Red Velvet Cupcakes

            I have  GET to make cupcakes for Maddison's class on Monday. This should be perfect!

And, this is also what we will be enjoying on Valentines Day!
What you will need...
1 pkg. (2-layer size) red velvet cake mix
1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1 pkg. (16 oz.) powdered sugar (about 4 cups)
1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
1 square BAKER'S White Chocolate, shaved into curls


PREPARE cake batter and bake as directed on package for 24 cupcakes, blending dry pudding mix into batter before spooning into prepared muffin cups. Let cool.


MEANWHILE, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Gradually beat in sugar. Whisk in COOL WHIP. Spoon 1-1/2 cups into small freezer-weight resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Cut small corner off bottom of bag. Insert tip of bag into top of each cupcake to pipe about 1 Tbsp. frosting into center of cupcake.
FROST cupcakes with remaining frosting. Top with chocolate curls. Keep refrigerated.

Ham and Cheese Sliders

This is a recipe I came across a few years ago. And, at first glance, I thought I would NEVER make this. It just sounded weird. So, I didn't. And I kept seeing it on blogs, recipe sites, and I kept passing up the chance to make it. Until one day, I was at a party and had the most delicious and tasty little sandwiches. When I asked for the recipe for these amazing things, I found out it was the recipe I have been ignoring all this time. And let me tell you, they are delicious. The recipe makes a lot...perfect for little get-togethers. But, also great to make and keep a stash in the fridge to munch on periodically the next day or two!

24 good white dinner rolls (I use potato rolls. So perfect)

24 pieces good honey ham
24 small slices Swiss cheese
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup miracle whip

Poppy seed sauce (you probably could half this...I had plenty extra)
1 T poppyseeds (Bryan wont eat poppy seeds...he is afraid of being randomly drug tested...even though he works for himself. So I use sesame seeds)
1 1/2 T yellow mustard
1 stick butter, melted
1 T minced onion
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise and miracle whip. Spread onto both sides of the center of each roll. Place a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss inside of each roll. Close rolls and place them into a large baking dish or heavy cookie sheet. Place very close together.

In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the poppy seed sauce ingredients. Pour evenly over all of the sandwiches. Let sit 10 minutes or until butter sets slightly. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Uncover and cook for 2 additional minutes. Serve warm.

** sandwiches can be assembled a day ahead and kept in the fridge ready to bake.