Cream Cheese Filled Snickerdoodles

Hello, my name is Sarah... and I failed miserably.

My kids, the husband, and myself are obsessed with all things Snickerdoodle.    Muffins, cookies, you name it.

I saw a pin for the aforementioned Cream Cheese Filled Snickerdoodle.  My mouth watered, my heart raced.  I was hooked.

I attempted.  And failed.  And I don't know why.  I do know that I will try again, and use the same recipe from the fine folks over at Cookies and Cups and hope for better success.  Have you made these with any degree of success?  And if so, what as your trick?  Have you had a spectacular fail in the kitchen?  Want to share?

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup room temp butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• Filling
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla

1. Make the cream cheese filling by mixing the cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tsp vanilla. I used my hand mixer for this.
2. Cover the cream cheese mixture and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 400°
4. Cream butter and 1 1/2 cup sugar until fluffy.
5. Add eggs and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix until combined.
6. On low speed mix in your flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt. Set dough to the side.
7. In a small bowl combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon, set that aside as well.
8. Remove the cream cheese mixture from the refrigerator.
9. For each cookie you will need 2 flattened balls of dough, 1 Tbsp each. (The flattened disk will be approx 2″ in diameter)
10. Place 1 tsp of the cream cheese mixture on top of one of the flattened dough disks. Then place the other flattened dough on top of the cream cheese. Pinch the edges together to seal.
11. Carefully form into a ball and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place on a plate as you finish making each and refrigerate. Before baking the cookies they should chill for 15 minutes.
12. When the dough is chilled bake on a parchment lined baking sheet 2″ apart for 8 minutes.
13. Transfer to wire rack to cool.

Makes approx 24 cookies

Sopapilla Cheesecake

Hello, my name is Sarah... and I have a confession to make.  I have made this dessert for YEARS, and had no exact recipe or name.  Thank you, Pinterest, for solving both of those problems.

This recipe is divine.  Need a breakfast pastry?  Here ya go.  Need an easy dessert?  This fits the bill.  Need some comfort food?  You have been saved.

Thanks to My Yellow Umbrella for fulfilling a void in my life.  (Isn't that a great name for a blog, by the way?)

Ingredients:
-2 cans pillsbury butter crescent rolls
-2 (8oz) packages cream cheese (softened)
-1 cup sugar
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/4 cup butter (melted)
-Cinnamon & sugar

Instructions:
Unroll and spread 1 can crescent rolls on bottom of un-greased pan. Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Spread mixture over crescent rolls. Unroll and spread remaining crescent rolls over mixture. Spread melted butter over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Green Onion

Hello, my name is Sarah... and this left me speechless.

I use a TREMENDOUS amount of green onion in my cooking.  I love the pop of flavor and color they add to everything.  Yes, they are inexpensive at the grocery store, but FREE is better, right?

The next time you buy a bunch of those yummy green things at the store, DO NOT throw the white parts away.  Stick them in a glass with water, and place them in a window that gets sun.  Voila!  They grow very quickly, and require no green thumb.    Just change out the water periodically, and you are good to go.

Thank you to the fine folks over at Homemade Serenity for the tip, and the images below.

Chicken Carbonara

Hello, my name is Sarah... and the husband can't make a food decision to save his life.

So when he asked me to make chicken carbonara for Valentine's Day, I pretty much had to.  I honestly can't remember the last meal he requested.  I headed to Pinterest to search for a recipe.  I ended up pinning the second one I found.  COMPLETE SUCCESS.  The husband declared it an eleven on a scale of one to ten.  That isn't even possible.

Thanks to the good lady over at Everyday Occasions.  Her site is adorable.

Chicken Carbonara Recipe
serves 4... generously

2 chicken breasts
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon of Black Pepper
1 teaspoon of Sea Salt

2 tablespoons of sea salt
1 pound spaghetti

4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 cups of whipping cream
6 large egg yolks
1 cup Parmesan
2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped

Prepare the chicken by placing the breasts on a baking sheet, drizzling with olive oil, salt & pepper.  Roast for 15-20 minutes (depending on size and thickness of the chicken) at 425 degrees.  Meanwhile...

Heat water to boil for pasta.  Add 2 tablespoons of sea salt to the water.

