key lime cupcakes*

Sprinkles. I don't understand the dang things. They are just a crunchy, hard, tasteless, useless ornament that I just simply don't get. Which brings me to funfetti cake. I don't understand funfetti cake, either. I know, I know, you are thinking - OH MY GOSH I LOVE FUNFETTI CAKE! That's fine. Love it all you like. I am sure that Pillsbury appreciates you. Me on the other hand, not a fan.

Which brings me to these cupcakes. I am a HUGE fan of these cupcakes! They are the bees knees! The original recipe doesn't add any lime juice in the frosting, but I can't imagine it without it! I don't think the lime flavor would be nearly as prominent in just the cake alone. I also have a secret, I used regular limes! I wasn't about to zest and juice a million key limes. I've got things to do people! You must, I say MUST, make these for your next BBQ, family function, church activity, or heck - just make them for yourself and eat the whole batch!! I won't tell, I promise :).

Key Lime Cupcakes
adapted from My Madison Bistro, whom adapted from Bon Appetit, Sept. 2008

orange creamsicle cookies*

Fantastic news friends! I have successfully moved for the last time in a long LONG while! I have actually lived in my new house now for 2 months yesterday, and we are loving every minute of it! I have had quite a grand old time shopping and shopping, and did I mention shopping?? Well, I shopped my little heart out for decorations. I have officially been banned from shopping with my mother-in-law. For real. Except for when I sneak down to meet her at the store on Saturday mornings while Landon is mowing the lawn at our rental. OOPS! Wanna see some pics of my cute house??

Notice the decorations?? Yeah, we didn't have nearly that many 2 months ago. So on your top left we have my cute office. That desk actually originally belonged to Jerry Spanos, the Founder of Heritage School (a.k.a. the greatest place to work EVER). I stumbled upon it on KSL, only to discover it was owned by one of the therapists that had refinished it and it is just the cutest thing!

On the top right is my kitchen, where I spend most of my time. I absolutely love the undermount sink for easy cleanup, the cute granite countertops, but most of all - the huge walk-in pantry! I don't have a picture of that on my little collage, but I literally could fit a twin size bed in there and sleep next to my baking cups and chocolate chips like its no ones business.

The bottom left is my living room where we lounge away and watch the Kardashians (don't judge) and House Hunters (yes, I'm still obsessed with HGTV even though I have now bought my forever home). See those cute green lamps? I recovered those shades my very own self! YES - go me!!

And finally, on the bottom right is our extra bedroom. Believe me, it's a bazillion times cuter than our master. We have yet to buy any cute furniture and decorations for our master, because I'm always too busy decorating everything else. One day, one day...

The rest of the house includes a full bath next to the extra bedroom, a half bath next to the kitchen, laundry room (a.k.a. Tankers' sanctuary), our room and master bath, and an unfinished basement with room for 2 more bedrooms and a family room. I love love LOVE it! In just 2 weeks we are putting up a fence for our puppy to run his little heart out, and then our next project is sprinklers and grass in the backyard - our front yard is landscaped, thank goodness.

ANYWHO - if you are still reading thus far, I am sure you are wanting to get to the good stuff! These cookies were made for parent conference back in May, and I had request after request for the recipe. And what did I say? Don't you fret, I'll put it on the blog! Ummm...better late than never???

Orange Creamsicle Cookies
adapted from Baked Perfection

chocolate chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes*

It's about time that I shared this recipe with you guys! I have a rule. I never make the same dessert twice for the students. Although I have not broken this rule, I have made these for parent conference, a family dinner, a girls night out, and for a couple of my new neighbors! I think it's safe to say that I am obsessed with this recipe!

The only change that I made from the original recipe was that I thought cookie dough in the middle as well as a cookie dough frosting may be a little overkill, so I didn't freeze my cookie dough balls. I formed them and put them straight into the batter. A couple of times I put them in the fridge for a few minutes just so they weren't so sticky. I LOVE the cooked cookie in the middle with the yummy frosting! I'm looking forward to making these yet again hopefully in my near future!

Chocolate Chocolate Cookie Dough Cupcakes
from Java Cupcake