S'mores Popcorn and some more book talk

Recipe challenge, week twenty-eight

Continuing with the s'mores theme...

Yesterday, I had a to-do list a mile long. I was listening to my audiobook while I was driving around town and it got to be so good that I couldn't continue on with all the stuff I had to do because I had to finish the audiobook.  I sat at my desk and stared at the wall for like 5 hours while I listened to this book.  I browsed meaninglessly online, but I couldn't comprehend anything I was reading because I was so drawn into the story.

The Sea of Tranquility, in case you're wondering.  After I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads (is there a way to give 6 stars?), I started looking through the other 5 star books I'd read this year: The Girl on the Train, Coming Clean, The Storyteller, and One Plus One.  Also, Better Than Before, but that's like self-help so it probably doesn't count.  And I'd kind of like to go back and give The Storyteller 4 stars.  When I come across a book that's SO great, others kind of lose their luster. Or maybe The Sea of Tranquility is just a 6 star book.  Not only is it a fascinating story, but it's a fascinating story with an ending that kind of blew me away.  I predicted the ending like 28 seconds before it happened, just for the record.  The ending took it from "great story" to "whoa, this writer knows what she's doing".

Anyway.

That's why the laundry isn't done.

Here's some popcorn.

S'Mores Popcorn

1-2 bags of popped popcorn (I used about 1 1/2 bags of lightly salted, no butter)
20 large marshmallows or 2 cups mini-marshmallows

1 T. butter

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 t. vanilla

2 T. corn syrup

2 cups mini marshmallows

2 Hershey bars, melted

6 graham crackers, roughly chopped

NOTE: (Pour the popped popcorn into a bowl, and then put the popped kernels into another, bigger, bowl to separate the unpopped kernels...does that make sense? You do not want to chomp down on an unpopped kernel.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and corn syrup together.  It doesn't have to boil, just melt. Add in the marshmallows.  Stir well and let them melt.  When the mixture is nice and smooth, pour it over the popped popcorn and fold with a spatula to coat.  

Melt the Hershey bars (note: this doesn't really work with chocolate chips) at 30 second intervals in the microwave and stir until smooth.  Drizzle over the popcorn and fold it in with a spatula.  Add in the chopped graham crackers and toss it all to mix well.  

Store in a Ziploc bag.  It's best served right away but can last just fine overnight.  

Birthday Cake S'mores

Recipe challenge, week twenty-seven

This is a little over the top.  But it's also really tasty, so I'd try it at least once.

I didn't create this recipe.  I was in a downtown tourist shop a month or so ago and there was a little mini-cookbook that was called 100 Ways to Make S'mores, or something like that.  I really don't remember what it was called and it was like $15 so I wasn't going to buy it.  I tried to memorize a few recipes and this is the only one that stuck in my head for more than 24 hours (so that was not a good strategy...next time I'll be the person taking pictures of the book I'm not going to buy).

The idea of birthday cake slathered onto a s'more was almost too much to handle.  I also have been craving cake like crazy for some weird reason.  I'm not a cake person really.  And I've developed this really snobby attitude of not buying boxed cake mix anymore.  I even have cake flour in the cupboard for occasions such as this (or occasions such as Scott's birthday, because that was the last time I used the cake flour). One afternoon, I made cupcakes from scratch and frosting from scratch and then I froze the cupcakes because there are few things better than frozen cake covered in frosting.

So I took slices of cupcake and I melted some s'mores ingredients together and this is what I got.  If you keep the cake cold and put it onto a hot s'more you get this hot/cold effect that is fascinatingly amazing.

Again, if this seems absolutely crazy, it wasn't my idea.  If you absolutely love it, then you (absolutely) saw it here first.

Birthday Cake S'mores

Large marshmallows
Frozen cake w/ frosting, thinly sliced
Hershey's bars
Graham crackers

On a plate, place half of one graham cracker and a chunk of the Hershey's bar.  Microwave for 10 seconds.  Place the marshmallow on top of the chocolate and microwave for another 10 seconds.  Top with the cake and then the other graham cracker half.  Press down.  Eat immediately!

Caramel Rice Krispy Treats

I've been trying to do some baking here and there. But, let's face it, my days are pretty hum-drum right now.  I've been working on a lot of stuff for school, watching a lot of t.v. (re-runs and some new shows too), trying to keep the house clean and trying out some organizational tricks, and reading a lot of books.

