What's More American Than A Root Beer Float (Brownie)?

I have been blogging for about 2 months now.  I am really enjoying it and I hope that you all are enjoying reading about my experiments.  I feel like I blog about food & recipes a lot and tonight will be no exception.  Not just am I getting a chance to write but I'm also doing new things.  From the different cleaning methods I've tried to different techniques in cooking I've never tried before.  Tonight's recipe is no exception. 

 

Until tonight I had never baked in a foil lined pan. 

 

So what was I baking?

Well, with the 4th of July approaching my thoughts turn to birthdays (mine is the 3rd) and all things American (apple pie, baseball, Mom, small town parades and root beer floats).

So tonight I made root beer float brownies!

 

 

Melting butter, semi-sweet chocolate and white chocolate chips

 

 

 

Mixing eggs, white sugar, brown sugar and vanilla

 

 

 

 

A little too excited about root beer!!

Thanks to my 3-yr-old photographer and cooking assistant for a fun picture!

 

 

 

 

Baking away!

 

 

 

 

Frosting time!  Butter, powdered sugar and root beer!

 

 

 

Original recipe pinned from cookiesandcups.com

 

Recipe: Root Beer Float Brownies

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 6 oz chopped semi sweet chocolate
• 3 oz white chocolate
• 4 Tbsp. butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 8 oz. root beer
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°
2. Line a 9×9 baking dish with aluminum foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.
3. Sift flour, cocoa powder and salt in a bowl and set aside.
4. Over a double boiler (or in microwave) melt the butter, semi-sweet and white chocolates together.
5. Remove from heat when just melted and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
6. Using your mixer mix the eggs, sugars and vanilla together.
7. Slowly add in the cooled chocolate mixture.
8. Now add half the flour and half the root beer. Mix on low, scraping the sides.
9. Repeat with the remaining flour and root beer until just combined. Batter will be on the thin side.
10. Pour batter into your prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes, until center is just set.
11. Let cool completely before cutting or frosting.

Quick notes

adapted from Baking Bites

Preparation time: 40 minute(s)
Cooking time: 25 minute(s)

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Recipe: Root Beer Frosting

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup room temp butter
• 1/3 cup root beer, no foam
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp. root beer extract (optional)

Instructions

1. Beat butter on medium speed until smooth.
2. Slowly add in your powdered sugar and mix in.
3. Now add your root beer and extract, if desired.
4. Beat on medium until smooth and all ingredients are incorporated.

Quick notes

The root beer extract is optional. It will give the frosting more of a distinct root beer flavor. Always add more or less powdered sugar until the consistency you desire is reached.

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)

Enjoy!


I did not use the root beer extract and I only used 3 cups of powdered sugar. 
Tip:  Be sure to get the frosting beat until smooth; mine was a little grainy still.

These brownies are amazing but definitely a sugar rush!!

 

 

Happy 4th of July early!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cookies For Breakfast

Cookies: Are they healthy or not?  This is one of the greatest dilemmas of all times!  I found a great recipe for yummy healthy cookies that are intended to eat for breakfast!  Win-Win!!

Start out with ripe bananas, peanut butter (I used honey peanut butter), applesauce and vanilla extract.

 

Add some instant oatmeal and some nuts & chocolate chips (if you like).

Let sit for 10 mins

 

Father's Day morning and my oven was multi-tasking. 

Cooking chicken for lunch and baking cookies!

 

Yummy!

 

Recipe originally pinned from http://watching-what-I-eat.blogspot.com

 

 

2 ripe bananas, mashed until smooth & creamy

1/3 cup peanut butter ~ creamy or chunky 

2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 scoop vanilla protein powder ** (can be made without, cookie will just be lower in protein)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp butter flavor extract ** (optional)

1 1/2 cups quick oatmeal  ~ uncooked  (or use old fashioned oats for more oatmeal texture)

1/4 cup chopped nuts (peanut, walnut, or your favorite)

1/4 cup carob or chocolate chips (**optional)

 

Preheat heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix mashed banana & peanut butter until completely combined then add in the applesauce, vanilla protein powder & the extract(s) ~ mix again until all are completely combined.

