A birthday treat from my sweet!

This delicious dessert is easy to make and only 4 ingredients. I made it recently for my husband’s birthday dinner.

I assemble it the night before and freeze. It’s so simple to make even the kids can help!

Also check out my original larger version of this ice cream cake: Peanut Butter and Caramel Ice Cream Sandwich Cake. 

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Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Makes one 8x8 square cake

Ingredients

• 1 box 12 ice cream sandwiches - we used Neapolitan flavor
• 8 ounce container Cool Whip thawed
• 1/2 jar 12oz caramel sundae topping
• 1 cup chocolate candy bars coarsely chopped - we used a variety of snack size candy

Instructions

• Lay half of the ice cream sandwiches (whole) in the bottom of a 8 X 8 inch pan, trimming the last one to cover completely.
• Top with half of the cool whip, drizzle half of the caramel sauce on top, then add on half of the candy.
• Lay down another layer of ice cream sandwiches.
• Top with remaining cool whip and spread out evenly.
• Drizzle on the caramel sauce and top with remaining candy.
• Cover and freeze for several hours (or overnight) before serving.
• Optional: let thaw for 10-15 min for easier slicing.

This dessert is a great way to use up leftover candy from the holidays.

Lay half of the ice cream sandwiches (whole) in the bottom of a 8 X 8 inch pan, trimming the last one to cover completely.

Top with half of the cool whip, drizzle half of the caramel sauce on top, then add on half of the candy.

Lay down another layer of ice cream sandwiches.

Top with remaining cool whip and spread out evenly.

Drizzle on the caramel sauce. 

Top with remaining candy.

Now it’s time to freeze!

Cover and freeze for several hours (or overnight) before serving. 

Time to serve.

Optional: let thaw for 10-15 min for easier slicing. 

Layers of deliciousness! 

Everyone, especially the birthday boy, enjoyed it!

The post Chocolate Caramel Ice Cream Sandwich Cake appeared first on For the Love of Food.

The newest member of our family, Cooper the basset hound, turned 2 this month and we had a doggie celebration in his honor!

Since charcuterie boards are all the rage and I love making them for parties, I decided to make a pup friendly version called a Doggie Barkcuterie Board!

This fun snack for your doggies can be assembled easily in minutes and features both dog treats and veggies, fruits, and eggs!

Scroll down for Cooper’s party pics and the details on how to make your own the barkcuterie board.

Happy 2nd birthday to our sweet boy Cooper!

I used a variety of dog friendly snacks for the treat board including dog jerky, milkbones,

and small dog treats along with healthy human food like apple slices, baby carrots, cut out cheese, and boiled egg. 

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Doggie Barkcuterie Birthday Board

Ingredients

• variety of small or cut up dog treats like cup up jerky milkbone cookies, small dog treats and training treats
• assortment of sliced dog friendly fruit and veggies like apples carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower
• 1 boiled egg sliced
• 4 slices of cheese cut in bone shapes (optional)
• decorated dog friendly birthday or themed cookies
• plain yogurt or peanut butter optional

Instructions

• Using a large flat platter or tray, preferably unbreakable plastic or wood, start by adding a row of cut out cheese and stacks of a variety of dog treats (I like flat, cut in half chicken jerky and small training size treats).
• If you want to add a small bowl of yogurt or peanut butter, add a small bowl of either to the tray. Warning- this gets messy!
• Next, add sliced fruit in rows.
• Finally, add sliced eggs and fill in empty spaces with mini dog treats (I like mini milkbones).
• If you have decorated dog cookies like I do add those on top and serve to your hungry pups!

Notes

Be sure to skip any foods that are not safe for dogs like grapes, nuts, raisins, onion, candy, and chocolate. 
This is a lot of food for 1 or 2 dogs! We let them eat some then bagged the rest for later.

The kinds of dog treats you use is up to you and what your dog likes. These are some of my favorites. Remember small sizes or cut up is best.

My dogs love fruit and veggies so I made sure to add sliced apples, baby carrots, sliced boiled egg, and cheese to the tray too.

I used extra thin, sandwich sliced cheese and cut out bone shapes for my dog themed tray!

Start adding rows and fill in with small dog treats at the end!

Copper what do you think?!

