Halloween Peeps as Cupcake Frosting

I've been wanting to try using a Peep as Cupcake Frosting for a while, and decided the big round Jack-O-Lantern ones at Dollar Tree would be a good choice. This couldn't be easier folks, whip up a batch of your favorite cupcakes and set the timer to go off 3 minutes early, pull them out of the oven and top each one with a Peep. Finish baking and we have a melty sticky topping for our treat. I think the kids will be tickled... I know I was:@)

There are large green Frankenstein's too. 

Fluffy, and did I say sticky?

Very sticky:@)

And a side view:

Lot's of sweet topping...

If one slides a bit off the top you can carefully try to nudge it back with a fork while it's still hot. Best tip: Try to not over fill your cupcake liners with batter (I do have a habit of doing that:@)

This idea is very similar to the Marshmallows I used HERE, only with a seasonal twist.

How'd it taste? Good! 

Very sweet and sticky:@)

To use a Peep as cupcake frosting:

1. Set time to go off three minutes earlier than the normal bake time for your favorite cupcakes.
2. Remove pan from oven and place a Peep on top of each cupcake.
3. Bake for the next 3 minutes, or until Peeps just begin to get a bit melty but are still kinda fluffy.
4. Remove pan to rack and cool in pan so marshmallows set a bit.
5. **Please be sure to allow time for the marshmallow to cool off before serving. Melted marshmallow is HOT.

🎃Have a Sticky Sweet Happy Day!

Chunky Monkey One Ripe Banana Muffins -Use it up...

If we buy bananas we know one thing for sure, they can ripen quickly. And as Halloween approaches, we also might have some leftover candy to use up... May I suggest a small (or large) batch of Chunky Monkey One Ripe Banana Muffins. They are surprisingly good and call for minimal ingredients. The banana simply gets mashed with a fork, and I mixed the batter with that fork too. Paper cupcake liners help make clean-up easy. This is a nice recipe to use up that last one ripe banana folks:@)

This is a variation of two recipes previously posted, One Banana Muffins and Chunky Monkey Jiffy Mix Corn Muffins. Even easier, buy a banana muffin mix and add a peanut butter cup:@)

Speaking of monkeys...

I bought a new coffee mug for the office:@)

Yep, that about sums things up.

One Ripe Banana Chunky Monkey Muffins

One large banana

1/4 C sugar

1 egg

2 1/2 Tblsp butter, melted

1/2 C A/P flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

Pinch salt-optional -I used salted butter instead

One unwrapped miniature peanut butter cup for each muffin

1. Mash banana in medium bowl.
2. Stir in sugar, egg and butter.
3. Add flour and baking powder, mix well.
4. Pour into paper lined muffin tin. Plan on about 5-6 muffins.
5. Add peanut butter cup to each muffin, slightly push down.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool and enjoy!

Let's use it up and 

Have a Happy Day:@)

Easy Football Party Treats-Super Bowl! Candy, Cookies, Brownies, Marshmallows, etc...

If you've been around Pig In Mud for a while you know I love football theme'd foods and party ideas. And I'm especially fond of ~easy~ snacks for any occasion... So I thought we'd do a quick round-up of the easiest ways to bring a little fun to your Super Bowl Party. I'll start off with a no-brainer, purchased team color candy. And to help keep us on budget this year, both teams just happen to be red and yellow/gold:@)

My Dollar Tree Candy:

I like to cut these in half, 

making them bite size.

Does your store have Easter candy yet? Party City may also have some of these foil wrapped sports balls. Perfect little treats to add to charcuterie boards or serving bowls. 

These sprinkles are in the cake decorating section of Walmart. For some reason the red looks maroon and pink in this pic, they are a true red. The sprinkles can decorate baked goods, or you can dip pretzels, marshmallows, or purchased cookies, into melted chocolate, or candy melts, and then into the sprinkles.

Candy Coated Marshmallows with Sprinkles

or colored sugar.

