Turtle Rice Krispie Treats

Here’s a fun twist on regular Rice Krispie Treats...which happen to be a weakness of mine. IT Guy loves caramel, chocolate and pecans so I knew he would love these. When you’re in the mood for something a little jazzier than the ones with marshmallows...or you don’t like marshmallows, then this is for you! Pretty easy and stinkin’ good!

Turtle Rice Krispie Treats

Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees THEN TURN OFF.

1 12-ounce box of Rice Krispies

3 11-ounce bags of caramels ~ reserve 15 caramels

1 12-ounce bag chocolate chips

1 cup chopped pecans

3 tablespoons of water ~ divided use

Unwrap all but 15 of the caramels and place in a large bowl.

 Pour 2 tablespoons of the water over the caramels.

Microwave caramels at 30 second intervals until melted, stirring each time.

Pour in the cereal and stir until evenly coated.

Press cereal mixture into the pan, packing it down firmly.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over cereal mixture.

Place pan in the warm oven (it’s been turned OFF!!) for 10 minutes.

Remove pan from the oven and spread chocolate chips with the back of a spoon to make a frosting.

Sprinkle with pecans.

In a small bowl, melt the reserved 15 caramels with the remaining 1 tablespoon of water in the microwave, stirring every few seconds.

Drizzle melted caramel over the pecans.

Allow to cool and set up before cutting.

Here we go...let's make some treats!

Set aside 15 caramels from the 

stash and melt the rest with 2 

tablespoons of water.

Mix the Rice Krispies with 

the melted caramel.

Sprinkle with the chocolate chips 

then place in the warmed oven.

Spread the melted chocolate chips 

with a spoon to create a frosting.

Sprinkle with the chopped pecans 

then drizzle with the remaining 

caramels that have been melted 

with the remaining tablespoon of water.

Allow to set up then eat!

Chocolate Lava Cake

The first time I had this was years and years ago at a restaurant. It was a new thing then and I was in love. Now everyone and their brother is making them and I bet they’re all wonderful. It doesn’t matter what you call it...Molten Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cobbler, Chocolate Lava Cake...they’re basically the same thing and delicious. The inside is filled with melting chocolate but the outside is cake! It’s like magic! And then the ice cream gets all soft and melty into the chocolate....yum! These are a snap to throw together. But don’t forget that vanilla ice cream...you’re going to need it.

Chocolate Lava Cake

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup cocoa ~ divided use

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

4 tablespoons butter ~ melted

1 egg yolk

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8x8 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup of the sugar and 1/4 cup of the cocoa. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, remaining 1/4 cup of cocoa, baking powder and salt.

In a small bowl, whisk the milk, melted butter, vanilla and egg until smooth. Pour into the flour mixture and stir until combined.

Add the chocolate chips.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan.

Sprinkle the reserved sugar/cocoa mixture evenly over the batter.

Gently pour boiling water over the sugar/cocoa mixture. DO NOT STIR!

Bake for about 25 minutes until top is crackled and sauce is bubbling. Test with a toothpick in the cake part to ensure done-ness.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Okay.....let's get serious about this!

In a small bowl, whisk together the 

1/2 cup of the sugar and 1/4 cup 

of the cocoa. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 

the flour, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, remaining 1/4 cup of cocoa, baking powder and salt. (I took the picture before I added the cocoa to this. 

ADD THE COCOA!!)

In a small bowl, whisk the milk, 

melted butter, vanilla and egg 

until smooth.

Pour into the flour mixture and stir 

until combined. See? I told you to 

add the cocoa! I remembered!

Dump in the chocolate chips!

Spread the batter into the prepared 

pan. then sprinkle with the 

reserved cocoa/sugar mixture.

Gently pour the hot water over 

the batter. DON'T STIR!! DON'T!!!

Then bake!

Let it sit for a few minutes then 

scoop out all that chocolate goodness into a bowl and add the ice cream. Do you hear it? Those are angels singing!

Turtle Poke Brownies

Poke CAKES are fun, right? How about a poke BROWNIE? Yeah...that's right, you heard me. Chocolate, caramel, pecans...what's not to love? I saw a picture of this run through my Pinterest feed but the brownies were homemade. I decided to switch it up to a box mix because hey...this IS SIMPLE FARE, right? So starting with a basic brownie mix, you can soon have something decadent and wonderful. Richness galore....you're going to hate me. HAHAHA! To top off the whole she-bang, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. That seals the deal right there. You're welcome.

Turtle Poke Brownies




1 fudge brownie mix (plus the ingredients to make it)
1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 to 1 1/2 cups caramel ice cream topping
Chocolate frosting ~ recipe follows

Spray the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray. Preheat oven to temp on the brownie mix box.

Prepare brownie mix using the directions for CAKE LIKE brownies. Usually that means adding one extra egg.

Add 1 cup mini chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped pecans to the batter.

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for amount of time directed on the box.

Allow pan to cool for 15 minutes.

Poke holes all over brownie with the end of a wooden spoon.

Pour 1 cup of the caramel sauce over the holes and on top. Spread to smooth.

Frost with chocolate frosting.

Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips and pecans over frosting then drizzle with remaining caramel sauce.


