Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies

What the?? Who?? 

Yep, It's been another 4 months and I've decided to show you something yummy.

Where have I been you might ask?? Take a look at my last post and you can read my sincere (and entertaining) response to that question!!

At about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night I remembered that Greg and I had promised our Sunday School class goodies...and 16 & 17-year-olds don't forget promises that involve sugar. So....I did a quick brainstorm, in my brain, and realized that I could easily get up like 2 hours early and just make some cookies before class to take - No big deal.

Well, fast forward to 9:00 a.m. Sunday morning and I'm putting the ingredients in the mixer and start looking all over the kitchen for a box of Vanilla Instant Pudding mix that I SWEAR I had (I still swear I have an extra one somewhere but it was never found). So, I was faced with a slight problem...I had already started mixing ingredients, so I couldn't really change the recipe and go for another cookie. I was left with a decision - I had a box of chocolate pudding and Oreo pudding mix, I chose the chocolate pudding with a quick prayer that it would somehow be just as amazing as the vanilla version.

They were AMAZING!!! Now I want to try this recipe with every type of pudding mix there is (except maybe pistachio and tapioca....). These were moist and yummy and delicious and each of the kids in our class had at least 5. They got passed around again, and again, and again...until the container was empty!!

So, I now give you this amazingly tasty (and SUPER simple) recipe for some amazing little cookies that you can make for someone special!!

PUDDING CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 cup butter (2 sticks - DON'T substitute margarine, or Crisco or anything other than good old fashioned butter!!!)

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

5.4 oz. box instant pudding mix

(It's the large box which I believe is now 5.6 oz....original recipe was for vanilla, but chocolate is amazing too...maybe butterscotch??)

2-1/4 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

12 oz. bag chocolate chips (about 2 cups)

**Mix in order and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

I used my stand mixer and I kid you not, these are some of the easiest cookies I have ever made! I also used my Pampered Chef cookie scoop, but I used the smallest one because it makes LOTS of cookies which was perfect for a large crowd. If you use a larger cookie scoop (larger than a tablespoon) make sure they are cooked all the way at the 10 minute mark. 

I hope you get a chance to try these, and if you do please leave a comment below to let me know how they turned out!!! Thank you for stopping by and hopefully I'll start posting more recipes. I've been doing LOTS of new baking, but with everything going on I just haven't had time for blogging!!

I'm back...with Mint Frosted Brownies!!

Are you there?? I'll be impressed if you are...it's been a while, 4 months to be precise (give or take a few days). I'm not going to make a bunch of excuses for you as to why I took a blogging hiatus, I'm going to be brutally honest - I just didn't have enough time to fit everything I wanted to do into every day and lets face it, blogging is fun, but since it doesn't pay the bills it falls into a lower priority than lots of other things. In case you're new, or it's been so long you've forgotten, here's a list of what I have to squeeze into my days:

* Working - I work 40 hours a week from home as a Medical Transcriptionist.
* Being a mom - I have 3 kids ranging in age from practically 6 (in 4 days) to 16 months...things are a little hectic all the time.
* Being a wife - yes, this takes time out of my day...there is more to being a wife than hanging up your husband's shirts and makin' the babies. I try to do little things throughout the weeks to make his life easier when he gets home so he can spend the maximum amount of time with the kids possible. I try to get things like dishes and laundry and meals all in order so he doesn't have to stress. Sound a little too "Brady Bunch" for you?? Well, that's how it works around here...I enjoy the responsibility and let's face it, my salary isn't enough to pay the mortgage, so if I want to keep living in this house I have to keep the man who brings home the money happy!!
* Homeschooling - Karyl is in first grade this year and while I love that things are more structured and we have more direction in our schooling, there is definitely more one on one time needed...and to be honest, I love it!! I can't wait for the day when I don't have to work anymore and I can focus lots more time on homeschooling...it sounds crazy, but it's so much fun!!
* "Me time" - No, I don't mean playdates, "girls nights" or anything like that. I mean meaningful time for me to take a breath and remember why I'm working so hard for the kids and hubby. I haven't been able to do as many little things for me as I used to, but I still try to find ways to de-stress and do something for me...sometimes it's reading a book for 10 minutes while pretending to be in the bathroom (come one, every mom has done it...), sometimes it's using laundry folding time as an excuse to watch that episode of New Girl I DVR'd last week that I haven't had a chance to watch yet.

