Not your grandfathers log!

Nope, this is not a log found in the forest or one used to make a fire in the fireplace.  Much better!!

This is a recipe for something called Lusciously Nutty Holiday Logs from Eating Well.  Yummmmmm!

Photo courtesy of Eating Well

Photo courtesy of Eating Well

They call them Holiday Logs but I say let’s not wait for a holiday to make them!  They look amazing….   and one thing I especially love is how unique they are.

Definitely not your average cookie or brownie (not that I don’t love your average cookie or brownie!!)

Makes 2 dozen cookies

ACTIVE TIME: 30 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 1 1/4 hours

EASE OF PREPARATION: Moderate

1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/3 cup plus 5 teaspoons sugar, divided
1 tablespoon freshly grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
8 sheets phyllo dough (9-by-14-inch), thawed
Canola oil cooking spray

Topping
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.
2. To prepare logs: Combine nuts, 1/3 cup sugar, orange zest, cinnamon and cloves in a small bowl.
3. Place one sheet of phyllo dough on a clean, dry surface. Coat thoroughly with cooking spray. Top with another sheet of phyllo and coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle one-quarter of the walnut mixture (about 1/3 cup) evenly over the phyllo.
4. Using a sharp knife, cut the large phyllo rectangle lengthwise into 3 strips then in half crosswise to form 6 smaller rectangular strips.
5. Beginning at the short ends, loosely roll each strip into a neat log. Repeat with the remaining phyllo and walnut mixture.
6. Place the logs about 1/2 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Spray tops lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with the remaining 5 teaspoons sugar.
7. Bake the logs, in batches, until golden, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely.
8. To prepare topping: Place chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe dish. Microwave on High for 30 seconds. Stir. Continue to microwave for 20-second intervals until melted, stirring after each interval. Transfer the chocolate to a plastic sandwich bag. Snip off one corner, being careful not to make the opening too large. Squeeze the melted chocolate decoratively across the top of each cooled log. Let stand at room temperature until the chocolate is completely set.

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

Per cookie:

76 calories; 4 g fat (1 g sat, 1 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrate; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber; 31 mg sodium; 36 mg potassium.
1/2 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1/2 carbohydrate (other), 1 fat

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze without the chocolate drizzle (Step 8) for up to 1 month. Defrost at room temperature before decorating with the chocolate drizzle.

SOURCE

Banana Bread

This is not a recipe I would usually pick out, but Cooking Light’s Classic Banana Bread looks mighty tempting!  I have never made bread before (putting the packet in the bread machine doesn’t count, does it?).  I think this is a perfect recipe for me to try and venture into the world of bread baking, especially since there is no kneading involved :)

This would be a perfect breakfast for me to take in the car on my early morning clinical days.

Image courtesy of cookinglight.com

Image courtesy of cookinglight.com

I think I would throw in some extra ingredients like cinnamon, walnuts, nutmeg, and maybe substitute Greek yogurt for regular yogurt and whole wheat flour for white flour.

Yield

1 loaf, 14 servings (serving size: 1 slice)

Ingredients

  • 2  cups  all-purpose flour
  • 3/4  teaspoon  baking soda
  • 1/2  teaspoon  salt
  • 1  cup  sugar
  • 1/4  cup  butter, softened
  • 2  large eggs
  • 1 1/2  cups  mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)
  • 1/3  cup  plain low-fat yogurt
  • 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
  • Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk.

Place sugar and butter in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 1 minute). Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add banana, yogurt, and vanilla; beat until blended. Add flour mixture; beat at low speed just until moist. Spoon batter into an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Nutritional Information

Calories:
187 (21% from fat)
Fat:
4.3g (sat 2.4g,mono 1.2g,poly 0.3g)
Protein:
3.3g
Carbohydrate:
34.4g
Fiber:
1.1g
Cholesterol:
40mg
Iron:
1mg
Sodium:
198mg
Calcium:
20mg

Cooking Light, SEPTEMBER 2003

Top Heavy Crumb Cake

A couple a weeks ago, I was over on Donna’s blog – My Tasty Treasures.  I saw her recipe for a top heavy crumb cake that looked to DIE for!  It reminded me of  the Entenmann’s Ultimate Crumb Cake my mom used to buy for my sister, brother and me when we were younger.

Photo from Dill My Pickle

Photo from Dill My Pickle

I made it this past weekend at it was a huge hit!  I can not even explain how good this crumb cake is…much better than the store bought version.  The top is my favorite part and there is so much of it, plus the cake on the bottom is extremely moist and just melts in your mouth.  I made it Thursday night thinking we would be able to eat on it for the whole weekend, but it was gone first thing Saturday morning!

