Mint Brownie Ice Cream Squares

A friend brought this to dinner the other night, it was so yummy I had to find the recipe!   From the our best bites book.  This mix of chewy brownie, mint ice cream and creamy topping is to die for!

Mint Ice Cream Brownies

Ingredients:
1 box brownie mix (or recipe for brownies)
1 (1 1/2 quart) mint chip ice cream
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup cream
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
15-20 Oreo Cookies, crushed
1 (8 oz) container whipped topping
Shaved chocolate or sprinkles (optional)

Directions:

Bake Brownies according to directions in a 9x 13 pan.  Cool completely and place in freezer to chill.

Soften ice cream at room temperature and stirring every 10 minutes, or in the microwave at half power until it can stir easily with a spoon until the consistency of frosting.   Gently spread over brownies evenly.   Put pan back in freezer while completing next step.

Heat cream in microwave until hot and bubbly.  Pour in chocolate chips.  Cover bowl with plastic wrap.  Let sit for 5 minutes and then whisk until smooth.  Whisk in peppermint extract and let cool until almost room temperature.  Drizzle evenly over ice cream in pan.  Sprinkle crushed cookies evenly over chocolate and lightly press in.   Spread whipped topping in an even layer on top.   Sprinkle with chocolate shavings or sprinkles if desired.

Freeze at least several hours, until firm.  When ready to serve let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften.  Cut into squares and serve.   Lasts several days covered in the freezer.   

Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins

I came across this recipe on the plan to eat blog.   It looked great!  Especially since my kids love chocolate chip pancakes.  I was sure they would love these ones.  I changed it up to be mini muffins and to include half whole wheat flour.  The rest is mostly the same.  YUM!  The kids did love them!

Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

This chocolate cake is a great way to eat zucchini!  It is a very tasty cake.  I tried it once with all whole wheat flour and agave nectar for the sugar--ummmm, don't waste your time.  Hubby actually said it was worthless.  I have to admit it was extremely heavy!  I will work on substitutions and try again some other day!  Enjoy this one!

1/2c butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c sour milk or buttermilk  (add a half teaspoon of lemon juice to your milk to sour it)
2 c zucchini, finely chopped or grated unpeeled
1 3/4 c sugar
2 eggs beaten
2 1/2 c flour
5 Tbsp cocoa
1 c chocolate chips
1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 325, cream butter and sugar.  Add vanilla and eggs; blend well.  In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, soda, and salt.  combine flour mixture and creamed mixture; beat well.  Fold mixture into greased and floured 9x13 baking dish.  Sprinkle chocolate chips over top.  Bake 45 minutes.  Makes 1 cake.

Black Bottom Banana Bars

A fantastic combination of banana bread and chocolate.  Who can beat that?  I have found that the easiest way to mash the bananas is with the beaters as I put them in.  I used to do it with a fork before hand, but I am a lazy cook!   Use the extremely ripe-black on the outside bananas as they give the best flavor.  Another trick is to put the bananas you don't want to throw out into the freezer and defrost them just before using.  Frozen bananas are a great treat anyway, we used them as popcicles growing up.  The easiest way I have found is to take a gallon size zip lock bag, peel the banana and put it in, you can keep adding to it as you have the stray banana that is overripe.  Then make banana bars to your heart's content!   Makes 12


Black Bottom Banana Bars

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1-1/2 cups mashed bananas, about 3 medium
1-1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c cocoa

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.  Add egg and vanilla; beat until thoroughly combined.  Blend in the bananas.  Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well.  Divide batter in half.  Add cocoa to one half and spread into a greased 9/13 pan.  Spoon remaining batter on top and swirl with a knife.  Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until the bars test done.

Texas Cake

OOOOOH Yummy! And fast too!  This cake is probably what made my husband fall in love with me.  If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.  I think it is also why I gained at least 20 lbs in the first year of our marriage.  Texas cake is a chocolate lovers dream.  Fudgy frosting, soft cake--the ultimate in comfort food.  Perhaps that is why I have not made it that often since I have been eating healthier.  Everything in moderation though so don't make this weekly like I did when I first was married.  But have it every once in a while and enjoy the decadent chocolate goodness!

Texas Cake
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
4 Tbsp cocoa  (I use heaping Tablespoons)
1 cup water
2 slightly beaten eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp soda

In a microwaveable bowl combine butter, cocoa, and water.  Heat in microwave until butter is mostly melted.  Stir and then bring to a boil.  (Be careful not to burn it!) Mix with beaters and slowly add sugar and flour.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.   Pour into a well greased 11x17 inch cookie sheet with sides.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.  Frost while still warm.

Icing for Texas Cake:

1 stick butter
4 Tbsp cocoa (heaping never hurts here either)
1/3 cup milk
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Bring butter, cocoa, and milk to a boil.  Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla.  Spread over warm cake.  Makes 24 servings.

Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

According to my husband, this is the only chocolate chip cookie worth making.  It certainly is very good!!
If you chill the dough before baking they turn out just like the break and bakes only better because there are no preservatives!  Enjoy!!

Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip cookies

2 ¼ Cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 ¾ cups (11.5 oz pkg) Nestle toll House Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 375

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.  Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Gradually beat in flour mixture.  Stir in morsels and nuts.  Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. 

Bake for 9 – 11 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.    Makes about 5 dozen cookies

Pan cookies: grease 15x10-inch jelly-roll pan.  Prepare dough as above.  Spread into prepared pan.  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool in pan on wire rack.  Makes 4 dozen bars.

Applesauce cookies

My Mother-in-law makes these all the time, she claims they don't raise her blood sugar as much as some other cookies do.  They are only 15 carbs a piece, so take that as you may.  This version of the cookie turns out a little bit different than hers.  Perhaps it is because I like all the spice and she doesn't add any.  They are quite tasty--I like to bake them at 375 for about 10 min.  For some reason I prefer these cookies a little bit crunchy on the bottom.  They turn out just fine at 350, they just aren't as crispy.  Try it and see what you like the best!

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup applesauce
1 tsp baking soda
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips

Sift flour. Measure, add salt, spices and sift again. Cream shortening, add sugar gradually and continue to beat until light and fluffy. Stir soda into aplesauce. Add beaten egg and applesauce with creamed mixture. Add dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls two or three inches apart on greased baking sheet. Bake in 350 oven 15-20 minutes.

Christmas Fudge

Every Christmas and New Years the family pulls out the famous fudge recipe.  There is really no other fudge that compares to it.  I personally think it is the only fudge to eat, although I am enough of a chocoholic that I won't turn down a bit of chocolate that is offered to me.  As long as I can remember we have had this fudge for Christmas, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

Christmas Fudge

1 lb Hershey's Chocolate bars  (I use 8 oz Symphony bar with toffee and almonds and 8 oz special dark chocolate since they have reduced the sizes it is actually 2-4.25 oz bars of each)
1 can evaporated milk
1/2 lb butter
4 cups sugar
1 16 oz package miniature marshmallows
2 oz unsweetened chocolate

Break up all the chocolate; open the marshmallows.  Set aside.  Combine milk, butter , and sugar and bring to a boil.  Boil 5 minutes (7-10 if you like harder fudge).  Take off heat and add other ingredients; stir well until all are melted and mixed.  Pour into greased 9 x 13 inch pan.  Let cool. 

Yummy!!