Conversation Heart Brownies

Looking for a cute, easy (and dare I say, last minute) Valentine's treat idea?

Look no further! These Conversation Heart Brownies from Duncan Hines are super easy to make and will show your sweetheart how much you care.

Conversation Heart Brownies
1 pkg Duncan Hines Chocolate Lover's Double Fudge Brownie Mix
1 large egg
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tub Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Classic Vanilla Frosting
1 tub Duncan Hines Creamy Home-Style Classic Chocolate Frosting

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of 8x8 pan.

2. Prepare and bake brownies according to package directions.
Cool completely.

3. Cut into hearts using heart-shaped cookie cutter,
carefully remove from pan.

4. Frost and decorate.

5. Eat the remaining brownies
(I added this myself...I mean, you wouldn't want
the extra brownies to go to waste!)

Merry Christmas Cupcakes!

Yesterday I posted some last minute holiday treats, but I didn't include any cupcakes. Christmas wouldn't be complete without cupcakes, so here are a few ideas for all of you last-minute bakers like myself. Have a Merry Christmas!

Nutcracker Cupcakes from Duncan Hines

Ornament Cupcakes from Duncan Hines

Gingerbread Boy Cupcakes from Duncan Hines

Gingerbread Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting from Beantown Baker

Pumpkin Something

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One of my favorite desserts growing up was Pumpkin Something. Pumpkin what? Yes, it was called Pumpkin Something. I recently made it for the first time since I've been married. My husband fell even more in love with me!

Duncan Hines has a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Crunch, which is pretty similar to my mom's Pumpkin Something (minus the pecans). If you're looking for something a little sweeter than pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, give this a try. I promise it will be a hit!

Pumpkin Pie Crunch/Pumpkin Something

Ingredients:
1 16oz. can pumpkin puree
1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
3 large eggs
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. salt
1 box Duncan Hines yellow cake mix
1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of 13x9 pan.

2. Combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in large bowl. Stir until well blended. Pour into pan. Sprinkles dry cake mix evenly over pumpkin mixture. Drizzle with melted butter.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes. Cool completely. Top with whipped cream (optional). Refrigerate leftovers, if any.

Duncan Hines Halloween Cupcakes

Duncan Hines' website has some great Halloween-inspired cupcake recipes using Duncan Hines cake mix and frosting.

The cream cheese filling in the middle of these Devil's food "Spooky Surprise Cupcakes" looks delicious!

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You can also check out other Halloween cupcake recipes and decorating ideas from Duncan Hines that come from their partnership with best-selling cookbook "Hello, Cupcake!". See the pictures and recipes here.

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Even though it's not a cupcake, this Pumpkin Spice Cake is too cute! Nice touch of adding the ice cream cone in the middle of the cake for the pumpkin stem.

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