Chocolate Pomegranate Walnut Tart

This recipe was inspired by a dessert Aaron had at Epic in Wisconsin. They have the ingredients listed, but no recipe instructions. This one was pretty easy to figure out. Of course we scaled it back, and it still made a lot of servings. 

Ingredients
For crust

• 1 lb walnuts, finely ground
• 6 oz sugar
• 4 oz butter, melted

For ganache

• 2 lbs 6 oz chocolate chips
• 1 qt heavy cream
• 1/2 pomegranate
• dash of vanilla

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine walnuts, sugar and butter, mix well. Press into 10x15 pan with a lip. (half sheet)
2. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
3. Pour chocolate chips into microwave safe bowl. Pour cream over top. Microwave at 50% for 30 seconds, then stir. Continue to microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each time, until completely melted. Mix in vanilla and a bit of pomegranate juice if desired. 
4. Pour over cooled crust. Spread evenly tapping the pan if needed to smooth out the surface. Set aside to cool and set up. About 2 hours
5. When set, slice into several pieces. Place a pomegranate seed in the middle of each piece.

A few notes:

• we used the blender to juice about 20 seeds just slightly, and then put it through a fine mesh strainer to strain out the hard part of the seed. We added that to the ganache. 
• You may also use a double boiler to melt the chocolate and heat the cream. 
• We cut ours into about 35 pieces, and tried to give away as many as we could. 
• Oh, and it's gluten free, but certainly not fat free :)

Frozen Chocolate Mint Mousse

David wanted something other than the typical cookies or ice cream for dessert.  So he searched the Mrs. Field's Best Ever Cookie Book and found this amazing recipe.  I tweaked it a little to suit what we had.  It was delicious!  Very rich and creamy!  I ran out of whipped cream, and didn't have any fresh mint, so we didn't have any garnish.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (we didn't have any, so I used some Hershey's mint chocolate chips)
• 2 large egg whites
• 2 pinches cream of tartar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
• 1/2 tsp mint extract
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips coarsely chopped
• Whipped cream and fresh mint for garnish

Directions

1. Melt semisweet chocolate (either in a double boiler or in the microwave - 50% power, stir every 30 seconds) Set aside to cool slightly
2. Meanwhile beat the egg whites with a pinch of cream or tartar, until stiff peaks form.
3. In a small saucepan boil the sugar and water with another pinch of cream of tartar until it reaches 234 F to 240 F (soft-ball stage).
4. With the mixer going, carefully pour the hot sugar syrup into the egg white to make a stiff glossy meringue.  Fold the melted chocolate into the meringue to make chewy lumps. 
5. In a medium bowl, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form.  Add the mint extract and keep beating until stiff peaks form.  Fold the chopped dark chocolate chips into the whipped cream.  Spoon the mousse into individual dessert bowls or glasses, cover with plastic wrap and freeze until form, about 2 hours.
6. Serve with whipped cream and fresh mint.

Snickers Pie

I first made this 8 years ago.  I don't make it very often, which I suppose is why I haven't posted the recipe. It is really delicious.  A bit time consuming, but worth it.  This is my contribution to Pi day 3-14 !!!  I changed a few things from the original recipe just to make it a little easier.

Snickers Pie

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 (1 ounce) square unsweetened
• chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup butter, diced
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 (2.16 ounce) Snickers bars, chopped
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.  To Make Crust: In a medium mixing bowl combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Mix all together and press mixture firmly into a 9 inch pie pan. 
3. To Make Fudge Layer: In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. In a double boiler melt semisweet chocolate and unsweetened chocolate together with 1/2 cup butter or margarine, stirring until smooth. Cool slightly.
4. Meanwhile beat sugar, whole egg, and egg white in a medium bowl until slightly thickened. To this mixture add vanilla and cooled chocolate. Mix until well blended. Stir in dry ingredient mixture and mix until just combined. Pour mixture into crust and bake in preheated oven for about 17 minutes, or until just set. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Place candy bar slices on this layer.
5. To Make Cream Cheese Layer: In a medium mixing bowl beat cream cheese and sugar until blended. Add egg and vanilla extract and beat until smooth. Spread mixture over candy bars and bake for 15 minutes, or until set. Cool on rack.
6. To Make Garnish: In a small saucepan stir milk chocolate and whipping cream over low heat until smooth. Drizzle over pie. Refrigerate and serve chilled. 

Chocolate Cherry Stack Cake

 I made this for Valentine's Day.  I don't have 6 inch cake pans, so I doubled it and used 10 inch cake pans.  I cooked them a little longer, and it worked great.  For some reason my frosting didn't make stiff peaks, but it still tasted great! 

 

 Chocolate Cherry Stack Cake

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup sour cream

 Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 6x2-inch round cake pans or springform pans. Mix 1 teaspoon each flour and cocoa powder; dust pans. Set pans aside.
2. In bowl combine 3/4 cup flour, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; set aside.
3. In large bowl with electric mixer beat butter on medium to high for 30 seconds. Add sugar; beat until smooth and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth. Beat in sour cream and flour mixture. Pour batter in pans; spread evenly.
4. Bake 22 to 26 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched and edges begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on rack.
5. Use serrated knife to horizontally cut cakes in half to make 4 layers total. Place bottom layer on plate; spread with 2/3 cup frosting. Repeat with layers. Place top layer on cake. Heap remaining frosting, swirling in peaks. Refrigerate. To serve, top with Chocolate-Dipped Cherries. Serves 8.

Cherry frosting
Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 8 ounce carton sour cream
• 1 cup whipping cream (do not use ultra-pasteurized whipping cream)
• 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice

 Directions

1. In a chilled large mixing bowl combine powdered sugar, sour cream, whipping cream, and cherry juice. Beat with the chilled beaters of an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 3 to 5 minutes or until fluffy.

Chocolate Dipped Cherries

Ingredients

• 16 maraschino cherries with stems
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
• 1 teaspoon shortening

Directions

1. Drain cherries; pat dry with paper towels. In small microwave-safe bowl combine semisweet chocolate pieces and shortening. Cook on 50 percent power (medium) 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until melted, stirring once. Dip cherries in chocolate; place on waxed paper until set. Store, covered, up to 24 hours.

Mounds Brownies

Aaron found this awesome recipe and made these for dessert on Sunday. It's a good thing he took half of them to work on Monday, or I may have eaten the whole pan myself.

Mounds Brownies

Ingredients:

• 1 Family Size (9x13) pan of brownies, prepared
• 5 1/3 Cups shredded coconut (1 pkg)
• 14oz Can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 ½ Cups powdered sugar
• 1 Can of chocolate frosting

Directions:

1. Prepare brownies and let cool completely.
2. In the bowl of your mixer combine coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and powdered sugar until all ingredients are incorporated.
3. Spread coconut mixture over brownies.
4. Place can of frosting in the microwave for 10 seconds (please be sure to remove foil liner and lid) until pourable.
5. Pour frosting over the coconut mixture. Let cool and set up.

Double Decker Pumpkin Caramel Pie

I made this pie for a ward activity.  If you don't like pumpkin pie you just might like this one.  I mean it has an Oreo crust and caramel whipped cream - wow!!!!  It was rich and delicious.  The Recipe Girl has some great tips on her post.

Ingredients:

25 Oreos (creme included), crushed into crumbs (about 2 cups)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 large eggs
2 3/4 cups heavy cream, divided
One 15-ounce can unsweetened pumpkin puree
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
28 caramels, unwrapped
1 ounce semisweet chocolate, for grating

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, stir the Oreo crumbs and butter until combined. Press the mixture onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan; freeze until set (15 minutes). Bake for 10 minutes; let cool.
2. Meanwhile in a large bowl, whisk together the 3 eggs, 1 cup cream, pumpkin, brown sugar, spice and salt until just combined. Pour into the cooled pie shell and bake until set, 40 to 45 minutes. When you shake the pan, the filling should no longer be jiggly. Let the pie cool at room temperature slightly, then refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
3. In a bowl, microwave the caramels with 1/2 cup cream until melted, 2 to 3 minutes- adding 1 minute increments, if needed, if they are still not completely melted. Stir until smooth, then let cool to room temperature - very important!!!
4. Using an electric mixer, whip the remaining 1 1/4 cups cream until soft peaks form. Drizzle in the cooled caramel and beat until well blended. Spoon the caramel whipped cream on top of the pumpkin filling and refrigerate until completely chilled. Before serving, coarsely grate the chocolate on top of the pie.

*I melted about 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips and put it in a shallow tupperware and cooled it in the fridge.  Then I popped it out and used a vegetable peeler to get the chocolate curls. I didn't need all the chocolate for the curls, but it made it wide (or deep) enough to make good curls and still have something to hold onto.  If you have a block of chocolate that would work well.

Chocolate Caramel Brownies

I made this for FHE tonight - so delicious and gooey, and wow!!!  I didn't use the pecans because Amy wouldn't like them.

 Chocolate Caramel Brownies  

from Six Sisters

INGREDIENTS:
For the brownies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter
• 12 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used dark chocolate)
• 1½ cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups pecans, coarsely chopped (optional, I didn't use any)
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

For the caramel filling:

• 14 ounces caramel candies, unwrapped
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.  Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan well with butter or cooking spray. In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine the chopped chocolate and butter. Microwave in intervals of 1 minute at 50% power until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth, stirring in between intervals. Whisk in the sugar, eggs and vanilla until incorporated. Stir in the flour and salt just until combined. Spread about half of the brownie batter in the bottom of the prepared pan in an even layer. Bake for 18 minutes. Remove from the oven (keep the oven on!) and let the brownies cool for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, add the chopped pecans (if using) to a medium skillet over medium heat. Toast, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and light golden brown. Remove from the heat and set aside. To make the caramel filling, combine the caramels and cream in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds at 50% power. Stir. Repeat the process, keeping a close eye on the mixture as it can burn very easily (make sure you use low heat in the microwave). Continue the microwave process until the caramels and cream are melted and combined. Stir in half of the pecans to the caramel mixture. Immediately spread the caramel mixture over the bottom brownie layer. Scoop the remaining brownie batter in spoonfuls over the caramel layer and spread it evenly across the caramel layer (spooning the batter in piles over the caramel will help to get an even layer of batter over the caramel). Sprinkle the chocolate chips and the remaining pecans on top of the final brownie layer. Bake for 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing and serving. I found the brownies sliced easier once they had been cooled and refrigerated for an hour or two.
Lift the brownies from the pan using the edges of the foil. Remove the foil and cut the brownies into individual squares. Store in an airtight container.

Butter Than Pumpkin Pie

We have a lot of butternut squash. Aaron found this recipe.  It was simple and delicious!  Just like pumpkin pie.

Better Than Pumpkin Pie

• 1 1/2 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash
• 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 egg beaten
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch ground allspice
• 1 pinch ground cloves
• 1 pinch ground ginger
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 9 inch unbaked pie shell

Directions

1. Place squash in a sauce pan with enough water to cover.  Bring to a boil, an simmer over medium heat until tender, about 15 minutes.  Drain and cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
3. In a blender or food processor (I use my trusty immersion blender).  Combine butternut squash, brown sugar, cornstarch, egg, milk, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.  Process until smooth.  Pour into unbake pie shell.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 50 minutes, or until a table knife comes out clean when inserted in the center.

BYU Brownies

Delicious!  But in order to keep this under 200 calories, I had to make my piece smaller.


From the BYU Magazine
BYU Brownies
1 cup butter or margarine
½ cup cocoa
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups cake flour
½ tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions: Melt butter.  Add cocoa and mix well.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
Pour batter into a greased 9X13 baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
Let cool then ice with mint icing.  Place into freezer for 5-10 minutes to stiffen the icing.
Remove from freezer and carefully smooth on a layer of chocolate icing.

Mint Icing
12 oz. powdered sugar
2 ½ oz. Crisco shortening
Dash of salt
2 oz. cold water
½ tsp. mint extract
1-2 drops green food coloring

Directions:  Combine all ingredients except shortening.  Mix until smooth.  Add shortening and mix 10 more minutes until smooth and fluffy.

Chocolate Icing
12 oz. powdered sugar
1.5 oz. hot water
1.5 oz butter or margarine
1.5 oz. melted chocolate chips
1 tablespoon corn syrup
¼ teaspoon vanilla

Directions: Mix the hot water, margarine, and powdered sugar until smooth and margarine is fully melted.  Add the fudge base, corn syrup, and vanilla.  Mix until smooth.

Polish Kolaczki

David did a report on Poland for school.  He could bring in something from that country, clothing, food, a dance etc.  He of course wanted to bring food.  So I found this recipe online.  I couldn't get them to stay folded together very well, but they still taste great!  I ate three of them before I calculated the nutrition facts.  I might have to have a small dinner tonight.  I filled them with the jam I had on hand, apricot, raspberry, and strawberry-raspberry.  Delicious!

