Screaming Peach Cobbler

My 13-yr-old daughter made this for us today, with minimal assistance from me.  I mostly just helped drain the peach juice.  I want to try making this with some different variations, like adding cherries or blueberries.

Screaming Peach Cobbler

1 box spice cake mix

12 oz can of lemon-lime soda

2 (24-29 oz) cans peaches -- drained OR 6 cups fresh peach slices

Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Drain canned peaches OR slice up fresh peaches and cut into chunks.  Place in a greased 9x13 baking pan.

Sprinkle spice cake mix over the peaches.  Gently press mix down over the peaches.

Pour soda over the cake mix.  Try to get the whole thing moistened, if not covered entirely.

Preheat your oven to 350.  Don't do this ahead of time!  Let the cobbler bubble and steep while the oven heats up.

Bake for one hour.  Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.  Serve with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Slow-Cooker Cherry Cobbler

Always a huge hit at our house, and so great for taking to potluck dinners.

Slow-Cooker Cherry Cobbler

2 cans sliced pears -- drained
1 can cherry pie filling
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1 box yellow cake mix
1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup butter -- melted
Vanilla ice cream

In a greased slow-cooker, combine pears, pie filling, and almond extract. In a bowl, mix cake mix, oats, almonds, and brown sugar. Stir in melted butter. Sprinkle over fruit. Cook on low for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Serve with ice cream.

Happy Cake

I have one of these in the oven right this very minute -- I'm taking it to church for the Easter brunch tomorrow.  I call it "Happy Cake" because eating it is like taking bites of cheerfulness.  It's sunshiny and bright and... happy.  I first made this with my college roommate Emily when we were at my parents' house for... Spring Break, maybe?  Anyway, it's a really simple, yummy, joyful cake.

Happy Cake

1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup oil
9 oz. whipped topping (aka Cool Whip)
1 pkg. vanilla instant pudding
4 eggs
11 oz. can mandarin oranges + juice
13 oz. can crushed pineapple + juice

Mix cake mix, eggs, oil, and mandarin oranges plus their juice.  Batter might be a little lumpy, just be sure your eggs are truly mixed in.  Pour into 9x13" pan.  Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.  Let cake cool completely.  Mix whipped topping, pudding mix, and crushed pineapples plus their juice.  Spread on cooled cake.

This freezes well.

"Combat!" Cupcakes

Yes, I named these after my favorite TV show.  The first time I made these, I'd just received the latest season of Combat! on DVD, and I enjoyed these and some episodes together.  I've made them very often since.

Combat! Cupcakes

1 chocolate cake mix
1 small box chocolate instant pudding
3/4 cup water
3 eggs -- beaten
 1/4 cup applesauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 tsp almond extract
3/4 cup chocolate chips -- frozen

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper muffin cups. Mix together cake mix, pudding, water, eggs, applesauce, oil, and almond extract until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips last. Fill cups 3/4 full. Bake about 20-33 minutes, or until done when tested with a toothpick. 

Makes about 18 regular cupcakes or 48 mini cupcakes.

Cherry-Chocolate Cake

I made this years ago for a family get-together.  When Tootie asked for a chocolate cake with cherries for her third birthday, I knew just what to make!  I'll be mixing this up for her in a few minutes.

Cherry-Chocolate Cake

1 chocolate cake mix
1 cup water
1 egg
1 can (21oz) cherry pie filling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, water, and egg until smooth. Fold in cherry pie filling. Pour into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until cake springs back when touched.

Easiest Pumpkin Muffins Ever

These are seriously amazing.  My hubby made them for the first time this morning -- he found the recipe here yesterday while looking for low-fat, low-sodium recipes to make for me while I recover from having my gallbladder removed.  We thought these couldn't possibly work because they have no eggs, but they are delicious!!!

Easiest Pumpkin Muffins Ever

1 yellow cake mix
1 can pure pureed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

Mix together.  Put in muffiin tins.  Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes.

Makes 12 regular muffins.

Apple-Spice Cake

I got this recipe from a book called something like 101 Things To Do With a Cake Mix.  I've only made this once, but it was yummy!

Apple-Spice Cake

1 spice cake mix
3 small apples—peeled, sliced, cored, and cut into small pieces
1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cake mix batter according to the package directions. Stir apple pieces into batter, then pour into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake 28-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Combine sweetened condensed milk, sour cream, and lemon juice. Take cake from oven and spread sour cream mixutre over top of cake. Return to oven; bake 8-10 minutes longer, or until done. Sprinkle cinnamon over the top. Cool. Refrigerate leftovers.