Cocoa Brownies with Strawberry Frosting

Ingredients:

Brownies

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• a pinch of salt

Frosting

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened.
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 - 1/2 cup strawberry preserves
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• drop of red food coloring (optional)

Directions:

Brownies

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spritz a 9x13 baking pan with buttery non-stick spray.
• Melt butter.
• Beat eggs with sugar. 
• Add vanilla, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt and melted butter.
• Blend thoroughly.
• Pour into baking pan and bake for 20-30 minutes.
• Cool brownies completely before frosting.

Frosting

• In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
• Add strawberry preserves and vanilla, beating until thoroughly blended.
• Add powdered sugar, beating until smooth and fluffy.

Pear Cake with Sliced Almonds

These have a light pear flavor and aren't too sweet.  They're lovely with a hot cup of strong, black tea or coffee.


Ingredients:

• 2 sticks butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1 cup all-fruit pear preserves (I used St. Dalfour Gourmet Pear.)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 3 cups flour

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spritz a 9x13 baking pan with non-stick buttery spray.
• Mix the sugar into the melted butter in a large mixing bowl.
• Add the eggs and the pear preserves.
• When the preserves are fully blended in, add the vanilla extract, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Mix in the sliced almonds.
• Mix in the flour and blend thoroughly.
• Pour dough into prepared pan.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes or until edges turn golden brown.
• Cool completely and slice into squares.

Peanut Butter Bars

These yummy little numbers are super simple to whip up.  Making them bars, instead of cookies, is easier, faster, and less messy.  Rather than using peanut butter, I go with peanut butter chips.  The chips give you little bursts of creamy, peanut-buttery goodness with every bite.  I also use whole wheat flour which is a bit healthier and enhances the nutty flavor and texture.

Ingredients:

• 2 sticks butter, melted
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/8 cup honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 10-ounce bag peanut butter chips
• 2 beaten eggs
• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spritz a 9x13 baking pan with buttery spray.
• Pour melted butter into a large mixing bowl.
• Add the sugar, vanilla and honey and stir until thoroughly blended.
• Add the baking soda, baking powder and salt and mix well.
• Pour in the bag of peanut butter chips and mix well.
• Pour in the beaten eggs and stir.
• Add the flour and mix until thoroughly blended.
• Pour dough into prepared baking pan and spread to cover pan.
• Bake for 35 minutes or until the edges are turning golden brown.
• Cool completely and slice into bars.