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Bird Nest Cupcakes – Perfect for Easter

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Bird Nest Cupcakes

When I purchased a mini bundt pan a few months ago, little did I know how much fun I would have using it.  I have found so many ways to bake & decorate with it!

These adorable nests take no special ingredients and can be done with regular cupcakes too.  I used a mini muffin tin to make bite size cakes and topped with egg shaped candy sprinkles to show the variation.

Mix up a cake mix, top with a 3 ingredient glaze, sprinkle coconut on top and add some jelly beans. DONE! How easy is that?  Plus, this is very kid friendly! They can help put cupcake liners in, shake the coconut, pour the glaze and add the jelly beans.

📌 Pin HERE for Later.

What you need:

  • (1) Box yellow or white cake mix
  • Oil, Water, Eggs needed per the cake directions
  • 2 c. powdered sugar
  • 1/4 c. heavy cream (or whole milk or half & half)
  • 1/2 t. vanilla (clear is best)
  • 1/2 c. coconut flakes
  • green food coloring
  • jelly beans, malted milk balls or sprinkles for the ‘eggs’

Make it:

  • Prepare cake mix according to the package directions
  • If using a mini bundt pan, carefully coat the pan with non-stick spray
  • If using a muffin tin, line with paper cups.  Spray the paper cups lightly with non-stick spray to ensure a clean removal
  • Bake cake according to package directions. (usually about 20 minutes for cupcakes)
  • Remove from pan and allow to completely cool

Prepare grass topping:

  • Add coconut to a storage container with a tight fitting lid
  • Add 2 drops of food color
  • Cover and shake until the coconut is green.  This takes a few minutes.  Add more food coloring if desired.

For the glaze:

  • In a mixing bowl combine powdered sugar, vanilla & cream
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Add heavy cream 1 TBSP at a time until a pour-able consistency is reached.  You can add more cream if required.  Just add small amounts in at a time so the glaze does not become too runny.
  • Add a few drops of green food color to lightly tint green

Frost and decorate:

  • Put cakes onto a cooling rack that is set inside a cookie sheet to catch drips.
  • If using cupcakes, remove paper liners for a clean look, if desired.
  • Pour glaze over the tops of cakes so that it starts to drip down the sides.
  • Top with colored coconut
  • Add 3 jelly beans to the top of each
  • Allow for glaze to set

More Easter Ideas:

Bunny Butt Pretzel Treats

Easter Egg Pops

French Onion Meatballs

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French Onion Meatballs

This delicious main dish tastes just like a bowl of hot, gooey cheese covered French Onion Soup!  The ground chicken makes for a very tender and mild meatball that soaks in all the amazing french onion ‘soup’ gravy.  I served this with roasted potatoes to soak up every bit of caramelized onion goodness! Because I was so excited to try this dinner, I forgot to snap a photo of the finished plate!  So until I make it again, (yes I am FOR SURE making it again) the pan of simmering meatballs will have to do!

📍 Pin here for later

What you need:

Meatballs:

  • 1 lb. ground chicken (or turkey)
  • 1/2 c. shredded Swiss cheese
  • 1/4 c. bread crumbs
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 Tbsp. (1 clove) minced garlic
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

French Onion Gravy:

  • 4 tbsp. butter
  • 2 large onions, sliced
  • 1 Tbsp. (1 clove) minced garlic
  • 2 c. beef broth
  • 2 tsp. freshly chopped thyme*
  • salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 c. shredded Swiss cheese

Make the Meat Balls:

  • Preheat oven to 400° F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease the paper
  • In a bowl, combine ground chicken, cheese, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, salt and pepper.
  • Form into 12 meatballs and place on a baking sheet.  Bake until golden and cooked through.  About 20 minutes.

Make the gravy:

  • While meatballs are baking:
  • Over VERY low heat add onion and butter.  Caramelize the onions for about 25 minutes stirring occasionally and cook until deep golden brown and tender.
  • Add minced garlic and thyme.  Cook 5 more minutes
  • Add broth, salt, pepper and increase heat to med/low.
  • Bring to a boil, lower heat, and reduce for about 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.
  • Add cooked meatballs and heat them back through.
  • Top with remaining shredded cheese and allow to melt.

*Rather than chopping the thyme, I just tossed in a few sprigs with the onions as they cooked and let them simmer in the broth.  Just remove the stems before serving!

