If you happen to be looking for a sweet treat to make for Easter Sunday, I have an easy peasy suggestion that might just hit the mark. It’s my cutie- pie “cake”aka Easter Bunny Cake. It’s a breeze to bake and takes literally zero skills to assemble. All you need to do is make two cake rounds and cut up one round as the necktie. and ears and the other is saved for the face of the Bunny. I first made this cake about a thousand years ago for my sister’s children and it was such a hit they asked for it for about the next 10 years. I cut them off at the age of 18 and said we have got to move on to more adult fare…. (te-he) (Note:cakes for grown ups below for inspo)!

The cake recipe below goes together in a snap due to the use of one wonderful cake mix. No judging please. We’ve added a few bonus ingredients and uust between you and I ..No one will know the difference. Enjoy!

Cake

1. 1 pkg cake mix
2. 1 pkg pudding
3. 4 eggs
4. 1/3 cup butter, melted
5. 1 cup milk

Frosting

1. 1 cup shortening
2. 1 cup margarine or butter
3. 2 tsp vanilla
4. 8 cups powdered sugar
5. 1-4 Tbsp water
6. Food coloring (opt)
7. Candy, coconut, sprinkles, etc. for decorating (opt)

Instructions

1. Mix together all ingredients for cake. Split in half and place 1/2 in each of two greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
3. Remove cakes from pans. Leave one cake intact, and cut the other using the template below.
4. Assemble bunny shape using template below. Set cake aside.
5. In a mixing bowl, whip together shortening and butter. Add vanilla and mix well.
6. Add powdered sugar in 1 cup amounts until frosting reaches desired consistency.
7. Use frosting to decorate cake as desired.

Adapted from Bakers Coconut Animal Cut-Up Cakes

Tuesday’s Tip(s)

Butter makes everything better! However, if you’re doing that whole “dairy free  thing” or perhaps just looking for an alternative to using butter I am here to give you options. Options are good? Right?! You choose. Butter,no butter whichever way you go these two tips will put you in the know. Enjoy.

Images courtesy of Pinterest /author unknown and lifehacks.com

Image courtesy of pinning.com

It’s Sunday, my absolute favorite day of the week. Sunday seems like a fresh start filled with hope for the week ahead. Deemed as a “day of rest”  you don’t have to feel guilty for taking eeeeasy before you rev up and venture into Monday. That being said, it seems that Sunday’s just couldn’t get any better. Right? But wait, (as they say on those cheesy infomercials) THIS Sunday does bring with it an extra bonus -it’s officially…. National Ice Cream Day. How perfect is that! Smack dab in the middle of July-when temperatures are hoovering around 100 degrees today in LA and most of the country is not only hot but humid, doesn’t a dip into an ice cream shop to enjoy a cone in your favorite flavor just put you over the top on the delight meter! If per chance you are looking for a deal on your favorite dip check out the list courtesy of Thrillist.com

Arby’s

The deal: Every Whole Foods Market is offering a deal on Ben & Jerry’s and Talentiice cream pints. You can get any two of either brand for $6. Plus, Amazon Prime Members get an additional 10% off. You should try not to open your pint with a knife, though.
When: July 13-15

 Coolhaus
The deal: Take 25% off everything in the online store with the code “ICECREAMYAY.” You can also get $1 off everything in the Culver and Pasadena shops.
When: July 15

Cumberland Farms
The deal: Text the word “SCOOPS” to 64827 and get $1 off any Ultimate Scoops Ice Cream at Cumberland Farms.
When: July 15

The Cheesecake Factory
The deal: Okay, it’s not ice cream. However, in celebration of two new cheesecake flavors — Very Cherry Ghirardelli Chocolate Cheesecake and Cinnabon Cinnamon Swirl Cheesecake — you can get any cheesecake slice for half off later this month.
When: July 30

https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/national-ice-cream-day-deals-2018

Image courtesy of 78.media.tumblr.com

Enjoy and Happy National Ice Cream Day!

If you’re looking for ways to eat healthier but still indulge in an occasional sweet treat here’s a great little baking tip:

After all the holiday partying (and drinks that ensued) it’s time to get back to business, and by business-I mean a more healthy lifestyle. One of the easiest ways to increase your overall health is by drinking more water. I know you’ve heard this before (probably about a million times) but it goes without saying that by simply drinking  more water it realllly does have a positive outcome on your over health not to mention your skin looks better and aids in your  digestion. As an added bonus I’ve enclosed a little chart that I came across on Pinterest, that defines the health benefits of drinking water with certain times of the day. Here’s to a happy healthy New Year and a gentle reminder to Drink Up!

If you’re on the look out for some last minute baking inspiration these two cuties should do the trick. Check out sites for how too’s and details by clicking on  each image. In a word..YUM!

Image Courtesy of Make.com

Image Courtesy of PeggpPorchenoffical Instagram

Check out Peggy ‘s Website for some luscious backed goodies and supplies.

It’s National S’mores Day! Who Knew? Now you and I DO! In the spirit of celebrating s’mores here’s a little Fun Fact:  We consume 21 million  s’mores every Summer!  ( Statistic courtesy of The Today Show on 8/10/2017). Bearing in mind that’s a whole lot of graham cracker, marshmallow and chocolate being smushed together and consumed I thought what better way to celebrate the day than to repost some pictures celebrating s’mores from  a previous blog I authored in 2014. Looking back at the popularity of this easy peasy dessert that continues to stand the test of time I guess it’s absolutely worthy of not only being a national food treasure but a novelty to be celebrated. Happy National S’mores Day!

Image Source Unknown

Because….. sometimes you just need a little pick me up…

What better way to greet the month of April and prep for the warmer months ahead (aka Swimsuit season) than  with a list of zero calorie foods to quell your hunger. Eat Up! Because at the end of the day a Glamour Girl has gotta eat ! Enjoy.

Image courtesy of trainmeanstaylean.tumblr.com