The dogs are at their wits' ends.  They are getting tired of me, I can tell.  However, Jett (being on steroids) is hungrier than normal and Scout (who is a picky eater) has taken to guarding his food bowl.  He'll just lay there beside it so Jett can't get it, yet he won't eat it.  He's so much like me...he doesn't even realize it.

That is why this post is just now going up when it should have been prescheduled for this morning: I've been busy doing a whole lot of nothing, like taking pictures of dogs who are holding a stand-off over a food bowl.

Regardless...

Recipe challenge, week twenty-six (halfway there!)

I kind of wanted to save this recipe for a rainy day, because you would want to eat it on a rainy day.  But I figure this weekend is the 4th of July and if you need a last minute treat to take somewhere, this would be perfect.

It takes 10 minutes to whip up this dessert and, if you can get it out of the house without eating it all, I'm sure it will be enjoyed by all.

I bought a bag of caramel bits because they are like eating a bag of pure sugar and I rather enjoy them...but I bought them for this cookie recipe I was going to try and then I ate them all, so I had to buy another bag.  And then I lost my patience with the idea of of the cookie-baking process.  Rice Krispy treats only take a few minutes though, so this no-bake recipe is what I used the remaining bag of caramel bits for.  So I suppose I've eaten a lot of caramel in the last two weeks...

(don't mind the cashews)

Caramel Rice Krispy Treats
makes an 8x8 pan (for thicker bars) or a 9x13 pan (for thinner bars)

1 cup caramel bits 

1 10-oz bag mini marshmallows

4 T. butter

1 t. vanilla

6 cups Rice Krispy cereal

In a large saucepan, melt the butter.  Stir in vanilla and mini marshmallows. Mix well until the marshmallows have melted. Stir in the caramel bits and allow them to melt, over very low heat. Keep stirring.

Fold in the cereal until it's all covered with the marshmallow mixture.

Spread into an 8x8 pan for thick bars or a 9x13 pan for thinner ones. Store covered.  

Leftover-Easter-Candy Rice Krispy Treats

I actually bought little to no Easter candy this year.

I didn't really see the need because we don't do Easter baskets.  We're adults.  We buy candy whenever we want.  Case in point: We have made our way through approximately half a dozen bags of carrot cake M&Ms in the last month.  These things…I just don't have the ability to stop eating them.  

Since I wasn't going to make a whole fancy dessert to go with our super fancy (no) Easter dinner of chicken, sugar snap peas, and corn on the cob, I decided to just chop up the remnants of the (currently open) bag and put together my treat of choice.  

I like that you can do this with ANY leftover candy.  I'm assuming you have extra bags or baskets of candy laying around; Whoppers/Robin Eggs, Mini Cadbury eggs, chop up Reeses' eggs, or even chop up your chocolate bunnies!  It'll all work!  

And then take the tray of Rice Krispy treats to work and leave them in the lounge or break room.  I'd do that, but that doesn't happen here.  I recommend it though, if you're using this as a way to get candy out of your visual path.

Leftover-Easter-Candy Rice Krispy Treats

makes a 8x8 or 9x13 pan

1 cup chopped Easter candy (I used M&Ms)

1/2 cup sweetened coconut (because I had it in the cupboard)

1 10-oz bag mini marshmallows

4 T. butter

1 t. vanilla

6 cups Rice Krispy cereal

In a large saucepan, melt the butter.  Stir in the, coconut, vanilla, and mini marshmallows. 

Mix well until the marshmallows have melted. 

Fold in the cereal until it's all covered with the marshmallow mixture.  Remove from heat.

Fold in the candy at this point so it doesn't melt.

Spread into an 8x8 pan for thick bars or a 9x13 pan for thinner ones.

Best of 2013: Recipes

Your favorites from 2013…. 

5.  Brownie Batter Fudge

An extra-rich chocolate fudge that gets its punch from some boxed brownie mix.

4.  Easy Peanut Butter Cookie Cake

I still remember the day I OD'd on this.  HIGHLY recommended.  Just make it.  Maybe you should share it though.  

3.  Brownie Batter Rice Krispy Treats

Again, extra-richness from some boxed brownie mix and a drizzle of chocolate frosting.

