Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Give Me the Dish on Desserts

Hey Y'all!

I can't tell you how good it feels to be out from under the mound of work that has been suffocating me for the last few weeks!

Now it is time to start thinking about shopping and baking. In fact, tonight I have started my holiday baking: chocolate peanut butter fudge, (the first batch did not turn out and I'm giving it another shot), Chocolate Chip Candy Goodness Bars (a recipe given to me by Susan {Fiddler's Three} and I totally made up the name) and Chocolate Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing (a heavenly treat that Courtney, one of my cookie swap partners, sent and I'm ga-ga for!) I plan to send most of these things to school with Dr. Chick and then give the others to family and friends, but love to bake!

**These are the Chocolate Chip Candy Cookie Goodness Bars. Please excuse the metal pan, it is going to school with Dr. Chick with no need to return. I am usually a DeMarle snob**

If you're interested in any of the recipes, email me!
Along the lines of recipes and baking...I am in charge of the dessert for Christmas dinner with my family. My sister is hosting the fam this year and is taking care of the main course...filets, veggies, potatoes, etc. and I'm in charge of the dessert. I have no idea what to take.

I need y'alls help! What is your favorite (read: EASY) dessert that is also festive. I will be baking at my inlaws home since we will be staying with them for the holidays.
Any insight you can give would be greatly appreciated!
And the best part is that the winning recipe owner will be given 20 Personalized Recipe Cards of their choice! I'm willing to give in return!





**Dr. MC is allergic to pecans so whatever I make must be sans pecans.**

***We are not really fruity dessert people but do love some chocolate!***

34 comments:

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

The cookie swap was so much fun - and I have the recipe for the cookies I sent posted on my blog today.

As for your Christmas dinner - you could do what I made for Thanksgiving dessert - and that is a Pumpkin gingerbread trifle. It's beautiful. A show stopper. And incredibly easy.

Here is the link:
http://sunshineandlemonade.blogspot.com/2008/11/in-kitchen-with-kat-pumpkin-gingerbread.html

Kurt, Emily, Ethan & Lucas said...

I always loved it when my Mom made this dessert:

Death by Chocolate

The easy version ☺
1 (18.25 ounce) package brownie mix
1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
6 (1.4 ounce) bars chocolate covered toffee bars, frozen and crushed


Directions
In a 9x13 in pan, bake brownie mix according to package directions. Cool and crumble. Make pudding, according to package directions, with milk.
In a large trifle or other glass serving bowl, place half of the crumbled cake. Spread half of the pudding over that. Top with half of the whipped topping, sprinkled with half the crumbled candy bars. Repeat layers in the same order. Refrigerate until serving.

The hard(er) version ☹
Same as above but make your own brownies from scratch.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I have two recipes that I love for the holidays....they are both courtesy of Giada De Laurentis....one is her Chocolate Tiramisu and the other is her Pannetone Triffle with Shaved Chocolate.....this looks so beautiful on the table.....I think this one wins by a small margin in my book!! I can email you the recipes if you would like:)

Happy Holidays!

Lisa

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I am sorry, I didn't see your email address....here are the links, unfortunately you will need to copy and paste them into your web browser!! If you want them via email let me know...my email is attached to my profile!!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/panettone-trifle-recipe2/index.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chocolate-tiramisu-recipe/index.html

Rhea said...

I have the best ever caramel cake recipe, but it's not easy to make. It's a huge pain and hard to get perfect.

I have a quick and easy 20-minute chocolate cake that's seriously easy and fabulously yummy. Everyone I know who tries it loves it. It looks like brownies but it's not.

Then there are chocolate turtles. But we make them without nuts. :o)

Katrina said...

Easiest Rocky Road fudge ever:

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
mini marshmallows and walnuts to your preference.

put chocolate chips and condensed milk in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute, stir, then continue in 30 second increments until melted. Stir in vanilla, nuts and marshmallows. Put in was paper lined or greased dish. Chill in fridge until set.

This is the easiest and really really good fudge! I passed it out to friends last year and got rave reviews! You can mix it up however you want. I made peanut butter fudge & peppermint fudge too. Just add what you want instead of the nuts and marshmallows.

