Creamsicle Martini Slush

Today is the first official day of Summer!  Hooray!  

Of course, it's felt like summer for a few months here in the south.

What's a better way to celebrate than with a favorite childhood flavor like a Creamsicle all grown up?

This was actually my silly attempt to make boozy popsicles, gone awry.  The thing with boozy pops is you can't have too much alcohol or it won't fully freeze.  And I wanted to have a decent amount of alcohol in my Creamsicle.  So, live and learn.

Enjoying this in a martini glass by the pool was more enjoyable than dripping a popsicle all over my shirt, anyways.

Creamsicle Martini Slush

makes 2 drinks

1 1/2 cup of Trop 50 no pulp orange juice

1 cup of whipped cream vodka

Shake these up in a shaker & freeze.  Serve in martini glasses with an optional orange slice.

It really tastes like a creamsicle.  I promise.  This is actually a skinny cocktail, if we're being technical.  Which we're not...but I thought you'd like to know.

Have a great weekend, everyone!  

If You Like Piña Coladas...

...then you are going to love this cake!  I think even Jimmy Buffet would be a fan :)

Kind of a weird fact:  My husband does not like cake.  Like he turns down birthday cake.

Isn't that odd?  

Well, he looooves this cake.  It's the only exception to his no cake rule.  I made it for Easter at his request.

I guess it is not your average cake.  It is super moist, rich and decadent.

But I do have a secret about it...

It's sort of a diet cake.  And it is probably the easiest cake to put together on the planet.

Check it.

Skinny Piña Colada Cake

makes one 9x13 cake

• reduced sugar (or sugar free) yellow cake mix
• 1 regular sized can of crushed pineapple
• 3/4 little can of fat free condensed milk
• 1/2 tsp of coconut extract
• 1 regular sized tub of fat free Cool Whip
• optional-shredded coconut for the top

1. Dump your cake mix in a bowl.  Add the entire can of crushed pineapple (do not drain).
2. Beat until combined with hand mixer.
3. Bake per the instructions on the box.  Cool.
4. Once the cake is cool, combine the condensed milk and coconut extract in a small bowl.  Poke holes in the cake with a toothpick (or fork) and pour the mixture over the cake.
5. Top with Cool Whip and chill.

Be sure to make this for a party and watch it disappear.

Note: I cut my piece with a biscuit cutter, just for the sake of prettiness ;)

Skinny Paloma Cocktail

My husband and I had a date night at Bahama Breeze the other night, mostly because I wanted to eat on a patio and they happen to have one.

Come to find out, they have new skinny/healthy options on the menu.  I was very excited and proceeded to order the skinny paloma, red pepper hummus with veggies and a giant salad loaded with 5 kinds of fruit.  I was stuffed with fruits and veggies.  Of course, I could have made that all at home, but it's nice to go out and have someone else make stuff for you, occasionally :)

With the cocktail though, it tasted exactly what I've been drinking at home lately & a double take at the menu proved it was exactly the same.  So I'm keeping my recipe, but stealing their name.

Skinny Paloma Cocktail

serves 1

• 2 oz tequila (or more if you want it stronger)
• 4 oz (1/2 cup) grapefruit juice (I used a reduced calorie, low sugar juice)
• crushed ice
• diet lemon lime soda
• optional-raw sugar for the rim

Dip the rim in water and dip in sugar.  This raw sugar has big ole crystals, so it looks a little patchy.  You could also use salt on the rim if you are into that.

Pour the tequila in the glass first, followed by the grapefruit juice.  

Scoop in a handful or two of crushed ice and top with lemon lime soda.

It is the perfect relaxation drink for watching the Project Runway Allstars Finale!  Go Mondo :)
*note~I wrote this post after watching Project Runway Allstars Finale Part 1 & have no idea who won the finale as of yet.  I watch my shows on the computer a few days after they actually air.

For a good time, check out my other mixed drinks:

Blood Orange Margarita

Hot Toddy

Berry Infused Vodka

Watermelon Lemonade Slush

Tropical Cocktail

Black Raspberry Mojito

Cheers!

Parmesan, Pesto Turkey Burgers

Turkey burgers are often in our rotation of repeated dinners.  They are really flavorful without adding the heaviness of a beef burger (sorry, beef).