Add in the oatmeal & nuts to the banana mixture & combine.  (** add the optional carob / chocolate chips at this time if you want them mixed throughout)

Let dough rest for 10 minutes.

Drop cookie dough, by spoonfuls, onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet & flatten cookies into circles. (** if you just want the carob / chocolate chips on the top of the cookies, add now)

 

Bake cookies approx. 20-30 minutes (some like their cookies less cooked, some cooked more - try it both ways to find which works best for your tastes) or until golden brown & done.  Remove from oven & let rest on cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then move to cooling rack.  (if you want the traditional fork tong marks on the cookies, use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to score the tops of the cookies while they're still warm) 
When cookies are completely cool, store in a covered container.  Enjoy!

 

Misc. Projects

I have a few smaller projects I've done that didn't seem long enough for a full blog by themselves so I've combined a few into one blog.


1.  Towels. 
Try washing your towels in hot water with one cup vinegar instead of your regular soap.  Then wash again in hot water with 1/2 cup baking soda instead of your regular soap.  I can't vouch for how much better they smell because my nose was stuffed up when I did this but they sure felt cleaner!!


2.  Shower Head

 

Icky!

 

 

Put 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar in a Ziploc bag.  Mixing slowly as it will react!

Attach Ziploc bag to shower head with a rubber band (make sure you get a stretched out one or you will find yourself like me: Standing on the side of the bathtub hollering for your hubby to get a stretched out ponytail holder!). 

Let sit at least 4 hrs (overnight is better if it's really bad). 

Wipe off extra with damp rag.

(Originally pinned from www.ingodseconomy.com)

 

Much better!  Can't wait to take a shower!

 

 

3.  Unplugging DD from TV.

www.notimeforflashcards.com has some great ideas of TV-free ideas you can do with your toddler.

I tried a couple today.  They are so simple and some are things that make you do a face palm because you totally should have thought of this yourself!  Like one we did today, which was to toss bean bags into laundry baskets.  We did soft-sided baby blocks into an empty diaper box.  At bed time I put a diaper box in her doorway and challenged her that she had to make a basket with all of them before she could go to bed and I didn't think she could do it.  At first, she wanted to build a castle with them but I kept jokingly challenging her until she had to prove Mom wrong!  She did and got a High-5! 

 

The other one we tried today was a modification on painting with yogurt.  I would never let my child play in her food but to make breakfast fun I dumped her yogurt on a plate and make a smiley face in it.  Just a simple, cheery way to start the day!

 

Another fun TV-free activity we have done came from www.iheartcraftythings.com.

They re-enacted the children's book "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" with magnets on a cookie sheet.  I have never read this book so wasn't real familiar with their original idea but one day I let DD play with magnets on a cookie sheet in the living room.  She quickly bored of it.  I think because she's such a pro at the alphabet but we both agreed it would be a fun activity for a fun road trip.

 

 

Hope you got some fun, easy ideas from my blog today and until next time, Keep Pinnin'!

 

 



*Not so* (Red Velvet) Cheesecake Brownies

This pan is about to receive the perfectly blended ingredients for...

 

Orange Velvet?  Hmmm...not looking so red.  Maybe some more red food coloring would be good?

 

 

Brownie layer

 

 

Baking away!

 

Here is the recipe if you, too, would like to make Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies:

 

(originally pinned from http://doughmesstic.com)

 

Ingredients

• 10 Tablespoons butter
• 3 ounces dark or semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• Red Food Coloring (I used 6 drops - obviously not enough!)
• 3/4 cup All Purpose Flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
For the Cheesecake Layer
• 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• pinch salt
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Prepare 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper long enough to hang over on two sides, making it easier to remove from pan once baked. Spray pan and paper.
2. In small saucepot over medium heat, or in the microwave, melt chocolate and butter until smooth. Allow to cool slightly.
3. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, vanilla and red food coloring with the sugar. Slowly add in chocolate mixture until well combined.
4. In small bowl, sift together cocoa, salt and flour. Add mixture to rest of batter. Do not overmix.
5. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.

