Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Caramel Crunch Bars


It is an absolute scorcher outside today. Like, fry-an-egg-on-the-pavement kind of day. It's also the kind of day that is perfect to sit on a dock, under a big oak tree and dip my toes into the bustling river, speaking to me in a way only I can understand.

Well, that is if I had a dock. Or a big oak tree. Or lived by a river. I'm quite fluent in river language, so that part is actually a shame.

Instead, I'm improvising by sitting on the deck, under my purple lilac bush, with my feet being soaked by our Walter the Whale sprinkler. In tow is a cold glass of iced tea and these lush Caramel Crunch Bars. 

Funny enough, these bars have been deemed a 'homemade version' of the ever popular KitKat Bars, but as a *a-hem* professional KitKat connoisseur, I don't think they taste anything like them. In fact, I think they favor more so on the side of a Twix bar, which is equally amazing. Either way, these bars have the satisfying factors of both, but in their own delicious way. The best part about these bars is that no oven is required. 

I'm going to go and enjoy a nice conversation with my buddy Walter while noshing on these, but I implore you make these. 

You'll be happy you did. 

Your thighs may not, but you definitely will. 


CARAMEL CRUNCH BARS

Recipe adapted from Paula Deen's Best Desserts Magazine


Club Crackers or Toppables Crackers (in Canada), about 2 sleeves
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
½ cup milk
⅓ cup sugar
⅔ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup butterscotch chips
½ cup chocolate chips
Sprinkles, if desired

Line a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with foil, leaving some hanging over the sides. This will help with removal upon cutting. 

Line the foil with one layer of club crackers. Don't worry if they don't line up or are are a imperfect. Any flaws will be covered.


In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, milk, and sugar. Bring mixture to a bubbling boil and allow to bubble for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. 


Remove from heat and spread half of the butter mixture evenly over crackers, using an offset spatula to help smooth over. Place another single layer of crackers evenly over the butter mixture. Spread remaining butter mixture evenly over crackers, again, using an offset spatula to coat evenly. Add a third layer of crackers over top. 



In a small saucepan, combine peanut butter, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips and melt over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. You can also use the microwave to melt the chocolate, just be sure to use a microwaveable-safe dish and stir after 30 second intervals. 


Spread chocolate evenly over top of crackers, using an offset spatula to smooth over. Add sprinkles at this time, if desired. 


Cover and chill for at least 4 hours. Remove from fridge and allow chocolate to rest for a minute or so before cutting. This will help avoid breaks in chocolate as it's being cut. I used a pizza cutter to create uniform lines. 


Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

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Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day!


To all the superhero Dads. Today is all about you. Enjoy and be blessed, because you truly are.

I wish you the best Father's Day ever.  

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Saturday, June 16, 2012

Inside Out Carrot Cake Muffins


Thank God it's Saturday. Oh, and thankful I am.

Yesterday, I did not once proclaim, 'Thank God it's Friday!' If I did, it would have implied that I was happy it was Friday and could deal with the day's worth of issues because tomorrow was Saturday.

Yeah, not so much. Not this time.

I had the *craziest* week. I can't remember the last time I felt so many emotions in one go. It was ridiculous. I won't bore you will all the details of my going-ons, but trust me when I say that if I had a button to stop the world just so I could get off, I would have pushed in on Tuesday at 7am. It's like the saying goes, 'When it rains, it pours'. Someone for sure got that right. It's also like the....sorry, I'm going to stop. Now. I'm starting to sound like those frustrating friends that put vague statuses on their Facebook page.

Yeah, and can we just talk about that for one quick second? Seriously, what is that? We all have at least ONE friend on our list that does this, so I know you know what I'm talking about.

"Jane Bag of Doughnuts is weighing out the options..." or "Jane Bag of Doughnuts is hoping for the best...." or "Jane Bag of Doughnuts thinks it's a good thing this has happened..." 

And that's ALL they give you.  

Really? REALLY? You're gonna make me go there? You're going to make me ask, "What options, Jane?" "What's going on?" "Are you alright Jane?" Even when I feel like indulging them and ask, I still don't get an answer much of the time! Why Jane? I deserve at least that much. Of course I care about you and truly hope you're okay, but don't make it like pulling teeth. It's frustrating as all get out.

However, I don't need a Facebook status to say these muffins are incredible, but they are. Oh, they are. The weekend already looks brighter.

"I think it's a great idea..." 

"...to make these muffins! Now."

Don't worry, I'd never leave you hanging. 

Unless you're hanging off the side of a skyscraper. Then it's all you baby.



INSIDE OUT CARROT CAKE MUFFINS
Recipe adapted and slightly modified from King Arthur Flour 

FILLING
1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese, at room temperature
¼ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 

MUFFINS
2¼ cups all purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg
¾ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
¼ cup buttermilk
½ cup water
⅓ cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup grated carrots
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners.  

In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla; Set aside.