Hope you like it and it makes holiday baking easier!

Hopsy said...

Those bars you posted have my mouth watering! YUM! Thank you so, so much for sharing. As far as something easy goes I am going to say Kappa dessert. I am sure there is a different name for it, but to me it will always be the special KKG dessert! You layer a pan with crushed Oreos then add a layer of softened mint chocolate chip ice cream then a layer of whiped cream and top it off with more crushed Oreos. Put it in the freezer for several hours so it sets and then serve. It is DELISH at any time of year, but perfect with the holidays with the mint and the green color!

ko said...

OK I WANT SOME RECIPE CARDS! ONE OF MY COOKIE SWAP PARTNERS Sent their recipe on the CARDS and I LOVE THEM@ SO HERE IS S GREAT CHOCOLATE RECIPE and so easy!
Chocolate Turtles
Rolos
Waffle shape Pretzels
Pecans (optional..i know someone is allergic)
Put rolos on top of pretzels bake at 200 until the top of the rolo looks soft
Take them out...push pecans in if wanted ..or push down with a buttered knife
ENJOY! YUMY TREAT

Susan said...

You have to make my Candy Bar Pizza...that is the real name...but I like yours name better!!!!

Susan

Sweet Simplicity said...

White chocolate covered popcorn! Its the easiest thing in the world and is incredibly addicting. It will be the thing that people snack on all day. You just need to buy popcorn and white almond bark. Its 3 squares of almond bark to one bag of popcorn. (Its best to buy a plain type of popcorn--no need for the extra butter here.) Pop your popcorn, melt your almond bark. Put the popcorn in a gallon size ziploc baggie. Pour the melted almond bark in the bag. Close bag and shake. Let it harden and tada you have the best Christmas snack/dessert ever. My mom will sometimes sprinkle red and green sprinkles in the bag to add some Christmas cheer.

Laura H. said...

This recipe and my friend Katie's Irish Cream cookies are my FAVORITES.

Ingredients:

Crust:
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, cut into pieces, softened
* 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

Filling:
* 4 large eggs
* 3/4 cup light corn syrup
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
* 1 tablespoon cornstarch
* 1/4 cup amaretto liqueur
* 2 cups sliced almonds
* 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided

**Chocolate Drizzle recipe at the end.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

Crust:
Beat flour, butter and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until crumbly. Press into prepared baking pan. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Filling:
Beat eggs, corn syrup, granulated sugar, butter, cornstarch and liqueur in medium bowl with wire whisk. Stir in almonds and 1 2/3 cups morsels. Pour over hot crust; spread evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Chocolate Drizzle:
Place remaining 1/3 cup morsels in heavy-duty plastic bag. Microwave on HIGH (100%) power for 30 to 45 seconds; knead. Microwave at 10- to 15-second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to drizzle over bars.

*Refrigerate for a few minutes to firm chocolate before cutting into bars.

Laura H. said...

whoops! forgot to tell you the above recipe is for Chocolate Amaretto Bars. omg. so yummy.

Liz said...

I guess I am blogger challenged b/c I can't find your email and I would LOVE that recipe for Chocolate Chip Candy Cookie Goodness Bars! My email is Dodd82@aol.com

thanks!

Rachel H. said...

That desert looks awesome!! :)

Constance said...

Here are 2!
1. Cheesecake Brownies
1 package (20 1/2 ounces) brownie mix-do not use syrup pouch
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Prepare brownie mix as directed on package; spread in greased 13x9 inch baking pan. Beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium until smooth. Add sugar, egg and vanilla and mix ONLY until blended. Pour cream cheese mixture over brownie mixture. Cut through several times with knife for marble effect. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until cream cheese mixture is lightly browned. Cool and cut into squares.


2. Mountain Dew Apple Turnovers
2 10 oz. packages Crescent rolls
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut into 16 slices
2 sticks Butter, melted
1 1/2 C. Sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 can Mountain Dew
Place one piece of apple in each crescent roll & roll from the smallest end up, crease the edges to seal. Place rolls in a 9” x 13”baking dish or pan. Add sugar and cinnamon to melted butter. Pour over rolls. Pour 1 can of Mountain Dew soda over rolls. Bake @ 350 for 45minutes.

