Smore Bars

I have been dying for a roasted marshmallow, but that's pretty impossible saying that I live in MN, it's actually snowing/sleeting/raining out my window right now. And we have an electric stove, so no luck... I almost thought about using a candle, but bakingblonde to the rescue with this awesome recipe.

I made these for my work lunch on Friday. I think I added the mixture when it was a little too hot still as most of the chocolate melted. But they still taste like smores :) They were a hit at lunch!

S'mores Bars (From: Bakingblonde)

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/3 cup butter (no substitutions)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 15 crushed graham crackers (I used 9 rectangular crackers)
• 1 1/2 cups small marshmallows
• 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

Line an 8x8 pan with foil and spray with PAM.

In a medium mixing bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, 3/4 cup marshmallows and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Set aside.

In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, combine the egg, butter, sugar and vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly until it comes to a full boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Pour mixture in bowl with the graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate chips. Stir to combine. (Marshmallows and chips will melt a bit).

Fold in remaining marshmallows and chips.

Press mixture into prepared pan.Cool until set. Remove foil and bars from pan, cut and serve.

Store in airtight container either room temp or in fridge (if during warm months).

Little Cookie Candies

When I saw this blog post I instantly saved it and plotted the perfect time to make them. Finally this past weekend I decided I would make them for the company we had coming over, we ended up going out and I didn't make them. So I made them tonight for a little treat for Adam and I.

These are delicious!!! Little bits of heaven, definitely cut them small as they are very sweet. The other nice thing about the recipe is you can change it how you want. Click the link to bakingblonde's blog for the original, this recipe is how I made them.

I am apologizing now for the pictures I took them three different times and none of them turned out great, they are very good though.

The Ultimate Bar Cookies (From: Blond Ambition in the Kitchen)

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cup crushed/chopped honey roasted peanuts
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup toasted coconut
• 3/4 cup butter (NO substitutions)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350.

Line a 9x13 pan with foil.

Beat flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup butter until fine crumbs form. Pat mixture firmly into bottom of foil lined baking pan. Bake 15 minutes, or until golden. Remove from oven.
Sprinkle nuts and chocolate (or other toppings) over the hot crust.

In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together 3/4 cup butter 1/2 cup brown sugar, stirring constantly until bubbly. Once it starts bubbling cook and stir for 1 minute.

Pour mixture evenly over nuts and chocolate in pan. Make sure not to get too close to the edges of the pan or it will burn to the sides.

Bake 15 minutes more or until just bubbly around edges.

Cool in pan on rack. Cut into bars.

Chocolate Mint Brownies

I planned our own little super bowl party today, and asked Adam what he wanted. He said some kind of brownie, after having coconut cream pie which he doesn't like, and making haystacks which he also doesn't like. I decided to make him some brownies I don't like.


Chocolate Mint Brownies (From: Family Fun)

Brownies

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mint Frosting

• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 1/2 to 3 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Green food coloring

Chocolate Topping

• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 3 tablespoons butter

Heat the oven to 350° and grease a 9-inch square baking pan. For the brownies, place the butter and chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, and microwave for 1 minute more. Stir until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs. Stir in the chocolate and the vanilla extract. Finally, stir in the flour and salt until thoroughly combined. Pour into the prepared pan, then bake for 25 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool for at least 1 hour.

To make the mint frosting, cream the butter and confectioners' sugar. Add the milk 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until it is smooth and spreadable. Beat in the peppermint extract and tint to the desired shade with green food coloring. Frost the cooled brownies, cover, and chill for 1 hour.

To make the chocolate topping, pour the chips into a microwave-safe bowl, add the butter, and microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes or until the chocolate melts. Stir until smooth. Pour the chocolate over the brownies and smooth it with a knife. Refrigerate for 45 minutes or until the coating hardens.

Bring the brownies to room temperature, then cut into 16 to 32 pieces. Layer them on a piece of cellophane (place waxed paper between the layers to prevent sticking), wrap up the brownie package, and tie with a red ribbon. Makes 16 to 32 brownies.

Hay Stacks

I have had some butterscotch chips sitting in the closet since our Christmas baking, I was unsure of what to make with them. Then I saw we had some peanuts that weren't being eaten. So I made some haystacks, my grandma always made these, they are sweet but SO good.

I forgot to take a picture... BAD ME. opps, here is the recipe though...


Haystacks (From: My Grandma)

• 2 cup butterscotch chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup peanuts
• 2 cups chow mein noodles

Microwave the butterscotch chips and peanut butter on 50 percent power for 3 to 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and blend to coat noodles thoroughly. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

Pumpkin + Cheescake + Brownie = Heaven!