A few more snack ideas:

Football Cupcake Decoration using store bought Icing ~ Football Spritz Cookies ~ Football Shaped Peanut Butter Dip ~ Football Shaped Large Brownie

So there we have just a few ideas to help make the party festive. I really don't have a team to root for this year, so I'll be watching for the E-Trade babies commercial and hoping I win a quarter in my office block pool:@) 

🏈Happy Super Bowl Weekend Everyone,

Have a Great Day:@)

Ham and Cheese Mini Muffin Appetizers

These Ham and Cheese Mini Muffin Appetizers are the fourth flavor combination I've tried with these mini-muffins. And it's a very good combo at that:@) This is a nice substantial appy for big games, holidays, and any get-together. Heck, how about any Saturday for lunch... Simple pantry ingredients and about 30 minutes, wa-la, everyone will be snacking and very happy! The honey mustard dipping sauce is really-really good... Don't hesitate to give this a try folks, I think it will be liked by most.

Easy Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce: Equal parts Dijon mustard, honey, and mayonnaise.

Two more excellent variations:

Buffalo Chicken Mini Muffins 

and Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

And I've even made a fun Zucchini version:

Ham and Cheese Mini Muffins
3/4 C A/P flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
3/4 C milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 C shredded cheddar
1 C cooked ham, small dice
Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce for serving:

Equal parts Dijon mustard, honey, and mayonnaise.

1. Grease a 24 cup mini-muffin pan.
2. Mix first 3 ingredients in large bowl.
3. Add milk and egg to dry ingredients, mix.
4. Stir in the cheese and meat.
5. Let sit for 5 minutes.
6. Fill muffin cups with approximately 1 Tblsp batter.
7. Bake at 375 degrees until puffed and golden, 20-25 minutes.
8. Serve with honey mustard sauce for dipping.
9. Makes approximately 24.

Eat Well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Dollar Tree Holiday Ideas: Stuffed Marshmallows, Gift Basket Fillers & Barbie...

I thought I'd share some Christmas items and gift ideas from Dollar Tree... These Decorated Stuffed Marshmallows were made using store bought chocolate stuffed marshmallows, they also had cookie stuffed marshmallows. I used Christmas sprinkles, but this works for any occasion, and of course they can be made in team colors too:@) There were 12 marshmallows in my bag, I simply microwaved some candy melts, dipped the marshmallow in the chocolate, then rolled them in sprinkles.

The marshmallows I bought:

Are you putting together a gift basket, or looking for foodie stocking stuffers? I think we're all familiar with Harry & David, I love that DT has a pack of four K-Cups in their hazelnut, praline and cinnamon flavor. There are also bags of ground coffee, and espresso beans are quite the treat... These even come in a dark chocolate variety. These beans would be a nice inexpensive option for cake or cupcake decorating too. 

Speaking of cakes,

or maybe Icing Filled Spritz Cookies...

Gathering items for a charcuterie gift, or need something fun for your own tray? They have tapenades (and more here), olives, pickles, and some flavored mustards:

And I'll leave you with something for the little ones... If your girl has Barbie there's a chance she has the smaller 6" Chelsea doll too. DT has four different outfits that do fit Chelsea, and they come with shoes and accessories. That's $5 that will keep the kids busy for a while folks:@)

All four fashions:

Not Mattel quality, but still super cute!

🎄Grab it when you see it, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Nordic Ware Pumpkin Loaf Pan Hack -Halloween, Thanksgiving, Fall

I think we all love the fun look of Nordic Ware bundt and loaf pans, but... They are expensive and can take up ~a lot~ of precious storage space... So I decided to make a little loaf cake and add my own pumpkin cupcakes to the top. I think it turned out kinda cute:@) For this project I just used a store bought cake mix and two small containers of icing from Dollar Tree, chocolate and an orange colored vanilla. Using a loaf pan leaves extra batter for about four cupcakes, which I turned into the pumpkins. 

1. Add frosting to the loaf cake. 
2. Place a cupcake on top. I used a large circle 2A Wilton icing tip and disposable icing bag. Start at the bottom and run lines of icing up to the top.
3. Cut some off the bottom of a second cupcake. Cut a little off the back of the cupcake and nestle it up next to the big pumpkin. Ice the smaller pumpkin.
4. The tendrils are fruit flavored jellied candy, rolled thin and cut with a knife. There is also a wider piece on top of each pumpkin to represent a leaf.
5. My colorful leaf sprinkles are from Wilton, I got them years ago.