 

For the Cheesecake Layer
1. Beat ingredients together until smooth. Pour over brownie batter. Use sharp knife to swirl together.
2. Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, or until just set and toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool. Enjoy!

I baked it for 1 hr then checked it.  The toothpick came out clean but when we ate them they just seemed a little done.  Not burnt, just a little done.

 

Brownie anyone?

 

 

 

I decided to make these brownies as a special thank you treat for my Hubby.  He is a member of our local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team).  This week they were activated to a near-by town who was on a boil order.  They unloaded many bottles of water, set up a distribution center and delivered to those unable to make it to the distribution center.  He worked hard on the days he was able to go and wished he could be there on the days he couldn't be.  Don't ever underestimate the hard work volunteers do for their community.  Be sure to thank your local emergency responders!

 

So what was the verdict? 

"They were good, although a little done so you'd probably better keep practicing." 

I think that's his way of asking me to make them again!

 

These brownies may have been made for a serious cause but I couldn't resist a silly selfie!

 

 

 

 

Stinky, Stinky, Stinky!

So, you know those problem areas that just get a funky odor?  Things like trashcans, sink drains, shoes??  Did you know that baking soda is an odor neutralizer?  I have used baking soda to help neutralize odors in all of those locations.


Trashcans:  When changing the bag, sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of the can.  I especially noticed the improvement in my 3-yr-old's diaper can!

Sink Drains:  Pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain.  Put in 1/3 cup baking soda.  After a few moments, pour down a mixture of vinegar and hot water (I've seen 1 cup each.  The first time I tried it I only had 1/3 cup vinegar and then just added enough hot water to get to 1 1/2 cups).  Let it sit 15 - 20 mins and follow up with another kettle of boiling water.

Shoes:  Not to embarrass my hubby or be disrespectful or anything rude like that, but his shoes (especially his work shoes) can be downright nasty!  Unfortunately, our daughter has stinky feet issues, too.  So last Friday night after hubby was in bed I snuck some baking soda into the bottom of his work boots.  I haven't been brave enough to stick my nose down them yet but he's only worked 5 hrs since then so it hasn't gotten a real tough work-out.  It didn't bother his feet, though, so there may be hope for stink-less feet at the Ridenour house!!  Woo-Hoo!!


Now for some animal stink... does the odor of zoos bother you?  All those stinky animals doing their stinky animal thing all together?  It doesn't bother me but I suppose growing up on a farm may help in that area.  Well, I have a solution to make the zoo less stinky...

It is...

Make your own!!  And here you thought I was going to say 'baking soda,' didn't you?!

No, if you're looking for a fun activity with your toddler, you totally need to make your own zoo.  It's really easy;  all you need a bunch of stuffed animals and a laundry basket.  Here's some pictures of the one DD and I made this afternoon:

 

 

We gather a bunch of stuffed animals in an old laundry basket.  I put a blue pillowcase on her pillow and the duck & the alligator got to enjoy their natural habitat!  We gathered the animals then we came back into her room, using a telescope to look for animals.  We played with the stuffed animals then got her sandbox bucket and "fed" the animals.  Very simple but a great time with my little girl!  After about 20 mins we climbed on my bed to have a snack (lemonade, wild berry, raspberry twizzlers) and after a few minutes she decided we need to share with the animals.  So we played for a few more minutes then she took me by the hand and said, "Let's watch a movie!"  So we snuggled for awhile in front of the TV. 

 

Considering the events in OKC today, it doesn't hurt to have some simple bonding time activities up a parents' sleeve.  Remember to hug your kids tight!  They are a gift from God!

 

 

 

 

Credits: 

Baking Soda ideas:  www.beautyandbedlam.com

(Drain cleaner slightly different - I must have combined with one I had read somewhere else)

Zoo idea:  simplekids.net

 

 

 

Frozen Strawberries & Cream Dessert

I don't know what the weather is like where you live but it's been hot & humid here (or at least warm & humid).  Summer weather calls for a summer treat so tonight I made a frozen strawberries & cream dessert. 

