A Cake made out of Cupcakes

Do you ever wonder how you make a cupcake cake? Well that was just my job the last week of school. Miss J had to do a report on the 1st dinosaur ever and she signed up to make a cake. Well at Miss J’s school that means you bring everything from the serving piece to the sharp knife plus all of the plates napkins and forks for 35 kids plus two teachers. Now I do not mind bringing all of that however.  I do want my stuff back! That’s the part that I am never sure I am going to get to happen. So my answer to this problem is sending cupcakes and Ice like a cake.

I baked Gluten Free Cupcakes by Betty Crocker but instead of adding the oil or butter I always substitute with apple sauce. This way they are really moist and it was really cute a lot of the Moms know I love to bake and cook and they thought I made from scratch and a couple moms came to me for the recipe when I explained it was Betty Crocker Gluten Free they were quiet surprised.

Take cupcakes and arrange in six rows of seven cupcakes each.

Fill up a 16" icing bag with icing.

Next use Tip 789 By Wilton it is a basket weaving tip but it really gets everything together.

Make stripes of icing over cupcakes first going vertical

Next Ice Horizontal then smooth all out.

Now its time to decorate. I find easiest way is to photo copy a picture in book then cut around picture of shape.

Next place on cake then outline with toothpick,

then outline toothpick with colored icing.  I used a pre purchased Wilton Icing.

Last we filled in picture with sugar crystals.

This was  such a fun project to do with Miss J.  I hope you enjoy decorating a cake with your kids as much as we do.

Enjoy

Sheila Fretz

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches

The Other Day I went to our local Gluten Free Store who shall remain nameless and I noticed a lot of the items were not priced and I could not figure out how much an Ice cream Sandwich cost. However, I thought to myself it cant cost that much. So I agreed to buy one for Miss J. Well after I checked out and had a $65.00 bill and I only purchased 11 items I looked at the receipt and saw $7.00 for that ONE Ice Cream sandwich. I thought to myself I am going to have to make these more often.

So yesterday we were invited to one of Miss J’s classmates for a play date and I offered to bring Ice cream sandwiches. So I quickly text the little girls mother and she said any flavor would be good. I suggested a Strawberry Chocolate Chip cookie with Strawberry Ice cream. I used the recipe Raspberry swirl Oat Meal Cookies with Strawberry Fruit Spread instead and only added the semi sweet Chocolate chips.

 Bake and Make Cookies according to Directions

Let Completely Cool

Take Cookies Match them up to size.

Tip of the day when I bake them I use a cookie scoop so there all the same size. This helps when your matching up.

Scoop Ice cream on One Side

Then Cover with Matching cookie.

Wrap in Plastic Wrap

Place in  freezer for 4 to 6 hours depending on your freezer.

Unwrap and Serve

Enjoy and Bon Appetit

Sheila Fretz

Fathers Day

With Fathers day fast approaching. Today, Im going to give you some quick easy ideas you and your children can do for their fathers on their special day.

Eggs & Sausage

Gluten Free French Toast

Root Beer Ribs

Pizza Gluten Free

Enjoy and Have a Happy Fathers Day!

What will you be doing with your Dad or Father to your Children?

Bon Appetit

Sheila Fretz

Breakfast with Miss J

Do you ever cook with your kids. I think it is something we all should do weather the food is fabulous or NOT. How else are your little ones going to learn? We all have to start somewhere?

The other morning Miss J got up and she was in the mood to cook. I had already cut up fruit the night before and I knew we had sausage in the freezer. So I said what do you want to make the answer was a quick Eggs & Sausage so she quickly jumped off the couch and got started.

First Step remove frozen breakfast sausage from freezer and make sure it's gluten free . Place in Pan with Wax Paper attached to sausage wax paper side up and cover with a lid .

Do not try to remove until the steam builds up ten it will be easy.

Cook Sausage on low for about 20 minutes turning frequently. Placing on a paper towel to drain off grease then in oven to keep warm.

When complete wipe off extra fat and place about a teaspoon of butter in the pan.