He was one happy pup! We are so lucky to have him in our lives. 

Nom, nom,nom. Cooper shared with his brother but it was still a lot of food for 1 or 2 dogs!

We let them eat some then bagged the rest for later.

Aren’t the cookies adorable! These were only used for photos and were made by Keichel Cookies

So many treats, so little time!

Life is so much butter with dogs in it! Am I right?

Happy Birthday Cooper!

The post Cooper’s Doggie Barkcuterie Birthday Board appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Our wild and crazy pup Elvis turned one this month! Naturally, we had to celebrate with a doggie party filled with music, toys, treats, and a special dog friendly birthday cake made with his favorites, bananas and peanut butter (just like the real Elvis too!). This cake is easy to throw together and looks too cute topped with mini bone treats on top! You can frost with regular creamy peanut butter (I like Jif, just make sure no Xylitol in the ingredients) or make a creamier topping with plain yogurt and pb.

Elvis loved it and it was plenty big enough to slice up share with his brother Cooper! 

Scroll down for the recipe and photos.

Peanut Butter Banana Pupcake 

1 ripe large banana, mashed

2 tbsp creamy peanut butter (I like Jif, be sure to check for no Xylitol)

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 egg

1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 tsp baking powder

Frosting:

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup plain yogurt, optional -see notes

1/4 cup mini Milkbone dog treats, for topping

Directions:

1. Preheat  350 degrees.
2. Add all cake ingredients to a large bowl.
3. Mix everything together with a rubber spatula until well combined. 
4. Press into a greased large ramekin or small round baking dish.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until browned and solid.
6. Let cool then remove to a plate to frost (optional). 
7. Prepare your frosting or just use peanut butter. Spread on the top and sides of the cake in a thick layer.
8. Decorate the top and sides of the cake with bone shaped dog treats. 
9. Serve whole or in slices to your happy pup(s)!

Peel a large ripe banana then mash with a fork until smooth.

Add all cake ingredients to a large bowl. 

My little helper Ava loves to bake with me!

I use peanut butter in both the cake and frosting. I like creamy JIF brand.

Any brand will work as long as it has no Xylitol sweetener which is poisonous to dogs. 

Mix everything together with a rubber spatula until well combined. 

Press into a greased large ramekin or small round baking dish.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until browned and solid.

Let cool then remove to a plate to frost (optional). 

I frosted our cake with just peanut butter but you could also do a mix of peanut butter and plain yogurt as a frosting. 

Add frosting in a thick layer on top and sides.

How cute are these mini Milkbone dog treats?!

Decorate the top and sides of the cake with bone shaped dog treats. 

How cute is the final product?

We found a cake shaped dog cookie and stuffed cake toy for him too!

Elvis had to sniff it and make sure it was a treat first. 

He loved those treats on top…and all that peanut butter!

Ready to dig in!

Serve whole or in slices to your happy pup(s)!

Big brother, always there to help you finish your dessert!

Happy 1st birthday Elvis!

Follow along on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/elvishoodthedog/

The post Birthday Peanut Butter Banana Pupcake for Elvis appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Hey, hey, hey it’s my birthday! I picked up some birthday freebies this week from my fave shops and restaurants including a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts. That reminded me of the delicious Krispy Kreme bread pudding from Lulu’s in Destin, FL that I enjoyed during one of my trips home. So instead of a birthday cake this year I made my own Copycat Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding! This rich dessert is made with chopped up glazed donuts and custard and served warm with whipped cream. If you have a sweet tooth like my family, you’ll love this sinful dessert!

Sign up for Krispy Kreme rewards and get a free dozen donuts on your birthday!

The original Krispy Kreme bread pudding at Lulu’s. 

Fun memories at Krispy Kreme!

My girls love watching the assembly line and getting a free donut sample when we visit. 

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Copycat Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 1 dozen glazed donuts about 10 cups, chopped
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1 14 oz can condensed milk
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup raisins optional
• whipped cream for serving

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Add chopped donuts into a large bowl.
• In a separate bowl whisk together eggs, milk, condensed milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
• Pour on top of the donuts and mix to coat well.
• If you are adding raisins sprinkle them on and mix in.
• Let sit and soak for 10 minutes.
• Coat a 9x9 baking dish with non stick spray.
• Pour the donuts and custard in the dish and spread out evenly.
• Bake for 45 minutes until golden and cooked through.
• Slice into squares, top with whipped cream if you'd like, and serve warm.
• Store leftovers in the fridge in a covered container for up to 5 days.

