Family Fun-ness

First of all Heather introduced me to these FABOULOUS cupcakes.  They taste like your are eating a cupcake brownie and they are good for you to boot (unless you cover them in frosting which makes them sent from heaven  but not quite as good for you).

Chocolate Cupcake Brownies

1 pkg. chocolate cake mix

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix until well combined the cake mix, pumpkin (Last time I made them I added maybe an extra 1/4 cup of pumpkin so I didn’t waste any from the can and they were still great.) and cinnamon.  Stir in chocolate chips.  The batter is really stiff.  Scoop into cupcake liners.  Try and make the tops nice and smooth because while they raise a little bit the tops pretty much look how they were scooped into the liner.  I used a ice cream scoop for mine.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  Let cool.  Enjoy.  Makes about 12 cupcakes.

If you’d like to add frosting here is my FAVORITE chocolate frosting recipe.

1/4 cup butter

1 cup chocolate chips

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. cinnamon (opt)

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Carefully melt in the microwave the butter and chocolate chips; stirring until smooth.  Stir in vanilla and milk.  With an electric mixer beat in the powdered sugar (don’t do this step by hand you will have little powdered sugar lumps you will not be able to stir in).  Store extra in the fridge.  This stuff keeps for a long time.

Rachel also found a fun new recipe which she has made for us several times: Brazilian Lemonade.  And if she will share the recipe with me I’ll post for you to enjoy too.  But here is Neil helping her with the limes and pleading for a taste.

We ate a lot of good food while my family was here because that’s what I have pictures of.  Yummy crescent rolls.  For this recipe refer to Jessie’s blog here: http://jpsugarbaby.blogspot.com/2011/09/recipe-of-week.html

Neil enjoying his cupcake.My three bugs in a rug!  So sweet.  I just love lazy mornings.Karina was so excited to be at our house she just couldn't bring herself to go to sleep at night.  This is how Rachel found her on the way in one night.Jessie made up some goop to play with.  FUN, FUN, FUN.We spent an afternoon bowling.  So glad Fat Cat’s had free bowling for the kids during the summer!

Silly nap hair: