{ Peach And Pecan Kitchen Sink Cake }

I'm not sure how it happened, but suddenly, the holidays are upon us.

Every year I start shopping prior to vacation (we go the first part of September every year). You'd think this would afford me some relaxing moments prior to the holidays. It doesn't. Somehow, even starting in August, I'm panicking a week before Christmas arrives. Now, granted, I do shop both for my own gift giving, along with my 94 year old grandmother's gift giving. Still, you'd think August would be enough time.

Never.

So, I become a fan of shortcuts this time of year. I don't want to skimp, but quick and easy become my bros. My bros and I hang out together and chat about all their friends. One such bro is this Kitchen Sink Cake. Now, others know him by another name. I refuse to call him such things. It just doesn't sound appetizing. I think it's insulting because he really is a lovely creature. Basically, a Dump Cake is not welcome in my house. I have to make up nicknames for him. Like this.

Peach and Pecan Kitchen Sink Cake.

Granted, that isn't the tastiest sounding thing in the world, but, hey, it's better than the alternative.

This cake is easy squeezey.

It takes just a few ingredients and very little effort.

And it tastes amazing.

So quick and easy and a wonderful finish to your holiday meal or perfect for parties and potlucks.

Now I must rush back over to Amazon and place another order. Amazon is definitely my bro. Not just this season, but always. <3

Tina



Peach & Pecan Kitchen Sink Cake
by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

1 box yellow or white cake mix (I prefer yellow)
2 small (15 oz) cans of peaches
1 stick butter- melted
1/2 cup pecans- finely chopped
1/2 cup brown sugar- packed
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 F

Prepare a 9 x 13 baking dish by lightly spraying with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar.

Pour peaches into bottom of pan- do NOT drain. Sprinkle dry cake mix over. Pour stick of melted butter slowly over the top, coating as well as possible.

Sprinkle mixture of cinnamon and sugar over top, then sprinkle on pecans.

For the final step, sprinkle the brown sugar on the top as well.

Bake for 45 minutes to one hour until brown and bubbly.

Serve warm with ice cream or serve chilled with whipped cream.

{2 Ingredient Thin Mint Clone}

January.

Does anyone actually LIKE January? With it's post holiday blueness and it's gray skies? Only thing good about January? Snow. I've been told, repeatedly, that I'm a total freak show, but snow makes me happy. Not like a little happy, like I dance around the house happy. I'm always looking out the windows, waiting for it, and if it's night time, I can't sit still. Every 30 minutes or so I must get up, flip on the outside light and check for snow. I can't even help it. I'm just enchanted by it.

Did you all fall into the Polar Vortex? We so did. Before it hit though, we were supposed to have a nice, big snowfall. It went, however, from 8" to a dusting. The dusting was pretty as the Earth around it froze solid. It was ridiculous. We got to -12 with windchills in the -30s. I know others got much colder though. I literally never left the house, except to throw hot water up in the air (well, Bean did it). That took 30 seconds. The end. Back inside. School was cancelled so we bundled up and watched movies. Bean had an awesome Christmas break. 2 extra days added on because of the Polar Vortex. It'll be a year to remember, that's for sure.

You know what else happens in January? (At least around here). Adorable little girls in green uniforms start hocking deliciousness.

This year they are FOUR DOLLARS A BOX. WHAT??? Four. Dollars. For like 2 sleeves of cookies. I can't even. Will I buy them? Well, yeah. But still.

Of course we can only get them once a year, so I've made a solution for you.

I've dipped Ritz crackers in chocolate for years. I just did them for the Christmas trays I gave to friends. A while back I saw this on Pinterest. They'd used the same idea, but had added mint extract to the chocolate to make Thin Mints. NO WAY that tastes like a Thin Mint, right?

Wrong.

Well, I didn't do it their way, I used Andes mints. You know Andes and I are tight. They're my candy BFF when it comes to baking. I LOVE chocolate and mint together and Andes is my fav. I actually used the Andes Bits that the Toostie Roll Company sent me as a thank you for allowing them to use my recipes on their Facebook Page. Regular Andes will work as well, of course, but the bits melt quicker and, major bonus here, you don't have to unwrap them.

Just melt up your bits in the microwave. Melt in 30 second increments, stirring after each 30. (They only took 1 minute to melt in my micro). Or melt double boiler style.

Then, dip your Ritz, place onto waxed paper/parchement/foil and allow to dry.

Dude, that's it. IT.

I know you probably still have your doubts, but they are so close, really! They don't taste like crackers, they taste like cookies. While they aren't 100% perfect, the Girl Scout Thin Mint has a chocolate cookie (but really, you don't miss that here) and a darker chocolate enrobing, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. I know I was. Shocked, really.

Give em a go. It will take you all of 10 mins.

Happy January!

Tina




2 Ingredient Thin Mint Cookie Clone
by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

Andes Mints Baking Bits or Andes Mint Chocolates
Ritz Crackers

Melt up your chocolate in the microwave. Melt in 30 second increments, stirring after each 30. (They only took 1 minute to melt in my micro). Or melt double boiler style.

Dip your Ritz, remove with a fork, and tap to allow excess chocolate to fall through the tines, place onto waxed paper/parchment/foil and allow to dry.

Store in airtight container. 

/foil and allow to dry.

{For the Fourth}

A quick recap of some fun and easy treats for the Fourth of July.


Red, White, and Blue Strawberries

Layered Drinks

Homemade Snow Cone Syrup


Did I mention easy?

Cause yeah.

Tina