7.09.2012

Copy Cat Recipe: Mini Warm Delights

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I've eyed these Mini Warm Delights in the grocery store for a looooong time, but always refused to buy them because you have to pay about $3.00 for two teeeeeny tiny little single serving cakes.  I also thought that if I wanted a chocolate cake that bad, I'd just whip up an entire cake.  Well, in a moment of weakness, I finally bought them a few weeks ago.  I thought they were good, but still didn't think they were worth $1.50 each.  However, I was quite consumed with the idea of making myself a delicious little cake in just a couple of minutes. So, I decided I'd try to copy the recipe. 


I searched the Internet far and wide and found a lot of different recipes, but none were really all that appealing to me.  So, I experimented with my own recipe.  It turned out fabulous!  Much better than I ever could have expected.  And, I did a little taste test with my man friend and we both determined that my little recipe beats the Mini Warm Delights!  My cakes are more moist and more dense than the Mini Warm Delights.  I also think mine have a stronger chocolate flavor.  Take that Betty Crocker! ;-)  


I will warn you, the recipe below makes massive quantities.  But, you have options.  You can  make the recipe as directed below and store your mix in Tupperware at home.  I've even placed individual servings into small sandwich baggies and taken them to work so that whenever I need chocolate, it's there for me.  Or you can just cut the recipe down and have less on hand -- if you do so, just make sure you maintain the chocolate cake mix to brownie mix ratio (1:2). 


What you need for the cakes:
1 Chocolate Cake Mix
1 Box of Instant Chocolate Pudding
2 Boxes of Chocolate Brownie Mix
Miniature Chocolate Chips
Water


What you do to make the mix:
1.  Pour the chocolate cake mix and instant pudding mix into one bowl.  Stir well to combine the two powders.
  
2.  Add the two boxes of brownie mix.  Stir well. 


THAT'S IT!


When you want to make yourself a little cake, put 1/4 cup of the mixture and a teaspoon or two of miniature chocolate chips into a ramekin dish.  Add 7 Tsps (or 2 Tblsps + 1 Tsp) of water.  Stir well with a fork.  Microwave for 30-45 seconds. Then enjoy!


I put 1/4 cup of the mixture + some miniature chocolate chips into some baggies and took those, a ramekin, and a teaspoon to work.  So, when I need a little pick-me-up, it's there -- more delicious than the Mini Warm Delights, less expensive, and just as convenient!


Also, if you add about 1 Tsp of  Fudge Ice Cream Topping (like this, not like Hersey's Syrup) to the center of the ramekin before you microwave, you end up with a mini lava cake.  See the gooey fudge there:











Experiment away with toppings for these little cakes!  We've added whipped topping and ice cream and loved both! 


Enjoy!

7.02.2012

Breakfast Lasagna

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Sooooooo . . . I've been on a bit of a hiatus from the blog.  Sorry about that!  I got to the point where I wasn't making progress on my house and I was getting quite frustrated.  I decided that I was juggling too many balls and I'd need to make a cut if I was going to get anythying completed.  So, I put blogging on hold and focused on the house.  All the while I continued trying new recipes, so I've got lots to share with you. AND, I'm in like *this* close to perfecting an amazing recipe, making all the waiting soooooo worth it!


Anyhow,  the good new is:  I'm done with all of the substantial painting!  The bad news is:  I'm far from done with the renovations. 


Back to good news, shall we?  I think I'm far enough along with the house that I can start blogging again and maintain progress!  So, here I am.  And to make up for lost time, I bring you breakfast lasagna.  This is "man's man"'s dream!  You'll love it too, I promise!  


I got the idea from I Breathe . . . I'm Hungry . . ..  Except, she made hers low carb and healthy and stuff.  That's not really my style.  So, using the basic idea, I made my own breakfast lasagna.  It's actually quite easy and quite filling.  One of these lasts me a full week for dinner.  Here it is:


What you'll need:
1 Can of Biscuits (I used flaky buttered flavored biscuits)
1 Can of White Sausage Gravy (I used this)
1 Lb. of breakfast meat of your choice (i.e. bacon, sausage -- so far I've used ground sausage, link sausage, and patty sausage)
8 Eggs
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese


What you'll do:
1.  Bake your biscuits according to the can.  Leave the oven on when they're done baking.
2.  While the biscuits are baking, fully cook your breakfast meat. 
3.  Put the can of sausage gravy in a small pot on the stove to heat just until    warm.  While the gravy is warming, crack your eggs into a small bowl and whisk for scrambled eggs.  Cook eggs.
     *Hint:  I like to cook my eggs in a little of the grease left over from the meat I cook.  
       Clearly, not that healthy, but, seriously worth it.*
4.  In a 13 x 9 baking dish, put one layer of biscuits in the bottom.
     *Hint:  I cut all of my biscuits in half to make a more stable base.  I ended up using 
       three full biscuits (six halves) to cover the bottom of my pan.
5.  Spoon about half of the gravy on top of the biscuits.
6.  Layer about half of the scrambled eggs on top of the gravy.
7.  Layer about half of your cooked breakfast meat on top of the eggs.
8.  Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese on top of the meat.
9.  Repeat steps 4 through 8, using the rest of your ingredients (I had two biscuits left over).
10.  Throw the pan in the oven, uncovered, for about 7 minutes, or until your cheese is thoroughly melted.


Enjoy!


I've made this with link sausage and sausage patties.  I prefer the patties, but for no good reason, except they  are easier to cut when you're cutting the lasagna than links are.  I think bacon could be used as well.  I always add ground sausage to my gravy as well. I served mine with hash browns.