Polish Kolaczki

Ingredients:

1 (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened

12 ounces (3 sticks) butter, softened

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 (14-ounce) cans fillings of choice (apricot, prune, raspberry, etc.)

Granulated sugar

Confectioners sugar

Directions:

1. Mix cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add flour 1 cup at a time and mix well. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out dough 1/4-inch on a surface that has been dusted with equal parts confectioners and granulated sugars (not flour), because the granulated sugar will act as ball bearings and help keep the dough from sticking. Cut into 2-inch squares. Place 1/2 to 1 teaspoon filling on center of each square. Overlap opposite corners of dough to the center over filling.
3. Bake for 15 minutes or when corners start to brown. Cool and dust with confectioners sugar. These tend to become soggy if held for several days, so store them tightly covered (or freeze) without the confectioners sugar. Dust with confectioners sugar just prior to service.

Sticky Apple-Cinnamon Rolls

I probably shouldn't have made these after I started a new diet, but I was stuck at home due to the snow, and Amy wasn't feeling well, so I made these and so far have done fine just eating half of one for a snack , and part of Amy's for breakfast the following morning.  They are delicious, even if I did forget to add the cinnamon - oops!

Sticky Apple-Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients

• 6-1/4 to 6-3/4 cups  all-purpose flour
• 2 packages  active dry yeast
• 2 cups  milk
• 1/4 cup  granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup  butter
• 1-1/2 teaspoons  salt
• 1   egg
• 1/2 cup  packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup  granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup  all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup  butter
• 2 cups  finely chopped peeled apple
• 1 cup  chopped pecans (I used walnuts)
• 1 recipe  Caramel Syrup (see recipe below)

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2-1/2 cups of flour and the yeast. Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, heat and stir milk, the 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the 1/4 cup butter, and the salt just until warm (120 degree F to 130 degree F) and butter almost melts. Add milk mixture to flour mixture. Then, add the egg. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping side of bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.

3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that's smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes total). Shape the dough into a ball. Place dough in lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease the surface of the dough. Cover; let rise in a warm place until doubled (45 to 60 minutes).

4. For filling, in a small mixing bowl, combine the 1/2 cup brown sugar, the 1/2 cup granulated sugar, the 1/4 cup flour, and the cinnamon. Cut in the 1/2 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

5. Punch dough down. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside.

6. Roll the dough into a 24x16-inch rectangle. Sprinkle with filling, apple, and nuts. Roll up from long side, jelly-roll style. Pinch to seal edge.

7. Prepare Caramel Syrup. Pour into baking pan. Cut dough, crosswise, into 12 rolls and place, cut sides down, into prepared pan. Cover and let rolls rise until nearly doubled (about 45 minutes).

8. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 40 minutes or until lightly browned and rolls sound hollow when lightly tapped. (Place baking sheet under baking pan to catch any drips.) Invert onto serving plate while warm. Makes 12 rolls.

Caramel Syrup

In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter or margarine. Stir in 1 cup packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup corn syrup. Cook and stir until sugar melts. Remove from heat.

Berries n' Cream Brownies

I was inspired by this recipe, but really I made it my own.  So simple so delicious!

Ingredients

• 1 box brownie mix (plus eggs, oil and water needed to make it).
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips (I used part semi-sweet part dark chocolate)
• whipped cream (either from a can or whip it up yourself with vanilla and a bit of sugar)
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• chocolate ganache (I used Jamie's recipe)

Directions

1. Prepare brownie batter according to package directions.  Mix in chocolate chips. 
2. Pour into greased 9x13 baking dish.
3. Bake according to package directions. (350 F 24-28 minutes). Let cool.  
4. Cut into squares - what ever size you want.
5. Assemble dessert with a serving of brownie, whipped cream, then strawberries and drizzle with the ganache - so yummy!!!

Cream Cheese Brownies with Chocolate Frosting

I found this recipe on Jamie's blog. She has so many great recipes! I brought this to a garden get together. I really like fudgy brownies, so maybe next time I would use 3 eggs. I used a completely different frosting recipe because I didn't have enough cocoa powder. I thought they were delicious. My marbling didn't turn out well, I mixed it too much. But it still tasted great. for awesome step by step pictures check out Jamie's post.

