Happy Birthday America! Happy 4th!

3 Good-for-You & Refreshing Beverages {Blast from the Past}

Use fat free ice cream or frozen yogurt to get an awesome and cooling beverage for you to enjoy! This one is very simple and so satisfying. 

Skinny Raspberry Banana Shake

This easy 5-ingredient smoothie is very satisfying...

and named appropriately because it tastes like a creamsicle. 

This post also includes tips to help drop lbs....

Good-for-You Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

This beautiful blueberry banana smoothie is sweetened with honey and has almond extract. Use frozen blueberries and you won't have to add as many ice cubes.

Frothy and Filling!

Blueberry Banana Flaxseed Smoothie

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Simple & Creamy Pea Salad

WELCOME JULY!!! 

This month, I'm hoping to share mostly recipes that won't heat up the kitchen..here's how we begin....*-*  

I'm always looking for something quick and easy to add to a summertime menu. 

When I saw this lovely creation at Jamie's Love Bakes Good Cakes I was

tickled to be reminded of one of my MIL's speciality dishes, so it's something I chose to make for my hubby for Father's Day.

Oh so simple - delicious - easy!! 

My dear MIL always added chopped eggs, which I forgot because I was whipping up several dishes that day.  We love it with eggs, but I guess they are optional. 

I found meunster cheese on sale, so I used that instead of the mozzarella, but to each his/her own. *-* 

You could also make this a crunchy salad by topping with cashews. 
MMMMM! 

Just a little bit of chopping and you're all set to create a lovely summertime salad.  Perfect for BBQ's or potlucks. 

This recipe can easily be doubled. 

CREAMY PEA SALAD 

1 bag (16 oz.) frozen peas, thawed and drained

1/2 c. diced cheddar cheese

1/2 c. meunster, monterey jack or mozzarella cheese, diced

1/4 c. (red) onion, diced

2 - 3 hard boiled eggs, chopped, optional

1 c. Miracle Whip or mayo

salt and pepper, to taste

 5 or 6 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate until serving. (You may top the salad with the bacon crumbles before serving).

Yield: 4 - 5 servings

Linked to GBP Roundup - Quick & Easy
Meal Plan Monday
Weekend Potluck

You might also like this 

Easy Fruit Salad

or this tasty 

Kansas Cucumber Salad

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1 - Minute Chocolate Peanut Butter Mug Cake

I am such a big fan of anything quick....add to that...chocolate and peanut butter??

YES OH YES!

This is great for summertime too, when you don't want to heat up the kitchen...

I decided since I was going to make one of these, I would go ahead and make two, so I wouldn't have to share.  ;-}

 I've seen this recipe around for some time, but when I spied it at 

Five Heart Home I knew I would be making it soon.  Please stop over there to say hello to Sam and check out her gorgeous photos of this yummy cake.  My photo doesn't do it justice, but hers....WOWZERS! 

I used xylitol (my sweetener of preference) for half the sugar and omitted the chocolate chips, just to reduce the sugar content.  It was still soo delicious...and moist. 

Because I was making 2, I zapped it for a minute, then again for 10 second increments, twice.  Still a little gooey in spots, but I would MUCH rather have gooey than dry.  

You can always stick it back in the microwave if it's too gooey for your liking. 

But if you're doing just one little cake, a minute should be good!

(According to the wattage of your microwave - mine is 1500 watts). 

1-MINUTE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER MUG CAKE 

• 1/4 c. all purpose flour
• (I used white wheat)
• 2 Tb. unsweetened baking cocoa
• 2 Tb. sugar
• (I used half xylitol)
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 c. milk, room temperature
• 2 Tb. butter, melted and cooled
• 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 Tb. creamy peanut butter
• 1 Tb. mini chocolate chips, optional

In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking cocoa, sugar, and baking powder until well blended and smooth.  Stir in milk, butter, and vanilla until batter is smooth. (After melting the butter, I added the milk to warm it up, then added the vanilla). Pour batter into a 14-ounce (or larger) microwave-safe mug. 

