Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge

This is the easiest recipie I've ever seen for fudge, and it tastes just as good as if you had spend an hour standing at the stove! I've made it twice in the last week, it takes less than 10 minutes to throw everything together, and the confectioner's sugar makes is super creamy!

2 sticks of butter
1 cup of peanut butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 lb. of confectioner's sugar

8x8 baking dish (or a similar size)
waxed paper
butter

Put the butter and peanut butter in a big microwave-safe bowl. Put the bowl in the microwave uncovered on HIGH for 2 minutes. Stir the mixture to distribute everything evenly. Put the bowl back in the microwave uncovered on HIGH for 2 minutes. Stir in vanilla and sugar with a wooden spoon (it works best if you stir in the sugar in two batches... this will take some elbow grease!). Line the 8x8 dish with waxed paper and butter the sides. Pour the fudge in the dish and spread it out evenly using spoon and/or fingers (careful... it's really HOT!). Place another sheet of waxed paper directly onto the fudge to seal it. Place in the refridgerator to cool until hardened.

*Tip - Make sure that you butter your dish before you start or while your bowl is in the microwave. Once everything is mixed together, you want to move pretty quickly to get it in the dish while it's hot.

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes

This is an adaption of this recipe.

Yellow cake mix, prepared to package directions
8 oz. block of cream cheese
2 Tbsp. Sugar
1 egg
Canned strawberry pie filling
Whip cream
Fresh strawberries

Preheat oven to 350° and line a cupcake pan with wrappers.

Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Set aside.

Beat together cream cheese, sugar and egg until fluffy.

Spoon 2 Tbsp. cake batter into each muffin tin, followed by 1 Tbsp. of cream cheese mixture, then 1 Tbsp. of canned strawberry pie filling (usually one strawberry or two small strawberries). Top with an additional 1 Tbsp of cake batter.

Bake for about 17 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clear. Remove from cupcake pan and let cool.

When cool, top with whip cream and sliced, fresh strawberries.