Carmelitas

Yummy Yummy. . .
These Carmelitas are so good!
Crispy oatmeal cookie base with a layer of chocolate,
then a layer of gooey carmel topped with the cookie base.
You can make these even more sinful. . .
with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce to top it off.
My boys LOVED these, and my oldest son declared that we open up our own restaurant and serve this dessert.
I do agree, this dessert is Restaurant quality!




Carmelitas

What you need:

-1 jar Mrs. Richardson's Caramel/Butterscotch topping
-12 oz package chocolate chips (a good brand like Guittards or Ghiradelli)
-2 cups flour
-2 cups oatmeal (I use the quick or Instant Oatmeal)
-1 1/2 Cups brown sugar
-1 tsp baking soda
-1/2 tsp salt
-1 1/2 Cup butter, melted

How to make:

1. Combine flour, oatmeal, melted butter, brown sugar, baking soda, salt in mixing bowl. Press 1/2 mixture into the bottom of a greased 9 by 13 pan. Bake for 17 minutes at 325 degrees.

2. Take out and layer chocolate chips and then the jar of caramel/butterscotch topping. Crumble the remaining crumbs over the topping and return to oven to bake for another 17 minutes.

3. Remove from oven and let sit for at least 5 hours before serving. If you put it in the fridge you won't need to let it sit as long (1 or 2 hours).

4. Cut into bars and serve.

Option for serving: put a scoop of Vanilla ice cream on top of one Carmelita and drizzle chocolate sauce on top.

Yum! Enjoy.

Chocolate Chip M & M Cookies

These are one of my boys favorite cookies.
They love the M&M's in them.
We made them together over Spring break, and used Spring colored M&M's.
I usually make them with the regular colored M&M's but could not pass up the holiday M&M's.
These will be soft on the inside and a little crispy on the outside.
Yum.


Chocolate Chip M & M Cookies
makes 2 dozen

What you need:

-1 cup white sugar
-1 cup brown sugar
-2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
-2/3 cup butter flavored Crisco shortening
-2 eggs
-2 tsp. vanilla
-3 cups unbleached white flour
-1 tsp. baking soda
-1 tsp. salt
-6 oz. milk chocolate chips
-8 oz. M&M candies

How To Make:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix sugars, butter and shortening until light and fluffy.

2. Next add the eggs and vanilla until combined.

3. Slowly add the flour, baking soda and salt. Be careful not to over mix the dough.

4. Turn off the mixer and hand fold the chocolate chips and M&M candies until well combined.

5. Using a small ice cream scoop, drop the cookies onto ungreased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cookies should have a slight golden on top, but also look slightly undone. You don't want to overcook these or they will be hard when cool.

7. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the cookie sheet. I have found this to be the best way to guarantee perfectly soft cookies each and every time.

Enjoy!

Apple Pudding Cake

This apple cake is a yummy way to change up the pumpkin season.
I LOVE pumpkin desserts, but this apple cake is up there on my list as well.
The caramel sauce makes this cake So So good, you just can not skip the sauce on this one.
I had never made this before for my two little boys, so I was wasn't sure how they would like it. They LOVED it, and begged for the leftovers the next day.
The cake is very moist, and the warm caramel sauce makes it even moister. Don't forget to top it off with whipped cream.

Apple Pudding Cake

For Cake-

What You Need:

4 cups peeled, grated apples (you need to use granny smith apples )

2 eggs

1 1/2 C sugar

1/2 C oil

Mix together eggs, sugar and oil.

2 C flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp cinnamon

How To Make:

Add in dry ingredients and stir until well mixed. Pour into greased 9 x 13.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

For Caramel Sauce-

What You Need:

1 Cup butter

1 Cup evaporated milk or cream

1 Cup brown sugar

1 Cup white sugar

3 tsp. vanilla.

How To Make:

Cook in saucepan over medium heat until melted and thickened.

Serve over cake and top with whipped cream.

