Magic Brownies

We need to have a little talk about these brownies.  They are magical.  Seriously!  They are my most favorite brownie recipe on the planet.  My mom has been making them as long as I can remember and I like to think I've perfected the recipe.  I hope my kids will someday love them as much as I do and remember me making them. 

 Anyway, here is the coveted recipe:

Magic Brownies aka Smarshmallow Brownies
2 cubes butter (not margarine!)
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract (optional but oh so yummy)
1 bag mini marshmallows


Cream together butter, sugar, and cocoa powder.  Add eggs, beating well after each one.  Add flour, salt, and extracts.  Mix well until nice and creamy.  Spray a cookie sheet with Pam and spread evenly.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Take out of oven and cover with the mini marshmallows.  Put back in oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes, until they are nice and puffy and a tiny bit browned.  Pull them out and let the cool completely!


Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar
2-4 TBSP milk
1 tsp vanilla


Cream the butter and cocoa powder,add powdered sugar and vanilla.  Then add enough milk to make it nice and creamy, not too stiff and not too runny.  If so, add more milk or powdered sugar, appropriately.  Then frost brownies, but make sure they are TOTALLY cool (like me,ha ha) or the marshmallows will make a giant yummy mess.  

Oh help me Rhonda!   These are the BEST!!

Seven Layer Dip

Here's my go-to recipe for yummy 7 layered goodness.

On the bottom of a 13x9 Pyrex dish, spread a can of refried beans or bean dip.

Next, mix 1 pkg taco seasoning with a 16 oz container of sour cream.  Spread over beans.

Next, spread a layer of guacamole.

Then top with cheese, lots and lots of shredded cheese.

Then, in no particular order, layer tomatoes, olives, and green onions.

Then try not to eat the whole pan in one sitting.

Or turn it all into a fun Jack O'Lantern face for Halloween.

Whatever.

How To Use 50+ Apples

The carnage was everywhere.

My kitchen has still not fully recovered.

But I put up 6 quarts of apple pie filling and 6 pints of applesauce.

I just love how yellow and cheery these little jars of happiness are!

To make the pie filling, I used this recipe. And I added more cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice, just to taste.

To make the applesauce:

I peeled most of the apples.

I cored them and cut them with an apple slicer, into 8 pieces.

I put them in about 4 cups of water.

I boiled them and boiled them and boiled them until they were super mushy.

I picked some of the skins out and then decided to give up on that.

I pureed them in my food processor.

I added some ascorbic acid to aid in the yellowness.

That's it. No sugar, no cinnamon. It is pure deliciousness.

Yum yum!

I made jar tags and printed them on sticker paper.

TADA!

Yummy, I can’t wait to make some apple crisp on a cold day!

Bikini Bread

Ah sweet deliciousness! I was jealous of everyone's zucchini abundance, so I went to the store and bought some. Bikini (banana-zucchini, get it?) bread is my most favorite treat. And since I'm on the cursed diet, I can't have a lot of treats. So here's the recipe I use, feel free to alter it to fit your needs and desires. I'm sure chocolate chips would be fantastic in it, but you know, I'm just sayin...

BIKINI BREAD
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups splenda
1 cup applesauce (or oil)
1 cup dry milk
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbps vanilla
2 cups grated zucchini
31/2 cups wheat flour
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
2 cups mashed bananas
1 tsp lemon juice


Grease 2 9"x5"x3" loaf pans (I ended up using 3). In a bowl, combine eggs, splenda, oil, milk, baking soda and vanilla. Stir in zucchini and mix well. In a seperate bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Add to zucchini mixture and mix well. Add bananas and lemon juice and mix some more. Dived into pans and bake at 350 f for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. (I sprinkled some wheat germ on mine before I put them in the oven, you know, just for good measure.)

It's super yummy, you won't regret it!!

It seriously doesn't last long around here, seeing as how I baked these at midnight last night and this picture was taken at, uh, 10 am...

Bad Day For Diets

I made such a delicious and nutritious dinner tonight!

Okay, maybe not so nutritious, but oh so delicious!

