caramel sea salt brownies

So I made these last night for a wine tasting for my wifes friend from work they were a huge hit everyone wanted the recipe so here it is.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups white sugar

1 cup butter

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons of sea salt caramel hot cocoa

½ a cup caramel

2 tablespoons of Hershey chocolate syrup

Grate in some fresh chocolate to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Melt the butter or margarine and mix all ingredients in the order given.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes in a 9 x 13 inch greased pan.

Keep in mind you can add nuts or fruit or top with powdered sugar or frost however you like your brownies

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie

This makes 2 pies its pretty easy and its really good.

INGREDIENTS:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 cup peanut butter 1 cup milk 1 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed 2 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker or chocolate crust  crusts 1 Chocolate bar (whatever kind you like) DIRECTIONS: Beat together cream cheese and confectioners' sugar. Mix in peanut butter and milk. Beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon into two 9 inch graham cracker pie shells; cover, and freeze until firm. Grate the chocolate bar over the top of the pie

MARSHMALLOW CREME AKA FLUFF

Ok here is two ways you can make Marshmallow Cream AKA Fluff. I know I posted this  with the Fruit Dip recipe but I felt it needed its own post.


Ten large marshmallows = 1 cup miniature marshmallows; 4 large marshmallows = 1 ounce; 1/2 cup mini marshmallows = 1 ounce.

MARSHMALLOW CREME OR FLUFF 1 (6- or 7-ounce) jar Marshmallow Creme or Fluff = Gently heat 1 (16-ounce) package marshmallows plus 3 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup. Gently melt in a double boiler, stirring constantly.


I don't have a double boiler i use a saucepan with metal bowl this was a lot of work just do a few marshmallows at a time this will be super sticky so be ready for that have a few wet rags ready to use and within reach to where you are cooking.

Ok making it all from scrat 

Ingredients

1 cup sugar, divided

4 egg whites

Pinch of kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Combine 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and simmer syrup without stirring until the thermometer reads 240°, occasionally swirling pan and brushing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush.Meanwhile, place egg whites, salt, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whip attachment. Whip on high until frothy. Slowly add remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Whip until soft peaks form. Continue whipping until medium peaks form. Reduce speed to medium, then pour hot syrup into meringue in a slow, steady stream while whipping. Increase speed to high and continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Reduce speed to medium and whip until meringue is cool.

Fruit Dip

OK this is pretty easy to make I looked over a number of fruit dip recipes and read what people were saying so this is what i've come up with it call for MARSHMALLOW CREME aka marshmallow  fluff. You can buy it or make it thats what i did i made it i'll post both ways to make it.

here is one way to do the marshmallow cream using marshmallows 

Ten large marshmallows = 1 cup miniature marshmallows; 4 large marshmallows = 1 ounce; 1/2 cup mini marshmallows = 1 ounce.

MARSHMALLOW CREME OR FLUFF1 (6- or 7-ounce) jar Marshmallow Creme or Fluff = Gently heat 1 (16-ounce) package marshmallows plus 3 1/2 tablespoons light corn syrup. Gently melt in a double boiler, stirring constantly.

I don't have a double boiler i use a saucepan with metal bowl this was a lot of work just do a few marshmallows at a time this will be super sticky so be ready for that have a few wet rags ready to use and within reach to where you are cooking.

Ok making it all from scrat 

Ingredients

1 cup sugar, divided

4 egg whites

Pinch of kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

Combine 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and simmer syrup without stirring until the thermometer reads 240°, occasionally swirling pan and brushing down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush.Meanwhile, place egg whites, salt, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whip attachment. Whip on high until frothy. Slowly add remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Whip until soft peaks form. Continue whipping until medium peaks form. Reduce speed to medium, then pour hot syrup into meringue in a slow, steady stream while whipping. Increase speed to high and continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Reduce speed to medium and whip until meringue is cool.

Ok now Fruit dip lol the easy part

INGREDIENTS:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme 1 whipped topping

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Using an electric mixer, blend cream cheese and marshmallow cream and whipped topping until mixed thoroughly.

Banana Split Pie

ok I've found a number Banana Split Pie & cakes and bars recipes I kind of mixed a few of them together and here is what we got looks good so have at it.

