Easy Strawberry-Rhubarb Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting

We have rhubarb and strawberries galore in our backyard garden right now.
So, I decided to make this very easy cake for my boys to welcome them home from Cub Scout camp.
*Note: My husband took my camera with them to camp, which is why the photos here are a little -- ish.

What You Need:
For the Cake:
1 box white cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1-2 cups chopped strawberries
1-2 cups chopped rhubarb

For the Frosting:
1/2 cup (4 oz.) cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 cup heavy whipping cream (very cold)
1/4-1/2 cup powdered sugar

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Tank You Very Much! - Thank You Cookies

We are getting a fish tank. So, we need to thank (or "tank") the guy who is giving it to us.

We made him some "Tanks a lot" cookies... I think these will do it.

What You Need:
Chocolate Roll-Out Cookies
Buttercream Icing (or canned icing)
  OR Royal Icing
Nerds Candy
Swedish Fish Candy

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National Donut Day (at home)

Did you know that today is National Donut Day? I'm a little behind, but here are some of my favorite homemade donut (or doughnut) recipes.

'Healthy' Homemade Donut Recipe

Easy Donut Recipes from Cake Mix

Best Donut Frosting and Glaze Recipes

Crazy Chocolate Donut Recipes

Strawberry Powdered Sugar Donut Recipe

Apple Cider Donuts

I've also done a post about donut makers and donut pans.

And, if you'd like to see my worst TV appearance ever, making some of these donuts with my son, you can go here.

Easy Cross Cake - How-To

It's that time of year... First Communion season for the Catholics.
Given that I have two second graders, it's a time of many masses, parties and cakes.

The easiest First Communion cake I can make is this cross one. It's made by cutting a 9x13 cake into pieces, rearranging it, and covering it with icing.

I added the Chalice and the Host made out of fondant, which I painted with Wilton's Pearl Dust.

What You Need:
9x13 cake, baked and cooled (I recommend a white cake if you've never done this before... fewer crumbs)
5-6 cups Decorator's Buttercream Icing (more if you want to add filling)
Optional:
4 oz. white fondant
Clear Vanilla
Silver or Gold Pearl Dust

Easy Minecraft Birthday Cake

If you have elementary-aged children, you know about Minecraft. Okay, that's not true at all. I know nothing about Minecraft, but many of my kids' friends do. And this birthday cake was for one of them.

What You Need:
Square Cake (This is two layers of 8" square)
Chocolate Ganache Icing (2 cups)
Buttercream Icing (1-2 cups) - colored dark green

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Looking for a sweet gift idea for your Valentine? I'm here to help!

S'Mores Toffee Bark

Wild About You Cupcakes

Cream Cheese Mints

Make Recipe S'mores Toffee Bark

This recipe is amazing.
I found it in the Busy in Brooklyn blog a few months ago when making a special S'mores treat for my sister's wedding festivities. I changed it just a little, as I like a little more s'moresy goodness on top.

I highly recommend making it only when you have somewhere to take it, or you may end up eating the entire batch all alone! It is also called "S'Mores Crack," and for good reason!

What You Need:
2 sleeves honey graham crackers
2 sticks (1 cup) butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt (if using unsalted butter)
1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
2-4 cups mini marshmallows