I used to think I was SuperMom and could do anything...then I had 3 kids and realized that I might be awesomeness personified, but I can't do it all. So I've reorganized and realized what my priorities really are...and for the past few months they didn't involve blogging. I come to you now as a new woman...literally! I've really dug my heels into this weight loss attempt and have been really successful! The Moms View Makeover was the start of that journey and it has just gained momentum. I have started "running" (mostly walking but slowly being able to run more and more) and I've made exercising a priority instead of feeling guilty about taking the time to do it. Some days I go to classes at a local fitness studio called 4 Everybody Fitness...some days I go out running after Greg gets home. It just depends on what my mood is for that day and what options I have as far as babysitting. Recently my mom moved about a mile away so she's close and has been spending lots of time with the kids. It's been a real blessing because before to take the kids to my exercise class I had to take almost 2.5 hours from work because I had to get them up, get them ready and fed and haul them down to the studio (they have free babysitting and I know most of the women who babysit there). Not to mention, I had to wake them up earlier than normal! Now, my mom comes over and I can get breakfast all set up and get our youngest up and changed...then she just hangs around while the older ones stagger out when they are ready to get up. I miss less time from work (my work is based on production, so the more I miss, the worse it is) and the kids don't have to get up early!! And I can enjoy my hour there and just focus on sweating off some serious calories!!

Now...enough about me, on to those mint frosted brownies I mentioned in the title!! Every Sunday around here we have movie night and we take turns choosing the movie....the person who chooses the movie also gets to work with me and decide what special treat we are going to make. This past Sunday I decided to make these brownies and they were not only DELICIOUS, but super easy!!

I made the brownies from a cheap boxed mix (they were fudgy and amazing!!) in a 9 x 13 glass pan and I added like 2 handfuls of chocolate chips to the mix for some extra yumminess!

Then, when they were cooked and cooled I spread this frosting on top...
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 Tbsp water (or milk)
1/2 to 3/4 tsp mint extract
3 drops green food coloring

Beat all that goodness until it's smooth and fluffy (a few minutes) then spread it on!!

I stored them covered in foil (not that they lasted that long...) and I swear that mint frosting is the best thing I have ever tasted. That might be because it has s stick of butter in it, but whatever it is, it is delicious!! I would imagine you could use the same recipe for other flavors with extracts (orange, peppermint, lemon...) just be conservative with the amount of extract you start with and taste test constantly.

So, that's what been going on here and there's a quick recipe for a quick treat for you!!

I am going to try and come back into blogging, but you can also see what's going on by going to our YouTube channel...if you want to, you know!!

Baun Family YouTube Channel

Have a great week!!!

Homemade Cookie Dough Ice Cream

Yep, you read that right...homemade cookie dough ice cream!!  We recently acquired an ice cream maker and I swear it has changed our lives.  We will never again need to (or want to) buy that cardboard carton of frozen preservatives they sell at the supermarket!! We have a pretty decent vanilla recipe that we can add anything to, and since Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is Greg's favorite flavor, I thought I'd throw some together for him.

I remembered a while back finding an eggless recipe for "cookie dough" that was meant for truffles, but could be used in ice cream - so I did some Google-ing and found it!! The recipe is below!! It makes quite a bit, so if you use it for ice cream you'll have plenty left over to just eat...and that's the best part, you can eat the cookie dough without worrying about getting salmonella!!!

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened.
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

*In a large bowl beat butter and sugars with electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
*Mix in milk and vanilla.
*Add flour and salt and mix on low until combined.
*Stir in chocolate chips.

Chill the dough in the fridge for about 30 minutes to get it firmer before adding it to ice cream...and eat what's left!! Store it in an airtight container and it will last up to a week in the fridge.

