July's Secret Recipe Club - Homemade Twix Bars

To contact us Click HERE
Happy Monday to you!

First things first.... shameless plug! I just started a facebook page and would love for you to come like it :) You can click on the link above or click on the icon in my sidebar to the right.

It's time for this month's Secret Recipe Club.

I was assigned to Chris's blog Mele Cotte, which I learned means "baked apple" in Italian. She has an array of recipes that anyone would want to try! How about some Marinated Mushrooms, or Lemon Buttermilk Pound Cake? So many sounded delish but I decided on her Homemade Twix Bars. 

























Cuz I don't even think it is possible for me to pass up chocolate and caramel.

I did put mine in the freezer to get them nice and firm, more like a Twix bar. Then I stored them in the fridge so they would stay firm. At room temperature, they get softer. But they were good that way too! I just prefer mine firm from the fridge  :)


Homemade Twix Barsever so slightly adapted from Mele Cotte
Shortbread Base

• 1 and 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup castor (fine) sugar (or pulse granulated sugar in a food processor, then measure)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Caramel Filling

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup dark corn syrup
• 14- oz. can sweetened condensed milk

Chocolate Topping 

• 11.5 oz milk chocolate

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray and line the bottom of an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
For shortbread, combine flour, softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed until the batter starts to come together. Do not overbeat. While together but still crumbly, transfer dough to the prepared pan and press evenly and firmly to make the base. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.
Meanwhile, make the caramel filling. Place the butter, sugar, dark corn syrup, and condensed milk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently. Once the sugar dissolves, increase heat and bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat back to medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes until the mixture becomes thick and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Pour over the baked shortbread base and let cool for 15-30 minutes. Place in the refrigerator to cool and firm completely. Once firm, melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl until melted, stirring frequently. Cool slightly. Pour over the caramel and spread, creating an even layer. 
Chill to set. Cut into desired bars.  Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Makes about 16, 4-inch sticks.
Printable Recipe 

These bars weren't difficult to make at all. Make a golden shortbread base, cover it with a sweet caramel filling, and top it off with some chocolate... reminiscent of a Twix candy bar. Except homemade is always better. 

And you can give them away to people to show them you care. Chocolate and caramel do that, ya know  :)


Linking up here.
Peace, and bacon grease!

Book Review: The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie

To contact us Click HERE
I've decided I'm starting a new series on my blog where I review books. One of my resolutions for the year is to read at least 5 books. I know, big whoop. But as much as I adore reading, it's hard for me to find time to do it. But it's totally doable. I borrowed the idea to review the books I read from Stephanie over at Confessions of a City Eater, except that she has the goal of reading 52 books in a year! Wowza! I WISH! I also love the idea of having a written journal of all of my thoughts and maybe even quotes I love from certain books. There are so many books I've loved in the past that I wish I remembered to a tee, or was able to look back and remember how exactly I felt about them while reading. So I'm doing it!


I actually read this book for the 2011 challenge, so I'm a tad late posting this. It is called The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie. I know what you're thinking, depressing choice, right? I agree. But ever since I found Vee's blog, I've been interested in widows' stories. How they go on with their lives, how they cope with the everyday life, how, how, how. As I was reading this book, I just kept thinking about Vee and her story, her actual "novel" that was her new reality. I just kept thinking, this is a fiction book, but that is Vee's actual life. I think that makes a great book... when it can touch you and feel so much like real life that it scares you. That if the events of the book were to actually take place, you wouldn't know how to cope. That's how I feel when I read Vee's blog. I wouldn't know how to do it. I wouldn't know how to be strong, like she is. 

Except that the book is fiction, and Vee's story is not. 

Please take a moment to stop by Vee's blog and read her story, about the loss of her husband while she was pregnant, and then her brother not too long after, and about her life, and her strength to get through each day. Vee in her own right is a beautiful writer, her words always touch me so much, that I can't even try to put it into words. Every post is soul wrenching, beautiful, painful, brilliant, eloquent, and honest all at once. She has a way of bringing every visual to life, whether we want to envision it or not. And I think it's beautiful that she allows us into her thoughts. She is strong, she is beautiful. She is one of my heros, and I don't even know her. I'm forever touched by that girl.

