MY NEW FAVORITE...

What are these you ask?

They are called Crunchy Nutella Cookie Sandwiches.  While having insomnia this past weekend, due to a sinus infection, I was watching a late night cooking show on the Oprah network, called Ambush Cook.  They made these delicious looking cookies, and I just knew I had to make them too.

First you start with these amazing wafer thin crunchy sugary/oatmealy cookies

Then you spread yummy Nutella between two of the cookies.

And you get this...

Pure Heaven!!  And the amazing thing, I had never had Nutella before this.  Me being such a chocolate lover, had never tried it before now, but Now, it will be a staple in our pantry for sure.

A NEW APRON AND PEANUT BUTTER CUP COOKIES

Thanksgiving is in two days (Wow, where has the year gone?) This year, we are spending the holiday with good friends of ours, the Myers. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about that. Last year, it was just the four of us, which was wonderful, but it's SO nice to be able to share the day with such great friends. Tomorrow night, another couple of our friends are hosting Happy Hour for those of us who are staying in the hood. They're smoking a briskette (sp?), so I thought I'd bring something sweet. (I'm also responsible for all desserts for Turkey Day - I'll be baking ALL afternoon tomorrow). So since tomorrow will be consumed with Turkey Day treats, I baked Happy Hour treats today.

First, I donned my new Apron. I want to thank Larissa at Just Another Day in Paradise for the inspiration. She blogged about her new apron that she made out of a placemat from Walmart. I had seen those same placemats and thought they were really pretty. After seeing her post, I went back to get one. To my delight, they were on clearance, and I got mine for $1.50. I came home, added some ribbon for the tie, and Voila... A new Apron.

Before I started baking, I solicited some help.

I outfitted my 3 year old, Luke, with his own apron and put him to work.

His help lasted until I started using the mixer. He's not a fan of loud noises. I know, a mixer's not loud, but I guess to him it was.

We made Peanut Butter Cup Cookies. I want to thank Amy at The Idea Room for the recipe.

They were super easy, with the most time consuming part being cutting up the PB cups.

I thought I would share the recipe with you. You could easily whip some up for this holiday weekend.

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup dark brown sugar ( I don't think mine was "dark")

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 12-once package of small peanut butter cups - chopped into quarters

Directions:

Heat oven to 375

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper (I didn't do this)

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat to combine. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just incorporated.

Fold in the peanut butter cups.

Drop tablespoon-size mounds of dough 2" apart onto the baking sheets

Bake for 9 minutes (the original recipe said to bake for 12-15 minutes - mine at 9 minutes were perfect. I think 12-15 to burn them)

Yields about 3 dozen

Hope you try them. They're Yummy!!

SALTED CARAMEL CUPCAKES

YUMMMMMMMM............

Sea Salt, Caramel, German Chocolate, Toffee Bits & Buttercream Frosting... Do I need to say more? This combination is Absolute Perfection!!!

I saw the recipe for these delectable treats a few months ago, via one of the many Linky Parties I visit on a regular basis. Yesterday, I was having a SERIOUS craving for something sweet, so I thought it was about time to whip up a batch.

Thank you to a fellow Virginian at Me and My Pink Mixer for introducing me to this scrumptious little dessert.

If you would like to try to make these for your selves (and maybe share with others), go here for the Cupcake recipe and here for the Buttercream Frosting recipe. They are VERY easy to make and I guarantee they will make you Happy.

A YUMMY "THANK YOU"

On Monday of this week, two of our friends helped me in a BIG way!! The new Gorilla "Playset" ("Jungle Gym" to us older folk) that we ordered for our boys, was delivered. Since it was delivered (in the rain BTW) while my husband was at work, two of our friends, Jim Usas and Keith Myers, were kind enough to come and help me out. Once the work was done, I gave them both a big hug and told them I would be baking them cupcakes as a thank you.

Then, I had a better idea...