Enjoy!! Both easy and yummy!!

Constance said...

Oh I have another one...Oreo Balls

1 package regular size Oreo cookies, crushed
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 package white almond bark
1 package chocolate almond bark



Using a blender or hand held mixer, mix Oreos and cream cheese together.
Roll into walnut size balls.
Chill for an hour.
Melt approximately 3/4 package of white almond bark.
Stick a toothpick in an Oreo ball and dip it in the melted white almond bark.
Allow to harden on wax paper.
Takes about 15 min.
While waiting, melt about 1/4 package of chocolate almond bark.
When Oreo balls are no longer sticky to the touch, decorate with drizzles of chocolate and white almond bark.

Laura H. said...

I thought of one other thing you could do, if you want something extra or light. Truffles. :) They're super easy to make and SUPER yum.

All you need is unsalted butter, confectioner's sugar, cocoa, cream, vanilla, your choice of center (i would pick chocolate again lol but some common ones are walnuts, whole almonds or after-dinner mints), and whatever you want to roll them in (coconut, crushed nuts, confectioners sugar, etc. i sometimes just use the cocoa/confectioner's sugar mix).

Preppy Mama said...

Ok, this one is the easiest and I really enjoy it because it is really moist.
Whenever I need to make a desert in a hurry I make a Dump cake.
20 ounces crushed pineapple
16 ounces cherry pie filling
1 package yellow cake mix, dry
1 1/2 sticks butter, sliced

Dump all ingredients into baking pan and bake at 350 F until brown, approximately 1 hour.

Sometimes I add pecans too. I will also substitute the fruits so you could use raspberries or blueberries or peaches.

Not very exciting, but super easy.

iceprincess said...

These are the most heavenly brownies you will ever eat. I promise. It's got Irish Cream in them, there is no doubt to their festivity! These are one of my signature desserts, I'm also well known for making cheesecakes for every possible holiday occasion, but I tend to think brownies are easier... So without further ado: Irish Brownies

I have a "from scratch" version, and my "make it quickly!" version if you're not opposed to using Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, etc. ;)

from scratch:
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
4 (1 ounce) squares baking chocolate
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup Irish Cream

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 8 inch baking pan and set aside.

Place flour baking powder and salt in a small bowl, stir to combine. Melt chocolate and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time with a wire whisk. Whisk in Irish cream. Whisk flour mixture into chocolate mixture. Spread batter evenly into prepared baking pan.

Bake 22-25 minutes or until center is set. Move pan to a wire rack to cool. When cool frost with:

Irish cream frosting

powdered sugar
2 ounces cream cheese
2 tbs butter
2 Tbs Irish cream

beat all together until smooth and creamy, spread over brownies.

Quick version:

Pick out your favorite brownie mix, add in the Irish cream with the other ingredients (I usually add it in addition, but you can substitute it for part of the water). Bake until fudgy and delicious (because only weird people like their brownies cake-like. If you want cake-like bake a cake! yes, I feel strongly about this. haha). Cool and frost with Irish Cream frosting.

Liz Nicks said...

so we just had a cookie exchange on monday and someone made thin mint cookies/crackers. All you do is melt bakers chocolate and mix in a touch of peppermint extract. Dip a ritz cracker in it and tada! That's it! Sweet and Salty! My fav!!

A Belle and her Beau said...

I would LOVE the recipe for the chocolate chip candy goodness bars. if you would email it to me whenever you get a chance i would be MUCH obliged - no hurry though!!! :)

lauralynnm@gmail.com

~lifedramatic~ said...

