Apple Sour Cream Cake W/Brown Butter Frosting

 I found this recipe on Pinterest and I just knew

when it popped into my view

that I would have to make it.

I even featured this cake on 

Pinterest & Spontaneous Treasures Thursday.

 I did a little something different though. 

I made a brown butter frosting to put on top.

First time ever making anything with brown butter.

And if I would have known what I was missing.....

Brown butter totally changes the taste of everything.

This cake recipe came from My Favorite Things.

The frosting was an experiment.

An amazingly successful experiment.

Apple Sour Cream Cake

1 box yellow cake mix

1 1/4 c. water

3/4 c. sour cream

1/4 c. butter, melted

3 eggs

2 small apples, peeled, grated and squeezed dry

Cinnamon Swirl Filling:

1 medium apple, peeled and chopped

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/3 c. chopped pecans

1 c. mini marshmallows

1 TBS unsweetened baking cocoa

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. grated lemon peel

1 TBS lemon juice

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13x9 inch pan with cooking spray.

In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, sour cream, melted butter and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in grated apple.

In medium bowl, stir together the filling ingredients

Pour half of the cake batter into pan; sprinkle evenly with filling. Top with remaining batter. With knife, cut through batter several times to swirl filling.

Bake 28-30 minutes or until wooden pick tests clean. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack.

Brown Butter Frosting

2 c. confectioners' sugar

2 TBS browned butter

2 TBS milk 

2 tsp. vanilla

Place confectioners' sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. 

Brown butter in small skillet until nice and golden brown.

With mixer on low speed, slowly add the butter, then milk, then vanilla.

Pour on top of the cooled cake.

This recipe is linked to:
Hungry Little Girl ~ Wednesday Extravaganza
Foodie Friends Friday
The Better Baker ~ Weekend Potluck

Chili ~ It's Oh So Chilly ~ It's A Good Time For Chili

 How many of you are like me and bite at the bit during the 

summer just to see it cool down enough for a big

bowl of chili?

WOW!! That was a mouthful.....

But better yet, I loved this mouthful of chili since

the weather is fit for it.

 My mom!

I really think her and her husband have some kind of food fetish.

I'm serious!

They could probably be listed really close to being HOARDERS.

I love going to my mom's just to look through the food that she

has collected. And the funny thing is, there is just the two of 

them. They are not feeding anyone but themselves.

1 + 1 = 2

But anyway, the last time I was there I found this 32 oz. carton

of Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup.

AH HA!! I'm thinking chili.

My thoughts became reality....

And isn't it amazing what an old broken chair can do for photos?

Chili

2 pounds ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, ground sausage (your choice)

1/2 of an onion, diced

1 packet chili seasoning mix

1 reg can diced tomatoes (your choice of flavors), (undrained)

1 reg can black beans (rinsed and drained)

1 reg can chili beans

1 reg can red kidney beans

1 - 32 oz carton Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup

Salt & Pepper to taste

(Also, if you don't like the consistency of the soup, you can add tomato juice to thin it)

Brown the ground meat and onion together until meat is cooked thoroughly (drain if there is a lot of grease). Add chili seasoning and let it cook into meat. Add all the remaining ingredients, cover with a lid and let simmer on low for about an hour. Serve with peanut butter sandwich, of course.

This recipe is linked to:
Foodie Friends Friday

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party

 What an AWESOME giveaway this weekend.

Do you ever take your crock pot to 

pot lucks,

family gatherings,

or church luncheons?

I DO!

Cotton Commotion is giving away two crock pot carriers.

I would love to have a carrier to make hauling easier.

I might just take my crock pot more often if I had 

something to carry it in.

You will for sure want to get in on this drawing and

link party. Bring your best recipe for more chances

to win.

 Okay, holidays are fast approaching and I want to bring you

recipes that will make you the spotlight in the family.

The spotlight that says you always bring the best foods to share.

Hold on, let me grab my magnifying glass and I'll be right back.

Look at the recipe I found for you.....

Buckeyes! 

I'm telling you, buckeyes will get you lots and lots of 

hugs and kisses. 

Guaranteed!

 Last weekend was so much fun.

The Halloween Freaky Friday party was amazing!

The recipes with the most clicks are:

Recipe Roundup with Pumpkin Bundt Cake

The Better Baker with Peanut Butter Pumpkins

Adorned Well with Loaded Potato Soup

 Top voted last week are:

Feeding Big with Moist Caramel Apple Cupcakes

The Better Baker with Peanut Butter Pumpkins

A Girls Gotta Nest with Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Congratulations to all of you!

And the 12 winners of the random prizes are listed below.

Congratulations!

Let's start another great party!

A'lil Country Sugar Host Favorite is:

Addicted to Recipes ~ Peach Shortcake Muffins

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your Hosts:

Foodie Friends Friday http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com

Robyn's View http://www.robynsviewathome.blogspot.com

Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/

Lindsey at Family Food Finds  http://www.familyfoodfinds.com

Cindy at Cindys Recipes and Writings  http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com

Michelle at  From Calculus to Cupcakes http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.com

Cynthia at Feeding Big  http://www.feedingbig.blogspot.com

Jodie at Binomial Baker http://www.binomialbaker.blogspot.com

R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

Angie at A lil Country Sugar http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com

Jutta at HungryLittleGirl http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/

Ericka at Chef PickyKid and Me http://www.chefpickykid.com

Skye at A Virtual Essence http://www.avirtualessence.blogspot.com

Pinterest & Spontaneous Treasures Thursday

Even though we have been experiencing what is called an 

Indian Summer, I am still looking for comfort.

I know the cold temps are going to be here soon,

and I want to get my body warmed and ready.

This menu meal is perfect for doing just that.

Come along, take me to the grocery store with you by using

your high tech phone, 

or just make your list and take it along with you.

You are not going to want to let this meal pass you by.

This Chicken Gnocchi Soup just looks like comfort, doesn't it?

I thought so too.

I can't wait to eat this scrumptious bowl of creamy goodness.

I found this recipe at Jamie Cooks It Up.

She has some wonderful step by step instructions, 

and this will be completed in just minutes.

These muffins are just begging to be served with that soup,

don't you think?

Anything with feta cheese just screams comfort.

I found these gorgeous muffins at Mias Domain.

These can also be tossed together in minutes.

Stick these beauties in the oven while you are making your soup,

and you will end up with the perfect date.

Feta Corn Muffins and Chicken Gnocchi Soup.

They may even end up married.

Ending this meal, I wanted to continue with the comfort foods.

I didn't want to end it with something that was going bite

and take away from my AH feeling.

So I continued the warmth with Apple Crisp.

Pour a little cream or milk over this,

or top with whipped cream, and you will be

saying, "AHHH" as soon as you hit that evening recliner.

One thing you need to be aware of when eating this meal,

you may end up with an early bedtime.

Just a warning!

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes, Feel the Heat

 Hot Chocolate Cupcakes!

Can you believe it?

And they taste just like you are drinking a cup of hot chocolate.

I don't think these will ever replace my soothing hot chocolate,

but for a special treat,

they are kinda kick'n.

 Have you ever used anything made of silicone?

These are pretty cool too.

A friend of mine gave me these,

and I don't think I will go back to using a cupcake pan

anytime soon.....

You bake your cupcakes in these beauties and they just

pop right out after they are done baking.

Let them cool first, of course.

And as you can see, I had a mishap in the kitchen.

Yes, it does happen.

And I am not one to keep secrets,

or make the picture really pretty.....

I screwed up, and I'm going to tell you I screwed up.

The recipe called for prepared chocolate pudding.

I know how to prepare pudding right?

But I think the recipe meant canned chocolate pudding.

I used instant.

I also used Almond Breeze for my milk amount.

Ha! As you can see, it didn't set up.

Yup, it was quite runny.

See it running off the top of the cupcakes?

And then my whipped cream started running

with the pudding.

Not running with the devil, running with the pudding.
(although I was angry enough, I could have been)

They still tasted great though.

Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

1 pkg. (about 16 oz.) pound cake mix, plus ingredients to prepare the mix

1 tsp. instant coffee granules 

4 containers (4 oz. each) prepared chocolate pudding (here is where I went wrong)

2 1/2 c. whipped topping, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 15 muffin cups with baking spray. Prepare cake mix according to package directions, adding coffee granules with the cake mix. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling two-thirds full.

Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick checks clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove to wire rack; cool completely.

Combine chocolate pudding and 2 cups whipped topping in medium bowl until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Top each cupcake with chocolate pudding mixture and dollop of whipped cream. You can sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa powder.

This recipe is linked to:
Hungry Little Girl ~ Wednesday Extravaganza
Lady Behind the Curtain ~ Cast Party Wednesday
High Heels & Grills ~ Work it Wednesday
Miz Helen't Country Cottage ~ Full Plate Thursday
The Better Baker ~ Weekend Potluck

Apple Cider Sangria ~ Take Some Time To Slow Down

 I think we should take some time to slow down this week.

Let's stop to taste the wine,

Relax with the season's change,

And sip some flavors of Fall.

 I have been pushing a bottle of citrus Sangria to the back

of my refrigerator for a while now.

You know how that goes, right?

Something more interesting gets placed in the front,

easy reach,

easy access....

So, my Sangria ended up clear in the back corner.

Well, I was in need of some relaxation,

so I took inventory of what was in my fridge,

fruit basket,

and other beverages on hand.

This is what I came up with.