Chocolate Frosting

6 tablespoons softened butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 tablespoons milk

In a medium bowl, combine the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, corn syrup and vanilla.

Pour in enough milk to thin the chocolate mixture and stir until smooth.

Frost brownies.

 

Let's make some brownies!

 

Prepare brownie mix using the 

directions for CAKE LIKE brownies. 

Usually that means adding one extra egg.

 

Add 1 cup mini chocolate chips and 

1 cup chopped pecans to the batter.

 

Pour batter into the prepared pan. 

Bake for amount of time directed 

on the box.

 

Allow pan to cool for 15 minutes. 

Poke holes all over brownie with 

the end of a wooden spoon.

 

Pour 1 cup of the caramel sauce over 

the holes and on top. Spread to smooth.

 

Now let's make the frosting. In a 

medium bowl, combine the butter, 

powdered sugar, cocoa, corn syrup and vanilla.

 

Pour in enough milk to thin the 

chocolate mixture and stir until smooth.

 

Frost the brownies with chocolate 

frosting. Sprinkle remaining chocolate 

chips and pecans over frosting then 

drizzle with remaining caramel sauce.

 

Slice and eat! Don't forget the milk!

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

The recent Labor Day weekend proved very busy for us with all of our family coming and going. I knew I needed to have some snacks on hand, preferably for the little ones. This is my banana bread recipe reworked for individual servings that turned out to be the perfect thing! The little guys love muffins and when you put chocolate chips in them, they think it's a real treat! These are great to go along with breakfast or to toss in a lunch or for a quick snack on the go! Yummy!

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins



1/3 cup shortening
½ cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place muffin liners into a muffin tin.

Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy.

Add eggs and beat well.

Add the dry ingredients and mix briefly.

Mix in the mashed bananas.

Now stir in the chocolate chips.

Scoop mixture into muffin cups.
Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Allow to cool in the pan 5 minutes then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes about 15 muffins.

 

Let's make some muffins!

 

Cream together the shortening and the sugar.

 

Then add the eggs.

 

Add the dry ingredients.

 

Then the mashed banana.

 

Stir in the chocolate chips.

 

Scoop....

 

..and bake!

 

See how easy? And yummy, too!

Dark Chocolate Chip Chocolate Cookies

If you like chocolate.....I mean if you REAAAAAALYYYY like chocolate, then here you go and you're welcome. These yummy cookies start with a chocolate dough then some dark chocolate chips are thrown in and...well, it's a chocolate lover's dream is what it is. Just make sure you've got a big ole' glass of milk standing by because you're gonna need it.
Dark Chocolate Chip 
Chocolate Cookies



1/2 cup butter (1 stick) ~ softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 cups flour
1 10-ounce bag dark chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.

Cream together butter and sugars in a large bowl until fluffy.

Add vanilla and eggs.

Add baking soda, salt, cocoa powder and flour and stir until everything is well mixed.

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Scoop cookie dough by the tablespoonful onto the prepared baking sheets, or use a cookie scoop. Press the tops of the cookies down a little bit. These are not going to spread out very much. They'll be kind of fat.

Bake cookies for about 7-8 minutes.

Allow cookies to rest on cookie sheet for another 2-3 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.


 

Here we go!

 

Mix the butter with the sugars.

 

Add the eggs and vanilla.

 

Then the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda.

 

Then the dark chocolate chips.

 

Scoop and bake!

 

Get your milk! These are chocolate-y!

Chocolate Chip Pecan Bars with Carmel Drizzle

Pecan pie is just so-so for me. I can take it or leave it...meh. But, you know me, I'm always striving to make yummy things around here and since other family members LOVE pecan pie, I knew these would be a hit. These are so rich and decadent. This recipe only makes a small pan which is a good thing because you can only eat so much of a good thing, right? Unless it's bacon. But you really should try these....ooey, gooey, sticky and delicious!


Chocolate Chip Pecan Bars 
with Carmel Drizzle



Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 8x8 inch baking pan with foil. Spray with cooking spray.

Crust:

1 cup flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter ~ softened

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Press mixture into prepared pan.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Sprinkle crust with 1 cup rough chopped pecans and 1 cup chocolate chips.


Filling:

1/3 cup dark Karo syrup
1 egg
1/3 cup brown sugar
dash salt

Mix ingredients in a small bowl. 

Pour filling over pecans and chocolate chips on the crust.

Press down with a spatula to make sure filling is evenly distributed.

Bake for 18 - 20 minutes until filling is set.

Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temp.

Lift out of the pan using the foil then slice.

Drizzle bars with 1/2 cup caramel topping. 



 

The stuff.

 

Line your pan with foil the 

spray with cooking spray.

 

Mix up the stuff for the crust.

 

Press it into the pan then pre-bake 

it for about 15 minutes.

 

Now for the filling. Combine the 

egg, salt, karo syrup, vanilla 

and brown sugar.

 

Sprinkle nuts and chocolate chips 

over the pre-baked crust. Pour the 

filling over the nuts and press down 

with a spatula a little bit to make 

sure the filling is evenly distributed.

 

Bake!

 

Allow to cool then lift out of the pan and slice.

 

Ooey, gooey and delicious!