Blondies

Here's a great, quick bar recipe.  The  important thing about this one is don't use a mixer.  Just do everything by hand.  Here's this delicious recipe to try for the HOLIDAYS !!!
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Makes 2 dozen   2 sticks butter (plus more for greasing the pan) 2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt (if you use salted butter, omit the salt in the recipe) 1 teaspoon  vanilla 2 cups all-purpose flour   2 large eggs 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup chopped pecans, optional Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch-by-12-inch baking pan well with butter. Set the pan aside. Melt the two sticks of butter in a 2-quart microwave-safe bowl covered with a paper towel. Remove the bowl from the microwave, and add the brown sugar. Stir well. Add the baking powder, salt and vanilla extract, stirring until completely incorporated. Stir in the flour, again stirring until it is well mixed. Crack the eggs into a small bowl, and beat them well with a fork or whisk. Add the eggs to the batter and stir with a spoon until they are completely incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips (and the nuts, if using). Spread the batter in the greased pan. The batter will be stiff and sticky.  Bake until the top begins to get golden brown and the blondies just begin to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 20 to 25 minutes. (Baking time will vary depending on your oven and the type of pan.) Do not overbake. Cool for at least 20 minutes, and cut into small squares. Store in an airtight container or cover well with plastic wrap. These bars freeze very well and improve in flavor after the first day.  Per blondie: 216 calories (41 percent from fat), 10 g fat (6 g saturated), 38 mg cholesterol, 2 g protein, 31 g carbohydrates, 1 g dietary fiber, 59 mg sodium. This is an adapted recipe from Desperation Dinners.

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Crazy Sweet Tuesday
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Pecan Pie

For the edge, I used pie crust cutters from Williams-Sonoma

Mmmm, of all the pies in the world, I think I love pecan THE BEST !!  What is it about it...it's richness, it's nuttiness, it's gooey-ness...I don't know??  However, I will be happy to share the recipe that I like to use.  It's actually adapted from Dear Abby's pecan pie recipe that was printed in her column.  Here's my adapted version:

9" unbaked pie crust

1 cup light corn syrup                                                

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

3 eggs, slightly beaten

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/4 t. salt

2 t.vanilla

1 heaping cup pecan halves, chopped

In a large bowl, combine corn syrup, sugar, eggs, butter, salt & vanilla.  Put the chopped pecans in the bottom of the unbaked pie crust.  Pour the filling on top of the nuts.

Bake the pie at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until set.  If the edges of the pie crust start to brown too quickly, cover with foil for the remaining cooking time.  I like to use one of those pie crust protector rings.

Cool the pie for several hours on a cooling rack before slicing.  Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

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Sweets for Saturday

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Hot Chocolate on a Spoon

Recently I was perusing the aisles of a country store & saw this cute idea, which sold for $1.99.  I thought that it would make a really cute gift idea.  I had some chocolate Wilton candy melts already & decided to check out Dollar Tree for the rest of the items.   Sure enough, DT had the marshmallows, spoons & candy canes.   Here's what you need to make these cute spoons:

Aren't these cute?

                                                                     
plastic spoons
peppermint candy canes
mini marshmallows
chocolate for melting (Wilton candy melts, chocolate bark, even chocolate chips
wax paper
plastic wrap
ribbon

Crush some peppermint candy canes & set aside.

Melt your candy melts or whatever chocolate you are using in a microwave-safe container.  I like to use a small, narrow juice glass.  Microwave your chocolate according to directions on package.  I usually microwave at one minute intervals, using 50% power until chocolate is melted.

Take your spoon & dip it into the chocolate, coating liberally.  Place on a cookie sheet that has been lined with wax paper.  Place 3 mini marshmallows down the center of the spoon & sprinkle with the crushed peppermint. You want to do this before the chocolate hardens.  Of course, if you don't like peppermint candy, leave it off.    Repeat for however many spoons you want to do. 

This is a fun project to do with kids!!!!

Place the spoons in the freezer for about 5 minutes to set the chocolate.

Wrap spoon in the plastic wrap & tie with a bow.

Give the spoon with directions to: " Add the spoon to hot milk & stir  for a delicious hot chocolate drink."  I think it would be nice to have a little tag with the title & directions  attached to the spoon.

For a gift, add the spoon to a pretty mug

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 Pink Saturday
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Seasonal Sundays
On the Menu Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
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Tabletop Tuesday
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