 

Recipe adapted from HERE

Check out these other dinner ideas too:

Chicken & Stuffing Casserole

Keto Friendly – Low Carb Shepherd’s Pie

Streusel Coffee Cake

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Streusel Coffee Cake

Whenever we do a family brunch, you will find this coffee cake on the menu.  For as long as I can remember, this was my mom’s signature ‘dish to pass’.  It always looks beautiful, cuts and serves perfect and pleases the masses.  Little did I know it was made with a cake mix and comes together in minutes!  Now I find myself making it often and loving how simple it is!

Starting with a cake mix and adding just a few extra ingredients, you end up with a mildly sweet, tender cake with a tasty fruit swirl and perfect streusel crumb topping.  Serve this up with your next breakfast and everyone will be impressed with this easy coffee cake.

📍 Pin HERE for later

What you need:

  • 1 yellow cake mix
  • 1 c. flour
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (1/4 oz.)
  • 2/3 c. warm water
  • 2 eggs – slightly beaten
  • 2 Tbsp. sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 – 21 oz pie filling (any variety i.e. cherry, blueberry, apple)
  • 5 T. butter melted

Make it:

  • Preheat oven to 350° F
  • Grease a 9 x 13 Pan. (I prefer a glass pan)
  • Add 1 1/2 c. of cake mix (reserve rest for topping), flour, sugar, and yeast to a bowl.  Lightly mix.
  • Add water, vanilla and eggs.  Using an hand mixer, stir until a thick dough forms.
  • Spread into prepared baking pan.  Dough is thick, but can be spread evenly in pan.  An offset spatula works best!
  • Top evenly with pie filling.  I used a cherry/blueberry mixed can.

Prepare topping:

  • Mix reserved, remaining cake mix and melted butter.
  • Using your fingers, put small dollops of the topping all over the cake.  Do not cover completely – you want little spots peeking through with fruit filling.

Bake it:

  • Bake for 35-40 minutes at 350° F.  Turn the pan half way through.  The edges of the cake will be just brown and pull away from the sides of the pan.  A glass pan makes it easier to watch the color of the cake because the topping won’t darken much in the oven.
  • The cake will rise in spots creating bubbles and valleys.  Don’t worry – this gives it a very nice appearance when cut and served!
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
  • Optional: Drizzle with a powdered sugar glaze if desired.

 

Ice coffee make a refreshing accompaniment to this!

Make Your Own Cold Brew Coffee

Lemon Meltaway Cookies

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Grab a few ingredients and mix up these melt in your mouth buttery lemon cookies.  By a few I mean ONLY FOUR ingredients – lemon juice and zest count as one item, right?!  These take just a few minutes and taste like you spent hours making a gourmet bakery cookie.

📌 Pin HERE for later!

What you need:  

  • 1 c. butter (2 sticks) – room temperature
  • 2 1/2 c. powdered sugar
  • 3 Tbsp. finely grated lemon zest
  • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 2 c. flour

Make it:

Cookies:

  • Preheat oven to 400°
  • In a large bowl, add butter, 1/2 c. powdered sugar and lemon zest.  Cream together with a hand mixer
  • Add flour and mix until a soft dough forms.  This will be a slightly dry, crumbly dough.
  • Roll into 36 balls and place onto an ungreased cookie sheet
  • Flatten to about 1 1/2″ cookies.  Do not worry about spacing.  The cookies do not flatten or spread when baking
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes until JUST set and barely brown on edges.  Bottoms should remain pale
  • Remove from oven and rest on pan for 2 minutes.
  • Immediately remove from pan and place in a bowl with 1 c. powdered sugar.  Gently toss to coat and put onto a cooling rack.  Do 3 or 4 cookies at a time to avoid breaking them.

Icing:

  • Mix remaining 1 c. powdered sugar and 2 Tbsp. lemon juice to make a glaze.  Add more lemon juice if needed to make a pourable glaze.
  • Drizzle over cooled cookies creating a zig zag pattern to decorate.  Allow to set.

 

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

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Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

I am one of those people that could eat soup EVERY DAY, no matter the weather.  It doesn’t even matter what kind: chili, chicken noodle, spicy tortilla, cheesy broccoli, potato . . . do I need to go on?   Give me ALL THE SOUP!

One of my go to’s is Chicken Chili.  Tossing everything in a slow cooker and using a rotisserie chicken makes the prep of this mild and rich chili a snap.

📌 Pin HERE for later!

