Cactus Cooler

This Cactus Cooler has orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice and Grenadine. It's perfect for warmer weather (which we're experiencing in Phoenix!). It would be great with your Mexican or Southwest themed meals .... and since there is no alcohol, kiddos would love it too!


I'm going through one of those phases were I want something different to drink. The problem is, I'm not really sure what I want. Nothing really sounds good .... do you ever have days like that?
I came up with this concoction using some stuff I had on hand. I was tempted to call this by another name, but I think I'll save that name for another drink - so stay tuned for that one!  :)



Cactus Cooler
Printable recipe
Yield: 6 servings

4 cups orange juice
1½ cups pineapple juice
½ cup lemon juice
Grenadine, to taste
Citrus wedges, for garnish (if desired)

In a pitcher combine the orange juice, pineapple juice and lemon juice. Fill glasses with ice. Drizzle a little grenadine into each glass. Top with the orange juice mixture. Garnish with citrus wedges, if desired.



Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Horchata
Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes
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

Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends #17

Welcome to Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends! I'm so glad you stopped by! This is an anything goes, no rules party! Link up your recipes, projects, crafts, printables ... and yes, you can even link up your giveaways!

If you don't already like us on Twitter, I would love for you to follow us - you can even do it right here:

Follow @JamieLBGC
Follow @MyTurnForUs

Love Bakes Good Cakes has teamed up with My Turn for us to bring you the best "no rules" party around! We try to promote as many links as we can on social media - to bring more exposure to all of your projects!

Let's check out this week's features:

Features - Top to bottom, Left to rightMOST VIEWED - Pineapple Cake with Coconut Pecan Icing from Kelli's KitchenChocolate Pecan Pie Bars from Belle of the KitchenFour Leaf Clover Felt Tic-Tac-Toe from The MaMade DiariesSweet & Spicy Baked Carrot Fries from The Pink Recipe BoxDIY Raised garden Beds from The (mis)Adventures of a "Born Again" Farm girl
You can find all of the features on our "Freedom Fridays - Featured" board

You can also follow our Pinterest board - Links We Love

If you were featured or if you would like a party button, be sure to grab a button!

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<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.lovebakesgoodcakes.com/" title="Love Bakes Good Cakes" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s368/lovebakesgoodcakes/FeaturedatFreedomFridaysButton125x125_zps93e214b4.png" alt="Love Bakes Good Cakes" style="border:none;" /></a></div><br />

Let's Party!

Disclaimer: By submitting a link to this party, you are allowing authorization for your projects to be shared and/or featured on social media and our blogs. All features will be linked directly back to the original site. Any links shared will link back to the party and your corresponding number in the party.

Be notified by email when the party goes live - Subscribe now!

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

Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Cream Cheese Frosting and My 2nd Blogiversary Cupcake Linky Party

Happy 2nd Blogiversary to ME!!! I cannot believe I have been doing this blogging thing for 2 years! I have been enormously blessed in more ways than I can count throughout this journey - and I am so glad to have some of my bloggy friends to help me celebrate with a Cupcake Linky Party! I'm sharing Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes with a Dulce de Leche Cream Cheese Frosting ..... try to say that five times fast! Yikes! Be sure to read all the way to the end to see what my bloggy friends made for my party - and if you're a blogger, come link up YOUR cupcake recipes! 



If you're a blogger, you probably remember the very first time you hit that publish button. For me, it was February 27th, 2012 at 5:22 pm EST. Yes, I actually remember that exact moment of my finger hovering over the publish button, then pushing it for all the world to see. (Just for fun - exactly 69 people have read my very first post as of writing this - don't worry if you haven't read it - you're not missing anything! Haha - I didn't say much!) If you're like me, you wondered if you really knew what you were doing, if anyone would ever read what you wrote ... and maybe you wondered if anything would ever come from this "blogging thing." 
My intention from the beginning was just to have an outlet that was mine ... ALL MINE. Something I didn't have to share with my kids - and hopefully, a place where I could find a few like-minded people who loved to cook and bake. Looking back .... I had no idea how important this blog would be to me ... how much it would become my "baby" .... how many countless hours I would spend on it writing posts, taking pictures, tweaking the look and feel .... or how many brain cells I would lose from trying to learn this thing called HTML. (I swear I felt them exploding!!) The truth is, as bloggers we put sooooo much time into this. Countless hours. It's not just what you see - but sometimes what you don't see. 
Never in a million years, would I have guessed I would have almost 27,500 followers on Facebook, more than 2,600 followers on Twitter, more than 17,000 Pinterest followers and over 450 followers on Instagram! This blows my mind every single day! I probably don't tell y'all often enough how much fun you make my "job." Or how much I appreciate each and every one of you who takes the time to stop by my blog or follow me on social media.
The truth is, what started out as "something fo rme to do," has become so much more. It has been a blessing to my family financially. It has become my job - and it's one I LOVE doing. I have started to make an actual steady income from this .... although it is not my motivation, it has been a really nice bonus. I would do this without pay (and I did it without pay for quite a long time LOL - my blogger friends know how hard it is!!) 
I love sharing recipes with y'all, and I love trying new things. I have made some really great friends through blogging - other bloggers and some really awesome fans (I have the best fans btw!) The first two years have been a blast and I look forward to what lies ahead. Thank y'all so much for being a part of this with me! (hugs!!!)
Now - let's check out some cupcakes! :)



Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes with Dulce de Leche Cream Cheese Frosting
Slightly adapted from Betty Crocker
Printable recipe
Yield: 24 cupcakes

For the cupcakes:
¾ cup hot brewed coffee
½ cup unsweetened baking cocoa
3 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking soda
¾ cup butter, softened
1¾ cup sugar
3 eggs
¾ cup buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla

For the frosting:
1 can (13.4 oz.) dulce de leche (caramelized sweetened condensed milk)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
½ cup heavy whipping cream



Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 24 muffin/cupcake holes with paper liners. Set aside. 

In a medium bowl, combine the coffee, cocoa and cinnamon with a wire whisk until smooth. Set aside. 

In a separate medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda until well blended; set aside. 

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on HIGH speed until creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Set the mixture aside. 

Add the buttermilk and vanilla to the slightly cooled coffee mixture. 

Add half of the flour mixture, then add the coffee mixture, into the butter mixture. Repeat with remaining flour and coffee mixture. Beat on medium speed, scraping the bowl occasionally, until the mixture is well combined. Divide the batter evenly between the paper-lined tins.

Bake for 18-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center of one of the cupcakes tests clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the dulce de leche and cream cheese on high speed until well blended and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat in the whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Top cooled cupcake with frosting. 

Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving. 



Delicioso ..... these things are lip-smackingly good!

My bloggy friends are here to help me celebrate with even more cupcakes! If you're a blogger, please feel free to share any cupcakes you have posted! There's something for everyone here!


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

Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches and My Main Squeeze

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tree Top.

Life gets crazy busy sometimes, doesn't it?! Having 5 kiddos, there just never seems to be a break from "crazy busy!" .... or just plain crazy! ;) Haha! Thankfully, Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches provide an easy way for my kids to enjoy fruit on-the-go! It's also a great option for getting more fruit into our kids' diets in a fun and less messy way! 


Whether we're picking up the oldest from track practice, having a family picnic at the local park or visiting Grandma 2 hours away, Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches provide an easy way for kids to enjoy fruit on-the-go! You can take your fruit with you any time, any where - and you don't even need a spoon! There's no mess with the squeezy fun that's good for the entire family! 

My kiddos especially love the Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches for a snack in the afternoon - their favorite is the cinnamon apple sauce! It's easy to stick a few pouches in Abigail's bag for church on those days when we decide we want dinner all the way on the other side of the valley! It's just enough to curb her hunger, so she'll still eat lunch! The best part is, I don't have to worry about a mess in my van!
Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches are made with pure fruit (100% USA grown apples!!) - it's as simple as that! Tree Top is committed to and is passionate about, growing and producing innovating world-class fruit products. You can be assured that what you're feeding your family is nutritious!

Right now, Tree Top has a #TreeTopMainSqueeze sweepstakes on Instagram! February is the month of love - and they want to see who your main squeeze is! Show Tree Top who you love the most (your main squeeze!!) - and you could win $500 PLUS a supply of Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches! To enter, Instagram a photo of your main squeeze using the hashtag #TreeTopMainSqueeze and tag @TreeTopInc .... You can follow along with the Sweepstakes on Instagram by searching for the hashtag #TreeTopMainSqueeze. You can see all of the terms and conditions for the giveaway here.

You can see my main squeeze (well, one of my main squeezes!!) above and on Instagram - She's enjoying her Cinnamon Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouch and wondering why I am taking pictures of her! :) She had just gotten up from her nap, so excuse her bed head!

If you're looking for a fun way to get more fruit into your family with less mess, be sure to check out the Tree Top Apple Sauce Pouches at your local store. Also be sure to Instagram your picture - I would love to see your main squeeze's as well! :)

You can follow Tree Top on Facebook to stay up to date with what's going on around TreeTop, new products, coupons or other sweepstakes!

**This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tree Top.**

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

Traditional New Orleans King Cake

I love a good party .... and I especially love a good cake! :) With Mardi Gras coming up soon, I thought it would be fun to share a Traditional New Orleans King Cake. Although it may sound intimidating, it's a really simple cake to make! 



Mardi Gras takes place 46 days before Easter - which is the day before Lent (this year it is Tuesday, March 4th, 2014). As you may know, Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent. Although, the most famous Mardi Gras celebration is in New Orleans, there are many celebrations throughout the world. 
The King Cake came to New Orleans from France in the 1870's, and it honors the three kings who visited the baby Jesus. Traditionally,  a dried pea, coin or plastic baby is hidden in the cake to represent the Christ child. Whoever finds the token in their piece of cake is said to have a year of good luck. The King Cake is shaped like a crown and is decorated in the "royal" colors - violet (justice), gold (power) and green (faith).  These three colors are also the official colors of Mardi Gras.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!