2.  Cookie Butter Muddy Buddies

Ironically, this was my first recipe of the year, posted on January 1st.  Something about powdered sugar, peanut butter, and then the crunchiness of Chex just equals a trifecta of perfection.

It's been awhile.  I need to make some muddy buddies again soon.

And, #1 on the list of favorite desserts this year……

1.  Cake Batter Rice Krispy Treats

Your favorite was my favorite too!  Some of my recipes, I never repeat because I didn't love them enough or they weren't practical.  THESE are Rice Krispy treats that I've made again and again.  They would be excellent for a New Year's get-together.  Even as a gluten-free birthday treat if you use GF cake mix.  I'm so glad you all love these Rice Krispy treats as much as I do :)

Thank you so much for reading, pinning, and trying my recipes.  Even though I don't do it nearly enough, I love to create in the kitchen and I'm so happy to have a place to share these treats.

Here's to more sugar in the new year!

Here's the list of favorite desserts from 2012.  Any requests for 2014?  

Chocolate Payday Bars (Copycat recipe)

If you are in need of a sweet treat for the 4th of July tomorrow, read on:

This is probably just glorified fudge.  It really does have the texture of a candy bar though.  Super chewy, salty, sweet...you won't be able to eat just one.  I averaged three a day while that bagful sat in the freezer.  They're not too chocolatey, and the sea salt really balances out the sweetness of that liquid gold, also known as sweetened condensed milk.

These "candy bars" are gluten-free, and I originally made them because I saw a yummy looking gluten-free recipe on Pinterest but didn't have all the ingredients.  This is my adaption.  We were going to a dinner at a friend's house, but one of our friends has to eat gluten-free.  Turns out, as usual, we'd all brought a dessert.  Completely overkill, but good for me:  We took most of these home.  I can't complain about that.

Chocolate Payday Bars
makes a 9x13 pan
adapted from this recipe

2 cups peanuts, separated (I used dry roasted but honey roasted would be great.)
2 T. butter
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 t. vanilla
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 t. sea salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Line a 9x13 pan with foil.  Spread 1 1/2 cups of peanuts into the bottom of the pan.

In a saucepan, melt the butter.  Add in the peanut butter, chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla.  Stir well to combine over medium heat.  When the mixture is smooth, add in the marshmallows and let them melt, turning off the heat. Stir well.

Spread into the pan evenly over top of the layer of peanuts.  Sprinkle the top with sea salt and then with the rest of the peanuts.  Refrigerate or freeze for a few hours, and cut into bars.  Store in the fridge or freezer.

Note:  I kept them in the freezer in a Ziploc bag and the longer they were in there, the better they tasted.  Don't skip the sea salt!  It's the best part!

White Chocolate S'mores Rice Krispy Treats (and Mad Men)

Pete's greatest victory in life so far: Bargain-hunting

1. Peggy's never going to be happy.

2. Don is starting to tell the truth.

3.  I'm finally okay with "new" Bobby.  When he started last season, I missed "old" Bobby.  At least they never tried to replace Sally.

4.  It's interesting that Megan lets Don do whatever he wants for 2 years and then chooses to stand up for herself all in one episode.  Also, she's still alive.  I was looking forward to a scandal.

5.  Matthew Weiner really knows how to make 11 episodes completely uneventful and then pack the little bit of action he has up his sleeve into,what, like 48 minutes?

6.  I was hoping Pete Campbell in the Chevy showroom would turn into something like this.  Liven it up a little.

 Scott refuses to watch Mad Men but he'll sit next to me while I'm watching and ask me questions about it.  How do you even begin to explain these relationships this many seasons in?  Which means I'll probably have to watch it again today because I missed half of what Don said.

Here's some rice krispy treats.  I just needed a vehicle to a Mad Men discussion.

White Chocolate S'mores Rice Krispy Treats

1 cup white chocolate chips, divided

1 10-oz bag mini marshmallows

4 T. butter

2 t. vanilla

6 cup Rice Krispy cereal

8 graham crackers, broken into small pieces

In a large saucepan, melt the butter.  Stir in half the white chocolate chips, vanilla, and mini marshmallows. Mix well until the marshmallows have melted. 

Fold in the cereal until it's all covered with the marshmallow mixture.  Add in the graham cracker pieces and the other half of the chocolate chips.

Spread into an 8x8 pan for thick bars or a 9x13 pan for thinner ones.