Combine peanut butter and chocolate chips and spoon into the center of the mug, gently pressing down until even with the top of the batter. Microwave on high for 1 minute. (Remember it will cook a little bit after removing from microwave).  Allow to cool 2 minutes before serving...if you can stand the wait!

Top with whipped cream if desired. May eat right from the mug or if you spray the mug first, you can turn the cake out onto a plate to enjoy. 
Either way, this is a fabulous treat that doesn't leave more around to tempt you!!

Linked to Melt in Your Mouth Monday

You might also be interested in 
1-Minute Healthy Deep Dish Breakfast Cookie

1-Minute Peanut Butter Mug Cake

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Extreme Brownies Supreme & Weekend Potluck #124

WELCOME TO WEEKEND POTLUCK! 

Always a joy to have you sharing with us!  Hope you're keeping cool.  We have quite the 'show' of featured desserts this week for your pleasure!! =)
Love me some dessert!!!

AND....

When I share something worth sharing...again...

Extreme Brownie Supreme

(with "Lighter Options" even!)

Cream cheese under a pudding/Cool Whip layer, topped with candy!

If you know anyone who wouldn't go wild over this fantastic dessert,

please don't tell me. =) 

(Reminder: Please go to original recipe source to pin) 

Now, let's take a quick peek back at last week...

The recipe with the most clicks was ~

Oreo Delight by Southern Bite

Recipes that caught our attention ~

Cheater Cherry Cheesecake by Snail Pace Transformations

Black Forest Cake by Noshing with the Nolands

~And a personal favorite~

Super Fudgy Gluten Free Brownies by Sumptuous Spoonfuls

Your hostesses ~

• The Country Cook~ Brandie
• Sunflower Supper Club ~ Kim & Julie
• The Better Baker ~ Marsha
• Frugal Family Favorites ~ Tabitha
• 4 Little Fergusons~ Tonya

Remember that when you link up, it shows on all FIVE blogs. Plus…

We TWEET. We PIN. We LIKE.

Linky Guidelines:

If you wish to be a featured recipe or for us to promote your recipe either on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, you MUST follow these instructions.

1. Please link up to your exact post and not the main page to your blog.
2. LINK BACK HERE from your post so that others can find the fun. (Need help linking back? Read this or watch this great instructional videoPlease use a direct link within your post.

When you are kind enough to follow our guidelines, we work hard to get you as much exposure as possible so that your time here is well invested. We want this to be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone!

An InLinkz Link-up

3 E-Z Patriotic Dishes to help Celebrate July 4th! {Blast from the Past}

With the 4th of July just around the corner, I wanted to share these with you now so you have time to plan ahead...have fun!

These kabobs are sure to be a hit, especially if you serve them with the 2 ingredient Nutella Dip in this photo.  Cut angel food cake into stars and thread on kebobs along with berries and bananas for a lovely addition to your holiday picnic or cookout.  

Patriotic Berry Kabobs

This lovely dessert pizza has a butter/flour crust, a layer of cream cheese mixture and eggless cookie dough dropped over the top, then berries added for that special touch.  Impressive!

Patriotic Cookie Dough Dessert Pizza




Using jelly beans and a pretzel rod, you can impress your friends and family in no time at all.  This will be a dessert everyone will salute you for making!

Jelly Bean Flag Cake

Linked to Weekend Potluck

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Broccoli/Corn Casserole

I've always had a special fondness for dressing up vegetables...

This recipe has been enjoyed a number of times at our house over the years, but I decided to take it to a our last Baker sibling gathering (my hubby is one of 8 living children who love to get together).  I was SO surprised my SIL's (who are awesome cooks, by the way) wanted this recipe and had somehow missed it in my first cookbook.  ???

It's one of those awesome ONLY 5 INGREDIENT recipes. I spose you could use reduced sodium crackers (of sorts) if you are concerned about sodium content, but trust me...

