Tasty Tuesday

I got some more sweet talk for you today, it's all about chocolate and love this week, as I'm still going through my recipes to find those perfect confections for gift giving and of course, to share with you! Today is perfect for a practice run or bake in this case, the snowfall has stopped only to be backed up by sub zero wind chills making everything white freeze, so I'm snug as a bug and ready to do some baking! For this tasty Tuesday, I'm sharing a fudgy pound cake recipe that is easy and doesn't rob the pantry too badly.

Fudgy Pound Cake

1/2 c. butter
1 3/4 c. sugar
2 Tbsp. vanilla
3 eggs
1 3/4 c. all purpose flour
2/3 c. cocoa
2 t. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 c. sour cream
Preheat oven to 325. In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Beat in eggs. In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture, alternating with sour cream. Pour into greased bundt pan and bake for 1 hour. Cool.

Simple enough and oh so good! You can't go wrong with a fudgy pound cake, I always say! I hope your staying snug too, winter just won't let go here and in so many other states too, but February is almost half over and March is waiting patiently to rescue us and treat us to some nicer weather, so hang on! Happy baking!

Chocolate Peppermint Tartlets

With Valentines Day this weekend, I've been looking for new goodies to make and bake so I can shower my loved ones with some homemade lovin! I found these this morning and they won my heart over in a flash, so of course I had to share!

Chocolate Peppermint Tartlets

1 pouch Betty Crocker® chocolate chunk cookie mix
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon water
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies (about 14)
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
2 to 3 drops red food color
Powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Lightly spray 24 mini muffin cups with cooking spray. Prepare cookie dough as directed on package adding peppermint extract. Shape dough into 24(1-inch) balls; place in muffin cups.
2. Bake at 375° F for 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Immediately make indentation in center of each cookie with end of wooden spoon to form a cup. Cool 30 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely.
3. In medium bowl, beat powdered sugar, crushed peppermint candies, butter, milk, and red food color with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Spoon frosting into decorating bag with large star tip (#5). Pipe into each cookie cup. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Store in refrigerator.

Now, aren't you glad I shared? Wouldn't these be cute in a giftie basket with other goodies, maybe left on a doorstep? Alot of the comments left on my valentines giveaway were about having another day to say I love you to someone, and what better way than with home baked treats for your sweets!

Valentines Winner

Blame random.org if your name wasn't chosen but besure to congrats Katy of The Country Blossom cuz her number did come up! Congrats Katy! The Country Blossom and I go way back and you just can't help but not like her blog, it's so warm and welcoming! Katy is a stay at home Mom who homeschools and takes care of her family and home. She reminds me alot of me way back when. Katy, send me your mailing info so I can get your Valentine goodie off to you, just a little something handmade from my ♥ to your home!

I feel so bad for all of you snowed in, snug as a bug I hope! Winter isn't done with us yet, just hang in there, stay warm and safe! We have more snow coming in also, but not as bad as so many. I'm anxious for spring for so many reasons, but I must be patient....good things come to those who wait. And for those who are still waiting to win a giveaway, keep checking in, I plan to do at least one giveaway a month and I'll be sharing any good giveaways that I come across too. My ♥ is happy that all of you visit so often, thank you!

Winter

I can see the light or end in this case, of winter and I'm ready! But you got to admit, each season has it's own beauty and reason, even winter! I do love to take a drive after a snowfall, I brake for barns! These photos here were taken before and after our last snowfall, 8 inches last week. Our place, Hill Top Haven is in the middle, all snug under a fresh blanket of white and it's still here in spots with a chance more Sunday night. But spring will be here soon, seeds and garden gadgets are ready to buy in many stores now, plans are being made in my head of new flower beds, more veggies and a bigger herb garden.

Winter is also a good time to get those projects out of the way so you can play once it warms up. Remember my son's house that I offered to help with, I've been painting all week, just about every wall is getting a fresh coat of paint, trim and all. The kitchen is my favorite room to tackle, so I'll be posting before and after photos, I'm hoping to make the biggest difference in there, after all, it's the heart of the home so it needs the most attention. We will start that tomorrow.

Valentines are coming in almost daily from my old fashioned card swap, so I'll be sharing them all with you once all have their way here, and you will be sorry you didn't join in, these little treasures sure have made the winter fun! But no regrets, you can always join us next year! I also won a new cookbook from Not Quite June Cleaver. A pie bake book, full of yummy delights, and she's giving away another copy, so here's your chance to enter again! And remember you have till Sunday to enter my Valentines giveaway, just scroll down to that post and leave me a comment. I think I'm caught up for now, enjoy your weekend and the rest of what winter has to offer!

Tasty Tuesday

I'm so glad I don't eat everything I bake, talk about will power, today's recipe looks so good, one could eat the photo and be satisfied! I first laid my eyes on these muffins back in January, they were the cover shot to Mid West Living magazine, so once I got home, I jumped on the computer and found them on the website of the same name, and now they have a home in my recipe file! Perfect for a weekend breakfast or gift basket of any kind, these yummy muffins won my heart from the start!

Caramel-Banana Muffins


1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 3-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 medium banana, peeled and mashed (1/2 cup)
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. caramel-flavored ice cream topping
1 medium banana, peeled and thinly sliced (optional)
1 Tbsp. butter, melted
Caramel-flavored ice cream topping (optional)
Directions

1. Line twelve 2-1/2-inch muffin cups or 6 jumbo (3-1/4-inch) muffin cups with paper bake cups. In a small bowl, mix pecans, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, softened butter and 2/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer until well combined. Add egg and beat well. Beat in the mashed banana and vanilla until combined.
3. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to the banana mixture, beating on low speed until just combined.
4. Stir 1/4 cup of the pecan mixture. Spoon half the batter into prepared muffin cups (1 rounded tablespoon for each 2 1/2-inch muffin cup or 2 rounded tablespoons for each jumbo muffin cup). Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon caramel topping over batter in each cup. Top with remaining batter. If you like, top each muffin with 2 thin slices additional banana. Drizzle each with a little melted butter and sprinkle with remaining pecan mixture.
5. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from pan. Serve warm drizzled with more caramel topping, if you like. Makes 12 standard or 6 jumbo muffins.


It's another muffin month here at Country Pleasures, remember my Sunday school class I feed, these will be a huge hit this weekend! If you haven't been to Mid West Livings site, head over there and check out all their yummy recipes and they even have a photo contest going on which yours truly will be checking out! Happy muffin month!

Valentines Giveaway!

Wow, I'm back! I've been trying to post here for 4 days, it just wouldn't let me for some unknown reason, so I set my settings back to the old editor and here I am! I had hoped to get this posted last week with time on my side, but I guess it's never too late for a giveaway, right! Of course this one is all about Valentines day, the day of love and I love you all so what better reason to put together a little giftie bag of love. Just leave me comment here on what you love best about Valentines day, I love to hear your stories of love and sweets! I love this day because we got engagaed on Valentines day 1992 and it's been sweet stuff ever since and still is! I'll leave this open to enter until the 7th so I can get the goods in the mail on the 8th so you might have it in time, if not, you'll have it for years to come. Happy sharing and if blogger lets me, I'll be back this afternoon with Tasty Tuesday, see you then!

Tasty Tuesday

  
           I have a double feature for you today, a recipe and a giveaway to match! I've posted about our love for brownies before but with Valentines Day only 2 weeks away, I thought I'd share a peanut butter brownie recipe with you that I've been baking for decades. I stumbled on it one day when I didn't have any chocolate in the house( I was once poor like that) and the kids were wanting dessert that night, so I combed through my cookbooks and clippings and came across this little dandy.

