Chocolate Stout Cake

Last week we celebrated my beer-loving, hard working, and oh so 

appreciated husband's birthday.  So, naturally I made him a 10 pound 

beast of a cake and shared it with both of our families and eight friends.  

That's a lot of cake.

As much as I would love to tell you that I stuck to my dairy-free diet 

and made a cake from scratch, I can't.  I made cake from a box.  

Similar to this one.

Had I have had more time or a husband who doesn't love 

box cake I would make the one I found on Blogging Over Thyme.  

Next time I'm definitely going to make this one! 

Yum!

Also, cheers to all the moms out there!  

This would be a great cake to celebrate with!

{photos & styling by me}

Easter Baking

I love Easter.  

It's the start of a new season and everything feels fresh and new.

I also believe its the season of renewal and being alive.

Do you have any Easter traditions?  

We always look forward to brunching with my family 

and an Easter service at church.  If I wasn't running around 

cooking like a mad woman this season I would have totally 

made this cake!  Isn't it adorable?!  

If you are looking for some Easter baked treats here 

are a couple I would highly recommend:

* This Champagne Cake is a go-to favorite

*A Cinnamon Roll Tower is a great alternative to plated cinnamon rolls

* A healthy Sweet Potato Muffin

* My favorite recipe is this Baked Oatmeal

I hope you all have a wonderful and 

hope filled Easter 

xo

{Style Me Pretty}

Blueberry Banana Quinoa Muffins

These muffins should be called "how many healthy things can I 

fit in the title muffins", but instead lets just call them 

Blueberry Banana Quinoa Muffins.

They are delicious and healthy!

I eat one about an hour before I leave work and they 

stick with me through a hard workout.

3 bananas 

9 oz. of fresh blueberries

1/2 cup of apple sauce

1/2 cup of almond milk

1/3 cup of honey

1/8 cup of maple syrup

1 tbls of vanilla extract

1 cup of cooked quinoa

2 1/2 cups of oats

1 tsp of cinnamon

2 tbls of chia seeds

1 apple, peeled and chopped into bits

- Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees and line a 

muffin tin with paper cups

- Place all three bananas and all of the blueberries into a 

food processor and blend until smooth

- Mix the wet ingredients in a large bowl (applesauce, bananas, 

blueberries, almond milk, honey, vanilla)

- Mix the dry ingredients in another bowl (cooked quinoa, 

oats, cinnamon, chia seeds, chopped apple)

- Slowly add the mixed, dry ingredients into the wet ingredients

-Fill each paper cup to the top (they don't rise) and 

cook for 20 - 25 minutes

- Let cool and refrigerate to keep longer

**this recipe usually makes 12 - 18 muffins depending on the size 

of the paper cup and how much you fill them

These are seriously so good.  I've been craving blueberries 

all week so this really hit the spot.  I cannot wait to pick them 

fresh again this summer (like that one post here).

I hope your Wednesday treats you well 

xo

{photos, recipe, and styling by me}

Energy Bites

As mentioned in a few posts now (see here, here, and here) 

I'm polishing my baking skills to help get my husband through fire academy.  

This recipe is proving to be one of his favorites: energy bites.

They are healthy and really yummy (I've sampled a couple myself).  

They are the perfect quick pickup treat and super easy to make!

 Ingredients:

2 Cups of Oats

1 Cup of Peanut Butter

1/3 Cup of Honey

1/2 Cup of Chocolate Chips

1/2 Cup of Shredded Sweetened Coconut

2 Tablespoons of Chia Seeds

1 Tablespoons of Vanilla Extract

Directions:

Mix together in a large bowl

Roll into small balls - this recipe makes about 25

Place on a cookie sheet in the fridge for 45 minutes 

(if they're a little runny place in the freezer)

Move into a sealed tupperware and let sit in the fridge

They are good for about a week

That's it! Super easy!

Do you have any quick and delicious snacks?  

We are open to all ideas!

Happy Friday xo

{photos and styling by me}

Baked Oatmeal

My aunts in Alaska make the  b e s t  baked oatmeal!  

It tastes a lot like bread pudding (my favorite!).  

Its easy to make on the weekend and then warm up 

each morning for an on the go breakfast.

Below is my family's recipe. 

Ingredients:

    

1 Cup Cooking Oil or Butter

    

1 Cup Honey

   

4 Eggs Beaten

      

6 Cups Rolled Oats

     

4 tsp Baking Powder

    

1 tsp Salt

2 tbl Chia Seeds (optional)

       

2 Cups of Almond Milk (or regular)

Directions:

     

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

    

Combine wet ingredients in a bowl

        

Combine dry ingredients in a larger bowl

      

Mix both bowls together in the larger bowl

       

Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan

     

Cook for up to 45 or until slightly golden on top

Refrigerate after cooling.  

This amount lasts all week for my husband and I.  

He loves to warm it up with milk and peanut butter.  

I prefer almond milk with shredded coconut.  

You could also top with maple syrup, cranberries,  

blueberries,  or apple slices.  The possibilities are endless!

Enjoy!

{photos and styling by me}

Superbowl Snacks

The Monday after a big loss is never a good day.  

Can you believe that ending?!  Ugh.  

Anyway,  I wanted to share with you my fail-proof 

Superbowl snack, or recover treat: Carmel Apple Nachos.

Its simple and delicious.  

The recipe can be found here.

Did you make any good snacks for the big game?

Now I'm going to go mourn... it hurts but there is always next year.

G  o   H  a  w  k  s  !

{photo and recipe from Butter, with a side of Bread}