Happy Birthday Baker Babe - Some Gifts for You

I can't believe it either, but Baker Babe is turning another year older this week. After the Disaster of 2008's Birthday Baking Blunder I have decided to take this year off and instead focus my energy on eating goodies made by others. I know, it is a difficult job, but someone has to do it. Plus I am still making my way through the Easter Candy from this year, so eating more sugar and sweets will probably just send me over the birthday depression edge. So this year I decided I am giving back, by sharing with you some of my favorite baking sites, products and items of interest all from the baking world. Hope you enjoy!
1. My favorite web sits are Cooking Light and the Food Network. I do like Kraft for quick recipes, but they still hate me so I am boycotting them.
2. Someday I will be on the the Ultimate Recipe Showdown.
3. I like watching Ace of Cakes to see what crazy designs they will come up with. My favorite ones have sound effects or blinking lights.
4. I really like Pampered Chef products, but I am too cheap to buy most stuff.
5. My favorite Birthday cake is Dairy Queen Ice cream cake. Not very Baker Babe-ish of me, but it is an addiction since my teenager years that I just can't break.

Cheesecake Salad - The best of two worlds

Now that the weather is turning to spring, it is time to file away the soup recipes and start to think salads. This old family recipe has salad in the name, but in reality it is a dessert using the ever popular Cool Whip and mini marshmallows. But never fear, it does have fruit in it and you can use fat and sugar free substitute items making it semi-healthy for all those picky people. Enjoy!

1 small pkg lemon jello
2 cups boiling water
1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese
1 pkg miniature marshmallows
1 can crushed pineapple (drained)
1 can mandarin oranges (drained)
1 tub Cool Whip

Heat water to boiling. Dissolve jello in water. On low heat melt cream cheese in jello, then add marshmallows and melt. Cool about 15 minutes. Add pineapple and oranges. Fold in Cool Whip. For serving, place in a glass bowl and decorate on top with 6 oranges formed in a flower shape around a maraschino cherry cut in half.

Sausage, Beans & Broccoli Soup - Soup for the time starved soul

For those that know the Baker Babe well, you know that I am about to begin another adventure in my life as I am taking on a new job. So the past few weeks have been focusing on the transition and sadly that left little time for baking. But never fear, Baker Babe is back! Since I have a little time in between gigs and the chilly part of spring is still lingering I figured now is a perfect time to make up some soup that I can use for future lunches or dinners. My sister shared this Rachel Ray Sausage, Beans & Broccoli Soup Recipe that looked good. Not too hard and a low vegetable count that will even please my son and husband. I am looking forward to making up a batch, so in the weeks to come I can focus less on cooking and more on baking and blogging! Enjoy!