Serving Up {Brownies}: Extreme Brownies

Typing this post is like torture to me right now.  We were on vacation last week and I have not yet made it to the grocery store to "restock" the kitchen from our being gone which means the fridge is bare.  I am having my normal mid-afternoon sugar craving and there is nothing in sight to satisfy it.  Then I sit down at the computer to post and have to stare at this deliriously amazing cookie/brownie treat and it is doing nothing to help the sugar craving...except that I have now added Oreo's to my grocery list.

The combination of a chocolate chip cookie layer, topped with Oreo's, topped with brownies really do make these brownies "extreme".  For the next time you really want to wow your audience....or when you just can't quit decide between cookies or brownies.  These are awesome!

One Year Ago: Easy Fish Tacos

Two Years Ago: S'more S'morgasbord

EXTREME BROWNIES (also known as Slutty Brownies)     
(recipe from What's Gabby Cooking?)
printable version

For the Brownie layer:
10 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups white sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup flour

For the Oreo layer:
1 package of Oreo (regular stuffed or double stuffed)

For the Cookie Dough layer:
1/2 cup unsalted butter (at room temp)
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

For the Brownie layer:
In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter over medium high heat. Add the sugar and cocoa powder once the butter is melted. Whisk to combine and remove from heat. Add the salt, vanilla and eggs and continuously whisk until the eggs are combined. Add the flour and continue to mix. Set the batter aside.

For the Cookie Dough layer:
Cream together the butter and sugars in a mixer. Add the eggs and vanilla, making sure to scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl. Add the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder and mix on low until everything is incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips. Set dough aside.

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Line the bottom of a 9x9 baking pan with tin foil and then spray the tin foil with baking spray.
Layer the cookie dough on the bottom of a 9x9 baking pan, pressing down to form the bottom "crust".
Layer as many Oreos that will fit on top of the cookie dough. No need to overlap. One single layer will do.
Pour the brownie batter evenly over the top of the Oreo layer.
Bake for 30-35 minutes. Test with a knife to see if the center is done. When they test done, remove from oven and allow to cool before cutting and serving.
Serve with ice cream :)

Serving Up {Candy}: Peppermint Oreo Bark

There is something dangerous about a recipe that only requires three ingredients and tastes THIS GOOD! Consider yourself warned...

I received a bag of this Oreo Bark upon the birth of my third child.  A friend that I went to church with brought over dinner and included this candy treat.  The problem was that my husband loves mint and chocolate and he didn't realize how dangerous this candy would be.   One bite and he was hooked - until it was gone. Now take into consideration that I had just had a baby and was hormonal. I'm embarrassed to say that I was MAD that he had eaten all the candy. Hadn't I been the one that had had the baby?  

Luckily we made it past that little incident and I secured the recipe for myself.  I have since been able to make this recipe many times, and haven't had to have a baby each time :)

This is a perfect treat to give out at holidays.  I like to use green food coloring at Christmas or St. Patrick's Day.  I've used red for Valentines day as well as for baby showers for little girls.  This batch was made in yellow, pink and green and was given as an Easter treat at church.  Super fun and easy and well received.

PEPPERMINT OREO BARK      Pin It
(recipe from Julie R.)
printable version

3 11-ounce bags of white chocolate
3 sleeves (one box) OREO cookies
peppermint extract
food coloring (optional)

Break OREO cookies into fourths and place into a large bowl.
Melt white chocolate in double broiler over low heat.
Once chocolate is completely melted, add 6-8 drops of food coloring, if desired.
Add 1 generous cap full of peppermint extract and stir well.
Pour chocolate over the broken OREOs, stir to mix together and spread mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Place in a cool spot and allow to set for 5-6 hours.
Once the chocolate is firm, break into bite sized pieces.

Serving Up {Candy}: Oreo Truffles & Cake Balls

Today is a double feature!  Two DELICIOUS recipes for homemade chocolates that anyone can make!

The holidays are upon us and that frequently means that it is time to make goodies to share with friends and neighbors.  Both of these recipes are "cheater" recipes that will taste absolutely gourmet but will not require candy thermometers or anything similarly "daunting".
(another similarly easy candy recipe will be coming later this week - stay tuned)

The Oreo Truffle recipe I first made for a St. Patrick Day treat a few years ago and I opted to crush mint Oreo's and dipped them in green wilton chocolate melts.  They turned out really cute and the mint was really a yummy twist.  Keep that in mind.