Sharing at Mingle Monday

Brownie Batter Rice Krispy Treats

Let it be duly noted that I made these almost 2 weeks ago.  They are long, long gone.

I have a serious issue with rice krispy treats these days.  I can't stop eating them.  I don't know what my problem is.  I don't even feel like eating ice cream!  I just want gooey stuff.  So strange.

Since I've been doing a pretty intense cardio workout each weekday, I've noticed that my hunger has really kicked in.  Before 2 weeks ago, I was doing cardio once, or maybe twice, a week.  That is kind of sad for me, because I'm capable of doing cardio each day.  That's what I was thinking while I ran that 5K our first week here...Scott told me I looked like a runner before the race.  I just laughed.  But then, as I trudged those few miles through the woods (yeah), I thought, "You know, there's nothing stopping me from doing this..no injuries, no physical limitations. My legs don't really hurt.  My lungs are okay...I just don't want to do this everyday."

I need to work on my willpower, I guess.

So anyway, the point is, I've been eating a rice krispy treat in some form or another, like, everyday.  That cannot be a good thing.

When I asked Scott what flavor he thought these were, he said, "Cocoa".  No.  They're much more inventive than that because I can't get off the brownie train.

Brownie Batter Rice Krispy Treats

makes a 9x13 pan

3/4 cup dry boxed brownie mix

1/2 cup chocolate frosting, plus extra for drizzling (I used Pillsbury.)

1 10-oz bag mini marshmallows

4 T. butter

1 t. vanilla

6 cups Rice Krispy cereal

In a large saucepan, melt the butter.  Stir in the brownie mix, frosting, vanilla, and mini marshmallows. Mix well until the marshmallows have melted. 

Fold in the cereal until it's all covered with the marshmallow mixture.

Spread into an 8x8 pan for thick bars or a 9x13 pan for thinner ones.

Brownie Batter Fudge

A few weeks ago, a fellow army wife started talking about brownies and how good they were.  Her husband mentioned that brownies don't last long in their house and I thought, "Hmmm, sounds familiar."

We were out at a dinner, and while they discussed favorite desserts, I sat there mourning the fact that my baking sheets, pans, mixer, ingredients, etc, had all been packed up and were currently on a barge somewhere.  I wanted a brownie. Not just one, but a whole pan.

Years ago, I stopped buying brownie mix, because there was no point in me making brownies twice a week.  Well, there was a point in it, but it wasn't a good or a healthy one.  Especially if I also had a can of frosting somewhere in the kitchen.

So, in reflecting on some of the brownie recipes I've made in the last few years, I started missing my kitchen.  Well, not THAT kind-of-hideous kitchen in Alaska, but having my own kitchen in general.
Alaska was good for my desire to bake...I'll give it that.

Hot Fudge Brownie Milkshakes
Peanut Butter Cake Shakes
Caramel Brownie Pie
Peppermint Brownies
Kahlua Brownie Sundaes
One-Bowl Brownies
Salted Hot Fudge Caramel Brownies

So now, we have Brownie Batter Fudge.  It's chocolatey and chewy (as usual), but with the flavor of boxed brownie mix.  I don't care how many brownie recipes you have: Boxed brownie mix definitely has its place, right?? :)

Brownie Batter Fudge
makes an 8x8 pan

1 1/2 cups sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
2 T. butter
1/4 t. salt
2 cups mini marshmallows (plus extra for the top if you'd like)
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I use about half a bag)
1 t. vanilla
1/4 cup dry boxed brownie mix
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Combine sugar, milk, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat and stir constantly for 4-5 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in the marshmallows, chips, brownie mix, and vanilla.  Stir vigorously until all is incorporated.  Add the nuts.

Spread into a foil-lined and greased 8x8 inch pan, and top with extra marshmallows.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting.  I left mine in the fridge for about 6 hours and it was perfect.  Remove the foil from the pan and cut the fudge into squares.

Funfetti Popcorn

A pre-scheduled post...

As I type on this snowy April day, I'm quite annoyed at the stupid bag of funfetti popcorn that I made.  Some of it got more caramel-y marshmallow-y sauce on it than other parts.  So I'm digging through the bag, picking out the chewy stuff, ruining my dinner and my teeth.  

Hmph.

If you're going to make this, just...share it.  Please. I threw the bag across the room.  Scott found it and finished it off.  Teamwork is important.

