{crockpot mexican chicken}

I found this recipe on Becoming Betty and as soon as I saw it I knew I had to try it. It was delicious and so easy!

4-5 chicken breasts
1 jar salsa
1 can black beans
1 can corn, drained
8 oz. cream cheese


*Put first four ingredients in crock pot on low for 4-6 hours and then add cream cheese about an hour before serving. Mix well, shred up chicken and serve over rice.

{colorful cupcakes}

Tonight at church we are having our Relief Society Birthday Dinner.
For dessert they are having a cupcake contest.
I wasn't going to do it with everything going on in our house right now but when I heard there wasn't very many people that signed up I decided to do it.
I have seen these rainbow cupcakes on a few blogs so I thought that this was the perfect opportunity to try to make them myself.




I found this recipe at Tasty Kitchen.

•FOR THE CUPCAKES:
•1 box (18.25 Oz. Box) White Cake Mix
•2 whole Eggs
•1 cup Sour Cream
•½ cups Milk
•⅓ cups Vegetable Oil
•Food Coloring

•FOR THE ICING:
•3 sticks Butter, At Room Temperature
•6 cups Confectioner's Sugar
•1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
•1 pinch Salt
•5 Tablespoons Milk

Combine all cupcake ingredients until incorporated (about 30 seconds). Scrape the sides of the bowl and then beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes.

Divide batter according to how many colors you are using. I used 5 colors and it worked out to a little over 1 cup for each color. I used Wilton brand gel colors; they’re the top of the line.

To get a layered stripe like I used, you’ll want to put a spoonful of each color in the cupcake one at a time. The batter is thick, so it won’t spread on its own. A great tip is to set out a little bowl of water where you’re working. Dip your finger in the water and then gently spread the batter out. The water will make it so the batter doesn’t stick to your fingers.

Bake according to the package directions, until a toothpick comes out dry. Makes around 15 cupcakes.

For the icing:

Add butter and powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and salt. Mix until combined. Gradually add milk (you may not need all of it) and beat for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.

Frost cooled cupcakes.

{Marci's spicy mac n cheese}

2 1/4 cup pepper jack cheese shredded
3/4 box elbow macaroni uncooked
1/2 cup butter
4 oz flour
2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 Anaheim chili's roasted and diced. ( take the seeds out )
2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs
1/4 cup olive oil

1. cook macaroni until al dente and strain off water... don't rinse.
2. In a large pan, melt butter,add flour, whisk until well combined, and cook for 5 mins over low heat stirring occasionally.
3. add milk,cream,and chili, turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. stir occasionally.
4. turn off heat and whisk in 2 cups of each cheese and then macaroni. Pour into a large baking dish.
5. Combine bread crumbs,remaining cheese and olive oil and evenly distribute over macaroni. Bake at 400 until cheese is bubbling and top is golden brown, roughly 40-50 mins. Let stand at least 10 mins before serving.