Name: Butterfinger Whoopie Pies
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 white cake mix; 8 Tablespoons butter, melted; 1 egg; 1 cup crushed Butterfingers (10 snack size); 8 Tablespoons butter, room temperature; 1/4 cup shortening; 1/2 cup peanut butter; 1 Tablespoon honey; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; 3 Tablespoons water; 3 cups powdered sugar; 3/4 cup crushed Butterfingers (6 snack size)

Banana Coconut Muffins

Banana Coconut Muffins are the perfect breakfast (or snack) choice to have with your morning coffee.

These soft banana muffins with toffee and coconut are a delicious breakfast choice.

This weekend we got some snow...maybe about 5 inches. It was more than enough for me.

I'm kind of a snow grinch. Definitely can do without it!!!

Although one of my sister in law's pointed out the benefit of cold weather...cute boots and coats!!!

[Read more...]

Java Twix Banana Bread

Well, winter found us. Our nice mild 50 degree January has ended. It is a lovely shade of white outside and temperatures (at the moment) are registering about 15 degrees.

Honestly, I had my fingers crossed that winter was going to forget about us this year. My kids told me that was mean!

Call me crazy but the older I get, the less I like winter time. Something about being thoroughly chilled. I have to admit it is pretty to look at though...as long as I can stay inside and look at it through my windows.

Thank goodness for remote starts. Technology is a wonderful thing isn't it?

I also don't like that my oldest is almost a teenager...until it snows. Then I am happy he is old enough to do the work outside.

I'm happy just staying warm inside and baking up a crazy yummy treat for him to devour when he comes in. [Read more...]

Happiness is...

...drinking my daily water from my fun zebra cup.

...having kids old enough to actually help with home renovations.

...going on a dinner date with my husband & then getting groceries.

...viewing amazing winter sunsets.

...seeing no snow and it is the middle of January. (yes, I am a snow grinch)

...playing UNO everyday with our kiddos.

...enjoying once in a while breakfast stops.

...seeing our little guy still so excited about his stuffed pokemon collection.

...drinking a bright green spinach/protein shake after workouts.

...getting a fun new canvas in the mail.

What are the happy little things in your life right now???

Thank you so much for reading my blog. If you liked this post, please leave a comment. Comments are a great way for me to see what is a blog hit or miss:-)

Butterfinger Whoopie Pies

I'm sorry to do this to you.

Especially the first week of the New Year

when so many people have resolved to eat better.

These are going to make you jump right off

any diet bandwagon that you have climbed on.

Believe me! I know...I was there.

This week we have been doing great at our healthy eating,

drinking lots of water, and exercising...

then I went and made these.

And that was even fine because they were going

with my son to his Bible study group.

Only a few got left behind for me to take pictures of.

Then I took a bite out of one (for testing purposes:-)

and all my good resolve melted away

with that delicious cookie!

Peanut butter is a weakness of mine.

I should have known this would end badly for me.

I knew I HAD to get the rest out as quickly as possible.

My jeans were counting on me to be strong.

Resist the cookies I must!!!

Good thing we pack lunches each day.

The cookies were safely tucked into lunch bags

and hidden away from the peanut butter crazed lady!

But lucky for me...there was one left to enjoy the next day...

along with a few spoonfuls of yummy frosting.

Don't judge me:-)

You would have done it too if the extra frosting was on your counter.

Go ahead and make these.

I double dog dare you:-)

Recipe

Butterfinger Whoopie Pies

Yield: 24 whoopie pies

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Vanilla cake mix cookies made with Butterfinger candies and filled with a peanut butter Butterfinger butter cream frosting....to die for!!!