Cream Cheese Brownies with Chocolate Frosting
BROWNIE BATTER:

1 C butter, softened

2 C sugar

4 eggs

8 T cocoa powder

1 1/2 C flour

dash salt

CREAM CHEESE BATTER:

1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened

1/2 C sugar

1 egg

1 t vanilla

dash salt

FROSTING:

1/4 C butter

1/2 C cocoa

4-6 T milk

1 1/2 t vanilla

3-4 C powdered sugar

1. To make the brownie batter, beat the butter, sugar and eggs until creamed together nicely. Should take about 3-4 minutes.
2. In a separate bowl combine the flour, cocoa and dash of salt. Pour the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture and mix until all is well combined.
3. Spray an 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Spread about 2/3 of your Brownie Batter into the pan.
4. Let's make the Cream Cheese Batter! Beat your cream cheese until nice and smooth. Add the other ingredients and beat for about 3 minutes.
5. Pour it right on top of your Brownie Batter.
6. Spread it all around.
7. Take the rest of your Brownie Batter and spoon it onto your Cream Cheese Batter.
8. Spread the top layer of Brownie Batter around just a bit. You don't want to mix the two batters up too much. They just need to be marbled a bit.
If you stick your knife strait up into the air you can make pretty patterns like this. But seriously...it doesn't matter much. They just need to be marbled together.
9. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes clean out of the center.
10. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
11. To make the frosting melt your butter in a glass measuring cup.
Pour the cocoa into the melted butter and stir well to make a thick paste.
12. Pour just 2 T of the milk into the chocolate paste and stir until smooth.
13. In a large mixing bowl combine 3 C powdered sugar, the chocolate paste, vanilla and 2 more T milk. Beat the frosting. As it begins to come together add more milk until it is smooth and glossy. If it's too runny add more powdered sugar and beat well.
14. Spread the frosting over the top of your cooled brownies.

Enjoy!

Easy Batter Fruit Cobbler

I made this last night for FHE dessert. It was really easy and tasty. I used about 1 1/2 cups of frozen peaches and 1/2 cup fresh blueberries. I thought it turned out really well.

Easy Batter Fruit Cobbler

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 cups of sliced fresh peaches or nectarines, or whole blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or a combination of fruits (or a 12-ounce package of frozen berries)
• 1 tablespoon sugar

1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position, and heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Put butter in an 8-inch square or 9-inch round pan; set in oven to melt. When butter has melted, remove pan from oven.
3. Whisk flour, 3/4 cup of sugar, baking powder and salt in small bowl. Add milk; whisk to form a smooth batter. Pour batter into pan, then scatter fruit over batter. Sprinkle with remaining 1 Tb. of sugar.
4. Bake until batter browns and fruit bubbles, 50 to 60 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Oatmeal cookies with add-ins

I wanted to make some cookies for a friend's birthday. I've had this recipe for years and have never tried it. I think I got it from a newspaper, but I can't remember which one, or maybe it was a news program - I can't remember. There are so many different way to make these. Today I chose white chocolate chips and crasins. So good!

1 c. brown sugar
1 c. softened butter
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 large eggs
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
3 c. rolled oats

Add-ins - pick one or two
1 c. shredded coconut
1 c. crasins
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1/2 c. pecan gems
1/2 c. macademia nuts
1/2 c. cashews
1/2 c. dried apricots

I didn't write down directions, but I imagine this would work:

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars until mixed well. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients just until combined.
Drop by rounded tablespoons on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 F for 10-12 minutes. Makes about 3 dozen.

Coconut Mud Bars

I made this for our FHE caroling activity. I got the recipe from Mrs. Field's Best Ever Cookie Book. Since I had some whipping cream in the fridge from the pumpkin pie cake I made last week, I looked for a recipe where I could use up the rest of it. I wouldn't recommend substituting milk for the cream here. I didn't use coconut extract.

Bottom Layer
1 1/3 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
Pinch of salt
1/2 c. (packed) dark brown sugar
1 stick (1/2 c.) unsalted butter, slightly softened and cut into small pieces

Ganache
10 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
3/4 c. heavy cream

Topping
4 Tbsp (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. coconut extract (optional)
2 large eggs
1 1/2 c. shredded coconut
1 1/2 c. chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking pan.

Make the bottom layer: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and brown sugar. With a pastry blender (mine broke last week - it was the best $1 purchase at DI !), cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Press the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the crust is set. Place the pan on a rack to cook, but leave oven on.

Meanwhile make the ganache: Place the chocolate in a medium bowl. Ins a small saucepan, bring the cream to a simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate; let stand for 5 minutes, then stir until smooth. Pour the ganache over the crust and refrigerate for 15 minutes to set the ganache.

Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, cream the butter. Add the granulated sugar, vanilla, and coconut extract, if desired, and beat until blended. Beat in the eggs. Stir in the coconut and pecans.

Drop the coconut-pecan mixture evenly over the ganache and spread gently. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Set the pan on a wire rack to cook. Cut into bars. The recipe says 24, but I cut it into 32.

Pumpkin Pie Cake

I made this for the ward Christmas Party. Someone asked for the recipe and I realized I haven't made it since I started this blog. I got the recipe from Connie H* when I worked at Beehive Clothing. I've seen many versions of this recipe, but this is the one I like. I did change a few things though.

1 white cake mix (set aside 1 cup for the topping)
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 egg
1 large (29 oz) can pumpkin
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cloves
2 beaten eggs
1/3 c. brown sugar
2/3 c. milk
1 c. white sugar

For topping :
reserved 1 cup cake mix
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. cold butter or margarine
1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix together cake mix and flour. Cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add egg and mix well. Press into bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.

In a large bowl combine pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, eggs, brown sugar, milk and white sugar. Pour over crust in pan.

In a medium bowl mix one cup of reserved cake mix with sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture.

Bake for 45 minutes at 375 F. Cool for at least 2 hours. Top with whipping cream or vanilla ice cream.

Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Bars

I made this for dessert with the missionaries last night. It was so good. I didn't use the right size pan. So my cookie bars were thicker, and thus took longer to bake, and didn't need as much frosting. It's another great recipe from The Cook Next Door!

Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Bars

1 c. peanut butter

1 egg

1/2 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar

1 c. Coach's Oats

3/4 c. whole wheat flour

1/4 c. white flour

1/2 tsp. soda

In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter, egg, butter and brown sugar until light an whippy. Add remaining ingredients, then press into a small cookies sheet. Bake in an oven preheated to 375 degrees for exactly nine minutes. Don't overcook it! It might look a little soft and gooey, but it will set as it cools. Allow to cool before frosting & cutting into bars.

Whippy Cocoa Fudge Frosting

2 sticks butter, softened

4 c. powdered sugar

1/4 c. milk

1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips just until barely melted. Using and electric beater/mixer, beat in the butter, then slowly add the powdered sugar and just enough milk to make the frosting a nice, spreadable consistency. Frost cooled bars. Allow frosting to set up for about 30 minutes before cutting. ENJOY!

Brown Sugar cake

I got this recipe from one of the recipe blogs I follow. It was very simple, easy, and delicious. For more details check out her blog.

Brown Sugar Cake


2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup sour milk (add 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice to the milk)
1 teaspoon baking soda

Cut together (like pie dough) brown sugar, butter, flour and salt. Set aside one cup of the mixture. To the rest of the mixture add egg, milk and soda. Spread in a 10x15 pan. Sprinkle rest of crumbs on top. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Serve with crushed strawberries and whip cream.

The blogger recommended serving it with vanilla ice cream, which would have been wonderful, but we didn't have any, and I had some whipping cream on hand. Too bad I ran out of strawberries after last night. Leftovers will have to be sans strawberries :(

I used a 9x13 pan. It worked, but the middle was a little underdone even after 35 minutes, so I would recommend using the right size pan.

Chocolate Mint Brownies

This was for St. Patrick's Day. From the Betty Crocker newsletter. Pretty straightforward, and delicious. I'm sure any brownie mix would be fine, but I happened to have a supreme mix.

Chocolate Mint Brownies

Brownie layer
1 box Betty Crocker Original Supreme Brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch) water, oil and eggs, as instructed on box.

Filling
3 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. butter or margarine, softened
1/4 c. whipping cream
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 tsp mint extract
4 drops green food coloring

Topping
1/2 c. whipping cream
1 (12 oz) pkg semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. butter (do NOT use margarine)


Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 F. Grease bottom only of a 9 x 13-inch pan with shortening or pan spray. Make and bake brownie mix according package directions for 9 x 13 pan, using eggs, oil and water. Cool completely - about 1 hour.
2. In a large bowl, beat ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over cooled brownies. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.
3. Meanwhile in a 2 - quart nonstick saucepan heat topping ingredients, over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. cool about 10 minutes or until lukewarm.
4. Pour topping over filling; spread to cover. Refrigerate uncovered about 2 hours or until set. Before cutting into bars let stand about 10 minutes at room temperature. For bars cut into 8 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.