Note: I cut it up into little squares to add to the ice cream maker, and add it when the ice cream is almost done (mostly solid but still kinda soft).

You could also roll them into balls and cover with chocolate for cookie dough truffles!!

Or, you could just grab a spoon and indulge...go ahead, I won't judge you!!

EASE OF PREPARATION:  5!!!!
OVERALL TASTE:  5!!!

This one is a winner all the way!! I will edit this post later and add a picture of our ice cream when I have a chance!!

My Moms View Makeover

I am officially the luckiest woman alive at this moment...this past Monday and Tuesday I got to spend all day hanging out with the makeover trio from the YouTube Channel The Moms View (click on the hyperlink to check out their channel, you won't be sorry!!)

I spent those two long but glorious days filming and shopping and learning to do my hair and makeup - all while getting to know those 3 amazing women. I have to say, I was seriously sad to have to leave Tuesday night because we had so much fun with CarlieStylez, HeyKayli and BellaMishella.  

We started out the first day at the old Makers Studios and had a crash course in filming for YouTube...It was just like filming for TV with the bright lights and cameras and even on of those slate things you clap really hard for each scene!! Everyone on the crew was amazing - we spent 2 long days with them and they never failed to make us laugh or help put our nerves at ease! Everyone at Makers Studios was so laid back but professional, it made the whole experience 20 million times better being around people who were real and genuine. So...the first day we started by filming the intro and all the "before" stuff...that included lots of pictures and standing still for videos of me before the makeover.

Then, after that was done we all went SHOPPING!! We went to the Westfield Shopping Center in Culver City and it was so much fun!! I am never one for shopping, but when you have someone as amazing as BellaMishella picking out your clothes it makes things a lot easier. We ended up getting my outfit from H&M - that's right, H and freakin' M!!! I NEVER thought I'd ever be able to shop in that store, but they had they cutest stuff and I LOVED the outfit and shoes we ended up getting there. She had the most amazing sense of style, and I was honestly in awe of the fact that she was able to find clothes (and modest clothes at that) that actually made me feel pretty...and I swear I looked like I had lost 15 pounds just with the new clothes! What a disservice I have been doing to myself by wearing over sized clothing, getting clothes with the right shape can make a world of difference!

Despite the fact that we spent hours in the stores (there was another mom shopping with us who was getting a makeover too) it was the most fun I've had shopping in a long time thanks to the crew. Those poor guys had to follow us around from rack to rack and just wait around while we tried outfit after outfit on. We laughed and just had a great time hanging around and getting what we needed.

After all the shopping we were able to finally get something to eat. We headed over to BJs and had a great time there finally relaxing and just talking and telling all kinds of stories. It was great to finally sit down and relax, but it was even more fun to just enjoy the company and hear more about Makers Studios and what goes on there.

After Day 1 going longer than expected, we figured we were in for another long day. Day 2 was supposed to be hair, makeup and the reveal...the most exciting part!! We left about 4 hours before our call time so we could take Greg's grandma home since she lives about 35 miles North of where we had to be. We got her dropped off and headed back towards the studio and I couldn't wait, I was so excited to see what was going to happen to my hair and the makeup and see the whole look together...then, as we got about 30 miles from the studio, we ran into a small problem. Greg tried to accelerate and the van just revved and the RPMs flew up into the red. We both looked at each other and simultaneously said "you've got to be kidding me." Yep, we had to let gravity take us off the freeway and into the ARCO parking lot...the transmission blew...for the THIRD time. The first time we were both pretty shaken up, the second time I was more irritated that it was 100 degrees outside and I had no AC while I waited for the tow truck with the kids sweating in the car.  This time, we both just laughed. At that point we knew the drill...we called the Auto Club to get that started and the transmission shop that has apparently decided to doom us to a lifetime of dead transmissions. The guy wasn't happy to hear that the wackos with the Odyssey minivan were calling again. We told him what was going on and that he'd be seeing the van in a few hours since they had to tow it all the way down there. We then got a rental car and continued our journey. We surprisingly made it to the new Makers Studios with 5 minutes to spare before our call time.  That's right, 5 minutes!!! That was no thanks to the little piece of junk rental car we had...a Nissan Cube (AKA the Dr. Seuss car according to the rental place). We pulled in and luckily they were just starting to eat lunch so we got some food and sat down to relax a little.  We then got started on what ended up being a super late, but completely rewarding day!

