Citrus Coconut Sunshine Cake

This super easy to make and delicious Citrus Coconut Sunshine Cake is bursting with bright lemon, sweet mandarin oranges, and toasted coconut- just like summer on a fork!

So, the last time I posted a new recipe on here it was near the beginning of summer. I do apologize for the almost 3 month long hiatus, but I promise you all that it was for a very good reason. A very good reason that I can't reveal to everyone just yet, but that I should be able to tell you all about within the next two months or so. ;) So, stay tuned- because it is a pretty BIG. 

In the meantime, I am over here soaking up these last little bits of summertime and digging into this easy to make Citrus Coconut Sunshine Cake. Seriously, folks. This citrusy and bright cake is summer on a fork.

And when I say summer, I mean the pre-Covid, all day at the pool, backyard family BBQ's, beach vacation summer. Because let's face it- this has been a super weird summer. Summer 2019 with its outdoor concerts, and the crowded city pool, and packed restaurant patios seems like a lifetime ago at this point- am I right?

Peanut Butter Oreo Cake Mix Cookies

These easy to make peanut butter cookies start with a cake mix and are loaded with chunks of chopped Oreos...

So, we are on like what? Day #1,525,123 of the stay at home/quarantine life now? And yes, like everyone else I am starting to feel a little restless and antsy & long for some of the normalcy from my life pre-virus...

For one, I miss my gym workouts something fierce, you all. Specifically, cardio machines like my beloved elliptical and stair climber. 

Yeah, I know I could go out and run, but A. I kind of hate running and B. Mother Nature hasn't really been cooperating weather-wise. I mean, one day it is sunny and in the 60's and the very next day it is flipping snow here. Or it is raining. Or just plain cold.

I also miss getting my hair cut. And since I went much shorter with my hair in the fall, I had been stopping in to see my stylist about once every 3 weeks before all of this went down. I made the decision a few weeks ago to just go with it and started growing it out. 

My hair is presently in that super awkward stage of having ducky feathers and sticking out in weird places, so I am super thankful for my stretchy, wide headbands right now. And baseball caps. 

And the fact that I can't go out socially (because no one wants to witness this, lol). But hey- what better time to decide to grow it out than now? 

Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake

With its rich & chocolaty cake layers frosted with a fresh raspberry buttercream, you certainly cannot go wrong with this crowd-pleasing Chocolate Raspberry Layer Cake for your next party or celebration...

Let me start this post off by first offering an apology to any of my Instagram followers who may have seen the teaser photo I posted back in August for this insanely decadent cake. You all have been waiting almost two months for this recipe, and I didn't mean to make you all wait that long for this one. 

But you know, life & work & the kids starting back to school got in the way. But today the wait is finally over, my friends!

I actually whipped up this cake for my son's 20th birthday party in August. And yes, I did say TWENTY. I mean, how does that even happen anyways? 

When they say the years go by fast, they are not exaggerating, you all. One day you are planning a Blue's Clues themed party for their first birthday, and then the next thing you know they have officially left their teen years and are in their twenties. I can't even wrap my head around it sometimes.

Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd Buttercream

Super moist layers of lemony cake are frosted in an amazing homemade buttercream flavored with lemon curd & fresh lemon zest in this Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd Buttercream...

Who else seems to be stuck in spring limbo (aka, what I am deeming as sprinter) where you live?? It is almost mid-April, & we have had snow flurries off & on over the past few days. Tomorrow it will finally feel like spring here in West Virginia with some sunshine and temps in the 60's. 

The weather man is predicting a high of 79 for both Saturday & Sunday (sprummer, anyone?), and then we are headed right back into the 40's with possible snow by the beginning of next week. I really wish Mother Nature would get it together already! 

In the meantime, I am just going to go ahead and create a little sunshine of my own with this luscious and bright Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd Buttercream. ;) I actually made this cake for Easter dessert this year, and it was a huge hit with my family. 

You just can't go wrong with these super moist layers of cake bursting with lemony goodness, all frosted in an amazing buttercream flavored with homemade lemon curd & fresh lemon zest...

Cake Mix Carrot Cake Pancakes

Who says you can't have cake for breakfast? ;) These carrot cake pancakes come together super quick with the help of a boxed mix, leaving you plenty of time to whip up the decadent Biscoff cream cheese glaze to pour over top of these...

Foodie confession time- I do not own a food processor.

Yep, I hear you all gasping at this. ;)

I mean, I have tried to own one... twice now.

The first one I ever had in my kitchen didn't make it past a week before I had boxed it up and returned it to the store.

Food processors & I are just not good company. I always have issues with the lids not locking correctly, or changing out the blades, or snapping in the container the right away. I would literally spend like 15 minutes just trying to get the darn thing lidded & snapped in right just so it would turn on!

I did give it a shot once more.  That food processor ended up in a yard sale a few months later.

Sigh.

Happy Birthday Cake Batter French Toast

Surprise the birthday guy or gal with this fuss-free & festive cake batter flavored baked french toast...

First, I have to start this post by wishing my very lucky husband a very Happy Birthday today! :) I won't tell you all just how old that he is, but I will say that he is now a tad bit closer to 40 than 35.

Just a tad. ;)

I love to give him a hard time because he is older than me.... even if it is by less than 6 months.

But he is still older than me. :P

I originally made this sprinkle-rific breakfast for my own birthday back in September (yep, I have been holding out on you all this long).  And today I am celebrating my husband's birthday on the blog by finally sharing this fun, rainbow sprinkle packed Happy Birthday Cake Batter French Toast with you all!