I Want YOU for the Tax Day Giveaway!

Enter for your chance to win $650 from a great group of bloggers in the Tax Day Cash Giveaway...but hurry just like your taxes it all ends at midnight on April 15th, 2014!!

Amazing cohost are:

Linda @ Crafts a la Mode  

Mandy Jean  @  Mandy Jean chic 

Evelyn @ My Turn for us 

Stephanie @ Wife Mommy Me

Renee @ Getting Fit and Fab 

Angie @ God's Growing Garden 

Diane  @ Keeping Life Simple 

Anna  @ Cuddlebug Cuties

Angel  @ Sew Crafty Angel 

Robert @ The College Investor 

Marie @ The Interior Frugalista

Katherine @ Katherines Corner 

Susan @ Love in the Kitchen

Jessica @ Army Wife to Suburban Life

Michelle @ On A Wing And A Prayer 

Cara @ Craft Dictator 

Tiffany @ Style Honestly 

Kim @ Enjoy the View 

Shane @ Whispering Sweet Nothings 

Michelle @ Ya Gotta Have a Hobby

Christie @ A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures 

Karen @ Giveaway Hunt 

Cathy @ A Peek Into My Paradise 

Darlene @ Let It Shine 

Natasha @ Serenity You 

Jessica @ Savory Experiments 

Lanaya @ Reagan's Toy Chest 

Nicole @ Peace and Chaos 

Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes

Serena @ The Serena Saga 

Sherry @ The Life of the Party 

Inspired Kathy @ I Am A Reader, Not A Writer 

Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body 

April @ 100lb Countdown

Myrna @ UndecidedMamas

Brittnei @  Homemaking With Style 

Christy @ A Woman The World Deserves 

Laura @ Mice In The Kitchen 

Giant shout out to other participants 

(because without everyone we would have never reached $650)

Tiffany @ The Dwelling Tree 

Jackie@  Jade and Oak 

Mandi @ All My Happy Endings 

Joy @ Yesterfood 

Monica @ Monica's Rants, Raves & Reviews 
Melissa @ Dreams and Colour

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Must be 18 years or older to participate in this giveaway. Must have a verified PayPal account for monies to be transferred to the winner. The winning entry will be verified. Once the winner is notified they have 72 hours to reply back or a second winner will be selected and the first one will have no claim to the prize.  This giveaway is open worldwide, but prize money is valued on the US dollar and any taxes is at the sole responsibility of the winner and not of anyone who contributed to this giveaway.   

If you have any questions please contact Mice In The Kitchen BEFORE entering the giveaway.

Good luck!!

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

Hawaiian Delight Milkshake

This Hawaiian Delight Milkshake will take your mouth on a tropical vacation! Vanilla ice cream, coconut milk and pineapple - what could be better?! #drink #easy


I know Spring just started for most of the rest of the country, but it's been "Spring" here in Phoenix since, well, October. LOL. Seriously ... we have two seasons in this part of Arizona - "hot as Hades" and "snowbird season!" I know some people like having the four seasons, but truthfully, I don't miss them!
I'm sure y'all have noticed the influx of fruity drinks on the blog lately - it's because it has been so warm lately and fruity drinks just go with warm weather. 

This Hawaiian Deight Milkshake is easy and delicious! If you're in need of a tropical vacation, whip one up today and let your mind drift to a land with ocean breezes and sandy beaches!



Hawaiian Delight Milkshake
Printable recipe
Yield: 4-6 servings

1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 pint frozen vanilla ice cream
1 cup coconut milk (not cream of coconut)

Place all ingredients in a blender. Cover and blend on high until smooth. Serve immediately!



Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Strawberry Agua Fresca
Pineapple Orange Smoothie
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

John 3:16-17 Subway Art Printable

It's almost April, can you believe it?! It seems like just yesterday we were starting the New Year! Time is flying by!! Since it's getting close to Easter, I wanted to share a printable with y'all. John 3:16-17 really stuck out in my head, so I made a Subway Art Printable out of it. I may have more printables coming soon, if I can ever find the time to focus on making them!