Well, this book ended up being nothing like I imagined. Not a bereavement guide for widows, simply a captivating fictional piece of work. In the novel, Sarah lost her husband David in a kayaking accident. The body was never found, and though they had a memorial service for him, she never fully had closure since they never buried his body. She kept seeing him everywhere... in the grocery store, in her house, in the mirrors, outside her window or door. I imagine that is how I would feel if this happened to me. Especially if they never found the body. I would always be yearning and hoping he would show up. That he would have just been lost for a long time, but finally found. Finally home.

The beginning had me emotional and doing some inner soul searching. You would think I wouldn't want to read books like these, because I am an emotional person who is easily brought to tears. But I like to think about how special and important my fiancee is in my life. I like to remember it always, and books like this and stories like Vee's make me cherish every single moment I have with him. I cherish the love he gives me, because I know how it could be taken from me. And I never want that. Ever. They say you don't know what you have until it's gone... well, I don't want to ever have to know that. I want to know what I have before it's gone, and adore it every waking moment of my life.

Now I don't want to give away too much of the plot, in case anyone decides to read it. Let's just say that it became less "heartbreaking" as the story went on. This book that I originally thought would have me crying tears of sadness really wasn't meant to be a sad book after all. If you were turned off by the thought of this being a gut-wrenching grief-filled novel, don't be. It's really not like that at all. If you like suspenseful fictional novels with a touch of love, drama, and mystery, you will like this book. I could have done without some of the plot (such as a predictable affair), but I didn't want to put the book down so that's a good thing.

Overrall, I enjoyed the book thoroughly. Especially the ending, which I think I fully understand. This book will keep you guessing all along... is he a ghost, is he real, is it all a huge dream? I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good fiction novel, but not to someone who is looking to this book for some guidance on handling widowdom. 





Stay tuned for more book reviews. And make your own reading challenge goal here!


Peace, and bacon grease!

August's Secret Recipe Club - Deep Fried Twinkies with Strawberry Topping

To contact us Click HERE
I sure have missed this blog and you guys. I've been slackin this month on posting unfortunately. PJ and I just got back from our vacation in Destin, FL! Let's just say I don't wanna be back in Cincinnati. But more about that vacation later...
Now it's time for this month's Secret Recipe Club. I was assigned to Joanna's (aka Jo) blog, which I was excited about because it was a new-to-me blog. It's always exciting to stalk a new blog. And this one was no exception. I was intrigued by Jo's recipes, like her Brown Butter and Rum Glazed Pineapple, her Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, and of course her Crispy S'mores. But when I came across her post about some deep fried goodness, nothing else mattered.

























You see, last year PJ and I went on a double date with our friends to the Clermont County fair. It was a revolutionary occasion, as it was the first time we ever tried the oh-so-amazing deep fried oreo, and its delicious friend, the deep fried twinkie. I couldn't tell you anything else about that fair except for the joy I found when I discovered those deep fried treats. We were supposed to go again this year, and I was anticipating the day. Waiting for the chance to get my hands and mouth on those deep fried miracles again. But we didn't end up going! I seriously was so distraught. What? You mean I have to wait another year?!


















So you can imagine my insanity when I saw Jo's recipe for Deep Fried Twinkies. No, you probably can't even imagine my insanity when I saw that recipe. Pure and utter insanity bliss.



















Turns out I don't need the Clermont County Fair after all. I'm bringing the county fair to my own kitchen.


