Blonde Brownies

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup butter  (or 1/3 cup butter and 1/3 cup applesauce)

2 cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup butterscotch chips (or Reeces pieces, chocolate chips, walnuts, whatever sounds yummy)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Mix dry ingredients together.

Cream sugar and butter together.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Gradually add flour mixture, mixing well.

Stir in butterscotch chips.

Spread into greased 9X13 pan and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Hard Boiled Eggs

Can it really be that hard?  I forget how every time I go to do it. Which turns out to be less than 3 times a year. But with Easter around the corner, I am going to get in some practice.

Cooking:

• Place your eggs in a single layer at the bottom of a saucepan. 
• Add enough cold water to just cover the eggs.  
• Add 1 tsp salt
• Bring to a full boil over high heat. 
• Then remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 15 minutes.
• Cool eggs by running under cold water or putting them in ice water. 
• (one tip I have yet to try is to add 1 tsp baking soda to the cool water)
• When cool enough to handle, drain and store, or peel and use.

 Peeling:

•  Tap an egg on the countertop to crack the shell, then roll the egg with gentle pressure to loosen shell from egg. 
• Start on the large end and peel off the shell, it should come off pretty well
• Or just be as awesome as this guy. I guarantee the man of the house will want to give this one a try.

(Tips for this one: Blow from the wide end. We'll see!)

Other tips:
http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2011/01/kitchen-tip-easy-peel-hard-boiled-eggs.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Peel-an-Egg

Chili

1 lb ground beef, browned
1 onion, chopped
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 can tomato paste
1/2 tsp oregano
3/4 tsp cumin
2 Tbs Chili powder
2 large cans kidney beans
3/4 tsp salt
1 can diced tomatoes

Simmer at least 1 1/2 hours, best if simmered all day.

Doughnut Snowmen

I love this idea found at the idearoom

Pumpkin Cream Pie

Ingredients

• 1 9-inch (6 oz.) prepared cookie crust (gingersnap, Nilla wafer or graham cracker)
• 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree
• 1 pkg. (5.1 oz.) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 1/2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
• Whole pecans for garnish
• Whipped topping for garnish

Directions

Add pudding mix, evaporated milk and pumpkin pie spice in large mixer bowl; beat till combined and add pumpkin. Blend until well mixed.  Fold in whipped topping. Pour into crust. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm. Let stand in refrigerator for 1 hour before serving. Garnish with whipped topping and pecans, if desired. Serve immediately.

Adapted from this recipe at verybestbaking.com

Pumpkin Muffins

Cream Cheese Filled Pumpkin Muffins Recipe via Little Birdie Secrets


Muffins
2 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. coriander
2 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 c. pumpkin
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and coriander in a blow. Set aside. In another bowl, mix eggs, sugar, pumpkin, oil, and vanilla. Mix well. Mix in dry ingredients, stirring until moist.

Filling
6 oz. cream cheese
1 egg
1 Tbsp. sugar

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add egg and sugar. Beat until well mixed.

Topping
3/4 c. coconut
1/2 c. finely chopped pecans
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Combine all topping ingredients together. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups (about half full). Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling on top. Fill muffin cups with remaining batter (it will come up to the top). Spread batter to edges of cups. Sprinkle generously with topping.

Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Yields 12 muffins.

Spooky Meatloaf

Make recipe for Meatloaf,

Press into shaped pan or mold using your art skills.

(I used the Wilton skeleton ice mold. If using an intricate and hand wash only pan, start by lining it with plastic wrap, then press the meat in firmly.  Once molded, remove meat, place on baking sheet, and of course, remove the plastic wrap. )

Make the sauce and set aside for garnish.

Bake meatloaf according to directions. Remove from oven and layer with slices of your favorite white cheese to resemble bandages. Place in the oven to soften the cheeses. I left this one in too long, and the bandages turned to an oozey goo. Still spooky!

Remove once cheese is melted and garnish with olives or cherry tomatoes for eyes.  Serve with Meatloaf Sauce on the side.

Here is a link to Family fun and their version, which has properly melted cheese!