Baking My Way: Chocolate Pixies

This was my first time making chocolate pixies and I was really excited about it but I can safely say I didn't enjoy it at all. I don't know if it was this recipe or what it could be (because I made two batching and both were like this) but they were hard to work with (the dough was sticky and thin) and they either undercooked or overcooked, making them way to crunchy for my liking.  I ended up getting pretty frustrated and didn't finish with the dough I had made (which brought me to making a whole new recipe to use it up, but I'll tell you about that later).

So needless to say, I wouldn't really recommend this one, but I gave it a go, and that brings me that much closer to finish cooking through this book!


Ingredients
1/4 cup margarine or butter
4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, cut into pieces
2 cups All Purpose or Unbleached Flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
3 tablespoons powdered sugar

Directions
In large saucepan, melt margarine and chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat; cool slightly.

Add flour, sugar, walnuts, baking powder, salt and eggs; mix well. Cover dough with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 1 hour for easier handling.

Heat oven to 300°F. Lightly grease cookie sheets or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; if necessary, flour hands before rolling into balls. Roll balls in powdered sugar, coating heavily. Place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheets.

Bake at 300°F. for 13 to 18 minutes or until edges are set. Immediately remove from cookie sheets.

Baking My Way: Lemon Kiss Cookies

Lemons were on sale when I went grocery shopping last so I got one and found all of the recipes in my cook book that had lemon in them and baked them all. I figured why not, I already have to chop all that lemon peel, why not get it all done at once?

These cookies turned out great and are super decadent. They are almost list having a chocolate from a fancy box. I would recomment these for a tea date or a girls night! You know us, we're all about the chocolate!

 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups chopped almonds
• 60 milk chocolate candy kisses, unwrapped
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration
• 3 (1 ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Directions

1. In large bowl, beat butter, 3/4 cup sugar and lemon extract until light and fluffy. Add flour and almonds; beat at low speed until well blended. Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour for easier handling.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
3. Shape scant tablespoons dough around each kiss, covering completely. Roll in hands to form ball. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8-12 minutes until set and bottom edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove to rack and cool completely. Sprinkle cookies with confectioners' sugar.
4. In small pan, melt chocolate squares and stir in oil until smooth. Drizzle over each cookie.

Nutritional Information

 Amount Per Serving  Calories: 121 | Total Fat: 7.9g | Cholesterol: 14mg

Health Tip Of The Week: The Benefits of Protein

As another step to figuring out my constant headaches I was told to eat more protein (after having some tests done saying I was low). I was complaining also with not remember things and low energy at certain times in the day. After a week of protein smoothies I was amazing at how much better I was feeling and how much more energy I had!

So here’s a post all about protein and what it can do for you and why we really need it!

Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. Hair and nails are mostly made of protein. Your body uses protein to build and repair tissues. You also use protein to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.

Along with fat and carbohydrates, protein is a "macronutrient," meaning that the body needs relatively large amounts of it. Vitamins and minerals, which are needed in only small quantities, are called "micronutrients." But unlike fat and carbohydrates, the body does not store protein, and therefore has no reservoir to draw on when it needs a new supply.

So you may assume the solution is to eat protein all day long. Not so fast, say nutritionists.
The truth is, we need less total protein that you might think. But we could all benefit from getting more protein from better food sources.

How Much Protein Is Enough?

Extra protein doesn't give you extra strength. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:

· Teenage boys and active men can get all the protein they need from three daily servings for a total of seven ounces.
· For children age 2 to 6, most women, and some older people, the government recommends two daily servings for a total of five ounces.
· For older children, teen girls, active women, and most men, the guidelines give the nod to two daily servings for a total of six ounces.

Choose Your Proteins Wisely

The type of protein you eat may play a role in successful weight loss and in your overall health.
Consumption of large quantities of processed meats such as hot dogs, sausages, and deli meats, have been linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and colorectal cancer. You'll have a harder time maintaining weight loss if you eat these proteins often, and you may be damaging your body.

Nutrition experts recommend getting dietary proteins from the following sources:

· Fish: Fish offers heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and, in general, less fat than meat.

· Poultry: You can eliminate most of the saturated fat by removing the skin.
· Beans: Beans contain more protein than any other vegetable protein. Plus, they're loaded with fiber that helps you feel full for hours.
· Nuts: One ounce of almonds gives you 6 grams of protein, nearly as much protein as one ounce of broiled ribeye steak.(they are also a great source of healthy fats)
· Whole grains: A slice of whole wheat bread gives you 3 grams of protein, plus valuable fiber.

Information by By Neil Osterweil WebMD.com Feature

Savory Sunday

Hi Guys!

Sorry again this week for the delay. Not only do I have the excuse that it's Christmas day and I should be spending time with my family (instead of blogging!) but I was traveling all day coming home from our wonderful week in Roatan. Here's a little picture to tease you a little. I'll be posting more soon!

Now on to the food!