This couldn't be easier, and it is ALWAYS requested at Christmas time. You gotta love the name too ;-)

Alton Brown's White Trash


Ingredients


3 1/2 cups Cheerios toasted oat cereal
3 cups Rice Chex
3 cups Corn Chex
16 ounces M&Ms plain chocolate candies
2 1/2 cups salted mixed nuts
2 cups small pretzels
2 (11 ounce) packages white chocolate chips (Ghirardelli brand preferred)
Directions


Dump the cereals, M&Ms, nuts & pretzels in a large bowl.
Melt the white chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler. Melt very slowly, stirring occasionally, being careful not to burn the chocolate.
Dump melted chocolate over the rest of the ingredients and fold over and over until you have well-coated hunks and chunks.
Spread the whole mess out on parchment paper and set in a cool place until it sets up, then break it into pieces.
Store in zip-top bags or air-tight containers.

~lifedramatic~ said...

This is also a favorite in my house! I like to serve it on a pretty dish with the broken up graham crackers around the sides!

Taste of Home's Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

SERVINGS: 16

CATEGORY: Appetizer

METHOD:

TIME: Prep: 10 min. + chilling

Ingredients:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
Graham crackers

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sugars; beat just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Place cream cheese mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap; shape into a ball. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Just before serving, roll cheese ball in pecans. Serve with graham crackers. Yield: 1 cheese ball (about 2 cups).

Charlene

http://lifedramatic.spaces.live.com

~lifedramatic~ said...

Hi Sarah,

Also, I couldn't find your email address, but I would love the recipe for those crazy candy christmas bars in your blog. Thanks!

Charlene

http://lifedramatic.spaces.live.com

http://bellasnorts.blogspot.com/ said...

I would love a copy of this recipe!! Looks sinful!
cacarlisle@gmail.com!

Thank you for posting!

AGallant said...

I am coming out of lurkdom because I simply must share this with you!!! It is sooo easy and yummy and pretty :) In my family, I am the queen of desserts. I make/bake/bring to every single get together.

ENJOY!!!

Chocolate Passion Bowl
http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/chocolate-passion-bowl-61814.aspx

Laura H. said...

saw this and thought of you:

http://everybodylikessandwiches.blogspot.com/2008/12/lets-call-them-rustic-brown-butter.html

EC said...

Check out my blog for a picture of my dessert. I made red velvet cake balls. So amazingly easy. Red velvet cake mix (and its ingredients - water, oil, eggs), cream cheese icing, and candy bark coating. That's it. Bake the cake as directed. Mash the cake while it's still warm and mix with the icing. Form into balls and cover with the melted candy bark coating. Stick in the fridge to harden and you're done! And they're so pretty and festive. Very simple and will be easy to make at someone else's house.

Chris said...

Are cookies not considered easy? Because the cookies I just made are so versatile and so good that I love making them. You can use chocolate chips, M&Ms, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, nuts or even raisins if you want. But I love them with mini m&ms and chocolate chips.

I will email you with it, because I can't find the book right now! oh, brother.

Chris said...

Well, I can't find your email, so I'll post the recipe here when I get to work. I have a feeling that's where the recipe is...

Happy Christmas!

Susan said...

I recommend this wonderful eggnog bread pudding - tastes just like Christmastime! This is a super-easy recipe, that will be sure to wow everyone. ;-)

http://recipes.epicurean.com/recipe/21576/eggnog-bread-pudding.html

Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

HERE IS THE WINNER!! GO AHEAD AND STOP THE GIVEAWAY! SERIOUSLY! This is the best thing you have ever put into your mouth and it is soo easy! Oh and did I mention it is a Paula Dean recipe!?!

Gooey Butter Cake
Ingredients & Directions:
Cake:
1 18 1/4-ounce package yellow cake mix
1 egg
8 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Prepare Filling

Filling:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 16-ounce box powdered sugar


In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar and mix well. Spread over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to over bake as the center should be a little gooey.


Im serious this is fabulous! Your family will LOVE YOU!

Merry Christmas!
Lindsey
llanghans@yahoo.com

Grove Gal K said...

can i please beg for the recipe for those brownies..the chocolate chip candy gooiness...I want to make it with the pink and red m & m's for my daughter's valentines day party...love your blog!
Grove Gal K
www.grovegals.blogspot.com and my twitter is grovegalk

Tickled Pink And Green said...

Those recipe cards are darling...

You know what? I never found that madras wrapping paper at Tuesday Morning! And I went to at least 3 different ones. Sigh.

:(