German Chocolate Semi-Homemade Cupcakes

These cupcakes are so easy compared to the made from scratch version. They use a store bought cake mix, but the coconut-pecan filling is all homemade.

Ingredients:
1 box chocolate cake mix (and ingredients listed on the box)
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 egg yolks (save the whites for an omelette!)
1 stick unsalted butter
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
optional: chocolate frosting
Directions:
1. Prepare cake mix according to instructions and bake in cupcake pan.
2. Melt together the milk, sugar, butter and egg yolks until butter is melted. (Over low heat, stirring constantly)
3. Then turn the heat up to medium and stir constantly until mixture thickens, about 10 minutes. Stir into coconut, pecans, and vanilla extract.
4. Let cool before using.
5. Cut cupcake top off.
6. Fill with coconut pecan filling
7 .Put top back on and top with a thin layer of chocolate frosting if desired.
Enjoy!

Granola

Sometimes the best recipes come straight out of your pantry, using staple items. This granola recipe is so simple and do not be limited by the mix ins I use! This is the type of recipe I love because there is a technique, but you can change it up any way you want. You can use peanuts, raisins, m&ms, coconut, almonds, dried cherries, pecans, flax seeds... the list goes on and on! Today, I am using dried cherries, almonds and coconut!

                                      

Ingredients:

3 cups oats

1/3 cup juice or water

1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 

2 tsp cinnamon 

pinch salt
1 tbs vanilla extract
2 tsp vegetable oil

Mix ins! 

1/2 cup almonds, chopped

1 cup dried cherries, chopped 

1/2 cup coconut

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300. In a saucepan, melt together juice, sugar, and honey over low heat, stirring until the honey is dissolved. Take off heat

2. Stir in vanilla and oil to the honey mixture
3.Pour honey mixture over oats, nuts, cinnamon, coconut and cherries. Stir gently to coat 

4. pour onto foil lined cookie sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes (until golden brown) stirring a couple of times 

*Make sure not to stir too much and be gentle! If not, you won't get those clusters of granola, which I love.