Just a little back-story... earlier this year, I was seriously craving a Sugar Cream Pie. It's a dessert that I enjoyed while growing up, and I hadn't had one in a LONG time. Then much to my delight, I opened my new issue of Country Living (sorry, I can't remember what month) and there it was - a recipe for "Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie". It was definitely a sign, since I am a Hoosier born and bred. I made one back then for my Bunco friends, and they all really enjoyed it, so I thought it would be perfect for this occasion.

So instead of cupcakes for Jim and Keith, I decided to bake two Hoosier Sugar Cream Pies.

I gathered all the needed ingredients.

I then combined ALL the ingredients.

Then mixed them.

Then poured them into the pie-crusts, and...

sprinkled them with sugar and cinnamon.

After about an hour (can you imagine how absolutely yummy my house smelled?), I took them out of the oven and...

let them cool on wire racks. Good thing I put them on a cookie sheet, since one of them spilled over a little bit.

Now, you know me, I couldn't just show up with a plain pie. While the pies were cooling, I did a little paper crafting on my Cricut.

All ready for delivery.

I delivered them last night right after dinner so Jim and Keith and their families would have a yummy dessert.

Now here's the recipe if you want to make this pure Yumminess...

2 cups heavy cream

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus 3 tbs for sprinkling

1/2 cup whole milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 (9") store-bought piecrust

(**note - I didn't pay close attention to this particular ingredient and bought a 9" pre-made graham cracker pie crust. If I were to do it again, I would probably still buy the graham cracker pie crust, but 10" rather than 9".)

1 tbs unsalted butter

(**note - since I bought the wrong pie crust, I didn't need butter)

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. For filling: In a medium bowl, combine heavy cream, flour, brown sugar, 1/2 cup of sugar, milk and vanilla.

2. Fit crust into a 9" pie pan and dot bottom with butter. Pour filling into crust. Combine cinnamon and remaining 3 tbs of sugar to sprinkle on top. Bake pie until set and center is firm to touch, about 1 hour. Cool on a wire rack.

Hope you try it. It's so very easy, and so very delicious.

I'm linking up here... go check it out to see all the other great ideas.

Update: 10.7.10... This post was featured by Jen at Tatertots & Jello...

Yeah Me!!!

NOT JUST YOUR ORDINARY BIRTHDAY CAKE

Today, my oldest son turned 3. We didn't really have a whole lot planned because he had been sick, but I knew I would definitely be making him a cake... chocolate on chocolate of course. Not sure if that's his favorite, but it's mine.

You might remember this cake stand from earlier posts here and here...

so I wanted to use it for Luke's cake, but it's just a little too girly as is. So I wrapped it in Reynolds Wrap...

definitely not as girly, but pretty boring, so I got out my Cricut machine and cut a Birthday Hat border.

I think that jazzed it up just enough.

Then came the cake... simple chocolate cake with chocolate icing, but I didn't want it to be that simple, so I added M&Ms (Luke's favorite).

I like how the "M"s look like "3"s... well sort of. Come on people, use your imagination.

I think my Now 3yr. old liked it well enough!!!

I'm linking up here:

WITH LOVE... FROM SCRATCH

Today is my Wedding Anniversary. Five years ago, on a carribean beach, I married the man of my dreams. Today, as a surprise for this amazing man, I attempted to make his Grandma's recipe for Red Velvet Cake.

I made the cake AND the icing from SCRATCH!!!!!

To jazz the cake up a little, I added some embellishments.

I served it for dessert after a yummy dinner of Steak, Cauliflower Au Gratin and Salad with homemade Ranch dressing.

Marc said it tasted just perfect.

Our youngest seemed to really like it.

Happy Anniversary Babe!!

I Love you Always & Forever!!

I'm linking up here

Be sure to go check out all the other great ideas.

CAKE STAND

Look at this Beautiful Cake stand I bought over the weekend.

I got it at a store called "Home Goods". It recently opened in Richmond, which made me very excited. I had been to one last year while visiting friends in Kentucky and absolutely fell in love. It's a home accessories store at discount prices. This gorgeous stand was only $7.99. Can you believe that?

Check back on Thursday to see what I make to go on it to celebrate my Five Year Wedding Anniversary.