The Cake Ball recipe has been all over the internet for years and people get darned creative with them.  The original recipe I saw called for red velvet cake mix and cream cheese frosting.  I have branched out and tried just about every cake/frosting flavor combination you can come up with (yes, even lemon and strawberry - but not those two together!).  My favorite is a chocolate cake mix and a chocolate fudge frosting.  In defense of my playing favorites, I took a plate of these (made with chocolate on chocolate) to a new family in the neighborhood who had just moved from the east coast.  The response I got was that they were "exactly" like some insanely expensive "truffles" that they had enjoyed in their previous hometown and they didn't believe that I had made them - after their enthusiastic response I never dared tell them that I had used a cake mix!

I have been asked before how I "dip" my chocolates.  I learned this little trick a couple of years ago and it is now the only way I "dip".  Take a plastic fork and break off the two middle tines, leaving just the two outside tines in place.  Place your balls of candy in your melted chocolate and use the fork to roll it around and to scoop the finished product out of the chocolate.  (see photo below).
I also have discovered that I prefer parchment paper over wax paper for setting my chocolates on to set up - there is a difference and parchment paper is MUCH better!

OREO TRUFFLES     Pin It

(recipe from Kraft foods magazine)
printable version

1 8-ounce pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 pkg. OREO cookies, finely crushed
Milk chocolate (or dark chocolate) wafers, for melting and dipping

Blend cream cheese and cookie crumbs until well blended.
Using cookie scoop, make 1" balls.  Place in refrigerator for an hour or so to make the balls more firm.
In a microwave safe glass bowl, melt your dipping chocolate.  Heat for 1 minute and remove and stir.  Heat for additional 30 minute intervals, stirring between each until smooth.
Remove balls from refrigerator and dip in the melted chocolate.
Place on parchment paper and allow the chocolate to set up.
Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs or holiday sprinkles.

CAKE BALLS
(recipe from Bakerella)
printable version

1 box chocolate cake mix + ingredients to bake as directed on box
1 can chocolate fudge frosting
chocolate bark or "wilton melts" - chocolate or white chocolate

Bake the cake mix, as directed, for 13x9 cake.  Once baked, allow to cool completely and then crumble it into a large bowl.
Add the can of frosting and mix well (I use my beaters).
Using cookie scoop, roll into 1" balls and place in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours to chill and set up.

In a microwave safe glass bowl, melt your dipping chocolate.  Heat for 1 minute and remove and stir.  Heat for additional 30 minute intervals, stirring between each until smooth.
Remove balls from refrigerator and dip in the melted chocolate.
Place on parchment paper and allow the chocolate to set up completely.

Serving Up {Cookies}: Homemade Oreo Cookies

I've mentioned before the soft cookie versus crunchy cookie debate that is very much alive in our household.  This is, yet another, soft chewy cookie that I delight in.  Even though it claims to be a homemade Oreo, think more along the lines of an Oreo Cakester.

These cookies use a cake mix base, which makes whipping up the batter fast and easy.  The time consuming part is that once you have all the cookies baked, you do have to frost half of them and top each with additional cookies to make the "sandwich goodness".  But don't be deterred by the time commitment, they are well worth the effort and are even better a few hours later once the frosting has had a chance to soften the cookie part.

The recipe calls for a cream cheese frosting and they are perfect!  Seriously there is no need to stray from the recipe.  Unless you are like me and can't leave perfection alone.  I have used a chocolate frosting which I didn't think was as good as the cream cheese frosting.  I have also used a mint frosting and my husband fell in love with me all over again.  A very yummy and worthwhile variation.

HOMEMADE OREO COOKIES     
(recipe from Jaime B.)
printable version

2 boxes Devils Food Cake mix
½ cup flour
1 cup butter, melted
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix all ingredients together; roll into balls the size of walnuts. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.  DO NOT over bake!

Frosting:
6 oz. cream cheese
4 C. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

When cookies have cooled completely, frost and place another cookie on top of frosted cookie to make an Oreo.