Delicious Dump Cakes on QVC

Posted by Kathy on April 18, 2016

We have such big news to share! We are thrilled beyond words.

Just look at that logo! Yes! QVC!!!

Wednesday evening, April 20 we will be on with David Venable on the popular QVC show, In The Kitchen with David, to discuss our newest book, Delicious Dump Cakes.

Pinch us! We are humbled beyond belief and just cannot imagine that this is really happening.

We went to QVC last week for training. What an incredible day! We met the nicest people and learned so much about QVC and what to expect.

What is a dump cake? It is the easiest way on earth to make a great dessert. No mixing. No measuring. No stress. Just great eating. Layer a box cake mix, butter, liquid like milk or soda, butter and wonderful flavors like chocolate, peanut butter, caramel, fruit or nuts in the baking pan. Pop it into the oven and you will have the most wonderful dessert.

Rich Southern Praline Dump Cake, Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake, Rocky Road, Strawberry Lemonade, Port ‘n Plum and more. Fifty of the most wonderful desserts imaginable. These up-to-date flavors no longer feature just canned pie filling. The fruit can be fresh, frozen or canned.

Who can pass up dessert? No one! But we know everyone is strapped for time. Now anyone can make luscious desserts in just minutes.

Tune in on Wednesday evening to learn more about Delicious Dump Cakes. You will be able to buy the book from QVC! We will post the time as soon as we know, but set your DVD now for In The Kitchen with David!

(In case you missed it, but want to see it, visit this page, scroll down, and click on the Pineapple Upside Down Cake.)

Cappuccino Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

Posted by Roxanne on April 12, 2016

We have all had at least one, I hope, and some have been blessed with many. What? Why wonderful teachers, of course! Our daughter had the opportunity to experience English and grammar from a remarkable teacher who is devoted to her students and teaches with a passion. During the 2 years that she was able to receive instruction from Molly Totoro, my husband and I commented on several occasions that we wished we could have been so fortunate to have such an excellent English teacher. Mrs. Totoro made reading, writing and grammar come alive.

My heart skipped a beat when I recently read Mrs. Totoro’s blog. She featured a family favorite muffin. The reason for the heart skip was the source of this family favorite. Mrs. Totoro credited the book Mostly Muffins that was co authored by Barbara Albright. Barbara was a professional colleague and a kindred spirit that I admired. My recollection of Barbara from meeting her at professional meetings was that she was one special lady, always with a smile and a zest for life. Barbara was inducted into the James Beard Cookbook Hall of Fame. It was a deep loss in the food world, when Barbara passed away from a brain tumor at the young age of 51 in 2006.

I baked these muffins one spring afternoon to honor two very talented, dedicated professional women that have touched my life. These muffins were wonderful tidbits and I savored the goodness of great writers over my afternoon cup of tea and treasured life’s memories. I shied away from the 2 to 2 ½ teaspoons espresso powder thinking that it would be a deal breaker for my family’s tastes. Wrong! Next time I will definitely bake with more espresso powder.

By the way, this recipe quickly became one that my family adores too.
I hope you will bake and enjoy!

Cappuccino Chocolate Chip Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons espresso powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup whole milk
½ cup unsalted butter, melted and allowed to cool slightly
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375° F. Spray mini muffin pans with nonstick spray.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, espresso powder, salt and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together milk, butter, egg and vanilla in a medium bowl.

Make a deep well in the flour mixture and add the liquid mixture. Stir until just combined making sure not to over mix.

Fill mini muffin tins about ¾ full. Bake for about 11 to 12 minutes. Allow to stand in pan for 5 minutes then carefully remove to a cooling rack to completely cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Makes about 32 mini muffins.

This was adapted from Mostly Muffins by Barbara Albright and Leslie Weiner and from The Totoro Family Recipe Collection.

Delicious Dump Cakes Video

Posted by Kathy on April 5, 2016

Easy and delicious! That is true of all of the recipes in our newest cookbook, Delicious Dump Cakes: 50 Super Simple Desserts to Make in 15 Minutes or Less.

Want to see how easy? Watch this video and you will agree, they couldn’t get any easier. You will also get the recipe for Chocolate-Cherry Cola Dump Cake!

Now, if only we could share a piece with you! But, since we can’t, you will have trust us. That is, trust us until you whip it up for yourself. Your family will thank you. For even a more scrumptious dessert, top it with a scoop of ice cream .

Need we say more?

Terrific Tacos

Posted by Kathy on March 29, 2016

Tacos are the easiest family meals we can think of. If you are like us, this spring has gotten busy and calendars are full. Families struggle to get all of the school activities done before the end of the year, extra programs dot the calendar and those beautiful spring days call us outside. So, what’s for dinner?

Tacos to the rescue and we have got you covered. First, this great Chipotle Chicken Taco recipe is from our book, The Newlywed Cookbook: Cooking Happily Ever After. The recipe makes a wonderful dinner anytime of the year. The book is a perfect shower present for all of those upcoming weddings—but we also want you to think of it any time you are cooking for two. Newlywed or not, quick meals are always a necessity. [Read more…]

Peanut Butter Cookie Bites

Posted by Roxanne on March 22, 2016

Small bites are one of my favorite food specialties these days. Truth be known they have been near and dear to my heart since the Babycakes books were published. They are a tidbit, morsel and sweet treat to enjoy with no guilt and the after effect is pure pleasure. My kind of baking during this time of year that is filled with Easter plans, showers, weddings and graduations. [Read more…]