Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas
• (optional: 1/2 cup crushed/chopped nuts)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Mini Cupcakes

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons whipping cream

Directions

In a standing mixer fitted with a whisk, mix together sugar and butter. Mix on low speed until well blended and then increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes.

Add vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for spreading consistency.

Pudding Layer Delight

Ingredients:

Crust
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 3 tbsp white sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup flour
Cream cheese layer
• 2 cups cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup whipping cream
Vanilla pudding
• 1 package of instant vanilla pudding (5.1 oz or 144 g)
• 3 cups milk
Chocolate Pudding
• 1 package of instant chocolate pudding (5.1 oz or 144 g)
• 3 cups milk
Last layer
• 2 cups whipping cream
• shaved chocolate

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
2. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
3. In a mixer mix all the crust ingredients together and press the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
4. Bake it for about 20 minutes.
5. Prepare the vanilla pudding as per the instructions on the package.
6. Prepare the chocolate pudding as per the instructions on the package.
7. In a mixer add the cream cheese, powdered sugar and the cup of whipping cream. Mix until light and fluffy.
8. Let the crust cool. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the crust evenly. Spread the chocolate pudding over the bottom crust, then the vanilla pudding. Top with the whipped cream and sprinkle with the chocolate.
9. Refrigerate for a couple hours so that it sets.

Macaroon Kisses

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 3 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tsp. almond extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 5 cups flaked coconut, divided (you can omit if you don't like coconut)
• 48 milk chocolate kisses

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy.  

Beat in egg yolk and almond extract.  Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.  Stir in 3 cups coconut.  Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

Roll into 1-inch balls and roll in remaining coconut (or roll in sugar if you omitted coconut).  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.  Sprinkle with coarse sugar.  Cool on pan for 2-3 minutes or until chocolate is softened.  Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Valentine Cupcakes

Shredded white chocolate

Chocolate covered Strawberries on top

Whipped Cream frosting

Strawberry Cake cupcakes. 

YUM!!!