I made this variation that adds the punch of pesto and the richness of Parmesan.  A perfect way to beat dinner repetition boredom.

Parmesan, Pesto Turkey Burgers

serves 4

1 lb ground turkey (I used 93% lean--go leaner if you like)

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 

1/4 cup bread crumbs (I used a mix of panko & Italian breadcrumbs)

1 egg

2 tsp (or more) jarred pesto

salt & pepper

Mix all these ingredients with your hands and form 4 patties.  Get a large skillet hot and add some non-stick spray.  Cook the burgers on one side until brown (about 5 minutes), then flip over and cook an additional 3-5 minutes.

Note: The t-burgers (I'm trying a new abbrev, here) will try to stick to the pan.  Just add more non-stick spray as you flip them.  No biggie.

I served our turkey burgers on thin bread with spinach and a side of veggie hash with quinoa.

Yum :)

Giant (sort of healthy) Peanut Butter, Oatmeal & Chocolate Chip Cookie

 I've been really itching to bake lately.

Well, really I've been itching to eat baked goods, if we are being honest.

And I think we are.

Anyways, I have not been baking lately for two major reasons.  One, I have been on a healthy kick and two, I have been out of butter and eggs.

So when I was at Target this week, I actually remembered to get butter.

But I forgot eggs.

And this recipe only uses one tablespoon of butter.

Where am I going with this?

Well, let's just get down to brass tacks, shall we?

Giant (sort of healthy) Peanut Butter, Oatmeal & Chocolate Chip Cookie
1 tbsp butter
2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1 tbsp reduced fat peanut butter
1/2 tbsp flax seed meal mixed with 2 tbsp water (or just use 2 tbsp of a beaten egg)
5 tbsp whole wheat flour
1/4 cup oats (I used old fashioned, but quick outs would be good, too)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Mix all this together & form dough on a parchment (or Silpat) lined baking sheet.  You can either form 4-6 little cookies and bake for 10 min or form a giant cookie and bake for 15.  Your call.  Bake in a 350 degree oven.

Makes 4 servings.  This cookie is chewy and hearty.  It would actually be a feat of tummy strength to eat the whole thing.

Intrigued by giant cookies?

Check out my Sock Monkey Cookie

Or my Lean & Mean Cookie Pie

Shortcut Skinny Cookies

Are you hungry for cookies but watching your girlish figure?  I know I am :)

Let's make some super quick and healthy cookies!

These come together in a flash & would be great to take to a Valentine's get together.

Ok, does anyone else hoard cake mixes?  Maybe it's just me.  I always have like 5 (sometimes opened) boxes on hand for individual serving desserts or half batches of stuff.  It seems like I always have a coupon for cake mix, plus they are like $1 without a coupon.  How can I not buy them?

Shortcut Skinny Cookies

(makes 1 dozen~double for 2 dozen)

8 oz or 1/2 of a box of cake mix (I used Pillsbury Sugar Free Devil's Food)

2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce

2 tbsp butter

1 egg

2 scant tbsp of vanilla (or chocolate if you have it) protein powder

Mix all of this stuff in a bowl until combined.  Try to get those lumps of cake mix outta there!  Use your tablespoon to scoop balls of dough onto a Silpat (or parchment or cookie sheet-whatever) & bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.  I also sprinkled some pink and red sanding sugar to try and make them look Valentine's-ish.  It kind of faded into the dark chocolate color.  It would look good if you use vanilla cake mix, though.

Yum yum!

These cookies are fluffy and cake-y.  But, just because they are light, doesn't mean you can eat them all!  I had to convince myself of that ;)

If your husband (or whoever) is anything like mine and does not like to try new things, cut these bad boys in half and pipe in some butter cream.  Tell him you made him some homemade Oreo Cakesters.  Use it as bribery to get him to take out the trash.  I won't judge.

Is anyone else going to miss Picnik (photo editor)? 

For the optional (and not "skinny") butter cream filling, follow this recipe (it rocks):

Butter Cream Filling

1/3 cup butter

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tbsp + 1 tsp flour

1/3 cup milk (I used almond milk)

1/4 tsp vanilla

Cook flour and milk in a small saucepan, stirring constantly, until it becomes like a thick paste.  It will look gross.  Don't doubt the process.  Just go with it.  Let it cool to room temperature.  Whip the butter and sugar with a hand mixer or a whisk until fluffy, then add in the flour/milk mixture and vanilla.  Whip until awesome.  

