HOLLY'S CHEAT DAY

...because one day a week I have to be bad

Holly’s Junk Food Review Series: Momofuku Crack Pie

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Good Morning & Happy Thursday y’all!

Welcome to another junk food review… So, I’m sure a lot of y’all have heard of the Momofuku Milk Bar in New York.  They’re known for their really unique and fun dessert creations.  I have had their cookbook for years and to be honest, their stuff seems so complex and with soo many steps and ingredients, I said a big no thank you to actually making anything out of it.  So anyways, when I saw that their super famous Crack Pie was one of their creations available for delivery via Goldbely, I obviously jumped at the opportunity to order it.  Don’t worry this isn’t an endorsement for Goldbely, I paid for the very expensive pie and ridiculously expensive delivery with my very own money dollars haha. 

Not exactly the most beautiful pie I’ve ever seen, but I’m optimistic…

I gosh, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to like a pie so much, bbuuuttt, unfortunately, the first word that came to mind to describe this pie was, disappointing. Maybe, if it hadn’t cost so much, or all that I had heard was how incredible this pie was, it might be different..but seriously y’all this pie was a major disappointment. First off, the pie is really, really thin and I like thick pies, I cannot lie but my first thought on the flavor was that it tasted like a less rich and decadent Ooey Gooey Butter Cake (which I just realized I’ve never done a post on) but with a really crumbly crust.  Don’t get me wrong, the pie tasted good, but I could have saved myself time and money and just made some homemade butter cake, which calls for about 1/100 of the ingredients, more than 1/2 the time and is much, much richer.  So basically, save yourself the money and just make some butter cake at home, the crust is better, it makes more, and is eye rollingly good.  This pie gets a 5 out of 10 and a 2 out of 10 rating for the cost.      

Easy Fluffernutter Cookies

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Happy Happy Tuesday y’all!!!  As I’m sure a lot of y’all know, I’m a huuge peanut butter fan, what you may not know is that marshmallow fluff is also on my list of ‘like crack to me’ foods.  You know, the ones that you humorously tell yourself that you’ll have ‘just one bite’ and then you look up and the entire jar is gone.  So basically, when you throw together 2 of my ‘crack’ foods into one easy peasy recipe, it’s a done deal. 

I totally wish I could take credit for this recipe and I kick myself for how silly I am that I didn’t think of this one sooner, but as soon as I came across this one, I just knew I had to make it ASAP.  I got this 3 ingredient recipe from one of my favorite fellow food bloggers, Jenny from Picky Palate.   Not only does she have totally amazing recipes, but she is also a huge Disney fan and has a separate food blog for just Disney food, how awesome is that?! 

Anyways, my cookies weren’t nearly as pretty as her’s but that’s OK, they were still yummy with lots of peanut butter and marshmallow fluff flavor in them.  I would like to note that my 1st batch of cookies didn’t turn out as fluffy looking as I had hoped, but the 2nd batch I made, I used a much smaller amount of dough and that seemed to work a bit better.  I hope you’re all having a wonderful day and thank you so much for stopping by!

First, put your peanut butter and egg into a bowl…

Once the peanut butter & egg are mixed, add your marshmallow fluff…

Mix, Mix, Mix…

Then onto your baking sheet…

Bake, bake, bake…

and enjoy!!!

Yummy!!!

Easy Fluffernutter Cookies
Only 3 ingredients in these Easy Fluffernutter Cookies.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 Cup of Creamy Peanut Butter.
  2. 1 Large Egg.
  3. 1 Cup of Marshmallow Fluff.
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Place wax or parchment paper onto a cookie sheet and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, place your peanut butter, and egg in, mix all together until smooth.
  4. Now put your marshmallow fluff in and mix until just combined.
  5. With an ice cream scoop, place the dough onto your cookie sheet, making sure to leave several inches of space between the cookies because they spread quite a bit.
  6. Bake your cookies for 12-14 minutes or until just about to turn brown on top.
  7. Let cool and enjoy!!!
HOLLY'S CHEAT DAY https://www.hollyscheatday.com/

Holly’s Junk Food Review Series: Popcorn For The People

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Happy Happy Thursday everybody & welcome to another junk food review.  It’s terrible, but I cannot even begin to remember where I just happened across this popcorn company, Popcorn For the People, but when I read their mission statement and what they do, I immediately ordered some.  All of their products are handmade by adults with Autism or other developmental disabilities, as well as 100% of their profits go to Let’s Work For Good, which provide employment for adults with autism.  I happen to love specialty flavored popcorn so it’s definitely a win-win.  