Bubble Pizza

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 jar pizza sauce
• 2 tubes refrigerator biscuits
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Brown beef and drain. Stir in pizza sauce and let it simmer. Cut the biscuits into quarters and place in a greased 13”x9” baking dish. Top with beef mixture and bake uncovered for 20 minutes at 400 F. Sprinkle with cheese and bake 5-10 minutes more until cheese is bubbly.

How do you say YUMMY?! The answer is Bubble Pizza. It really is so good and I’m sure you could add different toppings along with the beef, but we’re purists here.

I only made a half batch, since hubster is at work tonight. And as we were enjoying the deliciousness, a thought occurred to me.

What if I made the same thing only with cinnamon and sugar.

AND Cee Cee’s version of Monkey bread was born.

(Did I just sound like a Windows 7 commercial?)

Here is what I did.

Took the extra can of refrigerator biscuits and cut them into quarters, just like before. Then I rolled them in about 1/3 cup sugar and 1 TBSP cinnamon. I greased a 8”x8” pan and placed them in, much like the pizza. Then I took about 2 TBSP butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, some of my cinnamon/sugar mixture from before and a teaspoon or so of water and boiled it in the microwave. Then I poured it over the biscuits and bakes at 400 F for 18 minutes.

(How do I get the heavenly angel music to play?)

AHHHHHHH! So good. I know you want some. Come on over, hope there’s still some when you get here!

New Beginnings 2010

Yeah, I know.  New Beginnings is supposed to happen at the beginning of the year.  But our stake had a giant reorganization so after things settled down a little, we had ours on April 6th.

The mutual theme for this year is  "Be Strong and of Good Courage" (Joshua 1:9) and I found an amazing program idea here.  She has it all planned out, lined up and ready to go.  I have to give her mad props because she helped us out so so much!  THANK YOU, MELANIE,  FOR SHARING YOUR AMAZING IDEAS!!!!

The theme was sort of Olympic centered.  We had the Olympic theme song playing and all the girls came in wearing each value color.  Our ward has very few Young Women, so we used each and every one who came and even a visitor!

I made a torch using a flashlight and can light gels, although I’m sure you could use anything.  On the blog, she suggests using tissue paper.  Then I took a piece of brownish 12x12 paper and rolled it to make a casing.  I dropped the flashlight into it and there we had a torch!  I didn’t get a really good picture of it, but here I am holding it… I think it turned out well.  I also think I am a giant dork.

For the metals, I wanted them to look nice but my resources here were very limited.  So I did what I could and it was a lot of work, but I am very happy with how they came out!

I went to the hardware store and bought some big washers.  Then I measured them and added a little extra around the edges so I could wrap the paper over the washer.  So I cut all the paper.

Then I wrinkled all the circles up so the paper was a little more manageable and pliable.

Then I centered the washer on the paper circle

And hot glued the paper down all the way around the washer.

Then I printed “Be strong and of a good courage” onto the same paper and cut out those circles.  I Mod Podged those babies on there and it gave them a little sheen.

 

Then I took my dollar store metals, took the ribbon off (they came with red, white, and blue ribbon) and glued them onto the back of the washers.  It gave them a little more weight and also a place for me to thread all the ribbons through.

  Then I took a ribbon from each value and threaded it through the hole, along with the original ribbon that came with the metals.  It worked out well that I didn’t have to buy red, white or blue ribbon because it was already on there!

They were a lot of work and I’m sure there is an easier way!  But I think they worked and looked quite nice.

I also made fruit pizza and it was so so so yummy!  I didn’t get a picture before it was devoured, but take my word for it!  It was beautiful!

Fruit Pizza Recipe

Crust: (I used my favorite sugar cookie recipe, found here.)

Blend together until smooth:
1 1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Cup melted Butter
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
2 eggs
1 Cup Sour Cream
Combined in separate bowl:
5 Cups Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until combined.  Make a ball out of the dough and wrap in plastic wrap. Store in the fridge 2-3 hours or until firm. I made mine the night before.  Roll it out to fit pan size, not too thick.  I was able to make 2 pizzas, one on a cookie sheet and one on a pizza pan.  Bake @ 375 for 15-20 min.  You want them just slightly golden brown to make sure the middle is done.  Let cool.

topping:

1 package cream cheese

1 12 oz package Cool Whip

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Blend until smooth.  Spread over pizzas when cool.  Then arrange fruit on top.  I used strawberries, mandarin oranges, bananas, pineapple, blueberries and apples.  Mmmm.