Deep Fried Twinkies with Strawberry ToppingDeep Fried Twinkies from Cairns Manor

• 6 Twinkies, frozen overnight
• 4 cups vegetable oil*
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar, for topping
• Strawberry Topping - recipe follows

Heat vegetable oil in deep fryer to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, mix together the wet ingredients: milk, vinegar, and olive oil. In a separate large bowl, blend together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.
Dip Twinkie into the batter, rotating until batter covers the entire Twinkie. Place carefully into the hot oil. The Twinkie may float, so you may want to hold it under with a utensil or continuously flip to ensure even browning. Cook until golden brown for 3-4 minutes, turning as needed. Cook 1 or 2 at a time to prevent them from sticking together.
Remove Twinkie(s) to paper towel and drain. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Top with Strawberry Sauce and powdered sugar, and whipped cream if desired.
Strawberry Topping ever-so-slightly adapted from Our Best Bites

• 1 pint strawberries
  
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Wash strawberries and remove leaves. I cut off the ends where the leaves were too and then cut them in half lengthwise. 
Combine strawberries, sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan, bringing to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for five minutes, stirring constantly. Serve over Deep Fried Twinkies.

*I just filled my deep fryer almost to the max line with vegetable oil.

Printable Recipe


 
















Thank you, Jo, for letting us re-experience the memories of the summer county fair and its deep fried goodness. In the comforts of our own home. Anytime we want.

 

Check out my other Secret Recipe Club posts too! 

And I also got to cross another item off of my Blog Bucket List... I used that deep fryer I've been meaning to for years :)  Take that, bucket list!

Linking up here.
 
Peace, and bacon grease!

September's Secret Recipe Club - Butterfinger Ice Cream Pie

To contact us Click HERE
Time for another month of the Secret Recipe Club.

I was so excited when I learned I was assigned to Kate's blog, A Spoonful of Thyme. I've already been following her blog for a long time now, since my early days of blogging, and have been in awe of her amazing recipes and beautiful photos for some time. I already had a list of her recipes on my recipe list that I wanted to try, so it wasn't easy to find and choose one. Kahlua Bars. Savory Cheese and Chive Bread. And her pumpkin dishes! And this isn't even the beginning. Ultimately, her Butterfinger pie won me over. Simple, genius, and delicious.

























I love that this pie only requires 4 ingredients and is literally so easy to put together. You can make your own homemade graham cracker crust, but I opted for the simple store-bought version. That's part of what I love about this "recipe". 
















Butterfinger Ice Cream Pie
from A Spoonful of Thyme 

• 1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust
• 1 quart vanilla ice cream
• 3 (2.1 oz) Butterfinger candy bars, coarsely crushed
• chocolate sauce

Soften ice cream and evenly mix in crushed candy, saving some for topping.  Spread evenly in graham cracker crust and freeze.  To serve top with a drizzle of chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of Butterfingers crumbs.

Printable Recipe



















Check out my other Secret Recipe Club posts too!

Peace, and bacon grease!

S'mores Fudge {Week 3 of The 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats!}

To contact us Click HERE
Hello hello! 

Here's to Week 3 of The 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats, hosted by Brenda at Meal Planning Magic. Please join us. You've got 9 weeks left!  So I made some more fudge. 
S'mores fudge, in fact.

 
What a genius idea! 
Only, I mixed the marshmallows in way too much, that they became incorporated into the chocolate and you can't even see them in the photos. But Baking Bites photos is amazing - in focus and you can see those marshmallows and graham crackers so crisply!
 
So next time I make it I'll only fold the marshmallows in gently and not overmix. 
S'mores Fudgeslightly adapted from Baking Bites

• 18 oz semisweet or milk chocolate (or 3 cups chocolate chips), chopped
• 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 2 cups chopped graham crackers

Line a 9-inch square cake pan with lightly greased aluminum foil.
In a double boiler or large pot, combine chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, butter and vanilla extract. Cook, stirring frequently, until very smooth. Stir constantly to prevent scorching, if cooking in a pot.

Fold mini marshmallows and graham cracker pieces into the chocolate mixture with a spatula. Do not overmix. Pour into prepared pan and press into an even layer.

Allow fudge to set at room temperature for 4-6 hours. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container.

Printable Recipe






















 



I am really loving this series. It brings me joy to search and search for the perfect treats to make. I have a whole list of possibilities!



Check out what treats other bloggers made in the blog hop below:

Peace, and bacon grease!

July's Secret Recipe Club - Homemade Twix Bars

To contact us Click HERE
Happy Monday to you!

First things first.... shameless plug! I just started a facebook page and would love for you to come like it :) You can click on the link above or click on the icon in my sidebar to the right.

It's time for this month's Secret Recipe Club.

I was assigned to Chris's blog Mele Cotte, which I learned means "baked apple" in Italian. She has an array of recipes that anyone would want to try! How about some Marinated Mushrooms, or Lemon Buttermilk Pound Cake? So many sounded delish but I decided on her Homemade Twix Bars. 

























Cuz I don't even think it is possible for me to pass up chocolate and caramel.

I did put mine in the freezer to get them nice and firm, more like a Twix bar. Then I stored them in the fridge so they would stay firm. At room temperature, they get softer. But they were good that way too! I just prefer mine firm from the fridge  :)


Homemade Twix Barsever so slightly adapted from Mele Cotte
Shortbread Base

• 1 and 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup castor (fine) sugar (or pulse granulated sugar in a food processor, then measure)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Caramel Filling

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup dark corn syrup
• 14- oz. can sweetened condensed milk

Chocolate Topping 

• 11.5 oz milk chocolate

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray and line the bottom of an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
For shortbread, combine flour, softened butter, sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Beat for 1 minute on medium speed until the batter starts to come together. Do not overbeat. While together but still crumbly, transfer dough to the prepared pan and press evenly and firmly to make the base. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.
Meanwhile, make the caramel filling. Place the butter, sugar, dark corn syrup, and condensed milk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently. Once the sugar dissolves, increase heat and bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat back to medium-low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes until the mixture becomes thick and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Pour over the baked shortbread base and let cool for 15-30 minutes. Place in the refrigerator to cool and firm completely. Once firm, melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl until melted, stirring frequently. Cool slightly. Pour over the caramel and spread, creating an even layer. 
Chill to set. Cut into desired bars.  Store in an airtight container for up to a week. Makes about 16, 4-inch sticks.
Printable Recipe 

These bars weren't difficult to make at all. Make a golden shortbread base, cover it with a sweet caramel filling, and top it off with some chocolate... reminiscent of a Twix candy bar. Except homemade is always better. 

And you can give them away to people to show them you care. Chocolate and caramel do that, ya know  :)


Linking up here.
Peace, and bacon grease!

Book Review: The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie

To contact us Click HERE
I've decided I'm starting a new series on my blog where I review books. One of my resolutions for the year is to read at least 5 books. I know, big whoop. But as much as I adore reading, it's hard for me to find time to do it. But it's totally doable. I borrowed the idea to review the books I read from Stephanie over at Confessions of a City Eater, except that she has the goal of reading 52 books in a year! Wowza! I WISH! I also love the idea of having a written journal of all of my thoughts and maybe even quotes I love from certain books. There are so many books I've loved in the past that I wish I remembered to a tee, or was able to look back and remember how exactly I felt about them while reading. So I'm doing it!


I actually read this book for the 2011 challenge, so I'm a tad late posting this. It is called The Widow's Season by Laura Brodie. I know what you're thinking, depressing choice, right? I agree. But ever since I found Vee's blog, I've been interested in widows' stories. How they go on with their lives, how they cope with the everyday life, how, how, how. As I was reading this book, I just kept thinking about Vee and her story, her actual "novel" that was her new reality. I just kept thinking, this is a fiction book, but that is Vee's actual life. I think that makes a great book... when it can touch you and feel so much like real life that it scares you. That if the events of the book were to actually take place, you wouldn't know how to cope. That's how I feel when I read Vee's blog. I wouldn't know how to do it. I wouldn't know how to be strong, like she is. 

Except that the book is fiction, and Vee's story is not. 

Please take a moment to stop by Vee's blog and read her story, about the loss of her husband while she was pregnant, and then her brother not too long after, and about her life, and her strength to get through each day. Vee in her own right is a beautiful writer, her words always touch me so much, that I can't even try to put it into words. Every post is soul wrenching, beautiful, painful, brilliant, eloquent, and honest all at once. She has a way of bringing every visual to life, whether we want to envision it or not. And I think it's beautiful that she allows us into her thoughts. She is strong, she is beautiful. She is one of my heros, and I don't even know her. I'm forever touched by that girl.

