Peanut Butter-Toffee Cheesecake Brownies

I found THIS recipe in a magazine or somewhere and cut it out a while ago. I just tried it yesterday and took the results to DJ's Eagle court of honor. So yummy! They were gone fast!

(For the record, I didn't use all the same brands of ingredients that are suggested in the recipe.)

berry-topped brownie bites

just wanted to show you the berry-topped brownie bites. i topped with raspberries, blackberries and strawberries.

ganache didn't turn out exactly like i would have liked. white ganache was a little too runny. you can tell i went back and added plain white chocolate on top because it looked like a runny mess.

the semi-sweet chocolate ganache was almost perfect, maybe just a little too thick.

and one shot of it with a couple other 'competitors'... i got 1st out of 10 desserts.
the white chocolate raspberry bars pictured below were SOOO heavenly.
and so were some mint chocolate brownies.

Strawberries

With strawberries in season, I've been checking out strawberry recipes.

Here's one I think I'll try: Strawberry Butter

And here's one I'd totally try if I knew what an ice cream freezer can was: Strawberry Buttermilk Gelato

I've already made strawberry freezer jam and have strawberries cut up ready for topping cereal, etc. Anything you guys like using strawberries? (Amy, I really wish I had a reason to make that strawberry salad you posted a link to...it just wouldn't fly for Ryan! If I was hosting a shower or something, it would be great!)

berry-topped brownie bites

i'm going to make Ganache-Topped Brownie Bites for a chocolate bake-off at work on friday. i think i'll top with raspberries and blueberries to make it colorful... what do you think is a good topper?


while searching i found this: Brownie Ganache Torte with Raspberries (Gluten Free) and thought traci might like to know about it. :o)

Pulled-Pork Tacos Recipe

I found THIS recipe yesterday and I think I'll try it out next week! I already make a Costa Vida copycat sweet pork recipe, but I think this sounds even better.

strawberry arugula salad with lemon ricotta

check this out: strawberry arugula salad with lemon ricotta

looks so good for a summer picnic... or any occassion really.

3 Desserts for the Birthday Boy

I ended up making three different "dessert" recipes for Ryan's birthday.

I made my cheesecake for the Sunday before. (Amy, no clumps at all...I think the key is softening the cream cheese first.) We topped with sweetened, fresh strawberries.

I made chocolate muffins (Ryan's request) and took them to him at work. These are so delicious! I should have taken a picture. They end up looking so gourmet...like the muffins from Costco. (recipe below)

I made a family recipe, "Applesauce Oatmeal" cake, to have when people came over on his birthday night (also Ryan's request). This is my favorite recipe of all time! I could live off of this cake and never get sick of it! (recipe and pic at the bottom)

Chocolate Muffins
1 box devil's food cake mix
1 small box instant choc. pudding mic
1 1/2 C water
1/2 C oil
2 eggs
1/2 t. vanilla
1 bag semi-sweet choc. chips

Mix together. Pour into muffin tins. Bake at 350 degrees for time indicated on cake mix box (usually 18-20 mins, I think).

*For gourmet looking muffins, pour enough into each muffin "spot" to only make one dozen. They will turn out big and will probably need a minute or two extra cooking time.

*This recipe can be used to make chocolate bread...just use loaf pans instead of muffin tins!


Applesauce Oatmeal Cake

Combine:
1 1/2 C boiling water
1 C oatmeal
-Turn off heat and let it sit till you are done with the following...

Cream:
1/2 C applesauce
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar

-Now, add the oatmeal to the creamed mixture.

Add:
1 1/2 C flour
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. backing powder
1/2 t. salt

-Mix until well combined.

-Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

-Now, make your glaze.

Combine (in sauce pan over med-high heat):
6 T. butter (let it melt before you add the rest)
1/4 C. canned milk (regular milk is probably fine)
1/2 C. brown sugar
1 C. nuts (optional, but not really)
1 C. coconut (optional, but not really)

-When cake is done, take it out and spread glaze on top. Put back in the oven and broil for 4 minutes.

Serve on it's own or with vanilla ice cream. Eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner the next day. :)