In my own personal experience, I like to download my printables and then send these over to a place like Staples to print off. It saves on my ink and the copies are always high quality! It's less than a dollar a page at my local Staples!

Just a quick reminder that these are for personal use. I would love for you to share with you family or friends, please direct them to this blog post so they can download their own free copy! Thank you! :)

To get the {FREE} John 3:16-17 Subway Art Printable, please click here to download it!


Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Romans 8:28
Proverbs 4:23
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

Strawberry Agua Fresca

Strawberry Agua Fresca is a refreshing fruit drink served throughout Mexico. Agua fresca means "fresh water" in Spanish!


I love Spring. It's definitely my favorite season! I love shopping for all of the fresh fruit and produce that starts appearing at my local store and farmer's market! Strawberries are a favorite in my house. We use them in so many  things - and since we've been in the 80's and near 90°F here in Phoenix, a cool, refreshing Strawberry Agua Fresca was the perfect way to use some of our berry bounty!


I don't know what it is about pretty, fruity drinks in the Spring and Summer that just makes me smile. Don't you just love them?! 

Depending on how sweet your berries are, you may need to adjust the sugar in the agua fresca to your preference a bit. For us, about a third of a cup is close to our preference. 



Strawberry Agua Fresca
Printable recipe
Yield: 4-6 servings

4 cups water
⅓ cup granulated sugar
16 oz. strawberries, hulled
¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)

In a pitcher, combine the water and sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Place the strawberries in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Add the strawberries and lime juice to the sugar water and stir well. Serve.



Since this recipe is so quick and easy to whip up, why not make a pitcher of this Strawberry Agua Fresca today?! It's a great way to welcome Spring!


Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Horchata
Cactus Cooler
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

KitchenAid Giveaway - Pick Your Color!!

Hey, y'all! I'm joining some other awesome bloggers to bring you a fun Spring Giveaway! We're giving away a 5-quart KitchenAid® Artisan® Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, in the color of your choice! Isn't it a great way to welcome Spring?! Think of all of the yummy treats you can make with this baby if you win! I would love for a Love Bakes Good Cakes reader to be the winner of this giveaway ... so be sure to enter for a chance! :)

Enter for your chance to win a 5-quart KitchenAid® Artisan® Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, color of your choice!

Sponsored by the following blogs:

A Dash of Sanity, Mom on Timeout, Something Swanky, Love Bakes Good Cakes,

Lady Behind the Curtain, High Heels & Grills, Fry Sauce & Grits, Mother’s Niche, My Mommy Style,

Big Red Clifford, Alex Haralson, and Live Like You Are Rich.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Additional Product and Giveaway Information:Giveaway will run from Friday, March 28th at noon EST to Monday, April 7th at midnight EST. Product will only be shipped within US and Canada only. Winner will be notified and have 3 days to respond and confirm their winnings or a new winner will be selected. Product information: Choose from over 20 different colors of the KitchenAid® Artisan® Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer for the one that perfectly matches your kitchen design or personality, with over 20 colors available. Get this 5-quart stainless steel mixing bowl with comfortable handle, 10 speeds, and this stand mixer will quickly become you’re your best friend as you mix, knead and whip ingredients with ease. And for even more versatility, the power hub fits optional attachments from food grinders to pasta makers and more.


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

Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends #21

Before we get started, I need to make an announcement ... and truthfully, I'm really sad that I even need to say this. We had one person link up to last week's party and she likes to steal her entire content (pictures and recipes) from other bloggers and pass it off as her own. She has also been spotted at other linky parties. Please do not link up stolen content. Plain and simple content theft will NOT be tolerated here. It is a FEDERAL OFFENSE!! We will remove your links from our party, report you to the rightful owner and take any other necessary steps we deem appropriate. Please know that Evelyn and I love to promote your work and our party. We know how hard you work on your posts and we want you to get the credit YOU deserve! We will not let one rotten apple spoil the bunch and we will be diligent in watching for the offender(s)!

