Chocolate Cookies with Mini M&Ms

I whipped up this yummy little treat before heading out of town over the weekend. I just really wanted to bake something and since there would be other people to share it with, then why not?
They were super easy. Just a box of devil's food cake mix stirred into 1/2 cup of oil and two eggs. Then I added the mini M&M's and baked for about 10 minutes at 350. Yummy!

Easy Fudge

I made some quick and easy one bowl fudge on Saturday. I know it isn't quite the same as the kind you stir forever, but it still tastes yummy and chocolaty! I added some mini marshmallows to the top for a rocky road effect, which was a treat. And I liked having them in the muffin cups for easy serving.

One Bowl Fudge
2 packages (8 squares each) Baker's semi-sweet baking chocolate
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp vanilla
1 C chopped walnuts

Line an 8 inch pan with foil, ends extending over the side. In a bowl, microwave chocolate and condensed milk about 2 minutes. Stir until chocolate is completely melted, it may need to be heated a bit more. Stir in walnuts. Spread into prepared pan. Refrigerate 2 hours. Using foil, lift and cut into pieces.

Muffins and my new Cake Stand

I got a cake stand for my birthday and I just love it! Until today, I had only used it upside down as a fruit bowl, but I finally baked something that I can put on it and look pretty!

I made some muffins today to share with a neighbor on her birthday. I cheated and used a mix, but then made a vanilla glaze with a recipe from my Better Homes and Gardens cookbook.

I think they turned out pretty, but I was really disappointed with the glaze. I guess I was picturing something more like a frosted glaze and this one ended up tasting and looking more like pancake syrup. But I gave some to the kids I teach art to and they loved them, so I guess it was still pretty good.

Note: I also had a chance to use my new silicone cupcake liners from my grandma. I think they are the coolest thing!

Nutella Crescents

Do you like the taste of deliciousness? Me too!

My sister shared this recipe with me and I finally got around to trying it. It is super easy and so yummy! It is fun to eat a dessert warm out of the oven! Sorry the picture is kind of lame, but I was in a hurry to eat them so I just took it real quick.

Basically, all you do is put Nutella onto some crescent rolls, wrap em up, bake as directed and...Voila! Total chocolate bliss!

Lemon Sweet Rolls

Like lemony sweet things? Me too, that's why this recipe hit the spot!

Lemon Sweet Rolls
2 C warm water
2 T yeast
2/3 C powdered milk
1 1/2 C sugar
2 tsp salt
1 1/2 C butter
1 egg
5-5 1/2 C flour
olive oil
zest and juice of 6 lemons
8 oz cream cheese
6 C powdered sugar

Whisk water and yeast and let sit 5 minutes.
Add dry milk, 1/2 C sugar and salt, mix.
Add 1/2 C soft butter, then eggs, mix.
Slowly add flour to make a soft dough. Knead until smooth and elastic.
Drizzle olive oil, place in a bowl and cover with a damp towel for an hour.
Divide into thirds and roll them out into rectangles.
Melt 1 C butter (you could use less), and spread on dough. Sprinkle zest and 1/2 C sugar.
Roll them together and cut like cinnamon rolls.
Allow them to rise another half hour in a warm place.
Bake at 375 for 16-18 minutes. While they are baking, beat cream cheese, lemon juice and powdered sugar. When the rolls are done, pour glaze on top and enjoy warm!