Cake Mix Cookies

Cookies! Oh how I love thee....

Cheap & Easy Cookies

Enjoy eating these light and soft baked cookies. Perfect for a gift to bring to a dinner party, for a friend, work or just for yourself :)

A plus with these cookies is that they are CHEAP! Thats my favorite :) Stock up the pantry when these items (Cake mixes and Cool Whip) go on BOGO or 10/10. I promise you won't regret it.

Experiment with these cookies yourself! See what you have in the pantry and fridge, set the oven to 350 degrees and get out your basics; which are:

• 1 box Cake mix
• 1 tub Cool Whip
• 1 Large egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350'
2. In medium bowl, beat cool whip, egg and cake mix until well blended. (dough will be thick and sticky) - I find it easier to use Kitchen aid mixer
3. Drop by tablespoonfuls into a bowl of powdered sugar and roll to coat OR right onto baking sheet (depends on the type of cookie you are creating).
4. Place cookies onto parchment lined cookie sheet OR onto lightly sprayed non stick cookie sheet
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes
6. When removed from oven, let cookie rest before removing or they will break apart

*Thats a total prep time of 5 minutes, bake time ~10 minutes = Total time 20 minutes after clean up :)
Voila!

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Depending on the cake mix that you have...

Here are some Cookie ideas -

• Basic cookie - flavor of choice cake mix, cool whip, egg and roll them or sprinkle confectioners sugar on top of cookie ball.
• Lemon burst cookies - lemon cake mix, grind some fresh lemon either into batter or on top of cookie
• Birthday cake cookies - confetti cake mix, add colorful sprinkles on top of balls before baking
• Double chocolate chip cookies - add chocolate chips to batter
• Strawberry cookies - strawberry cake mix
• Orange cookies - orange cake mix, grind in some fresh orange
• Mint chocolate chip cookies- chocolate cake mix, add chopped fresh mint or mint chocolate chips, add chocolate chips
• Chocolate peanut butter cookies - chocolate cake mix, 2 tbsp of peanut butter to batter and chocolate chips
• Sweet and salty chocolate cookies - chocolate cake mix, crushed pretzels to batter AND/OR (if you dare) crispy chopped bacon
• Cranberry vanilla cookies - vanilla cake mix, add dried cranberries to batter
• Chocolate pecan cookies - chocolate cake mix, add chopped pecans to batter
• Red velvet cookies - red velvet cake mix

ADD IN'S - chocolate chips, nuts, coconut shavings, fresh herbs, citrus grind, peanut butter, nutella, marshmellows, rice krispie treats, sprinkles, oreos, pretzels, crispy chopped bacon, chips, 1/2 cup pudding mix, kahlua and more! Be Creative :)

*Note* I have made different varieties of these cookies and sometimes the cookies came out flat and chewy after cooled OR puffy and light. This all depends on the cake mix.
If you have a cake mix that has pudding in it, they then won't go flat.

If you thaw out the cool whip slightly, its easier to mix.

Valentines Secret Message Gift

I came across this great idea for a Valentines gift to give your friends and family.
Inspired by the famous fortune cookies, these cute and chic meringue & chocolate cones are the perfect Valentines gift to give. You can never tell a friend or family member to many times how much they mean to you... why not write a small note and put that inside rather than a Valentines fortune? Just an idea....

So easy to do! All you need

ice cream waffle cones

meringues

melted chocolate

sprinkles (this is to put inside the cone, confetti surprise!)

note/fortune

This cute idea would ALSO be a fabulous addition to birthday parties, bridal showers, and baby showers :)

Blue & Yellow Bridal Shower

Welcome to my yellow and blue inspired Bridal shower I hosted for my best friend Jasmin in her backyard. The shower was at her St. Augustine home on a sunny May day.

The ladies invited were asked to be dressed like going to the Kentucky Derby (since it was the actual day of the Derby) cute sundresses and big hats :)

I rented white garden chairs for $3 a piece that I decorated with white and yellow paper with each guests name on the back of the chair (for their seat cards). From each chair hung the guests favor cones. I handmade each cone making everyones different and filled them with an assortment of candies.

