Strawberry/Blueberry Cheesecake Popsicles from Pops: Icy Treats for Everyone!

Every once in a while, I score a really cool cookbook.  This is one of those times.

Pops: Icy Treats for Everyone has so many refreshing popsicle ideas, plus a bunch of decadent popsicles and even ice cream sandwich recipes.

You’d never believe how easy they are to make because they all look so intricate.  The best part is when you’re able to make yours look just as good.  And they even taste good, too.

Even if you don’t feel like making anything from the book, you can just check out all of the awesome pictures and drool, but that’s up to you.  Ha!

For the recipe, you can buy Pops: Icy Treats for Everyone on Amazon.

PS:  I’ll be having a giveaway on Monday, so check back! 

Strawberry Funfetti Cake-y Donuts

Sorry for the short hiatus.  I’ve been out of town.  Since I’m about to be a senior in college, none of my friends live at home anymore, so  I took a little trip to go visit one of them.

We are obviously very mature college seniors.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I was really craving donuts, but when you crave donuts at 8 pm you’re usually SOL.  This is one of the few times that baking as a hobby comes in handy.

I’m not really sure what I was thinking with this donuts because first, I tried to make them healthy with whole wheat flour, but then I ended up adding Funfetti cake mix.  I’m a confused person and I apologize.  Luckily confusion spawns yummy, cakey donuts.

To be honest, these just taste like cake in the form of donuts, but if it tempts you at all to make them, these are healthier than cake.  Plus, who doesn’t love cake?

What’s your favorite donut?

 

Strawberry Funfetti Cake-y Donuts
Adapted from: Chocolate and Carrots

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat
• 1 cup cake mix of choice
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¾ cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tsp strawberry extract
• ½ cup strawberries, crushed

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Spray the donut pan with canola oil spray. Set aside.
3. In a bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, cake mix, sugar, and baking powder.
4. In another bowl, combine the remaining ingredients.
5. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
6. Either spoon the batter into the pan or put the batter into a large ziplock (or pastry) bag and squeeze into the pan, filling about 2/3 full.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown on the bottom.
8. Allow the donuts to cool in the pan for about 3 minutes before emptying out onto a cooling rack.

 

 

Honey Strawberry Shortcakes with Honey-Cream Cheese Whipped Cream

I’ve never seen strawberries from Wal Mart that are as ripe as the ones we’ve bought this year.  It’s crazy!  That never happens. 

Kellen’s grandma always talks about how she likes the ones that are handpicked because they aren’t “white in the centers like the strawberries from the store.”  I completely agree, but this year the centers are pink.  

So, what do you do when life hands you pink-centered strawberries?

Make strawberry shortcakes! These are so light and sweet.  Perfect for a summer treat.

Honey Strawberry Shortcakes with Honey-Cream Cheese Whipped Cream
From:  Green Market Baking Book

Fruit Topping:  

3 cups local organic strawberries, sliced

1/2 cup honey

Shortcakes:

3/4 cups AP flour

2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 Tbsp cold butter
1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp buttermilk
3 Tbsp honey


Whipped Cream:

1/2 cup whipped cream
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup honey

Topping:
1. Pour the honey over the sliced berries and mix gently to combine. Let stand until ready to serve – up to 1 hour.

Shortcakes:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.
2. Cut the butter in small pieces and mix quickly with a fork or your fingers until the butter is evenly distributed. 
3.Whisk the buttermilk and the honey together in a measuring cup. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently to combine.
4. Dust a clean surface with flour and empty the dough from the bowl onto the counter. With floured hands, pat dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Using your favorite biscuit cutter, cut into rounds or fancy shapes.
5. Place on baking sheet and bake for about 9-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Set aside and cool until ready to assemble into cakes and serve.

Whipped Cream:
1. Beat together the whipped cream and cream cheese until combined.
2. Add the honey to the cream and whisk it in.  
3. Cut each piece of shortcake in half horizontally. 
4. Place the bottom half on a plate or shallow bowl.5. Top with a spoonful of berries and a dollop of cream.6. Add the top half of the shortcake and spoon more strawberries over it.
7. Finish with another spoonful of honey-sweetened whipped cream.8. Repeat with the other pieces of shortcake and serve.