You are here: Home / Archives for recipes

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

May 9, 2011 7 Comments
Photo Credit: Betty Crocker

In honor of Mother’s Day being yesterday, I’m sharing a recipe that always makes me think of my mom.  I have to admit, as a kid I didn’t like pineapple, so when she made this, I was always wishing for her famous pound cake!  But now as an adult, I’ve developed a love of pineapple, so now I can give this Pineapple Upside Down Cake a thumbs up!

Recipe for Pineapple Upside Down Cake


Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 can (20 oz) pineapple slices in juice, drained, juice reserved
1 jar (6 oz) maraschino cherries without stems, drained
1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix
Vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). In 13×9-inch pan, melt butter in oven. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter. Arrange pineapple slices on brown sugar. Place cherry in center of each pineapple slice, and arrange remaining cherries around slices; press gently into brown sugar.
Add enough water to reserved pineapple juice to measure 1 1/4 cups. Make cake batter as directed on box, substituting pineapple juice mixture for the water. Pour batter over pineapple and cherries.
Bake 40 to 45 minutes (42 to 48 minutes for dark or nonstick pan) or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Place heatproof serving plate upside down onto pan; turn plate and pan over. Leave pan over cake 5 minutes so brown sugar topping can drizzle over cake; remove pan. Cool 30 minutes. Serve warm or cool. Store covered in refrigerator.

Linking up to these parties.

Photobucket

Filed Under: desserts, Recipe of the Week, recipes

Waffles with Syrup and Peanut Butter

April 10, 2011 28 Comments
My husband’s birthday is on Monday.  We’ll be going out to eat for dinner, but for breakfast I’ll be making one of his favorites.  One thing that he absolutely loves is waffles (or pancakes), specifically with peanut butter on top!
Before we go any further, I must ask a question or two. Has anyone ever heard of this?  Has anyone ever had this?  Is anyone out there a “Waffles/Pancakes with Peanut Butter” fan?  If you are, you have to leave a comment because my husband will totally get a kick out of it! Truly! 
He absolutely loves this stuff, and he loves to recommend it to people!  And he loves it even more when he finds someone who likes it or when  he can get someone to try it out, and they like it.

No actual recipe goes with this.  Just make your waffles or pancakes, and spread (or glob) a little peanut butter on each one.  Then top with syrup. Very easy!  And besides the great taste, the other great thing about this is that it gives you some extra protein to start out your day, and I’d say it’s probably a lot healthier than using that old butter I’m always having.
And since I’m not sharing a recipe, instead I’ve got a quick story about the peanut butter.  My husband likes this stuff so much that he will actually carry a small jar of peanut butter into the Cracker Barrel  or IHOP for breakfast! And he is very proud of it!
In fact, we’d only been dating a few months when he asked me to smuggle a jar of peanut butter in to the Cracker Barrel.   And just to show how in love (or how crazy) I was, I did it! And I’m here to tell you now that I would not do something like that even that for myself!  I would be way too embarrassed! 
And believe me, you do get some strange looks from the waiter and people at the tables around you when you pull a peanut jar out of your purse!  One waiter even gave a shocked and puzzled look when he walked by and saw some strange substance on hubby’s pancakes.  He was relieved to find it was just peanut butter!
So this should stand as a testimony of how loving and dedicated I am!  Or maybe it’s just a testimony about how much my husband loves peanut butter on his waffles and pancakes! 
This post is sponsored by Petite Rouge. Are you looking for the perfect finishing touch? Petite Rouge has it. Simple, elegant blossoms to brighten up any outfit. Dainty enough for your smallest princess. Sophisticated enough for your growing girls. Clip on a headband or wear alone. 

Photobucket
If you’d like to sponsor some posts on my blog, just send me an email for details!
Filed Under: Recipe of the Week, recipes

Frozen Mint Cups

February 28, 2011 21 Comments
I was in the mood for something minty, when I put on my thinking cap and came up with these Frozen Mint Cups.  These are really sweet and yummy without being too rich, and they are very easy to make.  So if you’re kids like chocolate mint, you may want to consider making something like this for St. Patrick’s Day (or just make them for yourself, either way).  Hope you enjoy!

