Coconut Banana French Toast

Here's another recipe featuring coconut and bananas; yesterday I featured Tropical Banana Coconut Flax Pancakes.  Our family loves breakfast so today it's french toast!  The bread (I use whole wheat) is dipped into a mixture of blended bananas and coconut milk so it really enhances the flavors quite well.    This is the perfect breakfast for the whole family to enjoy!

Macaroon-Cinnamon Roll Braid

Cinnamon rolls wrapped around a coconut cream cheese center, topped with almonds and drizzled with icing.

The other day I was grocery shopping and they had Pillsbury™ canned cinnamon rolls on sale for a dollar!  Of course I bought quite a few cans, and after making them a few days in a row the kids said they were in the mood for something different.  I decided to look online and came across this Macaroon-Cinnamon Roll Braid.  It calls for coconut which my kids and husband love, but I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan so I wasn't sure how it would taste.  This braid took me by surprise because it is divine!  I did however switch out the coconut extract for vanilla and I also omitted the egg because I wanted a more creamy center.  It is so simple to make and I can't wait to make this again for my next get-together!  

Chocolate Fudge Earthquake Cake

Chocolate fudge, cream cheese, coconut and chocolate chips blended into one delicious cake!

I recently made my own version of Earthquake Cakes and I'm so happy how they turned out.  It started with a Red Velvet Earthquake Cake then a Pumpkin Earthquake Cake and now this Chocolate Fudge Earthquake Cake.  They are so simple to make and so delicious!  The combination of sweetened cream cheese, butter, chocolate chips and coconut go together perfectly then it's swirled into a rich chocolate fudge mix and baked into one beautiful cake!

Pineapple & Coconut Bundt Cake

Pineapple & Coconut Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese frosting and toasted coconut.

My husband loves coconut so he's always asking me to make something with it.  I love pineapple so I thought the two would make a perfect combination.  This recipe doesn't call for any butter or oil, however the addition of the pineapple juice makes the cake moist and dense.  I topped it off with a cream cheese frosting that I added while the cake was still warm so it seeps down into the cake as well.  Then sprinkle on some toasted coconut for a pretty garnish.  This cake uses everyday ingredients found in your pantry and you can mix it up in one bowl.  This is definitely a simple and delicious cake!

Featuring You!

 

Spotlight of the Week! 

Welcome to featuring you!  Our Spotlight of the Week goes to SourdoughNative for sharing these beautiful Easy Baked Apple Purses.  These look so pretty and I bet they taste delicious too.  Once again there were so many beautiful projects, unique ideas and delicious recipes.  Thank you for sharing this week, I hope you enjoy the features!

Red Velvet Earthquake Cake

   

I've never tried an Earthquake cake before, and honestly I can't believe I waited so long!  They're usually made with a German chocolate cake mix, however I wanted to use red velvet and I also prepared it in a different way.  Instead of putting the coconut on the bottom, I mixed mine with the cream cheese, tossed in some chocolate chips, and skipped the nuts.  This cake was so moist and delicious!  I love how simple it is to make...and it is so good it doesn't even need a frosting.  If you're in a hurry and need a quick and easy dessert, make sure you try this one...you won't be disappointed!

Don't forget to try Chocolate Fudge and Pumpkin too!

101 Stovetop Suppers Giveaway!

It's time once again to review the newest cookbook from Gooseberry Patch and this time it's quite special.  Why you ask...because my recipe is published in it!  I am so excited and honored to be included in this book.  101 Stovetop Suppers includes: Quick & Easy Recipes, Slowly Simmered, and Serves a Crowd.  This cookbook is perfect before the holiday season because we all know how busy we are.  Now you can grab this book, pick a recipe and have dinner on the table in no time at all!  To win a copy make sure you enter the contest below!

Mayonnaise & Pudding Cupcakes...any flavor you want!

 

Cupcakes are always a hit and it's one of my favorite treats to make!  The other day I wanted to make some, however I don't have cake mixes on hand and I ran out of oil and only had a little bit of butter...yikes!  So I started experimenting and boy am I glad I did.  I came up with a recipe that is so easy, you normally have all the ingredients at home and you can make them any flavor you want!  What's the secret?  You add sugar-free pudding mix and mayonnaise.  These cupcakes came out so moist and delicious.  I've made them twice already and I love them plain, but the kids like icing on top, so any way you eat them they are sure to please.  I hope you enjoy!

Coconut & Chocolate Delight Bites!

 

  

  

Having four kids, school, sports and other activities our lives are pretty busy all the time.  However, at the end of the year it seems to get even more hectic.  I don't know what it is, but I'm happy when it's over.  Even though it's crazy I still like to whip up a dessert for us to have once a week.  I had some coconut and chocolate chips that have been sitting around and thought I'd come up with something quick and easy to use them up.  These little bites turned out delicious and you can make a batch in no time at all! 