In a medium bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together. In another bowl, beat the eggs, butter, buttermilk, water, and vanilla together. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.


Fold in the grated carrots.  


Drop about 2 tablespoons of batter into each muffin cup, making sure to completely cover the bottoms. 


Drop about a tablespoon of filling into each cup on top of batter. I piped the filling into the centers of the muffins as it was less of a mess and I knew that the filling would be right in the middle.


Cover with enough batter to fill the muffin cups. You can sprinkle with sanding sugar if you like. We added pink sanding sugar to half of the muffins because, well, why not?


Bake for 20 minutes or until you can insert a toothpick into the muffin (not the filling) and it comes out clean

Yields: 12 muffins.

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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Samoa Cupcakes


What is a Samoa you ask?

Well, if you guessed a country, then technically yes, you'd be absolutely right, but not in this case. If you weren't raised in the beautiful US of A, there is a pretty good chance you have no idea what I'm even talking about.

Samoas are a gorgeous cookie confection consisting of coconut, caramel, and chocolate the Girl Scout Organization have locked and loaded in their arsenal of deliciousness every year. Keebler came out with a version of them several years ago called, 'Coconut Dreams' and Canada has their own version, called 'No Name Caramel Chocolate Cookies'. I know, sexy, right?

When I saw the amazing cupcake version of these, I was like, "Why and how did I not think to create this masterpiece?" Seriously though, why did I not think of this?

Oh, I know why. Because I was too busy eating the box of actual Samoas to do anything about it. That and I'm a bit lazy when it comes to creating - but thankfully I wasn't too lazy to get off my tush and make these.

I'm not kidding folks. These cupcakes are kick ass.

Consider them the Chuck Norris of cupcakes. Just don't tell Chuck I said that. I'm not too sure he'd be thrilled his name and the word 'cupcake' are in the same sentence.

And I'd hate to show him up.


SAMOA CUPCAKES

CAKE:
1 box devil's food cake mix, plus ingredients needed to make cake
2 boxes Coconut Dreams OR No Name Brand Caramel Chocolate Cookies

CARAMEL FROSTING:
Frosting adapted from Sweet Pea's Kitchen

1 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
½ cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar

GARNISH:
12 cookies, cut in half
1 cup toasted coconut
½ cup chocolate chips, melted

To toast the coconut, spread the coconut onto a rimmed sheet pan. Toast in a 350°F oven, stirring frequently, until the coconut is an even brown color, about 10 minutes. 

To make caramel, melt the butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Stir in the salt and brown sugar and heat the mixture to boiling, stirring constantly. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the milk and return to a boil, stirring constantly. Use caution as mixture will bubble up once milk is added. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in vanilla. Allow caramel to set at room temperature, about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.


Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line 2-12 cup muffing tins with liners. Drop one cookie into tin, chocolate side up.



Prepare cake mix according to box. Fill liners about ¾ of the way.


Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Transfer cakes to rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.

For Caramel Frosting:

Using a hand or stand mixer, beat caramel and slowly add powdered sugar. Mix until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides as you go. Pipe or spread on cupcakes.


Yields: 24 cupcakes.

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Monday, June 11, 2012

Mandarin Orange Dessert Squares


My family and I were invited to a very impromptu BBQ this past weekend. 

Now, I'm not talking about the, "Hey, we're having a BBQ with a small group of friends tomorrow about lunchtime. We'd love if you could come" type of invitation. I'm mean the, "Hey, we're having a BBQ at one o'clock TODAY. We've invited the entire neighborhood over for a swim. You need to be here - and no is not an option!"

As I looked at the clock, it was 9.45am. You're kidding, right? Naturally, I did what any domestic goddess would do in this situation.

I panicked.

You see, I was raised to never, EVER show up to someone's home empty handed. It's something that has been instilled in me from a young age. It doesn't matter if you come bearing a box of chocolates or a shaving kit, you better have something for the hosts who graciously opened their home to you. 

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to run to the store for flowers and I would prefer to make something rather than buy something, but that still didn't help me, because I still didn't have time to run out.  

After a few deep breaths, I powdered my nose, reapplied my lipstick, threw on my apron and hit the recipe box to see what I could find with the ingredients I did have on hand. 

And found this. It's easy, light, refreshing, and also quite pretty upon completion. 

Thank goodness for that because I'm not sure how the hosts would have felt about receiving a bottle of fabric softener. 

Or a box of Barbie Band Aids.



MANDARIN ORANGE DESSERT SQUARES

18 graham crackers 
1 box vanilla pudding
1 cup cold whole milk
2 cups Cool Whip, thawed
2 (10 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
⅓ cup peach jam
2 Tablespoons orange juice 

Line an 8-inch square baking dish with half the graham crackers. Break them apart if need be to fit into dish; set aside. 


In a bowl, mix vanilla pudding and milk together for a few minutes until pudding starts to get thick. Fold in Cool Whip until fully incorporated. 


