by Suzanne on November 15, 2012
You can tell by looking at this picture that the candle is the “focus” (ha!) on this plate, not necessarily the treats. So, let’s talk about the candle first! Happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, happy, birthday to my cyber-foodie friend that I have actually met in person. And we still like each other. Actually, we love each other. Funny how things work out. Today is Katrina’s birthday. I think she is 24 or 25. But, then she has these four handsome boys – and a husband – so that makes me think maybe she is a little older than that. Maybe 29. I think that is part of the reason she calls her blog Baking and Boys. Ya think? But I digress. Katrina and I met online through a Yahoo! food group. We chatted in the chat room, ’cause that IS what you do in a chat room. And found that we really enjoyed each others sense of humor. Shelby from The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch was also a part of that group and we all drifted toward each other like earth magnets. And we have stuck together ever since. We keep saying that we are going to have a girls’ night out – which for us would mean traveling from Texas, New York, and Utah to a place that could handle the three of us for a night. Well, more like a long weekend. We are still searching for a town that will allow us to stay that long. I’m sure we will find something. . . My Mountain Man and I traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah, a couple of years ago and I emailed Katrina to see if she wanted to meet up and have lunch. You can read all about it by clicking here! Both of us have made a little sumpin’-sumpin’ for Katrina for her birthday and have mailed it to her for “munching” pleasure. Click on the link for Grumpy’s Honeybunch to see her birthday wishes and recipe. In my case, there are two treats, one of which you will see below. The other will be coming up tomorrow. Check your mailbox, Katrina!!!! No, silly. The one by your driveway. 4.5 from 2 reviews Print Lemon Balls Author: Suzanne Collier, Adapted from Snack Girl Recipe type: dessert, sweet, coconut, almonds, lemons Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: [...]
by Suzanne on June 11, 2012
What kind of person would I be if I were to have been assigned a blog named “Smells Like Brownies” and not pick a brownie recipe to make? Well, I’m NOT that kinda person. YAY me!! Melissa is the genius over at Smells Like Brownies. Don’t be expecting any recipes with fruit. Nope, this stay-at-home, married-to-a-man-who-doesn’t-give-two-hoots-about-cooking, lady who thinks pumpkin should pass her lips with every recipe that she makes – whew! – does not like fruit. Zip, zilch, nada. However, give her some chocolate and she will go to town! Well, unlike Melissa’s husband, my Mountain Man does like fruit. But he also is a brownie-a-holic and can’t leave them alone. So, for the betterment of all mankind, I decided to make Melissa’s Coffee Brownies. Sort of. Mostly the same, but with a bit of Mexican chocolate thrown in for good measure, thus, the title of this post. So, here we go! Print Cafe’ Brownies Author: Suzanne Collier Recipe type: Dessert, Snack Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 45 mins Serves: 16 Brownies are kinda like the perfect food. Good for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack. These brownies incorporate the best of the best, chocolate and coffee. Ingredients Brownie Ingredients: ½ cup Salted Butter 3 oz. Mexican Chocolate 2 Eggs 1 cup Sugar 1 tsp. Vanilla ⅔ cup Flour ¼ tsp. Baking Soda Filling Ingredients: 1 tbsp.+ Heavy Cream 1 tsp. Instant Coffee granules 2 tbsp. Salted Butter, softened 1 cup Confectioner’s Sugar Ganache Ingredients: 1 cup Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips ⅓ cup Heavy Cream Instructions Preheat oven to 350°. To make the brownies, melt butter and Mexican chocolate over low heat in a small saucepan. In a small mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla until light and creamy. Combine flour and baking soda with the eggs, sugar and vanilla and slowly add the chocolate mixture. Spread the brownie batter into a greased 8″ square baking pan. Bake for 25–30 minutes. As soon as the brownies come out of the oven, combine the cream and coffee granules in a small bowl; stir until coffee is dissolved. In a small mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until no chunks of butter are visible. Add the coffee mixture and beat until it becomes creamy. Add a tinsy bit more cream if mixture is too thick. Spread over cooling brownies. In a small saucepan, combine chocolate chips and [...]
