Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars

I found this yummy, chocolate treat a couple of weeks ago when I was searching for something new to make for a dessert social I was catering for work. I needed something chocolate for the menu and I thought this recipe sounded perfect. I received rave reviews, so this one is definitely a keeper!

Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars

recipe from Yourhomebasedmom.com

2 1/3 c flour

2/3 c brown sugar

1/4 c butter

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 (12 oz) pkg. chocolate chips

1 c chopped nuts (I left them out)

14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

10 oz. toffee bits ( I used Heath brand)

Stir together flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. Add egg and mix well. Stir in 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and all of the nuts if you are using them. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of this mixture and press remaining into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Pour sweetened condensed milk over hot crust and top with 1 cup of toffee bits. Sprinkle remaining crumbs over top plus remaining chocolate chips. Bake 25-30 more minutes. Top with remaining toffee bits. Let cool and cut into bars.

Enjoy!

Cupcake in the Snow

In honor of all of the snow we have been getting here in Virginia I decided to be silly and take a photo of one of my cupcakes in my yard. My neighbors probably think I am crazy being outside with my camera and a cupcake! I love the simplicity of the cupcake with the snow in the background. It makes me happy. Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! My daughter requested this cookie after we saw the one that Bakerella made on her blog last week - it looked so cute. I had purchased the Wilton Cookie Pan last year and used a regular chocolate chip cookie recipe, but when we noticed that Bakerella used Butterscotch chips we thought we would give them a try. The cookie was delish, especially with the chocolate ganache! It was kind of an after-thought to post this on my blog or I would have taken much more time decorating it to make sure the candies were straight. Oh well, it still tasted yummy! Hope you all have a fantastic Valentine's Day!

Dirt Cups

Looking for a tasty little treat for the kids? Make Dirt Cups - they're easy to make and tasty too. Heck, I even enjoyed one myself - gummy worms and all.

Dirt Cups

recipe from Kraftrecipes.com

2 cups cold milk

1 pkg. (4-serving size) Jell-O Chocolate Instant Pudding

1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed

15 Oreo Cookies, finely crushed, divided

Worm Shaped Chewy Fruit Snacks

Pour milk into large bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes or until well blended. Let stand 5 minutes. Gently fold in whipped topping and half of the cookie crumbs.

Spoon into paper or plastic cups (6 to 7 oz). Top with remaining cookie crumbs.

Refrigerate at least one hour. Top with gummy worms just before serving. Store in fridge if you have any left.

Steel Cut Oats

I have been eating oatmeal every morning for breakfast for about two years now because it's quick, easy and tasty. For the past year and 11 months it's been the instant kind, which obviously I like or I would not keep eating it. But, I have been hearing a lot about Steel Cut Oats and how much healthier it is for you, so I decided to give it a try and I love it. I've been buying Bob's Red Mill brand from Martin's and have been very happy with it. The texture is much heartier than instant and it sticks with you longer. Plus, I feel like I'm getting my day off to an even healthier start.

The down side is that Steel Cut Oats take much longer to cook than instant, so every couple of days I make a batch in the evening - put in in a covered plastic container and it's ready for me in the morning. I just spoon out the amount I want and microwave it for about 45 seconds and I have a delicious, healthy breakfast. Most of the time I top it with a couple craisins, chopped walnuts, agave nectar and soy milk, but it's also yummy with some good ole brown sugar and milk. If you're looking for a healthy way to start your day give it a try!

Steel Cut Oats

3 cups water

1 cup Steel Cut Oats

dash of salt

Bring water and salt to a boil. Add oats and then simmer on low for about 25 minutes or until water is absorbed. Top dried fruit, nuts or your favorite oatmeal topping.

How simple is that!

Chocolate Chunk and Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

Well I'm still on my quest for healthier eating in 2010, but I absolutely have to eat something chocolate pretty much every day. Kind of like my Diet Coke addiction, but I have to drink at least two or three of those a day! Anyway, after looking at my January issue of Health Magazine, I noticed an article with the title America's Healthiest Cookie. I knew right then and there that I had found my next baking project. Healthy cookies? Wow, I'm all about this recipe! I will tell you right now that these cookies do not taste like Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies, but I do think they are very tasty and they do satisfy my chocolate/sweet craving - so they work for me. I keep them in the freezer and pop one in my lunch bag pretty much every morning. Give them a try if you are trying to eat healthier too :)

Chocolate Chunk and Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

from Health Magazine

6 T unsalted butter

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (I used mini-flake oats from our Farmer's Market)

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

3 oz. bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used bittersweet chips)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat and add brown sugar, stir until smooth. Combine flours, baking soda, oats and salt in a medium bowl. Combine butter mixture with the dry ingredients and add the egg and vanilla. Fold in chopped walnuts and chocolate. Mix well. The dough will be very dry. Compress the dough and shape into balls. Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet (I used a Silpat) for 12 minutes or until tops are dry to the touch. Makes about 32 cookies

Lollipop Bouquet

Like a lot of you, I have been trying to make healthier food choices for the new year and therefore, I have not been baking as much as I have been. Don't worry though, I'm sure I will be back at it again soon enough :) I've been putting my creativity to use by making crafts - they are fat free and so much fun! In addition to my recipe addiction, I also have a huge pile of craft ideas that I get from blogs, magazines, etc. I don't even remember where I saw this one, but I thought it was a great idea! My friend Jaclyn is the big 30 today, so I made this for her and delivered it to her office - I think she'll be surprised! I purchased the silver bucket from the Dollar Bin at Target a couple of months ago and the lollipops came from the Dollar Tree. I put floral foam in the bottom and covered it with confetti paper and then wrapped curling ribbon around most of the lollipops to make it prettier. I think it turned out pretty cute. Happy Birthday Jaclyn!!