Recipe for Frozen Mint Cups:

Ingredients:
1 8oz whipped topping
2 teaspoons mint extract
a few drops food coloring
36 chocolate mint cookies

Directions:  Add mint extract to whipped topping. Mix well to distribute the flavor.  Add a few drops of food coloring and stir in. Add more if you like, to get your desired hue.  Take about 24 chocolate mint cookies and crush them in a food processor, or place in a ziplok bag and crush with a rolling pin or other kitchen utensil. 
Line a muffin tin with cupcake wrappers. (This recipe makes about 12.)  Pour the crushed cookies into cupcake liners.  You’ll want to use almost all the crushed cookies, leaving just enought to garnish the top of your mint cups.  Next spoon your whipped topping mixture evenly into each mufin cup.  Garnish with remaining crushed cookies, and then stick an uncrushed cookie in the center of each cup.  Chill in the freezer until ready to serve. 

I’m linking up at these parties.

Photobucket

Filed Under: cupcakes, desserts, Misc Holidays, Recipe of the Week, recipes

Meatball Subs and Publix Italian Days Giveaway

February 22, 2011 70 Comments

Stir up authentic Italian flavors and bring your family together around the dinner table during Italian Days at Publix! Now you can share the taste of a home-cooked Italian meal in the comfort of your own kitchen without spending a fortune.
From February 17th through March 2nd, visit your local Publix to take advantage of the great savings on some of your favorite General Mills brands such as Progresso, Green Giant, Pillsbury, Muir Glen and Totino´s, and save $5 when you purchase 20 participating products.
While visiting Italian Days at Publix, you can also enter the Publix Italian Days Sweepstakes, sponsored by General Mills, for a chance to win one of four grand prizes of $10,000 worth of free groceries or one of 200 $100 Publix gift cards being given as prizes.
There are three easy ways to enter for a chance to win the Sweepstakes. Enter via phone, mail or at ClickCallMail.com – a convenient one-stop website, where you´ll also be able to download great coupon savings on some of your favorite General Mills brands and other great offers from Publix.
Here´s how it works:
Click – Stay up to date with the latest General Mills promotions happening at Publix by visiting ClickCallMail.com. Once you´re registered and logged in, you can participate in any current promotions.
Call – If you´d prefer to enter the sweepstakes and participate in other promotions via telephone, feel free to call the General Mills/Publix hotline, at 1.800.627.6059, and be sure to say that you want to enter the Publix Italian Days Sweepstakes. Please be sure to provide your complete contact information (Full name/address/zip code/phone #).
Mail – If you prefer to participate via mail-in entry, print and mail your complete contact information (Full Name/address/zip code/phone #) to P.O. Box 43425 Atlanta, GA 30336 and be sure to write “Publix Italian Days Sweepstakes” on the outside of the envelope.

Photo Credit
I absolutely love meatball subs! I found this yummy recipe for them at Pillsbury.com.  It features just a couple of the participating products featured in Publix Italian days. Give it a try!

Recipe for Italian Meatball Subs

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. bulk Italian pork sausage
1/4 cup Progresso® Plain Bread Crumbs
1 small onion, chopped
1 egg
1 (15-oz.) can pizza sauce
2 cans (11 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated crusty French loaf
4 oz. (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions: Bake bread as directed on package. In medium bowl, combine ground beef, sausage, bread crumbs, onion and egg; mix well. Shape into 16 (1 1/2-inch) balls.
In medium skillet, cook meatballs over medium heat for 5 minutes or until browned, turning frequently. Drain. Add pizza sauce. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 12 to 15 minutes or until meatballs are thoroughly cooked.
Slice each loaf open, sandwich-style. Place 8 meatballs in each loaf. Spoon sauce over meatballs. Cut loaves in half to make four sandwiches. Sprinkle with cheese.

Win it! One Simply Sweet Home reader will a $25 Publix giftcard to help you buy the participating Italian Days products.