In a large saute pan, brown pancetta on medium high heat until crispy.  Remove from heat.

In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and whipping cream.  Set aside.  Do not begin to make the rest of the sauce until the chicken has finished roasting.

Add pasta to the boiling water.   Shred the chicken with a fork.  Add minced garlic and chicken to the saute pan with pancetta.  Cook on medium for 1 minute heat chicken and saute garlic.

The pasta should be just about ready.  Remove it from the boiling water (I recommend tongs!) keeping the cooking water in the pot, and place it directly into the saute pan with the chicken and pancetta.  Reduce heat to low.

Pour egg and cream mixture over the hot pasta and stir continuously until the sauce thickens.  If you need more liquid, add a small amount of the pasta cooking water.  Add parmesan cheese, chopped basil and some black pepper and toss together.  Serve immediately.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Hello, my name is Sarah, and YES, you read that right. I made laundry detergent.

Why might you ask?  Because I could.  Isn't laundry detergent at the store perfectly acceptable?  Why, yes, it is.  However, when I am stuck at home for what seems like the 997th day in a row, I need a freaking project.  Yes, I could clean out the pantry, or the cabinets, but why should I do that when I can make LAUNDRY DETERGENT?

I had seen several friends pin a link to this blog with a "recipe" for making your own laundry detergent.  I was intrigued, and did a little research.  The "recipe" produces a TON of detergent for under $15 dollars.  My offspring have really sensitive skin, and all of the ingredients were approved for them.  Heck, I will give it a shot.

1 box of Borax

8 boxes of baking soda

4 bars of grated Castile soap

Thanks to http://www.thehenpen.org

Mix all of these ingredients together, and ta-da!  You have a tremendous amount of powder laundry detergent.

It has worked well in my washing machine, and the husband said, "Our clothes smell cleaner.  Did you do something different."  He then rolled his eyes at my new skill set.    

You can add a few tablespoons of your favorite essential oil to fragrance the detergent.  I was not able to do that with the aforementioned skin issues, but plan to make a separate batch for cleaning towels and bedding.

Quick and Easy French Bread

Hi, my name is Sarah, and I have a love LOVE LOVE relationship with bread.    I tried going low carb once, and my husband was ready to trade me in.

Well, lookee there.  A pin for a recipe for French Bread.  Sounds perfect to go with my Sin Dip or Crock Pot Potato Soup.  Since the husband was returning home from a camping trip, I made this ridiculously easy bread while I waited for him.  He walked in and attempted to eat it prior to the Super Bowl party we were headed to that evening.  I ended up hiding the two loaves from him.

http://keephomesimple.blogspot.com

• 2 1/2 Cups Warm Water
• 2 T. Yeast
• 2 T. Sugar
• 1 t. Salt
• 3 T. Oil
• 6 Cups Flour

Add yeast, sugar and water together into a large bowl and let sit for 5 minutes.  Then add salt, oil and flour and knead together.  Place a towel over the bowl and let it rise for 15 minutes.  Roll out and separate into two loaves.  Place on a greased cookie sheet.  Make small, diagonal slices in the dough.  Bake at  375 and bake for 25-30 minutes.  

While it bakes, find a good hiding spot.  

Crock Pot Potato Soup

Hello, my name is Sarah and I love potatoes and crock pots.

What is that pin I see?  A healthy crock pot potato soup?  I will give it a shot.

http://www.recipe-diaries.com

Such a simple recipe.  I was a little skeptical that it would have any flavor, and as always I was concerned about texture.

Oh, how wrong was I!  I am proud to admit I under-estimated myself and this recipe.

The spouse is a little under the weather, despite the fact that it is his birthday, but this soup plus tomorrow's post seemed to patch him up just fine.  Check back tomorrow for another amazing comfort food.

30 ounce bag of frozen, shredded hash browns
42 ounces of chicken broth
1 can of reduced fat Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 cup of chopped onion
1 block of reduced fat cream cheese.

Dump all of the above in a crock pot on low.  Wait 6-8 hours, drooling over the smell, and enjoy!  We topped ours with some shredded cheddar and chopped bacon.  I am already looking forward to leftovers.  I NEVER say that.

Mississippi Sin Dip

Hello, my name is Sarah... and I love to entertain.  (Hush.)

