Nutella Blondies w/Nutella Caramel

IF YOU ARE WATCHING YOUR SUGAR INTAKE, STOP... These bars are not for you. Holy Diabetic Coma. O my goodness. But if you want a blondie that does not became a brick after one day, with a delightful homemade caramel sauce on it.... These are it. Heaven help you. These were made on Friday afternoon for a party, they still were moist and delicious on Monday. How often can you say that about Blondies. Pretty close to never. This is why I almost never make them. As good as they taste, one or two days later, in the garbage can.

I am having some alignment problem with my website.. I started to frost these bars, cut them and added the remaining frosting. Almost all the sides were covered. Ooey Gooey mess of finger licking goodness. These bars could be included in some decadent FUN... (Just saying)

OK, Nutella in the blondie and and the caramel sauce.. Totally elevated something regular to a whole new level. Think about this when you are baking and cooking. Bump it up a notch. Food does not have to be boring. Enjoy your food and your life.

There are a lot of ingredients here. Do not let this dissuade you, Just the blondie bake, add the caramel sauce when done. Just a different type of frosting. Actually, this bar calls for a glaze on top, absolutely unnecessary. There is no need.

Nutella Blondies w/Nutella Caramel

loosely adapted from cookingandbeer.com

Ingredients

Blondies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup Nutella

2 3/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup white chocolate chips

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Nutella Caramel 

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1/2 cup Nutella

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with tin foil. Spray with cooking spray and set aside.

In a medium skillet, add the 2 sticks of butter. Cook over medium low heat. Stirring occasionally. The butter will foam and then start to cook. You will smell a wonderful nutty aroma. Please keep an eye, so that the butter does not burn. Once the butter turns, remove from heat and let cool slightly.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the brown butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each one. Add in vanilla and mix. Gently mix in flour, salt and baking soda. DO NOT OVER MIX. Gently fold in white chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth out the top

In a small bowl, mix together granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle mixture over the top of the blondies in an even layer. Bake for 20-22 minutes. They will puff slightly. When done baking, remove from oven and let cool.

While the blondies are cooling, prepare the Nutella caramel. In a heavy bottom saucepan, add the granulated sugar and heat over medium heat. Regularly stir the sugar. The sugar will turn this beautiful amber brown color. Once all the clumps have melted, add the butter and continue to stir until melted. VERY slowly, add the cream into the sugar butter mixture. It will bubble, this is OK. Boil for 1-2 minutes. Then remove from heat. Immediately stir in the Nutella, vanilla extract and sea salt. Set aside and let cool.

Once the caramel is cooled, pour a thin layer over the blondies. Cut the blondies and spread out slightly. Pour the remaining caramel over the blondies the coat most of the sides. It will make each piece special.

This batter comes together quickly. If you were out of white chocolate chips, it would not be a tragedy.

All ready for the oven.

Once out of the oven, the blondies are puffed.

Plain old white sugar... nothing special

Starting to melt and form clumps

Almost totally melted. A few clumps still left. Do you see that beautiful brown color

Added the butter and then the cream to the mixture

ONE WORD ~~ Nutella

Nutella Caramel Sauce.. This could be used for so many different things..
Ice cream, plain old brownies, out of the pan...

Pouring the thin layer before I cut them

Most of the sides are covered

I took these to a party. They look a bit intimidating. 

Once the first person tried one, they were devoured. 

Everyone raved about these.

I saved a few for my Husband, 

WHOA, I got his approval. 

Pecan Cheesecake Squares

Holy rock and roll, I have found Heaven. These bars are amazing... I know, I know, how many times have I said this. I guess because I only post excellent tasting food. WHY would I post a sub par recipe. There really in no point.

So last Friday was my Mother's 70th birthday.

We actually started her extravaganza on Thursday. All of her daughters took her to Chicago for Dinner and a Show.

This was the end of dinner. We went to this wonderful restaurant in Chicago named Balena. Delicious food. From there, we took a cab and went to see the Million Dollar Quartet. It was a wonderful show featuring the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Perkins. Just up my mothers alley. Her toe was a tapping and she was clapping.

It was a wonderful evening. On Friday was her actual birthday, we also had a birthday party for her then. My Mother loves cake without a lot of Frosting. So, I made her this delightful Citrus Almond Cake. (the only picture is above). I will post the recipe sometime when I take more photos. (the brain was not functioning) I also made these delicious mouth watering Pecan Cheesecake Squares. They were totally consumed. Everyone LOVED them and wanted the recipe. IF you really want to ask a question, WHY does someone really need to bring 2 desserts to the second day birthday extravaganza. Because I love to bake, or just crazy.. Hmmm definitely the second one....

They are not a hard bar to make, There is cooling time between each layer. That is why they take a bit longer to make. They also need to chill and set up before serving. This bar is easy, but just takes some time.

