made it many times during the fall and winter holidays. I just made two loaves tonight to freeze and then serve on Thanksgiving morning!

Ingredients:

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

4 eggs

1 can Libby's pumpkin

2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees

* In a large bowl, mix the sugar and oil together

* Add the eggs and mix until yellow

* Add the canned pumpkin and mix

* In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon

* Then, add the bowl of dry ingredients to the egg/pumpkin mixture and mix.

* Add tsp of vanilla and stir again.

For Muffins:

Spray muffin tins or use liners and fill about 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Makes around 30 muffins.

For Bread:

Spray two loaf pans and divide batter evenly between the two pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 55 minutes.

{Recipes} Coca Cola Cake

{image via Bakerella}

Whew...busy, busy last few weeks! It's good to be back! Tomorrow is my hubby's birthday and he has requested my famous Coca Cola Cake. We have not had it in such a long time, so I am super excited about diving into it.

Christi's Coca Cola Cake

Cake Ingredients

1 cup Coke

2 sticks margarine

2 tbsp cocoa

2 cups sugar

2 cups flour, unsifted

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups small marshmallows

Icing

6 tbsp Coke

2 tbsp cocoa

1 stick margarine

1 box powdered sugar

Directions:

Combine Coke, cocoa and margarine and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add marshmallows - stir to melt. Mix flour and sugar. Pour hot mixture over them and mix well. Add baking soda to buttermilk and then add buttermilk, eggs, vanilla and salt to mixture. Pour into greased 13x9 pan. Bake 30-45 minutes at 325 degrees.

For icing: Combine Coke, cocoa and margarine and bring to a boil. Pour over powdered sugar and mix well. Pour over hot cake. {You can half the recipe if you do not want it too sweet}

{photo from our recent trip to Round Hill in Jamaica}

Happy birthday to my sweet husband!!! We will be eating lots of cake tomorrow!

Cupcakes in a Jar

OH MY! When I first came across these adorable cupcakes in a jar via Jackie Fo's blog, I HAD to look further. These look divine and I can't wait to try a similar version!! Visit MyCakies to learn the steps on how to recreate these tasty delights yourself...

Cupcakes I Want to Bake

Over the past year, these cupcakes have been in the back of my mind. I would love to try them soon! The Snickerdoodle Cupcake from Bakerella not only looks delicious, but is cute too! The Apple Pie Cupcake that I spotted on Birthday Girl is something my parents would love and is an interesting twist on the classic dessert. The Ice Cream Cupcakes in souffle cups are precious and would be perfect at any summer gathering. Just bake your favorite cupcakes and top with your choice of ice cream. Oh how I love marshmallows! These Devils Food Cupcakes filled with marshmallow cream from Social Couture sound divine. And last but not least, Mint Julep Cupcakes (or try a margarita version) with a straw for a garnish!

Bake and enjoy!

images: snickerdoodle cupcakes {bakerella}, apple pie cupcakes {birthday girl}, ice cream cupcakes {martha stewart}, devil's food cupcakes {social couture}, mint julep cupcakes {hwtm}

{Recipes} A Few of My Fiesta Faves!

Cinco de Mayo is a reason for me to visit one of my many favorite Mexican restaurants and splurge! But if you do not want to face the crowds at the Mexican eateries, here are a few of my favorite Fiesta staples!

Fresh Salsa

* 1 small can diced green chiles, drained

* 1 small can chopped black olives, drained (I like to dice mine)

* 5-6 green onions, chopped

* 2-3 medium tomatoes, chopped (seeds and juices)

* 3 tbs olive oil

* 1 1/2 tsp tarragon vinegar

* 1 tsp salt (I typically add a bit more)

Mix all together and refrigerate at least 3 hours.

Mexican Cocktail

This is so simple to throw together and is great for a group

* 6, 12 oz bottles of Corona

* 1, 12 oz can of frozen limemade concentrate

* 1/2 a lime

In a large pitcher, combine the frozen limemade and beer. Allow the foam to settle, then squeeze the lime into the pitcher and stir.

Tres Leche

This recipe entails a little more effort, but I promise it is worth it!

Cake

* 6 eggs

* 2 cups sugar

* 2 cups flour

* 2 tsp baking powder

* 1 tsp vanilla

* 1/2 cup milk

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together. Pour into a greased 13x9 baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done.

Syrup

* 2 cans evaporated milk

* 2 cans condensed milk

* 2 cans regular whole milk (use cans from condensed milk)

* 3 egg yolks (keep the egg whites for the icing)

Mix everything together in a bowl while cake is baking. When the cake is ready, cut cake in approximately 1 inch squares and pour the syrup all over. Let the cake absorb the syrup for a few minutes before you ice.