Mandatory Entry:  To win, you must be a follower of my blog. And leave a comment telling me what your favorite Italian food you like to serve to your family. Deadline: March 7

Extra Entries: Leave a comment for each.

-1 if you follow @SimplySweetHome on Twitter.
-1 if  you subscribe to Simply Sweet Home via email.
-1 for subscribing to my RSS feeds through Feedburner.
-1 for sharing this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook. 
(Sample Tweet:  I want to win a $25 Publix giftcard!  http://bit.ly/gBihQs @SimplySweetHome )  (Limit one tweet entry per day.)

Photobucket

Disclosure: General Mills gave me one gift card to keep and one to giveaway, as part of the MyBlogSpark program. The opinions are my own. If you’d like sponsor a review or giveaway on my blog, please see my PR page for details.

Filed Under: appetizers and snacks, Giveaways, Recipe of the Week, recipes

Strawberry Cake Cookies

January 30, 2011 29 Comments
Have I mentioned to you that I love cake mix cookies?  Yeah! I think I have!  And I think before it’s all over with, I’m probably going to make every flavor of cake mix cookie available to me.  It’s know it sounds like a tough task, but I think I’m up to the challenge! LOL.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it seemed like the perfect time to try out some Strawberry Cookies.  I thought the pink would be fantastically festive for the holiday.  And once they were baked, I thought what could I add to really make them scream, “Happy Valentine’s Day!”  My answer: Chocolate! Of course!  Hope you enjoy!

Recipe for Strawberry Cake Cookies:

Ingredients:
1 Strawberry Cake Mix (18.5 oz)
1 egg
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup oil

Directions:  Mix ingredients together with spoon or electric mixer.  Refrigerate for 20 minutes or so to keep dough from sticking to your hands. (If dough is still sticky, refrigerate a few minutes more.)  Roll into one inch balls and place on a non stick cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray.   Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes.  Edges should be lightly browned.

Decorating/Toppings: 
Ingredients:
Candy/Sugar Sprinkles
Almond Bark, Chocolate Chips, or a Chocolate Bar
To decorate the cookies, I immediately poured just a small amount of red candy sprinkles on them right after I took them out of the oven.  And usually I mix a spoon full sprinkles in with the actually dough before making, but I didn’t do that this time. 
For the topping, I just took a couple of squares of almond bark and heated in the microwave for about a minute and half.  Don’t forget to take the chocolate out every 15 seconds to stir, in order to prevent scorching.  Then just drizzle the chocolate on.  I was in a hurry so I just used a spoon and shook it back and forth to create a drizzled effect.  For a more professional look, you can use a piping bag. And if you don’t have this you can put the chocolate in a ziplok bag with a tiny whole cut in the corner.
And here’s a picture of some of the cookies that I kept plain. And I have to tell you, if you really want just a simple tasting, sweet treat, without all the frills, these plain strawberry cookies are just delightful!

I’m linking up at these parties..

Photobucket

Filed Under: cookies and candy, Recipe of the Week, recipes, Valentine's Day

Chicken Spaghetti

January 17, 2011 18 Comments
Today I’m sharing my *new favorite* recipe! My friend Cindy at Hun…What’s For Dinner shared this Chicken Spaghetti on her blog several weeks back.  She originally saw it over at The Pioneer Woman and decided to make a few changes to it.  I then looked over both recipes and made further changes. lol.
I have to tell you, I see so many recipes from week to week.  Many of them get bookmark and some of them eventually get made, but once in while, I see something that looks just good enough (and easy enough) for me to make it the same week.  This was one of those times, and it definitely did not disappoint. I’ve already made it twice since I found the recipe, and I know I’ll be making it a lot more in the future! Enjoy!

 

Recipe for Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients:
2 cups chicken, cooked
3 cups dry spaghetti (broken)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup green onion, chopped (I didn’t have this so I used chopped carrot)
1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoning Salt (I think regular salt would work just as well too)
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
Directions:
Cook chicken on stove top.  (I used 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but the original recipe calls for a whole fryer chicken.) Remove chicken and cook spaghetti in the same water.  Shred your chicken into tiny pieces and place in large bowl.  Add soups, veggies, cheese, and broth.  Drain the water off your cooked spaghetti, and add noodles to the bowl.  Add seasonings and mix.  Pour into a 9×13 glass baking dish.  Pour an additional cup of cheese over the top.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

 

 

I’m sharing this recipe for this week’s blog parties.