Ingredients

For the Cookies

1 white cake mix
8 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 egg
1 cup crushed Butterfingers (10 snack size)

For the Butter Cream

8 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
¼ cup shortening
½ cup peanut butter
1 Tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon vanilla
3 Tablespoons water
3 cups powdered sugar
¾ cup crushed Butterfingers (6 snack size)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Beat the cake mix, butter, egg, and Butterfingers until a dough forms.
Form into 48 - 1 inch balls and place on a nonstick baking sheet. Bake 9 minutes.
Let the cookies cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes then remove to your wax paper lined counter to cool completely.
Beat the butter, shortening, and peanut butter until light and fluffy.
Add in honey, vanilla, and water and beat again.
Slowly add powdered sugar until all is incorporated. Stir in the crushed Butterfingers.
Fill the cookies with the frosting. Store in a sealed container.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 247Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 129mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 1gSugar: 21gProtein: 2g

{ATTENTION}

* I am not a huge resolution person. I think it has to do with the fact that I never actually accomplish any of them. But the last few years I have chosen one word to focus on for the year.

*Last year was the word CHANGE. I was reading through my post for that word and I realized that I didn't change everything that I wanted to, but certain things I was able to overcome and change with God's help.

*Towards the end of December I started thinking about what word God would want me to focus on for the year. What did I feel like needed the most work?

For some reason I kept coming back to the word ATTENTION.

*Lately I have been finding myself not giving my full attention to the things in my life that matter the most. Just the other night I sat playing Uno with my two boys. Well, I say playing because in body I was there placing the cards, but they had to keep telling when it was my turn because I was texting with my sister. Now there is nothing wrong with that but my attention was split between the two. I want my kids to know they have my full and complete attention when we are together. I don't want to be distracted by other things.

*Some definitions that the dictionary gave for the word attention are:

-the act or faculty of attending especially by directing the mind to an object

-a concentration of the mind on a single object or thought

-observant care; consideration

-notice or awareness

-detailed care or special treatment

-courtesy

*What do I want the word attention to look like in my life this year?

1. Giving my full attention to my husband when we are together.

2. Making sure my kids know they have my undivided attention when they are home.

3. Paying attention to how much time I spend on the computer.

4. Giving God the attention that He deserves first thing in the morning.

5. Attention to making better meals for my family.

6. Attention to what I eat and how much I exercise.

*God has my attention and I want to make the change in these areas. I want to pay attention to the little details in life that are passing me by too quickly. I want to be sitting down with my kids more often and talking more. This may mean adjusting some things. Things like spending computer time (aka blog surfing) when my kids are at school or in bed. Getting my Bible out in the morning before hitting the gym. Planning meals out early in the week instead of an hour before eating:-)

*I want to make sure I am putting my attention on things that really matter in life.

"Give whatever you are doing, or whoever you are, with the gift of your attention." Jim Rohn

"You validate people's lives by your attention."

*Does anyone else have a word they are going to focus on this year???

Reader's Choice-Top Posts

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

After church we relaxed all day in our jammies!

Some days you just need to.

Thank you so much for a great year

with the BruCrew.

I cannot believe that 2011 will be over

in just a few short days.

Bring it on 2012!!!

I have enjoyed sharing

my crazy recipes with you here.

And I have made so many new friends

through this blog.

You guys are great!!!

Here is a roundup of the most popular posts this year.

If you are a new reader, some may be new to you.

You may even find a new favorite!

Faithful readers...have you tried any of these???

Pumpkin Oreo Cheesecakes

This is a recipe from last year that still is at

the top of the stats thanks to Pinterest...

you all love your pumpkin and oreo!!

Salted Caramel Mocha Brownie Cups

This delicious goodie was inspired

this fall by a drink at Starbucks.

I love a good coffee treat.

Braided Headbands

Another post from 2010 that is still going strong.

Have you made your own yet?

Peanut Butter Pie Parfaits

This was one of my first posts in 2011.

Who knew you would be so crazy for

these cute parfaits:-)

Brookie Bites

A chocolate chip cookie surrounded by a brownie

and then dipped in chocolate?

Yes, please.

Eggnog Latte Cupcakes

Starbucks to the rescue again

for these delicious coffee treats!

