Recipe - Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes

Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes (thanks Kraft recipes!)

Ingredients:

1 package (2 layer size) chocolate cake mix (I used Devil's Food)
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
1 egg (*please note that you'll also need further ingredients based on the directions on the cake mix you pick)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 can (20 oz) cherry pie filling
1 tub Cool Whip

Directions:

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Prepare cake mix as directed on box. Set aside.

Mix cream cheese, egg and sugar until well blended.

Remove 3/4 cup of pie filling for garnish.

Spoon 2 tablespoons of cake batter into each of 24 paper lined medium muffin cups. Top each with 1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture. Then spoon a bit of pie filling into each (I did about 2 cherries plus the cherry sauce into each). Cover each evening with remaining cake batter.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely.

Top cupcakes with cool whip & remaining pie filling just before serving.

*Also note that these should be eaten with a fork as they are moist and delicate having filling inside them and can get a little messy.*

Baking, Photographing, You Name It, I've Done It.

Just this month I had my first paying photography gig. I've also got another one booked for next month. The one I just did was my cousin, but the next is just more of an online friend/acquaintance and it's a little nerve-wracking. Having the worry that they won't like the photos. I've got about a month to pysch myself up about it.

I've also been busy trying new recipes, and keeping up with the extreme couponing. The amount of freebies I've snagged is incredible!!! It's a total rush to see the savings at the end of a shopping trip. Truly fab! Perfect time of year to be saving money -- I've got Christmas shopping to start!!!

Couponing

I have become slightly addicted to couponing.

Just in the last couple weeks, I've managed to get several fantastic deals.

First, I got 3 containers of Glade Tough Odor Solutions carpet deodorizer -- regular price $1.99 each at Target, used {$1.00 off 1} and {$2.00 off 2} manufacturer coupons, stacked with 3 - {$1.00 off 1} Target store coupons == FREE!

Then, this weekend, I got 5 Tic Tacs -- currently on sale at my local grocery store (Woodman's) for 79-cents, used 5 - {.75cents off 1} manufacturer coupons == a total of .20cents!

Also, grabbed 6 Mentos Gum containers -- currently on sale at my local grocery store (Woodman's) for 99-cents, used 6 - {$1.00 off 1} manufacturer coupons == FREE!

But the best deal is probably the 15 Nivea lip care items -- on sale at Walgreens for $1.00, used 5 - {$1.00 off 1} and 5 - {$2.00 off 2} manufacturer coupons == FREE! (and these had a retail value of over $50!!!)

Fabulous!!!