Traditional New Orleans King Cake
Printable recipe
Yield: 12 servings

For the cake:
2 pkg. (¼ oz. each) active dry yeast
½ cup warm water (110°F - 115°F)
½ cup sugar
½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
½ cup warm milk (110°F - 115°F)
2 egg yolks
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. grated lemon peel
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
3-4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ cup sugar
1 egg, beaten

For the glaze:
1½ cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. lemon juice
2-3 tbsp. water
Green, purple and yellow sugars

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water. Add the ½ cup sugar, butter, milk, yolks, salt, lemon peel, nutmeg and 2 cups of flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough. The dough will be sticky.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead until smooth or elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about an hour.

Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 16x10-in. rectangle. In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon with the ¼ cup sugar. Sprinkle over the dough to within ½-in. of the edge. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting on the long side. Pinch seam to seal. Place seam-side down on a greased baking sheet - pinch ends together to form a ring. Cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush the cake with the beaten egg. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. 

For the glaze, combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice and enough water to achieve the desired consistency. Spread or pour over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with the colored sugars.



Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Jambalaya
Southern Cornbread
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

Iced Salted Caramel Latte

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Staples. All opinions are 100% my own.

This Iced Salted Caramel Latte is the perfect way to indulge a bit and get your caffeine fix! This drink is an easy and tasty variation of Starbucks' Iced Caramel Latte. With the Starbucks Versimo Brewer, it is sooooo simple to make this Iced Salted Caramel Latte at home - and it rivals what you get at your local Starbucks store!



I was recently given the opportunity to try the Starbucks Verismo Brewer and Starbucks Verismo Pods. Being a huge coffee drinker and fan of Starbucks, I couldn't wait to try out this brewing system! It didn't disappoint!
I was impressed with how sleek it looked and with how easy it is to use. I tried a few drink variations - and this Iced Salted Caramel Latte was by far my favorite!
Most of y'all know I'm a coffee drinker. Before getting this Starbucks Verismo Brewer, I had never tired an espresso. I'm gonna admit something - I tried to drink an espresso .... straight. I'm not even sure if that's what you're supposed to do?! Wow-eeeeee!! That'll jolt you awake! LOL. It was not a favorite (personally) .... it was too strong!! However, mix it with some syrup and milk - and it's a pretty fantastic little drink! :)

Iced Salted Caramel Latte

Printable recipe

Makes one 12 fl. oz. beverage

1 Verismo™ Espresso Pod

2 Tbsp. salted caramel syrup

5 fl. oz. cold milk

Ice

Salted Caramel for topping, optional

After rinsing your machine, place the salted caramel syrup in your glass and place the glass below the brew nozzle. Lift the handle and insert the espresso pod. Press the Espresso (top right) button. Add cold milk and ice. Stir. Top with Salted Caramel, if desired.

This brewer heats up and is ready to brew in 15 seconds, making it the perfect choice for busy mornings. With this Starbucks Verismo Brewer, it's easy to make you favorite drinks at home! Enjoy everything from caffè lattes and espresso to brewed coffee. You can find the Verismo System by Starbucks at your local Staples store!

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Horchata
Chocolate Oreo Sprinkle Donuts
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

60+ Strawberry Recipes!!

I am starting to see berries show up at our local stores. Coupled with Arizona's mild winters and the above average temperatures we've been experiencing the past week or so, it's no surprise to see the first harvests of berries in the supermarket! Every year, I really look forward to seeing the strawberries - they're a family favorite, and they do signal the start of Spring to me. Thanks to some of my bloggy friends, I've rounded-up more than 60 recipes that use strawberries! If your local store isn't carrying them yet, they will be soon - and here are some really great ways to use them!


Today, you can find me over at Mom's Test Kitchen with my monthly contributor post - a round-up with more than 60 recipes that use strawberries! <<click this link to go to Jaime's blog and see the post!>>

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Berry Milk
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
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

Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends #16

Welcome to Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends! I'm so glad you stopped by! This is an anything goes, no rules party! Link up your recipes, projects, crafts, printables ... and yes, you can even link up your giveaways!

If you don't already like us on Pinterest, I would love for you to follow us - you can even do it right here:

Love Bakes Good Cakes
My Turn for us

Love Bakes Good Cakes has teamed up with My Turn for us to bring you the best "no rules" party around! We try to promote as many links as we can on social media - to bring more exposure to all of your projects!

Let's check out this week's features:

Features - Top to bottom, Left to right
MOST VIEWED - Salisbury Steak from Ducks 'n a RowFriendship Bracelets from Florassippi GirlHasselback Potatoes from Flavor MosiacSymphony Milk Chocolate Bar Cookies from Louanne's KitchenMaster Closet Makeover Reveal from My Love 2 Create
You can find all of the features on our "Freedom Fridays - Featured" board

You can also follow our Pinterest board - Links We Love

If you were featured or if you would like a party button, be sure to grab a button!

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Let's Party!

Disclaimer: By submitting a link to this party, you are allowing authorization for your projects to be shared and/or featured on social media and our blogs. All features will be linked directly back to the original site. Any links shared will link back to the party and your corresponding number in the party.

Be notified by email when the party goes live - Subscribe now!

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