I saw this recipe on the nest, although I don't like pumpkin I love me some cheesecake, and you get cheesecake and brownie and you have me. I decided to try these, because I know Adam loves pumpkin and my Mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and niece were coming over for dinner. I knew it would be a great dessert. This recipe is originally from Cara, but I found it on Tara's Blog.

And yes, even I who HATES pumpkin enjoyed these, they are SUPER rich but aren't strong on the pumpkin flavor.

Pumpkin-Spice Cheesecake Brownies (From: Cara)

Brownie Batter

• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon

Cheesecake Batter

• 6 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp each ground ginger and ground cloves

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 8x8" square metal baking pan.

Beat together melted butter, sugar, and vanilla, then beat in eggs one at a time. Combine dry ingredients and then gradually stir into butter mixture with a wooden spoon. In separate bowl, beat together cheesecake batter ingredients.

Spread about 2/3 of chocolate batter into prepared pan, and spoon cheesecake batter over. Dollop remaining brownie batter over cheesecake batter. Swirl the batters together by running a butter knife (or toothpick) back and forth through the pan.

Bake for 40 minutes, or until center is set. Cool completely on wire rack and chill before cutting and serving.

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 35 - 40 minutes
Yields: 12 - 16 brownies

Cream Cheese Squares

Tonight my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and niece came for dinner. I knew we were going to have a Mexican dinner but was at a loss for what to make for dessert. I looked to my nest girls, again they didn't let me down. They pointed me at this recipe... These were VERY sweet, and reminded me of a danish, would be good for a brunch. It was definitely a fun different recipe.

Cream Cheese Squares (From: Allrecipes)

• 2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup margarine, melted
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan.

Press one can of the crescent rolls into the bottom of the prepared pan. In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Spread over the crescent layer. Unroll the second can of crescent rolls and lay them on top of the cream cheese layer. Do not press down. Pour the melted margarine over the entire pan. Combine the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the top.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the top is crisp and golden.

Black and White Carmel Brownies

I found out about the browniebabe of the month from Chelleys blog, after finish drooling over her delicious brownies I knew I wanted to participate. I am not very good at creating recipes, so I thought this was a GREAT improvement for me. I have also never made from scratch brownies, so I was really proud of myself.

Black and White Carmel Brownies (From: Myself)

Brownie (From: Allrecipes)

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine the cocoa, melted butter, sugar, eggs, salt , flour and vanilla. Mix until well combined. It should be very thick and sticky.

Blondies (From: Bakingblonde)

• 8 T. butter, melted
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla or 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• pinch salt
• 1 c. flour

Mix melted butter with brown sugar-beat until smooth. Beat in egg and then vanilla. Add salt, stir in flour.

Carmel filling (From: Myself)

• 1 pkg. (10 oz) carmels unwrapped
• 1/3 c. evaporated milk

Heat caramels and remaining evaporated milk in small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted.

Preheat oven to 350, spray 9x13 inch pan with Pam or butter.

Layer 1/2 of brownie and half of blondie mixture in pan, then place carmel mixture on top. Top with remaining brownie, and then blondie mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown around the top.

Sloppy Joes, Cucumbers and Lemon Bars

Last night we had both of our mothers and siblings over, we want to do something simple that didn't take a lot of time to prepare. This was definitely an easy meal. We made sloppy joe's, chips and dip, watermelon, and cucumbers.

While walking through the grocery store on Friday I remember I hadn't planned anything for dessert for our company. We happened to be in the baking aisle. I asked Adam what he wanted, he looked up and saw a box for Lemon Bars and pointed. I was about to make a box mix when I have time, so I came home and found a recipe. These turned out really good! I will admit, my pictures looked horrible, so I took the lemon bar picture from the website.

Ozzies Sloppy Joes (From: My Dad's Recipe )

• 2 lbs mid grade hamburger (you want some fat to hold in the flavor)
• 1 small yellow onion diced
• 1 1/2 c. ketchup
• 1 T. yellow mustard
• 1 t. french brown mustard
• 1/4 tsp. Dill
• 1/4 t. Tarragon
• 1/4 t. Basil
• 1/4 McCormick Cajun seasoning
• 2 T. Parsley

Fry hamburger and onion together. Place in slow cooker with seasoning, cook for 3-4 hrs at least, but for best taste cook for 6-8.

***Tips: I didn't have an cajun seasoning so used steak seasoning, I also added about a tablespoon more of the brown mustard. I mixed it up let it cook for 2 or so hours and tasted and adjusted. This is also not a really BBQ sauce recipe, more of a spice flavored one. My dad adds different seasonings, sometimes Worshershire sauce, etc.

Cucumbers and Onions (From: My Mom)

• 1 cucumber
• 1/4 large onion
• 1 c. mayo
• 1/4-1/2 c. milk
• pepper to taste
• fresh dill

Cut cucumbers and onions in thin pieces, but not paper thin.

Mix mayo, milk, pepper, and dill. You want a heavy cream like texture not a milky like texture, add dill to flavor as you want.

Mix in cucumbers and onions. Let sit for as long as possible so that the flavors will all mix.

***Dips: I mixed this and let it sit for about 8 hours, it is best to do it as long as possible.

Lemon Bars (From: Cooking Light)

Crust:

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mace or nutmeg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Cooking spray

Filling:

• 1 cup 1% low-fat cottage cheese
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
• 3 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg white

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare crust, place first 4 ingredients in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Lightly spoon 1 cup flour into a dry measuring cup, and level with a knife. Add 1 cup flour to butter mixture, and beat at low speed until well-blended. Press crust into an 8-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes.

To prepare filling, place cottage cheese in a food processor; process 2 minutes or until smooth, scraping sides of bowl once. Add 1 cup granulated sugar and remaining ingredients, and process until well-blended.

Pour filling over crust. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until set (the edges will get lightly browned), and cool. Cover and chill for 8 hours.

***I used a blender instead of a food processor. The crust was a little hard, I think next time I would cook them a little less. Also, we omitted the lemon rind, and added 1/2 T. of lemon juice.

Baking for Church

Early last week my mom had mentioned she had to bring 6 dozen baked goods to church on Sunday. She asked me to help. I LOVE to bake but hate to have it all sitting around our house. So I was glad to help. We made sugar cookies, walnut bars, chocolate cookies, and some boxed Streusel Bread.

Super Sugar Cookies (Nestie: Joelen&Louis)

COOKIES:

• 3/4 cup margarine
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder

1. Cream margarine and sugar well.

2. Add vanilla and eggs; combine well.

3. In separate bowl, sift the baking powder, salt and flour. Add to wet ingredients slowly until thoroughly combined.

4. Cookie dough must be chilled until firm, or overnight.

5. Remove dough from fridge and roll out to a 1/4-inch thickness.

6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

7. With cookie cutters or rim of drinking glass, cut out cookies.

8. Place cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, depending on oven. Check often to prevent over cooking or burning. Cool on baking rack when done.

9. Meanwhile, prepare frosting

FROSTING

• 1 teaspoon real vanilla
• 1 stick real butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cream or whole milk

10. Cream butter, milk and vanilla together.

11. Slowly add powdered sugar to butter until desired consistency. If you'd like, add liquid food coloring for festive cookies.

12. When cookies are cooled, slather this heavenly frosting. For more texture and color, press the top of the cookie in sprinkles, colored sugar or just eat plain!

***Tips: We chilled for about 4 hours, we made all cross cookies, and I would say we got about 60 cookies.

This is what happened after making frosting and writing on 60 + cookies !!!

Walnut Bars (My Great Grandmothers Recipe)

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 4 tbsp. butter
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 cups nuts

Mix all ingredients together. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 350. Top with frosting.

Coconut Frosting (My great Grandmothers recipe)

• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 egg yolks
• vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups coconut

This burns easily so keep an eye on it. Cook everything but coconut on medium heat for 10-12 minutes. Cool completely. Add coconut and spread over bars.

***Tips: Our frosting didn't get as thick as we were hoping so we ended up adding more coconut to that it would be thick enough. This is WONDERFUL frosting!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies (Church Cookbook)

• 1 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 c cocoa
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup nuts

Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs and vanilla, blend well. Combine everything else drop on cooking sheet. Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes. Cool one minute on cookie sheet then transfer to wax paper.

***Tips: We had to add more flour because our first pan were too thin. We omitted the nuts. And next time would roll the balls in powdered sugar before baking.

Streusel Bread (Betty Crocker)

Normally I don't post baking stuff from a box, but this was an excellent treat and for the $1.50 it was is a steal. All you add is oil, eggs, and water. It was VERY good.

Sloppy Joes and Blondies

Last night I tried my hand at my Dad's sloppy joes. I lived with my mom growing up, and would visit my dad on occasion I always loved when he made his sloppy joes. They were not even comparable to my mom's manwich can! I finally got the secret recipe from my dad, I don't think there was anything secret about it, just something he never really measured. This recipe is great!! I forgot to take a picture, will try to get one of the leftovers.

Dad's Sloppy Joes (My Dad)

• 2 lbs mid grade hamburger (you want some fat to hold in the flavor)
• 1 small yellow onion diced
• 1 1/2 c. ketchup
• 1 T. yellow mustard
• 1 t. french brown mustard
• 1/4 tsp. Dill
• 1/4 t. Tarragon
• 1/4 t. Basil
• 1/4 McCormick Cajun seasoning
• 2 T. Parsley

Fry hamburger and onion together. Place in slow cooker with seasoning, cook for 3-4 hrs at least, but for best taste cook for 6-8.