Well, this book ended up being nothing like I imagined. Not a bereavement guide for widows, simply a captivating fictional piece of work. In the novel, Sarah lost her husband David in a kayaking accident. The body was never found, and though they had a memorial service for him, she never fully had closure since they never buried his body. She kept seeing him everywhere... in the grocery store, in her house, in the mirrors, outside her window or door. I imagine that is how I would feel if this happened to me. Especially if they never found the body. I would always be yearning and hoping he would show up. That he would have just been lost for a long time, but finally found. Finally home.

The beginning had me emotional and doing some inner soul searching. You would think I wouldn't want to read books like these, because I am an emotional person who is easily brought to tears. But I like to think about how special and important my fiancee is in my life. I like to remember it always, and books like this and stories like Vee's make me cherish every single moment I have with him. I cherish the love he gives me, because I know how it could be taken from me. And I never want that. Ever. They say you don't know what you have until it's gone... well, I don't want to ever have to know that. I want to know what I have before it's gone, and adore it every waking moment of my life.

Now I don't want to give away too much of the plot, in case anyone decides to read it. Let's just say that it became less "heartbreaking" as the story went on. This book that I originally thought would have me crying tears of sadness really wasn't meant to be a sad book after all. If you were turned off by the thought of this being a gut-wrenching grief-filled novel, don't be. It's really not like that at all. If you like suspenseful fictional novels with a touch of love, drama, and mystery, you will like this book. I could have done without some of the plot (such as a predictable affair), but I didn't want to put the book down so that's a good thing.

Overrall, I enjoyed the book thoroughly. Especially the ending, which I think I fully understand. This book will keep you guessing all along... is he a ghost, is he real, is it all a huge dream? I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good fiction novel, but not to someone who is looking to this book for some guidance on handling widowdom. 





Stay tuned for more book reviews. And make your own reading challenge goal here!


Peace, and bacon grease!

August's Secret Recipe Club - Deep Fried Twinkies with Strawberry Topping

To contact us Click HERE
I sure have missed this blog and you guys. I've been slackin this month on posting unfortunately. PJ and I just got back from our vacation in Destin, FL! Let's just say I don't wanna be back in Cincinnati. But more about that vacation later...
Now it's time for this month's Secret Recipe Club. I was assigned to Joanna's (aka Jo) blog, which I was excited about because it was a new-to-me blog. It's always exciting to stalk a new blog. And this one was no exception. I was intrigued by Jo's recipes, like her Brown Butter and Rum Glazed Pineapple, her Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, and of course her Crispy S'mores. But when I came across her post about some deep fried goodness, nothing else mattered.

























You see, last year PJ and I went on a double date with our friends to the Clermont County fair. It was a revolutionary occasion, as it was the first time we ever tried the oh-so-amazing deep fried oreo, and its delicious friend, the deep fried twinkie. I couldn't tell you anything else about that fair except for the joy I found when I discovered those deep fried treats. We were supposed to go again this year, and I was anticipating the day. Waiting for the chance to get my hands and mouth on those deep fried miracles again. But we didn't end up going! I seriously was so distraught. What? You mean I have to wait another year?!


















So you can imagine my insanity when I saw Jo's recipe for Deep Fried Twinkies. No, you probably can't even imagine my insanity when I saw that recipe. Pure and utter insanity bliss.



















Turns out I don't need the Clermont County Fair after all. I'm bringing the county fair to my own kitchen.


