Easy Brownie Cheesecake Two Ways

Be ready for holiday entertaining & unexpected guests quick with this no-fuss, yet impressive Easy Brownie Cheesecake Two Ways...

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Save-A-Lot. The opinions and text are all mine.

The busy holiday season is just around the corner, and I am already gearing up for holiday entertaining and the inevitable unexpected guests. One thing that you can never go wrong with when entertaining guests is dessert. Am I right? ;) That is why I like having a few easy, yet impressive dessert ideas on hand from Thanksgiving straight through to New Year's. Recently I discovered the delicious & affordable America's Choice® Creations line of products at my local Save-A-Lot, and can we just say that I am smitten, folks?

With easy and indulgent favorites like New York Style Cheesecake, Honey Bourbon Salmon, & Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies, you can keep your freezer and pantry stocked up for entertaining with America's Choice® Creations throughout the entire holiday season without breaking the bank. For this Easy Brownie Cheesecake Two Ways recipe I am sharing with you all today, there is no baking or major prep involved. Just set out the cheesecake in the fridge to thaw the night before or a few hours ahead of time and the rest of is a matter of simply crumbling cookies or cutting a brownie and drizzling on a little sauce...

3 Ingredient PB&J Ice Cream Sandwiches

You all are going to love this recipe for 3 Ingredient PB&J Ice Cream Sandwiches- a kid approved & easy to make frozen summer treat! 

This recipe post first appeared on the Kroger Inspired Gathering site.

This content was created in partnership with Kroger Family Stores using free products provided by Kroger.

Summer is in full swing around here (I am not admitting that back to school is getting closer just yet, folks), and I am always trying to come up with fun and often times tasty ways for the kiddos and I to stay cool.  Whether it is running through the sprinkler, heading to the local pool, or making a simple and frosty frozen treat like these 3 Ingredient PB & J Ice Cream Sandwiches. 

Seriously, folks. These ice cream sandwiches are so easy to make and quick that you can even get those "bored" kids of yours in on the ice cream sandwich making fun! :) The method for making these is pretty much assembly line anyways, so you can assign one tasty task to each member of the family (just leave any cutting to the adults). 

Everyone is doing something. Everyone is having fun. And these ice cream sandwiches come together even quicker when everyone is in on the delicious action of making these... 

3-2-1 Microwave Cake {A Guest Recipe from Melissa's Cuisine}

Hi everyone! I’m so excited to be posting here at Frugal Foodie Mama. I’ve been a long time reader, and I love Carrie’s recipes. Plus, she’s just the sweetest and so fun to work with. I’m Melissa and I blog over at Melissa's Cuisine. I’ve been blogging as a hobby for about 5 years now! (Although I didn’t really get serious about it until after I got married.) My husband, Mike, and I live in Western Michigan with our dog, Champ. We are expecting our first child this July! Today I’m sharing one of my favorite snacks with you…

Do you have just one minute?  Good news!  Then you have enough time to make this cake!  When I first saw this recipe, I was a little bit reluctant to try it.  It seemed too simple and too good to be true.  I really doubted that this cake would taste good.

Thankfully, I was wrong!  This cake is incredibly simple, but it's also very good.  Just look at this picture, see how light and fluffy the cake is? 

I love single serving desserts, especially when it comes to cakes because even if my husband doesn't want any, it doesn't stop me from enjoying it!

This cake is perfect for the times when you're craving something sweet, but don't have the time or desire to bake an entire cake.  I created the mix and I have it stored in a container in my pantry.  Then, when the craving strikes, it takes less than two minutes to fulfill my desire.  I found that the cake was not sweet enough on its own for me, so I typically will add some frosting to the top.  If I don't have frosting in the house, I'll make a thin icing with powdered sugar and milk and drizzle that over the cake.  I actually prefer the icing because it seeps into the cake and down the sides, giving every bite the perfect amount of sweetness.

3-2-1 Cake

For the mix:
1 box Angel Food Cake mix
1 box "any flavor" Cake mix (I chose Funfetti)

Mix the two cake mixes together and store in a Ziploc bag or airtight container.

When you're ready to make your cake:

Measure out 3 Tablespoons of the cake mix and place it in a mug.

Add in 2 Tablespoons of water and stir.

Microwave on high for 1 minute.  (Keep in mind that microwaves vary, so you may need more or less time for your cake to cook.)

Top with frosting, if desired, and enjoy your cake right out of the mug!

*Note: The cakes shown above are made as a double recipe, so they fill the whole mug.  I used 6 Tablespoons cake mix and 4 Tablespoons water.  I still microwaved for 1 minute and they were done.

Source: The Better Baker

Thank you so much for sharing this with us all today, Melissa!  I am a HUGE fan of mug cakes, and this one is SO crazy easy to make! :)

Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake

Mug cakes have become our go-to quick fix when there are no sweets in the house.  The obsession started when I discovered Budget Byte's recipe for a "The One" Chocolate Mug Cake.  We experimented with the add-ins for it, starting with just simple chocolate chips, and then a wine jelly, and then a dollop of peanut butter plopped right into the center before "baking".

The gears started churning the other night.  What other flavors of mug cake could I make besides chocolate?  I had made a batch of pumpkin biscotti drizzled with white chocolate for some foodie swap gifts and had leftover pumpkin puree in my fridge.    I thought why not a pumpkin mug cake??  ;)

Mug cakes are easy and quick- a dash of this, a little of that, a splash of this, a spoonful of that, and then a quick minute in the microwave... and voila!  A fresh baked, perfectly portioned, 100% customizable little cake in a coffee mug! :)

What you will need to make one Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake:

2 tbsp of flour

3 1/2 tsp sugar

1/8 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 tbsp of canola oil

1 tbsp of milk

1 1/2 tbsp canned pumpkin

a drop of vanilla extract

a few white chocolate chips (optional)

In a mug, mix together the flour through the baking powder.  Add the oil, milk, pumpkin, and vanilla and mix well.  Drop in a few white chocolate chips, if you feel so inclined. (You could also pop a handful of pecans or walnuts in there. ;) )  Mix to cover the chips or nuts.  Microwave for 1 minute.

And that's it!  Can it get any easier??  This cake was perfectly spiced and moist.  The great thing about mug cakes is that everyone gets there own, and they are crazy easy to customize for each person.  This would also be delicious topped with a dollop of whipped topping.  (Just like pumpkin pie!)

What will you put in your Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake? ;)