My inspiration:

Halloween?

Add a Jack-O-Lantern face...

Also great for Thanksgiving,

or honestly, any ole fall day:@)

Make something just for fun, 

and Have a Happy Day:@)

Phillies Baseball-Phanatic Cupcakes

Gotta say it, I Love Philly!!!:@) One of the guys at work stopped at Hornberger's Bakery in Bensalem and picked up some Phillies cut out sugar cookies (fan foam finger and logo P), and had a little box of something extra special on top...

Phillie Phanatic Cupcakes:@)

ACK!!!

Too cute...

Have a Happy Day:@)

⚾GO PHILS!!!

Jiffy Mix Chunky Monkey Corn Muffins -One Banana Recipe

What's that old saying, necessity is the mother of invention? Yea, that:@) I had one overripe banana that I wanted to use up, happened to have a Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix and some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, wa-la... Jiffy Mix Chunky Monkey Corn Muffins. Fun stuff folks. Kids especially will love these, they are sweet and gooey while warm, and all things yummy any time. Is this breakfast food? Um, maybe on your birthday??? Ha, they are just a tasty, any time, snack for a break with a cuppa. 

And you might want to tuck this easy idea away for leftover Halloween or Christmas candy, just in case...

Jiffy Mix Chunky Monkey Corn Muffins

8 oz Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

1 large ripe banana, mashed

1/2 C milk or half and half

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, un-wrapped, for each muffin

1. Mix Jiffy, banana, milk, and vanilla until combined.
2. Line muffin tin with papers.
3. Fill papers about 1/3 with batter. Add peanut butter cup to center and gently push down until the top is just about flush with the batter.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until muffins are set.
5. Remove to rack and cool a bit before eating.
6. Makes about 8 muffins.

Enjoy a snack and have a happy day:@)

Zucchini Muffins with White Chocolate Chips & Pumpkin Spice

Last year I found a pretty perfect zucchini muffin recipe, so I decided to see if I could start with those good bones, and change the flavors up just a bit. And I don't know about you, but I'm ready for pumpkin season... So here we have Zucchini Muffins with White Chocolate Chips and Pumpkin Spice. You are welcome:@) These muffins will be sweet as listed, there is plenty of room to cut back on the sugar if you'd like to. This was a nice snack that disappeared quickly at the office!

Zucchini Muffins with White Chocolate Chips & Pumpkin Spice

1 1/2 C A/P flour-I subbed 1/2 C whole wheat

3/4 C sugar-can reduce by up to 1/4 C

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg, beaten

1/2 C vegetable oil-I subbed 1/4 C unsweetened applesauce

1/4 C milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 C shredded zucchini

1 C white chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease or line with paper, 12 cupcake pan.
2. Mix flour, sugar, soda, pumpkin spice and salt.
3. Mix egg (applesauce if using), oil, milk and vanilla. Stir wet into dry until just moistened.
4. Fold in zucchini and chips.
5. Fill cupcake pan a little less than 2/3 full.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

Zucchini Gingerbread Muffins -Christmas in July & Shark Week 2023

How's your garden doing, got zucchini??? Yep, I thought you might:@) Recipe number three for 2023 using summer squash... Zucchini Gingerbread Muffins. And it's a winner folks! The only thing I'd do differently, add a little shake of sparkly, crunchy sanding sugar on top before baking. Some reviews suggest bumping up the spices a bit, I left my measuring spoons slightly mounded. This is a nice way to use up a little zucchini, and they do freeze well. And of course, gingerbread would be a perfect snack for Christmas in July with a nice cuppa...

I made a half batch (used 1 egg), and ended up with 10 mega muffins. You could easily get 12 normal ones.

Looking for more ideas: My Zucchini Pinterest Board here.