The table setting included silverware, mason jars decorated with blue ribbon, blue napkin wrapped with yellow tulle and a handmade MENU for each guest. I decorated the table with a light yellow polka dot tableclothe (bought from the fabric store) and a white runner down the center of the table. I bought dark blue pails that were filled with lemons and yellow pails filled with green and white flowers.

On the patio I had our game "Guess the Price", Thank You cards for Jasmin to send out to her guests who attended, Sandal Guest book and everyones Letter to Jasmin about their friendship and love advise on getting married.

One of the games I had everyone participate in was "Guess the price". I bought an arrangement of different spices, chocolate and sauces that the bride-to-be guessed how much the basket was worth and everyone else had to guess what the bride guessed the basked was worth.

The cocktail for the shower was Jasmin's mother in law's Mojitos and my southern sweet tea lemonade (spiked)

When I sent out the invitations I also sent out this "Fill in Letter - to the Bride to be". Each guest brought this with a picture of the bride and themselves on the back.

Which says:

Dear _______,

It's been ____ Years that we've known eachother and if I remember correctly, the first time we met was _________________________________. We've shared so many ____ times together. But my favorite memory of you has got to be __________________________________. I think you and ___ are perfect for eachother because ____________________________________________________. If I could give you one peice of advice on marriage it would have to be _______________________
_____________________________________________. I am so happy for you and wish you much love and happiness as Mrs. _______ _______.

With Love,

Your name


A special and unique touch for Jasmin's guestbook was to buy her some cute sandals in which each guested signed the bottom of the shoe.

Our lunch was simple and beautiful

Spinach Salad (recipe below)

Mini Cornbread muffins (Jiffy recipe off of box)

-added cream corn and glass of pimentos for color.

Zuchinni wrapped pork tenderloin

-zuchinni was sliced thinly (on mandalyn), pork tenderloin was bought marinated in italian flavors and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces and wrapped in the zuchinni and baked til ready.

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese (recipe below)

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded Italian shredded cheese mix
3 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 pinch paprika

Cook macaroni according to the package directions. Drain.
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in enough flour to make a roux. Add milk to roux slowly, stirring constantly. Stir in cheeses, and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and the sauce is a little thick. (for a little surprise I added a little dijon mustard) Put macaroni in large casserole dish, and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
Sprinkle with a little paprika.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve.

Spinach Salad

6 slices crumbled crispy bacon

2 hard boiled eggs chopped
1 pound fresh spinach

Dressing: ( Make this in the blender )

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon chopped green onion
2 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 Tablespoon chives

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon prepared Mustard
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 ice cube or a little water

Mix the salad dressing ingredients in a container, shake well and chill. ( I use the blender and refrigerate it -- it is best to make a least several hours before serving or a day ahead if you can so the flavors can develop more fully. ) Pour dressing over the spinach, bacon, and eggs just before serving, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper if desired. Toss well and serve. The dressing keeps well for several days in the refrigerator. Serves 6 to 8.

The bride to be was smiling and enjoying every minute of the shower :) I'm so glad you loved everything!

And dessert.....

My mom came up with the best idea for dessert, she made by hand German individual berry fruit cakes (Frucht Kuchen) with hand whipped sweet whipped cream.

To finalize the shower I had everyone take memorable pictures in the backyard with this frame

The End!

The music playing at the shower was Melanie Fiona's album

"The Bridge".

Ladybug Inspired Baby Shower

Have you heard the buzz? A little lady is on the way!

Miss Baby Brunk!

Welcome to a ladybug inspired pink and green couples baby shower hosted by my aunt Joy and cousin Jordann. They did a fabulous job for the new parents to be Rachel and Isaac Brunk :)

I have to get the recipe from aunt Joy (still to come) - she made these delish cookies topped with icing and fresh fruit. The longer they sat the yummier they got :)

Marinated cheese bites topped with sundried tomatoes and speared with fresh rosemary. Handmade edible ladybugs were made from cherry tomatoes, olives, chives and black gel icing. How cute!

Can you guess who brought the cupcakes?! Aunt Heidi did :) I made an orange infused vanilla cupcake with cream cheese frosting. Topped with cute lady bug stickers, sticked onto a toothpick.

Jordann did a great job building the diaper cake!

