Oreo Brownies

So I have a thing for brownies.  I love baking them and adding different little touches to them.  I have made them with Symphony Bars in the middle or Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Bars in the middle.  I have also used Ande's Mints......basically the options are endless.  But, this time I tricked these brownies out even more!  My husband and kids L.O.V.E. these Oreo Balls.  I mean, LOVE!  So I decided to deconstruct them and top a brownie with their ingredients.  Let me tell you something......they are to die for!  Serve these at your next gathering!

Ingredients:

A box of your favorite brownie mix (I always make Ghirardelli Double Chocolate mix)
Water
Oil
Egg
1 package of Oreos
8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
Candy Making Milk Chocolate (ex. Candiquik or Almond Bark)

Directions:

-  Prepare and bake your brownies according to the directions on the box.
-  Once they are baked, let them cool completely.
-  In a food processor, combine the package of Oreos and 8 oz. of cream cheese.  If you do not have a food processor, place Oreos in a large baggy and crush until fine with a rolling pin.  Then in a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese and crushed Oreos.
-  Spread mixture on top of cooled brownies.
-  Following the directions on the package, melt the chocolate in the microwave.
-  Spread melted chocolate evenly over Oreo layer.
-  Refrigerate until ready to serve,

Peanut Butter Nutty Bars

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR PEOPLE!  These bars are incredible.  These are a variation of my Hello Dolly bars and they complete me.  I love chocolate and peanut butter and graham cracker crust so these are pretty much a perfect dessert in my eyes.  The best part is they are a cinch to make!

Ingredients:

1/2 c. butter, melted
1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c. peanuts, chopped
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
1 c. peanut butter chips

Directions: 

-  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-  Place butter in a 9x13 baking dish and melt in the oven.
-  Remove pan from the oven and stir graham cracker crumbs.  Once combined press into an even layer in the pan.
-  Drizzle can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crust.
-  Top with chopped peanuts, chocolate chips and finally the peanut butter chips.
-  Press nuts and chips gently into the condensed milk.
-  Bake at 350 degrees for  25-30 minutes or until edges begin to brown and bubble slightly.
-  Let it completely cool before cutting and serving.

Raspberry Bars

I have a major sweet tooth.  I mean MAJOR.  Anything chocolate is my favorite.  9 times out of 10 I will pick the chocolate dessert over everything else but every once in a while something fruity and sweet sounds good.  Enter the Pioneer Woman's Strawberry Oatmeal Bars.  That woman is a savior in the easy and delicious recipe department.  She made hers with strawberry jam but I am partial to raspberries so I used raspberry jam for mine.  A-MAZING!

Ingredients:

1-3/4 sticks cold butter cut into pieces
1-1/2 c all purpose flour
1-1/2 c quick oats
1 c packed brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
10 to 12 oz raspberry jam

Directions:

-  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 9x13 baking dish
-  In a bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt.
-  With the hook attachment of an electric mixer, cut in cold butter until it resembles coarse crumbs.  If you do not have an electric mixer you can do this step by hand with a pastry cutter.
-  Pour half the mixture in the pan and pat lightly so it is a little tight.
-  Spoon raspberry jam evenly over the surface and gently spread it around.
-  Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the jam and pat lightly.
-  Bake for 30-40 minute or until the top is golden brown.
-  Remove from oven and let it cool completely before cutting it into bars and serving.

Oreo Delight

This recipe is from here.  I renamed it Oreo Delight because it is very similar to this dessert that my mom has made for years and years.  My husband could not get enough of this Oreo deliciousness.  It was a huge hit!

Ingredients:

1 pkg of regular Oreos
1/2 c. of butter
1 lg box of instant chocolate pudding
2-8 oz cool whips
8 oz. of cream cheese, softened
1 c. powdered sugar

Directions:

-  Crush the whole package of Oreos with a food processor, or in a bag and a rolling pin. Save a 1/2 c. to sprinkle on top of dessert when it's done.

-  Pour remaining crumbs in a 13x9 pan.

-  Melt butter and pour into crumb mix. Stir it up good and press crumbs in bottom of pan to make a crust.

-  Make chocolate pudding according to package directions and let it setup in the fridge.

-  In a mixing bowl blend cream cheese until smooth and add powdered sugar, mix. 