Zucchini Gingerbread Muffins-adapted from All Recipes

1 C brown sugar

1/4 C molasses

1/4 C vegetable oil

3/4 C vanilla yogurt-I had sour cream on-hand

3 eggs

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 1/2 C grated zucchini

3 C A/P flour-I used half white whole wheat

Sanding sugar, powdered sugar, icing-optional

1. Add liners to two 12 cupcake pans, or spray pan. Alternately, can use two 9x5 loaf pans.
2. Stir together first 5 ingredients, mix well.
3. Add spices, baking soda and baking powder, mix well. 
4. Fold in zucchini, then add flour. Mix until combined.
5. Add to pans. Sprinkle with sanding sugar if desired.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-25 minutes for muffins. 50-60 minutes for loaves, or until toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool loaves for 10 minutes in pan before removing to racks.
8. Dust with powdered sugar or add icing if desired. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Each year I try to come up with a theme'd post for Shark Week, in 2023 it starts this Sunday, July 23rd. There's a lot going on right now (everything in one week), 21-The Movie, 23-Shark Week, 25-Christmas in July... Whew...

 

Barbie and Ken are on their summer vacation and this year the resort has a shark tank petting zoo! Baby sharks swimming around, and yep, folks could try to pet them. Barbie says she thinks baby sharks are still cute:@) 

But cute or not...

Ken was kinda like... Ah, no.

One thing I read said they feel like sandpaper,

another said going from head to tail they are smooth.

Wouldn't know, I'm on Team Ken...

You go Barbie😉

Details:

Background is a calendar page.

Pool and sand from Dollar Tree.

Icee = Mini Brands.

And the sharks...

Click for Previous Posts:

2022 - Barbie Jello Waves of Fun

2021 - Barbie Fishing on the Dock

2020 - Barbie Floating in Ocean

2019 - Deviled Eggs for Shark Week

🦈Enjoy Shark Week and

Happy Christmas In July🎅

Raisin Bran Muffins

I had some cereal to use up and decided to turn it into these Raisin Bran Muffins. My recipe below is a variation of the vintage recipe on the side of the box. I eliminated the shortening and cut back a little on the fat by substituting some apple sauce. Also bumped up the flavor with some cinnamon. My best suggestion, add more raisins and maybe a handful of nuts, that would make them even better:@) These muffins do freeze well.

A tip I read from seasoned bakers:

Let the cereal begin to soften in the milk before adding everything else.

Raisin Bran Muffins-adapted from Kellogg's

2 C Raisin Bran Cereal

3/4 C milk

1 egg, beaten

2 Tblsp butter, melted

2 Tblsp applesauce

1 C flour, any combination of A/P and whole wheat-I used half/half

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1/4 C sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1. Add cereal and milk to large bowl, stir and let sit while gathering everything else.
2. Mix everything until just combined.
3. Fill paper lined or well sprayed muffin pan 2/3 full with batter.
4. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until muffins are set.
5. Serve warm.

Enjoy a healthier snack and have a happy day:@)

ReView: Heart Shaped Food Round-Up & Heart Suspenders for Ken (Barbie)

Wow, we're down to single digit days before Valentine's Day folks, so I thought I'd add a Heart Shaped Food Round-Up from the archives. Ideas for main meal, deviled eggs, cookies, cake, pie, and fudge, a little something for everyone:@)

I saw some cute red and pink 98¢ party favor bracelets at Walmart and thought they might be fun for a little Valentine's Day Barbie crafting. The first thing that came to mind was suspenders for Ken, and I love the perfect scale. They can be attached with buttons or sewn directly onto to pants. While he may choose to not get super dressed up for the occasion, there is no denying Ken did put thought into Valentine's Day! Barbie's smitten:@)

✂What I did:

1. Super simple, just sew a few small buttons onto any pair of Ken pants.
2. Cut the bracelet apart at bottom of heart at bend in bracelet, and loop the hole in the bracelet over the button. The top bend from the packaging naturally falls at his shoulder.
3. You'll need to trim a couple hearts off of the back, then loop a hole through buttons on the back of the pants.

My inspiration:

Make something just for fun,

and have a happy day💗

Year End Review 2022 -Happier Than A Pig In Mud

Happy New Year Everyone! I wanted to pop in with a few favorite things from 2022, just a quick recap... Without a doubt, my favorite project this year was setting up the new Raised Bed Garden. I loved watching it grow and we thoroughly enjoyed the abundance of vegetables! It was nice to have enough to be able to share too:@) I've added an extra bed further out for zucchini and maybe one more type of squash this summer. I'm looking forward to Jan/Feb planning and sketching out what to grow in 2023. That will be a fun winter project.