Watergate Salad made with Cream Cheese

 

I wanted to make a green dessert for this weekend and while I was looking through some cookbooks I found a recipe for Watergate Salad.   I don't recall ever having this salad, but it sounded interesting so I decided to come up with my own version!  I'm not too fond of marshmallows being in dessert salads so I omitted those as well as the nuts.  I figured the marshmallows added a creaminess and since I took them out I needed something to replace it.  Being that I have an obsession with cream cheese, I figured that would be perfect.  I made this with low-fat cream cheese and lite cool whip and you can't tell at all!  I love the color of this salad, how simple it is to prepare and how it ended up tasting...I hope you enjoy!

Featuring You!

Spotlight of the Week!

Welcome to featuring you!  Our Spotlight of the Week goes to The Redhead Riter who shared this Healthy & Moist Baked Apple Blueberry Oatmeal.  I love oatmeal so I'm so excited to try this recipe.  I also love to see how creative you all are, thank you for taking the time to share!

Featuring You!

 

Featuring You!  

 Hot Cocoa Mix

from Wonky Wonderful 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends, I know we sure did! Today our Spotlight of the Week goes to Wonky Wonderful for sharing this delicious Hot Cocoa Mix.  It doesn't have a lot of sugar and you can whip it up in no time at all.  This would be perfect for me today since the snow is coming down like crazy!  I want to thank you all for taking the time to share this past Mix it up Monday :)

Toasted Coconut Pound Cake with Lime Glaze

I don't think I'll ever get sick of pound cakes, they're the perfect cake!  I think one of the reasons why I like them so much is because you can whip one up in no time, no special ingredients are needed and no icing is either.  Plus the end result is always a luscious cake that goes well with anything!  I had a can of coconut milk and I had no idea why I even bought it, but I figured since I had it, I better use it.  The end result...a coconut pound cake with a lime glaze and toasted coated.  This cake was great the first day, but as it sat overnight it became more dense and that's the way I like it!

Strawberry-Coconut Bundt Cake

A delicious Strawberry-Coconut bundt cake featured from Gooseberry Patch!

Our third featured recipe from Gooseberry Patch's newest cookbook: Simple Shortcut Recipes is Strawberry Coconut Pound Cake.  You start with a strawberry cake mix, add in some other ingredients, mix them up (in one bowl) and in less than an hour you're done.  Not only do you have a delicious cake, but a beautiful one too.  I love the vibrant  pink color of this cake!  In the cookbook it even states that it doubles as a centerpiece since it's so pretty!  I love doing reviews for Gooseberry Patch and I'm very grateful that they allow me to do them.  So to show my appreciation I like to give away a little gift to go along with the cookbook.  Since I love coffee, I decided to buy a pack of coffee pot holders, a coffee tea towel, and a set of coffee dish rags.

Pina Colada Cupcakes

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I am so excited to tell you that I got to do a review from Chicago Metallic; The Baking Experts!  If you haven't heard of this company then you're missing out.  They have an array of products, from cake pans to specialty pans, to the baking essentials!  Chicago Metallic is your one stop shop for all your baking needs!

Whatever you like Pie!

This pie is made with oatmeal and coconut, however what's unique is that you can add in whatever you like.  Yes, you heard me right... whatever you like!  You could choose white chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, walnuts, pecans, raisins, cranberries, whatever your favorite is, just toss it in and enjoy.  I'd love to hear what you would choose, so let me know!

Almond Joy* Brownie Bites

 

 

Almond Joy* candy bars are a delightful little treat, but what happens when you're in the mood for one and you don't have any?  You make Almond Joy* Brownie Bites!  These are the perfect snack to take that craving away.  First there is a chocolate fudge brownie base that's topped with sweetened coconut.  Then drizzle on some chocolate, sprinkle on some almonds and it's perfect.   So simple and oh so delicious!

Nut Free Nanaimo Bars

I don't know about you, but here in the North Eastern states it has been HOT and humid!  I haven't had my oven on in a week so I had to come up with something that didn't require baking.  While searching the internet I found tons of recipes for Nanaimo Bars and I have to admit, I've never heard of these before (I know, I'm sorry).  However they looked and sounded delicious.  I omitted the nuts, added toasted coconut and changed a few other ingredients too.  If you have a chocolate craving or a sweet tooth, this is a quick and simple recipe for you!

Tropical Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Now that warmer weather is here, I'm all about quick and easy desserts. Here is a perfect example of one. Staple ingredients are mixed in one bowl and it doesn't have any oil or butter! However, it doesn't lack in flavor or moisture due to the addition of canned pineapple juice. 

Coconut Cream Poke Cake

 

 

Coconut cream cake is my husband's favorite and with Valentine's Day coming up I figured it would be the perfect time to make it for him. This cake is super simple to make, yet tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.