Scrumptious x2 Tuesday

Lucky Post #100!

Brace yourself! I've got two deliciously easy treats for you to try. Which are conveniently two of my favorite characteristics of baking: delicious and easy. More emphasis on the delicious of course.

Side note: I'm rocking the clothing version of a mullet right now. I'm partially dressed in sweat pants and my dress and pearls from school today. I'm ready for business on top and slumber on the bottom. Which reminds me of this:

Musings

Back on track.. Once again brace yourself.


Apple Dumplings (with a splash of 'Dew!)

Warning: These have not been baked, YET!

Where did I find this recipe you ask? Well, Pinterest of course. Can I think of anything on my own anymore or simply crack open a cook book? Ha! That's nonsense. Or so she says... is a great blog full of great recipes. Check it out!

Apple Dumplings

from The Pioneer Woman

2 sticks butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 tubes crescent rolls

2 granny smith apples

12 ounces of Mountain Dew

Cinnamon

Vanilla ice cream

Directions: 

• Peel and slice your apples.  (I skipped this step)
• Wrap each slice in a crescent dough triangle and place in sprayed (greased) pan.  
• In a bowl, melt your butter and stir in sugar and vanilla.  
• Pour over top of the wrapped apples....or spread on top with a spoon.  
• Pour the Mt. Dew all around and sprinkle with Cinnamon. 
• Place in 350 degree oven for 30 to 40 minutes.  
• Serve hot with ice cream!

I've never baked with Mountain Dew (or any pop for that matter), so my hand was a tad shaky pouring the dew all over my beautifully wrapped apples (of course, I'm exaggerating. They weren't beautiful). The final product was delish. I've got a few leftovers in my fridge.. head on over!

She Says Photo

I'm a lover of all things Funfetti. Ever since my BFF Ali (click here for her blog!) discovered the magical recipe of Funfetti cookies. I've even blogged about a Funfetti adventure here and here. See? I'm borderline obsessed. So, anytime I see something Funfetti related on Pinterest it's an automatic repin. Introducing recipe numero dos:

Funfetti Cake Batter Fudge from Pursuit of Happiness (I'm a new follower!)

1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

3.5 cups white chocolate chips

3 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/2 tsp Almond Extract

Rainbow Sprinkles

Pour milk and white chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 2-3 minutes, or until white chocolate is almost completely melted. DO NOT OVERHEAT. Stir until completely blended, melted, and smooth.

Immediately add vanilla and almond and combine thoroughly. Add a handful or so of rainbow sprinkles and fold in quickly, because they will melt (and if they are stirred for too long they’ll turn the fudge an ugly muddy color)

Transfer to an aluminum-foil lined 8×8 inch baking pan for very thick fudge, or a 11X7 pan (recommended). Let set at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

MIZ Fudge Style

I think I went a little crazy with the almond flavoring, but overall my fudge was/is pretty delish. I'll be sure to let you know what my book club thinks of it tonight.

Before I go, I'm sure you've seen the adorable photo of snowman door decor floating around Pinterest and bloggy land. I decided to bring a little snow into my classroom before the holidays! Hopefully it doesn't bring a blizzard like last year. Oops!

Thumpity Thump Thump

Linking up here!

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Dump me in the pile (or stereotype) of teachers who like apple-ly (yes, that's a word) things. I have several reasons why I like apples. Here are just a few:
1. Apples are delicious
2. Apples dipped in anything are even more delicious
3. Apples are cute as a button

This year, I had two students bring apples to me. It was truly a touching moment!

I think you get the idea. No wait, I think I should elaborate a tad more with visual examples. As most teachers, I need to appeal to all learners who read my post.

classic literature involving apples

fabric to complement your classroom decor

endless possibilities of bulletin boards

yummy and delicious cookies

Now I'm positive that you get the picture. In a nutshell, I'm an apple-lovin' teacher. So today, when my second grade team from Hallsville came to visit me at the lake I made these:

Martha knows best

Before you think I created a masterpiece, I have something to admit. I used box cake mix and pre-made frosting to create this little treats. Whew, I'm glad that's out in the open. 

cupcakes and Vista Grande go together like peas and carrots

Let's just say, Best Choice makes some pretty great white cake mix. Kudos!

