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Chocolate Chunk and M&M’s Cookie

February 6, 2013 By 4 Comments

aka… Cookies even the “new and improved” Cookie Monster can’t eat just one of.  (Or is he the carrot monster now?)  My friend Vanessa said her husband made the BEST chocolate chip cookies ever and shared them over on Em’s site.  Well… They are pretty close to the best cookies ever… I will admit.  I made a few modifications (for my own personal taste) and came up with a pretty magical Chocolate Chunk and M&M’s Cookie Recipe.  The result is a soft, chewy, and perfect sized cookie… But of course that happened… I have unicorn glitter on my side.

soft chocolate chunk cookies

 

Chocolate Chunk and M&M’s Cookie
 
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Are you looking for a soft and chewy M&M cookie? Maybe just a chocolate chip cookie recipe? This recipe is for you.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 24

Ingredients
  • 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • ½ tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 tbs. vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • ¾ cup butter, melted
  • 1 cup M&M’s
  • Just under 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks ( you can substitute the M&M’s and chocolate chunks with whatever type of chocolate you prefer like chocolate chips)

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with non-stick spray.
  2. Whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in medium sized bowl.
  3. Cream together sugars, melted butter, and vanilla in large mixing bowl or stand mixer. Add eggs and whip until light and fluffy.
  4. Slowly add flour mixture and combine until dough is formed. Carefully stir in chocolate chunks and M&M’s until well mixed.
  5. Scoop dough about ⅛ cup at a time onto lined or sprayed cookie sheet. Leave a 2 inch space between each cookie.
  6. Bake for 11-12 minutes (do not overcook) Makes about 2-2½ dozen cookies

 

 

m&m's cookie recipe

Are you still here?  Why aren’t you baking these right now???

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Simple Homemade Ranch Dip Recipe

January 31, 2013 By 5 Comments

Who doesn’t love ranch dip?  (Those who raised their hands can just stay silent and PRETEND you love it.)  This Simple Homemade Ranch Dip Recipe will take your love to a whole new level.  You will be dipping carrots left and right.  Where’s the celery?  It’s in your belly… with the ranch dip.  The best part of this recipe… You make it with spices you likely have in your cabinet already.  Say goodbye to those Hidden Valley Ranch Dip packets and say hello to your new best friend… This ranch dip recipe. (Or I can be your new best friend since I am sharing the recipe… I like electronics on my birthday FYI.) ranch dip recipe

Simple Homemade Ranch Dip Recipe
 
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Say goodbye to those packets of ranch dip mix. This Simple Homemade Ranch Dip Recipe is quick, easy, and some of the best ranch dip you have tasted.
Author:
Recipe type: Dips
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12

Ingredients
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp. dried parsley
  • ½ tsp. dried dill weed
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp. salt

Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to medium sized mixing bowl. Stir until well blended and the dip is smooth and creamy. Can be used immediately but is best when chilled for 1-2 hours prior to use.
  2. Serve with fresh veggies, chips, or hot wings.

hidden valley ranch recipe knockoff Now for the real question… What are you going to dip first? Google+

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“Lunch Lady” Peanut Butter Bars

January 28, 2013 By 5 Comments

I do not fall under the category of those who actually loved eating “hot” or school lunch.  In fact, I kind of wished I had a Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox equipped with one of those super awesome thermoses… Which you need to pack you super hot Spaghettios (or however you spell that) to eat at school.  Needless to say… I never got my lunchbox or Spaghettios.  I am still totally traumatized.  I can’t even eat strawberry shortcake without suffering from PTSD.  I swear I had a point… I just forgot it.  OH YEAH!  School lunch.  I didn’t really like it… fake mashed potatoes, strange meat substances, and canned peas just NEVER did it for me.  But you know what made my little 7 year old knees weak?  Those school lunch peanut butter bars, or as I lovingly refer to them as… “Lunch Lady” Peanut Butter Bars.  I figure other people want to have a walk down the path of school lunch memories… So I will share this recipe with you.

peanut butter bar recipe

 

5.0 from 1 reviews

“Lunch Lady” Peanut Butter Bars
 
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School lunch never looked so good. This “lunch lady” peanut bar recipes will have you dreaming of plastic lunch trays…
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  • Bars- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 cups oats (regular or quick)
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • Additional 1½ cups creamy peanut butter
  • Frosting-
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • ⅓-1/2 cup milk
  • 10 TB. cocoa powder (trust me… it’s worth it)

Instructions
  1. Bars- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, or stand mixer, cream together sugars, butter, and peanut butter. Add eggs and vanilla until mixed well.
  2. Slowly add remaining dry ingredients and mix until a well blended dough is formed.
  3. Evenly press dough into a well greased jelly roll pan (I used a 16x12x1) and bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately spread additional peanut butter over the top of HOT bars (be careful when spreading as to not break apart bar). Set aside and allow to cool for 45-60 minutes.
  4. Frosting- In a large mixing bowl, or stand mixer, combine all ingredients on a low speed. When combined, increase speed, and beat until smooth and creamy. Adjust milk for consistency as necessary.
  5. Spread over top of cooled peanut butter bars. Slice. Serve.