Brunch time

We ate a yummy assortment of marinated cheese, ham sandwiches, shrimp pasta salad, fresh fruit, chicken salad sandwiches, egg casseroles, cheesy grits and sausage and biscuits! Our family knows how to cook :)

Onto all the wonderful gifts the little lady got for her 2010 clothing line and baby room :)

The little lady (with the help from Grandma and Auntie Jordann) made take-home favors for each guest filled with a yummy danish. Too cute!



Onto the Games!

This one is for the gentlemen!

1. untie your shoes

2. blow up your balloon as big as you can!

3. When we say go... stuff your balloon under your shirt

4. tie your shoes as fast... I mean as fast as you can!

5. First to tie their shoes is the winner!

The winner is: Father to Be - Isaac Brunk

It's not that easy now, is it!?

Keepsake photo to show the little lady when she gets older :)



Next game:

This is a timed game. We have a mommy, daddy and baby that needs its diaper changed.

Each parents gives up 1 hand, so this is a process of working together in the fastest time to get the babies diaper changed and clothed. We had 3 different couple battle with the fastest time. Winner was Myself and hubby (with no experience at all, lol)!

My family

Father in law Darryl - Isaac - husband Darren - Myself - Mother to Be Rachel - Mother in Law Kelly

Congratulations Isaac and Rachel! Can't wait to meet the little Lady :)

aka Grace, Lily, Ellen, Jenny, Aubrey, Anne, Bethany, Elle, Carlee or Beyonce (LOL)

Inside joke since the babies name is a secret!

Strawberry-Lime stuffed Cupcakes

These cupcakes would be perfect for any type of shower or event. Especially pink themed :) Enjoy!







Ingredients


1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
2 large eggs, room temperature
2/3 cup sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk


Icing


1 1/3 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 1/2 tablespoons finely grated lime zest
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice


Directions


1 drop green food coloring
6 large ripe strawberries, hulled
Green sanding sugar
Fresh mint leaves or candied leaves


Equipment: 6-cup jumbo muffin tin
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
In another medium bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer until light and foamy, about 2 minutes. While beating, gradually pour in the butter and then the vanilla.
While mixing slowly, add half the dry ingredients, then add all the milk, and follow with the rest of the dry ingredients. Take care not to over mix the batter. Divide the batter evenly in the prepared tin.


Bake until a tester inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool cupcakes on a rack in the tin for 10 minutes, then remove. Cool on the rack completely.
For icing: Mix the confectioners’ sugar and lime zest in a medium bowl. Add the lime juice and mix with an electric mixer to make a firm but pourable icing. (If needed, add up to 1 teaspoon more juice, but take care if the icing is too loose it doesn’t set properly.) Add food color to make a pale pastel green icing.


To assemble: Remove cupcake from its liner. Cut and remove a strawberry (coned) shaped portion of cupcake from the top of each cupcake, leaving about 1/2 to 1-inch of cake in the bottom. Stuff each cake with a strawberry and cover with a little bit of cake. Spoon and spread icing over the top of the cupcakes. Sprinkle with green sanding sugar. Top with small mint leaves or candied leaves.

Orea Cookie Cupcakes

Who could ask for a better cupcake when America's favorite cookie is involved! YUM!

Cupcakes

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups buttermilk, at room temperature


Whipped Cream Frosting

1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

3 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 tablespoons Oreo cookie crumbs


Garnish

24 Oreo cookie halves


Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the brown sugar and continue beating until fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until all the dry ingredients have been incorporated, being careful not to overmix.


Divide the batter between the prepared cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and let cool to room temperature.


To make the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until the whipped cream holds stiff peaks. Gently fold in the cookie crumbs with a rubber spatula.
Transfer the whipped cream to a pastry bag and pipe frosting decoratively on top of the cupcakes. Garnish with Oreo cookie halves.


Makes 24 cupcakes.

Pink & Black Bridal Calling Shower

Have you ever heard of a "Calling Shower"? A calling shower is intended when you have invited a large amount of guests, the guests come in, give their gift to the person who the shower is for, they open your gift and then the guest may stay, mingle and eat or leave with no hurt feelings.
It is actually one of the easier ways to have a shower because there does not need to be any games planned and you can come and go or stay for the whole time until the shower is over.