The other mom and her niece were still finishing up their stuff so we got to sit around for a while and just relax and talk, which was nice. Then they took Greg in to do his stuff and I was left wondering what I was in for when it was my turn. 

All of the details will be in the video when it's posted on YouTube in the next month, but I was a good kind of nervous. I have never dyed my hair, and anyone who knows me knows I have had no good experiences with makeup. I was nervous about whether or not I'd be able to handle the makeup when I went home, or if I'd feel like I didn't look like myself...or if Greg would even like it!

Well, the ladies did an AMAZING job. I love my new color in my hair...I loved the makeup and it was easy to do and totally something I could do at home. I loved the way HeyKayli did my hair and she was so sweet to stop and show me lots of different ways to make the most of my naturally curly hair. When all the hair and makeup was done I was allowed to put the whole look together - the weird thing was, there were no full length mirrors, so I had no way of seeing what the whole look was like...and we were in such a hurry to wrap the shoot that I didn't even think about just taking a picture and looking. I didn't see the whole thing until we stopped by our house later that night to grab a few things and I was amazed.  For the first time in my life I actually stood in front of the mirror and actually thought I looked good...no, not good, AMAZING!!! The makeup was perfect, the hair was perfect and the clothes made me look so great. Not only did they take 15 pounds off, but they made me look like I cared about myself, that I had a confidence about me. 

Despite the long day we kept giggling until the end and I was almost in tears that we had to leave when our portion was done, but Greg had to be at work at 4:00 am and it was already 9:00 pm. I truly enjoyed my time there. Yes, I loved the clothes and the hair and makeup, but I will never forget how genuinely sweet they were to me and Greg. I had so much fun talking with them and I swear I didn't stop smiling all day. These really are women that I would want to be friends with in my everyday life. I feel like this "makeover" had two purposes in my life. The first was to give me a boost of confidence and to show me how I can make small changes to create a better "me," and two, I truly felt accepted by these women. That was huge considering the fact that I don't always fit in with the "in crowds." Up until a few years back I spent my life trying to get people to like me, and honestly it was tiring! I was constantly trying to be someone I wasn't and I got tired of it. Thankfully, Greg saw past that and loved the real me, the goofy me, the me that I finally feel comfortable with now and the me that everyone at the makeover show saw. It was so refreshing to get to just be myself and feel like that was enough.

This was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget!! I wish I could share pictures, but that would ruin the surprise of the whole thing! I will make sure and post a link when the episode gets uploaded and I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks. I will probably spend way too much time reading all the comments below the video, but I really do want to hear other people's opinions...it won't change the fact that I loved it and felt amazing, but it's always interesting to hear what others say!

Please click on the links above for the Moms View channel and check out their videos, I watch them every time they are uploaded and I feel like I always learn something new when I watch them. Please also check out their individual channels, there are some great things going on there too. Lastly, check back here or watch my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter to see updates and find out when the episode airs!!

I'm back!!!

Well, I have lots of recipes and fun things that I've been wanting to post, but apparently Google has decided to strong arm everyone into using Google Chrome. They made it virtually (and literally) impossible for me to post anything because I use Internet Explorer...and I refused to change just because they said so.

But, I love this blog and sharing my experiences more than my browser pride, so I sucked it up and downloaded Google Chrome - however, I will ONLY be using it for blogging....nothing else!!

So...I have lots of stuff to blog about!!! We made Maple Bars from Make Lemonade and More!, I made some Lofthouse Style Sugar Cookie Cars from Just Get Off Your Butt and Bake, and some Double Chocolate Banana Bread from The Sisters Cafe.  All three of the recipes were hits around here and I would recommend you giving them a try!!