 Adapted from a recipe found on Mandy’s Recipe Box.

lunch lady peanut butter bars recipe

Now if these don’t have you singing the “sloppy joe” song (cue random Adam Sandler reference) and whipping out your hair net… I don’t know what will.  Now the real question… Did you like school lunch?

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Homemade Chocolate Syrup Recipe

January 17, 2013 By 2 Comments

A few months back I ran out of bottled chocolate syrup… Right when I needed to use some for a recipe.  It was late at night, I was frustrated, and I certainly wasn’t going to put on “real” pants and go to the store.  Thanks to the wonders of “the Google” and a stocked baking cabinet I was able to create the most amazing Homemade Chocolate Syrup Recipe.  It’s one of those things that makes you wonder… “Why have I been buying these pre-made all these years?”

easy chocolate syrup recipe

Homemade Chocolate Syrup Recipe
 
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Why buy your chocolate syrup in a plastic bottle? You can ditch the plastic and make your own homemade chocolate syrup.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert

Ingredients
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups sugar
  • ⅛ tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. vanilla

Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and whisk until mostly smooth.
  2. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently until the sugar has dissolved.
  3. Turn heat up to medium-high and bring mixture to a low bowl. Stirring frequently to avoid boiling over. Boil for about 3 minutes or until mixture is smooth.
  4. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
  5. Pour syrup into a glass storage jar (using a funnel helps avoid messy spills) and store in fridge. Will keep in fridge for 2-3 months.

Notes
Use homemade chocolate syrup in hot cocoa, as a topping for ice cream or fresh fruit, or in your chocolate milk.

It really is THAT easy to make your own homemade chocolate syrup.  And it tastes better than anything you could ever buy in the store.  It will make you keep a couple extra pints of ice cream in your freezer.  Or you can go the healthy route and use it on fresh sliced fruit. (WHAT??? If it’s fruit isn’t healthy… even with chocolate syrup.)

homemade chocolate syrup recipe

What are some of your favorite things to make homemade vs. buying store bought?  Better yet… What are your favorite ice cream toppings?

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Thanksgiving Recipes Made Easy

November 19, 2012 By 3 Comments

Fall is upon us and it is one of my favorite times of year.  Between Halloween and Thanksgiving there is non-stop cooking in my kitchen.  I love all the inspiration that fall brings into my meals.  And that is most evident in my Thanksgiving recipes.  I love all the traditional foods like pies, turkey, and mashed potatoes but, I like to add my own little twist.  Like what I’ve done in my recipes for garlic mashed potatoes recipe and apple crisp recipe.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes Recipe

garlic mashed potatoes recipe

A savory twist on a favorite Thanksgiving food.

Ingredients-

  • 3 lbs. red potatoes
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • ¾ cup Country Crock Spread
  • 3/4 -1 cup of milk
  • 2 TBS. fresh or dried parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions-

  1. Peel garlic and boil with washed, and cut potatoes with the skins on.   Cook until tender (about 20 minutes).
  2. Drain potatoes and place in large mixing bowl.
  3. Add remaining ingredients and mash until desired consistency.  You may use a electric mixer for a more smooth mashed potato.

Apple Crisp Recipe

apple crisp recipe

 

Everyone loves apple pie but sometimes it is fun to leave off the crust and have a different kind of delightful Thanksgiving dessert.

Ingredients-

  • 5 large tart apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
  • ½ cup of white sugar
  • 1 TBS. lemon juice
  • 2 TBS. flour
  • 1 heaping tsp. cinnamon
  • ¾ cup of Country Crock Spread melted
  • 1 ½ cups of quick oats
  • 1 cup of packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup of flour

Directions-

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat 9×9 pan or 9 inch pie plate with cooking spray.  Arranged sliced apples evenly throughout the dish.  Drizzle lemon juice over apples.
  2. In medium sized bowl mix together white sugar, cinnamon, 2 TBS. of flour and then evenly sprinkle the mixture over apples.
  3. Place remaining ingredients in large bowl and mix together until a crumbly mixture has formed.
  4. Evenly distribute crumb topping over top apples while pressing down to work mixture into the apples.  (the dish may be very full)
  5. Bake in pre-heated oven for 50-60 minutes or until the apple mixture is bubbly and the crumb topping is brown.
  6. Let sit for 30 minutes.  Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.