Slice the cookies in half with a serrated knife, then pipe in the butter cream.  Use a piping bag if you are fancy.  I'm not, so I used a Ziploc with the tip cut off.  Yeah, that's how I roll.

Filling recipe adapted from All Recipes

If you are looking for some more healthy recipes, I created a tab at the top of the page specifically for healthy and yummy recipes :)

Lean & Mean Cookie Pie

Ok, that name is kind of misleading.  There is nothing mean about this pie.  Unless someone makes it and doesn't share with you.  But then the person would be the mean one.  Not the  pie.  Whatever.

It is, however, somewhat lean.  This pie (which I teased about on Saturday's post) is composed mainly of chickpeas.  Yes, the stuff you use to make hummus.

So, next time you feel the need for a cookie, but don't want all the guilt that comes along with it, consider this  super easy chocolate chip cookie pie.  I'll tell you, when mixed with fat free Cool Whip, this tastes just like an oatmeal cream pie with chocolate chips.  Swoon.

Lean & Mean Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce

1 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil (or canola if you'd rather)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend the chickpeas in a food processor.  Add the rest of the ingredients into the food processor, except for the chocolate chips and blend until all ingredients are combined.  Mix in the chocolate chips & pecans. Pour into a greased 9" pie plate.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.  Cool for at least 10 minutes.  Serve with fat free whipped cream and sugar free chocolate sauce (if desired).

This can easily be adapted to be a vegan recipe, if you are into that sort of thing.

Recipe adapted from Me and My Pink Mixer blog

Family Fridays: Cream of Coconut Cupcakes

Today's recipe comes from my Aunt Jackie.  

This spunky little lady is so sweet and lovable.  Much like these cupcakes :)

She also does the best french braids of anyone in the world.  I think she needs to give me a fishtail braid next time I see her.

Like this one:

source

Anyways, her lovely cream of coconut cake graces us with its loveliness today, but in the form of a cupcake.  Her recipe is for a 9x13 cake, but we all know I don't need a big ole cake sitting in my kitchen staring me in the face.

So I made cupcakes, instead.

Brilliant, right?

So, I'll give you two recipe options, because I like you.  You're neat.

Skinny Cream of Coconut Cupcakes
White cake mix
Diet soda (I used diet ginger ale)
Borden's (or whatever brand) fat free condensed milk
Coconut extract
Shredded unsweetened coconut
Fat free Cool Whip

For 6 cupcakes*: Measure out 9 ounces of cake mix, a little more than a cup & mix it with 6 ounces of diet soda.  I used ginger ale.  It is best to use a light colored soda with the light colored cake mix.  So whisk it all together and distribute batter evenly among 6 cupcake liners.  Bake as directed on the box.

After the cakes come out of the oven, poke 4 or 5 holes in them with toothpicks and get your toppings ready.

Pour half of the little can of condensed milk in a bowl and add 1/4 tsp of coconut extract.  Mix it up.

Since these were cupcakes and I did not want to get too messy, I dipped them in the milky mixture upside down lightly and let the excess drizzle down.  Then I turned them right side up and put them on a plate.

Top with whipped topping and coconut.  Garnish with a cherry if you feel the need.

*double the amount of cake mix & soda if you want 12 cupcakes

Sinful Cream of Coconut Cake 
(great for a potluck)
White cake mix, along with eggs/oil to prepare
1 can Eagle Brand (or whatever) condensed milk
1 can cream of coconut
1 small bag of shredded coconut
1 large container of Cool Whip

Mix cake and cook as directed in a greased 9x13 pan.  While the cake is hot, poke holes in the cake.  Mix cream of coconut & condensed milk.  Pour mixture over cake and top with Cool Whip and coconut.  Refrigerate overnight & serve (or you can serve it right away, but it is best cold).

Pretend this is a picture of a full cake...

You could also add some crushed pineapple in the topping for a  piña colada cake :)

Thanks, Aunt Jackie for the recipe!