Mini S'mores Tortes

This week finally feels like Summer around here and I am drinking it in. Sunshine, swim lessons, and s'mores.



But not just any s'mores my friends. Over at our house we are devouring these mini s'mores tortes.

Crisp graham cracker and pecan crust, a cool, rich chocolate and coconut cream filling, topped off with a handful of warm, toasted mallows.

Perfect for Father's day, a warm summer evening with friends, or a midnight snack. :)

And today I'm sharing the recipe with Stephanie over on Somewhat Simple. Click HERE for the recipe!

Shared HERE.

Wholesome Mini Yellow Cupcakes

Guys I seriously love me some mini cupcakes. And this particular version is full of all sorts of healthy wholesome ingredients.



After all the test cakes that went into this recipe, Tyson deserves a blue ribbon for his expert taste-testing abilities... but in the end I ended up making just a few changes from the chocolate version back here.

And heaven knows the girls were all about tiny cupcakes slathered in Nutella and dipped in rainbow sprinkles.

I'm oh so excited to be sharing this recipe with Rebecca over at Simple as That! You can find the full recipe here! Hope you love it as much as we do!

Holiday Warmth + Cranberry Salsa

My favorite part of this time of year are the evenings spent huddled in rooms too small for the laughter and friends they hold. Nights filled with food and family that just full you with warmth. Gatherings that you hold close to your heart as you remember the joy of the holiday season.

For nights like these I revel in the ease of simple recipes that are festive, fun to share, and easy to make. Today I'm sharing one of my favorite simple recipes for holiday entertaining over on my friend Natalie's blog, Let's Get Together.

So I just have to take a quick moment to gush over Natalie. We were neighbors at one point during college and I'm not even sure when it happened, but one day I woke up and found myself so grateful to know her and I've counted my lucky stars ever since.

Throughout our friendship she has always been that friend that has encouraged, lifted and inspired me to do and be better. I'm a firm believer that the friends that motivate you to make more of yourself are truly the best kind.

You can find the recipe HERE.

Guest Post: Smore's Bark

Hi there! My name is Beth and that is my hunky husband Ryan.

 
 You can find me over at The First Year Blog, where I share recipes, crafts, and insight into our first year of marriage (10 months and counting!). I was super excited when Shannon contacted me about teaming up, I love making blogger friends! And I have something super fun to share with you!!

This is a very quick recipe, less than 10 minutes to make.. which means you get to enjoy it sooner!

S'mores Bark Ingredients
1 pound milk chocolate (chocolate chips are great)
2 tsp vegetable oil, to help melt the chocolate
1 cup broken graham crackers
1 cup marshmallows
You can always add more grahams and marshmallows!

Directions Line a 9 X 13 inch cake pan with parchment paper, don't skip this step thinking you can just use cooking spray.. I tried on one pan and it didn't release the bark. Leave some overhang, so the parchment paper goes up on the sides of the pan.

Next you want to melt the chocolate, I like to do that in the microwave. Put the chocolate chips in a microwaveable bowl along with 2 tsp of vegetable oil. Melt the chocolate by 30 second intervals, stirring each time. Once the chocolate is melted, pour it into the prepared pan making a flat, even layer.

Now add the marshmallows and broken graham crackers, pushing each one into the chocolate. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. Then peel off the parchment paper and break the bark into pieces. Store in the refrigerate until you're ready to serve it.

Adapted from Martha Stewart This recipe is a very simple twist on gooey s'mores, although nothing beats a toasty marshmallow and melty chocolate! Be sure to stop by my blog and check out Shannon's guest post! 

Want to stay connected? You can find me on these sites!
 

 


>>Linking up here:  Chef in Training, Naptime Creations, Ladybug Blessings, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Sugar Bee Crafts,  Blessed With Grace, Blackberry Vine, Mandy’s Recipe Box, Sweet Little Gals, The Winthrop Chronicles

Guest Post: The Little Delights in Life

Today I am so excited to feature Brooke -- cake decorator extraordinaire and author of  The Little Delights in Life. Check out this beauty...

Today she is sharing her chocolate, vanilla, and white cake recipes. And the best part? Each are adapted from a cake box mix! Thanks Brooke! Can't wait to try these!

I like to make cakes that are fast and easy... so I use a mix from a cake box. Let's just put it this way, when you spend so much time on decorating a cake I just don't have the energy to make a cake from scratch and still have time left over to breathe. They taste just as great especially if you modify the recipe on the box. They are very moist and people never know the difference!

1 box of chocolate cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup of milk*
1 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)

1 box of yellow cake mix
1 package (4 oz.) vanilla pudding mix (powder)
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 box white cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup milk*
1 tsp. vanilla/almond/lemon extract (you can choose which flavor you like best)


Combine the cake mix with all of the ingredients. Bake at 350 for 14-16 minutes (for cupcakes) or if you are making a cake follow the time instructions on the box but make sure you keep checking on the cake! I have found that ovens vary and I always have to be careful. To check to see if the cake is ready, touch it with your finger lightly and if it springs back then you're good to go!


*You can also substitute 1 cup of sour cream instead of milk! I know it sounds gross but if you are ever daring enough to try it, it makes the cake so moist!