Our calling shower was themed in Pink and Black, the brides favorite colors. All 6 tables were decorated with black linen (bought by the yard from Walmart $2.00 yard) (hand sewn, so they can be washed & reused) pink silk table runner, glass vase with floating real pink gerber daisies, sprinkled crystal ice and diamonds around the table and to finish it off small silver picture frames with the bride and groom in black and white.

The Favors: were bright pink bath roses wrapped in black tulle and finished with a hot pink bow.

The Menu/Buffet

Fresh Mozzarella in Tomato cups

36 large cherry tomato's
6 oz fresh mozzarella cheese cut into 1/2 in cubes
1/2 cup Italian dressing
36 small basil leaves

Cut off tops of tomato's and with a melon baller scoop out inside. In a bowl, toss cheese and dressing. Place 1 cheese cube in each tomato: top each with a basil leaf.

Chocolate fountain with fresh strawberries and marshmellows

& the Shower Cake

Ham & Asparagus Rolls

48 fresh asparagus spears (about 4 lbs)
3/4 cup mayonaise
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
4 teaspoon chopped thyme
1 lb fresh ham

Fill baking dish with water and ice cubes, set aside
Cut off ends of asparagus to height wanted. Boil asparagus uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Place in ice water. Let sit for 3 to 5 min. Remove and pat dry.
Small bowl mix together mayo, mustard and thyme.
Spread mixture onto ham slice, roll tightly around asparagus spear. Store tightly in refrigerator.

Sandwiches

4 bags of wheat bread
cookie cutters of your shape choice - we used high heeled shoes and purses
tuna salad
pimento salad

chicken salad
egg salad

Cut your bread with the cookie cutters and spread your mixed salads on them, put together and its ready!

Roast Beef Bruschetta

1 package garlic toasts (fresh market)
1 container chive & onion cream cheese
1 lb thinly sliced roast beef (from deli)
1 container cherry tomatoes
bunch of green onions

Spread cream on garlic toasts, place thinly sliced roast beef on top then thinly sliced tomatoes and green onions.

Squash & Orzo Salad

2 zucchini's
2 squash's
1 bunch green onions
olive oil
2 boxes of orzo (noodle section)
fresh parsley
fresh dill
salt & pepper or seasoning
goat cheese or feta

Cut zucchini and squash into bite size pieces and saute in olive oil until tender. Boil and cook orzo (as package indicates) Drain pasta and toss together chopped parsley and dill with orzo and vegetables. Add salt and pepper and crumbled cheese.

Artichoke & Spinach dip

Chicken Salad cups
Bag of Tostito's scoop chips

Fruit Salad

fresh small cut strawberries
1 container raspberries
small cut pineapple
1 container blueberries
1 large container sour cream
3/4 cup light brown sugar

In large bowl mix together sour cream and brown sugar then toss together fruit, taste add sugar if needed and allow to sit covered for 3 hours in refrigerator.

Texas Caviar

The shower turned out everything more than what we intended and the bride to be received lots of gifts! Couldn't have been a better Calling Shower!

Congratulations Christine and Acea!

Pretty in Pink Punch

This photo caught my eye for its pretty pink color. Then the recipe sounded just as good as it looked. This Pretty in Pink Punch would be great for a Girls night dinner, Baby Girl Shower, Bridal Shower, Bridal Luncheon, Child's Birthday, Mother's day and more! (I did a similar punch at a Bridal shower, themed colored pink and brown) The recipe includes instructions for both non-alcoholic and alcoholic versions so you can please everyone.

Pretty in Pink Punch


Makes about 9 cups

Ingredients
1 (12-oz.) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed (photo from southernliving.com)
4 cups white cranberry juice cocktail
1 qt. club soda, chilled
Garnish: fresh mint sprigs

Preparation
Stir together lemonade concentrate and cranberry juice cocktail in a large pitcher. Cover and chill at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Stir in club soda just before serving. Garnish, if desired.

Champagne Punch: Substitute 1 (750-milliliter) bottle extra-dry Champagne or sparkling wine and 1/4 cup orange liqueur for club soda; proceed with recipe as directed