Busy Brunette Bakerista

This is no written recipe for this so it's been a secret until now. It was handed down to me when my kids where in Kindergarten from another mom. I made it for my daughter’s birthday when she was little and it was such a big hit I make it every summer!   Secret Ice Cream Cake 24 ice cream sandwiches 1 container of regular Cool Whip (or homemade whipped cream) chocolate syrup caramel syrup chopped up chocolate candies such as Butterfingers, Snickers, Kit Kats, or Skor or Heath toffee bars strawberry for garnish Unwrap candies and chop up into bite-size pieces and set aside.  Unwrap ice cream sandwiches as you layer…place the first layer of   ice cream sandwiches on the bottom of a large casserole or baking dish (9” x 13” size).   Cut up sandwiches to fill in narrow spaces.  Spread a layer of Cool Whip topping to cover entire layer of sandwiches.  Next, drizzle chocolate syrup in one direction over...

The perfect dessert for summer! This cake is so fresh, sweet, and tastes just like a banana split with ice cream. It is worth every minute of preparation. This is my  “go-to” cake for birthday parties and neighborhood pot-luck gatherings. My former  co-worker Amanda tasted it and said, “oh yes, this cake rocks!”  So of course I had to rename it after her.   Amanda’s Banana Split Cake 3 cups of graham cracker crumbs (you can either buy them in a box or chop them up a food processor. See steps in instructions below). 1 ½ butter, melted 2 (8oz.) packages of cream cheese, at room temperature 1 ½ cups of sugar 5 bananas, sliced (1 large can of crushed pineapple, drained – optional) 1 – 2 large cartons of strawberries, sliced 1 large container of Cool Whip topping Chocolate syrup Caramel syrup - optional Chopped peanuts or ice cream nut toppings - optional Measure out 3 cups of graham cracker crumbs. If you are using w...

I’ve baked lots of cakes since I first got married, over twenty years ago, and this one is by far the easiest recipe and literally three steps. The pudding-meets-cake texture makes it so moist and sticky you can eat it with your fingers. Enjoy! Quick-to-Make Chocolate Cake 1 ¾ cup flour 1 ¾ cup brown sugar (lightly packed into cup) ¾ cup cocoa 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt 1 ¼ cup buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 eggs 4 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 cup boiling water (boil on the stove, do not microwave) Confectioners/powdered sugar for dusting Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients (flour, brown sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt) in large mixing bowl and stir with a spoon until well combined. Slowly whisk in buttermilk, vanilla, eggs, vegetable oil, and boiling water.  The batter will bubble a bit and look like then pudding.  Pour ba...

Happy National S'mores Day!  S'mores on a stick? Why didn't I think of this earlier? No more long sticks, messy graham crackers, and marshmallow everywhere  over a bonfire. You can make these any time of year and enjoy them during a festive winter party, neighborhood potluck, or team dinner. HOBO* S'mores 36 large marshmallows  1 container (16 oz.) of dark chocolate frosting 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs  2 cups of semi-sweet mini chocolate chips 36 lollipop/cake pop sticks (find them at any craft store or baking supply store) First, line cookie sheets with wax paper. Insert one stick into one marshmallow at a time and place on cookie sheet.  If you can't find graham cracker crumbs, take whole graham crackers, break into quarter pieces, place into a food processor and blend until it turns into crumbs. Then, scoop out frosting from the container into a glass bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds or until frosting fe...