This recipe also calls for the use of the food processor and I'm pleased to report that it worked much better this time!  See?

 

DD was excellent help breaking up the graham crackers.  There is also some pecans in there.

 

I processed that until fine then added melted butter, flour and brown sugar.

(Don't worry - the exact recipe will be at the end)

 

 

Little blurry but DD was stirring away!

 

While this mixture was "baking" in the oven, I got to separate a couple eggs.  Now don't laugh but I'd never separated eggs before.  First time = success!! 

 

 

Blending egg whites & sugar.

 

 

Squeezing lemon juice

 

Doesn't this look yummy?!

 

 

Almost ready for the freezer!

 

 

 

Now we wait...

 

 

And it was worth it!

 

 

 

Recipe originally pinned from www.pipandebby.com

 

 

Ingredients:

 

1/4 cup pecans

4 graham crackers, broken into pieces

10 tbl. melted butter

1 cup flour

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 egg whites

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup heavy whipping cream

juice from 1 lemon

4 oz softened cream cheese

2 cups strawberries

 

 

 

Instructions:

 

Preheat oven to 325.  Spray 8x8 pan with cooking spray and set aside.

 

In a food processor, combine pecans and graham crackers.  Process into fine crumbs.

Add crumbs to large bowl with butter, flour & brown sugar.

Mix well.  Spread crumbs evenly on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 mins, stirring half-way through.

 

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine egg whites & sugar. 

Using a handheld mixer, mix on medium speed for 3 mins.

Add whipping cream.  Mix on medium speed for another 6 mins.

Add lemon juice & cream cheese.  Mix on low speed until creamy.

 

Coarsely chop strawberries.  Gently fold strawberries into cream mixture.

 

Press half the crumb mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Top with strawberry/cream mixture.

Top with remaining crumbs.

Cover with foil and freeze for at least 3 hrs.

 

 

I'm thinking about trying this again for the 4th of July with a combination of strawberries and blueberries.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blueberry Pie Bars

Tonight DD and I made Blueberry Pie Bars.  Really easy, except for one problem:

This is my food processor overflowing with flour, sugar and butter!  It totally was not big enough to do the job for me so I put it all in a bowl and tried to use my hand mixer.  The butter was supposed to get blended evenly throughout but still be crumbly.  Um, yeah, the hand mixer didn't work, either so I pulled out the amount I was supposed to save for the topping and just pressed the rest into my pan as best I could.  I wasn't sure how I was going to get the topping to crumble and was about ready to get out the food processor again when DD came to the rescue!  She thought the topping looked fun to play in (keep in mind, she's 3!) so she started playing in it.  I started to tell her to stop when I realized what she was doing was crumbling it so we crumbled by hand!  A more fun, hands-on approach that worked great for my little assistant!

This next picture shows it ready to go in the oven.  I'll share the recipe and then post a picture of the finished product!

 

Originally pinned from lifessimplemeasures.blogspot.com

 

 

 

From Kirbie's Cravings

Ingredients:

Crust and Topping:

1-1/2 c. all purpose flour

3/4 c. sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

3/4 c. unsalted butter, chilled

Filling:

2 large eggs

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. sour cream

3/8 c. all purpose flour

1/2 tsp. almond extract

16 oz. fresh blueberries

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F.  Grease an 8x8-inch pan with non stick cooking spray; set aside.
2. For the crust, combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor.  Cut the butter into 1/2-inch pieces and add to flour mixture.  Process until the butter is evenly distributed but the mixture is still crumbly (about 30 to 60 seconds).
3. Reserve 1-1/2 cups of the mixture for the topping; set aside.  Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
4. For the filling, whisk eggs in a large bowl, then add the sugar, sour cream, flour, and almond extract.  Gently fold in blueberries.  Spoon the filling over the crust and sprinkle the reserved topping mixture evenly over the filling.
5. Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until top turns golden brown.  Cool 1 hour before cutting and serving or serve out of pan cobbler style.

Yield: 16 bars

 

 

 

 

 

Yummy!  And Hubby really liked it, too!