Funfetti Popcorn

inspired by this recipe

1 T. butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup vanilla or cream cheese frosting

1/2 cup powdered cake mix (white, yellow, or funfetti)

1 t. vanilla

2 T. corn syrup

2 cups mini marshmallows

Sprinkles

1 bag popped popcorn (Pour the popped popcorn into a bowl, and then put the popped kernels into another, bigger, bowl to separate the unpopped kernels...does that make sense? You do not want to chomp down on an unpopped kernel. Speaking from experience. Twice.)

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and corn syrup together.  It doesn't have to boil or anything.  Stir in the cake mix and frosting.  Once combined, add in the marshmallows.  Stir well and let them melt.  When the mixture is nice and smooth, pour it over the popped popcorn and fold with a spatula to coat.  Decorate with sprinkles.  Serve warm or store in an airtight container once cooled.

Muddy Buddy Bars

I didn't eat this for dinner on a Friday night.  I didn't eat this for dinner on a Friday night.  I didn't....okay, I did.

And I think it was worth it.

Scott was upset that I "fed" him puppy chow (He calls it puppy chow, I call it muddy buddies...it's a confusing house to live in).  You see, he came home from work early one day after working an overnight shift and got into the bowl of muddy-buddy goodness (I had artfully hidden it on top of the fridge).  He claimed it was my fault, and I was trying to fatten him up again. 

Uh, no.  I do not force the crunchy chooclatey-peanut-buttery goodness down your throat, darling. 

And trust me: Had I known he was coming home from work early, I wouldn't have left it out in plain sight.  Usually I  stash these kinds of treats away for myself.

Do you call them Muddy Buddies or Puppy Chow?? (Kate Gosselin calls it Monkey Mix...did you see that episode years ago??)

I made these S'mores Bars last year and they were really good.  This recipe, I think, is more or less my own perfected version of that.  Like with the Cake Batter Rice Krispy Treats, the addition of frosting makes these bars so rich and chewy.

Also, like with those rice krispy treats, I ate most of this straight from the bowl.  The glass pan thing was a blog formality.

Muddy Buddy Bars

2 cups marshmallows
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup cream cheese frosting
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 T. butter
1/2 cup powdered cake mix (I used White.)
4-5 cups of Rice Chex

In a large microwaveable bowl, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter together for about 45 seconds..  Stir well.  Stir in the frosting, marshmallows, and powdered cake mix.  Heat for another 45 seconds, until it's well-combined. 

Fold in the Rice Chex until coated.  The marshmallows hold the mixture together in clumps, unlike regular muddy buddies.

Spread into an 8x8 pan (actually 9x12 would work, but I ate so many out of the bowl...).  Store in an airtight container.

Cake Batter Rice Krispy Treats

I'm not messing around with this one.

I followed a recipe (that usually doesn't happen).  I made these particularly thick and chewy.  They were, hands down, the best rice krispy treats, I'd ever had.  I credit the frosting I mixed into the melted marshmallows.

I think I ate, maybe, 6 rice krispy treats in my entire life up until the summer of 2008.

At that point, I had just graduated college and was living at home.  In between job interviews, working at a bar, and pathetic attempts at trying to run, I started making rice krispy treats quite often.  I'm not sure where this came from, other than the fact that my mom kept very well-stocked cupboards, and there were always marshmallows and rice krispies available.  I made a pan at least a few nights a week and, if we're being honest, I ate most of it right out of the pot I stirred it up in.  I do that with no-bake cookies too.

I forgot about my deep-seeded love for the rice krispy treat until last spring when I started creating some new combinations.  S'mores, Funfetti, White Chocolate. 

But these ones?  They are the ultimate rice krispy treat.

Cake Batter Rice Krispy Treats

From the back of the cereal box

1/2 cup yellow cake mix (or white, or funfetti, or whatever)

1/2 cup cream cheese frosting

1 10-oz bag mini marshmallows

4 T. butter

1 t. vanilla

6 cup Rice Krispy cereal

In a large saucepan, melt the butter.  Stir in the cake mix, cream cheese frosting, vanilla, and mini marshmallows. Mix well until the marshmallows have melted. 

Fold in the cereal until it's all covered with the marshmallow mixture.

Spread into an 8x8 pan for thick bars or a 9x13 pan for thinner ones.

Happy Rice-Krispy-Treat-Eating!