Ingredients:

• 1 graham cracker pie crust
• 1 (3 ounce) packages cream cheese
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) cans crushed pineapple
• 2 medium bananas
• 1 (6 ounce) boxes instant white chocolate pudding and pie filling mix
• 8 ounces Dream Whip
• 10 strawberries

Directions:

1. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar together until fluffy.
2. Spread evenly over bottom of crust.
3. Drain pineapple well and spread evenly over cream cheese.
4. Slice banana & strawberries and cover pineapple with slices
5. Pour on pudding mixture.
6. Top with frozen topping.
7. Cover entire pie with cherries ,banana & strawberries and nuts
   

Cookie Dough

So this is Cookie Dough made without eggs for eating not for making cookies. I love eating cookie dough and this just makes it safer to do. IM not saying you can't eat cookie dough without eggs im just sharing this for people who may be worried about doing so.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup milk
• 
  

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients in a big bowl. That's it pretty easy.

1. 
   

This can be done for other cookies as well yum is all I can say.

Chocolate Cream Pie

Here is a recipe I found and made a few changes to so here you go hope you enjoy.

Directions:

Beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1/3 cup milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoon of Caramel until fluffy. Spread in a chocolate cookie crust. Beat 1 cup heavy cream with 2 tablespoons sugar until soft peaks form, then spread over the cream cheese layer. Top with shaved chocolate.

Thank you

So I wanted to take a min and thank everyone who has been coming out to this blog and checking it out keep it up. also I love it if you post on here a bit let me know what you think and share some ideas on cooking and what your trying. Share some recipes with me as i'm always looking for new things to cook. And once again thank you so much keep coming and reading and posting.

Brownies

So I love cooking Brownies and I never seem to do the same thing twice but here is a great basic recipe for brownies which you change around and fix it.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups white sugar 1 cup butter 1/2 cup cocoa powder 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt Ok I also added  2 tbs of caramel 2 tbs of hershey chocolate syrup and cover with powder sugar Directions:

1.	Melt the butter or margarine and mix all ingredients in the order given.
2.	Bake at 350 F degrees for 20 to 30 minutes in a 9 x 13 inch greased pan.

Crème Brulee cookie

I love Creme Brulee so much and here something to do with it try it and let me know what you think

Crème Brulee Cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 lb butter, at room temperature
3/4 C packed brown sugar
1/4 C granulated sugar
1 pkg. (3.4 oz) Jello™ French vanilla instant pudding
2 (large) eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
raw sugar (to sprinkle on top)
cinnamon (optional, to sprinkle on top)

"Custard" filling:
1 pkg (2.9 oz) Jello™ Cook&Serve custard
1 C milk (I use 2%)
1/2 tsp nutmeg


Directions:

Prepare custard filling:
In a small sauce pan, whisk custard mix into milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking frequently to prevent scorching and lumps. Set aside to cool for at least 30 minutes. *Custard will be thick.*

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sift together first 5 ingredients into a large bowl. Set aside.

In a large mixer bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add instant pudding, mixing well. Add eggs, then vanilla extract, mixing until well blended. Scrape down sides of bowl as necessary. Slowly add flour, mixing well.

Using a standard (2 oz) ice cream scoop, or rounded tablespoons, drop dough onto an un-greased parchment lined baking sheet. Using the back of a spoon, or the round handle of a kitchen utensil, press an indentation into the center of each cookie. Whisk the cooled  custard until smooth.

Spoon custard into the indentations.
Sprinkle raw sugar (and cinnamon, if desired) over cookies.
For 2 oz cookie, bake at 350 degrees for 14-16 minutes. For rounded tablespoon-size cookies, bake 10-12 minutes. After one minute, transfer from pan to wire rack to cool. The custard center will be thin. Allow 15-20 minutes to "set."
Yield: 18-20, 2 oz cookies. 28-30 rounded tablespoon-size cookies

Bacon Buns

These are great my wife got me hooked on these she's from the south side of Chicago and made me try them and all I can say is yum...