Start with one dozen glazed donuts. Obliviously I like Krispy Kreme! A day or two old works best for bread pudding.

Chop up the donuts into 6-8 pieces per donut. You should have about 10 cups.

Add chopped donuts to a large bowl.

In a separate bowl whisk together eggs, milk, condensed milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Mix well until no clumps remain.

Pour on top of the donuts.

It looks so good already!

Mix to coat well.

How simple was that?!

If you are adding raisins sprinkle them on and mix in.

Let sit and soak for 10 minutes.

Coat a 9×9 baking dish with non stick spray.
Pour the donuts and custard in the dish and spread out evenly.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until golden and cooked through.

Slice into squares, top with whipped cream if you’d like, and serve warm.

Store leftovers in the fridge in a covered container for up to 5 days. 

Thanks for the birthday treats Krispy Kreme!

The post Copycat Krispy Kreme Donut Bread Pudding appeared first on For the Love of Food.

 

1.  Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies – For the Love of Food Blog 

2.  Chocolate Funfetti Cheesecake Bundt Cake – Beyond Frosting 
3.  Funfetti Cake Batter Pancakes – Tastes of Lizzy T 
4.   Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls – Lady Behind the Curtain 

5.  White Chocolate Funfetti Pudding Cookies – A Night Owl Blog

6.   Gluten Free Funfetti Cake – What the Fork Food Blog 
7.  Funfetti Cake Balls – Moms and Crafters 
8.  No Bake Funfetti Mousse Pie – Beyond Frosting
9.   No Churn Funfetti Cake Batter Homemade Ice Cream – Spaceships and Laser Beams 
10.  Funfetti Breakfast Muffins – The Pinning Mama 
11.  White Chocolate Funfetti Poke Cake – Whats Cooking Love
12.  Funfetti Donuts – Cincy Shopper 
13.  Funfetti Rainbow Dip – Simply Being Mommy

14.   Funfetti Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats – For the Love of Food Blog 

15.  Cherry Funfetti Almond Cupcakes – Beyond Frosting 
16.  Funfetti Cake Cheese Ball – Whats Cooking Love
17.   No Bake Oreo Funfetti Icebox Cake – Beyond Frosting
18.   Funfetti Cake Mix Sandwich Cookies – Tastes of Lizzy T

19.  Birthday Cake Latte – For the Love of Food Blog 

20. Funfetti Whoopie Pies – Princess Pinky Girl 
21.  Funfetti Cookie Dough Truffle Bars – Beyond Frostoing
22.   Funfetti Cake Batter Dip – Stockpiling Moms 
23.  Cake Batter Birthday Waffles – Dear Crissy 
24.  Funfetti Honeycomb Marshmallow Treats – Simply Being Mommy 
25.  Lemon Funfetti Cake with Lemon Curd – Love Bakes Good Cakes 

26.  Festive Brithday Cake Milkshake – For the Love of Food Blog 

27.  Lemon Blueberry Funfetti Cake Bars – Flour on my Face 
28.  No Bake Funfetti Cheesecake – Love Bakes Good Cakes 
29.  Red White & Blue Funfetti Cake – Bitz n Giggles 
30.  Funfetti Cake Batter Cookie Dough Brownie Layer Cake – Life Love and Sugar
31.   Funfetti Dessert Pizza – Beyond Frosting
32.   Funfetti Cake Truffles – Dancing Through the Rain
33.  5 Ingredient Funfetti Shortbread Bites – Cooking Classy 
34.  Funfetti Almond Cherry Donut Cupcakes – Lady Behind the Curtain 
35.  Funfetti Cheesecake Stuffed Crescent Rolls – The Chunky Chef

The post 35 Festive Funfetti Birthday Treats appeared first on For the Love of Food.

