Brownie Cookies

How do you decide between a craving for cookies and brownies?  That is a tough one, right?  My answer... make something that includes them both.

I started with a quick fudge brownie pre-mixed package.

I made up the mix according to the directions.

I then added a generous amount of chopped walnuts for a little extra crunch.

Stir them in.  I've been really into capturing more action in my photos lately.  Can you feel the stirring?

This is really what started the whole craving.  I had previously made a batch of chocolate chip cookies that ended up baking a little more crunchy than I like.  I am totally a warm out of the oven chewy cookie kind of gal -- I bet you pegged that already!

So, what do you do with overly crunchy cookies?  There are several options:

• dunk them in milk to soften them up and then gobble
• put them in your boyfriends, husbands, or kids lunches -- so they eat them instead of you
• -- or -- reinvent them into a crunchy craving!

I choose lucky door number three!!  Here are those pesky crunchy cookies.

Pour the brownie batter in pre-greased pan like-a so.

Then crumble up those cookies and spread them all over the top of the mixture.  Ohhh ma goodness.. doesn't that just perk you up a little!?!

I popped this mixture in the oven for the package cooking time and here are the results!

Crispy.
Brown.
Mouthwatering.
Goodness!

A little crunch from the cookie pieces and walnuts.

A little gooey from the brownie.

I would definitely make these up again!  It's a fantastic way to use up cookies that are reaching the end of their life.  And it really is a nice surprise to bit into one -- and realize you can have the best of both baked worlds!

So a cookie brownie or a brownie cookie would be...

Brookies?

Crownies?

No matter what you call them... they rock!!

What have you experimented with lately? 

See other creative ideas at Dragonfly Designs for Inspiring Creativity Wednesdays!

Vacation Highlights

Mr. Happy and I took a recent vacation to a large 1800's Victorian bed and breakfast.  We're talking no TV, no radio, amazing food, and lots to do outside.

It's over a week later and I am still managing to hold on to that deeply relaxed and rejuvenated feeling!

Here are the highlights:

View from the balcony.  Took my breath away especially when the sun was coming up over the water in the morning.  Sleeping in held no value when there was such a beautiful world right out the window!

View of the Mohonk House from one of the high hiking trails.  (Looks like the hotel from "The Shining" doesn't it?  And the movie "Road to Wellville" starring Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Broderick was taped here in 1994)

This fire tower was the reward for one of the steeper hikes!  It was even more of a surprise to learn we could climb the interior stairs to the top and see all around!

View from the lake while on a row boat.

The fall setting made the already amazing views and scenery that much more seasonal!

Did a lot of kicking up my feet and taking it all in!

Ok, so this technically wasn't our honeymoon (we technically haven't had one yet), but I told the wait staff this was sort of our honeymoon and that I wanted to surprise Mr. Happy with a little something special.  They came out with candles on our dessert and sang us happy honeymoon!

All of the food was so delicious and this was the perfect sweet way to end our relaxing get away!

Tomorrow I will show you the greenhouse that we toured and all the divine plants and flowers we took in!