Icing

* 1 cup light karo syrup

* 1 cup sugar

* 3 egg whites

Place syrup and sugar in a small pot and bring to a gentle boil. Beat egg whites until they are sponge like and start pouring hot syrup into the mixing bowl, but do this slowly. Put a tiny drop of vinegar in the mix to kill the egg smell. When the icing is ready, spread over the cake and refrigerate.

Images: salsa (pioneer woman), drink (food network), tres leche (sylvia's)

{Recipes} Fuzzy Navel Mimosa

{image via Style Me Pretty}

This twist on a mimosa sounds very refreshing and would be perfect at any spring soiree or a Mother's Day brunch!

Fuzzy Navel Mimosa

makes 1 drink

* 1 ounce fresh orange juice

* 1 ounce peach nectar

* 1/2 ounce peach schnapps

1/4 ounce orange-flavored liqueur

4 ounces chilled Champagne

Combine the first four ingredients and top with Champagne.

{Recipes} Chocolate Pistachio Cake ~ Perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

I apologize for the lack of posts this week! We have been busy, busy over here and the weekend is just beginning. We're headed to our ranch and good friends are coming along. But I did not want to leave you with just one post for the week! Here is one of my favorite cakes that my mom used to make for me and her mom made for her. It is perfect for St. Patrick's Day AND it's simple too! Enjoy!

Chocolate Pistachio Cake

Ingredients:

* 1 package yellow cake mix

* 1 small package pistachio instant pudding

* 4 eggs

* 1 cup water

* 1/2 cup oil

* 1/2 tsp almond extract

* 1/4 cup chocolate syrup...sometimes I add a little more

* 1/4 cup powder sugar

Directions:

* Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a Bundt pan (Pam will work just fine).

* In a large mixing bowl, combine yellow cake mix with pistachio pudding. Add eggs, water, oil and extract and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.

* Put 1/3 of the batter in a small mixing bowl and mix with 1/4 cup of chocolate syrup.

* Pour the two batters into the pan, alternating the yellow and chocolate. Swirl a little of the chocolate into the yellow with a spatula.

* Bake 50-55 minutes; be sure not to undercook. Cool 15 minutes before removing from pan and cool on a wire rack.

* Cool completely and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

{cake images via Bakerella}

This cake is DELICIOUS and moist and stays that way for longer than usual! I would love to know if you decide to bake this!

Have a wonderful weekend and I will be back next week with lots of great real parties!

Pure Genius: Up Party Inspiration

I mean seriously! Could Bakerella be any more creative?! These are PERFECT for an Up party or you can serve them as dessert this Sunday while watching the Oscars!

Visit Bakerella for the EASY directions...

Recipes: Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

A friend gave me a recipe to a chocolate chip bundt cake that is DIVINE. It is super moist and what's even better is that is so easy to make!

{image via Food Network}

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix (no pudding added)

1 small box of vanilla instant pudding

1 small box of chocolate instant pudding

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup oil

4 eggs

semi sweet chocolate chips - I added about 8 oz

Directions:

* preheat oven to 350

* grease and flour bundt pan

* combine cake and pudding mixes in a bowl

* add oil and water and mix with a beater

* add eggs and mix

* stir in chocolate chips

* pour into bundt pan and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on your oven

ENJOY!

S'mores Bars

OK, YUM!!!!

We spent the weekend at our farm this weekend and even though we travel there often, I like to pretend it's vacation and splurge. I tried a few dessert recipes I have been wanting to make. Oh my goodness...these s'mores bars were divine!! Thank you Paula Deen!

S'mores Bars

makes about 2 dozen

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/3 cup all-purpose flower

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (about 6 sheets)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 (1.5 ounce) Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars

1 cup marshmallow creme (I used 1 1/2 cups)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed, until creamy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until combined.

In a small bowl, combine flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture, and beat until combined. Press half of dough in the pan, spreading evenly. Lay chocolate bars on top of dough, breaking apart as needed to create an even layer of chocolate. Spread marshmallow creme over chocolate bars.

Spread remaining dough over marshmallow creme and chocolate bars. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, depending on your oven temperature (I took mine out after 25 minutes).

Could This Be THE Cake?!

Tomorrow is my sweet hubby's birthday! I LOVE to bake, but my two crumb gobblers don't always "let" me hang out in the kitchen that long. J.P. told me that all he wanted was yellow cake from the box with chocolate icing from the can. Easy enough! But then I stumbled across this recipe from Smitten Kitchen via Birthday Girl...

image via Smitten Kitchen

images via Smitten Kitchen

For years I have tried to find THE yellow cake recipe, but ultimately, in my opinion, the box mix is so much better. But I gave it yet another shot tonight! It's cooling on the rack right now, so I will let you know how it turns out tomorrow. =) Until then!

Click HERE for the recipe.