Also, every tin of popcorn you buy comes with a card containing the name of the person who personally handmade your popcorn, which I think is so nice 🙂

 

First, we have their cookies n cream flavor which I believe is also their number one selling flavor…

Y’all, this cookies and cream flavor is really awesome. The popcorn is soft and has tons of chocolate cookie flavor throughout, without being too much.  What really puts the flavor over the edge are the little tiny chocolate cookie pieces that are all in this popcorn. This popcorn for sure gets an 8.5 out of 10.

Next, we have one of my forever favorite flavors of popcorn, caramel…

Ok, so this is seriously the best caramel popcorn that I’ve ever had. Every single bite was extra covered in caramel and was super crispy, OMG, I’m drooling even thinking about it.  I’m really not kidding, if you love caramel popcorn, you need to order some of this, like right now, trust me it’s that good, this definitely gets a 9 out of 10.


Thanks again so much for stopping by and I really hope you all have a wonderful day!!!

Whisky Gin Fizz

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Happy Happy Tuesday y’all, I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend too.  My Dad’s birthday fell on Easter this year, so there was even more cake and chocolate than usual, I most definitely enjoyed my cheat day haha.  Sooo, is it completely inappropriate to post a cocktail recipe this early in the week? Well, if it is, sorry, and if it isn’t then, you’re welcome. 

I will justify this cocktail post by the fact that I know there are a lot of folks on Spring Break right now…honestly there could be no other reason that I got to the office in less than a year an hour the last 2 days.  Anyways, I’m keeping this post short and boozy sweet today.  This cocktail has pretty much what the title says and/or implies.  We’ve got Whisky, Gin and Ginger Ale.  The first one I made, I put waaay too much whisky in it, and let me just say, it cleared my sinuses right up, the second one, just enough.  This is a very simple cocktail, not too sweet, not too bitter, just a really nice lazy day cocktail, I highly recommend one.  I hope you’re all having a wonderful day and thank you so much for stopping by!

Yummy!!!

Whisky Gin Fizz
Yields 1
Easy, simple cocktail that can be made in a matter of minutes.
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Ingredients
  1. 1.5 Ounces of Whisky.
  2. 2 Ounces of Gin.
  3. 1 Lime, Juiced.
  4. 1 (12 Ounce) Can of Ginger Ale.
Instructions
  1. Cut your lime in half and squeeze both halves into your glass.
  2. Add your Whisky & Gin, then fill the remainder of the glass with Ginger Ale, stir and enjoy!!!
HOLLY'S CHEAT DAY https://www.hollyscheatday.com/

REPOST – The Pink Bunny

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Happy Cocktail Friday y’all!!! This drink is hands down one of my absolute favorites ever and hello! how cute is it?  Anyways, I definitely thought that this drink was worth a re-post! Happy Easter everyone, and have a wonderful & safe weekend!!!

This time of year is so great y’all, my fingers and toes are finally thawed out from winter, flowers and trees are blooming, and candy comes in my favorite color…pink. 

the-pink-bunny| HollyscheatDay.comI know logically that chocolate doesn’t taste any better when coming from a pink wrapper, but because all of the chocolate bunnies, eggs, and all of the Peeps in bright colors are so cute, it makes it seem like they taste better don’t judge me. 

the-pink-bunny| HollysCheatDay.comI had totally planned on making adorable cupcakes in beautiful pastels  with bunnies or something on them for Easter, and being completely honest, I just didn’t feel like it 🙂  I feel like I have run all week and all weekend for weeks and I’m just plum wore out y’all.    Buuuut, I did have enough energy because it didn’t require much to make these super beautiful and delicious drinks.  The idea came from the fact that gin and tonics are always my go-to drink, they’re light and crisp and don’t give me a hangover headache, but I wanted to make them beautifully pink too for Easter, hence the pink lemonade.

the-pink-bunny| HollysCheatDay.com Oh my goodness y’all, these turned out absolutely perfect, sweet, but with a tart kick (thank you pink lemonade)…you cannot taste the alcohol at all in these either,  which could be a good or bad thing 🙂  Also, forgive me for using martini glasses for a non martini, but I just love how they look, so whatevs haha, these are easy, delicious and super pretty, a wonderful addition to your brunch…Happy Easter Y’all!

