Almond Joy Cookies

-Almond Joy Cookies-

So this past week was my moms birthday, and heck I always need a good excuse to whip up a good treat. I asked my mom what kind of treat she would like and her response was "anything with coconut, nuts, and something the kids can help with." I had seen a thing on pinterest a while ago for almond joy cookies and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to make them. I mean they do have every key thing she was asking for! And did I mention how insanely delicious they are?! I literally had to take a plate of them over to the neighbors just so I would stop eating them!


Ingredients-

• 1 cup salted butter (softened)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3.4 ounce package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
• 2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 cup slivered almonds

Directions-

In a bowl cream together butter and sugar. Add pudding and vanilla. Beat in one egg at a time. In a separate bowl mix together flour, salt, and baking soda. Combine the dry ingredients with wet ingredients. Once mixed stir in chocolate chips, coconut, and almonds.

Preheat oven to 350. Spoon cookie dough onto baking sheet and cook for 8-10 min. (however I always end up doing mine for 11 min) Allow to cool on wire cooling rack.

Marshmallow Brownies

-Marshmallow Brownies-
With a secret ingredient!

I don't know what it is but lately I sure do have one heck of a sweet tooth. Anything with chocolate I just can't resist. The other week I was out doing a nail party and the host had made these brownies. They were so delicious that I just had to get the recipe from her. These are a great brownie for a party or shower since they are easy to cut into squares and move to a plate without getting all messed up. Warning: These are by no means healthy in any way but they sure are addicting. Sadly I could probably eat the whole pan of them by myself!

Brownie Recipe-

• 1 cup butter

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 2/3 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions-

Melt butter and stir in unsweetened cocoa. In a bowl mix eggs and sugar. Beat then add flour, salt, and vanilla. Once mixed add in butter and cocoa mixture.

Preheat oven to 325. Grease 9x13 cake pan and cook for 15-20 min. Be sure to not over bake.

Dr. Pepper frosting recipe-

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/3 cup Dr. Pepper
• 4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
• 2 1/2 cups marshmallows
• Powdered sugar until consistency of frosting
  

Directions-

In a small sauce pan melt butter,then stir in the Dr Pepper, cocoa and marshmallows and cook until marshmallows are fairly melted. Remove from heat and whisk in powdered sugar. Pour frosting over brownies and allow to cool before cutting.

Parmesan Ranch Chicken

Parmesan Ranch Chicken

Mmmm just typing up this recipe is making me want to go and make this chicken again. I am a huge fan of meals that are quick, delicious, and don't dirty too many dishes to prepare. I have found that finding meals that both my husband and kids will both eat is very tricky. However this chicken is super easy to make, very quick, and surprisingly full of flavor. It was a hit with both the kids and the husband.

Adapted from Becoming Betty
Ingredients-

• 3/4 cup bread crumbs
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1-1 ounce package of Ranch dressing mix
• 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Pound to even thickness (I just used chicken tenderloins.)
• 1/2 cup melted butter

Directions-

In a shallow bowl mix bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese and ranch dressing mix. Dip chicken into melted butter and then roll into the breadcrumb mixture to coat. Place chicken in a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Sprinkle chicken with remaining breadcrumb mixture and drizzle remaining butter on the chicken. Bake uncovered at 375 for 4o minutes. It's delicious with noodles or rice on the side. I like to drizzle the sauce in the bottom of the pan over my noodles or rice. Gives it a good flavor.

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Cookies
With Valentines day only a month away I figured I better start posting delicious recipes and crafts for the holiday! These cookies are perfect for the LOVE holiday. What girl doesn't love cookies, chocolate, and pink all in one?! And may I add that these are some of the most delicious chocolate cookies I have ever had. They are so moist and chewy. Absolutely delightful! I have to give a shout out to my wonderful husband who made these with the kids while I was gone working.

Recipe-

Adapted from See Jane in the Kitchen

Ingredients-

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp water
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 bag peanut butter M&M's
  

Directions-

In a large sauce pan over low heat, combine butter, sugar, and water until butter is melted. Add chocolate chips and stir until partially melted. Remove from heat and continue to stir until chocolate is completely melted. Transfer into a large bowl and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.

Add eggs to cooled chocolate mixture and beat in high, one at a time. Reduce speed to low and add dry ingredients, beating until blended. Add your bag of peanut butter M&M's. Place cookie dough in refrigerator for 1 hour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Roll dough into balls and place about 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 min. Remove from cookie pan and allow to cool on a cookie rack.

Once cooled pour yourself a cup of milk and enjoy one or two. (Or in my case 4-5. Shh don't tell)

Strawberry spinach salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad

If your husbands are anything like mine its hard to get them to eat their vegetables. I swear it's a constant battle for me, but I think I have found the perfect thing for him to eat that isn't only nutritious, but delicious as well. Strawberry spinach salads are always a hit and so easy to make. They are beautiful so great for parties but also great as a side salad for dinner or a simple and easy lunch meal. And this dressing is to die for. By far the best dressing I have ever had on this type of salad.
Ingredients-
Salad-

• 9 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1/2 cup craisins
• 1/2 cup almond slices (I did mine candied)
• 1 15 ounce can mandarin oranges

Dressing-

• 3/4 cup raspberry vinegar
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp grated red onion

Put ingredients in a blender and mix together well.

Mix salad together, drizzle with dressing and enjoy!

Candied almonds-

• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 c sugar

In a pan put slivered almonds and sugar and heat over medium low heat until the sugar begins to melt. Let cool and enjoy! They make quite a delicious snack as well!

Orchard Chicken Salad

I don't know about you guys but I have such a hard time coming up with different lunch ideas for me and the kiddos. We get tired of the everyday pb&j, grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, taquitos, quesadilla, etc. Chicken salad is always a hit with me. I devour them at showers, parties, you name it. But when I tried subways Orchard chicken salad I decided I wanted to make my own version of it. You can always add, subtract or modify the recipe however you want. Its great for a quick and easy lunch, and if your kids are too young to eat it as a sandwich you can serve it with crackers and its delicious that way as well.

Orchard Chicken Salad Recipe-
2 cans premium chunk chicken breast packed in water (I get mine from Costco)
3/4 mayonnaise (or vanilla yogurt for a healthier alternative)
1 Celery stalk chopped up
1/4 cup craisins
1/4 cup almond slivers
1/2 cup chopped apple
1/4 cup diced grapes
1/4 cup diced yellow onion
Season salt to taste

Mix all of the ingredients together and spread on rolls, croissants, bread ect. It is also a great snack with rice crackers.

Strawberry Crepes

I love fresh strawberries! Once the weather starts warming up and they become in season I am one happy girl. There are so many delicious things that you can make with fresh strawberries and strawberry crepes has got to be on my top ten list. These are so delicious and almost too good to be considered a breakfast food. They are more of a treat if you ask me. Not only are they delicious and something the kids enjoy eating as well, they are really simple to make.
Crepes Recipe-

• 4 Eggs
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
  
• 3/4 milk
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cube melted butter

Mix all ingredients together in a blender and cook in skillet.

Once the edges start to brown they are ready to flip to the other side.

My absolute most favorite way to eat crepes is with strawberries, sour cream, and brown sugar.
That is they way I grew up eating them and you cant dis it til you try it. They are SOOO DELICIOUS this way.
All you do is put a little sour cream down the middle of your crepe, put as many diced strawberries on as you like and sprinkle with brown sugar and roll up!
You can garnish the top with diced strawberries, fresh strawberry syrup, (recipe to come soon), and whipped cream. These are a perfect breakfast treat for the upcoming spring mornings!