S'More Cupcakes

I found this cupcake recipe and wanted to try it out on the guys.  I had to sample it and it sure was tasty. Definitely not low cal though.

It's so hot today. Probably not the best day to be baking and heating up the house. The kitchen got so warm that I frosted the cupckes in the dining room. But it still was so warm in there that all of my icing started melting off of the cupcakes.  When it cools down some, I'll post pictures, if I can get my icing to stay on the cupcake and look pretty!

S’Mores Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 box chocolate food cake mix

1 ½ c crushed graham crackers

¼ c sugar

5 TBS butter, melted

5  (1.55 oz each) Milk Chocolate bars

2 c mini marshmallows

For Icing:

1 c butter, softened (2 sticks)

2 c marshmallow fluff (1 jar 7 oz)

4 c powdered sugar

4 TBS milk

Directions

1.      Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 24 muffin cups with paper liner.

2.      In medium bowl, combine graham crackers, melted butter, and sugar. Spoon one tablespoon amount of graham cracker mixture into each liner and press down to form crust. Bake the crusts for 5 minutes.

3.      Prepare cake mix as directed on package.

4.      Pour batter into the graham cracker crusted muffin cups. Bake as directed on package. Remove from oven. Let cool in muffin pans for 5 minutes. Remove and place on wire racks.

5.       While the cupcakes are baking, break the chocolate bars into piece and place in a microwavable bowl.  Melt in microwave on 50% power for 30 seconds. Stir and continue melting for 30 seconds, until melted.

6.      Spoon 1 TBS of chocolate on top of each cupcake, spreading to cover. The cupcakes will still be warm.

7.      Chill cupcakes in fridge until chocolate is set.

8.      For the icing: Mix butter and fluff until smooth on medium speed with an electric mixer.  Slowly add powdered sugar with mixer on low.  Add milk and increase speed to medium and mix until combined and smooth.

9.      When chocolate is set, frost cupcakes.

10.  Reheat and drizzle with remaining chocolate, if desired.

11. (I didn't do this part, but I'm sure it would add to the athenticity of the S'More)  To toast the marshmallows, spread marshmallows on a baking sheet. Turn oven to broil. When oven is ready, place baking sheet on top rack. Toast marshmallows under broiler for 15 seconds. They toast very quickly. Remove from oven and garnish cupcakes.

Hope you enjoy!

Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....

No testing on animals

While I was washing my hair, I noticed that the shampoo manufacturer claims that it never tests its products on animals.  Intrigued, I did a quick research on how a company can have such a claim and the product still be safe for humans.  I am not an advocate for cruelty to animals, but I don't want to use a product that could harm humans either.

After researching, and of course, it depends on whose website you are reading, there are companies that use all ingredients haven't been tested and some that do not test the final product on animals. There are also sophisticated alternatives like Episkin®, artificial human skin that can replace some animal tests in a fraction of the time and cost. Of course, the sites appeal to your passion, showing the cutest little bunnies. Honestly, I chose not to read most of the articles because of the details of the animal's treatment.

This weekend, I watched "Water for Elephants". While the movie condensed the book, it really didn't address the treatment of animals by the circus (of the past).  There was a part of the movie where an elephant was beat with a hooked probe.  I thought it was so disturbing.

So I guess the question I'm laying out here is what line do we cross when it comes to animals?  I think I'll be looking more closely at the list of cruelty-free products. And give Koal a big hug!

 

       Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....

Bunko 2

Last night was our monthly Bunko night and as always, we had a great time.  Bunko is one of those games that anyone can play and it takes no skill. The first time I play I told the boys that I had found the perfect game for me.  The only advantage of scoring well is for the end of game prizes. 

Cindy did a wonderful job with the outdoor theme lights as prizes.  We really enjoyed the Rita's Italian Ice and tequila/vodka/rum drinks. What a great idea!  And her kitchen was gorgeous.

We, of course, had tons of laughs. Something about Gretchen's bucket list and J.Lo.   Don't ask- you really don't want to know.

Congrats to Tina on quitting smoking. We are all proud of you.

We missed Terry U. Hope all of the prom goers appreciate your efforts.

With summer coming, we'll be missing people because of vacations and other commitments. I'll try to keep you updated on the Bunko antics.


      



      Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....

National Chocolate Chip Day

Today is National Chocolate Chip Day. Who wouldn't love this day!

In the 1930s, Ruth Graves Wakefield created the original chocolate chip cookie at her Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts. Ruth intended to bake chocolate cookies for her guests, but she ran out of baker’s chocolate. She substituted with chopped up semi-sweet chocolate morsels and discovered that the pieces did not melt into the dough as she expected. Today, 25% of all the cookies baked in the United States are chocolate chip!

It's another case of why didn't I think of that!

So bake (or run to the bakery) for a batch of Chocolate Chip cookies. Or try something new like Chocolate Chip Cookie dough cupcakes (I just found a recipe I'll be trying)

Remember - Chocolate makes everything taste better



May 19 is National Devil's Food cake Day - What a great month




       Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....

Graduation

People told me to enjoy the boys while they were little. And that they grow up so fast. 

Well, it's so true.  Cody has his first year of college in. And Nash graduated from college on Saturday. He looked so handsome in his cap and gown. I'm so proud of him. It's been an amazing four years. I remember dropping him off at the dorms the first day of college and being teary -eyed all of the way home. Every time Joe would try to be nice to me, I would just start crying.  Looking back, I wonder why I was so upset. I guess the fact that you are leaving your child as someone else's responsibility. You hope that you raised them to make the best decisions that they can. And ultimately, you hope that they will still need you. Even though, rationally, you know that they have to grow up and move out some time in their life.

We are so proud of you Nash!   Here's to your future, Mr Mathematician



  Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....

Happy Mother's Day

To all of the moms out there, Happy Mother's Day to you. I hope you get to spend time with your family and if you can't, I hope that you are in their thoughts today.

Enjoy the day. The laundry will wait (and keep piling up). The cleaning doesn't matter - what's one more day.  Do something that you enjoy doing -read the Sunday paper or a book. Do your nails, if you don't get a spa gift certificate. Take time for yourself.  Or do whatever it is that you and your family like to do. Go for a walk, go to Kennywood, or sit around and just talk. It's amazing what you learn when you do. Whatever "IT" is, just have fun doing it.

Have a Great Day!

Love you Gigi!

 


Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....

Love your family

Thank you for all of the calls and messages last week.  Situations such as this makes you realize how precious life is.  Give your kids an extra hug and kiss. And always tell them that you love them

Friends 2

This weekend, Joe and I made a 6 state driving loop.  On Saturday, we were at Colby's game in Columbus. Spent the night in Beckley, WV then drove to Charlotte to Nate's game. From there, drove to Myrtle Beach for the night and drove back home on Monday. That was a whole lot of driving. But just smelling the ocean air was worth it!!

During the week, I kept meaning to call my friend, Helene, who lives in Charlotte. I sent her a text Saturday morning and I was so happy that she responded. So we met for lunch in Charlotte Saturday afternoon, on our way to Nate's game.  It was so nice catching up on life.

Helene and I have been friends since we were in first grade. Our birthday's are the same day. We were born in the same hospital just a few hours apart. I don't remember which one of us is the oldest! Even though, she has traveled and lived all over the US and out of the country, when we get together, it's like we were never apart. Why are some friends like that and others, if you don't talk to them for so long, you have nothing to talk about. The only thing I've always regretted in our relationship was that I didn't make it to her wedding. She was married two months after us. Joe was stationed in California and we didn't know what was going to happen from day to day with him. Also, we didn't have the extra money for me to fly back to Pittsburgh. So I never made it to the wedding.  Maybe that was a omen! (just kidding Helene.)

So, every time we part ways, we say we need to get together more often and stay in touch better. But even if its another 6 months before we talk again, we always know it will be just like old times when we do.

So appreciate the friends that you have and make the best of the times you spend together.

  

   Until next time, when I continue the rantings and ravings of a mom of an

American Dream Family.....