Snowy Brownies

Brownies top the favorites list for three of the five members of our family.  However, we do not like them frosted nor do we like them cakey.  Our brownies must be dense and fudgey and heavily dusted with confectioner's sugar.   This recipe is adapted from the side of the Nestle Toll House Cocoa Powder Box .  We made it fudgier by adding Hershey's syrup,  yummier by adding chocolate chips and prettier by dusting them with snowy sugar.  We like to call them Snowy Brownies.  

INGREDIENTS
1 2/3 cups white sugar
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted
2. Tbsp. water
2 eggs, room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup Hershey's Special Dark Syrup
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

PROCESS 
1.  Preheat oven to 350.
2.  Spray 9x13 pan with baking spray.
3.  In a medium bowl, melt butter in microwave.
4.  Stir in sugar and water.
5.  Add eggs, vanilla and syrup.  Stir until well combined.
6.  Add cocoa powder, baking powder, salt and chocolate chips.
7.  Stir well but do not over mix batter.
8.  Pour into pan and bake for 25 minutes.
9.  Allow to cool before dusting with powdered sugar.   
 

 

Triple Berry Trifle

Recently I found myself in a berry-buying frenzy.  They were so delicious and fresh and summery I wound up coming home with more berries than I knew what to do with.  There was a tub of Cool Whip thawed in the fridge that I needed to use up and so this handy little dessert was born.  My son loved it so much he had some after dinner, before bed and again for breakfast the next day!

INGREDIENTS

1 loaf angel food cake, store bought or homemade

1 tub Cool Whip, thawed

1 cup blueberries

1 cup raspberries

1 cup sliced strawberries

1/4 granulated sugar

PROCESS
Place rinsed and sliced berries in a bowl.  Cover with sugar, about 1/4 cup, and stir.  Set aside to become juicy.
Cube cake.  Stir cool whip to lighten.  Begin layering with cake, then berries and their juice, then a layer of Cool Whip.  Continue until ingredients are gone.  Cover with plastic wrap and store in fridge overnight.
Serve with a fresh sprig of mint on top.

After Dinner Creamy Coffee

Next time you invite guests over for dinner, save some time and effort by serving coffee for dessert.

INGREDIENTS
1 pot double strength coffee (or espresso if you have a machine)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 T. white sugar


PROCESS
Pour cold cream and white sugar into a large, deep bowl.  Using an immersion blender, blend on high until cream is very thick. (use beaters if you don't have and immersion blender)
Store whipped cream in the fridge until time to serve dessert. (can keep well for 1-2 days!)
While clearing dinner dishes, brew coffee.
Place a dollop of whipped cream in each cup and place before guest.
Pour hot coffee over cold cream and enjoy!

Linking with The Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays.