Cookie Mix

This Cookie Mix is perfect for movie night! Gather up the kids, put in a favorite movie and enjoy this easy snack! #cookie #snackideas

*The backdrop used in these photos is courtesy of Ink & Elm.*



My family has movie night on Friday nights. Does your family do "movie night?" We usually have pizza for dinner because the kiddos love it - and it's something they can help with! Actually, now that my kids are getting older, they can do the entire process - from making the dough to baking - all by themselves. I have to admit, I may be a food blogger, but it's nice having a night off from cooking once in awhile! :)
Although we typically enjoy copious amounts of popcorn for movie night ... because what's a movie without popcorn ... sometimes, we like to change things up a bit. If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know how I roll! My personal hashtag should be #neverthesametwice .... oops!
I decided to make a Cookie Mix and although I've had the idea for the longest time, I have had the hardest time finding the cookie dough bites that I wanted to use! Thankfully, I finally found them at Walgreens!! Woot woot for finding the unfindable!

Of course, you can totally customize this to your family's tastes and preferences. If you find other cookie-themed food, feel free to add them to the mix - they say, "the more, the merrier," right? I am so down with more cookies!
I found some cute little fry boxes that we used to hold our snacks - somehow, cute packaging makes things better, doesn't it?



Cookie Mix
Printable recipe
Yield: 10-12 servings

4 cups (from an 11.25 oz. box) Cookie Crisp cereal
2 cups (about 6 1-oz. packages - from a 12 pack box) mini Oreo's
1 bag (8 oz.) Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme Drops candy
2 boxes (4 oz each) Cookie Dough Bites

Add all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Gently mix with a large spoon or clean hands. 


So easy and so delicious! You've got the snack, now go grab a movie!
Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Buffalo Ranch Popcorn
Oreo Overload Milkshake
*The backdrop used in these photos is courtesy of Ink & Elm.*
I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Shipwreck Stew and a hopeful reunion .... some day!

Shipwreck Stew - a simple and economical dish full of ground beef, veggies and beans! Family friendly and comforting - don't let this dish's simplicity fool you!


So .... this is one of those posts that is extremely hard for me to write. Like so many, I came from a "broken home." My mother and my biological father divorced when I was very young - around the age of 3 or so. Believe me - those scars run deep. I never really knew much about my biological father or his side of the family, and I have very few memories from my childhood. 

I was one of the lucky ones, you could say. I was adopted by my step-dad and grew up having a "normal" life. Some of those old wounds have been medicated by having him in my life ... some will probably never completely heal this side of Heaven. I have sat on this post for quite awhile deciding how much I felt comfortable with sharing - or not, because it is such an emotional one for me. The truth is, it's not comfortable at all. It dredges up all of the pain, hurt and rejection I've carried most of my life - for 30-something years. After all of this time, it is still here. Most days, I am ok. On an occasion, it really gets to me, and it puts me in a funk. Somehow, I feel like sharing this will take some of the burden off of me because I know there are probably thousands and thousands of people out there who can relate. 


After I became an adult, I made contact with my biological father and his side of the family. Although I do not have contact with him, I do keep in contact with some of my aunts, uncles and cousins. My aunt, Wanda, posted on Facebook that she was making something called "Shipwreck Stew" .... I had never heard of this before. Apparently, it was something my grandma made. Maybe your family has a similar dish? Y'all know I love to cook (and eat!) - and I especially love how food has a tendency to bring people together. It was quite obvious how fond my aunts, uncles and cousins seemed of this dish. So many memories are made during a meal - whether we realize it or not .... So, I asked Wanda for the recipe. Of course, she happily obliged - thanks, Wanda! :) Although my Aunt Wanda didn't list it in the ingredients list, I'm pretty sure there was an extra cup or two of love put in this dish - the comments about this Shipwreck Stew from the family told me so. 


This dish is far from fancy ... and being perfectly honest, it totally made me cry as I ate it. I feel like I lost so many potential memories with some very wonderful people. What can I say, I am a huge cry baby! (Even as I write this post, I have to dry my eyes.) I may never have gotten the chance to share this with my grandparents, but if Heaven has a kitchen, something tells me there will be a bowl of this stew and a long overdue reunion waiting for me.





Shipwreck Stew
Printable recipe
Yield: 8-10 servings

2 lbs. ground beef

5-7 potatoes, peeled (if desired) and sliced thin or cubed

1 large onion, sliced thinly or finely chopped

5-7 stalks of celery, chopped

2 cans dark red kidney beans, liquid included

2 cans whole kernel corn, liquid included

2 cans diced tomatoes, juice included

salt & pepper to taste

In a large pot, cook and crumble the ground beef over medium high heat, until no longer pink. Drain, if necessary. Layer in order: the potatoes, onions, celery, kidney beans, corn and tomatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook on medium-high heat until the stew starts to come to a boil then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let simmer until all vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes. Cook covered and stir occasionally. 

***According to my Aunt Wanda, this is a stew that gets better each time it's reheated!

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Southwest Beef Bean & Barley Soup
The Best Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Red Velvet Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Cool Whip Frosting

Is there another cake that says Christmas quite like Red Velvet?! I think not! This is one of many poke cakes in my poke cake obsession. With Christmas just days away, I wanted to share and easy, but festive idea. Since this easily feeds a lot, it's perfect for gatherings with friends and family!

Today, you can find me with this Red Velvet Poke Cake with Cream Cheese Cool Whip Frosting over at All She Cooks for my monthly contributor post! I'll see y'all over there! :)

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Raspberry Zinger Poke Cake
Gingerbread
I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!
Featured at Ms. enPlace

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Italian Anise Cookies, Holiday Cookie Linky Party and a $50 Target Gift Card Giveaway

Today, I'm sharing my Italian Anise Cookies. Anise, in case you don't know, tastes like black licorice. From what I understand, some people really love the flavor - and others, not so much. I don't think there's any middle ground on that flavor. I really wanted to do a traditional Christmas Cookies and one that maybe hadn't been shared by others.
If you're not really a fan of black licorice, feel free to substitute your favorite extract flavor in place of the anise extract! :)
Personally, I love all of the tasty treats this time of year! Cookies and yummy desserts seem to be flooding the blogging world! It's a good thing most of that is in virtual life - looking and drooling is calorie-free! ;)

These Italian Anise Cookies are super easy and so soft! I love how puffy they are!

Of course, they make great gifts ... or would be great on a cookie tray with other cookies or candies. And just in case you need more cookie inspiration, be sure to check out all of the other yummy cookies linked in this post after the recipe!



Italian Anise CookiesPrintable recipeYield: about 80 cookies
Cookie Dough:¾ cup granulated sugar½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted2 large eggs¼ cup milk 1 tsp. anise extract2¾ cups all-purpose flour 2½ tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. saltGlaze (see below)Nonpareils
Glaze:1 cup powdered sugar 4-5 tsp. milk 1 tsp. anise extract
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Beat the sugar, butter, eggs, milk and anise extract in a large bowl with a mixer until well blended. On low speed, beat in the flour, baking powder and salt until well blended.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets.
Bake 8-10 minutes or until the bottoms are a light golden brown. Remove cookies to a wire rack to cool. 
Prepare the glaze: Whisk the powdered sugar, milk and anise extract in a small bowl until smooth.
Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze, and while the glaze is still wet, sprinkle on the nonpareils. Let set until glaze hardens.
Store cookies airtight at room temperature up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 1 month.
*** Just a note - If you're not really a fan of black licorice, feel free to substitute your favorite extract flavor in place of the anise extract! :)

Let's check out some other yummy cookies!

Let's meet the hostesses of this fun link party:

Ang from Juggling Act Mama is bringing Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies

Teri from The Freshman Cook is bringing Cardamom Orange Sugar Cookies

Jamie from Love Bakes Good Cakes is bringing Italian Anise Cookies

Carrie from Frugal Foodie Mama is bringing Biscoff Snickerdoodles

Paula from Call me PMc is bringing White Chocolate Chip Cherry Oatmeal Cookies

Stacey from Glued to my Crafts is bringing Almond Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Deb from Cooking on the Front Burner is bringing Cranberry Orange Slice Cookies

Jaime from Mom's Test Kitchen is bringing Holiday Vanilla Pudding Cake Cookies

Marilyn from 4 You With Love is bringing Chocolate Peppermint Rice Crispy Treats

Please be sure to hop around and visit all the ladies and check out their tasty cookies! Join the Holiday Cookie Link Party!

If that wasn't enough, how about a giveaway too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Peppermint Meringues
Cookies in a Jar
I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!
Featured at Foodie Friends Friday Daily Dish

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Peppermint Bark

Need a last minute gift idea for a neighbor, teacher or the mailman?! I've got you covered with this Peppermint Bark! It's so easy to make and with only 3 ingredients (and an optional fourth ingredient), it's budget friendly!
Of course, you don't have to give it as a gift - you can make some for yourself too! I love treating myself to a bit of this bark with my coffee - with minty creamer!

Today you can find me with my monthly contributor - Peppermint Bark - post over at The Inspiration Network! See ya over there!



Microwave Peanut Brittle
Cookies in a Jar
I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!
Featured at Craftionary
Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Chocolate Cherry Thumbprints

This year, I participated in The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap - I wanted to participate last year, but didn't find out about it until it was too late. I was so awed by all the yummy looking cookies I saw last year - and this year didn't disappoint either! 

I wanted to make an impressive but easy cookie for my swap - and I knew right away that I wanted to use a recipe I found in one of my Gramma's cookbooks. These Chocolate Cherry Thumbprints were perfect! I hope my recipients thought so as well! :) My kiddos wanted to eat all of the cherries, and I had to keep telling them they were for the cookies .... Luckily, they let them be until I was done baking - and then they promptly requested the rest! You can see what I received in the mail from Kat at I Want Crazy and from Val at A Scrumptious Life ..... I haven't received my 3rd batch of cookies yet! :( I sent cookies to Chelsea at Whatcha Makin' Now, Tracy at Pale Yellow and Sarah at Punctuated. With Food.If you're interested in receiving notifications about next year's cookie swap, be sure to sign up for the announcements!



Chocolate Cherry Thumbprints
Printable Recipe
Yield: about 4 dozen cookies

2 cups (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1¾ cups quick or old-fashioned oats
1½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup baking cocoa
1 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
¾ cup granulated sugar
⅔ cup (10⅔ tbsp. or 1 stick plus 2⅔ tbsp.) butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups ( two 10-oz. jars) maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry

Microwave 1 cup of the chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave in additional 10-20 second increments, stirring until smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.

In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Beat in the melted chocolate. Stir in the oat mixture. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.

After the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2-inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Press deep centers into each cookie using your thumb. Place a cherry into each center.

Bake for 10-12 minutes or until set. Let stand on cookie sheets for 2 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Melt the remaining 1 cup of chocolate chips as mentioned above. Drizzle the chocolate over the cooled cookies.

You can find ALL of the cookies from The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap at Love and Olive Oil and The Little Kitchen

Christmas Chocolate Drops

I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!
Featured at Superheroes and Teacups, Daily Dish Magazine, Raising Arrows, The Pin Junkie, Carolyn's Homework, Hun, What's For Dinner?, Three in Three and Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved