Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies



Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
Posted on Kims Healthy Friends Facebook Page
Makes 1 dozen brownies)

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon water
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium sized microwave-safe bowl combine sugar, softened butter, and water. Microwave on high for about 45 seconds or until butter is melted. Stir in 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips until melted. Stir in egg and vanilla extract, mix well. Add flour and baking soda, stir until combined. Allow the batter to cool to room temperature (doesn't take very long). Then, stir in 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips and remaining 1/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Spoon batter evenly into Reynolds Staybrite muffin cups.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top is set and a toothpick inserted into centre comes out slightly wet. After brownies are out of the oven, wait for centres to fall. This will happen upon cooling. If not then tap the centres with the back of a teaspoon to make a hole for the peanut butter.

Place peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds then stir. While brownies are still war spoon about a tablespoon full of peanut butter into the centre of each brownie. Top with remaining 1/3 cup of milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Cool completely in pan. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator. To reheat the brownies just pop ‘em in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Monday, September 23, 2013

MINI FALL PUMPKIN PIE CROISSANTS



MINI FALL PUMPKIN PIE CROISSANTS
Posted on Jonathan Egnisaban's Facebook Page

These start with 2 tubes of Pillsbury refrigerated crescent rolls. Roll each crescent roll out and cut lengthwise in 2. This recipe will make 32 mini croissants. Each croissant will get a generous teaspoon of this luscious cream cheese pumpkin pie filling:

4 oz. (1/2 block) of softened cream cheese
1 cup of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 – 2 T pumpkin pie spice (adjust to taste)
3 – 4 T sugar (granulated or powdered; adjust to taste if you want the filling sweeter)

Beat the above ingredients together until fluffy and creamy and spread about one teaspoon of filling over each triangle of dough.

Mix together 4 T sugar and 1 T pumpkin pie spice and roll each pumpkin pie croissant in it!Bake at 375* for about 13-15 minutes (this time is for on a baking stone) – you want them to be lightly browned and the dough baked through.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Turtle Cookie Bars



Turtle Cookie Bars
Posted on Jacquie Bernhardsson Facebook Page

Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened

2nd Layer
1 cup pecan halves or chopped pecans
2/3 cup butter
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup milk chocolate morsels

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine first 3 ingredients in a mixing bowl; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Pat mixture firmly into an ungreased 13x9 inch pan.

Arrange pecans over crust.

Combine 2/3 cup butter and 1/2 cup brown sugar in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly. Cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour mixture over pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-17 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

Remove from oven; sprinkle with chocolate morsels. Let stand 2-3 minutes or until slightly melted. Gently swirl chocolate with a knife, leaving some morsels whole (do not spread). Let cool on a wire rack at room temperature until chocolate is set. Cut into squares.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Whoopie Pie Cak



Whoopie Pie Cake
Posted on The Art of Cooking's Facebook Page

Ingredients

Cake

1 box Chocolate cake mix (prepared per package directions) + 1 extra egg
*cocoa powder for dusting the pan

Filling

1 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups Marshmallow Fluff
3 cups powdered sugar

Ganache
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

How to Make

Cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease 2 9x13 sized pans with butter and dust with cocoa powder, set aside.
Prepare cake according to package directions, but add in an extra egg to the mix.
Split the batter evenly between the 2 pans and bake for 15-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Allow cakes to cool completely.

Filling:
In stand mixer beat butter and Fluff together until smooth.
Turn mixer to low and slowly add in powdered sugar. Turning mixer back up, continue mixing for 30-60 seconds until smooth.
Spread the filling on top of one of the cakes. Top the filling with the other cake.

Ganache:
In small saucepan bring the heavy cream to almost a boil. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and then pour over top of cake.

Notes: you could also bake this in 2 9x9 round pans

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Apple Cinnamon Loaf



Apple Cinnamon Loaf
Posted on Recipe Addicts Facebook Page

1/3 cup brown sugar (not packed)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1 apple, peeled and chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl and set aside. Beat white sugar and butter together in a bowl using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, until incorporated; add vanilla extract.

Combine flour and baking powder together in another bowl; stir into creamed butter mixture. Mix milk into batter until smooth. Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Next add half the apples and half the brown sugar cinnamon mixture. Lightly pat apple mixture into batter.

Pour the remaining batter over apple layer; top with remaining apples and add more brown sugar/cinnamon mixture. Lightly pat apples into batter; swirl brown sugar mixture through apples using a finger or spoon.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

CREAMY NEW ORLEANS PRALINES



CREAMY NEW ORLEANS PRALINES -- A recipe that has been passed down for generations. Easy and so yummy, EVERYONE will ask you for this recipe!
Posted on Health Wellness and Recipe Share's Facebook Page

3 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1 pinch salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 quart pecans

Combine sugar, buttermilk, corn syrup and salt in a very large pan and bring to a nice rolling boil. Add soda (it will foam considerably when soda is added), stir and cook until soft-ball is formed when dropped in cold water. Then remove from heat and add vanilla. Beat until color changes and candy thickens. Stir in pecans. Drop by teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet. (Do it quickly before the candy hardens).

