Short & Sweet #2: EASY CHEESE BUNS

I won't lie. Even though I'm very well versed in the making of bread buns and rolls, I still don't want to put in that much work sometimes. There's adding yeast, and waiting for it to rise, and kneading, and just so much time waiting around for magic baking fairies to turn your dough into something workable. Peeta Mellark may enjoy doing all that work to get his mind off of the Hunger Games (and to please his dearest wife-to-be, Katniss), but I'm not swimming in trauma enough to take that much time making cheese buns.

Solution? Cheese biscuits disguised as cheese buns! This recipe uses pancake mix to get a head start. The rest is pretty easy as well. These little mini cheese bites are perfect for your next Hunger Games themed party or as a take-along snack at the Catching Fire midnight showing. No wonder Katniss craves these things so much. Rich, cheesy, salty goodness. They'll be gone and in your tummy before you can say, "May the odds be EVER in your favor!"

Easy Cheese Buns
1 1/2 cups pancake mix
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 Tbsp salt
1/4 tsp vanilla
(optional) 1 Tbsp dried parsley flakes

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Spray your mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
3. Combine all ingredients into mixing bowl.
4. Mix until everything is well-combined and mixture is wet.
5. Fill mini tins to 3/4 full.
6. Bake in oven for 12-15 minutes.
7. Remove from tins and cool on rack.
8. Let the hunger games begin!

Short & Sweet #1: DEATH BY OREO CUPCAKES

You know, not all of us are aspiring to be executive pastry chefs at a fancy boutique hotel in Hollywood. Not everyone uses creme fraiche or Pate a Choux or creme anglaise in normal day to day conversations. However, most of us do enjoy a sweet treat now and again. Dessert is, in my opinion, the best part of any meal.

But how can you bake up something sweet, delicious, and homemade without the hassle? Sometimes a one layer Funfetti cake from Betty Crocker with canned frosting doesn't quite cut it. But baking a double batch of cupcakes from scratch is just far too daunting and time consuming.

Solution? Combine your two options! Start with a cake mix, tweak it a little bit, and top it all off with a delicious frosting from scratch. This Death by Oreos Cupakes recipe is just the ticket if you'd like to impress your friends without worrying about suddenly turning into a fancy pastry chef for a day. Let me show you how it's done! :)

If you'd like to join me on this yummilicious journey one day, the recipe is as follows:

Death by Oreo Cupcakes
1 box devil's food cake mix
Ingredients as per box instructions
1 whole package of Oreos
1/2 cup or 1 stick butter (room temperature)
8 oz or 1 package cream cheese (room temperature)
2 to 3 cups powdered sugar

Cupcakes
1. Preheat oven to temperature instructed on cake box for 24 cupcakes.
2. Place cupcake liners in cupcake tin. Put one Oreo cookie at the bottom of each liner.
3. Combine ingredients for devil's food cake mix. (On this step, feel free to add more Oreo crumbs or chocolate chips into the batter if you're feeling especially adventurous)
4. Pour batter into cupcake tin.
5. Bake cupcakes according to box instructions.
6. Once finished, remove from oven. Remove cupcakes from tin and let cool on racks (on racks on racks).

Frosting
1. Crush remaining Oreo cookies into small crumbs with food processor or in a plastic bag. Set aside.
2. Cream butter and cream cheese until smooth with electric mixer.
3. Slowly add powdered sugar and mix until desired stiffness. Add crushed Oreo crumbs and mix well.
4. Top your cooled cupcakes!
5. For funsies, you can also add mini Oreos on top of your frosting, or sprinkles, or chocolate syrup, or whatever your heart desires! Have fun with it!

Delicious Things to Come

It's about that time... I've stood on the sidelines of the Interwebz community for long enough. I think it's time to dive in and join the fun. Keep an eye on this space for recipes, tutorials, and other great things that I'd love to share with you. Yes, you.

This is all for the community! So once I'm able to get this thing rolling (not without your help of course), feel free to jump in and make suggestions of what you'd like to see from me.

I'm excited. Are you excited? No? THEN GET EXCITED!

I apologize for yelling. I'm just so chuffed!

I'll be back soon!

And believe me...I'm bringing some delicious things with me :)