Photobucket

Filed Under: casseroles and quick meals, Recipe of the Week, recipes Tagged With: , ,

Making Snow Cream

January 9, 2011 12 Comments
We were so excited and surprised to get a White Christmas a couple of weeks ago!  It got me to talking about the few times in my life when we actually got enough snow for my dad to make snow cream.  I was asking my husband if I should try to make some, and I soon found out he had no idea what I was talking about!
When I emphatically said, “You’ve never had snow cream!” he said, “I’m from Mobile. It doesn’t snow in Mobile.”  (Oh yeah! Duh!)  Then remembering that my husband lived in Colorado for a little while, I ask him, “Well, don’t they have it in Colorado?”
He just kinda looked at me.  I guess that was a dumb question. So either they don’t make snow cream in Colorado, or 20-something and 30-something year old men don’t make snow cream!  What do you think?
Either way, my dad always made great snow cream! It tasted just like homemade ice cream.  The stuff I made didn’t taste quite as great as his. (Alas!) But it was still pretty good. Today I’m sharing the recipe I used. 
So do you guys make snow cream where you live?

Recipe for Snow Cream:

Ingredients:

1 gallon snow
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups milk

Directions: Take a bowl and collect some clean snow. Add sugar and vanilla, then stir in just enough milk for the desired consistency. Serve at once.

I’m linking up this week at these linky parties.

Photobucket

Filed Under: desserts, Recipe of the Week, recipes

SSH’s Best of 2010: Food

January 3, 2011 13 Comments

Hi everyone!  Hope you’re enjoying the new year so far!  I think it’s no secret to anyone that food is my favorite thing to post about here at Simply Sweet Home, and I’m so excited every week to get your comments on my recipes. For this week, instead of posting a new recipe, I am revisiting some of my favorite foods that I shared with you on my blog in 2010.  Hopefully you’ll enjoy them just as much the second time around and maybe even catch something that you might have missed the first time! 
Happy Baking in 2011!

 

Filed Under: Best Posts, casseroles and quick meals, cookies and candy, desserts, recipes

Holly Bloggy Christmas Recipes

December 22, 2010 8 Comments

HollyBloggyButton1

I was so excited to see so many of you stop by and share your recipes with me for the Holly Bloggy last week!  I have a ton of commenting to do because you all did such a wonderful job.  Everything looks delicious! And I have to tell you, it was really tough trying to decide which items to feature!  In fact, I really wish I could feature all your recipes, but after much consideration I finally managed to come up with a short list.  Hope you enjoy these yummy treats!
Giant Ginger Cookies from Make the Best of What’s Around

Christmas Wreaths (and other recipes) from 4 Growing Boys

Christmas Cutout Cookies from Thrifty Parsonage Living
Holiday Cheeseball: Cranberry and Gargonzola from A Musing Potpourri
Christmas Lightbulb Cookies from Foxy Fawni

Triple Chocolate Almond Cookies from uTr.it

Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Cupcakes from madigan made

Cake Balls from Around My Family Table

Munchable Mice from Moms Crazy Cooking

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies from Love Being In My Southern Kitchen

Friday Favorites will return tomorrow!  Hope to see you there!

Photobucket
Filed Under: Christmas, recipes

Holly Bloggy Christmas Recipe Party

December 15, 2010 49 Comments
Thursday is Day 4 of Holly Bloggy Christmas, which means it’s time to share our Christmas Recipes! For me, one of the best things about the Christmas season is the food!  I always enjoy munching on my traditional favorites and finding new favorites as well!

For the last few years I’ve been making Christmas candy boxes for neighbors and close family members.  For my gift boxes, I always try to include 3 or 4 different things.  I always include my absolute favorite Chess Bars, and then I try to do some type of candy ball or cluster, and then some kind of cookie. 

