Apple Bars

The weather was so dreary yesterday that we ended up not getting our tree.  Instead, we got lots of Christmas shopping done, had a nice dinner (made by Ryan) of Teryiaki Chicken & Rice.  Sorry, I forgot to take a picture!

Then I browsed the cookbooks to find another apple dessert recipe... well I found one for Apple Bars.  Here are some pictures for your enjoyment! (p.s. don't be jealous of my Saturday night baking clothes ;))

 

 

 

Recipe:

Apple Bars

Crust:

2c. flour

½ c. margarine

½ c. sugar

2 eggs, separated

Apple Mixture:

½ Tbsp. Brown sugar

8 apples, peeled & sliced

¾ c. sugar

1 tsp. Cinnamon

¼ c. flour

Icing:

1 c. powdered sugar

½ tsp. Vanilla extract

1 Tbsp. Milk

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Mix flour, margarine, and sugar. Beat egg yolks into mixture. Divide mixture in half and press half into bottom of 9x13 greased pan. Combine apple mixture ingredients. Arrange apple mixture over dough. Crumble remaining dough over apples. Slightly beat egg whites and brush over mixture. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Cool partially then drizzle with icing. Serve warm or once cooled.

Enjoy!!

Pictures are back Pt. 4... Smoothie Fix

Over the summer, I made a protein smoothie for breakfast every-single-day. Then I hit a wall and couldn't drink them for a while... too much of a good thing is BAD they always say :) Well, just recently, I was able to start my morning protein smoothie routine again. Boy did I miss them. The only difference now, is while I am driving to work, I blast the heat otherwise the smoothie makes me colder than I already am with our brisk WI morning temperatures nowadays!

1 medium banana

1 T. creamy peanut butter

½ scoop Protein Powder (I use brownie batter)

1 ½ c. ice cubes

½ c. skim milk

Blend, pour, enjoy :)

Pictures are back Pt. 3... Thanksgiving Pie

It has become a Thanksgiving tradition in my family to have me make my famous Peanut Butter Pie. Years ago, my mom would always order a peanut butter pie from Perkins Restaurant to bring to Thanksgiving. However, one year, I found a recipe for a very similar peanut butter pie, so I gave it a shot. It was a HIT! For the last 3-4 years now, it has been my responsibility to bring my pie. Here's the recipe for you to enjoy :)

 Peanut Butter Pie

1 c. peanut butter, creamy

1 8oz cream cheese, softened

½ c. sugar

12 oz. Cool Whip

2 pie crusts (chocolate or graham)

1 jar hot fudge ice cream topping

Beat peanut butter, cream cheese and sugar until combined. Gently mix in 3 c. cool whip. Spoon half of the mixture into each pie crust; heat hot fudge jar in microwave (follow directions on the jar). Once heated, pour enough over each peanut butter layer to cover the pie (Reserve about 2 Tbsp for later). Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until fudge is set. Spread tops with remainder of cool whip. Drizzle 2 Tbsp hot fudge & 2 T peanut butter over top of pies. Use Reese mini peanut butter cups to decorate the tops!

Each pie serves 8 :)

Have you seen how adorably mini these are?!?!

Pictures are back Pt. 2... Fall is the perfect weather for chili, soups and stews

When I make chili, I follow the directions on the back of the McCormick chili seasoning packet. It makes the perfect chili in no time at all. It freezes great. We had this chili a few weeks ago, and then froze the rest. Well on Packer Sunday, there's nothing better than warm chili or soup. We cooked up some elbow noodles and served our chili topped with cheese and fresh bakery bread on the side! Perfect fall Sunday :)

Last week, we decided one of our weeknight meals would be beef stew. Anyone in my life who knows me well, knows that I am just not a beef-eating or making kinda gal :) However, I know it's something Ryan really likes, so I try! I have never made beef stew before... so I resorted to my good friend, “McCormick” for help :) This had to be one of the easiest recipes I have ever made, and it actually turned out incredibly yummy. It also made my house smell of Beef Stew for 2 days. I am willing to bet Colby felt like he was being tortured all day while I was at work and the stew was simmering away in the crock pot.

 Tortured Colby...

Pictures are back Pt. 1... Apple Crisp

So I finally got the last few months of pictures uploaded to my computer.  Here's a recipe round-up for your enjoyment!!

My dad's Apple Crisp recipe has to be one of the best recipes in the world, and one of my personal favorites! This is another recipe that I love to make on fall days... warm and hot right out of the oven! It's even better served with vanilla ice cream... but since I don't keep ice cream in the house, we had to make do without :)

Dad's Apple Crisp

6 medium apples, peeled and cored

½ tsp. Cinnamon

¾ c. brown sugar

1 ½ c. old fashioned oats

1 stick of butter, melted (¼ c.)

¾ c. flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread apples on the bottom of a 9x13 greased glass baking dish. Mix cinnamon, brown sugar, oats, butter and flour together. Spread over top of apples. Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown.