Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe

"Easy", especially during the fast-paced holidays, is always appreciated!

This pretty pineapple upside down cake is different from the traditional recipe because I used pineapple chunks instead of pineapple slices.  It was actually quite by accident that I tried this because I didn't have any pineapple slices on hand, but we wanted to make a pineapple upside down cake.  So, my sister and I improvised.

Cherries are always used on this type of cake, but the maraschino cherries added just the right  touch of Christmas red to our holiday cake.  By placing it on a green serving plate, it made it even more festive.  Sometimes, it really is all about presentation and timing.

Easy Skillet Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe

Everything in this cake was store bought, even the cake mix.  I used a white cake mix that I had on hand for emergencies.  Grabbing what I already had in the pantry and in my refrigerator without consideration of age, my sister and I quickly threw this cake together.  It truly was the very best Pineapple Upside Down Cake I have ever eaten!

It was fun to toss everything together and serve a delicious dessert to my family.  From now on, I will be using this special recipe.  However,  I'm not sure where to buy hardened brown sugar or aged cherries.  Guess I better buy them new today and plan ahead for 3 years from now.

Seriously, I am sure the cake would be just as good, if not better, with freshly purchased ingredients, but you can read my whole story about the cake shown in the photo by clicking the article link below.

You will find my recipe and instructions on my "House of Sylvestermouse" website.

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Recipe and photo by Cynthia Sylvestermouse - Pineapple Upside Down Cake Made in a Cast Iron Skillet

Make Your Own Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Just about everybody loves chocolate covered strawberries, but few people realize you can make them yourself at home.

Chocolate covered strawberries have become a favorite to include in picnic baskets, to buy as a special gift for your sweetheart, or to treat yourself with a sweet tidbit. They have also become a big part of edible arrangements which are often used for special occasions. Personally, I  enjoy including them on my fruit trays for my friends who love chocolate.

Because chocolate covered strawberries are so expensive, we limit ourselves to only a few at a time when we buy them at a candy store. Our local candy store sells them individually, or in prepackaged boxes of 6, for a very hefty price. Then, we try to make them last as long as possible.

When I figured out how to make my own chocolate covered strawberries, I wanted to kick myself for the wasted money on store bought.   It is actually very easy to make them, but there are a few tips for ingredients and techniques.

How to Make Your Own Chocolate Covered Strawberries 

One really important tip is to make sure strawberries are in season.  In the United States, that is typically during the months of April through August.  Fresh strawberries make the best chocolate covered strawberries.  You will want to wash the strawberries and completely dry them with paper towels before you dip them in melted chocolate.

Visit Cooking for the Holidays for all of the tips for making your own chocolate covered strawberries.   In that article I share my preferred chocolate, as well as tips based on my own experience making this fabulous chocolate delicacy.

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Recipe & Image Credit: 

Recipe by Cynthia on CookingfortheHolidays.com - How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Strawberry Upside Down Cake

For the Love of Strawberries! 

We are all familiar with Pineapple Upside Down Cake, but I want to show you a fabulous variation of that wonderful desert that uses strawberries instead of pineapple.

This is an extremely easy recipe that you could easily throw together in a few minutes, bake it for 50 minutes and have the perfect Valentine's Day cake for your sweetheart.

Strawberry Upside Down Cake Recipe

This Strawberry Upside Down Cake Recipe calls for for only 3 simple ingredients in addition to the fresh strawberries.  When you see the recipe, you will be very surprised to discover that this Strawberry Upside Down Cake is made with a store purchased box cake mix, marshmallows, gelatin and the strawberries.

It does have to bake for 50 minutes and cool for at least 1 hr., but the prep will be fast and easy.

Let me note however, the photo of the Strawberry Upside Down Cake shows a round cake.  The recipe calls for a 9 x 13 baking pan.   In order to get the round cake as shown, I would recommend using a non-stick springform pan like the one shown below.

Using a Springform Pan with This Recipe

If you use the springform pan, do not release the side until the cake is completely cool.   This will take at least 2 hrs.  

Also, this cake mixture is very runny.   It is not like a cheesecake.  You will need to put some type of protector like a thin cookie tray under the springform pan to protect the bottom of your oven.

 Wilton 2105-6799 Perfect Results Nonstick Springform Pan, 9-InchCheck Price

For step by step instructions, visit Kitchme and start baking this delicious cake today!

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Recipe & Image Credit: 

Strawberry Upside Down Cake  on Kitchme

How to Make a Halloween Ghost Castle Cake

An Easy and Fun Cake for Halloween

 

If you are searching for an easy Halloween cake that the kids can help make, you need look no further!

This Halloween Ghost Castle Cake is no bake and lots of fun to build and eat.  By supplying the children with a few "ingredients", you can let them build until their heart is content.


They will, no doubt, be very proud of the Halloween cake they made themselves.

How to Make a Halloween Ghost Castle Cake

Several years ago, I sat down at the table with my son and we constructed the Halloween Ghost castle in the photo.  We had a lot of fun adding our own special little finishing touches, like topping the towers with candy pumpkins! 

Of course, we ate while we constructed the Ghost Castle cake, we also talked and laughed a lot together.  Once, our "Oreo" wall was knocked over, and we rolled with laughter because the Oreo cookies broke, which meant we got to eat them.  To this day, I wonder if that wall fell on purpose.  shhhhhh, don't tell anyone!  I do love Oreo cookies!

Anyone can construct this Halloween Ghost Castle Cake.  It is truly a great way to spend some time with your child and also create a fabulous Halloween cake and centerpiece.

Ingredient suggestions and Directions for How to Build Your Own Halloween Ghost Castle Cake can be found by simply clicking this link! 

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Recipe & Image Credit: 

How to Make a Chocolate Halloween Ghost Castle Cake Recipe  by Sylvestermouse Cynthia

Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes

It is spring, and my mind automatically goes to flowers!  My hands and feet have a tendency to follow where my mind leads.  Therefore, I found myself making Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes.

These beautiful spring flower cupcakes are really very easy to make.  With a few easy to find ingredients, a dozen or so ready to decorate cupcakes, stencils and a knife, anyone can make these flower cupcakes that look fantastic for any party or special occasion.

How to Make Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes

I have published a step by step tutorial with tons of pictures on exactly how to make these Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes, and I invite you all to mosey on over there and start cutting marshmallows and designing flowers today.

These flower cupcakes really will brighten any room and they look quite lovely on the dining room table.  However, I must warn you.  They don't last any longer than real cut flowers.

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Step by Step Tutorial & Image Credit:  Marshmallow Flower Cupcakes  by Sylvestermouse

Chocolate Mint Shamrock Squares

With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, I went in search of a "green" treat for my family.

I was thrilled when I discovered these Chocolate Mint Shamrock Squares by Corrinna Johnson on her site, A Sprinkle of Glitter, A Dash of Spice.

These delicious treats are pretty fast and easy to layer for a wee bit of your own magic to serve to your family and friends on St. Patrick's Day.

Since the squares are made by melting ingredients, laying them  in a baking dish and then refrigerating them until they are set, this would be a great recipe to make with kids.  After all, they will love adding the green food coloring and watching the butter and sugar turn green.

Chocolate Mint Shamrock Squares Recipe

Corrinna shares her recipe and gives us excellent instructions to create these fabulous Chocolate Mint Shamrock Squares.  She also offers several wonderful suggestions for display and presentation which would be perfect for a St. Patrick's Day party.

Not only are these Chocolate Mint Shamrock Squares pretty for St. Patrick's Day, they are fun to make and delicious to eat.

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Recipe & Image Credit:  Chocolate Mint Shamrock Squares  by Corrinna Johnson

King Cake Recipe for Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is a celebration filled with bright colors, fun food and tradition.  Nothing exemplifies that combination better than a King Cake.