All in all, it was a successful evening!  Thanks again to Melanie over at her blog!  You are a lifesaver!

Oreo Truffles

Speaking of all thing yummy, these are my favorite!!

Oreo Truffles

1 pkg Oreos

1 8oz pkg cream cheese

chocolate for melting, dipping, drizzling, etc.

Put whole package of cookies into food processor, frosting and all.  If you don’t have a food processor, you can crush them with a rolling pin in a large Zip-loc bag.  Either way, get them crushed to a nice crumbly mixture.

Add cream cheese so crumbs and mix, again, either by hand or with mixer, it makes no difference.

Shape the dough into balls, about an inch.  Chilling them works the best.  I just put them in the freezer while I melt the chocolate.

Melt chocolate.  Dip balls in chocolate.  Try not to eat them as you take them out of the chocolate.  Put them on waxed paper to cool.

 

I’m not kidding, these bad boys are so super delicious.  I like to dip mine in white chocolate and then drizzle milk chocolate over them.  You could dip them in milk chocolate and drizzle with white, or double dip in two different kinds of chocolate, or just sprinkle with nuts or sprinkles.  Really, the possibilities are endless.  Also, I think they would be yummy to make with mint Oreos and dip in chocolate, making kind of a grasshopper/thin mint flavor.  Mmmm.

And, just an FYI, since they do have cream cheese in them, you’ll want to keep them refrigerated.  What you DON’T want to do is leave a couple out in goodie bags that didn’t get delivered, go to your parent’s house for a week over Christmas, come back, see them, figure your house has been without heat and think just how delicious they are and then eat them, giving yourself a nasty case of food poisoning which will put you in bed for a day or so.  I’m just saying.

Peppermint Bark Popcorn

I saw a very yummy looking treat last Christmas here, who saw it here.  I decided to make a couple batches and give out to friends and take a bunch home to my parent’s house for Christmas.  1 day after I got there, their neighbors brought over ANOTHER giant zip-loc bag of the stuff.  Needless to say, we had it coming out our ears…and it was so super delicious!!

Peppermint Bark Popcorn 

From Our Best Bites

16-20 C popped popcorn (fresh, or about 2 bags microwave popcorn) 

1 lb Almond Bark 

1 6oz box candy canes, crushed. (About 1-1 1/2 C total and Bob's are the best!) 

2 tea. peppermint extract 

3/4 C semi-sweet chocolate chips 

Get two adorable assistants to aid you in all things,

including dropping marble rolling pin onto slate floor, creating a bad day.

Place popcorn in a very large mixing bowl.

Unwrap the candy canes and crush them.  It is the most labor intensive step of this easy treat, so you can do that ahead of time if you want too. Our Best Bites advised putting the candy canes in a large zip-lock bag and have a whack with a heavy marble rolling pin. I tried this and was unsuccessful.  So I took a meat tenderizer to them.  That did the trick! 

Once they're crushed, dump them into the bowl with the popcorn. 

To melt the almond bark, follow the instructions on the package.  I created a “double boiler” with a pot full of water and a bowl placed on top.

When your almond bark is melted, add the peppermint extract. It will seize a little bit (get kind of lumpy) but it's totally fine. Pour over popcorn and candy canes. 

Stir it up really well until the candy is evenly distributed. Pour the popcorn out onto a piece of waxed paper, parchment, or foil. Spread it out into an even layer, or layers, as the case may be.

Take a chili break.

After chili is devoured, place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until melted and smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the popcorn. You can use a fork, or put it in a zip-lock bag with the corner cut off.

Leave it until the almond bark and the chocolate is hardened. If you need to hurry it up, they suggest to do this whole process on lined cookie sheets you can pop in the fridge. 

When chocolate is hardened, use your hands to break up popcorn into chunks.

While you’re putting it into little zip-locs, so a funky little dance, look over to see your husband taking a picture of you and get really embarrassed.

          

Yeah, go ahead and leave that last step out.