I decided to end my day with one more apple-ly project. Can you tell I'm getting excited about the upcoming school year? Pinterest introduced me to this little gem of a project and I was hooked. 

It's the perfect tote to carry papers and whatnot to and from school. Craft Stylish provides a very detailed tutorial on how to complete this project. 

I headed to Wally World and picked up my supplies:

With Michael Scott and the rest of the Dunder Mifflin staff entertaining me, I started stamping away. 

It's not perfect and things got a little messy, but that's quite alright with me! :)

"I will let you go, Ricky. But first, I want you to say...”I... love... crepes"

Prior to today, I was under the impression that anything you can buy on the side of the street you can make easily in your kitchen. Boy! Was I wrong or what? Honestly, if I can buy a hot dog, taco, or pretzel out of a truck... it can't be too difficult to recreate. Considering I bought a crepe from a truck in Paris, France and ate my delicious treat on the street. (that was a fun rhyme!) I figured I could make this snack at home.
Spoiler alert! I was unsuccessful.

Crazy eyes munching on a carmel crepe in '08

Searching for Quasimoto. I did not find him. 

Using inspiration from a recent trip to iHop, Sunday's episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey, and my love of Nutella I embarked on this unforgettable journey.

Whoa whoa whoa, let me back up. Have you had Nutella? If you haven't, stop what you are doing right now and go get some! It's absolutely fantastic. It's not chocolate, it's not vanilla, it's not peanut butter... it's HAZELNUT! My obsession started in London town with my Flat 6 roomies. We liked to put Nutella on everything. Please, you're breaking Nutella's heart. Go get some already!

Using the guidance from All Things Considered blog, I started tackling these crepes. I began mixing the ingredients and things began going smoothly.  I was concerned that the batter was rather juicy, but I thought.."hey! it's a really thin pancake so the batter must be like this..."

As you can see in my picture, I have these neat canisters that hold my sugar, flour, and powdered sugar. At the time, I didn't think anything of it. I just began scooping a white powdery substance into my mixing bowl thinking it was FLOUR. Hours later, I realized it was powdered sugar. No wonder things were not working and my creation looked like this.... TWICE. I even made the batter AGAIN using a different recipe! I made the same mistake twice in a row. Somewhere, Martha Stewart is shaking her head.

I made a big 'ol mess

The ugliest crepe ever made

I could not figure out what was going wrong. I consulted several sites giving me the same recipe. Finally, I gave up on the homemade approach. I was NOT going to give up on my precious Nutella.

I grabbed some tortillas from the fridge and buttered them up. I sprinkled cinnamon and sugar on them and tossed them in the frying pan. After a minute or so I poured Nutella in the middle. (It wasn't this glamorous. My description of this experience is far more exciting) The end product was a delicious Nutella treat. I dare you to try it! C'mon, make Nutella proud!

It's not a burrito.. it's a tortilla filled with Nutella!

After this catastrophe, I needed to experience some success. I had brought a little of France into my apartment (at least I think so...) and next Italy was coming for a visit!

Ever since our family vacation to Italy, my dad has me hooked on caprese salads. It's true! I love the tomato, mozz, and vinaigrette dressing.

gotta love him!

Let Birds Fly has a super simple and yummy recipe for an Apple Caprese Salad. After 2+ hours messing with crepes, I experienced instant gratification with this recipe.

You're probably wondering where the basil leaves are. I am too! I couldn't find them at Hyvee.... can somebody help a sister out? They were M.I.A.

If you're a fan of caprese salad... you'll definitely enjoy this one.

Let Birds Fly photo

As you can imagine, I have quite the mess waiting for me in my kitchen. As Ricky Bobby would say (if you've seen the movie... you'll understand the crepe connection).

Shake and Bake!