Cake Batter Rice Krispy Treats!!

These rice krispy treats could take the place of any cookie for Santa.  Although at my house, Santa really likes Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies, so I'd probably send him some to go ;-).

Anyway, this rice krispy recipe is so wonderful, you'll never eat the other kind again.  Your life will forever change in this wonderfully delightful way.   


You'll need:

3 tablespoons butter
1 (10 oz) bag of small marshmallows
1/2 cup of **dry** yellow cake mix (don't make the batter!)

6 cups of rice krispy cereal
About 3 tablespoons of sprinkles (feel free to use as much as you want, or none at all!)


Step-by-step:
1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat.  Add marshallows.

2. Stir the marshmallows until they begin to melt, and add the dry cake mix just a bit at a time until it's combined.

3. Then add 2 tablespoons of sprinkles to mix in.  Stir in the cereal until it is completely covered in marshmallow mix.
4. Press into a baking pan (depending on how thick you like them!)

5. Top with remaining sprinkles!


Enjoy!


-Domesticated Duchess

Chili Cheese Dogs

My husband loves chili cheese dogs.  I think it is his favorite part of going to baseball games.  This recipe will knock you out of the park with homemade chili that is easy!

You'll Need:

1 package of hot dogs (all beef)
1 package of hot dog buns
1 pound of ground beef
1 - 15 oz jar of tomato sauce
1 package of chili powder
1 - 15 oz can of kidney beans
Grated Cheese


Step-by-step:
1.  Cook the hot dogs by either grilling them, boiling, or using your stovetop.  I used the stove method because I was in a rush but love that grilled taste.

2.  Next, cook your ground beef.  I like to use some cajun seasoning to make sure it is extra spicy!
3.  In a large pan, pour the tomato sauce, chili powder, kidney beans and beef. Mix together.  Allow to sit until it starts to bubble

4.  Reduce to low heat and cooked uncovered for 10 minutes.

5.  Put hot dogs on bun, pour chili over buns, and sprinkle with cheese.


IF you like onion on your chili cheese dogs, grill an onion after cooking the ground beef so it picks up some of the meat flavor and cajun spices!




-Domesticated Duchess

Easy-Cheesy Cheese Ball

Whether hosting a Christmas party, or a football game this ridiculously easy cheese ball is too good to not make.  This is my mother-in-law's recipe, and boy is it good.  The first time I had it was during during Thanksgiving, we had a bunch of finger foods before we sat down for the evening meal.

My two brothers probably ate half of the ball, my husband and brother-in-law ate the other half.  It was soooo delicious, that I knew I needed the recipe.

Here's what you need:

• 1 - 1oz package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (in my experience, this brand tastes best)
• 2/3 or 3/4 cup of mayonnaise 
• 1 - 8 oz cream cheese (I use Neufchatel, 1/3 less fat)
• 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese (I use the 2% kind, just to cut down a bit on fat)
• Slivered almonds

Step-by-step:

1. Mix the hidden valley ranch, mayo, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese very well in a bowl

2. When completely mixed, form into a ball

3. Wrap in clear wrap and put in fridge for 30 minutes

4. Unwrap the ball and roll the slivered almonds around the entire ball

5. Serve with Harvest Wheat flavored crackers or Special K multi grain crackers.

Enjoy!

-Domesticated Duchess

Deviled Eggs

Deviled Eggs are the perfect holiday appetizer - which I never grew up eating (not even during Thanksgiving)!  Fortunately, deviled eggs are part of a my husband's family tradition and, I've quickly made up for all those lost years. 

If you are looking for another easy holiday appetizer, my mother-in-law introduced me to a delicious, easy cheese ball and is always a party pleaser!

You'll Need:

12 eggs
1/2 cup of mayo
2 tsp sweet pickle juice (just the juice, not the pickles!)
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp of mustard
Cumin (optional)

Step-by-step:
1. Hard boil eggs, cut in half. Remove yolks from hard boiled eggs

2. Mash up yolks using fork

3. Add the rest of the ingredients together with yolks

4. Spoon mixture back into the eggs
5. If you like cumin, feel free to sprinkle on top here. 
6. Serve cool

Makes 24!


-DD

Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie on a Skillet

One of my favorite casual dining restaurants is BJ's Brewhouse.  They are known for their deep dish Chicago style Pizza and brewed beers.  However, the best kept secret (not a secret at all, actually) is their Pizzookie (basically a deep dish skillet cookie or cookie heaven).  It is a cookie on a warm skillet, and it is my favorite dessert ever.  I found a recipe for it on Pinterest that linked me back to Jamie at sophistimom!

You'll Need:
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups of flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips (I added an extra 1/4 cup because I love chocolate!)




Step-by-step:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Over medium heat, melt 1 stick of butter on an iron skillet.  

3.  Stir in the sugars and vanilla.  

4.  Remove from heat, and let pan rest for about five minutes.
5.  Crack an egg onto the sugar mixture and wisk well.
6.  Add flour, baking soda and salt on top mixing slowly (or it will splatter!) until smooth and mixed well.

7.  Add the chocolate chips and smooth the top.
8.  Put in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
9.  Serve warm with vanilla ice-cream and hot fudge sauce. 

-Domesticated Duchess

Homemade All Natural Eye-Makeup Remover

WHOA - This post is popular!  I guess I'm not the only eye-makeup junkie.  Click here to read my makeup brush cleaner. 

I adore eyeshadow. I love eyeliner.  Mascara is my best friend.  That being said, I use a lot of eye-makeup remover.  I used to use the Clinique eye-makeup remover for $17 a bottle!  That seemed pretty high, and since I go through it like it's going out of style, it hits the wallet hard.

I began searching for all natural/organic homemade eye makeup remover.  I tweaked a concoction to perfection based off one I found on pinterest.  

Easy!

This makeup remover is nongreasy, and gets the job done! The only thing is you must shake it up before each use!


You'll need:

1 cup of distilled water (be sure to use distilled!)
1/2 teaspoons of Dr. Bronner's unscented baby-mild liquid castile soap (I found mine at Whole Foods, but you can buy it on their website!)
1 1/4 teaspoons of olive oil
Small containers with lid (I bought two travel sized containers from Target)

Step-by-step:
1. Pour ingredients into container with lid
2. Shake well!
3. Put into small container using a funnel.

It works!

Talk about saving money!!! I bough distilled water for 99 cents, and the soap for under $6 after tax.  I already had olive oil.  Basically, I could make over 1 gallon of this stuff on less than $7!  That's WAY less than Clinique!

Squeaky Clean!
-Domesticated D

Oreo Milkshake

I love Oreos... and ice-cream... and a combination of the two!  We had just a few Oreo cookies left after making my chocolate heaven bars and it was about 90 degrees... at the end of March.  Summer 2012 in Texas is going to be a scorcher.  Anyway, this easy treat is delicious, and kind of reminds of the Jack-in-the-Box version of their Oreo Milkshake. 

You'll need:

6 oreos (double stuffed are best! but you can use reduced fat or regular)
1/2 cup of milk (whole or 2%)
1 cup of vanilla ice-cream
A big dallop of whip cream




Step-by-step:
1. Chop cookies coarsely in blender

2. Add milk and icecream and blend until smooth  (you can also add a  couple tablespoons of hot fudge or even Hershey's chocolate syrup for extra flavor!
3. Pour into one large or two small glasses
4. Garnish with whip cream 
5. Enjoy!


-DD