I know your family will enjoy these Thanksgiving recipes as much as I do.  In fact, why wait for Thanksgiving?  These are perfect recipes all year round.

***Thank you to Good to Know & Unilever Spreads for being a sponsor. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.

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Vampire Proof Breadsticks aka Garlic Parmesan Breadstick Recipe

November 16, 2012 By 7 Comments

I posted a photograph of these breadsticks to Instagram a couple of weeks ago and people were all “Hey… I want that recipe.” And I was all, “Well… All I have is this crappy cell phone pic and it’s dark and you’ll have to wait.”  Now the wait is over.  You too can enjoy the garlicky, buttery, amazingness that are these breadsticks.  Seriously… This garlic parmesan breadstick recipe will be the only recipe you ever need.  Mostly because they are fast and easy.  And the perfect side to accompany THURSKETTI!

easy breadstick recipe

Yes, they do taste as good as they look.  They are even worth giving up any obsession you may have for teenage vampire novels.  Team Edward???  Nah… Team BREADSTICKS!

Simple Breadstick recipe

And I won’t judge if you just skip the main course and dip these bad boys in a little marinara. 

Garlic Parmesan Breadstick Recipe

This quick and easy garlic parmesan breadstick recipe is great for soups, salads, spaghetti, and more.

Ingredients
  • 3 cups of bread flour
  • 2 1/2 tsp. of active dry yeast (just over one packet)
  • 2 tsp. of salt
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup of very warm (but not hot) water
  • 1/2 stick of melted butter
  • 2-3 tablespoons of garlic powder
  • 4 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese
  • 1-2 tablespoons of dried parsley
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients (except the extra butter, garlic, parsley, and parmesan to top with later) to the mixing bowl of your stand mixer and blend with paddle attachment for about 1 minute.
  2. Switch to dough hook and knead about 4-5 minutes.
  3. Dough should be very soft and slightly sticky. (Adjust flour and water as necessary)
  4. Remove dough from mixer and shape into a ball. Move dough to a very lightly floured surface and use a rolling pin to flatten into a rectangle. (about 12 inches by 15 inches)
  5. Cut dough into 18 strips about 1/2-3/4 inch wide. Fold each strip in half and lightly twist sealing at the end.
  6. Place each breadstick on ungreased baking sheet, cover, and allow to rise for about 20-30 minutes.
  7. Bake in pre-heated 375 degree oven for 15-18 minutes or until lightly brown.
  8. Immediately brush breadsticks with melted butter, sprinkle with garlic powder, parmesan cheese, and parsley (all to taste).
  9. Serve with your favorite soups, salads, spaghetti, or dip in marinara sauce.
quick and easy breadstick recipe

I usually double this recipe because they are addictive.  You forget how many you’ve eaten.  But your breath will remind everyone just how many you had… Don’t worry.

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How I Made Soap Without Blowing Up The House

November 12, 2012 By 8 Comments

It’s true… I made soap without blowing up the house.  My sister-in-law Molly and I had been planning to make homemade soaps for ages.  In doing some research I realized that I was far to big of a wimp (and a complete failure at most crafts) to make soap using a lye process.  I like my eyes, throat, hands, and various other appendages that I would likely have lost if going to lye route.  I decided we should use a simple glycerin soap base and go from there.  I am pretty sure Molly is happy she still has all of her body parts in tact thanks to my research.  And as such… We invented a simple lavender soap recipe and I figured I’d show you how-to make it too.  Because… I like your body parts as much as I like you.

how to make lavender soap without lye

Homemade Lavender Soap

Supplies Needed:

  • 8 oz. translucent glycerin soap base
  • 2 tablespoons dried lavender
  • 3-5 drops of purple coloring depending on how deep you want your color (You can find soap/lotion safe coloring online or at your local craft or hobby store)
  • 2 cup glass measuring cup
  • 2- 4 oz. soap molds.

Easy homemade soap

Directions:

  1. Place glycerin soap base in glass measuring cup and melt in microwave.  Melt in 30 second intervals, stirring in-between, until soap is completely melted.
  2. Quickly stir in lavender and coloring.
  3. Carefully pour into molds.
  4. Cool for 1 hour.
  5. Remove from mold by pressing firmly on bottom surface of the mold.

Lavender Soap

Suggestions:

  • Great as a bath or hand soap.
  • Perfect gift for family or friends.
  • Wrap in ribbon or tissue paper for that added touch.
  • And of course… Enjoy!

How To Make Lavender Soap without lye

Now you can go out and make soap too.  Because if I can do it… A chimpanzee can.  And don’t worry… with every triumph comes failure.  I introduce to you… Soap BALLS

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