Brownies W/Caramels, Coconut, & Chocolate.

Good Wednesday Earth Day (note: not an environmentalist) everyone! Hope you are having a good week so far. I have been really enjoying sunny spring weather. I have waited a long time to be able to not wear a jacket!

There aren't words for these brownies. They are chewy, moist, stomach-pleasing, and eye-catching. I have been seeing other bakers making homemade Somaos all over the internet. I thought why not make a brownie Somaos? I am so glad I thought of making these. They are now my favorite brownies I have ever made and they make for amazing pictures. I also got thumbs up from my brother.

Brownie Somoas

Ingredients:

1 brownie mix

3 1/2 cups shredded coconut, toasted

(2) 14 oz. package of caramels, unwrapped

1/2 tsp. salt

4 tbsp. milk

3 oz. semi-sweet chocolate

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare brownie mix according to box directions. Cool. Place the caramels, salt, and milk in a microwave safe bowl and cook on high for 3-5 minutes. Stop occasionaly to stir. Cook until all caramels are melted and smooth. Add coconut and mix together. Spread over cooled brownies. Refrigerate 4-5 hours or overnight. Cut into bars and drizzle with melted semi-sweet chocolate.

____________

I bet most of us have little sisters. Anna is 5 years younger than me. Anna loves to laugh at my jokes. I know if I make a joke she will usually laugh, while my siblings usually pass looks that say that was dumb. She says some pretty funny things. She is full of energy. Which is good, because in this family no one is quiet. While my brothers usually say nothing about my baking but keep eating it, Anna is the first to tell me what I made was good. And last year she let me cut her hair for the first time ever in her life. It was also my first time ever cutting hair. That took some courage. She usually does let me do things like to her. Amazing - right?

Enjoy your Wednesday, and I will have a non-dessert recipe next! Got a busy afternoon/evening ahead of me!

Brownies With Peanut Butter, Vanilla Pudding, & Cool Whip.

___________

Winner of the 2 mugs picked by random.org is:

BrittWilk who said: this week I'm going to start getting us organized for moving logistics!

Congrats Britt! Please contact me at priscilla91@iowatelecom.net.

___________

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you all are enjoying some beautiful spring weather this weekend. House cleaning was in full swing this morning and afternoon. While I'm not the biggest fan of cleaning, I love being in a clean house. Friday we hopped to the theater and saw Knowing. I really liked that movie, it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. My Dad was telling my little 14 year old brother he had a shocked and frozen look on his face during the movie. My other little brother walked out of the theater hating it. Today he says it wasn't too bad after all. I personally liked it. It had lots and lots of action. I like action movies. Another movie with not many language issues at all. My favorite character is the little boy Caleb, John's (Nicholas Cage) son.

If you are a big peanut butter fan, I know you will love these brownies. The peanut butter is mixed with vanilla pudding and spread inbetween the brownie and the cool whip chocolate topping. The cool whip topping is light and fluffy but yummy on top of the peanut butter mixture and brownie. They taste best when the brownie are still chewy, so it is important not to overbake them.

Triple-Layer Peanut Butter Brownies
Ingredients:
1 pkg. (19 to 20 oz) brownie mix, prepared in 13x9 inch pan
1 cup cold milk
1 pkg. (3.4 oz) Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups Cool Whip Topping, thawed
6 squares Semi-sweet baking chocolate
DIRECTIONS:
Prepare brownies according to box directions. Whisk milk and pudding mix 2 min. while brownies are cooling. Add peanut butter and sugar, mix well. Cover and refrigerate pudding mixture until brownies are completely cooled. Spread pudding mixture over brownies. Melt chocolate squares and combine with cool whip. Spread over pudding. Refrigerate 1 hour.

___________________

My friend sent me a link to this youtube video, I wanted to share it you guys. I was laughing so hard at this, what a funny movie.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll see you with a dinner recipe next!

Finally, Some Food Recipes.