My Foodie Birthday Gift Guide

1. Glitter Coffee Mug

2. Apron

3. Ice Cream Cups

4. Desk Sign

5. Oven Mitts

5. Food for Foodies

6. Fun Bottled Drinks

7.  Food Games

8. Foodie Shirts

Enter to win a custom 14oz glitter mug from Sip and Sparkle

It may be my birthday but you deserve something too! 

The post The Foodie Birthday Gift Guide appeared first on For the Love of Food.

 kid and adult friendly sweet and creamy celebration drink.

Nothing cuter than a baby in a bathtub!

I can’t believe my little Stella is already one!

Photos by Lisa Anne Photography.

Happy Birthday Stella Rose!

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Birthday Cake Milkshake

Makes 1 16oz milkshake

Ingredients

• 3 Oreo birthday cake cookies {or similar}
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 large scoops vanilla ice cream
• 2 tbsp rainbow sprinkles
• whipped cream for topping

Instructions

• Add milk, ice cream, crumbled cookies, and 1 tbsp sprinkles to a blender.
• Blend until creamy and mixed well.
• Pour into a chilled large glass.
• Top with whipped cream and more sprinkles.
• Add a straw and enjoy!

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Whew talk about being fashionably late! Today is my 31st birthday and I am sharing with y’all my birthday party last year when I turned 30. Since it was the big “Dirty 30” I had a fun Pajama themed party at my house. Everyone dressed in cute PJs and I served late night and breakfast type food. Then to add to the party fun we played Minute To Win It games that had us cracking up!

Scroll down for pictures, recipes, and info and leave me a comment telling me what you think!

Fun outside party decor! 

Dressed in our PJs and ready to Par-Tay!

Always a hit {thanks Molly for the recipe}- Pizza Poppers !

 

 Colorful Marshmallow Cereal Treats 
{Simply marshmallows melted with butter and tossed with colorful cereal and sprinkles.}

How fun is this Popcorn Bar?! Simply have a few big bowls of popcorn popped {I had traditional butter flavor, kettle corn, and Cracker Jacks}. I found the large popcorn bucket at the Dollar Tree and the paper popcorn bags in the Target dollar section.
 
 
 Make sure you have a good selection of toppings. The different toppings are limitless!
Here’s what I served:
1. Garlic Popcorn Seasoning
2. Bacon Cheddar Popcorn Seasoning
3. Sea salt grinder
4. Caramel syrup
5. M&Ms
6. Reese’s Pieces
7. Wasabi Peas
8. Honey Roasted Peanuts
9. Goldfish crackers
10. Diced bacon
11. Dried Cranberries

My sweet girl wouldn’t look at the camera- she was distracted by my pretty new earrings

Good times with good friends in Ft Polk!

We played a few Minute to Win It party games including:

1. Booger Relay

2. Noodle Head

3. Pantyhose Bowling

 

Thanks to The Style Sisters for the ideas!

Everyone was such good sports even though we looked {a little} ridiculous!

Booger Relay sounds grosser than it is! It’s another game where you can’t use your hands-get this- you can only use your nose! Each person rubs Vaseline on their nose, puts their hands behind their back and runs to a table that has a plate of cotton balls. They have to pick up as many cotton balls as they can in the minute and carry them back across the room to another plate where they must shake them off. Most cotton balls wins!

A birthday toast and a Jello shot {or two} with the girls!

My sweet Ava was so tiny! She’s the best present of all!

What a great party! Goodbye 20s…..Hello 30s

The post Birthday Pajama Party featuring a Popcorn Bar, Cheese Fountain, and Donut Cake! appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Lucky Dog Lobster and Potato Hash with Hollandaise

Lobster Roll 

 

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Lobster Thermidor

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients

• 2 whole lobsters 1 pound each
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 tbsp whipped cream cheese
• 4 large mushrooms diced
• ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
• ½ tsp paprika
• Lemon and parsley garnish

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Steam lobsters then split shells and scoop out lobster meat.
• Clean shells and rinse.
• Cut lobster meat into small pieces.
• Melt butter in sauce pan and whisk in flour and salt.
• Then add cream cheese and mix well. Remove from heat.
• Add mushrooms and lobster meat.
• Spoon into shells. Top with cheese and paprika.
• Place on baking sheet and cook for 8 minutes or until brown and bubbly.

You can have your lobster’s steamed at the store or steam them fresh at home.

