Kitty Litter Cake {Recipe}

Who's ever heard of a kitty litter cake? I know I have. Though I have never sampled one, let alone made one. I took on the task of creating one for my office Halloween party. Dessert hour allows us to get really creative with food decorations and the whole Halloween theme. After our lunch hour of monster eyes mac-n-cheese balls, skeleton stew, mummy wraps and other Halloween creations we were ready for dessert. Everyone was excited to see and try my kitty litter cake. At least, we thought we were...it looked creepily real...

After staring at it and discussing it along with the other desserts for at least 10 minutes, someone was finally brave enough to dig in.

"This is the best kitty litter I've ever had."

Well, that was good to know. :) 

 It was definitely a success. Thankfully. I was afraid it'd taste as bad as it looked. We even used the scooper to serve ourselves. :)

This was so simple to make. It took some time, but nonetheless, it was very easy to make. I made my own variation from the below recipe found on AllRecipes.com. My comments/changes (based on other reviews and my taste) are in purple. The end result was a super moist white cake. Not too gooey, and not dry at all. Very similar to a cake pop consistency--with almost the taste of raw cake batter. YUM!! 

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package German chocolate cake mix ((I used a Funfetti mix))
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
• 2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix ((I used one small package of White Chocolate instant pudding))
• 1 (12 ounce) package vanilla sandwich cookies ((Golden Oreos))
• 3 drops green food coloring
• 1 (12 ounce) package tootsie rolls ((I used Little Debbie Brownies))
• Kitty litter box and scooper adds the perfect touch!! Oh, having a cute kitty doesn't hurt ei'her. :)

Directions

1. Prepare cake mixes and bake according to package directions (any size pan).
2. Prepare pudding according to package directions and chill until ready to assemble.
3. Crumble sandwich cookies in small batches in a food processor, scraping often. Set aside all but 1/4 cup. To the 1/4 cup add a few drops of green food coloring and mix.
4. When cakes are cooled to room temperature, ((I didn't wait--I'm impatient)) crumble them into a large bowl. Toss with 1/2 of the remaining cookie crumbs, and the chilled pudding. You probably won't need all of the pudding, you want the cake to be just moist, not soggy.((This is why I only used one box of pudding, and for the fact that Funfetti mix has pudding in it))
5. Line kitty litter box with the kitty litter line. ((I did not use a liner as many reviews said it was actually more difficult to deal with. I had no issue not using the liner)) Put cake mixture into box.
6. Put half of the unwrapped tootsie rolls in a microwave safe dish and heat until softened. Shape the ends so that they are no longer blunt, and curve the tootsie rolls slightly. Bury tootsie rolls randomly in the cake and sprinkle with half of the remaining cookie crumbs. ((Many reviews recommended not using tootsie rolls as they harden and people tend to not eat them. Little Debbie brownies worked PERFECTLY, they didn't harden over night...oh, and I don't like tootsie rolls)) Sprinkle a small amount of the green colored cookie crumbs lightly over the top.
7. Heat 3 or 4 of the tootsie rolls in the microwave until almost melted. Scrape them on top of the cake and sprinkle lightly with some of the green cookie crumbs. Heat the remaining tootsie rolls until pliable and shape as before. ((Oh, and you don't have to heat up Little Debbie brownies to shape them)) Spread all but one randomly over top of cake mixture. Sprinkle with any remaining cookie crumbs. Hang the remaining tootsie roll over side of litter box and sprinkle with a few green cookie crumbs. Serve with the pooper scooper for a gross Halloween dessert.

This was the remainder of the cake after dessert hour. Only one 'nugget' was left over--I guess the word got around that it tasted pretty good! :)

After making this for the first time it's safe to say I'll definitely be making one again in the future for other Halloween parties. It was a hit. Now, if you want to go less gross, you can create cute desserts like Francesca and Rebecca did...

 'Tombstone' and 'Ding Dong the Witch is Dead' cupcakes!!

They were SUPER yummy too!!

Peanut Butter Delight - Doggie Cupcakes {Recipe}

July 29, 2007 -- When this little booger entered the world.

November 28, 2007 -- When this little booger entered MY world!

 

Starting off at a little over 5 pounds (at 4 months) and nothing but a Maltese furball, Bailey was the first puppy I ever had. I purchased him on November 28, 2007--yes, on Black Friday. The deal was; Larry gets a new flat screen TV and I get my puppy. I didn't think I would actually end up getting a dog (as we had just took the big leap and moved out on our own) but once I met Bailey I knew I had to have him--and the Black Friday price specials didn't hurt either. ;) After waiting about a week for him to finish getting his shots, our whole world was turned upside down once we finally brought him home. From potty training to kennel training he was one handful of a puppy! But getting Bailey was the best thing that I had ever done--he is so fun and so loving and brings us so much happiness every day! This year on Friday, July 29, 2011 he turned 4 years old. I can't believe my baby has grown up so fast! (I know--we talk like he is our child...but until we have REAL children, he is definitely our baby!)

Bailey's first bath

Bailey is definitely a huge part of our family. :) 

 Thankfully he loves the pool just like his mommy. Well--he likes being on the raft anyway. :)

And you know this pup belongs in the sunshine state since he loves his boat rides!

 He's a little goofy at times...