Caribbean Passion Fruit Smoothie

A cold fresh smoothie tastes like summer to me!
This is a favorite smoothie recipe in our home. I usually make two batches of this recipe to feed the four of us. I wouldn't double it in your blender, unless you have a huge blender that can handle that much blending. I find that it mixes better and faster if I just do one batch at a time.
If you live in the west you will know the name Jamba Juice, a smoothie making establishment. This recipe is a copy cat recipe from one of their smoothies.
I hope you are all enjoying your summer and keeping cool in the summer heat!


Caribbean Passion Fruit Smoothie
makes 2 tall cups

What You Need:
-1 cup mango juice
-1/2 cup frozen peaches
-1 cup frozen strawberries
-1/2 cup crushed ice
-1 cup orange sherbet


Add all ingredients to bender and blend. If too thick, add more mango juice.
Serve and Enjoy!

Monster Cookies

My kids absolutely LOVE these cookies!
This is a great recipe to have your kiddos help you make.
They are very easy to make and pretty much fail-proof.
A few things, I have used both creamy and crunchy Peanut butter for this recipe and both turned out great. The Crunchy is going to give you more of a chunky and crunchy cookie. Also, I always use the quick rolled oats when baking cookies, they will be more chewy this way.
The cookies might look slightly underdone when you take out and press the M&M's in them, but as they cool they will be perfectly soft and chewy.
I have made these for church bake sales, and they are always a huge it!
These Monster cookies are Super fun to make and eat.

Monster Cookies

What you Need:

1/2 c butter, softened

1 3/4 C peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)

1 1/3 C brown sugar

1 C sugar

1 Tbsp corn syrup

1/2 Tbsp vanilla

2 tsp baking soda

3 eggs

1/2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

4 1/2 C quick rolled oats

M & M’s

How To Make:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet pan with Parchment paper or lightly grease with non-stick spray.

2. Mix all ingredients together until well combined, don't put the M&M's in yet they will be used after the cookies are baked.

3. For bigger cookies use a 1/4 cup measuring scoop, for smaller cookies use a cookie scoop and roll the dough into a ball and place on prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes Be careful not to over bake.

4. As soon as the cookies come out of oven, press M & M’s into the top of the cookies.

5. Before serving or eating wait for the cookies to cool.

Enjoy!

Best EVER Banana Bread

When are little family lived in Columbus, OH during our medical school years.
We made many life long friends.
We all made a Columbus Friends Cookbook.
Many of my favorite recipes are from this cook book, this Banana Bread recipe is one of them.
I have tried many other Banana Bread recipes none compare to this one.
It is by far the BEST EVER Banana Bread recipe.
And it also reminds me of my sweet friend Margo who is a great cook!

*Tip-the bread will be much sweeter if the Bananas you use are very ripe, like almost all brown ripe.*




Best EVER Banana Bread
Makes 2 loaves

What you Need:
-1 cup butter
-2 cups sugar
-4 large eggs
-2 tsp. vanilla
-2 tsp. lemon juice
-1 cup sour cream
-2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 really ripe bananas)
-3 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
-1 tsp. baking soda
-2 tsp. baking powder

Topping:
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon


How To Make:

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease two bread pans.

2. Mix butter and sugar together until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla until well combined. Blend in lemon juice, sour cream, and mashed bananas.

3. In a separate bowl sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix in with other ingredients until just combined, do not over mix.

4. Pour batter into the two greased bread pans.

5. Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon for the topping. Sprinkle on top of batter.

6. Bake for 50 - 60 minutes or until knife inserted come out with just a few wet crumbs.


Recipe Source: My good friend Margo :-)

Homemade Oreo Cookies

Homemade Oreo's are always a Big hit at our house!
With three boys in the house, they eat these yummy cookies up fast. Let's be honest, I have a few myself.
Two soft chocolate cookies with rich cream cheese frosting sandwiched between.
What's not to love?
This recipe is easy enough to let your kiddos help, if you choose.
A glass of milk will be perfect to go a long side these Oreo's.
Yum.