Two Squash Delight from My Sweet and Savory

  Easy Buttery Kahlua Fudge from Permanent Posies

Slow Cooker Beef Tips from Hello from the Kings 

Hawaiian Chicken over Rice from Like Mother, Like Daughter 

 Tuna Pot Pie from Talking Dollars and Cents 

Slow Cooker Maple Ham from Picture Perfect Cooking

Here's how it will work:

1) Link up to the link below (link as many as you want but try to link something savory if you can)
2) Grab the Savory Sunday button and put it in the post you are sharing
3) Leave a comment after you post
4) I'd love for you to become a follower if you're not but it's not a requirement :)

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Fun Christmas Baking Ideas

Christmas Tree Cupcakes

(using upside down ice cream cone)

Christmas Reindeer Mini Donuts

Snowmen Donuts

Melting Snowman Cookies

Candy Cane Sugar Cookies

Santa Claus Crackers

Candy Cane Punch

White Chocolate Christmas Pretzels

Strawberry Christmas Tree Brownie Bites

Santa Hat Party Mix

Powdered Donut Snowman Treats

Cookie Cutter Fudge

Root "Deer"

North Pole Cupcakes

Reindeer Cupcakes

Candy Cane Blossoms

Cookie Dough Gift

Reindeer Noses

Colorful Swirl Cookies

Holiday Pretzel Treats

(Source)

Baking Goal: BUY Brownies

Don't these look great? I honestly don't know what the BYU stands for but these brownies with the mint layer sound great! This brownie from Making Memories was done as an Easter treat but I think you could change the colors just a little and do it as anything you want!

Check out the recipe over at Making Memories

Baking My Way: Fudgy Butterscotch Bar

I took this to a family gathering and it was a hit. It makes a large amount so I'm glad it was a hit because I didn't want this ultra sweet dessert sitting around at my house. I think if I made this dessert again I would reduce the sugar because it was killer sweet. It's a great dessert, but I think you need to either want a sugar rush or each it in small doses! It's very similar to the butterscotch bar you'll find in Starbucks or Second Cup (and so many other coffee shops; it's sort of a coffee shop staple!).  


Ingredients:
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons margarine
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup margarine or 1 cup butter
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 pinch salt

Directions:
1 Preheat oven to 180 degrees celcius.
2 Grease pan.
3 In a saucepan, melt chocolate chips with the 2 tablespoons of margarine and condensed milk.
4 Stir constantly and set aside when mixture is well blended and looks smooth.
5 In another saucepan, melt 1 cup of margarine over low heat.
6 Remove from heat and add brown sugar and eggs.
7 Blend well.
8 Add the rest of the ingredients (flour, coconut, vanilla, salt, etc) and mix well.
9 Spread half of this batter into the pan then layer the chocolate mixture by tablespoonfuls over the batter.
10 Now spread the remaining batter over this chocolate layer.
11 With the tip of a knife, swirl slightly to create a marble appearance.
12 Bake for 30- 35 minutes or until slight golden brown and center comes out clean when a toothpick is inserted.
13 Cool for at least 45 minutes.
14 Cut into bars.

Recipe Source

BTL Dip

This dip is seriously good and so addicting! A girl friend of mine made it and I sat there while we played games and I'm sure I ate most of it throughout the night. 

1 cup Sour Cream
1 cup Mayo
2 tablespoons Chives
3/4 cup Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Tomato - diced
Salt - to taste
Pepper - to taste

Mix all the ingredients together and service with crackers (that's how we prefer it!)

Savory Sunday

Hey all!!

As we speak I'm sitting in the sun soaking up the last day here in Roatan! I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season!!

Red Velvet Pound Cake from LouLou Sucre

 

Taco Soup from Like Mother, Like Daughter 

Green Bean Casserole form Like Mother, Like Daughter 

Coconut Crusted Chicken with Orange Marmalade Sauce from Like Mother, Like Daughter

Here's how it will work:

1) Link up to the link below (link as many as you want but try to link something savory if you can)
2) Grab the Savory Sunday button and put it in the post you are sharing
3) Leave a comment after you post
4) I'd love for you to become a follower if you're not but it's not a requirement :)

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Puppy Chow

I love this stuff!! I have never made it myself, but thanks to my friends on facebook I now have the recipe! I’m going to make it just as soon as we eat down our huge stock of Christmas baking from trying all the recipes from the other posts I did.

1 box Crispix cereal
1 package Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup Butter
1 cup Peanut Butter
Icing Sugar 

Mix chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter. Add crispix. Put mixture into a bag with icing sugar. Shake until the Crispix is well coated.

Melt peanut butter, butter and chocolate chips together. When smooth mix in Crispix. Put in a paper bag with icing sugar and shake well until pieces are coated.

Enjoy!

Have any good ideas, suggestions or experiences? Share them, leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you!!

Savory Sunday

Hi Ladies!
Another crazy week, sorry about that!! Let's just get right to it shall we?

Broccoli-Cheese Rice Casserole from Cooking with K

Cabbage Roll Soup from Carolynn's Recipe Box

Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Pie from Cooking with K

Lemon Cheesecake from The Kitchen Cookie

Candy Cane Cheesecake from A Single Mother's Journey

Here's how it will work:

1) Link up to the link below (link as many as you want but try to link something savory if you can)
2) Grab the Savory Sunday button and put it in the post you are sharing
3) Leave a comment after you post
4) I'd love for you to become a follower if you're not but it's not a requirement :)

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