Tasty Treat Tuesday: Cream Puff Cake

My husband is actually the one who found this recipe and has been begging me to make it for him.  It looks so good that I thought I would share the recipe with all of you as well.  Enjoy!  The recipe and pictures comes to you courtesy of Lilluna.com!

Here’s what you need to make this Cream Puff Cake:

  • 1 stick margarine
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 large box instant vanilla or white chocolate pudding
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 – 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
  • 1 – 8 oz. carton cool whip
  • chocolate syrup

Here’s how to make it -> Cream Puff Cake Tutorial

 

Menu Planning Monday: My menu play for the week of 4/1

I’m really trying to focus on meal planning again and also planning out breakfasts and lunches, too.  I find that if I have a “plan” it’s easier to stick with it!  There are lots of quick and easyrecipes once again this week.

The plan listed here just includes our dinner menu and recipes. I have calculated some Weight Watchers points values using the e-tools Recipe Builder, and points values this week are based on the new Points Plus program! (I will update with points values on the others as we have the meals)

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, then you know that for the past two years, I have done a $40 weekly budget. With the changes to our eating habits and the end of grocery stores in our area doubling and tripling coupons, I’m  finding that is no longer feasible and we end up spending $60-70 per week on groceries instead.

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here.  You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

SUNDAY:  Spaghetti

MONDAY:  Chili (slow cooker) 

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef (brown in skillet and then place in crockpot)
1 can dark kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can Ranch style beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 packet chili spices

Mix all ingredients in crockpot and cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8 hours. Sprinkle cheese on top.

TUESDAY:  Steak stroganoff (slow cooker) – My family LOVES this recipe!!

Ingredients:
2T flour
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1 3/4 lb. boneless round steak
2 cans 10 3/4 oz cream of mushroom soup (I use 98% FF)
2 c. water (or 1 can 100% FF beef broth for more flavor)
1 envelope beef stew mix
4 oz can mushrooms, sliced and drained
1/2 c. sour cream
1 T minced parsley

Combine flour, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika in slow cooker. Cut meat into 1 1/2 inch strips. Place in flour mixture and toss until meat is well coated. Add soup, water, and stew mix. Stir until well blended. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours. Stir in mushrooms, sour cream, and parsley and then cook on high 10-15 minutes until heated through. Serve over egg noodles. (Depending on the consistency of the sauce, you may need to add cornstarch to thicken or add more water/broth to thin)

To freeze: Pour into gallon freezer bags (I used Ziploc containers for this one). Allow to cool before freezing.

To reheat: Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Warm on stove and serve over rice or egg noodles. (Add sour cream when warming if you left it out of the initial recipe)

WW points = 7 points/serving, 6-8 servings (add 3 points for 1/2 c. cooked pasta or 5 points for 1 cup)

WEDNESDAY:  Chicken lickin’ good pork chops (slow cooker) – This is another one that is super easy to make and really yummy!

THURSDAY:  Tacos 

FRIDAY:  Baked potato bar – I found instructions on Pinterest for making baked potatoes in the slow cooker, so I’m going to test it out!

SATURDAY:  Creamy chicken tortilla soup (slow cooker)

Cooking With Kids Thursday: Homemade Cadbury Creme Eggs

Cadbury Creme Eggs are a must in my house for Easter so I am very excited to try out this recipe!  It looks quite easy and something that my children would love to help with.

Here’s what you need to make these:

  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
  • 3 cups confectioner’s powdered sugar (icing sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • yellow food coloring
  • 1 (12 ounce) bag milk chocolate chips

Here’s how to make them -> Homemade Cadbury Creme Eggs Tutorial

(Thanks Instructables.com!)

Tasty Treat Tuesday: Strawberry Ice Box Cake

I seem to have strawberries on the brain lately and there are just so many yummy looking recipes out there.  I can’t wait to try out this no-bake strawberry cake.  Doesn’t it look delicious?  Thanks Six Sisters Stuff!

Here’s what you need to make this:

  • 2 pounds fresh strawberries, washed
  • 3 1/2 cups whipping cream, divided
  • 1/3 cup confectioners sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 4 sleeves (about 19 ounces, or 24 to 28 whole crackers) graham crackers
  • 4 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped

Here’s how to make it -> Strawberry Ice Box Cake Tutorial

 

Tasty Treat Tuesday: Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars

Aside from Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter cups are my favortie chocolate bar!  I especially love the special holiday peanut butter cups (Easter Eggs, Jack-o-lanterns, Christmas Trees) because they have more peanut better in them, which in my mind makes them even yummier.  I came across this recipe for peanut butter bars from Let’s Dish and I am so excited to try them.  They are so easy to make and the peanut butter to chocolate ratio looks perfect!

Here’s what you need to make these:

  • 1 cup butter melted
  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 cup + 4 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Here’s how to make them -> Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars Tutorial

(Thanks Let’s Dish!)