I've still maintained a consistent blogging schedule here at PIM.

Hard to believe we're coming into year 13:@)

My personal favorite new recipe this year:

Chicken & Pasta with Tomatoes, Spinach and Bacon in Garlic Cream Sauce

The most popular reader recipe from 2022:

One Ripe Banana Muffins

And I have to say, it's a great way to use up that one banana!

In addition to the garden, my other favorite hobby... Yep, still getting a kick from Barbie crafts and creating dioramas. It's been fun bringing a little of my own personality to the dolls, and the dollhouse renovation is an on-going project.

I sincerely Thank You for taking the time to visit:@)

Happy New Year Everyone,

I wish you good health and all the best in 2023!!!

Sugar Free Blueberry Muffins with Banana

My co-worker's mom was visiting and whipped up some very good Sugar Free Blueberry Muffins. I immediately asked for the recipe:@) What helps make them a bit sweeter? The recipe calls for ripe bananas. The bananas also help make them nice and moist. They really were a tasty, pretty healthy treat, perfect with a strong cup of coffee or tea. 

While she doesn't use the sugar,

you can obviously add any amount up to the 3/4 C if your berries are more tart.

I gave the tops of mine a dusting of sanding sugar before baking,

mostly for looks:@)

Sugar Free Blueberry Muffins with Banana-from Food.com

3 ripe large bananas

3/4 C sugar-she leaves this out

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/3 C butter, melted

1-1 1/2 C blueberries-she adds extra blueberries

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 C A/P flour

1. Mash bananas in large bowl (with sugar if using).
2. Stir in the egg and butter.
3. Fold in blueberries.
4. Combine dry ingredients and fold into batter.
5. Pour into greased or paper lined cupcake pan. Makes approximately 12 muffins.
6. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

I'm Joining:

Handmade Monday

Strawberry Pineapple Cupcakes -Two Ingredient

I'm not sure if I was drawn to these Strawberry Pineapple Cupcakes because of the ease of two ingredients, or because of the pretty pink color:@) But either way, we all were pleasantly surprised with how good they tasted for how simple they were to make.  The pineapple keeps them moist, and adds a little chewy fruity bite. And of course a cream cheese frosting takes everything over the top. And sprinkles just makes it a party... The frosting is a little different too, it doesn't call for any butter, so I'm calling it 100% Cream Cheese Frosting. These cupcakes are great for birthdays, Easter, or... Any day.

A note about store bought cake mixes: 

As with everything else, they are getting smaller.

So, since the original recipe used an approx 18 oz box, and mine was 15 oz, 

I removed about 2 Tblsp of pineapple before mixing.

Just something that seemed to make sense...

Alternate decorative topping: Shredded coconut.

Strawberry Pineapple Cupcakes-from Table for Seven

1 box strawberry cake mix

20 oz can crushed pineapple

~Mix well, spoon into cupcake liners, bake per package directions.

100% Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 C powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

~Mix very well with electric mixer on high speed (start slow though), spread on cooled cupcakes.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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What's for Dinner?

Handmade Monday

Craftastic Monday

St. Patrick's Day Recipes & Crafts Through the Years

Well folks it's official, Happier Than A Pig In Mud is 12 years old. Wow, I don't think I've ever held onto a hobby for that long before:@) I thought it might be fun to go back in time and see one thing I made from each year... So here you go! Links to the original post are below. I hope you find some inspiration and something to help make your St. Patrick's Day a little more fun this year! 

2010 yo-yo shamrocks ~ 2011 Bailey's Irish Cream Truffles ~ 

2012 Jello Jiggler Cupcakes ~ 2013 Irish Flag Pizzelles

2014 Barbie Dress Pattern ~ 2015 Hershey Kiss Shamrocks ~

2016 Clover Deviled Eggs ~ 2017 Tiered Tray Centerpiece

2018 Irish Potatoes Candy ~ 2019 Root Beer Rye Bread

2020 Barbie Braided Yarn Wig Hairband ~ 2021 (ReView) Green & Gold Dyed Popcorn

*All posts with the St. Patrick's Day label can be found here.

🍀Make something just for fun and have a happy day:@)

I'm Joining:

A Morning Cup of Joe