First up we'll cover the Maple Bars from Make Lemonade and More!

Oh yes, that is one FINE looking donut!! The best part?? That puppy is BAKED, not fried!!

THE RECIPE

Since this post is going to have lots of stuff I'm just going to post links to the original blog posts and you can go there to get the recipes and see how it was originally done!!

Side note for these donuts - only frost them all if you are eating them that day, otherwise just frost what you plan to eat and store the frosting until you are going to use it. After a day, the frosting started to separate and slide off the bars...not a pretty sight!!

EASE OF PREPARATION: 4 out of 5 (I have limited dough rolling space so it was a nuisance)

OVERALL TASTE: 4 out of 5

Next is Double Chocolate Banana Bread from The Sisters Cafe

I apparently didn't take a picture of this, or the cookie bars below so you'll have to trust me that they turned out just like the pictures from their respective blog homes and give them a try!!

THE RECIPE

My only suggestion with this one is to WATCH THE BAKING TIME.  Our oven always takes longer than most to cook, and I had set mine for the minimum suggested time of 60 minutes and my bread was overcooked. I would check it after 50 minutes and see if a knife or toothpick comes out clean....let's face it, no one likes burned banana bread - and NO ONE wants to waste perfectly good chocolate bread!!

EASE OF PREPARATION: 5 out of 5 - it's quick bread, 'nuff said

OVERALL TASTE: 4 out of 5 - Maybe I wasn't in a banana bread mood when I tried it, but others would have given it a 5 out of 5!!

Last, but certainly not least are the Lofthouse Style Cookie Bars

These were DELICIOUS!!! So much better than I had thought they were going to be!! A perfect treat to take to friends and anyone else who might need a sugary boost!

THE RECIPE

On this one I have nothing to add, they were perfect in every way...but I swear that everything from Just Get Off Your Butt and Bake always is.  If you ever want a recipe that you KNOW will turn out amazing, get one from this website. I have yet to make one recipe from her that doesn't turn out as awesome as hers did!!

EASE OF PREPARATION: 5 out of 5

OVERALL TASTE: 5 out of 5 - these were super yummy, the kids even loved them!!

I'm sorry this post is short and sweet (really, really sweet) but I finally am able to post and wanted to do it while Nicole was napping and Freddie and Karyl were entertained by Dora...finding free time with 3 kids is proving to be more and more difficult!!

Give these recipes a try and then let me know in the comments how they turned out for you!!

Promises, promises...and more donuts!!!

I know, it's been a while...but in the past few weeks I have made more cakes and cookies than I can possibly count!! I have lots of pictures and recipes that I need to get up here. I finally updated our family blog, so this is next on my list...

But for those who want something now, later on today I am planning to bust out my donut pan and make the round version of these Maple Bars I found...they look delicious, right?!?!

I will take pictures and let you know what I thought about them hopefully tomorrow!! I am going to get everyone ready for karate now...there's a lot more involved in that than you would imagine!!

Time to make the donuts!!!

Do you like donuts???

Yeah, so do the kids...

I like them too, but can't stand how greasy they are when you get them from a donut shop...it doesn't bother the kids, but when you get old and don't have a gallbladder anymore greasy isn't your friend!

So, another wonderful mom shared this cake mix donut recipe with me from a blog she watches and we tried it tonight. They may not look as pretty as they could, but they are DELICIOUS - and WAAAAYYYY better than any donut shop donut.

Seriously, after eating these I don't think I can ever eat another donut shop donut again.

These are cake-like and BAKED, not fried, so they are light and yummy and delicious and scrumptious and amazing!

Here's the link to the blog with the original recipe. Here are my changes....

*We used a strawberry cake mix...still delicious!

*I used an equal amount of sour cream instead of buttermilk (Yeah, I'm cheap like that)

Give them a try...and let me know what you think!!

EASE OF PREPARATION: 5

OVERALL TASTE: 5!!!!!!!!!

Go...now...they are calling you....