Chocolate Yummies AKA S'more Bars

This recipe is perfect for summer.  It doesn't require anything more than a microwave so no added heat to your house and nothing screams "Summer!" like S'mores.  My Grammy found this recipe someplace and it's definitely a keeper!

Grammy's Chocolate Yummies

7 Graham Crackers

2 1/2 C mini marshmallows

12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips

2/3 C light corn syrup

3 T butter

1/2 C peanut butter

3 C Rice Krispies

Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray.  Arrange graham crackers in a single layer, breaking to fit.  Sprinkle marshmallows on top.  Microwave for 1-1 1/2 minutes or until marshmallows are puffy.  Cool completely.  In a 2 qt microwave safe bowl mix chocolate chips, corn syrup and butter and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes, stirring each 30 seconds until melted and smooth.  Stir in peanut butter.  Add Rice Krispies.  Spread over marshmallows.  Refrigerate for 1 hour.  

This is sure to be a hit at your next potluck! 

Super Easy Strawberry Pie

My Grammy made this pie over the weekend.  I have never had a strawberry pie as tasty and easy as this one.  You can bake a pie shell or use a graham cracker crust. (I prefer the graham cracker)

Easy Strawberry Pie

1 qt strawberries, washed and sliced

1 C water

1 C Sugar (or mix Splenda and sugar)

1 T Cornstarch

1 pkg sugar free strawberry Jell-O

Pie Shell or Graham Cracker Crust

Cool Whip

Cook water, sugar and cornstarch until thickened.  Add Jell-O and stir well.  Cool completely.  (I put mine in the freezer while I sliced the strawberries).  Pour strawberries into shell of choice.  When Jell-O mixture is cooled pour over the strawberries and refrigerate until set.  Top with Cool Whip.

Not Quite IHOP Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes

I've had a hankering for IHOP's strawberry cheesecake pancakes for while but today I just couldn't get them out of my head.  I googled and came up with a recipe to try.  They are good but not really like IHOPS, unless I have an unrealistic recollection of them.  (Highly possible since we were in sunny Florida between Disney days the last time I had them)  Anyway, here is the recipe!

Cheesecake Pancakes with Strawberry Topping

1-1/2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
2 Tbs.  seedless strawberry jam
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cups buttermilk
1 large egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
Pinch of salt
2 cups chopped frozen cheesecake
Cooking spray
Butter, confectioners' sugar or whipped cream, for topping (optional)

Directions:  Mix the strawberries, jam and 2 tablespoons warm water in a bowl; set aside.
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. 

Pulse the flour, buttermilk, egg, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a blender until smooth. 

Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cheesecake pieces, keeping them whole.

Coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Working in batches, pour about 1/4 cup batter into the skillet for each pancake. 

Cook until bubbly on top, about 4 minutes, then flip and cook until the other side is golden brown, about 2 more minutes. 

Transfer the finished pancakes to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. 

Serve the pancakes topped with the strawberry sauce; top with butter, confectioners' sugar or whipped cream, if desired. 

Pinterest is slowly taking over my life...

Have you been to pinterest.com?  I'm not sure if I should tell you how awesome it is or if I should tell you to stay away because it's like a powerful street drug.  Once is never enough and you just keep coming back for more.  I started looking at Pinterest for some craft stuff, then I started looking at girl's bows, kids crafts, etc and last week I realized the HUGE amount of food recipes...  I had to make something to take to a family Christmas gathering and was tired of all my old standbys so I went to Pinterest for inspiration.  That is where I found it.

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie n’ Oreo Fudge Brownie Bar!!

This is something you HAVE to make, but I'd suggest picking up some vanilla ice cream to have on hand, that is the one thing that could make this baby any better.

The recipe is so easy it is crazy!

First mix up your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough recipe, not adding quite all the flour.  (There isn't a science to this.  My recipe calls for 3 1/2 cups and I used 3 cups)  I think the goal is to be able to push it into a pan so I tried to get the same consistency of Gooey Butter cake batter.   Press into a 9x13 pan that has been sprayed with Pam or cooking spray of you choice.  Place Double stuff Oreos on top of the cookie dough, pushing in just a tad.  Then whip up a box of Family size Brownies according to box directions and pour on top.  Keep in mind you might need to adjust amounts depending on the size of your cookie recipe.  (If you put too much into the pan and run it over I'm not responsible or coming to clean your stove!)  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until Brownies are done.  Voila!  It's like heaven in a pan!

The original recipe calls for a jar of Hot Fudge sauce.  A tad to be added to brownie batter and more to be put on top.  I skipped this step figuring that was just a bit too much for me.  But again, Ice Cream on top would be DELISH!

Happy Baking!