3 of the 4 batches in this blog were all made for friends. And the same 3 out of 4 batches received 5 out of 5 smiley faces. Conclusion - I'm a good friend to have.
#253 Peanut Butter Blondies
I seem to have a theme with the latest batches of cookies -chocolate with a hint of peanut butter. There's nothing better. This blondie type brownie with chocolate frosting and peanut butter chips were a hit with my son and mom. Me - it was a surprising texture - soft blond brownie.
#254 Frosted Cocoa Cookies
So question - you have a "new friend" over to the house for a playdate - and your kid kind of acts like a brat - what do you do. My 3 year old did not want to share with the 1 year olds and when we got them distracted with a toy - then the 3 year old had to play with that toy. Well, at least the cookies were a hit.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this cookie as there was no picture - they were chocolatey goodness - like a brownie - but a cookie. A hint if you're going to make them - they're actually better on days 2-4.
1 cup shortening Frosting:
2 cups sugar 3 cup powdered sugar
4 eggs 1/3 cup baking cocoa
2 tsp vanilla 1/3 cup butter, softened
3 1/2 cup flour 1/4 tsp almond extract
1 cup baking cocoa 3-4 Tbs milk
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time and beat well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.
Roll into 1 1/2 in. balls. Place 2 in apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for 13-16 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
For frosting, in a large bowl, combine the powdered sugar, cocoa, butter and extract. Add enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Frost cooled cookies.
#255 Chocolate covered cherry brownies
In my husband's words - it seems like a good brownie with a bunch of junk on it. If you don't like "junk" on your brownies - I guess move on from this recipe. But if you do like "junk" especially in the form of marshmallows, maraschino cherries and chocolate - then this brownie is for you.
And they were a hit at girls' cabin weekend - where a bunch of 30 something women made a fool of themselves having our own version of the Olympics.
Anyways - you came here for the recipe - so:
2 cups sugar 1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, melted 2 cups mini marshmallows
4 eggs 1 jar (10 oz) maraschino cherries, chopped and well drained
1 cup flour 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup baking cocoa 1 to 2 Tbs heavy whipping cream
2 tsp baking powder
In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.
Pour into a greased 13x9 pan. Bake at 350 for 28 minutes (do double check with a toothpick inserted in middle and comes out clean). Sprinkle with marshmallows. Bake 1-2 minutes longer or until they are soft but not browned. Sprinkle with cherries. Cool on a wire rack.
In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and cream; stir until smooth. Drizzle over brownies. Let stand until chocolate is set.
#256 Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
So Ms. Parker -my former 3rd, 5th and 6th grade teacher; the teacher I did some student teaching with, and a teacher that is now a colleague of mine and I team teach with - came over today - so it's no wonder that she considers me somewhat of a daughter and my kids her grandkids. Before she came - Joey and I whipped up this "shortcut creation".
1 pkg devil's food cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
1 pkg (10 oz) peanut butter chips
In a large bowl, beat the dry cake mix, eggs and oil. Stir in chips.
Roll into 1 inch balls. Place on lightly greased baking sheets; flatten slightly. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes on wire rack before removing to wire racks.
