Saturday, April 27, 2013

Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

The other night I received a Snapchat from a friend, a hungry friend.  

(For those of you who don't know what Snapchat is, it's an app for your phone that allows you to take a "snap" of yourself and add text and send it to people for an allotted amount of time before it disappears)

His snapchat said "I have stuff for cookies, can you make them"?

How could I turn that down?!  

So Beth and I get in her car to go pick up the goods.  Much to my surprise (it really shouldn't have been a surprise, he is a guy) when we get there he hands me pre-made cookie dough.

He was trippin if he thought I was going to make those.  

So, I told him that we would trade him the cookie dough (cause really the only thing that stuff is good for is snacking) for some real cookies made with love. 


Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe Adapted from Scarborough Food Fair



Ingredients:

2 1/4 C all-purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 sticks unsalted butter
1/4 C granulated sugar
1 1/4 C packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. sour cream 
1 1/4 C. milk chocolate chips
Heaping 1/3 C white chocolate chips
1 jar Nutella, chilled 


Directions:

Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.  Set aside.

In a saucepan, melt the butter until it starts to foam and bubble.  Continuously stir until the butter starts to brown.  This should take around 5-7 minutes.  Transfer to a bowl, and set aside to cool for a few minutes.

Mix the butter and sugars until completely combined.  Beat in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla, and sour cream.  Slowly add the dry ingredients, beating on low until just combined.  

Fold in chocolate chips gently.

Chill the dough for 1-2 hours before baking.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  take a chunk of the dough and flatten in in the palm of your hand.  Drop a small amount of the Nutella to the center of the cookie.(I used a teaspoon scoop)

Fold the dough up around the Nutella and roll into a ball.  Make sure that the Nutella is completely covered so it does not seep out while in the oven.

Place dough on the sheet two inches apart.

Bake for 7-9 minutes, depending on your oven.  (mine took 7)  When the edges begin to brown remove from the oven and let sit on the sheet for a couple minutes before removing.

Try not to eat them all in one sitting!  Enjoy!


 




Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Marble Cheesecake Brownies

I made these upon request by a friend who's sister used to make these.  

They must have been good because he ate the whole pan within 30 minutes! 


Marble Cheesecake Brownies
Recipe Adapted from Food Net



Ingredients:

Brownies
1/2 C butter, melted
1 C sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 C all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp salt



Cheesecake
1/2  C cream cheese, softened
1 egg
2 Tbsp sugar


Directions:

Stir butter, sugar and vanilla together.

Add eggs and beat for about two minutes.

In another bowl, combine flour cocoa, baking powder and salt together.

Pour the brownie batter into prepared pan (9x13) and spread evenly.

Beat cream cheese, eggs and sugar until completely mixed and smooth.

Drop spoonfuls of the cheesecake onto the brownie batter and swirl using a knife.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Let cool before cutting

Enjoy!









Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Funfetti Blondies

Oh my gosh.  

Those were the words that came out of my mouth after tasting these wonderful little pieces of heaven. 

Not only are these incredibly easy, but amazingly tasty! 

I seriously had to stop myself from eating the whole pan, cause I definitely could have just sat down and went to town on these things.  

Funfetti Blondies 
Recipe Adapted From Lil' Luna

Ingredients for Blondies:
1 box funfetti cake mix
1/4 C vegetable oil
1 egg
3/4 C white chocolate chips

Directions:

Mix together the cake mix, vegetable oil, egg, and milk until well combined.  The batter will be very thick and gooey-like.  

Mix in the chocolate chips until evenly dispersed through batter.

Spread the batter out evenly in a 7x11 pan that has been greased well.  
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  -The batter may be a little gooey in the middle when it's done and this is okay! 
Let them cool before spreading frosting on top.



Ingredients for Frosting:
(I had a can of store bought frosting in the cupboard so I just used that.)

1/2 C softened butter
3 Tablespoons milk
2 C powdered sugar
Mix all ingredients together until smooth


Frost the bars and decorate with sprinkles if desired!  (They are to die for just slightly warm with the frosting a tad bit melty.)  :)

Enjoy!  I sure did!

 

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Nutella Marshmallow Swirl Funfetti Bars

Can you guess where I got this one?  

Yep, you're right.  Pinterest!  

I'm pretty sure Pinterest is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

These were absolutely delicious, but I mean, they have three of my favorite things as their ingredients so how could they not be!

Now, if I were to make these again I would double the ingredients used for the crust because I would like it thicker than how the original recipe turned out.

Nutella Marshmallow Swirl Funfetti Bars
Recipe Adapted from: Inside BruCrew Life


Ingredients:

1 box Funfetti Cake Mix
1/3 C milk
1/3 C butter, melted
1 C Nutella
1 C Marshmallow Fluff

Mix the cake mix, milk, and butter together until completely combined.  It will be kind of like a cookie dough consistency.

Press half of the dough into the bottom of the pan.  This will be the crust.


Spread the Nutella over the crust, then spread the marshmallow fluff over top the Nutella.  It is difficult to do so dont worry if it isn't perfect!  

Swirl the Nutella and marshmallow around with a knife, be careful not to nick the crust! 

Resist the urge to scoop some up with your finger!

Crumble the remaining crust on top of the Nutella marshmallow swirly goodness.


Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.  Be careful not to overbake or the marshmallow fluff will be chewy and gross!  (if you double the crust it may take a few minutes longer.)

Remove from the oven and let cool before cutting (I know, it's hard to wait).  If you try do cut them while still hot they will fall apart!

Enjoy!



Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Mocha Turtle Brownies

For this recipe I decided to first raid my cupboards to see what I had to work with, then search through Pinterest for some inspiration.

My result was Mocha Turtle Brownies!

Mocha Turtle Brownies
Recipe adapted from The Curvy Carrot

Ingredients:

1 box of mocha brownie mix
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
3 tablespoons water
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 and 1/2 cups walnuts, lightly toasted and chopped

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips


Directions:

Prepare the brownies according to box directions and let cool.

In a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, water, and a pinch of salt and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Bring the mixture to a boil and let boil without stirring until the color turns a light amber, about 10 minutes or so.  Make sure you watch because it will turn quickly!

Remove the saucepan from the heat, and add the cream and vanilla, stirring until thick and smooth. It will sizzle when you add them.

Pour the caramel evenly over the brownies.

Sprinkle the toasted walnuts on top of the caramel, and let cool a bit. (if you can, put it in the fridge or freezer)

In a small bowl, microwave the chocolate chips at 10-second increments, stirring after each interval, until smooth.

Use a spoon or baggie with a corner cut off to drizzle the chocolate over top of the brownies.

Enjoy!