Today I’ll be sharing recipes for the 3 treats that I gave away last year: Devil’s Food Cookies, Chess Bars, and Peanut Butter Krispy Balls. Hope you enjoy them!

Recipe for Devil’s Food Cookies:

Ingredients:
1 Devil’s Food Cake Mix
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup oil
1 egg
candy sprinkles (optional)

Directions: Mix eggs, water, oil, and cake mix. Refrigerate dough for a few minutes to prevent it from sticking to your hands.  Roll into balls or cut with cookie cutter and place on greased cookie sheet or cookie a sheet lined with parchment paper. Place about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. (Makes 2 dozen round cookies)

Recipe for Chess Cake:

Ingredients:
For Cake:
1 box yellow cake mix
2 eggs
1 stick margarine (softened or melted)

For Icing:
8 oz cream cheese
1 stick margarine (softened or melted)
2 eggs
1 box powdered sugar

Directions:  For cake – Mix together the cake mix, eggs, and margarine. Press into a 9×13 inch pan. For icing, cream together cream cheese, margarine, eggs, and sugar. Pour over cake mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. (It should come out lightly browned and gooey.) Cut into squares and enjoy!

Recipe for Peanut Butter Crispy Balls:

Ingredients:
1 cup Light Karo syrup
1 1/2 cups White sugar
1 1/2 cups Peanut butter
5 cups cereal (Original recipe calls for Special K cereal, but I used a combination of Rice Krispies and Corn Flakes.)

Directions: Bring Karo syrup and sugar to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until dissolved. Slowly mix in cereal. Drop by rounded teaspoon onto waxed paper. Then mold into balls.
Tip – You can also spoon the mixture into a 9×13 dish if you prefer to serve these as bars.

And if you’d like to know what’s going in the boxes this year, check these out!

Easy Chocolate Truffles

Place these treats in cute box or bag, and you’ve got a yummy Christmas gift!

HOLLY BLOGGY GIVEAWAYS!
Lisa Leonard is known throughout the blogosphere for her beautiful, one-of-kind jewelry. You can choose something cute that fits your style from her inspired necklaces. Or you can create a custom piece of jewelry! Each piece is hand-cut, hammered, antiqued and is polished sterling silver. Beautiful!
Connect with Lisa Leonard on Facebook and Twitter.
Prize: $50 gift certificate

Twelve Crafts offers cute jewelry, flower pins, sachet pillows, and other fun gifts and accessories.  They come in bold, beautiful colors and designs that you just have to see! The owner of this shop, Elizabeth, also has a great blog where she shares her latest projects and tutorials.
Connect Twelve Crafts on Facebook and Twitter.
Prize:  Pretend and Play Chef Set
Hope Abound Boutique
Another cute etsy boutique!  If you like bows, you should definitely visit this shop.  Hope Abound offers lovely accessories from bows and clippies to brooches and pins.  These come in a variety of styles, colors, and materials, so you’re sure to find something you like! 
Connect with Hope Abound Facebook and Twitter
Prize: A Set Christmas Bows
How To Enter:
Bloggers: If you link up a project, you will automatically be entered for all the giveaways.  (For an additional entry, you may leave a comment saying that you linked up.)
Non-bloggers: If you DO NOT have a blog, you may still enter. Just visit one of the sponsors and leave a comment telling me something you like.
Additional Entries:
1 entry for EACH sponsor you follow on Facebook or Twitter. (Links provided above)
1 entry if you subscribe to my blog by email.
1 entry if you follow my blog.
1 entry if you follow SimplySweetHome on twitter.
1 entry if you like Simply Sweet Home on facebook.


HollyBloggyButton1

Linky Party! I can’t wait to see what kind of goodies your cooking up this holiday season! Please link up the url to your Christmas Recipes below! The linky and giveaway will be open for entries through December 22. And winners will be announced the week after Christmas.
Photobucket
Filed Under: Christmas, cookies and candy, Holly Bloggy Christmas Bash, recipes
« Previous Page
Next Page »

To the Top