Rolo Brownies- Pampered Chef

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 package (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate morsels, divided
1 package (18-21 ounces) brownie mix (plus ingredients to make cake-like brownies)
¾ cup packed brown sugar, divided
1 cup salted mixed nuts, divided
5 rolls (1.7 ounces each) milk chocolate-covered chewy caramels(Rolos), divided
(40 pieces total)
Vanilla ice cream (optional)


Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly brush Large Bar Pan with oil using Chef’s Silicone Basting Brush. Chop 1½ cups of the chocolate morsels using Food Chopper. In Classic Batter Bowl, combine brownie mix, water, oil, eggs and ¼ cup of the brown sugar; mix well. Fold in chopped chocolate; pour batter into bar pan, spreading evenly using Small Mix ‘N Scraper®.

Chop nuts using Food Chopper. Combine half of the nuts and remaining ½ cup brown sugar; sprinkle evenly over brownie batter. Bake 20-22 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Meanwhile, using Utility Knife, cut 16 caramels into quarters. Place remaining ½ cup chocolate morsels in Prep Bowl; microwave on HIGH 1 minute or until melted, stirring after each 20-second interval. Spoon melted chocolate into resealable plastic bag; set aside.

Remove bar pan from oven to Stackable Cooling Rack. Immediately press remaining 24 caramels evenly into brownie in four rows of six caramels each. Sprinkle quartered caramels and remaining nuts over brownies. Trim corner of chocolate-filled bag with Utility Knife; drizzle chocolate evenly over brownies. Cut into squares; serve warm using
Mini-Serving Spatula. Serve with ice cream, if desired.


Side Note: Although it makes mention to a lot of the PC products, you by no means need those products to make these brownies. They DO make it mucho easier, but baking/cooking/chopping/mixing can be done in any way you see fit!

Chim Chim Cher-ee

There is nothing quite like hanging out with a delish mug of coffee next to the fireplace while the snow falls outside. It's been quite the winter wonderland around here! Yesterday, I went to run an errand and when I returned, I walked up to the front door and as I was about to walk inside, a pile of snow fell from the roof. Strange I though.
Well, I get inside, and realize both Bailey and Chase are MIA, so I proceed to the back door just in time to see the hubs run around the corner with miss B. Hubs was throwing snowballs at me! So I ran back inside, put on my rain boots and a few layers and gloves and ran back out. We didn't have a snowball fight though, but focused our efforts on covering Bailey in snow.. it was a blast!

B playing keep away with a football.

We love snow!

B playing in the snow.

Later that evening, Megan stopped by. She was on her way home to Tulsa from the Independence Bowl in Memphis (which the Hogs won!!! Woo pig!). Meg and I both love to bake... so we usually end up doing something of the sort. This time, I had a craving for Chocolate Meringue pie, so that is just what we made. It turned out fab. The meringue you whipped up was perfect, Meg!

Earlier that day for lunch, I chose a dish from my E-mealz "Turkey Reruns" recipe list called 'Turkey Crunch.' Let me tell you.. it was AMAZING! The curry spice made the dish.. hubs, who isn't usually a fan of casseroles, had two large helpings. We decided next time to try it with some sliced potatoes to make it a 'Turkey Crunch Au Gratin.' I'll tell you how that one turns out.

I love..

this time of year. It's simply fantastic. I love making delish treats for my family and friends and I love my family and friends!

I feel blessed to have so many people in my life that care so much.

Here's the last of the holiday baking. Everything is packaged up except the party mix- which is in the oven currently. The brownies were MUCH easier to cut after being chilled over night. They sure do smell great, too! (all peppermint patty like).

Last photo op/post until probably Monday! I may have to work on Monday as well so, we'll see how the next round of baking turns out. I think I may make a few slight changes to the menu for easier packing and ease of preparing. The chocolate covered pretzels are just time consuming but the peppermint bark is a winner. It's my favorite new creation this year!

Anyhoodle- pictures! Now!

I can't get enough of these cute treats.

My 1/2 price finds from Hobby Lobby! A package of 20 of the little snowmen tags were only $1.25 and the take-out boxes were $2.50 for a pack of six!

They sparkle :)

L to R: Chocolate covered pretzels, peppermint brownies and peppermint bark.

Give thanks.

Holiday Goodies!

What an evening it has been!! This morning was the first morning that I have had off in... a really long time. I intended on sleeping in, but my body just wouldn't go for it, so I got up, turned on Christmas tunes and ran on the treadmill for a bit. Really, the day didn't get exciting until Emily came back this evening. She is staying with us while she is in town for a friend's wedding tomorrow. Since she is incredibly awesome, she agreed to help me with some of my holiday goodie making tonight.

Ecstatic me at six o'clock this evening!

York Peppermint Brownie ingredients.

Delish!

I have missed her! She is currently attending graduate school in Oregon. She is all kinds of awesome.

The outline for the Peppermint Bark.

My favorite treat this year! They turned out fabulous (and delectable)!

Bailey getting in on some baking action.

Emiree.

Finished product.

For tonight, we're finished. Tomorrow I have a few more goodies to prepare. I'm wiped out! We started at 6:00pm and ended around 10:30pm. Now it's time to curl up in my pajamas by the fire. I will take a photo when I'm completely finished packaging up the goods.

Preview for tomorrow:

Progressive Dinner and the aftermath:

On Wednesday, (dead day),we the ladies of SAI had our traditional Progressive Dinner. If you don't know what a progressive dinner is, it is where a group starts at one location with drinks/appetizers, moves to another location for soup/salad, another for main course and then lastly another location for dessert. Well, dessert was at my house this year and I had so much fun baking and preparing for my lovely sisters! So blessed to have such a wonderful group of ladies to share times like this with.

With the majority of my stress gone, I got to finally spend a nice morning in my kitchen all by myself making yummy, delicious, diabetic coma inducing, treats.

First up were white almond bark covered pretzels:

Second was the 'Puppy Chow'

The last two desserts I made were my Mamaw's homeade chocolate merengue pie and spiced apples! Things got a little hectic at the end, so I missed the photo op. I did; however, get a few cute pictures of Bailey Anne and a few sisters.

(she who ended up with her nose in the last half of my chocolate pie which resulted in a panicked mom calling the veterinarian)

We're ready for Christmas! (gotta love our little tree this year)

Helena and Chrissy!

Our little after party later that evening!

Time to go shower for work! I am so ready for an evening at home relaxing with my pup! Chase has been playing in the Rat Pack at the WAC and Patrick Hession is playing lead trumpet. Chase was a little rattled on Tuesday evening when he first found out, but he's been playing really well since then! So proud of my hubs!