Sensational S'mores

Recently I took part in a S'mores contest on Instagram put on by The Feed Feed and Ghirardelli. To say that my kids were thrilled is a huge understatement! I was so honored to have been chosen as a finalist in their contest. I didn't win, but my kids sure felt like they did!

Here are my entries:

This one was my absolute favorite! I picked up an apple fritter from the bakery, sliced it in half and warmed it up. Sandwich it with a Caramel Chocolate square and a roasted marshmallow and you will be in ooey-goooey caramel apple fritter heaven!

I called this one The Crispy Camper. I used crispy granola bars in place of graham crackers and used the caramel chocolate squares. This might be the only thing I like about camping....

On the first day of school I had this fun treat waiting for the kids after picking them up. I made Funfetti Blondies and then sandwiched it with dark chocolate squares and roasted marshmallows. Throw some more sprinkles on top and you'll be party ready! 

This is the one that was picked as a finalist entry. My son LOVES all things coconut and I was thinking about the Girl Scout Samoa cookies when I came up with this one. I made coconut macaroons and paired them with chocolate caramel squares and toasted giant marshmallows. This was so rich and so decadent and totally stretchy pants worthy!

It is always fun to be featured on a company's Insta feed

Are you following me on instagram yet? Please do -here's the link. 

Spoiler alert: my entire feed is food and Beignet ;)

Dulce de Leche Krispy Pizza

If you're looking for a no bake treat, this may be the perfect thing! Dulce de Leche makes everything better and this sweet treat is no exception! It's like a Rice Krispy treat and Samoa Girl Scout cookies had a baby and made this incredibly easy but impressive dessert. Perfect for your next pool party!

Dulce de Leche Krispy Pizza

1 1/2 Tablespoons butter

6 ounces marshmallows (about 25)

3 cups crispy rice cereal

¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

¼ teaspoon coconut oil

½ cup La Lechera Dulce de Leche

1/3 cup toasted sweetened flaked coconut

 
 Melt the butter in large sauce pan over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir constantly until fully melted. Remove from heat and add the cereal. Stir until well coated. Scrape the mixture out of the pan onto a large sheet of parchment paper. Using the back of your spoon, press the mixture into an 11 inch round. Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small glass mixing bowl. Heat in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes, stirring in 30 second intervals until smooth. Using an offset spatula, spread the dulce de leche in the middle of the cooled crispy crust, leaving a ½ inch outer rim. Drizzle with the melted chocolate and sprinkle with toasted coconut. Slice like a pizza and serve immediately!

Cranberry White Chocolate Chess Pie

Don't cranberries just scream holiday?!

I'm so excited to be using Cape Cod Select premium frozen cranberries for their Holiday Blogger Recipe Challenge! They were nice enough to send me two bags of the most gorgeous cranberries I've ever seen to work with. Farm fresh, recipe ready, no additives, preservatives or GMOs, what more could you ask for?

Let's start with dessert, shall we?

My first entry is this gorgeous and festive Cranberry White Chocolate Chess Pie.

Cranberry White Chocolate Chess Pie

1 stick of butter

1 cup sugar

4 ounces white chocolate chips

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal

4 eggs

1 1/2 cup Cape Cod Select premium frozen cranberries

1 unbaked 9 inch pie shell

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In a medium saucepan, over low heat, melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the sugar. Remove the pan from the heat, add the chocolate chips and stir until smooth.

Add the eggs, vanilla and cornmeal. Whisk until smooth. Pour into the pie shell. Sprinkle the cranberries evenly over the filling. Bake for 1 hour.

Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 30 minutes before slicing.

You can follow Cape Cod Select on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest

To find Cape Cod Select Premium Frozen Cranberries near you click HERE

Playoff Pudding Parfaits

Unless the Saints or LSU is playing, I usually don't care about watching football games. Football parties are just a fun excuse for me to have yummy snacks and drinks with friends. I came up with this super cute and easy recipe as an entry for All You Magazine's Game Day Dessert Contest and I was so excited when I found out I won second place- the prize was $250 and a chance to be featured in the magazine! I got my prize money in the mail but never received the magazine. After searching every store in the area, I wrote to them only to find out the magazine is no longer in print. Booooo. So, if they won't share it with you- I will! Here's my Playoff Pudding Parfaits:

 Prepare one 3.9 ounce box instant chocolate pudding as directed on the package and divide the mixture between 6 small parfait cups.  Place in the fridge to chill.

