Easter Sweets

Happy day after Easter!

I'm sitting outside on this BEAUTIFUL day as I write this post. Spring is actually starting to make its appearance, and I couldn't be more thankful. If I have to endure another day of 35 degrees and rain (like last Monday), I might go crazy. Literally. And moving to Florida will be the only logical solution.

It would have been fortunate if we had this beautiful day yesterday, but we weren't so lucky here in the Atlanta area. It was pretty gloomy, but the rain only lasted a few minutes, and we got to get a couple of pictures on the deck in front of the pretty cherry trees!

Our Easter was wonderful! We had a delicious breakfast of Nutella Cinnamon Rolls (recipe coming soon), followed by church, a steak lunch, and an afternoon of games and an Easter egg hunt. Which brings me to my question...how old is too old to hunt Easter eggs? Answer: you're NEVER too old! I even got to finish off my Easter Sunday with a game of tennis with some of absolute FAVORITE people. I am so thankful for friends and fellowship.

Now onto the sweets. I have multiple recipes to post soon. I know it's been a while since I've done that. But in the mean time, here are some of the Easter treats I made this weekend!

And non-Easter related, here are some Minnie Mouse cookies.

I hope you all had a great weekend celebrating the death and resurrection of our Savior!

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." 

Isaiah 53:5

Slow and Steady

My focus this past week or so has basically been on one thing and one thing only- moving. 

I'm in the process of moving into a town home with some awesome girls, and boy is it exhausting. Who knew furnishing a house could be so thought provoking and time consuming? Pictures will be coming very, very soon...I hope! It's a slow process (hence the slow and steady blog title), but we're getting there. 

On top of moving, I'm working 30 hours per week (with work days beginning at 5:00 am, might I add). I can literally hardly keep my eyes open when the clock strikes 8:00. I know, I know. I'm a party animal.

However, amongst the busyness that is my life, I've managed to squeeze in a little baking.

These first cupcakes are Coca-Cola cupcakes with Salted Peanut Butter frosting. 

These next cupcakes are Cookie Dough Cupcakes with Minnie Mouse decorations (obviously). I told y'all in my last post about the trip I took to Disney World. So, to thank the sweet family that took us, I made some well-suited desserts!

I know it's been quite a while since I've posted a good recipe for y'all to try, so I'll be sure to get one up soon! Hope everyone has a blessed rest of the week!

Minnie Mouse Birthday Cake and Chewy Oatmeal Fudge Bars

This has been such a good weekend. I probably say that about every weekend. But really. This has been good. And yes, I am watching the Super Bowl. I'm just updating this at the same time...because, well, I don't really care about the Super Bowl. Shocking, I know. I actually have to plan my trips upstairs to happen during the game rather than the commercials. I do love football. I really do. Just not this game.

Moving on. Yesterday was my lovely friend Sarah's 19th birthday. We went to PF Changs for dinner to celebrate, and ohhhh man it was good. Sorry about the bad quality picture. It was taken with an iPhone.

After PF Changs, we went back to her house for cake and presents. Sarah LOVES Disney World, so I thought I would make her a Minnie Mouse birthday cake. You're never too old for a pink Minnie cake, are you?

Next up is a really yummy recipe. These Chewy Oatmeal Fudge Bars are great to take to a party (Super Bowl party, anyone?) or just keep for yourself. They're really easy to cut and ration out for a lot of people if you do want to take them somewhere. I highly recommend trying these bars if you're looking for a chocolatey dessert to make one day. Enjoy! 

Chewy Oatmeal Fudge Bars

Chewy Oatmeal Fudge Bars

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups oats
2 cups chocolate chips
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk (15 oz.)
2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts (optional, walnuts or pecans) *I did not use

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325. Grease and flour a 9×13 pan. 

In a large bowl sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time and beat until combined. Add vanilla and mix well.

Slowly add the sifted flour mixture and mix until combined. Stir in oatmeal.

Gently spread 2/3 crust into bottom of prepared pan. Reserve the rest for topping.

Make the filling:
Over Medium-Low heat, melt together chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, 2 tablespoons butter, and salt. Stir until smooth. Remove mixture from heat and stir in vanilla and nuts if using.

Evenly pour filling mixture onto crust but keeping filling about a 1/4 inch away from side of pan so it does not stick to side while baking.Evenly dollup top of filling with remaining oat mixture. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until topping is light brown and fudge layer set but not solid. Don’t overbake these bars or they can become dry.

Cool in pan on rack until set before cutting. Can chill to set faster. Keep stored in airtight container.