Decadent, Opulent Brownies

      I hobbled this recipe together from a couple different ones on AllRecipes.  I made 2 pans worth and brought them to church for an after service treat.  They were well enjoyed. 

Decadent, Opulent Brownies

Grease and flour a 9”x 13” pan. Preheat over to 350. 

1 cup butter, melted

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs, beaten

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix together with wooden spoon.

Mix in, gently and only as much as needed:

2/3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.  DO NOT OVERBAKE 

Cool slightly and frost with this mixture: 

Frosting: Boil together 6TB butter, 2/3 c sugar, 4TB milk for a minute, remove from heat and add 2/3 c chocolate chips and stir until melted.

Debra's Coconut Energy Squares

I read this in a comment on a post about coconut manna. Debra's name was not linked to a blog, so I can not give her credit, but I think it's worthy of it's own post! Debra. if you read this, thanks!!

Debra's Coconut Energy Squares

Warm some coconut manna so it is mixable. Stir in your choice of chopped nuts, dried fruit (a little), chia seeds, other seeds you like, raw cacao nibs, shredded coconut, etc. Add some sweetness if you like with raw honey or several drops of stevia extract. Spread out in a layer about 1/2 inch thick on a sheet of parchment or waxed paper and let firm up. When firm but not too hard, cut into small squares (1 inch). Wrap individually in waxed paper. They are energy powerhouses!

P.S. They will melt in your bag or pocket if they get too warm, so watch this.

S'More Bars

This is a recipe from Taste of Home, slightly adapted. Oh, it sounds so good! It's another one I'll try sometime in the future, for a birthday or Christmas or something...

S'More Bars

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 egg
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 10 milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each)
• 1 package mini marshmallows
• 3 Tbsp butter

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Set aside 1 cup for topping. Melt marshmallows over low heat in 3 Tbsp butter.

Press remaining mixture into a greased 9 x 13 baking pan. Place candy bars over crust; spread with melted marshmallows. Crumble remaining graham cracker mixture over top.

Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.

Krispy Kreme Copycat Doughnuts

I am craving sweets. I saw this recipe at Candace's Kitchen and am really craving maple doughnuts now! Maybe posting this here will allow my brain to release the craving......to YOU!

Krispy Kreme Copycat Doughnuts

2 TBSP yeast
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk (scalded, then cooled)
1 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup shortening (melted and cooled)
5 cups all purpose flour
oil for frying

Glaze
1/3 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla OR 2 1/2 tsp maple extract
4 - 6 TBSP hot water

Dissolve yeast in warm water in large mixer bowl. Add milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening and 2 cups flour. Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping sides of bowl. Beat in medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Stir in remaining flour until smooth. Make sure the dough is soft - yet not sticky. Put dough into a greased bowl - turning once. Cover and let rise until double - about 1 hour.

The dough will not rise significantly like a bread dough would. The dough is ready when an indentation remains when touched. Turn dough onto floured surface; roll around lightly to coat with flour.

Gently roll dough 1/2 inch thick with floured rolling pin. Cut with doughnut cutter. Place cut doughnuts on a clean kitchen towel. Cover and let rise for about 40 minutes. They will get bigger this time. I promise.

Heat oil in deep fryer if you have one. Otherwise if you are like me - I use a large pan with 3 inches sides. Or you can use a dutch oven. Heat oil to 350 F. Slide doughnuts into hot oil with wide spatula. A metal one works best. Turn doughnuts as they rise to the surface. Fry until golden brown on each side. This part goes really fast so you have to watch carefully! :)

Remove carefully from oil and place on an elevated cooling rack.

Glaze
Heat butter until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Stir in water - 1 TBSP at a time until desired consistency.

Using a spoon - spread a little glaze over each doughnut until your glaze is all used up. You just might have to go back and add glaze a second time!

Apple Carrot Bars

This is from Is Dinner Ready? I plan to make these for a quick weekend breakfast.

Carrot-Apple Bars or Muffins

2 1/2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 pint carrots, drained (I'm going to use 1 1/2 cups fresh shredded carrots)

1 pint applesauce

4 eggs

4 TBSP vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients well in a large mixing bowl. You have enough batter here to do a couple different things. You can make 2 9x13 pans OR lots of muffins OR 1 9x13 pan and 12 muffins.

Spray your pans and divide the batter evenly. Bake at 350 degrees. About 20 minutes for the muffins and closer to 30-35 minutes for the 9x13 pan. Cool completely.

If desired - frost with a favorite cream cheese frosting. I like to frost the 9x13 pan but leave the muffins as is.

PB & J Bars

PB & J Bars

1 cup all purposes flour
1 cup quick oats
½ tsp baking soda
½ cup softened butter
¼ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 egg
½ cup peanut butter
¼ milk
½ tsp vanilla
1 ¼ cup fruit jam

Topping:
½ cup all purpose flour
½ cup oats
¼ cup brown sugar
1/8 tsp baking soda
3 Tbsp soft butter

Beat butter till smooth. Add the sugars, beat well. Add eggs, milk, peanut butter, vanilla, beat well. Stir in dry ingredients, Spread in a greased 9 x 13. Spread jam all over the top. Combine ingredients for the topping. Sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes, till done.