Uncategorized

Good Morning!  So glad it’s Wednesday, weekend is a comin’!  Check out my giveaway page for a great Stride Rite Giveaway going on today through Sunday, you’ll be glad you did

Also, there’s still time to send those virtual cakes to help support Ovarian Cancer Research.  Check it out HERE.

I’ll leave you with another one of my favorite photos from our weekend in AZ, love this face

Happy Wednesday, come back tomorrow for a new recipe!

Cookies | Tags: brownie, brownie cookies, chocolate, mini chocolate chips

How is it that Mondays come so fast?  Had such a great time in AZ over the weekend.  Went by so fast, but glad we got to see our family for a couple days.

Well, to cure those Monday blues, I will be sharing with you one chocolate lovers cookie if I’ve ever known one!  This cookie is packed with chocolaty goodness and went over well with my boys, even my son who’s not a major chocolate lover.  Both gave them the stamp of approval.

I know it might seem weird to have to make a brownie mix for just 3/4 cup, but just bake the rest of the brownie mix and have some brownies with your cookies

Found these cute little Easter-ish plates at Target, aren’t they adorable?  I think they were $1.99 each!  Y’all will love this one, take a peek.

Double Chocolate Brownie Mini Chip Cookies

1/2 cup softened butter

1 Cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 Cup sour cream

3/4 Cup prepared brownie batter of choice (I used Pillsbury)

2 Cups Flour

1 Cup cocoa powder, I used Hersheys

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 oz bag mini chocolate chips

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a stand or electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and well combined.  Add egg, sour cream and brownie batter until well combined.

2.  Place flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl.  Slowly add to wet ingredients along with mini chips until just combined.  Using a cookie scoop, scoop dough onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet.  Bake for 9-11 minutes or until cooked through.  Let cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to cooling rack.

about 3 dozen cookies

___________________________________

a few highlights of our trip to AZ….

Love this boy!  I think he had to snap a picture for me in order to get a quarter for the quarter machines.  This is what I got!

I HATE being away from my sister!  Lunch at Nielson’s in Mesa was so much fun

Love this…playing at “Grawpa’s”

Quad rides at “Grawpa’s” with Dad

My boys want a dog soooo bad.  Over the weekend they got to spend time with all of their favorite AZ dogs, including “Slim”

Have a great new week, happy baking

Uncategorized

Wahoo, it’s Friday!  So excited to be heading to AZ for a quick weekend to spend time with family.

Thought I’d let you know there’s a great Apron Giveaway on my giveaway page HERE if you haven’t heard.  You’ll love these Also don’t forget to send those virtual cakes to help the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund!

_______________________________

I’ll leave you with 2 favorite shots of my boys from our week off of school, it’s a miracle they let me snap these

Have a Great Weekend!!

Appetizers/Sides, Dinner | Tags: appetizers, feta, game day food, lunch, sides, sliders, spinach, sun dried tomatoes

Good Thursday to you!  The week is flying isn’t it?  I didn’t plan on sharing this recipe, and certainly didn’t plan on photographing it, but after having these babies for lunch with my hubby, I knew I had to snap some pictures and share it with you!

A few years ago when I was enjoying cooking competitions, I competed in the Build A Better Burger Competition.   Ever since that event, I have been in love with making fun burgers of all kinds.  The burger I competed with in 2004 actually had feta and sun dried tomatoes in it, which is one of my favorite combinations now!

This turkey burger has minimal ingredients with massive flavor.  My husband was all compliments while inhaling his sliders, and he has no problem telling me his honest opinion!  I found these adorable mini hamburger buns at Trader Joes and seriously love them!  I mean, they really are cute and are the exact shape of regular hamburger buns.  Of course you can always use dinner rolls if you can’t seem to find this product

Hope you all enjoy my little sliders.

Here they are, mini hamburger buns.  Maybe I’ve missed them in the past, but I don’t remember seeing these at Trader Joe’s before.   Glad they have them.

I cooked these burgers right on the stove top in a large skillet.  Was just too lazy to fire up the grill.  By all means, grill them if you’d rather.

If you are a feta fan, beware…you could quite possibly eat many of these

Feta Sun-Dried Tomato Turkey Burger Sliders

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 lb ground turkey

1/2 Cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 Cup sun-dried tomatoes, jarred in olive oil

1/2 Cup fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped

Pinch of Kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper and Lawry’s Garlic Salt with Parsley

Sun-Dried Tomato Mayonnaise

1 Cup mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, packed in olive oil, drained

Baby hamburger buns or dinner rolls, split and warmed

2 Cups fresh baby spinach leaves

1.  Heat oil into a large skillet over medium heat.  Place turkey, feta, sun dried tomato, spinach and seasonings into a mixing bowl.  Mix until just combined.  Form 1/4 Cup little patty’s and place onto a cookie sheet.  Once all are formed, place batches in hot skillet.  Cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through.

2.  Place mayonnaise and tomatoes into a bowl; mix to combine.  Spread over insides of warm rolls.  Layer bottom roll with spinach and the burger.  Close with top roll and eat

Makes about 12 little sliders

_____________________________________

Have a great weekend!!  See you all soon

Breakfast/Brunch, Desserts | Tags: banana, banana bread, butter, caramel, eggs, flour, hazelnut, powdered sugar

Well it’s Monday again!  Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend Last week was crazy, felt like the boys and I ran around all over the place during their week off of school.  Had a great time but I am thrilled that school is back in session   Had the opportunity of attending an LA Mom’s Blog Event over the weekend at the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point, talk about breathtaking views out there, loved it!  Got to meet lots of great local mom bloggers and took home some fun products too!  Thanks SV Mom’s Group for the invite

So excited for you to take a peek at my newest banana bread recipe.  I must say it’s completely drool worthy.  I was so happy whipping it together last week, couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it actually!  Melted caramel and hazelnuts make for a delicious banana bread that you will not want to miss out on.  Happy Baking!

The melted caramel makes for a rich and soft bread…so good!

I chose to use hazelnuts, but feel free to use any ol’ nut you have around the house

I found these adorable little bakers at TJ Maxx Home and Cost Plus World Market.  2 of my favorite places to find kitchen treasures!!  I’m talking less than $3 bucks each

Even if you don’t have the cute little bakers, the mini loaves turn out equally as delish!

Caramel Hazelnut Banana Bread With Sweet Icing

1 1/2 sticks softened butter

1 Cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

4 very ripe bananas, mashed

1 teaspoon vanilla

7 kraft caramels plus 1teaspoon milk, melted until smooth (in microwave for about 1 min 15 seconds)

1 Cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 Cup chopped hazelnuts (or any nut of choice)

1 Cup powdered sugar

2-3 Tablespoons heavy cream (or milk for a thinner icing)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Place butter and sugar into a stand or electric mixer.   Beat until light and fluffy.  Add in eggs, vanilla and mashed bananas.  Mix on low until well combined, then slowly drizzle in melted caramel until combined.  In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.  Slowly add to wet ingredients along with the hazelnuts until just combined.  Scoop batter into well greased mini muffin tins 3/4 way full.  Bake for 22-25 minutes or until golden and cooked through.  Let cool.

2.  Remove breads from pan.  Mix powdered sugar and cream until creamy and desired consistency.  Drizzle over breads and eat!!

12 mini loaves

_____________________________________

Have a great new week, see you soon