THIS DISH IS KNEE-SLAPPING DELICIOUS! 

And sooo easy to put together too. 

Perfect for potlucks or summer/winter get togethers!

BROCCOLI/CORN CASSEROLE

1 (16 ozs) bag frozen broccoli, cooked and drained 

(be careful to not overcook)

1 (15 ozs.) can creamed corn

1 (15 ozs.) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 (8 ozs) box Chicken in a Biscuit crackers, crushed 

(I like to leave a few bigger chunks for the topping)

1/2 stick butter or margarine, melted 

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 2-qt. casserole dish.  Mix vegetables together; then mix cracker crumbs with butter.  Save 1/2 c. crumbs for topping.

Combine remaining crackers with veggies; pour into prepared dish. Top with remaining crumbs.  Bake, covered for 30 minutes; uncover and bake 10 minutes longer. 

Yield: 6 - 8 servings 

You might also like Ultimate Creamed Corn in the Slow Cooker

Linked to Weekend Potluck

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Marbled Chocolate Bars

What a simple and moist dessert to make for any occasion...

I got this recipe from a dear friend.  We met over 20 years ago, when I was hired as a one-day-a-week receptionist at an auto auction...Kathy was my boss.  We had some good talks, and after she moved on to another job, she hired me to come clean her house monthly. 

We became intimate friends...sharing life's joys and heartaches. She has wisdom beyond her years as a mother of two teen boys....sure wish I had known her when I was raising my own kids!

Anyway - when her oldest son graduated from high school last year, this is something he requested for his open house.  

I love it - anything with cream cheese is a winner in my book, but this is simple to make, with only a few ingredients too. 

I loved this recipe so much, I added it to my second cookbook...
Love at First Bite  - it has over 200 recipes and over 100 of them have simple ones with 6 ingredients or fewer..

I'll have SECONDS please! I know you'll enjoy it too!

MARBLED CHOCOLATE BARS 

1 (18 ozs) German Chocolate Cake mix
Ingredients to mix cake according to directions
1 (8 ozs) pkg. (lite) cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. chocolate chips, divided

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 15" X 10" X 1" baking sheet.  In large bowl, prepare cake batter according to package directions. Pour into prepared pan.

In small bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar.  Stir in 1/4 c. chocolate chips.  Drop cream cheese mixture randomly by tablespoonsful over batter. Cut through batter with a knife to swirl. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips.

Bake 25 - 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool.  Cut into bars. 

Yield: 3 dozen 

You might also like this recipe for 
Chocolate Swirl Cake...with an added can of cherry pie filling

Linked to Weekend Potluck
        Meal Plan Monday

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2-Ingredient Nutella Brownies (Gluten Free) & A Giveaway!

*GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED*

You're gonna love me for sharing this simple recipe...

And am offering a jar of organic nutella (or hazelnut spread with cocoa and milk) from Nocciolata USA too...so you can make your own!

I was so tickled to be contacted by this great company. They not only offered to send me samples, they're willing to give a jar away to one of my readers!! 

Hurrah!! 

From their website...

 Nocciolata (SRP: $4.99; 9.5oz) is crafted using carefully selected ingredients such as dark chocolate from the Antillean Islands, Italian hazelnuts (16%), brown sugar, skim milk and Bourbon vanilla extract.

This deliciously smooth spread is gluten-free, kosher and has no palm oil, hydrogenated fat, artificial flavors or artificial colors or aromas. Nocciolata can be enjoyed on toast or croissants and is also a great ingredient for enhancing the flavor of any cake, cookie or muffin recipe.

------------------------------

The same day I decided to hunt online for a recipe to use my beloved jar of creamy chocolate, this recipe seemed to find me, and I simply couldn't resist! 

TWO Ingredients you ask?  Yep...that's it! 

You beat the fire out of eggs - then add the jar (or 1 cup) chocolate hazelnut nutella spread, and that's it!

