PBJ Smoothie

Who doesn't love a good ol' PBJ?

Ingredients

1 c unsweetened almond milk

1/4 c oats

1 T ground flaxseed

1 T creamy peanut butter

1 frozen banana, cut into pieces

1/2 c frozen strawberries

1-2 T water as needed

In blender, combine first 4 ingredients and mix on low for 30 seconds. Add banana and berries and blend to desired consistency, adding 1 T water as needed. 

Strawberry Cupcakes [w/ the Best Frosting Ever]

My little sister just turned 15 and entered her first year of high school. This year, she wanted strawberry cupcakes for her birthday. I played around with the decorations. Who can resist a cupcake covered in sprinkles?

Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake
Adapted from Paula Deen.Ingredients:

• 1 (18.25 oz.) box white cake mix
• 1 (3 oz.) box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin
• 1 (15 oz.) bag frozen strawberries, thawed and pureed (I used fresh)
  
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans.

In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix and gelatin. Add the rest of your ingredients and beat at medium speed until smooth. Divide batter between the cake pans, and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.

That's the Best Frosting I've Ever Had

Let me tell you that the title for this recipe is not an exaggeration. I was skeptical, but when I read review after review raving about it, I had to test it for myself. This was the creamiest, fluffiest frosting I've ever dealt with. Definitely a keeper.

Adapted from Pioneer Woman

Ingredients:

• 5 tbsp. flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar

In a small saucepan, whisk together flour and milk and heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. Stir in vanilla.

While the mixture is cooling, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Then add the cooled mixture and beat until it all combines and resembles whipped cream.

Strawberry Jam

This stuff is stupidly easy. Strawberries have loads of natural pectin so this jam requires only 3 ingredients. Inspired by allrecipes.com.

• 1 quart Strawberries
• 1 cup Sugar*
• 2 tbsp Lemon Juice

In a saucepan, mash your berries with a wooden spoon, fork, anything. Add your sugar and lemon juice, then cook over medium high until an instant read thermometer reads 220 degrees, stirring constantly. Freeze for up to 1 month or refrigerate. You need to eat it within a week, but we had no problem doing that!

*You can adjust the amount of sugar depending on how sweet your berries are.