***Tips: I didn't have an cajun seasoning so used steak seasoning, I also added about a tablespoon more of the brown mustard. I mixed it up let it cook for 2 or so hours and tasted and adjusted. This is also not a really BBQ sauce recipe, more of a spice flavored one. My dad adds different seasonings, sometimes Worshershire sauce, etc.

Basic Blondies (Nestie: Bakingblonde)

• 8 T. butter, melted
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla or 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• pinch salt
• 1 c. flour

Butter an 8x8" pan. Mix melted butter with brown sugar-beat until smooth. Beat in egg and then vanilla. Add salt, stir in flour. Mix in any additions (some ideas below). Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until set in the middle. Cool on rack before cutting.

Add in ideas:

• 1/2 to 1 c. chocolate chips or butterscotch chips
• 1/2 tsp mint extract in addition to, or in the place of vanilla extract
• 1/2 c. chopped nuts, chopped up candy bars

I also made this sauce for on top...

Maple butter sauce (Copy Cat Recipes)

• 3/8 cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup butter
• 3/8 cup brown sugar
• 1 package cream cheese - (8 oz), softened
• ¼ - ½ tsp maple extract or flavoring

Combine syrup and butter, cook over low heat until butter is melted. Stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Remove from heat and beat in cream cheese and maple extract until smooth. Heat again either over low heat or in the microwave at short intervals to reach desired sauce consistency. Serve over blondies topped with vanilla ice cream. (Should be enough sauce to generously top a 9- by 13-inch pan recipe)

***Tips: I halved this recipe, and didn't have any maple extract so added about a Tablespoon more of maple syrup.

Grill Out Turned Grill In

Tuesday we had our normal Tuesday Date night with friends, we had planned the week before to do a cookout with Burger, Tin-Foil dinner, and then rice krispy bars. Well the weather was 30 and snowing so that couldn't happen. We made it a cook in. It was pretty good, but not the best meal I have prepared. I forgot to take pictures of everything, so you will have to get a mental image.

French Onion Burgers (From: Cooking Light)

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 1 pound ground round (beef)
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper object
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 (1 1/2-ounce) French bread rolls or hamburger buns, split and toasted object
• 4 teaspoons fat-free French or blue cheese salad dressing

Heat oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.

Add onion; saute 10 minutes or until tender. Spoon onion into a bowl; let cool.
Add beef, pepper, and egg white to onion, and stir well.

Divide beef mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping into 3/4-inch-thick patties.
Sprinkle salt evenly over surface of skillet. Heat salt in skillet over high heat 2 minutes.

Add patties; cook 5 minutes on each side or until done.

Place patties on bottom halves of rolls; top each with 1 teaspoon French dressing and top halves of buns.

***Tips: We doubled the recipe and got 4 large hamburgers and 1 smaller one, we didn't use the dressing. They were pretty good, but as described by Rick they were a "Meatloaf Sandwich" and that's kinda how they tasted.

Tin-Foil Dinner (My Recipe)

Posted last week

Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Bars (My Recipe)

• 4 c. Marshmallows
• 1/2 c. butterscotch chips
• 1/2 c. peanut butter
• 4 TB. Butter
• 1/8 ts. salt
• 4c. rice krispies

Melt butter, peanut butter, chips, salt, and marshmallows.

Butter pan, make sure to use lots of butter otherwise they really stick!

Once all combines and melted add rice krispy.

Place in pan and pat down, cool and enjoy.

***Tips, these had wonderful flavor but were a little hard, I like them more moist, next time I will use a cup or two more of marshmallows. I also put chocolate chunks on top of them.

Banana Bars

Tonight we had both of our mothers over, and my Adam's sister and niece and my brother. We did a Calzone night, I rolled out the dough and everyone made their own calzone. It was really fun for everyone, and pretty easy to do as a hostess. I used the same recipe as posted below for the calzones. But for dessert I made Banana Bars, this was a recipe I got off the nest a week or so ago. We made them last night and the batter was SO good, it tasted like Banana Pudding, the bars were just as good, and would be good without frosting too.

Banana Bars (Nestie: Ashleighl)

• 1/2c. Butter, softened
• 1 1/2 c. white sugar 2 eggs
• 1 c. sour cream
• 1 t. vanilla extract
• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1 c. ripe mashed bananas
• 1 container cream cheese frosting
  

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 10x15 jelly roll pan. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the batter. Finally, mix in mashed bananas. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely before frosting with the cream cheese frosting.

***Tips: It took around 45-an hour to be done, and also next time I do without the frosting, the bars themselves were wonderful and the frosting made them good, but I enjoyed the bars without the frosting.