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 right
Cinnamon Roll Bundt Cake from Baking with MomPork Chili Verde from Mommy On DemandDIY Knitted Minion Cell Phone Cover from Heavenly Savings & HomemakingHow to make a button bracelet from The Quilt LadiesBlueberry Buttermilk Cake from Mandy's Recipe Box
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

Old-Fashioned Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake is an old-fashioned three-layer banana pineapple spice cake, popular in the Southern United States.

I have to confess that I'm not really a fan of cream cheese frosting. Don't hate me. It's just not "my thing" .... but that is traditionally what goes on Hummingbird Cake, so I went with it. I think this would be awesome with a pineapple frosting to accentuate the flavor of the cake! Maybe next time! Although this cake is hugely popular in the South, you don't have to be a Southerner to love it! :)

This will be one of the desserts we enjoy this Easter - and if you're looking for ideas, why don't you give this a try?!



Old-Fashioned Hummingbird Cake
Printable recipe
Yield: 12-14 servings

For the cake:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 eggs
2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3-4 medium)
1½ cups vegetable oil
1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple, undrained
1½ tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

For the frosting:
1 lb. (16 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 lbs. (32 oz.) powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Additional toasted and chopped pecans for the top, if desired

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 9-in. round cake pans. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Add the eggs, bananas, oil, pineapple and vanilla. Beat until well combined. Stir in the nuts. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. 

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center tests clean. Cool 10 minutes; then remove the cakes from the pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Combine all of the frosting ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Beat until the mixture is well combined. Spread the frosting between the layers and over the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle with additional nuts, if desired.

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies
The BEST Lemon Bars EVER
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

Buttermilk Doughnuts with Cherry Glaze

This post may contain affiliate links.
Buttermilk Doughnuts with Cherry Glaze is an old-fashioned doughnut recipe with a super simple cherry glaze! They're easier to make than you may think!

Is the correct spelling, doughnuts or donuts? Actually, I have no idea! But I do know that no matter how you spell them, they are good! :) These buttermilk doughnuts may remind you of the old-fashioned kind grandma used to make. If you're not a fan of cherry, you can use any flavor of jam or jelly you like - or kick it old school with powdered sugar .... or even cinnamon/sugar! 


These doughnuts are perfect for a weekend or holiday breakfast. You can make them the night before for a fuss-free morning. This recipe actually makes quite a few doughnuts for your noshing pleasure!

With Easter just around the corner, this would be a great breakfast idea! They are simple and delicious ... what more could you ask for?! :)

Having a doughnut cutter will make this easier - but you can use a shot glass and a slightly larger glass in a pinch! I also love those guides on the rolling pins that take the guesswork out of how thick the dough is!! :)

 


Buttermilk Doughnuts with Cherry Glaze
Printable recipe
Yield: 24 doughnuts plus 24 doughnut holes

For the doughnuts:
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. baking soda
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
Oil or shortening for frying

For the glaze:
4 tbsp. cherry jam
2 cups powdered sugar
3-4 tsp. milk (more if needed)

To make the doughnuts:
In a fryer or deep skillet, carefully heat the oil or shortening for frying to 375°F over medium to medium-high heat. 

In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. In a separate bowl, beat eggs and granulated sugar until thick and lemon-colored. Stir in the oil and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately to the egg mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat just until blended after each addition. 

Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to ½-in. thick. Cut with a floured doughnut cutter.

Fry in batches until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes per side, flipping once. Remove doughnuts from the oil and drain.

To make the glaze: Whisk the glaze ingredients in a medium shallow bowl until smooth. 

To glaze the doughnuts, dip one side of each doughnut into the glaze and place glaze side up on a rack to set. 

**Note: If you prefer, you can also shake the doughnuts or doughnut holes in cinnamon/sugar combo or powdered sugar! I prefer to do that with the doughnut holes but like the actual doughnut glazed! :)



Mercy!! Look at all the cinnamony-sugar goodness!! I love it!!
What's your preference? Glazed, cinnamon-sugar or powdered sugar?

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

Cinnamon Roll Crumb Cake
Southwest Breakfast Sandwich
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