And likes to beg--a LOT.

  

 And even though he's a little 'not-worth-anything' dog, he gets plenty of love from everyone!

If I had a dollar for every time I heard "I don't like small dogs, but I love Bailey" then I'd be a millionaire.

I am truly grateful that Bailey is such a perfect pup!!

 

 I think it's safe to say that thanks to the tremendous love from his grandma and grandpa (Larry's parents) Bailey has gained a little weight! At 4 months he was a mere 5 pounds but after 4 years he has grown into a whopping {almost} 14 pounds! And even though the vet just said it wouldn't hurt that for his age Bailey lose 2-3 pounds, I couldn't resist making him a yummy treat for his birthday!

 

:Dog Birthday Cake Recipe:

Peanut Butter Delight

(recipe was found at Birthday Dog Cake Recipes)

Ingredients:

1 cup white or whole wheat flour 
1 tsp baking soda 
1/4 cup peanut butter 
1/4 cup vegetable oil 
1 cup shredded carrots (I left this out--like his mommy, Bailey doesn't like all kinds of veggies!)
1 tsp vanilla 
1/3 cup honey 
1 egg

Directions:Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)

Mix together flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a ring mold sprayed with a nonstick spray for 40 minutes. 

**I chose to make cupcakes in various sizes rather than one cake. Note: Bake the cupcakes at about a quarter of the time to prevent burnt cakes--not that I learned from experience or anything. :) 

Cinnamon Frosting:

Combine the following ingredients and blend thoroughly:

12 ounces nonfat cream cheese (room temperature) 
3 tsp cinnamon 
1 tsp vanilla 
1 tsp honey

Bailey loved this recipe and was nice enough to share his treat with his best friend, Harley! (Larry's parents' pit bull) Along with his cupcakes and a few treats from the pet store Bailey also got a few new toys since keeping his stuffed animals in one piece is pretty hard to do with a pit bull in the house!! :)

He could smell that somethig was in the oven!





Bailey loved his new toy frog! I also found a blue star that reminded me of one of his first toys that he LOVED--needless to say he was anxious to get ahold of it!



 

 

Hiding one of his treats under a pillow--crazy pup!



Harley and Bailey waiting patiently for their cupcakes.



Bailey eating his first mini cupcake!



I think it's safe to say he loved it! :)

 

Harley swallowed his whole full-size cupcake in about 5 seconds!



This was sent to me on Bailey's birthday--what perfect timing!

If you want someone who will eat whatever you put in front of him and never say it's not quite as good as his mother's...
Then adopt a dog.

If you want someone always willing to go out at any hour, for as long and wherever you want...
Then adopt a dog.
If you want someone who will never touch the remote, doesn't care about football, and can sit next to you as you watch romantic movies...
Then adopt a dog.

If you want someone who is content to get on your bed just to warm your feet and whom you can push off if he snores...
Then adopt a dog.
If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn't care if you are pretty or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, who acts as if every word you say is especially worthy of listening to, and loves you unconditionally, perpetually...

Then adopt a dog. 

I can't imagine what my life would be like without being able to spoil Bailey or come home to the love of my pup every day!!

 



Cookie Dough Brownies {Recipe}

We celebrated my good friend Sarah's birthday at the restaurant Cafe Tu Tu Tango.We had a blast! Lots of good laughs and fun times with great friends. I decided to make a dessert that everyone could enjoy. Hello fabulous Cookie Dough Brownies, recipe courtesy of Chef In Training.

I asked Sarah's boyfriend out of 5 different amazing recipes I found on Pinterest which one he thought she'd like best. He picked this one, and knowing that she LOVES cookie dough, I thought it was a good choice too! Without further ado, here is the delicious recipe!

COOKIE DOUGH BROWNIES

Brownie:

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1-1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1-1/3 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt

Filling:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Glaze:

• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 3/4 cups walnuts, optional

Step 1. Cream butter and sugar together.  Add eggs and blend well.  Add vanilla, salt, cocoa, and flour. Don't over-beat.  Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.  Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes or until done.  Cool completely.

 

Brownies all done and cooling

Step 2. For filling, in a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light & fluffy. Beat in milk and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour. Stir in mini chocolate chips. Spread over brownies (works best to just press out with clean hands.); chill until firm.

The filling tasted AMAZING

Waiting patiently for the brownies to cool down

Step 3. For glaze, in a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and shortening in 30 second intervals, stirring after each time, until smooth. Spread over filling. Immediately sprinkle with nuts, pressing down slightly.

Ready to chill the brownies and cookie dough!

The chocolate glaze--this was a different icing than I have ever done, but it turned out perfectly!

Step 4. Let glaze harden before cutting in.

 

 

Now, being that I am no pro baker (and usually have the assistance of Betty Crocker!) this was such a simple recipe and turned out DELISH. Everyone at dinner loved it and Sarah MAY have had more than one piece. :) The directions were straight forward and simple enough to follow. The only "flaw" I encountered was that the brownie and cookie dough filling weren't evenly proportioned. There was a lot more brownie than cookie dough, but no biggie--it still tasted amazing! :)

 

The birthday girl enjoying her dessert :)

The birthday girl and I!

Some of the gang at the end of dinner!

If you ever need a twist on a simple brownie, here you go! ENJOY!