Apple Cider Sangria

1 bottle Madria Sangria (traditional fresh citrus)

2 1/2 c. apple cider

1 c. Sprite

1 chopped or sliced apple (honeycrisp)

Mix all together in a punch bowl and serve in wine glasses.

Instant relaxation.

This recipe is linked to:
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen ~ Manic Monday

Foodie Friends Freaky Friday

 Are you scared yet?

Halloween is not one of my favorite holidays.

I love the crafty ideas, jack-o-lanterns, and all the scary decorations,

but I don't like the scary part of it.

Call me a wimp, chicken, scardie-cat, and fuddy-dud.....

Halloween is the holiday I will accept being called names.

You will find me curled up in my house under a blankie.....

But we have an awesome party for you today.

12 winners will be drawn this weekend.

Just look at the list of prizes:

 The Tape Shop ~ Soft shabby frayed chiffon flower trim on netting.

Victoria Designs ~ Halloween Labels

You Name It Designs ~ All personalized any way you want

Songbird Greetings ~ Visit the Etsy store to see what they have

Lenore's Attic Art Works ~ Another Etsy store

I hope you have fun this weekend, and I wish you all the best of luck.

 Since you are going to have tons of Halloween parties to attend....

You will, right?

Here is an awesome cheese ball that will keep your guests coming

back for more and more and more....

Feta Cheese Ball

This is great served with pretzels.

 For last weeks party, the recipes with the most clicks are:

Cozycakes Cottage ~ Chocolate Snack Cake with

Biscoff Buttercream

Busy Vegetarian Mom ~ Hashbrown Crusted Quiche

Cozycakes Cottage ~ Apple Filled Pull-Apart Bread

 Voted top 3 recipes last week are:

Who Needs A Cape? ~ Cheapo Pumpkin Spice Latte

Who Needs A Cape? ~ Pumpkin Pancake Palooza

Who Needs A Cape? ~ Easy Bacon Wrapped Garlic Chicken

And the randomly drawn winners last week are listed below.
Congratulations!

A'lil Country Sugar Host Favorite:
Cozycakes Cottage with Chocolate Snack Cake with Biscoff Buttercream

Now onto the party!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Your Hosts:

Foodie Friends Friday http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com

Robyn's View http://www.robynsviewathome.blogspot.com

Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/

Lindsey at Family Food Finds  http://www.familyfoodfinds.com

Cindy at Cindys Recipes and Writings  http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com

Michelle at  From Calculus to Cupcakes http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.com

Cynthia at Feeding Big  http://www.feedingbig.blogspot.com

Jodie at Binomial Baker http://www.binomialbaker.blogspot.com

R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

Angie at A lil Country Sugar http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com

HungryLittleGirl http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/

Pinterest & Spontaneous Treasures Thursday

 Last week I had to skip Pinterest & Spontaneous Treasures Thurday

to bring you a very important recipe.

Top priority!

Very important!

And wanted to be immediately entered into kitchens....

Do you remember?

These wonderful Pumpkin/Carrot Cupcakes W/Maple Praline Frosting.

So, now that that is taken care of, we can get back to planning menus.

I have something great planned for you this week,

and I can't wait for this to be placed on my table.

 This recipe for Sunday Style Tomato Sauce with Pork

comes from Living the Gourmet.

When this recipe caught my eye, of course I had to go searching 

for more greatness that may be offered. 

I see lots of good things (foods) on this blog. 

Spend some time there and see what else YOU can find.

 Sweet Pea's Kitchen is always doing wonderful things.

But you already know that, right?

This pumpkin cornbread looks fantastic, and I'm curious to try it.

Normally it is said that you must serve garlic bread with pasta and sauce.

I think it is a foodie law somewhere written in the books.

But I want to be different. 

I think this cornbread would be perfect with the pork sauce.

Have me arrested.....

Just as long as my jail cell is located in a kitchen.

And for a light dessert, I would like to see these beauties on a plate.

In very close reaching distance.....

This recipe comes from 365 Days of Baking.

How about sinking your teeth into those apples????

Enjoy your meal this week, and please don't report me to the

garlic bread police....

Pizza Pasta Bake ~ The Lovely, The Country Cook

 I have put this off long enough. 

It seems like this dish has been pushed aside one too many times.

If you don't know Brandie, aka The Country Cook,

please take some time to get to know her.

She shares fantabulous recipes that are

simple,

family pleasing,

and very satisfying.

Her Facebook page is constantly busy with perfect dishes

that she creates. That's how I found this awesome meal.

She is also involved in a small blogging group (Weekend Potluck) that has

taken the time to put together an eCookbook.

Weekend Potluck Fall Favorites.

If you are looking for some great recipes, I suggest you

purchase this eCookbook.

 I didn't make any drastic changes to this recipe.

Coming from Brandie, I don't have to.

The only thing different I did was added one small chopped green

pepper and just a little more garlic. 

What can I say?????? I LOVE garlic.

