Hat Box Cake for Big Hat Themed Sweet 16 Birthday.

What we have her is a margarita cake (rich margarita cake filled with lime cheesecake), for Olivia's Sweet 16th Birthday. Since her party's them is "Big Hats" I went with hat boxes for her cake.

A close up look.

The Re-imagined Brownie

There are times when you don't want a traditional dessert. This is what happened with this brownie recipe. These brownies are magnificent! I mean melt in your mouth good!

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Frosting:

3 tablespoons butter, softened

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

*Brownies*

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan or pie pan which I used.

2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

*Frosting* 

1. Combine 3 tablespoons softened butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Stir until smooth. Frost brownies while they are still warm.  Add your pecan, other nuts of choice or just the frosting.

Final Yumminess!

Follow my Baking/Cooking Escapades on Snapchat

I tend to snapchat when I'm baking or cooking a savory dish.  If you have snapchat add me and follow along.

The Perfect Bake

I received the Perfect Bake as a Christmas gift and have yet to use it but once I find the time to play with it I do plan to review it.

Cheesecake Brownies

Cheesecake Brownies

"Jazz up an out-of-the-box brownie mix with an easy cheesecake topping."

Ingredients

1 (19.8 ounce) package brownie mix

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1 egg

1/3 cup white sugar

Directions

1.  Prepare the brownie mix as directed by manufacturer. Preheat oven to temperature indicated on box. Grease a 9x13 inch pan.

2.  Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan. Using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, egg and sugar until smooth. Dollop the cream cheese mixture on top of the brownie batter. Swirl together using a knife or skewer.

3.  Bake according to manufacturer's instructions. Brownies will be done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in the pan, then cut into bars and serve.