Peanut Butter Brownies

1 3/4 c. peanut butter
1/3 c. butter
2 c. sugar
1. c. brown sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 T. vanilla
3 c. flour
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
Combine butter and sugars. Blend in eggs. Add peanut butter and mix well. Add vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt to mixture. Mix well. Pour into a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 25-35 min.
Topping:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. milk
1/2 c. butter
1 c. peanuts (optional)
Cook sugar, butter and milk till it comes to a boil. Add peanuts to make a spread, frost after cooling.


   Now, I bake them for my hubby when he wants dessert! I like this recipe because it has a good peanut butter flavor and you can always add some chocolate chips to the mix, the mini ones would be perfect!
As for the giveaway, I had a email come through today about a brownie giveaway, these brownies have won awards they are that  good, but sad to say, I've never heard of them nor tasted them. But we have a chance to win some, just head over to Todays Giveaway and look up FairyTale Browines for the sweet offer! Good luck and happy baking!

I'm Dreaming of.....

        Old plank wood floors, all knotty and pine.  A open hearth for winter fires. Rustic beams full of charm and strength. A English kitchen is what I'm dreaming of! My family tree leans towards the old ways of the English, the land where my mom was from and loved so much.  No, I'm not redoing my kitchen, not yet anyways, but I will be helping my youngest son in redoing his so he can get it on the market by April. You see, he just got engaged and wants to spruce the place up, sell it and rent for a few years so they can save up and build their own home, their way.  This will also get them out of debt and giving them a fresh start.  So, I offered to help, I've been dreaming of ways to make his little house feel big and cozy. He's made a few good starts but the kitchen needs a woman's touch in order to catch  the woman's eye when it goes up for sale. His fiance lives out of state in case you were wondering so I'm stepping in with happy feet!

      While looking around the web for ideas and colors, I found the house above. The top two are from the wonderful movie "The Holiday" which I loved, for the English house most of all but for the story line too. It won't fit into my son's house plan but I saved the photos for my files! lol  I've been anxious to decorate and paint for some reason, so this works out well all the way around! If you know of any kitchen idea sites that have a simple, yet cozy feel let me know. Just keep in mind, my 25 year old son will have to live there till it sells so I"m looking for something equally pleasing. CheeryO!

Hottie Giveaway Winner

            This will be short and sweet as blogger took forever to upload my post, but thanks to random.org I have a winner! Down on the Farm is the lucky girl who will recieve a package of hot drink goodies! Congrats to Down on the Farm! There was no name or email to be found so I hope she is checking this cuz I need your mailing info. so I can pop your  goodies in the mail!  You all were hot to trot for this giveaway, we do love our  hot drinks in the winter, don't we? And it seems like the favorites among the 80 plus who entered are mine too: coffee, tea and hot cocoa! Thanks to all who entered and keep a eye or two on my blog for a Valentines giveaway in the works! Till then, click on Prairie Flower Farm's button on the right for a sweet giveaway of her own! Good luck to all and me!

Cake Balls

While on my hunt for new goodies to bake for Valentines day, I replied on a old favorite and standby that never disappoints me, Bakerella!  I love this cooking/baking site for many reasons, but for the most part, I

love the funness of it, just take a look at these easy and cute cake balls that anyone can make! Cute, huh! If you've haven't drolled over Bakerella yet, grab a towel and head on over, your sweet tooth will thank you!

Red Velvet Cake Balls

1 box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
1 package chocolate bark (regular or white chocolate)
wax paper

1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy.)
3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)
4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)
5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.
6. Roll balls in chocolate and lay on wax paper until firm. (Use a spoon to dip and roll in chocolate and then tap off extra.)

Apron Giveaway

     My sweet friend, Cathy is hosting a adorable apron giveaway, one of her own creations so if you love aprons like I love aprons, click on over and get your chance in to win one of these cute aprons, a must have for any apron collector! And don't forget about my hottie giveaway, the deadline to enter is Friday and with 78 of you entered, I can tell, we love our hot drinks! Just scroll down to that post and leave a comment. The winner will be chosen that afternoon. Good luck on both giveaways!