You guys like coffee stuff just as much as I do:-)

Pumpkin Twinkies

I totally understand why this is still in the top 10!

Pumpkin, marshmallow, and chocolate...

definitely one of my fav combos too!!!

Pumpkin Spice Brownie Bites

I came up with this recipe in the fall of 2010

but Pinterest has kept it alive and thriving!!!

Who can resist a brownie with a surprise inside!

(use the caramel kiss when you can't find these seasonal kisses)

Tagalong Cupcakes

Girl Scout cookies inside cupcakes

is a good way to create a killer recipe!!!!

(no GS cookies...Keebler cookies work well too:-)

Cappuccino Fudge

Yup it's official.

You are addicted to coffee flavored desserts!

Again thank you for your support.

It means so much to me.

Keep leaving the sweet comments...

I can't wait to share more sugar crazed treats with you in 2012!

Cappuccino Fudge

This easy Cappuccino Fudge is made with just a few ingredients and only takes minutes to make. The creamy layers in this coffee fudge make it a pretty and tasty dessert.

Three squares of fudge stacked on a paper.

[feast_advanced_jump_to]

My favorite part of my day is my morning coffee. I love finding ways to incorporate that drink into recipes. Some of our favorites include a mudslide pie, coffee cream brownies, and this easy tiramisu recipe.

Years ago, on vacation, I tried a cappuccino fudge from a little shop. It had layers of chocolate and coffee swirled into little squares and tasted amazing.

I decided to make that flavor by jazzing up my simple frosting fudge. It was the perfect way to get my coffee fix for the day.

Why This Coffee Fudge Recipe Works

The main reason this fudge works is because it is foolproof. There is no need for candy thermometers or endless stirring over a hot stove. All you do is melt it all together and let it chill.

This coffee fudge recipe has all the things you want in fudge. It has a creamy and smooth texture that melts in your mouth, and the layers of dark chocolate and coffee create a delicious mocha flavor.

I like to add coffee beans on top to make it pretty. Plus, that lets everyone know the fudge is caffeinated.

With just 15 minutes of prep work, some chilling, and a few ingredients, this pretty layered fudge will deliver coffee joy to anyone who tries it.

[Read more...]

Chocolate Mojo Bars

These easy no bake Chocolate Mojo Bars are loaded with pretzels, nuts, and chocolate. Great snack or breakfast treat to enjoy.

Do you get inspired by things you are eating?

A couple weeks ago I was on my way to pick up

our kids from school, so I grabbed a Cliff Mojo bar

as I ran out the door.

I was just driving along minding my own business

munching away on my bar.

There are quite a few red lights on the way

and as I sat at one of them

a lightbulb went off!!!

[Read more...]

Homemade Little Debbie Cherry Cordials

These easy Homemade Cherry Cordials are a sweet copycat of the store bought treats you find at Christmas and Valentine's.

Homemade Cherry Cordials - a copy cat recipe of the Little Debbie's that are only available at the holidays

Today is National Cookie Day, and I couldn't let a day like that pass me by, now could I?

Who comes up with these fun little "national" days? Not that I am complaining. Any day that celebrates more sugar is worthy of a national day by me!!!

Have you had a Little Debbie Cherry Cordial cookie? They are a seasonal item that only comes out at the holidays.

Homemade Little Debbie Cherry Cordials

Well, if you are a cherry and chocolate kind of person, I came up with a copycat cherry cordial just for you!!!

Two vanilla cookies, filled with a cherry marshmallow cream, AND drenched in chocolate!

What's not to like??? (well, unless you have a thing about fruit in your dessert:-)

I did make these for our church Life Group, but I am thinking about hiding them and just putting out the Oreos.

Homemade Cherry Cordials - a copy cat recipe of the Little Debbie's that are only available at the holidays www.insidebrucrewlife.com

Then again with all the cookies and candies that come at this time of year, my jeans might protest at me eating that many!

Better go get them out of hiding!

Homemade Little Debbie Cherry Cordials recipe:

Recipe