Red White and Blueberry Cupcakes

Red White and Blueberry Cupcakes. A fun festive dessert for the 4th of July.

:: Red, White, and Blueberry Cupcakes ::

It’s officially summer! These Red, White, and Blueberry Cupcakes scream 4th of July! With our easy Whipped Cream Frosting, blueberries, shortbread, and raspberry topping, these patriotic treats are a great way to end your summer barbecues!  It’s crazy to think how quickly this year has flown by.  What is even crazier, is as I blog this post, we aren’t even out of school yet. Tomorrow is the last day of 1st grade for my son, and Wednesday is the last of preschool for Madeline.  I actually think at this moment, I should be doing a post about a celebratory drink that is being enjoyed over a few little tears.  I can’t believe my baby will be in kindergarten next year, and my oldest in second grade.  Though they are almost taller than me, I still think of them as little babies.  Okay, enough about that…..let’s get ready to rock 4th of July next week, with these Red White and Blueberry Cupcakes! [Read more…]

Tres Leches Cupcakes

Tres Leches Cupcakes. Perfect for Cinco De Mayo. Topped with Walkers Vanilla Shortbread and Whip Cream.

:: Tres Leches Cupcakes ::

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Sara, happy birthday to you!!! Oh my friends, you don’t know how much I appreciate my co-author and dear friend Sara! Today is her birthday, and we are going to celebrate with one of her favorite recipes, Tres Leches Cupcakes.  Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without my partner in crime.  She balances our Simply Happenstance in ways you don’t see.  We created Simply as a place to share our favorite things {food+family+lovelies}. It has grown because of our lovely readers and it keeps chugging away because of our partnership.  I am so very grateful for Sara.  I hope today turns out to be a relaxing and special with family. Soon Sara, we will have some Tres Leches together, maybe at Cafe Rio {wink}.  Happy birthday my friend!!! [Read more…]

Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins

Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins

 :: Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins ::

Oh, how a long school day can take the fun out of things! Okay I am only kidding, but it does take up the majority of our day, so why not make it a little fun with some Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins as a mid-day snack.  Yes, I know… muffins are just as wonderful paired with a cup of Joe, but these little mid-day treats make the day much more enjoyable!

Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins

Let me count the reasons why I love these muffins:

  1. They are made with ruby red strawberries.  Don’t they remind you of spring?
  2. This is actually a light recipe, so yes Mommy can have one…or two?
  3. Two {hidden} ripe bananas.
  4. Of course the piece of resistance….chocolate chips, yum!

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Pumpkin Dessert Squares

Pumpkin Squares

:: Pumpkin Dessert Squares ::

This week is the kick-off to all of our dessert consumption from now until New Year’s Eve.  Well, for me it usually goes beyond that, but I try! I have said it once, twice, three times “I LIKE PUMPKIN!” Too much, but lucky for me it coordinates well with this upcoming holiday. These Pumpkin Dessert Squares remind me of the homey smell of my Grandma Joan’s kitchen on Thanksgiving Day.  She always had a pot of mulling spices heated in a mini crock pot. The joyous aroma of nutmeg blended with pecans and pumpkin brings me back to my childhood.  Thankfully, I came across this recipe right after I got married and it has been a family favorite ever since.  What makes these Pumpkin Dessert Squares so special is the main ingredient called Muirhead’s Pecan Pumpkin Putter.  It can be found at Williams Sonoma. 

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Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins 1

:: Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins ::

Do you have an upcoming school event that that requires you to bring a healthy home made snack?  These Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins are the perfect fall treat.  Loaded with pumpkin flavor these little muffins make for an easy bite sized snack.  Made without nuts and the additive of applesauce and yogurt with a mixture of canned pumpkin these muffins won’t disappoint your little ones.  I know for myself, I often would love to bring in cupcakes for a birthday celebration or fall party, but these muffins were just as fun with half the sugar.  Easy to make and full of pumpkin spice flavor this is sure to be a new healthy fall treat to add to your list. [Read more…]

Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread

Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread

:: Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread ::

 

Bananas are a simple staple in our home.  They are used to create smoothies, toppings for cereal, and stand alone snacks.  I am a bit weird when it comes to this fruit, I only will eat a whole banana if it is a tad green {I am sure there are some of you that agree to this}.  That being the case, I always have enough ripe bananas to create a bread, dessert, or breakfast drink with. 

With a slight drop in the temperature and the start of autumn, I decided to turn these little gems into a breakfast dessert paired with a frosting infused with the caramel sauce that I used to create the Salted Caramel Ice Cream Recipe that we posted last week.  This Banana Caramel Breakfast Bread is a basic banana bread but kicked up a notch with the added creaminess of Greek yogurt and caramel.  I promise this will be become a favorite of yours. 

 

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