Cinnamon Roll Bars

I have been on a real cinnamon roll kick lately. I don't know what has prompted it, but I cannot seem to get enough of them. These bars are everything you could ever want in a cinnamon, in a more portable form.

The bars themselves are packed full of cinnamon and brown sugar (is there anything better?!). The pudding mix and cake mix add creaminess to the warm cinnamon flavor. I am not a huge fan of cream cheese frosting, but I think this icing is fabulous. It is more of a whipped texture, which is similar to Cinnabon's.

The cinnamon drizzle is the defining element to these bars. It is best, with fresh brown sugar with no lumps. Together, these elements make a cohesive dynamite dessert. They so good, you will not be able to stop at one. These bars are not the most "diet-friendly" treat (with 2 1/2 sticks of butter and 1/2 cup whipping cream), but everyone deserves to splurge every once in a while!

Bar Recipe adapted from: Cookies and Cups
Frosting Recipe adapted from: Not So Humble Pie
Cinnamon glaze Recipe adapted from: tips-gardening.com

You will need: 

For Bars: 
1 (15.25 oz) box White Cake Mix
1 (4 serving) box Vanilla Instant Pudding3/4 cup (1 and 1/2 sticks) butter, melted
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp cinnamon

For Frosting:
8oz. package of (softened) cream cheese
3/4 cup of sifted confectioners sugar
1/2 Heavy whipping cream  

For Cinnamon Glaze: 
1/2 cup of butter
3/4 cup of light brown sugar
1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 inch
pan or line with non-stick foil

Whisk together: cake mix, pudding mix, cinnamon,
and brown sugar.

Add melted butter, vanilla extract and water.
Add eggs one at a time.

Spread evenly in pan, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

Allow to cool in pan before frosting

Sift sugar and combine with cream cheese

In a separate bowl, beat whipping cream until
 stiff peaks just begin to form (don't over-mix)
Stir in vanilla, and spread onto cooled bars.

Melt butter and stir in brown sugar

Stir in cinnamon

Put glaze in a piping bag, and cut a small tip.

Drizzle onto bars

Puppy Cupcakes

Time really flies. No really, it does!  It seems to go faster and faster every year! Last time I featured dog treat cupcakes on my blog was for my beloved dog Versailles. My newest pup, Sienna just turned one, and I decided to bake her some cupcakes.

Her sister Stasia, and brother Dallas also enjoyed these treats. They are super easy to make, and contain zero calories (for the owner). Believe me you do not not want to eat these! The ingredients are all human grade, but they do not contain any sugar which is obviously bad for puppies.

The frosting is the most important element. I like this icing, because you can actually pipe it, which is not very common for dog icing.

Sienna had a very special first birthday. The cupcakes were definitely the highlight of her birthday!

Sienna waiting for her cupcakes

Loving the icing!

If your pup is having a birthday, I recommend these cupcakes. They are sure to be a hit!

Cupcake Recipe Adapted from: Crazy For Crust Frosting recipe from: Pizzazzerie

You will need:

For Puppy Cupcakes:

1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda1/2 teaspoon baking powder1/4 cup peanut butter4 tablespoons vegetable oil1 mashed banana5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon honey
1 egg

For Frosting: 

(8 0z) package of cream cheese at room temperature
2 tablespoons Honey
2 tablespoons Peanut Butter

Cupcakes: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tins with 12 mini liners, or
fill a standard pan with 6 liners

Blend together: peanut butter, oil, mashed banana, and honey.
 Add egg, mix until well-blended.

Add Flour, baking soda, and baking powder.

Evenly scoop batter into each liner

bake for 12-15 minutes until cakes spring back
(when touched),  and start to turn a golden color. 

Cool cakes completely on a cooling rack, before frosting.

Beat cream cheese in a bowl for two minutes. Add peanut butter and honey,
and mix for an additional two minutes. Add desired coloring. 

Spread icing on cupcakes, or pipe onto cupcakes.

Top with accents (I did not let my dogs actually
eat the bows. They are just decoration)

White chocolate dipped scooby snacks