Oooey, Gooey Chocolate Bars

I found this recipe on Kelly's Korner the other day while browsing through her recipes and couldn't wait to make them. Wanted to share this yummy recipe with my friends & family as well. Enjoy!
1 c butter, melted (2 sticks)

1 Chocolate cake mix (18.25 oz)

3 large eggs

3-4 Tbsp cocoa powder (I used 3 "rounded" Tbsp)

1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 box (1 lb) powdered sugar

1 c chopped pecans (or walnuts) (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees & place rack in center. Lightly butter a 9x13 baking dish/pan. In a large bowl, beat together (with mixer on slow) cake mix, 1 egg & 1/2 c (1 stick) melted butter until well combined. Evenly pat out into prepared dish/pan & set aside.

In another mixing bowl, beat cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Beat in 2 remaining eggs & cocoa powder until well combined. Reduce speed to low and add powered sugar; beat until well combined. Gradually add remaining 1/2 c butter and vanilla extract - beat until smooth. Fold in pecans (or walnuts) with a rubber spatula & spread over cake mixture. Bake until set around edges but center is a little gooey - 40-50 minutes.

If you like German Chocolate cake, you can use a German Chocolate cake mix instead of plain chocolate & add 1 c. sweetened, flaked coconut when folding in pecans. I added 1/2 c pecans & 1/2 c Heath bar chips - it was Yummy!!!

Serve with Homemade Vanilla ice cream for a wonderful treat!

Kraft's Sky High Brunch Bake

I found this on Kraft's website & made for a Teacher's back-to-school breakfast. I made it again for my co-workers & had to pass out the recipe both times. When we're having food day, I get asked to bring this because it really is so good!

1 pkg (2 sheets) frozen pastry puff (thawed)
6 eggs
1 c. Ricotta cheese
dash of Tabasco sauce
2 pkg (10 oz each) chopped spinach, thawed & drained
1 lb sausage (hot or mild depending on taste), cooked & drained
1-1/2 c shredded Cheddar (or Mozzarella) cheese

4 slices bacon, cooked & chopped
1 c chopped red pepper
dash or two of red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook & drain sausage. (I cook the red peppers with the sausage.) Unfold pastry sheets; roll out one sheet to about 11 inch square & the other to 12 inch square. Line the bottom & side of greased (or foiled) 9x13 baking dish.

Beat eggs in medium bowl with wire whisk. Reserve 1 Tbsp of the eggs; set aside. Add ricotta cheese, pepper sauce & spinach to remaining eggs; mix until well blended. Layer half each of the sausage, Cheddar/Mozzarella cheese, bacon & spinach mixture in pastry-lined pan. Repeat layers.

Place remaining pastry sheet over mixture; fold & tuck edges in pan. Pinch edges to seal. Brush top with reserved 1 Tbsp egg. Cut 5 or 6 slots in top crust to allow steam to escape.

Bake 45 - 55 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

For a different taste, you can use Shredded Swiss cheese & chopped ham.

Dump Soup

Children can easily help make this recipe! All they have to do is....dump!

1 lb lean ground beef
2-10 3/4 oz cans minestrone soup (+2 cans water)
16 oz cans Ranch style beans
2-16 oz cans stewed tomatoes (or you can use Rotel)
15 oz can whole kernal corn, drained
1 c frozen hash brown potatoes

Brown beef & drain. (I add a small chopped onion & cook with beef!) Combine meat with remaining ingredients in medium-sized soup pot & bring to a boil. Reduce heat & simmer about 15 minutes. If soup appears too thick, add a little water. Makes 16 (3/4 cup) servings.

This recipe can be "doctored" so many different ways. You can add additional vegetables or even spice it up with Tabasco sauce and/or chili powder. Make a batch of my Mother's cornbread and you've got a meal!!!

Hawaiian Waffles

If you read "Breakfast - Food for Thought", I suggested to stay away from sugery breakfast items but this is such a good treat!!! I'd be lying if I told you I stayed completely away from foods that were not the best thing for me!

1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained 1/2 c sugar
1/2 c flaked coconut 1/2 c light corn syrup
1/4 c pineapple juice

Waffles:
2 c all-purpose flour 4 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp sugar 1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, separated 1 c milk
1/4 c butter or margarine, melted 1/4 c flaked coconut
1 can (8oz) crushed pineapple, drained 1/4 c chopped macadamia nuts
Add'l chopped macadamia nuts, toasted - optional

In a saucepan, combine the first 5 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 12-15 minutes or until sauce begins to thicken then set aside.

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar & salt. In a separate bowl, combine egg yolks, milk & butter; stir into dry ingredients just until combined. Stir in pineapple, coconut & nuts. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into batter (batter will be thick). Preheat waffle iron. Fill & bake according to manufacturer's directions. Top with pineapple sauce & additional nuts, if desired.