Easter Banana Cupcakes

Easter is coming up so quick.  That means it's getting warmer outside, you are seeing shades of pastel and you are trying to think of something other than deviled eggs to bring to Easter dinner (and also means my vacation is almost here!).  Well, here is what you can bring, banana cupcakes.

These cupcakes are great to make if the bananas you have are starting to turn.  And, by the way, did you know that if your bananas are at the perfect mashing ripeness and you aren't wanting to make bread or cupcakes you can freeze them?  Just put the bananas in a freezer bag to freeze and once you're ready for them just thaw before using.  This is what I did.  It worked out amazingly.

Here is the recipe for these cupcakes that will make you go bananas!  And I'm telling you that you MUST follow the recipe exactly.  The cooking temp. is much lower than the standard 350, but it works. Also, when the recipe says to put directly in the freezer after baking...do it!  For cupcakes bake 32 minutes and freeze 15 to 20.  Just do as I say and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Enjoy!

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I used a cream cheese frosting.

Bathroom Beautification-Black and White Vintage Faces Wallpaper

So about a month or two ago I decided to take on a bathroom beautification project.  I called it a "beautification" because the bathroom has already been remodeled, this is just a "make it prettier" project.  I told Ronny one night that I was going to do this and of course he didn't care.  I expected it to take maybe 2 weeks...a quick pretty project.  Well, about a month later it was finished.  And I think it's a much more beautiful version of what it was.

I'll show you the before and after.  I don't have the real before (like when we moved it), but you can still see a change.

This is what you see upon entering the bathroom.  I'd always wanted a bathroom with a black and white floor with mint sherbet colored walls.

This is the original cabinetry after about 4 different coats of white paint.  We added the granite and the back splash after moving in.

Shower.  Oh, and vintage doctors cabinet and stool. The stool was actually my great grandpa's!  So cool.  I found the cabinet at an antique store and had to rebeautify it.

Boring!  I could never decide what to do to spruce up the toilet area.  The one picture and Kleenex box aren't cutting it.

Plain, boring, white door.

Here it is...the final product!

Woh!  It's black and white vintage face wallpaper.  I saw it and was in love.  My mom and aunt hung the wallpaper for me.  It was a horrible, awful, nerve racking experience...but it was worth it.

I loved the striped hand towel.  I'm into mixing patterns right now.

Much better.  Ronny even made these shelves.  Looks amazing, just what I was going for.

Strawberry lipstick colored door.  Adds a bright pop of color to the black, white and gray.

I hope you like it...I know we sure do!

Here is the site I bought the wallpaper from.  Take a look.  It has really different wallpaper that you don't see everyday!

Sara Sara Cupcakes...

I'm here...I'm here.  Don't worry.  Well, maybe you weren't worried.  Anyway, I know I've been the hugest blogger slacker as of late, but I'm baaack!  I have new ideas for fabulous things to share.

Today I'm reviewing Sara Sara Cupcakes.

I've been to Sara Sara's a few times.  I have to say, it's not a bakery that typically frequent.  I can't really pinpoint the reason I don't go often.  I'm pretty certain I like the cupcakes...we will see in a bit.  Maybe it's the location, or maybe not.  I'll think about it and if I figure it out I'll tell ya.

Location:  Sara Sara's has 2 different locations.  The first, original location is on N.W. 9th street in OKC.  It's downtown, which for me is such a hassle.  I rarely ever go downtown/Bricktown.  The area is so busy.  But every time I have been to the 9th street location it's hopping.  I guess people are going.  The other location is on E. 5th street in Edmond, just West of Hideaway.  This is the location I got my cupcakes today, because I am in Edmond quite often.  I've been 2 or 3 times.  Every time I go in there I'm the only one there.  It's quiet and bare.  I'm guessing people go...I mean it's still open.  But to me both locations are something you have to plan to go to, not something you just stumble upon because you are in the area.

Cost:  At $3.59 per cupcake Sara Sara's is THE highest priced cupcakery I have reviewed so far.  I know Ronny stays away from this place for that very reason.  When I go to get a cupcake I never get just one.   So I'm spending close to $8 for 2 cupcakes.  I'm not being cheap here!  If the cupcakes are amazing I will buy them and so will others.

Selection:  The online menu boasts 22 "everyday" cupcakes.  Now I'm not calling them a liar, but I don't believe I saw 22 different cupcakes.  I mean I didn't count them, but it sure didn't look like 22.  The assortment has a wide variety of flavors and a few that are unique to Sara Sara's...not something you'll see at every other bakery.  I believe they also have seasonal flavors and occasionally a daily special...follow on facebook to find out.

Cupcakes:  Today I choose 2 cupcakes...like always.  I got the chocolate with vanilla frosting and the crimson and cream.

