Cookie Dough Cupcakes

                                     

 

These Cookie Dough Cupcakes look amazing and taste even better than they look. They also pack a sweet surprise...

 

                              

A cookie dough stuffed center! These Cookie Dough Cupcakes are double the cookie dough - stuffed with cookie dough in the middle and then topped with cookie dough frosting. Sinfully sweet and delicious!

I made these in February to celebrate my brother's birthday. They were loved and devoured by everyone.

There are no health safety risks eating these cupcakes, as the cookie dough is eggless. I'd recommend making extra and keeping it in the freezer when you need a sweet tooth fix.

Enjoy!
 

Cookie Dough Cupcakes

Ingredients:
·1 box of Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix
·1 1/2 cups brown sugar
·1/2 cup butter, softened
·1/2 tsp vanilla
·2 cups gluten free flour
·Pinch of salt
·1 cup miniature chocolate chips

Directions:
To prepare cookie dough, mix together the brown sugar and butter in a medium bowl until smooth. Mix in vanilla, milk, gluten free flour, and salt until well blended. Remove half of the cookie dough into a separate bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips into one bowl of cookie dough only. Chill both bowls of cookie dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare gluten free cake batter according to package directions. Spoon into muffin tins lined with cupcake liners. *Do not bake yet.

Remove both bowls of cookie dough from the fridge. Using the bowl of cookie dough with chocolate chips mixed in, roll the cookie dough into 18-24 one-inch balls. Drop one ball of cookie dough into the center of the cake batter in each cupcake liner.

Bake cookie dough stuffed cupcakes according to package directions. Meanwhile, let the other bowl of cookie dough begin to soften. When cupcakes are finished baking, remove from pan and allow to cool completely.

To prepare the cookie dough icing, stir the cookie dough that's been softening on the counter. Do not stir in the chocolate chips. If you do, the cookie dough frosting will be harder to work with. Add a few splashes of milk, if needed, to thin the cookie dough out enough for frosting. Frost each cooled cupcake with the cookie dough frosting, then sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips on top.

Serve, enjoy, and celebrate!

Chipotle Raspberry Pork Chops

                           

Chipotle Raspberry Pork Chips are the epitome of a sweet and spicy dish. I'm not a huge fan of pork chops, but the way these pork chops are prepared is delicious! Not only is it tasty, but it's a fast and simple dish that comes together with a few ingredients. The outcome is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.


Chipotle Raspberry Pork Chops
Slightly adapated from Taste of Home

Ingredients:
·1/2 cup seedless raspberry preserves
·1 TBS chipotle chiles in adobe sauce puree* (see note below)
·Salt to taste
·6 boneless pork chops

Directions:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook raspberry preserves and chipotle puree until heated through, stirring occasionally. Set 1/4 cup aside to use for serving.

Meanwhile, heat a grill or a grill pan on the stovetop to medium heat.

Sprinkle the pork chops with salt then brush with remaining chipotle-raspberry sauce. Cook the pork chops on the grill for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.

Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with reserved chipotle-raspberry sauce on top.


*Note: For the chipotle chiles in adobo sauce puree, you need to buy a small can of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce from the grocery store (it's usually found in the Hispanic foods section). In the can is whole chipotle chiles in adobo sauce. Seed the chipotle chiles and then puree the entire can of adobe sauce and chipotle chile together. Use the amount need for the recipe, then freeze the rest in a marked plastic bag. Next time a recipe calls for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, all you have to do is break off a piece from the bag in the freezer.

Moroccan Chicken with Coconut Rice

                           

Moroccan Chicken with Coconut Rice is sweet, savory, and flavorful.

While I prefer quick and easy dinner recipes, this dish does take some time and effort to prepare but it is worth it. The aroma that fills your house while cooking will have your mouth watering, which pays off in the first, flavor-rich bite.

Moroccan Chicken with Coconut Rice
Slightly adapted from Carol Fenster

Ingredients:
·1 recipe coconut rice, see below
·4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
·1 tsp salt
·1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
·1 TBS cornstarch
·3 TBS extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
·2 large onions, chopped
·1 tsp each - ginger, cinnamon, cumin, paprika
·1 TBS brown sugar
·2 cups chicken broth
·1/2 - 14.5oz can of diced tomatoes, including juice
·2 TBS lemon juice
·2 TBS honey
·1 TBS minced garlic

Directions:
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 TBS of EVOO over medium heat. Add onions and cook, covered, for 20 minutes. Add ginger, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, and brown sugar. Cook for 10 more minutes, stirring constantly until onions are caramelized. Transfer to a plate.

Add remaining 1 TBS of EVOO to the skillet. Sprinkle chicken with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp of pepper, and 1 TBS of cornstarch. Cook chicken until golden brown and the inside is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, tomatoes, lemon juice, honey, and garlic. Bring to a boil, hen reduce heat to  medium-low. Cook uncovered until the mixture begins to thicken, about 5-10 minutes. Return chicken and onions to the skillet. Simmer until heated through, about 3-5 minutes.