-  Fold in 1-8 oz tub of cool whip.

-  Top Oreo layer with cream cheese mix, then pudding, then your last 8 oz tub of cool whip, and then sprinkle remaining Oreo's on top.

-  Cover and refridgerate until ready to serve.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

I found this little gem on Pinterest but I am not sure where the original recipe came from.  If you know whose recipe this is please let me know so I can give them credit!

This is seriously the easiest, most moist cake you will ever make!  I am going to try a variation of it by using 2 boxes of vanilla pudding instead of one vanilla and one chocolate.  That way it comes out as a vanilla cake with chocolate chips instead of chocolate cake with chocolate chips.  Either way this cake is GOOD!

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix
1 box instant vanilla pudding
1 box instant chocolate pudding
1 c. sour cream
3/4 c. vegetable oil
4 eggs
12 oz. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels

Directions:

-  Mix all ingredients in a large bowl for two minutes.
-  Spray bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray.
-  Pour batter into bundt pan.
-  Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
-  I dusted mine with powdered sugar but that is optional!

Better Than Crack Brownies

Though I have never tried crack, nor do I ever want to,  I can only imagine these are definitely better!  If you have been following this blog you know my favorite sweet is anything with chocolate and peanut butter in it.  I mean, the filling in my wedding cake was chocolate peanut butter moose for heavens sake!  I love it that much!  So, when I saw this recipe on Pinterest via How Sweet It Is I knew it was the dessert for me.  Boy was I right!  It is amazing and easy and addictive!!!!

Ingredients:

1 box of brownie mix
egg
oil water
1/2 c. salted peanuts, chopped (optional)
1 c. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, chopped
1 1/2 c. chocolate chips
1 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1/2 T. butter
1 1/2 c. Rice Krispies cereal

Directions:

-  Make and bake brownies according to the directions on the box using the correct amount of eggs, oil and water.
-  Meanwhile, chop peanuts and Reese's.
- Once brownies are finished baking, remove them from the oven and top with peanuts and Reese's.  Return to the oven for 4-6 minutes.
-  In a medium bowl combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter.  Melt in microwave at 30 second intervals so you don't burn the chocolate.
-  Once melted, stir to combine and add Rice Krispies. Stir.
-  Pour mixture over brownies and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Oreo Balls

Ok, so, these are A-mazing!  My sister made them for our family Christmas fun day and I am pretty sure they were all gone in like 2 minutes.  And when she told me how easy they were to make I knew I had to make them asap.  Seriously make these for your next gathering.

Ingredients:

1 pkg. oreos
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 pkg. chocolate bark

Directions:

-  Put all the oreos in a large baggie and crush.  There should not be any large pieces left.
-  Pour into and bowl and mix in cream cheese until combined well.  It should be cookie batter like in consistency.
-  Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
-  Remove from refrigerator and roll into 1 inch sized balls.
-  Return the balls to the refrigerator until ready to coat in chocolate.
-  In a medium size bowl, melt chocolate in the microwave.
-  Dip oreo balls in the chocolate and let harden on wax paper before serving or storing.

North Pole Cupcakes

Could these be any cuter?!?!  Another lovely Pinterest find.  I had everything I needed for these in my pantry so it was a quick and easy treat to make!

Ingredients:

Box of white cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 c. oil
1 1/4 c. water
Vanilla icing
candy canes
red m&m's

Directions:

-  Follow the directions on the back of the cake box mixing the cake mix, eggs, water and oil.
-  Pour batter into lined cup cake tins and bake according to the box.
-  Let cupcakes cool completely before icing them.
-  Use icing to attach North Pole sign and m&m to the candy cane.
-  Insert candy cane into top of cupcake and enjoy!

Sweet Santa Hats

Thank you Pinterest for such cute, easy and fun Christmas ideas this year.  I loved these and they took about 1 minute to make.  My son ate them up and he doesn't like anything!

Ingredients:

Store bought brownie bites
Strawberries with the leaves cut off
Can of whipped cream

Directions:

-  Top each brownie bite with a squirt of whipped cream
-  Place strawberry on top, flat side down
-  Squirt whipped cream on the point of the strawberry
-  Enjoy!

