Caramel Corn

My neighbor introduced me to this deliciously addiction snack! It's so simple to make & my boys absolutley LOVE it! A large bag does not last long here!!

1 large bag Popcorn Twists
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tsp baking soda

Dump the twists into a roaster. Put butter, sugar & corn syup into a large pot. Whisk together & being to a boil. Add baking soda. The caramel will foam up (which is why you need the large pot). After the caramel starts to deflate, pour over twists in roaster. Stir to coat all pieces. Bake at 250*F for 45 minutes, stirring ever 10 minutes. Pour onto wax paper, and let cool. After it has cooled down, break up the larger pieces & store in a covered container.

Carrot Cake

Nothing says Easter like carrot cake! This one is very easy to make, thanks to a cake mix, and just by adding some of your favorites, it can be totally customized to suit your tastebuds!!

1 box Spice Cake mix
2 cups shredded carrots
1 can crushed pineapple
1 cup raisins
1 cup coconut
1 cup walnuts - I never add these, due to hubby/oldest son allergies!

Mix up cake mix as directed on box. Stir in carrots, pineapples, & other add ins (I find carrots & pineapples to be the most important!). Pour into greased cake pans, and bake at 350*F until toothpick comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cakes cool completely & frost with cream cheese frosting.

Brownie Cheesecake

This is a quick dessert that looks fabulous!!

1 box of Brownie mix
8oz cream cheese
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar

Prepare brownies as directed on mix (with eggs,water & oil). Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Beat cream cheese, egg & sugar together, until smooth. Place drops of cream cheese mixture on top of brownie batter, and use a knife to swirl. Bake as directed on brownie mix.

Cheery, Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Mmmm. These are super yummy, moist cookies. They are PERFECT for Valentine's Day too! I just used a cherry chip cake mix I had in the cupboard, tossed in oil, eggs & vanilla, then chocolate chips, of couse. Sadly, I burnt the first 2 dozen :( But the good news is, I still have 2 dozen to enjoy!!

1 box Cherry Chip cake mix (I used Betty Crocker)
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 TBSP vanilla
6 oz chocolate chips

Mix half of the cake mix with the oil, eggs and vanilla. Add remaing cake mix & stir in chips. Put a tablespoon of dough on cookie sheets, & and bake at 350F for about 8 minutes.

Homemade Brownies

I finally found the recipe for brownies I've been looking for. Only took about 3 years!! I'm going to make more Peppermint Brownies tonight, but I'll use this recipe instead of boxed brownies. I'll also just throw in the peppermint extract. Oh, & by the way. The brownies? Tasted AMAZING. I'll take pictures tonight, when I make them (yes again, already). Ok. Here is my brownie recipe!!

1 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Preaheat oven to 350F. Lightly butter & flour an 8" square pan, shaking out excess flour. Whisk flour, cocoa & baking powder in mixing bowl & set aside. Whisk remaining ingredients together, & combine with first 3 ingredients. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool.

Sometime I add white chocolate chips, or regular chocolate chips to these. No nuts though!! Well, mostly because G & the boys are all allergic to nuts, but also because I believe nuts do NOT belong in brownies!! You can frost these, or leave them as is.

Peppermint Brownies

Oh people. I have not even eaten one yet, but the smell of these brownies are AMAAAAZZZZING. Seriously. Chocolate. Mint. TWO kinds of frosting. How could they NOT taste good?!?! Here goes (I'll come back with our verdict after we eat them!).

Brownies
1 box of brownie mix
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup water
2 large eggs
1/4 tsp peppermint extract

Place parchment paper into a 9x13" pan, & lightly grease. Beat all the ingredients together for 2 minutes (until moistened). Pour into prepared pan & bake at 350F for 30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool


Peppermint Buttercream
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups icing sugar
1 TBSP milk
1/4 tsp each of vanilla & peppermint extract

Beat butter together with 1 cup of sugar until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients & beat until smooth. If you have to, add more icing sugar (up to 1/2 cup) so it's not too runny. You can tint this red or green if you want to make it more festive! Smooth over cooled brownies & refrigerate until buttercream is firm.

Chocolate Frosting
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
12oz chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup icing sugar

Bring milk & butter to a boil over medium heat. Pour over chips in a heat proof boil & let sit for a couple minutes. Add vanilla, then whisk until smooth. Using your mixer, beat in icing sugar until smooth & glossy. Spread over buttercream layer. You can use decorator's gel (red & white) & swirl across the top in a pretty pattern.

Seriously. Try these. You will drool hours before you even eat one & I can GUARANTEE that you will be asked to make this every Christmas!!!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake

Wow. 5 words but indescribily good. I made this last night for a friend that came over for supper. This was the first time I made "real" cheesecake, & not the cheater way with cream cheese & Cool Whip!

Crust
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
5 TBSP melted butter
2/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 325F. Butter a 9" baking dish, then line with foil or parchment paper. Light butter foil/parchment. Combine crumbs & butter until moistened. Stir in chocolate chips. Press into dish & bake for 6 minutes.


Cookie Dough
5 TBSP butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 TBSP sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix together butter, sugars, salt & vanilla. Add flour, then stir in the chocolate chips. Set aside.


Cheesecake
1 package cream cheese (250g or whatever the foil packs are lol)
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla

Beat cream cheese & suagr until smooth. Add egg & vanilla. Pour onto baked crust. Drop cookie dough on top. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes until set. Melt chocolate chips in a Ziploc bag, snip a tiny hole in the corner & drizzle over the top. Let set 1 hour (or place in freezer for 10 minutes), then cut, cleaning the knife after each cut.

I didn't add the drizzle, I ran out of time, but wow. It is still SOOOO good without it!! So yummy!!!

Cheddar & Apple Muffins

3 cups flour
2/3 cups sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 eggs
1 cup apple juice
1/2 cup melted butter
2 cups grated apples.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, & cinnamon with the eggs, apple juice, and melted butter. Stir in apples & cheese. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake at 375 F for 20-30 minutes.