Place 1 cup shredded coconut in a zip top sandwich bag with 5 drops of green food coloring.  Zip the bag closed and shake and mash it until the food coloring is evenly distributed.

Place 6 chocolate sandwich cookies in a separate zip top sandwich bag and mash with a rolling pin until crumbled. 

Using a cookie cutter, or by tracing a paper stencil, cut out 6 goal posts from 2 large flour tortillas.  Place the cutouts on a cookie sheet and toast in a toaster oven until crisp (about 3-5 minutes).  Once the cutouts are crisp, spray with yellow edible food color mist (easily found at most craft and grocery stores). 

To assemble parfaits, top each pudding cup with mashed chocolate cookie crumbs, then colored coconut.  Stick a goal post cutout in the cups and place a football pretzel or chocolate candy on top.

These can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or served immediately. 

Malted Pretzel Double Chocolate Brownies

Remember that Pretzel Crunch we just talked about? 

You knew I couldn't just leave well enough alone right?

Whenever I eat anything new- good or bad- my mind immediately starts thinking of new ways to use it. It's a sickness I tell you.

So after trying that amazing new pretzel crunch recipe, I instantly thought: "This would be so good on ice cream, sprinkled on top of Malted Milk Ball cupcakes, and in brownies with coffee and white chocolate!"

Because the only thing that I like more than sweet and salty is sweet and salty with chocolate.

So the next day I made brownies with coffee and white chocolate 

and it was everything I thought it would be

Sweet and Salty Nirvana

Malted Pretzel Double Chocolate Brownies

a Fleur De-Lectable original

1/4 cup boiling water

1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

1 19.5oz box brownie mix

1/2 cup oil

2 eggs

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup Pretzel Crunch

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl add the boiling water and coffee granules. Stir until completely dissolved. Add brownie mix, oil, eggs and white chocolate chips and stir until well blended. Pour batter into the greased pan and spread out into a smooth even layer. Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Immediately sprinkle semi-sweet chocolate chips over warm brownies and return to the oven for 2 minutes. Remove brownies and use an offset spatula to spread the melted chocolate chips evenly over the brownies. Top with Pretzel Crunch and gently press it down into the chocolate. Cool completely for easier cutting, about 1 hour- if you can wait that long.

From boredom to Biscoff Buttercream

Do you still have any Girl Scout cookies lying around? 

Every year those little temptresses come around with their wagon of cookies and if you are anything like me you just can't say no. Especially to new cookies. This year the new flavor was "Shout Outs" and the description was a buttery caramel crisp cookie. Well, when I read that I instantly thought of Biscoff cookies and spread that I'm seeing pop up all over foodie blogs everywhere. And then I just had to get them. The problem was, after I ripped open the box and dug in, I was a bit dissapointed.

They were just meh.
Boring.

Not great, but not horrible either.
It felt like they needed something

So I dipped them in Nutella- that was good

Then I dipped them in Biscoff- that was even better

Then I made a deliciously dark chocolate cupcake, whipped up a Biscoff Buttercream icing and shoved one of those cookies in the top- that was heavenly

 

It's just what the cookie needed 

Absolutely perfect!

Biscoff Buttercream

5 Tablespoons room temperature butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup Biscoff spread

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

4 Tablespoons heavy cream

Place all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer. With the paddle attachment, combine the ingredients on low speed until just combined and then raise speed to medium and whip until fluffy and fully incorporated. Pipe onto cake layers, cupcakes or spoon in your mouth. No judgement here.

How Time Flies

Well the holidays just swept me away and I can't believe it's already January!

Today I was busy packing Christmas decorations to put away (among all of the other chores that go along with a 10 day trip back home) and the kids were a little upset with me.

They didn't really know why I had to put away all the decorations, why I was taking ornaments off of the Christmas tree and why Santa was no longer "comin' to town"

I tried to put it the best way I knew how:  "now we get to start all over again"

Trying to further make this transition a little more exciting than disappointing I reminded them both that after Christmas we also get to celebrate B's birthday

My baby girl is going to be 3 tomorrow

and I thought I'd share with you a cake I make recently for another princess that turned 2

This little beauty had a Dr Seuss themed birthday party so a bright, colorful two tiered cake was requested

I made a chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream and covered it with fondant and fondant accents

I hope she enjoyed her special day!

Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

Mint and Chocolate

I think that is one perfect combination

 These cookies are so easy (are you noticing a recurring theme here lately?)

and so delicious

especially if you get one right out of the oven when it's still gooey

It's impossible to just eat three

the base is a boxed brownie mix so the cookies are extra fudgy and soft

How could you not leave one of these out for Santa?

Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

1 (19.9 ounce) box brownie mix

1 large egg

1 tbsp plus 2 tsp water 

1 tsp peppermint extract

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup crushed candy canes

Preheat oven to 375 ºF. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Combine brownie mix, egg, water, peppermint extract and oil in large bowl. Stir until well blended. Scoop a Tablespoon of dough for each cookie and place about 2 inches apart onto the cookie sheet. Top each cookie with crushed candy cane pieces.

Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until cookies are just set in the center. Cool for 3 minutes before removing to cooling rack. Allow the cookies to cool completely.

At the Drive In

 I was asked to make cupcakes for a 65th wedding anniversary recently and I had so much fun creating treats for this event!

The party was being held at a drive in movie theater so we went with "popcorn topped" cupcakes

I was so pleased with the way these came out, I hope the happy couple enjoyed them!

 Half of the cupcakes were Almond Cake with Almond Cream Cheese Frosting and the other half was Mint Chocolate (one of my favorites)

 The "popcorn" topper is not actually what you think it is

It's mini marshmallows cut with sharp scissors and then lightly sprayed with Wilton's color mist

They aren't hard to make just extremely time consuming, but after it was all finished I thought it was really hard to tell that it wasn't actual popcorn

Mounds Bars

I made these for bunco the other night

I needed something easy to make and relatively quick

I cut the squares and arranged them on my platter and left the rest covered and put away and rushed out the door

I saved some of them so I could go back the next day and get a good picture of them

you know; a drool-worhty picture of the side angle showing the rich dense brownie layer and gooey coconut almond topping

well, I'd love to show you that right now but they're all gone

Sorry, but they really were that good

You'll just have to make them yourself so you can see it in person

Mounds Bars

adapted from here

1 box brownie mix

Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box (for cake-like brownies) 

3 cups sweetened flaked coconut

1/2 cup toasted coconut

1/2 cup granola

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Pre-heat oven to 350. Spray a 9x13 pan with non stick cooking spray. Follow directions on the brownie mix box to prepare cake-like brownies and bake for 5 minutes less than the directions call for. In a medium mixing bowl combine both coconuts, granola, almond extract and condensed milk. Mix together until all ingredients are coated and spread on top of the brownies. Bake for 10-15 minutes and allow to cool completely. One the brownies are cool, mix the chocolate chips and oil in a small bowl and microwave until melted, stirring about every 30 seconds. Drizzle chocolate over the brownie bars. I found it a lot easier to slice the bars after placing them in the fridge for 20-30 minutes first.

here's what I'll be making this week:

Monday: Chili with  Corn and Hatch Chile Scones from my friend Emme at The Kid Can Cook

                  

Wednesday:   Shrimp Creole with Steamed Rice and Roasted Garlic Asparagus

                         Caramel Apple Muffins

Friday:  Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta served with garlic bread

A Whopper of a Cupcake

Meet my new obsession:

 Chocolate cake with a malted chocolate frosting

Luckily I made these and brought them to a fund raising event for a friend and they were all eaten......none to take home and taunt me the next day just begging to be eaten

as I was eating these I was already thinking what else I could do with this awesome frosting;

like sandwich it in between two chocolate whoopie pies and then roll the edges in crushed whoppers

sounds sinfully good right?!

