Marvelous Recipes

When your family, friends or guests bite into these chewy brown sugar cookies they will be surprised to discover a delicious kiss of chocolate hidden inside. Better make plenty because they will disappear quickly!

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
25 solid chocolate candies (kisses)
1-1/2 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar
3/4 teaspoon cocoa powder

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine the butter and brown sugar; beat with electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour and cinnamon; add to the butter mixture and mix well.

3. Shape dough into twenty-five 1-inch balls; flatten each into a 2-inch round. Place 1-inch apart on 2 ungreased baking sheets. Place 1 chocolate candy in the center of each round. Enclose the candy with the dough being sure the candy is completely sealed in the dough. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.

4. In a small bowl, combine the confectioner’s sugar and cocoa; sprinkle over the hot cookies. Cool cookies on baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Makes 25 cookies.

Emily

These rich, moist brownies are made extra special with two types of chocolate swirled on top while they are still warm. Delicious!

BROWNIES:

1 (4 ounce) bar bittersweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons baking cocoa powder
1-1/4 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

TOPPING:

1 cup semisweet chocolate baking chips
1 cup white chocolate baking chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil; making sure some of the foil hangs over the sides. Spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Chop the bittersweet chocolate into small pieces. In a microwave-safe bowl, place the chocolate, butter and cocoa powder; microwave on High until the chocolate and butter are melted. Stir together and set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the sugar and salt; add the chocolate mixture and stir to combine. Add the eggs, one at a time, stirring after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Sift in the flour and baking powder and mix well.

4. Spread batter into prepared baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes; remove from the oven.

5. Sprinkle both chocolate chips over the brownies; return to the oven for 1 minute. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 1 minute. Using the foil as handles, lift the brownies out of the pan. Spread the chocolate chips over the brownies for a marbled effect. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

These delectable munchies are quick-to-make and are ideal for after-school snacks and late-night refrigerator raids.

3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 (8 ounce) container non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
1 cup milk
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
1 (4-serving size) box vanilla flavor instant pudding and pie filling
1/4 cup strawberry preserves

1. Line 12-cup muffin pan with paper baking cups. In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs and butter; mix well. Press about 1 tablespoon of the crumb mixture into each cup; top each with 1 tablespoon of the whipped topping.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, gradually add milk to the peanut butter, blending until smooth. Add pudding mix and beat at low speed of electric mixer until well blended, about 1 to 2 minutes. Fold in the remaining whipped topping.

3. Top each cup with 1 teaspoon of the preserves. Freeze for about 4 hours. To serve, peel off papers. Makes 12 snack cups.

Emily

This delightfully cool and refreshing Jello dessert, (I found the recipe in an old Jello recipe book), is the perfect addition to your Labor Day weekend fun!

1 (20 ounce) can pineapple slices in juice
2 (4-serving size) or 1 (8-serving size) lime or apricot flavor gelatin
1-1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup ginger ale or cold water
1/4 teaspoon ginger

1. Drain pineapple, reserving the juice. Cut pineapple slices in half; set aside. Cut the remaining pineapple slices into chunks.

2. Dissolve the gelatin in boiling water. Add the reserved pineapple juice, ginger ale and ginger; chill until slightly thickened.

3. Measure 1 cup of the gelatin. Arrange some of the pineapple chunks in a 6-cup ring mold; top with measured gelatin. Chill until set but not firm, about 10 minutes.

4. Fold the remaining pineapple chunks into the remaining gelatin; spoon over gelatin in mold. Chill until firm, about 4 hours; unmold.

5. Garnish with halved pineapple slices, halved cherry tomatoes and crisp greens, if desired. Makes 5 cups or 10 servings.

Emily

I had some leftover pumpkin, from a previous recipe, that I needed to use before it went bad. I’m not sure where I got this recipe but I decided to give it a try. It turned out even better than I thought it would.

1 (18.25 ounce) box of yellow cake mix
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs, divided
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Reserve 1/2 cup of the dry cake mix.

2. In a large mixer bowl, combine the remaining dry cake mix, oil and 1 egg. Mix together using a spoon until crumbly;  with your fingers,press mixture firmly onto bottom of a 13×9-inch baking pan.

3. In another large mixer bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients; mix well using a spoon. Pour over cake mix layer. Bake for 50 minutes; cool before cutting. Makes 24 bars.

You may eat these just as they are or frost them with Cream Cheese Frosting. Either way they are really good.

Emily

You won’t believe how easy-to-make this delightful pie is!

2 cups milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose baking mix (Bisquick)
4 eggs
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups flaked coconut

1. In an electric blender, combine all the ingredients except the coconut. Blend on low setting for 3 minutes. Stir in the coconut; pour into a greased 9-inch pie pan; let stand 5 minutes.

2. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 40 minutes; Allow to cool at room temperature until set. Makes 6 to 8 servings. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Emily

The warmer weather months are just around the corner. This delicious no-bake chocolate cookie recipe is perfect for those times when you want to satisfy your family’s sweet tooth but don’t want to heat up the kitchen. Actually, my family enjoys these delightful little cookies any time of the year!

2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
3 cups quick-cook oats

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa, milk and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often; cool for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the vanilla, pinch of salt, peanut butter and oats; blend thoroughly.

2. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper; cool and then chill in refrigerator until set. Makes about 48 cookies.

Emily

Pure decadence in every bite of these delicious, brownie-like squares filled with rich caramel, creamy chocolate and crunchy nuts. Yum! Yum!

1 (14 ounce) package caramels, unwrapped
2/3 cup evaporated milk, divided
1 (18.25 ounce) box chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1.In a medium microwaveable mixer bowl, combine the caramels and 1/3 cup of the evaporated milk. Microwave on High for 2 to 3 minutes stirring every 30 seconds until the caramels are melted and mixture is smooth; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine the dry cake mix, melted butter, remaining 1/3 cup evaporated milk and chopped nuts. Stir together by hand until a soft dough forms; press 1/2 of the dough onto bottom of a greased and floured 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 6 minutes. Remove from oven and spread caramel mixture over the baked layer; sprinkle chocolate chips over the caramel mixture. Crumble the remaining cake mix dough evenly over the chocolate chips.

4. Bake 15 to 18 minutes longer. Do Not Over Bake. It may appear not to be thoroughly cooked, but once it cools it will be soft and chewy. Cut into squares. Makes 24 squares.

Emily