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!

Creative Tuesday: Birthday

Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday's are one of my favorite self imposed assignments.

It helps me force an artistic object or two into my paws (regularly) and just begs to find out what can come of it!

This week's theme is "Birthday!"  And this week's medium big fat scented markers!

Happy Un-Birthday to you!

This theme made me think back to my thirteenth birthday for some reason.  I was thinking about all the feelings of the moment and how hopeful I was looking to the future. 

I am still very hopeful, but more content with how things already are. 

Cheers to all your dreams coming true with every candle you blow out! 

And won't you check out all my fellow artists here!

You've Got to Smile

"When you look at a cupcake, you've got to smile"

-- Anne Byrn, award-winning cake baker!

I was looking through my draft blog entries this morning and found these cupcake pictures just begging to be posted!  I still in shock that I haven't put these up yet!!

These are the Cocoa-Strawberry Cuppies that I made for my birthday (two weeks ago -- where has time gone?)

I took a chocolate base and made it more rich by adding extra cocoa and a pinch or five of cayenne pepper.

Then I topped these sweet delights with a homemade strawberry buttercream. 

I didn't follow any specific directions. Or rather, I didn't follow them well.

My buttercream ended up being a little more runny than I had hope, but it was jam packed with flavor and real bits of little diced strawberries!  Not bad for only the second time of making homemade buttercream.

A blueberry made the perfect topper to finish them off!

I can still taste the moist cake and sweet frosting now. 

I'm still kicking myself for not throwing a few in the freezer for a later date; maybe I'll remember to do that next time around!

Hope your having a sweet Monday!

Honey Chocolate Chippers

I am still playing around with the traditional chocolate chip cookie recipe to try and find my own spin on this tasty treat.  This time around I prepared the cookie batter recipe as it is on the back of a chocolate chip bag... with a few small changes:

One: I replaced half of the brown sugar with dark sweet honey.  And oh honey... this was one delicious cookie!  Made a much smoother dough too!
Second: I put a ridiculous amount of sprinkles in the batter which is where we pick up this story.

Who says sprinkles are only for ice cream?  Why can't they go in chocolate chippers?  I had no idea what to expect from the tiny dots of color.  Would they melt into the dough and turn the cookie colors.  Would they stay round and crunch when you ate the cookie?  No clue.  That's what experimenting is for, right?

The dough was ready to go. 

Have I shown you the coolest utensil in my kitchen yet?  Yup, it's a cookie scooper.  Similar to a melon baller, but this little baby is responsible for a consistent sized cookie, which leads to a consistent cookie goodness! 

You see the orange part?  That part is a flexible rubber material that you can push in to aid in getting the cookie dough out.  I can't think of a cooler thing in the kitchen!

Here it is going in.  Scoops away!

See how uniform and consistent the cookie drops are?  Yes, that's my analyst side smiling.

Consistent cooking means each cookies is chewy and amazing!!  You can add a minute or two extra if you like the crunchy cookies.  In the Happy household we are all about the chewiness!

I sometimes find myself getting lazy to make up all of my batter.  Here is a simple way to work around having to make up all 99 million cookies. (And then having to eat them all at once.)

Cut a large sheet of wax paper and lay on a flat surface like so.

Put a big 'ole blog of dough on the same sheet toward the center.

Make the blob into a log with your hands, gently forming it.

Cover it up with the wax paper.

Put in a freezer safe zippy bag and toss in the freezer.  For my own sanity I use a sharpie to remind me what kind of cookies these are, when I froze them, how hot an oven they require, and how long to stick them in for. 

This also means that Mr. Happy can get his cookie fix with little help from me :)

When you want cookies, just remove the cookie roll from the freezer.  Unwrap.  Slice the roll in to somewhat thick slices.  Arrange on the pan.  And cook according to the handy directions you jotted down for yourself.

Voila.  Cookies!

What's your fun spin on a traditional cookie recipe?

Happy baking!

C is for Cookie!

Making up a batch of cookies is such a comforting thing to do. 

Sure to put smiles on the faces around you!

Start off with plenty of butter; softened to room temperature.  (You can sometimes catch me with a stick in my armpit working on softening -- if that changes your mind about eating the cookies out of my kitchen)

I wanted to put a fun twist on a good 'old chocolate chip cookie.  When I saw these babies on the shelf I knew immediately they had to be Toffee Chocolate Chippers!

You add brown sugar and regular sugar.

Give it a good mix until the butter and sugar are creamed.  You can tell it's creamed when the color gets lighter (or at least I think I remember my grandma telling me that).

A little baking soda and salt comes next.

Add the toffee bits (I used one cup) and chocolate chips (2 cups)

And voila... like magic the cookies are formed, baked, cooled, tasted, and lined up like little soldiers!

Emphasis on the tasting!  Opps, I broke one!

In hind sight my experiment was fun, however I'm not sure toffee twist is the way to go.  It made a big mess when I was trying to get the cookies off the baking pan.  And (as Mr. Happy pointed out) the toffee gets stuck in your teeth and takes a little fun out of the whole thing. 

I think the next version of these might be better balanced with walnuts.

What kind of twist do you put on your chocolate chippers?

That hits the spot!

Snickers really does satisfy --cliche I know... but I haven't had one of these in ages... and man 'o man.. what a simple and happy treat!!

I don't normally like to take pictures of chew marks, but I figured you would forgive me.  Now seriously give in.  Go enjoy your favorite chocolaty treat and smile!!

Eating something oh so good that reminds you of awesome times = happiness!

Peanut Butter Pie

Frozen Peanut Butter pie = happiness!

For my birthday this past week I was treated to a very special sweet treat from my mother in law! Yup, you guessed it, homemade peanut butter pie! I have a certain weakness that hits me in the knees for this tasty frozen treat. So rich, so chock full of peanut buttery goodness, and that crumbly oreo crust -YUM!

It goes great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or is magical on it's own. You can eat it off a plate or from a bowl; with a fork or a spoon. Make sure once it's completely frozen that you do let it sit out at room temperature for a bit to enhance the flavors and then dig in!

Thank you for the fabulous surprise and for making me feel spoiled rotten! (oh, and for letting me take the left overs home with me!!)

Good Night Sweetie!

Ending the day on a sweet note = happiness!

Have a great night!

Cupcake

Eating a chocolaty cupcake to hit that strong chocolate craving that has been bugging you for days = happiness!

The perfect size, very moist, excellent frosting and purchased by the best husband in the world!

These cupcakes came from a local farmers market here in White Plains, NY. Made by Big Girl Baking Company. What a great way for an up and coming company to get their name out there!

Cupcakes!

Finishing off the day with a touch of sweet peanut butter and chocolate = happiness!

These are from Magnolia, but I seriously love cupcakes of all kinds... homemade, filled, any flavor, even with coconut. Something about bite size cakes that can make any day good!