The cinnamon filled cake itself sounds delicious, but I am fascinated by the origin and significance of the King Cake.

After reading about the history and the meaning behind the chosen colors, I understand why the King Cake would garner such loyalty from Mardi Gras enthusiasts.  There is even a little surprise baked into the cake for one fortuitous guest.

The cake is topped with a sweet glaze and sprinkled with colored sugars in the gold, purple, and green colors often associated with Mardi Gras. Purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold stands for power. Some modern King Cakes also contain various fillings. The King Cake also contains a very “special ingredient”, which is a baby.

I love the suggestion to host a children's party.  What a fabulous opportunity to teach history and tradition to a child by simply offering this fantastic and colorful treat!

Read here, to learn all about the tradition, the history, the significance of the King Cake.

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Recipe & Image Credit:  How to Make a King Cake 

Fruitcake Cookies Recipe

Fruitcake Cookies

This Fruitcake Cookies recipe might not create the most beautiful cookies you will ever see, but they are definitely delicious.  We will have to refer to them as our Fun Food abstract art. 

The fruit candies add a lovely touch of color to these otherwise very plain looking cookies.  If we stare long enough, they take on a stain glass effect, at least color-wise.

Fruitcake Cookie Recipe

This is my mothers recipe for Fruitcake cookies.  I honestly do not remember a time in my life that she did not make them for my father for Christmas. 

One of my fondest mental images is of my dad standing at the kitchen counter with the open tin of homemade cookies in front of him.   As he munched on the fruitcake cookie in his hand, his eyes were fastened on the bounty before him.  I always wondered about his selection process.  What exactly was the prerequisite for his next choice in treats? 

I was always drawn to the colorful fruit, but he must have had a different focus because he always grabbed the absolute ugliest cookie from the tin.  I never really considered it at the time, but maybe he was leaving the prettier cookies for us.  Now, that thought makes those ugly cookies beautiful!

Moms Fruitcake Cookies

Fruitcake in Bite-size Morsels

These cookies are a powerhouse of taste.  They really are like having bite-size morsels of fruitcake with a bit of sweet cookie dough baked around them.

I actually like both a fruitcake and the fruitcake cookies, but the cookies are just so much easier to serve at a party or to eat as a snack.

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Recipe & Image Credit:  Fruitcake Cookies Recipe by Sylvestermouse

Banana Bread Flower Muffin Rosettes

One of the easiest Fun Food creations I have recently made, is my Banana Bread Flower Muffins.  Not only are they are lovely muffins to set on any table, but they are quite delicious.  They are a guaranteed hit in my home since the recipe I used is my own banana bread recipe, which my entire family loves.

Any bread recipe could be used to make these muffins.  The secret to the beautiful design is in the baking mold.  Obviously, you will want to select a bread or muffin recipe that does not require icing which would distort the flower design.

I will be baking and freezing my Banana Bread Flower Muffins before the holidays so I can simply pull the prepared muffins out of the freezer the night before and serve them for breakfast to my holiday guests.  I do love things that make the holidays easier.

My Banana Bread Recipe

If you would like to bake your flower muffins using my banana bread recipe, which has proven to be a successful recipe to use for these muffins, you will find my recipe here:  Banana Bread Recipe by Sylvestermouse.

Banana Bread Rose Muffins by Sylvestermouse

Sadly, like a fresh rose bud, these pretty flower banana bread muffins won't last long because they are so delicious.  But, like the gorgeous flower itself, they will leave a lasting impression of beauty in the minds of your family, friends and holiday guests.

The Baking Mold Needed to Create the Flower Muffins

 

 

Nordic Ware Cast-Aluminum Nonstick Muffin Pan, Sweetheart Rose

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Recipe & Image Credit:  Banana Bread Muffin Recipe by Sylvestermouse 

Muffin Make Ahead & Freeze Instructions:  Cooking for the Holidays - Article by Mary Beth 

Root Beer Float Cupcakes

Spring and summer just make me think of root beer floats, which were a huge part of my childhood days.  Today, they evoke memories of floating down the river or summer day special treats.

Now, if I could just think of a way to keep them from melting!   

Root Beer Float Cupcakes

Actually, a good friend has done that very thing for me. 

Diana Wenzel has given us a whole new twist on the traditional root beer float by offering us recipes and presentation suggestions for Root Beer Float Cupcakes that look and sound temptingly delicious.  

My personal favorite tip from RenaissanceWoman2010 is how to make a delicious root beer butter cream frosting.  You simply can't go wrong with butter cream frosting and as she says, "It actually looks like the froth you get on a root beer float beverage."

These Root Beer Float Cupcakes are sure to be a hit at our summer parties and celebrations!

 

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Recipe & Image Credit:  Recipe for Root Beer Float Cupcakes by Diana Wenzel

Panda Cupcakes

Cupcakes Made by Sylvestermouse & Daugher

Today on Fun Food, I want to share my all time favorite cupcakes!  

Panda Cupcakes are perfect for anytime, any occasion, any birthday, or just for the pure fun of creating a fun food masterpiece.

I first made these Panda cupcakes several years ago with my daughter. We had a blast working together and even more fun serving this adorable cupcakes to our family and friends. Everyone loved them. Not only are they adorable, they are also delicious!

 

How to Make Panda Cupcakes

Oh, and did I tell you they are really easy to make!   By combining and decorating two cupcakes, one small and one large, you get the adorable panda shape.  Oreo cookies provide the perfect way to create the panda's paws.

Panda Cupcake Faces by Sylvestermouse

Each cupcake is unique because you a are giving each one their own face with a few dabs of decorating gel.  But, they are all adorable!  They make you want to hug them instead of eat them.

If you are looking for a cupcake that is fabulous, yet easy, adorable and fun, these Panda Cupcakes simply cannot be beat.  They are perfect for a child's birthday party, a classroom party, or simply created for your family.

I highly recommend letting children help you decorate these panda cupcakes.  They can easily add the chocolate chips for the nose and eyes even if they are not old enough to handle the decorating gel.    This also gives you the opportunity to teach children about working in the kitchen.  Baking cupcakes together is a great way to introduce them to the world of baking.  With the Panda cupcakes, you might even get the chance to teach them how to correct or cover decorating mistakes.  Kids love being included when creating Fun Food!

For a step by step tutorial, visit:  How to Decorate Panda Cupcakes by Cynthia on Cooking for the Holidays

Peanut Butter Cheese Ball Recipe

A really cool appetizer that adds additional beauty to the party table!
 

I am always searching for unique designs for visual appeal on my serving table and this one is really neat! 

Not only is it a delicious treat, but it adds real character to the party food.

When I first discovered this article, the idea of mixing peanut butter and cheese did not appeal to my taste.   However, in looking at the recipe, I found that it calls for cream cheese.  Now, that I can handle!

Making the Peanut Butter Cheese Ball is actually  very easy and well worth the time.

Therefore, bring on the peanut butter & cream cheese and let the party begin!

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Recipe & Image Credit:  Party Food Ideas - Peanut Butter Cheese Ball by DecoratingForEvents

Easy Stenciled Cupcakes for Fall

Stenciled cupcakes are the perfect fast festive food!

As we head into the holidays, we are constantly looking for a festive food that will be quick and easy. 

In very little time and 3 easy steps, you can create beautiful fall stenciled cupcakes suitable for any holiday party or gathering, even Thanksgiving dinner!  

By baking "no frosting" cupcakes or filled cupcakes, decorating cupcakes is a cinch. Simply follow the directions on "Easy Stenciled Cupcakes for Fall" and in a very short time, you will have lovely stenciled cupcakes.  


Get ready to have a lot of fun stenciling cupcakes for fall!   
  

