Lemon-Lime Refrigerator Cake

(This recipe was originally posted in conjunction with the Meijer ad week of 2/24/13 - 3/2/13)

If you liked light and fluffy (non-chocolate!) Strawberry Cake, then you've got to try this dessert.  Lemon-Lime Refrigerator Cake comes together super fast because it uses convenience items...but the results taste like you've been slaving for hours.  It's moist and delicious, and is sure to disappear quickly!

Brownie "Buckeye" Cupcakes

[This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer ad week of 12/2/12 - 12/8/12]

I'm a little hesitant to post anything with the word "Buckeye" in it, particularly after last week's debacle.  But having said that, these cupcakes are seriously delicious.  They look fancy and complicated, but they start with a boxed brownie mix, so they're not terribly time-consuming.  To top it all off, they taste just as good as they look!  If you are a chocolate-and-peanut butter fan, these cupcakes are for you!

Caramel Apple Brownie Sundaes

[This recipe was first posted in conjunction with Meijer Ad week of 9/30/12-10/6/12]

I can hardly believe I'm suggesting an alternative to the classic brownie sundae.  After all, it's a staple in my diet!  But after I made Apple Brownies, it (of course) made me think of a brownie sundae.  This recipe is for those of you who want something other than chocolate for dessert.  It's definitely going on our list of fall favorites!

No-Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake

[This recipe was originally posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad week of 9/23/12-9/29/12]

This is a killer dessert recipe!  Not only does it taste amazing, but it comes together in a snap.  The orange zest adds fresh, unexpected flavor to the creamy white chocolate filling, and it's all topped off with the berry of your choice and a drizzle of more white chocolate.  

Grandma's Fresh Blueberry Pie

If I had to choose between Fresh Strawberry Pie and Fresh Blueberry Pie, I'm honestly not sure which one I would pick!  I DO know that my mom has some killer fresh fruit pie recipes (peach pie recipe coming!), and I remember being thrilled when she would pull a pie out of the fridge after dinner.  I got this recipe from my mom, but it was originally from my grandma (my dad's mom).  She says that it came from an old "Betty Crocker Pie Book". 

A long time ago (so long ago that I'm not sure if I actually remember this, or if I've just heard the story so many times), my family went to my grandparents' house for dinner.  Grandma had made TWO fresh blueberry pies...one to serve for dessert, and the other to send home with our family.  After dinner, one of my parents set the pie on the roof of the car while they loaded all of us kids into our carseats.  On the way home, my parents heard "kind of a funny noise" as they turned a corner.  They shrugged it off...until they got home and realized they had no blueberry pie in the car with them.  Somewhere between grandma's house and our house, the pie...glass pie plate and all...slid off the roof of the car.  So, the moral of the story is:  Don't send a Fresh Blueberry Pie home with anyone... just eat it yourself!  Because it's sooooooo good!

Creme de Menthe Cake

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with Meijer ad week of 6/24/12 - 6/30/12)

This refreshing dessert is as easy as it is delicious.  The three layers come together quickly, thanks to convenience items.

Almost Cactus Bread (Dessert Pizza)

If you only need one main-dish pizza, dessert pizza is a great (and delicious!) use for that second pizza crust.  My recipe is based on a copycat recipe for Pizza Ranch's cactus bread.  I tried it per the suggestion of the same person who gave me that great pizza crust recipe, but we both decided that it needed a little adjustment.  It still doesn't LOOK the same as that Pizza Ranch specialty, but the flavor is pretty close to the mouth-watering original!

Fresh From the Farmer's Market: Strawberry Pie

If life throws you strawberries, make strawberry pie!  (OK, you can all groan together now; I know that wasn't very funny!)  Strawberry season came early around here this year as a result of a few warm weeks this spring.  In spite of some frost damage in our area, the berries are still abundant at produce stands and in U-pick fields.  My sister-in-laws and I agreed that they're not quite as sweet as usual this year, but still a welcome change from the berries shipped in from across the country.  There are so many things you can do with strawberries, but there's nothing quite like the simple sweetness of a fresh strawberry pie.  Enjoy!

Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Dessert

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/20/12 - 5/26/12)

I guess it's the week for chocolate and cream cheese!  I created this dessert one day when I didn't feel like running to the store for two ingredients...and the result was just as good as the Oreo Torte I was trying to make (recipe for that coming someday!).  The chewy brownie crust and fluffy chocolate cheesecake layer are a delicious combination, and the whole thing comes together quickly and easily.  Side note to my Rau aunts and cousins:  this is the dessert recipe some of you were requesting after I served it for Sunday coffee.

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 4/22/12 - 4/28/12)

The only thing wrong with the above picture is that I didn't cut my piece large enough!  Yes, this dessert has three layers...but it really doesn't take too long to put together.  Plus, I guarantee you'll like it better than the Jello No-Bake version!

Pioneer Woman's Chocolate Sheet Cake

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 4/1/12 - 4/7/12)

The good-quality cocoa powder is on sale this week.  So is real butter.  And powdered sugar.  So what's a chocolate-loving girl to do but make The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake.  Ever.?  The ingredients for this humongous cake are basic, but the combination of those ingredients is delicious!  Two years ago, this was the first recipe I tried from the Pioneer Woman, and I was suitably impressed.  This cake definitely lives up to its name!  I won't lie and say it comes together in a snap, because there are quite a few steps involved (most notably, cooking two different buttery chocolate mixtures on the stovetop).  But the melt-in-your-mouth result makes it all worth it! 

Chocolate Dream Cake

(This recipe was originally posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 3/25/12 - 3/31/12)

This cake is soooo yummy.  The name is just something I made up, because no one really knows what it's called!

Cream Puff Dessert

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 2/19/12 - 2/25/12)

If the thought of making cream puffs makes you panic, try this "cheater" version of a cream puff instead.  Great for a crowd, easy, and delicious!

Strawberry Cake

(This recipe was originally posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 2/12/12 - 2/18/12)

 

 

I love to make dessert, and this moist strawberry cake always gets rave reviews.  I've even had guests ask for seconds of this!

Best Ever Brownie Sundae Dessert

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 1/22/12-1/28/12)

So basic, so simple, and oh-so-good!  I would happily eat this every night of the week!

Frozen Lime Dessert

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 1/15/12-1/21/12)

This refreshing dessert is sort of "summery", but we enjoy it year-around.