This weekend, you might want to give a some of these ideas a try!

I’m always wowed by Amanda’s creations over at I am Baker! Check out all of her beautiful and yummy baking ideas for Valentine’s Day. (The heart cake above is also by Amanda.)

These simple Valentine cookies by TidyMom are adorable!

You know I LOVE Bakerella. She too has a round-up of her baking ideas.

I love cupcakes! Here is a cupcake round-up I did last year of some cute and easy ideas.

This is the LAST weekend I will be offering my Valentine Printable Pack for FREE! {Value of $15.95}

Get it on my Facebook Page Here

Party Pack Includes:

• 2? Circles (3 designs) – Use for cupcakes, tags, labels and more.
• 4×6 Valentine Card & Mini Tags
• Water Bottle Labels

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

I’m visiting my mom this week and for some reason always like to bake treats while I’m home. I searched around in some old posts for this recipe. It’s one of my favorites and thought I’d share it again in case you missed it!

This are so good and super easy!

I used a cake mix! There are directions on the side of the box, but I adjusted it a bit for my taste.

• 1 package of Dark Chocolate Cake mix
• 1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon cream cheese (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup nuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)

Directions

Download my favorite cookie recipes:

These printables have space for a three ring hole punch so you can keep in a binder. If you can’t tell… I’m a chocoholic!!

Dark Chocolate Cookies

The Softest Chocolate Chip Cookies

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

You are in for a treat!  While I’m at the I Heart Faces Photography Workshop, a few bloggy friends will be guest posting for me. Yay!

Today, I’m happy to introduce you to Cheryl. She’s a mom of two gorgeous daughters and has a love of crafting, photography and baking like me. She’s known as Tidy Mom over at her blog and if you haven’t visited her yet, better head over there after you read this yummy post for some great inspiration!

Take it away Cheryl…

Hi everyone!! —it’s Cheryl aka TidyMom!

Yes, I’m a mom with a slight tidiness obsession, but I have a passion for baking, crafting and photography! I was so excited when Amy asked me to fill in for her while she’s gone! Although, I have to be honest, I wish I could be at the workshop with her and Angie, but guest posting on Living Locurto is the next best thing!!

Amy said to share a recipe or craft, and since I do recipes MUCH better than I craft……..I thought I’d share a fabulous Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe that everyone just LOVES!

With the holidays quickly approaching, what better gift than a fresh loaf of Banana Bread from your own oven! You can use reusable mini-muffin-loaf pans, but I like to bake my banana bread in disposable foil pans for easy gift giving. Just cool, pop on the plastic tops that come with most pans or seal in clear wrap, and tie with ribbon or with a decorative tea towel. It makes a lovely package plus you don’t have to worry about getting the loaves out of the pans.

You can make the mini loaves ahead and freeze them for up to a month.

Now…..on to the ‘best EVER’ treat!

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

(makes 1 large loaf or 4 mini loaves)

1 1/4 cup sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
3-4 mashed bananas
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 – 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
walnuts if desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream together sugar and butter, add eggs one at a time. Mix in milk, bananas and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients.

Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake for about 60 mins for regular loaf pan, or 30 mins for mini loaves.

ENJOY!

*Tip- you can freeze your ripe bananas if you’re not ready to bake when they turn ripe, or if you don’t have enough – I usually have a freezer full of bananas. Just remove the skins, and put the bananas in a zip-lock bag and place in the freezer – thaw when ready to make bread!

Thanks again Amy for inviting me over today!!

~Cheryl
TidyMom
tidymomof2.blogspot.com

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

I finally made the perfect chocolate chip cookie!!!

I have a friend (you know who you are) who makes the fluffiest cookies that my husband goes nuts over. When I try to make them, they come out flat!

Must be my oven, the pan, or the cookie fairy just does not like me? I’m good at making cakes, not cookies! Well no more… You must try this recipe:-)

The Softest Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 2 1/4 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 small pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1/2 pkg chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Directions:

1. Stir baking soda, flour and salt; set aside.
2. Combine butter, sugars and pudding mix, beating until fluffy.
3. Add vanilla and egg; beat until smooth.
4. Add dry ingredients; mix well.
5. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
6. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes.

Download the FREE printable recipe here!

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!