Serve chicken and sauce over prepared coconut rice.


Coconut Rice

Ingredients:
·1 cup coconut milk
·1 1/2 cups water
·1 cup brown rice

Directions:
Combine coconut milk and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add the rice, stir well, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes without stirring. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas

                       

 

Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas are the perfect vegetarian dish for meatless Mondays or Lenten Fridays. It's also a great way to enjoy butternut squash before it's out of season, which is sadly too soon.

 

A ton of great flavors simmer together to make the stuffing for the enchiladas, including butternut squash, black beans, tomatoes, green chillies, cilantro, and jalapeno.

 

There is one simple change to make this recipe gluten free. Use soft corn tortillas instead of the whole wheat tortillas called for in the recipe linked below.

Click here for recipe from Skinny Taste

 

Healthy Monster Cookie Dough Dip

                           

I promise that no one you serve this Healthy Monster Cookie Dough Dip to will know A) it's healthy and B) what the secret ingredient is. I took this dip to a party and took some to my family; everyone loved it and devoured it.

A made a few revisions to the recipe linked below. First, I used dry chickpeas. I soaked the beans overnight, rinsed them, and then cooked according to the package directions. FYI - if you don't let the beans cool completely before stirring in the chocolate chips and M&Ms, they will melt. The dip still tastes great, but looks less appetizing. Luckily, I learned from experience for you, and my friends and family don't judge appearances when it comes to dessert!

I used peanut butter and stirred in 1/3 cup of M&M's for a true Monster Cookie taste. I served with Kinnikinnick Gluten Free Graham Crackers, but it's also good eaten straight from the bowl with a spoon.

Enjoy!


Click here for recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie

Cheesy Pepper Jack Potato Chowder

                        

Cheesy Pepper Jack Potato Chowder is a spicy twist on traditional potato soup. Spring is almost here (Hallelujah!), but this thick and creamy chowder will be a great dinner on any cold winter nights we have left.

There are three things I love about this dish. First, it's made with southern style hashbrowns so no potato peeling or chopping involved. Two, it's a chowder recipe not a soup recipe, so no blending required. Easy, easy! Third, it's made with spicy pepper jack cheese. How have I not had potato soup with pepper jack cheese before? It's amazing, and I don't think I can go back to traditional cheddar in my cheesy potato soup recipes ever again.


What's your favorite potato soup recipe?

 

Click here for recipe from Iowa Girl Eats

Spinach and Artichoke Mac & Cheese

                                  

This recipe combines my favorite dip with my childhood (well, and adult) favorite dish. This grown up version of Mac & Cheese tastes like sinful comfort food, but it is packed with veggies. This dish makes eating veggies fun for kids and adults, who are still kids at heart.

Spinach and Artichoke Mac & Cheese

Inspired by Rachael Ray

 

Ingredients:

·Salt
·1 lb gluten free pasta (I used Target's Simply Balanced Fuselli)
·2 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
·1 TBS butter
·1 medium onion, finely chopped
·2 tsp minced garlic
·1 1/2 TBS cornstarch
·1/2 cup white wine
·2 cups skim milk
·1/4 tsp nutmeg
·1 10-oz box frozen chopped spinach, cooked and drained
·1 - 6.5 oz jar artichokes, chopped
·Generous salt and Black pepper
·1 1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese (mozzarella, parmesan, and provolone blend)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375˚F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for pasta, salt water and cook pasta to al dente.

Meanwhile, place a medium pot over medium-low heat with olive oil and butter. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook until soft, about 5-10 minutes.

Turn the heat up to medium-high and sprinkle the cornstarch into the pan. Cook for about 1 minute then whisk the wine into the pan, cooking for another minute to deglaze the pan. Whisk the milk into the pan and bring up to a bubble. Add the nutmeg, spinach, artichokes, salt and pepper to the sauce and simmer until thickened and vegetables are warmed through, 2-3 more minutes. Add cheese to the sauce and stir until melted.

Toss the prepared sauce with the cooked pasta and transfer to a casserole dish. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Thai-Inspired Butternut Squash and Peanut Soup (Crockpot)

                         

 

I've mentioned many times before my love of butternut squash. The sweet flavor is versatile in so many different dishes, including this Thai-inspired twist on Butternut Squash Soup.

 

I've been on a Thai food kick lately, and this soup satisfied my taste buds with a slightly spicy take on a typically sweet Butternut Squash Soup.

 

 

Click here for recipe from Kalyn's Kitchen

5-Vegetable Fried Rice with 5-Spice Pork

                              

 

5-Vegetable Fried Rice with 5-Spice Pork is an incredibly diverse and flavorful dish. It's packed full of 5 different vegetables that are complemented with pork loin. The Chinese 5-Spice adds the perfect balance of flavor to the dish that really ties everything together.

