Chocolate 'Carrot Patch' Cupcakes (Sponsored)

March 12, 2018 Amanda Plott

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DelightfulMoments #SplashOfDelight #CollectiveBias

Who's ready for Spring? I know that I am! I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it a million and one times more, but Spring has to be my favorite season! The sun is changing, the light is changing, the air smells and feels different, and I'm always in awe of the flowers and greenery as it starts to return to life.

What better way is there to celebrate anything (especially Spring) other than with cake?! So today we're going to cheer on Spring with some adorable Chocolate 'Carrot Patch' Cupcakes! These little darlings couldn't be sweeter; with their carrot colored chocolate covered strawberries and cookie/cake crumbles, they look just like a fresh carrot patch!...

Instant Pot Corned Beef & Cabbage

March 7, 2018 Amanda Plott

By now we all should be well aware of the fact that I am completely smitten with two things; my Instant Pot and St. Patrick's Day. So, this week I thought... why not put the two together? But could it be done? I've made my fair share of corned beef before and I thought it would be the perfect Irish bite to go from crockpot to Instant Pot.

I did have one concern and that was if the corned beef would turn out as tender being cooked in the Instant Pot rather than low and slow all day in the crockpot. And the answer is a resounding... YES!...

Carrot Cake Granola

March 3, 2018 Amanda Plott

Spring is coming.

I don't know about you, but I can see the changes in the season here in Austin Texas already. It's staying daylight out longer and longer in the evenings now and the sky is a brighter shade of blue. The birds are chirping, the grass is turning green, and it's warming up to a perfect 70 degrees on most days.

I know that we will likely have a few more 'winter' days or grey rain, but it's always nice to see the onset of Spring. It's probably my favorite season (when it comes to the weather especially.) That's why I've started this weekend off right with this Spring inspired carrot cake granola!...

Baked Beet Chips

March 1, 2018 Amanda Plott

Last week I had some beets leftover that needed to be used and decided to use them up in one of my favorite ways - as chips! Beets are really the perfect root vegetable to make chips with. They turn out crisp and crunchy while not having a completely overwhelming flavor. In fact, if you closed your eyes and ate one, you might not even know it was a beet at all!

Beets are truly one of my favorite vegetables, mostly because of their beautiful colors and versatility. I really don't think I've ever met a beet that I didn't like, but these chips are quick, easy, and simple; with just 2 ingredients needed...

Skinny Irish Apple Cake

February 23, 2018 Amanda Plott

Yaaay, St. Patrick's Day is coming. Maybe it's some of my Irish heritage or something to do with it being my Dad's birthday, but I really do enjoy St. Patrick's Day more than most. I can honestly say that it has absolutely nothing to do with green beer. Now, if they had green wine... that might be another story.

So every year I like to dive into Irish recipes leading up to St. Patrick's Day. I've made Corned Beef, Shepherd's Pie, Irish Soda Bread, Irish Cream Donuts, and so much more. This year though, I wanted to get in there and make another Irish sweet treat. So, Irish Apple Cake it is! It's a tender cake, similar to a coffee cake, that's loaded LOADED up with apples...

Skinny Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

February 7, 2018 Amanda Plott

When I think of Valentine's Day, I think of red velvet cake. I think that's because it's so perfectly bright and red and just looks like it's full of love. And this one right here? It's made with love too.

As far as cooking goes, baking has always been one of my favorite things to do. Even though it can be one of the most difficult, especially when it comes to adjusting and altering recipes to be better-for-you. Let's face it, baking is a science and requires it's fair share of accuracy. There's very little wiggle room for error, which makes me a nervous mess. Trial and error are the name of the game...