Super Mario Bros. Birthday

 

My big guy turned 4 last week and he is obsessed with Super Mario Bros. right now so here are pictures of the cake I made for him and his decorations. This is the 4th cake I've made for him and the 5th cake I've made overall. Every time I get gradually better and this time I used fondant for the first time! I got the Mario figurines from Wal-Mart.com and used Wilton Sugar sheets for the rest of the decorations. I cut them out with either cookie cutters or an Exacto knife, all purchased from Hobby Lobby. The Mario party items were purchased on eBay as well as the moustache candy molds. Enjoy!



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The party table

 

 

Favor boxes, centerpiece, and milk and dark chocolate moustaches.

I got these adorable candles at Dollar Tree, they went perfect with the cake.



The birthday boy checking out his cake!

 

Cheddar Biscuits

 

These are always a huge hit whenever I make them.  They taste just like Red Lobster's and go great with my Baked Potato Soup recipe.  Enjoy!

4 cups Bisquik

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (just regular shredded, not finely shredded)

1 1/3 cups water

 

Topping:

1/2 cup melted butter

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. dried parsley

 

Combine Bisquik, cheese and water in a bowl and mix until dough is well incorporated and firm.  I used my Kitchenaid for this and it works beautifully!  Using a small cookie dough scoop, scoop dough on to a greased, foil lined or silicone baking sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.  While biscuits are cooking, combine topping ingredients in a small bowl and as soon as biscuits are done take a brush and slather the butter mixture on each biscuits immediately after you remove them from the oven.  I do this while they're still on the pan and let them sit for a couple minutes to let the butter soak in.  Place on a plate and they're ready to eat!

 

**Disclaimer- once again I forgot to take a picture when I made this so I graciously borrowed this picture by searching "cheddar biscuits" on google.  No copyright infringements intended and I do not own this picture!









Baked Potato Soup

This recipe has quickly become one of my favorites and it has been requested quite a few times by people in my family to make when we all get together.  This is thick and hearty and I guarantee there won't be any leftovers!  Enjoy!











1 lb. package bacon
6 cups (3lbs.) Chicken broth
5-6 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 quart half & half
6 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
2 tbsp. minced onion
1 tsp. dried basil
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. hot pepper sauce
1 package cheddar cheese


Cook bacon according to package instruction, (whichever method you prefer, I always cook mine in the oven).  When bacon is done cooking, remove and place on a plate with paper towels to cool and to soak up some of the grease.  Reserve 2 tbsp of the bacon grease.
In a large pot, pour reserved grease into pot and cook on medium low heat while adding onion and garlic to pot.  Simmer for just a minute and then stir in flour, salt, pepper, and basil, mix well.  You want all the grease soaked up by the flour, be careful not to burn to the mixture.  Gradually add chicken broth and bring mixture up to a boil for 2 minutes while constantly stirring (with a whisk) to ensure it does not stick and burn to the bottom of the pot.  Reduce heat to medium and stir in the half & half and hot pepper sauce.  Last add the potatoes and stir.  Leave on medium heat to make sure that you don't boil the soup.  This is going to need to cook for at least 30 minutes to get the potatoes cooked through, maybe more if the potatoes are big.  I take a potato out and check the consistency with a fork after 30 minutes and go from there.  This can also be put on low heat and simmered for several hours.
After bacon is cooled and firm, place on cutting board and chop into pieces for garnish.  When soup is ready, serve in bowls with cheddar cheese and bacon as garnish.

Pair this with my recipe for Cheddar Biscuits and you've got a wonderful meal for a cold night!

**Please excuse the lame picture of potatoes, forgot to take a picture last time I made this!  No copyright infrigements intended, I do not own this picture! :)