Homemade Oreo Cookies

Chocolate Cookie:
-2 devils food cake mixes
-4 beaten eggs
-1 cup of oil

1. Preheat oven to 350 Degrees. Prepare a cookie sheet by lining with parchment paper or grease with non-stick spray.
2. In a medium mixing bowl mix all three above ingredients until well combined. Roll into about 1 1/2 inch balls. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 6-9 minutes.
3. Take out and cool completely before adding filling.

Cream Cheese Frosting Filling:
1 - stick butter (1/2 cup)
1 - 8oz package cream cheese
3-4 cups - confectioner's sugar (depending on desired consistency)
1 - tsp vanilla extract

1. Cream butter and cream cheese add vanilla and mix well. Add confectioner's sugar slowly until you reach your desired consistency.
2. Spread 2-3 Tablespoons of frosting in between each cookie.

Store cookie's in an air tight container to keep moist.

Enjoy!

Blondies

Yes, I am blond
and I love me some Blondies!
These little bars are so very good.
Butterscotch chips are usually used in blondies, this recipe uses White chocolate chips.
I think it gives the blondies a deeper and richer flavor and really brings out the brown sugar from the cookie base.
These are so very easy to make, hand mixes up in 10 minutes bakes in 25.
A great recipe to have your little kiddos help you with, if you choose.
Don't forget to eat these with a glass of cold milk, YUMMY!

Blondies
makes 24 in a 13 by 9 baking pan

What You Need:
-1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
-1 teaspoon salt

-1 teaspoon Baking Powder
-12 Tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
-1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
-2 large eggs
-4 teaspoons vanilla extract
-1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
-1/2 cup white chocolate chips
-1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

How to make:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13 by 9 inch baking pan with foil or Parchment paper, and then grease the foil or parchment paper with Pam spray.

2. In a medium bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together.

3. In a large bowl, whisk the butter and brown sugar together. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla until combined. Stir in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Stir in the chips and nuts.

4. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake the blondies until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached, 22-25 minutes.

5. Let the Blondies cool completely in the pan for about 2 hours. Remove the blondies from the pan, cut into squares and Enjoy!


Source: America's Test Kitchen

Monkey Bread Mini's

This recipe is a very Easy way to make the
all-famous Monkey Bread.
So easy that I usually have my two kiddos help me do it. They love to help and EAT these really tasty treats.
They are sweet, gooey, cinnamon-y, and a little crispy on the outside very
Yummy!



Monkey Bread Mini's
Makes 12 muffins OR 6 Jumbo Muffins

2 tubes of Pillsbury Refrigerated french bread dough
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
6 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup brown sugar

1. Spray your muffin tin with non-stick spray. Cut in small cubes so in total you should have around 80 little pieces of dough. In a bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Dip each piece of dough into the cinnamon-sugar mixture until totally covered. Divide evenly between the muffin cups. In a saucepan boil the butter and brown sugar. Spoon about a teaspoon of the brown sugar/butter mixture over each muffin cup. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes or until baked through.

Option: You can drizzle icing over the tops of the muffins after they get out of the oven. (mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk)

These taste the best when hot and fresh out of the oven!

Enjoy!

Colored Velvet Cup Cakes

These are Very Yummy Mini Cup Cakes!
You can use whatever colored decorating paste you want depending on the color you are after. I think it would be very cute to make little pink or blue ones for a baby shower or orange for Halloween, Yellow for Easter, the possibilities are endless :-).
I use Wilton brand Decorating paste you can buy at Micheals, Hobby Lobby, or any store that carries the Wilton baking line.
You could also make regular sized cupcakes with this recipe.
Have fun!