This is a chocolate cupcake topped with vanilla bean butter cream frosting and chocolate shavings.  I'll just be honest, I did not like this cupcake.  The frosting might have been the worst frosting I've had from a bakery that specializes in cupcakes.  It wasn't thick at all...maybe that's why the smear it on.  It was barely sweet and about the only flavor I could discern was butter.  The abundance of butter even coated my mouth in a not so lovely way.  I found myself scraping it off and I NEVER do that.  There was no part of this frosting that I thought was remotely ok.  Now to the cake.  It really wasn't bad.  It was pretty dense, but the flavor was nice and chocolatey.  I wouldn't say this cake was any better than a regular chocolate cake...it was mediocre.  I won't get it again.

This is a red velvet cake (they didn't describe the frosting).  Ok, well...I'll just say after my chocolate cake experience I almost just cut to the chase and threw this one out without even tasting it.  But, I didn't do that.  I took 2 bites.  The frosting was again thin, but this version was quite tangy.  Not my ideal frosting.  The cake tasted like red velvet, but was dry.  Threw it in the trash!

So I think I know why I rarely visit Sara Sara Cupcake.  Can anyone guess why?  Anyone, anyone?  Because I DO NOT think these cupcakes are good.  My own cupcakes are very much tastier and I wouldn't even charge $3.59 a cupcake or $39.00 (what thirty-nine dollars!) per dozen!

*After I wrote my review Sara Sara Cupcakes posted on facebook that they revamped their chocolate cake...now "lighter and fluffier".  You can go see for yourself if you want...I wont!

Sprinkles Cupcakes

Have you guys heard of Sprinkles Cupcakes? I'm guessing so. It really gets a lot of hype. I mean it boasts that Sprinkles originated in Beverly Hills as the FIRST cupcake bakery with loyal customer such as Hollywood stars and epicureans. And the founder, Candace Nelson, is a judge on the Food Network series, Cupcake Wars...a rather tough cookie, I might add.

Ok, so I finally tried these much hyped, highly praised, extremely publicized cupcakes at the Dallas location. You might be able to tell, but I was slightly skeptical. I mean, they might be all talk no taste. Let me tell you, they were delicious! The line around the bakery should have been my clue, but I wasn't a believer until I tried them.

I got two different cupcakes, of course, red velvet and salty caramel. Ronny also got red velvet. I tried the salty caramel first and was amazed at the moist, fluffy cake. The frosting was just enough, not a huge pile, but just right. Then, Ronny tried his red velvet cupcake and said it was the best cupcake he'd had from a bakery...and I always make him try. When I ate my red velvet cupcake I was just as happy with it as Ronny was...the best!

I guess I can sum it up like this, believe the hype. Sprinkles Cupcakes is really an amazing cupcake bakery.

Strawberry Rice Krispies Treats

Valentine's Day is less than a week away!  Are you ready?  Well, ready or not, here's another Valentine's dessert idea.

I've made the classic Rice Krispies Treats, but used strawberry marshmallows instead of regular.  Oh, and also sprinkles and cut out into hearts...so sweet!

Strawberry Rice Krispies Treats

6 1/2 cups Rice Krispies

1 8oz bag Strawberry Marshmallows

1/2 stick butter

sprinkles

Melt butter in large pan.  Once melted, add marshmallows.  Stir until marshmallows are melted.  After melted, add sprinkles, as much or little as desired.  Then add Rice Krispies and stir until thoroughly incorporated.  Press Rice Krispies mixture into a greased pan (9x13 or larger...whatever you want) and let sit about 5 minutes.  After 5 minutes take your heart cookie cutter and press out hearts.  Let dry on waxed paper.

Enjoy!

P.S.  It would be super tasty to add 1/4 cup strawberry cake mix when adding sprinkles.  Amp up the strawberry flavor, so good!

Valentine's Pretzels

Here's another amazing, fabulous, wonderful, and easy Valentine's Day treat idea.

All you need to make these is pretzels, vanilla almond bark and sprinkles!

First, melt almond bark in the microwave in 20 second intervals until melted and smooth.  Then, dip pretzels into bark, shaking off excess.  Finally decorate with sprinkles and let dry on wax paper.

That's all.  So simple, so delicious, so classic and so cute.

Here's the entire line up!

Purple, pink, red and white quins

Red, pink and white nonpareils

Red coarse sugar

Red lip shaped sprinkles

Pink coarse sugar

Enjoy!

Potato Bacon Chowder

Here is a great go to winter soup recipe.  My mom would always make it for parties and everyone loved it.  Now, I make it and it's one of Ronny's favorites.  It's nice and creamy with tender potato chunks and a great bacon flavor.

It goes like this:

Crispy up 8 slices of bacon.  I like to chop mine before cooking, but do whatever you want.

Remove bacon and let it drain on a paper towel.  Leave the bacon grease in pan.

Saute the onions in the bacon grease.  When onions are soft, remove and let sit with bacon for a bit.

Cube up 4 cups of potatoes and add to pot with 1 cup of water.  Cook until tender.

To the water and potatoes add 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 cup sour cream, 1 3/4 cup milk, bacon and onions.

Simmer chowder, but do not boil.

Garnish with cheese, bacon and green onions.

Enjoy!

Here is the exact recipe my mom and I still use:

P.S.  I don't know the exact origin of this recipe, but we didn't create it!