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Image Credit:  Easy Stenciled Cupcakes for Fall photo featured above is from the article below.


Visit:  Easy Stenciled Cupcakes for Fall written by Sylvestermouse

DECORATING A KITTY CAT CAKE

If you love cats, you will definitely love this Kitty Cat Cake!


Making this kitty cat cake has truly been made easy by simply following the step by step instructions and using the cat cake template provided in the article.  I have also provided lots of pictures of the cutting and decorating steps to make it even easier for you.  Frankly, you could almost make the cat cake by just looking at the pictures and following along with them.

Children will love it!  You guests will love it!  And, you will love how simple it is to decorate this Kitty Cat cake. This cat would be awesome for a kid's birthday party, a school party, or even a Halloween party if you chose to make it black instead of white.  Honestly, if you love cats, it would be a perfect cake for any party or special occasion.

Instructions and cake template for creating this amazing 3-D Cat cake are provided in this article:
How to Decorate a Cat Cake 

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Image Credit:  How to Decorate a Cat Cake by Sylvestermouse

DRAGON BISCUITS

Sometimes I come across such an enchanting fun food recipe, that I simply must share it with you all!   Elynmac's Dragon Biscuits are one of those fun foods that screamed to be shared :)


Aren't they adorable!  Oh, and she also includes the dragon bread dough recipe in her article.

What a fabulous way to start the day!  A fabulous treat to enjoy mid-day.  Oh, wait!  A great bedtime snack.  Ok, yes, they would be fun and tempting any time of the day.  I just keep wondering if I could actually eat them!  They are almost to cute to consume.
 

Instructions for creating these adorable Dragon Biscuits are provided in this article:
Dragon Biscuits 

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Image Credit and Article: Dragon Biscuits by Elyn Macinnis

SIMPLE FRUIT SALAD CENTERPIECE

With the summer upon us, my mind turns to outdoor parties, graduation parties, wedding receptions, bridal showers, cookouts and fruit!
 
Mbgphoto offers us a lovely and easy fruit arrangement that would be perfect for any of these occasions.  By using the right tool and simply carving a cantaloupe to serve as the fruit bowl, this centerpiece would be quick to prepare.


Simple Fruit Salad Centerpiece by Mbgphoto gives step by step instructions, suggestions and tools needed for creating this food masterpiece.

What a fabulous way to serve fruit!

Step by Step instructions are provided in this article:
Simple Fruit Salad Centerpiece 

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Image Credit and Article: Simple Fruit Salad Centerpiece by Mbgphoto.

Easy Shortbread Cookie Recipe ~ Flower Cookies

Aren't these cookies just beautiful?  And, they are oh so easy to make too!

I discovered this articles several months ago and I fell in love with these pretty little cookies.  As a matter of fact, I loved them so much I simply had to purchase the featured cookie press myself.


Lady Lorelei shares a printable version of her own Shortbread cookie recipe that is not only delicious, but it is quick and easy.  In just a few minutes, you too can have your own lovely little flower cookies. 


She has also included step by step photos with her recipe, as well as videos showing us how to use a cookie press!  I can tell you from experience that you will love the article's featured cookie press, but the videos do offer some additional great tips.

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Image Credit: Quick & Easy Shortbread Cookie Recipe photo from article below.


Visit: Quick & Easy Shortbread Cookie Recipe written by Lady Lorelei

Smurf Rice Krispie Treats

Calling all kids of any age! 

Everybody loves Rice Krispie Treats and the Smurfs are always a lot of fun.  Now you can have them both together.


Kathy McGraw shows us exactly how to make our own Smurf Rice Krispie Treats so we can all have a smurfin' good time!

These treats are so easy to make and you're sure to be praised for your creativity and imagination. 

Kathy has included a few other great ideas for Specialty Rice Krispie Treats that you will not want to miss!  

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Image Credit: Smurf Rice Krispie Treats photo from article below.
written by Kathy McGraw