Oreo Pumpkins - Yummy goodness for FALL!

Aren't these the cutest??  I came across them a couple days ago and had to make them.  The ones I made where eaten instantly... and I never even got a picture!  So I am borrowing Alison's picture from the original post on Oopsey Daisy. 
Go here to see the original post for easy directions.  Go on, I'll wait...

Ok, now for a couple little notes from me.1) Double Stuff Oreos would probably be best for this, because I had a hard time fitting the pretzel between the two cookies without pushing the cookies to far apart. 
2) Put the pretzels in before the candy coating hardens, otherwise, again, there are problems with the cookie falling apart. 
3) I used white chocolate bark mixed with a little red and yellow food colorings rather than the cand melts.. just because I had those on hand already... looked the same. :)

The quest for the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie!

My new goal in life (I promise it's not my only one, but it's pretty high on the list right now!) is finding the best chocolate chip cookie recipe out there.  What better comfort is there then the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting out of the kitchen on a cool Fall day (or any day).  Growing up, the only chocolate chip cookies I knew were cut from a log of cookie dough.  Truthfully, the only recipe I know is the basic Nestle Toll House recipe off of the back of the chocolate chips... and I only learned that one from Home Ec in middle school! 

And so begins the next journey... I'm off to find the best cookie recipe out there!  Soooo..... care to share your favorites?  Want to post on your own blog and link back here??  Let me know what you're favorites are, and I'll be sure to keep you updated as my daughter and I continue baking. 

The first (of what I hope is many) recipe... yumm!

NESTLE TOLL HOUSE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks, 1/2 pound) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated [white] sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups (12-ounce package) NESTLE TOLL HOUSE Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)


COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large mixer bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE in preheated 375-degree oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Be sure to snag my button and link back here!

If you ask you will receive...

My aunt turned 56 last week, and she jokingly asked my dad the week before that for a three tier cake. She told him she had never had a fancy cake before, and (thinking that he would never really make it) even specified what type of cake she was wanting for each tier.  He of course wanted to make this happen, and soooo....

The cake was finally all put together at my aunt's house and I think it turned out pretty good considering I've never done this before!  :)  I kept it super simple, and (shhhhh!) used all boxed cake mixes and icings!  But it was still delish!  Layer one was a four layer marble cake with chocolate butter cream icing...



Layer two was a 4 layer coconut cake with white coconut icing...


And layer three was a three layer Funfetti cake for the kiddos...

Over all I think it went over well... and my aunt's surprised reaction was more then worth the work! 

Just upping the cuteness ratio in the bloggasphere...

First of all, I should apologize, because the closer we get to the holidays the more this blog will probably be taken over with recipes, fun food ideas, and crafts.  I love this time of year!  Halloween is the favorite holiday in our house (at least for the kids and I) and we go all out... I'm not the only one already planning for Halloween am I? lol. 

Back to the post subject.  Are these not the cutest cupcakes?  I fell in love.  I instantly knew that these had to be the cupcakes I made for my little guys first birthday.  We had his party before his actual birthday and it was Curious George themed with an awesome monkey cake made by the awesome pastry chef over at http://www.four0seven.com/.  But he of course needed something to celebrate his actual birthday with!  And this cupcakes did the trick!

What you'll need:

Cupcakes
Chocolate Icing
Star tip for icing
M & M's
NutterButter Cookies
Nilla Wafers
Red or Orange gel icing
Black get icing

What to do:

1. Cut NutterButters in half and separate sides
2. Cut approximately 1/4 of Nilla Wafers off to form mouth area
3. Ice cupcakes (don't ice to far ahead, if the icing begins to harden things won't stick!)
4. Place cookies and M & M's on cupcake as shown above
5. Draw on mouth and eyes with gel icing as shown
6.  Pipe on hair with star tip

Super easy and oh so worth the time!  I recommend putting the faces on shortly before serving, because the cookies soften quite a bit as the sit due to the moisture content in the icing. 

Enjoy!!