Want to know how to bake a moist delicious cake without baking from scratch???

I'll bet you do!!! And I'll be happy to share how easy it really is!


To doctor a cake mix so that you can create your own moist, melt in your mouth, delicious confection, all you need is...

1 cake mix (flavor of your choice)
1 package of pudding (If using chocolate cake, use chocolate. If using yellow cake, use vanilla)
1 cup of sour cream
3/4 - 1 cup of water (See how much your original recipe calls for and then drop it by 1/3 - 1/4 of a cup)
1/2 cup of oil
4 eggs

Mix according to the directions on the box and bake according to the box. Remember... if you have a little (just a little) cake sticking to your toothpick when you test to see if it is done, that is OKAY!!! Your cake will continue to cook after you take it out of the oven.

Is it worth the extra's? ABSOLUTLEY!!! I promise, you'll get compliments on that cake!

Chantilly Lace

My friend Kristin celebrated her Birthday yesterday. We don't exchange gifts and I didn't see her but I felt this desperate urge to make her a cake anyway. So it will be a day late but it is the thought that counts.

White whipped icing and butter cream decorations. This is my first attempt at Chantilly Lace and I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Vanilla cake with blueberry filling. It is only a 6" cake and I had left over batter so I made some vanilla blueberry cupcakes also. My husband told me that they are "terrible and we shouldn't share them with anyone". That's how I know he likes something. He gives it a bad review so they won't leave the house. HA!

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Believe it or not this is a healthy version of a double chocolate chip cookie! Amazing that such healthy ingredients can turn out such a moist, chewy, and oh so chocolaty delight! As opposed to a traditional chocolate chip, these have less than 1/2 the fat, about 1/2 the sugar, and they have whole wheat flour!

Want to make them yourself? Here's the recipe!

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES (HEALTHIER VERSION)

(side note: I spent about 6 months tweaking the ingredients to get this cookie just right. If you make substitutions or change measurements, I can't be held responsible. Make changes at your own risk!!!)

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

3/4 cp Land O Lakes Light Butter (Softened)
1/4 cp Applesauce
1 pkg Chocolate Pudding
1/4 cp White Sugar
1/2 cp Splenda
3/4 cp Brown Sugar
2 tsp Vanilla

Combine the above ingredients and mix.

2 Eggs(room temperature) (or egg beater equivalent)

Add Eggs and mix

1 cp. White Flour
1 cp. White Wheat Flour (King Arthur Brand)
2/3 cp. Cocoa Powder
3/4 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt

Combine these ingredients in a separate bowl and whisk together lightly to incorporate. Then gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients just until they are thoroughly combined. Do Not Over Mix.

1 1/4 cps Mini Chocolate Morsels (Yes, it makes a difference!!!)

Add Morsels and stir

Spoon onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Do not over bake. Pull them from the oven before they look "done". When cooled they will firm up and you'll have a chewy and chocolaty treat. You can add nuts if you like and you can also add dried cherries.