Colored Velvet Cup Cakes

Makes 36 mini cup-cakes

What you Need:

1 Box yellow cake mix

4 eggs

1/2 Cup water

1/2 Cup vegetable oil

1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix

1/2 Cup plain yogurt or sour cream

5-8 drops of your color of decorating paste (Pink, Green, Orange, Yellow, Blue. . . )

Frosting:

8 oz softened cream cheese

1 stick softened butter

1 lb powdered sugar

Colored Sugar Sprinkles if desired

How To Make:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer, add cake mix, eggs, water, oil, pudding, and yogurt. Beat on medium for 1 1/2 minutes. Slowly beat in 5-8 drops of green decorating paste until you get desired color of green. Scoop batter into paper lined mini cupcake tins. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool completely.

2. To prepare frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar until creamy and thick.

3. Frost cupcakes and sprinkle with colored sugar if desired.

ENJOY!

Recipe Source: Adapted from Picky Palate

Molten Chocolate Cake

This cake is pretty much perfect!
Our family absolutely loves this recipe.
If you have ever had a molten Chocolate Cake at a restaurant, this recipe is just as good if not better.
It is also very simple to make, and cooks in only 13 minutes.
You can easily double the recipe for 8 servings, this is a great crowd pleaser.

Enjoy!

Molten Chocolate Cake
Makes 4 servings

For this Amazing Dessert you will need 4 (3/4 cup) custard cups or souffle' dishes. Like these:

Ingredients:

-4 squares Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate
-1/2 cup butter (one stick)
-1 cup of powder sugar
-2 eggs
-egg yolks
-6 Tbsp. flour
-cool whip or Vanilla Ice Cream

How To Make:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Butter 4 (3/4 cup) custard or souffle' dishes. Place on a baking sheet.

2. In a medium size microwavable bowl, Microwave the chocolate and 1/2 cup butter ON high for 1 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir with a wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour just until mixed through. Divide batter between prepared custard cups.

3. Bake 13-14 minutes or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand 1 minute. Carefully run a small knife around the cakes to loosen. Invert cakes onto desert dishes. Top with Vanilla Ice cream or whipped cream.

** NOTE ** Batter can be made a day ahead. Pour into prepared custard cups, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bake as directed.

Cherry Turnovers

We just celebrated my husbands 32nd Birthday!
His all time favorite dessert is Cherry pie.
So with a little creativity I made these yummy Turnovers instead of the traditional Cherry Pie.
The result was VERY Yummy!
You can also substitute the cherry pie filling for apple or blueberry filling.
The cream cheese crust really gives these turnovers a sweater taste.
We topped ours off with a scoop of vanilla Ice cream, yum.


Cherry Turnovers
Makes about 8 turnovers

FILLING:
-2 to 3 cans of cherry pie filling (Store bought or Homemade)

CREAM CHEESE CRUST:

-1½ cups (7½ ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
-3 tsp granulated white sugar
-pinch of salt
-1 stick (4 ounces) cold, unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces
-8 ounce package of cold cream cheese, roughly cut into tablespoons

EGG WASH:
-1 large egg yolk
-2 Tbs milk

(whisk together)

TOPPING:
-Cinnamon Sugar mix

TO MAKE:

1. Prepare crust: Place the flour, sugar and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 10 seconds to blend. Add the cold butter pieces and process for just a few seconds, until the mixture looks like crumbs. Add the cream cheese and pulse quickly about 25 times (or until a clump of dough has formed). If you do not have a food processor you can use a pastry cutter or large fork. Turn the clump of dough onto waxed paper and knead gently 2 to 3 times to bring dough together. Flatten into a 7-inch square. Wrap with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 days).

2. Place the dough on wax paper. Roll into a square that is roughly 15×15. At this point, you can decide if you’d like to make round or square-shaped turnovers. If you make round (half-moon shape) turnovers, you can simply use the top of a 6-inch diameter bowl as your cutter. If you’d rather make square (triangle-shape) turnovers, use a chef’s knife to trim a 15-inch square. Mark 5-inch increments along all sides of the dough & with the ruler as a guide, cut the dough into nine 5-inch squares. Re-roll scraps as necessary.

3. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

4. Assemble Turnovers: Place cut-out dough onto prepared baking sheets. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the cherry pie filling onto each half- keeping it on one side and leaving about a ¼-inch border along the edge. Brush edges on the fruit side of the turnover with egg wash (egg & milk whisked together). Carefully fold the other side over the fruit and use a fork to press the edges together and seal them. Move baking sheets to refrigerator and chill for about 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F.

6. Bake Turnovers: Brush the tops of the turnovers with egg wash and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture. Use the tip of a knife to carefully cut three slits in the top of each turnover to allow steam to escape during baking. Bake Turnovers for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature, with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

ENJOY!

Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

My husband said that these were the BEST bar cookies he had EVER had!
Needless to say these are really very good bar cookies.
This recipe makes a lot, a yummy crowd pleaser.
If you want to make less, you can half the recipe and bake it in a 9 by 13 pan.
Enjoy!


Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Adapted from My Kitchen Cafe

Makes a cookie sheet pan of bars

4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 sticks butter, melted and cooled slightly
2 cups light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 large milk chocolate bar, chopped up
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)


1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Adjust the oven rack to lower-middle position. Spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Mix the flour, salt, and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside. Whisk the melted butter and sugars in a large bowl until combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until just combined; do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips and turn the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the spatula.

3. Bake until the top of the bars is light golden brown, slightly firm to the touch, and edges start pulling away from sides of pan, 45-50 minutes. DO NOT OVER COOK. They may seem undercooked, however when they cool they will be perfectly chewy. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve.

Sugar Cookie Bouquet

This sugar cookie recipe makes firmer cookies which make great cookies for frosting and decorating, also good for Cookie Bouquets.
One thing I really like about this recipe is that when you cook the shaped cookie dough they retain their shape. It does not puff out or flatten out.
They also taste very good, the vanilla and almond extract make this cookie yummy.
They are also firm, but soft, very good.

Sugar Cookies

6 c unbleached, all-purpose flour
4 tsp baking powder
2 c sugar
4 sticks butter
2 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp pure almond extract
**Powdered sugar for rolling out**

Preheat oven to 350.

1. Combine the flour and baking powder, set aside. Cream the sugar and butter. Add the egg and extracts and mix. Gradually add the flour mixture and beat just until combined, scraping down the bowl, especially the bottom.

2. Do not refrigerate, right away roll onto a floured surface (USE POWDERED SUGAR for rolling out) and cut into shapes. Place on parchment lined baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes. Let sit a few minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack.

IF MAKING A COOKIE BOUQUET: you will need to stick wood skewers in the cookie, right after you take them out of the oven, the cookie still needs to be hot when you stick it in. Then let completely cool before you frost.

Icing
(This will cover 2-3 dozen)

4 TBSP meringue powder
1/2 c. water
1 lb. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon of Almond Extract

1. Combine the meringue powder and water. With the paddle attachment of an electric mixer, beat until combined and foamy.

2.Sift in the powdered sugar and beat on low to combine. (Do NOT skip the sifting!)

3.Add in the corn syrup and extract.

Increase speed to high and beat for about 5 minutes, just until the icing is glossy and stiff peaks form.

4. The frosting will be white, if you want to add color use food coloring.

Thick and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

These beauties are by far the BEST Gingerbread cookies I have ever made.
Not only are they soft and delicious, they are so simple to make!
There is no need to be afraid or intimidated in making these cookies, they are easier to make then sugar cookies!
The dough is very easy to work with too.
My 6 year old son helped me cut them all out into shapes, and then we all enjoyed eating them.
So very yummy!
I found this recipe on My Kitchen Cafe's 'Sugar Rush- 12 recipe's in 12 days'.

Thick and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

Recipe From My Kitchen Cafe

*Makes about 2 dozen gingerbread men*

3 cups flour
¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons butter softened to room temperature (but not warm!), cut into 12 pieces
¾ cup light or dark molasses
2 tablespoons milk

1. With an electric mixer, stir together the flour, brown sugar, soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt at low speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Stop the mixer and add the butter pieces. Mix at medium-low speed until the mixture is sandy and resembles fine meal, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and with the mixer running, gradually add the molasses and milk; mix until the dough is evenly moistened about 20 seconds. Increase the speed to medium and mix until thoroughly combined, about 10 seconds.

2. Scrape the dough onto a work surface and divide it in half. Working with one portion at a time, roll the dough ¼ inch thick between 2 large sheets of parchment or wax paper. Leaving the dough sandwiched between the parchment or wax paper, stack the dough on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silpat liners.

4. Remove one dough sheet from the freezer and place on the counter. Peel off the top parchment or wax paper sheet. Gently cut the dough into 5-inch gingerbread people or 3-inch gingerbread cookies, transferring the shapes to the prepared baking sheets with a wide metal spatula and spacing them ¾ inch apart. Set the scraps aside. Repeat with the remaining dough until the baking sheets are full. Because flour is not added during rolling, dough scraps can be rolled and cut as many times as necessary.

5. Bake the cookies until set in the centers and the dough barely retains and imprint when touched very gently with fingertip, 8 to 9 minutes. Do not overbake!! Cool the cookies on the sheets 2 minutes, then remove the cookies with a wide metal spatula to a wire rack; cool to room temperature. Gather the scraps; repeat the rolling, cutting and baking. Frost as desired (You can use a ziploc bag filled with simple white icing).

6. Store soft gingerbread in a wide, shallow airtight container or tin with a sheet of parchment paper between the cookie layers. These cookies are best eaten within one week.

ENJOY!!

Apple Streusel Bars

This is the Second dessert that I Made for the Teachers dinner.
They are very similar to my recipe for Pie Bars found here.
The apple filling is so good and the Almond extract in the icing makes it even better.
I received such nice complements from all the teachers. They really enjoyed these bars and the other food that I prepared and brought to the school.
You can easily double this recipe, and make it in a cookie sheet pan.


Apple Streusel Bars
adapted from Our Best Bites

STEP 1
SWEET PASTRY:
2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. real butter, softened (no substitutions!)
1 egg, beaten

To prepare crust, mix flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two forks until you have pea-sized crumbles.
Gently mix in beaten egg.

Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Gently pat about 2/3 of the crumb mixture onto the bottom of the dish. Preheat oven to 350 and set aside.

STEP 2
APPLE FILLING:
1/2 c. white sugar
1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 c. (about 3 medium) sliced, peeled baking apples ( Granny Smith or Gala)
To prepare apple filling, combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon and toss with apples.

Spread apples out on prepared crust. Sprinkle reserved crust mixture over apples evenly and bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.

When finished, allow to cool completely.

STEP 3
GLAZE:
2 c. powdered sugar
About 3 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. almond extract

To prepare glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, almond extract, and enough milk to achieve desired consistency.

Place glaze in a Ziploc bag and cut off a very small portion of one of the corners. (Or just use a fork(Drizzle glaze over cooled pastry and allow to harden (you can place it in the refrigerator to hurry things along). Cut into bars and serve.

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

I am just simply going to say it,
"This is seriously a Really GOOD cupcake!"
If you love pumpkin flavor and have a thing for cream cheese frosting (as I do) you will love this recipe.
I made these heavenly cupcakes for all of the teachers at my 1st grade son's Elementary school.
Today was teacher conference's at our school,
and yours truly was in charge of bringing/making a lot of food to feed all of the wonderful teachers their dinner/dessert.
These pretty little cupcakes were choice 1 of the desserts.
I will post the choice 2 dessert soon, and the yummy Chicken soup that I also made and served to the teachers.



Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Makes 20 cupcakes and about 2 cups of frosting.

Making the Cupcakes:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice; set aside.

3. In a another large bowl, whisk together, brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, oil and eggs. Add dry ingredients, and whisk (hand mix) until smooth. Whisk in pumpkin puree until just mixed in.

3. Divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about 1/2 to 3/4 full. Bake until tops spring back when touched, and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; let cool completely.

Making the Frosting:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 cup confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)
  
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Place softened cream cheese and softened butter in a medium mixing bowl.

2. Using a hand mixer, blend them together until smooth.

3. Sift in confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar) , and continue beating until smooth. Add vanilla, and stir to combine.

(frosting can be stored in an air tight container the refridgerator up to 3 days)

Makes 20 cupcakes and about 2 cups of frosting.

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Bars

This is a classic Pumpkin bar recipe.
I mixed it up a little bit by adding a teaspoon of cinnamon in the frosting.
I also added below the recipe, ways you can make this pumpkin dessert lower in fat.
This recipe makes a whole cookie sheet worth of yummy pumpkin bars, so it is a great party dessert! It is always a crowd pleaser.
Enjoy!


Pumpkin Bars
adapted from Paula Dean

Bars:

• 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
  
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 15-ounce can pumpkin
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda

Icing:

• 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
  

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 1cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting.

3. To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and cinnamon mix again. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.

4. Cut into bars and serve!

LOW-FAT Options:
-replace half the oil with applesauce
-replaced 2 eggs with fat-free egg substitute
-use splenda sugar blend in place of part of the sugar
- use neufchatel cheese instead of cream cheese
-or instead of frosting use 1/2 cup of Dark Chocolate chips add a spoonfull of fat-free whipped topping

Candy Corn Kiss Cookies

I knew as soon as I saw these cookies on
The Idea Door,
that I had to make them!
If you have never been over to her blog you have to check it out.
She has some of the best IDEAS.
Our family loves the regular Kiss cookies made this same way but with a chocolate kiss.
The candy corn kiss just looks so fun.
I found the candy corn kisses at Target in the seasonal area.
My kids love to help me unwrap the kisses, and put them in the cookie, then of course eat them!


Candy Corn Kiss Cookies
adapted from the Idea Door

What you need:
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling cookie dough in)
48 Hershey® Kisses® chocolate candies, unwrapped


How to Make:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. In a large bowl, cream butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beating until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk, and vanilla extract; beat well. Add flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into creamed mixture until well mixed.

3. Roll cookie dough into 1-inch balls. Optional - you can lightly roll cookie dough balls in the 1/4 of sugar before you bake.

4. Place balls, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets.

5. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and immediately press a chocolate kiss or candy corn kiss into the center of each cookie (cookie will crack around edges). Remove from cookie sheet and let cookies cool on wire racks or tin foil.

Yields 4 dozen cookies.

Enjoy!

Caramel Apple Crisp

Please excuse my lack of posting this last week,
our family took a little Fall Vacation to the Windy City of Chicago.
You can check out what we did on our family blog.

Now on to this delicious apple dessert.
This is a great twist on the traditional Apple Crisp.
Adding the caramel topping gives this dessert an extra Yummy flavor!
I do not remember where I found this recipe, but I have used it many times since.
This is a must make dessert for fall!



Caramel Apple Crisp

-1/2 cup caramel topping (the kind you would put on top of ice cream)
-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-6 baking apples (I like to use Golden Delicious), peeled, and cup into 1/2 inch slices about 6 cups
-2/3 cup all-purpose flour
-1/2 cup packed brown sugar
-1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
-2/3 cups quick-cooking oats

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, stir together caramel topping and the cinnamon until well mixed. Add peeled and sliced apples; toss until evening coated. Spread in ungreased 8-inch square (2 quart) glass baking dish.

3. In same bowl, mix 2/3 cup flour and the brown sugar. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or fork, until the mixture looks coarse crumbs. Stir in oats. Crumble mixture over apples in baking dish.

4. Bake 45-50 minutes or until apples are tender and topping is golden brown.

5. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped topping, then drizzle extra caramel topping over all.

ENJOY!