 Instead of me posting the recipe here,

I'm going to take you to The Country Cook's recipe.

Her pictures are great, and she provides awesome instructions.

The picture above is what it looks like before the pepperoni and

cheese are added.

 This is right before it enters the oven. 

Looking pretty good, huh?

 Right after it comes out of the oven.

Kind of resembles a pizza, right?

I left mine sit for about 5-10 minutes before cutting into it.

What a perfect meal.

And you can serve this with whatever you like.

I chose cottage cheese as my side,

but a salad and some garlic toast would be great.

Thank you Brandie for such a wonderful meal idea.

This recipe is linked to:
Foodie Friends Friday

Foodie Friends Friday and a New Venue

One thing about the internet and online services.....they are always changing. 

Always trying to do better.

Always trying to reach more.

Always fulfilling reader's needs.

Always making life easy.

Now if we could just find that magic button that cooks for us, cleans for us, works for us, and yes, sleeps for us. Life would be perfect!

Making life easy is one of our top priorities in today's world, living, and life style. If information can be found at the touch of a button, life is grand. Right?

I would like to share with you some new information that may brighten your day. It has brightened mine, that's for sure.

You know that awesome Foodie Friends Friday recipe link party that goes on every weekend? 

Your hosts for that party have gotten together to create something amazing.

Something to make your life simple.

Something to provide information to those nagging research questions.

Something to make your life easy.

We have created that magic button......

(I wish!)

No, for real, we have created an online foodie magazine just for you.

It is called Foodie Friends Friday Daily Dish.

The magazine will be loaded with recipes, Pinteresting items and information, gardening tips, health information, healthy recipes, guest posts, product reviews, and it will involve one-on-one interaction with YOU the readers. How awesome is that? We have been working hard to get this new Site up and running. 

We are inviting you today to take a peek at what has been created so far.

Check it out here!

So, what do you think? Did you go check it out?

We love feedback, ideas, and insight to help us constantly improve. And don't forget about that subscribe by email section. We would love for you to stay involved with us through our future endeavors.

The authors of this magazine are:

Owner ~ Tracy @ Busy Vegetarian Mom, Foodie Friends Friday

Angie @ A'lil Country Sugar

Cindy @ Cindy's Recipes and Writings

Cynthia @ Feeding Big

Dawn @ Spatulas On Parade

Jodie @ Binomial Baker

Lindsey @ Family Food Finds

Lois @ Walking on Sunshine

Marlys @ This and That

Michelle @ From Calculus to Cupcakes

Robyn @ Robyn's View

If you would like to meet all of us, get to know us better, and read our bios, you can click here.

Foodie Friends Friday

 Everybody likes, loves, admires a clean house, right?

I know I do. 

I am kind of finicky when it comes to certain things.

Bathrooms

Especially my kitchen

Bedrooms

And my living room area should always be accepting guests.

Clean Mama has got some really great ideas to make

your everyday cleaning more simple.

You can follow her at:

Facebook

Blog

Etsy

Make sure you check out her social sites to see what she has to offer.

 It's all about pumpkin!

The month of October should have been named Pumpkober.

Okay, that was kind of silly.....

But anyway, I have a fabulous Pumpkin Bars recipe that

I'd like to share with you.

And while walking through the archives I had to fight off

skeletons, goblins, ghosts, and ghouls.

Just say'n.....

Hope you enjoy it.

Pumpkin Bars  

 Last week at Foodie Friends Friday the most clicks went to:

Hun.....What's For Dinner? with Pepper Jelly Turkey Meatballs

 Hungry Little Girl with Peanut Butter & Jelly Poke Cake

Sweet Heat Chefs with Gingerbread Pumpkin Cheesecake

 The three top voted recipes went to:

Hungry Little Girl with Peanut Butter & Jelly Poke Cake

High Heels and Grills with Zombie Eyeballs

Crumbs in my Mustachia with Lemonlicious

And the winners of the gorgeous headbands are listed below.

Congratulations!

A'lil Country Sugar host favorite is:
High Heels and Grills, Zombie Eyeballs
Huge zombie fans in this household.....Perfect for a Halloween party.

By now you should all know that we switched to Rafflecopter 

to do our drawing for the winners of the awesome giveaways.

Our reason for doing this is so the readers, not just bloggers,

can get in on the giveaways too.

Let's start another party......

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Your hosts:

Foodie Friends Friday http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com

Robyn's View http://www.robynsviewathome.blogspot.com

Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/

Lindsey at Family Food Finds  http://www.familyfoodfinds.com

Cindy at Cindys Recipes and Writings  http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com

Michelle at  From Calculus to Cupcakes http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.com

Cynthia at Feeding Big  http://www.feedingbig.blogspot.com

Jodie at Binomial Baker http://www.binomialbaker.blogspot.com

R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

Angie at A lil Country Sugar http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com