Good Wednesday evening everyone! Sorry to be gone for so long with no recipe posts. I was having loads of fun celebrating my 1 year blogiversary with you guys. And, believe it or not...it isn't over yet. Which means more prizes for my blog readers. But until then, here are 3 recipes to make up for my lack of non-food posts.

BBQ Chicken Salad, the name alone sounds good. And it is delicious. Beyond a yummy recipe. Pair it with the Cheddar Muffins and you've got yourself a winning meal. I love the kidney beans and corn mixed in the salad. The brownies are a must to make. They are thick, chewey, and moist. Who knew Chocolate Graham Crackers would taste good in brownies?

BBQ Ranch Salad

Ingredients:
1 cup cubed cooked chicken breast
1 cup canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 small tomato, chopped
1/3 cup canned corn

2 tablespoons chopped red onion (optional)
1/4 cup ranch salad dressing
1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
1-1/2 cups torn romaine

DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl, combine the chicken, kidney beans, tomato, corn and onion. Combine ranch dressing and barbecue sauce; pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Divide romaine between two salad plates; top with salad. Yield: 2 servings.

Ham & Cheese Muffins
2 eggs
3 cups Bisquick mix
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped ham, sandwich meat

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 400°F. Spray bottoms and sides of 12 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray. (Spray will work better than greasing or using paper muffin liners.) Beat eggs slightly in medium bowl with fork. Stir in Bisquick mix, milk and oil just until moistened. Stir in 3/4 cup of the cheese and the ham. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese evenly over tops of muffins. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately remove from pan. Serve warm. Wrap and refrigerate any remaining muffins.
------------------ Coffee Chocolate Graham Cracker Brownies

Ingredients:

16 chocolate graham crackers

2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 large eggs

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup light brown sugar

2 tbsp. instant coffee granules

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 cup chocolate chips or chunks

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Lightly grease an 8x8 inch pan. Crush the graham crackers finely. Pour into a bowl and add cocoa and salt. Mix well with a wooden spoon and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugars. beat with an elextric mixer at high speed until thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the coffee granules and vanilla. Fold in chips/chunks and the graham cracker crumb mixture. Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Make sure to not overbake. Let cool completely in the pan and frost with Ganache.

---------------

Ganache

Ingredients:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 cups chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

Microwave cream until bubbly and very hot. Fold in chips. Stir until thickened and smooth. Spread over brownies. Let harden and cut into squares.

----------------

We got to go snowboarding in 50 some degree weather. That is exceptional. Usually the temperature is around 20 some to 30 degrees. I survived without any crashes. But, I now have a big fear of crashing while snowboarding, crashing into Steven was a pretty scary incident. The good thing that came out of that is that I am now a more cautious snowboarder. Yes, you could have called me a wreckless snowboarder. Doesn't sound very good.

See you next with a giveaway you're gonna love!

#8 & Brownies!

#8. So, Pecan Balls are #8. Depending on who you ask in my family - others would rank these higher. But since I am doing the ranking here, they come in at #8 (did I say 8 too many times)??:) With a cup of coffee or tea and these - your breakfast will be oh-so yummy!

"Pecan Balls"

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup finely chopped pecans

Powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat butter in large mixing bowl with elctric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 sec. Add granulated sugar & salt, beat until combined. Beat in vanilla. Beat in as much flour as you can with mixer. Stir in any remaining flour with a wooden spoon. Stir in pecans. Shape slightly rounded tsp. of dough into balls size of large grapes. Place 1-in. apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8-9 minutes or until bottoms just begin to brown. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Roll in powdered sugar.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

These brownies are really good, just look at the pictures....need I say more???

"Favorite Frosted Brownies"

Ingredients:
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
3 cups confectioners' sugar
Decorating sprinkles, optional

DIRECTIONS:
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. For frosting, in a mixing bowl, beat the butter, milk and vanilla; add cocoa. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over cooled brownies. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Yield: 12-15 servings.
My brother waiting with you guys for #7 too.