Homemade Donuts

I mean, seriously!  These donuts are A-MAZING and the best part is they are super easy to make!  I found the recipe on Pinterest from Southern Plate and it did not disappoint!  Make these!!!

Ingredients:

1 can home style biscuits
1 stick of butter
Vegetable oil
cinnamon
sugar

Directions:

-  Pour oil into large pan.  You will need about 1/2 inches of oil.  Turn heat on medium to medium high.
-  Cut holes in each biscuit (I just used the lid from a bottle in my pantry to punch the holes)
-  Melt butter in a small bowl
-  In a separate bowl mix cinnamon and sugar (use what ever ratio you like)
-  Please donuts in the oil (the oil should bubble around the edges)
-  It will only take a minute or two on each side so watch them closely.
-  Place finished donuts on a paper towel to drain.
-  Repeat the same cooking process with the donut holes
-  While the donuts are still warm, dip them in the butter and then coat in sugar mixture.
-  Get a glass of milk and enjoy!

I'll Have S'More Please!

No campfire needed!  These S'mores Bars are incredible!

Ingredients:

1 stick butter, at room temperature

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/3 c. flour

3/4 c. graham cracker crumbs

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 king-sized milk chocolate bars

1 1/2 c. marshmallow creme/fluff (not melted marshmallows)

Directions:

-  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease an 8x8 baking dish.

-  In a large bowl cream together butter and sugars until creamy.

-  Beat in egg, and vanilla.

-  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt.

-  Slowly add dry mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low until combined.

-  Divide dough in half and press half of the dough into an even layer on the bottom of the baking dish.

-  Place chocolate bars on top of dough.  They should fit side-by-side.

-  Top chocolate with an even layer of marshmallow creme.

-  Roll out remaining dough and cut into sections and place on top of marshmallow layer covering it completely.

-  Bake for 30-35 minutes or until lightly browned. 

-  Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Cream Roll

My mom has been making this dessert for years and it is amazing!  It is probably the easiest dessert you will ever make!

Ingredients:

2 boxes of Famous Chocolate Wafers (these can be kind of hard to find so you might have to check a couple of stores)

2 pints heavy whipping cream

sugar

vanilla

Directions:

-  In a large bowl beat whipping cream with an electric hand mixer on high adding sugar and vanilla to taste until firm peaks form.

-  Begin making cookie sandwiches by alternating cookie and whipped cream until you have used all of the cookies.

 -  Cover the outside of each roll with remaining whipped cream.

-  Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Texas Gold Bars

MMmmmmm....Texas Gold Bars.  I love this super simple dessert.  I have also heard them called Chess Bars and Gooey Bars.  You can call them whatever you want and it will not change the fact that they are A-MAZING!

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix

1 stick butter, softened

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese

1 lb. powdered sugar

Directions:

-  For the crust combine cake mix, stick of butter and one egg until loose dough forms.

-  Press mixture into a 9x13 baking dish.

-  In a large bowl mix vanilla, cream cheese and two eggs with an electric mixer until smooth.

-  Gently stir in powdered sugar until completely combined.

-  Pour mixture over crust and spread evenly.

-  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes until golden brown.

A New Twist on Fruit Salad

My sister's friend, Christine, made this and we love it! It is such a great and different way to dress up and eat fruit salad. We will be eating this all summer long! Ingredients:

1 Cantaloupe 4-5 apples, peeled 1 carton strawberries 1 carton blueberries 2 cartons raspberries green grapes any other fruit you want! 1 to 1 1/2 c. orange juice 3/4 c. lightly packed brown sugar 1 bag cinnamon and sugar pita chips

Directions:

- Cut all fruit into small bite size pieces. - Toss fruit in a large bowl. - Pour orange juice over fruit. - Stir in brown sugar. - Mix well. - Serve with pita chips to scoop up fruit.

Diet Coke Cupcakes

Ummm...excuse me but diet coke and cupcakes are two of my favorite things! My friend, Brittney, made dinner for our family after we got home from the hospital with the new addition to our family and she brought these cupcakes for dessert. Can you say delicious??? And once I found out how easy they are to make they tasted even better! Please make these....they are dense and moist and not that fattening. Ingredients:
1 box chocolate cake mix
12 oz. Diet Coke
Icing
Directions:
- Mix cake mix and diet coke together {DO NOT use any of the ingredients on the box}
- Fill cupcake cups about 2/3 full.
- Bake at 325 degrees for 12-16 minutes.
- Cool completely and ice!