Next Miss J asked me, “What kid of eggs can I make you?”. I stated “Over Easy” Miss J  said “What’s that?” I said “It’s the eggs with the runny inside for dipping!” Miss J said, “Well I’ll try to make those kind but my egg cracking skills are not that good yet!”

So she made the eggs by placing the raw eggs in a pan breaking all 3 yolks not on purpose but they still tasted good!

She toasted a gluten free bagel with fresh fruit on the side.

Thanks J for making me a fabulous breakfast that tasted delicious

Love Ya Miss J

Mom

Caprese Salad

This fun and easy salad reminds me of my trip to Tuscany Italy a couple of years ago. I love a good quick and Easy Salad that I can get done super quick and easy.

Caprese Salad Ingredients:

1 Beef Steak Tomato Sliced in 6 thin slices

Buffalo Mozzarella

Fresh Basil

Balsamic Glaze Dressing

Slice  Tomatoes and Mozzarella and layer Tomato Mozzarella,

Chopped Basil then repeat.

Last poor Balsamic Glaze.

Enjoy and Bon Appetit

Sheila Fretz

Balsamic Glaze Dressing

Balsamic Glaze Dressing Ingredients:

3 Tablespoon Brown Gulden's Mustard

1/4 cup Aged Balsamic Vinegar

2 teaspoons granulated garlic

1 teaspoon dried cilantro

½ cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1/4 teaspoon Pepper

1/4 teaspoon sugar

Equipment:

Medium Size Bowl to mix Balsamic Glaze dressing in

Mix dressing together Balsamic Glaze Dressing by putting all ingredients in a bowl except the olive oil and whisk together.

When completely combine emulsify with Olive Oil. Poor all but 1 tablespoon per tostada in a jar and save in refrigerator.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Brownies

The other day I was reading an article about Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pie, it sounded so yummy! However, I had no where to take it and to make a pie of peanut butter I thought there must be something better plus I wanted a snack or dessert that my hubby could take to work and Miss J to school .

P.S. The picture does not do them justice!!!

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Brownies Ingredients:

1 cup butter

1/2 cup cocoa

1/4cup aged Balsamic Vinegar

2 cup  sugar

1 teaspoon Vanilla Bourbon

2 eggs total ( 2 for chocolate mixture 1 for cheese mixture)

1 cup corn starch

2 cup Oat flour

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup cream cheese

2 eggs

Cooking Spray

Equipment:

1 Pot

1 9 x13 (baking pan)

1 Mixer

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a non stick pot melt butter then add cocoa powder and whisk together.

Next add sugar

Add  Balsamic Vinegar

Add Vanilla.

Next add Corn Starch and Oat flour and Whisk together then set aside.

In a large Mixing Bowl bowl put Peanut Butter

and  sugar until smooth with  Cream Cheese,

Then add 2 eggs

Cream until smooth like this.

Now take half of peanut butter mixture out and set aside.

Mix in other half of Peanut Butter into Chocolate Mixture until smooth then poor in greased Take a 9 x13 pan spray with cooking spray.

Then poor in chocolate mixture in .

Next dollop 9 to 12 dollops of peanut butter cheese on top.

Take a knife and draw 3 U’s One right side up One Upside down One Right side Up

Now turn pan 1/4 turn and do the same until it looks like this.

Bake for 35-45 minutes until you insert a tooth pick and it comes clean.

Bon Appetit and Enjoy

Sheila Fretz

Almond Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

These are a yummy go to snack or dessert or even a great base for a great ice cream sandwich with a Swiss chocolate almond Ice cream so yummy.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Almond Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Ingredients:

2 sticks of butter or ½ pound

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp Almond Extract

1 teaspoon all spice

1 teaspoon Baking soda

2 ups Old Fashioned Oatmeal

2 Cups Oat flour

1 Cup White Chocolate Chips

1 Cup Golden Raisins

Take butter whip until creamy

Next add sugars and mix, Add eggs blend until creamy inside.

Next add Extracts

Add All spice

Next add Oats and Oat Flour

Last add Raisins and Chocolate Chips

Bake in preheated oven 8-10 minutes.

Enjoy and Bon Appetit

Sheila Fretz