brecho cheapchic

I know summer is almost over, but my obsession with summer drinks is still in full swing!  Check out these amazing (virgin) beauties:




Nancy's Fruit Water recipe here



Oopsey Daisy's yummy easy recipe here

Citrus Daquiri

Watermelon Frosty recipe here



The Miller Family's homemade icees here

Now this homemade icee recipe has my mind going crazy with possibilities like trying this:

lemonade icees recipe here

Linking here:
Sunday:
http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/, http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com/
Monday:
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/, http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/, http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/, http://www.skiptomylou.org/, http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/, http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/
Tuesday:
http://todayscreativeblog.net/, http://ladybug-blessings.com/, http://tipjunkie.com/, http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/, 
Wednesday:
http://eisymorgan.blogspot.com/, http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/, http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/, http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/, http://www.mybackyardeden.com/, http://reasonstoskipthehousework.blogspot.com/
Thursday:
http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/,  http://www.houseofhepworths.com/, http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/
Friday:
http://www.whipperberry.com/, http://www.thegirlcreative.com/,http://tidymom.net/, http://sassysites.blogspot.com/, http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/, http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/, http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/
Saturday:
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com

I wish I could tell you that these yummy cupcakes were what I made for dessert for Easter, but Costco was out of raspberries and I was out of time for errands after Costco!  So I made an meh dessert tonight instead.  Blech.  I hate a lot of work for meh.

Moving on... I made these for a birthday party and they were a hit!  I've been craving more since they disappeared so quickly, so they most likely will be Mother's Day dessert!  Anyway, they're super easy and you should try 'em!

White Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes
1 box of white cake mix, eggs and oil according to package
1 small cartons of raspberries, rinsed and drained
1 c. (approximately) of white chocolate chips, melted

(yep, that's the ingredients)

I followed the package directions, then added about a cup of melted white chocolate, mixing quickly as it was added.  Then I dumped in a small carton of raspberries and mixed those bad boys in.  This made 6 dozen mini cupcakes, which was about 2 more than a cake mix usually makes for me.  Cook according to directions.

White Chocolate Frosting
1 8 oz package of cream cheese
1 stick of butter
(1/4 c to 1/2 c) whole milk
2 lbs of powdered sugar
1 c. of melted white chocolate
dash of salt
1 small carton of raspberry

Blend together softened cream cheese and butter, then add powdered sugar and milk in increments to make sure the consistency is right.  Then add melted white chocolate.  If it's too thick, thin with a tiny amount of milk.  Add a dash of salt and blend.  Top with a fresh raspberry!

These charming little cuties are brought to us from Laura at  RealMomKitchen. She is always cooking up something special. I was smitten with these the moment I saw them. St. Patrick's Day can't get here soon enough!!


Lucky Green Velvet Cupcakes

• 1 Box yellow cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 Cup water
• 1/2 Cup vegetable oil
• 1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1/2 Cup plain yogurt or sour cream (I used light sour cream)
• 5-8 drops Green decorating paste (food coloring will work, just won’t be as bright green I used quite a bit of the regular food coloring to get that nice green color)
• cream cheese frosting (see recipe below)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a stand or electric mixer, add cake mix, eggs, water, oil, pudding, and yogurt.  Beat on medium for 1 1/2 minutes.  Slowly beat in 5-8 drops of green decorating paste until you get desired color of green.
2. Scoop batter into paper lined cupcake tins.  (I used my Demarle muffin tray so no need for liners, but I did place the cupcakes in liners after baking for the picture)  Bake for 15-18 minutes or until cooked through.  Let cool completely.
3.  Frost cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and add sprinkles if desired.
Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese at room temperature
• 1/4 C butter (1/2 stick) at room temperature
• 4 C sifted powdered sugar (You can decrease this amount if you don’t care about it being as stiff for piping)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups cool whip

o THIS LINK.

Enjoy

Our featured cupcake of the month is brought to you by a favorite site, RealMomKitchen (you must check her out).


But of course this is not just any red velvet cupcake...it is a snob cake. I will tell you why. First of all, it tastes divine. It is made with a cake mix--always a score in my book. But the frosting is what takes it to the snob level. And Laura at RealMomKitchen was genious when she put cool whip into cream cheese frosting. The coolness of keeping them in the fridge is another dirty little secret! Do make and you will be won over to this lovely little lady....our Red Velvet Cupcake.
Here is the recipe:

1. Prepare cake batter and blend dry pudding mix into batter before spooning into prepared muffin cups. Bake as directed on package for 24 cupcakes. Cool.
2. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Gradually beat in sugar. Whisk in COOL WHIP. Spoon frosting into small freezer-weight resealable plastic bag; seal bag (or use a cake decorating bag with tip). Cut small corner off bottom of bag and insert tip.
3. Frost cupcakes with frosting. Top with chocolate curls.(I tried to do chocolate curls.  I used a potato peeler on the square of Baker’s chocolate.  I ended up the more like shaved chocolate, not curls here.  You probably have to do curls the old fashioned way it you want nice curls) Keep refrigerated.