 

I made two slight changes to the recipe linked below. I used brown rice instead of white rice - personal preference for a higher nutritional content. I used gluten free soy sauce instead of tamari to easily convert this recipe to gluten free.

 

 

Click here for recipe From Rachael Ray

Chicken and Grapes Grilled Cheddar Cheese

                             

 

This Chicken and Grapes Grilled Cheddar Cheese twist on traditional grilled cheese is a great way to use up leftover ingredients. This grilled cheese sandwich comes together in a matter of minutes; perfect for when you're too busy to cook but need a substantial lunch to keep you going throughout the day.

 

What's your favorite grilled cheese sandwich?

 

 

Chicken and Grapes Grilled Cheddar Cheese

 

Ingredients:
·2 slices of gluten free bread

·2 slices of cheddar cheese

·¼ cup cooked, shredded chicken

·Handful of grapes, sliced in half

·Butter

Directions:
Butter the outside pieces of the bread. On the inside pieces, assemble the sandwiches with 1 slice of cheese on the bottom of 1 piece of bread, chicken and grapes in the middle and another slice of cheese on top. Top with another slice of gluten free bread. Place in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook for 3-4 minutes, flip the sandwiches and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Serve immediately.

White Bean Chicken Chili

                                                 

 

Spring is just a month away, which means warmer weather (yay!) and limited time left to enjoy "winter soup season." White Bean Chicken Chili is a tasty, nutritious, and healthy one pot dish that comes together in about 30 minutes. A big bowl garnished with hot sauce is perfect to keep warm on a cold, winter day.

 

What's your favorite chili recipe?

 

 

White Bean Chicken Chili

 

Ingredients:

·1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
·2 green onions, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
·1 tsp minced garlic
·1 tsp chili powder
·1/2 tsp cumin
·1 - 15oz. can Great Northern white beans, drained and rinsed
·1 - 14oz. can diced tomatoes with juice
·1½ cup chicken broth
·1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
·Hot sauce, to taste

Directions:
Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute onions and garlic for 2 minutes. Add chili powder and cumin. Stir and cook for 1 additional minute. Add white beans, tomatoes with juice, and chicken broth. Simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken, and cook for 5 minutes longer or until chicken is heated through. Garnish with hot sauce and green onions as desired.

Serves: 4

Spicy Coconut Chicken

                       

This dish is naturally gluten free. Spicy Coconut Chicken is a complete meal that comes together easily in one pot and is full of complex and delicious flavors. Chicken, rice, bell peppers, and green beans are complimented perfectly with coconut milk, red Thai chili paste, and a hint of lemon....all served on top of fluffy brown rice. Delicious!

I have a high tolerance for spice, so the recipe as written in the link below wasn't spicy enough for me. Nonetheless, it was stil incredibly flavorful but I'll be doubling the red Thai chili paste next time. 

 

Click here for recipe from Martha Stewart

Bourbon Bacon Mac & Cheese

                                        

Bourbon Bacon Mac & Cheese is a savory adult version of mac & cheese. There's an amazing smoky flavor in this dish that I'm contributing to the bacon and the bourbon. 

The only change I made to the recipe linked below to make it gluten free was using gluten free pasta. I tried Target's Simply Balanced Gluten Free Fuselli pasta, which tasted As Good As Gluten and worked perfectly for this dish. While I didn't dislike Simply Balanced gluten free pasta, it is corn based and I prefer Tinkyada gluten free pasta - it's brown rice based and, thus, has more nutritional value.

 

What's your favorite way to cook with booze?

Click here for recipe from White Lights on Wednesday

Udi's Cinnamon Rolls

                                    

I was disappointed in Udi's Cinnamon Rolls. I love almost all of Udi's products, but this one fell short. The cinnamon rolls were hard and dry, not moist like Udi's muffins that I love. The cinnamon flavor of the icing did help a little to save the dry and bland cinnamon rolls, but there were only two icing packets instead of four (and it's not convenient to save some icing for the next time).

Have you found a gluten-free cinnamon roll you like?

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. It's a product I bought, loved, and wanted to share with you!

Cream of Fresh Potato Soup

                                 

 

Cream of Fresh Potato Soup is a recipe from my mom that she made as I was growing up. When I was sick over the holidays, this soup and Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup were the only dishes that sounded good. Mike, bless his heart, went to the store during a snow storm to get the ingredients and whip a batch of Cream of Fresh Potato Soup. It was amazing. Warm, nostalgic, creamy, hearty, and flavorful.

Cream of Fresh Potato Soup
Ingredients:
·1 slice bacon, fried and crumbled
·3 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
·1 medium carrot, chopped or grated
·1 stalk celery, chopped
·2 TBS gluten free flour
·1 cup chicken broth
·3 cups milk
·2 tsp salt
·1 tsp fresh ground pepper
·2 TBS dried parsley

Directions:
In a large pot, add chicken broth, potatoes, carrot, and celery. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 10-20 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, stir constantly until heated through. Serve.

Serves: 4