Homemade Cake Mix Oreos

This recipe was a LONG time coming. For years I have eaten yummy homemade oreos and have made many plans to bake them myself, but somehow life and other desserts got in the way.  So, I finally dug my heels in the other day and decided to do it. And I did not regret a single second of it. The recipe was super easy as it was made from a cake mix (loving cake mix cookies so much lately) and in a very short amount of time, I had some homemade scrumptious oreos in my hands. And my belly!

 This was my "trying to be artistic" photo. You can definitely see how moist those cookies are. Makes me salivate all over again. These things were gone in a matter of minutes. I think my in-laws both love and hate the fact that Michael and I are living with them because I bake such irresistible desserts. But it's time like these that I need a little something special to celebrate changes that are happening in our life right now.

Just this week, we found a couple "good potential" homes and I discovered a great possibility for work. I can't give many details about either, as we are waiting until things are more set in stone to let people in on the good news. But things are exciting and looking up, that's for sure! So, I say...make yourself some homemade oreos today to celebrate something special and exciting. Share them with your loved ones or friends and enjoy the beautiful day!

Homemade Cake Mix Oreos
(adapted from Mommy's Kitchen)

Cookie Ingredients:
1 package devil's food cake mix 

2 large eggs 

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Add oil and eggs to cake mix and blend together. With a small cookie scoop, scoop dough onto greased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes. 
2. Remove from oven and let cool on sheet (until warm). While cookies are still warm, use the bottom of a drinking glass and press on cookies until they have flattened. 
3. When cookies have cooled, remove from baking sheet and place on wire cooling rack.

Cream Cheese Icing Ingredients:
1 stick butter
8 oz. package cream cheese
3-4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Cream butter and cream cheese together. Mix vanilla extract into butter and cream cheese mixture. 
2. Add powdered sugar. Mix slowly until you reach your desired consistency.

To assemble cookies:

1. In a pastry bag with a 1/2 inch, round tip (or a plastic sandwich bag), pipe about a tablespoon of filling into the center of one cookie.
2. Place another cookie similar in size on top of the filling. Lightly press, to work the filling evenly to the outsides of the cookie. Continue this process until all the cookies have been sandwiched with icing.

Swirly Chocolate Fluffernutter Cake Bars

 Well, I'm trying to get back into the food blogging world again. And what a perfect recipe to get started! I made these yummy cake bars the other day and they were a cinch. You should already have all the ingredients in your pantry, which makes for a very easy snack during the week as an afterschool lunch, or to take to a bake sale. 

 I'm a huge fan of cake bars, as you don't have to put a lot of effort to make a really scrumptious cookie. And I love those swirled chocolate chips. Aren't they just pretty?

 You can see all the gooey-ness in these blondie style cake bars. Nothing but moist and sweet texture happening here.

 So, when I made these bars the other day, I popped them right in the freezer from the oven, to expedite the solidifying process. I think these are really good when they are gooey and warm, but I actually like them better when they've had time to cool and the flavors can meld as a result. Plus, they are REALLY rich if you eat them when warm. Either way, be ready with a little glass of milk, and you're good to go!

Swirly Chocolate Fluffernutter Cake Bars

(adapted from Picky Palate)

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix
1 large egg
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup marshmallow creme
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
12 oz.  bag swirled chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. 
2. Place cake mix, egg, and butter into a large bowl. Mix with spoon (or hands) until well combined (will be the consistency of thick cookie dough). Press dough into prepared baking pan.
3. Place peanut butter, marshmallow creme and condensed milk into a large bowl and mix until well combined. Pour over crust then top with white chips. Bake for 23-25 minutes, until cooked through. Center will seem somewhat jiggly, but will set up while cools.
4. Let cool completely, cut into squares and serve.

The Rougeau Estate

Back in March, my brother and I (and our spouses) had a little photo shoot at the Rougeau Estate. We wanted to have some pictures to remember where not only we grew up, but where my dad and his 8 other siblings were reared as well.  So we asked the wonderful and talented Jane Huddleston of Janie Pie Photography, who also happens to be the sister of my brother's wife, to take some photos for us.

It was a beautiful day as we walked around the land, sharing memories of running around the yard and exploring the woods during our childhood. I must give credit to my brother, who's smart idea this was to have a photo shoot. Now our memories can be forever saved in picture.

The original Rougeau home where my dad was born and raised.

Just next door, the house that my parents built together and where my brother and I grew up. Similar to the other home?

The Blacks (Michael, Rebecca) and the Rougeaus (Michael, Natalie)

This is an old barn on the property. Notice the "Rougeau" cattle brand on the door. 

Natalie really is so pretty.

The old "700" mailbox. Apparently, when my dad put up the first mailbox at the house, some bored and juvenile teenage boys came by and wreaked havoc on it. Poor dad, he had spent so much time putting it together, then it was destroyed. This particular one has lasted for years and I can recall every morning my dad waking up before light to walk to the mailbox to get the paper.

Do you like my ninja-style booty kick move?

The old Mazda truck. My dad drove that for years and my brother actually drove it to high school. I can remember, as a child, sitting in the middle right next to my dad and falling asleep on his shoulder as we'd drive home. Ask anyone who knew my dad, that truck is a Thorsell icon. 

Just another way to memorialize my dad and his heritage. As we were going through items in his old roll-top desk (which is now here in Utah, waiting to be put into mine and Michael's future home), we found lots of fun old documents and pictures. I'll have to share some of them when we open the desk again. Hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into my family and childhood.