I love putting  together pretty little jars layered with cake…filling…frosting….it’s so pretty. It is fun to do and it makes a great gift. Who doesn’t like a jar filled with deliciousness!
Last night I had dinner with a friend and I gave her a wee bit late birthday gift of one of my jar cakes. It was a BIG jar….unlike the little ones here in the picture. It was the equivalent of about 10 cupcakes. I wish I had taken a picture, but I forgot. It was so purty with the layers of red velvet cake and buttercream cheese frosting. I got the feeling that she was pretty happy with it. Right Paula? I hope you enjoy it. There are so many things that you can do with these mason jars. Some people make pies, some people layer candies. My friend Patrice makes orange cheesecake jars. Now THAT, sounds delicious. I have even made Oreo cookies and cream pudding layers. How about a S’mores jar?? YES, my daughter lil Sugarbundle would love that one. So many things that you can do!
So buy some jars and get creative. Just use your favorite recipes and put those jars together. Have fun!!
      

Mac and Cheese

3 cups of uncooked elbow macaroni
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 of a 16oz box of Velveeta cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
1 cup of milk or half and half, +/-

Cook the elbow macaroni in boiling water, to al dente. Drain and mix all of the ingredients together till cheese is melted and creamy. Add a bit of salt and pepper to taste. You are done!! That simple. Grab a good book or movie, sit on the sofa and enjoy.

Comfort food is different for all of us. I am sure you all have that go to dish that you prepare when you are in need of a little pick me up. For some, it’s chicken soup…or a bacon samich….or a hot out of the oven casserole. For me, it is mac and cheese. But not just ANY mac and cheese. I’m talking “old school” mac and cheese, made with that ol familiar cheese we grew up with. Ahhhhh, yes……VELVEETA. My daughter used to request the “bacaroni with the cheese in the box”. She called it Belbeeta. ohhh, how I miss those days…but that’s another story. So, I made some old school creamy stove top mac and cheese. It’s not filled with all the gourmet cheeses out there…it is not baked and topped with crumb…It is just oozy goozy, creamy, cheezy yuminess. Each bite brings a YUM-m-m-m-m-m-m. Simple goodness.
Then, speaking of comfort….another comfort food that brings back memories from a childhood neighbor lady……Sheet Cake. Melt in your mouth chocolate goodness. The frosting is the star here. You can pretty much use any chocolate cake recipe. Even a boxed mix will do if you want something quick. But this frosting is one of my favorite chocolate frosting recipes. YOU MUST TRY IT.
So, whether you are in need of comfort or not…I highly recommend that you try both of these.

Mac and Cheese

1 box of elbow macaroni (cooked al dente and drained)
1/2 stick of butter
1 small box of Velveeta cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
1 cup of milk or half and half, +/-

Stir  all of the ingredients together till cheese is melted and creamy. Add a bit of salt and pepper to taste. You are done!! That simple. Grab a good book or movie, sit on the sofa and enjoy.

Chocolate Sheet Cake

Use your favorite chocolate cake recipe, baked in a jellyroll size baking pan…approximately 10×13. Seriously, it’s the frosting that makes this cake devine. The one in the picture is a Martha Stewart basic chocolate cake recipe that I used.

Frosting:
1 and 3/4  stick Butter
4 Tablespoons  Cocoa
6 Tablespoons Milk or half and half
1 teaspoon Vanilla
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

In a saucepan, melt your butter. Add the cocoa to dissolve. add milk, vanilla and powdered sugar. Whisk till satiny smooth. Pour over your cooled cake. The frosting will set up like a shiny glaze…so give it at least 20 minutes to do so. Enjoy!!

Happy Valentines Day! May your day be filled with sweet treats….. I have been busy! I have painted 300 cookies, made some oozy goozy coconut macaroons drizzled with chocolate, made chocolate peanutbutter cake pops and buttery salted caramels. Whoever thought you could get sore arms from wrapping caramels and bagging cookies. I am truly out of shape. I love painting cookies…..it really is a passion of mine, but 300 of them? hmmmmm,  I now have blurry vision. Old eyes. Blurry vision and sore arms….hahahahahahaah….from baking!! Who woulda thought!!! I wont post the cookie recipe, since it is your standard sugar cookie recipe and I’m sure you all have your favorite recipe.But I will share the salted caramels recipe. Have a great Valentines Day to you all….eat chocolate…..all day long!      **don’t use this recipe. I will repost** Salted  Caramels 1 can sweetened condensed milk 1/4 cup heavy cream 1/2 tsp salt 2 cups sugar 2 sticks of butter mix all ingredients in heavy saucepan and cook over medium heat till mixture reaches 240 degrees. YOU MUST STIR CONSTANTLY. it takes about 45 minutes of stirring. Pour hot mixture into a well buttered baking dish. let firm up, cut into pieces, sprinkle pieces with sea salt and wrap em up. So addicting.  Enjoy.