I did find that the candy canes were pretty hard and gave you that “oh man I think I just chipped a tooth on a popcorn kernel” kind of feeling.  What I liked better than the candy canes were those peppermint butter mints, you know the ones.  Thy kind of dissolve in your mouth?  Like wedding mints but they’re big and white and red?  Yeah, those.  Much yummy.  

Christmas 2008

Here are some fun things I made for Christmas of 2008.

I searched high and low and could not for the life of me find a pink tree skirt. So I made one. I used light and dark pink felt and, using another tree skirt as a pattern, and cut pie shapes of both. I sewed them together and then sewed lengths of black ribbon over the seams. I then cut black felt to match the perimeter and sewed it on, again, covering the seam with black ribbon. I then tied pink ribbon into bows and hot glued them over the ribbon/seams. Then I hot glued black ribbon to form closures. It turned out fabulous.

I also made my son a Christmas outfit for church. Please oh please disregard the messy face and sweat pants.


Here are some gifts I made using pre-cut wood crafts.The nativity came as a set, and I painted it and put it together using hot glue and wood glue. I sued burlap and satin for the head covers.

The stockings and heart wall hanging I used wire and plaid fabric, which was ripped into 1"x6" strips. I painted the wood pieces and attached them to each other with hot glue, then hung them with wire. The heart says, "The stockings were hung by the chimney with care" and I just used a paint pen to apply the words, although I think it would have been amazing with vinyl lettering.

Family blocks were painted, sanded and have vinyl applied.

The other decoration was painted and the smaller pieces attached with curled wire. I tied a ribbon to act as a hanger on the top.

Let's not forget about the candy I made for my neighbors. Yum, yum!

Mexican Wedding Cookies
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, divided
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
2 cups finely chopped pecans (optional)
(I made mine without pecans. They were heavenly)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat butter in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 cup of the sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and salt; beat until well blended. Stir in flour and pecans. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 15 minutes. Remove from baking sheets. Immediately roll hot cookies in remaining 2 cups sugar. Place sugared cookies on wire racks to cool. When cool, roll again in sugar.
Divinity
(or "fairy poop" as my brother calls it)

3 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup warm water
2 egg whites
1 tsp vanilla extract (or other flavor of your choice)

Prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray, or lining it with wax paper. Combine the sugar, corn syrup and water in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves. Continue cooking without stirring until the mixture reaches 250 degrees, firm-ball stage. In the meantime, beat the egg whites in the bowl of a large standing mixture until stiff peaks form. Slowly pour about half of the sugar syrup into the egg whites, beating constantly. Continue to cook the remaining syrup until it reaches 270 degrees, soft-crack stage. Stream the remaining syrup mixture into the egg whites while the mixer is running. Continue to beat until the candy is thick, shiny and holds its shape. Mix in extract until fully incorporated. Drop by the teaspoonful onto cookie sheet, and let cool until full set.

Variation: Divinity can be poured into a 9-inch square pan, cooled, and cut into small squares instead of being dropped from a spoon.

Fudge
1 1/2 c Milk
4 oz Unsweetened chocolate (sqs)
4 c Sugar
3 tb Light corn syrup
1/4 ts Salt
3 tb Butter or margarine
1 1/2 ts Vanilla

Combine milk and chocolate in medium-size heavy saucepan; cook over low heat until chocolate is melted. Add sugar, corn syrup and salt and cook, stirring constantly, to boiling.
Cook, without stirring to 234F on a candy thermometer. (A teaspoonful of syrup will form a soft ball when dropped into cold water.) Remove from heat at once. Add vanilla and butter or margarine, but do not stir in. Cool mixture in pan to 110F, or until lukewarm; beat with wooden spoon until mixture thickens and begins to lose its gloss. (This will take about 15 minutes.)
Spread in a buttered 8x8x2" pan. Let stand until set and cool; cut into squares.

Grandma Cannon's Carmels
2 cups sugar
2 cups Karo syrup

Stir together and continue stirring and boiling until it begins to thicken. Add 1 cup butter a little at a time while stirring and boiling. Add a few grains of salt. Very slowly pour in 2 cups whipping cream, slow enough that it never stops boiling. Keep stirring until it reaches a soft firm stage, 230-234 degrees. Add vanilla and pour into buttered 8"x11" pan. Let cool, cut and wrap in waxed paper. Enjoy.