Brownie Batch Number Three

Chocolate-Caramel Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 20 vanilla caramels, unwrapped
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 cup milk chocolate pieces or semisweet chocolate pieces

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. For crust: In a medium bowl, stir together flour and brown sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press onto the bottom of an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, for filling: In a small bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and vanilla.

3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes more or until filling is set. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine caramels and milk. Cook and stir over medium-low heat just until caramels are melted. Drizzle caramel mixture over filling. Sprinkle with chocolate pieces. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Makes 24 bars.

bhg.com

12 days of Brownies <3

Everyone Loves Brownies

Toward the end of every summer I begin to dread returning to school. Especially this year in the sense that I have faced some rather unfortuante roommmate issues, much beyond my control. In the awful feeling that school is ready to resume I begin to think of the next time I will be home, CHRISTMAS ! Which just happens to be my FAVORITE time of year ! Aside from that wonderful feeling in the fall when the trees are impecable and the apple pie, strusel and cobbler fills the air........
Treats of all kinds just tend to consume me....... And sharing some of my favorite recipes with fellow bloggers is super fun ! So due to the onsetting of the dreaded school feeling I have prepared a fun Christmas/Summer twist !
I LOVE the 12 days of Christmas.......... So instead because it is August and I'm just feeling very Christmasy*** I have decided to share with you

The 12 days of Brownies !!!!
1. because everyone LOVES brownies
2. because everyone deserves to indulge in sinful treats once in a while. and
3. WHo doesn't LOVE to bake !

Brownie Batch Number One
Chunky Path Brownies

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 cups tiny marshmallows
• Chocolate Topper or Chocolate-Peanut Topper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with foil, extending the foil up over the edges of the pan. Grease foil; set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, combine butter, the water, and cocoa powder. Bring mixture just to boiling, stirring constantly. Remove pan from heat. Add the chocolate mixture to the flour mixture; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Beat for 1 minute more (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake in the preheated oven about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

4. Sprinkle marshmallows over hot brownies. Top with Chocolate Topper or Chocolate-Peanut Topper. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

5. To serve, remove brownies from pan by lifting foil. Place on cutting board; cut into bars. Makes 48 brownies.

Chocolate Topper: In a medium saucepan, combine one 12-ounce package semisweet chocolate pieces, 1/2 cup whipping cream, and 1/4 cup butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Drizzle over brownies.

Chocolate-Peanut Topper: In a medium saucepan, combine 1-1/3 cups semisweet chocolate pieces, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, and 3 tablespoons butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until mixture is smooth. Drizzle over brownies. Sprinkle with 1 cup chopped dry roasted peanuts.

TO STORE: Place brownies in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

XOXO

Heaven...

Frozen Chocolate Cookie Cake

Recipe adapted from Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Desserts

Ingredients

Ganache and Filling:

• 1/2 gallon cookies and cream ice cream, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate morsels

Cake:

• Butter, for pans
• Flour, for pans
• 1 (18.25-ounce) box devil's food cake mix
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs

Directions

Line 1 (9-inch) cake pan with plastic wrap, with 3 inches overhanging. Spread softened ice cream into lined pan in a smooth, even layer. Freeze for 3 hours, or until frozen solid.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter and flour 2 (10-inch) round cake pans and set aside. In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat cake mix, water, oil and eggs in a large mixing bowl on medium speed for 2 minutes, or until well blended. Using a spatula, divide batter between the 2 prepared cake pans. Bake for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cakes cool in pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of each pan to loosen cakes and remove from pans.

While cakes are cooling, heat heavy cream in a small heavy saucepan over medium heat until bubbling around the edges. Remove pan from heat, add chocolate morsels, and stir with a whisk until smooth. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, until cool and slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Spread ganache on top of and around sides of both cake layers, keeping layers separate and not fitting together yet. Refrigerate entire cake for 1 hour, or until ganache is set.

Place 1 cake layer, ganache side up, on a serving platter. Remove ice cream from pan, peel off plastic wrap, and place on top of cake layer. Place second cake layer on top of ice cream, ganache side up. Freeze until ready to serve, but let stand at room temperature 5 minutes before seving.