kim, Author at Lovin' From the Oven

Nutella Brownies

November 11, 2013 by kim 2 Comments

I was cleaning out my kitchen cabinet and just so happened to stumble across a brand new jar of Costco-sized Nutella that remained untouched in the back corner. How did I miss that? My DF had just polished off the matching jar from the two pack and I had an entire jar of Nutella to play with.

Since I’m always in the mood for brownies, I made the executive decision on making Nutella brownies. It was the best decision I’ve made all week.

The brownie batter has a nice, deep flavor thanks to Rodelle‘s gourmet baking cocoa.

Wouldn’t these brownies be good for a game day snack? I would have loved to have one of these brownies after a volleyball game back in the day when I used to play. Sweet treats would always make me feel like a winner, regardless of the outcome of the game.

Brownies are basically a call for celebration whenever they are baked. I know my mouth is celebrating whenever I have one in my hands.

These brownies are heavy. They’re heavy because they’re loaded with so many good ingredients. Just looking at the picture above makes my arms a little weak. You may or may not have to work out a little bit to carry this 9×13 pan. Thankfully, this Chinet pan stood up to the test with baking and transporting.

Recipe from Buns in my Oven

Nutella Brownies

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup Nutella
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups dark cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups of chopped dark chocolate (I used Trader Joe's 72% bar)
about 1/4 of additional Nutella for swirling (optional)

Directions

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9x13 baking pan.
In small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter completely. Stir in sugar and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from the heat and stir in the Nutella.
Pour butter mixture into a large bowl or stand mixer. Beat in cocoa powder, eggs, salt, baking powder, espresso powder, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
Gently stir in the flour and baking melts until just combined.
Spread into prepared pan. Add spoonfuls of Nutella on top, if using, and use a toothpick to swirl.
Bake for about 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.

https://lovintheoven.com/nutella-brownies/

Caramel Oatmeal Cookies

November 9, 2013 by kim 1 Comment

Being a flight attendant, there are a lot of things that come with the job that I never would have thought of before. One of those things are flight delays. We literally sit around either on the airplane or in the airport just waiting… We do a lot of “airport appreciation.” San Francisco has to be one of the worst airport with delays because of the heavy low fog that likes to roll around.

By the way, don’t get mad at the flight attendants or gate agents for weather delays. We have no control over that. If there’s a crazy storm and airport traffic control has stopped planes from landing, it’s not our fault. Taking your anger out on us for your delayed flight isn’t going to solve anything. Just saying.

My crew and I did a lot of “airport appreciation” last week and these cookies helped us get through it. I brought over two dozen of these cookies with me on the trip and the pilots alone ate half.

Homemade oatmeal cookies are better than monogamous airport food, I guess.

I’d definitely recommend using a silicone mat for these cookies since the caramel tends to stick to the pan if you don’t. I used one from BrightSpring and it worked like a charm. Nothing stuck to the mat or the pan and the cookies slide right off. It fit my baking sheet like a glove and the clean up was even easier.

You can find more information about BrightSpring bakeware here.

I love using the caramels bits from Kraft because they remain soft and won’t chip your tooth after baking. Here’s to another great oatmeal cookies recipe from Six Sisters Stuff!

Caramel Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups quick or old-fashion oats, uncooked
1 package Kraft Caramel Bits

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Gradually beat in the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Fold in oats and caramel bits.
Drop by rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Bake for 10-12 minutes.

https://lovintheoven.com/caramel-oatmeal-cookies/

I was sent product to review, but the opinions expressed are my own.

Peeps Rice Crispy Treat Sandwiches

November 8, 2013 by kim 1 Comment

Every single time I make rice crispy treats, my DF always asks, “Can you drizzle some chocolate on it?” I don’t know what his fascination with chocolate drizzled rice crispy treats are, but the plain ones are just fine for me. When PEEPS® sent over some of their holiday marshmallows, I figured that I would entertain my DF’s idea for once.

I present to you: Peeps Rice Crispy Treat Sandwiches dipped in chocolate. Okay, that’s not the same as drizzling, but who’s really taking notes?

I used the Sugar Cookie flavored Peeps that were already dipped in milk chocolate for my sandwiches to give them a s’mores vibe. Marshmallows and chocolate sandwiched between two crunchy outsides? All that’s missing is the graham cracker (which is why I chose to sprinkle graham crackers on top of the dipped chocolate).

My DF loved these Peeps, which was surprising to me. I’m usually the ones that seeks out Peeps at the grocery store to eat, but I’m a fan of the classic ones. It’s probably because these are dipped in chocolate. What a sucker. We all know he loves that kind of stuff.

They are pretty cute, though. They remind me of the rubber ducks that kids use in their bathtub.

My DF was so psyched about this dessert.

Here’s the kicker, though: He only ate the chocolate dipped side of each sandwich, leaving me with the naked part.

I’m not complaining though. That’s my favorite side. Our relationship truly balances out in the food aspect and it really is perfect. There is never any food wasted between the two of us. If that’s not true love, then I don’t know what is.

For more PEEPS recipes, crafts and other fun holiday ideas visit them on Facebook!

Peeps Rice Crispy Sandwiches

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
2 cups miniature marshmallows
3 cups rice crispy cereal
6 chocolate dipped sugar cookie Peeps (2 packages)
1 cup chocolate candy melts
toppings for decorating, optional (I used crushed graham crackers)

Directions

Lightly spray an 8"x8" pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large pot over low heat, melt together the butter and miniature marshmallows. Stir constantly until smooth.
Remove from heat and pour in the cereal. Gently fold until all of the cereal is evenly coated.
Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan using wax paper. Let cool completely.
Cut the rice crispy treats to create 12 rectangles (cut two lines vertically and three lines horizontally).
Place Peeps onto one side of the rice crispy treat and microwave for 5-7 seconds. Immediately place another rice crispy treat on top, squishing the Peeps in between. Let cool.
Once you have created all of your "sandwiches," melt the chocolate in a microwave until smooth (about a minute).
Dip half of each sandwich into the melted chocolate and place on wax paper to dry. Sprinkle toppings on top.

https://lovintheoven.com/peeps-rice-crispy-treat-sandwiches/

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