Photo from Dill My Pickle

Photo from Dill My Pickle

This recipe is definitely going in my file of favorites!  Click here for the recipe and while you are at it, check out Donna’s blog.  She is hilarious!!!

Photo from Dill My Pickle

Photo from Dill My Pickle

Macarooooons!

I have a confession….I don’t think I have actually ever had a macaroon.  Is that weird?   I have seen them and heard so much about them, but I don’t ever remember tasting them.  (And, I think I would definitely remember tasting something that looks as delicious as this!)

Image courtesy of allrecipes.com

Image courtesy of allrecipes.com

This recipe came from allrecipes.com and I have a feeling I will be making them very soon!  How can you go wrong with coconut?  I love it!  They seem so light and airy.  I bet I could eat like 20 ;)

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 (14 ounce) package BAKER’S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 6 tablespoons flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 egg whites
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour baking sheets; set aside. Mix coconut, sugar, flour and salt in large bowl. Stir in egg whites and almond extract until well blended.
  2. Drop coconut mixture into 36 mounds, 2 inches apart, on prepared baking sheets, using about 1 tablespoonful of the coconut mixture for each mound.
  3. Bake 20 min. or until edges are golden brown. Immediately remove from baking sheets to wire racks. Cool completely.

FOOTNOTES

  • Tip
  • Cherry-Topped Macaroons
  • Prepare as directed, pressing 1 candied cherry into top of each mound of coconut mixture on baking sheet before baking.
  • Chocolate-Dipped Macaroons
  • Prepare Coconut Macaroons as directed. Cool. Melt 1 pkg. (8 squares) BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate as directed on package. Dip cookies halfway into chocolate; let excess chocolate drip off. Let stand at room temperature or refrigerate on wax paper-covered tray 30 min. or until chocolate is firm.

Oh Mah Gah!

Does this look amazing or what?  It is from realsimple.com and has count them—-four ingredients—-FOUR!  I don’t think it can get any easier!

Courtesy of Realsimple.com

Courtesy of Realsimple.com

And you guys, it has literally been topping 100 degrees these past couple days in Florida and I am about ready to D-I-E of heat exhaustion.  This would be the perfect recipe to cool me down.  Otherwise, I might have to just throw some ice packs in my shorts.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
  • 6 ice cream sandwiches (3.5 ounces each)
  • 2 1.5-ounce candy bars or 1/2 cup chocolate chips, chopped
Directions
1. Line an 8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch loaf pan with a piece of wax paper or parchment, allowing the paper to hang over both long sides.

2. In a large bowl, beat the cream and sugar until stiff peaks form.

3. In the bottom of the pan, arrange 3 of the sandwiches in a single layer, cutting them to fit as necessary. Spread with half the whipped cream. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches and whipped cream.

4. Sprinkle the top of the cake with the chopped candy bar. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 1 week.

5. Holding both sides of the paper overhang, lift the cake out of the pan and transfer to a platter. Discard the paper, slice the cake, and serve.

Nutritional Information Servings Per Recipe

* Amount Per Serving

* Calories   440
* Calories From Fat   53%
* Protein   6g
* Carbohydrate   47g
* Sugar   31g
* Fiber   2g
* Fat   26g
* Sat Fat   15g
* Sodium   155mg
* Cholesterol   64mg
SOURCE

Chocolate-Mint Icebox Cake

My sister’s mother-in-law, Robin,  makes this amazing dessert and I keep telling Stacey to get the recipe from her.  Well, I think I have found something that comes pretty close….this Chocolate-Mint Icebox Cake from good ole’ Martha!  This dessert is amazing and looks so simple to make!  Easy + No Bake = perfect dessert :)

Image courtesy of Marthastewart.com

Image courtesy of Marthastewart.com

I don’t think Robin makes her’s with mint, but I think that sounds like a perfect addition…especially for the summer.  I can’t wait to try this out!

Ingredients

Serves 8

  • 1 3/4 cups heavy cream, chilled
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon mint extract
  • 1 package (9 ounces) chocolate wafers
  • 1 cup miniature chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Make the mint cream: With an electric mixer, beat heavy cream, sugar, and mint extract until stiff peaks form.
  2. Line a serving platter with two sheets of wax paper side by side. Assemble the cake: Spread each wafer with about 1/2 tablespoon mint cream, forming stacks. Lay stacks horizontally along seam of paper, pressing gently to form a log. With small spatula or knife, cover log with remaining mint cream. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or up to 2 days.
  3. To serve, gently remove wax paper from underneath cake (holding cake in place with a metal spatula, if necessary), and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Slice cake diagonally with a serrated knife.

Give me S’more of that!

Oh my God you guys…..   OH. MY. GOD. does this look good or what??  I have got to try this recipe for S’more Brownies from Food Network like STAT.  Lexie, what do you think?  I say this should be our dessert to make this weekend!  One vote from me!!!

photo courtesy of Food Network

photo courtesy of Food Network

We’ll keep you guys posted if we end up trying this beauty of a recipe out this weekend!  I am sure the number on the scale on Monday will be a good hint!

Ingredients

Crust:

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • Pinch fine salt

Brownie:

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 4 large cold eggs
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Topping:

  • 4 cups large marshmallows

Directions

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8 by-8-inch square baking pan with foil so it hangs over the edges by about 1 inch.

For the crust: Lightly butter the foil with some of the melted butter. Stir the rest of the butter together with the crumbs, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Press the crumb mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the brownie. Put the butter and chocolate in a medium microwave safe bowl. Melt in the microwave on 75 percent power for 2 minutes. Stir, and microwave again until completely melted, about 2 minutes more. Alternatively, put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with 1 inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl on the pan without touching the water. Stir occasionally until melted. Stir the light brown and white sugars, vanilla and salt into the melted chocolate. Add the eggs and beat vigorously to make a thick and glossy batter. Add the flour and stir until just incorporated.

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake until the top is crispy and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out mostly clean, with a few crumbs, about 40 to 45 minutes.

Remove from the oven and carefully position a rack about 6 inches from the broiler and preheat on low. Layer marshmallows across the top and toast under the broiler until golden, (keep an eye on it, it can go quick), about 2 minutes. Cool on a rack, gently removing the brownies from the pan using the aluminum flaps. Carefully separate any marshmallow from the foil and fold away. Cut into 12 (2-inch) squares.

Leave it to Martha…

Only Stewdog is creative enough to come up with cupcakes like this.  (or I should say those who work for the big Stew).  I love them all!  If only I had endless amounts of time and baking supplies on my hands….  I would try to make them all!

Here are my favorites:

This one is a Marzipan Starfish with Graham Cracker Sand…

perfect for a beach vacation!

photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

Recipe here

Then there is this adorable Nesting Baby Bluebird Cupcake…   so darn cute!

I think these would be perfect for a baby shower!

photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

recipe here

And how awesome are these Gold Petal Dust Cupcakes?

photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

recipe here

This is way too much…  Corn-on-the-Cob Cupcakes?  How fun!

photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

recipe here

Blondie Cupcakes

I know I will love these because I love everything blonde!  Blonde brownies, blonde hair…ok, that is all I could think of, but they sure do sound good!  I found this recipe from MarthaStewart.com under her category of best cupcakes.  They sound so easy to make!

Image courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Image courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

Any recipe that calls for chocolate covered heath bars is going to be just glorioussss!  The only other thing that I think could make these even better is icing on top.  You can never go wrong with icing in my mind :)

Ingredients

Makes 12

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups packed light-brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 chocolate-covered toffee bars (1 1/4 ounces each), finely chopped (about 1 cup)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a standard 12-cup (each 2 1/2 inches wide) muffin pan; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
  2. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined. Add flour mixture, and beat just until combined (do not overmix). Fold in chopped toffee.
  3. Divide batter among prepared cups, filling each about halfway. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes.
  4. Transfer to wire rack; cool 10 minutes in pan. Turn out blondies onto rack; cool completely, top side up.

Such a flake!

A cornflake that is!

We were all at my parents house this weekend and decided to try out a new recipe for Peanut Butter Corn Flake Squares.  It turned out really good!  And it was super duper easy…  basically a take on rice crispy treats.  It only called for four ingredients!!  Now, that’s my kind of recipe!

photo from dill my pickle

photo from dill my pickle

We found it in this town recipe book we have where people from around town submit their favorite recipes.  The place we grew up has grown a lot, but in a lot of ways it still has that small town feeling about it.  The recipe book we got this from is like that.  You look through it and see recipes from friend’s parents and grandparents.

photo from dill my pickle

photo from dill my pickle

Next time I think I might add in marshmallows with the peanut butter, to give a fluffier taste.  I also think adding in a big handful of peanuts would be good too.  And maybe some chocolate chips.  Can you ever go wrong with chocolate chips???  I think not!

photo from dill my pickle

photo from dill my pickle

Ingredients

  • 5 Cups of Corn Flakes
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 3/4 peanut butter
  • optional:  handful of peanuts, chocolate chips, marshmallows, heath bites

Directions

1.  In a big pot, heat on medium and mix in sugar, light corn syrup, and peanut butter until smooth and sugar is melted.

2.  Add in corn flakes a little at a time until well mixed.

3.  Pour into a greased 8 x 8  pan and press with wax paper until firm in pan.  Cool.  Cut into squares and eat!