M&M Cookie Heart Bars

Well...it's about that time of year.  Pretty much every where you look, there is something that reminds you of Valentine's Day.  I saw this recipe and immediately thought that it needed some pink and red candies in it and it would give me an excuse to buy those heart-shaped cookie cutters I've been eyeing :)  Anyway, these turned out good, I would definitely make them again.  They were soft and chewy and have a good cookie taste.

2 1/8 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
12 TBSPs butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted and cooled slightly
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 tsps vanilla extract
1 12oz bag M&M's, divided

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Adjust the oven rack to lower-middle position. Line a 9X13-inch baking pan with foil, letting the excess hang over the edges of the pan by about 1 inch so you can grab those edges and pull the bars from the pan after they have baked. Spray the foil-lined pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Mix the flour, salt, and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside. Whisk the melted butter and sugars in a large bowl until combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix well. Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until just combined; do not overmix. Fold in 1 cup of M&M's and turn the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the spatula. Sprinkle remaining M&M's on top and press in slightly.

3. Bake until the top of the bars is light golden brown, slightly firm to the touch, and edges start pulling away from sides of pan, 24-28 minutes. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature. Remove the bars from the pan by lifting the foil overhang and transfer them to a cutting board. Cut into squares and serve.

Recipe courtesy of http://fantasticfamilyfavorites.blogspot.com/2011/06/thick-and-chewy-m-cookie-bars.html

Sugar Cookie Bars

Well, these sounded like a great idea, but I wasn't pleased with how they turned out.  The sugar cookie part was more of a consistency of shortbread than a sugar cookie, kind of dry and dense.  The frosting was great, however, very yummy.  I'm not sure what I did wrong with these but they didn't turn out as expected.  Or maybe they did and I'm just not a fan.

Ingredients:

Cookies: 

• 2-1/2 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour is fine)
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. sour cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup half and half
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• Pinch of salt
• Several drops of food coloring (optional)

Directions:

1. COOKIES: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. (The longer you beat it, the fluffier your cookies will be.)
4. Add egg and combine well.
5. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix until completely blended.
6. Slowly add the flour mixture and stir until well combined.
7. Gently press the batter into the greased baking dish and spread out with hands. (If you butter your hands, this will help with the stickiness.)
8. Bake 17-20 minutes, or until edges become lightly golden.
9. Set aside to cool completely.
10. FROSTING: In a medium bowl, cream together butter, powdered sugar, and half and half until light and fluffy.
11. Stir in vanilla and salt, combine well.
12. Add food coloring until desired color.
13. Frost your cooled cookie bars evenly.
14. Cut into squares and serve.

Recipe courtesy of http://www.highheelsandgrills.com/2012/08/sugar-cookie-bars.html

Wendy's Chili Recipe?

If you haven't tried Wendy's chili, then you are missing out.  For a fast food chain, it is very good and decently healthy for you.  Low in fat and high in fiber.  This recipe claims that it's a copycat recipe but I'll be the judge of that.  The recipe was very meaty and thick and I doubled the spices and it turned out great.  Very flavorful, I had two servings :)  But, it was different than Wendy's, actually very different.  In a good way though, I think it might be better.  Give it a try yourself.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2-2 lbs ground beef
• 1 (10 ounce) cans French onion soup ( not creamy)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 drops Tabasco sauce
• 1 (21 ounce) cans red kidney beans ( undrained)
• 1 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce

Directions

1. In large saucepan or dutch oven, over med/high heat, brown beef.
2. Puree french onion soup in blender and pour over cooked beef.
3. Cook and stir until mixture is consistency of rice.
4. Stir in spices.
5. Add undrained beans, tomato paste and sauce and stir well.
6. Reduce heat to Low and simmer for 20 minutes or until piping hot and flavors have blended.
7. Add additional salt and pepper, chili powder or Tabasco to taste.

Recipe courtesy of http://www.food.com/recipe/wendys-chili-clone-21936