This tray was devoured. Remember, there was also 

a small lovely cake also. 

Pecan Cheesecake Squares
Adapted by positivelysplendid.com
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar, DIVIDED
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
2 cups finely chopped pecans, DIVIDED
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, DIVIDED
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13 pans with tin foil and spray.

For the shortbread layer. In a mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, combine flour, 3/4 cup of brown sugar and butter. Mix until course crumbs. DO NOT WALK AWAY from the mixer. Unless you want a lump of dough. Stir in 1/2 cup of pecans. Press mixture into your prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes. When done, remove from oven and let cool for 5 - 10 minutes.

For the cheesecake layer. Please the cream cheese in your mixing bowl. (SAME One from above) Add in sugar and beat until smooth. Add in milk and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and mix until combined. Pour cream cheese mixture over the shortbread layer. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes.

For the pecan layer. In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 3/4 cup of brown sugar, corn syrup and melted butter. Gently stir in eggs, salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Once mix, add the 1 1/2 cups of pecans. Mix completely. Slowly pour the pecan mixture over the cooled cheesecake layer. Bake for 35-40 minutes. Or until the center is a rich brown color.

Pecan.. I could eat the bag of these. 

When buying nuts, store bags in containers

in your freezer. They will not go rancid over time

Find pebbles. 

I did this in the mixer, Please watch. YOU do not

want it to became a lump of dough.

Patting into pan. I sprayed my hands with Pam

so that the batter would not stick

The slightly baked short bread crust cooling and 

waiting for the cheesecake layer

Ready for the oven

This layer needed to cool for 10  minutes to firm up

Pecan Pie on top of the cheesecake layer

This pan was a bubbling when it came out of the oven

This bar cut so nice. 

Do you hear, EAT ME PLEASE

layers of shortbread, cream cheese and pecans

This is the next day. Totally chilled and set up. 

I may have eaten all of these on this tray.

Worth the price of pecans.

THE PICTURE OF HER BIRTHDAY CAKE FOR SATURDAY

Chocolate layer on bottom and banana cake on top.

The banana cake is my Florida sisters' recipe.

I will post that also someday. Delicious

Chocolate Peanut Butter Gooey Bars

SO.... I am on this huge gooey bar kick. This particular bar is absolutely amazing. Oh my Heaven. If you are a chocolate peanut butter lover, these bars are for you. These bars will kick Reese's cups out of the way. Reese's are my husbands favorite. I always try to save some from Halloween. Sweeten his heart... He really knows that I love him very much.

I really need a manicure... 

Just look at the bar, layers of goodness

As we all know, I like easy and delicious. These bars have a few steps, but nothing is complicated and they just layer and go together quickly. I took these to a party and they were devoured. I cut them into small pieces and that was perfect. There was also the thought as making these for a birthday dessert. If you are not a cake lover and like peanut butter and chocolate, holy moses, these are a HIT.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Gooey Bars

modified from recipesfoodandcooking.com

Ingredients

1 Chocolate Cake mix

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1 egg

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup peanut butter chips

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 cup peanut butter

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

4 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 tablespoon peanut butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil, and spray the cooking spray. 

In a mixer with a paddle attachment. Combine the cake mix, egg and butter together. Beat until combined. Pat down the cake mix batter into your pan. It will take some patience and a few minutes to cover the entire surface of your pan.

Pour the chocolate chips over the bottom layer. Pour the peanut butter chips over the chocolate chips and cover completely.

In the same bowl, combine the cream cheese, vanilla extract, and peanut butter until totally mix together. Add the eggs one at a time. Mixing after each egg. Add the melted butter and mix completely. Add the powdered sugar and mix thoroughly. Pour this mixture of the chip layer.

Bake for about 45-50 minutes. The mixture will be puffed up in the center when done. It will only jiggle slightly. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave on 50% power for a minute. Add the peanut butter. (MAYBE another 15-30 seconds if not totally melted). Stir stir stir. Spread the mixture over the top of the cream cheese layer. (Mine was still warm and made the frosting melt more) Perfect. 

Once totally cooled or slightly chilled, cut into pieces and serve.

I believe everyone knows by now. 

I LOVE all Chips.

When I was a kid, we used to eat them out of the bag.

This is the chocolate mix patted into the bottom of the pan

Chocolate and peanut butter chips

Cream cheese mixture ready to pour over the chips

the bars are cooling and ready for frosting

This bar does benefit from frosting. 

Finishes of the top layer

bites for display purposes only....

ALL I have to say.... mouthwateringly delicious....

6 and 12

Yesterday was my weird "more than Normal" dysfunctional day. To begin with, it was Monday. How many people just my a bad sound about yesterday. I was a bright sunny day at our house. But it was just one of those days you actually never look forward to. In my family, the build up is ALWAYS so much worse. The sad thoughts and tears have already been shed. So Monday was sunny. I had decided to take a vacation, because in the past, I have not been friendly Shayla, it is just easier to be off. Less problems for everyone. So I ran, went to a Crossfit class. (find the right Crossfit place and your will love it) I am still going to yoga, just mixing things up.