Start with your gin…

the-pink-bunny| HollysCheatDay.comNow your tonic water…

the-pink-bunny| HollysCheatDay.comThen the pink lemonade, mix, mix, mix…

the-pink-bunny| HollysCheatDay.comif you want to make them extra pretty, you can do this…

the-pink-bunny | HollysCheatDay.comEnjoy!! 🙂

the-pink-bunny| HollysCheatDay.com

the-pink-bunny| HollysCheatDay.com

The Pink Bunny
A fun and delicious take on a gin and tonic.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 Can (12 Ounces) of Frozen Pink Lemonade (I used Minute Maid).
  2. 6 Ounces of Gin.
  3. 12 Ounces of Tonic Water.
  4. Decorating Sugar in Pink (Optional).
Instructions
  1. In a pitcher, pour your gin, tonic water and your frozen pink lemonade.
  2. Mix all ingredients together and serve.
Notes
  1. For the sugar rim on my glasses, I just rubbed water around the edges of the glasses and gently pressed the top of the glasses into the sugar until sufficiently covered.
  2. This recipe made almost exactly 3 full martini glasses worth, if you would like more, this recipe can easily be doubled.
HOLLY'S CHEAT DAY https://www.hollyscheatday.com/

Holly’s Junk Food Review Series: Peeps Oreos

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Happy Happy Thursday y’all!!!  Before we get started I want to wish a very Happy 10th Birthday to the sweetest, fluffiest sous chef ever, Lacy!  I cannot believe she’s 10! The years have flown and she brings soo much joy to myself and my family, Happy Birthday fluff monster! No worries,  she will definitely be getting her very own cupcake today 😀

Anyways, back to food y’all…I can’t begin to tell y’all how much I love Oreos.  The original Oreos are always fantastic, but I really really love the limited edition ones.  There have obviously been a few misses over the years with the limited edition flavors, but for the most part I’m usually a fan.  

They had the Peep flavored Oreos last year, and I thought that they were fine, really sweet mind you, but ultimately I didn’t think that they tasted like Peeps.  They obviously changed the formula this year and most definitely for the better…

all that purple Peep goodness…

So I am aware that a lot of folks are not on board with the deliciousness that is Peeps, but even if you are not I still think you’ll like these cookies.  I personally loved these Oreos.  I don’t know how they did it, but they were able to get that perfect marshmallow taste in the Oreo cream, and to boot, they even added the sugar crunch in the cream that the outside of real Peeps have.  I’m telling y’all these Peeps Oreos are fantastic, I’m a big fan.  The only negative I might give them is that they are almost too sweet (for some folks anyway, not this chickadee), but other than that they’re way delicious.  I give these Peeps Oreos a 9 out of 10.  Thanks so much for stopping by and early Happy Easter!  Have a fantastic day!!!

No Bake Caramel Cookies

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Happy Happy Tuesday y’all!!! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and are looking forward to this shortened holiday week. The fact that Easter Sunday is THIS Sunday is blowing my mind, and may I add it’s also my Dad’s birthday and also April Fool’s Day, seriously could more stuff be going on? Haha.  Again though, the year is flying by and here I am making plans for the Fall already-yeah, probably not normal, but I am a planner :-).

Speaking of flying by, if you too are gobsmacked that Sunday is Easter and you too are scrambling for things to make for friends and family, I’m here today to offer y’all an easy peasy, no bake cookie recipe.  Honestly, when I first got into baking, I was totally not sold on no-bake cookies.  Most that I had had were a bit dry and usually not that pretty-so superficial, but y’all, we do eat with our eyes first. 

I have obviously come around to the whole no-bake thing and now I absolutely love them.  I do have to admit, I wasn’t so sure what to call these cookies, there is so much going on with them I figured, no bake, chocolate chip, toffee bit, caramel chip, oat cookies would be way too big of a mouthful, so I’m sticking with caramel because that’s the overriding flavor coming through. 

I will go ahead and say that these cookies are not beautiful by any means, but please do not let that dissuade you from making these bad boys.  These cookies are beyond rich with the delicious texture of the oats and the caramel and toffee flavors hitting you square in the face.  The chocolate chips are a bit lost, but I know that the chocolate chips add just that right amount of smoothness to it.  Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful day and thank you so much for stopping by!     

First, place your sugar, butter and evaporated milk into your saucepan…

After bringing it to a rolling boil, add your pudding mix, oats & the dash of salt…

Mix it all together, then let it cool a bit…

Then add in the caramel chips, bits of brickle & chocolate chips…

Slowly mix all of the ingredients together, drop spoonfuls on wax paper, let set, then enjoy!!!