I'll have to wait and try that out when I have somewhere to bring them to share

Here's what we are eating this week:

Monday: Pepperoni Calzones with Roasted Tomato Soup

Wednesday: Chicken and Andouille Sausage Jambalaya with Green Salad

Banana Bread Cookies

Friday: Beer and Paprika Beef Stew with Rice

Marshall's Robot Party

It's official; he's 5

I tried my best to make time slow down but it didn't work

we had a small party at the gym to celebrate and I went with a Robot theme

The cake was chocolate with toasted marshmallow filling and vanilla frosting

I felt a little guilty walking into the gym with a large cake as people on bikes and treadmills were all around me staring and I knew I had no intention of doing any sort of physical activity that day

I think I enjoyed myself a lot more than they did

As I've mentioned before I have a small tradition that I've started with my kids for their birthday cakes
I decorate the cake and make sure they don't see it until it's completely finished
then I get a picture of their face the first time they see it
it's something that's more for me I guess.....the best payback in the world in my opinion
staying up late working on something for them and seeing the excitement and pure joy on their face at their first glance. The first one is a little out of focus but you get the idea ;)

Getting ready to make a wish

I'm realizing that in most pictures my mouth is wide open
not very attractive
I need to work on that

the kids were served pizza and I made wraps and a veggie tray for the adults
whole grain wraps, smoked turkey, provolone and swiss cheese, fresh spinach and a sun dried tomato spread

going with the silver, red and blue color scheme I wrapped an aluminum can with scrapbook paper to hold the utensils

the gym games were so much fun!
scooter races, an obstacle course and basketball
Many of the adults got in on the fun too!

The favors were slinkies, wind up robots, a stamp, a stretchy robot and candy

the bag toppers I printed for free from a cute blog that I found while searching for a little Robot inspiration

here is the link if you'd like to make some for yourself:  Robot Party Favor Bag Printable

Chocolate Kahlua Cookies

When I saw a recipe recently for frosting cookies, I saved it immediately. With all the baking I do I always have extra frosting, and this looked like a great way to use it up. The frosting I had was chocolate and I thought the kahlua would be a great combo with it. Who doesn't love coffee and chocolate together?!

Chocolate Kahlua Cookies

adapted from here

for cookies:

1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup chocolate frosting
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon homemade kahlua
1/4 cup sugar

for glaze:

4 teaspoon kahlua

1 teaspoon heavy cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350. Grease a cookie sheet or line with a silpat.
In a medium bowl, mix the flour, salt, and baking soda.
In a separate bowl, mix the frosting, egg, kahlua, and sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until well combined.
Drop cookies by large tablespoon fulls onto prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges of cookies are lightly browned.
In a small bowl combine kahlua, heavy cream and powdered sugar and whisk until smooth.
Allow cookies to cool for 15 minutes before glazing. 
Drizzle glaze liberally over cookies and allow to set 30 minutes before serving.

Here's what I'll be cooking up this week:

Monday: Chicken Enchiladas Verde with green salad

Wednesday: Low Fat Cheesy Stuffed Shells with Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower

Friday: Corn and Potato Chowder with Garlic Bread

Guilt Free Kahlua Chocolate Pudding

 Now that Easter has come and gone and your basket of candy has dwindled down, you are tired of chocolate and ready for a break, right?

Yeah, me neither

For some reason, with age my sweet tooth has grown. I can't remember really craving sweets- salty snacks were always more my speed. Until now. That really stinks considering metabolism slows down with age too, can someone figure out how to fix that? I like to have chocolate on a regular basis, and this is a perfect guilt free way to do it. Chocolate Pudding with a surprise base ingredient: Tofu!

No, that is not a typo

The kahlua that I made is finally ready and I thought this would be a great recipe to try it in. Next on the list: Kahlua Brownies....those may not be guilt free though.

Guilt Free Kahlua Chocolate Pudding 

adapted form here

1 (12.3-ounce) package silken tofu, drained

3 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3 Tbsp water

2 Tbsp kahlua

1/4 cup sugar

¼  cup agave nectar

In a blender or food processor, puree the tofu until it is smooth.

Put the chocolate, cocoa powder, water and kahlua in a saucepan or heat-proof bowl fitted over a pot containing 1-inch barely simmering water. Stir frequently, until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Mix in sugar, a little at a time, until smooth.

Add the chocolate mixture and agave syrup to the tofu and puree until smooth and well blended. Spoon the mousse into serving dishes, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour