Gooey-Love Brownie Pie {Recipe}

I love how the majority of my recipe posts start with me explaining how what I made was an accident. Isn't that what cooking/baking is? Just a bunch of happy little accidents in the kitchen and then someone's like "Hey, that actually taste good!" So they stick a fancy name on it, write down what they did and boom. History was made.

The thing about this brownie pie is there is nothing accidental about the love between chocolate and peanut butter. That was a match made in Heaven by the hand of God Himself. With so many desserts out there marrying these two crazy delicious kids, I had to do something to change things up.

The base is a yummy fluffy homemade brownie. That's right, no box mix here! Making your own brownie mix isn't that difficult and it tastes better than any store brand. I'm so glad I came across Sheryl's recipe on her blog, Lady Behind the Curtain. As always, I changed up the recipe a bit to make it my own but used hers as the perfect starting point. Then layered on top is a gooey-creamy peanut butter mixture with a secret ingredient. But it won't be a secret any longer. Just keep reading.

What you'll need:

• 1/2 cup of butter
• 2 ounces baking cocoa
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten 
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 can/14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Fruit, sprinkles, candy, any topping you'd like!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a round 9x1.4 inch pan. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter, cocoa and sugar on low for about 2-3 minutes or until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the flour until smooth. Add eggs and beat until smooth. Spread evenly in pan and bake for about 15 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let sit for 1 minute in pan then move to a baking rack to cool completely.

For the topping, melt the peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds. Combine with condensed milk and stir. Spread graciously on top of the brownie pie and garnish with your favorite toppings. This peanut butter mixture makes a lot, I used about half for the brownie pie but the rest can be used on ice cream, cookies or cake.

What a perfect after dinner treat! My husband's sweet tooth was acting up and he requested something with peanut butter and chocolate. Usually we make Puppy Chow but I wanted to do something different yet still quick and tasty. I was actually surprised how fast I made this and how good it was! Whenever I try a new recipe, it usually takes a while of me sorting everything out and wrapping my brain around what to do. This Gooey-Love Brownie Pie will definitely be on the list of my go-to easy desserts.

Are you planning on making anything yummy for your honey for Valentine's Day?

Cupid's Cinnamon & Sea Salt Fudge Dip

You know how mistakes can usually make us feel like a total failure?

I just made the most delicious mistake ever! Would you like to know how? Well, I was folding laundry the other day while watching the cooking channel (as usual) when the gorgeous Giada came on. She started talking about all this yummy food for football season and then mentioned something else, blah blah blah then fudge...whoooaaahhh hold up! Did she just say fudge?!

I've never made fudge before but it is one of my man's favorite treats, so my ears perked up. Quickly jotting down the ingredients and instructions on my tablet, my brain started erupting with fireworks. Uh I have almost everything on this list!! Sorry, laundry. There is fudge to be had. Or so I thought...

Now this link will take you to the recipe if you want real fudge and not a dip. It's from Giada's page on Food Network. I had gathered all of the ingredients together and realized I didn't have condensed milk. Ah! Oh wait, I have evaporated milk and can just melt sugar into it. Problem solved. (Maybe?) I was so determined to make fudge that when I heard my son wake up from naptime, I just tossed everything into a pan and mixed it together. Wrong! I was so wrong. (Or was I?)

Obviously my mistake ruined the consistency for fudge. I found that out after four hours in the refrigerator and the chocolate was still a liquid. Liquid? Fudge dip! And the rest was history. I immediately thought how perfect this delicious blend of cinnamon and sea salt would be as a Valentine's Day treat with your loved one, enjoyed with some fresh strawberries. The milk chocolate is so creamy and the mix of salty/sweet will make your taste buds fall in love with you.

Here's what you'll need:

• One can condensed milk (or evaporated milk, heated and mixed with 1 1/4 cup sugar)
• 2.5 cups Milk chocolate chips
• 3 tbsp Butter, room temperature
• 2 tsp Cinnamon (any more will over power in taste)
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract 
• 1-2 tsp sea salt, to taste

Stir ingredients in a medium saucepan. Spray an 8x8 inch baking dish then pour the fudge mixture, sprinkled salt and placed in fridge for about two hours (until chilled.) Serve with fresh strawberries (or other fruit), graham crackers, pretzels, whatever your little heart desires! You can even separate some in another dish and place in the microwave for 15 seconds to serve as a warm fudge dip or sauce over ice cream or pie.

Does your spouse have a favorite dessert? Do you usually create anything special for them on Valentine's Day?

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting & Organic Honey Drizzle {Recipe}

This recipe has been simmering around waiting to be shared for about a week now and it was killing me! I've made it twice already and everything about these pumpkin bars blows my mind. Honestly, I'm not a huge pumpkin fan but I find myself always being drawn to it during the fall season.

I found this scrumptious recipe on Taste of Home. The entire recipe is almost the same with a few tweaks. I also didn't have the size pan they stated so I had to use my 15x11 glass pan. Every person gushed as they scarfed delighted in each moist bite. I also changed the flavor by drizzling some organic honey on top of the cream cheese frosting. Can you say yum?!

What you'll need:

4 eggs
1 2/3 cups sugar
1 cup olive oil
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Frosting:
1 package of softened cream cheese
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup softened butter (or half a stick of butter)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk

Preheat the over to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix until well blended the eggs, oil, pumpkin and sugar. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Slowly add to the pumpkin mixture until blended well. Spray a 15x11 inch pan with baking spray and pour mixture evenly into the pan. Bake for about 28-30 minutes, inserting a toothpick into the center to check if done. Cool completely.

For the frosting, combine the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract and milk into a bowl and beat on low to medium speed. Spread over the bars, then with a spoon, lightly drizzle honey (preferably organic or homemade) over the frosting. Store in the refrigerator. 

Seriously. I had to run and grab one just because I was putting this together and have no self-control.

What is your favorite pumpkin treat during the fall season?

Nom Nom Linky Party/Crockpot Caramel {Recipe}

Mmm how does this look, guys?

This is sweet & tasty caramel, right out of a can! I know, it's a can, in the crockpot...who would have guessed. I made this overnight, while I was sleeping...so by morning, I had this glorious stuff oozing out of the can, ready for me to drizzle it over cupcakes :)

How do you get this overnight caramel, you are wondering?

Well, I found it here {thanks to Pinterest, duh} and knew I HAD to try it!

Take 1 can of sweet condensed milk and place it in the crockpot, with water filled to the top of the can. Cook on low for 8-9 hours or high for 4...that's it!!

No, seriously, you're done ha!

Simple, Yummy, and yes...you can eat this right out of the can

{I did and I'm not ashamed. Not even a little.}

Do you have a creative/yummy recipe?

Something that will make us all go "nom nom"?

Let's see it! I love finding new recipes and I'd love to feature some next week {I'm kinda planning on this being weekly but we shall see. Comment and let me know if it should!}

Here are the "Yes & No's" before you link, please read & follow:

1.) No, you don't have to be a follower to link-up

{but it sure would be nice of ya. I will visit your blog if you do :)}

2.) Yes, link straight to the recipe post itself

3.) No, please don't link your full blog address/shop/facebook/twitter etc!

This is a yummy linky...not a social media-stomach ache party

4.)Yes, it would be nice to visit at least TWO other links and say hi!

5.) No, you can't have fun {I lied. You can. I just wanted a #5 hehe}

Be sure to place some text with the link to this party at the bottom of your post!

Yay, so excited to see what you guys are cookin' :)

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies {Recipe}

Pin It One word...WOW!!

Strapped for cash and too pregnant to want to go to the stores for Valentines Day (crowds *cringe*) 

I decided the best gift for my hardworking husband was a nice desert.

He is not picky and loves sweets (especially if I experiment, then he's my taste tester hehe)

I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to make, until I saw this post from Sweet Pea's Kitchen through Pinterest.

Funny thing, sweet pea is actually my aunt's nickname for me! but that's not why I chose this desert...

it just looked amazing and I NEEDED to make them!!

Pin It

It was actually super easy and fun to do.

Here is the recipe with my own highlighted notes in case you care :)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2-oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped *I used milk chocolate chips, 2-oz*
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp red food coloring
• 2/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 8-oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Butter the bottom and sides of a 8 inch metal baking pan (I used an 8" glass dish, worked well). Put a long piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan, letting the parchment extend up two sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends. (This will make it easy to remove the bars from the pan after they have baked.) Butter the parchment. (Foil will also work just fine, but spray it with a cooking or baking spray.)
2. In a small, heatproof bowl, melt butter and chocolate together. Stir until combined and very smooth. Set aside to cool for a few minutes. (I threw it in the micromave to melt and it was good. I wasn't patient enough!)
3. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and red food coloring. Add chocolate mixture and stir until smooth. Add flour and salt and stir until just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients remain. (You can add another 1/2 tsp of coloring if you want it more vibrant.)
4. Pour into prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
5.  To prepare cheesecake mixture, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth. Distribute the cheesecake mixture in 8 dollops over batter in the pan. Swirl in with a knife or spatula. (Knife worked way better for me!)
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until brownies and cheesecake are set. A knife (or toothpick) inserted into the cheesecake mixture should come out clean and the edges will be lightly browned.
7. Let cool completely in pan on a cooling rack before lifting out the parchment paper to remove the brownies.
8.  Cut into squares and serve!!

My little ghetto desert setup hehe 

The husband loved it :)

Wedding Fun Wednesday!

This is something new...and I love it!
I don't want to make every day a theme day and this may not be every week. However, I have so many friends engaged and getting hitched. It got me thinking how much fun I had planning mine, so I've decided to share with you some awesome wedding photos/ideas I've found.
(PS: At the end of the feature, I share my own wedding photos!!)

Check out these gorgeous cake toppers my friend Danielle made!
Click here to check out her DIY bridal blog and click here for her shop!

A button/brooch bouquet!

Here is country singer Miranda Lambert with her very own, personalized bouquet, created by a fellow Etsian!

Peppermint Pretty is a gorgeous shop. I just love how this dress flows! It looks so fluffy and soft :)

Beautiful hand-stamped forks!
This shop has everything to add some personalized, hand-stamped magic to any wedding or wedding gift.

 

Okay, confession. I am in LOVE with BraggingBags!! I adore their shop and every little treasure inside.

Another good friend  Kimberlee/ Gracefully Girly showcases many stunning wedding accessories. I adore this cathedral length veil, so stunning.

I absolutely LOVE this rhinestone and crystal headband!

Twigs & Honey is such a beautiful shop. You have to experience it here.

Okay, now I'm ready to share some of my own wedding photos!!

 

We had a casual dressed down reception. It was awesome! For our gigantic wedding party gifts, I created personalized t-shirts using Zazzle.com...it was quick & easy. The amazing day ended by riding away on the motorcycle, while everyone blew bubbles. It was great!

Oops...can't forget our Bride & Groom Pimp Cups, yo :)

How was your wedding day? Share your stories in the comments!