Ah-Mazing Cookies & Easy Too!

When you feel like having a dessert that is really quick, easy, and tastes delicious....try these! They are soo good. They were gone in about 15 minutes - but I guess that isn't hard with 8 people!

Thank you everyone for answering my questions in my last post. I get so excited when new people leave comments or when you guys try my recipes and say you like 'em! On my next post, I will tell you what I found out about Stumble Upon.

Big Brownie Cookies

1 (19.5 to 21.5-ounce size) box fudge brownie mix
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup oil
3 tablespoons water
2 eggs

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir until all dry ingredients are incorporated, but do not overmix. Drop by rounded tablespoons (I use a #40 scoop) onto the greased baking sheet. Leave at least 2 inches between cookies as these will spread.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, (I baked mine for 8-9 minutes) until cookies appear set and do not look “wet” in the middle. Let cookies sit on baking sheet for 3 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool. To serve, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Makes about 2 dozen cookies

*If desired, you can stir in 1 cup of white chocolate, semisweet chocolate, or peanut butter chips; 1 cup of chopped almonds or pecans; or 1 cup of M&MS or Reese’s Pieces before scooping and dropping onto cookie sheet.*

My brothers playing their daily game of baseball - Steven on the left and Joe on the right.

At at one point they were like this on the ground...results from going after the same ball. Don't worry - they were fine. :)

I had to stop taking pictures of them so I could get this gorgeous sunset! I am so glad God gave me eyes to see this!

Brownies, Puddings, & Bananas!

I found this recipe off of flickr and knew I had to make it. The only thing I'd change here is use 2 chocolate pudding mixes instead of 1 banana mix and 1 chocolate mix. The banana taste wasn't very good in this at all. I might take the bananas out too next time. But, other than that - it was yummy! Another reason to get those parfait glasses if you don't have 'em!

"Easy Brownie Pudding"

1 box (small) banana cream pudding

1 box (small) chocolate pudding

4 cups cold milk (2 cups for each box)

4 bananas (peeled & sliced)

1 box of brownie mix

Instructions:

In a medium size-mixing bowl add the pudding powder from both boxes. Mix together all 4 cups of milk according to the instructions on the box with either a wire whisk or hand mixer. Once pudding has come to the right consistency set aside to prepare the banana and brownies.Using a cutting board or what ever you fill comfortable using. Peel and cut each banana into slices approx. 1/2 in or so and set aside. Also cut each brownie into small bite size chunks.In a medium serving bowl add a layer of the pudding mixture to the bottom of the bowl alternating pudding, bananas, and brownies. Chill or eat right away.

Cute Little Desserts & A Giveaway!

These are so good. I was wanting to bake something but not with a lot of ingredients, this was perfect. With two ingredients and really easy to make - what's not to like?? While I was waiting for them to cool for picture taking, my brothers and sister were asking non-stop..."can we have one"??!! As of now, they are almost all gone. If you need something quick and easy give these a shot!! Giveaway at the bottom...

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Cups(thanks Jenny)

1 box brownie mix 9 x 13 size

1 batch of your favorite cookie dough

Powdered sugar or frosting

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare brownies according to package directions. Pour batter into mini cupcake tins (about 36-40) that have been sprayed generously with cooking spray. Spoon 1 Tablespoon of cookie dough into the center of each filled cupcake tin, gently pressing down into the batter. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until cooked through. Let cool for 10 minutes before removing brownies from tins. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or frost. Enjoy!

**Instead of using mini cupcake tins, I used the normal size.**

Yummy.
Now, for the giveaway! This is my first ever, so bear with me.:) To qualify, simply tell me your favorite summer olympic sport in the comment section. Deadline ends Friday at midnight and I will be announcing the winner of this "Taste Of Home Annual Recipes Cookbook 2008" with over 500 recipes Saturday. Don't forget to leave me a way to contact you!
No, you don't get my little brother too!