No Bake Caramel Cookies
Deliciously decadent and easy to make cookies filled with toffee, caramel and oats.
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Ingredients
  1. 2 Cups of Granulated Sugar.
  2. 3/4 Cup of Unsalted Butter.
  3. 2/3 Cup of Evaporated Milk.
  4. 1-3.4 Ounce Package of Instant Butterscotch Pudding Mix.
  5. Dash of Sea Salt (I used Pink Himalayan)
  6. 3 1/2 Cups of Quick Cooking Oats.
  7. 1/2 Cup of Milk Chocolate Chips.
  8. 1/4 Cup of Caramel Chips.
  9. 1/4 Cup of Toffee Bits O' Brickle.
Instructions
  1. Place wax paper onto a large cookie sheet and set aside, (or on a large area of your counter top).
  2. In a large saucepan, on medium heat, bring your sugar, butter and evaporated milk to a rolling boil making sure to continuously stir.
  3. Remove from the stove top and add the oats, pudding mix, and the dash of sea salt, mix all together and then let it cool for a few minutes.
  4. Now add your chocolate chips, brits of brickle and caramel chips, gently stirring in so as not to completely melt the chocolate chips.
  5. Then drop spoonfuls of the cookie batter onto your wax paper and let sit for at least 20 minutes to set up then enjoy!
Notes
  1. Feel free to substitute any of the caramel chips, chocolate chips or bits of brickle for flavors that you prefer, but I do have to say that these flavors were all fantastic in the cookies.
HOLLY'S CHEAT DAY https://www.hollyscheatday.com/

Holly’s Junk Food Review Series: Lindt Lindor Truffles

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Happy Happy Thursday y’all!!! Several weeks ago, I had been on a huuuge chocolate kick, that’s literally all that I wanted, which is definitely different for me because it’s usually donuts haha.  I’ve always been a really big fan of Lindt Lindor Truffles, and there were a few flavors I had yet to try, so I actually went to their website and waaaay over ordered.  You know how they say you shouldn’t go to the grocery store hungry, well I would definitely say the same thing for online food shopping as well.  Anyways, so my enormous bag of truffles arrived and I couldn’t wait for my cheat day to taste test them for my junk food review…

First, we have the caramel and milk chocolate truffle…

the inside…

So, I will say that I was expecting to have caramel spill out once I bit into it, like every other caramel and chocolate item ever, but this more solid caramel filling was pretty good.  Of course, the milk chocolate was deliciously smooth and rich and the caramel was equally as smooth and rich, but honestly not enough of a caramel flavor.  This one gets a 6.5 out of 10.

Next we have the coconut and milk chocolate truffle…

the inside…

I know that coconut and chocolate is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, but it is definitely one of my personal favorite combinations.  Whoa buddy does this truffle pack a huge coconut punch to it too.  That smooth rich milk chocolate exterior with that almost buttery coconut filling knocked me right in the face.  This truffle is insanely good-especially if you love coconut-and so, so, rich…so rich in fact I could only eat 1, if that tells you anything haha.  This coconut truffle gets a solid 9 out of 10.

Last, we have the blueberries and cream truffle…

the inside…

First off, I loooved the fact that they used a white chocolate exterior for this wonderful blueberries and cream truffle, I think if they had attempted using a milk chocolate exterior it absolutely would not have worked.  The blueberry flavor doesn’t hit you in the face, but it’s such a wonderfully smooth and subtle flavor, and throw in the white chocolate exterior, this is seriously yum y’all.  I believe this is a limited edition flavor for Spring so I recommend giving this one a try.  This flavor gets a 9 out of 10.   

Thank y’all so much for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful day & weekend!!!