Strawberry Jello Cake

While I was in the hospital after having our sweet baby girl, my sister's good friend, Michelle, made me this cake and to say I fell in love with it would be an understatement. It is light and the perfect summer dessert. Make sure you make it for your next cook out! Ingredients:
1 box white cake mix plus the ingredients on the box {oil, eggs and water}
1 large box strawberry instant jello
1 c. hot water
1 c. cold water
1 container of cool whip, thawed
1 carton strawberries, sliced

Directions:
- Bake the cake according to the directions on the box.
- Let cake cool completely.
- In a medium bowl dissolve jello in hot water. Add cold water and stir.
- Poke holes all over the cake with a fork.
- Pour jello mix over cake.
- Top with cool whip and strawberries.
- Refrigerate over night and enjoy!

Upside Down Cinnamon Apple Coffee Cake

Oh.My.Word people! This is amazingly wonderful! I got this recipe from Cara over at Pearls, Handcuffs and Happy Hour. I have had it for a while but just got around to making it this weekend and let me tell you, it is delicious! My husband had like 3 helpings this morning and I am pretty sure the rest of it will be gone by the end of the day. You HAVE to make this!
Ingredients:

1 can apple pie filling
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tube cinnamon rolls
2 tbsp. butter, melted
1/3 c. firmly packed brown sugar

Directions:

- In a large bowl mix apple pie filling and cinnamon together.
- Spread a thin layer of the filling onto the bottom of a well greased 9 inch pie plate. Set the remaining filling aside.
- Cut all your cinnamon rolls into quarters and add to the remaining pie filling.
- In a small bowl melt butter and mix in brown sugar. Add to the cinnamon rolls and apples and toss gently to combine.
- Pour mixture over filling in the pie pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 28-32 minutes or until a deep, golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before inverting it onto a platter.
- Remove lid from frosting container that comes with the cinnamon rolls and microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Drizzle frosting over warm coffee cake and serve.

Candy Cane Cake

I got this recipe from Brittney and thought it was just too cute not to make during Christmas. Cole LOVES it and I think it is so pretty!Ingredients:

One box of super moist white cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg whites that are called for on the box
1/2 tsp red food coloring
1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Frosting:

1 c. powdered sugar
1 tbls. milk or water
1/2 tsp vanilla, if desired

Decoration:

Crushed candy canes or peppermints

Directions:

- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and generously grease your bundt pan.
- Mix cake according to directions on the box.
- Pour about 2 cups of the cake mix into your bundt pan. In a small bowl mix about 3/4 cup of the batter and the red food coloring and peppermint extract.
- Carefully pour red batter over white batter in the pan.
- Pour remaining white batter over the red batter.
- Bake according to directions on the box or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Invert onto serving platter and let it cool completely.
- In a small bowl mix the frosting ingredients together and with a spoon or fork, drizzle over cake.
- Top with crushed candy canes and serve!

Cracker Cookies

These babies are ALWAYS made during the holidays. They are one of my favorite things on earth and it would not be Christmas with out them. They are beyond easy and beyond tasty!!!Ingredients:

1 box Ritz crackers
1 jar creamy peanut butter
2 pkg. milk chocolate almond bark {or candiquik chocolate}

Directions:

- Make peanut butter and cracker sandwiches.
- Melt chocolate in a large bowl in the microwave in one minute increments until completely melted.
- Using a fork dip sandwiches in chocolate until coated. Remove with fork letting the excess chocolate drip through the fork and place on wax paper to cool.
- The cookies are finished when the chocolate is hard on the outside.

White Trash

Not a very nice name but oh.so.good. Yet another Christmas tradition.Ingredients:

4 c. rice chex
4 c. corn chex
3/4 bag of pretzels
1 bag red and green m&m's
1 can mixed nuts
1 can cashews
2 pkg. white chocolate almond bark or candiquik

Directions:

- Dump everything but the white chocolate in the biggest bowl you have and gently mix.
- In a separate bowl melt white chocolate in the microwave.
- Pour melted chocolate over mixture and gently combine until everything is coated.
- Pour onto wax paper.
- When chocolate has hardened break into chunks and serve!