Pour half the pudding mixture over graham crackers. Repeat the layering process by placing another layer of graham crackers over top and top with remaining pudding mixture. Using an offset spatula will help to ensure an even layer.


Top with mandarin oranges.


In a small bowl, microwave jam and orange juice on high for about a minute until melted and smooth. Drizzle glaze over top of mandarin oranges.


Chill (both you and the dessert) for at least 3 hours before serving. 

Yields: About 9 servings.

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Friday, June 8, 2012

Jello Cookies


Yesterday, I had five little girls and one adorable little boy under the same roof. All under the age of six. 

Mind you, two of them are mine, but as any parent knows, sometimes your own children can be the work of 5 extra kids. You do the math. Then times that number by giggles, grilled cheese sandwiches, and stocks with high dividends and you'll get the average diaper changes plus cups of tea needed. Don't forget to sprinkle generously with APR financing, of course. Did you understand that? 

All it means is that some people would have a full blown panic attack if they were in my shoes.

It was non-stop super fun from 8am until 7pm. (Feel free to throw a little sarcasm in that sentence). I am convinced now more than ever that if I could just find a way to harness the energy kids possess, I'd be one very rich Mama. Cha. Ching. In the million billions my friends.

For some *ahem* 'quiet' time, I found this recipe via Pinterest. These are so colorful, fun, and yumm-mmy. I can't believe it's 2012 and these aren't a staple in my home for craft time. We all had oodles of fun playing, creating, and baking. 

That is until someone went and poked their eye out. And got some dough stuck up their nose. And spilled chocolate milk all over the floor.

Yeah, it's always fun and games until someone goes and does that. And it's usually my children that are perfect for the job. 

But I wouldn't have them any other way.



JELLO COOKIES
Recipe adapted and slightly modified from I {heart} Nap Time

3½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1½ cups salted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 packages flavored gelatin, like Jello - I used strawberry, orange, berry blue, and lime, but feel free to use any flavor

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a cookie sheet with silicone mats or parchment paper. 

In large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla. Mix flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Gradually beat in flour mixture.


Divide dough into 4 sections. Sprinkle 4 tablespoons of gelatin into each section. Knead into dough until incorporated. You may want to add a few drops of food coloring to make the dough more vibrant.


Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Pour extra jello from the packets into small bowls and roll around to cover. We also used plain sugar. The girls thought the plain sugar looked more like pixie dust. And isn't it always about the pixie dust?


Place about 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Flatten with bottom of glass.


Bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking sheets for a couple minutes. Remove to wire racks and cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.  

Yields: 5 dozen Jello Cookies 

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Monday, June 4, 2012

British-Style Raspberry Flapjacks


My UK gauge is almost on E. I need to plan a trip there very soon before I start crying like a school girl. I really miss that place.

This is a weird confession I'm sure, considering I'm an American, living in Canada. But I do. I love everything about it. The people, the different accents, the clothing - you have no idea what good quality clothing is until you wear clothing bought in the UK. Trust me on this. Of course, I love the food. Except ANY food that has animal organs shoved in it. *Shudder* Ugh, no thank you. 

Flapjacks are a classic treat in the UK. Not to be mistaken for the pancake kind North Americans are used to, these yummies are snack bars made from oats. The best way to describe them is a cross between a cookie and a granola bar. They are also usually chewy, unless you bake them too long and end up with paperweights. You can find these pretty much everywhere, especially at motorway service stations and dodgy petrol stations, wrapped in cling film, sitting on the counter by the till, for about a quid. Translation: These are Hostess snack cakes of the gas station world; you'll find them at just about every one in some form or another.

Although traditional flapjacks are amazing on their own, I like to dress them up a bit and, in this case, add raspberry jam. You can also make them gluten-free by using gluten-free oats. They are super good any way you make them.

Just please don't add animal organs. For the love of Jamie Oliver. Don't.



BRITISH-STYLE RASPBERRY FLAPJACKS

4 cups rolled oats - I used Bob's Red Mill
¾ cup real butter
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
¼ cup golden syrup or light corn syrup*
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds - I used Bob's Red Mill
¾ cup raspberry jam

*If you can get your hands on some proper golden syrup, like Lyle's Golden Syrup, I highly recommend that you do. This syrup is like eating liquid cotton candy and adds to the authenticity of the bars.


Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil or parchment paper. This will allow easy removal of bars from the pan.

In a large saucepan, heat butter, brown sugar, and syrup until melted. Remove from heat and add oats. Stir until combined.


Layer the bottom of pan with half the oatmeal mixture.


Spread raspberry jam on top. For easier spreading, put jam in the microwave for 30 seconds and use an offset spatula. Layer remaining oats over top.


Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in pan. Remove from pan and cut into bars. For an extra special treat, serve with vanilla ice cream.

Yields: About 9-18 bars, depending on size.

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