Vanilla Cherry Lemonade Cupcakes

I was planning to make some orange cram pop cupcakes today from a recipe someone had given me at work but found I was out of the necessary orange gelatin and cheesecake pudding mix and so decided to improvise and came up with these yummy treats instead.

Vanilla Cherry Lemonade Cupcakes

1 pkg French vanilla cake mix

1 small pkg cherry lemonade Jello mix

1 small box French vanilla pudding mix

1 1/4 cups lemonade

4 eggs

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all ingredients together well and spoon into 24 greased or lined muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centers of the cupcakes comes out clean. Cool slightly in the pans then remove to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

These are delicious as is or topped with a swirl of whipped cream. (If you top them with whipped cream ahead of serving time, you will need to store them in the refrigerator).

My Super Easy Peanut Butter Pie Recipe

I don’t remember the original source for this recipe. I think it was one of those community fundraiser type cookbooks. I do remember my mom helping me to find an easy peanut butter pie recipe that required few ingredients and could be made in a college dorm kitchen. I was dating the man I am now married to and had found that peanut butter pie was one of his favorite things and so I naturally wanted to make one for him. I still make peanut butter pie for him and for our two sons, but I’ve changed the recipe a lot over the years.

Here is my version of my guys’ favorite dessert.

Peanut Butter Pie

1 graham cracker or chocolate cookie crust

1/2 cup peanut butter

3/4 cup powdered sugar

3 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 small container whipped topping

Mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and whipped topping well and spread into the crust. I sometimes top this with a few chocolate chips or a swirl of chocolate syrup. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Yields about 8 pieces.