REPOST-Bailey’s Irish Fudge

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Happy Happy Tuesday y’all!!! this particular recipe is so darn good, I thought it was definitely worthy of a repost.  This Irish Fudge would be perfect for anytime but St. Patrick’s Day is this weekend, so even better!  Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

Happy Friday everybody! I hope no one is disappointed that it is neither a cocktail Friday nor is it a how to Friday, it’s just a regular ole recipe Friday…except it’s not, because this fudge is phenomenal y’all. 

baileys-irish-fudge| HollysCheatDay.comAlso, I would just like to point out that this fudge has delicious Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur in it so this is on the verge of making this a cocktail Friday anyway.  Also, with the added green sprinkles I’m getting a jump start on St. Patrick’s Day because ding dang it’s less than a month away and all desserts with a St. Patrick’s Day spin are always fun. 

baileys-irish-fudge| HollysCheatDay.comPlease don’t let the whole fudge thing scare you off from making this because there is no candy thermometer or boiling involved, just throw all the stuff in a saucepan cook it a little and dunzo.  This fudge is teeming with the flavor of Bailey’s and because I used cheesecake flavored instant pudding with it, I feel like it adds this extra creaminess that’s just wonderful. 

baileys-irish-fudge| HollysCheatDay.comThis stuff is too good & too easy not to make y’all, and if you don’t want to use alcohol in this, just substitute the liqueur with heavy whipping cream or half & half.  Have a wonderful weekend!! 

First, melt your butter…

Baileys-Irish-Fudge| HollysCheatDay.comnow add your powdered sugar & dry pudding mixes…

Baileys-irish-fudge| HollysCheatDay.com

once it’s mixed in a bit, add your Bailey’s…

baileys-irish-fudge| HollysCheatDay.commix, mix, mix, looks ready to go in your pan…

baileys-irish-fudge| HollysCheatDay.compress into your pan…

baileys-irish-fudge| HollysCheatDay.comand if you’re feeling fancy, while it’s still warm add some sprinkles…

baileys-irish-fudge| HollysCheatDay.comthen enjoy!!!

 baileys-irish-fudge| HollysCheatDay.com

Baileys Irish Fudge
Delicious and easy fudge filled with all the flavor of Bailey's Irish Cream.
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Ingredients
  1. 2 (4 Ounce) Packages of Instant Cheesecake Pudding Mix.
  2. 1 1/2 Sticks (3/4 Cup or 12 Tablespoons) of Unsalted Butter.
  3. 4 Cups of Powdered Sugar.
  4. 1/3 Cup of Bailey's Irish Cream.
  5. Green & Yellow Decorative Sugar (Optional).
  6. 9x13 Pan.
  7. Parchment or Wax Paper.
Instructions
  1. Spray your 9x13 pan with bakers spray, then place your parchment paper into your pan and up the sides, then spray your parchment paper too (you really don't want this stuff to stick).
  2. In a medium to large saucepan on low heat place the butter in your pan and melt, then add your pudding mixes & powdered sugar.
  3. Stir and cook for a bit, then add your Bailey's.
  4. Stir all together while cooking, and when the powdered sugar has melted & the mixture is kind of like dough remove from the heat (please note if it seems like it will be difficult to spread into your pan add Baileys a little at a time).
  5. Spread mixture into your pan either with a spatula or your hands (which I did & yes it was hot haha) until evenly distributed in your pan.
  6. If adding sprinkles to your fudge, do so now while it's still warm.
  7. Place your dish in the fridge to chill for at least an hour to set.
  8. Carefully remove your fudge in one giant piece from pan picking up by the paper, then cut into pieces and serve!
Notes
  1. If you do not like the taste of Bailey's or wish not to put alcohol in it, you can totally substitute the Bailey's with equal amounts of milk or heavy cream.
HOLLY'S CHEAT DAY https://www.hollyscheatday.com/

Holly’s Junk Food Review Series : Hershey’s Gold

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Happy Happy Thursday y’all!  Wow, we’re this close to the weekend and I’m so thrilled.  We have planned an impromptu trip to Walt Disney World this weekend and I’m just plain giddy haha.  I’m also excited to share today’s junk food review, so let’s get to it!

I believe that this is the first brand new bar that Hershey’s has come out with in a while, and if that’s true then it was sooo worth the wait…

Look at all the peanuts & pretzels…

so yummy looking…

Alrighty, y’all, so as soon as I heard about this new bar coming out I positively knew that I had to have it.  As some of y’all might know, I’m sooo team sweet & salty and to hear that a caramelized creme bar with peanuts and pretzels in it was coming out?…omg forget it.  Fortunately, this bar lived up to every hope I had for it.  To me, this is eye rollingly, holy crud, wowza, get in my belly amazing.  The caramel base of this bar would be delicious on it’s own, but throw in finely chopped peanuts and pretzels to really balance out all of that sweet goodness, yes ma’am, this is the bee’s knees for sure.  This new Hershey’s Gold Bar gets a for sure 10 out of 10 from me, seriously go get one of these today, especially if you’re team sweet and salty like am.