They are fudgey and fabulous.  We like nuts on top, but that isn't necessary.  You can just sprinkle powdered sugar over the top if you prefer....or not. 

Thank you to Katerina at Diethood for perfecting this recipe...and just in case you're wondering...

NO...hers is NOT a dieting type blog. *-* Would love for you to stop over and visit her. 

2-INGREDIENT NUTELLA BROWNIES 

4 large eggs

1 c. nutella

nuts or powdered sugar, optional

Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8" X 8" pan with parchment paper (no need to grease); set aside.

Place eggs in medium mixing bowl; with an electric mixer, beat for 7 - 10 minutes, or until eggs have tripled in size. 

Heat nutella in microwave for 45 - 55 seconds. 

(depending on power of your M/W) 

You want it to be pourable, but not hot. Remove from microwave and stir. 

Slowly pour the warm nutella over the eggs, beating until smooth. 

Pour into prepared pan and bake 30 - 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. 

(If using nuts, sprinkle over the top before baking - they'll get toasted and so yum!)

Remove and allow to cool to room temp before cutting. Dust with powdered sugar. Cut and serve. 

You're welcome! 

Linked to Weekend Potluck

The WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY IS COMMENT #2 - 
Kitty Penrod!  Congrats to you!!

Now...onto the giveaway! 

1 -  I'm asking you to do is tell me your favorite thing to do with nutella 

2 - You can get a second entry by liking Nicciolata USA at Facebook

(click on link above), then come back and tell me you did. 

3 - Get a third entry by liking MY Facebook page at The Better Baker Blog and Cookbooks (or let me know if you already have) 

(LEAVE EACH COMMENT SEPARATELY TO COUNT FOR MORE THAN ONE) 

Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. 

Send over your friends and family too so they can join the fun.

And if you don't happen to win, you can always purchase a jar of this 

lovely organic chocolate spread here

*SORRY - USA entries ONLY*

Ready....Set...Go!

Contest closes on Sunday, June 29th at 9 PM

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Zucchini Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting

When you have zucchini in abundance this summer, this would be a perfect way to enjoy it! I know we're always looking for ways to use it up. 

This was one of the first recipes I shared when I began my blog many moons ago. The recipe came from Taste of Home online.  I tweaked it a little to make it 'lighter', but one would forget they're eating vegetables while enjoying these spicy and moist cupcakes!! 

I had previously shared ToH's photo, so when I recently saw it, I thought I needed to get a photo myself.  AND...decided to make the caramel frosting into SALTED caramel frosting.  I loved it! 

I shared with several neighbors and friends and they all loved them too.  

This is a review I found at the TofH website that shares this recipe. 

kat0529

Reviewed Jan. 3, 2014 

This is by far the BEST cupcake recipe out there! The frosting is the crowning glory to this moist cake. Do not hesitate to make these, only be prepared for everyone to ask you for this recipe.
          You're welcome! 

ZUCCHINI CUPCAKES WITH SALTED CARAMEL FROSTING

3 eggs

1-1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. vegetable oil

1/4 c. applesauce

1/2 c. orange juice

1 tsp. almond extract

2-1/2 c. (all purpose or white whole wheat) flour

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1-1/2 c. shredded zucchini

SALTED CARAMEL FROSTING:

1 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. butter

1/4 c. milk

1/8 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1-1/2 - 2 cups powdered sugar

sea salt

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, oil, applesauce, orange juice and extract. Combine dry ingredients; add to the egg mixture and mix well. Add zucchini and blend. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full and bake 20-22 minutes or until toothpick in center comes out clean.

Frosting: Combine brown sugar, butter, milk and salt in a saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 - 3 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool to lukewarm. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until frosting reaches desired spreading consistency. Frost cooled cupcakes. Sprinkle with a little sea salt before the frosting dries. 

Yield: 1-1/2 to 2 dozen 

Linked to 
Melt in your Mouth Monday
Weekend Potluck
Full Plate Thursday
Meal Plan Monday