Deep Fried Twinkies with Strawberry ToppingDeep Fried Twinkies from Cairns Manor

• 6 Twinkies, frozen overnight
• 4 cups vegetable oil*
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar, for topping
• Strawberry Topping - recipe follows

Heat vegetable oil in deep fryer to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, mix together the wet ingredients: milk, vinegar, and olive oil. In a separate large bowl, blend together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.
Dip Twinkie into the batter, rotating until batter covers the entire Twinkie. Place carefully into the hot oil. The Twinkie may float, so you may want to hold it under with a utensil or continuously flip to ensure even browning. Cook until golden brown for 3-4 minutes, turning as needed. Cook 1 or 2 at a time to prevent them from sticking together.
Remove Twinkie(s) to paper towel and drain. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Top with Strawberry Sauce and powdered sugar, and whipped cream if desired.
Strawberry Topping ever-so-slightly adapted from Our Best Bites

• 1 pint strawberries
  
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Wash strawberries and remove leaves. I cut off the ends where the leaves were too and then cut them in half lengthwise. 
Combine strawberries, sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan, bringing to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for five minutes, stirring constantly. Serve over Deep Fried Twinkies.

*I just filled my deep fryer almost to the max line with vegetable oil.

Printable Recipe


 
















Thank you, Jo, for letting us re-experience the memories of the summer county fair and its deep fried goodness. In the comforts of our own home. Anytime we want.

 

Check out my other Secret Recipe Club posts too! 

And I also got to cross another item off of my Blog Bucket List... I used that deep fryer I've been meaning to for years :)  Take that, bucket list!

Linking up here.
 
Peace, and bacon grease!

September's Secret Recipe Club - Butterfinger Ice Cream Pie

To contact us Click HERE
Time for another month of the Secret Recipe Club.

I was so excited when I learned I was assigned to Kate's blog, A Spoonful of Thyme. I've already been following her blog for a long time now, since my early days of blogging, and have been in awe of her amazing recipes and beautiful photos for some time. I already had a list of her recipes on my recipe list that I wanted to try, so it wasn't easy to find and choose one. Kahlua Bars. Savory Cheese and Chive Bread. And her pumpkin dishes! And this isn't even the beginning. Ultimately, her Butterfinger pie won me over. Simple, genius, and delicious.

























I love that this pie only requires 4 ingredients and is literally so easy to put together. You can make your own homemade graham cracker crust, but I opted for the simple store-bought version. That's part of what I love about this "recipe". 
















Butterfinger Ice Cream Pie
from A Spoonful of Thyme 

• 1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust
• 1 quart vanilla ice cream
• 3 (2.1 oz) Butterfinger candy bars, coarsely crushed
• chocolate sauce

Soften ice cream and evenly mix in crushed candy, saving some for topping.  Spread evenly in graham cracker crust and freeze.  To serve top with a drizzle of chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of Butterfingers crumbs.

Printable Recipe



















Check out my other Secret Recipe Club posts too!

Peace, and bacon grease!

S'mores Fudge {Week 3 of The 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats!}

To contact us Click HERE
Hello hello! 

Here's to Week 3 of The 12 Weeks of Christmas Treats, hosted by Brenda at Meal Planning Magic. Please join us. You've got 9 weeks left!  So I made some more fudge. 
S'mores fudge, in fact.

 
What a genius idea! 
Only, I mixed the marshmallows in way too much, that they became incorporated into the chocolate and you can't even see them in the photos. But Baking Bites photos is amazing - in focus and you can see those marshmallows and graham crackers so crisply!
 
So next time I make it I'll only fold the marshmallows in gently and not overmix. 
S'mores Fudgeslightly adapted from Baking Bites

• 18 oz semisweet or milk chocolate (or 3 cups chocolate chips), chopped
• 1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 2 cups chopped graham crackers

Line a 9-inch square cake pan with lightly greased aluminum foil.
In a double boiler or large pot, combine chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, butter and vanilla extract. Cook, stirring frequently, until very smooth. Stir constantly to prevent scorching, if cooking in a pot.

Fold mini marshmallows and graham cracker pieces into the chocolate mixture with a spatula. Do not overmix. Pour into prepared pan and press into an even layer.

Allow fudge to set at room temperature for 4-6 hours. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container.

Printable Recipe






















 



I am really loving this series. It brings me joy to search and search for the perfect treats to make. I have a whole list of possibilities!



Check out what treats other bloggers made in the blog hop below:

Peace, and bacon grease!