 

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Tips for taking cake smash pictures at home:

1. Take pictures in a place with lots of light! Outside is great or inside near a window. I used Ava’s nursery because it has a large window with lots of natural light. I also used the overhead light and my flash.
2. Use a large quilt or blanket and sit your baby on that. This was a lifesaver for me! Every crumb and frosting smear stayed on the quilt and after we were done I stripped her down and folded everything in the quilt and took it straight to the laundry room! A few sprays of Dreft stain remover and a wash and the quilt was stain free! It doesn’t get any easier than that.
3. A tip from my photographer sister in law Chelsey:  do not refrigerate the cupcakes or cake the day of the pictures. This way the frosting with be soft and easier for baby to eat and make a mess with (makes for cute pictures, trust me!).
4. Speaking of cakes, as I said above, I chose a cupcake instead of a traditional 6 inch smash cake. I think the cupcake was the perfect size. Messy but not too messy and just as fun! 
5. Also whether you order the cupcake or make it yourself remember to stick with traditional frosting. Fondant can be pretty but this is a SMASH cake. It won;t stay pretty for long and you want frosting that is tasty and easy to smush in baby’s little fingers. I recommend traditional buttercream frosting or whipped frosting.
6. Some babies are shy or timid and won’t dig right in to the cake. I didn’t have this problem with Ava she just dove right in (literally). But consider a test run before the big picture day. Or help baby out and smear some cake on her face and give her a couple tastes of frosting until she gets the hang of it. 
7. Consider the flavors. When my baker asked what flavor I wanted I knew right away Chocolate! Ava had never had chocolate so this was an easy decision. But then what flavor icing to use? She mentioned cream cheese but I nixed that idea. Just my opinion, but if your baby has not had sweets ever, like mine, you don’t want to overload her with too many new flavors and foods in one sitting. Baby’s sensitive tummy may not handle that too well. So I opted for Chocolate Cupcakes with fluffy White Chocolate icing. And it took just a few seconds for me to see that Ava is a chocolate lover just like her Daddy and me!
8. Don’t forget the cute outfit! Some people use tutus, dresses, hats, sashes, bows, bow ties, suspenders, rompers, or heck just a cute pair of bloomers or a diapers cover and nothing else! Your choice but do realize it WILL get frosting and cake on it. But I just shook the crumbs off in the trash and washed Ava’s clothes right after and they were mess free and like new!
9. Have fun! It may not go as planned but have fun! This is for baby and as long as they’re happy that’s all that matters! You’re making memories. Enjoy it!

Ava’s Birthday Giftbag includes:

1. Ava loves her Mama and Dada the most so we are giving away the picture board book: “I’m Here For You Now”. You can insert your own pictures into the book! Ava loves looking at pictures of her Dada in this book!                                                                                            
2.   
3. A custom made tag blanket like the one pictured above donated from the wonderful Kraftie Kristina. Check out her Facebook page here <<<<
4. Plum Organics baby food pouches and snacks. I love using my Baby Bullet to make Ava food but the convenience of there pouches and the unique flavor combos are awesome! I love that Ava can hold them on her own now too.
   
5. Ava loves doggies, especially her 2 pups Charlie and Dylan. So we are giving away a pink polka dot stuffed dog!
6. Ava almost always has a fun headband or clip in her hair. Most of them I buy handmade from different ladies online including Kraftie Kristina! We are giving away two handmade hair clips- a Despicable Me Minion Clip and a Yellow Ribbon Patriotic Clip.
7. Ava has 6 teeth now and 2 more coming in so she loves her teethers especially this strawberry shapped Fresh Food Teether by Fisher-Price. We like to put frozen mango pieces in it and I love that it is rubber not mesh and super easy to clean!                 
8.                                                               
9. Every night before bedtime Ava chooses a book for me to read to her. One of her favorites is “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie” so we are giving away a copy!
10. Ava loves music and she enjoys attending her weekly music class by Music Together of Leesville. We are giving away a fun shaker music egg! I always keep one of these in the diaper bag for Ava to play with when she is bored or fussy!
11. Ava’s favorite movie is Despicable Me so we are giving away a Despicable Me tote bag and a Minion Surprise pack! 

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