Lemon Angel Hair with Chicken and Spinach



Lemon Angel Hair with Chicken and Spinach
Posted on the Art of Cooking's Facebook Page

1/2 lb angel hair pasta
4 cloves of garlic
1/2 t. crushed red pepper
Perfect Chicken, cut into chunks
2 lemons, zested and juiced
3/4 c. half-and-half
1 c. Parmesan, grated (or shredded)
1 c. baby spinach, stems removed
3 T. extra virgin olive oil

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Salt the water well, and add pasta. Heat a large skillet over low heat. Add oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Cook until the oil sizzles (about 7-10 minutes). Add lemon juice, half-and-half, and a ladle of the pasta water to the garlic oil mixture. Raise the heat to med-low to med heat until the sauce begins to bubble. Drain pasta - DO NOT RINSE. Add the pasta, zest, and 1/2 c. Parmesan to the cream sauce. Toss for a minute or two. Add chicken and spinach, and toss until well distributed. Top with remaining cheese. Enjoy!

Side note: If your pasta is cooking too quickly, just take the pot off the heat, but leave the pasta in the hot water. The pasta will continue to cook, just at a slower pace. I have to use this trick almost every time.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling



Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling
Posted on Health Wellness and Recipes Share's Facebook Page
Makes 12-14

3 cups All Purpose Flour
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 - 15 oz. can of pumpkin
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat together brown sugar, sugar, oil and pumpkin. Add eggs one at time, mixing well after each addition, followed by the vanilla. In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.

Using a pastry bag with a round tip, or a big zip top plastic bag with one corner snipped, squeeze out concentric circles of batter, starting from the middle and working outward until the circles are about 2 inches in diameter. Bake for 11 minutes and cool on a rack.

Cream Cheese Filling

1 - 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened
1 stick of unsalted butter, room temperature
1 - 16 oz. package of powdered sugar
about a capful of vanilla extract
a pinch of cinnamon (to taste)

Beat together cream cheese and butter. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Frost flat side of half the pies and top with another piece.

Enjoy right away or chill overnight.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Towel Workout

Torres del Pain National Park - Patagonia

Timberline Falls - Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

Tiger

Ladies: This is a Good Man...

The SuperFoods A to Z

The Shipwreck Coast - Victoria Australia

The Road to Success....

Pearl Waterfall - China

The Irony is....

The Harder the Struggle....

The Benefits of Blueberries

The Banpo Bridge - Spans the Han River - Seoul Korea

The ABC's of Genuine Happiness

The 7-Day Plan to Live Happy

Swarovski Face Fountain Wattens - Austria

Sunset on a Lake - Finland

Sunset - Solsvik Norway

Success is the Sum...

Strength

Stone Bridge Optical Illusion - New York

Stairway to Heaven - Island of Oahu Hawaii

Staircase - Montmartre Paris France

Squeeze That Booty Challenge

September Ab & Squat Challenge

Mini Abs & Legs Circuit

Keep Calm...

Cooking Differences in Types of Oil Used

Copycat Roadhouse Cinnamon Butter

Crying Eye

Creamy Burrito Casserole



Creamy Burrito Casserole

1 lb ground beef or 1 lb ground turkey
1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning
6 large flour tortillas
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
2 -3 cups shredded taco cheese or 2 -3 cups cheddar cheese
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
4 ounces sour cream
jarred hot sauce, if desired to spice it up

Directions:

Brown ground meat/turkey and onion; drain.

Add taco seasoning and stir in refried beans.

Mix soup and sour cream in a separate bowl.

Spread 1/2 sour cream mixture in the bottom of a casserole dish.

Tear up 3 tortillas and spread over sour cream mixture.

Put 1/2 the meat bean mixture over that.

Add a layer of cheese.

You could put some hot sauce on this now.

Repeat the layers.

Sprinkle cheese over the top and bake, uncovered, at 350°F for 20-30 minutes.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Peanut Butter Chocolate Eclair Cake



Peanut Butter Chocolate Eclair Cake
Posted on The Art of Cooking Facebook Page

1 box chocolate graham crackers (there will be a few graham crackers left over)
2 (3 1/4 -ounce) boxes vanilla instant pudding
1 cup peanut butter
3 1/2 cups milk
1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip
1 can chocolate frosting

Spray bottom of 9 X13 pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with whole graham crackers. In a bowl using an electric mixer, mix pudding with milk, peanut butter; beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Fold in whipped topping. Pour half the pudding mixture over graham crackers. Place another layer of whole graham crackers on top of pudding layer. Pour over remaining half of pudding mixture and cover with another layer of graham crackers. Heat the container of prepared frosting, uncovered for 1 minute. Pour over top of cake. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours before serving!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Slow Cooker Copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli



Slow Cooker Copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli

2 lbs ground beef
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (16 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) can white kidney beans, drained
3 (10 ounce) cans beef stock
3 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons pepper
5 teaspoons parsley
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (optional)
1 (20 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
8 ounces pasta

Directions:

1 Brown beef in a skillet.

2 Drain fat from beef and add to crock pot with everything except pasta.

3 Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours.

4 During last 30 min on high or 1 hour on low, add pasta.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

HAWAIIAN CHEESECAKE BARS



HAWAIIAN CHEESECAKE BARS

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
16 ounces cream cheese
4 TBS sugar
4 TBS milk
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
16 ounces crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups flaked coconut
2 TBS melted butter

Directions:

1 - Combine flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup butter. Pat mixture into ungreased 9 X 13 pan. Bake at 350 oven for 14-19 minutes. Cool slightly.

2 - Mix together cream cheese, 4 TBS sugar, milk and eggs. Fold in vanilla, and drained pineapple. Spread over baked crust.

3 - Combine coconut and 2 TBS melted butter. Sprinkle over pineapple layer filling. Bake 350 for 15-20 minutes.