All Birthdays Need A Smash Cake! #BirthdayBundle

You don't need a perfect party to have a good time.  I only learned that a couple weeks ago after my son's 1st Birthday party.  I spent weeks planning and I was so stuck on everything going to plan when all that really mattered was if the kids had fun!  Kids are the best because they have no expectations, make friends easy and no worries --- They could've really cared less if I set up a fun photo booth or the cupcakes melted!  But you know what makes a party?  A smash cake!  This was unheard of with my three oldest kids!  And you surely didn't put your kid's face in it!  The horror!  So in my never ending quest to save a buck, I came across the $5 Birthday Bundle at Vons (also Pavilions and Safeway).  For only $5 you get a Betty Crocker Cake Mix, Betty Crocker Frosting, Betty Crocker Rainbow Candles and a 2-liter 7-Up!   Hello easy and delicious smash cake!  You don't have to spend a small fortune on cake!

You totally don't have to have a special occasion to pick up the Birthday Bundle!

Stir up that frosting real good!

I baked the cake in a 13 x 9 pan and used a bell jar to cut out 2 cute circles of cake!

I'm telling you - super easy!

So it doesn't look perfect but the price, ease and taste was perfecto!  Right on the money!

I overpaid - don't make the same mistake!

Look for the dedicated display in the baking aisle and be sure to use your store's loyalty card to receive the Birthday Bundle for $5!  It is available at all Vons, Pavilions and Safeway stores from now till May 21, 2013!

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and SAFEWAY  but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BirthdayBundle  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

Cake Mix Cookies!

Another edition of my semi-homemade life!  These cookies are super easy to make and a hit at potlucks!  I love giving them as gifts during the Holidays.  Be the cool coworker for once and make these.    

Cake Mix Cookies Ingredients

1 Box Cake Mix (I use Betty Crocker yellow or chocolate)

1 Cup Chocolate Chips (Hershey's Brand is yummy!)

1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil 

2 Large or XL Eggs

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Mix cake mix, chocolate chips, oil and eggs
• Put bowl in fridge for 30 minutes
• Make 1 1/2 - 2 inch balls and put on cookie sheet
• Bake for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown on bottom

I use a spoon to mix ingredients, don't plug in any of your fancy machinery for this recipe.  Don't over mix.  You can add nuts, coconut or whatever you like.  I'm all about test kitchen so if you come up with something amazing, let me know.  This recipe makes about 18 fat cookies!