SO, on with my ramblings. Yesterday was my twelve year wedding anniversary.

This was such a fun picture to take. We were just laughing and laughing. The photographer said we were smiling to much. We went to the train station and took these pictures. We were married on a Sunday afternoon, So there was almost no one at the train station.

My Husband gave me this beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was a bright, fall mix of flowers. It is always a way to my heart. We decided yesterday that the flowers needed to go to work. My kitties found them, and thought these would make a fabulous play toy. PICK, pick, pick, rub, brush by, and generally just touch all the flowers. So much fun. I actually have really enjoyed having them in my office today. My office smells fantastic. 

How is it that a cat can photo bomb a picture. These brats have such a good life. I was really loving them from about midnight to 5:30 AM this morning. In bed, out of bed, running through the house, licking and then back in bed with you. 

SO, yesterday was the six year anniversary of my Dad's passing. I missed him so much last week. I had already cried all my tears. His twin granddaughters turned 18 today. I think he would almost feel old. My Mom will turn 70 in a couple weeks and I turn 50 in the Spring. Time just marched on.

Monday was his favorite day of the week. It was a perfect day for working outside. Yard work or farming. Great day to get stuff accomplished. So, since I was off and everyone else was working, I had lunch with my Mom. She was good. We had a cocktail at lunch because we COULD. We both shed a couple of tears and then ordered lunch. There are so many other things going on, that sitting there feeling sad was just not right. A friend of my Moms showed up, and we continued to shoot the breeze. Loads of laughs. All was good.

For Dinner, my Husband and I went to Bonefish Grill. There are only 4 in the state of Illinois. We always go when we visit my Mom in FLA in the winter. It was very good, but the Florida ambiance just was not there. 

Pear Martini and Bang bang shrimp

Delicious

I just love their Martinis. The Bang Bang Shrimp is always fantastic. My Husband had shrimp and scallops and I had fish. We discussed my day and all was good. My Husband announced that we were doing something right, because we still like to eat together. He really made me smile. We went home and had left over birthday cake from my nieces birthday party from Sunday. (DIET Blown out the Window.)

In the recent past, I have had cousins who lost their Dad, and friends who have lost loved ones. My Heart aches for them. I would like to tell them that they will get better, but it is WAY to early. My Dad always told us that there was always someone worse off than us. I miss my Dad, but I am very lucky and happy. 

Thank you for reading this blog. I really appreciate people taking time out of their day to read my thoughts. If you know someone who is facing difficult days, lend them a hand. Drive them to the doctor, rake their leaves or just hold their hand and listen.....

Lemon Pound Cake

The other day, I had a large Sweets job. Wonderful. Everything tasted fantastic and looked great. The customer was very happy. SO.... the next day I tackled my kitchen. OMG. I had ran the dishwasher, so I emptied that, put away the clean dishes in the sink. Wash the rest of the dishes and totally cleaned my kitchen. Countertops, cabinet fronts and the floors. WOW.. The kitchen was clean and no one was making a mess in there. .... Well except for me. This pound cake recipe was just calling my name. MAKE Me Please. I am Delicious and you love pound cake... So I slightly mess up my kitchen. I did clean it all up after I was done. There needed to be proof for my Husband when he came home...

There are a million pound cake recipes out there. This was an easy recipe and worth it.

But this little hot gem, screamed MAKE ME. 

I am glad I did. YUMMY..

Lemon Pound Cake
slightly modified from afamilyfeast.com
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 

Spray an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Set aside

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt. (I had a brain fart, and sifted into my wet ingredients) JUST MAKE SURE you Sift.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on a high speed for 2-3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each one until totally blended. Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract to butter mixture until completely combined. Scrape down the sides.

On a low speed, slowly add in the dry ingredients until well combined. Scrape down the sides again

Add in Lemon zest and Lemon juice until just combined.

Pour batter into prepared pan Bake for 60-65 minutes. Top should be golden brown. Check if done with a toothpick. Cool in pan for 10 minutes and then turn out until a wire rack to cool completely.

The Halloween decorations are out, a little kitty 

found this scary orange spider. 

She had loads of fun playing with it.

Fresh lemon zest, and soon, fresh lemon juice

Sifting the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients

A nice pan of batter. A perfect size for a pound cake

The new dishes in the sink

They never seem to end

Look at that lovely color of Golden Brown

I really need to get a hobby.

Look at that cake. 

Texture is perfect, Moist and delicious

I had to take a bite for the photo opportunity. 

ACTUALLY, I ate both of these pieces and another on. 

DAY time photography. There are several differences

between natural and evening light.