What you need:

  • 6 c. chicken broth
  • 3 c. cooked and chopped chicken (use a rotisserie to save time)
  • 4 cans white beans (great northern, canellini, or your favorite kind) – drained & rinsed
  • 2 cans 4.5 oz. mild chopped green chilies
  • 2 t. salt
  • 2 t. cumin
  • 2 t. oregano
  • 1/2 t. cayenne pepper (more or less to your tastes)
  • 1/2 t. black pepper
  • 2 t. garlic powder
  • 1/2 c. heavy cream

Make it:

  • Put all ingredients EXCEPT cream into a slow cooker on low.  Cook for 4 hours stirring occasionally.  Taste for seasoning.  Add salt and pepper as needed.
  • Add cream before serving and allow to heat thru
  • Serve with cheese, sour cream, cilantro and/or onion if desired.

One of the BEST parts of making a big pot of chili – LEFTOVERS!  As with most chili recipes, this tastes even better the next day! It freezes well, too!  

More soup recipes

Hobo Hamburger Stew

Poultry a la King Recipe

Grasshopper Mint Brownies with Chocolate Ganache Topping

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Grasshopper Mint Brownies with Chocolate Ganache Topping

Nothing like the upcoming 🍀 St. Patrick’s Day 🍀 holiday to bring out all the delicious green & mint treats!  Don’t get me wrong, I will gladly play all along and use this as a perfect excuse to make all things mint.  Add some chocolate to the equation and BOOM how can you say no?

These tasty bites use a store bought mix and a bit ‘o the Irish with creme de menthe buttercream!  PLUS pour over a simple chocolate ganache and you have one beautiful and tasty dessert!

📌 Pin HERE for later!

What you need:

  • 1 brownie mix + the eggs, oil & water called for on the box
    Note: Prepare in the ‘fudgy’ method for best results

Buttercream:

  • 4 oz. butter, room temperature
  • 3 tsp. Creme de Menthe
  • 2 c. powdered sugar
  • 1 – 2 Tbsp. cream or milk
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Note: if you prefer no alcohol add 1 t. mint extract and a few drops of green food coloring plus additional cream to make up for the liquid difference.

Ganache Topping:

  • 1/2 c. heavy cream
  • 1/2 c. semi sweet chocolate chips
  • colored sprinkles if desired

Make it:

  • Preheat oven temperature as indicated on the box brownie mix (usually 325-350° F)
  • Heavily spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick spray.  Be sure to get the sides and top so the brownies pop out nicely
  • Prepare brownie mix according to package directions using the ‘fudge-like’ directions
  • Fill the mini muffin tins 2/3 full with batter
  • Bake for 12 – 15 minutes until toothpick comes out clean
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes
  • Remove brownies from pan and allow to cool completely

While brownies cool prepare the ganache:

  • Warm cream to a simmer over low heat
  • Remove from heat and add chocolate chips. Stir until completely combined and the sauce becomes glossy.  It takes a minute of stirring, don’t worry it will all mix together!
  • Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature (can put in fridge if necessary)

Prepare buttercream:

  • Using a hand mixer, combine butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, 2 t. creme de menthe, and 1 Tbsp. of cream.
  • Start mixing.  Add more cream and mint until desired fluffy texture has been reached.
  • Frost each brownie with a generous amount of frosting.
  • Once the ganache topping has cooled to room temperature pour a small amount on top of each brownie.
  • Decorate with sprinkles if desired.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Penne

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As I have mentioned before, I like to prepare a large batch of chicken in the slow cooker to use during the week for quick meal prep.  I love knowing I have a protein cooked and ready to go for any number of meals through out the week!  PLUS, I end up with a nice stash of stock for soups and chicken chili!  Even better, if you have leftover cooked meat after a few days, just toss it in the freezer for later!

I gave this new recipe a try and it received RAVE reviews from both kids!  All I have to do is mention pasta, and I have my kid’s full attention for any meal.  This is very quick to put together, requires no special ingredients and is very kid friendly.  Use a rotisserie chicken to save some time and serve with a salad for a nice balanced meal.

📌 Pin here for later!

What you need:

  • 1 lb Penne pasta (or other short cut pasta)
  • 2 cups shredded or cubed cooked chicken
  • 1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce
  • 1 c. ranch dressing (regular or light)
  • 2 t. ranch dressing powder/mix
  • 1/2 t. cracked black pepper
  • 6 slices chopped cooked bacon
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)

Make it:

  • Preheat oven to 350° F
  • Cook the bacon until crisp and chop into bite size pieces (I prefer to bake mine in the oven)
  • Cook the pasta in boiling, salted water until JUST soft.  Do not over cook or your pasta will become mushy since it is also baked
  • While pasta is cooking, mix Alfredo, ranch, seasonings, and chicken.
  • Drain pasta and mix into Alfredo/chicken mixture
  • Pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish
  • Top with shredded cheese and cooked bacon
  • Bake, uncovered for 25 Minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbling.
  • Let rest for 10 minutes before serving

The leftovers reheat wonderfully and taste even better the next day.