Every December, my husband and I throw a holiday party.  Nothing fancy, but it sure is fun.  We are 9 years in, and each year seems to get better.  Maybe it is just that I can't remember that far back anymore.

Every year, I make a few of the same appetizers, but I like to add in new ones every year as well.  What in the world did I do before Pinterest?  (Iron, that's what.)  I pinned this early in my addiction, and it has served me well.  This weekend will be the fourth time I have made it, and I almost have the ingredients memorized.  Aren't those the best?

http://www.plainchicken.com

16oz sour cream
8oz cream cheese, softened

2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup chopped ham

1 green onion, chopped

1/4 tsp hot sauce

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

salt

pepper

French bread loaf

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, except French bread; stirring until well blended.

Cut a thin slice from top of bread loaf; set slice aside. Using a gentle sawing motion, cut vertically to, but not through, bottom of the loaf, 1/2 inch from the edge, to cut out center of bread. Lift out center of loaf. Fill hollowed bread loaf with the dip. Wrap loaf with foil. 

Bake dip at 350° degrees for 1 hour. Serve with reserved bread cubes, crackers, or potato chips. Or, if you are my husband or best friend, a spoon.



Oh, and GO GIANTS!

Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Ranchero

Hello, my name is Sarah, and I really could not care less about Mexican food.  I can take it or leave it.  My husband and kids love it.  Me?  Meh.
My favorite food at our Mexican joint is chicken nachos with NO jalapenos.  (I don't do jalapenos.  Shudder.)
Then I saw a pin that resembled the chicken in the aforementioned nachos.

http://www.chef-in-training.com/

• 2 lbs chicken breasts
• 1/2 a small bottle of zesty Italian dressing
• 1/2 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 1 pkt ranch dressing mix (mixed with 1/2 cup of water)
• 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1/2 Tbsp. ground cumin

Put all of the ingredients in a crock pot on low for 7-8 hours.  Your house will smell amazing and you will thank me, and the folks at Chef In Training.   We made nachos, burritos, pizza and salad with the chicken.  My five year old has requested this for dinner every night since. 

And?

You're welcome.

Crock Pot French Dip

Hello, my name is Sarah... and I am addicted to sandwiches.

Tender beef?  Flavorful dipping au jus? Melted cheese?  Crusty bread?  I will take two, please.

This is a super simple recipe.  I didn't alter it at all, in anyway, and recommend you don't either.  My husband isn't a fan of French Dips (obviously there is something wrong with him), but he was a fan of this.  My older son ate the beef by the spoon full until we were concerned his stomach might explode.

If you are looking for a warm, comforting meal ready when you get home, try this recipe THIS WEEK.  I am drooling over the idea of eating this again.

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
approximately 3.5 pounds of beef chuck roast
16 ounce beef broth
10.5 can of condensed French onion soup
6 ounces of red wine (Keep the rest close to have with dinner!)
1 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper, to taste
4-6 French Rolls
Sliced Provolone cheese, optional

Season the beef all over with salt and pepper.  In your slow cooker, add the beef broth, condensed French soup, wine, and garlic powder.  Place the beef into the liquid.  Cook for 6-8 hours, and it won't dry out as it cooks in liquid.
Serve on toasted French Rolls with provolone and a side of the liquid from the crock pot.  You might want to go ahead and make yourself two sandwiches.  Just sayin...

Drunken Gummy Bears

Hello, my names is Sarah... and I love to throw a party.  Due to the fact that I adore throwing parties, I am constantly on the look out for a fun drink for each occasion.  Enter DRUNKEN GUMMY BEARS.

http://mixthatdrink.com

We have done jello shots.  Who hasn't? (My friend Jenny, that's who!)  We have had fruit soaked in booze.  Whatever.
I saw this pin and fell head over heels.  Almost no work for me?  Fun drink for a party where we still act like college kids?  Hello, my name is Sarah.
I picked up a few bags of gummy bears, Hasbro brand, at the grocery store, and came home to experiment.
This is easy as all get out.
Put the gummy bears in a glass bowl, and pour alcohol of your choosing until it more than covers all the candy. Cover the bowl with Saran Wrap (the BANE of my existence) and refrigerate for at least 48 hours.
We preferred Malibu rum over other liquors, and these were a HUGE hit.  I am pretty sure that some people felt like they were hit by a HUGE truck the day after the party, but we will be making them again for sure.

Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

Hello, my name is Sarah... and I don't like spicy food. I try. I swear I try. This was a recipe that made me want to try harder. I mean, really? Cream Cheese, in a crockpot? Please, and thank you.
I made this today, and it was good. Really, REALLY good. Except it was a little spicy. I ate a decent amount of it before my taste buds started screaming, but then again, I am a wuss when it comes to pepper.

My husband loved it. My kids loved it. I just couldn't tough it out. Try it out yourself, and let me know what you thought.

Thanks to http://rita-may-recipes.blogspot.com/ for making this drool worthy recipe.

Better Than Potatoes Cheesy Cauliflower Puree

Hello, my name is Sarah... and I am ALWAYS looking for a way to sneak vegetables into daily life. Not just for my kids, or my husband, but myself. I can eat a salad like you wouldn't believe, but struggle to COOK vegetables in a way I find appetizing.

Enter, stage right. Better Than Potatoes Cheesy Cauliflower Puree.

www.ibreatheimhungry.com

Potatoes. How I love potatoes. I am your average Irish(ish) girl, give me meat and potatoes and I will be a happy little girl. Cheese? Don't get me started on cheese. I have yet to meet one I didn't automatically fall in love with. So, you are telling me this is BETTER than potatoes AND has cheese? Pin away.

I made this last week. Sorta. It was all going so well until I couldn't find the lid to my food processor. No problem. I was just fine until I couldn't find the lid to my blender. I used my stand mixer on the highest, fastest speed possible. I ended up with shredded cauliflower with a cheesy sauce on it. Not exactly what I was going for, but delicious non the less.

I will be making this again whenever those two lids get back from their little rendezvous. Bonus? Husband LOVED it.

Hello, my name is Sarah...

Hello, my name is Sarah... and I have a pinterest problem.

Ooh, ooh. Look! A pin that has a recipe of snickerdoodle muffins. Heck yes! Sign me up!

http://www.eatmedelicious.com/

Ooh, ooh. Look! A pin that links you to a site full of photography tips. Now maybe my DSLR will make some sense.

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/

Ooh, ooh. Look! A pin with a free pattern to crochet baby booties. Who cares if I don't know how to crochet? It is still cute, right?

http://crochetdreamz.blogspot.com/

Ooh, ooh. Look! A simple pattern for a sundress. No, I don't have a sewing machine, but I pin away.

http://www.makethislook.com/

I will sit down and say to myself, "I have 10 minutes, let's look at Pinterest." 4 HOURS later, my eyes are red, my online shopping carts are full and I have a list a mile long of projects I SIMPLY must do. Recipes, decorating, hairstyles, tips for cleaning a sink drain. Wait a minute. Did I just say I wanted to clean my sink drain? Pretty sure that my pinning addiction got the best of me.

Perhaps you are wondering what Pinterest is. It is a website where people, creative people, can "pin" their creations. If you click on the pin, you can be redirected to the original pinner's site, or blog, or store page where you may be able to purchase the item, or find directions on how to recreate their masterpieces on your very own. In short, it is an addiction.

I am hoping that as I struggle with my addiction, I can share my successes and failures with you. I am not nearly as creative as these folks, and will give all credit where credit is due.

Hello, my name is Sarah...

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

http://thecrockstar.blogspot.com

Hello, my name is Sarah... and you had me at crockpot. What's that you say? You only need these 6 ingredients, plus some egg noodles? I don't want to be forward or anything, but I think I am in love.

I added those few items to my grocery list, and made it on a gray, overcast Monday. I had some extra mushrooms and threw them in the mix as well. I was beating my kids and husband off with the wooden spoon all day.

My only advice on this recipe is to make the cubes of cream cheese really small. It melts way quicker that way, and quicker means in your belly faster.

2 pounds cubed steak meat

2 cans condensed Golden Mushroom Soup

1 large onion, diced

1/2 cup of water

4 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce

8 ounces of cream cheese, cubed

Add the first 6 ingredients to the crockpot, and cook on low for 6-8 hours. 20 minutes before you are ready to serve, add the cream cheese so it can melt in. While waiting for that to happen, boil egg noodles according to instructions and ENJOY!