Quick Lemon Bars

This is a really fast and easy dessert. I like these better than regular lemon bars. They are not as sweet and they are very light in texture. This has become a staple for me to make when I take dinner to someone or need a potluck item. It always pleases! I haven't tried different pie fillings yet, but I am sure other flavors would work good too.

Lemon Bars

1 box angel food cake mix
1 can lemon pie filling

Mix both together well in a large bowl. Pour into a 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes or until slightly golden and spongy on top. Cool for a few minutes, then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

That's it!

Ooey-Gooey Peanut Butter Brownies

You simply must make these brownies. My kids were sad I took that chocolate peanut butter cake away from them so I made these to compensate. THESE ARE SOME OF THE BEST BROWNIES EVER. And...they were even better the next day! Head on over to Our Best Bites and read their tutorial they have more photos and fun information.

Ooey-Gooey Peanut-Butter Brownies
Recipe from Our Best Bites

3/4 C sweetened condensed milk, divided (fat-free is fine)
1/4 C butter, melted and cooled (1/2 stick)
1/4 C non-fat milk
1  box devil’s food cake mix (18.25 oz)
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
cooking spray
1 7 oz jar marshmallow creme (about 1 3/4 C)
1/2 C peanut butter morsels (I used the whole bag..lol)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

With an electric mixer, combine 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk, milk, butter, cake mix, and egg white.  Mixture will be very thick.  Spray 9×13 pan with cooking spray.  Press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of the pan.  Use either floured hands, or spray your hands with cooking spray in order to press it down without having it stick to your fingers.  The layer will be thin.  Bake for 10 minutes.

Combine 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk and marshmallow creme in a bowl and combine until smooth.  Stir in PB morsels.  No one will tell if you stir in some extras.  Spread marshmallow layer over brownie layer in pan.  Carefully drop remaining brownie batter by spoonfuls over marshmallow mixture.  Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool before cutting into squares.

Best Ever Brownies

I took these to Matt's report dinner last week and Marne asked me to add the recipe to the blog. These are the only brownies I have ever made since I was a teenager. They are so yummy and turn out perfect every time.

1 c. melted butter
2 c. sugar
1/4 c. cocoa
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt

Mix butter, sugar, and cocoa. Add eggs. Mix well. Add remaining ingredients. Pour into 9x13 pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 38 minutes. Frost or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Brownie Pudding Cake

This is a great chocolate dessert to serve with ice cream or whip cream. It looks really watery when you put it in the dish but it thickens up nicely and is so yummy served warm. It is so easy because all the ingredients you usually always have on hand.  I used to make this all the time when we were first married and had no money to buy extra ingredients.
 
Pudding Layer
1 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
3 Tbl. cocoa
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c. milk
2 Tbl. butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Topping
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. cocoa
1 1/2 c. boiling water

1. Mix pudding ingredients. Spread into an 8 inch square baking pan.
2. Mix topping ingredients, then pour onto the pudding layer. Don't mix together!
3. bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Banana Brownies

I made these for dessert after dinner tonight...DIVINE! This is now one of my favorite brownie recipes!

3/4 cup butter (soft)
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 t vanilla
2 ripe bananas (mashed)
2 cups flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
chocolate chips (I did about 1/4 of a bag or a little more)

mix everything together and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.let cool and enjoy (don't overbake -- they look a bit "undone" sometimes)

Mom's Blonde Brownies

1/3 c. oil
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. soda
3/4 tsp. salt

Mix wet ingredients together first. Mix dry ingredients together, then add to set ingredients. Do not beat, mix by hand with a wooden spoon or large spoon, about 40 strokes or until well mixed. Spread into a 9x13 pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 22 minutes.

Other things we like on top: butterscotch and vanilla chips, and mini m&m's.

Mint Brownies

(Recipe from Becky Higgins. See link on the right for more of her recipes.)

2 c. butter - melted

3/4 c. cocoa

2 1/4 c. sugar

6 eggs - beaten

Combine above ingredients and mix well.

Add the following to the mixture:

2 c. flour

1/8 tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla

Bake this brownie layer in a Texas sheet cake pan or two 9" x 13" pans for this amount. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes (add 8-10 minutes if you use two 9" x 13" pans. Cool completely.

Mint frosting

4 c. powdered sugar

1/2 c. butter - melted

5 Tbsp. milk

6 drops food coloring

2 tsp. mint or peppermint extract

Spread frosting on chilled cake and then chill again.

Melt a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips and spread for top layer. Chill.