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen Lithuanian Bacon Buns - Lasineciai

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

·         3/4 pounds bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces

·         1 medium onion, chopped finely

·         1 cup milk

·         1/4 pound (1 stick) butter

·         1/4 cup sugar

·         1/2 teaspoon salt

·         1 package active dry yeast

·         3 large eggs, slightly beaten

·         3 cups all-purpose flour

Preparation:

1.        In large skillet, place bacon and onion and barely cover with water. Cover the pan and let simmer until water has evaporated. Transfer entire contents of skillet (fat and all) to a container and refrigerate until cool. 

2.        Meanwhile, scald the milk and mix in butter, sugar and salt. Cool to 110 degrees. Dissolve yeast in this milk mixture. 

3.        Transfer to a large bowl or stand mixer. Add eggs and flour and beat vigorously with a Danish dough whisk, Batter Blender, wooden spoon or the paddle attachment of a mixer until smooth. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise until doubled. Punch down dough and let rise again. 

4.        Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Cut it in half and roll each section 3/8-inch thick. Cut circles of dough with a round cookie cutter. Place a tablespoon or so of cooled bacon mixture in center of dough circle. Fold edges over to completely cover the filling, and shaping into a ball. Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with re-rolled scraps and other section of dough. 

5.        Heat oven to 375 degrees. Let rolls rise again, covered with greased plastic wrap. Bake 15-20 minutes. When rolls are lightly tan, brush them with 1 large egg yolk beaten with 2 teaspoons water. Return to oven and bake until golden brown. Serve hot, at room temperature or reheated in the oven.

Great Website I've found With lots of Tips

So here is a great website I've found with lots of tips recipes and good advice so take a look The Reluctant Gourmet  It has a How to Cook with many great tips. Let me know what you think.

Hamburger

So here is what i did to make great hamburger yesterday. First cook the hamburger in a cast iron pan to your liking for me its pretty pink but everyone is different. While cooking use onion powder , garlic powder and Italian seasoning . Cut up an onion to top use mayonnaise with olive oil on the bun a slice or 3 of cheese what ever you have laying around and top off with olive muffalata spread. If you really want to get fancy toast the bun with garlic and you'll have a great burger let me know what you think. Also give me ideas as to what you like to do?

OK one more copycat recipe not for the copykat site but they make have one there to not sure i'll look later if so i'll see how much its like this one. I'M only posting this because these are my favorite cookies love these things so here we go. Let me know how they turn out for you.

Girl Scout Samoa Cookies

Time 10 minutes      Serves 1

Ingredients:

6 tblsp butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup Karo light corn syrup

1/2 of a 14 ounce can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

4 cups toasted coconut

1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips

How to make it:

In a 2 quart saucepan over medium-low heat,combine butter, sugar and corn syrup.Heat to a full boil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.Slowly pour in Eagle Brand milk, stirring constantly.Continue cooking over low heat until candy thermometer reaches 220-228 degrees.Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Beat until creamy. Immediately stir in toasted coconut and mix well.Spoon by tablespoonfuls into circular mounds onto buttered wax paper. Flatten slightly. With the end of a wooden spoon, poke a small round hole into the center of each cookie.Cool completely.Melt the chocolate chips and drizzle thinly in stripes over cookies. Let chocolate harden at room temperature. Store in a airtight container.To toast coconut: Spread coconut on a baking sheet and toast in a preheated 350 degree oven, stirring occasionally until lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes.

Merichkas Salad Dressing

OK here is a copykat recipe for something close to home for me. This isn't my recipe  but i want to share this one with you see this is place I ate at a lot as a kid. They have great poorboys and onion rings and there house dressing it kind reminds me of best western 

You can enjoy this Midwest salad dressing.

Ingredients

·         1 cup Ketchup

·         1 cup Vegetable Oil

·         1/2 cup Vinegar

·         1/4 cup Water

·         1/2 cup Sugar

·         1 tablespoon Black Pepper

·         1 teaspoon Garlic Powder

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a salad oil bottle, chill and pour over salad. Enjoy!

·         Author: Phil via CopyKat Recipes

·         Recipe Type: Copycat Restaurant Recipes, CopyKat Recipes, Salad, Salad           Dressing

·         Prep time: 10 minutes

·         Cook time: 10 minutes

          Serves: 10