Fudge Bars

My mother-in-law made these when we visited this summer. So good.

1 stick of butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 egg
3/4 c flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
2 c. oatmeal
1 t vanilla

Mix above ingredients. Press 1/2 of the mixture into greased 9x13 pan, reserving 1/2 of mixture for later.

Melt 6oz chocolate chips, 1 can sweetened condensed milk and 1 tsp butter.  Add 1/4 tsp salt and 1 tsp vanilla.

Pour melted mixture over dough.  Drop reserved dough over chocolate layer.

Bake 20-25 minutes at 350degrees.

Marble Squares

I got this recipe from my mom (Deb Tewes) recently.  Everyone loves them.

Brownie Base
½ cup margarine
¾ cup water
1 ½ 1-oz. squares unsweetened chocolate
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
½ cup sour cream

Combine margarine, water and chocolate in saucepan, bring to boil. Remove from heat. Stir in combined flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add eggs and sour cream, mix well. Pour into greased and floured 15 x 10 x 1 inch jelly roll pan.

Top
1 8-oz pkg. Cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 6-oz pkg. semi-sweet chocolate pieces(I used Milk chocolate and they were fine)
Combine cream cheese and sugar, mixing until well blended. Blend in egg. Spoon over chocolate batter. Cut through batter with knife several times for marble effect. Sprinkle with chocolate pieces.

Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out of clean.

Fruit Cups

1-12oz. can frozen concentrated apple juice(not prepared)
1-12oz. can frozen concentrated orange juice (not prepared)
1-2 cans of water
16oz fresh or frozen strawberries, sliced
3-6 bananas, peeled and sliced
16oz. canned pineapple tidbits (undrained)
Add any frozen fruit examples: mango, cherries, blueberries, raspberries

Combine apple juice, OJ and water in a large bowl. Add fruit, spoon into serving dishes.

Freeze for at least 1 hr before serving.

Better than Sex Cake (oh what a name)

devils food cake mix or german chocolate cake mis 18.25 oz
sweetened condensed milk
6 oz caramel ice cream topping
8 oz cool whip
3 heath or toffee bar

Bake the cake according to box. Let it cool for a few minutes while you get the caramel and condensed milk ready, in a saucepan over low heat warm the caramel and milk together (it says to use 6 oz of caramel and 5 oz of the condensed milk but I usually put more cause thats what makes your cake moist). While that is warming make slits in your cake about 1 inch apart or use the round end of a wooden spoon and just poking holes all over your cake 1 inch apart either way works. Pour your caramel in the holes or slits just pour the mixture all over the cake you can also put some of the crushed candy bars on the cake now so now let the cake cool completely. Put it in the fridge then later spread the cool whip on and sprinkle the rest of your candy bars on top.

Taffy Apple Pizza

This recipe is from Pampered Chef. I just love how easy it is but yet so, so good.

1 package (18 oz) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 medium Granny Smith apples
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
1/2 cup peanuts, chopped (I NEVER use the peanuts)

1. Preheat oven to 350degrees. Shape cookie dough into a ball and place in center of large round pan (or stone if you have the pampered chef stone) Roll dough out to about 1/4 inch thick. Bake 16-18 minutes or until light brown. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes. Carefully loosen cookie from baking stone. Continue to cool completely.

2. Combine cream cheese, brown sugar, peanut butter and vanilla. Mix well. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over cookie.

3. Peel, core and slice apples. Arrange the apples evenly over cream cheese.

4. Microwave ice cream topping for 30-45 seconds or until warm. Drizzle evenly over apples. Sprinkle with peanuts.

Tips from me:

1. I always make mine in a rectangle either on my rectangle stone or disposable pan.
2. If you do use Pampered Chef stone, under bake the sugar cookie because it will continue to cook until cooled.
3. I put all my cut apples in a baggie with lemon juice before placing them on the pizza. This will keep the apples from turning brown.
4. You can make this a few hours ahead of your event or when you are going to serve and keep it in the refrigerator. Right before serving, I add the caramel. I wouldn't make this too far in advance for I fear it would get too soggy. I have made the cookie part the night before and then added everything else a few hours before serving.

Frozen Banana Split

Paula Deen Recipe from the Food Network. (click Paula's name for direct link to recipe)

• 24 (3.5-ounce) ice-cream sandwiches, unwrapped
• 6 medium bananas, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 (12.25-ounce) jar hot-fudge sauce
• 1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained and finely chopped
• 1 (8-ounce) package milk chocolate covered toffee bits, divided
• 1 (12.25-ounce) jar butterscotch ice-cream topping
• 1 (8-ounce) container frozen nondairy whipped topping, thawed

Line a 13 by 9-inch baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Place half of ice-cream sandwiches evenly over bottom of pan, completely covering bottom, cutting sandwiches to fit, if necessary. Top evenly with banana slices. Pour hot fudge sauce over bananas. Top with cherries and 1/2 of the toffee bits and pour butterscotch evenly on top. Layer with remaining ice cream sandwiches and spread whipped topping over sandwiches; sprinkle with remaining toffee bits.

Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours. Remove from pan, using foil handles. Cut into squares and serve.

Death by Chocolate

recipe of Julie L.

1 pkg. 9x13 sized Brownie Mix (plus ingredients for mix)
1 box chocolate pudding (plus 2 cups of milk)
1 tub of cool whip
1 8oz bag of Heath Toffee & Chocolate Bits (next to the chocolate chips)

Cook brownies according to package. Make the pudding and refrigerate. Cut the brownies into bite sized to medium sized pieces. Take a large bowl (or deep pan) and put half of the brownies in the bottom. Layer half the pudding and half the cool whip. Sprinkle half the toffee bits. Repeat layers. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins

This isn't dinner... but a yummy treat! Or healthy enough to go with breakfast! :) I like to make mini-muffins and use mini chocolate chips instead of regular ones.

2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1-3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1-3/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1-1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 egg whites
1 egg
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1-3/4 cups fat-free milk
2 TBLS canola oil
1-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the flours, brown sugar, cocoa, salt, baking powder and baking soda. In another bowl whisk the egg whites, egg, applesauce, milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.

Coat muffin cups with cooking spray. Fill 3/4 full with batter. Bake for 18-20 minutes at 350 degrees or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans.

Blondies (aka Blonde Brownies)

1/2 c. margarine
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp vanilla
chocolate chips

Melt butter, stir in everything but chocolate chips. Spread in greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips...you decide how much. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

You can double this recipe for a thick brownie. Put doubled recipe in greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees, check it after 35 minutes or so and then keep checking it so it doesn't get over done.

Makila's Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter (softened)
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
3 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups chocolate chips

Combine sugars. Add butter, vanilla & eggs. Add flour, baking soda & salt.

Stir in chocolate chips (yes, 3 cups...most recipes call for 2 cups)

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Best if under baked.

Applesauce Cake

1/2 c margarine

1 1/2 c sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 eggs

2 c flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 c applesauce

topping:

Chocolate chips (I just sprinkle until it looks like enough and then add a few more :)

4 T sugar

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into 9x13 greased pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and 4 T sugar.

Bake 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick/cake tester comes out clean.