Cranberry Chicken

To contact us Click HERE
As I've mentioned earlier, in preparation for our new baby's arrival, I made lots of freezer meals.  They've been so wonderful to just pull out of the freezer the night before, let it thaw in the fridge until I need it the next day.  Then I just warm the food up, get a few sides ready quickly, and PRESTO...dinner's ready.  
It's been a real lifesaver with the new baby, lots of homework, five days of baseball practices and games, scouts, dance and recitals, and so on.
These would be super useful even if I didn't have a new baby.  I have many, many days where I'm so busy, I can't spend a lot of time on dinner.
Today's recipe comes from one of my favorite cookbooks that is made up solely of freezer meal recipes.  It's called "Dinner is Ready" by Deanna Buxton.
At first I was a little worried that my kids would freak out about the cranberries in this dish, but they didn't even notice the few cranberries that hadn't cooked down.  Everyone actually loved this dish!

Try out this super simple freezer meal.  You'll love having something handy on day you're busier than a bee!
Here's what you'll need:
4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips1 (16 oz.) can whole berry cranberry sauce1 C. creamy French dressing1 envelope onion soup mix, dry
Place chicken in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and season with salt and pepper well.


In a bowl, combine the cranberry sauce, French dressing, and onion soup mix.

Pour over chicken.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.  Place in a gallon freezer bag.  Label and freeze.

To serve: Thaw.  Heat until hot throughout.  Serve with rice.
When I used this freezer meal, I thawed this and dumped everything in the gallon freezer bag into a crockpot.  Then I just turned it on High and let it heat through in that for a few hours.

You can assemble this recipe and freeze it before baking it.  In that case, thaw and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Super simple!

BBQ Meatballs

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Well, hello!  It's been a while since my last post; sorry for that!  But we've been having a wonderful time the last couple of weeks celebrating the fourth and spending time with out-of-town visitors.  I love summertime!!
So, I just took a look at the pictures of things I've made that are waiting to make their appearance here and I noticed that I have LOTS of yummy goodies and treats and just a few dinners.  Can you tell what I enjoy making more?  But, hey, who doesn't?!
Anyway, today's recipe is one of the few dinners I've had patiently waiting.
                                    
This recipe comes from my friend, Holly.  I so look up to her!  She's a gorgeous, genuine person, a fantastic mother, she's has an amazing creative talent, and she's a wonderful cook.  She's totally the perfect woman!
I made these meatballs as one of my freezer meals and they were GREAT!  Everyone highly approved.
Here's what you'll need:
3 lbs. ground beef1 1/2 C. milk OR 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk1 C. oatmeal1 C. cracker crumbs (I used Ritz crackers that I smashed)2 eggs1/2 C. chopped onion OR 2 Tbsp. dried chopped onion1/2 tsp. garlic powder2 tsp. salt1/2 tsp. pepper2 tsp. chili powder
Sauce:2 C. catsup1 C. brown sugar1 Tbsp. liquid smoke1/2 tsp. garlic powder1/2 C. chopped onion OR 2 Tbsp. dried, chopped onion
Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well.


Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine all of the meatball ingredients, except for the ground beef.

Crumble the ground beef on top.

Mush everything together until all of the ingredients are evenly combined. 

Using a small scoop (or about 2 teaspoons), form meatballs and place on two large, greased baking pans.

 I ended up with about 100 meatballs.

Pour the sauce over the meatballs in ONE pan.  If you want to cover all of the meatballs (in both pans), DOUBLE THE SAUCE.
I loved that I had one pan of BBQ meatballs and another pan of plain meatballs that I can just throw into some marinara sauce for spaghetti and meatballs.
Two great dinner options from this one recipe.  Love that!

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

At this point, you can either serve the meatballs from the oven or you can let them cool and dump the meatballs and sauce into a freezer ziplock bag and freeze them.
If you freeze these, just let them thaw, then heat them up and you're ready to eat!

I also froze the plain meatballs after they finished baking (at 350 degrees for 1 hour) and cooled.
I love having delicious food I can just pull out of the freezer, warm up, and eat.  It makes my life so much easier!
I hope I'm making your life easier too!!  Enjoy!