Recipe adapted from HERE

More Kid Friendly Meals:

Easy Pizza Roll

Simple Crock Pot Spaghetti

Chocolate Chip Blondies

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Chocolate Chip Blondies

📍 Pin HERE for later

What you need:

  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 c. packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 t. vanilla
  • 1 1/4 c. flour
  • 1 t. baking powder
  • 1/4. t. salt
  • 1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 c. additional chips of choice (dark chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter, butterscotch, etc!)
  • 1/2 c. chopped pecan (optional)

Make them:

  • Preheat oven to 350° F
  • Grease an 8×8 pan
  • Cream butter, sugar & vanilla until fluffy
  • Mix in eggs
  • Add remaining dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Dough is very soft and sticky.
  • Fold in chocolate chips and nuts
  • Spread into baking pan.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until browned on top, the bars start to crack on top and pull away from sides of pan.  DO NOT OVER BAKE! You want this to be gooey and soft inside!
  • Serve Warm.

Note for this batch, I used a combination of semi sweet, dark and salted caramel chips.  So perfectly rich and the caramel chips added a yummy extra salty punch to the bars!

More Chocolate Recipes to try:

Brownie Batter Puppy Chow

Chocolate Lasagna

Make Your Own Cold Brew Coffee

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on our links. You can view MCC’s Full Disclosure Policy HERE.

When it comes to coffee, I prefer it served on ice, no matter how cold it might be outside!  Recently I have jumped on the bandwagon with cold brew coffee.  Rich, dark, smooth and ice cold!  Add a splash of cream and you have one delicious ANY TIME OF THE DAY drink!  

Have you seen the cost of the machines, kits, and cold brew coffee pouches? Instead of spending upwards of $5.00 on a single serving, I am now making my own at home for pennies!  No special tools, gadgets or products are needed! A French Press Coffee Brewer (Target offers an 8 cup one for JUST $15.39) will make removing the grounds easier, but it isn’t necessary! A mason jar and coffee filter will work just as well! The HARDEST part of this process is waiting overnight to drink the coffee!

📌 Pin HERE for later!

Now, lets get our cold brew started!

What you need:

  • 2/3 c. medium or dark roast coffee grounds* (light or flavored blends will not produced a strong brew)
  • 4 c. water (filtered water if possible)
  • French Press, quart or larger Mason jar with lid, or glass carafe with lid
  • coffee filter or cheese cloth

Make it:

  • Put coffee grounds into the French Press or jar
  • Slowly pour water over the grounds.  Use a circular motion so all the grounds get wet but not forcing them up the sides.
  • You can use a spoon to carefully push any grounds still not wet down into the water.  Do not stir.
  • Cover and leave at room temperature for a minimum 12 hours.
  • If using a French Press, after brewing, press plunger down HALF WAY to avoid compressing the grounds and making it bitter.
  • Using a mesh strainer lined with cheese cloth or coffee filter pour out the brew into a bowl or clean jar.  If you are using a French Press, you don’t have to do this step, but it will help remove any grounds or sediment that might not be caught in the plunger screen.
  • Do not force the brew through the filter.  Allow it to strain slowly.  You could make your coffee bitter by stirring or compressing the grounds.
  • You now have about 4 c. of cold brew concentrate. This is very dark and strong so serve over ice or add water before drinking.  Add a splash of cream and sugar to taste if desired!
  • Store any leftovers in the fridge!

* If you prefer a darker brew, use up to 1 cup of coffee grounds.

More Breakfast Ideas:

Breakfast Taco Casserole Recipe

My Copycat Starbucks Frappuccino

Teachers: Get a FREE Colgate Bright Futures Kit!

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Teachers: Get a FREE Colgate Bright Futures Kit!

If you are a school teacher with a Kindergarten or First Grade Classroom here HERE to Colgate’s site and request a FREE FREE Bright Smiles Bright Futures Kit for your students!  There is also a Headstart Classroom kit available HERE

The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® classroom kit is full of easy-to-use classroom materials, plus Colgate® toothpaste and toothbrush samples for 25 kindergarteners or first-grade students. We make it easy to help kids learn healthy oral care habits that will last a lifetime.

All kits must be shipped to a valid school address. Please note: We use UPS for all orders. UPS will not deliver to a PO Box.

 

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